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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,470 comments Add your comment
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 5th, 2012
2:19 pm
McCann ain’t going anywhere until 2014… that’s a 60/40% chance of him going vs. staying, and that depends on how he does next year, and if he doesn’t have a recurring injury or ailment. Hopefully he stays as starting catcher on a “big” deal until 2017-8, and then becomes our backup catcher (and DH!
) after that.
Murph
September 5th, 2012
2:19 pm
The Braves most likely will try to fix his shoulder or oblique or his eyes or whatever else is bothering McCann and bring him back next year.
They should have shut him down two weeks ago. BMac’s not helping at all when in the lineup… better to call his season over and get him under the knife now than wait until December.
NO MORE FREDI
September 5th, 2012
2:20 pm
I warned you fat Fredi to take Hanson out of the rotation. Regardless if his fault or not, he is negative energy!! Go with your hottest four starters and not worry about names on a jersey. But in the end Fredi will screw everything up so why do we get on here begging for a miracle?
FYI – Mac is fat and soft (and not like stuff animal cute way. He is done in Atlanta.)
count_schemula
September 5th, 2012
2:20 pm
And Thompson was well before instant media.
ncscoots
September 5th, 2012
2:23 pm
Don’t forget to factor in
You bet, Mike. I’ll be posting the models as hypotheses, and will ask for critical white papers on them. You know, trample the methodology, pick apart results, and the like. We ought to have verified working math models for the stuff in, oh, a decade or so.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 5th, 2012
2:23 pm
The Braves most likely will try to fix his shoulder or oblique or his eyes or whatever else is bothering McCann and bring him back next year.
They should have shut him down two weeks ago.
I want to agree with you, but if it’s a cyst and torn labrum, I don’t think that rest would help. Let him at least try to finish out the year. He should still have time to get the surgery and be ready come ST.
Just looking at the number of things that the Braves want to make sure is alright on BMac is a little worrisome, though. I’d be hesitant to hand him tons of millions.(like 15+) on a multi-year deal.
Jimmy
September 5th, 2012
2:23 pm
In a real clutch situation, in a clutch statement game, who would you want batting, in THE clutch moment of the stated clutch statement game:
A Non-Clutch player.
A Clutch player.
A scrappy player.
A gritty player.
This is a stupy subject that was beat to death last spring.
MFin04
September 5th, 2012
2:24 pm
While it goes against every fiber in my being. Put Dan Uggla and Brian McCann in the lineup and pray they get going.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 5th, 2012
2:24 pm
If the shoulder can be fixed, and he loses a few pounds (which, could help the eyes and blood pressure as well) maybe pick up the option. I don’t see an extension beyond that though.
I think the option being picked up is a given… an extension is not, unfortunately. It’d have been so much easier to lock up McCann this year rather than in his FA year.
Shaun
September 5th, 2012
2:24 pm
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
#Braves hitting .236 with runners in scoring position, 14th in the NL, ahead of only Marlins (.232) and Padres (.230).
That’s offset a little by the fact that the Braves are hitting .248/.375/.399 with TWO OUT and RISP. The .375 OBP is 2nd best in all of baseball, behind Detroit.
Further evidence that hitting with RISP has little to do with feeling more or less pressure and that it’s largely random whether a team comes through more often in those situations compared to others.
ncscoots
September 5th, 2012
2:26 pm
This is a stupy subject that was beat to death last spring.
Yeah, but I still like to bring it out and give it a good dusting, every once in a while. Clean it up and then put it back in the closet.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 5th, 2012
2:26 pm
count_s—
Hold it—when did BMac develop a blood pressure problem?…And not to be an a, but what does his weight have to do with his eyes? The eye thing was caused by a couple screwed up lasik procedures…
TOBF They’re wrong, in my opinion.
Dead wrong. No trade ‘em Heap…
Bay Area Steve
September 5th, 2012
2:27 pm
“it’s largely random”
I don’t think most would argue that it’s not largely random. I do think they’d just like you to admit it’s not entirely random.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 5th, 2012
2:27 pm
Dang, this thing is not wanting to load for me today!
Maybe it’s trying to tell me something…
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 5th, 2012
2:27 pm
While it goes against every fiber in my being. Put Dan Uggla and Brian McCann in the lineup and pray they get going.
Gotta go with your players in September and October, unless they’re hurt. Constanza and Ross aren’t as big of a threat as Dan and McCann are.
Jimmy
September 5th, 2012
2:28 pm
Heap is not our future at the catcher’s position.
The problem is, we don’t have anyone ready either.
Ward
September 5th, 2012
2:29 pm
Hello everyone! Murph, I half agree with your on post on Uggs. I think Prado should be at 3rd. Braves keep Francisco on the bench. We sign Bourn, and the Braves spend money on LF with Power. All in all good post earlier.
vitriol spewer (phil)
September 5th, 2012
2:29 pm
Until Terry Pendleton is removed as our hitting coach, forget it….
We’re doomed.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 5th, 2012
2:29 pm
While it goes against every fiber in my being. Put Dan Uggla and Brian McCann in the lineup and pray they get going.
Oh, and have Uggla 3 or 5, Mac 7.
Dang, this thing is not wanting to load for me today!
It’s failing just like BMac….
MFin04
September 5th, 2012
2:30 pm
“It’d have been so much easier to lock up McCann this year rather than in his FA year.”
Well we could sign him long-term now and pay less. Or we can hope he bounces back next year, get really excited, then pay him more than we would now.
Catch 22
ncscoots
September 5th, 2012
2:30 pm
I don’t think most would argue that it’s not largely random. I do think they’d just like you to admit it’s not entirely random.
Hair-splitting heresy! Clubhouse Confidential card revoked!
Shaun
September 5th, 2012
2:30 pm
In a real clutch situation, in a clutch statement game, who would you want batting, in THE clutch moment of the stated clutch statement game:
A Non-Clutch player.
A Clutch player.
A scrappy player.
A gritty player.
This is a stupy subject that was beat to death last spring.
Well, many here would over-analyze clutch stats. But give me the best hitter, because I don’t know of a time where the best hitter isn’t going to be the most clutch. But apparently many foolishly believe otherwise.
Bay Area Steve
September 5th, 2012
2:31 pm
“give it a good dusting”
Who’s spitting in the face of the gods, now?
Ward
September 5th, 2012
2:31 pm
Also , Heap couldn’t hit before the injury happened, so you can’t blame his shoulder on that one. Shut Mac down, an let him get better. Sign him with a cheaper contract.
MFin04
September 5th, 2012
2:31 pm
“Dang, this thing is not wanting to load for me today!”
Me either. Must be the whole login process, some are and some aren’t.
Jimmy
September 5th, 2012
2:32 pm
McCann has not been in the lineup because he is hurt.
Not because of his non-productive hitting.
ncscoots – It got it’s dusting.
MFin04
September 5th, 2012
2:33 pm
“But give me the best hitter, because I don’t know of a time where the best hitter isn’t going to be the most clutch.”
Best hitter is subjective too. Depends if you need a single, a double, a bunt, a homer, a sac fly, perhaps a ground out that isn’t a double play.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 5th, 2012
2:33 pm
Well we could sign him long-term now and pay less. Or we can hope he bounces back next year, get really excited, then pay him more than we would now.
Yes, and that’s the tough part… you could “blow” 8-10mil on him and he ends up being an injured mess, or he rebounds next year and we’ve to to pay 16-18mil to keep him. I just can’t see how or why we’d resign him now… too many questions about his health, and their effects on his hitting.
Ward
September 5th, 2012
2:34 pm
I did some figuring, and came up with this -
1. Huddy needs to win 4 games
2. Maholm needs to win 3 games
3. Medlen needs to win 4 games
4. needs to win 3 games
Hanson needs to win 2, or one game for the Braves to get The Wild Card.
It can be done.
vitriol spewer (phil)
September 5th, 2012
2:34 pm
DOB has his people controlling whose screen reloads and whose doesn’t….
He hates most of us and doesn’t want us here, so I can’t blame him.
Bay Area Steve
September 5th, 2012
2:36 pm
It frustrates me when people assume they know things that are unknowable with current information. I turn homicidal when they start calling others naive and foolish.
You may think you know. You might even know. You might even be right. It may even be extremely likely that you’re right. But, there is simply no way you can be certain. And, if you can’t be certain, you shouldn’t call someone with the opposing view foolish. But, clearly, that’s just me.
CB
September 5th, 2012
2:36 pm
So, do we not have to register here or was that a false alarm?
ncscoots
September 5th, 2012
2:36 pm
Who’s spitting in the face of the gods, now?
That would be me, BAS. Just had a moment where I wanted to bow up.
(I could see Jeff was fighting the urge to draw and fire, figured I’d stand in the dusty street against the bad guy for him. Plus, I was feeling meanish, and why should Jeff have all the fun?)
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 5th, 2012
2:36 pm
Dang, this thing is not wanting to load for me today!”…Me either. Must be the whole login process, some are and some aren’t.
I was trying to blame it on my network connections and the fact that I go through a google server. It’s not just me, that’s a good thing!
Bat Masterson
September 5th, 2012
2:37 pm
This site is very slow to load for me, so……………..
ChattTownBrian
September 5th, 2012
2:37 pm
With 2 outs and runners in scoring position is less pressure/stressful. Think about it. Pressure is WAY more in them to come through when less than 2 outs. It’s mostly mental.
Shaun
September 5th, 2012
2:37 pm
“But give me the best hitter, because I don’t know of a time where the best hitter isn’t going to be the most clutch.”
Best hitter is subjective too. Depends if you need a single, a double, a bunt, a homer, a sac fly, perhaps a ground out that isn’t a double play.
Right. I don’t see “depends on if you need clutch” included in that list.
MVPrado14
September 5th, 2012
2:37 pm
“While it goes against every fiber in my being. Put Dan Uggla and Brian McCann in the lineup and pray they get going.”
Might as well. What do you really have to lose?
Bay Area Steve
September 5th, 2012
2:38 pm
“He hates most of us and doesn’t want us here”
I don’t think that’s entirely accurate, phil. I think it’s he hates most of us, and wants as many comments/page hits/readers as he can muster, even if we’re intolerable.
Yikes!
September 5th, 2012
2:38 pm
“So you think they’ll run Chipper out of town, not let him play here again in 2013?”
I suppose I should apologize for not giving the obligatory :::eyeroll::: or some other internetism to display sarcasm.
I seriously doubt anyone would waste time posting on a Braves baseball blog OR speak of the David Justice incident during the World Series of 1995 unless they had at least some familiarity of what was going on with the Braves. I am now ashamed because I have drawn the ire of DOB and the venerable Lew, two examples of 100% objectivity and accuracy.
raleighbravefan
September 5th, 2012
2:40 pm
Man, few people can dig in their heels like Shaun can…I can just see him sitting at his keyboard, hands covering his ears, saying LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA . Or eyes closed, in this case.
Shaun
September 5th, 2012
2:40 pm
Bay Area Steve, so you don’t think it’s foolish to over-analyze “clutch” stats rather than just wanting the best hitter up there in a key situation?
Ward
September 5th, 2012
2:41 pm
DOB – blog does have a lot of people, and it is number 1.
ncscoots
September 5th, 2012
2:41 pm
I don’t think that’s entirely accurate, phil. I think it’s he hates most of us, and wants as many comments/page hits/readers as he can muster, even if we’re intolerable.
Clutch post.
Big-time.
Train Wreck Bystander
September 5th, 2012
2:42 pm
@ MFin04
I agree about Uggs – he has to work through it while having as little negative impact on the team as possible.
The minors are done for the year; if he is going to get any more plate time, it has to be with the Braves. What can we expect him to start… 2 games a week maybe?
Fredi G. may think that Uggs is going to have a chance to shine this fall, but I personally think it will take a winter of hard work and a fight for his position in spring training to snap him out of this funk.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 5th, 2012
2:42 pm
TOBF It’s failing just like BMac…
That’s not funny……
Bay Area Steve
September 5th, 2012
2:42 pm
Taking an extra few seconds here, too. Reminds me of the old days. TOBF won’t believe it. Remember: you used to comment, and it would take five minutes or so to show up. Totally different conversation when feedback was delayed. I miss those days.
Jimmy
September 5th, 2012
2:43 pm
Why would the Braves want to extend McCann? And get three – four more years of this performance? Do you really believe that the McCann four years out will be able to help this team win?
That has been my position since ST (you can check out my post). I guess the Braves pickup the option, but then what? Do you try to move him to the AL and get something out of the deal?
So those are really the options:
Extend him.
Trade him to the AL.
or
Let him walk after next year.
Murph
September 5th, 2012
2:43 pm
Might as well. What do you really have to lose?
Games… wild card lead… etc
Ward
September 5th, 2012
2:44 pm
DOB, does have a life, and he shouldn’t have to be on here 24 hours a day.
Bay Area Steve
September 5th, 2012
2:46 pm
Shaun,
Clearly, you read my post. If your 2:40 is your only response, well then Jed, I don’t even want to know you.
The only thing I currently think is foolish is debating someone who has never, that I’ve seen here, given an inch. I think I’ll stop.
ncscoots
September 5th, 2012
2:46 pm
I miss those days.
I also, buddy.
Shaun
September 5th, 2012
2:46 pm
If you think a player’s ability to hit, make contact, bunt, hit a fly ball, etc. is the overriding factor over clutch in terms of who you want up in a key situation, then you agree with me that coming through in the clutch is not a repeatable skill.
Ward
September 5th, 2012
2:46 pm
I believe the Braves can hang on. The Question is Huddy, and his health down the stretch, and can Hanson get his mojo back?
MVPrado14
September 5th, 2012
2:48 pm
“Games… wild card lead… etc”
But think about it. This patched together lineup may MAY work against the sub .500 teams and get the Braves to the postseason, but they will need to be at full strength to do anything once there. That includes getting regular contributions from McCann and Uggla, but they can’t if they are only batting a couple of times a week.
David O'Brien
September 5th, 2012
2:49 pm
attention denizens and others, NEW BLOGGAGE
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/05/offensive-woes-braves-hitting-220-in-6-11-stretch/
CB
September 5th, 2012
2:50 pm
Ward is spelling and talking much clearer today. Is this the real Ward?
vitriol spewer (phil)
September 5th, 2012
2:50 pm
If one is going to have a blog, then yes, one must be on said blog 24 hours a day answering tough questions in the absence of the ability to ask them…..ACE
Threadkiller
September 5th, 2012
2:50 pm
Joe Montana = Clutch….Michael Jordan = Clutch…..Bill Buckner = Not Clutch
raleighbravefan
September 5th, 2012
2:51 pm
The best hitter in a key situation IS the best hitter in a key situation…because he IS CLUTCH!
Bat Masterson
September 5th, 2012
2:56 pm
Every year since I started reading this blog the Braves teams have had real problems. Up until his oblique injury Heap has never been one of them, yet he has been ripped all to hell and gone the entire time.
Kind of blew me away at first and I pushed back a lot. I get that unrealistic expectations are put on the best players, but damn.
If I were advising Heap I would tell him to take care of his shoulder whatever that entailed in season and off. Get healthy have a big year next year and sign for every bit of scratch you can get and never look back.
CaptainMudd
September 5th, 2012
2:58 pm
@BAS…..Come on back tonight, you are on a roll–good stuff
@ncscooots…You are my personal favorite; very savvy stuff.
Everyone else…well….you all are @ssho…..NO, just messin’
I think we come out strong tonight……………later!!!
Shaun
September 5th, 2012
3:00 pm
Braves with RISP: .236/.341/.371
Braves with nobody on base: .254/.316/.400
Braves with a man on firstbase: .261/.321/.437
Braves overall: .251/.323/.400
Do you see any sort of pattern to suggest that the Braves’ performance with RISP is anything other than randomness?
It’s like assigning meaning to the fact that they hit better in April and July than in any other months this year and have hit worse in September. Because they did that, does that mean it was the result of some sort of ability to come through in April and July?
Or how about their record on Mondays? Just because there is a difference in their Monday record versus their record other days doesn’t mean they have some sort of inability to come through on Mondays. It’s probably just randomness. Same with the hitting with RISP (though I wouldn’t even say hitting, necessarily; I would say batting average).
Murph
September 5th, 2012
3:05 pm
That includes getting regular contributions from McCann and Uggla, but they can’t if they are only batting a couple of times a week.
One is hurt and the other can’t make adjustments…
BMac isn’t going to magically heal after just a few days rest. All indications are that he’s headed for offseason surgery.
Uggla also isn’t going to magically get his stroke back overnight. He’s been given more than enough opportunities to break out of his funk but has thus far been unable to do so.
A playoff spot is on the line here… same thing the team faces last season, only this time with a much smaller lead as of September 1st. We all saw what happened when they kept running ineffective players out there in 2011… I’d rather the team make a change and go with a guy who at least has some remote possibility of producing than to keep running the same guys out there who have shown they are either physically or mentally unable to produce.
Fredi did nothing last season and lost. If he were to do the same then I can guarantee you he’d be looking for a new job come November. Better to go down swinging then just stand there and bleed.
nolie
September 5th, 2012
4:09 pm
Actually, “awesome [to succeed in] that opportunity.” Failure might be a different story…scootd
wasn’t it Donnie Moore who killed himself .never getting over his failure according to friends?
Others have lost their careers over such failures, never as good again
keyLargo
September 5th, 2012
9:47 pm
That move to first was not very impressive. LOL
Trey
September 5th, 2012
9:50 pm
Purdy game, tonight. I missed most of it, due to some USO function near the DNC.
keyLargo
September 5th, 2012
9:51 pm
I remember Donnie Moore as a reliever traded to the Angels. He gave up a walk off HR in the playoffs, never got over it and committed suicide. I believe he was still an Angel.
keyLargo
September 5th, 2012
9:58 pm
Those Rockies need a “gooser” with a control for the manager. He should “send em a message” about 1/2 to the plate to goose the Rocks, they’ll swing and maybe they’ll run into something.
keyLargo
September 5th, 2012
10:04 pm
I wasn’t very close on the Donnie Moore story. You’ll find this more accurate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnie_Moore