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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,375 comments Add your comment
nolie
July 19th, 2012
8:54 pm
8:30 on a school day….
nolie
July 19th, 2012
8:55 pm
buy a box of cereal, cheaper than paying Constanza to make outs
jeffrey d
July 19th, 2012
8:55 pm
Alright, enough with the MelkDud. Enough
I agree. These are all from you.
Now, did Melky get plunked or at least brushed off the plate? He better have.
Melky is looking for attention. He’s a loser
I’d crack Melky f**ken larynx if I ever catch him out. Karate chop righ across that throat. Son of a bitch.
Don’t know why they let Melky and Cody Ross get away with this garbage. Yes you go beat them show them, but you also show some nastiness and pride by plunking these losers. Knock their asses out of the season with one right on the hand. Fu** ‘em
Oh well, just a scrub like MelkDud anyhow.
ChattTownBrian
July 19th, 2012
8:58 pm
Oh hush. jeffrey went and saved all those quotes for later. Didn’t you?
b
July 19th, 2012
8:58 pm
nolie, you must be a complete buffoon because you obviously haven’t paid attention. I guess stinking is hitting .300 wherever you play including the braves, in addition to being a spark, And Francisco must be some player in your mind.
Hmmmm
July 19th, 2012
8:58 pm
MLBTR says the Dodgers have made an official trade proposal to the Cubs. If (when?) they accept, it’ll be interesting to see what his bounty cost
Mark
July 19th, 2012
9:00 pm
Constanzas performance now warrants a chance right now especially considering how sorry Uggla is doing. He is killing this team offensively.
Besides, if they got the book on Constanza and he wont get it done at the MLB level then they have the whole set of encyclopedias on Uggla. In case they don’t here it is- Hard so far ion that any hard hit ball he hits will be foul and then change pf speed or curve away-And, if you miss your spot, don’t fret because he’ll foul it off foul to down the 3rd base line.
jeffrey d
July 19th, 2012
9:01 pm
No, I clicked “Show All” and searched for Chatt. It’s not like examples were hard to find. I just found it odd that after leading the charge against Melky all afternoon you’d say to quit complaining about Melky.
ChattTownBrian
July 19th, 2012
9:04 pm
Me hypocritical? Now that’s funny.
H
Bama Brave
July 19th, 2012
9:04 pm
Boston Is Out Of The Dempster Sweet Stakes….
keylargo
July 19th, 2012
9:05 pm
July 19th, 2012
5:44 pm
DOB – who do you think would be the best fit with the Braves as far as starting pitcher obtained through a trade?
Greinke would give them their #1 but the cost in propects will be high and at $20+ million per year he does not fit our team unless Liberty increases the payroll.
Dempster would be a big help down the stretch with his veteran presence and huge year though I would not try to extend him more than 3 years. I do think
Shields would be a great fit – under club control past this year and would likely thrive out of Tampa.
I would go Shields and a top prospect from C, 2B, 3B, or LF for McCann.
Salary is a non issue. Would have to sign Ross.
Bat Masterson
July 19th, 2012
9:06 pm
Last year during the colapse I heard he and FREDI were not getting along , that they had words. Think it was because FREDI would not play him after he recoverd from bad ankle.
George_
They did. Biff said, George tuvo razón acerca de usted Fredi, es estúpido.
nolie
July 19th, 2012
9:07 pm
hitting 300? are you out of your freaking mind? He hit well for three weeks and like crap ever since that as soon as they figured out how to pitch him.
if they thought he was any damn good he’d be up here, but I’m sure an armchair GM like you knows better than they do
ChattTownBrian
July 19th, 2012
9:07 pm
Never had a sweet stake. I like em a little salty and juicy, but sweet sounds weird. Must be an Alabama dish.
brian
July 19th, 2012
9:08 pm
thanks DOB – we can hope
jeffrey d
July 19th, 2012
9:08 pm
George, you were right about Fredi. He’s stupid.
jeffrey d
July 19th, 2012
9:09 pm
He hit well for three weeks and like crap ever since that as soon as they figured out how to pitch him
Remember when 47 year old Brooks Conrad had a magical couple weeks and everybody was clamoring for him to be a full time starter?
Bama Brave
July 19th, 2012
9:09 pm
Sorry Sweep Stakes Geez!!!!
jeffrey d
July 19th, 2012
9:10 pm
I don’t like eating stakes. Too many splinters.
nolie
July 19th, 2012
9:11 pm
even more so with chopped stakes….
C from Marietta
July 19th, 2012
9:13 pm
Yeah, I would say the Contanza talk is getting pretty old. LOL
David O'Brien
July 19th, 2012
9:13 pm
From ESPN Sweet Spot blog, an analysis of Chipper’s defense this season:
http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/27087/surprise-why-chipper-jones-rates-well-on-d
Felix
July 19th, 2012
9:15 pm
So no retribution today for Melky’s antics? Nothing?
Great! Just great!
keylargo
July 19th, 2012
9:17 pm
Jeffrey d you young kid, I bet you never heard of “Pine Stake Tenderizer” have you?
A few shots six majic pellets stop all discomfort. You do marinate yourself and not the wood though.
Mark
July 19th, 2012
9:19 pm
The Constanza talk is all speculation.
However, most everyone can agree without speculation that Uggla is terrible. Everyone can recall great hitters going through stretches where they strugle and although Uggla has never been or will be great he is struggling worse right now than anyone
i can ever recall. He looks absolutely lost. So much so he is now looking like he is afraid to even swing and would rather take a chance at getting a walk
nolie
July 19th, 2012
9:20 pm
thank you for the interesting link David
Steve from OH
July 19th, 2012
9:20 pm
From ESPN Sweet Spot blog, an analysis of Chipper’s defense this season:
Over/under on number of posts before someone bashes DOB for not discussing saber stats?
nolie
July 19th, 2012
9:22 pm
Constanza’s numbers stink against even Uggls’ since his first three weeks.. Dan makes way fewer outs and hits with way more power.
nolie
July 19th, 2012
9:24 pm
it looked like Chipper was having a better year than normal. even the other night with the bad play he also made a great diving stop to his left and throw out
Mark
July 19th, 2012
9:25 pm
Chipper has always played a great 3B. Makes the play on the slow roller look easy and it is anything but easy.
Steve from OH
July 19th, 2012
9:27 pm
I think the scout’s quote from that article was pretty much dead-on.
nolie
July 19th, 2012
9:27 pm
no Chipper has not always played great third base, at one time he was considered as one of the worst, especially by the stats guys
keylargo
July 19th, 2012
9:27 pm
Mark -Uggla last summer .309 .391 .636 1.027 23 HR One week in june, July, August, Sept. (one week),.
Bat Masterson
July 19th, 2012
9:27 pm
Thanks for the links, David. Good stuff
nolie
July 19th, 2012
9:29 pm
yeah Chipper has always had good hands and a decent arm, it’s mostly been a range issue all along Steve
Jerry
July 19th, 2012
9:32 pm
nolie, I can remember only one year that Chipper was seriously bad at third. Can’t remember what year, but the following year he came out with a vengeance and played really well all season long and lost the gold glove to David Wright, even though Chipper’s fielding pct was better. I hope I’m not hope, but that’s the way I remember it.
nolie
July 19th, 2012
9:33 pm
and in general range is harder for fans to judge opposed to arm and hands
Mark
July 19th, 2012
9:33 pm
Keylargo-Uggla 1 K every 3 ABs this year. 217 average this year. 12 HR in 300 plua ABs this year.
Alot of knowledgeable baseball people on this blog and you are one of those. I just disagree with several on Uggla. I just can’t condone such sorry play for such long stretches while we wait on his second 1 month hot streak during his second year. He is killing our team offensively.
nolie
July 19th, 2012
9:35 pm
Jerry, the yearly magazines that come out every year used to ridicule Chipper year after year, again mostly for lack of range, which is an important part of defense. I always figured him for about average, but lots of other folks thought he was terrible
nolie
July 19th, 2012
9:36 pm
his Ks and his BA are not as meaningful as his OBP and pop.
Baseball_Blue_Balls
July 19th, 2012
9:36 pm
Ken Rosenthal reporting that te Dodgers wont offer pitching prospect Zach Lee in a deal for dempster. Says Dodgers need offense more than SP. Sounds like Braves have the chance at Dempster if they’ll give up a pitching prospect.
Jerry
July 19th, 2012
9:36 pm
Well, I missed the whole game today because of work. Didn’t even remember it was scheduled this afternoon. I see Uggla didn’t snap out of his slump. Better happen soon. This team isn’t gonna go anywhere unless we can start hitting on all cylinders.
nolie
July 19th, 2012
9:38 pm
yeah, no question but that he is frustrating as hell. all of us wish he was more uniform
brian
July 19th, 2012
9:41 pm
wonder if the Cubs will give the Braves a 3 day window or a good prospect to go with Dempster for Delgado or Mino
keylargo
July 19th, 2012
9:41 pm
Mark – he has pretty much done this his entire career. Usually a cold start. This year he got off OK but hit a skid. Regardless of where you put his bad stats, if he plays like he’s done his entire careeer, he’s going to have some killer stats somewhere.
I just pointed out last year. Let’s hope this years are Mid July, August, Sept. And who are you going to play there if you did rest him. Do you have evidence he plays better after getting sat down?
I guess he’s just what you get when you have a $13M SuperStar.
Mark
July 19th, 2012
9:42 pm
His OBP is a result of walks, correct? Certainly not due to hits. I would rather he have a lower OBP and have more hits and homers and drive in some of the runners he leaves stranded rather than taking so many pitches. He may as well go up there every time with an 0-1 count. When he walks right now we have to count on Janish and the pitcher driving him in.
keylargo
July 19th, 2012
9:51 pm
Mark – Let me telll you in case you weren’t here. If Uggla gets hot, line drives one hop the wall, Balls 25 feet high land 5 rows up in the outfield. FLy balls go to places you didn’t know they sold tickets to. His K rate drops to 1/10, BA 300, OBP 400, SLG 500 and OPS will find it’s way to 1.0000.
And it looks just as normal as what he’s doing now.
My advice is to hang in for another month.
Mark
July 19th, 2012
9:52 pm
Keylargo
I have the luxury of sitting here typing my solutions and not having to take the heat for actually doing what I propose but-I move Prado to 2B and platoon Diaz and Hinski or Constanza or some freakin body if for no other reason than to say, you know what, you are accountable…
But you are right, I know he is and always has been streaky and lastly it would be hard to put a 62 million dollar player on the pine.
All of this doesn’t change the fact that he is killing this team presently. Just very frustrating for us.
I like him personally too. Appears to be a Great team mate. Does great community work. Most importantly, I know he wants to do better than I want him to. He tries hard. Any little league coach can see what he is doing wrong though and I think thats what kills me most. He has to know he is pull happy, pulling off everything, not letting the ball travel, hips flying open…yet, no apparent adjustments
AussieBrave
July 19th, 2012
9:57 pm
Haven’t been keeping up with the blog these days – it’s been really busy around here. Saying that, I haven’t had time to read all the messages from today so I don’t know what the over-arching opinion is, though I can guess. For me, I like Melky, I hope he continues to do well. I feel bad for the way he was derided in Atlanta. I never saw it personally but I read plenty enough on here to get the idea. I also haven’t seen the clips of the game, so I don’t know exactly what happened, but unless he gave the finger to everyone what’s the big deal. Seems more important to me that the Giants have two young players that still could be Braves (Blanco and Cabrera) if there’d been a bit more patience and less ‘we’re a family of good guys’ mentality.
ChattTownBrian
July 19th, 2012
9:59 pm
I think the Braves are going hard after Dempster. Won’t be surprised if he’s a Braves by tomorrow or over the weekend.
ncbravesfan90
July 19th, 2012
9:59 pm
Cody Ross does it again, walk off 3-run homer. He is something else, what a ball player!!
brian
July 19th, 2012
10:06 pm
if I were the Braves, I would go al out for Dempster and Brett Jackson
Trader Jack
July 19th, 2012
10:11 pm
Dempster will probably be a Dodger by the weekend.
keylargo
July 19th, 2012
10:12 pm
If I could get Dan Uggla to do one thing it would be to try and hit line drive singles over second base and towards the right fielder. Just sit there, slight downward angle and line ball after balll between the RF and CF. This would get him to drop all the pull happpy habits and result in making contact with the ball, that are attaching his game now.
Bama Brave
July 19th, 2012
10:14 pm
I Agree With Trader Jack….
unbelievable
July 19th, 2012
10:15 pm
Uggla’s back leg is collapsing causing his uppercut to be even more so. He’s got that habit while trying to pull pitches and thats why there is no consistency in squaring up pitches. He’s too good of hitter to be going through slumps like this. Really dont like the fact that we’ve got to deal with this for 3 more years.
Cornbread
July 19th, 2012
10:17 pm
I agree that Uggla is a better hitter than Constanza. But man he had a terrible series against the Giants. 0 for 10 with 6 strikeouts. Wow. In my opinion Freddy is an idiot but he is right on this one. Just have to keep playing Dan and hope he starts making solid contact soon. He has no other choice. We have the worst bench in baseball not counting Ross. No help ready in the minors either.
Trey
July 19th, 2012
10:17 pm
I doubt we’ll get Dempster. We’ll probably be stuck with Jurrjens, Minor and Delgado by the trade deadline.
Mark
July 19th, 2012
10:17 pm
Dempster and Grienke are over rated terribly right now due to the trade deadline and desperate teams in need of starting pitching.
Could easily be another Alexander/Smoltz deal although there aren’t many Smoltzs and neither Greinke or Dempster are as good as Doyle Alexander was. I hope the Braves stay clear of these 2 but time will tell.
Couch Tater
July 19th, 2012
10:22 pm
Hillbilly – Fine vacation post.
When the college girls strolled by your beach blanket and your wife said, “Did you see that? I think she needs a different bathing suit.” Was your response:
a) We got anymore areolas? uh, Oreos, OR eee ohzz, Or e os?
b) Honey. Remember when you …ah, nevermind. Hand me a Bud and the damn sand bucket.
c) I wonder when the US is playing the Netherlands in the Haarlemse Honkbalweek?
nolie
July 19th, 2012
10:22 pm
there is nothing more important long term in baseball than not making outs, that is OBP in other words
Veer
July 19th, 2012
10:22 pm
Jurrjens should noway be given another chance to start. He showed aganist the Giants that he can’t be counted on down the stretch.
We need another starter plus Medlen and to replace Medlen we need another one or two quality RP.
jeffrey d
July 19th, 2012
10:23 pm
there is nothing more important long term in baseball than not making outs, that is OBP in other words
RBIs
Mark
July 19th, 2012
10:23 pm
KeyLargo, unbelieveable and cornbread
I agree with each of you. Unfortunately, I don’t see it getting any better because surely someone has mentioned these mechanical problems we all see to him and yet…no change.
Lets hope for the best because unless he turns it around, we go home after #162
Cornbread
July 19th, 2012
10:33 pm
there is nothing more important long term in baseball than not making outs,
Exactly
Disgusted
July 19th, 2012
10:38 pm
Jurjjens had a rotten start the other day but until you get someone better, put him out there.
He had pitched decently since his return from the minors.
If the Braves do get another SP, I hope its not Liriano and his 3-9 record and 4.82 ERA. We do not need that, I’d rather keep Minor who has pitched better as of late.
I’d rather have the young guy who does not have the injury record that Liriano has, the injury past makes me leery of Liriano.
If the Dodgers overpay for Dempster so be it, and if its to be that the Braves have to make the run the way we are and fall a little short this yr, but the young guys get better in 2 yrs, so be it.
I do NOT WANT a Smoltz for Alexander trade in reverse for us. I’d rather be patient and let this group find themselves.
ITs not like we are that bad.
Do we NEED a SP, yes, but do we need it so bad that we give up the future, the answer is NO.
I do not want Liriano, would rather have Vargas instead. Assuming that we do not have to give up much.
Woody Woodward
July 19th, 2012
10:38 pm
Nothing more important long term than pizza. And a beer.
Woody Woodward
July 19th, 2012
10:39 pm
What if Cole Haan got into the baseball glove business? They make good shoes.
keylargo
July 19th, 2012
10:40 pm
Here’s where he got hot last year. It was only 52 games but the Braves went 33 – 19. It should have beeen enough.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=ugglada01&t=b&year=2011
Uggla played 52 under those stats. The Braves won 33. That’s 64% folks.
Disgusted
July 19th, 2012
10:41 pm
OBP is important and is correctly paid more attention in today’s game.
RBI’s are still important too. If a guy gets a hit with men on base guess what —- that means RUNS and scoring RUNS wins games.
OBP does not mean a hell of alot if you have alot of LOB.
You need the guys who drive in the guys who got on base, hence RBI’s are not going away and should not.
Mark
July 19th, 2012
10:42 pm
When Uggla or any other 62 million dollar player gets signed I don’t ever recall hearing a new team mate or GM say “the guy will have a decent OBP because he’ll walk at least half as many times as he strikes out.”
Walks don’t get people to stand up and cheer and they rarely drive in runs. Walks wont get him out of this funk either.
If Bourn would walk more, good. Prado more, good. Guys in rbi spots-not interested if they hit .217 and strike out every 3rd AB.
Steve from OH
July 19th, 2012
10:43 pm
Nothing more important long term than pizza. And a beer.
Amen to that.
BFChris27
July 19th, 2012
10:44 pm
MLBTR is saying Braves have interest in Rockie’s Betancourt for the bullpen.
Disgusted
July 19th, 2012
10:44 pm
As for Uggla, I have had it with him, and its time that Braves fans should start to Boo him until he starts to produce again.
He makes too much $$$$$$$$$$ to do nothing but draw walks. He is doing zilch as of late.
I doubt he is going to get hot again, this slump has gone on too long. There is no hope this yr. Disappointing player and more streaky than he was with the Marlins.
Uggla might never even hit .250 again. It was a well intended move but it did not work.
Woody Woodward
July 19th, 2012
10:44 pm
Its what Lipitor is for, Steve.
NO MORE FREDI
July 19th, 2012
10:47 pm
I predict Red Sox make the playoffs and not our Braves.
Woody Woodward
July 19th, 2012
10:47 pm
Sign of the times. Yanks game Just flashed a stat for “most 12 win seasons.” where are the standards, people?
Woody Woodward
July 19th, 2012
10:48 pm
Active pitchers, I should add…
Steve from OH
July 19th, 2012
10:48 pm
Its what Lipitor is for, Steve.
Ha!
Disgusted
July 19th, 2012
10:49 pm
His OBP is a result of walks, correct? Certainly not due to hits. I would rather he have a lower OBP and have more hits and homers and drive in some of the runners he leaves stranded rather than taking so many pitches. He may as well go up there every time with an 0-1 count. When he walks right now we have to count on Janish and the pitcher driving him in.
@Mark — Correct, I would be happy to see him take 30 points off the OBP and hit .250 with more HRs and RBI’s.
In time this sabermetric thing is going to wear out. Its about getting hits and driving in runs when men are on base. So simple but the geeks saberheads try to make it more complicated than it has to be.
jeffrey d
July 19th, 2012
10:49 pm
I predict Red Sox make the playoffs and not our Braves. NO MORE FREDI
Of course you do. And what do you think of Fredi?
unbelievable
July 19th, 2012
10:49 pm
do not want Liriano, would rather have Vargas instead. Assuming that we do not have to give up much.
Vargas? Thought thr goal was to upgrade. Give me Liriano if thats the two options.
Woody Woodward
July 19th, 2012
10:50 pm
Did Vargas used to draw for Playboy?
ChattTownBrian
July 19th, 2012
10:50 pm
Betancourt is a good one. Would be glad to have him setting up Kimbrel. What a pen that would be if Venters returns to form and even Moylan could come back and get them rightys out. Whew! Get that one done Wren.
Venice Jim
July 19th, 2012
10:51 pm
MLBTR is saying Braves have interest in Rockie’s Betancourt for the bullpen.
Then we would have no choice but to bring up Bethancourt…
Disgusted
July 19th, 2012
10:54 pm
Betancourt has a 10 yr record with a 1.081 WHIP, that would be a solid addition to any bullpen.
Not a household name but one of the best non closer relievers in the past decade
Also a good SO ratio and you want that for a reliever. What do we have to give Up???????????
He should not be cheep unless is a rental.
Woody Woodward
July 19th, 2012
10:55 pm
Would we be willing to trade venters in a deal for dempster or whomever?
Disgusted
July 19th, 2012
10:55 pm
@Unbelivable — If those are the two options I’d just assume stay pat and develop what we have.
Vargas is not that bad, not great with a poor Seattle team but not horrific. Liraiano sucks.
ChattTownBrian
July 19th, 2012
10:55 pm
but it says the Rocks would have to be overwhelmed by an offer for him. Really don’t see Wren trading much for a RP. Venters could still come back strong.
Steve from OH
July 19th, 2012
10:57 pm
Would we be willing to trade venters in a deal for dempster or whomever?
Kind of robbing Peter to pay Paul in this case. We’re in need of a bullpen arm (or two) as well and despite JV’s struggles I don’t think moving him makes much sense for us.
Mark
July 19th, 2012
10:57 pm
Agreed!
If he were hitting just 250 and had just 16 homers and 20 fewer walks we are 3 or 4 more games up in the win column. No way to prove that but sounds good!!!
jeffrey d
July 19th, 2012
10:58 pm
Especially when JV’s value is lower
ChattTownBrian
July 19th, 2012
10:59 pm
Disgusted, sucks is a bit much to say about Liriano, though I have barely ever seen him pitch. He’s obviously wild and inconsistant. Also the injury bug hits him a lot. I wouldn’t mess with him if I’m the Braves. We have enough starters that are inconsistant.
Bobby H
July 19th, 2012
11:00 pm
I predict Red Sox make the playoffs and not our Braves. — NO MORE FREDI
I predict if you attend the next “Bark in the Park” every dog in attendance will treat you like you’re a big, ugly fire hydrant.
Woody Woodward
July 19th, 2012
11:00 pm
Well, I suppose you have to believe that eventually he’ll be consistently effective, Steve. I could see Frankie dealing some team a bill of goods. I’m not all that sanguine about him right now.
nolie
July 19th, 2012
11:01 pm
If he were hitting just 250 and had just 16 homers and 20 fewer walks we are 3 or 4 more games up in the win column. No way to prove that but sounds good!!
why in God’s name would you wish for fewer walks instead of fewer outs?
Woody Woodward
July 19th, 2012
11:02 pm
Nolie, you’re making me cipher during happy hour. Painful.
Steve from OH
July 19th, 2012
11:03 pm
Woody, that’s fair. I’d be more open to dealing him in the offseason if that’s the view you’re going to take on him. Don’t think it’s an unreasonable view to have, especially given the abuse he’s received under Fredi’s regime. Like jeffrey said, his value’s a bit low now and I think if he returns to form he’ll both help us contend and be a valuable trade chip later.
Woody Woodward
July 19th, 2012
11:04 pm
Nolie, what’s your take on venters troubles?
abeeewright
July 19th, 2012
11:06 pm
So now Constanza is a f***ing Leprechaun. “Keep your hands off my lucky charms.”