Chipper won’t play in WBC, but plans spring-training visit
MIAMI – Two of the four World Baseball Classic qualifying tournaments start this week in Germany and Jupiter, Fla. The only reason we mention this is because some folks have asked me if I thought Chipper Jones might consider playing in the third edition of the WBC in March 2013, since he played in the first two.
As Chipper Jones showed again last weekend against the Nationals, he can still hit plenty. Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen asked him why he's retiring.
My answer was that I didn’t think he’d have any interest, since he’s retiring after the Braves are done playing this year.
And on Monday, Chipper confirmed as much during an interview before the opener of his final series in Miami, an interview that was as compelling and adroitly handled as have been all his others during No. 10’s Farewell Tour.
To the WBC question, he smiled and said, “I’m a little old for that I got to play in two of them and they were two of the best baseball experiences of my life. But it’s time somebody else got a shot to play. If they want me to tag along and be a coach or something, maybe I’d do that.”
He didn’t play last night, getting a planned rest day after the Braves arrived at their Miami hotel at 3:30 a.m. following a Sunday night ESPN game against the Nationals in Atlanta. He’s expected to play the next two games in Miami, then two or all three games in Philadelphia in the series that starts Friday (the Braves are off Thursday).
The Marlins were the only team that snubbed Bobby Cox in the Braves manager’s 2010 retirement season – they didn’t acknowledge it, while other teams paid tribute via scoreboard videos, P.A. announcements, gifts, etc., like they have with Chipper. Their team officials were still upset about comments Cox had made regarding their firing of Cox’s protégé and friend Fredi Gonzalez during the 2010 season.
They won’t repeat the faux pas with Chipper. The Marlins plan to honor the third baseman on Wednesday before the series finale, his last game in Miami. No word on what they might do for him, but I’d heard a while back that the Marlins called to check whether Chipper likes deep-sea fishing (he does).
He was also asked Monday if any of gift or gifts that teams have given him stood above the others this season.
“I’d do an injustice to the rest of the gifts if I named one or two,” he said. “The ones that stick out – the one that surprised me the most was the surfboard in San Diego, that Trevor [Hoffman] gave me. That was a little unexpected. I got a framed Stan Musial jersey in St. Louis, which is really cool. But I think more or less, just being able to share a hug and a handshake with the guys who’ve presented them to me [has been the best part of it].
“You’ve got a who’s who of Hall of Famers, and Trevor Hoffman and Craig Biggio, who will be going in soon. Derek Jeter in New York. A bunch of ex-teammates, [Adam] LaRoche and [Mark] DeRosa in Washington, and Andruw [Jones] in New York, and [Rafael] Furcal and [Adam] Wainwright in St. Louis. That means a lot to be, because it means that not only have I been a good player, but I’ve been a decent leader and mentor along the way, and to get the gratitude from those guys means a lot to me.”
Did we mention the grace with which he’s been handling these interviews? City after city, he’s asked a lot of the same questions and never shows any sign of being sick of it all.
He was asked about the one-year supply of bratwursts and grill that the Milwaukee Brewers gave him last week, and whether he’d be accepting those in a lump sum and having a massive BBQ. He didn’t know yet about the details of the bratwurst distribution.
““I don’t know how we’re going to handle it, but I can guarantee you that grill is going to be full of them,” he said, laughing. “I just bought a new house in Atlanta, and the grills is going to be front and center, right off the kitchen. I’ve got a lot of sausage and a lot of brats coming my way.”
A month or two ago, when I asked Chipper about all the gifts he was getting and whether he’d been finding places for them in his trophy room or would wait until after the season, he noted that he was in a period of transition – he’s in the middle of getting divorced – and living in a condo, so the gifts had gone into storage until after the season.
Jones spent his first several spring trainings 90 minutes north of Miami in West Palm Beach before the Braves moved to their new ballpark adjacent to Disney World in 1997. After a couple of decades of going to Florida for spring training, the someone asked Chipper what he thought he’d be doing next February and March.
“To be honest with you, I’ll probably make a trip down to spring training at some point,” he said. “It’s a great place to play golf, and take a little spring-break vacation. I’ll miss it right around January, because that’s when I usually start getting the itch to go to spring training. It’s going to be weird going through an offseason not having some sort of workout regiment, or not having to have it.
“I’ll probably still work out, but not [while] feeling that push to get myself ready for spring training. It’s basically just to keep the love handles away.”
What’s it going to be like for him, reading about or seeing the Braves prepare for the season, then watching them begin playing real games without him on the roster?
“It’ll be difficult at first,” he said. “But I think when the guys set off on that first 10-game road trip to the West Coast, and red-eye flights, coming back and having to play the next night … that’s when I won’t miss it, I guarantee that.”
• Hawk, Perez, Ozzie on No. 10: Yesterday I asked a couple of Hall of Famers, Marlins special assistants Andre Dawson and Tony Perez, about Chipper and his legacy. Some of it we’re saving for our Chipper Jones special section to be published in the AJC on the final weekend of the season. But I put one of Perez’s quotes in yesterday’s story, which you can see here if you missed it.
“He was always beating us [Marlins],” Perez said. “He’d come up and always get the big home run or the big hit. He’s a gamer. I’ll be waiting for him [at Cooperstown, N.Y.] in five years. Everybody’s trying to get his autograph. I said I’ll wait till he’s signing it with the ‘HOF’.”
Most Hall of Famers add those three letters to their signature after they are inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Players become eligible five years after their final season in the majors, and I don’t know of anyone in the game who doesn’t think Chipper will be inducted on the first ballot.
“He was about three years in when I was on my way out,” said Dawson, whom I got to know when he played his final seasons (1995-96) with the Marlins in my first two years as a beat writer covering them. “Obviously playing and working in the National League, I got to see quite a bit of him. Very impressive. Especially during the years when the [Braves] were winning and he was one of the central figures in the lineup, one of the guys that pretty much was the primary nucleus of the ballclub.
“I’ve obviously followed him. And I would say very impressive because he did it from both sides of the plate. He went out there every day. I got to see him play through the injuries, how game he was about that.”
Dawson played his entire career with a balky left knee, after the Miami native tore ligaments and cartilage in a football injury in high school, back when knee-surgery techniques were primitive compared to today. “Hawk” had to spend more than an hour getting his knees ready before every game in those two seasons with the Marlins, and he finally had left-knee replacement surgery a few years ago when the knee had become so bowed outward that doctors told him he really had no choice but get it replaced if he wanted to keep walking in the future.
Chipper’s had two ACL surgeries on his left knee, one at the outset of his career and the other in 2010. He’s also had four arthroscopic surgeries on his right knee, including one on the right knee in the last week of spring training this year. And we’re not even counting the fluid drainings and the surgery he had on his lower left leg after the severe bruising and swelling from getting hit by a B.J. Upton one-hopper in May.
Hawk has been there. He knows what Jones has gone through in the latter years of his career.
“It’s tough,” Dawson said. “It’s a lot of work. A lot of hard work. A lot of testing your makeup. A lot of times you’ve got to reach back and bite the bullet, in a sense. And the fact of the matter is, you play through all of that and the important thing then gets to be longevity. You’re playing the game for the love of the sport, and not just trying to get a contract or extend your playing career to make more money.”
Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen, a Braves teammate of Chipper’s in 1998 and 1999, had plenty to say when asked about him.
“Chipper grew up with a bunch of great players around him and a great manager. I think that helped him throughout his career,” Guillen said. “He played the game right. Been very professional about it. Goes about his business. One of the best I’ve ever seen. Not because he’s retiring or because people are talking about him. I think he was a legit guy and a lot people were lucky to grow up around him. The time I was with them, Chipper [was] carrying the ball club for a long time…
“There’s a few people with those numbers and a few people with that potential who play the game right. Obviously a lot of that has to do with Bobby Cox and his teammates. There’s one thing about him – he teached what they teached him. He made guys around him play the games right and I think that made him more special.”
Asked if Jones was still a little underrated or unappreciated, Guillen said, “I think so because the way he went about his business he was not a flamboyant guy. He’s not a cocky guy. He’s not a problem guy. He’s not the type of guy who’s going to be in the news for a bad reason. I think that made him not be noticed what he really did in the game.
“You look around — the best switch-hitter in the game. A lot of people say, ‘well, he only won one World Series.’ But Chipper Jones, most of his career, played for a reason and it was not money. He played every year competing for a pennant race. When you talk about that guy, that means you create a winner. People say – ‘oh, they went 30 times but they only win one.’ Well, at least they have 30 chances. Some people don’t have any. I think that made Chipper a little more special.”
In summation, Guillen offered this: “Somebody else leaves the game, people don’t even care – good luck and have a great life. But this kid, somebody like that guy, he will be missed, especially in Atlanta. He’s true leader. He’s not a fake leader
“I teased him when we were in Atlanta, ‘Why are you retiring? You can still play!’ He’s still a very dangerous hitter. He can still play some third
base, I don’t know why he’s quitting but best of luck and he will be missed. We are missing another great one.”
Oh, and as for the first-ballot HOF question, Guillen said, “I don’t think there’s no doubt, but you never know. There are so many things behind the scenes with the Hall of Fame. But this kid, he grew up in the era when baseball was a little dirty and he did it the right way.’’
BRAVES LINEUP
- Bourn cf
- Prado ss
- Heyward rf
- Chipper 3b
- Freeman 1b
- Uggla 2b
- McCann c
- Constanza lf
- Maholm p
• Tonight’s matchup: It’ll be Paul Maholm vs. Marlins righty Nathan Eovaldi (4-12, 4.71), neither of whom has been at his best lately, to put it mildly.
Maholm has allowed 20 hits, 15 runs (13 earned runs) and eight walks in just 11 2-/3 innings over his past three starts. The veteran lefty is 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA and .321 opponents’ average in his past five starts, after going 7-1 with a 1.19 ERA and .199 opponents’ average in his previous 10 games.
Maholm has 20 strikeouts with 10 walks in 25-1/3 innings over his past five starts, after totaling 52 strikeouts with 14 walks in 68 innings over his previous 10 games.
Against the Marlins, he’s 4-5 with a 5.00 ERA in nine starts, including a July 19 win in which Maholm allowed just five hits and one run in eight innings.
Eovaldi is 0-4 with a 7.58 ERA and .325 opponents’ average in his past four starts, allowing 25 hits, 16 runs and five homers in 19 innings.
In two starts vs. the Braves, he’s 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA and .344 opponents’ average. In his only start against them this season, Eovaldi allowed eight hits and six runs in two innings of an Aug. 2 loss.
Against Maholm, John Buck is 3-for-6 with a homer, and Carlos Lee is 15-for-61 (.246) with no homers.
Against Eovaldi, Dan Uggla is 2-for-3 with a homer and two walks, Jason Heyward is 2-for-4, and Michael Bourn and Chipper are 2-for-5.
One other thing: on first pitches, Eovaldi has allowed a .392 average (20-for-51) with 10 extra-base hits including four homers.
Let’s close this with a tune from the great, underrated Alejandro Escovedo, which you can hear by clicking here. And here’ is an acoustic version with Chuck Prophet joining in.
“ALWAYS A FRIEND” by Alejandro Escovedo
Wasn’t I always a friend to you?
Wasn’t I always a friend to you?
Do you wanna be my friend? (ooh ooh)
Do you wanna be my friend? (ooh ooh)
Every once in a while honey let your love show
Every once in a while honey let yourself go
Nobody gets hurt, no, no (ooh ooh)
Nobody gets hurt
We came here as two, we laid down as one
I don’t care if I’m not your only one
What I see in you, you see in me
But if I be wrong smoke my smoke, drink my wine
Bury my snakeskin boots somewhere I’ll never find
Still be your lover baby
O-o, o-o o-o
Wasn’t I always a friend to you?
Wasn’t I always a friend to you?
Do you wanna be my friend? (ohh ooh)
Do you wanna be my friend? (ooh ooh)
Every once in a while, honey let yourself go
Every once in a while, honey let your love show
Nobody gets hurt, no, no (ooh ooh)
Nobody gets hurt
Well, I could be an astronaut on the wrong side of the moon
Or wrapped up like a baby on a bus under you
Where ever I go you go with me
But if I do you wrong, take the master suite, I’ll take the floor
Sleep in late, get your rest, I’ll catch up on mine
Still be your lover baby
O-o, o-o o-o
Wasn’t I always a friend to you?
Wasn’t I always a friend to you?
Every once in a while, honey let your love show
Every once in a while, honey let yourself go, go!
Nobody gets hurt, it’s only love, love, love
O-o, o-o o-o
– David O’Brien, Braves/MIB blog
1,212 comments Add your comment
Miami Dave
September 18th, 2012
2:53 pm
Let’s go Braves!
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
2:55 pm
Thanks for the work DOB!
GO BRAVES!!
JoshTown
September 18th, 2012
2:55 pm
Playin great! Keep it rollin!
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
2:56 pm
Thanks, Chief!
Go Braves.
David from Athens, AL
September 18th, 2012
2:59 pm
Good write up David, thanks!
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
2:59 pm
I like where the Braves are right now. There’s really not much pressure on them at all. If things go really well, maybe there will be in a week. But for now, they’re loose and getting ready for the playoffs.
Virginia Brave Fan
September 18th, 2012
3:04 pm
Would really love to see Heyward get to 30 dingers and 20 sb.
the truth...
September 18th, 2012
3:04 pm
DOB….great interviews with the Hawk and Ozzie….shows how his comtemporaries respect and regard Chipper…………..
He will be missed……finding another like him that passes the test of time in this era is highly unlikely if not impossible.
Watching him Sunday night and thinking he’s almost done is sad for the Bravos….
Virginia Brave Fan
September 18th, 2012
3:04 pm
Would really love to see Heyward get to 30 dingers and 20 sb.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
3:06 pm
There’s really not much pressure on them at all. If things go really well, maybe there will be in a week.
Get three back with nine to go, and then we can see what we will see.
Even getting swept, even cooling down some more, Nats really don’t feel any pressure with a 6-game lead. But hit some trouble this week while the Braves pile up some more wins? Then, it gets a little tougher to stand tall.
And regardless of how it played out, I’d love to see the Braves make ‘em sweat and tremble.
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
3:06 pm
Things always seem to work out by the end of the season, but with the possible number of tie-breaker games that the second wild card opens up, it will be interesting to see how MLB handles these extra games.
What if you had a tie for a division (hypothetically Washington and Atlanta), a three-way tie for the second wild card (LAD, STL, PHL for example). What a mess to work out before the NLDS!
As more play off spots open up with independent race conditions, an increasing number of tie-breaker games become likely.
Lemke's Knuckler
September 18th, 2012
3:07 pm
Brian from SC…”I like where the Braves are right now. There’s really not much pressure on them at all. If things go really well, maybe there will be in a week. But for now, they’re loose and getting ready for the playoffs.”
The Kiss of Death.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
3:08 pm
What’s the magic number for clinching a spot in the playoffs? The new double-wide wild card standings have me all confused.
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
3:09 pm
ESPN announcers were talking about how long before the Nats start to conserve innings for their key starters and get some rest for their regulars.
The longer the Braves put the pressure on, the longer the Nats have to run their starters out there.
Take this thing down to the last day.
Lemke's Knuckler
September 18th, 2012
3:11 pm
“As more play off spots open up with independent race conditions, an increasing number of tie-breaker games become likely.”
MLB will have to get away from playing games for tiebreakers and start going with tiebreaker rules based on head to head results, runs scored, etc, etc.
Ken Stallings
September 18th, 2012
3:11 pm
Ozzy was a valued Brave those years he played with us. Interesting to hear his comments on Chipper. People searching for something negative have pointed to the two divorces, but if divorce was a scandal then there’s a heap of company in that same scandal! I thought Chipper had the best line about all that when told how he can’t please everyone he quipped something along the lines of not making his two wives who divorced him happy! I got a big chuckle out of that one!
Murph
September 18th, 2012
3:11 pm
Michael Turner arrested for DWI? Tsk tsk tsk
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
3:12 pm
To be honest with you, I’ll probably make a trip down to spring training at some point,” he [Chipper] said.
I don’t know if Chipper wants a formal role with the Braves at some point. But I’ve always thought that Chipper would make a superior roving hitting instructor. I think Braves’ prospects would really benefit from Chipper’s instruction.
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
3:13 pm
Murph – 7…
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
3:13 pm
Interesting…Simmons off today. Prado at SS, Constanze in left.
Tumbledown
September 18th, 2012
3:15 pm
Clearly, Fredi is to blame for Turner’s arrest!
phil
September 18th, 2012
3:16 pm
Only 14 more games…..sigh.
Still hard to believe Chipper is hanging em up.
Great piece, DOB.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
3:16 pm
Atlanta Braves @Braves
Tonight’s lineup at MIA (7:10, SPSO/680AM/BRN): Bourn 8 Prado 6 Heyward 9 Jones 5 Freeman 3 Uggla 4 McCann 2 Constanza 7 Maholm 1
McCann’s back, Prado at SS, and Constanza joy!
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
3:17 pm
You really have to do it by individual teams.
The Braves’ magic number against each wild card contender is:
Cardinals – 8
Dodgers – 7
Brewers – 6
Pirates – 6
Phillies – 4
Diamondbacks – 4
Padres – 2
The Braves would have to fail to eliminate two of those teams to not make the playoffs.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
3:18 pm
Washington’s magic number for the division is 11.
bravesgrl4life
September 18th, 2012
3:21 pm
Way to make me tear up, DOB. JK
Man these last games are going to be tough, knowing we’re down to the last few times we’ll ever see Chipper’s sweet swing every night or his quotes in the blog after almost every game.
I need to look into buying stock in Kleenex. Gonna need them for that last home series when I’ll be in a seat at Turner Field for every game.
raleighbravefan
September 18th, 2012
3:21 pm
DOB – Thanks for the new Blog. George will be pleased that you are back from vacation.
Tumbledown
September 18th, 2012
3:22 pm
Because the Braves won the regular season series with Cardinals, wouldn’t there magic number also be seven as to the Cardinals? But then, what if there was a three-way tie for the two spots. Yikes!
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
3:23 pm
From previous blog…
It doesn’t get more flexible than that.
You just discribed several ways that flexibility will be eaten up, including raises, arbitration, and options. Not to mention the holes that will need to be filled. I’m not exactly sure how you come up with backwards when the team could possibly acquire a CFer that would be under team control for several years at a very minimium salary, all the while they will be possilby looking to extend players such as Heyward, Freeman, Prado, Kimbrel, Beachy, Medlen and possibly McCann. Not exactly sure how they plan on fitting those under the budget restraints even with the flexibility you stated they have this coming offseason if they spend at will by resigning Bourn and acquiring the other needs.
phil
September 18th, 2012
3:24 pm
Dave isn’t really back….
He just scanned in the quotes from those guys, hit send and hopped back on his bike after a quick stop by Wal-Mart….
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
3:27 pm
Tumbledown, the Braves’ tiebreaker for home field in a wild card playoff game vis-a-vis the Cardinals is 7. But ties for the second wild card are broken with a one-game playoff. So the magic number to make the playoffs vis-a-vis the Cardinals is 8.
cricket
September 18th, 2012
3:28 pm
McCann’s back, Prado at SS, and Constanza joy!
i’m just glad Rev is not there
seriously tho, is simmons ok? why is prado at SS?
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
3:28 pm
Yunel suspended three games. Like anyone cares. He probably appreciates the days off.
cricket
September 18th, 2012
3:31 pm
He probably appreciates the days off.
may be not if unpaid
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
3:31 pm
Constanze in left.
Good grief. Like gum on a shoe, you just can’t get rid of that ****.
raleighbravefan
September 18th, 2012
3:32 pm
Marriage is tough. The travel schedule (absence from home) for an MLBer makes it a lot tougher. Celebrity status also complicates things. It’s a wonder a lot more pro athletes don’t have failed marriages.
Sopheee
September 18th, 2012
3:34 pm
‘teen ‘teen at short? No me gusta.
raleighbravefan
September 18th, 2012
3:38 pm
Careful, scoots. You are risking the wrath of the Georgiephiles. They will hunt you down. You may need to change your name, like our friend from VA did.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
3:38 pm
Yunel deserves his fate of rotting away in almost complete obscurity in Canada. I laugh every time I think of him getting his paycheck with Canadian taxes taken out of it.
Have another helping of poutine, Yunel.
the truth...
September 18th, 2012
3:39 pm
Glavine and Smoltz also went down the divorce road, like many of us I suspect.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
3:40 pm
Braves lineup: Bourn cf, Prado ss, Heyward rf, Jones 3b, Freeman 1b, Uggla 2b, McCann c, Constanza lf, Maholm p
Sopheee
September 18th, 2012
3:42 pm
scoots can take ‘em all. Give ‘em hell.
the truth...
September 18th, 2012
3:42 pm
DOB….why Simmons down? he just had 2 months off then 2 days last week?
cricket
September 18th, 2012
3:42 pm
DOB – any idea why simmons is not in? hope he’s ok health wise.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
3:44 pm
Yunel’s punishment’s too short. Give him Melky’s punishment.
‘teen ‘teen at short? No me gusta.
Co-sign. Where’s the Rev?
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
3:44 pm
You just discribed several ways that flexibility will be eaten up, including raises, arbitration, and options. Not to mention the holes that will need to be filled. I’m not exactly sure how you come up with backwards when the team could possibly acquire a CFer that would be under team control for several years at a very minimium salary
Perhaps this will clear it up for you… The team has a minimum of $20M or a maximum of $35M to spend this off-season and no long term commitments to any players save 1.
Given that fact, how do you describe this team as having limited funds or “budget restraints”? They have more financial flexibility than any other team in the majors this off-season.
If the team wants to acquire a platoon CF on the cheap, fine. But if that is the path they choose, it is decidedly not because they are financially constrained.
Not exactly sure how they plan on fitting those under the budget restraints even with the flexibility you stated they have this coming offseason if they spend at will by resigning Bourn and acquiring the other needs.
Out of curiosity, could you explain to me what you believe the salary structure would be for young player contract extensions? Let’s start with an assumption that they extend Freeman, Heyward, Prado and Kimbrel. How do you think those contract extensions for each player will look?
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
3:45 pm
Last 9 Starts of the Starting 9
_________AVG__OBP__SLG___OPS_wOBA_L9S9+
Bourn__ .135 .220 .162 0.382 .188 ___10
Prado__ .405 .421 .432 0.853 .397 __144
Heyward .222 .282 .417 0.699 .303 ___98
Chipper .258 .361 .258 0.619 .280 ___78
Freeman .303 .368 .515 0.884 .357 __150
Uggla__ .333 .474 .500 0.974 .434 __178
McCann_ .219 .257 .438 0.695 .291 ___96
Biff___ .200 .294 .233 0.527 .231 ___52
Maholm_ .105 .105 .105 0.211 .090 __-40
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
3:49 pm
Yunel is wasting talent. Every once in a generation you get talented guys who are fine examples of intangibles jacking up a career. Once in every 4 generations you get a Meltdown Bradley
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
3:49 pm
Prado, Freeman, and Uggla the only guys looking great lately. Chipper’s done okay. But Biff! The MVP! Geez.
Tami
September 18th, 2012
3:50 pm
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
3:12 pm
To be honest with you, I’ll probably make a trip down to spring training at some point,” he [Chipper] said.
I don’t know if Chipper wants a formal role with the Braves at some point. But I’ve always thought that Chipper would make a superior roving hitting instructor. I think Braves’ prospects would really benefit from Chipper’s instruction.
Ditto! So many folks, inside MLB and fans alike, agree!
Threadkiller
September 18th, 2012
3:51 pm
Don’t let Shaun read this!
Bowa told host Chris Russo that he met general manager Jeff Luhnow and Crane in the process. Bowa sees value in Luhnow’s sabermetric approach but told Russo that there’s more to the game than the numbers can tell you
phil
September 18th, 2012
3:52 pm
RIP Steve Sabol…
AZBravoFan
September 18th, 2012
3:54 pm
Nice to see Eovaldi’s numbers on first pitches. Look for a big day from Freeman!
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
3:58 pm
How do you think those contract extensions for each player will look?
How exactly would I know what they would agree on, hard to say since we don’t know length. I mean you keep stating that we have no long term commitments to any players save 1 but do you seriously believe they are going to allow everyone else to walk? Just because we don’t necessarily have someone signed to a long term contract doesn’t mean we don’t have long term commitments or desires to keep them around. Who are you expecting not to be back next season? Or better yet, after next season?
In my opinion, what good is it to use this year’s flex when it handicaps you from keeping our young core of players? I’d rather the team not look at this offseason as a time to just spend.. but a time to spend wisely looking past just this coming next season.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
4:04 pm
keithlaw @keithlaw
Yes, HE says that. RT @kwakaryk: Via Shi Davidi, “Yunel says his gay friends not offended, different understanding in Latin for the word”
Yunel, Yunel…. sigh. And besides, I thought he spoke Spanish, not Latin
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
4:05 pm
I don’t know much about him but Mike Rowe seems like an interesting guy.
Donald Trump on the other hand, well I know way too much about him and he is decidedly uninteresting. I will be so happy when NBC cancels that stupid show of his so that their affiliates like CNBC will not have to interview him any more. I mean why else would they treat him as if he were a serious person or as if his opinion carried any weight.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
4:08 pm
but do you seriously believe they are going to allow everyone else to walk?
That really is an irrelevant point. Let any one walk? You understand right? That when there are no contracts committed to in future years, it leaves open a door of financial flexibility. Take the opposite view, the Dodgers have limited financial flexibility this winter what, with nearly $200M committed to payroll already.
Why do I ask you about the structure of the extensions? Because your hysteria over payroll restraints seems to be based on a strange view that any and all contract extensions will take away from the money they have available this off-season… Why would the team sign a player to an extension and in so doing, vastly over pay what they would have paid them without the extension? A contract extension for a young player is about the team assuming the risk so the player has stability. Extend Heyward. His first years of his contract will be in line with what he would have received without an extension… possibly even less. Any FA years covered in the extension will be at higher values. It’s the way every one of these works.
Now, knowing that, the team has the financial flexibility to extend players, sign whom they choose and go on with life. The biggest pitfall for this team is over paying for a FA player in terms of years.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
4:13 pm
In my opinion, what good is it to use this year’s flex when it handicaps you from keeping our young core of players?
I don’t think signing a player this off-season, within reason of course, is going to handicap keeping the young guys around.
Give Bourn $18M a year for 7 years, and the rotation is going to be neglected real fast. But if they can sign a player for 4 years, 5 years max… It will have no impact on contract extensions. It will not be until at least 4 years out when those extensions start having high values.
Put another way, they will not be extending Heyward this off-season so they can pay him $10M next season. I want Heyward to stick around, but there is no reason for paying him more than he’d make in arbitration.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
4:17 pm
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
#Braves SS Simmons out of lineup with sore left shoulder after diving for ball Monday.
Wuss…..
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
4:22 pm
Bowa sees value in Luhnow’s sabermetric approach but told Russo that there’s more to the game than the numbers can tell you
Ah, Bo is just some old dinosaur geezer, whaddya expect?
scoots can take ‘em all. Give ‘em hell.
Sumbees better pack a lunch, is all I got to say.
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
4:22 pm
Kevin Burkhardt @KBurkhardtSNY
Rain out. Makeup on Thurs night for Mets-Phils
nolie
September 18th, 2012
4:23 pm
the onliest baseball players who ain’t wusses is catchers
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
4:23 pm
the Dodgers have limited financial flexibility this winter what, with nearly $200M committed to payroll already.
You seriously see a $200m budget as limited? Personally, I see the $85m buget that the Braves are subject to as a limited budget.
That when there are no contracts committed to in future years, it leaves open a door of financial flexibility.
Heyward, Freeman, Kimbrel, Venters, Hanson, Beachy, Medlen and the list goes on… just because the team does not have contracts committed to these players does not mean they don’t get paid and I’d also bet the team is committed to trying to keep this players into the future.
that any and all contract extensions will take away from the money they have available this off-season
That’s exactly what it does, but as I stated before, whoever you sign to an extended contract is going to affect you past just this offseason and I’d rather be in position where we could retain our present young players rather than see one of them walk because we decided we had all of this payroll space next season and signed Bourn for 6 years at 16 million a year, which left us no room for them.
That really is an irrelevant point.
Pretty much sense this whole debate started over the fact that I stated I’d like to see them acquire Gentry who I think would be a great addition in CF, plus allow us to go big on another position.
cricket
September 18th, 2012
4:24 pm
slide leading with feet..dive on right shoulder..Fredi is clearly not emphasizing basics..
Heisenberg
September 18th, 2012
4:25 pm
- tp
*********************************
If you could buy out a 3 or more years of free agency, it would justify a slight overpay early in the contract. The young player gets a bonus and more money now in exchange the club get longer control at a lower cost on the end of the deal. This is what Cubs did with Castro. Everybody wins – except Scott Boras.
Yes Way Josè
September 18th, 2012
4:25 pm
Simmons is soft.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
4:26 pm
I want Heyward to stick around, but there is no reason for paying him more than he’d make in arbitration.
I never indicated anything different.
smallmouth6
September 18th, 2012
4:26 pm
Glad to see Constanza in the lineup. People who actually pay attention to the game know he brings lots of assets.
cricket
September 18th, 2012
4:28 pm
this is insane – Matt Bryant: The Alligator Whisperer
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2012/09/15/matt-bryant-the-alligator-whisperer/
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
4:31 pm
the onliest baseball players who ain’t wusses is catchers
Maybe so, but only pitchers are pretty.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
4:32 pm
And I’m not exactly sure how having a CFer who won’t be a free agent until 2017 is a bad thing, specially if he fits your needs.. great defense, great baserunning skills, great speed, very good .obp, right handed
RC
September 18th, 2012
4:32 pm
the Dodgers have limited financial flexibility this winter what, with nearly $200M committed to payroll already.
You seriously see a $200m budget as limited? Personally, I see the $85m buget that the Braves are subject to as a limited budget.
I think the key word in that first statement is “flexibility”. It doesn’t matter if you have a $1 billion budget, if you’ve already spent $999 million of it, you would have limited financial “flexibility”.
cricket
September 18th, 2012
4:32 pm
blog contest – point out number of assets georgie brings to today’s game and win a kissed bat
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
4:33 pm
and win a kissed bat
That’s “licked” bat, cricket, “licked”!
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
4:35 pm
great defense, great baserunning skills, great speed, very good .obp, right handed
AT, I have to say, I don’t know how a 28-year-old, in-his-prime player with that skillset has managed to go unnoticed.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
4:38 pm
Glad to see Constanza in the lineup. People who actually pay attention to the game know he brings lots of assets.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
4:38 pm
blog contest – point out number of assets georgie brings to today’s game and win a kissed bat
1. Every time I read his name I think of George Constanza and “shrimp store” episode
2. I also hear, in my head, “there was shrinkage!” every time he comes up to bat
3. It makes scoots mad whenever he starts, and I think that’s kinda funny, although I can’t explain why
4. Despite having questionable MLB-level skills, the team seems to win when he plays
cricket
September 18th, 2012
4:38 pm
darn it scoots, looks like i start at -1..
this is what happens when one is actually working while posting nonsense here..
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
4:39 pm
I’m not exactly sure how having a CFer who won’t be a free agent until 2017 is a bad thing
Who said he was. I am merely pointing out that acquiring that platoon player is not a necessity born of financial restraints.
“The Dodgers have limited financial flexibility this winter what, with nearly $200M committed to payroll already.”
You seriously see a $200m budget as limited
Actually, what I said was “The Dodgers have limited financial flexibility this winter.” Let’s rephrase this so you can understand it: The Dodgers have committed 99% of their 2013 payroll already… leaving them little room to do anything major this winter. i.e. the Dodgers have limited financial flexibility this winter.
RC
September 18th, 2012
4:42 pm
1. Every time I read his name I think of George Constanza and “shrimp store” episode
2. I also hear, in my head, “there was shrinkage!” every time he comes up to bat
3. It makes scoots mad whenever he starts, and I think that’s kinda funny, although I can’t explain why
4. Despite having questionable MLB-level skills, the team seems to win when he plays
His presence in the lineup, if in place of Jason Heyward, causes Shaun to flip out and start blowing circuits like the computer at the end of “War Games”.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
4:42 pm
ncscoots, one way is.. he played through his entire college career plus had TJ surgery along the way. That kinda helps you fly under the radar.
REMLEY
September 18th, 2012
4:42 pm
As Sinatra once sang the “days dwindle down to a precious few”. Gonna miss Chipper badly.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
4:42 pm
I never indicated anything different.
Excellent. Then you agree that the team can sign a player this off-season and still have the flexibility to extend the young players they wish… In short, you would agree that there is no budget restraint this offseason.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
4:42 pm
Dempster and Malholm on the bump tonight. I hope the Rangers flame out this postseason only appropriate that the baseball God’s don’t reward my boy Dempster for waffling at the trade line. Still, get past the WC game would have been huge seeing Dempster in a Braves uniform taking the ball for Game 2. Malholm is a recipe for disaster if he pitches in playoffs.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
4:43 pm
It makes scoots mad whenever he starts, and I think that’s kinda funny, although I can’t explain why
I’m always happy to provide you with entertainment, Murph. Indeed, I live for it. It saddens me that a ML baseball field has to be defiled by the presence of Constanza to do it, though.
Yes Way Josè
September 18th, 2012
4:45 pm
Let Bourn walk next season and make Georgie the everyday CF. He’s such a catalyst and asset.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
4:46 pm
His presence in the lineup, if in place of Jason Heyward, causes Shaun to flip out and start blowing circuits like the computer at the end of “War Games”.
I’d start a ballgirl instead of Constanza, so replacing an actual major leaguer with him is bound to get some negative reaction, LOL.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
4:47 pm
Let Bourn walk next season and make Georgie the everyday CF
Sorry, he makes even Craig Gentry look good.
cricket
September 18th, 2012
4:48 pm
Murph leads with 4 but RC is emotional favorite leading to vivid picture of Shaun-bot blowing his circuitry
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
4:49 pm
Couple easy games the next two nights one way or the other. Give Kimmie some rest so he can put the nail in the Philly coffin this weekend with a couple of saves.
Braves better play these weekend games like they are the ones chasing down a wildcard berth.
Bobby Hill
September 18th, 2012
4:49 pm
I think its fair to say that because the team has very few long term financial commitments that the team holds a great deal of financial flexibility, but that does not necessarily equate to “money to spend.”
Most of the next year’s payroll has already bee earmarked for players currently on the roster, even if contracts haven’t actually been extended yet. Its possible that the team may be able to save a little money by extending guys like Heyward, Freeman, Kimbrel, etc, just as the team did with McCann years ago. But lets not forget that the Braves offered the same extension to Frenchy. How would that have worked out?
You can’t pretend that signing a couple of these guys long term wouldn’t effect the way the team addresses their other needs. None of these decisions is made in a vaccuum.
REMLEY
September 18th, 2012
4:50 pm
Bobby sure knew how to judge human nature, he new Yunel was going to be a cancer in the clubhouse.
cricket
September 18th, 2012
4:50 pm
i was going to say that all these comments pretty much ensure that georgie is going to hit for cycle today..but couldn’t say it
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
4:50 pm
Murph leads with 4 but RC is emotional favorite
Yes, RC making up ground via the audience vote.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
4:50 pm
Simmons has a sore left shoulder from landing on it when he made diving play up the middle last night. Day-to-day.
REMLEY
September 18th, 2012
4:52 pm
Hurry back Simmons!
AZBravoFan
September 18th, 2012
4:52 pm
DOB, do you see any reason to put Hinske on the post-season roster at this point? He looks completely lost at the plate, and we can’t even start him to get some AB’s because he’s such a liability in the field now. Maybe you could make a case for having him on the WS roster to DH, but even then it’s a stretch. Love the guy but looks like he’s going to fall victim to Fredi’s new “sense of urgency” managing style. (which I like) Bobby would probably still be running him out there.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
4:52 pm
In short, you would agree that there is no budget restraint this offseason.
Did I directly say we had budget restraints “this” offseason? Or just in general?
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
4:54 pm
Dodgers have $193 million already committed to guaranteed contracts for the 2013 season. This does not include 1st year arbitration to AJ Ellis and minimum salaried contracts.
If they do sign a guy like Zack Greinke this offseason, I’d bet that contract is backloaded.
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
4:55 pm
Wonder if Eovaldi will stick to his own scouting report for this game, “Eovaldi gets in trouble with command. He has 42 walks in 99 1/3 innings”
if the Braves are as patient with this guy as they were with Gio, could be a long night for him
cricket
September 18th, 2012
4:57 pm
forget post-season roster, set up play-in game roster first. it can be different from post-season roster.
RC
September 18th, 2012
4:57 pm
Dodgers have $193 million already committed to guaranteed contracts for the 2013 season. This does not include 1st year arbitration to AJ Ellis and minimum salaried contracts.
But on the plus side for the Dodgers, Andruw Jones comes off the books in 3 more years!
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
4:57 pm
i was going to say that all these comments pretty much ensure that georgie is going to hit for cycle today..but couldn’t say it
The scary part is that, once he’s between the lines, I root as hard for him to be successful as I do for everybody else. I might have to hurl after I do it, but I still root for him.
(Writing out the nasty emails to Fredo for putting him in is cathartic, too. I can always throw them away. Maybe.)
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
4:57 pm
The Dodgers have committed 99% of their 2013 payroll already
Really, they’ve shared with you personally what their restraints are?
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
4:59 pm
RIP Steve Sabol. Can’t say enough good things about his contributions to the NFL. NFL Films is incredible.
RC
September 18th, 2012
5:00 pm
One more awesome Dodgers note – they have $89.964 million committed in the year 2017. To 4 outfielders and a 1st baseman.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
5:02 pm
Sorry, he makes even Craig Gentry look good.
ncscoots, always the antagonizer.
RC
September 18th, 2012
5:02 pm
if the Braves are as patient with this guy as they were with Gio, could be a long night for him
Or, more preferably, a really, really short night. Like 2-3 innings short.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
5:02 pm
Really, they’ve shared with you personally what their restraints are?
You didn’t ask me, but I do not see them going too much higher than 200 million.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
5:05 pm
You didn’t ask me, but I do not see them going too much higher than 200 million.
So no Greinke? That’d be 1 heavily back-loaded deal to keep them under 200mil. Not that I think he’s going to the Dodgers anyway…
cricket
September 18th, 2012
5:05 pm
It was just announced that the Blue Jays have suspended Yunel Escobar for three games over his anti-gay eye black. Escobar will also participate in a sensitivity training program “in accordance with the Toronto Blue Jays and Major League Baseball.” The punishment was agreed upon between the Blue Jays, the union and Major League Baseball.
.
.
Escobar made a statement at the outset: via a translator, which made it a little disjointed, here are the highlights of his statement:
“I’m sorry for the actions of the other day … it’s not something I intended to be offensive … it’s just something I put on the sticker on my face … it was nothing intentional directed at anyone in particular. ”I have friends who are gay,” I have nothing against homosexuals … I am sorry what will happen and it will never happen again in my career. It is a lesson I have learned … I didn’t mean for this to be misinterpreted by the gay community. I apologize.”
cricket
September 18th, 2012
5:08 pm
Not that I think he’s going to the Dodgers anyway…
he’s not coming to ATL, that’s for sure
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
5:08 pm
52% ground ball pitcher and we have the two best defensive shortstops in the NL… which one plays? Neither. Constanza’s an asset though.
Bay Area Steve
September 18th, 2012
5:17 pm
Any person who apologizes for some sort of comment about a specific group, using “I have friends who are (specific group),” makes me think the opposite is true, and think even worse about their original indiscretion.
Though, I do have friends who are indiscrete. So, I don’t know where that leaves me. It’s all very confusing.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
5:19 pm
a 327 career MLB OBP is “GREAT” ?? Really???????
nolie
September 18th, 2012
5:21 pm
I have friends who are (specific group),” makes me think the opposite is true, and think even worse about their original indiscretion….BAS
but… I have friends who are ex-baseball players so it’s ok if I insult players here, right???
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:22 pm
I can’t believe we traded Yunel! He has sooooooo much talent……….
What a guy.
Bay Area Steve
September 18th, 2012
5:24 pm
You’d never apologize for your insults, so wouldn’t apply to you, noles.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
5:25 pm
such insight
nolie
September 18th, 2012
5:30 pm
he has defensive talent anyway
CB
September 18th, 2012
5:32 pm
14 games left. Wouldn’t it be nice to run the board? Nothing is impossible for those who believe.
Heisenberg
September 18th, 2012
5:34 pm
When I lived in Florida, my group of friends included Lebanese, Cuban, Spanish, Swedish, Jewish, African-American, and WASPs. I can have a field day insulting all kinds of people know that I know it is OK if you have friends that are of the group you are insulting.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:34 pm
Has the Braves PR department sent out a memo on how to scoreboard watch these days?
Root for the Cardinals to keep the Phillies out of WC slot?
Root for the Brewers because no southpaw could shut us down?
Root for the Dodgers and hope their no name pitching staff somehow gets in?
Hell with it, I will be at Turner Field on Friday night the 5th watching revenge exacted against the Redbirds.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
5:34 pm
Sorry about all the derogatory stuff I said about Scott Proctor last season… I have friends who are Proctors, and they didn’t seem offended.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:35 pm
“he has defensive talent anyway”
So does Janish
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
5:35 pm
Teddy Cahill @tedcahill
RT @washingnats: The game between the #Nats and #Dodgers has been postponed. The teams will play a doubleheader on Wednesday at 4:05 p.m.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
5:36 pm
14 games left. Wouldn’t it be nice to run the board? Nothing is impossible for those who believe.
Yes, that would be nice. But at this point, 7-7 might just do the trick – unless we’re still hoping the Nats stumble (cross your fingers).
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
5:36 pm
14 games left. Wouldn’t it be nice to run the board? Nothing is impossible for those who believe.
Aye, that’s the spirit!
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:37 pm
guess that should be enacted
monty
September 18th, 2012
5:37 pm
Murph- “Sorry about all the derogatory stuff I said about Scott Proctor last season…”
Bully !
Tumbledown
September 18th, 2012
5:38 pm
I believe! I believe!!
AZBravoFan
September 18th, 2012
5:38 pm
Forget that Frankie, how about being there on Sat. the 6th as we exact our revenge on the Redbirds after they take out the Nats in the play-in game…
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:39 pm
Braves sweep the Fish and someway somehow Kemp delivers huge tomorrow night. Braves out 3 games going into weekend.
Yeah c’mon
CB
September 18th, 2012
5:39 pm
Jeff R, I was referring to catching Nats. I believe they will stumble with tough schedule left.
AZBravoFan
September 18th, 2012
5:41 pm
Actually, I take that back. In that scenario we got Cincy coming in or we’re going to SF for Game 1.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:41 pm
“Forget that Frankie, how about being there on Sat. the 6th as we exact our revenge on the Redbirds after they take out the Nats in the play-in game…”
Even better! How do I get my refund for Friday tixs!
Tumbledown
September 18th, 2012
5:41 pm
A successful and revenge-filled playoff run would include wins over the Cardinals and the Yankees in the World Series!!
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
5:42 pm
@ncscoots……I have long wondered what motivates a guy like you, scoots. In a plea for the benefit of aspiring baseball bloggers, I ask, what is it–what fuels your motor guy?
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
5:42 pm
@ncscoots……I have long wondered what motivates a guy like you, scoots. In a plea for the benefit of aspiring baseball bloggers, I ask, what is it–what fuels your motor guy?
Trader Jack
September 18th, 2012
5:42 pm
The Dodgers payroll could hit $250 mil next season, and they wouldn’t even break a sweat
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:45 pm
Start to feel extremely confident with this team when they start putting teams away. Last night a good offensive team adds on and double digits when leading 6-0 early. Two more weeks to build MO and click offensively and become a solid team in all facets of the game.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
5:46 pm
MAHOLM on the bump. Get SHEETS and C-MART ready. One of them needs to go in after three with the other to follow after six.
Dum-Bass
September 18th, 2012
5:47 pm
Gnats/Dodgers already postponed tonight. Too bad! Poor babies. No wiggle room in that brutal 16 day schedule, with no days off. Gotta play a DH tomorrow. All they need is another game postponed this week, which could happen, and they are in deep doo doo! Miss Karma may be showing up already.
Tumbledown
September 18th, 2012
5:48 pm
Frankie – Both the Braves and the Falcons scuffled after building big leads. For some worried, I am more worried about the Falcons though.
Tumbledown
September 18th, 2012
5:48 pm
reason instead of worried (good grief)
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:49 pm
Mike Minor starting Game 2 of the NLDS isn’t making me sleep comfortably yet. Nice story but he can totally wet himself in that situation. Will be a home game at least I believe. That will help some.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
5:50 pm
Thanks for the article DOB. Some obviously sincere comments from OZZIE GUILLEN about CHIPPER. Good read. Good to learn a bit from his words and see OZZIE is not just a crazy hired to hype the gate in CHICAGO and MIAMI either.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:51 pm
Tumbledown- yeah good win but best part is that it’s September only. 4th quarter 3 and out won’t do it come December. Running game is a concern and will see some new opportunities this weekend. TOUGH day for the big boy in the backfield. Well tough night during and after the game that is.
Tumbledown
September 18th, 2012
5:52 pm
Let us hope that: (1) Minor gets the chance to wet himself in Game Two of the NLDS; and (2) he does not wet himself in said game.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
5:52 pm
@ncscoots……I have long wondered what motivates a guy like you, scoots. In a plea for the benefit of aspiring baseball bloggers, I ask, what is it–what fuels your motor guy?
Metamucil
ChipperisGod
September 18th, 2012
5:52 pm
Smart of Fredi to rest Andy. There is absolutely no reason to risk him getting injured. Let him rest that shoulder for a day or two, and he’ll be ready to hopefully play tomorrow or start in Philly. Hope Mac is back for good now. Looking for Paul to bounce back tonight, and looking for the offense to hopefully keep rolling.
Good time to be an Atlanta sports fan! How about those birds last night!
Go Braves/Falcons!
Heisenberg
September 18th, 2012
5:53 pm
Braves have 2 off days coming up. There were 2 viable options laid out yesterday that would have Medlen/Hudson pitching first 2 playoff games whether the first was WC or NLDS. If a couple bozos on this blog can figure that out, Fredi certainly better be able to. I mean no offense to bozos – I have friends that are bozos.
Tumbledown
September 18th, 2012
5:55 pm
The Falcons need to move away from Turner as the primary back. They always seem to coast in the fourth quarter. That lack of urgency has come back to haunt them in the playoffs. As for the Braves, I remain cautiously optimistic. Having a closer like Kimbrell provides a bit of comfort at the end of games.
Dum-Bass
September 18th, 2012
5:56 pm
Somebody on the blog yesterday said there is no day in between the wildcard game and the first game of the NLDS, but there is. Wildcard game is on Friday the 5th and first day of NLDS is Sunday, the 7th.
That means Meddog could pitch the WC game, miss just the first two home games of the NLDS, and start the third game on Wed. the 10th with 4 days rest. That would be the first game in Washington(most likely) and would be very important.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
5:56 pm
nolie
September 18th, 2012
5:21 pm
“…..//I have friends who are (specific group),” makes me think the opposite is true, and think even worse about their original indiscretion….BAS
but… I have friends who are ex-baseball players so it’s ok if I insult players here, right???…….”
Chuckle. Evidently.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
5:57 pm
Yep, Meds goes game 3 in the NLDS. And yes he will have the opportunity to pitch in that series.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
5:59 pm
ChipperisGod:
What…..no love for some HAWKS?
AZBravoFan
September 18th, 2012
6:01 pm
Tumbledown – revenge wouldn’t be quite as sweet without LaRussa’s smug mug in the opposing dugout.
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:06 pm
eric (miami)
Do you see the Braves winning their one game wild card game whether its against the Cardinals or Dodgers?
David Schoenfield (1:33 PM)
With Medlen likely going, I think they’d be the favorite. But anything can happen, of course, and if you’re facing a Clayton Kershaw, it’s not much more than 50/50. But the Braves are the best team of the three.
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
6:06 pm
@Murph……………”Motivation factor re: ncscoot,”
……….”metamucil,” hey, is that knida like: ‘metaworldpeace?’
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:07 pm
Adam (Toronto)
Is Kris Medlen legit? His changeup is devastating, but with a pitcher his size, is he ready to come back down to earth or can he be a top end starter going forward?
David Schoenfield (1:37 PM)
I don’t see why not. Lincecum has been a successful starter despite his short stature. Baseball people will say they’ll worry about injuries, but that’s true for any pitcher. Not saying he’ll be a Halladay-like workhorse, but I’d be comfortable leaving him in the rotation next year for 200 innings.
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:09 pm
billy (vegas) [via mobile]
If the braves dont resign bourn, then who do they go after in free agency or make a trade with. they seem to have a bunch of pitching depth
David Schoenfield (2:12 PM)
There are a lot of outfielders in this free agent market. Bourn, Hamilton, B.J. Upton, Melky, Victorino, Swisher, Angel Pagan. So if they let go Bourn go, I could see them going after a less-expensive option like Pagan.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:09 pm
Chris will have an epic fail crash. Bank on it!!!
or not….
Fols
September 18th, 2012
6:10 pm
Yeah but I don’t want the clean Melky….that guy is not half the man the HGH version is!
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:11 pm
Pagan? Oh my…
Nova Scotia Steve
September 18th, 2012
6:16 pm
I believe this is the best quote from DOB’s blog and it belongs to Ozzie Guillen (Not surprised).
“He grew up in the era when baseball was a little dirty and he did it the right way.’’
Dum-Bass
September 18th, 2012
6:16 pm
“Angel” Pagan, the only oxymoronic MLB player there is.
Long time fan
September 18th, 2012
6:18 pm
Everything looks good for now. One last shot at the division but the wild card is in the bag. Of course that will be handled when we are six up with five to play or something like that.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:20 pm
anybody who uses oxy is a moron….
Dum-Bass
September 18th, 2012
6:24 pm
That could be true, but only if used inappropriately. Used correctly it’s a “lifesaver”.
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
6:25 pm
I guess when he gets on base–the fans are uplifted…..and when he fails to reach [makes outs]–the fans are again blinded and downcast….this somehow sounds so unique, ahem, his name is Angel Pagan.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:25 pm
plus you can coordinate the colors with your wardrobe
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:27 pm
I guess we could do worse than Pagan
Murph
September 18th, 2012
6:29 pm
Pagan is one of the most underrated CF out there… given that he’ll (hopefully) cost less than Bourn will while providing similar production (with 1/3 less K’s)… seems like exactly the kind of player the Braves need to hit leadoff and man CF for a few years.
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
6:30 pm
What does mlb do if washington gets a rain out they cannot make up? Normally, you’d play those games at the end of the season if it would make a difference. It would be funny if Washington had to play a game to see if they would be in a tie with Atlanta for the division lead. Lost that game and played Atlanta. Lost that game and had to play a play-in game. Won that game and had to play the first game of the NLDS.
They could end up playing 20 games in a row (counting first two games of NLDS).
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:34 pm
I much rather see what it would take to get Peter Bourjos. Cause he’s one of the best defenders in the game and is still young and can improve with the bat. Angel Pagan is a solid hitter with average defense, but I still see him getting 5 to 7 million a season possibly on a 2 or 3 year deal.
I say for filling CF, defense should be priority. Add offense in LF. Also were paying Uggla to produce and McCann is most likely gonna get that 12 million option. They have to do better than they have been, end of story. That’s what it really comes down too. Imagine if Uggla and McCann were having normal seasons, we’d be in 1st place in the East.
Dum-Bass
September 18th, 2012
6:35 pm
One player with the most unique name of all time is Skye Bolt. He is from GA and ended up going to UNC after being drafted by the Nationals. With a name like that he has to end up with the Braves. Maybe a trade with the Gnats after he finishes college and signs with them.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
6:38 pm
Bourjos is sporting a sub .300 OBP this season. That scares me.
I s’pose you could bat Prado or Simmons leadoff and bury Bourjos at 8th, hoping he doesn’t hurt the team too much with his offense.
I’d rather use the prospects on a trade for a proven LF power bat, spend the $7 or 8mil it’ll take to get Pagan, and use whatever is left to chase that coveted “top of the rotation” arm that everyone wants.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
6:42 pm
Or… use the prospects to land Headley, keep Prado in LF, sign Pagan, chase SP.
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:44 pm
Bourjos isn’t getting much playing time this season…
In 2011 they gave him 552 PAs
271/327/438/765 26 Doubles, 11 Triples, 12 HR, 22 SB with Top Tier Defense.
Ken Stallings
September 18th, 2012
6:45 pm
David,
It might be a good question to pose to Fredi Gonzalez tonight. But, looking at the remaining regular season schedule and the fact that the Wild Card play-in game is scheduled for October 5th, it means the Braves need only do one small tweak to their rotation to have Kris Medlen perfectly timed for that play-in game.
The Braves have an off day scheduled on 24 September (their last scheduled off day). If the Braves leveraged that off day, they could adjust the rotation to have Medlen pitch on the 25 September home game versus the Marlins. Then, five days later Medlen would pitch his last regular season start on the last home game on 30 September versus the Mets.
Then, Medlen would rest during the last three games at Pittsburgh on 1-3 October. You have an off day on 4 October, and the fifth day comes up on the play-in game on 5 October.
I would hope the Braves are thinking this way, but would be nice to know. Because right now, if no tweak is made, then Maholm pitches on that 25 September game and Medlen would have only four days of rest before pitching the 5 October play-in game.
ncbravesfan90
September 18th, 2012
6:45 pm
I wonder how they feel about the Nats game being postponed in Washington now, rain has cleared the Metro area and 30 minutes before scheduled first pitch. That’s why you always wait as long as possible before making a decision, never can go by forecasts and especially future radars…..
Kat
September 18th, 2012
6:47 pm
Thanks for the new DOB blog David; appreciate the good read before the game as always!
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:48 pm
I’d take Gentry over Bourjos, I have a feeling he will never hit all that much
per Bill James site
top 10 CFers
Michael Trout +36
Michael Bourn +35
Bryce Harper +25
Denard Span +24
Justin Maxwell +16
Eric Young Jr. +13
Cameron Maybin +13
Peter Bourjos +13
Lorenzo Cain +13
Craig Gentry +13
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:48 pm
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
However, #Dodgers’ Kershaw will be not be allowed to pitch if he continues to have hip pain. Re-starting his throwing program today.
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
#Dodgers announce that Kershaw has impingement of right hip. Can continue to pitch if pain allows without doing further damage…
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:49 pm
I like Pagan cause overall he’s a really solid player, but I do believe he’s playing a bit over his head this season. But definitely a the type of player that will fit for us mainly cause of price.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
6:51 pm
I don’t know if the Angels are going to be willing to give Bourjos up for anything less than a king’s ransom… Hunter is old and entering into free agency… should he leave the Angels are going to need Bourjos in their OF.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:52 pm
Pagan is at an OPS+ of 122 this season, he also had a 122 in 2009 though in a shorter season. last year was his worst by a good bit since he started playing regularly
Kat
September 18th, 2012
6:52 pm
On a football note…why would someone be so stupid to say that, even if they were thinking it, man why would you say that. Shaking me head..
Replacement ref reportedly told LeSean McCoy, ‘I need you for my fantasy team!’
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/replacement-ref-reportedly-told-lesean-mccoy-fantasy-team-143558559–nfl.html
Murph
September 18th, 2012
6:53 pm
Trade for Headley, move Heyward to CF, sign Hunter to a 2 year deal to play RF, keep Prado in LF.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
6:54 pm
unless he is hurt the Angels sure aren’t playing him much
Felix
September 18th, 2012
6:56 pm
I hope Chipper always stays a part of the Braves. A no doubt first ballot HOF. I would love to see him as our hitting coach.
Chipper bashers can go stuff it!
Felix
September 18th, 2012
6:56 pm
I hope Chipper always stays a part of the Braves. A no doubt first ballot HOF. I would love to see him as our hitting coach.
Chipper bashers can go stuff it!
cowdogit
September 18th, 2012
6:56 pm
Easy win tonight, When Constanza’s in the starting lineup the braves win three out of four, With Constanza, Bourn and Heyward, At least one of them will be on base every inning . Stress on their pitcher will cause mistakes.
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
6:56 pm
Headley’s the guy that it would take a king’s ransom to get.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
7:00 pm
Headley’s the guy that it would take a king’s ransom to get.
True true… I like the idea of him at 3B and Prado in LF for the next 2 or 3 years, though.
I don’t know if we even have the prospects it would take to land him anymore… I imagine everyone is available except maybe JR Graham at this point, but even then… would a package built around Teheran be enough? Maybe.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
7:00 pm
Georgie has a pretty poor on base percentage ya know
nolie
September 18th, 2012
7:03 pm
I’ve always been high on Headley but I think he is having a bit of an outlier season this year
nolie
September 18th, 2012
7:05 pm
top 10 SS
Yunel Escobar +27
Brendan Ryan +24
Mike Aviles +18
Andrelton Simmons +17
J.J. Hardy +17
Clint Barmes +17
Zachary Cozart +16
Brandon Crawford +14
Alexei Ramirez +12
Starlin Castro +8
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
7:06 pm
Eovaldi owns us!
Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
Marlins starter Nathan Eovaldi has allowed 10 earned runs over his last 3 starts (16 IP). #Braves
ACE
September 18th, 2012
7:06 pm
All DOBBERS should be sent to the department of redundacy department.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
7:06 pm
Prado, the most versatile and patient Brave, is healthy and finishing strong (knock on wood)
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/18/prado-the-most-versatile-and-patient-brave-finishing-strong/
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
7:08 pm
I am glad that we have Andrelton as our shortstop of the future than Yunel Escobar who really have not been that great with the Blue Jays.
Truth be told is that Yunel has a pretty offensive OBP in .295 this yr. Coupled with his dumb lackadasical play at times (he still has made some doozer of mistakes up in Toronto), he was no big loss.
We have been better off without him.
I have no comment on thelatest action — it does not merit a comment.
I never did like Yunel as a baseball player. I agreed with how Bobby Cox dealt with him when he was here.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
7:09 pm
Agree with Efrim on Steve Sabol — Very unfortunate us football fans have lost him.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
7:09 pm
Same could be said for the DOB bashers.
George_George
September 18th, 2012
7:10 pm
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
4:47 pm
Let Bourn walk next season and make Georgie the everyday CF
Sorry, he makes even Craig Gentry look good.
***************************************************
ncscoots, the thing is the BRAVES had a better winning percentage last year when JOSE C started in CF than when ANY others did including BROUN.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
7:10 pm
This might be the game that Eovaldi gets it together — so stay focused and keep up the good work guys.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
7:11 pm
DOB bashers should be excoriated
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
7:11 pm
Roof’s open here at Marlins Park, first time they’ve played a game with roof open since Boston series June 11-13.
And it’s not exactly comfortable in the sweaty pressbox. Humidity, baby. Whew.
Brava
September 18th, 2012
7:11 pm
Fried Fish for dinner. Yummy!
Go Braves!!!!
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
7:11 pm
yet another K… sigh 18mil!!!
nolie
September 18th, 2012
7:11 pm
totally meaningless coincidence George
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
7:12 pm
I can’t see Heyward playing center everyday.
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
7:12 pm
The whole Constanza deal is a total fluke.
George_George
September 18th, 2012
7:13 pm
DAIVD had a very good main blog on CHIPPER tonight. the man can write, just wish he liked his job enough to work a bit more.
ACE
September 18th, 2012
7:15 pm
Are DOB bashers anyone who should disagree with him or the herd?
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
7:15 pm
Looks like a tough night for the offense against a guy that has struggled lately.
George_George
September 18th, 2012
7:15 pm
nolie
September 18th, 2012
7:11 pm
DOB bashers should be excoriated
************************************
AWW nolie, is that not a little hard?
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
7:15 pm
“The Falcons need to move away from Turner as the primary back. They always seem to coast in the fourth quarter. That lack of urgency has come back to haunt them in the playoffs”
So do you think we should go more with Jacqizz as the primary back????? It might be doable, you never know unless you give him the shot to handle more carries. Turner has given us alot of mileage — he had been a good citizen until this incident. Hope he never does that again ever — even in his post football life.
I am glad no one got hurt or worse.
ACE
September 18th, 2012
7:17 pm
Skip and Buck Belue named to the Georgia Sports HOF
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
7:17 pm
Did I directly say we had budget restraints “this” offseason? Or just in general?
Hard to say really. For the better part of this past year you’ve been stating that the team needed to trade Uggla because of Budget restraints. Or, that Uggla’s contract is prohibitive. Now, when the team has a core of young player, you worry signing a veteran could prohibit keeping those young players.
This year, next year, the year after. This team has plenty of room in the budget without making trades of Uggla, or avoiding a free agency.
George_George
September 18th, 2012
7:17 pm
nolie
September 18th, 2012
7:11 pm
DOB bashers should be excoriated
***************************************
AWW nolie , is that not a lttle hard?
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
7:18 pm
With Constanza, Bourn and Heyward, At least one of them will be on base every inning .
How’s that working out so far?…
George_George
September 18th, 2012
7:19 pm
Sorry double post, blog so slow tonight I did not think the first one got posted.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
7:20 pm
Prado, team’s most versatile and most patient player, is finishing strong…
C’mon DOB. Meds was real patient about the teams use of him and he’s been hyped on his versatility since last off-season… and he’s finishing the season strong. I think there’s a strong challenge to Prado’s title here. ( :
George_George
September 18th, 2012
7:21 pm
ACE
September 18th, 2012
7:17 pm
Skip and Buck Belue named to the Georgia Sports HOF
****************************************************************
GREAT
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
7:22 pm
“Yunel deserves his fate of rotting away in almost complete obscurity in Canada. I laugh every time I think of him getting his paycheck with Canadian taxes taken out of it.”
Yea, but Canada has hockey. NHL > NASCAR & Poker tournaments.
I want my Thrashers back that they took from me.
ACE
September 18th, 2012
7:22 pm
Thanks for showing up George
brian
September 18th, 2012
7:22 pm
man will I miss watching that left handed swing
brian
September 18th, 2012
7:24 pm
DOB – you made a great post on the previous blog (and unlike for some here it comes as no surprise to me) about extended certain Braves.
Have you heard anything from the front office about possible extension on these young Braves?
George_George
September 18th, 2012
7:24 pm
ACE
September 18th, 2012
7:22 pm
You are very welcome ACE.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
7:26 pm
Chipper has handled this retirement tour with as much class as anyone I can think of.
And, he is still playing at a very good level and having fun doing it.
I hope I handle the end of my working days having as much fun as he is.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
7:27 pm
That is right George — what is it with the blog that you hit the submit comment button and it hangs for a minute or so.
The submit comment button deserves to be Booed. It is acting BUMB tonight.
mjn99
September 18th, 2012
7:28 pm
Just looked at the schedule and the Nats last nine games are 6 with the phillies and 3 with the cards. If the Braves can get within 3 by then, I really think they have a shot at the division.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
7:30 pm
We need to keep Uggla around for next yr cause I think he responds as the Uggla of his Marlin days.
I do not believe he is done — there is something left.
Who is going to be the muscle man in the lineup to help Freddie and Jey Hey out.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
7:30 pm
The blog is fine but what is with it with the submit comment button lately????
brian
September 18th, 2012
7:33 pm
Maholm looking sharp so far tonight. I hope he keps his command
George_George
September 18th, 2012
7:34 pm
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
7:30 pm
The blog is fine but what is with it with the submit comment button lately????
*************************************************************************************
It is just very slow posting blogs, seems it started being slow after bolg was down for a few hours about a week ago.
brian
September 18th, 2012
7:34 pm
the rest for BMAC’s hamstring has to help his shoulder
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
7:35 pm
Still do not get the hate for Jose C.
No, he is no everyday player but when they win when he is in. he does give them a spark when he does soething good.
Stats do not explain everything.
Do I want him as my everyday player — of course not but as an org depth guy in the role he has had the last 2 yrs why not.
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
7:35 pm
Nice return for BMac…
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
7:37 pm
I have noticed the same thing George George.
So we should Boo the submit comment button only. LOL
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
7:38 pm
Simmons frustrated by another nagging injury; McCann back in lineup; Hudson a Clemente Award nominee
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/18/braves-rookie-simmons-out-of-lineup-again-sore-shoulder/
bravesgrl4life
September 18th, 2012
7:39 pm
Ozzie go sittdown.
George_George
September 18th, 2012
7:39 pm
Well outta here to watch game. I really don’t like being on this when game is being played, but I will say the blogers have been nicer lately. could it be because we are winning? KEEK IT GOING BRAVES.
George_George
September 18th, 2012
7:39 pm
KEEP IT GOING BRAVES.
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
7:42 pm
leadoff hitter is slumping but they’ve won 4 in a row
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
7:43 pm
Michael Bourn appears confused at the plate
ChattTownBrian
September 18th, 2012
7:44 pm
Maholm uses nothing but upper body when he throws. Probably why he tops out at 88-89.
George_George
September 18th, 2012
7:44 pm
David O’Brien
September 18th, 2012
7:38 pm
Simmons frustrated by another nagging injury; McCann back in lineup; Hudson a Clemente Award nominee
**************************************************
The kid is a good ballplayer, but is he injurey prone? it seems it is always something with him , kinda like JASON used to be.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
7:45 pm
Yeah Michael not the most cerebral when it comes to art of hitting. He looks very much like what he did here last season. Good defense but lot of folk can play CF for way less than what he will make next seaon.
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2012
7:46 pm
Apparently, having the roof open is a REALLY BIG DEAL in Miami
ChattTownBrian
September 18th, 2012
7:47 pm
Hey Bourn looked like me in little league there.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
7:48 pm
Bourn is in a funk
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
7:48 pm
Bourn had plenty of room.
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2012
7:48 pm
That looked to be a result of that weird angle and extra warning track area in center field- obviously Bourn thought he was much closer to the wall than he was
George_George
September 18th, 2012
7:48 pm
What is it with BOURN he JUMPED THE WRONG TIME, JOSE C would have had it lol.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
7:48 pm
Wow, Bourny has really hit the skids lately.
Rico
September 18th, 2012
7:49 pm
Should be an error.
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
7:51 pm
nice jinx Chip ……
George_George
September 18th, 2012
7:51 pm
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2012
7:46 pm
Apparently, having the roof open is a REALLY BIG DEAL in Miami
***********************************************************
Watch it start to rain and it won’t close.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
7:51 pm
Maholm and his 87mph FB with back-to-back K’s
Gil in Mechanicsville
September 18th, 2012
7:53 pm
Ballgame… Wait, what? Nevermind…
ACE
September 18th, 2012
7:53 pm
Marlins up early
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
7:53 pm
That’s OK, we can still win the series.
TNScott
September 18th, 2012
7:53 pm
Thanks, Chip.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
7:53 pm
Good ole Slumpy Bourn cost the Braves a run.
TNScott
September 18th, 2012
7:54 pm
Thanks, Chip. The announcers curse continues.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
7:54 pm
Jeeze, now MAHOLM can’t even get us thru three unscathed. At least HANSON can do that.
George_George
September 18th, 2012
7:54 pm
I will watch CHIPPER hit, then get outta here. there are good people on here tonight.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
7:56 pm
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
Probably depends how Mac feels in 2 wks. RT @asajr86: @ajcbraves With BMac struggling health wise, think Ross plays vs. lefties in playoffs?
If by playoffs, I guess this person could mean the coin flip game.
Seriously, why are folks concerned about our chances in the playoffs? Grab a quarter and flip said quarter. I’d say those are the Braves odds of that game on Friday, October 5th.
smallmouth6
September 18th, 2012
7:57 pm
Constanza advanced a runner to second. Saw players giving Freeman high fives all over the place for that last night. Double standards anyone?
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2012
7:57 pm
MLB @MLB
Hip specialist says @Dodgers ace @ClaytonKersh22 can pitch without risking further damage, but club won’t let him return if pain persists.
bravesgrl4life
September 18th, 2012
7:57 pm
Bourn had been playing good D, but not tonight. Run’s on him.
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
7:57 pm
Thank you, George.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
7:57 pm
Man, Jason is sorta looking lost lately.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
7:58 pm
They needed a roof, especially this summer. Florida has had a summer of rain.
That is how it is in So Florida some yrs.
We need some hits, don’t want to lose to these guys. We need to aim at the first WC spot, its our for the taking if we do not mess up. And we need to win the WC game as revenge for last yr on those Cardinals.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
8:00 pm
That is a very quirky CF in that ball park.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:00 pm
Booooooooo!
ChattTownBrian
September 18th, 2012
8:00 pm
Braves suck.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
8:00 pm
Too easy.
George_George
September 18th, 2012
8:00 pm
Outta here, Carry on good people. KEEP IT GOING BRAVES.
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:00 pm
Bad Braves are back tonight!
Sigh…
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
8:02 pm
this guy seems to have corrected what ailed him in his last 4 starts
smallmouth6
September 18th, 2012
8:02 pm
Bat: You”re welcome.
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:02 pm
George deserves to be booed for leaving….
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:02 pm
Que the pen MAHOLM’s toast.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
8:02 pm
The approaches against Eovaldi have been pretty pathetic.
kevkat
September 18th, 2012
8:04 pm
bravesgrl4life
September 18th, 2012
7:57 pm
Bourn had been playing good D, but not tonight. Run’s on him.
Defense is not the issue here folks. Offense sucks, call it what it is
kevkat
September 18th, 2012
8:04 pm
bravesgrl4life
September 18th, 2012
7:57 pm
Bourn had been playing good D, but not tonight. Run’s on him.
Defense is not the issue here folks. Offense sucks, call it what it is
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:04 pm
Hey…….BRAVOS, it’s Tuesday already…….hello!
ChattTownBrian
September 18th, 2012
8:04 pm
Efrim, yeah I know. Playoffs nothing! That one game thing can easily go either way. Think how sickening it would be if we lose that to a team we were far in front of.
ChattTownBrian
September 18th, 2012
8:04 pm
Efrim, yeah I know. Playoffs nothing! That one game thing can easily go either way. Think how sickening it would be if we lose that to a team we were far in front of.
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:05 pm
It’s not that quirky…..
That play by Bourn was atrocious. The guy isn’t very good on balls over his head.
Won’t matter in a few weeks anymore.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:06 pm
GIL in MECHANICSVILLE:
Still out there? Where you been at?
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:06 pm
a lineup fulla lefties plys Dan who might as well be one, against a pitcher who is terrible against lefties… we are out gunned
ChattTownBrian
September 18th, 2012
8:07 pm
Enter your comments here
bravesgrl4life
September 18th, 2012
8:07 pm
I was contrasting Bourn’s usually pretty good D vs his horrible O at this point.
bravesgrl4life
September 18th, 2012
8:07 pm
I was contrasting Bourn’s usually pretty good D vs his horrible O at this point.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:07 pm
He has been the first or second ranked CFer in baseball all this season, not everybody is perfect liike a phil is
ACE
September 18th, 2012
8:07 pm
He’s leaving, leaving on that midnight train to GEORGE.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:08 pm
phil:
You gonna swell up now that we’ve had a bad moment for the first time in the past few games?
Ryan
September 18th, 2012
8:08 pm
Will constanza hit the ball out of the infield tonight?
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:09 pm
Or a nolie especially…..
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
8:11 pm
Nice play by Chipper and pick by Freeman, saved a run.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
8:11 pm
Mr. Jones!
ACE
September 18th, 2012
8:11 pm
Mixxo on a Free ride yea.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:11 pm
Whew! KEARNS looking for the walk there to extend the inning.
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:11 pm
Chipper Jones, folks…..
Something else.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:12 pm
well yeah that is true phil.
ACE
September 18th, 2012
8:12 pm
Close the roof
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:12 pm
Swell up?
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:14 pm
Uggla is just awful…..
Owned by another pitching wretch…..sigh.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:14 pm
swelling up sounds inflammatory phil. sue him
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
8:15 pm
Jose!
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:16 pm
just wait. Georgie will win it 4 us…..
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
8:16 pm
Constanza with a gift hit there….
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
8:16 pm
The mid-inning roof closing after it started raining. First I’ve seen that anywhere, that I can recall.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 18th, 2012
8:16 pm
Like an angry bullfrog.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:17 pm
or he will at least clear the pitcher
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:17 pm
Perhaps….
keyLargo
September 18th, 2012
8:17 pm
Constanza won the International League Batting title this year. It seems like that would get you a little respect but it’s happened before and this is how impressed the Braves were.
http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/9/4/3291256/jose-constanza-wins-international-league-batting-title
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:18 pm
phil:
Yeah swell up, like you’re so quiet when things go well. Then you magically appear when things go wrong. Are you another alter ego phil? ‘Enquiring’ minds want to know.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:18 pm
losing to this lineup and pitcher should be against the law….
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:18 pm
Georgie is no major leaguer….
Just isn’t.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
8:19 pm
It seems like on the rare occasions the Braves win on Monday, they have a let down on Tuesday.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:19 pm
Hey, nolie do you live near TAMPA by any chance?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
8:19 pm
Constanza didn’t put any put any pressure on the pitcher there…didn’t score either.
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:20 pm
Look Ghost, why are you jumping on me? I’m here all the damn time, as you well know. You can kiss my big toe if you’re gonna be a jerk over me being silly.
SNEAKY PETE
September 18th, 2012
8:20 pm
who cares what he does in AAA? It’s what he can’t do up here that counts.
only reason his numbers are as good as they are is from a few gift “infield hits” like that one
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:21 pm
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:18 pm
“…..losing to this lineup and pitcher should be against the law….”
Heh! Good ‘un
SNEAKY PETE
September 18th, 2012
8:21 pm
yes I do rich 90 miles south. got an aunt in St Pete
ChattTownBrian
September 18th, 2012
8:21 pm
They should turn that one game wild card game into a 5 game series. It’ll stretch out the season even longer, but fair is fair. They wanted an extra team to have a chance, but you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
But unfortunately they can and they’re proving it.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:23 pm
get off of my laptop Pete,
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 18th, 2012
8:23 pm
Never kiss the big toe of an angry bullfrog.
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:23 pm
I was on the side of a NC mountain over the weekend if that makes you feel better, rich…..
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
8:24 pm
Sweet!
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
8:24 pm
His name is Dan UGGGLA!
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:25 pm
Indeed. Toe very dirty.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:26 pm
we are gonna lose tonight and tomorrow night too……
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:27 pm
Monitor Lizards have REALLY bad breath
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:28 pm
now that I got my name back, yes rich I live south of Tampa
Sopheee
September 18th, 2012
8:28 pm
Glad the fishies made it through the season.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 18th, 2012
8:30 pm
You’ve been kissing monitor lizards?
keyLargo
September 18th, 2012
8:30 pm
I thought those two added up.
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2012
8:30 pm
Well done, Jason!
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:30 pm
Not tonight….wow.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
8:30 pm
Bourn’s slump continues…. and Ben Ingram just used Bourn’s w/L batting splits. Ugggh
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
8:31 pm
Relax Reyes!
That’s Prado running. Not exactly one of our speed guys for cryin’ out loud.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
8:31 pm
Sluggers bunting…. they so shouldn’t do that
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
8:31 pm
Hello Hello…….who’s gonna ‘chop the house’ now?
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:32 pm
nolie:
TAMPA’s a happenin’ place.
Jealous Fla. couple arrested after alleged fight erupts during orgy, report says
comments15
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By Crimesider Staff Topics Daily Blotter
Tina Michelle Norris, 39 (Credit: Hernando County Sheriff’s Office)
(CBS) SPRING HILL, Fla. – James Albert Barfield and Tina Michelle Norris were arrested and charged with domestic battery on Sunday morning after a fight reportedly erupted between the two jealous partners during a five-person orgy, CBS Tampa reported.
56-year-old Barfield and 39-year-old Norris were participating in a five person swinger’s party when Norris reportedly became angry when she saw Barfield having sex with another woman. Barfield also became furious with Norris, after she engaged in a threesome with two other men, Hernando County authorities said.
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:32 pm
Rally ender Freeman strides to the plate…..
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
8:34 pm
Heyward has had a little luck with that bunt approach lately. I like it.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 18th, 2012
8:34 pm
What did this guy think was going to happen at a swingers’ party? Canasta?
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
8:34 pm
St. Claire a regular at the mound….needs walkie-talkie
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
8:34 pm
and they’re still lacking the big 2 out hit
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:34 pm
BALLGAME!!!!
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:35 pm
Nolie’s name is Barfield?
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
8:35 pm
Smallmouth6
Ah, well thank you too, then.
ncbravesfan90
September 18th, 2012
8:35 pm
Can’t have uppercut swings in that ball park
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 18th, 2012
8:36 pm
Okay, I’ll say it if no one else will…Cy Eovaldi!
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
8:36 pm
Bummer. The Braves have only hit a few balls hard tonight. They getting schooled by another pitcher who has struggled tremendously of late.
SNEAKY PETE
September 18th, 2012
8:36 pm
This teanmis so frustrating
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:37 pm
A swinger’s party…..
Sigh.
SNEAKY PETE
September 18th, 2012
8:38 pm
no .nolie is in the doghouse, his name is Mud.
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:39 pm
Bucknor….
Lol
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:42 pm
stuff it
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:42 pm
phil:
“He doesn’t like you.”
Luke: Sorry
“I don’t like you either. You just watch yourself. We’re wanted men. I have the death sentence on 12 systems……..”
Luke: I’ll be careful.
‘You’ll be dead!’
STAR WARS IV
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:43 pm
The black holes due up next!
But i remain ever hopeful…..sorta
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
8:43 pm
Uggla, McCann, and hopefully a pinch-hitter for Constanza coming up. His magic hasn’t helped so far, and it’s the 7th now. Let a guy who can hit the ball out of the infield bat.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:44 pm
you need to have paid more attention lately
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
8:47 pm
Dang Uggs… But nice stuff, Eovaldi. It’s the 7th and he just pumped out a 98! Our pitchers all lose velocity by the 4th, it seems…
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
8:47 pm
We’re getting owned??
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:47 pm
Now I’m the wretched hag old man in the bar in star wars…the one ben kills.
I don’t quite follow but ok.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:47 pm
looks like a shut out coming up
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:47 pm
SNEAKY PETE
September 18th, 2012
8:38 pm
no .nolie is in the doghouse, his name is Mud…..”
That’s with two ‘D’s, PETE.
DR. MUDD of DRY TORTUGAS fame. Supposed conspirator in the ABRAHAM LINCOLN assassination.
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
8:47 pm
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:32 pm
That is different than the version of the story I read a while back. More detail.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
8:48 pm
Whaddaya know……more weak/lame AB’s for BMac!
lovely
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:49 pm
phil:
Your’s is not to reason why, your’s is but to do or pump up the BRAVOS bats.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:49 pm
y’all know what is brown and black and looks good around the neck or a lawyer?
a doberman
just throw money folks….
Trey
September 18th, 2012
8:49 pm
“That’s “licked” bat, cricket, “licked”!”
Does anyone have any idea why he licked the bat? I don’t.
ChattTownBrian
September 18th, 2012
8:49 pm
Our offense can go at any time. That scares you with that one game thing.
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
8:50 pm
@Hugo Z. Hackenbush…..Re: 8:36 pm
May I inquire, your referenced moniker above; I am unfamiliar with that person. Would he/she perhaps be a mural relief artist from East Jelip, IL? [Eovaldi, Cy]
ncbravesfan90
September 18th, 2012
8:50 pm
Tonight proves why a one game playoff game should scare any Braves fan….
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:50 pm
he’s too young and dumb to know that rich
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:50 pm
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 18th, 2012
8:34 pm
“……What did this guy think was going to happen at a swingers’ party? Canasta?….”
LOL!
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:51 pm
Black holes go down in order….
I pray we show up on october 5th.
T-Dawg
September 18th, 2012
8:51 pm
The Way to beat the Braves is to throw strikes. It doesn’t really matter if they are right down the middle of the plate….just throw strikes. On the flp side, we do well when we can work walks (one of the few statistical categories we dominate in MLB).
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
8:51 pm
I would hate for the Braves to lose this on a defensive miscue from Michael Bourn.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:51 pm
a one game play off should scare any team’s fans
ChattTownBrian
September 18th, 2012
8:51 pm
Braves suck! What a joke of a team! They don’t s deserve a playoff chance.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
8:51 pm
Is that fool still licking his bat? If he’s stop he might get a ball out of the infield for a change.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:53 pm
The Way to beat the Braves is to throw strikes…T-D
big part of it no doubt, especially if there are some good breaking ball strikes
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
8:53 pm
Gotta love the offensive output tonight.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
8:53 pm
“Does anyone have any idea why he licked the bat? I don’t.”
That his ‘thing.’
Everybody has a ‘thing.’
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:54 pm
aaa scorched bat tastes good
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
8:55 pm
BillShanks @BillShanks
RT @MikeLattin: @BillShanks Any early personal speculation on Braves rotation for next year – Greinke, Hudson, Medlen, Minor, Teheran
No Maholm here…. but there is a Greinke! Yes!!! Don’t see why Teheran would be in the Majors….
Sopheee
September 18th, 2012
8:55 pm
hickory
phil
September 18th, 2012
8:56 pm
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:50 pm
he’s too young and dumb to know that rich
***********
thanks…..
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
8:56 pm
Really bored with losing this
Oh wait, it’s Allison, yay
nolie
September 18th, 2012
8:56 pm
gotta go attend to something. see y’all
ncbravesfan90
September 18th, 2012
8:56 pm
“a one game play off should scare any team’s fans”
Especially teams with inconsistent offenses….haha
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
8:59 pm
Chip Caray: warning track analysis….is very informative and much appreciated.
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
8:59 pm
Okay, Allison is off now.
Why don’t the Braves have some runs?
T-Dawg
September 18th, 2012
9:01 pm
I was really hoping we could score some runs in this game because with Josh Johnson’s shutout tomorrow we could be right back to square one with the delicate psychies.
Sopheee
September 18th, 2012
9:01 pm
Sorry the offense let you down, Maholm.
Ryan
September 18th, 2012
9:02 pm
Hope I”m wrong but I see us playing like this in the wildcard game and it will be one and out. Dont see Bourn getting the money they say he will get. He”s a 300 hitter for the first four months.Great coming in for the ball but he misplayed a few this year going back.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
9:03 pm
Maholm: 4 hits, 1 walk with 5 K’s. Leaves trailing 1-0 with a runner at 2nd, 103 pitches/68 strikes
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
9:03 pm
BILL SHANKS has enhanced his baseball acumen in my eyes.
No mention of SHEETS, MAHOLM, JURRJENS or HANSON.
And there is no mention of BEACHY for obvious reasons.
But he lists TEHERAN. I would plug in DELGADO at this point. I’m not sure T-REX can develop enough with the off-speed stuff to be effective right out of the box next spring, but DELGADO might.
Getting a top of the rotation guy may be a fix we need. Not sure GREINKE would be the one, but haven’t thought that far ahead yet. Still focused on tonight……sort of, right phil? heh!
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
9:04 pm
LATER!
ncbravesfan90
September 18th, 2012
9:04 pm
Guys hitting in the .100’s for the Marlins doing the damage tonight, figures……
Sopheee
September 18th, 2012
9:05 pm
I hate that stupid thing in the outfield.
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
9:05 pm
I feel Moylan just……ok, yep has to happen…..goofy 90mph fastball gets blasted…..crap
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:05 pm
WHY F MOYLAN?? WHY F MOYLAN?
GUY JUST CAME OUT OF SURGERY OUT OF BASEBALL FOR 2 FING YEARS.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
9:05 pm
That is a shame. Braves still have a shot, but with they way they have swung the bats tonight, one run was likely insurmountable.
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
9:05 pm
getting beat by a .198 hitter and a pitcher who was 0-4 his last 4 starts
T-Dawg
September 18th, 2012
9:06 pm
Medlen is going to have to pitch a shutout for 11 innings tomorrow to win this series. No pressure!
M.V.P.Heyward
September 18th, 2012
9:07 pm
Ballgame!
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:07 pm
Good work by Malholm tonight but Moylan is back to being the disgraceful BUMB he always has been.
He deserves to be Booed.
Never was a big Moylan fan — never forgave him for being a part of a game vs the Phillies early in the 08 season when the Braves blew an 11-3 lead. He and Boyer were a big part of that game.
That might have been the game that Kelly Johnson cost em with a dropped pop up late.
Release Moylan — he is a BUMB with a Capital B. Worst P in the history of MLB. He proved it tonight.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
9:08 pm
“getting beat by a .198 hitter and a pitcher who was 0-4 his last 4 starts”
That’s how we roll sometimes brah.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:09 pm
Between Bourn and Moylan — this cost us this game.
Very bad and now we are in a slump again. This is disgraceful. Its bad baseball.
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:09 pm
This is the kinda game i’m afraid of to have in the 1 game playoff. 1st off we’ll be facing a good starter that could shut us down, unlike tonight facing some random bum with a 4-12 record and lookin like fools.
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
9:09 pm
yet another Overbay K
M.V.P.Heyward
September 18th, 2012
9:09 pm
Our bench is among the worst for sure.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
9:10 pm
Lyle Overbay looks like a pitcher at the plate and that is no compliment. He has a lot of trouble putting the ball in play.
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:10 pm
OVERBAY IS WORTHLESS. HAS BEEN WORTHLESS SEEN WITH OUR BALLCLUB.
SHOULD BE RELEASED TOMORROW.
njbraves
September 18th, 2012
9:10 pm
Overbay has no business in the majors.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:10 pm
Why does Overbay have a job in MLB????
I’d rather take a chance on Hinske who at least used to be good.
And now that stinkin BUMBB Bourn is up — that is automatic out.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
9:10 pm
LOL
What bench?
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
9:11 pm
At this rate, Michael Bourn’s batting average will be in the .250s by the end of he season.
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
9:11 pm
And Nate Eovaldi was 4-12 prior to this contest?
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
9:13 pm
We’re saving Big Heavy for the ninth.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:13 pm
Thaks alot Bourn for another out. You are good at that lately.
Nice job messing up that fly ball too — you cannot even field ur position anymore.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:13 pm
Thaks alot Bourn for another out. You are good at that lately.
Nice job messing up that fly ball too — you cannot even field ur position anymore.
Fols
September 18th, 2012
9:13 pm
Are we capable of losing games without being shut-out? I can handle a loss, I mean it IS baseball, teams tend to lose games. I would die for a high scoring loss at this point. This all or nothing is frustrating.
Why do I care? Well I do! lol
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:13 pm
I HAD HOPES FOR A F”ING DIVISION TITLE BUT AFTER THIS LOSS . IT IS OVER. ONE GAME PLAYOFF IS WHAT WE WILL HAVE TO SETTLE FOR. MOYLAN??? OF ALL THE PEOPLE?
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
9:13 pm
I guess I’ll go make my market run….this ain’t happening right now.:(
ncbravesfan90
September 18th, 2012
9:13 pm
Dang I forgot what it was like to see a good fielding pitcher….
phil
September 18th, 2012
9:14 pm
So much hate….
T-Dawg
September 18th, 2012
9:14 pm
Overbay…..GO AWAY!
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:14 pm
I don’t think Bourn is worth a contract offer of more than 2 million per yr now.
Maybe even not that much. He is the worst CF in baseball.
Ryan
September 18th, 2012
9:15 pm
Like I said we call up Moylan,Constanza, Overbay and Boscan they should never be allowed in the Majors. Chip and Joe were always showing Moylans tweets and I was hoping he never makes it back as he will find something else to have surgery on. Maybe his face he has to be the ugliest player in MLB.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:16 pm
So much hate —
For losing I hope we have more and more hate.
There is nothing worse than losing — Losing is the sign of incompetence.
No game is a good game when U lose. Every loss is bad.
Breaking News-AP Wire
September 18th, 2012
9:16 pm
Overbay still sucks.
phil
September 18th, 2012
9:17 pm
Lol
Fols
September 18th, 2012
9:17 pm
I remember Overbay from his Toronto days….guess what….he sucked there too.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:18 pm
This ruins a perfectly good day.
Have a rotten night America and wherever you are in the world.
I was in a great mood and now I am so mad I cannot sleep. I am outraged now.
T-Dawg
September 18th, 2012
9:18 pm
Ok….it’s too crazy in here….see ya
Fols
September 18th, 2012
9:19 pm
Disgusted
I thought you were outraged everyday! haha Have a good one man…
Ryan
September 18th, 2012
9:19 pm
Nice job Maholm on great job tonight to bad Bourn and Moylan were in the game. Marlins 3 RBI by two guys hitting under .300. I like to see are playoff roster as I can only come up with 22
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:19 pm
Durbin is brought up now when he should have been pitching the 7th inning.
Doesnt make sense. I mean why cant Fredi use a Lefty ? did he have to bring in a righty when 3 of our best revlivers avilan eof and venters are righties?
Hell man
RBI
September 18th, 2012
9:20 pm
Just got here. Looks like the bats are dead again tonight. Maholm, Sheets, and now Hudson are no looking so good down the stretch.
phil
September 18th, 2012
9:21 pm
Outraged….lol
Batcork
September 18th, 2012
9:21 pm
I’m baffled at why the Braves hitters refused to disrupt Evaldi’s rhythm by stepping out, taking extra time, etc. They just let him pitch at his pace, and he took full advantage. We got what we deserved.
Lay Down Sally (and Dan and Mac and Freddie and...)
September 18th, 2012
9:21 pm
“PHILADELPHIA — Nathan Eovaldi and the Miami Marlins continued their struggles.
Eovaldi lasted just four innings while losing his fourth straight game and the Marlins lost for the ninth time in 13 games, 9-7 to the streaking Philadelphia Phillies on (last)Tuesday night.”
Yep same guy who shut downt he Braves offense tonight.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:23 pm
You have a good one too Fols —
I have had my little vent for the night.
Got to get em again tommorrow but this offense tonite was offensive to me — I am personally offended — LOL.
God help anyone who takes my rants seriously HA HA!!!
RBI
September 18th, 2012
9:23 pm
never have liked Moylan
Amos Moses Smith
September 18th, 2012
9:24 pm
Glad to see that the Braves offense is back after scoring 5 Sunday and 7 yesterday. After all those games when they couldn’t buy a meaningful hit or score some runs in support of their pitching, it seems they are back and not a minute too soon!
Keep lighting it up, guys!
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
9:25 pm
Jason’s not ready to quit!
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
9:25 pm
Clutch offense.
Can’t wait for the playoffs!
Maybe make that, play-off.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
9:26 pm
Play-out
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:28 pm
Some how if we can get Dan Uggla in with 2 runners on then I think we have a shot to tie this game up
RBI
September 18th, 2012
9:28 pm
OK, Freeman-time to tie it up
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
9:28 pm
Good start to the 9th inning. At least one run would be nice in order to break the shutout.
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:28 pm
Freeman Uggla Mac. This is our chance. Swing for the fences
Amos Moses Smith
September 18th, 2012
9:28 pm
What are the odds that Mr Freeman swings at the first pitch?
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
9:28 pm
Getting interesting!
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
Maholm, not looking so good, RBI?
One gd run in how many innings?
Give him a break for one night, huh?
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
How about a 3 run jack here Freddie
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
One swing and tie this thing up.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
Come on Freddie.
Amos Moses Smith
September 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
I Call BS on Freddie hitting over .400 on the first pitch! Maybe on balls he puts in play on the first pitch, but NOT every time on the first pitch. Seen too many wiffs and foul backs to believe that one.
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:30 pm
WALK WUD BE NICE!!!!!
ncbravesfan90
September 18th, 2012
9:31 pm
Think everyone but Freeman knew that was coming there…Dang that hurts…
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
9:31 pm
ugh
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
9:32 pm
F*in’ Freddie.
Give me a break.
Son of a bitch.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
9:32 pm
I would suspect that Uggla and Mac will K to end the game and preserve the shutout.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
9:33 pm
Uggs will tattoo something here!
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:33 pm
UGGLA SHUD BE SWINGING BUT NOW HE IS TAKING COME ON
Amos Moses Smith
September 18th, 2012
9:34 pm
Uggla’s knees buckle even on outside breaking balls that were never headed toward him.
Amos Moses Smith
September 18th, 2012
9:34 pm
Uggla’s knees buckle even on outside breaking balls that were never headed toward him.
count_schemula
September 18th, 2012
9:34 pm
Uggla!!!!!
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
9:34 pm
Nice job, Danny!
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
9:34 pm
Told ya!
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
9:34 pm
YES! No shutout.
Animus
September 18th, 2012
9:34 pm
Nice swing for Uggla – cut down on it a bit – good job hanging in on the pitch.
ncbravesfan90
September 18th, 2012
9:34 pm
Dang Freeman’s strike out really hurts now……I know it hurts alot of people on here, but good job Dan, heck of an at-bat!!
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
9:35 pm
Freeman is a strike out artist. You just know that fool is going to strike out.
count_schemula
September 18th, 2012
9:35 pm
lol, I posted that about 2 minutes before he actually hit it. This website is ridiculously slow, lol.
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:35 pm
Big spot for McCann.
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
9:35 pm
All right Heap, be the ball
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:36 pm
I don’t think I want to see Fransisco up there. He will just strike out.
I think we should go with Johnson or Hinske up there aganist Dunn.
As much as Hinske has struggled He can still hit a homerun.
NO FRANSISCO PLEASE. THE GUY WILL NOT EVEN MAKE CONTACT
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
9:36 pm
Shoulda pinch hit a bat boy for Freeman.
count_schemula
September 18th, 2012
9:37 pm
“All right Heap, be the ball”
he looks the part
I kid, I kid…
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
MACCCCCCCCCCCCCCC!!!!!!!!
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
Just like that, Heap.
Brava
September 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
Way to go. BMAC!!!!!!!!!!!!
njbraves
September 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
Atta boy Mac!!!
M.V.P.Heyward
September 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
BMAC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we are tied!
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
MAC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Animus
September 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
Cardiac Braves – thank you BMAC
Trey
September 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
I called a home run, but this is good, too!
phil
September 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
Yes sir!!
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
Peterson should have had that one. My heart stopped YESSS TIE GAME
DIVISION WITHIN REACH
RBI
September 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
wow-new ballgame!
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
About damn time, Braves.
Jesus.
Oh No
September 18th, 2012
9:39 pm
Enter your comments here
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 18th, 2012
9:39 pm
Damn it! I knew we shouldn’t have traded Du–oh.
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:39 pm
They saved the production for the right time! LOL
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
9:39 pm
Awesome.
Trey
September 18th, 2012
9:39 pm
Reed Johnson is worth his money.
Animus
September 18th, 2012
9:40 pm
Maholm deserved to get away from the loss tonite – well done Braves – one more run and it’s Kimmy Time!!!
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
9:40 pm
Cab-
Good stuff eh?!
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
9:40 pm
Dang it Reed.
Trey
September 18th, 2012
9:40 pm
Johnson moved Pastornicky to third, nice!
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
9:41 pm
Need Bourn here, but based on prior performance he will probably strike out.
Animus
September 18th, 2012
9:41 pm
WP anyone?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:41 pm
Please Bourn, please.
BTW, I was away, how many idiots called Ballgame? Never say it’s over, people. Never. Not with this team.
Oh No George, Not The Livestock!
September 18th, 2012
9:41 pm
I was a 2011 season Constanza advocate.
He’s been close to worthless in 2012, no matter how many batting titles he won in the minors.
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:41 pm
Are they nuts? walking Baker??? to face Bourn?
Baker? wut the???
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
9:42 pm
Come on, Michael – be ticked off at that…
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
9:42 pm
Intentionally walking Jeff Baker to get to the seven year, 126 million dollar man.
Jeff Baker.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
9:42 pm
I was feeling cynical.
I remain incredulous.
We don’t take a lead and play into the morning.
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2012
9:42 pm
Mixxo-
That’s the old Brian McCann
Going to left off a left handed pitcher? Yes, please!
Remley
September 18th, 2012
9:42 pm
Almost feel sorry for Eovaldi, I said almost. Go Bravos!
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
9:42 pm
Bourn absolutely cannot hit a curve.
Fols
September 18th, 2012
9:43 pm
Veer you almost called it man….you were one batter off!
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
9:43 pm
Okay Bourn, you entire future rides on this AB. Dont muck it up
M.V.P.Heyward
September 18th, 2012
9:43 pm
I was the one who called “ballgame” and found out that is not a case here!
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
9:44 pm
Well said, Bat…
Rick C
September 18th, 2012
9:44 pm
“As much as Hinske has struggled He can still hit a homerun”
Francisco has 7 more HR than Hinske this season.
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
9:44 pm
Bourn you have turned to Horses*it.
Oh No George, Not The Livestock!
September 18th, 2012
9:44 pm
Is it just me or do those strikeouts make Bourn’s butt look big?
Fols
September 18th, 2012
9:44 pm
Oh man, Disgusted last comment made it sound like he was about to jump off a bridge!
Quitters usually quit….and lose!
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
9:44 pm
Bourn SUX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
njbraves
September 18th, 2012
9:44 pm
Bourn K’s way too much.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
9:45 pm
Michael Bourn….
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
9:45 pm
Michael’s fightin’ it……..bad.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:45 pm
Another K from Bourn… sigh. He’s sukked today, but we might win.
At least we tied, live to see another inning. Better than the alternative, ain’t it?
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
9:45 pm
come on Bourn … what’s happening to you?
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
9:45 pm
Headed to bottom of 9th with score 3-3, Braves will have Venters on the hill
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:45 pm
This is the reason why you dont resign Bourn. I mean they walk Baker to face Bourn shows how much they think Bourn is worth.
I rather go with Baker next year as our CF
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
9:45 pm
Free baseball.Who’s pitching for the BRAVES Venters?
Oh No George, Not The Livestock!
September 18th, 2012
9:46 pm
Yep, Bourn looks like a 13 mil a year outfielder to me. He’s especially looked that way since the all star break.
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
9:46 pm
If Braves can hold the line in the bottom of the ninth, we might get another chance to see Chipper tie Lou Gherig.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
9:46 pm
Sure, Mike Dunn is tough on left handed hitters, but Michael Bourn is completely useless right now.
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:46 pm
Bourn is playing at a level that will make him in our price range tho..
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:46 pm
Give them credit for tying it but once again Bourn fails us.
It is about dam high time that the fans of Atlanta give Bourn the Boos he deserves he is worthless down the stretch.
No way I want to re-sign that BUMB. He is terrible.
I am glad that PM does not get the loss — he did not deserve it.
This is a MUST WIN game and at least they have a chance.
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
9:47 pm
Bourn I hope you know your sorry a** is costing you millions next year. Now you cannot hit a beachball.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:47 pm
Bourn is playing at a pee wee league level,
I doubt he could hit in the little league WS right now.
No Flag Since Lemke
September 18th, 2012
9:47 pm
Let me guess that at bat won’t be in Mr. Boras’ highlight film when he tries to peddle Bourn this winter.
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:48 pm
Lets see Venters walk everyone. If Marlins dont swing they wil end up with a walk and we with a loss
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
9:48 pm
Now the question is which Venters shows up?
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
9:48 pm
This is the reason why you dont resign Bourn.
I wouldn’t say that at bat was the reason, but his career 91 OPS+ might be a better indicator.
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
9:49 pm
Thanks, VJ.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:49 pm
Uh-oh…
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
9:49 pm
Great, as if the bullpen hasn’t had enough work lately.
Kimbrel closing a game that started 6-0.
What?
brian
September 18th, 2012
9:49 pm
Great comeback for the Braves in the 9th inning. Now we are trustng a tie game to Venters………
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:49 pm
EOF and Avilan were better options than Venters right?
So why is Venters pitching?
Can any of you Bloggers explain?
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
9:49 pm
putting the leadoff fast guy on base isn’t a good start
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:49 pm
Looks like we have the bad Johnny tonight.
Venterbumb is another one that needs to go.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:49 pm
Dang…. Janish looks hurt.
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
9:50 pm
Blame this loss on Bourn. If he had delivered Kimbrel would be in there instead of NUMBN*TS.
T-Dawg
September 18th, 2012
9:50 pm
Yep…..Fredi wants to lose this game.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
9:50 pm
Yep, Bourn looks like a 13 mil a year outfielder to me. He’s especially looked that way since the all star break.
Bourn is playing at a level that will make him in our price range tho..
I still think his AAV of 15 million a year is too much for us. He’s getting five years, 75 million. If he falls into that price range, Phils, Nats, Giants will all be involved – thus, the price range will go up.
He’s probably not going to get the seven year, 126 million though. More like 75-100 million over five-six years.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:50 pm
Here I come to blow the game
Johnny Venters is doing his reverse Mighty Mouse impersonation.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:50 pm
This isn’t good…. is Simmons ready?
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
9:51 pm
The answer is: The bad Venters has showed up.
Brava
September 18th, 2012
9:51 pm
Oh, poor Janish. Damn.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:51 pm
I hope Janish is okay.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
9:51 pm
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:48 pm
“…..Lets see Venters walk everyone. If Marlins dont swing they wil end up with a walk and we with a loss…..”
I’ve been thinking aqlong those lines too Veer. VENTERS and MOYLAN both appear worn out. Maybe PETE should master the knuckler, and Venters a change-up.
Oh No George, Not The Livestock!
September 18th, 2012
9:51 pm
Losing Janish is a blow. Don’t underestimate what his defense means to this team when he is called upon.
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:51 pm
Johnny Venterbumb is the worst pitcher in MLB.
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
9:51 pm
Ball Game.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
9:52 pm
I knew it.
Had their chance to put it away and they can’t do it.
It would have been better just to take the shut-out.
This drives me crazy.
Animus
September 18th, 2012
9:52 pm
Hinske in LF???? As slow as he is, this does NOT bode well. Guess Simmons is hurting more than was let on earlier.
Sopheee
September 18th, 2012
9:52 pm
Hope Janish is okay. That looked painful.
Nerdville
September 18th, 2012
9:52 pm
the offense for the first 8 innings was pathetic against a two bit pitcher. really bad at bats by both freeman and bourn in the ninth. freeman over swinging as usual. bourn, the lead off man, didn’t even put it in play with chance to take the lead. not the at bats of champions.
now watch the fish come back and win it in the bottom of the ninth.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:52 pm
No infielders left… Prado to SS, Hinske in LF… please, no one, hit a ball to LF. Please. Need a K then a DP.
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
9:52 pm
Two ground balls and we’re calling this the Bad Venters? Jeepers.
Brava
September 18th, 2012
9:52 pm
Venters should not be pitching in a tied game.
count_schemula
September 18th, 2012
9:53 pm
“I wouldn’t say that at bat was the reason, but his career 91 OPS+ might be a better indicator.”
Small sample size.
Brewers putting it on Pittsburgh 6-0 in the 8th.
Ralph
September 18th, 2012
9:53 pm
I knew this game was over the second I saw Venters in the game.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
9:53 pm
Yeah. Why is Venters pitching instead of O’Flaherty?
njbraves
September 18th, 2012
9:54 pm
Bad things happen when Venters is in the game.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
9:54 pm
Time to pull VENTERS and bring in AVILAN
phoenix
September 18th, 2012
9:55 pm
Jonny Venters brings the gas can again. And I’d rather have Chipper in left field over Hinske. I’d rather have Chipper’s mom in left field.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
9:55 pm
The obligatory passed ball/wild pitch. Venters no longer needs to pitch high-leverage situations.
Ralph
September 18th, 2012
9:55 pm
I would bring in Kimbrell NOW!
JC Brave
September 18th, 2012
9:55 pm
4 hits in 8 innings against a below average pitcher.
And now this.
Animus
September 18th, 2012
9:55 pm
Turn two and all is forgiven Venters
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:55 pm
Well, there’s the K. Need 1 more K, then a ground out.
T-Dawg
September 18th, 2012
9:55 pm
At least when JV loses the game (which he has done a lot) he feel ready bad.
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:55 pm
Marlins if they hit ball to Hinske it would be tough to throw Reyes out
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
9:55 pm
As I said, this loss is on Bourn. Not Venters. He should not be in there.
RBI
September 18th, 2012
9:55 pm
Why is Venters still in there? (Why was he there in the first place?)
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
9:56 pm
I f*in’ knew if we didn’t take the lead we would lose.
I f*ing knew.
One out and a runner on second after after three runs are in and you leave him stranded?
Unbelievable.
Growler
September 18th, 2012
9:56 pm
Would have been better off not tying it in the 9th, than to lose your defensive shortstop like that.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:56 pm
I want Kimmeh or EOF!!!
Disgusted
September 18th, 2012
9:56 pm
Anytime is a good time to pull Venters.
Oh No George, Not The Livestock!
September 18th, 2012
9:57 pm
May as well go with Venters now. He probably has as good a chance as anyone in the pen to get out of it.
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
9:57 pm
and here’s Buck again …..
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:57 pm
Beautiful, Jonny. Beautiful. Good comeback, kid.
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
9:57 pm
Great pitch!
Animus
September 18th, 2012
9:57 pm
Nice pitch for strike 3 JV!!!!!!!!!!!
Very good sequence against that batter. Kimbrel Time?
Veer
September 18th, 2012
9:57 pm
Ok just when Venters was settling down. You bring in Gerrian?
man doesnt make sense.
Wrong move
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
9:57 pm
Jonny…..Braves comeback….hey nice….just back and let’s get it Bravos!!
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
9:58 pm
Venters was effectively wild to Peterson and Ruggiano. I believe only one of his pitches was in the strike zone.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:58 pm
At least when JV loses the game (which he has done a lot) he feel ready bad.
When?
I like Gearrin alot, but still a bit wary.
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
9:58 pm
Fredi. Now you take Venters out. You are a fool.
brian
September 18th, 2012
9:58 pm
2 huge strikeouts by Venters there. I am somewhat surprised he was taken out after those two K’s
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
9:59 pm
One loss is not worth losing Janish at this point.
Or even a win if they’re extremely lucky.
Oh No George, Not The Livestock!
September 18th, 2012
9:59 pm
When Venters delivers a pitch, the catcher, umpire, hitter or even Venters himself have no clue where it’s going!
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
9:59 pm
I would rather see Kimbrel regardless of how well Gearrin has pitched of late.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 18th, 2012
9:59 pm
What? No closer for the tie on the road?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:00 pm
Thanks Cory!!!!
brian
September 18th, 2012
10:00 pm
Risky move putting Venters in that 9th inning tie game. Even riskier pulling him after 2 straight K’s/
And pulling Venters for Gearrin??
JC Brave
September 18th, 2012
10:00 pm
Thank you, God!
brian
September 18th, 2012
10:00 pm
Risky move putting Venters in that 9th inning tie game. Even riskier pulling him after 2 straight K’s/
And pulling Venters for Gearrin??
Shows what I know. Wow. Clutch pitching by JV and by Gearrin
Sopheee
September 18th, 2012
10:00 pm
Say whaaaat
Brava
September 18th, 2012
10:00 pm
Good job, Cory.
RBI
September 18th, 2012
10:02 pm
whew!
TNScott
September 18th, 2012
10:02 pm
WAY TO GO CORY!!!!!!!
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
10:02 pm
prado/jhey/chipper
good part of the order to at least get a run
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:02 pm
Fredi definitely showing confidence in Gearrin and Avilan here late in the season. I wouldn’t mind having both those two plus one experienced RH in the pen next year with Kimbrel, O’Flaherty, Venters, Martinez as the other 4.
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
10:02 pm
Venters is awful! Fredi is so stupid for putting him in! The Braves are dead…
Jonny got 2 strikeouts! And moron Fredi is taking him out?
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
10:02 pm
It just goes to show, if the players make plays, the manager looks like a genius. If players don’t make plays, the manager is a dunce.
Fredi made all the right moves in that inning.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
10:03 pm
We’re not winning the division.
That ship has sailed.
This game is not important enough to lose Janish and keep taxing the bullpen.
Remley
September 18th, 2012
10:04 pm
Chipper wins it with a homer
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
10:04 pm
That worked out pretty well for Gearrin.
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
10:04 pm
If the Braves get a run here and Kimbrel closes it out, the bottom of the tenth might be extremely anti-climatic, compared to that ninth inning.
Animus
September 18th, 2012
10:04 pm
Putting Gearrin in was the right call – tip your cap to Fredi – now if the heart of the order can score a run – it’s a no brainer who comes in for the bottom of the inning
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
10:05 pm
” it’s a no brainer who comes in for the bottom of the inning”
It’s a good thing that Fredi has no brain.
Ba-dum-bing!
Remley
September 18th, 2012
10:05 pm
Brew crew winning, I’ love to see them get in
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
10:07 pm
Brian didn’t have to do what he did to keep the inning going.
A single would have been nearly as effective.
The clutch hit was the one with the go ahead run in scoring position.
The clutch hit was the one we didn’t get.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:07 pm
I think that if Gearrin makes the ‘pen next year, Martinez can go Efrim. He’s 30 and still has a not so great ERA and oppo. stat line.
Hope Janish is okay, but it might open up a door for Pastornicky on the PS roster. Not the way I wanted him to get on though.
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
10:07 pm
Let’s go big Hoss
Animus
September 18th, 2012
10:07 pm
bthe bottom of the tenth might be extremely anti-climatic, Sounds ok to me – too many high pressure pitches that latst inning.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 18th, 2012
10:07 pm
Mitchell,
Until our magic # for the playoffs is zero, EVERY game is important.
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
10:08 pm
Mitchell … “There is no dark side of the moon, really. Matter of fact, it’s all dark.”
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
10:10 pm
Lets go Hossss!
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
10:10 pm
….. well, maybe not this time around they weren’t
*hoping for a stress free bottom half of the inning
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
10:10 pm
Rose Ann’s hubby fools our big guy
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:10 pm
Dang…. well, at least the weak part of the Marlins lineup is up.
brian
September 18th, 2012
10:12 pm
any word on Janish?
He looked like he was really hurting
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
10:12 pm
Dislocated left shoulder for Janish
Roseanne
September 18th, 2012
10:12 pm
DAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:12 pm
Dislocated left shoulder on Janish, as I feared…. that’s not good at all. Headed for x-Rays.
JC Brave
September 18th, 2012
10:12 pm
What a beautiful inning.
It felt like an Horror short film.
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
10:12 pm
Are there others here from your world or did you come alone?
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
10:13 pm
Mitchell truly offers aspirational value to anyone who seeks a life of commitment to non-Vulcan ideals…
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
10:14 pm
Simmons, Prado, and Pastornicky should be able to handle SS for the season and the post-season. It just stinks that Simmons is hurting right now.
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
10:14 pm
Whoops
Mitchell are there others*
Probably obvious that was directed to you, anyway.
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:15 pm
too bad for Janish
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
10:16 pm
@Mitchell………….We shall meet with different names!
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:16 pm
DOB will have to work late. — ace
And you won’t. Ever.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
10:16 pm
C’mon, lets win this for the Pauls.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:17 pm
dang…. another shaky inning
Sopheee
September 18th, 2012
10:17 pm
Somehow, I knew that was meant for Mitchell without you addressing it to him.
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
10:17 pm
won’t be stress free
T-Dawg
September 18th, 2012
10:17 pm
That’s what I would do….walk hitters. Good thinking!
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
10:17 pm
Now Gearrin has suddenly lost his control.
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
10:17 pm
@Ace….you believe that, looked like he was swimming in the sand….Janish
JC Brave
September 18th, 2012
10:18 pm
Again…
brian
September 18th, 2012
10:18 pm
come on Gearrin.
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
10:18 pm
Last inning, Gearrin’s post-season stock rose. This inning, back down.
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:18 pm
Fredi time for Chhh Chhh Changessssssssss
phil
September 18th, 2012
10:18 pm
Sigh…
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
10:18 pm
Here we go.
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
10:19 pm
Soph_
Nerdville
September 18th, 2012
10:19 pm
braves offense struggles against a two bit team. doesn’t bode well for the playoffs. now gearrin is out there filling up the bases with fish.
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:19 pm
Capt, I thought for a minute you were talking about DOB
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
10:20 pm
Tense!
brian
September 18th, 2012
10:20 pm
feel bad for Janish – he was a big part of this team in the second half of the season. Nice bench player/back up.
chipontheroad
September 18th, 2012
10:20 pm
That is not logical Jim the Braves are obviouslly caught in a time space continuum
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
10:20 pm
They keep threatening and will eventually score. We just strike out
T-Dawg
September 18th, 2012
10:20 pm
Man I wish we had Reyes.
brian
September 18th, 2012
10:20 pm
stop trying the reverse announcers curse Joe
Animus
September 18th, 2012
10:20 pm
Runner at second must be tipping location/pitches
phil
September 18th, 2012
10:20 pm
2 outs. This inning is not over.
Brilliant, joe simpson.
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:21 pm
I thought Mixxo was going to give us the story of how he ended up in bozoland. Kind of like DOB’s subway adventure.
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
10:21 pm
Reyes used to hit triples in bundles
Sopheee
September 18th, 2012
10:21 pm
Wake up, CB.
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
10:22 pm
Stupid Obama voting ump
brian
September 18th, 2012
10:22 pm
give me a break blue
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:22 pm
Team would not be where they are without the good D of Janish.
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:23 pm
ouchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
10:23 pm
Damn…
Sopheee
September 18th, 2012
10:23 pm
That sucked.
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
10:23 pm
meh, oh well. now they just need to try to win this series
ncbravesfan90
September 18th, 2012
10:23 pm
Can’t let Jose beat you…..Marlins wouldn’t let Chipper beat them in that situation. Basics folks.
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
10:23 pm
Blame it on no hitting bourn
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
10:23 pm
Well damn.
BallGame
JC Brave
September 18th, 2012
10:23 pm
Good job, Braves.
Animus
September 18th, 2012
10:24 pm
DAMN – on a little bloop hit like that too. Just damn.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
10:24 pm
What did I f*ing tell you?
njbraves
September 18th, 2012
10:24 pm
Saw that coming a mile away…hate Reyes
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
10:24 pm
Didn’t hit it hard enough.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
10:24 pm
ACE-
We’re not going there.
Tough, tough loss.
Now we get to see that hot-dog Reyes rub our faces in it.
Dum-Bass
September 18th, 2012
10:24 pm
Hate these type losses. Would have rather lost it 3-0. Why wasn’t Kimbrel used? Game not important enough?
phil
September 18th, 2012
10:24 pm
Heyward deserves to be booed!
Oh well. On to tomorrow.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:24 pm
DAMMIT… everyone’s gonna hate Gearrin now
T-Dawg
September 18th, 2012
10:24 pm
There goes the series. No way we beat Josh Johnson.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
10:25 pm
Tough loss. I am glad the Braves showed some fight and mounted a comeback, I have to wonder about their decision to pitch to Reyes or to have Gearrin pitch to him.
phoenix
September 18th, 2012
10:25 pm
Plenty of lefties sitting in the bullpen, and Frediot lets Gearrin pitch to Reyes with the game on the line.
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
10:25 pm
With our strike out king guys we could have won it in 15 innings.
Rick C
September 18th, 2012
10:25 pm
SOS Braves, the offense did nothing for 8 innings. Blaming one player because of one missed opportunity is pointless.
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:25 pm
Cue Phil Collings I missed again oh oh I missed again
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
10:26 pm
Marlins win one after we score 3 in the ninth and then go cold as ice looking like foreigners to the hits
bravofan
September 18th, 2012
10:26 pm
wow
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
10:26 pm
The worst part of the loss is seeing Reyes jump around like he has never won a baseball game before.
Oh No George, Not The Livestock!
September 18th, 2012
10:26 pm
This is literally one of those “can’t win em all” games. Wish they had won, but it wasn’t a stinker. I can live with that.
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
10:27 pm
Dumb a&& fredi should never have let Reyes beat em
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:27 pm
Mixxo, I knew it would be a better story than the subway adventure.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
10:27 pm
ACE-
BTW…..I’m still bozo’d (according to DOB).
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
10:27 pm
Pointless.
Why bother?
If you can’t get the run that really matters, why bother?
So much for having a short stop.
Rick C
September 18th, 2012
10:27 pm
phoenix, Reyes is a switch hitter.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
10:28 pm
you just can NOT leave a roogy like Gearrin in against a lefty hitter in that kind of situation. I’m not a Fredi hater or a manager basher, but that was stupid and I called it here at home.Roogies will break your heart. Moylan tried to and Gearrin succeeded.
DAM
September 18th, 2012
10:28 pm
It’s always nice to save the best relief pitcher in baseball for a save situation that doesn’t materialize.
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
10:28 pm
Rick c. Yeah and Bourne was the most ineffective
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:28 pm
Mixxo, good that you are back.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
10:28 pm
Would have liked to have seen Kimbrel of for Gearrin to pitch around Reyes and face Lee.
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
10:29 pm
phoenix
September 18th, 2012
10:25 pm
Plenty of lefties sitting in the bullpen, and Frediot lets Gearrin pitch to Reyes with the game on the line.
Not to jump on after Rick, pointing out the switch-hitting thing…but why not…
the truth...
September 18th, 2012
10:29 pm
I would have walked Reyes no matter who was next….force everywhere
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:29 pm
Capt. Great one.
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
10:29 pm
Moylan coming in, on rest, and immediately giving up the homer proves to be the difference ….
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:30 pm
It should have been more urgent
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
10:30 pm
ACE-
Thanks buddy!
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:30 pm
Well, at least I didn’t call a sweep… Just a series win.
Sucks to lose this way though. Still nice to see us come back in the 9th. Gearrin got a ball hit softly, too softly to be turned into an out. Guess it’s another consequence of having a roogy out there.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
10:30 pm
it does not matter that Reyes is a switcher, Gearrin is not good against lefties.
Kimbrel would have had better odds against him.
ncbravesfan90
September 18th, 2012
10:31 pm
“Not to jump on after Rick, pointing out the switch-hitting thing…but why not…”
Better numbers for Reyes hitting left handed…..thus the reasoning in bringing in a lefty to face him. Or the best course of action, not pitching to him at all.
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:31 pm
Maybe DOB will ask Fredi why he didn’t use Kimmie
Tomahawk Mafia
September 18th, 2012
10:31 pm
Frustrating loss and a game the Braves could have stolen to continue their momentum. It is always difficult to beat Josh Johnson, but he can be beaten as the Braves have shown several times in the past.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
10:32 pm
This just made us hungrier.
We need to light Johnson UP tomorrow night.
Oh No George, Not The Livestock!
September 18th, 2012
10:33 pm
Dislocation pretty much kills the season for Janish I suppose?
the truth...
September 18th, 2012
10:33 pm
Agree ith Nolie……….Guerin not pitching to Reyes…..Kimbrel would have blown him away
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:34 pm
really considered walking Reyes there… wouldn’t have liked that though. Would’ve loved to see EOF or Avilan come in.
Unbelievable
September 18th, 2012
10:34 pm
This loss is squarely on Fredi. This is twice this year he has left Gearin in to face a lefty late in a game and lost. What an idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You never let a side arming righty face a lefthander with the game on the line. It is these kind of stupid decisions that will cost Fredi his job. Inexcusable for this to happen once but to let it happen twice in the same year is laughable.
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
10:34 pm
ACE – anyone with a brain understands why…
– I thought you understood baseball…
NorCal Brave
September 18th, 2012
10:35 pm
Downright scary to trust this offense in a 1-game WC playoff. And just curious, how long is Fredi going to stick with Bourn hitting leadoff?
Fredo
September 18th, 2012
10:35 pm
“light Johnson UP tomorrow night”
I think his 2.17 ERA in 108 innings pitched against the Braves proves there won’t be any lighting up tomorrow. Meds vs Johnson means we’re probably in for a low scoring affair
nolie
September 18th, 2012
10:36 pm
yeah Janish is almost assuredly done for the year
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:36 pm
It comes down to Fredi making these decisions in a one game playoff and the odds are not good.
brian
September 18th, 2012
10:36 pm
that hurt
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
10:37 pm
Wow – nolie with his buddies …the truth and phoenix …
Strange bedfellows…
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:38 pm
Understand baseball yes understand Fredi NO
kelevra
September 18th, 2012
10:38 pm
i put this on bourn…..black hole at the plate for the last three months….and now tonight costing us a big run in the field
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
10:38 pm
Good night, everyone! I will let the dyspeptic contingent enjoy their evening to be dyspeptic…
nolie
September 18th, 2012
10:39 pm
Strange bedfellows…VJ
there will be no kissing from me……
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:40 pm
from twitter (not me)
If using a closer to get out of an inning in a tie game on the road is too big a gamble, isn’t not using him an equally big gamble?
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:42 pm
I sm sure we will get the usual DOB softball. On not using Kimmie, Fredi, we thought we had a good matchup and that will be that.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
10:42 pm
roogy vs lefty = boo hoo hoo
ACE
September 18th, 2012
10:43 pm
On the positive DOB will not have to stay at the park very late.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:45 pm
Might see a few more games with Prado at SS… unless Simmons is ready to go tomorrow. Or maybe Fredi will outgrow his fears and let Rev start?
SOS Braves
September 18th, 2012
10:46 pm
Loss on bourn
Remley
September 18th, 2012
10:46 pm
Somebody please drill that chump Reyes manana!
count_schemula
September 18th, 2012
10:49 pm
‘roid rage in Pittsburgh. Braun with 2-4 1R 1RBI 3SBs
Remley
September 18th, 2012
10:50 pm
Rays Red Sox only in the top of the 8th, man those AL games are exceedingly long.
GrowlerYY
September 18th, 2012
10:50 pm
ACE, I haven’t been around these blogs regularly that much until recently. So DOB usually goes softball on criticizing, eh? (and just a sidebar q: why does Carrol Rogers fill in so much? Just curious). Anyway, I have said it here before: Fredi too often does things that do not give his team the best chance to win, and tonight was another prime example. Especially given the fact they likely lost their defensive specialist SS for the season, he should have gone all-out to try to win it.
Veer
September 18th, 2012
10:51 pm
One of the toughest losses of the year especially after coming back in the 9th inning. Feels like a post season loss. Division now wil be tough unless we run the table and go 13-0.
This one hurts.
Hitting Hernendez by pitch was the turning point of the game. Reyes is an allstar and that ball just dropped in no mans land.
I would have opted to use EOF in that inning given the importance of the game. No need to save them up. Just manage as game goes along. EOF should been there in that inning or even Avilan.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
10:53 pm
Janish said shoulder has subluxed (partial dislocation) 8-9 times in past, but this is 1st time they had to pop it back in. Painful. But X-rays were good and he got immediate relief once the trainer popped his shoulder back in place in clubhouse. He didn’t have it in a sling or anything after game, was just being careful with it. But could only talk to us a few minutes before he had to head back to training room for more treatment.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:53 pm
Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
Janish says he’s dislocated his shoulder 8 or 9 times, but most times it pops right back in. Tonight it didn’t. #Braves
Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
Janish is hopeful its not that serious and that he could be day to day, missing just a few games. #Braves
Sure hope it’s minor…
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
10:55 pm
Just when you thought we might have had the Nationals sweating.
Just when you thought the Braves had the slightest chance to make it the least bit interesting.
They lose in extra innings to a team that has no purpose for existing.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
10:55 pm
good news maybe
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
10:56 pm
Tough one–they all are; nothing to do but ‘tip our hat’ to the Skipper….thanks guy!
nolie
September 18th, 2012
10:57 pm
they did it just to vex you Mitchell, I heard them talking about it….
they figger that you are gonna whine about somethang anyway so they might as well make it hurt more
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
10:58 pm
Just got back from clubhouse, and I’ve got to say this: Glancing over the comments in the past hour, a couple of you folks have issues.
Growler
September 18th, 2012
11:00 pm
Glad to hear Janish may not be seriously hurt, take a bit of the sting off the loss.
brian
September 18th, 2012
11:00 pm
say it again DOB
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
11:02 pm
I can’t wait to almost win the wild card game.
Growler
September 18th, 2012
11:03 pm
No issues here DOB, I haven’t been around enough to have any! But this is a fair queston: Are you gonna blast Fredi in your write-up for leaving Gearrin in to face Reyes? I mean, that was a *stunningly* bad move for a manager of a team with faint hopes of winning the division.
Not trying to being smarmy — just curious….
brian
September 18th, 2012
11:03 pm
Janish’s injury just hurts me. Speaking of pain. Hopefully he will be able to make it back on the field soon
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
11:04 pm
ACE-
BTW…..I’m still bozo’d (according to DOB). — Mixxo
Yes, because you and I, we talk about this stuff, right? Is it via phone, email, text? Just curious where it was that I indicated to you or anyone else that you were still “bozo’d.” I mean, because over here in the real world, I have no clue who you are or if you are banned, or why, or when, or anything else. But again, getting back to your make-believe universe, when did I say you were “bozo’d”? This should be interesting.
I’ll check in after I’m done working.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
11:05 pm
I thought Mixxo was going to give us the story of how he ended up in bozoland. Kind of like DOB’s subway adventure. — ace
The great thing is, you (ace) read every word that’s written here, even though you seem repelled by me and how I go about my job. You hang on every word. Every. Single. Word. And then you talk about the blogs for weeks on end after they’re written.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
11:07 pm
Mixxo wasn’t bozo’ed? Its all just another big fib??
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
11:08 pm
By issues, I assume DOB means with literacy.
What do you “figger” nolie?
Ryan
September 18th, 2012
11:10 pm
If Gearin walks Reyes he would of walked Lee and they win without a hit.All the call ups should not be allowed on this team .Gearin, Overbay,Moylan,Constanza and Boscan should not be on 40 man roster.What is Overbay a guy we put up to strike out.Chip and Joe sure put the jinx on us. Bell sure looked good tonight.There 176 and 198 hotters looked great. Like to see them cut are players like boy Bourn sucked again.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2012
11:10 pm
GOT HEEEEM!!!
nolie
September 18th, 2012
11:11 pm
I figger that if you are too stupid to not know that was on porpoise, as it often has been b4, then you are even more brain-challenged than I imagined
nolie
September 18th, 2012
11:12 pm
GOT HEEEEM!!… bitchell
no moron, you got yourself…
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
11:12 pm
Well Chief, if you didn’t ban me…..who did? Please put me in touch with them so I can start burying the hatchet.
I’m here to have fun….win or lose.
CaptainMudd
September 18th, 2012
11:12 pm
I don’t think messing with DOB is a fruitful endeavor—he follows his mandate and protocol; it is accepted and praised by his employer. I don’t think many on this blog have a grasp on the nature and requirements of his complex position….I am signing off with a plea to you guys to cool it, bye.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
11:15 pm
If only I’d said three years ago that I liked REM…….
Dang!
nolie
September 18th, 2012
11:16 pm
Careful Capt, ACE will pigeonhole you with the Dobbers….
then you would be a mud-
dauberDOBBERChattTownBrian
September 18th, 2012
11:17 pm
Behind a computer is like a drunk. The real issues come out.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2012
11:19 pm
Sometimes I wish I DID drink.
ChattTownBrian
September 18th, 2012
11:19 pm
Speaking of issues – Fredi has management issues with his pen way too much for my taste. Him’s had a baaaad night with the use of his pen arms.
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
11:22 pm
Chipper Jones @RealCJ10
Offense didnt show up til the 9th. Ma-homey pitched great. Bmac big 2run dub. Med goes tmrw against JJ. Runs will be at a premium!
Remley
September 18th, 2012
11:28 pm
Great pitching matchup tomarrow. I’d pay to see it.
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
11:35 pm
nolie – my point earlier was that phoenix did ot know what he was talking about – his comment did not take switch hitting into account…
Of course you did, recognizing that a weak bloop single to right would have been unthinkable against any other pitcher… ,)
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
11:38 pm
I am so stupid…
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
11:42 pm
Postgame quotage from Bravos after 10-inning loss
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/18/braves-quotes-after-tuesdays-loss-to-marlins/
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
11:43 pm
On using Venters and Gearrin in ninth, Gearrin in 10th
“Did ACE tell you to ask that!!! They did a nice job in the ninth inning. Then we walk Brantly [in the 10th] and hit the next guy, and here comes the meat of the order, Reyes and Lee. Reyes just happen to put some bat on the ball and blooped one in there on a 3-2 count. No more motorcycle rides for you!!!”
Frumpy
September 18th, 2012
11:45 pm
I have subluxed my shoulder in the past and required it to be put back in. Usually pretty tender the next 3-4 days but can be back playing footy by the next week. Depends on how serious Janish’s injury is and the treament he gets will obviously help. No doubt he will be playing with pain, just depends if he is the type of bloke who can play with this type of injury. I would be doubtful as playing SS you make alot of dives and likely hood of reinjuring shoulder would be high.
Frumpy
September 18th, 2012
11:45 pm
I have subluxed my shoulder in the past and required it to be put back in. Usually pretty tender the next 3-4 days but can be back playing footy by the next week. Depends on how serious Janish’s injury is and the treament he gets will obviously help. No doubt he will be playing with pain, just depends if he is the type of bloke who can play with this type of injury. I would be doubtful as playing SS you make alot of dives and likely hood of reinjuring shoulder would be high.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
11:48 pm
No issues here DOB, I haven’t been around enough to have any! But this is a fair queston: Are you gonna blast Fredi in your write-up for leaving Gearrin in to face Reyes? — Growler (did it change from GrowlerYY already?)
No, I’m not.
Bay Area Steve
September 18th, 2012
11:48 pm
“I am so stupid…”
No. Just tired. Way, way tired.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
11:52 pm
they odds are still poor with a roogy against a lefty VJ, SW or whatever/ there is a reason that they ten to rank right above mop up guys
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
11:52 pm
Or throwing bones to the anti VJ contingent for confusing comma right paren with semi-colon right paren…
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
11:55 pm
nolie – not arguing with you – just had been commenting on the good people who consigned every single decision made tonight to the idiot side of history…
nolie
September 18th, 2012
11:56 pm
I got issues. I got issues of Guns and Ammo, Shotgun News, Tactical Knives,American Handgunner, Gun World,Guns, Tactical weaponry, Knives Illustrated, and Sound and Vision. They are MY issues and not for sale thank you….
nolie
September 18th, 2012
11:57 pm
I know VJ. just playing dumb so Bitchell can GET me again
nolie
September 18th, 2012
11:58 pm
and they will have to pry them out of my cold, dead hands…if they wanna read them
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
12:00 am
This time, seriously moving off to work on the DVR list on the other television…will be watching the majority of the anticipated debacle tomorrow night on the computer at work…
freebird56
September 19th, 2012
12:06 am
Bourne”s legacy,he is long gone.Braves resign him shame on them.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
12:09 am
Bourn is a guy who is 35 runs saved above average, first or second all season in all baseball. unfortunately nobody is perfect
Growler
September 19th, 2012
12:13 am
No need to get defensive, DOB, I was just asking (and the YY was a typo/computer glitch, it happens). I can tell you this: While I didn’t post here at the start of the season, I have watched the Braves all year long… and I’ve seen more than a handful of times Fredi simply making the wrong move. Doesn’t mean the right move would have worked. But he makes big, tactical errors at key times in games. Sometimes the Braves win in spite of them (like, for instance, Chipper’s dramatic walk-off homer against the Phillies a few Sundays ago… in a game that Fredi royally screwed up with early bad decisions), more often, though, they don’t. It’s part of the story, whether or not you choose to write about it. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t read your work! (that’s just downright silly). It just means you’re not covering every aspect of the team. So be it. But.. you are the beat writer… I personally would expect at least some scrutiny there.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
12:16 am
Braves rally with three runs in 9th, lose 4-3 in 10 innings (updated game story)
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/18/braves-rally-for-three-in-9th-fall-4-3-to-marlins-in-10th/
nolie
September 19th, 2012
12:19 am
Lou Baby….
ACE
September 19th, 2012
1:12 am
DOB would never blast Fredi not going to happen. Fredi could start Janish in the one game playoff and the most you would get would be Fredi on using Janish instead of Medlen.
ACE
September 19th, 2012
1:17 am
Growler if you are not a DOBBER, one who agrees with everything that Fredi does and everything that DOB writes, then this means you know nothing about the game and your opinion doesn’t matter.
There are a few of us who dare walk on the dark side and take all the snide remarks etc. when we disagree
ACE
September 19th, 2012
1:20 am
Also you must say Thank you for everything that DOB writes. If you follow these simple things you too can be another brick in the wall.
ACE
September 19th, 2012
1:26 am
So we cheated and we lied and we tested.
And we never failed to fail it was the easiest thing to do.
ACE
September 19th, 2012
1:41 am
One day I was on the ground
when I needed a hand
and it couldn’t be found
I was so far down
that I couldn’t get up
You know and
One day I was one of life’s losers
even my friends were my accussers
and in my head
lost before I’d begun
nolie
September 19th, 2012
1:56 am
My mama done tol’ me when I was in knee shorts
My mama done tol’ me, “Son
A woan’ll sweet talk and give ya the big eye
But when the sweet talkin’s done
A woman’s a two-face
A worrisome thing who’ll leave ya to sing
The blues in the night”
Now the rain’s a-fallin’
Hear the train’s a callin’, whooee
My mama done tol’ me
Hear dat lonesome whistle
Blowin’ ‘cross the trestle, whooee!
My mama done tol’ me, a-whooee-ah-whooee
Ol’ clickety-clack’s a-echoin’
Back th’ blues in the night
The evenin’ breeze’ll start the trees to cryin’
And the moon’ll hide it’s light
When you get the blues in the night
Take my word, the mockingbird’ll sing
The saddest kind o’ song
He knows things are wrong
And he’s right
From Natchez to Mobile, from Memphis to St. Joe
Wherever the four winds blow
I been in some big towns an’ heard me some big talk
But there is one thing I know
A woman’s a two-face
A worrisome thing who’ll leave ya to sing
The blues in the night
The evenin’ breeze’ll start the trees to cryin’
And the moon’ll hide it’s light
When you get the blues
Blues in the night
Take my word, the mockingbird’ll sing
The saddest kind o’ song
He knows things are wrong
And he’s right
From Natchez to Mobile, from Memphis to St. Joe
Wherever the four winds blow, winds blow
I been in some big towns an’ heard me some big talk
But there is one thing I know
A woman’s a two-face
A worrisome thing who’ll leave ya to sing
The blues in the night
Yes, babe, only, only blues in the night
Ward
September 19th, 2012
4:20 am
Hello everyon just for one post! We have 13 games left, and we can very well reach 90 wins, or maybe 92 wins. Braves are in the drivers seat, and will have to hang in tough against a good pitcher. Chances are still in the Braves favor…… Be calm, and cool, and have fun……Braves will get there! Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!” Talk after game tomorrow. Be tough………
SNEAKY PETE
September 19th, 2012
5:54 am
A very disappointing loss. Hopefully the upside of games like last night is that Fredi will soon be gone.
I hope Wren brings in someone from outside the Braves system when that happens.
SNEAKY PETE
September 19th, 2012
5:57 am
I think 91 wins Ward, and Fredi will lose us the play in game.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 19th, 2012
6:22 am
GEARRIN’s a rookie. Asking him to go in the 10th was practically guaranteed disaster., but not much choice here. EOF, KIMMIE, and even AVILAN needed a night off.
Couch Tater
September 19th, 2012
6:45 am
What is the definition of a “good” tactical manager? I see that alot here.
phil
September 19th, 2012
7:00 am
Opinions are like blowholes…..we’ve all got one.
This, however, does confuse those that think only they are right about everything.
Maybe we’ll score 2-3 tonight off Johnson. Time to bounce back.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
7:15 am
New magic numbers to eliminate each team:
Cardinals – 8
Dodgers – 7
Brewers – 6
Pirates – 5
Phillies – 4
Diamondbacks – 4
Padres – 1
The Braves would have to fail to eliminate two of those teams to not make the playoffs.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
7:33 am
Orioles top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy just got promoted to Majors… wonder if he’ll pitch more than our top pitching prospect. I bet yes.
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
BREAKING: #Orioles, in need of a fresh arm following their 18-inning victory, have promoted their top pitching prospect, Dylan Bundy, 19.
Jeff R
September 19th, 2012
7:56 am
Wasted rally by the Braves last night. Oh, well, go get the fish tonight.
cowdogit
September 19th, 2012
7:57 am
With the go ahead run at second Fredi decided to pinch-hit for Canstanza whom has a higher batting aveage against lefties. This move in effect took the pressure off the pitcher and the pinch-hitter struck out. Fredi has no idea how speed wins ballgames. The braves need a base stealing coach in the worst way .
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
7:59 am
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
8:24 am
With the go ahead run at second Fredi decided to pinch-hit for Canstanza
We’ve seen some bromances here before that could make one squirm by their intensity (not that there’s anything wrong with that. The intensity, I mean.), but never have I seen one more misplaced than the one cowdogit has for the Constanza Bonanza.
I confess I keep reading his posts, though. Guilty pleasure, I reckon.
Trader Jack
September 19th, 2012
8:29 am
scoots
Guilty pleasure? Nah, you’re a masochist at heart – LOL
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
8:29 am
Wasted rally by the Braves last night.
Yessir. Big suckage with that loss. Ordinarily, I’d just write it off, but time’s a’wasting, and they can barely afford to lose any games. Let alone one in which they rally in the ninth, and then shut down a threat in the bottom of inning. Heck, I went to bed, I was so certain that they would win the game, after that.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
8:31 am
Guilty pleasure? Nah, you’re a masochist at heart
No masochism in thinking “There, but for the Grace of God, go I.”.
That’s pure jump-for-joy stuff.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
8:39 am
Michael Bourn has gotten on base just 5 times in his last 35 trips to the plate. Over the last month (28 games), he has exactly one extra-base hit, a double on September 8th.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
8:41 am
Also you must say Thank you for everything that DOB writes. If you follow these simple things you too can be another brick in the wall. — ace
Or be an “individual” whose entire, transparent schtick is to be a contrarian and/or agitator so as to stand out, despite the fact you voluntarily return day after day, hour after hour, to this place. Dude, you do realize how illogical this is, right? That you come to my blog — this is a blog, a personal blog — and spend much of your day commenting and clicking to see the responses you get, thereby building both my comment and page-view counts more than does almost anyone else?
To be clear, I appreciate it and all, but you realize how odd that is, right?
Anyone can see that if you didn’t love this blog and your role as square peg in round hole, if you just wanted to comment on baseball and the Braves and didn’t love all the other stuff I have on my blog and your role you’ve embraced, you’d simply go to any of the other Braves blogs and spend your time there. Talking Chop, Capital Avenue Club, Bowman’s blog at MLB.com — and there are many more, none of which have me as the blog writer. But you don’t. You stay here.
Enjoy. And thanks.
Jeff R
September 19th, 2012
8:45 am
Yessir. Big suckage with that loss. Ordinarily, I’d just write it off, but time’s a’wasting, and they can barely afford to lose any games.
Fear not. Methinks that the Braves can take the series tonight behind Medlen and the bullpen’s first line, which had the night off on Tuesday. That would be a series win for the Bravos. Winning series is a sure ticket to the post season.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
8:49 am
Yessir. Big suckage with that loss. Ordinarily, I’d just write it off, but time’s a’wasting, and they can barely afford to lose any games. Let alone one in which they rally in the ninth, and then shut down a threat in the bottom of inning. Heck, I went to bed, I was so certain that they would win the game, after that
You stayed up for 2-1/2 hours of the Braves doing nothing, playing a lackluster game and showing little sign of life offensively, then saw then put together a three-run rally to tie in the ninth and wiggle out of a serious jam in the bottom of the ninth.
And then you turned off the TV and went to bed?
Sylvester Bill
September 19th, 2012
8:54 am
DOB
Good reply to ACE. Just know that the vast majority of us appreciate your efforts and your insight. I’m not much into arguing so I don’t comment often, but let the contrarions do their thing because it’s very transparent and silly. The rest of us will continue to enjoy.
Jeff R
September 19th, 2012
8:54 am
ACE is only slightly more disturbed than his comrade, Jorge_Jorge.
This humble poster has suggested these fellas consider medication, counseling, hobbies, and anyone of a number of constructive pursuits to keep their feeble though DOB-obsessed minds occupied in their golden years.
Last step: Ask the home to take away their computer room privileges. Or withhold their rations of ice cream after dinner.
ncgary
September 19th, 2012
8:55 am
go braves and barves too lets avoid any more losing streaks
Lew
September 19th, 2012
8:56 am
scoots – Our local newspaper reprinted a Washington Post article about the Chicago Teachers strike and after seeing the headline immediately thought of you “Grit Might Be The Best Measure of Success”
You been doing a speaking tour? Seems that your message is getting through.
Couch Tater
September 19th, 2012
8:57 am
The Constanza Bonanza: Starring Hop Sing as the fastest cook in the west.
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
9:02 am
Many (probably most) are critical of Fredi. Even support for him is mostly half hearted. However, it is easy to second guess, and to fail to consider the reasoning behind it, which at least sometimes, is valid.
Last night is a good example. Some pounded him for his use of the bullpen…specifically, for not using Kimbrell (or EOF, for that matter). Truth is, those guys had been worked hard the last several games, and needed (or required) a day off. Fredi was skewered for overuse of bullpen last year. This year, he is doing a much better job of managing their innins…guess what…he’s still skewered.
I’m sure I will get many responses why I am wrong, and Fredi is an idiot. I’m not saying he is manager of the year…I’m just saying that he is doing a reasonable job, and getting better, IMO. Good enough? Highly debatable.
Jeff R
September 19th, 2012
9:04 am
Good reply to ACE. Just know that the vast majority of us appreciate your efforts and your insight.
Ditto. I think ol’ ACE and ol’ Jorge_Jorge actually envy DOB, if you want my less than professional evaluation of their infantile obsession with him.
Got a feeling that in origami class at the home they stew about the fact that they can’t be the AJC beat reporter for the Braves.
Next life, boys. Next life.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
9:04 am
And then you turned off the TV and went to bed?
Well, I didn’t watch the entire game, so I didn’t feel I was all that invested. Plus, I was sleepy. There you go.
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
9:06 am
DOB – Ignor the trolls. It’s either a personality flaw, or a cry for attention. If we had an election, you would win in a landslide.
I’ve always said that we are here on a volunteer baasis. If this blog doesn’t suit you, find one that does. Kinda my philosophy of life, as well.
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
9:09 am
Brian – Thanks for the daily updates RE the WC standings. The way MLB reports the WC is less than satisfactory.
Jeff R
September 19th, 2012
9:10 am
Was the game last night against the Fish really critical to the Braves’ fortunes? I know we want the Braves to sew up the top wild card slot ASAP, or maybe – just maybe – make a run at the Nats, however unlikely it is that the Braves overtake the Nats.
But, honestly, the Braves can take the series tonight against the Fish. If so, mission accomplished.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
9:11 am
Michael Bourn is now down to a career 90 OPS+ – .272/.338/.364
Over his last 84 games, 382 plate appearances since June 16th. Bourn has hit .233/.324/.330.
Since the All Star Break, he’s hit .215/.312/.297 in 63 games, 284 PA’s.
Yes, please, give him up to $18 million a year over five to six years through his age 35 year old season……..
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:14 am
Last night’s loss only did 1 thing… weaken our already slim chances of catching the gNats. We’re still fine for the WC.
It was disappointing to lose yes, but hey, we already “lost” (according to some) in the 8th/9th. We came back to tie and made it interesting. That was good to see.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:15 am
Yeah, I went to bed after the 8th inning, so to me the result was encouraging. I can understand why someone who went to bed after the 9th inning would be sadder about it.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:17 am
Uggla’s hitting .333/.440/.571/1.011 over his last 12 games. Yep, bench the guy. He’s a bum….
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
9:18 am
I still have absolutely no idea why Jason Heyward was playing on the warning track for Jose Reyes last night. Oh well blew another meaningless game down the stretch and the offense couldn’t touch a guy who had a 7+ ERA in his last bunch of starts.
Jerry Blooger
September 19th, 2012
9:20 am
Can someone please tell me what exactly Escobar put on his face. I havent found it.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:21 am
Eovaldi was throwing 97 on the corners and commanding his breaking ball last night. He definitely wasn’t doing that over his last bunch of starts with a 7 ERA.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:22 am
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Good morning folks — today’s column is posted. http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/olney_buster/id/8397869/does-miguel-cabrera-al-mvp-case-mike-trout-mlb About why this yr’s AL MVP vote could represent death of the RBI;links.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
9:24 am
Looks like we’ll face the same cast of characters next week – LeBlanc, Eovaldi and Johnson.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
9:25 am
“About why this yr’s AL MVP vote could represent death of the RBI;links.”
Actually the two most deserving MVPs (Cabrera and Braun) lead both leagues in RBIs so there goes that logic.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:27 am
I would probably vote Braun MVP in the NL, but Trout definitely deserves it in the AL.
Lew
September 19th, 2012
9:27 am
raleighbraves – I wouldn’t call him an idiot, but when he left Gearrin in there to face a LH hitter, I wondered why he did it. I would have brought in a LHP.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
9:28 am
Eovaldi was throwing 97 on the corners and commanding his breaking ball last night. He definitely wasn’t doing that over his last bunch of starts with a 7 ERA.
The worst starting pitcher in MLB can shut down the best lineup in MLB on any night. The difference between a good pitcher and a mediocre one is simply the frequency with which they can do it.
Eovaldi’s potential for performances like last night is why the Fish wanted him in the trade. Guy had his A game, what the heck you gonna do?
Think posters on other blogs were crying about their team losing to a bum like Minor in the second half? Yeah, kinda.
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
9:30 am
DOB – Ignor the trolls. It’s either a personality flaw, or a cry for attention.
Oh, don’t do that. This Ace stuff may not be on par with the old Robert beat downs, but it is entertaining reading.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:30 am
For the record, Lew, if you’re talking about Reyes, he is a switch hitter. And it’s not like Reyes really got him. Gearrin made a great 3-2 pitch, and Reyes just blooped it in there.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:30 am
Switchitter… if a LH was brought in, Reyes would’ve hit righty
MFin: There’s alot of talk of Trout possibly winning it over Cabrera… despite how they’re finishing the seaso (Cabrera is on fire, Trout is slumping a bit).
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
9:31 am
Can someone explain to me why Heyward was kicking around dirt on the warning track last night when Reyes was up with the game winning run on 2nd?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:33 am
And it’s not like Reyes really got him. Gearrin made a great 3-2 pitch, and Reyes just blooped it in there.
Agree…. the ball was hit softly, too softly for Heyward or Uggla to get to it. Was surprised that Hey was playing back, but with 2 outs, I guess that you would use the normal defense.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:33 am
Cabrera is probably a little bit of a better hitter than Trout right now. But in every other facet of the game, mainly defense and baserunning, Trout blows him out of the water. Cabrera would win a Best Hitter award in the AL, but the MVP is Trout.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:35 am
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
I consider WAR in the MVP vote. I did last year. But to allow it to determine your vote is shortsighted. The award is not WAR of the Year.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:35 am
With a runner on 2nd in a tie game, and Reyes up there, Heyward shouldn’t have been playing deep. I didn’t see it, so I don’t know where he was. If he was on or close to the warning track, he was too deep.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
9:36 am
The only way Trout wins is if they go with WAR solely, which seems to be a little ridiculous.
Cabrera has a better average, less K’s, more walks, more homers, more rbis, better slugging, better OPS. The other guy is flashier, plays CF, and has a better WAR.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:38 am
You don’t have to use WAR. Just use your eyes. Cabrera has a slightly better avg, OBP, and SLG. But Trout saves far more runs on defense, and is a huge impact player on the bases.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
9:38 am
Let’s see, ho hum. Kyle Lohse with another 7 innings of shutout ball and now 15-3 with 2.70 ERA. No allstar team, no mention of Cy Young. All this guy does is pitch his azz off.
Going to be 34 and FA. Not totally convinced the Braves should pick up that 9M option for Huddy. Affordable yes, but right move? Lohse has to get some attention this offseason from the FO.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
9:39 am
It should be a requirement that an MVP’s team makes the playoffs though. I mean you aren’t very valuable if you don’t get your team to the playoffs. Especially when your team spent millions of dollars in the off-season to win the world series (Tigers and Angels). Shame on them. Shame on the Dodgers and Marlins too.
Smartest baseball team this offseason…yep…your Atlanta Braves. The most non-overreacting team in the majors.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:41 am
I understand why people say that about MVP winners being on playoff teams. But I believe it’s an individual award, and if you think that way, you are punishing the player because his teammates didn’t play well enough. The playoff teams have their own trophies to try to win. MVP is for individuals.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
9:41 am
It is interesting that everyone wants to get rid of Bourn but yet his WAR rivals the 3 MVP candidates and is 6th overall in the NL. All 3 of our outfielders are in the top 10 in the NL. Pretty drastic turn around.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
9:42 am
Marlins got Nate Eovaldi, Jacob Turner, Rob Brantly, Gorkys Hernandez, Zack Cox, Scott McGough for Hanley Ramirez(overpaid), Omar Infante, Anibal Sanchez(2 months), Randy Choate, Gaby Sanchez(cooked), Edward Mujica.
Everyone ripped them for it, but I think they made smart baseball trades.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:43 am
MFin04, no one wants to “get rid of Bourn”. He has had a great year on defense, and carried the tea offensively for a while. Some people are leery of giving him an exorbitant salary based on the type of player he is and his age. That’s not the same as “wanting to get rid of him”.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
9:43 am
Most VALUABLE Player. You don’t have that much value if you don’t lead your team to the playoffs. I’m not saying win the World Series, but you do have to make the playoffs. That or there are 4/5 other guys that are more valuable than you in your league. Gotta make the playoffs or you haven’t done your complete job.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 19th, 2012
9:44 am
“…..Maybe we’ll score 2-3 tonight off Johnson. Time to bounce back……” phil
And with MEDS on the mound, that’s exactly what FREDO is thinking [guessing of course]. Thusly he keeps KIMBREL, EOF, and AVILAN in reserve last night for tonight’s tight tilt.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
9:46 am
“That’s not the same as “wanting to get rid of him”.”
But it is also not understanding a players value. Bourn has more or less the same value as Braun, McCutchen, Molina, Wright, and Posey. That’s some ELITE company. His numbers aren’t sexy, but he should be a legit contender for MVP along with Heyward and Prado.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
9:46 am
Lohse has to get some attention this offseason from the FO.
Shouldn’t you be a little concerned that his walk year is all out of whack to the rest of his career, though? He’s pitching the same, as far as hits, homers, Ks, BBs, and stuff, yet his ERA is way under even his previous best year. That would give me pause, I think.
Good pitcher, sure, but he’ll want to get paid off his sub-3 year, not his plus-4 career. That might make me a little antsy.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:48 am
You don’t have that much value if you don’t lead your team to the playoffs.
I just flat out disagree with that. You provide value by generating runs for your offense and by preventing runs on defense, and by providing leadership skills in the dugout. Whether your teammates play well enough to get the team to the playoffs is out of your control, and you shouldn’t be penalized for it in an individual achievement award.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:49 am
But it is also not understanding a players value. Bourn has more or less the same value as Braun, McCutchen, Molina, Wright, and Posey.
I disagree with that, this year. Now you are the one using WAR alone, as opposed to your eyes. I think Bourn’s been excellent on defense this year, but I think baseball-reference’s WAR is giving just a little bit to much credit there. Bourn has had a good year overall, but I don’t think he’s been an elite player in the NL this season.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
9:51 am
scoots,
Agree he is having a monster year. Reality is that he had a big year last season for the Cards as well. Carpenter believe it or not didn’t pitch everygame for the Cardinals. Lohse numbers were very solid all year, Carp was the beast in playoffs. Could be a guy who just developed late and just a very cerebral type of pitcher late in his career.
I know we have Lowe memories of giving 3 yr contract to guy in his 30’s, but also many thought Glavine was a no brainer for 8M back in 2008. Didn’t turn out that well, might happen to Huddy with his streak of injuries.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
9:52 am
You don’t have to use WAR. Just use your eyes. Cabrera has a slightly better avg, OBP, and SLG. But Trout saves far more runs on defense, and is a huge impact player on the bases.
Exactly. You don;t need WAR to tell you that Trout has been the better player and that baserunning and defense matters and pushes him over the top.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
9:55 am
jcrasnick Jerry Crasnick
I agree that Trout’s overall game (defense and baserunning) outweighs Cabrera’s and should give him an edge in MVP voting
jcrasnick Jerry Crasnick
But stathead condescension doesn’t do him any favors. Anyone who praises Cabrera gets branded an “idiot.” Really?
Praise Cabrera for his game at the plate. But he is one of the worst defensive players in the league – and he doesn’t add a friggin thing on the basepaths.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:56 am
Fangraph’s WAR is a little more in line with my thinking: It has Bourn 8th in the NL, behind Heyward and Molina, and a pretty fair margin behind Braun, McCutchen, Wright, and Posey.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
9:57 am
Here’s Olney’s article:
The best front office minds in baseball have been the engines of change in the sport over the last two decades, and as a result, there are fewer bunts and more lineups stacked according to on-base percentage and a greater value placed on defense.
There has been a gradual trickle-down effect from those front-office Spawn of Moneyball to the baseball writers, who have generally adopted and embraced that thinking. This was apparent in 2010 when the ‘pitcher wins’ statistic was placed on life support, after being a primary evaluation for decades. Felix Hernandez went 13-12 that year, which meant that he ranked 18th in pitcher wins, and he won the AL Cy Young award anyway. For some baseball officials, the ‘pitcher wins’ statistic still has a heartbeat as a small measure of how a pitcher can push across a finish line in a tough inning, but it is mostly extinct.
In a few months, when MVP votes are tallied, we will know if another statistic, the RBI — rendered obsolete by most front offices as an evaluation tool during the last decade — is now being treated similarly by the baseball writers.
By the measures of past generations, Miguel Cabrera would be a solid bet to win the AL Most Valuable Player award. After his monster performance Tuesday night, he’s got a .333 average, 40 homers and 129 RBIs, and he has a shot to be the first Triple Crown winner since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.
If you go by the new metrics, however, Mike Trout would win the MVP in the way that Lyndon Johnson thrashed Barry Goldwater in ‘64, or how Richard Nixon crushed George McGovern. According to the advanced numbers, Trout vs. Cabrera is not close.
As of this morning, the wins above replacement leaders — the WAR leaders — for the American League:
1. Mike Trout 10.2
2. Robinson Cano 6.7
3. Miguel Cabrera 6.1
WAR takes a much broader overview of a player’s skills, incorporating baserunning and defense, as well, as the Fangraphs definition details here.
In the MVP voting of years past, defense and baserunning have tended to be treated like ugly stepchildren, and batting average and RBIs have been the favored categories. The accumulation of RBIs is the traditional way that players have evaluated themselves and each other; you hear constant references to this in conversations with those in uniform.
But in the last decade — and in particular, in the last five years — defense and baserunning metrics have gained a lot of attention in front offices because they fill out the broader picture of what a player is.
Cabrera is an extraordinary hitter; as I wrote here recently, if he retired today, he would have done enough to be voted into the Hall of Fame for work at the plate alone. He is also one of the worst defensive players in the majors; it’s a simple statement of fact that his presence at third base costs the Tigers runs. He is, on his best days, a station-to-station baserunner.
Trout is among the best hitters in the majors and will finish this season with something close to these numbers: 130 runs, 85 RBIs and a .950 OPS. He is also arguably the fastest baserunner, and the most efficient, with 46 stolen bases in 50 attempts, constantly taking extra bases. And he is a spectacular defensive player, to the point that one club official recently evaluated his range as extending seven feet beyond the fence because of his ability to get back to the wall. (He leads the majors in home run takeaways.
Defense for baseball teams and players has not traditionally been viewed as separate entities in the same way as it has been in the NFL. During the prime of Peyton Manning’s career, the Colts’ defense was thought of as something that the quarterback had to overcome.
The most progressive baseball front offices now do think of it that as another way of creating value. “It’s a zero sum game,” a GM said recently. “If you can save a run with your defense or create a run (on the base paths), it’s the same as hitting a home run.”
By their way of thinking, Cabrera could be Manning — and that old Colts defense, as well. On the other hand, Trout could be thought of as Aaron Rodgers, Chris Johnson, Clay Matthews and Darrelle Revis all rolled into one player.
How will the MVP vote turn out? It’s hard to say. There are 28 voters who will pick the AL MVP, with two in each of the 14 American League cities — which means 28 different perspectives, 28 different standards.
If they go with the old-school numbers, it’ll be Cabrera or maybe Josh Hamilton.
If they view the evaluation through the prism used by most front offices — as they did in 2010, with the Felix Hernandez Cy Young vote — then the only question will be whether Trout is a unanimous selection.
For the readers: Who would you pick?
Cabrera says he would thank Prince Fielder if he were to win the MVP.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:57 am
Miguel Cabrera is and always has been a tremendous hitter. But that is and always has been about it. Like Manny Ramirez, only slightly less goofy.
Lew
September 19th, 2012
9:59 am
Brian – For the record, I was aware that Reys is a swith hitter. However, the fact remains that Reyes was going to hit LH against Gearrin, who has a line of .348, .400, .609 against LH hitters whereas Avilan has a line of .258, .310, .318 against RH hitters.
In other words – for the record – Avilan might well have been a better choice against Reyes – especially since Gearrin had already been les than stellar in his inning pitched as witnessed by the runners already on base and in scoring position.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:59 am
Bourn is a really good player having a horrible 2nd half with the bat. If he wasn’t our lead off batter it probably wouldn’t be such a big deal. But that’s not the case. It’s really hard on the offense when the leadoff man is producing numbers like he has. If he’s not getting on base, that means he’s not using his 2nd best attribute which is stealing bases.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
9:59 am
“You don’t need WAR to tell you that Trout has been the better player and that baserunning and defense matters and pushes him over the top.”
All those are flashier features. If that’s the case then first baseman/DH guys aren’t going to win the MVP anymore because all they do is hit and OPS ridiculous numbers. Baserunning and defense do matter, but at the end of the day homers are the easiest way to score and Cabrera’s OPS is crazy. He shouldnt be penalized for playing first or DHing if guys shouldn’t be penalized for not making the playoffs.
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
10:02 am
Over his last 84 games, 382 plate appearances since June 16th. Bourn has hit .233/.324/.330.
Since the All Star Break, he’s hit .215/.312/.297 in 63 games, 284 PA’s.
Some might try to dismiss those numbers because he plays almost everyday and the wear and tear has caused the decline but it looks like it didn’t take much season to begin that decline. I’m really hoping the FO doesn’t throw more than 9 million his way.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
10:02 am
Agree he is having a monster year. Reality is that he had a big year last season for the Cards as well.
You bet, excellent year. I like the guy, don’t get me wrong. Gets in his innings, keeps his team in it, like that. Just that he’s another low-K, pitch-to-contact guy, and I’d worry that his 3.30 last year is more indicative than his 2.70 this year, you know? And this Braves’ staff looks to be full-up with his type of pitcher in 2013, already.
With the upcoming FA class in pitchers, the guy is gonna wanna get paid. Last big contract at 34, and so forth. He’d make me twitchy, but that’s just me.
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
10:02 am
specially given the budget restraints that we work with.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
10:03 am
“I’m really hoping the FO doesn’t throw more than 9 million his way.”
Even though he is easily worth $18 million? Absurd.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
10:04 am
If that’s the case then first baseman/DH guys aren’t going to win the MVP anymore because all they do is hit and OPS ridiculous numbers.
If Trout was hitting .260 with a .740 OPS, you would have a point. But Trout’s hitting has been right up there very close to Cabrera’s. So his defense and baserunning clearly put him over the top.
A run saved on defense is the same as hitting a home run on offense.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:04 am
It’s hard to believe that Cabrera has never won a MVP, he’s probably the closest hitter compared to Pujols who has 3 MVPs.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:06 am
I’m really hoping the FO doesn’t throw more than 9 million his way.
Co-sign!!!
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
10:06 am
So not crazy about Chipper batting cleanup going forward. I loved him batting 6th for this team or even batting in the 2 slot right. I would be tempted moving Prado down to 5 and take lumps with Freeman in cleanup and his strike outs. Like to see Prado drive the ball more and he is capable of doing. Becoming more of a slap hitter and Chipper can do that as well moving runners over in Bourn ever gets on base.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
10:07 am
Another comparision is appropriate to Manny Ramirez, who also never won an MVP. I wonder why…maybe defense, baserunning, and intangibles had something to do with it…
DAP
September 19th, 2012
10:07 am
the defensive metrics are unreliable and shouldnt be leaned on to make a decision on MVP. if you are using WAR as a weighty stat when deciding MVP, you are basically propping up CFers, and SS, while retracting from 1st basemen and catchers.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
10:07 am
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2012&month=0&season1=2012&ind=0
The most progressive baseball front offices now do think of it that as another way of creating value. “It’s a zero sum game,” a GM said recently. “If you can save a run with your defense or create a run (on the base paths), it’s the same as hitting a home run.”
Where is Shaun Payne when you need him to pound his chest and scream Wins Above Replacement at the top of his lungs?
And I guess, while I don’t have WAR tattoed on my chest – I do get that defense and baserunning are damn important, and why I am not going to just look at slash lines to compare players.
For example, if Heyward was a first baseman, he wouldn’t have as high a WAR. But, his baserunning still matters, and therefore, he wouldn’t have as low a WAR as some of the first baseman out there. I like that it compiles everything into one stat. However, I disagree with the defensive limitations it puts on 1st base and what it gives to Catchers. It’s overkill in that regard.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
10:07 am
Wow, was really quiet over night. I thought there would be wailing and rending of garments all night.
Fredi is prolly not going anywhere if we get to the post season, even just the one game qualifier.
Not many managers with 90 wins get canned.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:08 am
Angel’s are gonna hate the Pujols contract in a few years. He’s declining. Even in his final season in St Louis his numbers dipped, and they have dropped again. He even has more K’s than BB’s, 1st time since his rookie year.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
10:08 am
the defensive metrics are unreliable and shouldnt be leaned on to make a decision on MVP. if you are using WAR as a weighty stat when deciding MVP, you are basically propping up CFers, and SS, while retracting from 1st basemen and catchers.
But look at what Mike Trout is doing as a CF. It;s insane. He’s hitting like a 1st baseman, while still playing great defense at a premium position. And he’s like the best baserunner in the league. It’s not even close, imo.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
10:08 am
I don’t think many voters are using WAR yet, especially not as the sole basis of their decisions.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
10:08 am
Lohse was said to be overpaid his last contract but you are right, his ante is going up regardless his age. Not a strikeout guy a not prototype #1, but he is a huge reason the Cardinals probably make the playoffs this season. Hopefully we don’t see in the WC game and he pitches that last series to get them there.
Veer
September 19th, 2012
10:09 am
Jeff Baker being intentionally walked to face Micheal Bourn was perhaps the biggest disgrace I have ever witnessed of a Superstar Braves player. Never before i have seen a similar situtation like this where a no name scrub like Jeff Baker is walked to face a superstar with speed.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
10:09 am
True nolie…only way Fredi gets canned is if the Braves collapse again and don’t make the playoffs, which is so remotely possible now, it’s really not even worth mention. The Braves are about 10 times less likely to miss the playoffs right now as they were at their best point last year.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
10:10 am
I agree that Trout is having a monster season, taking into account everything that he brings to the table. He would be my choice for AL MVP. Prolly POY
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
10:10 am
I really doubt writers are using WAR solely. But front offices are absolutely using it. It’s ridiculous to think otherwise.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
10:11 am
While trying to talk about all facets of the game when evaluating a player, I am always hesitant to use WAR when trying to prove something. Notice that not once in my posts this morning have I used WAR to trumpet the case for Trout. WAR can be a great snapshot, but it’s still a little too subjective to be used with the same confidence as OPS, etc.
Murph
September 19th, 2012
10:13 am
Who here still wants the team to sign Bourn to a multi-year deal this offseason, knowing what his price will be? Stand and be recognized.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
10:13 am
As opposed to saying that front offices “use WAR,” I think it’s much more likely that they use their own proprietary metrics to evaluate players, in every facet of their game. I doubt they log on to baseball-reference and check the WAR. You could say they make their own “WAR”.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:13 am
I don’t know, I’d probably vote for Cabrera. Not a fan of a rookie winning the award. Unbelievable that Cabrera hasn’t won a MVP yet, and now a rook is gonna beat him out for it… Come on.. lol
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
10:13 am
“A run saved on defense is the same as hitting a home run on offense”
Also not true. Because how in the world do you quantify a run saved on defense? It isn’t as clear cut as a homer. Not to mention a homer can drive in 1,2,3,4 guys.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
10:14 am
AT, on another note, I hope you know I was just messin’ with you on the Constanza/Gentry comparison yesterday. OK?
But stathead condescension doesn’t do him any favors.
Here’s a perfect example of how the “intelligent martyr” attitude taken by some saber-centric folks just completely derails the conversation on advanced statistics. Olney is one of those guys who has always been willing to listen, willing to have his mind changed, willing to embrace when convinced, but unwilling to simply bow down with dogmatic acceptance. If he, and like-minded folks, perceive proponents of advanced analysis as condescending statheads, how do we ever forward the conversation? I hope we aren’t doomed to forever have Murray Chase and Keith Law and nothing in between. That leaves folks like Buster on a lonely island.
CB
September 19th, 2012
10:15 am
Is this blog as slow for everyone else or is it just my computer. Dang
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
10:16 am
Free Agent starting pitchers – Greinke, Peavy, Dempster, A. Sanchez, Haren, Lohse, Jackson, Kuroda, Marcum, Liriano, Blanton, Saunders, McCarthy, E. Santana
Sort of a deep, good – mediocre market.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:16 am
The most I would go for Bourn would be 5 years 55 million. Which isn’t enough to get it done. Even this past offseason that Is what I suggested, his awesome 1st half plus playing a premium position with tons of teams in need of a CFer is what will make his price likely be in the 75-85 million range.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
10:17 am
Neither Cabrera or Trout should win if they are on high payroll teams that CAN’T make the playoffs.
So in regards to the NL MVP if all those guys are equal at a 6.5 WAR, don’t you have to go with the guy who is on a playoff team? I mean you have Braun, McCutchen, and Yadier. Should be Yadier right?
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
10:17 am
I agree that it’s difficult to quantify a run saved on defense, much more difficult than offense. But still, it’s true that a run saved on defense is the same as a (solo) home run. How you measure it is another task, and one people are still trying to figure out. We’re certainly better at it now than 10 years go, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement.
That’s why you don’t see me quoting defensive stats hardly ever to prove any kind of point. They’re just not as reliable.
But just because the metrics aren’t as reliable right now doesn’t mean that defense is not important. It’s just that it’s harder to tell how important it is.
cricket
September 19th, 2012
10:17 am
i honestly believe that awards should be given out based on some agreed upon statistical model with no more human voting. teams can decide which players they want to pay and how much based on market conditions, team needs and any other criteria they deem right.
personally, cabrera with his 40 HR and >1 OPS can play on my team anytime (if i can afford him) and i don’t care if he uses hoveround on the base paths.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
10:18 am
If there were two or more players who I thought were “equal” in value, then sure, whether the team is in the playoffs could be a great tiebreaker.
DAP
September 19th, 2012
10:19 am
efrim But look at what Mike Trout is doing as a CF. It;s insane. He’s hitting like a 1st baseman, while still playing great defense at a premium position. And he’s like the best baserunner in the league. It’s not even close, imo.
id probably go trout, without looking at WAR. but, its close. ;- )
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
10:20 am
I hope we aren’t doomed to forever have Murray Chase and Keith Law and nothing in between. That leaves folks like Buster on a lonely island.
I sort of blame the Murray Chase faction a bit more than the Keith Law’s of the world. But I do understand your point. Oh well. I always say….
Get busy living. It’s 2012(or insert present year).
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
10:21 am
MFin04, I am a little confused. You seem to think Cabrera should win the MVP, but you also said that you think it should be a requirement that a team make the playoffs. If the playoffs started today, the Tigers would not be in. In fact, they are 3 games back in their division. The Angels are 2.5 games back from the 2nd wild card.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
10:21 am
.558 slugging vs .612 slugging isn’t something that should be scoffed at either. That is a GIGANTIC difference. Defense and baserunning matter, but their hitting isn’t that close.
1.006 vs .954, that’s a pretty drastic difference.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
10:22 am
“Who here still wants the team to sign Bourn to a multi-year deal this offseason, knowing what his price will be? Stand and be recognized.”
I would but around 12-13M and not even in the conversation at 15M. I also sit him more next season. It’s also not etched in stone he has to leadoff everygame for me. Prado can bat leadoff during steakier times and bat Bourn 7th or 8th if he’s going south.
Werth isn’t typical leadoff hitter for the Nationals is he? Mix it up. Problem is with Bourn is if you have any thought of resigning him, can’t move him down today or tomorrow. He’s been very disappointing lets be honest of his hitting and reason this team is so inconsistent.
Fredi is in a tough pickle. Unless somebody, Heyward, Freeman, Chipper(doubtful) or McCann and Uggla can carry this team for 4-5 game stretch, this lineup is going to have a difficult time getting out of the NLDS and advancing. Still would give some thought of shaking it up(Chipper 2nd, Prado 5th etc). Rolling the dice thinking something is going to change and it really hasn’t the last 5 weeks. Good but good enough?
Murph
September 19th, 2012
10:22 am
Is there a way on fangraphs or baseball-reference to pick two players and do a direct comparison?
I want to see a direct comparison of Bourn and Pagan. $15mil vs $7mil (guesstimated)…
cricket
September 19th, 2012
10:23 am
That leaves folks like Buster on a lonely island.
gotta disagree here scoots. i think that island is actually pretty crowded but that crowd has no desire to fight online pis* fights with either side. that crowd remembers that this is still a game they loved as a kid and prefers to enjoy it without proselytizing. may be that crowd is actually smart..
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:23 am
And only 2 pitchers in that class that I’d like Frank to get (as they’re good #1-2s)…. Greinke and Haren. The Dodgers can choose from the other guys to make their rotation. Get Big-Game Zack in the ATL!
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
10:23 am
I mean you have Braun, McCutchen, and Yadier. Should be Yadier right?
Stop just looking at one stat or model like WAR.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:24 am
It would be nice to see Prado get a vote or 2 for NL MVP. Is there another player that plays everyday at 3-4 different positions? He also has the most multi-hit games in baseball, 300 AVG, almost 40 doubles and 20 steals.. Of course I know he isn’t a top contender for the award but he deserves alot of credit. Much better than any analyst gives him credit for.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
10:24 am
“You seem to think Cabrera should win the MVP, but you also said that you think it should be a requirement that a team make the playoffs.”
I think the best player on a playoff team should win the award, yes. Cano? Beltre? I dunno. But it seems hard to be valuable if you aren’t getting to the playoffs. The whole point of the season is to make the playoffs and win the world series. Now if there isn’t a guy putting up monster numbers on a playoff team…you might have to default to a non-playoff team, but you gotta look at playoff teams first.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
10:25 am
But still, it’s true that a run saved on defense is the same as a (solo) home run.
I’m going to disagree, Brian, but it’s mainly on context. Defensive runs saved are in the category of pitching to low-runs-given up for me, in that they contribute to not losing, which is slightly different from winning. Perfect pitching and perfect defense can only produce a tie at zero; only the offensive side can provide the scoring necessary to win.
I know that may seem like a small distinction, but that’s my opinion.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
10:25 am
Free Agent starting pitchers – Greinke, Peavy, Dempster, A. Sanchez, Haren, Lohse, Jackson, Kuroda, Marcum, Liriano, Blanton, Saunders, McCarthy, E. Santana
And based on that list, I’d bet only Greinke, Peavy, Dempster, A. Sancez, Lohse Kuroda, and Jackson get multi year deals.
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
10:26 am
ncscoots, yes I know… If you won’t have, I would have thought something was wrong with you.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:26 am
Very possible that Bourn is wore down in the 2nd half.. Probably should have given him a few more days off early on vs LHP atleast. But oh well.
cricket
September 19th, 2012
10:27 am
Get Big-Game Zack in the ATL!
Duke’s 1st name is spelled Zach
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:27 am
Efrim
I doubt we sign any of them, If we add a pitcher it will likely be threw trade.
Murph
September 19th, 2012
10:28 am
I would but around 12-13M and not even in the conversation at 15M. I also sit him more next season. It’s also not etched in stone he has to leadoff everygame for me. Prado can bat leadoff during steakier times and bat Bourn 7th or 8th if he’s going south.
You’d pay $13mil for a hitter to hit 8th? We’ve already got one of those in Uggla.
Bourn plays great defense (I’m ignoring the fact that he jumped for a ball and missed last night when he still had 5+ feet before hitting the wall), but I’m having a hard time justifying paying Bourn $7-8mil more than a guy like Pagan, whose defense is average but bat is above average, or at least above Bourn’s bat.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
10:30 am
MFin04, I guess I would just say that I don’t view 1.000 to .950 as an ENORMOUS OPS gap. It basically boils down to Cabrera getting attaining 30 more bases with his bat over the course of a year.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
10:31 am
“Stop just looking at one stat or model like WAR.”
I’m not. But what else do you want to look at? If you can’t look at HRs and RBIs anymore. You have SBs and War. Precisely why speedy guys are now a lock for the MVP.
If you don’t look at WAR you basically ignore baserunning and defense. If you look at HRs and RBIs you are old school voting. If you look at OPS you still are valuing the extra base hit but overlooking defense. What is your defining number? Because in the NL there are a lot of guys who are having valuable seasons, but it depends on what you value most.
Yadier is the best catcher in the game.
Braun best LF in the game, but LF is relatively worthless
Wright is on a terrible team
McCutchen plays CF which is a big plus in WAR
Posey is 2nd best catcher in NL best has the best offensive numbers
cricket
September 19th, 2012
10:31 am
Enter your comments here
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
10:33 am
“I’m having a hard time justifying paying Bourn $7-8mil more than a guy like Pagan, whose defense is average but bat is above average, or at least above Bourn’s bat.”
Ok, agreed. But what if the Braves can’t get Pagan and they can’t get Victorino and end up with a guy like Constanza or Schafer? Then we’re really screwed.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
10:34 am
Bourn is a bit of a puzzle. Would love to have him back and his defense is very solid regardless of last night. Sit him more against lefties no doubt. I have always been in agreement with Nolie, we are way too dependent on hitters batting from the left side. Pagan a switch hitter right? Might have to consider. Bourn, Freeman, McCann, Heyward fixed in lineup everyday isn’t balance you really look for.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
10:34 am
I’m not. But what else do you want to look at? If you can’t look at HRs and RBIs anymore. You have SBs and War. Precisely why speedy guys are now a lock for the MVP.
BA/OBP/SLG/OPS+/XBH’s/BB’S/BB% and defensive metrics to figure out whose playing great defense. WAR helps with that too. Wraps a lot of it up.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
10:35 am
I actually like Victorino and what he brings attitude wise, but he may be done. I thought change of venue would help with production out in LA but he’s been pretty mediocre. Big leap of faith taking a flyer right now on him.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
10:35 am
may be that crowd is actually smart
cricket, maybe so. Still…
Sometimes, I think I bang on Shaun as much as I do because he reminds me of, well, me.
A little, anyway. I’ve been reading about sabermetrics and such for probably longer than he’s been reading, period, and I certainly can remember eureka moments. And such moments make you want to share the new-found knowledge. One can think that some conclusions are self-evident and become exasperated when it turns out to not be so. I get that.
But the smartest guy in the room doesn’t get to be that way by telling everybody else that they are less smart. Do that, and you don’t end up in the room, in the first place, because you don’t get invited to the party. Some sabercentric folks haven’t picked up on that.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
10:35 am
MFin04, I don’t believe there is a defining number. If there were, MVP voting would be really easy and the voting would be unanimous every year. You have to look at everything, some of not even statistical, and make your own judgment.
Murph
September 19th, 2012
10:36 am
Ok, agreed. But what if the Braves can’t get Pagan and they can’t get Victorino and end up with a guy like Constanza or Schafer? Then we’re really screwed.
If they can’t get Bourn (for the right price, which is way under what some here are estimating), Pagan, or any of the other FA centerfielders, then they are going to have to turn to the trade market.
I like Constanza for reasons I cited yesterday (he annoys scoots to no end), but I think everyone knows he can’t man CF for more than a game or two a season. Johnson isn’t an option because he’s a delicate flower who can’t play more than 2 games a week. Cunningham, by all accounts, is a 4th outfielder at best. So….
No Bourn, no Pagan, no other FA means trade. Or Heyward in CF.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
10:36 am
NL MVP is a tough call. Could really go with Braun, McCutchen or Posey.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
10:37 am
Bourn
Chipper
Heyward
Freeman
Prado
McCann or Uggla depending on who throws
Simmons
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
10:37 am
Barry Rozner @BarryRozner
That’s idiotic RT @jcrasnick Can we stop throwing around the term “idiot” or “moron” for everyone who looks from a different viewpoint?
Retweeted by Jerry Crasnick
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
10:39 am
like Constanza for reasons I cited yesterday (he annoys scoots to no end)
Don’t be a doody-head.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
10:41 am
“NL MVP is a tough call. Could really go with Braun, McCutchen or Posey.”
And Harold Reynolds says none of them. Adam LaRoche or Yadier.
Can’t understand Yadier at all although he’s had a really good season. Got a lot of help from Beltran the first half of the season so not like he’s carried them(although Beltran’s production way down second half)
DAP
September 19th, 2012
10:43 am
frankie I actually like Victorino and what he brings attitude wise, but he may be done
had a bad year, but i highly doubt he is done. and, he isnt michael bourn in CF, but he is good out there. not a bad option if you want to try and buy low.
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
10:44 am
I really like Bourn. A lot. He brings many things, even if his hitting is just average for his position. All that said, I think he will get more $$$ and years than we can justify (barring a payroll increase, shich I believe is still possible, especially if we go deep in the post-season).
To me, the following are no brainers…Give Bourn a “qualifying offer” as well as a contract offer that fits our budget after he turns down the QO, exercise the options on McCann and Huddy for 2013, try to sign Prado and Heyward to extensions, and resign Reed Johnson (2 years?)
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
10:44 am
“NL MVP is a tough call. Could really go with Braun, McCutchen or Posey.”
But that is not valuing defense again. I think this argument could go in circles, but oh well, it is what we do.
Braun and McCutchen are on losing teams.
Posey is on a winning team.
Yadier is on a winning team.
Yadier is a better overall catcher than Posey and has a higher WAR.
The only way Posey is a better player than Yadier is if you only heavily weight offensive numbers.
Murph
September 19th, 2012
10:45 am
Don’t be a doody-head.
You’ve finally shown a weakness on here… an achilles heal… and I plan on poking it with a sharp stick from time to time. It’s just what I do.
In all seriousness, I think 90% of people on here know that Constanza is not the guy to start in CF for the Braves. Even the rabid Constanza supporter(s) knows this deep down in their empty, blackened souls.
Someone has to start in CF next season, though, and based on his performance over the last couple of months, I sure hope it isn’t Bourn. 147 K’s?? Cripes, Uggla has 157! And a higher OBP. Bat him leadoff.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:47 am
Who’s clutch? Prado, Chipper, Huddy
, Medlen, and Kimbrel. JHey is a curious case
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1338850-5-gamers-on-the-atlanta-braves-roster-who-will-step-up-in-pressure-spots
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
10:47 am
DAP – I don’t think Victorino will be a candidate for the “bargain basement”.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
10:48 am
All of the options for CF or LF will depend on the price tag. If Sahen Victorino wants to play on a one year deal for $5 million, then that’s going to change the front offices line of thinking.
I’m sure they are all for putting the best team out there, though.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
10:48 am
Not against Victorino and a risk but he could be had cheap. The Phillies success he deserves a lot of credit(especially when playing Braves). Don’t buy into well he’s not the Braves kind of guy either. I like his fiery temperament, wouldn’t hurt. This guy isn’t Yunel Escobar, he’s a winner.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
10:49 am
Braun and McCutchen are on losing teams.
Posey is on a winning team.
Yadier is on a winning team.
The Pirates and Brewers both have winning records. In fact, the Brewers are only 2.5 GB of Yadier’s Cardinals, the Pirates only 3.5 GB. Hardly a big difference over the course of a season.
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
10:50 am
TOBF – Of course (and here we go again) Shaun says that there is no “clutch”…or is it that EVERYONE is “clutch”? I never can remember which it is.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:50 am
keithlaw @keithlaw
Trout remains the only rational choice. “@Peter_Villa_III: @keithlaw Who would you choose as your AL MVP??”
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:52 am
Braves could look too add big offense in LF, while going after 1 of Peter Bourjos, Craig Gentry, or Denard Span for CF.
Murph
September 19th, 2012
10:53 am
Shaun says that there is no “clutch”…or is it that EVERYONE is “clutch”?
Everyone is clutch, therefore no one is clutch, because clutch doesn’t exist when it’s an attribute inherit in every MLB player.
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
10:54 am
I’d be surprised if Braun gets it this year, after the fiasco last year.
Yunel can’t understand what all the fuss is about. What a guy.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
10:55 am
How the f*@* can that guy make a argument about whether or not “clutch hitting” isn’t a trait when hitting. BTW, is he serious with this argument? Ridiculous, some guys perform at higher level and differently under pressure situations.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
10:55 am
“Hardly a big difference over the course of a season.”
1 game is a big difference if Yadier’s team gets in, and those two don’t.
I’m pretty sure Victorino has already said he is a LOCK to stay in LA. So I wouldn’t count on him or Pagan. I think they like where they are.
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
10:55 am
Murph – Thanks. That clears it all up. Oh course, I was actually being quite facetious.
Murph
September 19th, 2012
10:56 am
Won’t the Rangers need Gentry after letting Hamilton walk this offseason, though? Why would they give him up? And if they were to give him up, do the Braves even line up with the Rangers’ needs in a possible trade? I guess they’ll be looking for some rotation help…
Hanson for Gentry?
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
10:56 am
Frankie – This is an old, on going, well beaten argument with Shaun.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:58 am
Braves could look too add big offense in LF, while going after 1 of Peter Bourjos, Craig Gentry, or Denard Span for CF.
Which is what I’d prefer… Willingham or similar for LF, go cheap/defense in CF. Get Bourjos or Jay.
Murph
September 19th, 2012
10:58 am
Murph – Thanks. That clears it all up. Oh course, I was actually being quite facetious.
As was I, raleigh… as was I.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:00 am
Wow, just got great news. Finally got the call about the job. They want me and my dad to start tomorrow! Basically getting a 50% raise from the crap company we were at.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:01 am
Hanson for Gentry? Sign me up. Gentry is at least a good 4th OF, maybe more. Hanson is a #6 for us right now….
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
11:01 am
I’m actually for Denard Span in CF. Hell, I’d love to get both Span and Willingham in a trade.
Span and Willingham for Hanson, Delgado, Ahmed, and something else.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
11:01 am
“Frankie – This is an old, on going, well beaten argument with Shaun”
Don’t want to spend a lot of time on it then. I did pose a question to him a long time ago regarding his experience playing baseball. Wasn’t being a smart azz at all and he responded he played up until high school which no way did I believe and still don’t. No biggie and don’t judge him on whether he did or didn’t. Still until you experience playing on some level(later in life and not T ball or Little League either), and have come across that situation with the game on the line or pressure situation can’t make that argument. Just can’t have that kind of conviction without going through it IMO.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
11:02 am
Hanson for Gentry? Sign me up
Holy hell.
DAP
September 19th, 2012
11:03 am
ralieghbravesfan I don’t think Victorino will be a candidate for the “bargain basement”.
no, but you cant argue with the “buy low” tag. hes having the worst season of his career. he wont make $10mil per.
MFin04 I’m pretty sure Victorino has already said he is a LOCK to stay in LA
its not really up to him, is it…?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:05 am
Don’t like Spans splits away from Minnesota, but he does play good D. If we’re getting Willingham with him, that’s okay…
Holy hell.
Oh, Hanson alone isn’t enough? Thought that might be the case. Throw in Gilmartin or Spruill as well.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
11:06 am
Span and Willingham for Hanson, Delgado, Ahmed, and something else.
I could live with that, I guess. Means pitching has to come from the FA market, assuming Wren decides he wants some pitching.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
11:10 am
I could live with that, I guess. Means pitching has to come from the FA market, assuming Wren decides he wants some pitching.
Span will make $4.75 million in 2013. Willingham will make $7 million. Hanson woll make between $3-4 million.
We’d have around $12-15 million to spend on a pitcher in that scenario.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
11:10 am
That dang Willingham, though, he might be having too good a year, blast his eyes. I wish he hadn’t done that.
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
11:11 am
scoots – Let’s see…OTBF may be able to suggest a pitcher who will be a free agent…
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
11:12 am
CF Span
3B Prado
RF Heyward
LF Willingham
1B Freeman
2B Uggla
C McCann
SS Simmons
Or we could bat Span 7th, Prado leadoff and Heyward 2nd while moving everyone else up. Something like that.
CB
September 19th, 2012
11:12 am
Throw Zeke in.
cowdogit
September 19th, 2012
11:12 am
How many TRIPLE A batting champions are on the braves roster. Constanza hits left handed pitchers, very fast , great defense. I don’t see paying bourn ten million when you have the same type player in Constanza for peanuts. Constanza’s attitude problem would change if he was given a chance to play. If a brave hits over 250 he’s considered a super-star.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
11:14 am
Let’s see…OTBF may be able to suggest a pitcher who will be a free agent
Bubba, please.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
11:14 am
“Its not really up to him, is it…?
Sure it is. The guy has to want to play for the Braves and I don’t see the two syncing up if he wants to stay in LA.
brian
September 19th, 2012
11:14 am
keith law is correct – Trout is the only rational choice for AL MVP.
Now, who for NL MVP?
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
11:14 am
Right now, Scott Diamond is scheduled to pitch on opening day for the Twins.
They need starting pitching by the bunches. It’s scary. And they have Aaron Hicks and Oswaldo Arcia ready to step in at the CF and RF/LF spots at some point in 2013. Span is definitely a goner, and Willingham might be too. I’d clean house if I were them. Long ways away.
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
11:15 am
scoots – Sorry, my friend.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
11:16 am
Throw Zeke in.
Much as I hate it. If he goes for a bat in LF, I’ll mourn his passing and tip a glass in his memory.
But I’d still help him pack, first.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
11:17 am
Efrim-
Good choice….while Span not having as much pop or stealing as many bases gets on at a better career clip than Bourn w/ the ability to draw a walk and actually has close to amount of walks that he K’s….
AND he doesn’t K at an alarming rate for a leadoff hitter like Bourn does. (Bourn has ~140 K, Span ~60)
What the Braves need to get their RISP higher I have said all along is more balls in play….we now have 4 players that are upwards of 120 K’s and 3 who are over 140 K’s….while Heyward, Freeman, and Uggla are probably going nowhere, this can be remedied by replacing Bourn w/ a guy like Span….
Also remember that we lose another low K high BB guy in Chipper, so it would also be nice to replace him w/ a LF that has a low K rate if we move Prado to 3b…
Not sure who that LF would be but an emphasis on BIP would be nice….I just look at how much more consistent the team would be if we didnt have guys striking out w/ RISP at every turn…
Also, keep away from Victorino…he’s not a leadoff hitter….
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
11:17 am
I do believe our three prime trade pieces are Hanson, Delgado and Ahmed. We have depth at SP and SS. Makes sense that those three would be included in deals this winter to upgrade the roster.
George_George
September 19th, 2012
11:18 am
nolie
September 19th, 2012
10:07 am
Wow, was really quiet over night. I thought there would be wailing and rending of garments all night.
Fredi is prolly not going anywhere if we get to the post season, even just the one game qualifier.
Not many managers with 90 wins get canned
******************************************************
Good morning all
I will comment on game next post, but saw above and wanted to comment. Nolie I hope are wrong, true it would be difficaut to fire a MGR with 90 wins and a year to go on his contract. I wonder if LIBERTY MEDIA would ALLOW J.S. or F.W. to let FREDI go because then they would have to pay him a year for doing nothing. I say FREDI should stay if he can get past silly play-in game and win best of five series.
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
11:19 am
But look at what Mike Trout is doing as a CF. It;s insane. He’s hitting like a 1st baseman, while still playing great defense at a premium position. And he’s like the best baserunner in the league. It’s not even close, imo.
You don’t need WAR to tell you that though. There will be a big debate between Cabrera, Hamilton and Trout and it will be a fun debate as all those players are having exceptional years.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
11:19 am
Talking about the Twins, is there any interest there in Revere? I know he has zero power but he’s 36-43 in SB and only K’s every 11 ABs (44 in 457 ABs)…doesn’t walk too much though….
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:19 am
If we did a trade like you suggest for Span/Willingham, Shields won’t be a Brave. Not enough prospects. We’d have to go hard after Greinke…
Murph
September 19th, 2012
11:21 am
Also, keep away from Victorino…he’s not a leadoff hitter….
Based on his 2nd half stats, neither is Bourn.
Prado would be a fine leadoff hitter. He may not steal 50 bases a year, but that’s secondary.
I think getting an OF who could bat leadoff is a nice-to-have, but not a must-have.
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
11:21 am
I am not going to just look at slash lines to compare players
You do this all the time. You post slash lines of a player like Bourn and argue he isn’t worth a lot of money based entirely on that slash line. And I’m fine with that. No one holds it against you because deep down, everyone knows Bourn isn’t worth $18M a year for 7 years.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
11:21 am
It wasn’t noted anywhere in postgame notes, etc., but just noticed that Uggla’s 2 strikeouts last night gave him 157 for the season, breaking his own Braves franchise record of 156 set in ‘11.
Uggla’s 88 walks leads NL by 10 and ranks second in majors to Adam Dunn’s 98.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:22 am
I’ve always liked Denard Span. His current contract is perfect for the Braves. Guy plays great D, produces a solid OBP actually better than Bourn’s. More contact as well.
I do think it would be tough to swing a deal for both Span and Willingham tho.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
11:22 am
“There will be a big debate between Cabrera, Hamilton and Trout”
Hamilton actually isn’t anywhere close to those guys I noticed when looking through their stats. I’m assuming Trout will win just because of how much flashier he is as a player.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
11:22 am
Span is definitely a goner, and Willingham might be too. I’d clean house if I were them. Long ways away.
Maybe they put up Morneau, instead of Willingham. Josh is as good a value for them as the Braves, unfortunately, and Morneau might attract more trading partners. Dunno.
Willingham just seems such a perfect fit for the Braves, on the surface, and Twins appear to be a good trade partner fit. What the hey, got a division to win first.
Worry about it in November.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:23 am
A record that Bourn and Heyward might reach… if only Uggla wouldn’t K the rest of the year…
Murph
September 19th, 2012
11:23 am
Trade away all the prospects + Hanson on Headley and Shields, sign Pagan, and call it an offseason.
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
11:24 am
TOBF – (Yawn) …It’s fine to dream, but I don’t expect Shields OR Greinke to be a Brave next year. If you are right, I’ll tip my hat to you…and to Wren (unless, of course, we way overpay for Greinke).
DAP
September 19th, 2012
11:25 am
MFin04 Sure it is. The guy has to want to play for the Braves and I don’t see the two syncing up if he wants to stay in LA.
victorino’s contract is up after this season, so it matters if LA wants to keep HIM, as much as it matter if he wants to stay there. its not up to him to say hes a “lock” to stay in LA.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
11:26 am
You do this all the time. You post slash lines of a player like Bourn and argue he isn’t worth a lot of money based entirely on that slash line. And I’m fine with that. No one holds it against you because deep down, everyone knows Bourn isn’t worth $18M a year for 7 years.
In the future, I’ll absolutely explain myself by posting slash lines and prefacing that while he’s below average as a hitter, his baserunning and defense are why I’d offer four years, 48-52 million.
I mean, it’s really meant for ya know, those folks that compare Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman merely by posting the slash lines…..
Hah!
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:26 am
Willingham is the RH masher we need in the cleanup spot to break up Heyward and Freeman. Span would be great for replacing Bourn.
A lineup like this looks damn good.
CF Span
3B Prado
RF Heyward
LF Willingham
1B Freeman
2B Uggla
C McCann
SS Simmons
Murph
September 19th, 2012
11:27 am
Problem with trading for Willingham is that he’s publicly stated that he wants to stay in Minnesota.
I’m not a big fan of trading for people who won’t be happy on their new team.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
11:28 am
I do think it would be tough to swing a deal for both Span and Willingham tho.
Yeah, if they want to deal them both, then they will probably want to trade em in seperate deals.
I just think Span’s contract is reasonable, and he’s a good defender in CF + being able to take a walk.
Willingham would be awesome, though. He is a perfect fit.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
11:28 am
I’m not a big fan of trading for people who won’t be happy on their new team.
Winning, and being on a contender, tends to breed happiness in ballplayers.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
11:29 am
Uggla’s past 11 games: 13-for-38 (.342) with three doubles, two homers, eight RBIs and a .457 OBP.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
11:30 am
I almost feel like if we could get a Span type to leadoff, we could move Simmons to the 2 hole and Prado to the middle of the order either 3,5, or 6, and then all we would need is a LF that could bat 8th….
JMO but I think placing Simmons where he is comfortable at 2 would be the best scenario, especially when you consider that Prado can really hit anywhere and would be a good placement to break up our LHH…
Another question, does Hunter Pence have enough ML time to become a FA post this year?
Murph
September 19th, 2012
11:30 am
Winning, and being on a contender, tends to breed happiness in ballplayers.
Being away from family, from home, from a place they love tends to do the opposite, though.
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
11:31 am
I mean, it’s really meant for ya know, those folks that compare Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman merely by posting the slash lines…..
Ha!
And from here on out I’ll also include an explanation that when I post Heyward and Freeman slash lines, I’m comparing hitting ability. It would seem intuitive, but for some intuition seems to go out the window when a favorite player isn’t meeting reasonable expectations. ( :
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:31 am
Efrim
Who are some other alternatives for LF threw trade?
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
11:31 am
DOB – And it’s about time, too.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
11:31 am
Hanson, Delgado, Spruill, and Ahmed for Willingham, Span and a RH reliever.
Sign Dan Haren to a one year deal.
Wren could be done minutes into Novemeber, provided the Angels decline the option.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
11:31 am
Bourn’s past 27 games: .165 (16-for-97) with 1 double, 7 runs, 6 SBs, 28 K, .293 OBP and .175 slugging (.468 OPS)
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
11:31 am
Willingham would be awesome, though. He is a perfect fit.
I doubt he gets traded.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
11:32 am
Let’s hope that Uggla continues with this stretch. I would have bet the mortage he strikes out in the 9th inning last night. Two weeks ago he doesn’t hit a curveball outside corner of the plate with a rowing paddle. Not sure what he hit last night, but that was as good as a AB as he’s had.
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
11:33 am
Wren could be done minutes into Novemeber, provided the Angels decline the option.
Wren will be done minutes into November regardless…
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:33 am
18 mil!!!
Alex Gordon of KC is another good guy for left field, though some people believe that Francoeur is more likely to leave KC than Alex.
Murph
September 19th, 2012
11:33 am
Willingham knows full well what the prospects of winning in MN are, and he’s said that he wants to stay.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
11:34 am
Being away from family, from home, from a place they love tends to do the opposite, though.
You bet. Still, for a very large fraction of players, “home” does not have an address in the team’s zipcode, so that’s something they go through as a matter of course. Wouldn’t you think that most of them are used to that, or at least reconciled to it?
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
11:34 am
Why wouldn’t LA want to keep him? Guy is a cheap, productive outfielder, who is a proven winner.
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
11:35 am
Uggla’s past 11 games: 13-for-38 (.342) with three doubles, two homers, eight RBIs and a .457 OBP.
Nice. Glad Fredi is playing him instead of sticking with his “bench” statement. This late in the season, the team would gain nothing from a benching and stood to miss out on those 11 games of production…
The team is 7-4 in those 11 games.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
11:35 am
It would seem intuitive, but for some intuition seems to go out the window when a favorite player isn’t meeting reasonable expectations
I rarely see you write about baserunning or defense, and I don’t think it’s always “well, of course he’;s better at that stuff….”. Heyward is meeting my expectations as of this moment. .880 was never on my radar. And I always thought you compared the two based on their back and forth “competition” of sorts in the minors. That’s all fine and dandy.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:35 am
The Twins are terrible and would be better off trading Willingham and Span for young players. By the time the Twins compete those 2 likely won’t be there anyways.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
11:37 am
Bourn’s past 27 games: .165 (16-for-97) with 1 double, 7 runs, 6 SBs, 28 K, .293 OBP and .175 slugging (.468 OPS)
DOB, would you still pay him up to $18 million a year on a multi year deal and do you believe he is very important to the Braves franchise moving forward?
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
11:37 am
So all this talk about new guys got me thinking…
Are we still gonna be blogging during the World Series of how to fix this team if we are IN the World Series?
How about if we get past the play-in game?
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
11:38 am
Magic Numbers for each race:
NL East:
Washington – 10
Atlanta – 21
NL Central:
Cincinnati – 4
St. Louis – 26
Milwaukee – 29
NL West:
San Francisco – 7
Los Angeles – 24
Arizona – 27
San Diego – 29
NL Wild card (relative to 2nd wild card spot):
Atlanta – 7
St. Louis – 14
Los Angeles – 17
Milwaukee – 18
Pittsburgh – 19
Arizona – 20
San Diego – 22
AL East:
New York – 16
Baltimore – 17
Tampa Bay – 22
Toronto – 34
AL Central:
Chicago – 13
Detroit – 19
Kansas City – 31
AL West:
Texas – 13
Oakland – 19
Los Angeles – 22
AL Wild Card (relative to 2nd wild card spot)
Oakland – 12
Baltimore – 13
Los Angeles – 18
Detroit – 21
Seattle – 29
Toronto – 33
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
11:38 am
Willingham may not get traded, but I think they should. I understand that the object of the sport is winning, but that major league roster is far away imo, based on the lack of pitching throughout the entire organization. It’s really bad in the minors and even worse in the majors.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:39 am
Our defense in 2013 still looks to be great. Prado is a upgrade over the Chipper/Francisco combo at 3rd and having Simmons for a full season will make a ton of difference. We won’t be able to match what Bourn brings in CF but we should be able to bring in a really good defender still.
George_George
September 19th, 2012
11:39 am
Last nights game was sad because we could have picked up ground on NATS because of rainout. The loss was on BOURN and FREDI. BOURN because he did not know where fence was and jumped at wrong time GOOD GRIEF he looked awful on that play. FREDI because he does not know how to use a bullpen. KIMBREL was warmed up in I think the 8th inn and not used at all in the game, he should have been used in the 10th. FREDI in a close game and a close race you MUST USE YOUR BEST PLAYERS. I am starting to believe Shaun is right in certain situations you should use your best RP wherever in the game you really need a out or more even if it is early like in 6th inn or so.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
11:40 am
Are we still gonna be blogging during the World Series of how to fix this team if we are IN the World Series?
Do you mean before or after the incessant whining over every pitch and plate appearance, LOL? My gosh, it’s brutal enough during a regular season game in June, what’s it gonna be like during a playoff series? Mercy.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
11:40 am
Magic Numbers for each race:
NL East:
Washington – 10
Atlanta – 21
Good lord.
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
11:40 am
I rarely see you write about baserunning or defense
Why would I compare a first baseman’s base running abilities or defense to an outfielders? I’m also not comparing McCann’s base running to other players. It would seem the conclusions of those comparisons are …intuitive. Why constantly compare apples and oranges?
And I always thought you compared the two based on their back and forth “competition” of sorts in the minors.
That competition in the minors was based on slash lines… But from what I understand, at the end of every day when they had that talk, Heyward would always point out he’s a faster base runner than Freeman and then walk away. It was good times. Freeman would be left standing there muttering… “but we were talking about on base percentage…”
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:41 am
I’m sure the Twins would have alot of interest in Delgado and Graham. Even Hanson makes sense for them with 3 years of control left. Tommy could very well need a change of scenery cause he looks like the odd man out when looking at all of our options going forward.
Murph
September 19th, 2012
11:42 am
Are we still gonna be blogging during the World Series of how to fix this team if we are IN the World Series?
Absolutely. What else would we talk about? Sopapillas?
Still, for a very large fraction of players, “home” does not have an address in the team’s zipcode, so that’s something they go through as a matter of course.
Sure, but I have to believe that if a player comes out publicly stating that he wants to stay with a team, he’s doing so for a reason. Whether it’s to communicate something to his current team or to communicate something to prospective trade partners, he’s let it be known that he wants to stay in MN.
I’m not a team GM, have never negotiated a trade, but if I were it would at least enter into my mind that a player who doesn’t want to play for my team might not be the best trade target.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
11:42 am
Fin-
Yes, as there are always ways to improve a team, whether its get rid of deadweight or increase production….
Like I have said with the offense, my first goal in mind would be the add more contact types….and that starts w/ letting Bourn walk
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
11:42 am
“what’s it gonna be like during a playoff series? Mercy.”
I think I’m gonna go with a tonic of Mt Dew/Red Bull/Prozac to keep myself level.
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
11:43 am
Magic Numbers for each race:
NL East:
Washington – 10
Atlanta – 21
Wait, are the Braves playing black jack? They have only 13 games left…
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
11:44 am
Anyone see McCann’s slump and Bourn’s slump as a giant blessing? Heck it might just bring down their prices to Brave-affordability.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:44 am
Tommy might do well in MN…. that cold air will keep him from giving up yet another HR… as for the stolen bases, well, he’s screwed. His trends are bad, but he might “get it together” playing up there.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
11:46 am
Sure, but I have to believe that if a player comes out publicly stating that he wants to stay with a team, he’s doing so for a reason.
He’s very unlikely to say, “Are you kidding? We’re getting our brains beat in and probably still will be on the last day of my contract. Get me the bleep outta here and away from these losers.”
DAP
September 19th, 2012
11:47 am
MFin04 Why wouldn’t LA want to keep him? Guy is a cheap, productive outfielder, who is a proven winner.
maybe they see the grass a greener somewhere else? they are playing him in LF. do they need a LFer like that? i wouldnt count on the dodgers wanting victorino back.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
11:47 am
For the division leaders, here are their magic numbers for clinching a playoff spot, since that isn’t shown above:
Washington – 3
Cincinnati – 3
San Francisco – 7
New York – 16
Chicago – 13
Texas – 12
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
11:47 am
The loss last night clinched the Braves playoff hopes. Can lose games like that an expect to catch the Nationals, pretty much had to play perfect baseball from here on out and didn’t do it.
Our hopes lie in a 1-game playoff. Woohoo. Who set this crap up and who do I email to complain?
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
11:48 am
Willingham knows full well what the prospects of winning in MN are, and he’s said that he wants to stay
That’s smart of him. Only a douche would publicly call for a trade. That’s just not a sign of a good teammate.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
11:48 am
Why would I compare a first baseman’s base running abilities or defense to an outfielders?
I guess I recall a different conversation that we’ve had in the past. One that was based around, who would you take moving forward: Heyward or Freeman? And you said you’d wait until the end of the season to make that sort of call.
Personally, it’s not even something I have to think about. Not close, actually. Why do we have to have this conversation? We don’t. Just really be happy about having both of these great 23 year players on the Atlanta Braves. But I enjoy talking about value. Just something like I talking about.
And McCann doesn’t have to be a better baserunner because he hits so well. He is(or at least was) an incredibly valuable asset.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:48 am
Regardless of how the team is doing, I enjoy talking about the future and the offseason. No matter how far we make it in the playoffs we still will have the same scenarios in the offseason.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
11:48 am
Wait, are the Braves playing black jack? They have only 13 games left…
Right…with a magic number of 21, they would need a total of 21 Braves wins or Washington losses. So if they won all 13 games, they would need Washington to lose at least 8.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
11:49 am
Why wouldn’t LA want to keep him?
Carl Crawford, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier. Where’s Victorino going to play?
Murph
September 19th, 2012
11:51 am
He’s very unlikely to say, “Are you kidding? We’re getting our brains beat in and probably still will be on the last day of my contract. Get me the bleep outta here and away from these losers.”
How many times have you seen players of Willingham’s caliber publicly state that they want to play for a winner, that they want a shot at the postseason, or even flat out ask to be traded? Lots of times.
If Willingham were unhappy in MN and wanted to be traded, all it would have taken was a couple of sessions with reporters to start the wheels in motion. Maybe MN wouldn’t have been able to get a deal done, but looking at his stats, I’d think more than a few teams would have been on the phone to the Twins minutes after hearing the news that Willingham was unhappy and wanted to play elsewhere.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
11:52 am
“Anyone see McCann’s slump and Bourn’s slump as a giant blessing? Heck it might just bring down their prices to Brave-affordability.”
Kidding right? I don’t a blessing whatsover with two guys who are responsible for this team not winning a division title and not being productive possibly to advance in the playoffs.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
11:52 am
Carl Crawford, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier. Where’s Victorino going to play?
You mean they aren’t going ot spend $300 million on the 2013 payroll and have Victorino on the bench as a 4th outfielder????
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
11:53 am
NL Wild card (relative to 2nd wild card spot):
Atlanta – 7
St. Louis – 14
Los Angeles – 17
Milwaukee – 18
Pittsburgh – 19
Arizona – 20
San Diego – 22
Just noticed I left Philadelphia out. Their magic number for a wild card spot is 19.
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
11:55 am
I just don’t see Victorino bringing much, he looks slow to mae and probably doesn’t bring the same defense as he would have just 2 years ago.
As far as Hanson to the Rangers for Gentry.. I don’t think I would do that. I’d look for something along these lines.. like Bullock for Gentry.
Texas, even if Hamilton walks, has options outside of Gentry in center, they gave big money to get the cuban Martin.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:56 am
Willingham signed with the Twins cause they likely offered the most money. He knew signing there the chances of winning are very slim. You could probably say the same thing about Michael Cuddyer.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 19th, 2012
11:56 am
MFin Anyone see McCann’s slump and Bourn’s slump as a giant blessing?
No.
Efrim He is(or at least was) an incredibly valuable asset.
WAS??? IS!! IS!!…
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
11:56 am
Let’s redo the NL Wild Card, since I left actually a couple more teams out who haven’t been eliminated:
NL Wild Card (relative to 2nd wild card spot)
Atlanta – 7
St. Louis – 14
Los Angeles – 17
Milwaukee – 18
Pittsburgh – 19
Philadelphia – 19
Arizona – 20
San Diego – 22
New York – 27
Miami – 27
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
11:56 am
One that was based around, who would you take moving forward: Heyward or Freeman? And you said you’d wait until the end of the season to make that sort of call.
Yeah… not even close for you right? That’s why at the beginning of the season you wanted to see a full season of Heyward as well? In thirteen games I will have your answer for you… sneak peak, I am Happy to have Heyward back to form. spoiler alert, I refuse to make a choice between the two since it is unnecessary. Who am I a bigger fan of? It’s all irrelevant preference. When Maddux and Smoltz were in the rotation. I was a bigger fan of Smoltz. I liked him. My brother was a big fan of Glavine. We both loved Maddux, but were bigger fans of guys not named Maddux. I would go to games and see some people rooted for DeRosa more than Chipper.
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
11:57 am
And as far as Willingham coming to Atlanta, as nice as it might be, I think that’s a pretty long shot.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
11:58 am
“Carl Crawford, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier. Where’s Victorino going to play?”
Games played this year:
Kemp 91
Ethier 135
Crawford 31
Where is Victorino gonna play? Umm it appears in LF, CF, and in RF.
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
11:58 am
Right…with a magic number of 21…
Gotcha. ( :
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
11:58 am
The only teams, I think who have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs are the Astros, Cubs, Rockies, Indians, Twins, and Red Sox.
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
11:59 am
Right…with a magic number of 21…
… should clarify… thanks. Now I understand. ( :
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
12:00 pm
As far as Hanson to the Rangers for Gentry.. I don’t think I would do that.
Yeah, it’s not really fair to Tommy. He needs to go to an NL team if he wants to help “turn-around” his career. Send him to the AL, he’ll get chewed up like Vasquez was.
tony austin
September 19th, 2012
12:00 pm
This may have been discussed already but I wasn’t around last night. I see, once again, a pitcher way under .500 shuts this team down. The dude is 4-12, in his last nine starts not counting last night his innings pitched are 5.1, 2.0, 5.0, 5.0. 6.2, 3.0, 7.0, 5.0, and 4.0. So what does he do against this offense? Shuts them down for 8 innings. And stuff like this happens time and time again.
If the Braves do make the one game WC, if I’m the opposing manager I’m throwing my worst starter against them, esp if he’s LH.
Okay, enough venting. It’s nice to see the offense finally have some life in the 9th last night, they might not have pulled it off but at least they didn’t go down with a whimper. It’s just too bad they couldn’t get anything done for the first 8.
Oh well, can’t and won’t win them all, just as long as they win more than the chasers.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
12:00 pm
I believe that if Uggla and McCann produced career norm numbers this season that we would be in 1st place in the East. When you really go and look at how bad they are compared to the norm its staggering.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
12:00 pm
The Blue Jays and Royals are one loss away from elimination, or one win by the Orioles/Yankees and White Sox, respectively.
The Marlins are two losses or St. Louis wins away from elimination. Several teams will be dropping out over the next day or two.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
12:01 pm
McFann – So you’d rather McCann have a career year and leave?
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
12:03 pm
Yeah, it’s not really fair to Tommy.
I can feel the love from here.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
12:05 pm
Victorino could be a option for CF or LF. Who knows maybe his price is much lower than we all think. Wouldn’t surprise me to see him get around what Angel Pagan will get. Victorino is a bit older and coming off a bad season so I don’t see anything longer than a 2 year deal for em.
George_George
September 19th, 2012
12:06 pm
Repost
**********George_George
September 19th, 2012
11:39 am
Last nights game was sad because we could have picked up ground on NATS because of rainout. The loss was on BOURN and FREDI. BOURN because he did not know where fence was and jumped at wrong time GOOD GRIEF he looked awful on that play. FREDI because he does not know how to use a bullpen. KIMBREL was warmed up in I think the 8th inn and not used at all in the game, he should have been used in the 10th. FREDI in a close game and a close race you MUST USE YOUR BEST PLAYERS. I am starting to believe Shaun is right in certain situations you should use your best RP wherever in the game you really need a out or more even if it is early like in 6th inn or so.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
12:07 pm
Heyward playing in the dirt on the warning track for Jose Reyes didn’t lose the game?
Murph
September 19th, 2012
12:08 pm
So you’d rather McCann have a career year and leave?
Yes. I’d love to see him put up amazing numbers next season and help the Braves to back-to-back WS championships, then leave to pursue the life of a DH with occassional backup catcher duties… the Braves can’t afford to pay a guy $15mil+ a season to have him broken down and hitting .220 for most of the season.
It would be the best thing for the Braves and for BMac’s career.
If you really love something, then set it free. Set it free.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
12:08 pm
To Tommy Hanson
You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
when skies are gray…
You’ll never know dear
How much I love you
But please
get traded
away.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
12:09 pm
No, Tommy needs to go to an AL team so that no one EVER has to watch him try to stand in a batters box w/ a bat that he doesnt know how to use again!
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
12:10 pm
I believe that if Uggla and McCann produced career norm numbers this season that we would be in 1st place
Yeah, I have no doubt about this one.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
12:10 pm
“I just don’t see why we’d get a decent prospect/MLB player for him.”
Because he “wins” games at a ~70% clip.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
12:11 pm
“Bourn’s past 27 games: .165 (16-for-97) with 1 double, 7 runs, 6 SBs, 28 K, .293 OBP and .175 slugging (.468 OPS)”
Wow you really have to look at these numbers and start thinking of options. How long do you roll the dice and take chances he turns it around? Really have to think about Reed Johnson getting some PT. Give up some D for sure, but have to think about platooning him right now. Bourn keeps this up, you don’t have a prayer getting through the playoffs. Benched Uggla, this guy might need to start sitting a little more.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
12:11 pm
Victorino isn’t anywhere near the top of my list of players I’d want tho. Victorino could be on the major decline, he’s been even worse for the Dodgers.
And speaking about the Dodgers it has to be very pathetic to miss the playoffs after all the midseason moves….
You mean to tell me that adding Adrian Gonzalez, Shane Victorino, Hanley Ramirez, Nick Punto, Josh Beckett, Joe Blanton, and Brandon League isn’t enough to get them in the playoffs… Just wow.
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
12:11 pm
P-T, welcome back. Long time no read.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
12:12 pm
“No, Tommy needs to go to an AL team so that no one EVER has to watch him try to stand in a batters box w/ a bat that he doesnt know how to use again!”
Touche. Perhaps the AL won’t steal on him as much as the NL. Win-Win!
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
12:12 pm
Victorino only K’s 1 in ever 7.4 AB…..
If we got Span and he wanted to take less money to hit 2nd or 8th, I’d be ok with him playing LF….
But he’s not as good as Span anymore and I agree that it feels like he still covers a great amount of ground BUT he’s lost a step….
That said, ppl talk about a Prado/Bourn/Heyward OF being great and covering a lot of ground….could you imagine how much area an OF of Victorino/Span/Heyward could cover…..WOW!
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
12:12 pm
I’d just assume stay away from Victorino, I don’t want the Phillies to be able to say we want their cast offs.
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
12:14 pm
Andy Katz @ESPNAndyKatz
RT @_andrewcarter Source close to #UNC confirmed that Roy Williams is in surgery to have a tumor removed from his kidney. Stay tuned
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
12:14 pm
AT-
Thx…gotta get ready for my tour through the ATL next week
And I thought I’d check in while I have an hour or so to kill on the job.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
12:15 pm
Despite Bourn’s 2nd half struggles, we’ve still won at a pretty good clip. Currently have a better winning% than we did in the 1st half. Maybe Bourjos wouldn’t be so bad, especially if we can get a slugging LF.
DAP
September 19th, 2012
12:18 pm
murph How many times have you seen players of Willingham’s caliber publicly state that they want to play for a winner, that they want a shot at the postseason, or even flat out ask to be traded? Lots of times.
3 examples please. a player in WIllingham’s situation, with willingham’s abilities.
brian
September 19th, 2012
12:19 pm
Bourn needs to stop swinging for the fences, shorten his swing, and hit more ground balls. He should have to do push ups like Willie Mays Hayes every time he flies out
Lew
September 19th, 2012
12:21 pm
4-12 in his last nine starts? Even with my limited knowledge of math, that seems somewhat impossible
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
12:22 pm
Wow, Willingham is consistent and has played for tons of different teams while putting up the same numbers. .250/.350/.850 guy.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
12:24 pm
Yeah… not even close for you right? That’s why at the beginning of the season you wanted to see a full season of Heyward as well?
Hey, I needed to see the kid play 150+ games and stay healthy. He seems to have done that.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
12:25 pm
Am more a fan of guys who have proven themselves at the level if you’re gonna chuck them into the leadoff spot….I’d take Gentry or Revere before I want anything to do w/ Bourjos….you cant steal 1b guys….
That said, I still think like others that Span is a better fit.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
12:28 pm
Wasn’t necessarily thinking of hitting Bourjos leadoff, stick him 8th and see if he hits. If we get that LF slugger, it kinda lessens the need for offense from CF a bit. Especially if Simmons continues to hit. My point was that with Bourn hitting for crap, we’re still winning. Getting Bourjos wouldn’t hurt us at the plate any more than Bourn has, and he’d still be playing near Bourn’s level of D.
I’m still a fan of Jay out there though..
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
12:29 pm
I also don’t think we need to replace a 150 K a year guy with another one….
While I do appreciate the power of Willingham, I also think that ppl who are kicking the team for the nonproduction w/ RISP need to understand that not putting the ball in play directly leads to this….
Example: Runners on 1st and 3rd w/ nobody out….
Freeman comes up and strikes out…..Uggla comes up and strikes out or pops up….Then Simmons comes up and puts it in play for an out….
IF either Freeman or Uggla had done that, we score a run…..but Freeman and Uggla are big K guys….so do we really need another one of those….
Bourn had a chance to win it last night, but took a big *ss swing and was late and struck out…..
I am looking at Revere w/ Minny too though because like I said, he may not walk, but he rarely strikes out, has a solid average, has a good number of stolen bases, and plays a great OF at all of the positions.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
12:29 pm
Span has averaged like 90 games the last 2 years.
VaBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
12:30 pm
Heyward could easily be a top 5 MVP candidate next season if he takes a positive step forward in his game. If it’s just hitting LHP a little better, or maintaining his high SLG while walking more and striking out less. Really would be nice to see his OBP ability from his rookie season return, but not at the expense of his slugging. Cause he really flip flopped the 2 compared to his rook season and this season. Next season I could see him producing this easily. Who knows the kid is special could do even better.
280/360/500 35 HR 25 SB
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
12:30 pm
Jay?
You mean Jon Jay?
Yeah, he’s not leaving STL anytime soon…..they got rid of Rasmus just so they could give him play everyday….he is VERY well liked there.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
12:31 pm
Bourn is hitting ground balls. To 2B and 1B when he does actually make contact, unfortunately they are for outs. Needs to start hitting more line drives like he was doing the first half.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
12:32 pm
VA-
The 1st goal to a better year next year is laying off the breaking ball in the dirt….
He really needs to cut 1/3 off the K numbers
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
12:35 pm
Frankie-
Slashing the ball to LCF and actually putting it in PLAY would be a good start
brian
September 19th, 2012
12:37 pm
if Uggla can continue to come on strong that will be huge for our offense. We need Uggla and McCann to join Heyward, Freeman, Chipper, and Prado as big bats in our lineup.
Of course we need our tablesetter to get back to business
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
12:37 pm
Ben (Leland Grove): Now that Simmons has graduated, who gets your vote for Atlanta’s top position prospect in their farm system?
Jim Callis: They don’t have anyone who’s Top 100-worthy. I want to say Christian Bethancourt, but he had a sub-.600 OPS this year, so give me Edward Salcedo.
Chris (Toronto): How does the 2013 draft look now compared to the last few years?
Jim Callis: About on par with the mediocre 2012 draft class. The one thing next year’s draft has that this year’s didn’t is an abundance of quality lefthanded pitching prospects.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
12:37 pm
Bourn, being a speedster, has a career .342 BABiP. So cutting down on strikeouts would do him a lot of good. But it’s kind of late in his career to expect it. Usually strikeouts go up for a player as they get into their mid-30s.
Murph
September 19th, 2012
12:39 pm
3 examples please. a player in WIllingham’s situation, with willingham’s abilities.
I never said anything about “a player in Willingham’s situation”… what you’re asking for is 3 examples of a player in the first year of a 3 year contract that they signed with a team that had limited to no prospects of winning anytime soon, that they knew had no chance of winning anytime soon, then declaring publicly that they would rather play for a winner or ask to be traded?
There probably isn’t one example of this because not many players sign with losing teams only to ask to then be traded. Which further backs up my point that Willingham doesn’t want to be traded, that he chose MN for a reason and wants to stay, and thus would be a poor trade candidate for Atlanta to pursue.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
12:39 pm
P-Town-
agreed. Not sure this guy takes a cerebral approach and great idea what he wants to do when he’s up there these days. Man, we need him to get going.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
12:40 pm
John Kincade @JohnKincade
As of today, I am convinced that IF the Braves play in the one game Wildcard Round Fredi Gonzalez gives the ball to Tim Hudson.
Um…
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
12:41 pm
“As of today, I am convinced that IF the Braves play in the one game Wildcard Round Fredi Gonzalez gives the ball to Tim Hudson.”
Right or Wrong I do agree with this. It is probably 50/50 Hudson or Medlen.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
12:42 pm
I believe Hudson is lined up for the coin flip game, with Medlen lined up for the Real Playoffs Game 1 start if we get there.
I would be sorta concerned with Hudson vs. STL. Doesn’t Beltran absolutely own him – like every at bat sorta owns him?
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
12:42 pm
I am totally convinced that Medlen gets the ball 100%. Kincade is crazy. Maybe last year but not so now. Huddy hasn’t pitched consistent enough, on one game struggle next. There is no doubt though he starts Game 1 when Meds get’s us to NLDS.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
12:43 pm
Our farm ranking’s gonna fall….
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 19th, 2012
12:45 pm
Murph If you really love something, then set it free. Set it free.
I’ve done that with enough turtles and other little creatures in my lifetime. It’s time I had something stay where I want it!…
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
12:46 pm
“Doesn’t Beltran absolutely own him – like every at bat sorta owns him?”
Beltran OWNS the playoffs. Sure wish he was a Brave.
Gone Viral
September 19th, 2012
12:46 pm
This is going to be a nervous few days for me. The last time we made the playoffs, we lost because we had multiple infielders get injured in the final days of the season. I couldn’t help but think of that when Janish went down last night.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
12:46 pm
You have 1 game or go home and trusting Huddy right now?????
NO, NO, NO and no. Medlen as good as any pitcher right now and doubt about sending him out there on the 5th of October???? Seriously????
DAP
September 19th, 2012
12:46 pm
murph, youre assertion was that guys who would like to play for a contender say it publicly all the time, the context was Josh WIllingham. if you werent talking about guys in willingham’s situation, there was no point in saying what you said. Basically you were saying that the only way Willingham wouldnt pitch a fit if traded, is if he said publicly hed like to be traded/play for a contender. thats not the case, nor is it true that because he said publicly he would like to stay in minnesota, that he would pout and be a problem anywhere else he went.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
12:49 pm
Efrim-
Basically put, our farm system is trending downward
tony austin
September 19th, 2012
12:50 pm
I think it’d be better for Fredi for Meds to start that game and the Braves lose than Hudson starting that game and the Braves lose. With all the backlash, even though the Braves aren’t known for this, that decision could end up costing him his job.
I think the only good thing that could come from Hudson starting and winning is, “Wow, Fredi got away with one there.”
I’d like to see Meds pitch games 1 and 5 of the division series, but it’s more important to get to that division series. If the Braves make the coin flip game, I’d have to go with Medlen.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
12:51 pm
“Basically put, our farm system is trending downward”
Because our MLB team is trending upward. Simmons/Pastornicky/Freeman/Kimbrel/Heyward
brian
September 19th, 2012
12:52 pm
P-Town – we got cheap in the draft and had a few weak drafts as a whole. Still got a few high end players but no depth
Gone Viral
September 19th, 2012
12:57 pm
We got cheap everywhere. Focusing on the farm system strikes me as missing the forest for the trees.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
12:57 pm
Efrim-
EVERYONE on the Cards owns Huddy…..
Only Schumacher has bad numbers against him….
Beltran .351
Holliday .375
Molina .400
He has a 7.94 ERA against the Cards in 2012 and a 5.74 ERA in his career against the Cards….
So yeah, NO to him in that 1 game is a good answer not even considering what he’s done this year in big games…
He has
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
12:58 pm
Sure, but I have to believe that if a player comes out publicly stating that he wants to stay with a team, he’s doing so for a reason.
I’m not certain, but I think that comment was made after being asked what he thought about the trade rumors involving him. I don’t recall ever hearing anything screwy about him, so I would just mark it up to saying the right thing. I wouldn’t let that hamper my trying to trade for him if I could make a good deal.
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
1:00 pm
I was alright with Pagan as first target but I still think Gentry would be a better fit over him. I think offensive they are both very close but I think Gentry would bring more speed and slightly better defense.
George_George
September 19th, 2012
1:00 pm
Lew
September 19th, 2012
12:21 pm
4-12 in his last nine starts? Even with my limited knowledge of math, that seems somewhat impossible
***********************************
Tough to do.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
1:02 pm
Eovaldi’s record was 4-12 and the guy posted the number of innings that he had recorded in his last 9 starts….
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
1:02 pm
Adam Kilgore @AdamKilgoreWP
Espinosa, Morse both in the Nats lineup.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
1:03 pm
“4-12 in his last nine starts”
Sounds like Tommy Hanson type of numbers.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
1:03 pm
I think it’d be better for Fredi for Meds to start that game and the Braves lose than Hudson starting that game and the Braves lose.
Then, the proper course of action would be: win the game.
Makes everybody happy and some of us can then ridicule the posters who will be up in arms about whichever pitcher gets the nod. I figure I’m win-win, in any event.
George_George
September 19th, 2012
1:04 pm
Repost
************
George_George
September 19th, 2012
11:18 am
nolie
September 19th, 2012
10:07 am
Wow, was really quiet over night. I thought there would be wailing and rending of garments all night.
Fredi is prolly not going anywhere if we get to the post season, even just the one game qualifier.
Not many managers with 90 wins get canned
******************************************************
Good morning all
I will comment on game next post, but saw above and wanted to comment. Nolie I hope are wrong, true it would be difficaut to fire a MGR with 90 wins and a year to go on his contract. I wonder if LIBERTY MEDIA would ALLOW J.S. or F.W. to let FREDI go because then they would have to pay him a year for doing nothing. I say FREDI should stay if he can get past silly play-in game and win best of five series.
DAP
September 19th, 2012
1:04 pm
bat I would just mark it up to saying the right thing
some people take way too seriously the the things that baseball people say. GMs, Managers, players, ect. grain of salt, people.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
1:06 pm
“4-12 in his last nine starts”
Sounds like Tommy Hanson type of numbers.
Yep, as in 12 total HR allowed and 4IP/ start
brian
September 19th, 2012
1:07 pm
a one game playoff you have to go with your top pitcher if he is available. Who is the Braves top pitcher right now?
It is not even close and no it is not Hudson
ChattTownBrian
September 19th, 2012
1:07 pm
I’d go with Medlen in the one game thing. Hudson could easily dominate that game though. He’s been a little up and down for me this year though. Medlen is so inexperienced, but damn he’s been so good that he’s my guy.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
1:08 pm
Huddy starts game 1 or what game 3, who cares? He’s still going to pitch against the Cardinals regardless of his lack of success.
Meds WC game!
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
1:09 pm
Thing is Medlen SEEMS to have the mental makeup for a game like this. Be one thing if Minor emulated the same success as Medlen. Would go with Huddy in that situation, Med can handle.
ChattTownBrian
September 19th, 2012
1:10 pm
The thing with Hudson in that one game is will his sinker sink. If not, the game could easily be lost in the 2nd or 3rd inning because he gets nailed hard when he has that flat sinker.
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
1:10 pm
an abundance of quality lefthanded pitching prospects.
Q: Is that polished, signable college lefthanded pitching prospects?
Wren: Is there any other kind?
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
1:12 pm
Thing is Medlen SEEMS to have the mental makeup for a game like this.
Surely, you’re not saying that Hudson doesn’t? If one thinks that Hudson is basically pitching on one leg and is not the choice for an all-or-nothing game, I might get on that train. But the mental side? Huh-uh. Hudson gets that call and it’s not even close.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
1:15 pm
Problem with Huddy starting WC game is that Fredi wouldn’t have the stones to go get him in the 3rd inning if they were hitting like the Marlins did the other night. He would allow him to work out of jams early on and risk of backfiring and down 5 runs early.
Medlen doesn’t have it that day he will be quicker with a hook just based on overall experience. Then it becomes a chess match.
George_George
September 19th, 2012
1:15 pm
Outta here for a bit, hope to be back before gamestart. If not, FORGET BOURN, FORGET FREDI, JUST WIN THE GAME BRAVES.
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
1:17 pm
Heck, even Efrim and others “want” him traded, I’m not all that different from them. _ TBOF
Of course you are vastly different from them. They do some brainstorming about trading a Braves asset while you denigrate Hanson at
every opportunitynonstop.I get the impression that if Hanson got run over by a bus you would comment, oh that’s terrible while secretly doing backflips in your Pastornicky nightshirt.
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
1:18 pm
I needed to see the kid play 150+ games and stay healthy. He seems to have done that.
Well…. in about 5 more games played he will have done that ( :
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
1:18 pm
“Surely, you’re not saying that Hudson doesn’t”
Of course he does, never implied he didn’t. So you are comfortable taking the guy “with experience” in this one game or go home scenario?
Not me. I want the shut down guy right now, not the one who has done it but way too inconsistently OF LATE. Love Huddy, but this isn’t his game. Rewarded on prior experience and big game ability as #1 starter of the NLDS.
Veer
September 19th, 2012
1:19 pm
I dont want to hear any of you say that Bourn should be resigned. The guy isn’t even worth 3 million a year. Look at what Ozzie Gullien did yesterday Intentionally walked JEFF BAKER?? WHO?? THATS RIGHT A NO NAME JEFF BAKER to face Bourn in a game winning situation.
Think about it. Can it get any more disrespectful then that? Jeff Baker being walked to face Bourn.
That is humilating.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
1:22 pm
Of course you are vastly different from them. They do some brainstorming about trading a Braves asset while you denigrate Hanson at every opportunity nonstop.
I get the impression that if Hanson got run over by a bus you would comment, oh that’s terrible while secretly doing backflips in your Pastornicky nightshirt.
Precisely. It’s very, very different.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
1:22 pm
Jack (NC)
Jason Heyward looks more athletic and natural in the outfield this season. If the Braves are unable to resign Bourn could he be a slightly above average Centerfielder defensively to replace Bourn? Also do you think there is 40 homer potential?
Klaw (1:21 PM)
Yes to 40 homers. No on centerfield.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
1:23 pm
Jack (NC)
Jason Heyward looks more athletic and natural in the outfield this season. If the Braves are unable to resign Bourn could he be a slightly above average Centerfielder defensively to replace Bourn? Also do you think there is 40 homer potential?
Klaw (1:21 PM)
Yes to 40 homers. No on centerfield.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
1:23 pm
Q: Is that polished, signable college lefthanded pitching prospects?
Wren: Is there any other kind?
Hah!
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
1:24 pm
So you are comfortable taking the guy “with experience” in this one game or go home scenario?
Were it not for the bone spurs, I probably would, yes. As it is, I don’t know. Medlen has been fantastic, but there’s no way of knowing how he’ll handle the first shot at “the biggest game of his career” (you like to think that he’ll have multiple oppos for “the biggest game”, after all). It’s not a no-brainer, to my way of thinking.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
1:25 pm
Jack (NC)
Jason Heyward looks more athletic and natural in the outfield this season. If the Braves are unable to resign Bourn could he be a slightly above average Centerfielder defensively to replace Bourn? Also do you think there is 40 homer potential?
Klaw (1:21 PM)
Yes to 40 homers. No on centerfield. – TheOnlyBravesFan
And I agree. Yes on 40 (but probably more in 30-35 range), and no on CF. Too big and muscular to have cover all that ground every night. Would be hurt too much, ala Matt Kemp, and probably tire out.
tony austin
September 19th, 2012
1:27 pm
4-12 in his last nine starts? Even with my limited knowledge of math, that seems somewhat impossible – Lew
Improper punctuation on my part. What was meant that his overall record is 4-12. New thought, in his last 9 starts…
Sorry about the confusion, sometimes my punctuation is off. Punctuation can save lives also: Let’s eat Grandpa. Let’s eat, Grandpa.
Veer
September 19th, 2012
1:27 pm
I think It is a no brainer that Medlen should be starting the wildcard game however if you gamble and choose to go with Hudson then for NLDS Medlen can start 2 games as opposed to 1 game.
So in a way if you take this gamble with Hudson and win then you have 2 automatic wins from Medlen. This game could give us a free ticket to NLCS.
However given how Hudson has performed lately this would be a very risky gamble to take.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
1:27 pm
I don’t wish harm on people….. Wouldn’t enjoy that. He’s still a Brave, and isn’t a bad guy. It just is hard to watch him throw darts, er I mean pitch at 88mph.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
1:27 pm
But front offices are absolutely using it. It’s ridiculous to think otherwise…Efrim
and i think that believing that is all or in some cases even most of what they use is ridiculous
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
1:29 pm
If not for bone spurs I too go with Hudson. His last 9 starts since Aug 3rd are roller coaster though. One good, one bad. This isn’t Tim Hudson of last season or years past coming down the stretch. Can’t take that chance. Meds isn’t Joey Devine, give him the ball.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
1:31 pm
and i think that believing that is all or in some cases even most of what they use is ridiculous
I didn’t say that they did. But I do agree with you. Part is one thing. Most or all is entirely different.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
1:31 pm
er I mean pitch at 88mph.
Then, you must also hate every other starter but Minor, since they all pitch in the same range.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
1:32 pm
We can take another look at the stats next Monday as we head into the final weeks… As of right now, both Medlen and Minor have outperformed Hudson since July 1. Huddy might be a veteran and a bulldog, but I don’t want him starting that 1-game playoff. Don’t mind him pitching in the NLDS or NLCS, but in that 1-game scenario, I’ll take the Meds.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
1:33 pm
It just is hard to watch him throw darts, er I mean pitch at 88mph.
So it’s hard for you to accept that his ceiling is no longer that of a #1 starter and now more of a mid-rotation starter? Or do you think he’s worse than the likes of Bruce Chen, Luke Hochevar and Carl Pavano?
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
1:34 pm
Meds isn’t Joey Devine, give him the ball.
As antsy as he is normally, isn’t it possible that a little extra adrenaline might just cause his head to explode, LOL?
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
1:35 pm
Then, you must also hate every other starter but Minor, since they all pitch in the same range.
Minor ain’t exactly lighting it up either. I see a lot of 89-91, although he was touching 93 on the Sunday night ESPN gun. Medlen varies from 87-91, it seems.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
1:36 pm
Rob (Philly)
Tampa next year: Shields traded and Archer in. %?
Klaw (1:31 PM)
Or Hellickson traded.
scoots: I’m a little bummed that all our starters do pitch in that speed, but it’s okay. Hanson’s motion is what I don’t like. Add in the hits/walks he allows, and it becomes a tough watch. I’m not angry that Tommy got hurt and so we “lost” him, but this new one isn’t very good.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
1:40 pm
LAA LF Mark Trumbo since June 29th – .216/.268/.364, 65 games, 269 PA’s.
Here’s to hoping Wren doesn’t go there this offseason.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
1:41 pm
“As antsy as he is normally, isn’t it possible that a little extra adrenaline might just cause his head to explode, LOL?”
Well yes there is certainly that possibility. See Huddy get hit the other night in Miami? Get lit up early in first innings? Not saying Huddy isn’t capable of 7 shutout innings. Basing my decision on merit and whose hot. Experience nice but not everything. SF went with rookie Baumgarner over millionaire Zito come playoff time! Baumgarner game no less important.
It’s Med time for the Cardinals IMO.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
1:41 pm
So it’s hard for you to accept that his ceiling is no longer that of a #1 starter and now more of a mid-rotation starter?
I can accept that… he can possibly turn into a #3 again, even if he’s pitching like a 5-6 right now. I hope he can do that soon. However, with the way he’s pitching, I don’t see why he’ll be traded. Frank Wren isn’t giving him up for “nothing” and I don’t see a GM trading anything of value for him. He’s been terrible for a year or so, and he’s gotten worse every year in the bigs.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
1:41 pm
BG (MN)
Is Bobby V bi-polar?
Klaw (1:39 PM)
Not comfortable with using a legitimate mental illness as some kind of snarky insult.
You mean mental illness is legitimate? I thought those folks just sucked under pressure and couldn’t pitch to the tune of a sub-3.50 ERA on contending teams down the stretch?
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
1:44 pm
Minor ain’t exactly lighting it up either.
Ahh, just noting that he throws a few more 90+. Truth is, all of them have average fastballs. Until it starts getting up there around 93-94 or better, velocity isn’t much of an equalizer. All these guys have to hit their spots plus subscribe to the two-pitch theory:
“You only need two pitches; the one they’re looking for, and the one they ain’t.”
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
1:45 pm
Adam Kilgore @AdamKilgoreWP
Because of their injury issues, Davey expects Morse, Espinosa and Zimmerman to play only the first game.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
1:46 pm
Bobby V is a terrible manager. They had one of the best in the business and traded him for Bobby V? Wow, no wonder that team has gone from bad to worse. Guy is a complete imbecile calling out players and the team left and right.
If he was managing the Braves he’d probably try to get rid of Chipper and call him lazy for not playing everyday. Guy is crazy.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
1:46 pm
He’s been terrible for a year or so, and he’s gotten worse every year in the bigs.
Yeah, I have to cherry pick a bit because he was absolutely dominating in 2011 before the shoulder injury. Better than Jurrjens, imo. I think he struck out like 14 Astros that one day….and then he hit the DL out of nowhere. Sort of like Max Scherzer yesterday.
I don’t believe he is a #5/6 pitcher. But he has had an awful run since last June. I still think there is plenty of value there. Especially for a team that has very little pitching or a good team that is looking to fill the #4 spot in the rotation.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
1:47 pm
Not comfortable with using a legitimate mental illness as some kind of snarky insult.
Perhaps, then, condescending statheads don’t actually understand the origins of “idiot” and “moron”, when they use those terms.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
1:49 pm
Until it starts getting up there around 93-94 or better, velocity isn’t much of an equalizer.
Took me a while to realize that a fastball that say 90-92mph was average.
Average. 90-92mph.
I think I can touch 70. Maybe?
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
1:49 pm
sat* 90-92mph
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
1:51 pm
Perhaps, then, condescending statheads don’t actually understand the origins of “idiot” and “moron”, when they use those terms.
He should probably just stick to “fool”.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
1:52 pm
Pat (Baltimore)
Trout has a 3 fWAR advantage over Cabrera, why is this a discussion? I feel like we need a public service announcement regarding RBI.
Klaw (1:50 PM)
RBI love is just a symptom of a broader problem.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
1:54 pm
From my buddy Joe Capozzi at the Palm Beach Post, on Twitter: Still no Stanton #Marlins 9/19 vs. ATL: Petersen 7, Hernandez 8, Reyes 6, Lee 3, Dobbs 5, Ruggiano 9, Brantly 2, Solano 4, Johnson 1
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
1:55 pm
The pitcher that I find hard to watch and it’s not so much the results that make it hard, it’s how slowly they work.. the game completely grinds.. that’s Maholm.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
1:57 pm
Petersen 7, Hernandez 8, Reyes 6, Lee 3, Dobbs 5, Ruggiano 9, Brantly 2, Solano 4, Johnson 1
I wonder how they approach the offseason. They have quite a few holes….like all over the place.
cricket
September 19th, 2012
1:58 pm
I thought those folks just sucked under pressure and couldn’t pitch to the tune of a sub-3.50 ERA on contending teams down the stretch?
i understand that may be moral high horse riders feel compelled to criticize every real or perceived mental illness related insult but what does this statement really mean? is this statement implying a mental illness? i’m honestly confused.
i have no patience for idiots mocking mental illness either since i’ve had some experience in extended family but i also honestly do not believe that question deserved the “i’m better than you, and i’ll turn up my nose and belittle you from my high horse” reply KLaw compelled to give.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
2:01 pm
Maholm has to approach the game that way. Total thinker out there. Watches a lot of game film and doesn’t have the hard stuff so has to be Glavine like to succeed. I understand though, not very exciting. The kid the Marlins threw out first game(LeBlanc) should emulate Maholm. Can’t win on his overall ability.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
2:03 pm
“I think I can touch 70. Maybe?”
Well I’ll meet you at the back of Turner Fielder with the 3 pitches for $5 or whatever or we’ll see.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
2:05 pm
“I feel like we need a public service announcement regarding RBI.”
Maybe we need a PSA about how 50 slugging points is a GIGANTIC difference.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
2:05 pm
i understand that may be moral high horse riders feel compelled to criticize every real or perceived mental illness related insult but what does this statement really mean? is this statement implying a mental illness? i’m honestly confused.
There is a sense from many that Greinke’s “past issues”(whatever they were, and folks shouldn’t try to figure that out or buy that they know the whole story) mean that he is mentally weak and can’t be counted on in pressure situations. I think that’s bogus. And I hope he continues to prove those folks wrong.
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
2:06 pm
Well I’ll meet you at the back of Turner Fielder with the 3 pitches for $5 or whatever or we’ll see.
Just did that this year and actually it’s 5 pitches you get to use.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
2:08 pm
RBI love is just a symptom of a broader problem.
And, you know, Law is smart. I rag on him, but the dude has some serious working synapses. And if a guy like that persists in creating this we-are-smart-you-are-not thing, promulgating the “public service announcement” snark from ****-for-brains Pat (Baltimore), what hope is there that I’m ever going to be able to stop calling them condescending statheads? Not much.
Braveone
September 19th, 2012
2:09 pm
From the previous blog which had 1,106 comments, usnavyvolfaninva led the way with 57 posts. There were 132 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 usnavyvolfaninva 57
2 Efrim 52
3 TheOnlyBravesFan 50
4 Brian from SC 38
5 Disgusted 37
6 phil 36
7 ncscoots 34
8 nolie 34
9 cabravesfan 28
10 Bat Masterson 27
11 David O’Brien 24
12 TennesseePaul 24
13 Arkansas Transplant 23
14 DAP 23
15 Mixxo 22
16 Sopheee 21
17 Jeff R 20
18 raleighbravefan 20
19 Murph 18
20 Venice Jim 17
21 Heisenberg 16
22 Brava 15
23 RC 15
24 cricket 15
25 ncbravesfan90 15
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
2:16 pm
Greinke is quietly continuing his career trend for September. He’s a better 2nd half pitcher, but September is the month in which he pitches his best, save April, for his career. A 2.96 ERA over 43 starts. Allows fewer hits and walks than any other month. Simply put, he steps it up to end the season.
brian
September 19th, 2012
2:35 pm
if the Braves were to sign Greinke or trade for someone like Shields, etc., anybody think that Maholm may become trade bait. The reason the Braves like him is that he is finding himself and is a very affordable #3-#5 starter.
count_schemula
September 19th, 2012
2:40 pm
Depends what their philosophy is…
Budget wise it looks like they are comfortable with collecting a bunch a #3/#4 pitchers and hoping one or two of them emerge into #2 pitchers.
And honestly, there are not a lot of Kershaw, King Felix, Hamels, types etc out there.
Veer
September 19th, 2012
2:46 pm
Hinske and Overbay should be out there starting so that we can see who should be on our NLDS roster. Lets face it we aint catching the Nationals and we can’t be caught in the wildcard. Time to see who wins Overbay vs Hinske match up as well as Baker vs Constanza match up.
Jeff Baker earned alot of respect yesterday in my books after being intentionally walked to face Bourn. I figure this guy must have something in him that we dont know. This guy is a hidden gem
Colleen
September 19th, 2012
2:48 pm
I watched the game last night and thought I hear crickets. There was hardly anyone at that stadium. That stadium was supposed to help bring in more people because its actually IN Miami now. They’ve even won 2 titles and still can’t attract an audience. Crazy. Should have flown down there and sat behind the plate (I saw a lot of seats available
.
Go Braves! Gotta believe!
Juan
September 19th, 2012
2:49 pm
I saw yesterday in a “Bleacher Report” a Prediction on Free Agents and player change team for 2013, They say the Braves Lf next year is Cody Ross, also predict that Bourne stay with the Braves ans Greinke will also sign with the Braves
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
2:57 pm
NEW BLOGGAGE
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/19/braves-turn-to-streaking-medlen-in-rubber-game/
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
3:45 pm
Braves lineup: Bourn 8, Prado 6, Heyward 9, Jones 5, Freeman 3, Uggla 4, McCann 2, Constanza 7, Medlen 1
nolie
September 19th, 2012
4:04 pm
LF Mark Trumbo since June 29th – .216/.268/.364, 65 games, 269 PA’s….Efrim
I argued over the off season that he was overrated by many here. He needs more plate discipline for one thing
nolie
September 19th, 2012
4:10 pm
Span is a lefty which I absolutely do not want to add, and has an inexplicable but constant drop off in hitting away from Minn. Kinda hard to get a finger on since they changed stadiums, but it is still there. Mostly I just do NOT want a lefty starter, we are 20 games vcer 500 against righties and several under 500 against lefties and we see them more than any other team because of that
nolie
September 19th, 2012
4:18 pm
even if he’s pitching like a 5-6 ri