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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,478 comments Add your comment
Lemke's Knuckler
August 27th, 2012
10:40 am
I think tonight is a very important game for the Braves. Right now, the Nats have a lot of pressure on them after getting swept. They have Strasburg going tomorrow night against the Fish and if they lose that game, they have Detwiler (who has struggled) going the next night and then face the Cardinals who have Garcia, Wainwright, Lohse and Westbrook.
If the Braves win tonight and get the lead down to 4, it only adds more pressure to that game for the Nats tomorrow night.
I still think our Bravos will catch and pass the Nats. The way the pitching lines up, the Braves have Medlen on schedule to pitch that first game against the Nats.
MFin04
August 27th, 2012
10:41 am
“Francisco’s bat will be more exposed as a starter?”
Doubt it. He’ll clobber homers when he connects, strike out when he doesn’t. Not seeing how that is exposed. He ain’t Chipper, that is for sure.
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 27th, 2012
10:42 am
D. Ross has a .271/.351/.466/.817 line this year. It’s better than BMac’s. Doesn’t mean he should start. His bat will get exposed with more ABs. He wouldn’t keep that rate up.
Lew
August 27th, 2012
10:43 am
The original statement that he was better as a sub/PH was completely wrong. And small sample size or no, he has done much better as a starter – just no two ways about it or any way around that fact.
Arkansas Transplant
August 27th, 2012
10:43 am
I really don’t think the Nats are feeling a whole lot of pressure. We were within just a game not too long ago when they turn the dial up and ran away from us.
George Washington
August 27th, 2012
10:44 am
Jeff R – You must be in the “dumb ass class” I hope fredi g is not a member of. You are stating facts while my guess is, well, a guess.
Murph
August 27th, 2012
10:48 am
I’m trying hard not to bring up my earlier statements from July/August about the Phillies and how they were still dangerous, how they’d still have something to say about the division race, and how the wise ol’ blog regulars guffawed at the mere notion that the Phillies wouldn’t get swept out of Washington and Atlanta for the rest of the season…. trying real hard.
Lew
August 27th, 2012
10:48 am
And as for small sample sizes – all his numbers are in small sample sizes, inclng only 66 PA against LHP.
However, his career splits as a starter are almost identical to his 2012 splits as a starter, whole his Sub/PH splits are lower.
Bat Masterson
August 27th, 2012
10:49 am
Matt Chernoff was On Point when he said Friday that This Offense loves to have 3-4 guys go into deep slumps all at the same time….
I had never heard of this guy until Tomahawkin started bringing him up here. He’s either an honest to god idiot or Tomahawkin makes him appear one with his representation of what he says.
raleighbravefan
August 27th, 2012
10:49 am
AT – Pressure doesn’t matter…there is no such thing as “clutch…Or is it that all major leaguers are clutch? I never can remember which it is. Guess I’ll have to go ask Shaun.
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 27th, 2012
10:50 am
Doubt it. He’ll clobber homers when he connects, strike out when he doesn’t. Not seeing how that is exposed. He ain’t Chipper, that is for sure.
He’ll connect 25 times a year, and strike out near 250 times. Put up a .225/.245 line since he doesn’t walk. And he’ll make 20+ errors in the field since he’s a below avg. defender. No need for him to start for us. Put Prado there, and get us a LF.
If you think Pastornicky’s defense was bad, Juan is even worse. Don’t let him start!
Lew
August 27th, 2012
10:51 am
Only Braves – We realize you revile Fransisco while bowing in homage to Greinke, but I’d be willing to bet that we’ll see Juan starting for the Braves next year before we see Greinke even putting on a Braves’ uni.
Get used to it. At the very least, Wren will consider platooning Juan at third next year while they won’t even make an attempt to sign the way overrated Greinke.
ncscoots
August 27th, 2012
10:54 am
He’s either an honest to god idiot or Tomahawkin makes him appear one with his representation of what he says.
I don’t believe the two are exclusive.
I really don’t think the Nats are feeling a whole lot of pressure.
I think the Braves would like to be no more than 4 back in the loss column by Labor Day. Any more than that, probably gonna take some luck to make up the ground.
As for the Nats feeling it, their offensive slump probably has to go a little deeper and the lead a little shorter for that to kick in.
Jimmy
August 27th, 2012
10:55 am
Please, please..no one bring up the Braves record on Mondays.
If it is brought up, it seals a loss for tonight.
For all intensive purposes.
Lew
August 27th, 2012
10:56 am
Jimmy – Who exactly, brought it up?
ncscoots
August 27th, 2012
10:56 am
For all intensive purposes.
Mute point.
Good teams gotta beat jinxes in September, LOL.
Even if it’s August.
Don
August 27th, 2012
10:56 am
Why would anyone be concerned about Fredi and Uggla. After all – in his last 66 games, Uggla has hit .143 and only struck out over 1/3 of the time – But perhaps he can get hot and return to hitting his great season average of .208. To take advantage of this great production, he has played more games than any other Brave except Bourn. But I guess he is in there because of his great defense and speed. What are the odds on Uggla being named Player Of The Year and Fredi Manager Of The Year.
CrαZy
August 27th, 2012
10:59 am
What are the odds on Uggla being named Player Of The Year and Fredi Manager Of The Year.
About as good as you not being a miserable SOB!!
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 27th, 2012
11:00 am
We realize you revile Fransisco while bowing in homage to Greinke
Not true! I don’t hate Juan, just stating the facts. He just doesn’t show MLB starting material for a contender to me… sorry.
we’ll see Juan starting for the Braves next year …. Get used to it. At the very least, Wren will consider platooning Juan at third next year
Geez that gave me a headache.. I can see it now, he starts 80-90 games, he’ll make 15-20 errors, hit .230/.250 with 14 HR and almost 200 Ks. That’s gonna be horrible.
Lew
August 27th, 2012
11:03 am
Still rather have him than Greinke putting up his usual 3.87 ERA for $22 mil a year.
jeffrey d
August 27th, 2012
11:03 am
Oh good, Don dropped in to give us his rays of sunshine.
clt brave
August 27th, 2012
11:05 am
question for DOB: did it ever occur to you to ask FG if he and Walker (hitting coach) thought it might be helpful to let Dan work on his swing every day in GWINNETT? I guess in the future when fans want to ask what could be a sensitive question of FG, we should get the world-reknowned investigative journalist Tim McCarver to show our Atlanta-based press corps the way.
Bat Masterson
August 27th, 2012
11:07 am
Ha, good point, scoots.
Lew
August 27th, 2012
11:12 am
I don;’t think that they can send Uggla down to the minors without his permission.
jeffrey d
August 27th, 2012
11:13 am
Reknowned?
MFin04
August 27th, 2012
11:13 am
“I don’t think that they can send Uggla down to the minors without his permission.”
Well tell him we can send McCann with him if it makes him feel better. Heck maybe even Pastornicky and Hanson. A whole car full of them.
cricket
August 27th, 2012
11:15 am
he starts 80-90 games, he’ll make 15-20 errors, hit .230/.250 with 14 HR and almost 200 Ks. That’s gonna be horrible.
so now he’s gonna suck against RH pitchers too (guessing that’s how the platoon will work)? what is his OPS against righties so far in short career?
Lew
August 27th, 2012
11:16 am
That likely would not be an inducement for him to accept the demotion.
Lew
August 27th, 2012
11:16 am
cricket – .806
steve
August 27th, 2012
11:17 am
There once was a man named Dan;
Who had the talent to fan;
His swing is a joke;
Fans know he will choke;
We wait for the day he’ll be canned.
CrαZy
August 27th, 2012
11:17 am
Reknowned…. He was once known, but then forgotten now he’s reknown the world over!!
Arkansas Transplant
August 27th, 2012
11:20 am
Guess I’ll have to go ask Shaun.
Looking for punishment are ya?
raleighbravefan
August 27th, 2012
11:21 am
I agree with Lew 100% that Greinke isn’t worth the money. I think he is way overrated.
I would have NO problem with Francisco at 3rd (assuming Prado in LF), if it means doning something good in CF, and perhaps strengthening the front end of the SP. Not sure there is a viable option with SP, which isn’t all bad, considering the in-house options. If we could also find a real good full time LF, I would be very happy with Prado at 3rd.
Tomahawkin (Suffering Fan)
August 27th, 2012
11:21 am
Murph
August 27th, 2012
10:39 am
Chipper has a Strained Oblique, Not Good…That means the Streaky Roadrunner will start more. He is good off the bench but his bat will get exposed the more he plays—T’hawkin
“Who the hell is The Streaky Roadrunner? Are you referring to Francisco or Reed? Or someone else?”
Francisco is known as the Roadrunner on The Chuck And Chernoff Show…I have no Idea where the hell that nickname came from….
Tomahawkin (Suffering Fan)
August 27th, 2012
11:22 am
CrαZy
[What are the odds on Uggla being named Player Of The Year and Fredi Manager Of The Year.]
“About as good as you not being a miserable SOB!!”
Ouch!
JoeFan
August 27th, 2012
11:23 am
The Braves will at least give Francisco the chance to start at 3B in 2013. There is however a possible replacement coming along at AA who may be ready come late 2013 /14. So don’t see Braves going after a 3B. Much rather see what the Braves can do in trading Uggla, moving Prado to 2B and finding a new LF with some pop. Bourn likely want be back in 2013, so there is another spot to get a 1 or 2 year rental until Cunningham is ready.
ncscoots
August 27th, 2012
11:23 am
The vitriol for Uggla is so sadly misplaced. Might want to replace the anger with some lighted candles, since the team needs him to contribute to any postseason run worth speaking of. If he and McCann are still struggling on October 1, better hope Heyward and Freeman are absolutely in a coma.
Lew
August 27th, 2012
11:24 am
cricket – Sorry, I was abit off there.
As a starter in his career his numbers are -
.284, ..316, .490, .806 (256PA)
And vs. RHP in his career -
.286, ,337, .516, .853 ( 294 PA)
Arkansas Transplant
August 27th, 2012
11:25 am
I don;’t think that they can send Uggla down to the minors without his permission.
Is this really the case? I can’t believe a team can’t do what they feel is best without a players permission. To me that’s craziness.
Tomahawkin (Suffering Fan)
August 27th, 2012
11:25 am
Bat Masterson
Matt Chernoff was On Point when he said Friday that This Offense loves to have 3-4 guys go into deep slumps all at the same time…. —T’Hawkin
“I had never heard of this guy until Tomahawkin started bringing him up here. He’s either an honest to god idiot or Tomahawkin makes him appear one with his representation of what he says.”
Matt Chernoff does Sports Radio on 680TheFan and he does the Braves Pregame show on radio, Most times I think its a lot better than The Braves Pregame on FSN…
MDBravesFan
August 27th, 2012
11:27 am
Nats are feeling it. And all the talk abt Strasburg can’t be helping them. If we can win tonight, would definitely tighten the screws. So pull up your socks again (it’s Mon) and keep the wins coming – Go Braves!
raleighbravefan
August 27th, 2012
11:27 am
RE: Monday curse, good streaks, bad streaks, etc. As Skip Cary used to say, I don’t think any announcers, fans, DOB, or anyone else has the power to “jinx” a player or team. I do think some things can get into heads of players and teams, affecting them both negatively and positively. That would be the “clutch” or “choke” effect.
Lew
August 27th, 2012
11:28 am
raleighbraves – Or to expand on Wren’s options, they could find a RH hitting LFer to platoon with Prado in LF and when RH pitchers start against us, they could go with Francisco at third and Prado in LF and when LHP start against us, put Prado at third and the RH Hitting LFer in LF.
With this scenario, Wren gets a top line CFer and boosts the pitchig strength and only has to get a LFer who rakes against LHP, which should costy less.
Efrim
August 27th, 2012
11:29 am
Future Shock
Monday Morning Ten Pack
by Kevin Goldstein
J.R. Graham, RHP, Braves (Double-A Mississippi)
A fourth-round pick in 2011 who impressed enough to land at the No. 11 spot in the pre-season Braves prospect rankings, Graham will have no problem landing higher on that list this off-season. After putting up a 2.63 ERA in 17 Carolina League starts with 68 strikeouts and just 17 walks in 102 2/3 innings, Graham has been even more impressive in the Southern League: with six shutout innings on Sunday—while allowing three hits and striking out eight—his M-Brave ERA sits at 2.90 with 38 whiffs in 40 1/3 innings. Strikeouts are not the main part of Graham’s game, as the undersized but athletic righty has one of the top sinkers in the game, sitting at 95 mph with movement to generate one of the best groundball rates in the minors. He’s flashed an above-average slider and a decent changeup, and he’s gone from nice sleeper to one of the better pitching prospects in the system.
snowball's chance
August 27th, 2012
11:29 am
The Red Sox proved it is possible to move unproductive players with huge contracts. I admire Uggla’s attitude but it is time to move on.
Lew
August 27th, 2012
11:30 am
They USED to be able to do whatever they wanted, but The Reserve Cause has been gone for quite some time.
Efrim
August 27th, 2012
11:32 am
The vitriol for Uggla is so sadly misplaced. Might want to replace the anger with some lighted candles, since the team needs him to contribute to any postseason run worth speaking of. If he and McCann are still struggling on October 1, better hope Heyward and Freeman are absolutely in a coma.
We need them both next year as well. Regardless of any offseason acquisitions, they will be needed greatly to make up for the loss of Bourn(potentially…..probably) and Jones.
raleighbravefan
August 27th, 2012
11:32 am
AT – Any player has limited number of “options” to be sent down. I don’t know what Uggla’s status is, but it’s all part of the CBA., and rules of baseball, just like arbitration and free agency. Sorry that bothers you.
74bravesjersey
August 27th, 2012
11:33 am
@richbrave;@Ralph; You guys are the best sources on keepin’ up w/ the updates that’s from the farm, cause’ valuable info. on what’s the prospects look like, I appreciate hav’n you guys as resources. DOB needs to recognize you’re clutch performances!(Kidd’n ya DOB).
TennesseePaul
August 27th, 2012
11:34 am
better hope Heyward and Freeman are absolutely in a coma.
Me? I’m hoping those two are wide awake and mashing everything they see. Would be bummed if come October they were vegetables.
MFin04
August 27th, 2012
11:34 am
“If he and McCann are still struggling on October 1, better hope Heyward and Freeman are absolutely in a coma.”
Unconscious, I get it. Funny.
Well Heyward and Freeman in the Giants series were…umm…I’d like to see their OPSs.
Arkansas Transplant
August 27th, 2012
11:34 am
I think it’s a shame when they can’t do what they feel is best.
74bravesjersey
August 27th, 2012
11:35 am
Efrim; You & Tennessee Paul made very valid points, good reads son, good reads.
Efrim
August 27th, 2012
11:35 am
http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/8306606/new-york-mets-manager-terry-collins-job-safe-report-says
Right…..because those Mets are really underperforming with that roster. They should sign that man to an extension asap. He’s a very good manager, having tracked that team this year.
raleighbravefan
August 27th, 2012
11:36 am
Lew – Wren has to be, and will be creative, when putting together a team that works, and fits the payroll. Many fans will grumble, because we don’t have unlimited resouces, and must make compromises.
ncscoots
August 27th, 2012
11:36 am
We need them both next year as well. Regardless of any offseason acquisitions, they will be needed greatly to make up for the loss of Bourn(potentially…..probably) and Jones.
Exactly. Heyward, Freeman, Uggla, McCann, producing at their norms, is still a formidable middle of the order. But they’ll still need one more bat, preferably a righty with sock, to maintain the lineup depth they’ve had this year. Get that guy, and maybe you can suffer in CF a little.
74bravesjersey
August 27th, 2012
11:37 am
What’s ya’lls take on Jim Riggleman?, I’ll hang up & listen.
Efrim
August 27th, 2012
11:37 am
34 games to go – hoping for both Heyward and Freeman to finish strong and for us to at least secure that one games on Friday night, 10/5.
Heck, hoping for Polished and Medlen to finish strong as well. Make me feel a lot better about the rotation for 2013.
TennesseePaul
August 27th, 2012
11:37 am
they will be needed greatly to make up for the loss of Bourn(potentially…..probably) and Jones.
Done a great job this year making up for the loss of Bourn since June 19th…
_________PA_BB_SO__AVG__OBP__SLG__OPS
Bourn.. 284 32 67 .253 .340 .371 .712
Heyward 265 27 70 .305 .374 .572 .946
Freeman 259 31 35 .290 .386 .502 .888
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 27th, 2012
11:37 am
As a starter in his career his numbers are -
.284, ..316, .490, .806 (256PA)
And vs. RHP in his career -
.286, ,337, .516, .853 ( 294 PA)
Not even a full season of ABs…. that BA will go down, down, down if he starts more often. Just my opinion.
Andy Frank
August 27th, 2012
11:38 am
Last night’s lineup looked fantastic. Prado looked great at 2nd and he looks fantastic at every AB. Such a smart hitter. We just need Mike Minor to look as good as he did on Saturday and our rotation for the playoffs will be tough to beat.
Efrim
August 27th, 2012
11:39 am
But they’ll still need one more bat, preferably a righty with sock, to maintain the lineup depth they’ve had this year. Get that guy, and maybe you can suffer in CF a little.
I bet Ryan would want Delgado + Graham for Willingham…….
I wouldn’t do it. Just sayin…..
TennesseePaul
August 27th, 2012
11:39 am
Heck, hoping for Polished and Medlen to finish strong as well. Make me feel a lot better about the rotation for 2013.
There are few certainties in life, just know that they are: death, taxes, Evan Gattis and Kris Medlen.
Polished, we really need to keep an eye one. He could get all tarnished.
CrαZy
August 27th, 2012
11:40 am
Many fans will grumble, because we don’t have unlimited resouces, and must make compromises.
Then they’ll complain about the owners….
without considering a new owner could just as easily be cheaper than Liberty Media!
Efrim
August 27th, 2012
11:40 am
_________PA_BB_SO__AVG__OBP__SLG__OPS
Bourn.. 284 32 67 .253 .340 .371 .712
I can’t think of a worse idea then to hand that man $16-18 million a year over the next six seasons, which would take up like 20% of the payroll.
ncscoots
August 27th, 2012
11:42 am
Done a great job this year making up for the loss of Bourn since June 19th…
.387 OBP in August, though, so he’s been doing his job for that month, at least.
TennesseePaul
August 27th, 2012
11:42 am
I can’t think of a worse idea then to hand that man $16-18 million a year over the next six seasons, which would take up like 20% of the payroll.
… adding a 7th year to beat out Boston.
Efrim
August 27th, 2012
11:43 am
Teheran, Graham, Bethancourt, Sims, Gilmartin.
Gonna go out on a limb and guess that’s BA’s/BP/Law’s Top 5 – with the last 4 being in no particular order. Just that those five prospects encompass the first half of our Top 10 prospects.
TennesseePaul
August 27th, 2012
11:43 am
.387 OBP in August, though, so he’s been doing his job for that month, at least.
Not for $18M…
I love the guys defense. I appreciate that he can get on a steal. I refuse to acknowledge that it is a good plan to offer him $16M+ over 6 or 7 years. That would be a disaster.
ncscoots
August 27th, 2012
11:44 am
Done a great job this year making up for the loss of Bourn since June 19th…
.387 OBP in August, though, so he’s been doing his job for that month, at least.
Polished, we really need to keep an eye one. He could get all tarnished
That’s why Signable is in the wings.
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 27th, 2012
11:44 am
Well Heyward and Freeman in the Giants series were…umm…I’d like to see their OPSs.
Freeman: .294/.333/.882/1.216 3 HR, 1 double and a single
Heyward: .286/.333/.929/1.262 3 HR and a single
Efrim
August 27th, 2012
11:44 am
… adding a 7th year to beat out Boston.
Wouldn’t it be something if Boston signed him? I know him and Crawford are different players, with Bourn adding lots of value with his glove and having less power than Carl.
But they have to spend the money somewhere. Can’t go into 2013 with a 90 million dollar payroll.
Lew
August 27th, 2012
11:45 am
Transplant – No. What YOU think is best.
Efrim
August 27th, 2012
11:47 am
LF Ellsbury, CF Bourn, RF Ross
3B Middlebrooks, SS Iglesias, 2B Pedroia, 1B, C Salty/Lavarnway, DH Ortiz
Meh…..
ncscoots
August 27th, 2012
11:48 am
But they have to spend the money somewhere.
I think they’ll have to resist that notion, strongly. Whether the fan base and Lucchino will allow them to do so, is another question entirely.
Arkansas Transplant
August 27th, 2012
11:49 am
What do I think is best? are you asking or telling? Cause I didn’t recommend anything about sending anyone down. I was simply asking a question.
But as far as what teams can or can’t do.. I think it’s ridiculous when teams aren’t able to do things because they have to get permission from certain ballplayers before they can do it.
MFin04
August 27th, 2012
11:50 am
“I can’t think of a worse idea then to hand that man $16-18 million a year over the next six seasons”
I think Boston does go after Bourn. Hopefully they don’t put him in LF.
But I can think of a lot of worse ideas than paying Bourn that kinda money. The Braves NEED Bourn. They do. He fills SOOO many voids that they have and can’t fill without him.
George
August 27th, 2012
11:50 am
Good morning all
BRAVES finished the week well,but earlly week not so good. Good JASON continues to prove me wrong, FREDDY is for real, HUDDY is HUDDY.
Got a question. with a 5-1 lead, What the heck was FREDI PHing CHIPPER for? Did he want CHIPPER to get hurt swinging the bat again?
Arkansas Transplant
August 27th, 2012
11:52 am
There’s no way I’d give Bourn between 16 to 18 mil a year.
ncscoots
August 27th, 2012
11:53 am
The Braves NEED Bourn. They do. He fills SOOO many voids that they have and can’t fill without him.
“Can’t”? I think I’ll have to take issue with that. I’m perfectly happy with Prado leading off next year, and there ought to be at least one other guy available who can pick it in CF.
Lew
August 27th, 2012
11:53 am
OnlyBraves – That’s the thing about small sample sizes – that;s what you get until the player actually gets to play and thos decisions are made by success in small sample sizes.
Francisco is going to get more playing time next year – though likely as a platoon player. All you have to go on is that to this point he’s been successful as a starter and against RHP. All else is speculation with nothing to back it up.
MFin04
August 27th, 2012
11:54 am
Last 7 days OPS:
Heyward 1.255 4hrs/8rbis
Freeman 1.116 3hrs/6rbis
Nice 3/4 in the lineup.
Efrim
August 27th, 2012
11:55 am
I think they’ll have to resist that notion, strongly. Whether the fan base and Lucchino will allow them to do so, is another question entirely.
I think short term signings makes the most sense in the outfield and re-signing Ortiz. Let Iglesias play SS and see if he can OPS .650 and provide some value with the glove. I’m sure they ink Ross and find someone to man LF and 1B.
They have two legit position player prospects in CF Jackie Bradley Jr. and SS Xander Boegarts. de la Rosa, Webster, Barnes are three promising starting pitching prospects. None other than de la Rosa will be ready until 2014. As much as they don’t want to say it’s a bridge year – it really should be.
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 27th, 2012
11:57 am
The Braves NEED Bourn. They do. He fills SOOO many voids that they have and can’t fill without him.
We can fill those holes….
leadoff hitter = Prado or Simmons
Great defensive CF= Bourjos/others
Stolen base threat: Heyward, Prado, possibly Simmons
left-handed batter: screw that, we don’t need any more
There are ways to get around not having Bourn. At the right price, sure go get him. But at 12+ mil for 5-6 years, no way.
Lew
August 27th, 2012
11:57 am
Transplant – Why would I ask when you’ve worn your feelings on your sleeve for quite some time now. I dare say we all know what you think of Uggla and what the Braves should do with him as you’ve ranted about it numerous times for days on end.
MFin04
August 27th, 2012
11:58 am
ncscoots – Can’t replace him. You can try to fill some of the voids, but not all of them.
One of the best defensive CF in the game. Best stolen base guy in the league. One of the best leadoff hitters in the league. Tough to get that all in one package. Especially for a team that has no other options in CF or for speed.
raleighbravefan
August 27th, 2012
11:59 am
CraZy – Yeah, I’ll bet the Marlin fans are glad they have an individual owner like Loria, instead of an evil, uncaring corporate owner like LM.
richbrave
August 27th, 2012
11:59 am
DOWN ON THE FARM
MISSISSIPPI
Starter RH DAVID HALE [3.91 ERA] and reliefer LH CHASEN SHREVE [3.93 ERA] twirl five innings of two-hit, one run ball, then 40-man protected RH ERIK CORDIER [24.00 ERA] takes over, blows the save and takes the loss [0-2] in 0.2 IP. Why is this man still on the 40-man? LHRP CHRIS JONES [3.45 ERA] closes the barn-door, but all the horses were already loose.
1B JOEY T. [.309 BA] gets his 23rd double to no avail [1-2. 1 R 1 BB, 1 SO] although by getting on, he scores a run. Oh, and he commits his 14th error [throwing] since coming down.
CF/RF BOBBY STEVENS [.216 BA] has a timely single [1-3] that drives in two [6].
3B JOE LEONARD [.262 BA] 0-1, 1 R, 2 BB.
RF/LF AL CARRITHERS goes 2-2 with a BB, and that’s it from the offense.
MFin04
August 27th, 2012
11:59 am
“Stolen base threat: Heyward, Prado, possibly Simmons”
I don’t think you want either of those two guys stealing bases over the long haul. Way too much risk of them getting hurt. All of them now have had hand injuries and base running injuries.
Lew
August 27th, 2012
12:00 pm
I’m not certain what makes people think that Simmons would work out as lead off hitter.
Efrim
August 27th, 2012
12:00 pm
Mike Minor since June 7th, 14 games, 85.1 IP, 67 hits, 30 ER, 25 BB’s, 63 K’s, 11 HR allowed, 3.16 ERA, .218/.280/.384 oppo. slash line. Numbers are even better since July(2.50 ERA, 8 BB’s, 42 K’s in 57.2 IP – 9 games).
ncscoots
August 27th, 2012
12:00 pm
As much as they don’t want to say it’s a bridge year – it really should be.
I think you’ll be able to tell a lot about their overall strategy (and the time-frame) by whether they offer up guys such as Lester. I certainly can see them trying to move Ellsbury, but other possible tradees are probably more telling.
richbrave
August 27th, 2012
12:02 pm
TOBF:
How can you say that about BOURN? UGGLA’s contract is lonely and needs company.
raleighbravefan
August 27th, 2012
12:03 pm
AT – Like it or not, MLB players have a REAL union…This isn’t the NFL.
Efrim
August 27th, 2012
12:03 pm
I think you’ll be able to tell a lot about their overall strategy (and the time-frame) by whether they offer up guys such as Lester. I certainly can see them trying to move Ellsbury, but other possible tradees are probably more telling.
Good point. I think I’d be surprised if they didn’t listen on Lester. But that’s different than trading him. I’d love for the Braves to go after him. Shields too. Haren…..heck, he may end up being a free agent.
JRW
August 27th, 2012
12:06 pm
I know Victorino is a four letter word to most on the blog, but I would try to get him to replace Bourn if he moves on. I fully expect the Dodgers will not resign him now that they have Crawford.
tony austin
August 27th, 2012
12:07 pm
I would mind seeing Bourn, sans his Ks, in a Braves uniform next season and possibly the one after that. But not for the next 7 seasons like Boras is no doubt to get. Too much financial risk at the back end of the contract for a mid-marker payroll team like the Braves.
MFin04
August 27th, 2012
12:09 pm
“I fully expect the Dodgers will not resign him now that they have Crawford.”
They’d rather have Crawford over Victorino? No thanks. I wouldn’t mind the Braves getting Victorino. At best he can hit 1 or 2 in the lineup, at worst he plays great defense in CF and hits 7th.
raleighbravefan
August 27th, 2012
12:10 pm
MFin – Everything you say about Bourn is true. But for how long. And what’s the cost. And how does that cost effect the construction of the rest of the team. These are the things Wren will have to consider.
Arkansas Transplant
August 27th, 2012
12:10 pm
as you’ve ranted about it numerous times for days on end.
I’m sorry that I don’t embrace him as much as you do. I do feel we’d be better served if we moved his 13 or so million off payroll and spent it elsewhere. We had unlimited resources to sign other stars to mask Uggla’s deficiencies for the 2/3’s of the season that he’s not producing I’d be perfectly okay with him at 2nd. I just think with our limited resources we should use them more wisely.