Braves hope July 5 is turning point again for Uggla
For those looking for some reason for hope concerning the Braves and their slumping All-Star second baseman, we offer this: It was a year ago today that Dan Uggla went from struggling mightily to on fire, with no transition period between.
Dan Uggla went on a tear beginning July 5, 2011, after slumping during the first half of the season. The Braves hope he'll turn things around again this year at the midway point.
We’re going to keep today’s blog short because I spent what would have been blog-writing time instead doing the breaking story on Jonny Venters going on the 15-day DL with an “elbow impingement,” an injury that neither he nor the Braves have mentioned or hinted at any time, despite being asked repeatedly in the past two months if he was injured.
Even when I asked after last night’s game how long the Braves could keep using Venters the way he’s been pitching, Gonzalez said nothing about any injury whatsoever, and in fact said they would keep pitching him and that he had shown signs of progress. He said the Braves had to get him back to being effective or they’d be “up against it.”
Anyway, I cover all that in the story that’s posted on the blog now about Venters to the DL and lefty Luis Avilan called up from the minors for the first time. Avilan will be here in Atlanta for tonight’s series finale against the Cubs, as the Braves try to salvage a split of the four-game series and 10-game homestand. They’ve lost five of their past seven games and fallen six games behind Washington in the NL East.
But back to Uggla.
A year ago he was batting .173 with a .568 OPS, 12 homers and 29 RBI in 86 games through July 4 (the season started almost a week earlier in 2012). Then he went on an absolute hitting binge, batting .377 with 15 homers, 32 RBIs and 1.200 OPS in 33 games from July 5 through Aug. 13.
This year through July 4 he’s hit .229 with 11 homers, 43 RBIs, 54 walks, 94 strikeouts and a .359 OBP and .759 OPS in 80 (of the team’s 81) games. His OPS is actually just five points below what he finished with last season, primarily due to the increased walks. But Uggla will be the first to tell you, the Braves aren’t paying him to walk.
Walks are nice, but a lot nicer when they come with big power numbers for a hitter like Uggla.
Uggla’s current stats don’t reflect how poorly he’s fared in recent weeks. He’s gone 21 games without a homer and is 6-for-61 (.098) in past 18 games with one double, two RBIs, 10 walks, 25 strikeouts and .362 OPS.
For the season, he’s hit just .217 (41-for-189) against righties with eight homers, 30 walks, 64 strikeouts and a .727 OPS.
In 40 home games, Uggla has hit .202 with four homers, 32 walks, 48 strikeouts, a .367 OBP and .341 slugging percentage. That’s right, he has a higher OBP than slugging percentage this season at Turner Field.
One other thing: The Braves had better pitching and had others picking up the middle-of-the-order slack in the first half last season when Uggla was struggling in the first half. They had a 50-36 record despite his .173 average and .568 OPS in those first 86 games.
There's been a wide disparity in Heyward's stats from one spot in the batting order to another. You might be surprised where he's been most effective. Check out the numbers in this blog.
This year, the Braves’ pitching has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency, and their best middle-of-the-order hitters have all struggled mightily for stretches due to injury or just plain slumps. They are 42-39 at the halfway point of the season.
• Heyward’s spot in order: OK, we always have to tread lightly when mentioning anything regarding Jason Heyward’s stats, because his many followers read into anything they view as negative reporting about him, and his detractors accuse us of fanning a hype machine when we write anything good about him. There don’t seem to be many riding the fence when it comes to their opinion of the talented right fielder.
So anyway, we present these numbers simply for information purposes, fully aware that many will consider them sample sizes too small to judge and others will blow them out of proportion and make career projections from them, etc. We’re just giving you the numbers. Make of them what you may:
Heyward in 6-hole this season: .356 (31-for-87) with seven homers, nine walks, 16 strikeouts, .417 OPB, .690 slugging
Heyward in 6-hole in his career: .302 (60-for-199) with 17 homers, 28 walks, 35 strikeouts, .389 OBP, .633 slugging
Heyward in 3-hole this season: .192 (6-for-33) with 1 homer, 3 walks, 9 strikeouts, .250 OBP, .364 slugging
Heyward in 3-hole in his career: .196 (21-for-107) with two homers, 15 walks, 33 strikeouts, .301 OBP, .336 slugging
He has hit more than twice as much in 2-hole as anywhere else, and that’s where manager Bobby Cox batted him most of the time in 2010 as a rookie. But this season he’s only had 16 at-bats (4-for-16, one homer, two walks) in the 2-hole.
Heyward in 2-hole for his career: .267 (148-for-554) with 17 HR, 81 walks, 128 strikeouts, .367 OBP, .428 slugging
His worst stats are in the 5-hole, where he’s hit .197 (15-for-76) in his career with one homer, eight walks, 27 strikeouts, .291 OBP and .329 slugging.
BRAVES LINEUP
- Bourn CF
- Prado LF
- Heyward RF
- Freeman 1B
- McCann C
- Uggla 2B
- Simmons SS
- Franciso 3B
- Minor P
• Tonight’s matchup: It’s Mike Minor going for the Braves against Matt Garza (4-6, 4.01 ERA), one of the potentially available pitchers the Braves have scouting as the trade deadline approaches.
Bourn is 10-for-17 against Cubs starter Matt Garza.
Garza is 2-3 with a 3.72 ERA in his past six starts, but he’s struggled on the road this season, going 2-5 with a 5.22 ERA and 11 homers allowed in nine road starts (compared to 2-1 with a 2.50 ERA and one homer in six starts at Wrigley Field).
The right-hander is 1-4 with a 6.00 ERA in his past six road starts, with nine homers allowed in 33 innings.
Michael Bourn is 10-for-17 against Garza.
• Let’s close this with a great one from the Drive-By Truckers, “Tornadoes.” Hear the studio version by clicking here or see them do it live by clicking here.
“TORNADOES” by Drive-By Truckers
The clouds started forming at five o’clock pm
The funnel clouds touched down
five miles north of Russellville
Sirens were blowing, clouds spat rain
and as the things came threw, it sounded like a train
“It came without no warning” said Bobbi Jo McLean
She and husband Nolen always loved to watch the rain
It sucked him out the window, he ain’t come home again
All she can remember is “It sounded like a train”
Pieces of that truck stop, litter up the highway, I been told
And I hear that missing trucker ended up in Kansas
(or maybe it was Oz).
The Nightmare Tour ended for my band and me
the night all the shit went down
A homecoming concert, the night the tornadoes hit my hometown.
The few who braved the weather were sucked out of the auditorium
I can still remember the sound of their applause in the rain
as it echoed through them storm clouds, I swear, It sounded like a train.
– by David O’Brien, Braves/MIB blog
1,472 comments Add your comment
Dylan
July 5th, 2012
2:59 pm
Vote bourn
Bobby's Cox
July 5th, 2012
3:00 pm
Trade Uggla
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
3:00 pm
Vote BOURN!
Ease
July 5th, 2012
3:02 pm
#VoteBourn
Kat
July 5th, 2012
3:03 pm
Here’s hoping Uggla gets turned on by July.. yea….
Screwball
July 5th, 2012
3:04 pm
That Drive By Truckers song may sound good but the lyrics are godawful bad when read aloud.
Screwball
July 5th, 2012
3:05 pm
Let’s hope DOB’s “Uggla’s gonna turn this thing around” post will have some more lasting impact than his recent post on how BMac had found something in his swing and was about to break out.
We need some good news.
Tommy
July 5th, 2012
3:05 pm
Good pick on the DBT song. I listened to this song on the way to work the morning of April 27, 2011; it was an eerie premonition for that day to me.
Oh, and VOTE BOURN!
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
3:05 pm
Uggla will turn it around. He’s already starting to make more contact…
#VoteBourn
TennesseePaul
July 5th, 2012
3:07 pm
Thanks for the work DOB.
GO BRAVES!!
Sopheee
July 5th, 2012
3:07 pm
http://www.mlb.com if you don’t have Twitter.
Vote for Bourn.
Fish Bisch
July 5th, 2012
3:08 pm
Graza owns us
Murph
July 5th, 2012
3:09 pm
If Bourn misses by one vote, send all hate-mail to murph@aol.com.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
3:09 pm
Screwball: You’re right! lol. DOB just jinxed Uggla…
Bobby H
July 5th, 2012
3:09 pm
I feel like such a bad Braves fan for not voting. — Murph
And well you should, Murph, but, also, a dumb one for telling us.
flange1
July 5th, 2012
3:10 pm
Thanks for the new blog DOB.
Love the DBT’s Tornados, it is my favorite Patterson song.
Go Braves!
Skokie Dog
July 5th, 2012
3:10 pm
Fredi: “Have to tip your cap to those pitchers that Uggla has faced all year. They’re pitching like All-Stars, every one of them.”
Tenaciousdx
July 5th, 2012
3:10 pm
72-90 folks. I am sticking to my prediction
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
3:11 pm
How about a win tonight followed by a sweep of Philly. Does that sound plausible for this ballclub?
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
3:11 pm
I just put in a bunch of votes for Bourn. I had a few thoughts…
1) Could they have taken a goofier picture of Bourn?
2) How is this an effective way to pick an All Star?
“Hey Bud, how should we determine who’s on the All Star Roster?”
“Let’s see who can type in a number on our website the most times.”
3) I voted as a 6 month old.
4) My email was dedicated to George
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
3:11 pm
If Us Fans and the Braves are gonna Depend on Uggla getting hot and carrying the team, then we are up Sh-its Creek…
King of Carrot Flowers
July 5th, 2012
3:11 pm
Sure glad the Braves got Medlen stretched out so he can go 3 innings in a 10-3 game, and watch from the bench as Delgado and Minor lose every start. Medlen is exhibit 1A in the case against Braves incompetent management this year.
flange1
July 5th, 2012
3:12 pm
Oh and if folks missed George’s first post of the day on the old blog, here it is REPOSTED for your viewing pleasure.
“ajkshdfghfg G ‘;HSNSN S /’;JASLG g MNHKjsfbB ”
Well, it made about that much sense……
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
3:12 pm
92-70, Bank On It…
Its Looking more and more like thats gonna get declined!
ncbravesfan90
July 5th, 2012
3:12 pm
6/5/2012 lineup:
1. Michael Bourn (L) CF
2. Martin Prado (R) LF
3. Jason Heyward (L) RF
4. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
5. Brian McCann (L) C
6. Dan Uggla (R) 2B
7. Andrelton Simmons (R) SS
8. Juan Francisco (L) 3B
9. Mike Minor (R) P
Freddie G
July 5th, 2012
3:12 pm
McCann will break out of his slump any year now. Until then, I’ll keep running him out there and tip my cap to the opposing pitcher.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
3:12 pm
If Us Fans and the Braves are gonna Depend on Uggla getting hot and carrying the team, then we are up Sh-its Creek…
Bank On It!! I can’t ever think of a time when Uggla got red hot in July to put up ridiculous numbers for the rest of the season…
Mike S.
July 5th, 2012
3:12 pm
I dont think its Uggla’s fault. This to me is another example of the Braves being cheap and trying to turn Uggla in to a legit cleanup because they dont want to pay for one. Uggla should be batting third or fifth around a legit cleanup hitter. Ramirez in Florida was more dangerous than anyone on the Braves roster, so he did have that in front of him. Put this guy around a big bat in the middle of the order, and he will produce far more. Make him the target, and its a mismatch.
bostonbravo
July 5th, 2012
3:13 pm
DOB you mean Fredi…LIED to you??
and OnlyBravesFan…are you Uggla’s mommy? He has been unable to hit or field over any season since we “stole” him from FLA!
Skokie Dog
July 5th, 2012
3:13 pm
Fredi: “Uggla has been trying to play through a swing impingement. We’re hoping that running him out there everyday will get him over this condition.”
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
3:13 pm
King of Carrot Flowers
“Sure glad the Braves got Medlen stretched out so he can go 3 innings in a 10-3 game, and watch from the bench as Delgado and Minor lose every start.Medlen is exhibit 1A in the case against Braves incompetent management this year.”
I dunno who you are??? but I will Co-Sign on that post abt Little Big man Med’s
Tina
July 5th, 2012
3:14 pm
Good night for Uggla is 0-3 with two strikeout and a walk. Trade the bum.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
3:14 pm
some sites are more stat oriented, some more video oriented flange.
not a big UZR fan myself except in 5 year doses , even it’s creator has said he’s not sure it has much value
anyway just one look at what some evaluators think. ain’t claiming it’s perfect
Ease
July 5th, 2012
3:15 pm
Sh-its Creek
I couldn’t find that on Google Maps.
Mike S.
July 5th, 2012
3:15 pm
I’d make the same comment for McCann, Heyward, Freeman, or anyone else on the roster. This is roster has a gaping hole in the middle at the 4 spot. Dont even try to convince me that these guys should be able to fill it. The teams that have been finishing above the Braves and winning titles all have the big guy in the middle protecting the rest of the lineup.
billy bob baseball
July 5th, 2012
3:15 pm
Uggla can’t even hit Cub’s pitching, does anyone expect his bat to wake up at crunch time against the pitching rich NL East? Anyone who has watched him over the last two years has got to know, pitch him on the outside corner let him try to pull it, then watch as he meekly grounds to third or short. Does he even know there is a right side of the diamond? McCann is just as obstinate, continually pulling the ball when the defense has half the infield on the right side, and hitting right into the shift. Home runs may draw fans, but base hits bring in runs and win ball games. I don’t care if uggla or mccann never hit another home run, but I would love to see the Braves playing in October. That puts fans in the seats also.
Screwball
July 5th, 2012
3:15 pm
Carrots is right. WTF are they doing with Medlen. Makes no sense at all.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
3:16 pm
If Garza is so good that we need to trade for him, today’s game is obviously a loss already….
Murph
July 5th, 2012
3:16 pm
Sweet, Fredi is keeping the black hole of Uggla and McCann together again… and hitting them 5/6!
Gonna be up to Freeman to drive in any baserunners before those two come up.
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
3:16 pm
Mike S.
“I dont think its Uggla’s fault.”
Co-Sign Its not his Fault totally, had our Pitchers lived up to expections as a whole we wouldn’t be in this hole— In S. Training, I drank too much Kool Aid and Overrated this lousy pitching staff (Kimmie Excluded)
I told everyone on here in S. Training that the O-Vent-Brel Triple Team would not have a duplicate season in that all 3 of their seasons were that Good…Actually As Much as I loathe John Kincaid, he made that prediction as well
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
3:18 pm
Our Productiojn from our 3-6 hitters has been Awful the last 5 weeks…Its a Shame when we have to rely on the bottom of the order to drive in runs
Skokie Dog
July 5th, 2012
3:18 pm
Fredi: “I’m worried that I may get elbow impingement after so much cap tipping.”
Juan
July 5th, 2012
3:19 pm
Wtching Marlin/Brewers Game, Temp 101 with the roof open….why??? i don’t know, it the roof broken…why if you have a roof and 100 temp is not close….
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
3:19 pm
Braves lineup: Bourn CF, Prado LF, Heyward RF, Freeman 1B, McCann C, Uggla 2B, Simmons SS, Francisco 3B, Minor P
Juan
July 5th, 2012
3:19 pm
sorry typing error….
flange1
July 5th, 2012
3:19 pm
nolie,
I am not arguing with you at all! I know you like the Bill James fielding guide, and I tend to like it better than anything else I have seen.
I was surprised at the results is all.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
3:19 pm
Thanks for the new Blog, Chief! I think Chipper put a curse on the #3 spot…
Bobby H. For someone that loves birds so much, I can’t believe you never “tweeted”.
Haha! I know, right?…
I go back and forth…I’d Tweet before I’d Facebook…
Billy Beaneater
July 5th, 2012
3:19 pm
1.
to make an impression; have an effect or impact (usually followed by on or upon ): to impinge upon the imagination; social pressures that impinge upon one’s daily life.
2.
to encroach; infringe (usually followed by on or upon ): to impinge on another’s rights.
3.
to strike; dash; collide (usually followed by on, upon, or against ): rays of light impinging on the eye.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
3:20 pm
you would think Fredi would put someone who is hitting a bit between Man and Uggs right now
TennesseePaul
July 5th, 2012
3:20 pm
Last 9 Starts of the Starting 9
_________AVG__OBP__SLG___OPS_wOBA_L9S9+
Bourn__ .303 .381 .606 0.987 .420 __153
Prado__ .353 .390 .441 0.831 .359 __117
Heyward .216 .268 .405 0.674 .288 ___73
Freeman .323 .421 .516 0.937 .369 __143
McCann_ .143 .167 .171 0.338 .154 __-11
Uggla__ .100 .250 .133 0.383 .206 ____4
Simmons .273 .314 .424 0.739 .348 ___91
Francis .235 .235 .382 0.618 .263 ___58
Minor__ .067 .067 .067 0.133 .107 __-65
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
3:21 pm
Speaking of S. Training Remember who was tearing up Grapefruit League Pitching? Hitting Homers to All Fields!
His Name is Dannn Uggla!!!!
Face it People He is the 2012 Version of A. Jones at the Dish, Streaky as Hell
Juan
July 5th, 2012
3:23 pm
Big night for Francisco…two homer… final score 7-2 braves
nolie
July 5th, 2012
3:23 pm
there are gas impingement AR semi-automatic rifles. work real well, but gets a bit dirty…..
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
3:23 pm
Flabcisco Is Due for a Coming Out Party Tonight!
He’s my Pick to Click
Expect 3-4 hits from him and he Might hit a homer for us if we are on good behavior
Fish Bisch
July 5th, 2012
3:23 pm
Fredi is brilliant.
The Red
July 5th, 2012
3:23 pm
I wouldn’t question Venter’s elbow injury too much. I don’t feel the need to see him demoted, just out of the lineup! Of course, I think the reason he’s struggling is that the league realized that he was living on that slider that short-hopped the plate. When they quit swinging at it, he has to throw a strike, and that’s never been a strong suit of his.
Bob in SF
July 5th, 2012
3:24 pm
Uggla needs to be in the AL; he’s terrible in the field and his offense hasn’t made up for that at all this year.
CrαZy
July 5th, 2012
3:24 pm
lineup: #VoteBourn CF, Prado LF, Heyward RF, Freeman 1B, McCann C, Uggla 2B, Simmons SS, Francisco 3B, Minor P
ACE
July 5th, 2012
3:24 pm
For all the passes and softball questions DOB has given Fredi you would think he could have gave DOB a heads up on Venters. Or could it be that like most things Fredi had no idea about this either?
ncbravesfan90
July 5th, 2012
3:24 pm
I reckon the most concerning thing is that with the slumps of McCann and Uggla, McCann is just not getting on base period. As TennesseePaul provided the stats above, even with the slump of Uggla, the past nine games he’s getting on base at a .250 clip, whereas McCann is just .024 percentage points higher than his average. That’s the concerning part about McCann, he’s not even drawing walks.
PMC
July 5th, 2012
3:25 pm
Good Job on the stats DOB, with Heyward though, I think he needs to get comfortable with that 3rd slot while Uggla and McCann Struggle. The line up with Chipper 4th is working at least some. They just didn’t get the runs in last night.
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
3:25 pm
Man, I’m eating some Nasty Crow for wanting the Signing of The Wizard (Roy Oswalt) a month ago…
The dude has been flat out putrid!
CrαZy
July 5th, 2012
3:26 pm
I thought that throw by Uggla was perfect the other night Simmons just needs to jump higher… Much Higher!!
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
3:27 pm
UT-OH
ACE is in the House! He’s about to Set It Off!
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
3:27 pm
Gawd, here comes Francisco the K machine…. 1-4, a single, 2Ks, and a groundout. We should hit Minor in front of him
PMC
July 5th, 2012
3:27 pm
I like Freddie 3rd a lot when he’s healthy too.
Murph
July 5th, 2012
3:28 pm
I’d go with:
1. Bourn
2. Simmons
3. Prado
4. Freeman
Beyond that it doesn’t really matter since nobody else is hitting anyways. Drawing straws or throwing a dart to pick 5-8 would likely yield similar results.
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
3:30 pm
Enter your comments here
Jimmy
July 5th, 2012
3:30 pm
I just voted for Bryce.
It was not a clown move.
The Bravery
July 5th, 2012
3:30 pm
Im am growing weary of this team not being able to line anything positive up at the same time. When we hit our pitching is atrocious, when we give up only 1 or 2 runs we get shut out, when starters throw well the pen blows vice versa and ect. I used to have the mentality when I read articles like this is that we just need to get so and so going and it will all come together. Im done with that bc time after time the lousiness is just replaced by other players. When uggs gets it goin, which im sure he will, then someone else in the lineup will seem to slip into the worst slump of their life (or pull a mccann) and we are no better off than before.
I do know that if one thing remains constant day in and day out, it is that Fredi will continue to make egregious errors that leaves fans scratching their heads. I cant help but feel that every manager in the bigs has a running joke about how awful Fredi is. No, he cant fix all of the players problems, but he certainly is not the answer here. Fredi is a fart in the face of Braves fans.
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
3:31 pm
July 5 was the game we went to last year. I’d like to think we had something to do with Uggla’s turnaround
nolie
July 5th, 2012
3:31 pm
I didn’t think Simmons looked all that comfortable hitting second the other day. Kinda jumpy and less patient
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
3:32 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan
“Gawd, here comes Francisco the K machine…. 1-4, a single, 2Ks, and a groundout.”
Yah, that is a more realistic prediction…And I bet the single comes after its past time to just turn it off…or I just wont see it at all TNA Rasslin is on Tonight
Murph
July 5th, 2012
3:33 pm
Enter your comments here – Tomahawkin
First thing you’ve posted in weeks that I actually understood.
Overhead At The Cooler
July 5th, 2012
3:33 pm
These quotes pertaining to the Braves could legitimately have been heard from the opposing dugout at different dates, days and times during this season.
“Wow that dude is pitching like Cy Young! We’ll be lucky to score tonight!”
“I haven’t had this much fun with a bat since I took BP this past winter with my old high school team!”
“While we are at it, lets give them a wedgie and take their lunch money! They are a bunch of wuss’es over in the other dugout.”
“We gotta score a run! If they get to Kimbrel, We’re dead! Oh no! Too Late!
“See I told you, Heyward is over-rated.”
“How the hell are we going to get that Heyward kid out?”
“Chipper looks like he could play for 5 more years! He’s on fire!”
“Man Chipper should just retire now before he gets hurt out there.”
“If the ump made that call AGAINST US, our manager would be up in his face now getting ready to get tossed!”
“Alright guys, nows’ your chance! Remember what Venters did to you last couple of years? He’s meat tonight! Make him pay!”
“Lets get to this guy quick! If we get up by a couple, they will quit!”
“So they took the lead, big deal. Their pitcher can’t hold it. Let’s get some runs!”
“Keep using the shift on them, they refuse to try and beat it. They would rather hit a hard .200 as a soft .300”
“Notice how they are using the shift on our guy but the pitcher is pitching away from the shift? That’s great! lol
“isn’t that guy managing them the guy they ran off in Florida for tangling with Hanley Ramirez?”
“remember, McCann is a really nice guy, but if you get a chance coming around third, rumble in hard at the plate. He won’t field or hang onto the ball if he hears you coming!”
“ you can tell those guys in the other dugout are just hoping. “
The Bravery
July 5th, 2012
3:35 pm
Also if I have to watch Mac watch strike one down the middle only to chase the next pitch slider outside of the zone 3 at bats in a row Im going to lose it. WTF happened to him.
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
3:35 pm
Murph
“I’d go with:
1. Bourn
2. Simmons
3. Prado
4. Freeman”
I likes it because the 1st three hitters can make a starting pitcher throw 15-20 pitches
nolie
July 5th, 2012
3:35 pm
Francisco starting and that Braves’ necessity Garza pitching?? BALLGAME!!!
The Bravery
July 5th, 2012
3:36 pm
Nolie
Simmons attributes his hitting in the bigs to being aggresive and less patient. Jumpy for him is a good thing
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
3:36 pm
Fact is Tomahawkin is a English Professor at UGA. He has to vent his inner demons somehow. This is his place.
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
3:37 pm
Damnit nolie! I was just about to post BALLGAME! Fu**
Jimmy
July 5th, 2012
3:37 pm
Murph – Why not invert the lineup. Have your pitcher lead off, then the 8th spot and so on. That way, when the heart of the lineup comes up (4 though 1), the pitch count will be higher.
Everytime Prado would come to bat, he would see a higher pitch count than he normally would. Meaning better pitches to hit.
Do it Fredi!
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
3:38 pm
Money Mike Minor made all of us Eat Crow against the Curley W’s over the weekend, Maybe its the start of a streak for him???
Overhead At The Cooler
July 5th, 2012
3:38 pm
Braves just put Roger McDowell on the DL for flatulent sphincter syndrome.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
3:39 pm
Fact is Tomahawkin is a English Professor at UGA. He has to vent his inner demons somehow. This is his place.
And George composes symphonies
nolie
July 5th, 2012
3:39 pm
Simmons hitting just .200 in the two slot, worst of anywhere…..
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
3:40 pm
ncbravesfan90 That’s the concerning part about McCann, he’s not even drawing walks.
I know what you mean…He took a walk the other day and it was almost as exciting as the hit he got in the AB before that…
Can’t wait for the second “half”—it’s just gotta be better…
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
3:40 pm
Money Mike Minor made all of us Eat Crow against the Curley W’s
What about this one, Murph?
nolie
July 5th, 2012
3:42 pm
where did he attribute his success to being less patient, I musta missed that?
He has been pretty patient for the most part
ncbravesfan90
July 5th, 2012
3:42 pm
McFann-
It has to get better, surely. I agree with what they said on the broadcast the other day, that no disrespect to McCann or anything, but not going to the all star game may be the best thing for him. To stay around home and just to clear his head for a few days. Keeping our fingers crossed that the old McCann will be back after the break.
Overhead At The Cooler
July 5th, 2012
3:43 pm
It’s harder to accept losing when you have some talent on the team. I didn’t say the MOST talented team. Back when the Braves were kind of lovable losers, you rooted hard for the team but you really didn’t expect anything out of them. Due to that, wins were gravy and losses weren’t really that disappointing.
This is a disappointing team.
The Bravery
July 5th, 2012
3:43 pm
And he has been in the 2 hole for what a week? Hardly a decent sample size
Herschel Talker
July 5th, 2012
3:44 pm
Same story, different year. Perenial underachieving, nothing but excuses, inept managing, insane loads of injuries. Nothing to see here, move along. This team is junk.
Jimmy
July 5th, 2012
3:44 pm
nolie – Yeah, I saw the interview too. Pre-game on Fox SportsSouth. He said he was taking an aggressive approach at the plate.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
3:44 pm
k, see ya HT
The Bravery
July 5th, 2012
3:45 pm
Nolie
Are you kidding me he has stated multiple times that he has been aggresive at the plate and that is what turned his average around after the first couple of weeks.
The Bravery
July 5th, 2012
3:45 pm
Enter your comments here
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
3:46 pm
I didn’t know Horford was playing for the Olympic team….of the DR
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/dominican-republics-al-horford-fights-ball-against-south-photo-175745906–spt.html
Murph
July 5th, 2012
3:48 pm
Money Mike Minor made all of us Eat Crow against the Curley W’s
What about this one, Murph?
Obviously a sociopolitical statement about Obamacare being a tax on the poor.
Sopheee
July 5th, 2012
3:49 pm
He was born there, jeffrey.
ncbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
3:50 pm
With that lineup and Minor v. Garza tonight, looks very much like the Braves will end this homestand 4-6 and limp into Philadelphia to face a Phillies team that still owns us (as eveidenced by the earlier series this year – one that took a miraculaous comeback to avoid a sweep)
Fun times. Fun times.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
3:50 pm
Yes, I know he’s Dominican. I just didn’t know he was playing for them.
Rightfielder
July 5th, 2012
3:51 pm
I’m so tired of seeing Freddie Freeman hit ground balls and not run hard to first.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
3:51 pm
ncbravesfan90—
For sure. I’m not torn up over his not making the AST—just sad his year has been so sour that he didn’t deserve it, if that makes sense. A little R&R should do him good, though. Gonna be weird not seeing him at the ASG, but it should be worth it, no doubt…
Burgess
July 5th, 2012
3:51 pm
I’ve seen good little league teams that could keep a runner from 3rd scoring on a 1st and 3rd double steal.
Burgess
July 5th, 2012
3:52 pm
Has nobody told hall of famer Chipper Jones not to turn around and look at ball when trying to score from 3rd ?????
Unbelievable
Skokie Dog
July 5th, 2012
3:54 pm
Fredi to Braves’ fans: “Be sure to ice your elbow after the game. All the head-scratching that my managing causes may lead to elbow impingement if you don’t follow a good training process.”
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
3:54 pm
I’ve seen good little league teams that could keep a runner from 3rd scoring on a 1st and 3rd double steal.
How often does that even come up?? And why are you watching so many little league teams?
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
3:55 pm
5 more minutes to vote for Bourn
http://www.mlb.com
Skokie Dog
July 5th, 2012
3:55 pm
Fredi to Braves’ fans again: “Icing the elbow is good protection against injury from too much cap tipping. I should know. If I didn’t ice my elbow after the press briefings after the games, I’d be on the DL by now.”
The Bravery
July 5th, 2012
3:56 pm
Or Fredi may get an elbow impingement from chronic hat tipping
Sopheee
July 5th, 2012
3:56 pm
Take a minute to vote for Bourn. Complain later.
Zac in Tempe
July 5th, 2012
3:56 pm
Any way we could trade for Garza right now? It would buy us a win tonight.
Jimmy
July 5th, 2012
3:57 pm
Just posted my last 50 votes for Bryce Harper!
ncscoots
July 5th, 2012
3:58 pm
Are you kidding me he has stated multiple times that he has been aggresive at the plate
Aggressive in the strike zone and being “jumpy” at the plate are hardly the same thing. The kid had butterflies hitting up in the order for the first time, unsurprisingly.
jt
July 5th, 2012
3:59 pm
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha , Uggla is the second coming of Mendoza!!!!
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
4:00 pm
I voted for Bryce Harper a bunch of times. I don’t care about Michael Bourn. I hope he walks.
The Bravery
July 5th, 2012
4:00 pm
The mets released Chuck James. After Wren picks him up im sure he will say something along the lines of “Are you kidding me Chuck James was available so I picked him up, its not rocket surgery”
ncscoots
July 5th, 2012
4:00 pm
Unbelievable
What’s unbelieveable is that you think a runner going to the plate should turn his head.
Maybe they do that in little league, though. Dunno.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
4:01 pm
Still going strong!!…
CrαZy
July 5th, 2012
4:02 pm
Just posted my last 50 votes for Bryce Harper!</em
I hope you both get hit by a bus!!
NickB
July 5th, 2012
4:02 pm
what a buch pf babies, voting for Harper instead of Bourn because he probably won’t sign here next year?
entitled awful selfish people………
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
4:04 pm
Okay, gotta get a win tonight.
But for crying out loud, please get your Freds right. The manager is FREDI G. The 1st baseman is FREDDIE F.
Sheesh
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:04 pm
I voted “too” many times today… my wrists aren’t happy….
Murph
July 5th, 2012
4:04 pm
Did Chipper turning his head really slow him down all that much? I mean, he was out by a good 2 steps. Had he stopped, turned around, stood there and assessed the situation before continuing home he would have been out by 3 steps, so… yeah, not that big of a deal.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
4:05 pm
TOBF I voted “too” many times today… my wrists aren’t happy….
Yeah, my neck is crying out with more agony than usual…
CrαZy
July 5th, 2012
4:05 pm
131 votes on Twitter for Bourn today… I probably won’t have 15 tweets in the next year total!!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
4:06 pm
I wouldn’t vote for Harper because he’s not gonna be a Brave next year!!…
Jimmy
July 5th, 2012
4:06 pm
CraZy and NickB – Come on. I’ve been here long enough. Should know I was being sarcastic.
Wait…what’s that bus doing on the sidewalk???
AAAAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
NickB
July 5th, 2012
4:07 pm
wasn’t you Jerry
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:07 pm
Whoever said to vote Chipper at the beginning of the week better hope Bourn makes it…. or there will be hell to pay
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
4:10 pm
OK, let’s have the results! Come on! Where are they?…
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:10 pm
131 votes on Twitter for Bourn today…
That’s all? lol
ncbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
4:11 pm
Look at the bright side if Bourn doesn’t make it. The less Braves that make the ASG, the less we get to hear on a national level about the struggles the team is currently going through.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
4:11 pm
It’s still letting me vote
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:13 pm
https://twitter.com/FakeChipper/status/220969794848030720/photo/1
NickB
July 5th, 2012
4:13 pm
TOBF
it’s not our fault Larussa is an idiot and replaced Kemp with Chipper instead of Bourn (like any sensible person expected him to do)
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:14 pm
NickB: I know…. that move shocked me too, but at the time, voting for Chipper did make the most sense…
Brave Decisions
July 5th, 2012
4:14 pm
Please check out this piece on Greinke, should Braves trade for him? http://wp.me/p2lqJ1-9A
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
4:14 pm
jeffrey d—
I was still letting me vote 3 minutes after 4, but I needed a breather…
Don’t think I cann get it back now, though…
shorty
July 5th, 2012
4:15 pm
Fire Fredi the Fail or the Braves have no future.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
4:16 pm
Your last vote was at July 5, 4:15:55 PM ET.
Still letting me vote…
Sweet Old Buck
July 5th, 2012
4:16 pm
The Braves Bermuda triangle; Freeman, McCann, Uggla.
The Bravery
July 5th, 2012
4:17 pm
I wish Chipper could get a joke of meatball fastball down the middle like Cal Ripken did in his last ASG. But with the rule changes thats not going to happen.
Sopheee
July 5th, 2012
4:17 pm
Bourn was winning the Twitter vote halfway through according to mlb.com so maybe that made a good dent in Freese’s lead.
Jimmy
July 5th, 2012
4:18 pm
In KC, Chipper will be presented with a tweaked, off-road version of a Power Chair, from the Scooter Store. This comes at little or no cost to Chipper. The Scooter Store works directly with MediCare and MedicAide.
This is a one of a kind Model 10 Power Chair. The seat itself, can actually be raised ten feet, for the perfect deer stand. It also has a built in spittoon.
This Model 10 is an improvement on the JD Drew model, that keep breaking down and was unreliable.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
4:18 pm
Whew! I am worn out from doing nothing but voting Bourn for the past 4 hours.
265 tweets, 291 online votes, and 160 text votes. My neck and wrist is screaming at me.
Can’t wait for the results!
ncscoots
July 5th, 2012
4:19 pm
it’s not our fault Larussa is an idiot and replaced Kemp with Chipper instead of Bourn (like any sensible person expected him to do)
By “sensible”, you would mean you, for example?
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
4:19 pm
I’m just scared that Chipper took too many votes from Bourn earlier in the week
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:19 pm
I was voting on Twitter to end, I can’t get back into the polls….
Braveone
July 5th, 2012
4:19 pm
From the previous blog which had 1,957 comments, TheOnlyBravesFan led the way with 137 posts. There were 180 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 TheOnlyBravesFan 137
2 Brava 98
3 nolie 95
4 ChattTownBrian 74
5 NickB 73
6 Bobby H 47
7 Jeff R 47
8 Woody Woodward 47
9 Tomahawk Mafia 46
10 brian 46
11 Efrim 45
12 Arkansas Transplant 43
13 Trey 40
14 David O’Brien 31
15 MikeInFl 31
16 Mark 30
17 McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô: 30
18 Venice Jim 30
19 ncscoots 29
20 CraZy 28
21 The A Bomb 28
22 Frankie Wren 26
23 Powder Blue 24
24 usnavyvolfaninva 24
25 Shaun 22
CrαZy
July 5th, 2012
4:20 pm
Should know I was being sarcastic.
As was I!!
No. 1 Braves Fan
July 5th, 2012
4:20 pm
Fredi deserves a lot of praise for keeping the faith and moving along considering all of the bashing he takes from this blog. He may not read this
negative outburst but he probably hears about it every day.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:21 pm
I’m just scared that Chipper took too many votes from Bourn earlier in the week
Co-sign.
Sopheee
July 5th, 2012
4:21 pm
Me too, jeffrey. I know my first batch of votes went strictly to Chipper.
Jimmy
July 5th, 2012
4:21 pm
TOBF – That fake chipper link is funny. Thanks.
NickB
July 5th, 2012
4:21 pm
ncscoots
ummm, yes!!! why replace a CF’er with a 3rd baseman thus now having 3 3rd baseman and a 4th leading the voting?
Juan
July 5th, 2012
4:21 pm
Chris Rose on IT MLB Net pick Bourne
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
4:22 pm
I didn’t even have a first batch of votes
ncscoots
July 5th, 2012
4:22 pm
He may not read this negative outburst but he probably hears about it every day.
I imagine he considers the source, and then goes back to the actual funny papers.
CrαZy
July 5th, 2012
4:22 pm
87 Votes by Text 141 Votes by Twitter… A hole bunch more on MLB.com if Freese gets in over Bourn I’m gonna be pissed!!
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
4:23 pm
A hole bunch more on MLB.com
You said A hole
CrαZy
July 5th, 2012
4:23 pm
I voted a bunch for Chipper the first 2 days!! Not as much as I voted Bourn today!!
Sopheee
July 5th, 2012
4:23 pm
Poor guy.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/pitt-signs-kicker-unfortunate-last-name-blewitt-182217441–ncaaf.html
Made me giggle though.
The Bravery
July 5th, 2012
4:23 pm
Keeping the faith? Haha yeah it must be real tough rising above the negative comments and showing that it doesnt affect him by continueing to be terrible at his job. You sir made me laugh
Murph
July 5th, 2012
4:24 pm
265 tweets, 291 online votes, and 160 text votes.
Wow. That is what I’d call sticktoitiveness.
Trade'm
July 5th, 2012
4:25 pm
Trade Uggly and McCant to the Royals so they can dissapear quietly with Francouer until retirement.
Jimmy
July 5th, 2012
4:25 pm
A hole bunch more on MLB.com
You said A hole
That is reserved for Bat.
CrαZy
July 5th, 2012
4:26 pm
265 tweets, 291 online votes, and 160 text votes.
Wow that makes me feel better… I thought I was being a goober but you take the cake!!
JK
Arkansas Transplant
July 5th, 2012
4:27 pm
This is lineup is a complete reflection of why Fredi isn’t very good at managing. Why in the world do you put the 2 worst hitters on the team right now back to back.
ncscoots
July 5th, 2012
4:27 pm
You sir made me laugh
Probably only fair that someone here return the favor to you.
Murph
July 5th, 2012
4:27 pm
For those of you with 300+ votes, how much time do you think you spent voting, in total? An hour? Two hours?
CrαZy
July 5th, 2012
4:28 pm
You said A hole
Thanks for pointing that out A hole!!
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
4:28 pm
I’m ashamed to say that I cast my first vote around 3pm today. Sorry, Mike
CrαZy
July 5th, 2012
4:29 pm
Maybe total of 45 min – 1 hour?
jt
July 5th, 2012
4:30 pm
Juan, What are you smokin????
jt
July 5th, 2012
4:30 pm
Juan, What are you smokin????
jt
July 5th, 2012
4:30 pm
Juan, What are you smokin????
jt
July 5th, 2012
4:30 pm
Juan, What are you smokin????
jt
July 5th, 2012
4:30 pm
Juan, What are you smokin????
jt
July 5th, 2012
4:30 pm
Juan, What are you smokin????
Jimmy
July 5th, 2012
4:30 pm
ncscoots – It all equals out, doesn’t it.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
4:31 pm
I must be smoking something….I’m seeing sextuple!
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:31 pm
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
#Braves Venters said elbow hurt “past couple days,” also said “off and on” (no specific period) and that it wasn’t reason he’s struggled.
jt
July 5th, 2012
4:33 pm
Sorry Juan, got the shakes when pushing Submit button.
Hillbilly
July 5th, 2012
4:33 pm
DOB,
Sublime version of “Tornadoes” right here performed on someone’s back porch in 2004. Isbell with all of that hair…man oh man, but I always liked his harmonizing vocals on “Tornadoes”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nvT95BkhAM
The Bravery
July 5th, 2012
4:33 pm
circle of life scoots
Jimmy
July 5th, 2012
4:33 pm
jt still thinks he’s voting for Bourn.
Murph
July 5th, 2012
4:33 pm
Why in the world do you put the 2 worst hitters on the team right now back to back.
Fredi has a flowchart that he has to use when constructing his lineup.
1. Can a lineup be set, using only players on your team (DL, Minors, Opposing Team players are ineligible), that goes L – R – L? If Yes, turn in lineup card and take a nap. If No, proceed to question 2.
2. If a lineup cannot be set the follows L – R – L, can one be set that places players in alphabetical order (no help in spelling player names or with correct order of alphabet will be allowed)? If Yes, turn in lineup card and take a nap. If No, proceed to question 3.
Heisenberg
July 5th, 2012
4:33 pm
So Fredi says Venters injury is nothing serious and he is expected back in 15 days? When else did he say something similar? Brandon Beachy. It has gotten to the point where Fredi & Braves have no credibility here. It is never serious, ________________ (fill in name) will be back in a few days. Ha!
Speaking of it is nothing serious. Just when Heyward get it going……………………
The Bravery
July 5th, 2012
4:33 pm
circle of life scoots
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
4:33 pm
Wow. That is what I’d call sticktoitiveness. -Murph
Oh and thanks Crazy!
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:34 pm
Sandra Golden @sportsandra
MLB site says that two hours in , MIchael Bourn had taken the lead on twitter, didn’t update from there. Just tweeted link to whole article
time to sell
July 5th, 2012
4:34 pm
this season is over… it’s time to sell players and build the future
TRADE MCCAAN, BOURN, HUDSON , HINSKE, DIAZ, JURRJENS
FOR EXAMPLE : WHAT TEAMS NEEDS A CATCHER WITH POP??? : (BRIAN MCCAAN)
AMERICAN LEAGUE
ANGELS (WILSON IANNETTA), YANKEES (MARTIN AND THE OTHER GUY), PROBABLY TIGERS (AVILA), MAYBE THE RANGERS (TORREALBA, NAPOLI PLAYS MOSTLY DH AND 1B),
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
REDS ( HANNIGAN) METS (THOLE) NATIONALS (FLORES)
WHAT TEAMS NEEDS A STARTER PITCHER??? (TIM HUDSON)
AL: YANKEES, REDSOX,WHITE SOX , RANGERS ,
NL: PTTSBURGH,REDS,MAYBE GIANTS AND DOGERS, METS,
WHAT TEAMS NEEDS AN OF WITH SPEED,GOLD GLOVE AND LEAD OFF HITTER? (M.BOURN)
AL: REDSOX, YANKEES, MAYBE CLEVELAND
NL: ST LOUIS, MARLINS, METS, NATIONALS
WHAT TEAMS NEEDS BENCH PLAYERS???? (HINSKE AND DIAZ)
SURE ANY TEAM lol ahahahaha SO ONLY RELEASE THEM…..
WHAT TEAMS NEEDS A OK STARTER PITCHER???? (JURRJENS)
THE SAME TEAMS WHO WANTS TIM HUDSON…..
AND THE BRAVES WILL GET TOP PROSPECTS,, AND WAIT 3-4 YEARS lol
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
4:35 pm
I tell you one thing…I don’t believe a word that comes outta these players/managers mouths anymore.
Just because they say it ain’t “serious” doesn’t mean they won’t come back later and say “We were wrong”.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:37 pm
Oh a post in all-caps? Written by an idiot…
DERANGED ANGRY HILLBILLY
July 5th, 2012
4:37 pm
time to sell
you must work for the Yankees, my wife/goat informed me that we don’t have anybody that can play ketcher, and since my still went on the fritz last weekend, I’ve had lot’s of time to do a look see, and nope, we ain’t got no ketchin ready nohow in them minor leagues
Jimmy
July 5th, 2012
4:37 pm
Let’s get a win tonight.
Make it a Statement Game!
WE ARE NOT SELLERS!
Later good folks.
cricket
July 5th, 2012
4:37 pm
troll-a-thon going on here
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:38 pm
David Freese won…. Thank Tony LaRussa, you jerk.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
4:38 pm
And the #FinalVote winners are … Yu Darvish and David Freese! Watch them in the #ASG on FOX on July 10. And thanks again for voting!
THAT SUCKS!
ncbravesfan90
July 5th, 2012
4:38 pm
Darvish and Freese are the winners.
NickB
July 5th, 2012
4:39 pm
DOB’s blog, a testament to the first amendment right to say whatever you want, no matter how dumb it may be
Time to SHOOT!!
July 5th, 2012
4:39 pm
WHEN IDIOT’s START TAKING OVER !!
ncscoots
July 5th, 2012
4:39 pm
Just because they say it ain’t “serious” doesn’t mean they won’t come back later and say “We were wrong”.
They aren’t allowed to be wrong?
Even I have been wrong before. Yes, I know it’s hard to believe, but you’ll have to just trust me that it’s true.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
4:39 pm
David Freese won
If it’s any consolation, it’s still letting me vote
Your last vote was at July 5, 4:39:00 PM ET.
Murph
July 5th, 2012
4:39 pm
Darvish really deserved to go.
ncbravesfan90
July 5th, 2012
4:39 pm
Bourn finished second.
NickB
July 5th, 2012
4:39 pm
so now the NL has 4 3rd baseman……….
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
4:40 pm
You’re right…they seem to have a habit of it, scoots.
Murph
July 5th, 2012
4:40 pm
Are they going to release the vote totals? I’m curious to see how close it was.
CrαZy
July 5th, 2012
4:41 pm
Damn IT!! if only all those votes for Chipper could’ve gone to Bourn!!
jt
July 5th, 2012
4:41 pm
Sorry Juan, got the shakes while hitting submit button
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:42 pm
days of work for this….. Thanks Tony Jerk….
ncbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
4:42 pm
“Make it a Statement Game!”
Oh, they’ll do that. But it will be a “we just lost 3 of 4 to the Cubs and had a 4-6 homestand – we’re not really contenders” statement.
Juan
July 5th, 2012
4:42 pm
Good that Freeze won….anyone except that CLOWN KID
Burgess
July 5th, 2012
4:42 pm
The Braves are the only team in MLB that a runner could score from 3rd against on a 1st and 3rd double steal. And the Hall of Famer Chipper is trying to score and looks behind to see where the ball is. Freddie Freeman does NOT run hard to first after hitting a ground ball. It’s unbelievable how bad this baseball team is. Talented, but don’t even know how to play the game
ncscoots
July 5th, 2012
4:42 pm
DOB’s blog, a testament to the first amendment right to say whatever you want, no matter how dumb it may be
If you expect the conversation here to mimic that of a table full of your buddies, be that baseball-savvy scouts, ignorant BBWAA geezers, or saber-centric martyred “intellectuals”, you’re always going to be disappointed.
It’s a public forum, there ain’t no extrance exam, and anonymity allows folks to be foolish in public without consequence. If one is upset by that, one can always hie thee anon.
jt
July 5th, 2012
4:43 pm
David Freese, give me a break!!! Oh wait a minute, Uggla got in.
NickB
July 5th, 2012
4:43 pm
only chance for Bourn now, is for Stanton to withdraw
CrαZy
July 5th, 2012
4:43 pm
Murph…. no they normally don’t release the vote totals for the final vote… adding fuel for conspiracy theory people.
Burgess
July 5th, 2012
4:43 pm
Chipper has averaged around 120 games in the last 7 full seasons and he wants to call his teammates out ??? Give me a break. Smoltz was right a few years ago when he called Chipper out
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
4:44 pm
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
NickB
July 5th, 2012
4:44 pm
ncscoots
why would I do that? it’s much better to just aggravate you since apparently I get under your skin so much pawpaw
Sopheee
July 5th, 2012
4:44 pm
Oh well, we tried. At least he beat George’s guy.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
4:44 pm
so now the NL has 4 3rd baseman……….
I think it’s only 3. And there’s 5 OF
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
4:45 pm
Nevermind, it’s 4…I was thinking of reserves. So that makes 8 OF….good night this roster is huge
NickB
July 5th, 2012
4:45 pm
sandoval, wright, chipper, freese
ncscoots
July 5th, 2012
4:45 pm
You’re right…they seem to have a habit of it,
Once you accept that the condition can exist at all, the rest is just quantity.
(Me, I don’t think it’s that they are “wrong” or “deliberately untruthful”, or the like. Just…disingenuous, maybe.)
Juan
July 5th, 2012
4:46 pm
Chipper for the HOME RUN DERBY????? replacing Giamcarlos
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:46 pm
Darvish really deserved to go.
THis. I voted for him too…
WHo was it that didn’t vote for Bourn, Murph? I blame him…
NickB
July 5th, 2012
4:46 pm
gotcha… yeah ever since that tie game they added roster spots
ncscoots
July 5th, 2012
4:47 pm
since apparently I get under your skin
Less that, than saddened. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
RC
July 5th, 2012
4:48 pm
Nevermind, it’s 4…I was thinking of reserves. So that makes 8 OF….good night this roster is huge
Just 2 2nd basemen and 2 1st basemen. Prado would have been a good fit on this team from a versatility standpoint.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
4:49 pm
I counted 34 on the NL roster not including Kemp
FREDDIE FREEMAN SOPHOMORE
July 5th, 2012
4:49 pm
OH PEOPLE APPARENTLY FREEDIE FREEMAN HAVE THE SYNDROME OF THE 2ND SEASON ( LIKE HEYWARD LAST YEAR) … LONG SLUMPS , LOSING CONFIDENCE IN HIMSELF ,
I SEE A BIG PROBLEM WITH HIM AND IM NOT A BATTING COACH IM ONLY A FAN
THE BIG PROBLEM IS THE LACK OF PATIENCE
I HATE WHEN HE IS OUT ON THE FIRST PITCH ,,
GOD WHY HE IS ALWAYS SWINGING THE BALL AT 1ST PITCH….
HE NEVER PLAYED IN LITTLE LEAGUES???
GOLD RULE : NEVER SWING THE BAT UNTIL YOU HAVE 1 STRIKE ….
WAIT WAIT YOUR PITCH FREEMAN
BE PATIENT …. BE LIKE BOBBY ABREU HE HAD FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE 1ST PLACE IN THE MAJORS IN PITCHES PER PLATE AT BAT
I DONT LIKE COMPARE PLAYERS ,,,BUT FREEMAN YOU NEVER SEE MARTIN PRADO BATTING?????
MARTIN PRADO IS THE BEST BATTER IN THE TEAM.,,, WITH A LOT OF BATTING DISCPLINE
HARDLY PRADO SWING AT 1ST PITCH
AFTER CHIPPER JONES,, PRADO IS MY FAVORITE BRAVE POSITION PLAYER IN THE LAST 10 -15 YEARS
Heisenberg
July 5th, 2012
4:49 pm
“Also if I have to watch Mac watch strike one down the middle only to chase the next pitch slider outside of the zone 3 at bats in a row Im going to lose it. WTF happened to him.”
****************************************************
That goes beyond Mac. I sometimes wonder if that is how they are trained from rookie ball all the way up in the Braves system.
Trey
July 5th, 2012
4:49 pm
I donno how many times I voted for Bourn. I know I quit after I got tired of typing in that Captcha.
RC
July 5th, 2012
4:49 pm
WHo was it that didn’t vote for Bourn, Murph? I blame him…
I blame LaRussa or whoever it was that made the decision to add Chipper 2 days after the Final Vote started instead of doing it from the start. I’m willing to bet that 70% of the votes that went to Chipper would have gone to Bourn instead.
bc
July 5th, 2012
4:50 pm
I’m glad we “stretched out” Medlen and wasted him for three weeks in the minors and he still comes out of the bullpen while our starting pitching continues to struggle, especially without Beachy. And management continues to carry around Juan FranCRISCO and keep Constanza languishing in the minors. And then we sign the oft injured Sheets.
What the hell is going on with our decision makers?
Frankie Wren
July 5th, 2012
4:51 pm
Hope all you folk who spend so much time voting this week, register and vote on November 6th.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
4:51 pm
So 16 teams in the NL x 25 makes 400 active players in the NL. 34/400 = 8.8%, so I guess that’s still not watering down too much
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:51 pm
I blame LaRussa or whoever it was that made the decision to add Chipper 2 days after the Final Vote started instead of doing it from the start. I’m willing to bet that 70% of the votes that went to Chipper would have gone to Bourn instead
I agree RC…. I was funning around…
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
4:52 pm
Hope all you folk who spend so much time voting this week, register and vote on November 6th.
I just hope voting’s like the All Star vote. It’s got all the candidate’s pictures, you click on one, and then type a number into a box as many times as you want as long as you’ve got free time/don’t get tired of it.
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
4:53 pm
Freese is the Final Vote winner for NL.
Juan
July 5th, 2012
4:53 pm
Guest what…the Braves Killer RYAN HOWARD will be activated this week end…he will play agains the Braves
Trey
July 5th, 2012
4:54 pm
“Hope all you folk who spend so much time voting this week, register and vote on November 6th.” – Frankie Wren
I know I am.
Heisenberg
July 5th, 2012
4:54 pm
To bad Chipper could not have done what politicians do when thet drop out of a race. He could have endorsed Bourn and given him all his delegates.
RC
July 5th, 2012
4:54 pm
I will say, I’m going to enjoy getting furious with LaRussa one last time, as he brings in Clayton Kershaw to face one lefty batter, and then removes him from the game.
NickB
July 5th, 2012
4:54 pm
jeffery d
only in Chicago
Frankie Wren
July 5th, 2012
4:54 pm
Think that’s how it works in Chicago Jeffrey
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:54 pm
This outpouring of love just might make Bourn take a little less to stay!
CrαZy
July 5th, 2012
4:54 pm
Uggla would be good in the HR derby!!
Yunel Asscobar
July 5th, 2012
4:54 pm
This just in – Fredi placed on DL with a “mental impingement.” It typically occurs due to activities that require excessively or repetitively making strategic decisions at the MLB level. It often results in a distant stare, inability to process in-game activity in a manner that allows for strategic response, and inane post game comments; e.g., tip your cap; run them out there; helluva; he pitched great apart from the 5 walks and 3 wild pitches. This may occur suddenly, due to a specific incident, like being in over your head.
ncscoots
July 5th, 2012
4:54 pm
Hope all you folk who spend so much time voting this week, register and vote on November 6th.
Ah, the sweet optimism of youth, LOL.
Even my sunny disposition clouds over into cynicism when I consider the possibility of some our folks having even the tiniest bit of civic character.
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
4:55 pm
I couldn’t bring myself to vote for Bourn because he isn’t a True Brave. You know, he hasn’t choked in the postseason.
cricket
July 5th, 2012
4:55 pm
i prefer idiots to saber-centric martyred “intellectuals”
UNCBrave
July 5th, 2012
4:55 pm
Great….phillies say Howard could come off the DL this weekend…..
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
4:56 pm
Hope all you folk who spend so much time voting this week, register and vote on November 6th.
.
If only I was eligible to vote this year…. 2 months too young. I’ll turn 18 before the President gets inaugurated…
Frankie Wren
July 5th, 2012
4:56 pm
scoots the male version of angela maya
The Bravery
July 5th, 2012
4:56 pm
uggs was in the derby and was embarrassing
ncscoots
July 5th, 2012
4:57 pm
i prefer idiots to saber-centric martyred “intellectuals”
Hey, you can fill your table of buddies with whomever you like, LOL.
Frankie Wren
July 5th, 2012
4:58 pm
“uggs was in the derby and was embarrassing”
struck out on a change up
ncbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
4:59 pm
“Great….phillies say Howard could come off the DL this weekend…..”
Just went from losing 2 of to getting swept.
42-43 at All Star Break (and yet, Fredi will still be the manager for the rest of the season)
cricket
July 5th, 2012
4:59 pm
at least George will be able to concentrate 100% back on Fredi
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
4:59 pm
Fredi Gonzalez said Venters didn’t tell him about the elbow when he came out of game, that he (Gonzalez) didn’t know about it when he talked to reporters after game.
The whole thing doesn’t jibe very well, if you were trying to put together a timetable. Venters on one hand said it just started hurting past couple of days, then said it was “off and on” longer than that, then said there’s only so many times you can get a shot and rest a few days, but then said he never got a shot….
He said the elbow wasn’t reason he’s struggled, but that trying to make adjustments with arm angle, etc, might have been reason elbow started hurting. Said it hurts in a couple of different spots, but that doc was sure it’s structurally sound and no MRI was taken or is scheduled. And Fredi said he thinks Venters will be back in 15 days.
Hey, your guess is as good as ours as to what exactly is happening. I asked Jonny when he was told he was going on DL, and he said Frank called him this morning. But Double-A guys were contratulating Avilan last night for being called up, after Avilan was told Jonny was hurt and he was going to the majors.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
4:59 pm
I don’t give a rat’s patootie if Bourn makes it or not. Never did, sure don’t now that Chipper is in.
Chippers last chance, if Bourn is as good as many of y’all claim(he’s not), he will get there
Heisenberg
July 5th, 2012
4:59 pm
Put Bourn in the HR derby, he is having a career year hitting taters.
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
5:00 pm
Screwball: You’re right! lol. DOB just jinxed Uggla…
And you would know the jinx worked if what, he continued to struggle like he has for the past month?
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
5:00 pm
He’ll probably blame Bourn not making it on Fredi. Never mind his big anti-Bourn campaign. No, Fredi made him do that too
Murph
July 5th, 2012
5:00 pm
WHo was it that didn’t vote for Bourn, Murph? I blame him…
I spent the day voting for Darvish because I figured you guys had Bourn covered.
Wrote a few scripts this morning to help me out… I think I got in something like 15k votes for Darvish before the bell rang.
Oops.
DawgDad
July 5th, 2012
5:00 pm
Enter your comments here
NORRIS CHUCK
July 5th, 2012
5:01 pm
WHEN ARE WE ALL GONNA START TALKIKNG ABOUT SOME NEW BATTERS FOR THE BI-POLAR OFFENSE???
The Mask
July 5th, 2012
5:02 pm
“I couldn’t bring myself to vote for Bourn because he isn’t a True Brave. You know, he hasn’t choked in the postseason”
————————————-
He’s got to make it to the postseason with the Braves first before we can even begin that discussion, but considering this is his final year here its gotta be now. But the way the Braves are playing now they will be out of by September so it won’t matter.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
5:02 pm
Sarcasm DOB…
Heisenberg
July 5th, 2012
5:03 pm
Even the New England Patroits are more forthcoming about injuries.
SNEAKY PETE
July 5th, 2012
5:07 pm
they read the blog so they know that most here are morons so they think they can get away with saying anything they want to
Juan
July 5th, 2012
5:08 pm
Can the Braves end up in the 4th place by the week end?,,,if we lost tonight and the Braves is sweep in Phillis and the marlin sweep the Card….
Murph
July 5th, 2012
5:08 pm
Just another case of a player putting himself in front of the team.
Venters obviously knew something was wrong, but he hid it. Despite the fact that he struggled to get a single out every time he was sent out to the mound, he continued to hide it.
I like Venters, but if really did hide an injury for more than a few days, all the while giving up hit after hit and run after run? What a jerk.
Skokie Dog
July 5th, 2012
5:08 pm
Yunel Asscoabar: +1
I tip my cap to you. Now, I’ll go ice my elbow.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
5:09 pm
they read the blog so they know that most here are morons so they think they can get away with saying anything they want to
“Braves placed Jonny Venters on DL after catching the Plague”
Blogger: Oh yeah, I’ve heard that’s going around
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
5:09 pm
Right on, Murph!
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:10 pm
maybe he did hide it, wouldn’t be the first player who lived in denial for awhile
The A Bomb
July 5th, 2012
5:11 pm
You know, I’ve been thinking about it….
The Braves have more players WORKING THROUGH CRAP than any team I’ve ever seen. I mean this kind of BS going on for most of the past 2 years and yet, the team is 3 games over .500 despite having an 85-90 loss culture.
I thought working through and developing was for the minors. But it seems you can pick any body part, and one of the Braves seems to be working through something.
Ridiculous.
Billy Beaneater
July 5th, 2012
5:11 pm
There would be nothing for any of the parties to gain by lying to the media about the Venters injury. So the only other reason for the obvious discrepancies in the timeline would be a lack of communication between management and manager. Or maybe impingement means ghost injury.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:11 pm
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:12 pm
we certainly are “plagued” by maroons at times….
Frankie
July 5th, 2012
5:14 pm
Madonna, Cher and Nolie do it, and so will I .
doug
July 5th, 2012
5:14 pm
I like the all caps posts, very easy to skip past. Thank you.
jeffrey
July 5th, 2012
5:14 pm
Well I’ve always been a crowd follower
DERANGED ANGRY HILLBILLY
July 5th, 2012
5:16 pm
YOU ARE ALL DOING A WONDERFUL JOB!!! MY WIFE/GOAT HAS INFORMED ME THAT BOURN DIDN’T MAKE THE ALL STAR GAME…. WELL THAT’S GONNA BE THE END TO ALL MY HOOCH FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK
Frankie
July 5th, 2012
5:16 pm
and if any of you see any combat, I will be right behind you.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:17 pm
you gonna do it with Cher or Madonna? cause whatever it is I don’t swing that way fella….
The A Bomb
July 5th, 2012
5:17 pm
What really gets me about the Venters deal is Gonzalez’s continued cluelessness.
Fortunately — off to watch some Cal League baseball tonight — Visalia at Lancaster — and I’ll be able to see hustling and real strategy.
I’ll just have to catch up on Minor’s 4 2/3-inning stint and Gonzalez’s casino strategy against the worst team in the majors.
cricket
July 5th, 2012
5:17 pm
i vote for conspiracy – Jonny was DLed for under-performancitis
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 5th, 2012
5:18 pm
Maybe next year.
Kat
July 5th, 2012
5:18 pm
“JIM BOWDEN @JimBowdenESPNxm
Chipper Jones just told us he thinks the Braves HAVE to acquire another starter in addition to Ben Sheets in order to get to the playoffs”
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:18 pm
or the following one…
The A Bomb
July 5th, 2012
5:19 pm
cricket — Evidently the manager is contagious.
jeffrey
July 5th, 2012
5:19 pm
I thought it was just a name thing
Frankie
July 5th, 2012
5:19 pm
must not be a “Stripes” follower.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:19 pm
two or three more starters would be better…..
Skokie Dog
July 5th, 2012
5:19 pm
An insider told me that Venters injured his elbow tipping his cap to all those hitters who were getting hits and walks off him while he was pitching this year.
cricket
July 5th, 2012
5:20 pm
JJJ for Lincecum straight up
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:20 pm
I didn’t even know there were stripes to follow….
Frankie
July 5th, 2012
5:20 pm
good call jeffrey,
Nolie just ordered his “Chipper” centaur to put in his living room and is distracted
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 5th, 2012
5:22 pm
The Braves have Phillyphobia.
They simply aren’t man enough.
ncbravesfan90
July 5th, 2012
5:22 pm
Well at least Chipper agrees with us on here about acquiring at least one starting pitcher. Now all he has to do is convince Wren.
Shaun
July 5th, 2012
5:22 pm
I’m guessing there’s been something going on with Venters for a while but it didn’t seem all that serious to the Braves, they and Venters thought he could pitch through it and they wanted to keep it under wraps as best they could, which is why there are so many inconsistencies in their stories. But after pitching poorly in his most recent several outings, the Braves decided it was time to do something. It seems like this kind of stuff happens all the time around the majors.
All the secrecy and inconsistencies don’t concern me too much. It’s not surprise a team would want to keep an elbow issue to one of their key relievers a secret and that multiple parties wouldn’t have their stories straight because of this. What I’m concerned with is whether the injury is something serious or something that could turn serious down the road.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:23 pm
Chipper is a Centaur? I thought he was a son of Zeus.
Finklestein
July 5th, 2012
5:23 pm
Uggla to Gwinnett or trade him. Let Prado or Pastornicky play second, but get Uggla’s butt out of there.
Uggla an All Star? What a crock!
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
5:23 pm
Yes Chipper, we here have been screaming for another starter since BB went down. Thank you for speaking your mind. At least somebody on that teamand organization will.
cricket
July 5th, 2012
5:23 pm
stat heads’ favorite target as most overrated player, Howard, will be activated against braves and will proceed to drive in all RISP in front of him while producing nada when there are no runners to drive in..
Frankie
July 5th, 2012
5:24 pm
If Chipper is heard tell them “Ryan Dempster” for my last season.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:24 pm
Uts and Howie…here come the Phils
AZBravoFan
July 5th, 2012
5:25 pm
Venters hiding an injury is certainly not an isolated incident. I’m sure this stuff goes on in baseball way more than we know. Actually kind of smacks of Heyward and his shoulder last year. Baseball players are always trying to play through injury, even when it’s obvious that it’s affecting their play. I remember even Glavine in his book talking about doing it.
Danga
July 5th, 2012
5:25 pm
If Venter’s performance wasn’t reason enough hopefully this injury will add a little urgency to us adding some BP help.
cricket
July 5th, 2012
5:25 pm
this new blog must have broken record for number of new troll monikers created in shortest amount of time
Lil' Barry Bailout
July 5th, 2012
5:26 pm
Is McCann below the Mendoza line yet?
Good thing his defense is so awesome.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:27 pm
why do we want a pitcher with a losing record and a career ERA over 4.3?
Don’t we have plenty of them kind already?
The A Bomb
July 5th, 2012
5:27 pm
Maybe Uggla could catch what Venters has, and Bourn could slip right in as a rightful Braves All-Star.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:28 pm
NickB
July 5th, 2012
5:28 pm
Bowden sure likes to throw things out for the world to see doesn’t he?
Frankie
July 5th, 2012
5:29 pm
have you actually seen Dempster pitch this season? At all?
Murph
July 5th, 2012
5:29 pm
Seems kinda silly that they have a pitcher with a hurt elbow, who has a history of elbow issues, and they aren’t at least getting the guy an MRI as soon as freakin’ possible.
But yeah, go with the current plan of resting him, then bringing him back to give up another few leads, another few losses, then do the MRI when he can’t bend his elbow anymore and send him to get surgery in November, assuring that he won’t be back before Beachy next season.
Good plan.
The A Bomb
July 5th, 2012
5:31 pm
“Beachy should be good to go in a couple of weeks.” – Dr. Fredi, Medicine Man
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
5:32 pm
Murph, Braves will soon be known for this sort of irresponsibility, if they aren’t already.
Larry
July 5th, 2012
5:33 pm
From a man that always uses “you” when referring to others, I don’t see Fredi Gonzalez suddenly and mysteriously moving from a double to a triple digit IQ on “July 5.”
AZBravoFan
July 5th, 2012
5:33 pm
Seems to me that if Medlen were inserted into the rotation, just by being effective and eating 6-7 innings he could eliminate the need for himself in the bullpen. The reason they need him out there now is they can’t get Minor or Delgado through the 4th or 5th innings and they need a bridge to the late inning guys. Of course now they need some more late-inning guys as well. Maybe Pete will help? Maybe they can resurrect Fuentes? Or who knows? Maybe one of the Pearl or Gwinnett guys will step up. Varvaro is starting to strike me as a Manny Acosta clone…
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:33 pm
I saw him give the Pads 6 runs in 4 innings and I saw him get hurt twice already, does that count? Three times is the charm you know, lets give up some prospects for a guy who caint stay off the DL, thats a great plan
Lew
July 5th, 2012
5:33 pm
Ease – Couldn’t find it on a map? Don’t know why you’d even go looking. Seems to me it tends to find you all on it’s own and to take your paddle away when it does.
AZBravoFan
July 5th, 2012
5:34 pm
DOB does the 15 day DL stint include the All-Star Break? Or will that tack on an extra 4 days of rest for him?
Frankie
July 5th, 2012
5:35 pm
He’s going somewhere and will make a difference, that will be a great plan.
We should stay pat though and have a nice season. sigh
The A Bomb
July 5th, 2012
5:35 pm
When the big club starts dipping to Double-A, might be a sign not to start trading young guys.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:36 pm
i didn’t say to stay pat did i?
Murph
July 5th, 2012
5:37 pm
I picture the Braves putting together an infomercial this offseason to try and recruit people to play in Atlanta:
“Doctors told you that you need Tommy John surgery? Do you hurt so bad that you think your career is over? Well, have I got the place for you! Come play in beautiful Atlanta, where your injuries will just magically disappear! So long as your arm is still attached, we’ll figure out a way to get you on the field, no questions asked!”
Efrim
July 5th, 2012
5:37 pm
Chipper Jones just told us he thinks the Braves HAVE to acquire another starter in addition to Ben Sheets in order to get to the playoffs”
A bullpen arm is probably going to be a must too.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:38 pm
shucks Efrim we just got a pen arm, fresh meat today
FEATURED BRAVES LINK: Braves hope July 5 is turning point again for Uggla | Atlanta Braves Dugout Online | Atlanta Braves Blog
July 5th, 2012
5:38 pm
[...] rest of the article can be found here: Atlanta Braves This entry was posted in Atlanta Braves News by Dugout Online Editor. Bookmark the [...]
The A Bomb
July 5th, 2012
5:39 pm
Is it true Dr. James Andrews plays the Tomahawk Chop on the speakers during all Tommy John surgeries these days?
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:40 pm
nope. 24 guys for TJ this season already I think. no more than half are Braves…..
UTKBrave
July 5th, 2012
5:42 pm
I don’t even think we need another starter. Hudson and Hanson can handle those top spots in the rotation and Sheet will solidify that middle part when he is up. One of Minor, Jurjens and Delgado will easily take the other two spots and do just fine. Easily.
I love the team as it is, though maybe a bench player would be okay to acquire us. Some of these comments here are pure negative BS, if you want my opinion on it. I am MUCH happier with Fredi than I was with old Bobby Cox. Talk about stubborn. Also Fredi appears cool and calm and doesn’t make enemies with all umps with the silliness of barking at them when something goes wrong.
Frankie
July 5th, 2012
5:44 pm
Dempster might make a start on Sunday against the Mets. Doesn’t want to wait till after the break. Interesting
Lew
July 5th, 2012
5:45 pm
Thank you for the opposition view. Crossfire will now begin.
Frankie
July 5th, 2012
5:46 pm
yeah, that’s a brave man(no pun intended).
cliff
July 5th, 2012
5:46 pm
Uggla’s so muscle-bound that he’s lost his agility, and he’s just a swinger, not a hitter. Maybe Chipper can help him. Would like to see him traded.
The A Bomb
July 5th, 2012
5:46 pm
I would honestly like to see TJ surgeries under Leo vs. under McDowell. Seems like we’ve been keeping Dr. Andrews away from the golf course much more lately.
UTKBrave
July 5th, 2012
5:48 pm
@Efrim. yeah with Venters going down maybe a guy for the bullpen would be a smart thing, but you also wouldn’t want to deal away key future pieces for a relief pitcher, unless he is a real and proven star. Not reading any names out there that could be available.
Look, Chipper is frustrated. That is what prompted me to even say anything about getting a starter is I want to people to know he’s speaking out his butt right now. He needs to shut up and be thankful he’s on a competitive team even still after all these years. He, like tons of Braves fans, are spoiled rotten to the core.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:50 pm
so is everybody. from 2000-2011 there were an average off 11 per year b4 the all star break, this year there are twice that, way more all over baseball than there were years ago
stizz
July 5th, 2012
5:50 pm
You are up for a massive disappointment UTK.
The A Bomb
July 5th, 2012
5:51 pm
Thanks nolie — just seems like TJ surgery used to be big deal. Now it’s a badge of honor. But we seem to holding a lot of badges.
SNEAKY PETE
July 5th, 2012
5:52 pm
hey zzits is back. must have gotten tired of using all those other names
jeffrey
July 5th, 2012
5:52 pm
I like what you’re saying, UTK
(Rob from SC)
July 5th, 2012
5:54 pm
Here are the players I can think of who have had TJ with Braves during the past few seasons
Soriano
Gonzalez
Moylan
Medlen
Beachy
Hudson
Vizcaino
UTKBrave
July 5th, 2012
5:56 pm
@stizz, why am I up for that? Do you all actually think a MLB team DOESN’T fail most of the time during the course of a 162 game season? It happens. Slumps happen. Guys have down years and that is very common. No doubt we have the team to go far. Some things just have to fall in place and they will.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:56 pm
our fair share at least Frankie. they are discovering that some of the modern mechanics are not as good as was thought a dozen years ao for one thing.
I also think that they draft more mediocre pitchers and push them harder with tweeks to get ahead.
Lots of things adding up together I guess. perhaps the PEDs era put it off for awhile by helping bodies rebound better. sure seems to have gotten even worse since the testing began in earnest…
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
5:57 pm
,.{}
Frankie
July 5th, 2012
5:57 pm
spoiled rotton to the core? Let’s see the Braves have won 1 playoff game in 8 years. Enough of the 14 year run, nice and great history. Just that, it’s getting to be history. Win this year and sorry, won’t be with a starting staff of Huddy, Hanson and Sheets as your top 3. Get real my friend.
UTKBrave
July 5th, 2012
5:58 pm
Thank you Jeffrey.
ACE
July 5th, 2012
5:59 pm
Did any of these crack reporters question Jeff porter about what has been going on with Venters?
Trader Jack
July 5th, 2012
6:01 pm
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:56 pm
our fair share at least Frankie. they are discovering that some of the modern mechanics are not as good as was thought a dozen years ao for one thing.
I also think that they draft more mediocre pitchers and push them harder with tweeks to get ahead.
Lots of things adding up together I guess. perhaps the PEDs era put it off for awhile by helping bodies rebound better. sure seems to have gotten even worse since the testing began in earnest…
Unfortunately, most of these young guys are expendable. If you burn one out or blow one up, there’s always another flame thrower waiting in the wings
UTKBrave
July 5th, 2012
6:01 pm
Grow up Frankie. You go to war with what you have. The pieces are all there to make a real run, just like I said. Hudson is a starter most teams would absolutely love to have. Same with Hanson. There were teams out there wanting Sheets services and I think we may very well have struck gold with him.
ACE
July 5th, 2012
6:01 pm
We know Fredi can’t manage or be a doctor, maybe a marriage counselor.
jeffrey
July 5th, 2012
6:02 pm
Why would Fredi be a doctor?
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
6:04 pm
b
ACE
July 5th, 2012
6:04 pm
Fredi could have a good business with all the arm injuries on the team.
Murph
July 5th, 2012
6:04 pm
One thing is certain… the Braves won’t go into the All Star break in last place. No matter how these last 4 games turn out, even if they lose all 4, the team can’t finish any lower than 4th in the division.
So…. we have that going for us.
NickB
July 5th, 2012
6:04 pm
along with what nolie said, i wouldn’t be surprised if one of the problems isn’t too many young pitchers throwing sliders and 95+ fastballs before age 20.
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
6:04 pm
Hasn’t VENTERS already had TJ?
Carl Farvman
July 5th, 2012
6:04 pm
Why is everyone so desperate for Bourne. Nice if the well-performing players make it–mostly for them–but who reallycares?
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
6:05 pm
Bourn on getting lot of support from fans (and teammates) but coming up short on the Final Vote tally:
“I want to tell them thank you, first of all. That meant a lot, having fans behind me the whole way. Everybody in the clubhouse, everybody that was on Twitter, even though I don’t have a Twitter page. Facebook. Whoever tried to vote for me, I just want to say thank you for all the support, for continuing to vote for me day in, day out. It didn’t work out, but it was a good run. Freese won it and he’ll be going to the All-Star game. I’m going to be taking four days of chilling and get ready for the second half.”
“It’s nice to know your teammates are behind you. They want you there just as much as you want to be there. They were coming up to me asking every day if I’d looked at [the voting results]. They said, we’re voting for you, man. I appreciate it. It just happened to not work out, but it’s all good.”
On Braves fan base: “They have a great fan base. That’s a good thing to know. Good fan base, they supported me the whole way through, and I appreciate it.”
On having his best numbers and not making it: “Well, somebody always gets left out, and I guess it was my time this time. Of course I wanted to go. Everybody wants to be part of the All-Star team; that’s a great honor. But this time it just didn’t work out. You can’t do anything about it. Just go to move on.”
Frankie
July 5th, 2012
6:06 pm
UTK,
Grow up? How bout grab some realization there fella. This pitching staff as currently constructed has no chance, NONE of making the playoffs. I agree this team is still built to win but it has to make some additions to get to fall baseball. I have been stating since EARLY MAY(when things were going well and Beachy was in the mix) that they still need a arm to get DEEP into the playoffs.
Your optimism is admirable but very misguided.
UTKBrave
July 5th, 2012
6:06 pm
Besides the fact pitchers like Dempster, Garza, Liriano and even Greinke aren’t really anything better than our top two starters, three of those pitchers will surely cost a team way too much. Braves have been built on developing their own guys and watching them shine in the majors. No different here.
Bat Masterson
July 5th, 2012
6:06 pm
Grow up Frankie. You go to war with what you have.
UTKBrave is Rumsfeld
Frankie
July 5th, 2012
6:07 pm
“So…. we have that going for us.”
Bill Murray could not have said it any better.
Tampa Gator
July 5th, 2012
6:07 pm
Did anyone post or write anything about Ben Sheets outing last night for Mississippi….(I hate typing that name)….He gave up consecutive triples to start the game and two runs in the first inning. Then settled down and pitched well for the first time in two years. 5 innings. 5 hits. 4 runs…and 6 strikeout. Not a bad start. Wishing him well….and the ability to get up to Atlanta and help the Braves out soon. It would be an amazing story if he can. Of course, he would then become a free agent at the end of the season and sign a 5 year, 10 mil a year contract with the Yankees.
Frankie
July 5th, 2012
6:08 pm
Is UTK really Ward????????
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
6:09 pm
Considering Sheets hadn’t pitched in 2 years, I’ll take that outing.
Frankie
July 5th, 2012
6:11 pm
Date night with the wife, no more dealing with knuckleheads.
Go Braves
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
6:12 pm
LUIS AVILAN has not favorably impressed me in his minor league career. So maybe he’s light’s out for one outing like all the one game wonders that everybody else throws at us……but I doubt it. He has a 21-30 minor league’s record [7 seasons]. 3.23 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in his second year in AA. 31 BB – 55 SO. 61.1 IP – 50 H. Why is he on the protected roster? He’s LH’d of course.
Carl Farvman
July 5th, 2012
6:12 pm
Uggla is a mini-popeye. No flexibilty, agility, etc., etc. A swinger, not hitter, and that is what you have.
Venters has struggled much, but should more than a second be spent on worrying about why we didn’t know about the injury…or if there is one. Are we going to all of a sudden start asking questions?
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
6:13 pm
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
6:09 pm
“……..Considering Sheets hadn’t pitched in 2 years, I’ll take that outing………..”
Me too!
UTKBrave
July 5th, 2012
6:14 pm
I was excited about Sheets outing. Bodes well for the Braves. This guy was one of the best in the business not long ago and he’s still pretty young. It would something if he came up and pitched our boys right into a world series. I remember his game against the Braves a few years back. Wow was he awesome!
BartnOrl
July 5th, 2012
6:14 pm
So…Heyward is okay today? He looked like he was in a lot of pain swinging last night.
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
6:15 pm
Tampa Gator
July 5th, 2012
6:07 pm
“……Did anyone post or write anything about Ben Sheets outing last night for Mississippi……”
I posted up his complete game line on the previous blog.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
6:15 pm
Chipper is 7 for 9 so of course Fredo sits him
keylargo
July 5th, 2012
6:18 pm
Y’all see how the Braves are with the phantom injury that turns out to be real. Venters healthy. Venters healthy. Venters healthy. Venters on the DL with probably a second TJ procedure.
What happened to Nate McLouth? Finally the sports hernia story comes out, but having your abdomen sewn back together is no 15 day DL trip
Who else has been passed of as finished but is really hurt in the last couple of years? Kawakami?
UTKBrave
July 5th, 2012
6:19 pm
Yet another negative comment. Chipper SHOULD be resting when necessary and another reason why he will be fresher later in the season when we will need his health more than ever.
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
6:20 pm
nolie
July 5th, 2012
5:20 pm
“…….I didn’t even know there were stripes to follow……..”
my all-time fav regarding ’stripes’
“What does three up and three down mean to you airman?”
“End of an inning” GOOD MORNING VIETNAM
ACE
July 5th, 2012
6:21 pm
Can’t wait to read the post game comments tonight. Fredi did you know anything about venters elbow problem You know you just have to keep running him out there.
keylargo
July 5th, 2012
6:21 pm
Chipper is 7 for 9 so of course Fredo sits him
Well, damn CJ has to play 2 innings in the next 3 days. You want to wear the man out? (sarcasm)
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
6:22 pm
m
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
6:22 pm
y
ACE
July 5th, 2012
6:23 pm
Later in the season won’t matter for Chipper if they don’t win some games now. Other than collecting presents and tributes.
ACE
July 5th, 2012
6:25 pm
Larussa has decided to pick Fredi for one of his coaches at the ASG due to all the help he gave them last september.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
6:25 pm
so let him rest when he cools off , not in the middle of a hot streal FCS
ACE
July 5th, 2012
6:25 pm
They also gave him a share of WS money.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
6:28 pm
Cox had made Jones the first pick of the 1990 First-Year Player Draft because he admired, not just his skills, but also liked the way he looked him in the eye and answered his questions.
Cox came away from their meeting convinced that Chipper was someone he could build a lineup around. That’s how it worked out. In 19 seasons, Chipper has been an eight-time All-Star and a National League Most Valuable Player.
NO MORE FREDI
July 5th, 2012
6:28 pm
1. Fire Fredi.
2. Trade Uggla and Minor
3. Let TP run the team rest of 2012. No long term deal off the top like Braves do. Make him prove what he can do first.
This season is another waste if Fredi remains. We all know it even if you like to get on here and fight with other bloggers just to be right.
stizz
July 5th, 2012
6:28 pm
How hard is it to spell a five letter name backwards sneaky Pete? How about you sneak your way to a dictionary.
UTKBrave
July 5th, 2012
6:29 pm
@nolie, Chipper is a vet. He can hit still after a day off. Geeez you people blow me away. LOL
nolie
July 5th, 2012
6:30 pm
zzits? did someone mess up your name?
stizz
July 5th, 2012
6:30 pm
Correction, you managed to get it right Pete. Bravo.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
6:30 pm
yup you blow me away ok
NO MORE FREDI
July 5th, 2012
6:30 pm
Fat boy sits Chipper as he always does any Brave that is feeling good at the plate. The guy is an idiot and I think I hate him more than I have any other Brave.
NO MORE FREDI
July 5th, 2012
6:31 pm
If Braves are out of it and Chipper wants to go out a winner, will he be traded to have one more shot at a ring? Or is retiring a Brave that important to him?
stizz
July 5th, 2012
6:31 pm
Here comes captain nolie in to save the day.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
6:32 pm
well maybe Chipper woulda died if he had to play today….
NickB
July 5th, 2012
6:33 pm
Not a Garza fan….. never have been really. So perhaps they can beat him up tonite and he can drop of the watch list.
jeffrey
July 5th, 2012
6:33 pm
We sure are a bunch of pricks to each other
UTKBrave
July 5th, 2012
6:33 pm
Drafting Chipper was one of the very few things Cox got right. Not a good manager which is why I was worried Fredi G would be just like Cox, and I am so thankful he isn’t. A very pleasant surprise.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
6:33 pm
save the dayY Just asked you a question zzitsy. whatsamatter you caint even spell your own name backwards? Oh well, no surprise….
nolie
July 5th, 2012
6:34 pm
only to some of each other Jeffrey, we all luv you
NickB
July 5th, 2012
6:34 pm
UTKBrave
oh yeah, he has all of Cox’s bullpen foibles combined with a complete lack of motivational ability… that’s a great combo in a manager
nolie
July 5th, 2012
6:35 pm
sure all the “not a good manager” set alltime records and go to the HOF
Kat
July 5th, 2012
6:35 pm
Here’s a food inquiry.. anyone on this DOB blog ever have salt potatoes? It’s a regional food in NY.. I’m making them now as I speak. They’re a central NY food.. even just 2 hrs east of Syracuse where I am now people don’t really know what they are. Figured I’d see if anyone on the blog has ever sampled them.. I have my doubts lol.
stizz
July 5th, 2012
6:37 pm
Well I see you can’t spell day without an extra y. I would have hated to be the one reading those “scouting reports” you put together.
NickB
July 5th, 2012
6:38 pm
nolie
I would say that Bobby was THE GREATEST motivational manager of all time. He could get avg players to perform good and good players to be great. I was never a fan of his “in game” managing skills, but boy could he get some great seasons out of average players.
SNEAKY PETE
July 5th, 2012
6:38 pm
obnoxious jerks like stizz deserve to be treated like pricks Jeffrey
The A Bomb
July 5th, 2012
6:39 pm
UTKBrave — You playing Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows by Lesley Gore in the background?
Holy crap.
jeffrey
July 5th, 2012
6:40 pm
I was referring to a lot of people, Pete…(unfortunately me at times too)
nolie
July 5th, 2012
6:41 pm
Stizz, you are an arsehole little pervert with all the baseball knowledge of a dead polecat, and all the personality of a rabid wolverine.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
6:42 pm
and that is on your better days
NickB
July 5th, 2012
6:42 pm
no deviated preversions allowed
flange1
July 5th, 2012
6:44 pm
Kat,
I from Atlanta and I have not ever heard of salt potatoes. Tell us about them!
nolie
July 5th, 2012
6:45 pm
oh pooh Nick, you take all the fun out of everything. You can’t seriously mean that I have to treat stizzy like he is a human being?
nolie
July 5th, 2012
6:46 pm
you mix up some potatoes and some salt….
O.M.G.
July 5th, 2012
6:46 pm
Kat, western N.Y. and I can’t say I have heard of them either. What are they?
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
6:46 pm
Kat —
I’ve heard of salt potatoes, but have never had them. Let us know how they turn out!
NickB
July 5th, 2012
6:47 pm
nolie
oh heavens no!!! I just saw a good spot to quote some Dr Strangelove dialog
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
6:48 pm
Salt potatoes are a regional dish of Syracuse, New York, typically served in the summer when the young potatoes are first harvested. They are a staple food at fairs and barbecues. In the Central New York region where they are the most popular, potatoes specifically intended for salt potatoes can be purchased by the bag along with packages of salt.
As the potatoes cook, the salty water forms a crust on the skin and seals the potatoes so they never taste water-logged like ordinary boiled potatoes often do. The potatoes have a unique texture closer to fluffy baked potatoes, only creamier. The standard recipe calls for one pound of salt for every four pounds of potatoes
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
6:49 pm
So I’ll pose my theory regarding draft picks once again. Why not take the best evaluated talent left on the board rather than the best pitcher available in the first round? Looking at out 25-man and the fact that we’ve drafted more pitchers [24] than all other positions [20] combined in the first two rounds over the past 13 years, I think we should re-evaluate our strategy for the top two rounds in the draft. We have MIKE MINOR currently on the 25-man from those top two slots over the past 13 years.
* That’s our own picks not other orgs, and the FA came from various sources and in several ways.
LUIS AVILAN – BRAVES DSL FA
BRANDON BEACHY – undrafted
RANDALL DELGADO – BRAVES DSL FA
CHAD DURBIN – K.C. numerous others, FA
TOMMY HANSON – 22nd round draft and follow
TIM HUDSON – FA
JAIR JURRJENS – trade
CRAIG KIMBREL – 3rd round
CHRISTIAN MARTINEZ – FA
KRIS MEDLEN – 10th round
MIKE MINOR – 1st round
ERIC O’FLAHERTY – rule 5?
ANTHONY VARVARO – FA
Murph
July 5th, 2012
6:49 pm
One pound of salt for every 4 pounds of potatoes…
As the potatoes cook, the salty water forms a crust on the skin and seals the potatoes so they never taste water-logged like ordinary boiled potatoes often do. The potatoes have a unique texture closer to fluffy baked potatoes, only creamier.
Murph
July 5th, 2012
6:50 pm
Scooped by BravesQueen and Wikipedia!
Efrim
July 5th, 2012
6:50 pm
Not a Garza fan….. never have been really.
I’m a fan of having Garza, Hudson and Hanson being our top 3 for 2013 – so if Wren can somehow get him without having to give up Teheran or Delgado, then I am for it.
I think it’s pretty clear that Wren is going to want to add a vet to the rotation for 2013. And this year in addition to Sheets, if possible.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
6:51 pm
one pound of salt? that’s a lot. I hope nobody has blood pressure or kidney problems
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
6:52 pm
NickB
July 5th, 2012
6:53 pm
Efrim
I agree, but Garza is just mediocre, his best season was a 5 WAR year 2nd best a 3.1 and nothing else over 3 ….. i think he’s gonna be overpaid and cost too much.
IMO, it’s Greinke if were gonna spend the prospects, and Liriano if we aren’t, Garza and Dempster just don’t thrill me much
Kat
July 5th, 2012
6:54 pm
BravesQueen summed it up.. all I’d do is link to the wiki page. Well one lbs of salt is overstated lol.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
6:54 pm
Garza is interesting because he has some time on his contract, but as such is liable to cost in prospects
anyway it will be interesting to see how he pitches tonight. Greinke sure did not show up well last night against the Fish with scouts in the park
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
6:55 pm
UTKBrave, OMG! Be positive, but also realistic, dude.
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
6:55 pm
NickB
July 5th, 2012
6:47 pm
nolie
“……oh heavens no!!! I just saw a good spot to quote some Dr Strangelove dialog…..”
And that brings back memories of the PHILLIES own “Dr. STRANGEGLOVE” DICK STUART and HR masher DICK ALLEN
And of course the METS own ‘Marvelous’ MARV THRONEBERRY
Brava
July 5th, 2012
6:55 pm
Well, we fought the hard fight to get Bourn into the ASG, but came up short. I’m proud that we were able to move him from last place to second, at least. Maybe he’ll still get in there, somehow.
Kat
July 5th, 2012
6:56 pm
I think it started and pretty much stayed in the Syracuse area because of the salt mines there.
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
6:57 pm
And Fredi IS a complete freakin moron, UTK
NickB
July 5th, 2012
6:58 pm
Kat
either that or it never spread cuz all the people who ate it died of coronary thrombosis!!! lmao!
Murph
July 5th, 2012
6:59 pm
Grilling steaks and peaches stuffed with ricotta cheese/honey tonight… never tried the peaches recipe before, should be a culinary adventure.
See y’all tomorrow. Go Barves!
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:00 pm
I’ll be right over Murph, a two-pounder will be fine….
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
7:00 pm
..
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
7:00 pm
o
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
7:01 pm
h
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:01 pm
richbrave with some interesting comments thar….
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
7:02 pm
=
NickB
July 5th, 2012
7:02 pm
could be his kids have gotten ahold of the pc?
kenhotlanta
July 5th, 2012
7:02 pm
enters, on the pregame show, sounds confused to me, like he didn’t know which way to turn or go about trying to figure out what was wrong this season. Now he says the trainers told him to wait until it quits hurting and then try to figure it out.
Shouldn’t he have been told that back in April or May, when his results weren’t as good as they were last year? He’s been sukking most of the year, why hasn’t Fredi or Roger given him some coaching and guidance until now??
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:02 pm
o h = ????????
kenhotlanta
July 5th, 2012
7:03 pm
“Venters”
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
7:03 pm
nolie:
Heh!
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
7:03 pm
I usually dread seeing Francisco the out machine in the lineup. His presence can only spell doom for the Braves.
stizz
July 5th, 2012
7:04 pm
Oh yeah I’m just a big pervert nolie. You got me. And **** off sneaky Pete. Can’t even believe I’m responding to a man that uses that screen name.
Nolie why don’t you use your illustrious scouting book to tell us how important you are to the ajc blog. I know you’ve been waiting for the chance to spill your resume, so here’s your chance mam.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:04 pm
didn’t they say that he never told them that his arm hurt?
NickB
July 5th, 2012
7:04 pm
ken
that’s an assumption that none of us are in a position to make, there’s been plenty of info ponting to Venters working with McDowell a fair bit
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
7:04 pm
Says its blacked out for me
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
7:04 pm
I’m coming over too, Murph!
Efrim
July 5th, 2012
7:04 pm
NickB, give me something else other than WAR, man. Something else. No offense, and I like stats as much as the next guy. But in this forum, try to use something else to explain to me why Matt Garza isn’t that great.
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
7:04 pm
Your a funny man
NickB
July 5th, 2012
7:05 pm
well I’m off, see you folks after the game
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:05 pm
important, moi? thanks you, but your jealousy doesn’t really become you squeeky
kenhotlanta
July 5th, 2012
7:05 pm
Uh-oh, the biggest maroon of them all is back!
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
7:06 pm
FRANCISCO’s foilables are of his own making. His swing has more moving parts and wasted motion than a…………..{i’ll leave the fill-in to your imagination].
MiaBchBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
7:07 pm
The past 72 hours were instructive.
The 10 run outburst on Tuesday was sandwiched by two one-run efforts, meaning that this team has bigger problems than just trading for a starter – both short term and long term issues that have been plaguing this team for years now. All season long, like early last year, this team has shown that it is not a team ready for the playoffs. The last three days clearly show how numbers can truly skew reality – especially as it relates to this team’s ability to hit.
I say this because as the Marlins just traded for Carlos Lee, and were buoyed by his presence in a win today against the Brewers, one might be under the grossly mistaken impression that the Braves are one brick shy of a load.
They are not.
Now Venters is on the DL for who knows how long, with a suddenly sketchy bullpen, starters, two of whom are on OJT while another tries to rehab his career (rather well as of late, has JJ been – TRADE HIM NOW!!!), another nearing his twilight years (trade Huddy now, too), and a fifth who seems to be finding his way (keep Hanson). In short, a rotation in transition.
The positions of catcher, LF, 3B (for next year, as well as this, when Chipper’s health does not allow), need to be addressed for future consideration now. The present 2B is not a prototypical cleanup hitter, the CF will be too expensive for any worthwhile consideration, and the 1B, RF, and SS are still very young works in progress, but worthy keystones for building around.
Frankie, time to call it what it is. JJ, Huddy, Bourn, Hinske, even McCann, and even Uggla, are pieces than can garner a treasure trove of positional players – ESPECIALLY OUTFIELDERS!!! – in the absence of anything right now in the pipeline that is even within the zip code of major-league ready, or even MLB-possible. Frankie, you have no one but yourself to blame for this mess, and the proper way to clean your mess is to get out of your own way by stopping your waste of money and (potentially) prospects.
Time to truly rebuild. The reload crap is not working. We have the arms. Trade for the young bats that will surround Heyward, Freeman, and Simmons the rest of this year… and beyond.
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
7:07 pm
Anybody sick of the Wendy’s commercial with that red headed chick?
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:07 pm
yeah he makes Murphy’s old swing look compact and precise rich
keylargo
July 5th, 2012
7:08 pm
NO, BS – I wonder how many fans were thinking this might be their last chance to see Chipper playing @ Turner Field, brought the kids, etc. This logic that 3 baseball games in a row is too much for some players is totally 100% wrong.
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
7:08 pm
stizz does come off a bit bitter
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:11 pm
yeah that was the reason for my comment KL. It’s the Fourth of July time period just b4 the AS Game. unless he is hurting he should be in the line up, especially as hot ad he has been, he will have plenty of time to rest next week
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
7:11 pm
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
7:07 pm
“…..Anybody sick of the Wendy’s commercial with that red headed chick?….”
Not me man. She’s hot especially those big pop eyes.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:13 pm
Popeye is hot??? hmmmm
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
7:13 pm
Like the VULTURE, there’s more to JONES’ off-day than meets the eye.
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
7:14 pm
And that flat head…..ummmm
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:15 pm
maybe rich, but Fredo has been pretty steady about using him just a few days b4 giving him another day off
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
7:15 pm
You a beer drinker nolie? Heh!
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
7:15 pm
xxxxxxxx
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
7:17 pm
Nice start, Mike Minor.
Brava
July 5th, 2012
7:17 pm
Good start for Minor.
TNScott
July 5th, 2012
7:17 pm
Nice inning, Mike!
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:17 pm
so minor looked good. does that mean anything?
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
7:18 pm
That inning by Minor better mean that he has good stuff tonight.
keylargo
July 5th, 2012
7:18 pm
Think about all the AT&T commercials. The ski lift, the tarantula on the dinner table and I can think of 1 I can stand. The one where the young actress gets a smalll part but is so happy. Their ad campaign has to be out of touch with America.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:18 pm
not a lot rich, but when I do I prefer a darker beer
Kat
July 5th, 2012
7:19 pm
NickB @ 6:58 pm
haha.. touche
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:21 pm
Garza is a sissy about throwing to bases?? Should fit right in
stizz
July 5th, 2012
7:21 pm
Not bitter, just never understood why nolie is the end all be all. I was once told nolie knows more than me on Mac just because he used to be a catcher. WTF.
In the thread that created all this havoc, I asked nolie to tell me what I had said regarding the Braves that wasn’t true and he said I was just being mean about it. People on this blog have Saud much worse things than u can even think of regarding Fredi.
This is nothing more than a blog regular not having anything of merit so when someone disagrees with anything its a big fuss.
Brava
July 5th, 2012
7:22 pm
Marteen!
TNScott
July 5th, 2012
7:22 pm
TEEN!!!
MikeInFl
July 5th, 2012
7:23 pm
Not bitter, just never understood why nolie is the end all be all.
Well, he is. Just accept it.
stizz
July 5th, 2012
7:24 pm
*said
The A Bomb
July 5th, 2012
7:24 pm
HEYWARD SUCKS! KOOL-AID!
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
7:24 pm
JHEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brava
July 5th, 2012
7:24 pm
Jason with da Bomb!!!!!!!!!
TNScott
July 5th, 2012
7:24 pm
SAY J-HEY!!!!!
George Stein
July 5th, 2012
7:24 pm
Heyward apparently just can’t handle hitting third.
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
7:24 pm
alright JHey!
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
7:24 pm
JHey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:24 pm
ok stop the game right now and trade for Garza
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
7:25 pm
Heyward’s 14th homer comes in 82nd game of season.
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
7:25 pm
Freeman!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kat
July 5th, 2012
7:25 pm
I so want to watch this game and read the blog and twitter but it ruins the game as it’s so behind, damn mlbtv.
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
7:25 pm
Come on fat boy
Brava
July 5th, 2012
7:26 pm
nolie rules atound here. Lay off, stizz.
MiaBchBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
7:26 pm
A Bomb, do it again! It worked for JHey!
One-Eyed Mac
July 5th, 2012
7:26 pm
I’d like to hear more about Avilan and his psychic abilities. I mean, he knew he was getting called up before Venters told anybody he was hurting. Now that’s talent!
The A Bomb
July 5th, 2012
7:26 pm
This guy Garza would fit right in. No doubt. Saw Gonzalez in the dugout writing in his notepad….
“We…..will…….keep…..runn…ing……him…..out……there…..”
Brava
July 5th, 2012
7:26 pm
I don’t want Garza. Yikes!
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
7:27 pm
Yay Mac!
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
7:27 pm
McCann!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brava
July 5th, 2012
7:27 pm
Wow! BMAC!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
7:28 pm
MACTASTIC!!!!
MiaBchBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
7:28 pm
Nice!
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:28 pm
oh yeah, we REALLY need this guy.
geeze even Mac can hit him..
MikeInFl
July 5th, 2012
7:28 pm
LOL, Braves pitiful bats getting well against the guy most want us to trade for.
You couldn’t write it any better than this…
TNScott
July 5th, 2012
7:28 pm
Chatt- I’m sure you meant to spell “fat” with a “PH” after that swing. LOL
DiamondbackMac
July 5th, 2012
7:28 pm
I don’t think we should be looking at Garza for pitching help.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
7:28 pm
BMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC!!!
Bravesqueen
July 5th, 2012
7:28 pm
Way to go, Mac!!
George Stein
July 5th, 2012
7:29 pm
Be nice if Minor can make it stand.
ncbravesfan90
July 5th, 2012
7:29 pm
That one is for you McFann, like we talked about earlier today, he WILL be back!!
MiaBchBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
7:29 pm
Gar-za? Gar-NOT!
MikeInFl
July 5th, 2012
7:29 pm
Maybe Garza has read this blog, and is making sure he doesn’t end up here.
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
7:29 pm
The Cubs did well. They got a split. They’re a bad team. The Braves have this one in the bag. Ballgame.
Brava
July 5th, 2012
7:29 pm
It was a strike, Danny Boy.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
7:30 pm
Heyward and McCann are awesome, while Uggla sucks so bad.
ACE
July 5th, 2012
7:30 pm
Let’s see what Fredi can do to screw this one up.
MiaBchBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
7:30 pm
Dempster? Dumpster!
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
7:32 pm
No Braves four-run lead is safe. I will say that. Especially with Minor on the mound. The Braves need to continue putting together good approaches at the plate and scoring runs.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
7:32 pm
I believe I’ve seen all I need to see of Garza.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:32 pm
not seeing how Simmons is all that aggressive at bat
TBbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
7:32 pm
that looked so good for mac and for McFann
MiaBchBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
7:33 pm
Grienke? Cranky!
Remember, folks, this is a guy who’d rather spend a lifetime in Podunk and pitch in anonymity than face the bright lights of a playoff race. Like AJ Burnett – you know how well THAT worked out for the Yanks.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
7:33 pm
Let’s keep piling ‘em on, Braves!
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
7:33 pm
Good to see Garza Getting Slaooed! but that could be a warning sign!
Brava
July 5th, 2012
7:33 pm
WTG Simmons.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:33 pm
well at least we cleared Francisco…..
TBbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
7:34 pm
hey did uggla bat?????
Mark
July 5th, 2012
7:34 pm
95
DiamondbackMac
July 5th, 2012
7:34 pm
Simmons can really make a pitcher work.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
7:35 pm
ncbravesfan90 like we talked about earlier today, he WILL be back!!
Yes he will!…:)
I told cab he was gonna get hot just in time for the All-Star Break to interrupt everything…
The A Bomb
July 5th, 2012
7:35 pm
My point EXACTLY about Garza for the past 2 weeks. But most of you read with Braille. Never been an elite pitcher in any way, shape or form.
Bud Smith pitched a no-hitter. So did Mercker. Big deal.
Off to see real baseball in the Cal League. Bring home a win.
MiaBchBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
7:35 pm
KEEP FRANK WREN AWAY FROM THE TRADE-TO-UPGRADE-FOR-THE-PLAYOFFS BUTTON!!!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
7:35 pm
TBravesfan—
It did.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
7:36 pm
Geez! In 1990, Kansas City Royals had the highest payroll in all of MLB.
My how times have changed.
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
7:37 pm
Lets trade for Garza.
Yogi Berra
July 5th, 2012
7:37 pm
Just say no to Garza!
Good start. Will our pitching hold up..maybe.
I feel bad for Bourn he should have made all-star team.
MikeInFl
July 5th, 2012
7:38 pm
Our whole outfield should’ve made the ASG.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:38 pm
keep fouling off them pitches guys, wear him down
TBbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
7:38 pm
swung at ball 4
George Stein
July 5th, 2012
7:39 pm
Nice ABs by the bottom of the lineup.
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
7:39 pm
Bourn appreciative of Final Vote support from fans; Heyward no oblique problem; Minor/Delgado in ‘pen at Philly?
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/05/bourn-appreciative-of-fans-final-vote-support/
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
7:39 pm
Making Garza work!
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
7:39 pm
DL’d Venters: Elbow sore, but not cause of struggles
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/05/venters-elbow-on-dl-but-said-injury-not-cause-of-struggles/
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
7:40 pm
This is great!!
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:40 pm
this is fun
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
7:40 pm
Garza ain’t fooling anybody tonight.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:41 pm
Simmons is looking peaked…
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
7:41 pm
Love it! They just said “lots of scouts here to watch Garza, but another inning like this and we’ll see a whole section get up and leave.”
George Stein
July 5th, 2012
7:42 pm
This is nuts!
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
7:42 pm
Chicago already has someone up in the BP.
Great at bat by Juan.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:43 pm
kid getting in his sprint work for the rest of the week
DiamondbackMac
July 5th, 2012
7:43 pm
This is amazing.
Rick
July 5th, 2012
7:43 pm
Wow. Juan Francisco of all people just took the longest AB of the season.
ncbravesfan90
July 5th, 2012
7:43 pm
Heck of an AB there for Francisco!
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
7:43 pm
44 pitches…ouch!
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
7:43 pm
Wow! At least Francisco made him work really hard.
jeffrey
July 5th, 2012
7:44 pm
ok stop the game right now and trade for Garza
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
7:44 pm
Hell, even Minor doesn’t usually throw 44 pitches until he’s halfway through the second. This Garza guy stinks.
Brava
July 5th, 2012
7:44 pm
Well that was a battle. They might want to keep Garza in the game, though. He appears to be on our side.
jeffrey
July 5th, 2012
7:44 pm
oh, but nobody else say anything else about the game…I’m 10 minutes behind. Thanks.
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
7:45 pm
Francisco finally gorunds out to 1B (nearly foul) on 16-pitch at-bat to end Braves 1st, 44 pitches inning for Garza in inning, and nine straight fouled off by Francisco.
TNScott
July 5th, 2012
7:45 pm
ACE: Fredi can’t run Jonny out there tonight so he’ll have to come up with something else.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
7:46 pm
Wow…that was intense…
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
7:46 pm
“geez even Mac can hit this guy” nolie
Laugh on the ground – slap my knee, and my mother – while rolling around, in agony, funny ass stuff right there!!
jeffrey
July 5th, 2012
7:47 pm
That Francisco AB lasted 10 minutes…
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
7:48 pm
Good thing Simmons is young — he was going on every one of those foul balls.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:48 pm
MLB.TV seriously needs to fire their sound man
Brava
July 5th, 2012
7:48 pm
Not to worry, since Fredi doesn’t have Venters to blow the game up, he’ll just leave Minor in too long.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
7:49 pm
Ha, minor sat so long in that last half-inning that he forgot how to pitch.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:49 pm
gonna give Garza a rest damn it
jeffrey
July 5th, 2012
7:49 pm
MLB.TV seriously needs to fire their sound man
You should go all George on him
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
7:50 pm
That was an inexcusable walk by Minor to Lahair.
Yogi Berra
July 5th, 2012
7:51 pm
Thanks DOB. Bourn is a classy guy. Hope Stanton does drop out.
TBbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
7:51 pm
oh no
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:52 pm
hey we lead the league in turning DPs, and we are near the bottom of hitting into them
cool
On the other hand Minor seems to have lost his concentration
nolie
July 5th, 2012
7:53 pm
camera caught Chipper pointing out some facts of the game to Fredi…
Bravefaninok
July 5th, 2012
7:53 pm
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
7:49 pm
Ha, minor sat so long in that last half-inning that he forgot how to pitch.
LOL…Hi Bravesqueen…..Hope all is well with you.
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
7:53 pm
No damage. Is that like the first time a walk hasn’t come back to bite?
Brava
July 5th, 2012
7:54 pm
WTG Minor. More runs please, Garza.
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
7:54 pm
This commercial is starting to irritate me.
TBbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
7:55 pm
hallelujah. no inning after.
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
7:55 pm
nolie, oh just shut the front door! Fredi needs no pointers!
Grandma Giffin
July 5th, 2012
7:55 pm
Anyone else see Chipper giving Fredi pointers before Fredi relays the sign.
jeffrey
July 5th, 2012
7:56 pm
Wow, Bourn’s comments sounded much more articulate when you read them than when you hear him say them…
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
7:56 pm
Bravesfaninok –
Hey there! I’m doing ok. Lost all my hair, but so far kickin cancers rear-end.
How are you doing?
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
7:56 pm
bravesgrl, which commercial? The Wendy’s one?
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
7:56 pm
Good job, Braves fans. You failed to get Bourn into the All-Star Game. Yippee.
Grandma Giffin
July 5th, 2012
7:57 pm
Bourn lost out on a lot of the early votes. I’m sure most Braves fans voted Chipper and never thought to vote again.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
7:57 pm
Bravesgrl4life–
Good to see you!
And yes, that commecial is annoying!
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
7:57 pm
CTB, the GA lottery psychic commercial.
Hi, BravesQueen! Keep on kickin’ azz on the Big C! Hugs to you
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
7:58 pm
Hmmm, Stanton has been out for a few games. Maybe Bourn will get to go to KC after all.
Michael Bourn on his Droid chillin' on 1st base……
July 5th, 2012
7:59 pm
jeffrey – uhhhhhh, what, man? Uhhhhhh, ya know man, uhhhhh, I’m fo real thankful, man. Uhhhh… yeah that all I got
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
7:59 pm
Whoa! Check out That Chick!
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
7:59 pm
I love the walks that Bourn has been accumulating lately.
ncbravesfan90
July 5th, 2012
8:00 pm
To follow up on what they are talking about on tv regarding Bourn possibly replacing Stanton:
Giancarlo Stanton indicated Thursday that the Marlins haven’t ruled out the possibility that he’ll undergo arthoscopic surgery during the All Star break to remove a loose body from his left knee.
That’s the last resort, of course. The Marlins have already ruled Stanton out for Friday’s game, but he will take part in full pre-game activities to test the readiness of his knee. He is questionable for the rest of the first half, as well as the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game.
Source: Palm Beach Post
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
8:00 pm
Bravesgrl4life—
You bet I will. I don’t give in that easy.
It is so good to see you.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
8:01 pm
I hate it when the Braves hit into double plays.
jeffrey
July 5th, 2012
8:01 pm
jeffrey – uhhhhhh, what, man? Uhhhhhh, ya know man, uhhhhh, I’m fo real thankful, man. Uhhhh… yeah that all I got
Transcript: (English accent) Jefferson, what ever do you mean? I’m eternally grateful! Ta ta for now!
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
8:02 pm
Good to see you, too, BravesQueen. I need to get down there to see you soon.
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
8:02 pm
Minor needs to attack. Quit fa**ing around now
nolie
July 5th, 2012
8:02 pm
well at least they do it less than most other teams TM
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
8:02 pm
Is it me or do they play that stoopid U-Verse Commercial every Break?
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
8:03 pm
Enter your comments here
Bravefaninok
July 5th, 2012
8:03 pm
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
7:56 pm
Bravesfaninok –
Hey there! I’m doing ok. Lost all my hair, but so far kickin cancers rear-end.
How are you doing?
That is great….Just keep kickin ! We will keep praying.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
8:05 pm
FCS the guy can’t hit, get it over the plate Mike
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
8:05 pm
Im Changing It to Rasslin, Money Mike better not eff this up! Love the Run Support
jeffrey
July 5th, 2012
8:05 pm
Keep us updated, Tomahawkin
nolie
July 5th, 2012
8:06 pm
Simmons likes to make ‘em run. nip them at the bag and break their hearts
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
8:07 pm
I’ll give Avilan a chance, but I would have liked to see Flande brought up.
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
8:08 pm
Flawless Inning Money Mike! Nice!
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
8:08 pm
Bravesgrl4life — That would be supreme!
Look forward to it.
Bravefaninok — Appreciate the prayers.
Half Empty
July 5th, 2012
8:09 pm
they’re the mouse and Simmons is the cat nolie
nolie
July 5th, 2012
8:10 pm
exactamundo
ncbravesfan90
July 5th, 2012
8:11 pm
Flande has a 4.79 ERA vs Lefties with a .280 BAA and a 3.22 ERA vs Righties with a .235 BAA
Not too much to see with Flande it doesn’t look like.
UNCBrave
July 5th, 2012
8:13 pm
Luis Avilan looks like Kris Medlen
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
8:13 pm
Freddie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TNScott
July 5th, 2012
8:13 pm
FREDDIE!!!!
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
8:13 pm
Freeman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:13 pm
Freddie with da Bomb!!!!!!!
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
8:13 pm
Good….we’d gone an inning without scoring. I was getting scared.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
8:13 pm
goody goody gumdrops Freddie
even Fredi cain’t mess up a homer
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
8:14 pm
FAB 5 FREDDIE!!!!!!
BOOM SHOTLOCK BOOM
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
8:14 pm
Oh yea!! Freeman had to join the HR parade. Sweet!
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
8:15 pm
Garza has now allowed 12 homers in 36 innings in his past seven road starts, 3 by Braves tonight through 3 innings.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
8:16 pm
Freddi is going to be, already is, a good player. He, Simmons and Heyward would benefit greatly if the veterans would start hitting.
Sopheee
July 5th, 2012
8:16 pm
Yay everyone.
TBbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
8:16 pm
garza please don’t hurt mac
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
8:16 pm
Time for Big Sexy to hit a HR now!
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
8:16 pm
Good time for Uggla to start getting hot.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
8:17 pm
Aww, he was close!
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
8:17 pm
Aw, just missed
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
8:18 pm
That was a Good Sign From Uggla!
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:18 pm
His name is almost Dan Uggla.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
8:18 pm
At least he is still on 95. Hit the ball hard the other way. Much better!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
8:20 pm
Annoying how they kept cutting to the dugout when it looked like BMac was working his shoulder or something after a couple odd swings. Once you could even see Fredi and Lovey kinda watching him. I’m like, “Hey!! Stop showing nothing in the dugout! I’m trying to watch!…
”
Just hafta keep an eye on this…if they let me…
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
8:20 pm
@DOB
My lust for Garza is wearing off…Those stats are Nasty, and he gets Slapped on the road often, not good
keylargo
July 5th, 2012
8:20 pm
trivia
Roberto Alomar
Mixxo
July 5th, 2012
8:23 pm
Big Dan is one more AB from breaking out.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
8:23 pm
Struck him out!
Mixxo
July 5th, 2012
8:23 pm
Mike who????
Minor?
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:23 pm
Good work, Minor.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
8:24 pm
Hopefully that inning where Minor blows up will never come tonight.
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:25 pm
I think so, too, Mixxo. He’s been showing steady improvement.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
8:25 pm
you trying to jinx him Mafia???
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
8:28 pm
Check It!
If Flabcisco starts in 1/2 of the remaining 80 games: We are in Trouble! Hope Chipper plays in 60 of the final 80 games
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
8:29 pm
How Francisco had a 16-pitch at bat earlier is beyond me because he swings at so much slop. I guess he did swing at ball four at least a couple of times during his at bat in the first inning though.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
8:29 pm
Ah, they show Juan when he looks like he hurts something…
Mixxo
July 5th, 2012
8:29 pm
He’s making contact!
nolie
July 5th, 2012
8:31 pm
Garza should just hit him and save some energy
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
8:31 pm
Hope we have these kinds of atbats in Philly! I’m loving it
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
8:31 pm
Fatcisco is earning it tonight.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
8:31 pm
I bet Cubs fans are thinking that Francisco is a tough out right now.
Venice Jim
July 5th, 2012
8:32 pm
Yay, Francisco!!!
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
8:32 pm
He earned that!
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:32 pm
Good AB Juan.
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
8:32 pm
A Walk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Venice Jim
July 5th, 2012
8:32 pm
Just shy of 1/3 of Garza’s pitches to Francisco…
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
8:33 pm
Francisco with mere 12-pitch w/ 7 foul balls, after his 16-pitch at-bat in 1st inning
Mixxo
July 5th, 2012
8:33 pm
Hope you’ve been working on your bunting Mike.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
8:33 pm
nolie
No. I have just seen Minor pitch, haha.
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
8:34 pm
Minor is not a good bunter.
One-Eyed Mac
July 5th, 2012
8:34 pm
If we ever need someone to hit a foul ball Francisco is our man! Not so much if you’re looking for something in fair territory.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
8:35 pm
Seems like the Braves have been especially bad at bunting here lately.
N Nine
July 5th, 2012
8:36 pm
nO hItTeR ! !
nolie
July 5th, 2012
8:36 pm
I can put up with the power guys being poor bunters, but pitchers should get it done most of the time
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:36 pm
Send Bourn to AAA!
Mixxo
July 5th, 2012
8:37 pm
*did not see N Nine’s post*
ACE
July 5th, 2012
8:38 pm
Maybe Minor can get past five innings tonight.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
8:39 pm
sure wish we had gotten Beltran……
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
8:39 pm
I will Be Glad when This LeHair Cat is Gone! He has killed us so far in just 7 games
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
8:40 pm
Boy, this Braves team is just a bleepin’ juggernaut, ain’t it? The addition of Murph to the booth helps, but Chip is still terrible. Best part of him slid down…well, no need to complete that. Bring back Pete, dammit.
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:40 pm
Me too, nolie.
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
8:40 pm
Braves Francisco has seen 28 pitches in two PAs tonight vs. Garza. Greg Maddux once threw 78-pitch complete game for ATL, and it was against the Cubs by the way.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
8:41 pm
*turns a blind eye to N Nine*
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
8:41 pm
The Cubs couldn’t score iffn they was the only rooster in a henhouse.
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
8:42 pm
@ACE
Money Mike Minor will pitch 6 and 2/3’s tonight, Bank on It!
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:42 pm
Ruh rho.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
8:42 pm
Well d@mn, N Nine. You suck!
nolie
July 5th, 2012
8:42 pm
well it is the fifth…
Fish Bisch
July 5th, 2012
8:42 pm
get minor out now
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
8:42 pm
The Cubs couldn’t score iffn they was the only rooster in a henhouse.
Thanks, Chop Chop
TNScott
July 5th, 2012
8:43 pm
Well, at least Mike won’t be pitching from the stretch.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
8:43 pm
It is kind of strange to see Minor allow a homerun.
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
8:43 pm
No problem, jeffrey d.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
8:44 pm
Boy he put that one on a Tee for that guy
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
8:44 pm
No Harm in that Ball that was hit to Underground Atlanta, Id rather see that as opposed to a walk
TBbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
8:44 pm
nolie–
yep i was thinking the same thing.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
8:45 pm
You’d rather see a homerun than a walk. Ok.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
8:46 pm
Nice catch, Marteen!
Sopheee
July 5th, 2012
8:46 pm
That’s my Pardo.
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
8:47 pm
Marteeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark
July 5th, 2012
8:47 pm
Bourn was flying !!
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
8:47 pm
Minor has been effective, but has gone to plenty of deep counts. Especially frustrating is that 3-2 counts he works after jumping ahead 0-2.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
8:48 pm
Hey, we can still vote for Bourn. Maybe they’ll do a recount
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2012/fv/ballot.jsp
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:48 pm
T, you sound like you’ve had too many Samuel Jacksons.
count_schemula
July 5th, 2012
8:48 pm
Did Uggla say which July 5th he hopes is a turning point? It does not look like the 2012 July 5th.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
8:48 pm
Minor’s allowed 1 hit and 1 walk in 5 innings..I don’t think we have too much to complain about there
nolie
July 5th, 2012
8:49 pm
so whats the vote? Do we want garza?
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
8:49 pm
Garza lifted after giving up 5 runs, 5 hits in 4 innings, 3 walks, 6 K, 94 pitches
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:50 pm
Marteen!!!!
ACE
July 5th, 2012
8:50 pm
Don Sutton is going on vacation and Murph is going to join Jim Powell if any of you were concerned.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
8:50 pm
Was Garza lifted because he’s been traded? Because Frank Wren saw the game and said “I need to have that guynow!”
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
8:50 pm
nolie Do we want garza?
Do the Nationals want him…?
Mark
July 5th, 2012
8:50 pm
Prado is a player. Lefty going away. Just go that way with it
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
8:50 pm
Marteeeeeeeen!!!!!!!!!!!!
TBbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
8:50 pm
why was freddie f hitting mac on the but with his bat?
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:50 pm
No way, nolie.
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
8:50 pm
Only one run, only one hit. I’d say Minor’s been pretty good so far.
count_schemula
July 5th, 2012
8:51 pm
.227? I think Dave Kingman was an all-star once with numbers like that…
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
8:51 pm
I love seeing Straight A’s on the Game Summary picture
Venice Jim
July 5th, 2012
8:51 pm
Good job, Jason!!!
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:51 pm
Jason!!!!!!!
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
8:51 pm
Nice JHey! And good heads up running by Teen!!
ACE
July 5th, 2012
8:51 pm
Bourn and Prado both over 100 hits on the season. Uggla is in the ASG game. Whats wrong with this picture.
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
8:51 pm
JHey!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
8:51 pm
That ball should have been caught by Barney.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
8:51 pm
JHey is a player. All the folks from last year fussing on him when he was hurting – Quiet
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
8:51 pm
I love seeing Straight A’s on the Game Summary picture
What if we’re playing Oakland?
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
8:52 pm
Okay, Fab 5, do it again with 2 on
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
8:52 pm
Good to see Jason with a 2-hit night.
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:52 pm
I want the Nationals to have Garza. That would be awesome.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
8:52 pm
Chop Chop — Wasn’t Barney there.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
8:53 pm
Barney would have a hard time catching anyhting between the lines right now. He’s in the dugout
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
8:53 pm
Or, Mac, you could do it again with 2 on this time.
Bravefaninok
July 5th, 2012
8:53 pm
nolie
July 5th, 2012
8:49 pm
so whats the vote? Do we want garza?
Greinke or Dempster ..
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
8:53 pm
@Brava…
No Samuel Jacksons Tonight! I’m on the Wine with Crablegs
The Samuel Jackson’s Will be “On Deck!” For That Great American Bash In Philly This Weekend….
Nice Sac Fly Mac
Mark
July 5th, 2012
8:54 pm
Put it in play = RBI
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:54 pm
BMac with the sac!!!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
8:54 pm
Yay, BMac!
Too bad we couldn’t see it…
nolie
July 5th, 2012
8:54 pm
good on Mac, sac fly against a lefty
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
8:54 pm
McCann!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joachim Gilman
July 5th, 2012
8:54 pm
Do Braves have all-time great outfield? by David Schoenfield
ACE
July 5th, 2012
8:54 pm
We are getting hammered in North Georgia with rain, hail you name it. I hope it’s not headed to ATL.
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
8:55 pm
Good pitching by Garza in this inning. He is making a comeback.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
8:55 pm
He is 0-1 or 0-2 because he takes too many pitches.
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
8:55 pm
Yo, Tomahawkin
Mark
July 5th, 2012
8:55 pm
96
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
8:55 pm
Terrible AB by Bret Boone.
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:56 pm
Wine with crablegs? Do you have to keep it in a cage? Must be a mutation fron the oil spill, huh.
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
8:56 pm
All I gotta Say is
All will be Redeemed if Ugg can Beat up on the Curley W’s and Philly in the second half…
TBbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
8:56 pm
not another k for uggla no.
N Nine
July 5th, 2012
8:56 pm
No prob, Queen, anytime! Did you really think Minor getting a no hitter? hahaha
count_schemula
July 5th, 2012
8:56 pm
called strike, swinging strike, ball outside, swinging strike three
0-3 2K
Dan Uggla, 2012 All-Star second baseman for your Atlanta Braves.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
8:56 pm
Dan Uggla has to be the worst hitter in the league. My goodness he is a walking out.
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
8:56 pm
ACE, where in North Georgia? We’re getting nothing in my area and I’m north kinda central.
Venice Jim
July 5th, 2012
8:57 pm
Wow -Dee Gordon out 6 weeks with thumb issues…
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
8:57 pm
N Nine — Thanks!
And…No, not at all!
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
8:58 pm
“710 career OPS. Michael Bourn. This is why we chop.”
ACE
July 5th, 2012
8:58 pm
Good read about the Braves outfield. Thanks for the link.
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
8:58 pm
S/O to BG4life
Did you kick it @the Lake? Ur Closer to The Lake Than I am…
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
8:58 pm
Minor needs to get through the 6th unscathed.
Brava
July 5th, 2012
8:59 pm
The Dodgers have been hit hard with injuries this season.
ACE
July 5th, 2012
8:59 pm
Rome Georgia area. Berry College.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:00 pm
A major reason all three rate so well is both systems see them as outstanding defensive players. FanGraphs’ defensive metric — UZR — ranks Bourn, Heyward and Prado first, second and fourth among all NL position players. Baseball-Reference uses Defensive Runs Saved and ranks all three in the top 11. Bourn is a legitimate top-flight center fielder, Heyward gets good reads and has one of the better arms around and while I haven’t seen enough of Prado in left field, Braves fans assure me he’s that excellent as well. While none are what I would label superstars at the plate, they rank 15th, 18th and 22nd in the NL in wOBA. But all three are also excellent baserunners, so it’s their all-around skills that make them so special.
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
9:01 pm
Okay, west side then. Wish we’d get some rain over here. Tuesday night was not enough.
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:01 pm
Im liking this Dejesus Cat, Dont be suprised if hes in our OF next year to replace Bourn
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
9:02 pm
Nice DP!
Brava
July 5th, 2012
9:02 pm
Yay! DP!
Capt.Mudd
July 5th, 2012
9:02 pm
I thank you Dan, sincerely; your efforts at the plate are appreciated….just thought I’d let you know my Grandma thinks you’re a ‘cutie.’ Also, I am in my forties and, tonight after that last K, is the first time I ever heard her curse like a drunk sailor.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
9:03 pm
Well, Minor got through the 6th basically unscathed.
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:03 pm
Best start by a Braves Pitcher in atleast 10 days?
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
9:04 pm
Hey there’s Tomahawkin dancing!
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:04 pm
Nice effort by Minor. I say that should be the end of his evening.
TNScott
July 5th, 2012
9:05 pm
Sophee- “That’s my Pardo.”
“Well, tell him what he’s won, Don.”
“Art, he’s won these fabulous parting gifts: a set of the Encyclopedia Britanica, a case of Turtle Wax, and a year’s supply of Rice-a-Roni, the San Francisco Treat.”
ACE
July 5th, 2012
9:05 pm
This rain coming down should make all the Farmers and everyone else happy. The first place Rome braves are out of town. The Rome Braves had a miserable first half but are off to a real good start in the second.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:05 pm
Simmons starting to slow down with the bat
Jake W.
July 5th, 2012
9:06 pm
Best start by a Braves Pitcher in atleast 10 days?
Minor has given us a chance in both his home starts, in some pretty tough heat his first one. Guy has talent. It’d be nice if he used it more than once every blue moon.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
9:07 pm
Simmons starting to slow down with the bat
Well no wonder; he’s sitting next to Wilson
Powderfinger
July 5th, 2012
9:08 pm
nolie–This is when we find out if the kid can make adjustments. I think I like his chances…
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:09 pm
The Cubs defensive positioning is impeccable. In the two series they have played against the Braves I bet they have stolen 10 hits from the Braves.
ACE
July 5th, 2012
9:09 pm
Minor has to run the bases.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
9:09 pm
Powderfinger — I like Simmons chances too.
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:09 pm
@Capt Mudd
lol at that 902 post
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
9:09 pm
Time for Bourn to hit one. Doesn’t have to go out, just get through.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
9:11 pm
How many times have we gone through the order tonight (so far)?
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:12 pm
Did you see that guy?
Must be his 1st game?
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:12 pm
with this lead Minor should not be running IMO
Powderfinger
July 5th, 2012
9:12 pm
BravesQueen—Every positive thought you have is a good thing, whether it be about Simmons, or, well you know. Keep up the good fight…
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
9:13 pm
That’ll work, Mikey!
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:13 pm
Powderfinger speaks truth Queen. God bless.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:14 pm
I love the Bourn walk.
ACE
July 5th, 2012
9:14 pm
Prado rakes against south paws
Kat
July 5th, 2012
9:14 pm
Nats are losing 5-1 to the Giants in the bot 7.
Mets are losing 5-4 to the Phillies in the top 8.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
9:14 pm
Powderfinger — You’re sweet. Thanks. I try to be positive about most things..I believe it really does affect everything.
Brava
July 5th, 2012
9:15 pm
Martin is hot.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:15 pm
Nolie
I was thinking the same thing but then they showed the wide angle and he wasn’t running much on those which is fine
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:15 pm
‘teener getting mad
ncbravesfan90
July 5th, 2012
9:15 pm
That strike 3 pitch painted alright, it painted the batters box line.
tiger297
July 5th, 2012
9:15 pm
ok where the hell is fredi on that one
Sopheee
July 5th, 2012
9:15 pm
‘teen ‘teen’s riled up.
TBbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
9:16 pm
looked like good pitches prado
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
9:16 pm
Aww, Nolie…you too? You guys are wonderful. You’re gonna make a girl cry. Thanks.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
9:16 pm
I love the Bourn walk.
The Bourn Walk….is that a new dance? Tomahawkin?
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:16 pm
I don’t know what would have to happen for Freddi to go out and back a player or our club on a crappy call
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:17 pm
shouldn’t be running at all with his history of middle inning trouble IMO
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:17 pm
Come on Money Mike!
1 more inning
Powderfinger
July 5th, 2012
9:18 pm
“The Bourn Walk….is that a new dance?”
Michael Jackson did it once. It took him from Houston to New York by way of Atlanta…
ncbravesfan90
July 5th, 2012
9:18 pm
“I don’t know what would have to happen for Freddi to go out and back a player or our club on a crappy call”
The ump would motion Fredi to come out of the dugout “Fredi you need to argue this call, I might have missed it and your player is about to get tossed, did you never watch Bobby Cox?”
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:19 pm
needed a taller, wider fence post on that one….
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:19 pm
I really think Minor should be lifted here. No need to risk this inning and game blowing up for him.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:19 pm
I hope they have someone up in the pen
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:20 pm
2 or 3 more innings would be nice and let the bull pen just watch tonight.
Take a page from Nolan and the Rangers – Make the starters go deep into games.
Had we done that more over the last 2 and a half years I’m thinking Venters is still in Atlanta and dominating still!!!
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:20 pm
The Bourn was is slightly new. He has shown more patience at the plate recently and worked some walks.
Brava
July 5th, 2012
9:20 pm
He’d better have someone warming up in the pen. Minor could implode any minute now.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:21 pm
here it comes
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:21 pm
Stop BSing Money Mike! Dont get rattled Here!
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:22 pm
Minor is done, walking Soriano was a bad sign.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:22 pm
If LaHare reaches get someone loose
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:23 pm
Money Mike is scaring me here! He gets Rattled easily!
@Brava Co-Sign on that 920 post
Im chewing my nails now
Capt.Mudd
July 5th, 2012
9:24 pm
LeCar LeMans LeK
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:24 pm
Good pitch
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:24 pm
bye Mikey
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
9:24 pm
You guys see this interview with Reggie Jackon saying guys like Niekro and Sutton don’t belong in the Hall?
“I didn’t see Kirby Puckett as a Hall of Famer. I didn’t see Gary Carter as a Hall of Famer. I didn’t see Don Sutton as a Hall of Famer. I didn’t see Phil Niekro as a Hall of Famer. As much as I like Jim Rice, I’m not so sure he’s a Hall of Famer.”
http://insidesportsillustrated.com/2012/07/05/13th-annual-where-are-they-now-issue/
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
9:24 pm
Giants leading, lets go Giants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
9:24 pm
Not a fan of Minor at all, but he did well tonight against a crummy team.
TBbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
9:24 pm
please do good bullpen.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:25 pm
Reggie always was outspoken
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:25 pm
Standing O from the Blog!
“Everybody Clap Yo Hands!”
Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap!
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:25 pm
Meds will probably allow those two inherited runners to score. He has been pretty good at doing that of late, which will inflate Minor’s line for the evening.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:25 pm
Damn Freddi. 5 runs up, give him a chance to grow up and maybe do more than he thinks he can. Should have waited 1 more runner or hitter – In my humble opinion.
Nice job though Minor
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:25 pm
I don’t see Kirby as a HOFer either
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
9:26 pm
Yahoo points out….
For the record, Mr. October against Niekro’s knuckler went 1 for 17 with five strikeouts for his career
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:26 pm
time to go. leave on a good note instead of taking a chance of getting chased on a bad note
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:27 pm
@Chop Chop
Co-Sign on that 924 post
Come on MED’s
MikeInFl
July 5th, 2012
9:27 pm
Joachim Gilman
July 5th, 2012
8:54 pm
Do Braves have all-time great outfield? by David Schoenfield
___________________________
Thanks for that link. Been trying to tell folks, with Prado in LF, this outfield is more than just good… it’s special. That’s why we need to trade for Chase Headley and put Marteen in LF. (Weekly Headley Hype officially filed)
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:27 pm
jeffery D
I think too many get in too. Some of those mentiioned in fact but not all. The Hall of Fame should be the cream of the crop from any era. Not just good players that lasted a long time.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:28 pm
Those quotes from Reggie Jackson sound intriguing.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:28 pm
Medlen is starting out wonderfully.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:29 pm
He looked out
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:30 pm
Ugglas foot wasn’t on the freakin bag!!!
Brava
July 5th, 2012
9:30 pm
Oh no.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:30 pm
sigh
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:30 pm
ILL Advised Throw!!!
WTF!!!
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
9:30 pm
Here we go…..
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
9:30 pm
DON’T GIVE THIS GAME AWAY, BRAVES!!!!!
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:30 pm
Minor could have done that
Crap
Capt.Mudd
July 5th, 2012
9:31 pm
Sure….why not….everyone try to get a “Baseball Tonight” mention
Brava
July 5th, 2012
9:31 pm
Medlen always seems to give up inherited runners.
Jake W.
July 5th, 2012
9:31 pm
Not a fan of Minor at all, but he did well tonight against a crummy team.
He’s had success against the likes of the Yanks and now the Cubs. Doesn’t matter the record. Guy is an enigma
MikeInFl
July 5th, 2012
9:31 pm
Tell you what, if Minor or Delgado (or Teheran) leave the game with runners on, you can go ahead and mark those runners down as runs scored.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:31 pm
Yep. As usual, Medlen allowed his inherited runners to score and once again a game where the Braves had a large early lead becomes close.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:31 pm
On a ball thrown that far Francisco should have got off the bag and caught that ball
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
9:31 pm
Wow, why is Puckett in the Hall?
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:31 pm
simmons needs to stop with the unforced poor throws
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
9:31 pm
Gotta hold this game in check and get Minor the win. He pitched too well to get a no decision.
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:32 pm
6-3!
Time for some Insurance! Cubs are still in it!
Capt.Mudd
July 5th, 2012
9:32 pm
Fredi just ‘over-Medsicated’ his guys there
Powderfinger
July 5th, 2012
9:32 pm
Reggie, for all of his talent, has always been a bit of an arse. Don’t forget his ego…which is, for lack of a better word, ginormous…
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
9:32 pm
Sometimes you just got to play boring ball instead of trying to make a highlight play. Cost us an extra run.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:33 pm
MikeInFl
Bingo. I was trying to think if Minor had ever been lucky enough for his runner to be left stranded after he left the game.
Bravefaninok
July 5th, 2012
9:33 pm
Brava
July 5th, 2012
9:31 pm
Medlen always seems to give up inherited runners.
He needs to come in to a clean inning,It seems to take him a batter or 2 to get going.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:33 pm
true but this way Minor who needs his confidence built is beating himself up . no way does he need to get forced out of a game again because he messed up
Hanson Not Losing Sleep
July 5th, 2012
9:33 pm
Medlin continues to lead the league in allowing inherited runners to score. What? Two tonight?
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:33 pm
Again, Minor should have had the opportunity to do that or grow and get out of that mess.
ACE
July 5th, 2012
9:33 pm
At least Kimbrel can get another save.
Brava
July 5th, 2012
9:34 pm
The Venters situation is strange.
Jake W.
July 5th, 2012
9:34 pm
Bullpen help needed for this team yesterday. I know we could use a starter but the bullpen has to be the priority imo. They affect almost every game.
Capt.Mudd
July 5th, 2012
9:34 pm
Yeah…per interlude, Venters needs to get ’stenched out.’
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
9:34 pm
Beachy
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:34 pm
Nolie
I can see that. Well put
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:34 pm
minor is NOT beating himself up
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
9:34 pm
Wren has got to be thinking late inning RP. Medlen is NOT the answer. No way. I don’t trust him and have good reason.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:35 pm
Medlen needs to buckle down and stop allowing inherited runners to score. That has become a true weakness for the Braves.
Powderfinger
July 5th, 2012
9:35 pm
Can’t wait for Petey to get back…
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:35 pm
Gotta feel for Venters. Over used and abused
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
9:35 pm
Hard to believe a guy who had a career .318 average, 2304 hits, won six Gold Gloves, won six Silver Sluggers, made ten All-Star Games, finished in the top 10 of MVP voting for his league seven times and won two World Series titles in twelve seasons could make the Hall, but Kirby Puckett somehow managed to slum his way in there.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:35 pm
not a big Petey fan
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
9:36 pm
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
9:31 pm
Gotta hold this game in check and get Minor the win. He pitched too well to get a no decision.
Co-Sign!!
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:37 pm
it is Chop Chop
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
9:37 pm
Beachy sighting! I miss him.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
9:37 pm
I had no idea Chop Chop was such a Kirby Puckett fan. I just saw no MVPs, 2300 hits, and 207 HR. Well short of the golden numbers
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
9:38 pm
Me either, nolie. Moylan is another Medlen … overrated by the blogsters here.
Powderfinger
July 5th, 2012
9:38 pm
nolie—Really? I know injuries have always been an issue, but he really has done the job for us in a lot of tight situations. You don’t trust the Aussie?
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
9:38 pm
Beachy
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:39 pm
You do realize that if Uggla has his foot on the bag that those 2 runs still don’t score and JHey has no error…Little things matter!
ACE
July 5th, 2012
9:40 pm
Nats coming back on the Giants.
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
9:40 pm
Yea, Mac
Oh, Uggs, please, please, please.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:40 pm
At a boy Mac.
Uggla – Ninety…
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
9:40 pm
Mac back? Whew, what a boost if he is. Swing looks quicker tonight.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
9:41 pm
Yay, BMac!! AVG up to .230!!
Never imagined I’d be happy about that number…Live and learn…
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:41 pm
nolie
not a big Petey fan
Neither am I. He was outstanding in 2007 and 2009, but barely above average in 2010. It is difficult for me to believe that he will be a savior out of the pen if and when he makes his return.
Capt.Mudd
July 5th, 2012
9:41 pm
Four Pack…..yeah, fan friendly—-4 tickets; 4 hot dogs; 4 cokes; 4 Valiums…..{If bullpen is called prior to 6th inning}.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:41 pm
0-2 again
nolie
July 5th, 2012
9:41 pm
don’t trust roogys in general PF. he is poor against lefties
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
9:41 pm
Ichiro will get in there. I wonder what Mr. October will think of that.
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
9:41 pm
I miss Beachy, too, BravesQueen.
I kinda miss Uggla, too
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
9:41 pm
And Uggly is … well, Uggly still.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:42 pm
Now is the time for my obligatory Dan Uggla is terrible comment.
ncbravesfan90
July 5th, 2012
9:42 pm
“You do realize that if Uggla has his foot on the bag that those 2 runs still don’t score and JHey has no error…Little things matter!”
That was not a force out, the runner had already touched the back and rounded it towards third, therefore a tag had to be applied to the runner.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:42 pm
7 97 that is!
Hows that WAR looking these days.
I know the avg is hovering around a deuce and a quarter!
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
9:42 pm
Moylan is a better tweeter than pitcher IMHO. Sorry.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
9:42 pm
Moylan is another Medlen … overrated by the blogsters here.
Clearly we stupid bloggers are overrating his career 2.60 ERA and .236 BAA.
StingerSplash
July 5th, 2012
9:43 pm
I once sat next to Reggie Jackson at um, an establishment on, um, Dale Mabry Boulevard in Tampa. He appeared to be having a good time.
ACE
July 5th, 2012
9:43 pm
Let’s see some good work from the Pen.
Hanson Not Losing Sleep
July 5th, 2012
9:43 pm
Uggla is playing kind of brain dead lately. He obviously isn’t focused. He may not be hitting, but he he still needs to play defense. He should have had the double play at second earlier tonight on the tag-up AND he had no business throwing the ball into left field night before last trying to start a double play that was iffy at best.
Dan isn’t contributing right now. He may get hot tomorrow but right now he’s dead weight and a defensive liability.
StingerSplash
July 5th, 2012
9:43 pm
Is Struggla trying to get his 100th strikeout of the season out of the way tonight?
Capt.Mudd
July 5th, 2012
9:44 pm
@McFann….Did you hear the portion of Mac’s interview as he stated, “I’ve got to get back to doing what got me here?” He has tonight!
Powderfinger
July 5th, 2012
9:44 pm
We usually don’t use Moylan against lefties. His appearances are very situational, which is a minor drawback. And I don’t view him as a “savior”, but as a valuable piece in the overall puzzle…
MikeInFl
July 5th, 2012
9:45 pm
Moylan got lefties out in 2007, but that skill eroded over the years along with his control.
Maybe the surgery and time off will rejuvenate him. He was lights out, once upon a time, but it’s been a while.
TNScott
July 5th, 2012
9:45 pm
Here’s a blog poll: Will Uggla still be above “The Mendoza Line” by the end of the month?
ChattTownBrian
July 5th, 2012
9:45 pm
EOF is another one of our really bad fielding pitchers. He falls all the way over to 3rd base after he’s done.
ACE
July 5th, 2012
9:46 pm
Nice turn.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:46 pm
I am so sick of these little dribblers that elude the Braves pitchers.
Hanson Not Losing Sleep
July 5th, 2012
9:46 pm
I have a man-crush on Simmons, I admit. He is going to be an asset for many years to come even if he doesn’t hit a ton.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
9:46 pm
Well, you gotta hand it to Uggs, DP’s are something he is great at!
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:46 pm
Simmons was saying to himself “Oh crapits heading toward Uggla, I need to try and get it”
MikeInFl
July 5th, 2012
9:47 pm
I really wonder if they’ve checked Uggla’s vision. Braves seem to have some contagious vision malady that runs through the clubhouse.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:47 pm
I feel bad. Couldn’t resist but that was a great effort by Uggla
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:47 pm
“It Takes 2 to make a thing go right!”
Nice DP
Brava
July 5th, 2012
9:48 pm
WTG EOF!
Finklestein
July 5th, 2012
9:49 pm
Hey Dan Uggla–if you would start swinging at those first and second pitch perfect strikes down the middle of the plate you might not be 0-2 every at bat. You have to be the dumbest batter on the planet. Unfortunately for us fans, you play for the Braves.
Powderfinger
July 5th, 2012
9:49 pm
Mark—Don’t get caught saying something nice about Uggs. As Don Henley once sang, “Kick em when they’re up, kick em when they’re down”…
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:49 pm
O’Flaherty looked solid in the 8th inning.
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:50 pm
@CTB
Moylan Overrated?
I’m no Blind Homer as you know but I dont think Petey is Overrated on here! That belongs to Jack Wilson
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:51 pm
Yeah. I’m just ready to do some of the kickin when he’s up.
It did feel kinda strange though!!
Capt.Mudd
July 5th, 2012
9:52 pm
@BravesQueen “Well, you gotta hand it to Uggs, DP’s are something he is great at!
Agree….and he’s been great at hitting homers…..just not presently doing so.
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:52 pm
@T Mafia
YES thats The Easy-E we used to know!
ACE
July 5th, 2012
9:53 pm
It takes two to make it outta sight. Hit it
Brava
July 5th, 2012
9:53 pm
Juan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
9:53 pm
Juan joined the HR parade!!
ncbravesfan90
July 5th, 2012
9:53 pm
Francisco!!!! Glad to see he got rewarded for those good AB’s early in the game!!
ACE
July 5th, 2012
9:53 pm
The Francisco Kid was a friend of mine.
Bravefaninok
July 5th, 2012
9:54 pm
Juan had been warming up for that shot all night!!
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:54 pm
Me and Juan Called A Francisco Homer tonight!!!
BOOM!!!
MikeInFl
July 5th, 2012
9:54 pm
First pitch… sneaky SOB…
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
9:54 pm
That was a beautiful shot by Francisco!
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
9:55 pm
This Francisco guy should start all the time.
TNScott
July 5th, 2012
9:55 pm
That one was Juan gone!!!
ACE
July 5th, 2012
9:55 pm
Kimbrel Time
Mark
July 5th, 2012
9:56 pm
Alright Shut this thing down and keep the Uggla meter on hold at 97 until tomorrow.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
9:56 pm
Capt.Mudd—
Yep! Very good to see!
As I said, never thought I’d be happy to see .230, but I am tonight! Would be REALLY nice if this stuck for good…the team needs it, and he needs it, too. Excited that we face Blanton on Saturday…
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:56 pm
@ACE
Co-Sign! On The 953 post!
Good To see I’m not the only one who knows that song!
Powderfinger
July 5th, 2012
9:56 pm
Had to talk to Mrs. Finger for a couple of minutes and missed the HR by Juan. Please tell me he didn’t stand and admire it before circling the bases…
Capt.Mudd
July 5th, 2012
9:56 pm
Smoked it…..but I don’t like the stroll from the plate and the sight-seeing he does–just run Juan it was not a walk off so don’t act like you been there all that many times—just 5 so far.
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
9:56 pm
Double Play
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
9:58 pm
Cubs fans must really be thinking that Juan Francisco is a tough out after tonight’s game.
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
9:58 pm
I’d Like The one in the Middle and the tall one in the back!
OTOH, I don’t like using Kimmie here, but lets GOOOOO!!!
Rick
July 5th, 2012
9:58 pm
Agreed, Capt. Mudd. Guess the message didn’t get through to him that last time against the Reds.
Hanson Not Losing Sleep
July 5th, 2012
9:59 pm
Back when the Dodgers featured Pedro Guerrero at 3rd base and Steve Sax at second base, they were well known for their errors and misadventures on the infield. One game, Pedro Guerrero committed several hard-to-believe fielding errors during one game. This was during the same time that Dodgers’ second baseman Steve Sax was undergoing his horrendous and well-publicized fielding slump in which he couldn’t throw the most routine ball to first without trouble.
In the post-game meeting, Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda was at a loss with Guerrero. “What are you thinking out there,” Lasorda asked.
“Two things,” Guerrero said.
“What’s the first thing?”
“God, don’t let them hit the ball to me.”
“And what’s the other thing,” Lasorda said.
“Don’t let them hit the ball to (Steve) Sax.”
Yogi Berra
July 5th, 2012
9:59 pm
Some of you fans don’t like nothing….give the kid some credit.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 5th, 2012
10:05 pm
Wins are so much more fun than losses.
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
10:05 pm
Braves WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tomahawkin
July 5th, 2012
10:05 pm
Lets Save some of these at bats for Philly!
ACE
July 5th, 2012
10:06 pm
Are the braves still on Garza watch.
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
10:07 pm
That belongs to Jack Wilson
Who overrates Jack Wilson???
Brava
July 5th, 2012
10:07 pm
The blog is eating my posts.
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
10:07 pm
Great win. Now, let’s go bury the Phils. Put them under the basement of the NLEast!
count_schemula
July 5th, 2012
10:07 pm
Braves hope July 6 is turning point for Uggla
Kat
July 5th, 2012
10:08 pm
Come on Giants!
NickB
July 5th, 2012
10:08 pm
I figured some of you would be here complaining even though they won
Powderfinger
July 5th, 2012
10:08 pm
“Who overrates Jack Wilson???”
That’s just awesome…
Bravefaninok
July 5th, 2012
10:08 pm
TNScott
July 5th, 2012
9:55 pm
That one was Juan gone!!!
I hope Chip Carry don’t read that!!!!
TBbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
10:08 pm
good game see yall later bloger friends.
NickB
July 5th, 2012
10:08 pm
btw, that Kimbrel kid, pretty good
Rick
July 5th, 2012
10:09 pm
Mets just tied the Phillies in the bottom of the ninth. Bases loaded with two outs.
Rick
July 5th, 2012
10:10 pm
…and the Mets win on a David Wright walk off single.
Powderfinger
July 5th, 2012
10:10 pm
count—Date has been adjusted to July 6, because of some miscalculation regarding the Mayan calendar…
Kat
July 5th, 2012
10:10 pm
Harper up to bat .. runners on 1st and 3rd.. bot 9th no outs…5-4 Giants….
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
10:11 pm
NICE WIN BRAVES!!!!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
10:11 pm
Great win, Boys! Glad they could at least split. And, except for the K (obviously, ha), BMac looked really good tonight! (Couldn’t really see the swing on the sac-fly, but the end result was good!) Gosh, I hope it sticks this time. Have I mentioned that already?
I’m feelin’ it, though—July’s gonna be a good month for BMac. I know I said that about May, but this time…it’s gonna happen. ASB should be a big help, and he’s not gonna get the flu, either…
Rick
July 5th, 2012
10:11 pm
Wow and the Nats are in the process of staging a ninth inning comeback. First and third, no outs and down a run.
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
10:12 pm
Well, everyone, I enjoyed talking with you as we ‘watched’ the game together. But I must bid you ‘good night’. Thank you for the thoughts and prayers. See you again soon!
Capt.Mudd
July 5th, 2012
10:12 pm
43-39….Without going to another resource….this is what my memory tells me our record now is…..wait I’m going to tweet Elizabeth immediately…..I want to confirm and I want the Capt.Mudd brand on TV.
Kat
July 5th, 2012
10:12 pm
Where’s his mascara?
nolie
July 5th, 2012
10:13 pm
ou do realize that if Uggla has his foot on the bag that those 2 runs still don’t score and JHey has no error…
not hardly
NickB
July 5th, 2012
10:13 pm
nats just tied it, winnin run on 3rd
Capt.Mudd
July 5th, 2012
10:13 pm
Good night and God bless @BravesQueen
Mark
July 5th, 2012
10:13 pm
Welcome Nick. I had some pretty good Uggla lines tonight and missed your responses. Even bragged on his effort once!
Powderfinger
July 5th, 2012
10:14 pm
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô: I was driving around when BMac hit the dinger earlier, and I immediately thought, “That should make McFann happy!” That’s when I realized that I’ve been blogging too much this week…
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
10:14 pm
Well, I missed most of the game due to work (grrr), but I see Minor did well (YAY!) and my fave whipping boy (save Jurrjens) took as many pitches tonight as he did all last month! As soon as I got in the car, dude pops a homerun…. He must be trying to save his roster spot…
NickB
July 5th, 2012
10:14 pm
somebody thought it was a force play on Rizzo at 2nd n the flyball to Bourn?
………..sigh
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
10:14 pm
Goodnight BravesQueen….you’re in my prayers
Chop Chop
July 5th, 2012
10:14 pm
Good job, Nats.
Logan
July 5th, 2012
10:14 pm
Wow. What a year for the Phillies.
Hmmmm
July 5th, 2012
10:15 pm
maybe I’ll watch this years AS game just to see if Uggla ranks near the top in lowest ever average for All Star game starters (.225 now and still 3 more games left)
TNScott
July 5th, 2012
10:15 pm
Bravefaninok- Nah, he’s to busy rehearsing how to say, “Petco Park,” without adding the word “pecker” at the end of it like he did during the game last season.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
10:16 pm
perhaps tonight shows that just because a pitcher is available doesn’t mean we need to trade for him.
mone of those guys, including Greinke, is a guaranteed slam dunk impact addition
NickB
July 5th, 2012
10:16 pm
Hmmmmm
that might matter, if batting avg mattered
Kat
July 5th, 2012
10:16 pm
Are you serious?! WOW crap win by the Nats..erg.
ncbravesfan90
July 5th, 2012
10:16 pm
Nats win…..Wow
Rick
July 5th, 2012
10:17 pm
And the Nats walk off too. Crap.
TBbravesfan
July 5th, 2012
10:18 pm
well the giants have not helped
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
10:18 pm
Good night, y’all. And a good night it is.
bravesgrl4life
July 5th, 2012
10:19 pm
Well, except for the Mets and Nats winning, it’s a good night.
nolie
July 5th, 2012
10:20 pm
Insider- Risers and Fallers
According to most sources, the start of the season’s second half is still more than a week away, but technically it’s already upon us. All but two teams have played at least half the games on their schedules. That means that most players have already accrued about half the counting stats they’ll have at the end of the season, enough to give us some sense of whether their seasons are shaping up to be disappointments or successes.
Of course, some players have already left the bulk of their hitting behind them, while others are about to break out. Last season, Dan Uggla went into the All-Star break batting .185. After action resumed, he upped his average considerably, hitting .296 in the second half. Dexter Fowler played so poorly in the first half of 2011 that he was forced to spend a remedial month at Colorado Springs. After returning in mid-July, he hit .288 AVG/.381 OBP/.498 SLG, swatting all five of his homers and swiping 10 of his 12 stolen bases.
On the other end of the spectrum, Jose Bautista hit 31 of his AL-leading 43 home runs before the break, and his teammate Adam Lind completely collapsed after June, following up a .300/.349/.515 first half with a .197/.233/.356 second-half showing.
It’s not always easy to see such second-half swoons and upswings coming, but it is possible to pick out some players who appear poised for progression or regression. The following six players could be on the verge of a comeback or correction in the coming months:
The risers
Max Scherzer, RHP, Detroit Tigers
This season, no non-Strasburg starter has struck out batters at a higher rate than Scherzer, and no starter has allowed a higher average on balls in play. Both of those rates should regress, but the batting average on balls in play likely has further to fall. Some of Scherzer’s struggles can be traced to Detroit’s league-worst defense, but the Tigers’ staff as a whole has a .316 BABIP, a full 50 points below Scherzer’s. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him shave a run off his ERA without any improvement in his peripherals.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Washington Nationals
Before this season, Zimmerman had been a model of consistency, contributing above-average offense in every season since his debut at 20 years old in 2005. Zimmerman, now 27, should be providing peak production, but instead he has had his worst year yet. The right-handed hitter has been hampered all season by a sore shoulder that probably won’t completely recover until he has offseason surgery. However, in 10 games since receiving a cortisone shot on June 24, Zimmerman has hit .370/.408/.739 with four home runs, more than doubling his dinger total. If he can continue to manage the inflammation in his AC joint, much more offense lies ahead. It’s already a bit late to buy low.
Brian McCann, C, Atlanta Braves
Barring an undisclosed injury, McCann is simply too good to be this bad. Catchers tend to get old early, but at 28, McCann still seems too young for a dramatic decline in true talent. Defensive shifts have been blamed for McCann’s precipitous BABIP drop, but his batting average on grounders is down far less than his average on line drives, which is among the lowest in the league. The shift can’t have claimed too many liners, so it’s likely that McCann’s hard-hit balls have happened to be poorly placed so far. The same goes for Eric Hosmer, another early underperformer
The fallers
Melky Cabrera, OF, San Francisco Giants
No player has a bigger difference between his season-to-date WARP and his projected rest-of-season WARP than Cabrera. With more than 3.5 wins worth of value this season, Cabrera has already surpassed his previous season high by a win and a half, but PECOTA projects him to tack just a half-win onto his total before the end of the year. Despite his impressive superficial statistics, Cabrera has made only modest improvements to his underlying game. His success has stemmed almost entirely from his prolific singles hitting. Thanks to a .392 BABIP, Cabrera has singled in a league-leading 23.9 percent of his plate appearances, a higher rate than any player recorded in as many PA last season. That BABIP will likely be a lot lower after the break, and once his singles pace slows down Cabrera will go back to being pretty good, not great.
Carlos Ruiz, C, Philadelphia Phillies
There are exceptions to almost every rule in baseball, but you won’t lose much money betting the under on a backstop batting .350. Mike Piazza is the only catcher who has exceeded that average in the past 75 years (and played at least 80 percent of his games behind the plate). When Piazza did it in 1997, he was 28, and he entered the season with a .326 lifetime average. Ruiz is 33 and started the season with a .265 career mark. He has adopted a more aggressive approach, seeing fewer pitches, swinging at more of them and striking out twice as often as he has walked after four seasons of walking at least as often as he whiffed, but the extra aggressiveness won’t prop up his average all season. Expect his current .357 figure to fall far.
Wade Miley, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Miley is the Melky of the mound: No pitcher has a greater projected drop-off between his first- and second-half WARPs than the Arizona left-hander. The southpaw’s minor league stats don’t indicate a total collapse is coming, but his modest strikeout rate and .261 BABIP (on a staff that has averaged .307) suggest that his sub-3.00 ERA is about to be a fond memory. Miley allowed as many runs (eight) in his last start as he had in his previous five, so the best of times might already be behind him.
Ben Lindbergh is the managing editor of Baseball Prospectus.
Mark
July 5th, 2012
10:20 pm
Hmmmmmmm
You are right though.
His will surely be the lowest this year – Except a few pitchers but not all.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
10:20 pm
I hate the Nats…. they’re looking pretty damn good though.
NickB
July 5th, 2012
10:21 pm
thanks for that article nolie
TNScott
July 5th, 2012
10:21 pm
Never thought I’d see Francisco with a higher batting avg. than Uggla.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
10:22 pm
Powderfinger—
Haha! “Thanks for noticin’!…”
And yes—it did make me happy. Was a very nice-looking homer…will prolly watch it once more before I go to bed…
Night, <strong.BravesQueen! Sorry we didn’t chat…
You’re in my prayers!…
Hmmmm
July 5th, 2012
10:22 pm
“that might matter, if batting avg mattered”
who cares if it matters or not, I just want to know where he ranks
Mark
July 5th, 2012
10:22 pm
Enter your comments here
Mark
July 5th, 2012
10:23 pm
My bad
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
10:24 pm
Aw, shucks! Messed up the format, again…
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
10:24 pm
Capt Mudd, jeffrey d — Always grateful for your prayers, can never have too many! You make my heart warm. Thanks!
Powderfinger
July 5th, 2012
10:24 pm
Sometimes a good young team, like the Nats, gets a chance to catch their breath at the break, reflect on everything, and then when they come back the mojo is gone. Yeah, that’s the ticket. They’ll lose their mojo in the second half…
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
10:25 pm
McFann — I’m sorry we didn’t get the chance to chat either. There’s always tomorrow. Prayers appreciated. See you soon!
Bravesgrl4life — Great to be able to talk to you tonight! <3
Mark
July 5th, 2012
10:25 pm
They have to lose that starting pitching before they lose anything. But doesn’t hurt to hope
nolie
July 5th, 2012
10:26 pm
I guess it’s just too tough for some of y’all to figger out, the the majority of Uggla’s votes were amassed B4 his slump when he was leading the league second basemen in just about everything. Almost like rocket surgery to some it seems…..
NickB
July 5th, 2012
10:29 pm
NL pitching will be tough on the AL I reckon, prolly 2 for Dickey, 2 for Cain, one for Kershaw , One for Strasburg, then Chapman ,Hanrahan and Kimbrel
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
10:29 pm
Barring an undisclosed injury, McCann is simply too good to be this bad. Catchers tend to get old early, but at 28, McCann still seems too young for a dramatic decline in true talent.
Couldn’t agree more. BMac is NOT declining. I absolutely refuse to believe that. (I think when he’s in his upper 30’s, I’ll still refuse the possibility…) I don’t like how he’s been working/flexing his shoulder from time to time and how he seems to be doing more stretching behind the plate between pitches, but I’m trying not to get wrapped up in the phantom injury thing. Either way, I think he comes out strong in the second half, and since that technically started tonight……
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
10:30 pm
BravesQueen—
Yep! I’ll be gone till, prolly about 3ish, maybe closer to 4, but hopefully we cann at least say Hi!
Sopheee
July 5th, 2012
10:32 pm
Take care, BQ! Nice seeing you around today.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 5th, 2012
10:33 pm
Oh well, time to hit the sack. Is it 10:30 already? Snap…
Keep up the good work in Filly, boys! Let’s go into the ASB with guns a-blazin’!…Er…whatever…
Night, all!!!
nolie
July 5th, 2012
10:36 pm
night Queenie, take care
Kat
July 5th, 2012
10:39 pm
“Eric Karabell @karabellespn
Amaro says Ryan Howard will start for Phillies Friday against Braves. “
Powderfinger
July 5th, 2012
10:39 pm
G’night, folks. Enjoyed it, and we’ll be back in the AM…
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
10:41 pm
Kat: NOOOOO!!!!!!
We’ve got to Sweep the Philthy PHillies this weekend to eliminate them from contention. We need them to sell now! Statement Series!!!!!!!
(not my best T-Hawkin impression, but it’ll do for now)
nolie
July 5th, 2012
10:42 pm
Here come the Phils…….
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
10:42 pm
Barring an undisclosed injury, McCann is simply too good to be this bad.
Braves have been good at disclosing injuries lately…..
brian
July 5th, 2012
10:49 pm
missed the game but thrilled to see that Minor looked good and BMAC looked like BMAC.
brian
July 5th, 2012
10:49 pm
missed the game but thrilled to see that Minor looked good and BMAC looked like BMAC.
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
10:49 pm
It’s true. Time for UGGLA to step up.
brian
July 5th, 2012
10:50 pm
i evidently was so thrilled that I needed to post it twice
richbrave
July 5th, 2012
10:51 pm
XXX
Kat
July 5th, 2012
10:52 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan.. hah.. that’ll do.
ACE
July 5th, 2012
10:54 pm
Waiting to see if DOB asks Fredi about Venters?
nolie
July 5th, 2012
10:54 pm
asks him what?
jeffrey d
July 5th, 2012
10:59 pm
asks him what?
Something that won’t be “hard” enough so ACE can keep complaining.
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
11:00 pm
Post-contest Quotage
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/05/braves-quotes-after-thursdays-win-over-cubs/
nolie
July 5th, 2012
11:06 pm
10 Crazy Things You’ll See at a Zombie Shoot
http://www.gunsandammo.com/2012/07/05/10-crazy-things-youll-see-at-a-zombie-shoot/?pid=1523#image
Capt.Mudd
July 5th, 2012
11:24 pm
…Ryan Howard could very well be in the line up Friday vs.Huddy……he has 63 AB’s and 6 hrs. vs. Tim and .327/.427/.712……the question: Will he be batting 4th? Some fans seem to be clamoring for him to start in the 7 hole….I don’t think so.
Capt.Mudd
July 5th, 2012
11:25 pm
6 homers…..I got to be up in 6hrs.
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
11:25 pm
Updated game account with quotage
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/05/braves-hit-four-homers-in-7-3-win-over-cubs/
BFChris27
July 5th, 2012
11:26 pm
Jamie Moyer gets released yet again.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 5th, 2012
11:29 pm
Will teams give up on him this time?
David O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
11:38 pm
Waiting to see if DOB asks Fredi about Venters? — ACE
Hey, ACE buddy, we talked to Fredi about Venters BEFORE the game. These are the postgame quotes.
Enjoy.
Half Empty
July 5th, 2012
11:40 pm
Funny Zombie stuff. Don’t see that on the Walking Dead
Half Empty
July 5th, 2012
11:53 pm
Sometimes this team looks so good, and other times it looks pretty bad. I hope they will get better some the second half.
Pass on Garza. We have pitchers who can pitch like he did tonight or better
uga-brave
July 5th, 2012
11:53 pm
i would rather talk about the replalcments.
uga-brave
July 5th, 2012
11:56 pm
music wise. i always thought TIM was was the best.
Half Empty
July 5th, 2012
11:57 pm
The Replacements? The movie or the band?
uga-brave
July 5th, 2012
11:58 pm
paul westeberg could sling it.
uga-brave
July 5th, 2012
11:59 pm
half Empty either you get it or not.
Half Empty
July 6th, 2012
12:00 am
Westerberg? yes he could. They were never real big, but I liked their music and was disappointed when they broke up in the early 90s
Half Empty
July 6th, 2012
12:01 am
either I get what or not? There are any number of replacements you could be talking about
uga-brave
July 6th, 2012
12:02 am
kinda like if you get the Smiths. either you get it or not.
the replacements are a acquired taste.
Half Empty
July 6th, 2012
12:04 am
did I not just say that I liked them? I thought sure I did.
good night
uga-brave
July 6th, 2012
12:06 am
the mighty replacements live were as a good of band live you will ever see. awesome stuff.
saw them several times live. raw rock n roll.
Half Empty
July 6th, 2012
12:14 am
There are two things that I just can’t stand. A sober man when I’m drunk, and a drunk man when I’m sober.
ACE
July 6th, 2012
12:15 am
Thanks for thoes insightful comments. We will take a 5-5 homestand and a .500 season. When you talked to Fredi before the game did he share with you when he knew Venters was injured.
Half Empty
July 6th, 2012
12:16 am
Don’t tell him DOB, make him ask nice
uga-brave
July 6th, 2012
12:18 am
half empty is educated. good for you.
uga-brave
July 6th, 2012
12:29 am
we sell front month calls against so many of your bets.
DiamondbackMac
July 6th, 2012
12:29 am
From the Chicago Tribune:
The inning ended with a 16-pitch at-bat by Juan Francisco, who also had a 12-pitch at-bat in the fourth.
“Francisco killed the whole outing really,” Sveum said, adding Garza has fallen into a pattern of getting two strikes and not being able to put batters away.
Garza downplayed the long at-bats by Francisco.
“It was just an at-bat, that’s all it is,” Garza said. “He battled, I battled. I won the first one. He won the second one.”
uga-brave
July 6th, 2012
12:36 am
always someone that buys those front month way out of the money options?
Hmmmm
July 6th, 2012
1:14 am
“There was a loud, exasperated sound in #Braves clubhouse, with a few words that can’t be printed, when DP got botched in Nats-Giants game”
I don’t get this why do they care what the Nats are doing right now? It’s pointless considering how things can change when there’s 1 month left in the season … but with there still being 3 months left? Pointless
tiger297
July 6th, 2012
1:34 am
when its sleepy time down south…
NickB
July 6th, 2012
1:42 am
it looks like Uggla’s about to break out of it, long flyball to the opposite field that may have been a HR without the wind hurting it, last year when he broke his much longer slump, he started driving the ball the other way, before you knew it, boom, he was a freaking HR machine
nolie
July 6th, 2012
2:32 am
yeah I hope Dan is about ready to start poppin’ them again
Couch Tater
July 6th, 2012
5:40 am
DOB – Wow. Someone needs to ask the “tough” questions…
[Tim Sullivan] wrote about the Angels’ outfielder Mike Trout, a 20-year-old who’s hitting over .300 with power and “covers ground as if he were being chased by a cheetah.” The most fascinating piece of reporting in the column was that the Padres’ general manager passed over the chance to draft Trout – not once, twice – and told Sullivan how he’d missed on the phenom.
Those columns are the stuff that make newspapers and their websites worth reading. Sullivan’s pieces ran on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday.
Friday, he was fired.
He was at work on the Mike Trout column when a window opened on his computer screen. At 3 p.m. Friday, he had an appointment with the paper’s editor, Jeff Light.
The note was ominous. Six years before, Sullivan had made an enemy. That man was now his newspaper’s president and CEO. He had criticized XX Sports Radio station owner John Lynch for “heavy-handed” editorials in favor of a new stadium for the San Diego Chargers. “The man has all the subtlety of a sledgehammer,” Sullivan wrote of Lynch, and then quoted a Lynch editorial threatening the city attorney: “If you attempt to be an obstructionist in a county or other deal with the Chargers, we will lead a campaign to recall you. That’s a promise and we will spend whatever it takes to remove you from office.”
Then, in November 2011, San Diego hotel magnate Doug Manchester bought the newspaper and installed Lynch as its top executive.
Here’s the rest from Dave Kindred…
http://sportsjournalism.org/sports-media-news/known-for-exceptional-columns-sullivans-opinions-sealed-his-san-diego-fate/
nolie
July 6th, 2012
6:26 am
DOB better be careful….
richbrave
July 6th, 2012
6:45 am
DOWN ON THE FARM
GWINNETT
G-Men win 4-3
RHSP JULIO TEHERAN [4.37 ERA] pulled after two no-hit innings with one walk.
This is troubling. Anybody hear why?
RHSP ERIC JUNGE [W 5-8, 4.76 ERA] 7.0 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO.
1B ERNESTO MEJIA [.302 BA] 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR [17], 2 RBI [58], 1 SO.
DH JOSE CONSTANZA [.310 BA] 2-5, 1 RBI [18], 1 SO.
2B/SS TYLER PASTORNICKY [.265 BA] 0′fer-4
SS/2B JOSH WILSON [.248 BA] 1-4, 1 RBI [21], 1 E [13, fielding].
G-Men lose 8-0
RHS/RP BUDDY CARLYLE [L 4-3, 2.25 ERA] gets the start and deserved better. He takes the collar though his relief surrendered six of eight runs. He goes 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO.
How do you spell relief? I forget…..since there was none.
SS TYLER PASTORNICKY was not in the line-up.
1B ERNESTO MEJIA [.304 BA] 1-3, 1 SO.
ERNIE continues in his quest for a .300 season with 30 HR, 40 2B, and 100 RBI. He’s slightly behind based on a 144 game season. He’s played 84 so far. 17 HR, 21 2B, 58 RBI. The big [6'5" 245] Venezuelan needs one of his patented 10 game tears to catch up.
richbrave
July 6th, 2012
7:01 am
DOWN ON THE FARM
MISSISSIPPI
RHSP DAVID HALE [L 6-4, 4.18 ERA[ 5.0 IP, 10 H, 2 HR, 9 R/ER, 1 BB, 7 SO.
RHRP MARK LAMM [2.65 ERA] 1.0 IP, 1 H, zeros, 1 SO.
RF JORDAN PARRAZ [.500 BA] enjoys his first night in MISSISSIPPI after rehabbing three in Gulf Coast. He goes 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B [1], 2 RBI [2], 2 SO.
Our other prospects TODD CUNNINGHAM [.310 BA] and JOEY T. [.296 BA] had a hit and an RBI apiece.
C CHRISTIAN BETHANCOURT [.249 BA] on the other hand went 0-4 at the plate as the Bandits dropped this one 4-11
Ease
July 6th, 2012
7:09 am
Teheran has been bothered by a sore back…so maybe…
Possibility they are limiting innings…
Or…
Ease
July 6th, 2012
7:23 am
Heard a rumor that the Rays could make James Shields available. I know that they are not generally considered sellers, but do they still have studs in the minors stocked away?
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
7:40 am
make him available at this deadline??? Why, aren’t they contenders?
Ease
July 6th, 2012
7:48 am
They have been bit by the injury bug, Longoria had a setback with his hamstring and now I heard that Matt Joyce will not be ready anytime soon…
And like I said, just a speculative rumor.
Ease
July 6th, 2012
7:51 am
TB is in a similar situation as the Braves with the Yankess getting a little separation in the division and being in the middle of the pack for the wild card.
flange1
July 6th, 2012
8:18 am
Fun game last night!
Good to see Minor with a positive outing.
Really enjoyed the Francisco at bats, glad he hit one out. Good call Juan!
Also good to see Mac and FF get the offense going as well.
I watched the end of the Phillies game last night too, Paplebon got taken down a notch!
Let’s win 3 more before the break. I like the pitching matchups for the Braves.
phil
July 6th, 2012
8:27 am
BravesQueen
July 5th, 2012
6:48 pm
Salt potatoes are a regional dish of Syracuse, New York, typically served in the summer when the young potatoes are first harvested. They are a staple food at fairs and barbecues. In the Central New York region where they are the most popular, potatoes specifically intended for salt potatoes can be purchased by the bag along with packages of salt.
As the potatoes cook, the salty water forms a crust on the skin and seals the potatoes so they never taste water-logged like ordinary boiled potatoes often do. The potatoes have a unique texture closer to fluffy baked potatoes, only creamier. The standard recipe calls for one pound of salt for every four pounds of potatoes
**********
great idea. 4 pounds of essentially sugar mixed with a pound of salt.
Brilliant.
No wonder our obesity rates are through the roof in this country.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
8:39 am
Salt and potatoes. Diabetes and high blood pressure. MMMMMM.
flange1
July 6th, 2012
8:42 am
Morning Lew!
How is your eye?
CrαZy
July 6th, 2012
8:44 am
Salt and potatoes. Diabetes and high blood pressure. MMMMMM.
reminds me of Grandma she’d cook Biscuits mashed potatoes and gravy, Green beans cooked in butter, pork chops… and call it a healthy meal!!! “make sure you eat your biscuit it’s good for ya hun!!”
Lew
July 6th, 2012
8:52 am
Flange – Te overall vision iis improving – down from 20/250 to 20/100 – but all sorts of weird stuff going on – what they call floaters and flashers – things drifting across your vision and periodic flashes of light. Can’t drive at night anymore.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
8:54 am
Crazy – I remember lots of souther moms used to have a can of bacon grease on their stovetops for cooking. We’re finding out it wasn’t so healthy, but for my last meal I’d still want Paula Dean cooking it.
Ease
July 6th, 2012
8:56 am
CraZy, Paula Dean is your Grandma?
flange1
July 6th, 2012
8:58 am
I think Paula Dean is all of our grandma’s!
Lew,
At least the vision is improving! I’ll bet the floaters and the flashers can make life a bit interesting especially for a an artist.
David O'Brien
July 6th, 2012
8:59 am
Video after last night’s game
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/06/video-braves-get-4-hrs-end-rough-homestand-on-good-note/
Lew
July 6th, 2012
8:59 am
I wonder if after last night, Tomahawkinis still “tasting” Garza in our rotation?
Lew
July 6th, 2012
9:03 am
flange – Good thing I have experience with hallucinations?
CrαZy
July 6th, 2012
9:04 am
Paula Dean is your Grandma?
Paula Dean aint nothing compaired to my Grandma!!!
nolie
July 6th, 2012
9:06 am
phil sure has an obsession with fat…..
flange1
July 6th, 2012
9:09 am
Lew,
HA! I was going to go there but thought better of it!
Ease
July 6th, 2012
9:11 am
Interesting note from Rosenthal this morning…
By the deadline, the Sox could — repeat, could — be dealing with seven healthy outfielders: Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury and Cody Ross; Daniel Nava, Ryan Sweeney, Scott Podsednik and Ryan Kalish.
If offense is the way to go, perhaps some potential targets in Nava, Sweeney or Kalish?
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
9:12 am
Minor was good last night, maybe he’s turning it around. Can’t trade him yet!
Ease
July 6th, 2012
9:14 am
And I think he may have taken Wren off the “hot seat” when taken in context…
Under Wren, the Braves won more games while spending less money from 2009 to ’11 than all but one team — the Rays. The Braves averaged 89 wins and payrolls of $89 million during that period; the Rays averaged 92 wins and payrolls of $59 million.
Something else to consider: As of Thursday, the Braves also had the fifth-youngest roster in the majors, with an average age of 27.5. Only the Nationals, Athletics, Astros and Royals were lower.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
9:18 am
Flange – What are you implying? I have a schizoid friend on medication that hallucinates when he’s off his meds.
Well, actually I do have such a friend,, but I’ve also got some beachfront property in Nevadafor sale.
nolie
July 6th, 2012
9:19 am
I seriously doubt that Wren has ever been on the “hot seat” except in the minds of some crazed bloggers
Duke
July 6th, 2012
9:19 am
Man. seeing those at bats by Francisco last night makes one think that dude could be a replacement for Chipper. It’s just all those other weak at bats that he has had that makes me think otherwise. He may be a guy that just needs at bats though. If he were to show us something that made us believe he could handle the position adequately, then we could focus that money on signing Bourn and Greinke…
Just a thought
Duke
July 6th, 2012
9:20 am
nolie, I agree. I am one that thinks Wren has done an excellent job so far…
nolie
July 6th, 2012
9:20 am
the data I’ve seen and quoted places them third youngest
Lew
July 6th, 2012
9:21 am
Duke -Careful – I mentioned that Francisco might be a decent thrid baseman if given adequate playing time and was generally reviled and laughed at.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
9:21 am
I like C. Ross, if the Sox will trade him…
Ease
July 6th, 2012
9:21 am
Lew, I believe that would be called forecasting? When California drops off into the ocean, that Nevada property may actually turn out to be beachfront.
And Bat will be jealous.
nolie
July 6th, 2012
9:21 am
Hahahahahaha………
Lew
July 6th, 2012
9:22 am
nolie – And how much does Chipper’s age drive up the Braves’ average?
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
9:22 am
Francisco, like just about anyone, has the ability to flash his ability for a few at-bats or games. But I don’t think he has the makeup to be a productive big-league starter.
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
9:23 am
“ability to flash his ability”…how profound of me.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
9:23 am
Ease – Then they really weren’t hallucinations and I’m truly a visionary?
Ease
July 6th, 2012
9:24 am
nolie, from Rosenthal last week…
In a recent notes column, I mentioned that some in the industry already are speculating on which general managers could be in trouble and including Braves GM Frank Wren on the list.
Take what you want from Ken, but he is about as reliable as most concerning gauging the league.
flange1
July 6th, 2012
9:24 am
Lew,
Just reaching for a joke that wasn’t to be!
I am glad the eye is improving, hopefully the floaters will go away soon as well!
Ease
July 6th, 2012
9:25 am
Only time will tell Lew…
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
9:25 am
Francisco had a good game…. still don’t think he is, nor do I want him to be Chipper’s replacement.
hahahaha
nolie
July 6th, 2012
9:26 am
way up, as does Wilson and Heinke. counting the main starting position players and starting pitchers, we might have the most real young players in those positions. Those three old f@rts will all likely be gone next season too, which along with almost nothing in the high minors makes the “rebuild from scratch” folks really out of touch with reality
OTP
July 6th, 2012
9:26 am
Can we trade Uggla and get Infante back?
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
9:27 am
I seriously doubt that Wren has ever been on the “hot seat” except in the minds of some crazed bloggers
Definitely not on the hot seat right now. That’s absurd. He misses the playoffs this year and next….then we’ll see. But so much could happen between then and now, it’s sort of tough to speculate. The black plague could strike the team next year and I don’t think that is fair to Frank.
flange1
July 6th, 2012
9:27 am
At the games I have been too, Francisco looks incredible in batting practice hitting balls all over the field and into the stands.
timthebrave
July 6th, 2012
9:28 am
Drive by Truckers coming back to Athens Georgia Theatre in August I think. I already got my tickets! Nice win by the Braves. Good to see Mccann doing something. Now if Uggla will start hitting again. It looks like Uggla is guessing instead of just seeing the pitch and hitting it. Go Braves!
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
9:28 am
I consider the core of the team the following for position players: McCann, Uggla, Prado, Heyward, Freeman, and Simmons.
Hudson, Hanson, Beachy, Kimbrel for pitchers.
Wish I could count Venters, Delgado, Teheran, etc., but not right now sadly.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
9:29 am
Can we trade Uggla and get Infante back?
NO
At the games I have been too, Francisco looks incredible in batting practice hitting balls all over the field and into the stands.
BP isn’t the same as real games though…. look at Bethancourt in AA…
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
9:30 am
I trust Ken Rosenthal and Buster Olney more than most. And I actually think Rosenthal is the best in the business.
nolie
July 6th, 2012
9:30 am
best number of wins per buck , an extremely young team which has been designed to have much payroll gone next season on top of a complete turnover of a terrible pitching staff… I just do not buy that Ease.
Duke
July 6th, 2012
9:30 am
Lew – He damn sure looked good last night. Those were some tremendous at bats. Defense is a question mark, but given the opportunity for 55 AB’s, I would think he could hit 25 HR’s and possibly more. Would people be happy with 27 HR’s and a .250 AVG? Because I don’t think you even come close to getting that from Chase Headley, the guy a lot of people on here are asking for. I’m not a big fan of his.
Duke
July 6th, 2012
9:30 am
Excuse me, not 55 AB’s. I meant 500 AB’s
Ease
July 6th, 2012
9:31 am
BP isn’t the same as real games though
Oh.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
9:31 am
Dan Uggla as a Brave: .231/.326/.434 – 1,016 plate appearances.
timthebrave
July 6th, 2012
9:31 am
DBT coming Aug 23 and 24th
nolie
July 6th, 2012
9:32 am
my two faves too efrim, but they are still often off the mark.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
9:32 am
Brian – I’d say it depends entirely on what you feel production is. He’s never going to be a good OBP batter, but 6 HR with 18RBI in only 102 AB is producing.
I realize there’s only a small sample size, but he does hit pretty well against RHP and with RISP (and with 2 out).
KInd of early for the predictions of doom and failure with Juan, IMO. He might not get his chance at playing time in Atlanta, but I’d be willing to bet that if he played regularly, he’d hit 20-25 HR and rive in 75-80 and never walk in the process.
Anyway, I’d hardly condemn him like many here have or declare he has no chance at a decent MLB career quite yet.
nolie
July 6th, 2012
9:34 am
It’s not his batting average that most object to, it’s the number of outs he makes. His OBP is pretty terrible. I do not trust that it would rise all that much just not my kinda hitter at all.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
9:34 am
Still, it’s important to view the Braves in context.
This reaks of folks phoning in to Rosenthal that he was off-base. Or at least, telling him that whoever speculated that is crazy.
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
9:35 am
Before/After Simmons
Andrelton Simmons made his debut on June 2nd. Here’s a look at some of the Braves’ “pitching” stats before and after his call-up.
ERA
4.24 before
3.54 after
(17% reduction)
K/IP
0.84 before
0.88 after
(5% increase)
BB/IP
0.37 before
0.36 after
(3% reduction)
HR/IP
0.11 before
0.13 after
(18% increase)
H/IP
0.99 before
0.87 after
(12% reduction in hit rate)
Singles/IP
0.70 before
0.54 after
(23% reduction)
Batting average given up on ground balls
.274 before (worst in the NL)
.191 after (best in the NL)
The Braves’ “pitching” has gotten better if you look at ERA. But the strikeouts, walks, and home runs given up don’t seem to be the cause. It’s all about more batted balls being converted to outs. And a huge amount of that credit goes to the young shortstop, who was perhaps the best defensive shortstop in baseball the moment he stepped onto the field.
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
9:35 am
Braves record against lefties, is it good? Francisco batting from the left side would make this team really susceptable against southpaws. Unknown of who is playing centerfield and could be another lefty, not crazy about being so one sided offensively.
nolie
July 6th, 2012
9:36 am
you won’t get the homers from Headley but he will make a ton of fewer outs. I really don’t give a hoot about the homers, they do not correlate as highly as OBP to runs scored
Lew
July 6th, 2012
9:36 am
Flange – My experience was long ago and far, far away from today. You went in exactly the direction I figured you would – and should have.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
9:37 am
It’s hard to be a baseball writer nowadays. DOB knows it. Sports writers overall, I guess. But stats are so powerful in baseball – much more than in context dependent sports like B-Ball, Football and Hockey.
Baseball? You and you alone in the box – individual achievement. Okay, I sound like Robert Deniro in The Untouchables. Great scene, by the way. Hits the guy with a bat, everyone at the table in shock. Good stuff.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
9:38 am
nolie – Yeah, yeah, we all realize the obsession with OBP. Still and all, there’s production and then there’s production and not all players will ever conform to what some think they all should be. We all have different talents and bring different skills to the table.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
9:39 am
Juan gets 550 AB he might have a .235/.260/.450 line… The guy needs to get more disciplined with his strike zone, his OBP sucks. Don’t like the swing either, but it works for him when he does hit the ball…..
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
9:40 am
I’m still hoping they keep Delgado and Teheran and trade Minor. I’d love to see a 4/5 of Delgado and Teheran next year with Hudson, Hanson and a pitcher acquired this deadline or during the offseason.
nolie
July 6th, 2012
9:40 am
true, but why settle for what is less effective in re team runs scored? there should be no need to put up with such a huge question mark next year with the money coming off
Lew
July 6th, 2012
9:40 am
And I’m not advocating for Francisco to remain a Brave next year – just saying that he might have a fairly effective ML career -somewhere. Not all players will put up .320, .385, .450 lines in their careers. Doesn’t mean they have no place in MLB.
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
9:41 am
Francisco would have to hit pretty well just to make up for the runs he costs defensively, much less add total value to the team.
Murph
July 6th, 2012
9:41 am
Brian, you need to compose an email with those stats in it and send it to some of the national writers… word needs to get out about how incredibly awesome our new SS really is.
I know Harper has the hype, but I do think that if he and Simmons both keep going the way they’re going until the end of the season that Simmons will garner quite a few ROY votes. I’d love to see the kid win it.
Heyward finishing 2nd, Kimbrel winning with Freeman finishing 2nd, and now Simmons… I wonder who it will be next season? Teheran is probably the most legitimate contender… but there’s always Gattis (should he ever recover from his arm injury).
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
9:42 am
No thanks on Juan at 3rd. That’s Prado’s spot, imo. Much easier to find a corner outfielder than a 3rd baseman. I don’t care how long it’s been since we have had one. Finding a 3rd baseman is even harder.
Bayou Brave
July 6th, 2012
9:42 am
Range Factor. Total number of outs participated in, divide putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a position ((PO+A)/INN*9)
Player ________ Innings ___Range Factor
A. Simmons ___ 267.0 ____ 4.93
T. Pastornicky _ 326.2 ____ 3.02
J. Wilson _____ 135.2 ____ 2.56
That is significant! Simmons averages 5 outs per game to Pastornicky’s 3. Aproximately a 63% increase.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
9:44 am
Francisco might be a poor man’s Adam Dunn…. Adam at least gets walks and raises that OBP. He never had an OBP under .350 until last year…
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dunnad01.shtml
nolie
July 6th, 2012
9:44 am
I’m not sure I want a trade at all. I am just not sold that there are any guarantees of better results with any of those guys except perhaps Greinke and he looked pretty poor the other night against a team that we would want him to beat, and he will cost a lot prolly. Minor, perhaps our worst guy, outpitched Garza and Demptster is not really a better pitcher than Garza and has some health issues twice. I don’t trust Liriano at all, might be a lightning in a bottle dude and might be a fizzly washout.
Ease
July 6th, 2012
9:45 am
Minor for Broxton?
Lew
July 6th, 2012
9:45 am
Efrim – I agree completely on Martin moving to third next year. If anyone had doubts, they should have been erased after watching his defensive clinic while Chipper was out of the lineup.
Just saying I;’d like to see JFrancisco find a team that would give him some playing time and see what he does. Just never understood the vitriol and hatred shwn towards him. He will likely never be a good pinch hitter, but maybe with some playing time he’d be better than many think. It won’t be as a Brave, though unless Wren hallucinates this winter.
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
9:46 am
According to baseball-reference’s WAR, Simmons has been more valuable (2.3 WAR) in 30 games than any Nats player, including Harper (1.7 WAR), has been for the whole season.
Now, that’s a little extreme and will probably calm down the more he plays, but it goes to show you just how mind-numbingly good his defense has been. And he’s been swinging the bat to boot.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
9:46 am
I’m very interested to see how Wren handles contract extensions. He hasn’t really had to do many within his tenure, right? I can only think of Tim Hudson signing, but he was a free agent, I thought.
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
9:47 am
We’ll the Phillies pulled another brick last night and didn’t have a very good series in NY.
I’ll pull a Lew here, Braves win the series you can put the Phils away. Howard and Doc back won’t be enough for them to overcome being 9 back or so. Too many good teams ahead.
Let’s see if our heroes can string a couple of good games together and put this team away.
nolie
July 6th, 2012
9:49 am
but Martin has a high defensive rating in LF too this year. he can play well at either spot. I think it should depend on who is the best pickup for them, and you really don’t know what might turn up in a trade. I like him a bit better at third, but it’s no big deal either way IMO
Bayou Brave
July 6th, 2012
9:49 am
Thanks for the pitching stat splits Brian from SC.
nolie
July 6th, 2012
9:50 am
here come the Phils!!!!
Lew
July 6th, 2012
9:50 am
Frankie – I was listening to XM Home Plate yesterday afternoon – they aired a Chipper interview and talked a lot about the Bravea after Chipper was finished. They clai the Braves are one of their favorites to win the division or make the playoffs and that the Phillies are – in their words – toast.
It ain’t just me.
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
9:50 am
Francisco is not close to Adam Dunn. Very, very different. Dunn makes his living drawing walks and hitting homers. Juan does not draw walks. Francisco profiles more closely to someone like Daryle Ward. Adam Lind is a good current comparison.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
9:50 am
I’m not sure I want a trade at all. I am just not sold that there are any guarantees of better results with any of those guys except perhaps Greinke
Agree. I don’t know if a trade puts us enough over the edge. I would like Greinke if we can re-sign at a good price, but I can’t see us spending on a pitcher.
No thanks on Juan at 3rd. That’s Prado’s spot, imo.
Co-sign.
Fancisco would have to hit pretty well just to make up for the runs he costs defensively, much less add total value to the team.
Agree with this. Francisco doesn’t have as much range as Prado, IMO… and if he’s not hitting .275/.350, well…..
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
9:51 am
Wren will take it right up to the deadline, I think. 20 games left until 4pm, EST July 31st. We’ll have 60 games to go after that.
Duke
July 6th, 2012
9:51 am
I’m not saying that Francisco would be my first choice, nor would he be in my top 3 choices. I’m simply saying that he could be an adequate replacement so that we could focus on signing Bourn and perhaps a front line starter.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
9:52 am
nolie – Yep, Martin did become a good LFer – something many doubted when he was moved there. He has a good arm, too.
TennesseePaul
July 6th, 2012
9:53 am
And I actually think Rosenthal is the best in the business.
He’s too short to be any good, right scoots?
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
9:53 am
I think we win 2 outta 3 in Philly and finish up 45-40 at the break.
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
9:54 am
I feel a lot better winning the series against these guys before I write them off. I think they are going to be sellers soon, just a matter of time. Pitching matchups favor the Braves for sure but that hasn’t worked out very well in the past. We use to beat up on these guys in the first half of the season, good time to get back to that norm.
nolie
July 6th, 2012
9:54 am
decent article on just how good the Braves outfield is in case anybody missed it
http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/26482/do-braves-have-all-time-great-outfield
Ease
July 6th, 2012
9:54 am
Feels like forever since we had a huge…
Statement Series!
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
9:55 am
I’d rather Martin at 3rd. But I guess it’s not that big of a deal. Either way, an extension is a must for him – more than any other player on the roster. It just makes sense and it isn’t going ot cost the Braves a kidney.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
9:55 am
Francisco is not close to Adam Dunn. Very, very different. Dunn makes his living drawing walks and hitting homers.
Sorry…. Adam Dunn was the closest guy I could think of… and I showed that Dunn takes walks to raise OBP (sorry Lew, it does matter)…
Never heard of Ward
Lind is a good call though. He did hit .305 and take 58 walks one year though… 
Jeff R
July 6th, 2012
9:56 am
Weirdly, this blog wasn’t posted at my AJC Braves’ page until minutes ago. The last DOB blog was still listed as current. I sent a note to AJC, so I guess they fixed it.
Thanks for the heads up, Lew.
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
9:56 am
Ward actually played a little bit with the Braves. Great batting practice power, but very little control of the strike zone. He was never a regular.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
9:56 am
The Phillies are 37-47 and would have to go 53-25 the rest of the way to win 90 games.
That is all.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
9:57 am
I’m not saying that Francisco would be my first choice, nor would he be in my top 3 choices. I’m simply saying that he could be an adequate replacement so that we could focus on signing Bourn and perhaps a front line starter.
Well, then…. I don’t want Greinke if it means we’ve got to play Francisco…. (sarcasm)
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
9:57 am
47-33 for the Braves to get to 90 wins….
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
9:58 am
Good to see J Hey starting to have better swings against the lefthanders. That will go a long way in his continued development.
timthebrave
July 6th, 2012
9:58 am
Brian from SC….Good stuff. Simmons is fun to watch…If you watch him when the ball is pitched he even starts to shift a little based on where the pitch is supposed to go….A true pro at fielding and has been hitting as well
nolie
July 6th, 2012
9:58 am
I am less worried about the Phils winning the division than I am about them helping keep the Braves from winning it
TennesseePaul
July 6th, 2012
9:58 am
I’m still hoping they keep Delgado and Teheran and trade Minor….
You know, they could trade Jurrjens. Even in your hopes and dreams you don’t include him in the future. In the three games he’s had since his return batters are hitting .250/.299/.333/.632 off of him. That’s a big improvement from his first four starts of .411/.482/.685/1.167
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
9:59 am
“47-33 for the Braves to get to 90 wins”
Doable with a couple of additions. Very unlikely currently as constructed.
Duke
July 6th, 2012
9:59 am
nolie – actually read that article this morning when I got to work. Pretty good stuff. Pretty lofty comparisons.
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
10:00 am
Winning the division? Phils have absolutely no shot of winning the division. WC would be the way but yes, they could be a thorn in the Braves side still. 15 games left with these jokers.
TennesseePaul
July 6th, 2012
10:01 am
TheOnlyBravesFan: Never heard of Ward
He was an Atlanta Brave in 2006.
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
10:01 am
Anybody know when Jurrjens comes up for free agency?
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
10:02 am
TennPaul: I saw that, but I was 11 at the time…. didn’t know the “lesser” players on the team back then
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
10:03 am
Frankie: He’s due for FA after the 2013 season
nolie
July 6th, 2012
10:03 am
2014
Lew
July 6th, 2012
10:03 am
Extremely small sample size and way to early to call it a trend, but in 2011 (and likely the several previous years) the Phillies drew well over 44,000 fans in EVERY game – most in the 45,000+ range.
Now they’re still leading MLB in attendance this year, but there have already been seven games where they didn’t pull in 44, 000. If they drop totally out of the picture, it will be interesting to see if there is a much more serious drop in their attendance.
Wish the Braves could “drop” to that level of attendance.
jeffrey d
July 6th, 2012
10:04 am
2020
nolie
July 6th, 2012
10:05 am
is that hindsight, Jeffrey?
Murph
July 6th, 2012
10:07 am
We got totally spoiled by our bullpen last season… I’m shocked every time I look at the box score and see our relievers with their 4.50+ ERAs.
I’d rather see Wren make a deal for a proven setup guy and bench bat than a guy like Greinke.
I wonder what it would take to get one of Kansas City’s relievers (Collins, Herrera, or Mijares) plus an outfield bat…
Would anyone part with Teheran and another top prospect for a guy like Myers? He could come in and play LF or even CF next season.
Bayou Brave
July 6th, 2012
10:07 am
This might cause some heads to explode, but here is an exerpt from Ken Rosenthal’s latest article…
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Boston-Red-Sox-Ben-Cherington-Trade-Deadline-Matt-Garza-New-York-Yankees-070512
THE BRAVES: A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
In a recent notes column, I mentioned that some in the industry already are speculating on which general managers could be in trouble and including Braves GM Frank Wren on the list.
Their rationale was that Braves ownership, after showing restraint when the team collapsed last September, might be more inclined to make changes if this season also ends in disappointment.
Still, it’s important to view the Braves in context.
Under Wren, the Braves won more games while spending less money from 2009 to ’11 than all but one team — the Rays. The Braves averaged 89 wins and payrolls of $89 million during that period; the Rays averaged 92 wins and payrolls of $59 million.
Something else to consider: As of Thursday, the Braves also had the fifth-youngest roster in the majors, with an average age of 27.5. Only the Nationals, Athletics, Astros and Royals were lower.
The Braves, who visit the Phillies this weekend (Saturday, MLB on FOX, 7:15 p.m. ET), recently lost their best pitcher, right-hander Brandon Beachy, to season-ending Tommy John surgery. They entered Friday six games behind the Nationals in the NL East and 1½ games back in the wild-card race.
Ease
July 6th, 2012
10:07 am
Never heard of Ward
He usually posts in the wee hours of the morning…Guess he could be hard to miss…
Jeff R
July 6th, 2012
10:08 am
47-33 for the Braves to get to 90 wins….
Not at all out of the question – with adjustments.
Ease
July 6th, 2012
10:09 am
but here is an exerpt from Ken Rosenthal’s latest article…
Really? Thanks.
monty
July 6th, 2012
10:09 am
Everybody and their little brother have kicked the Phillie’s…uhm….”you know what” this season. Time for the Braves to get the monkey off their back while they have a chance. These are not the same Phillies, as many on here keep preaching.
jeffrey d
July 6th, 2012
10:11 am
He usually posts in the wee hours of the morning…Guess he could be hard to miss…
Yeah but he chunks all of his posts together making them less hard to miss
Jeff R
July 6th, 2012
10:12 am
I’d rather see Wren make a deal for a proven setup guy and bench bat than a guy like Greinke.
The Braves need more consistency out of the rotation, though. Perhaps Jurrjens and Sheets will give the Braves that. Perhaps.
As to a set up guy, I wouldn’t discount Medlen. He’s hit a rough patch but I think he’s got the stuff to set up effectively.
The bench… couldn’t hurt to make improvements there.
monty
July 6th, 2012
10:12 am
“47-33 for the Braves to get to 90 wins….
Not at all out of the question – with adjustments.”
Not if we lose 2 out of 3 to the Phils and the Nats the rest of the season.
Duke
July 6th, 2012
10:13 am
Ken Rosenthal and his bow ties……
jeffrey d
July 6th, 2012
10:14 am
Aren’t his bow ties for charity?
Duke
July 6th, 2012
10:16 am
They are indeed
Venice Jim
July 6th, 2012
10:17 am
Tom Boswell’s take on the Nats and Strasburg innings limit:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/nationals-should-take-no-chances-with-stephen-strasburgs-innings-limit/2012/07/05/gJQAbS6TQW_story.html?hpid=z4
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
10:18 am
Jurrjens a free agent after next season. Hmmm. Why not trade to the Cubs for Dempster? Braves free up more cash in off season to sign somebody like Kyle Lohse and the Cubs take a gamble that Jurrjens can help them for 1 1/2 years. Dempster gives you a shot this season without giving up any young talent.
MikeInFl
July 6th, 2012
10:18 am
Would anyone part with Teheran and another top prospect for a guy like Myers? He could come in and play LF or even CF next season.
I’d trade any two prospects we have for Myers. But no way is KC gonna deal him.
ncbravesfan90
July 6th, 2012
10:19 am
Excessive heat warning in Philly until 6 AM Sunday Morning…..hotter up there than in Atlanta.
Arkansas Transplant
July 6th, 2012
10:19 am
Wren will take it right up to the deadline, I think. 20 games left until 4pm, EST July 31st. We’ll have 60 games to go after that.
Then here we go…. ketchup mode!! I hate that.
Duke
July 6th, 2012
10:20 am
“I’d trade any two prospects we have for Myers. But no way is KC gonna deal him.”
Agreed.
Kyle Lohse…Passsssssss
Arkansas Transplant
July 6th, 2012
10:20 am
MikeInFl, no way could Myers play CF.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
10:20 am
Don’t want Dempster… also, I don’t think the Cubs would really take on JJ’s money for a chance to trade him later. They’re not going to the playoffs anytime soon…
MikeInFl
July 6th, 2012
10:22 am
MikeInFl, no way could Myers play CF.
Wasn’t me that suggested that, AT. But, matter of fact, he’s played 32 games there this year in AAA.
Arkansas Transplant
July 6th, 2012
10:22 am
We need at the moment to target Greinke or someone of his caliber (which at the moment aren’t available and for a good reason) and begin the negotiating process. The sooner the better, why give games away waiting?
keylargo
July 6th, 2012
10:23 am
I was looking for something else but found this about Chipper I wrote after the 2009 season. It still makes good sense to me.
keylargo
December 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
Carroll – Have you ever heard anyone talk about hitting Chipper 2nd? I think if you took away the responsibility of hitting 30 HR’s you expect out of the #3 hitter, let him use his great eye for the strike zone and concentrate on hitting singles and doubles he would be ideal. It would be like 2008 all over again.
.330 average and .430 obp
Lew
July 6th, 2012
10:24 am
Transplant – Anticipation?
MikeInFl
July 6th, 2012
10:27 am
You get in a hurry to make a deal three weeks before the deadline and probably end up overpaying.
Plus, I really don’t think we, or the Braves, are sure what the needs are. Take the time to see what Sheets has got; if JJ’s really back. Heck, Minor’s been pretty decent since June 1.
I think Wren’s goal ever since he got the job was to build around a young, affordable pitching staff. I’m pleased that he’s willing to abandon that approach if necessary to win, but I have a feeling that he wants to give it every opportunity to work (and I agree with that).
Arkansas Transplant
July 6th, 2012
10:28 am
anticipation is overrated.
Murph
July 6th, 2012
10:29 am
I dunno, seems to me after just a quick glance at KC’s roster and minor league talent that they have plenty of young hitters, but lack the young pitchers to go with them.
Teheran is a guy that could jump into their rotation right away… add Gilmartin and another piece or two and you might at least get KC’s attention on a deal for a guy like Myers.
Unfortunately I know you’re right and there’s no way they deal him… but it never hurts to ask.
Venice Jim
July 6th, 2012
10:29 am
Federer takes out Djokovic…
Powder Blue
July 6th, 2012
10:30 am
I’d go for Greinke, but that ain’t happening.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
10:32 am
Frank Wren: Hi, Dayton. I want to check on the availability of Wil Myers. I’m willing to give up one of my top pitchers.
Dayon Moore; Hahahahaha
Arkansas Transplant
July 6th, 2012
10:33 am
We don’t have a single pitcher in our rotation right now that has been overly consistant.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
10:33 am
Murph – And the Braves won’t trade Teheran, despite what many seem to believe.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
10:33 am
Federer takes out Djokovic…
Dangit! I had a 5-game streak on ESPN…. I picked Djokovic
Murph
July 6th, 2012
10:36 am
Murph – And the Braves won’t trade Teheran, despite what many seem to believe.
They’re going to have to trade someone eventually if they want to fill open roster spots with talent… otherwise we’ll have a team featuring 5 or 6 top young players and a bunch of Jack Wilsons. As good as our 5 or 6 top young players are, they’ll never be able to pick up the slack for a gaggle of Jacks running around, dropping balls, and missing bunts.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
10:36 am
Federer takes out Djokovic…
Really happy to see. I want one more Wimbledon for Roger.
Jeff R
July 6th, 2012
10:38 am
I don’t think it’s a given that Wren waits to the last minute before the trade deadline to make deals. I think Wren would pull the trigger whenever the right deal fell in place. But it takes two to tango, as they say. Other GMs could push it late, and Wren can’t control that.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
10:39 am
Murph – Stop a second and look at how Wren has consistently refused to part with the core of young pitching. Why do you think that all of a sudden, that he’ll turn around and let them go now – especially for a rental like some here want?
MAYBE they will part with Minor and Gimartin – more likely he’ll try to pull off a deal like he did for Bourn and trade a couple of more marginal talents. But Teherean and likely Delgado are going nowhere.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
10:40 am
Best throwing arm: Christian Bethancourt, C (Double-A Mississippi)
Bethancourt’s season has been something of a disaster at the plate (.545 OPS), but he’s still a worthy Futures Game addition as one of the best defensive catchers in the minors, including a grade-80 arm that would probably have him sitting at least in the low 90s if he were to ever convert to pitching. Gose also earns a mention in this category; he was up to 97 as a left-handed pitcher with a violent arm action in high school. – Keith Law
Lew
July 6th, 2012
10:42 am
As the Esteemed Journalist JImmy Smith once commented – You won’t see the leopard changing it’s stripes. Wren will do what he always does – protect the young pitching.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
10:43 am
You know, they could trade Jurrjens. Even in your hopes and dreams you don’t include him in the future. In the three games he’s had since his return batters are hitting .250/.299/.333/.632 off of him. That’s a big improvement from his first four starts of .411/.482/.685/1.167
Trade him when? This offseason? I really don’t think he’d get us too much. And I definitely don’t think there is a good chance he starts 2013 with us.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
10:43 am
It would not surprise me to see Wren trade Betancourt, though.
Murph
July 6th, 2012
10:46 am
Murph – Stop a second and look at how Wren has consistently refused to part with the core of young pitching. Why do you think that all of a sudden, that he’ll turn around and let them go now
Rumors have been swirling for the last week or two that indicate Wren might be willing to part with some of his young pitching talent to improve the club.
I’d never advocate trading Teheran or Delgado for a rental. That’s what the Mike Minors and JJs of the world are for. However, I’d certainly be behind trading Teheran and others for a guy of Myers’ caliber.
Next year is going to be interesting. No Chipper, no Bourn, BMac entering into a contract year, etc. Pagan in CF and Francisco at 3rd just isn’t going to get the job done. Not even if guys like Heyward and Freeman continue to improve.
Sooner or later a move is going to have to be made, and we all know it won’t be via free agency. Gotta trade talent to get talent (usually).
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
10:46 am
Can Bethancourt pitch? Bring him up!!!!
Jeff R
July 6th, 2012
10:46 am
Murph – Stop a second and look at how Wren has consistently refused to part with the core of young pitching. Why do you think that all of a sudden, that he’ll turn around and let them go now – especially for a rental like some here want?
Generally agree, though I think it depends on the return. Greinke – signed to a new deal – might command one top pitching prospect or rookie (other than Teheran or Delgado).
I could conceivably see Wren shipping Minor and Spruill, for instance, to Milwaukee for Greinke if – again – the Braves can lockup Greinke longer term.
The Braves really aren’t out of contention at this time. 6 down in the NL East and 80 games to go. I don’t see Wren standing pat or making piddling deals unless he can’t swing bigger ones.
I think there’s a lot of pressure on Wren to deliver now.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
10:47 am
Rumors Murph. Just like all winter, Wren was going to trade Prado and Jurrjens.
JoeFan
July 6th, 2012
10:48 am
The Braves have to many holes to even think about trading for Grienke. One player isn’t going to fix the bench, the bullpen and sink holes in the lineup that appear like clock work from players like Uggla. It is time to guage trade interest in any player like Uggla or Bourn that could bring fixes in several areas. Have little faith that Wren is the guy to fix this team. His track record in Baltimore and Atlanta is not exactly sterling. Basically the Braves are almost a mess that continues to muddle along until someone takes over this organization and sends a clear message to the fans and players that the only result acceptable is winning.
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
10:48 am
Jurrjens a free agent after next season. Hmmm. Why not trade to the Cubs for Dempster? Braves free up more cash in off season to sign somebody like Kyle Lohse and the Cubs take a gamble that Jurrjens can help them for 1 1/2 years. Dempster gives you a shot this season without giving up any young talent.
I’m not a GM, so I may be wrong, but typically the team you’re trading with also has to agree to the trade.
Powder Blue
July 6th, 2012
10:48 am
“Sooner or later a move is going to have to be made…”
The best move would come in the form of Liberty Media putting the team up for sale.
Jeff R
July 6th, 2012
10:50 am
Bethancourt’s season has been something of a disaster at the plate (.545 OPS), but he’s still a worthy Futures Game addition as one of the best defensive catchers in the minors, including a grade-80 arm that would probably have him sitting at least in the low 90s if he were to ever convert to pitching. Gose also earns a mention in this category; he was up to 97 as a left-handed pitcher with a violent arm action in high school. – Keith Law
Given Bethancourt’s defensive prowess, he could, at the very least, be another Charles Johnson. I think a catcher with extraordinary defensive skills shouldn’t be underrated despite hitting deficiencies.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
10:50 am
Look at the deals Wren has made. Bourn went for two marginal players even with a year and a half left til FA. Uggla came to the Braves for a releiver and a (at the time) utility player.
Teheran and Delgado are going nowhere.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
10:52 am
Wren will do what he always does – protect the young pitching.
He’ll try to hold onto Minor, and make a deal without having to give him up – perhaps because he wants to save his bullets for the offseason.
There is some depth at the minor league level – Gilmartin, Spruill, Hale, Graham, Northcraft, Martin – maybe these guys could fetch a starter. Just not sure it’ll be a good one. Greinke or Garza is absolutely costing one of Teheran, Delgado or Minor, that’s for sure.
CrαZy
July 6th, 2012
10:53 am
It would not surprise me to see Wren trade Betancourt
Probably on the top of Franks list of top prospects he would deal!!
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
10:53 am
Gotta trade talent to get talent (usually). Bourn went for two marginal players even with a year and a half left til FA. Uggla came to the Braves for a releiver and a (at the time) utility player.
The Uggla trade was a salary dump, the Bourn trade was stupid by the Astros. They got nothing out of that other than a pothead CF and a possible #4/5 starter.
Rumors Murph. Just like all winter, Wren was going to trade Prado and Jurrjens.
Wren wasn’t trading Prado…. other teams wanted him.
Jeff R
July 6th, 2012
10:55 am
Teheran and Delgado are going nowhere.
I’m with you, Lew. But others could go in bigger deals.
How would Wren and the front office justify not at least attempting bigger deals when the team is still in contention?
Me, I’ve thought for a while that ‘13 was more likely to be the Braves’ year for reasons discussed aplenty on the blog. But I don’t think the Braves’ front office has the luxury to think that way.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
10:55 am
Most GMs are pretty smart, unlike Ed Wade… don’t know if we can “steal” a player this year…
Jeff R
July 6th, 2012
10:58 am
I think the Braves will need to surrender real value to secure more than a marginal player.
I will say this: I think Garza’s value fell some after last night’s performance.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
10:59 am
Only Braves – Yeah, isn’t that what I said? Rumors. Of course Wren wasn’t trading Prado and I said so all winter, too. But it didn’t stop the rumor mill from cranking out an endless stream of “Prado is going to be traded” rumors, did it?
Shaun
July 6th, 2012
11:00 am
Jeff R, Bethancourt showed promise with the bat early in his pro career, as a teenager, which is certainly a good sign, even though it has stalled these last few years. Clearly he’s still a work in progress and he may yet develop in to a good hitter.
But it remains to be seen whether he’ll even be a Charles Johnson with the bat. Johnson did post a career OPS+ of 97, which isn’t bad for a catcher, especially a good defensive one. The question is will he hit like a Charles Johnson, enough to be an everyday catcher or will he not hit at all and be forced into back-up duty. The next year or two will give us an indication. We probably won’t know for sure until then, though Lew seems positive he’ll never hit enough.
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
11:00 am
Meanwhile, over in the AL, if the Tigers and A’s win tonight (they are both playing sub-.500 teams), the junior circuit will only have three teams with a losing record.
Powder Blue
July 6th, 2012
11:00 am
I’m not big on Garza at all.
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
11:01 am
“Me, I’ve thought for a while that ‘13 was more likely to be the Braves’ year for reasons discussed aplenty on the blog.But I don’t think the Braves’ front office has the luxury to think that way.”
Exactly, they brought in Bourn for a year and half to win now knowing they may not retain him. Something unconventional is going to happen this trade deadline that will tick off a lot of people on this blog.
Huddy, Hanson, JJ, Minor, Delgado, Sheets whoever, will not get it done this season without a upgrade.
Jeff R
July 6th, 2012
11:01 am
Shaun, I would agree with your assessment.
CrαZy
July 6th, 2012
11:04 am
There’s no way I would part with Delgado or Teheran and possibly even Minor unless we received a difference maker in return. The only 2 rumored pitchers available that are difference makers Grienke and Hamels. I think were more likely to see George make a positive statement about Fredi than the Phillies making a deal with the Braves for their best pitcher!!
CrαZy
July 6th, 2012
11:06 am
Garza wouldn’t be a big enough improvement from what we have now… not worth it!!
Nerdbucket Moylan
July 6th, 2012
11:08 am
Lew, John Schuerholz built a hall of game worthy career of trading prospects for proven major league talent that could provide immediate production. Schuerholz’s last deal wasn’t the best, but over the years we were right there every season. It’s shame that cox didn’t manage a little better in those postseasons.
With wren, we’ve got a guy who has made the postseason 1/4 seasons thus far and will likely be 1/5. Wren doesn’t value OBP, doesn’t spend wisely, and has Tony Demacio drafting for him. Demacio was fired after 5 seasons in Baltimore after too many failing drafts.
Go take a look at the moves that wren made in his 1 year as gm in baltimore. I think most owners would have fired him after that disaster.
We’ve got wash-up, retreads, for management in our organization now. It’s time for fresh blood who values OBP and is willing to trade a Teheran for Headley + if needed, and also hire a competent draft director.
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
11:08 am
Using current records, the Braves played 30 games against teams with a losing record in the first half (81 games). In the second half, they play 45 against those teams.
If the Braves hold their current win percentage against teams with .500 or better records, and against losing teams, they would end up with 88 or 89 wins. That could possibly get a wild card, but probably wouldn’t cut it for the division.
Shaun
July 6th, 2012
11:09 am
Teheran and Delgado are going nowhere.
If the Braves knew they could sign Greinke long term, I don’t think they would be shy about including one of those two in a deal for him (but not both).
I think it would have to be one of those deals where the commissioner grants the Braves some time to negotiate with Greinke before the deal is finalized, kind of like the A-Rod-to-Boston deal back in December, 2003. I’m not sure if there is precedence for this with a in-season deal.
Murph
July 6th, 2012
11:09 am
If the Braves pick up all options and retain all players who are due raises in arbitration, they are going to be on the hooks for $73mil in salary next season. That leaves somewhere around $12-15mil that the team is going to have to spend on free agent signings and acquired players’ salaries.
With giant holes in LF and CF, no staff ace, and a bullpen that’s going to need some additions to get it back to where it needs to be, that’s not a lot of dough.
Even Upton and Young, along with their sub-.300 OBPs, are likely to command salaries of $8-10mil.
I know Wren wants to horde pitching talent, and I can’t blame him, but given the cash situation and available free agents, I personally think he’s going to have to fill those gaps with trades if he’s going to stand any hope of getting quality players.
Jeff R
July 6th, 2012
11:10 am
I think were more likely to see George make a positive statement about Fredi than the Phillies making a deal with the Braves for their best pitcher!!
Who knows what’s happening on the QT? Wren and the Braves’ front office do a really good job of keeping quiet. But I’d be astounded if Wren brought Hammels to Atlanta and was able to keep him! Fantasy Land, really.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
11:10 am
Showed promise with his bat early in his pro career? You mean the .344 OBP he posted in rookie ball?
And yet in the several years since then, he can’t even crack the .300 line for OBP.
Whatever. He has a strong arm, right?
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
11:12 am
Be pretty shocking if they tendered Jurrjens a contract.
TennesseePaul
July 6th, 2012
11:13 am
Trade him when? This offseason?
Or in part of a deal mid-season. No idea, but if he continues to post decent numbers, I don’t see them just dropping him. Wren’s capable hands were able to procure Chavez, Ridgway, and Kotchman. He’s bound to be able to get something for Jurrjens.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
11:14 am
If the Braves pick up all options and retain all players who are due raises in arbitration, they are going to be on the hooks for $73mil in salary next season
Seems high to me. Uggla, Mac, Hudson for 34.2 million.
Jurrjens – 8
Prado – 7.5
EOF – 3.5
Hanson – 4
Heyward – 3.5
Venters – 2
Medlen – 1.5
C-Mart – 1.25
Little over 65 million.
Arkansas Transplant
July 6th, 2012
11:14 am
This year is completely different than any year before it, so you can’t cookie cut it based on what the team did or didn’t do to fix problems last year and over the off season. We’ve got something next year we haven’t had in a long time… financial flexibility. So any move is possible at the moment.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
11:16 am
If there’s only $12 million left to spend and Tehrran and Delgado constitute all we have in thw way of serious trade bait then we’re already screwed. For many years to come.
Personally, I think your math is wrong.
Jeff R
July 6th, 2012
11:16 am
Go take a look at the moves that wren made in his 1 year as gm in baltimore. I think most owners would have fired him after that disaster.
Do appreciate what a snake pit Baltimore has been for baseball professionals? Peter Angelos and his family made a mash of a once excellent franchise.
Maybe Angelos has finally developed the brains to get out of the way of the baseball men and allow them to do their jobs.
But Baltimore’s failures weren’t Wren’s fault. Lay that squarely on Peter Angelos.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
11:16 am
Although, Murph, if you’re counting minimum salary guys – then yes, 73 million total is fair.
TennesseePaul
July 6th, 2012
11:16 am
He’ll try to hold onto Minor, and make a deal without having to give him up
Hence my Jurrjens trade comment. I doubt he would be suddenly viewed as worthy of a straight up trade for a high caliber player, but him and some other minor leaguers might be more enticing.
Jeff R
July 6th, 2012
11:17 am
Jurrjens ain’t coming back next season, unless he’s Sandy Koufax the rest of this campaign.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
11:17 am
I don’;t see Hanson making $4 mil or Heyward making $3.5 mil in first year arbitration. I’d say it will be closer to 2.5 mil each.
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
11:18 am
yep for Dempster.
CrαZy
July 6th, 2012
11:18 am
Seems like Bethancourt has Zero plate disipline/vision and no power to hit anything more than a singles…
Jeff R
July 6th, 2012
11:18 am
Trade Jurrjens now? I doubt he has much value now. More of a throw in.
Nerdbucket Moylan
July 6th, 2012
11:19 am
Gotta agree with murph. At this point, Bourn should be traded along with Uggla. We’ve got to use some of our trade-able pieces now so that we can fill some of the major holes that we will soon have. Bourn will not be deserving of his asking price. So, get a high OBP producer for him right now! Sadly, it’s probably too late to anything significant in return for him. Wren should have dealt him weeks ago. Unload Uggla too. We’re going to have major holes at CF, 3B, C very soon. Go get Headley now and solve that problem.
But Wren doesn’t understand selling high and price-points. And we’ve got many bloggers like Lew who are so caught up in Bourn’s speed and defense and don’t understand the importance of OBP.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
11:20 am
I’d sorta take a look at injecting new talent into the pen this offseason. Might be just me, but O’Ventbrel might of run its course. I still like Venters to bounce back, and I’d rather just trade EOF to a high salaried team looking for a LH relief pitcher.
TennesseePaul
July 6th, 2012
11:21 am
If there’s only $12 million left to spend…
Not quite. They are talking about using next years salary as a mid-season bump this year, so there would be less to spend. At the end of the season, the team is going to be free of about $45M in contracts that are on the books now, so if everything holds close to recent history, the team should have about $2M-$5M to spend this off-season on filling holes in CF, LF, 3B, relief, bench and starting pitching.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
11:21 am
I’d say it will be closer to 2.5 mil each.
No way Hanson makes only 2.5 million with his resume. Not a chance.
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
11:21 am
Interesting, Lew…I was thinking $4 million was a little low for each.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
11:21 am
HUh? I never said that they would keep Bourn or even that they should. I’ve seen him as gone for quite some time and have advocated making a trade with the Twins for Span.
Jaded Braves Fan
July 6th, 2012
11:21 am
Wil Myers has 27 home runs in 318 minor league at-bats this year. Currently OPS’ing 1.031 in the PCL. Sure would have been nice if Wren had been able to land this guy this past offseason.
Murph
July 6th, 2012
11:22 am
Although, Murph, if you’re counting minimum salary guys – then yes, 73 million total is fair.
I didn’t do any math, just looked it up on baseball reference dot com and subtracted Chipper’s $7mil option to reach the $73mil total for next season.
Be pretty shocking if they tendered Jurrjens a contract.
So that would put the number closer to $66mil? I’m guessing they accounted for JJ earning $7mil or so via arbitration.
That would give the Braves closer to $20mil to spend over the offseason. Still not a giant bag of money when you consider the shopping list.
1. CF
2. LF
3. SP
4. RP
5. Bench bats
Lew
July 6th, 2012
11:22 am
And I’ve been ranting about Betancourt’s lack of OBP, so I guess I do indeed, belittle it’s importance.
Reading comprehension is apparently not your strong suit Nerdbucket.
Nerdbucket Moylan
July 6th, 2012
11:24 am
Just a few weeks ago you were all over the nerdbucket moylan crying that if we gave bourn now we’d be throwing in the towel. Well, look where we are now. If we get swept this weekend we’re at .500. I saw it coming and I’ve got the posts to back it up. It’s sad that so many homers just don’t get it
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
11:24 am
But Wren doesn’t understand selling high
He sold high on Vasquez and turned it into Vizcaino, Melky (not his fault Melky sukked), and Boone Logan (who helped get Uggla)
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
11:24 am
I was generous with 4 million and 3.5 million for Hanson and Heyward. We could get burned by more than that.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
11:24 am
Murph – HInske will be gone. O’Falherty likely won’t be re-signed for close to four mil. Diaz might also be gone. Same for pitchers like Martinez. They aren’t going to bring back the entire current roster by any means.
Disgusted
July 6th, 2012
11:25 am
If the Braves hold on to Minor and Delgado they might be just as good as Garza is by say, 2014.
It could be the right thing to do. Let em take their lumps this yr and get better in time.
I don’t think Garza is that great, he is a decent middle rotation guy but not great. He is not even a .500 career pitcher, (and I know there are other things to measure a pitcher by).
And how many more good yrs does Dempster have?
I don’t want to give up much for a rental or even a vet we have for a yr and a half.
And I don’t want to move Bourn for junk, would rather take back draft picks if we cannot sign him.
Braves are smarter planning for a legit run by mid decade, like from 2014 to 16.
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
11:25 am
Jered Weaver, with pretty similar numbers to Hanson, got 4.265 his first arbitration year. I think $4 million is a pretty solid projection for Tommy.
Arkansas Transplant
July 6th, 2012
11:26 am
Efrim, I’m with you on EOF.. I’d be okay with a little shuttle work in the pen. I’d also be okay if we moved Uggla before the trading deadline or during the off season.
TennesseePaul
July 6th, 2012
11:26 am
They aren’t going to bring back the entire current roster by any means.
Especially if it fails to make it to the post season again.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 6th, 2012
11:27 am
I’ve advocated making a trade with the Twins for Span.
Wow…. Span sukks. Bourn might be gone, but NWIH is Span is the answer… What’s with liking the less than ideal players? Francisco, Span….
Arkansas Transplant
July 6th, 2012
11:28 am
Garza, Dempster and Liriano aren’t going to help anything.
CrαZy
July 6th, 2012
11:28 am
Wren also sold high on Infante!!
Lew
July 6th, 2012
11:28 am
Nerucket (Lou/Earl) – Big difference in not trading Bourn now and calling it quits for the rest of this year and not signing him as a Free Agent.
Seems to me that you’re plan does nothing for the rest of 2012 and tears the team down to bare basics trading Bourn, Uggla or the rest of those you deem as gaining us – something.
This isn’t a 90 loss team with no hope for the future. You don’t clean house in that kind of manner unless you are.
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
11:28 am
And Justin Upton, who probably had a little better resume than Hewyard, got around $4.5 his first arbitration year. So I think 4 is a good number there, too.
Disgusted
July 6th, 2012
11:28 am
If the Braves want a Will Myers type of prospect they have to develop their own.
I’d like to see the Braves go for good international players, better than what we have had with guys like Salcedo and Yunel Mental Mistake-co bar.
I am still not sorry the Yunel trade was made. I like what we have at SS now I’d take Simmons over Andrus and Escobar now. .
Murph
July 6th, 2012
11:31 am
Lew, as far as I know, the baseball reference dot com number doesn’t take into account salaries for players who are leaving, only salaries for players with contracts, with options, and who are eligible for arbitration. In other words, guys who are a FA next season aren’t counted in the $73mil total, so Hinske/Diaz/Wilson/etc aren’t counted in that number.
Jaded Braves Fan
July 6th, 2012
11:31 am
I’m a little concerned about Teheran. When you watch a Verlander or a Cain, their stuff jumps out at you immediately. You don’t have to be a professional scout to notice their velocity and movement. You may say it’s unfair to hold Teheran to that high of a standard, but remember that coming into this season he was considered the No. 1 pitching prospect in the game. Everyone had him ticketed to be an ace. But when I watch him pitch, his stuff doesn’t scream “ace” to me. It screams “solid middle-of-the-rotation guy.”
I’m also worried that his peripherals have really slipped this year. He’s giving up more than a hit an inning with a pedestrian K/BB rate. I hope it’s simply a case of him pouting down there knowing he has nothing left to prove in the minors, though if that’s the case, you have to wonder about his makeup.
I wouldn’t look to trade Teheran because despite everything I’ve said I still like the kid, but if I were Wren and someone made me a strong offer for Teheran, I wouldn’t necessarily slam the phone on them.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
11:31 am
Uggla, McCann and Hudson for 34.2 million. Prado(7.5), O’Flaherty(3.5), Hanson(4), Heyward(3.5), Venters(2), Medlen(1.5), C-Mart(1.25) = 57.45 million.
They’ll have around 25-30 million to spend, I think. Could be more if they deal some arb. eligible players.
Nerdbucket Moylan
July 6th, 2012
11:32 am
2010, 2011, and current season OBP’s for Denard Span .331., .328., .342. Lew, you’ve just lost all credibility. That is garbage…unacceptable production! Are you all caught in speed and defense again? What the hell does speed do for you if you can’t even get on base?!?!
Arkansas Transplant
July 6th, 2012
11:32 am
We’ll probably end up with Jason Vargas and then at season’s end having the FO say they did everything they could to improve this club but just don’t know what went wrong.
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
11:33 am
Efrim, if those are the only 10 Braves players, you need 25-30 million to get 15 more players. I would add about $5 million for pre-arb players like Kimbrel, Freeman, Teheran, etc.
Disgusted
July 6th, 2012
11:33 am
Most of this roster will be here for a while because it is mostly young, especially the pitching.
Freeman, Heyward and Simmons are building blocks. Uggla is signed long term, Prado should be here for at least 2 more, Mc Cann through 13 and with Bourn, who knows.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
11:34 am
Only Braves – You haver a poor sense of comprehension if that’s what youve taken from my posts.
First of all, I haven’t advocated Francsiscoas a Brave going forward – just predicted that given some playing time somewhere, that he’d be more productive than some believe and that the hatred directed towards hiwas screwed up in a major fashion/
As for Span – he’s a good defender, a decent offensive player with speed and the versatiltiy to play all three outfield positions. He could hold down center until we had Cunninham ready or we found a player moe suited to long range plans. He would also provide additional bench strength for the rest of 2012 and if we traded for both him and Liriano, we would steengthen the roation for the remainder of the year.
Ease
July 6th, 2012
11:35 am
For those wondering about Teheran’s early exit last night, there was a rain delay and he was not brought back into the game after two scoreless…
Although I am sure this has been covered already.
Lew
July 6th, 2012
11:36 am
And Span is signed pretty reasonably through 2014 with an option for 2015 and only a $500 grand buyout.
cricket
July 6th, 2012
11:36 am
sell high, get good prospects in return and sell them high when they hit prime. sounds like a plan. forget ever winning, just get high on selling high.