Braves turn to streaking Medlen in rubber game
MIAMI – And so the Kris Medlen streaks are put to the test again tonight, as we continue to marvel at what the Braves’ improbable new ace has done not just since moving from the bullpen at the end of July, but as a starter throughout his career.
– 25 starts: that’s how many Medlen has made without a loss, a streak that began with his third major league game in 2009. There is no other major league pitcher on an active roster with a streak of more than 20 starts without a loss.
– 20 starts: that’s how many times in a row the Braves have won in games started by Medlen, the longest such streak in the majors since the Yankees won 20 consecutive starts by Roger Clemens in 2001.
He's a funny guy off the field, but Medlen is all business on the mound.
Of all the pitchers the Braves had in their rotation since 2001, who’d have imagined that Medlen would be the one doing this?
Medlen, the switch-hitting former position player, the kid that so many said shouldn’t have been brought up ahead of Tommy Hanson in 2009, the right-hander who looked 16 when he arrived and about 21 now (he’s 26), the (very) funny fella with the infectious energy, the flat-brimmed cap, the massive tattoos you can’t see see just above his uniform sleeves, the guy who missed almost the entire 2011 season recovering from Tommy John surgery – who’d have thought he would be the hottest starting pitcher in baseball?
And make no mistake, he is precisely that right now. When’s the last time the Braves had what most would consider a pitching advantage going into a game against Marlins starter Josh Johnson? Tonight they do. And the timing couldn’t be much better, coming off a tough 4-3 loss in 10 innings last night that snapped the Braves’ four-game winning streak.
Medlen enters tonight’s game with a 7-0 record and 0.86 ERA and .202 opponents’ average in nine starts since moving from the bullpen July 31. And after winning the NL’s Pitcher of the Month award in August, he’s off to a good start for a repeat in September, with a 2-0 record, 1.23 ERA and .177 opponents’ average in three starts.
He has 66 strikeouts with eight walks in 62-2/3 innings as a starter this season, including 28 strikeouts and three walks in 22 innings over his past three starts. To repeat, 28 strikeouts and three walks in 22 innings. That includes a 12-strikeout, no-walks game vs. Colorado on Sept. 3 and a 13-strikeout, 1-walk game vs. Washington in his last start. Thirteen strikeouts in seven innings in that Nationals game.
But let’s go back further. Medlen is 12-0 with a 2.58 ERA in 23 starts since the beginning of the 2010 season, and 13-0 with a 2.77 ERA in 25 starts dating to May 31, 2009, his third major league game. He’s 13-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 27 career starts, which includes 0-2 with a 9.72 ERA in two starts May 21 and May 26, 2009, in his first big-league games after being called up from Triple-A.
In his next start on May 31, 2009, at Arizona, Medlen allowed one run, four hits and one walk with nine strikeouts in six innings for the win. Who knew that game would be such a harbinger of his starts to come? He’s never lost as a starter since that day.
“I don’t know what it is about me on the mound,” said Medlen, who is confident but genuinely modest, “but I mean, one of my last starts against Florida in 2010, I gave up five in six innings and we still won the game. So it’s not like I’m throwing zeroes up there all the time.”
He has a good memory too. For indeed, Medlen allowed eight hits (including two homers) and five runs in six innings of a start at Florida on July 24, 2010, and the Braves came back and won that game.
He made only two more starts that season before season-ending elbow surgery. He gave up three runs in his next-to-last start before surgery, and Medlen hasn’t given up more than two runs as a starter since them.
In nine starts this season, he’s allowed no runs in four games and one run in four others. The two runs he gave up against the Mets on Sept. 8 were his season-high as a starter.
Oh, and the Braves have scored nearly six runs per nine innings that he’s pitched as a starter this season, including scoring six or more runs while he was in the game in four of his nine starts.
“They go to battle for me because they know I’ll go to battle for them,” Medlen said last week.
• Tonight’s matchup: Medlen against Josh Johnson, who would probably kill to have the kind of run support that “Little Doggie” (obligatory Greg Maddux reference in every article) has received.
Johnson has a 2.88 ERA and .200 opponents’ average in his past 10 starts, but only three wins in that span. He’s 3-5 and his team is 4-6 in those games, and the Marlins scored two or fewer runs while he was in six of those 10 starts, including one or no runs in four.
Johnson is 1-1 with a 1.32 ERA in two starts against the Braves this season, including a July 23 win in which he held them to one hit with no walks and nine strikeouts in six scoreless innings. He’s got two wins in nine starts since then, despite seven more quality starts in that span, and only one earned run allowed in four of those past nine games.
The big right-hander is 6-5 with a 2.87 ERA in 16 starts at spacious Marlins Park, compared to 2-7 with a 5.09 ERA in 13 road starts.
Against Johnson, Brian McCann is 12-for-42 (.286) with a homer, Reed Johnson is 2-for-6 with a homer, Chipper Jones is 9-for-34 (.265) with 10 strikeouts, Martin Prado is 6-for-33 (.182) with eight strikeouts, and Dan Uggla is 0-for-8.
Medlen is 1-1 with a 3.30 ERA in 13 career games (three starts) against the Marlins.
Against Medlen, Jose Reyes is 3-for-10 with four strikeouts and Giancarlo Stanton is 1-for-5 with a homer (but I just heard that Stanton is again out of the lineup tonight with a sore oblique, which has kept him out of the entire series).
BRAVES LINEUP
- Bourn cf
- Prado ss
- Heyward rf
- Chipper 3b
- Freeman 1b
- Uggla 2b
- McCann c
- Constanza lf
- Medlen p
• Uggla’s awakening (and K record): It wasn’t noted anywhere in the postgame notes last night, but Uggla’s 2 strikeouts gave him 157 for the season, breaking his own Braves franchise record of 156 set in ‘11.
Benched for three games earlier this month, Uggla is now on his first double-digit-games hitting surge in more than three months.
However, he’s slowed his K rate and is now 17 behind league leader Danny Espinosa (174), and also behind Pittsburgh’s Pedro Alvarez (161).
Meahwhile, Uggla’s 88 walks leads the league by 10 and ranks second in the majors to Adam Dunn’s 98. Uggla is four walks from his career high set in 2009 with Marlins.
And it appears his half-season skid has finally subsided, to the (cautious) relief of the Braves and manager Fredi Gonzalez.
From June 6 through Aug. 5, Uggla hit an almost-unfathomable .151 (38-for-251) in 77 games, with seven homers, 27 RBIs, 45 walks and 90 strikeouts, for a .299 OBP and .275 slugging percentage. That’s a .574 OPS over 77 games.
But in 11 games since then, he’s 13-for-38 (.342) with three doubles, two homers, eight RBIs and a .457 OBP and .579 slugging percentage. Yes, it’s only 11 games, but the Braves are quite encouraged and pleased by this development. Especially coming as it does during….
• The Bourn Slump: Which has added to the Bourn Dilemma. That is, whether to sign the center fielder to a long-term deal for a very big amount of dollars. Count me among those who got a bit too caught up in Michael Bourn’s career-best first half. Sometimes it’s a good thing I’m not the GM handing out long-term contracts. Not usually, but sometimes (smile).
Anyway, here are the dirty details: Bourn hit .304 with 34 extra-base hits (eight triples, seven homers), 38 RBIs, 64 runs and a .359 OBP and .445 slugging percentage (.804 OPS).
In 54 games since then, he’s hit .210 with just eight extra-base hits (two triples, two homers), 18 RBIs, 26 runs and a .315 OBP and .278 slugging percentage (.593 OPS). Yikes.
And it gets worse.
Bourn has one extra-base hit (a double) in 100 at-bats in his apst 28 games, and in his past 27 games he’s hit an anemic .165 (16-for-97) with five RBIs, six stolen bases (in nine attempts) and a .293 OBP and .175 slugging percentage (.468 OPS).
Yikes. That’s troubling from the leadoff man, to say the least.
• OK, let’s close with a tune from my favorite Sonic Youth album, Daydream Nation. You can hear it by clicking here. Kick it.
“HEY JONI” by Sonic Youth
Hey Joni put it all behind you
Hey Joni now I’ve put it all behind me too
These times can’t add up
Your life is such a mess
Forget the past, and just say yes
Tell me Joni, am I the one
To see you through?
In this broken town can you still jack in
And know what to do?
I remember our youth, our high ideals
I remember you were so uptight
That time in the trees, we broke that vice
We took some steps and now
We can’t think twice
Tell me Joni, am I right by you?
Tell me how yr gonna lose this hard luck?
Hey Joni, when will all these dreams come true?
You’d better find a way
To climb down off that truck
Shots ring out from the center of an empty field
Joni’s in the tall grass
She’s a beautiful mental jukebox
A sailboat explosion
A snap of electric whip crack
She’s not thinking about the future
She’s not spinning her wheels
She doesn’t think at all about the past
She thinking long and hard
About that high wild sound
And wondering will it last?
Kick it
Hey Joni, put it all behind you
There’s something turning, Joni, turning right to you
My head burns, but I know you’ll speak the truth, hey!
Hey Joni, put it all behind you
Hey Joni, now I’ve put it all behind me too
Forget the future
These times are such a mess
Tune out the past, and just say yes
It’s 1963
It’s 1964
It’s 1957
It’s 1962
Put it all behind you
Now it’s all behind you
– David O’Brien, Braves/MIB blog
1,958 comments Add your comment
Jon
September 19th, 2012
3:01 pm
Roll Tide.
flange1
September 19th, 2012
3:04 pm
Thanks for the new blog DOB.
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
3:04 pm
Thanks, DOB!!!
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
3:10 pm
Thank you Mr. O’Brien!!!
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
Yikes, that’s interesting. I don’t think Bourn is back. I think (and hope) that Greinke will be here. Cody Ross will either be in Boston or somewhere that will pay him 7mil/yr for the next 3 years. Don’t think it’ll be the Braves.
NO MORE FREDI
September 19th, 2012
3:23 pm
Medlen better pitch the wildcard playoff game. Fat Fredi will run Hanson out there though because he is all about names on the jersey.
tony austin
September 19th, 2012
3:23 pm
Per a Ken Rosenthal tweet from a while back, Cody Ross turned down an multi-year offer from the Braves. I would think that bridge is kindling and FW would not give him another chance to do it again. I guess we’ll see.
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
3:24 pm
I believe there is NO way Fredi is fired after this season. Braves WILL NOT miss the post season (meaning, at least, the 1 game wild card). The Braves (and almost NO other team) would fire a guy who makes the post season, wins 90+ games, and has one of the 3 top records in the league. All of those will be true for the Braves this year.
Before you get too worked up, compare what the Braves have done this year to what the Red Sox have done.
Can Of Corn
September 19th, 2012
3:27 pm
BOURN’S STRIKEOUTS
What I’ve found disconcerting too, about Bourn’s overall stats are his extremely high strikeout totals.
He’s 5th in all of baseball in K’s with 147.
RC
September 19th, 2012
3:27 pm
I would think that bridge is kindling and FW would not give him another chance to do it again. I guess we’ll see.
FW doesn’t seem the type to bite off his nose to spite his face…except for maybe with Furcal
Sleeze
September 19th, 2012
3:29 pm
Hate to spend big bucks on Bourn, but other than Todd Cunningham who’s been in AA ball all summer, there’s no one in the Braves’ farm system to replace Bourn. It’s a weak free agent market. So where do the Braves go to find 2 starting-caliber outfielders (center and left)?
B
September 19th, 2012
3:29 pm
DOB: Any word on Simmons for tonight?
NO MORE FREDI
September 19th, 2012
3:29 pm
raleighbravefan – Only way Fredi is fired is if Braves lose the WC game. This team was stacked with talent and I think Fredi made some horrible choices costing us games. We shall see.
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
3:31 pm
Thanks for the work DOB.
GO BRAVES!!
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
3:31 pm
Thanks, DO’B, good read.
A double Yikes! for Bourn. A sure sign his value is dropping.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
3:31 pm
I think the Giants, Phillies, Rangers and Nationals will be in on Bourn during free agency. Possibly even the Yankees if they decide to shift Granderson to RF so that they can have the best defensive outfield in history.
Wren will and probably should say all of the right things about trying to bring back Michael Bourn. I’m sure we’ll see a qualifying offer, and I’m sure Bourn will reject the offer. If I’m not mistaken, Bourn is Boras’s key free agent this winter. Him and Kyle Lohse. I don’t see how it makes sense for the Braves to even get into serious negotiations for Bourn.
B
September 19th, 2012
3:33 pm
NO MORE FREDI – The only way Fredi is fired is if Fredi starts Hanson in the WC game and then they lose. if he starts Medlen (which is most likely going to happen) and somehow they lose, then his job is still safe…
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
3:33 pm
Cody Ross is having a nice little year at Fenway… not so much elsewhere, but when at Fenway, he looks like a champ.
tony austin
September 19th, 2012
3:34 pm
He’s 5th in all of baseball in K’s with 147 – Can Of Corn.
With his speed if he could of put just half of those Ks in play he may have beat out a few of them, there could have been a misplay by the defense and so on.
Some will say a strike out is just another out, but I hate it with a passion. I understand players are going to strike out, it happens, but the K rates nowadays are alarming. Just put the ball in play, you never know what is going to happen.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
3:36 pm
Despite the poor 2nd half, I still think the floor on Bourn’s contract is five years, 75 million.
I think he’ll get less than Jose Reyes did(six years, 106 million), but not that much less.
Around The Horn
September 19th, 2012
3:36 pm
WHY LEADOFF THEN?
Based on Bourn’s current stats you really do have to wonder why Fredi continues to hit him in the leadoff position.
Fredi needs to read Tom Tango’s “The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball” — on how best to structure a batting order.
Largo
September 19th, 2012
3:37 pm
Sooner or later Medlen is going to get rocked. Is anyone prepared for that?
Abnerish
September 19th, 2012
3:38 pm
Hopefully, the “Little Doggie” label is a pitching comparison to Maddux and not a physical comparison. I mean, how diminutive do you have to be to be “Little” anything compared to Greg Maddux.
Heisenberg
September 19th, 2012
3:40 pm
Bourn must want to remain a Brave because he is playing his way into their price range.
Kris
September 19th, 2012
3:40 pm
Bourn is better than Crawford but will not get Crawford money.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
3:40 pm
How about a platoon of Craig Gentry and Jordan Schafer in CF? And maybe Nick Swisher in LF? I know Nick Swisher is going to cost us our first round draft selection, but what does that really matter when we are getting one for Michael Bourn?……………………………………………….
Wait, what?
brian
September 19th, 2012
3:40 pm
I could easily see Cody Ross and Greinke but we would have Pagan or Bourjos in CF, not Bourn
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
3:42 pm
Sooner or later Medlen is going to get rocked. Is anyone prepared for that?
Absolutely. Because no pitcher in history has been perfect every single start like this kid has.
RC
September 19th, 2012
3:42 pm
Fredi needs to read Tom Tango’s “The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball” — on how best to structure a batting order.
If Fredi is going to make changes based on that book, the batting order is probably priority #452 to be fixed. Figuring out how we might have won last night’s game if Kimbrel wasn’t sitting in the bullpen with 7 days of rest in the past 10 days should be priority #1.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
3:42 pm
Fredi needs to read Tom Tango’s “The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball” — on how best to structure a batting order.
I’m guessing, but are you a new poster on this blog?
coastalbrave
September 19th, 2012
3:42 pm
1. Michael Bourn (L) CF
2. Martin Prado (R) SS
3. Jason Heyward (L) RF
4. Chipper Jones (S) 3B
5. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
6. Dan Uggla (R) 2B
7. Brian McCann (L) C
8. Jose Constanza (L) LF
9. Kris Medlen (S) P
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
3:42 pm
Fredi needs to read Tom Tango’s “The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball” — on how best to structure a batting order. _ Around The Horn
You’re just making assumptions there, ATH.
One, that he has not read it, another, that he can read.
Heisenberg
September 19th, 2012
3:44 pm
I would actually prefer Pagan. Switch hitter to help balance the lineup.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
3:45 pm
8. Jose Constanza (L) LF
There you go, Murph. Fredo has decided to collude with you on irritating me, LOL.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
3:46 pm
I think we may see some Maddux-esque accepting of the one year arbitration offers this November. 13.5 million is a lot of scratch. Some teams are going to chance it based on the extra draft pick. I know multi year deals are nothing to pass up on, but still…
note: I don’t believe Bourn will accept. Pretty much 100% on that one.
Players like Edwin Jackson, Kyle Lohse, Hiroki Kuroda, Nick Swisher. They could surprise.
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
3:46 pm
NO MORE – EVERY manager makes decisions that may end up with loses, especially in hind sight. Very questionable how many loses there actually are in that category. Your opinion (because that’s what it is), may vary from mine. More importantly, it probably varies significantly from the opinion of the Braves FO. Fredi is in NO danger if we make it to the WC round (win or lose). If we tank enough now to miss the WC, there will be at least some consideration to replace him.
All of the above is my personal opinion, as I, (nor anyone else here), have no “inside” information.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
3:47 pm
Figuring out how we might have won last night’s game if Kimbrel wasn’t sitting in the bullpen with 7 days of rest in the past 10 days should be priority #1.
Don’t go all “best-reliever” on us, RC. Please?
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
3:47 pm
I really hope Andrelton Simmons is healthy soon. We need that guy badly – can’t have Prado at SS and Constanza in LF, for crying out loud.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
3:47 pm
BRAVES LINEUP
Bourn cf
Prado ss
Heyward rf
Chipper 3b
Freeman 1b
Uggla 2b
McCann c
Constanza lf
Medlen p
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
3:47 pm
Biff again. Well sure why not. I seem to recall his flash in the pants hot streak last year included a series in Miami where he had 7 or 8 infield singles.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
3:49 pm
Biff again. Well sure why not.
But didn’t they lose with him in the lineup last night? What good is a good-luck charm that doesn’t bring you any good luck?
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
3:50 pm
Two weeks from today – end of the regular season and last game regular season game with Chipper in the lineup. Sad.
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
3:50 pm
Around the horn – Why don’t you and Shaun have a private discussion on the proper structure of a batting order? You 2 can have a ball, and it will save the rest of use valuable scrolling time.
Heisenberg
September 19th, 2012
3:51 pm
I would tread carefully when considering signing Swisher. His numbers are probably inflated by Yankee stadium and the lineup around him. He is not a true middle of the order run producing anchor. He is a nice complimentary piece that could help a team.
Murph
September 19th, 2012
3:52 pm
There are cheaper, comparable options to Bourn out there… who don’t strike out 150+ times a season.
bravofan
September 19th, 2012
3:53 pm
downloaded ios 6 for my iphone 4s and was excited about using passbook for tickets at Turner Field but it is not a supported ball park through the at bat app. Maybe it will work through ticketmaster.
onebravosfan
September 19th, 2012
3:54 pm
I don’t mind having Georgie in the lineup but would have preferred Reed as DOB points out above.
RC
September 19th, 2012
3:55 pm
Don’t go all “best-reliever” on us, RC. Please?
It’s not worth getting into….90% of people seem to have already decided where they stand on the issue. I just had hopes that Fredo had come around to my way of thinking when he used Kimbrel in a tie game in the Mets series…but alas, it wasn’t to be. Maybe last night’s result will change his mind, but I’m certain that nothing I post on an internet blog will
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
3:55 pm
What good is a good-luck charm that doesn’t bring you any good luck?
Lucky charm though he may be, even he can’t overcome Bourn’s suckiness.
After further thought, re Biff last year against the Marlins, I believe he had six infield singles and two walks in one game.*
*There may be some mythology at work on my memory there.
Heisenberg
September 19th, 2012
3:55 pm
You have an iphone 4s – that is so yesterday.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
3:55 pm
Efrim -
I don’t know about you, but declining SB numbers, a weak OBP for a leadoff guy, and MASSIVE K numbers for a leadoff guy….
I just can’t see spending that kind of cake….especially when you consider the money we will need to divide out to Heyward, Freeman, Prado, Simmons, Minor, Kimbrel, Medlen, etc in the next few years
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
3:55 pm
I’m SURE if we win tonight, it will be because of Georgie, not Medlen…
SIGH
Ward
September 19th, 2012
3:57 pm
Hello everyone! Thought I would come on for a few. Last year I wanted Adam Jones, or Cody Ross, but that did not happen, and look where we are at in offense. I would like the Brave to sign Bourn, and Swisher next year. Move Prado to 3rd, and Keep Francisco on the bench. Sign Reed Jophnson for bench, keep Paul at SS for back up, and go with Mejia for the bench, and keep Catcher Ross. That’s what I would like to see.
matt
September 19th, 2012
3:58 pm
trade for headley,keep prado in left!!
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
3:58 pm
Trade for Gentry, Sign Greinke and work a trade for Justin Upton. Your outfield is set for the forseeable future and you’ve got a very strong if not the best rotation in baseball.
Ward
September 19th, 2012
4:01 pm
Out field would be Swisher, Bourn, Heyward, and Reed Johnson
Bench
1. Paul SS
2. Ross catcher
3. Mejia
4.Francisco
5. Baker
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
4:01 pm
but I’m certain that nothing I post on an internet blog will
You underestimate yourself, sir. Besides, presenting a cogent and articulate position statement is never a bad thing, in and of itself. I always enjoy your posts, even when I think you are…mistaken.
Helps me to critically look at my own version of things, you know?
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
4:03 pm
The use of relief pitching wasn’t the problem last night. It was the defensive alignment that screwed us up. How in the world does the game winning run score from 2nd on a ball that was blooped 125 feet into RF? What the heck was Heyward doing in RF, hanging out on the warning track?!?
Jeff R
September 19th, 2012
4:03 pm
There are cheaper, comparable options to Bourn out there… who don’t strike out 150+ times a season.
Hey, 150+ strikeouts annually is nothing to sneeze at.
brian
September 19th, 2012
4:03 pm
I love the offseason planning as much as anyone, but in the heat of a pennant/playoff race, I am surprised that there is so much chatter on offseason trades and not on the job at hand.
Yes, Medlen will get rocked or actually lose a game. No problem. I am just going to enjoy the ride while I can
DAP
September 19th, 2012
4:03 pm
scoots But didn’t they lose with him in the lineup last night? What good is a good-luck charm that doesn’t bring you any good luck?
they took him out in the 9th after tying the game. you see how that worked out….
CB
September 19th, 2012
4:03 pm
I bet if you took all of Biff’s hits and added them together you Might get a 400ft homer.
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
4:03 pm
Ward, Baker? Really?
Jeff R
September 19th, 2012
4:04 pm
I love the offseason planning as much as anyone, but in the heat of a pennant/playoff race, I am surprised that there is so much chatter on offseason trades and not on the job at hand.
We’ve all assumed that the Braves will win the World Series and have moved on.
PDOG
September 19th, 2012
4:05 pm
Would offer Bourne 13 million for 5 years doubt that will get it done. That being said best bet for the Braves next year would be to trade Hanson and Malhom for Lorenzo Cain and a prospect from KC. I would then use the extra money to lock up Freeman, Heyward, Medlin and Prado for the next 5 to 7 years. After Hudson comes off the book in 2013 need to lock up Kimbrell and see about McCann.
Ward
September 19th, 2012
4:05 pm
No more pitching moves, we have enough pitching. change course,a nd sign Swisher,and Bourn, and Keep Reed Johnson.
phil
September 19th, 2012
4:06 pm
Medlen belongs in the pen….
Period.
Any smart baseball person knows this for the fact that it is.
RC
September 19th, 2012
4:06 pm
I bet if you took all of Biff’s hits and added them together you Might get a 400ft homer.
And a really wet bat.
Ward
September 19th, 2012
4:06 pm
Maholm isn’t going to be traded, because we have him locked in for another year…
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
4:07 pm
“Any smart baseball person knows this for the fact that it is.”
Yes, that would be Frank Wren. The guy that didn’t believe Medlen should start a game this year.
Murph
September 19th, 2012
4:07 pm
Trade for Gentry, Sign Greinke and work a trade for Justin Upton. Your outfield is set for the forseeable future and you’ve got a very strong if not the best rotation in baseball.
But, what do you do when Hudson goes down to injury? Or Maholm? Or anyone in the rotation? You’ve traded away Teheran and Delgado, probably Gilmartin too…
I guess you could always call up Graham a bit earlier than expected.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
4:07 pm
So I see being gone for quite awhile some things still dont change….
Ward is still a frittata
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
4:07 pm
they took him out in the 9th after tying the game. you see how that worked out….
Well, geez, he leaves no good-luck residue? His good luck has no staying power?
I dunno. I think there may be other good-luck charms out there who could provide similar good luck at a better price.
Heisenberg
September 19th, 2012
4:07 pm
Any news on Janish injury? I hate to say it but they way he fell looked a lot like the final play of Drew Brees tenure as a San Diego Charger.
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
4:08 pm
Ward just wants us to be a team of old men.. much like the yankees are becoming.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
4:08 pm
“sign Swisher”
Yes, the same guy who would write a slur on his eye black, but instead of in Spanish he’d write it in English. No thanks with Swisher. Guy is an idiot.
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
4:08 pm
and keep Catcher Ross.
I like that. Ross should consider legally changing his name. Dumbfounded Catcher Ross.
RC
September 19th, 2012
4:09 pm
Medlen belongs in the pen….
Period.
Any smart baseball person knows this for the fact that it is.
Random declaration that many will disagree with, with no evidence to back it up. Four periods.
The word “Period” as it’s own paragraph.
Declaration that proclaims that anyone who disagrees with random declaration about is not smart, regardless of any other evidence they may provide.
Did I get it right?
RC
September 19th, 2012
4:10 pm
I like that. Ross should consider legally changing his name. Dumbfounded Catcher Ross.
Catcher Ross sounds like the protagonist of a Hemmingway novel.
Heisenberg
September 19th, 2012
4:10 pm
Medlen belongs in the pen….
While warming up for his next start.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
4:10 pm
We’ve all assumed that the Braves will win the World Series and have moved on.
You’re right, kinda. The chances of catching the Nats or being caught in the wild card are both pretty low, so it’s difficult to get jacked up on either of those fronts. Need some magic to tighten up the division race, and then we can all get crazy.
Jeff R
September 19th, 2012
4:11 pm
Greinke? Greinke!
If we had a buck for time Greinke’s name makes it on the blog, we’d be able to give Bourn a ten-year, $20 million per deal!
Greinke!
RC
September 19th, 2012
4:11 pm
“sign Swisher”
Yes, the same guy who would write a slur on his eye black, but instead of in Spanish he’d write it in English. No thanks with Swisher. Guy is an idiot.
He certainly does appear to be an idiot, but it’s really unfair to proclaim that he would do something like that. For all his idiot ways, he’s never shown reason to believe he’s a bigot (that I’m aware of).
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
4:12 pm
Biff again? Sigh…. his MPVness sure helped last night. He was putting so much pressure on the pitchers and defense…
Andy’s still not healthy, more Prado at SS joy… sucks that Rev looked so bad early this year, or he mighta gotten a start. Prado at SS isn’t ideal.
Jeff R
September 19th, 2012
4:14 pm
Need some magic to tighten up the division race, and then we can all get crazy.
You’ve pegged it.
And I meant to write: “If we had a buck for EVERY time…” Not clicking on all cylinders this afternoon.
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
4:14 pm
But, what do you do when Hudson goes down to injury? Or Maholm? Or anyone in the rotation? You’ve traded away Teheran and Delgado, probably Gilmartin too…
We’d still have at least a few of these options… Hudson, Maholm, Greinke, Minor, Beachy, Gilmartin, Hanson.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
4:15 pm
You didn’t trade Hanson? Gotta do that, clears 3.5mil. Makes it easier to get Greinke.
CaptainMudd
September 19th, 2012
4:15 pm
Roll Meds….I’ve been in a quick twist today–can anyone tell ’bout Pastor?
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
4:16 pm
Catcher Ross sounds like the protagonist of a Hemmingway novel.
Probably where Ward picked it up.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
4:16 pm
Solid read from one of my favorite GM’s: http://blogs.thescore.com/mlb/2012/09/19/i-can-be-wrong-but-i-cant-be-afraid-an-interview-with-alex-anthopoulos/#more-54783
Skip down to this question: Every teams covets prospects and seems determined to build their system for a trade that may never materialize. Are teams overvaluing minor league prospects and waiting too long to pull the trigger?
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
4:17 pm
Personally, I’d rather get rid of Maholm over Hanson.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
4:17 pm
You’ve pegged it.
A Dodger DH sweep would qualify as magic, I think. And a Braves win tonight, natch.
Be a start, anyhow.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
4:17 pm
AT-
You were close….
Ward just wants
usto bea team ofwith old men..There ya go…fixed
CaptainMudd
September 19th, 2012
4:17 pm
Medlin uses Pen to his advantage……
Charging 19.95 per autograph
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
4:18 pm
Boy, most here will hear, remember, and repeat things as they see fit, reguardless of the facts. That probably includes me, although I no longer claim to remember anything.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
4:19 pm
“Now we are more interested in guys who will be around for a while and have some swing-and-miss stuff,” – Alex Anthonopolous
Sigh…..
Instead, LHP’s that throw strikes and pitch to contact.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
4:19 pm
“he’s never shown reason to believe he’s a bigot”
Neither is Yunel. He said that it was a socially acceptable term. But yeh I’m sure the media wouldn’t totally overreact to something like that.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
4:19 pm
AT-
Why?
Tommy is awful….cant get through 5 w/o a pitch count of 100, hasnt changed his mechanics, lost 5 mph on his fastball in less than 3 years, AND is getting more expensive than Maholm….
Every time he pitches I wanna drive nails under my fingers with a hammer.
CaptainMudd
September 19th, 2012
4:19 pm
@ncscoots……how’s that course going at East Carolina?
phil
September 19th, 2012
4:21 pm
RC
September 19th, 2012
4:09 pm
Medlen belongs in the pen….
Period.
Any smart baseball person knows this for the fact that it is.
Random declaration that many will disagree with, with no evidence to back it up. Four periods.
The word “Period” as it’s own paragraph.
Declaration that proclaims that anyone who disagrees with random declaration about is not smart, regardless of any other evidence they may provide.
Did I get it right?
*************
The guy has been awesome. I just hope he can somehow keep it up.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
4:21 pm
Personally, I’d rather get rid of Maholm over Hanson.
I’ve been a Tommy fan for as long as I can remember. 2006? Something like that. But he, and Randall Delgado, are two prime starting pitchers for the Braves to shop this winter to fill other needs.
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
4:21 pm
yikes
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
4:21 pm
TOBF – He “looked ” so bad, because he WAS so bad.
PaulG
September 19th, 2012
4:22 pm
Jeez, a couple of empiricists on this board…..amazing…..this will indeed upset Larry the legend & billy bob etc…….then lobosolo & tumbledown will have to provide therapy to the flat earth society of bloggers
nolie
September 19th, 2012
4:22 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
Braveone
September 19th, 2012
4:25 pm
From the previous blog which had 1,210 comments, TheOnlyBravesFan led the way with 79 posts. There were 122 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 TheOnlyBravesFan 79
2 nolie 64
3 Efrim 57
4 Brian from SC 40
5 ncscoots 40
6 Frankie 39
7 MFin04 39
8 VaBravesFan 35
9 Mixxo 33
10 phil 32
11 ACE 30
12 Tomahawk Mafia 30
13 Disgusted 29
14 Murph 29
15 Venice Jim 28
16 Ghost of Chipper Jones 27
17 David O’Brien 26
18 TennesseePaul 24
19 brian 22
20 Arkansas Transplant 21
21 George_George 21
22 Veer 21
23 SOS Braves 20
24 Bat Masterson 19
25 Mitchell 18
PDOG
September 19th, 2012
4:25 pm
Why do the Braves need Greinke, they have more then enough pitching now just like with Minor they need to get Tehran and Delgado in the rotation next year. I would like to see the Braves give Sheets another start to see if he has anything left, if he does sign him for next year and if he burns out by the all star break then you have Beachy back.
2013 Braves
Freeman
Uggla
Simmons
Prado
Cunnigham
Cain
Heyward
McCann
Pitchers
Medlin
Minor
Hudson
Tehran
Sheets or Delgado
Bullpen
Kimbrell
Venters
Avilan
Gerain
Martinez
open slot
Bench
Ross
Rev
Johnson
Gattis
Juan F
Braveone
September 19th, 2012
4:25 pm
From the previous blog which had 1,210 comments, TheOnlyBravesFan led the way with 79 posts. There were 122 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 TheOnlyBravesFan 79
2 nolie 64
3 Efrim 57
4 Brian from SC 40
5 ncscoots 40
6 Frankie 39
7 MFin04 39
8 VaBravesFan 35
9 Mixxo 33
10 phil 32
11 ACE 30
12 Tomahawk Mafia 30
13 Disgusted 29
14 Murph 29
15 Venice Jim 28
16 Ghost of Chipper Jones 27
17 David O’Brien 26
18 TennesseePaul 24
19 brian 22
20 Arkansas Transplant 21
21 George_George 21
22 Veer 21
23 SOS Braves 20
24 Bat Masterson 19
25 Mitchell 18
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
4:25 pm
Are teams overvaluing minor league prospects and waiting too long to pull the trigger?
Definitely… get very afraid, prospects. Y’all are on the table. Teheran, you’re 1st! (sarcasm)
usnavyvolfaninva
September 19th, 2012
4:29 pm
“streaking Medlin?” He needs to stop…streaking’s illegal.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
4:29 pm
“Now we are more interested in guys who will be around for a while and have some swing-and-miss stuff,” – Alex Anthonopolous
Sigh…..
Instead, LHP’s that throw strikes and pitch to contact.
And our two RHP K guys got hurt (Tommy, Brandon), with Tommy losing 7-8mph on his FB. Another reason we should get Greinke, he can hit 94-5
Tumbledown
September 19th, 2012
4:30 pm
PaulG- Hopefully you acknowledge that my therapy is a bit different from lobosolo’s brand of therapy. I feel like he is the bad cop while I am the good, if somewhat sarcastic, cop.
DiamondbackMac
September 19th, 2012
4:32 pm
Jon
Roll Tide
That’s a tremendous improvement over bloggers declaring that they’re first. By the way, don’t they know that it’s obvious to anyone reading the blog that they were first. Yes indeed, Roll Tide. I don’t think we have anything to worry about. It’s Florida Atlantic this week.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
4:32 pm
From MLBTR Chat
Steve
Would a Hanson for Olt trade work for both teams?
3:17 Ben Nicholson-Smith: I don’t know that it works for the Rangers. Is Hanson the same guy he was earlier in his career? Now that he’s arb eligible he’s looking at $4MM in 2013 and maybe $7MM in 2014. At what point is he a non-tender candidate?
The idea of getting Olt for Hanson is kinda stupid, and no I did not ask this question!
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
4:33 pm
Scoots-
Good point….I think at this time the focus should just be on closing out home field in the Wild Card, getting the team healthy, and setting the pitching matchups for St. Louis (or other) and Washington or Cincy….
Like I said before, its becoming closer and closer to me of Mike Minor being the Game 1 DS starter….
The postseason being so short as we know, you gotta go w/ the hot hand and the matchups, and Minor matched up against either Washington or Cincy is probably a better shot to start out on the right note….
Plus we have seen Huddy struggle against the top teams….in fact, only Medlen has good numbers against Washington this year….Minor, Huddy, and Maholm all bad against Washington (except Minor’s W/L)….so frankly, we’d almost be setup better if we faced Cincy in the DS, especially w/ our LH starters…
The question is, do we matchup better against Gonzalez/Zimmerman/Detweiler/Jackson OR Cueto/Latos/Arroyo/Bailey….
I would say given all the Reds starters are RH, we would be better off facing them….
We still have 2 weeks, but its nice to be able to start thinking about this a little bit….
Thoughts?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
4:34 pm
Bo
Jurrjens is certain to be non-tendered… But what to do about Hanson?
3:19
Ben Nicholson-Smith: Yes, Jurrjens will be non-tendered.
I think the Braves should tender Hanson a contract, listen in case someone wants to pay full value for him in a trade, and hope 2013 turns out better. If 2013 goes poorly a non-tender becomes a real option. If it goes well, you breathe a sigh of relief and pencil him into the rotation for another year.
So tender him a contract this year, try to trade him, if we can’t, use him next year, hope his declining trends don’t continue. If they do, then non-tender him after next season.
Tumbledown
September 19th, 2012
4:36 pm
It is hard to consider what the Braves should do for next season when there is so much left to do this season.
Assuming the Braves are in the Wild Card game and Medlen gets the nod to pitch it it, are there any superstitious people out there that would want his winning streak to end before pitching in that game? Some people always felt it would be best for an NFL team to lose a regular season game rather than go undefeated. Not sure the analogy holds, but what do you think?
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
4:36 pm
TOBF – Any chance I can get you to give the Greinke talk a rest, just for a day or two? Please?
If so, my next missions are to get AT to quit trading Uggla, and for George to nip it with the DOB crap.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
4:36 pm
Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
Paul Janish is headed back to Atlanta to have his left shoulder evaluated further. #Braves
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
4:36 pm
PDOG, that quantity your talking about in starting pitching doesn’t always equal quality pitching.
P-T, the only reason I really would rather keep Tommy is, I still have faith he’ll figure something out. If he was 29 or older, I’d probably be all for it but he’s still at a young age that he could turn things around. I think if he just learned to use his legs more and worked to strengthen them a little more, it would make a huge difference. As far as Maholm goes, well, watching him work drives me crazy. He works soooo slow, I can’t believe he doesn’t put his own defense a sleep. Not to say he hasn’t given us some relief since coming over in the trade. But he’s going to jump to 6.5m next year and then hits the free agent market, so what we see from him is pretty much what we’ll ever get from him, which is very average.. but I’m hoping Hanson can develop.. got my fingers crossed and I don’t see him making over 3.5m next season.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
4:36 pm
how’s that course going at East Carolina
What course is that, Capt? You lost me.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
4:38 pm
Matt Do the Braves go out and sign the legitimate ace their rotation lacks this offseason. Maybe go after Greinke?
3:41
Ben Nicholson-Smith: I don’t expect the Braves to spend on the offseason’s top free agents. Hasn’t been there M.O.
He’s gonna be wrong….
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
4:38 pm
I agree, asking for a top spec from Texas who is solid in Olt for Tommy Hanson…..I’d have to kick my own *ss if I expected something like that for a return….
Hell, just a couple hours ago we were talking Craig Gentry….how the blue hell did someone roll that into Mike Olt
raleighbravefan
September 19th, 2012
4:39 pm
Later, friends. Go Braves!
ACE
September 19th, 2012
4:41 pm
I see DOB made the usual unfunny retort. So the DOBBERS can even thank him for that.
Those of us that come on here and don’t subscribe to the brick fn the wall theory do so because we enjoy seeing differing opinions.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
4:41 pm
Sure raleigh, I’ve tried not to bring it up on my own…
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
4:41 pm
brian
September 19th, 2012
4:03 pm
I love the offseason planning as much as anyone, but in the heat of a pennant/playoff race, I am surprised that there is so much chatter on offseason trades and not on the job at hand.
Amen to that.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
4:41 pm
AT-
My biggest issue w/ Hanson….fairly certain there isn’t much there between the ears and he also has that Andruw Jones “I could care less what you think” attitude….thus he doesn’t make the necessary adjustments to get better….thus to me he would be odd man out, now for playoff roster, and 2013
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
4:41 pm
raleighbravefan, I haven’t mentioned trading Uggla in over a week but I still feel it to be a wise choice… Uggla and Gilmartin to Detroit for Infante, McCann and Garcia.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
4:42 pm
You mentioned “trying to win as many games as you can” every year. No matter the talk about “bridge years” and “rebuilds” winning is still number one. Combining this with strategic long-term planning makes managing fan expectations tricky, doesn’t it? Is that even something you consider part of your job
It is part of the job. I just think you can’t let it dictate what you do because that’s when you get in trouble, you can make mistakes. Everyone respects the fans, I mean I can roll out every cliche that everyone says in any industry but at the end of the day, if you ask any fans, they want to win. They want to win for a long time.
Just like we can get emotional at times with what we see, fans can get emotional. We have to remain objective, if we can. I had people coming up to me asking “when are you going to release Edwin Encarnacion?” last summer. I get it, when guys are not playing well it can be hard to watch. Fans are throwing stuff at their TVs and yelling but I’m not hired to react to the whims and the emotions.
I’m supposed to do what I believe is right. Whether it’s going to be popular or not? The mandate is do what you believe is right and what you believe is going to put this organization in a position to win. If I make a lot of wrong decisions, somebody else is going to be sitting in this chair.
Part of it is we have more information. There are more facts at our disposal that just don’t get out there. It doesn’t mean we are always right – we are wrong plenty. I’m wrong plenty. But if we just react to how the fans feel about everything, it’s tough.
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
4:45 pm
fairly certain there isn’t much there between the ears…thus he doesn’t make the necessary adjustments to get better
I see the concerns on both of these… I’m just hoping he’ll make some changes and say, “you know what, I should have been listening all along”. A long shot I know, but I’m an optimist.
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
4:46 pm
lost 5 mph on his fastball in less than 3 years page one
with Tommy losing 7-8mph on his FB. page two
I say up to 11 by page three
nolie
September 19th, 2012
4:46 pm
I get it, when guys are not playing well it can be hard to watch. Fans are throwing stuff at their TVs and yelling but I’m not hired to react to the whims and the emotions.
I’m supposed to do what I believe is right. Whether it’s going to be popular or not? The mandate is do what you believe is right and what you believe is going to put this organization in a position to win. If I make a lot of wrong decisions, somebody else is going to be sitting in this chair.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
4:46 pm
“Like I said before, its becoming closer and closer to me of Mike Minor being the Game 1 DS starter….”
Wow, that’s a leap of faith. I don’t think that will happen and quite frankly Minor starting Game 2 makes me very nervous. Like the progress the last couple of months but not sure if he’s ready for prime time. Hopefully we find out.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
4:46 pm
I might be blinded by the light, I guess, but I love AA. He’s what Keith Law wanted to be when he grows up.
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
4:47 pm
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
Even if be get a banger in LF that is a RH bat? Not that I have the most confidence that we can get both…..
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
4:48 pm
say up to 11 by page three
Ha!
(I believe we might have twin sons of different mothers on here, re ragging on Hanson.)
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
4:49 pm
Seeing this lineup trotted out night after night is like eating Bolony sandwiches everyday. I hope this guy’s overall patience pays dividends. Not convinced at all.
RC
September 19th, 2012
4:49 pm
raleighbravefan, I haven’t mentioned trading Uggla in over a week but I still feel it to be a wise choice… Uggla and Gilmartin to Detroit for Infante, McCann and Garcia.
While I understand why this is attractive for the Braves, I don’t see why it would be attractive for the Tigers. Uggla is simply more of what they’ve already got better versions of – power bat with poor defense. Infante fits their team a lot better, and for less money. While Gilmartin could make the deal more attractive for Detroit, he’s not their “type” of pitcher at all. They tend to go for high-velocity fastballs and big bodied starters. Gilmartin profiles more as a finesse lefty with a fringy fastball….not at all what Detroit has valued in the past.
phil
September 19th, 2012
4:49 pm
I’m having trouble getting my mostly empty, meaningless and silly posts to load….
Probably Dave’s crack staff of sleuths blocking me.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
4:51 pm
that might mitigate it somewhat Efrim, but I would still prefer no lefty at this point….and I doubt both would happen.
there are WAY more righties who hit righties ok than there are lefties who hit lefties ok, mostly because growing up when skills are being ingrained you see 6 times as many of them
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
4:52 pm
quite frankly Minor starting Game 2 makes me very nervous.
He’s won me over. A few good starts is one thing, but nearly three months of sustained good performance is quite another.
That’s no guarantee that he won’t mushroom-cloud under the big lights, but there’s no reason to think that’s more probable than possible.
RC
September 19th, 2012
4:55 pm
quite frankly Minor starting Game 2 makes me very nervous.
He’s won me over. A few good starts is one thing, but nearly three months of sustained good performance is quite another.
That’s no guarantee that he won’t mushroom-cloud under the big lights, but there’s no reason to think that’s more probable than possible.
It does make me a bit nervous, but there’s no way to know how he’ll perform under pressure without putting him in the situation. Sink or swim, I think we’ve got to find out what he is.
brian
September 19th, 2012
4:55 pm
OK Sleaze I will play this game. There are plenty of alternatives to Bourn in CF – expensive ones like BJ Upton to more affordable ones like Victorino and Pagan, to young and cheap like Bourjos. Span is an injury waiting to happen and I don’t see the Braves going for him.
The Braves will still have a pitching surplus to trade this off season. They will pick up Maholm’s option. The Braves will start with Medlen, Minor, and Hudson in the rotation. They will then fill the last 2 spots with 2 of Maholm, Hanson, Teheran, Delgado. Beachy will come back mid season. That leaves 1-2 of those last 2 pitchers to be traded. If the Braves sign Greinke then they will trade 2-3 of those pitchers giving them the depth to trade Maholm, Hanson and Delgado if they so choose. Maholm will have good trade value just as he has good value for the Braves.
My guess in the rotation next year is Medlen, Minor, Hudson, Maholm, and Teheran. Hanson will be traded if we can get any sort of good value for him. Delgado will be packaged to upgrade at 3B for someone like Headley or for the LF.
The Braves will give Teheran every chance to win that 5th job next year so if we sign Greinke we would have Medlen, Greinke, Minor, Hudson and Teheran with Beachy coming back in the mid season. 2014 drop Hudson and insert Beachy and you have a dynamic rotation for years
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
4:55 pm
not at all what Detroit has valued in the past [as far as pitchers]
No kidding. Those guys can’t afford to have pitch-to-contact guys, they absolutely need swing-and-miss stuff off the mound.
phil
September 19th, 2012
4:55 pm
Game two?
Cart before the horse?
Or just optimistic? Which is a good thing…
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
4:56 pm
It does make me a bit nervous, but there’s no way to know how he’ll perform under pressure without putting him in the situation. Sink or swim, I think we’ve got to find out what he is.
Get a little closer in the division race, and maybe we can find out a little sooner.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
4:56 pm
“He’s won me over. A few good starts is one thing, but nearly three months of sustained good performance is quite another.
That’s no guarantee that he won’t mushroom-cloud under the big lights, but there’s no reason to think that’s more probable than possible.”
He’s won me over as well, don’t get me wrong. I love the fact that he has rebounded. Not at all confident of him starting Game 2 that’s all.
I think Fredi did the right thing back in Cincy when he gave up jack to jack to jack’s. He left him in I recall he actually might have pitched two more innings and finished 6 innings. Might have gone the other way if he yanks him that day.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
4:58 pm
Never been sold on the guy but I do agree that Minor seems more confident and decisive than he used to. His body language at time was depressing just to look at.
Said all along a #3, still think so, but will admit that he might get to be a bit better than that.
Hope he does.
RC
September 19th, 2012
4:58 pm
Delgado will be packaged to upgrade at 3B for someone like Headley or for the LF.
If we could get Headley for Delgado + spare parts, I’d do the deal in a second. However, I really doubt that San Diego will let him go for that package.
chipontheroad
September 19th, 2012
4:59 pm
reverse jinx” it ” will never happen gotta go to work GO BRAVOS
nolie
September 19th, 2012
5:00 pm
I think we might see Headley regress a bit next season, but i would take him
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
5:02 pm
If I make a lot of wrong decisions, somebody else is going to be sitting in this chair.
Part of it is we have more information. There are more facts at our disposal that just don’t get out there. It doesn’t mean we are always right – we are wrong plenty. I’m wrong plenty. But if we just react to how the fans feel about everything, it’s tough.
I might be blinded by the light, I guess, but I love AA. He’s what Keith Law wanted to be when he grows up. – ncscoots
Not a better GM mind in the sport, imo. He may make bad decisions – they all do. But his principles are the best.
I don’t know what he’d do in a big market like Boston, it even made Theo Epstein make bad calls, but AA has a great way of looking at things in this sport, and as much as I like Frank Wren, I would love to have Anthonopolous as our GM.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
5:03 pm
IF the Pads trade Headley they are going to rape someone for him…..
Sorry for the gross oversell there
brian
September 19th, 2012
5:03 pm
I still think that Medlen has to pitch the play in game unless he implodes the last few starts. He has been our best pitcher and he has been hot. Pressure does not seem to bother Medlen.
Tina
September 19th, 2012
5:03 pm
Why isnt Constanza batting 9th Medlen hits the ball harder than that judy hitter.Better chance Johnson would get a hit but god damm he is right handed. Are stinken bench is a joke we get rid of worthless Wilson and we get Overbay,Boscan and Constanza to go with Daiz and Hinski Please let are pitchers bat.
ncscoots
September 19th, 2012
5:04 pm
Said all along a #3, still think so, but will admit that he might get to be a bit better than that.
I don’t see him as any more than that, nolie. He’s become a solid pitcher who may have streaks of excellence, is all. That’s how I see him. Not a perennial All-Star.
TennesseePaul
September 19th, 2012
5:04 pm
Last 9 Starts of the Starting 9
_________AVG__OBP__SLG___OPS_wOBA_L9S9+
Bourn__ .103 .167 .128 0.295 .145 ___-6
Prado__ .405 .436 .432 0.868 .405 __175
Heyward .250 .289 .444 0.734 .315 __131
Chipper .233 .378 .233 0.612 .287 ___95
Freeman .303 .368 .515 0.884 .357 __178
Uggla__ .258 .378 .419 0.798 .358 __152
McCann_ .281 .314 .531 0.846 .352 __166
Biff___ .250 .344 .286 0.629 .273 __100
Medlen_ .095 .174 .143 0.317 .143 ____0
keyLargo
September 19th, 2012
5:05 pm
Sorry, this is the Braves collapse last year.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7649003/nfl-science-why-ravens-kicker-billy-cundiff-choked-afc-championship-game-espn-magazine
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
5:06 pm
And I’m glad everyone has this nice fuzzy feeling over Huddy and all, but he has looked OLD against the good teams and most want him to either pitch a do or die game or the Division Series opener if we make it that far…..
I threw Minor under the bus more than just about anyone at the beginning of the year (just ask my dad)….that said, he has more than proven himself and I think he’s ready for that challenge.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
5:06 pm
At some point you might wanna try moving Bourn out of the leadoff spot.
JTH
September 19th, 2012
5:06 pm
It doesn’t matter who they run out there for the play-in because this team has no chance at winning the title and they never will as long as Liberty Media is the owner. There’s no real commitment to winning by them, Fredi G is a incompetent dolt, and the team itself is way too inconsistent.
Now I’m sure you blind loyalists will post some BS in response, maybe even make personal attacks, but I’ll be proven right in the playoffs. And I’ll laugh all the way to the bank.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
5:07 pm
Reed Johnson career .267 hitter against RH pitchers. Geez, give the guy some playing time and keep Georgie for pinch running. Don’t understand this playing percentages constantly.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
5:08 pm
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8399074/san-francisco-giants-melky-cabrera-likely-barred-national-league-batting-title
Efrim
September 19th, 2012
5:09 pm
I still think Minor has a #3 starter ceiling. I don’t see much more than that.
ACE
September 19th, 2012
5:10 pm
Good to see Georgie in the lineup.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
5:10 pm
MLB won’t bar Melky Cabrera if he does win batting title…
nolie
September 19th, 2012
5:11 pm
calling folks “blind loyalists” isn’t a personal attack?
Don’t start it if you are gonna whine about maybe getting it
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
5:12 pm
Janish returned to ATL today, will be examined by Braves specialist tomorrow to determine if he can play again this season or if he might need surgery….
Fredi is hopeful for Simmons return to lineup on Friday….
Braves could tweak rotation after this weekend to line it up so whomever they want to start wild-card game is in place. Fredi said hasn’t been decided yet, but it’s between Medlen and Hudson.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
5:12 pm
never expected them to interfere if Melky wins it
ACE
September 19th, 2012
5:13 pm
Oh yes they call him the streak.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
5:13 pm
Fin-
Don’t worry, that will happen when he’s no longer on the Braves Opening Day 2013
Tumbledown
September 19th, 2012
5:14 pm
JTH – Do you consider yourself a Braves’ fan? Are you putting down money against the Braves? Why are you posting if everything is such a forgone conclusion?
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
5:14 pm
“At some point you might wanna try moving Bourn out of the leadoff spot.”
Doesn’t happen next couple of days won’t happen at all. I’m for keeping him there and platooning him against lefties.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
5:14 pm
“Fredi said hasn’t been decided yet, but it’s between Medlen and Hudson.”
I feel bad for Medlen that he has to have that 2nd Tommy John Surgery. Just unfortunate. Was pitching so great for the Braves.
What he isn’t having surgery? Than HOW THE HECK IS THE PITCHER UNDECIDED?!?
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
5:14 pm
I’m having trouble getting my mostly empty, meaningless and silly posts to load….
Probably Dave’s crack staff of sleuths blocking me.
They are testing a new system designed to give people a little time to think about their comments. It ain’t working.It happens to me, too. Brings back dial up memories.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
5:15 pm
Good to see Georgie in the lineup…..
Color me confused but I dont understand people creaming their pants over Constanza playing…..
ACE
September 19th, 2012
5:15 pm
JTH, saying things like that can upset the DOBBERS. Be ready for the pile on.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
5:16 pm
DOB-
The fact that there’s even a contest still running on who pitches the play-in game tells me all I really knew already about Fredi….
brian
September 19th, 2012
5:16 pm
if Janish is sidelined, I guess the Braves keep Pastornicky as a bench player in the post-season?
CB
September 19th, 2012
5:17 pm
I also on the slow computer loading,seems to only be here.
ACE
September 19th, 2012
5:17 pm
We can still be braves fans and think Fredi does a terrible job.
keyLargo
September 19th, 2012
5:18 pm
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7649003/nfl-science-why-ravens-kicker-billy-cundiff-choked-afc-championship-game-espn-magazine
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
5:19 pm
I see DOB made the usual unfunny retort. So the DOBBERS can even thank him for that. — ace
You still chirping? (Of course you are. It’s what you do. All day. All night. Just keep raising my blog’s comment and page-view counts.)
nolie
September 19th, 2012
5:19 pm
this site has always been a terrible load for me no matter what browser I have used, it is even worse now since the changes
ACE
September 19th, 2012
5:20 pm
A lots of us are long time braves fans. Been here a lot longer than DOB and been fans longer than a lot of the experts on the blog.
WE would love to see another parade down peachtree.
Tumbledown
September 19th, 2012
5:20 pm
I do not want to pile on anyone. i just want to understand the mindet of those who are so omniscient to proclaim that the Braves have no chance of winning the title.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
5:21 pm
ACE prolly did not know he was actually doing you a favor DOB. must be ashes in his mouth…..
ACE
September 19th, 2012
5:23 pm
DOB, I am participating just not the usual brick in the wall gang who thanks and dittos everything.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
5:24 pm
DOB, I am participating just not the usual brick in the wall gang who thanks and dittos everything.
Great. Whatever.
ACE
September 19th, 2012
5:24 pm
DOB the least you could do is THANK ME for the help.
ACE
September 19th, 2012
5:26 pm
Where is George when you need him??
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
5:26 pm
Braves actually have a better chance of winning the World Series this year than the Division.
Here’s to hoping.
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
5:26 pm
DOB, I am participating just not the usual brick in the wall gang who thanks and dittos everything.
Just one of the court jesters I assume? Got to admit though… everyone loves a clown. Always much more fun laughing at someone else.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
5:27 pm
there are a certain number of folks out there who are such sissies that they can not handle disappointment well at all, so they protect their fragile egos by deciding ahead of time that all is futile. Thus if things go bad they already expect it and it hurts their lil’ feelingies less, and if they go well it is an unexpected pick-me-up.
thus it really isn’t omniscience, but wussiness that fuels their predictions…..
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
5:29 pm
AT-
Don’t speak for me there buddy….
HATE clowns!
ACE
September 19th, 2012
5:30 pm
Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know Major Tom’s a junkie
strung out on Heaven’s high
hitting an all time low
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
5:30 pm
Nolie-
Very funny….but its really hard to predict why the human being acts the way it does…..because we all act differently for different reasons…..
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 19th, 2012
5:31 pm
TennPaul McCann_ .281 .314 .531 0.846 .352 __166
That’s looking better!…:)
Arkansas Transplant
September 19th, 2012
5:32 pm
Sorry ACE, looks like you can’t make everyone love ya.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
5:33 pm
You folks should realize by now that managers, especially Bobby Cox but also Fredi Gonzalez and most others to a lesser extent, aren’t going to do things like name a starter for potential wild-card game or playoff opener — or opening day — until they have to. Nothing to be gained by Fredi coming out and saying today that Medlen is his guy for a wild-card game. Zero reason to say it. What if he says it, then Medlen gets bombed or has a sore arm or something? Then you go, now we’ll turn to our second option, Hudson?
Why say it today? What would be the benefit of that? Why wouldn’t you wait until after you’ve tweaked the rotation or whatever and it becomes obvious to reporters and fans what the arrangement is?
Tumbledown
September 19th, 2012
5:33 pm
nolie – I find alot of these folks on the post-game blogs. I always have felt that such an attitude was a big cop-out. But, you state it far more eloquently.
ACE
September 19th, 2012
5:34 pm
Now there’s some sad things known to man
but ain’t too much sadder than
the tears of a clown.
ACE
September 19th, 2012
5:36 pm
You guys need to wake up. Just because someone thinks the status quo is not good enough does not make you a better fan than them.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
5:38 pm
R there people responding to naming a starter for play in? Thought the discussion revolved around who it would be than actually coming out and saying so.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
5:38 pm
“Why say it today? What would be the benefit of that?”
Well why would he mention two names? Why not just say nothing. At this point Minor or Maholm might be a better choice than Hudson because they are lefties depending on who we play. If he isn’t going to say who it is, then there is no reason to narrow it down to two guys.
mrnatural
September 19th, 2012
5:39 pm
IMO the Bourn Dilemma will work itself out when the free agent market establishes his value. If he receives bids over $12 million for five or more years then wish him well roll out Plan B. For me that would be to move JH to center field and let Andrelton Simmons lead off. Don’t get me wrong, I think Bourn does a good job defensively, but he is not a gold glover. He doesn’t go back very well and the wall is not his friend (last night’s play on Buck’s fly to the wall is the latest example). JH has the range, the speed and the athleticism to make the transition. He’s not prototypical, but he wouldn’t be a huge drop-off from Bourn defensively. Bourn creates problems for the defense when on base, but his OBP is not that good and he Ks way more than is acceptable for a lead off guy. Again, AS is a ball player and I’m guessing that what we lose in base thefts and chaos created would be balanced by higher OBP and better contact. Cheaper to fill a corner outfield position and use the options on hand than to get into a Scott Boras orchestrated bidding war.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
5:39 pm
not really P-Town, we all act somewhat the same for mostly the same reasons
one person might pick one course but it is much the same course that others travel.We like to think of ourselves as individualists but folks are pretty much folks.
much of the basis for psychiatry and for reading folks afterall , and though I was being light, that pretty much is the usual reason for pessimism .
The bigger , harder question is what causes specific folks to be pissymists and others to be pollyannas for instance
Tumbledown
September 19th, 2012
5:41 pm
It’s one thing to be critical of the status quo. Those issues can be reasonably debated. It’s another kettle of fish, however, to proclaim that a team has no chance or there is no hope. Being critical of Fredi or the organization or anyone associated with the Braves does not mean one is a lesser fan. I did not want to imply otherwise.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
5:41 pm
Yay, I made a spreadsheet the calculates the magic number of each team, and their elimination number. (Elimination # is the opposite of magic #: shows how many losses or wins by the team ahead of you it would take to eliminate you…better number to look at for teams on the fringes.)
Now all I have to do is update the records of the teams, and the magic #’s and elimination #’s are given to me.
I did have a couple of errors in what I posted earlier. Here are the magic numbers for race leaders (up-to-the-second):
NL East – Washington – 10
NL Central – Cincinnati – 4
NL West – San Francisco – 7
For NL playoff spot (relative to the Dodgers, first team out):
Washington – 3
Cincinnati – 3
San Francisco – 7
Atlanta – 7
St. Louis – 14
AL East – New York – 15
AL Central – Chicago – 13
AL West – Texas – 13
For AL playoff spot (relative to the Angels, the first team out):
Texas – 9
Oakland – 12
New York – 12
Baltimore – 12
Chicago – 13 (relative to Detroit, for division)
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
5:41 pm
“Well why would he mention two names? Why not just say nothing. At this point Minor or Maholm might be a better choice than Hudson because they are lefties depending on who we play. If he isn’t going to say who it is, then there is no reason to narrow it down to two guys.”
Lets at least be a little realistic here. It is down to two guys Medlen and Hudson and nobody else even in the discussion.
If this game was away I can buy into Huddy dealing with the hostile atmosphere. Home game and unless Medlen gets absolutely hammered two of the next 3 or 4 games, he will be on the bump Friday the 5th.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
5:42 pm
What would be the loss though?
Its not like one guy is playing chess and the other checkers…..
If the guy gets bombed after he is announced but theres time to change it, then he can change it….whats with everyone and people’s “feelings” being hurt….or did I forget this is ALSO a BUSINESS…
Fredi Gonzalez is NOT smarter than the other managers…..please don’t try to make him out to be…..
If you guys want to make the statements like that for him, then why even ask the question….
I mean its pretty obvious who 90% of teams starters will be for a 1-game playoff if they get a chance to match it up….why should he be different….
That said, I do agree w/ waiting til you CAN setup rotation how you want it…..of course at that point, wont the question be pointless anyways? Any idiot can look at a rotation and say gee goly gosh….Pitcher A/B/C is pitching in the final series against the Pirates….so there’s no way he can pitch the play-in game…..so I’d imagine whoever is going is gonna pitch the Home finale Sunday….but what do I know….I can just add and subtract….
monty
September 19th, 2012
5:43 pm
Still think Delgado has more upside than Teheran. Hanson needs to commit to a good workout regimen in the offseason. Doesn’t seem like (from hearing KM speak on national TV) that TH puts a premium on fitness.
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
5:46 pm
Here are the ELIMINATION #’s from the playoffs for the teams in the back of the pack. When the number reaches zero, you’re mathematically eliminated.
NL playoffs (relative to St. Louis, last team in)
Miami – 2
New York – 4
San Diego – 8
Arizona – 11
Philadelphia – 11
Pittsburgh – 12
Milwaukee – 13
Los Angeles – 14
AL playoffs (relative to Baltimore, last team in)
Kansas City – 1 (relative to Chicago for division, already eliminated from wild card)
Tampa Bay – 9
Los Angeles – 12
Detroit – 13 (relative to Chicago for division)
mrnatural
September 19th, 2012
5:48 pm
I can remember people carping about Greg Maddox’s lack of devotion to fitness.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
5:48 pm
I dont agree wholeheartedly but I do tend to agree w/ ACE on one thing….
NEVER ever make the claim that you’re a bigger/better/etc fan than someone else…..
I could never understand that statement….
nolie
September 19th, 2012
5:48 pm
Fredi Gonzalez is NOT smarter than the other managers…..please don’t try to make him out to be..P-Town
not certain who you are responding to, but if you are talking to me , I’m not sure where you came up with that? I said nothing about who is a better manager or which is a better team
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
5:49 pm
Toronto was eliminated from the playoffs with their loss today. Other eliminated teams: the Mariners, Red Sox, Indians, Twins, Cubs, Rockies, and Astros.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
5:51 pm
DOB the least you could do is THANK ME for the help. — ace
I might, if you weren’t so disrespectful to so many folks including me.
MFin04
September 19th, 2012
5:51 pm
Everybody but the Cardinals/Giants/Reds/Nationals/Braves was eliminated from the playoffs today.
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
5:51 pm
Nolie-
No, nothing you said at all….
DiamondbackMac
September 19th, 2012
5:55 pm
DOB
Re: ACE and his ilk, I recently saw this quote.
“Don’t try to win over the haters. You’re not the jackass whisperer.”
Scott Stratten
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
5:55 pm
I want to see Prado starting to drive the ball again. Gap some doubles like he’s capable of. Slap hitting to right field is effective but I think he can cause more damage and more productive with runners on base.
Chipper to the 2 hole, Prado batting 5th.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
5:55 pm
I guess the biggest surprise there is the Red Sox, we bounced back well and they did not even though they have more assets than we do. Some felt last winter that we should have done what they did, but pretty obvious that Frank’s approach was much better
P-Town Brave ©
September 19th, 2012
5:59 pm
Nolie -
Yes and no….their entire OF was hurt for 90% of the year and their 3B debacle was mishandled…Pedroia was hurt (twice) and their pitching became suspect from Day 1 with their closer down and their starting staff unreliable….
Plus they have Bobby V (for now)
nolie
September 19th, 2012
5:59 pm
you want to move the guy with the second best S% on the team to the two hole ?
CrαZy
September 19th, 2012
5:59 pm
Anyone missing old frosted tips?? What a dumb a**!!!
Brave New World
September 19th, 2012
6:00 pm
Bourn is not worth anything more than $8-10 million per year. He strikes out way too much, does not have a high OBP, and is too streaky to be paid what an elite leadoff hitter should make. All said, some chump GM will be taken in by Boros and overpay for Bourn. So here’s hoping Bourn gets hot for the rest of the season and into the playoffs before he bolts in 2013. GO BRAVES!
nolie
September 19th, 2012
6:01 pm
I don’t think it is even close. we have had significant injuries all year too and less finances.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
6:03 pm
you want to move the guy with the second best S% on the team to the two hole ?
yep, our best offensive approach all year was late April when Chipper was batting 6th. He gave us serious depth there. Unfortunately McCann and Uggla cant be moved up. Chipper at this stage would be more effective batting 2nd or 5th or 6th IMO
Jay Puskenalis
September 19th, 2012
6:04 pm
No one has mentioned that with one more hit, Chipper ties Lou Gehrig. HOF stuff for sure.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
6:05 pm
Frankie, I could not disagree more
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
6:08 pm
nolie wouldn’t expect you too regarding chipper
nolie since start of August, Chipper has had 6 doubles and 4 HR’s. No extra base hits this month outside of his big knock against the Phils to win the game. he’s a singles hitter right now, get him on base for the young kids and Prado
Murph
September 19th, 2012
6:08 pm
CraZy’s back!
Nick
September 19th, 2012
6:09 pm
Typo, typo, typo, typo. How hard is it DOB?
defensive indifference
September 19th, 2012
6:11 pm
If I were GM, I would sign Bourne to a long-term contract in a heartbeat. I think his recent struggles are an aberration, and that he has several good years ahead of him. You can’t teach speed, and while he’ll lose a step or two in the coming years, he’ll remain one of the game’s premier centerfielders for years to come.
I also think Uggla will come out of his slump (if he hasn’t already). I’m an eternal optimist as far as the Braves are concerned.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
6:11 pm
even slumping a bit, Chipper scares them more than any other Braves hitter.
not that Chipper wouldn’t likely do well at second, but Praydoo is just about the picture in the dictionary when you look up #2 hitter
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
6:14 pm
Testing, testing………mic check….one t-two…..
Looks like it’s going to be a fun night on the ol’ blogue tonight!
Where’s Marietta “double pits to chesty” Derek?!?!!??
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
6:18 pm
Prado is prototype 2 hitter no doubt. He can also be a doubles machine and can drive the ball. This lineup currently as is worries me, I would like to see how those changes play out.
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
6:31 pm
Dodgers are getting owned y’all!
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
6:31 pm
Ethier Ks with runner at 3rd; Kemp walks; Gonzalez Ks; 3-1 Nats, mid-7…
Veer
September 19th, 2012
6:35 pm
Looks like Dodgers will be finished after this series also one of Pirates and Breweres wil die down.
It wil comw down to Brewers and Cardinals? who would u rather face?
I say Brewers. Braun and Rameriez and then who?
easier opponent despite the sweep.
Terrible road team
Murph
September 19th, 2012
6:37 pm
Dodgers are getting owned y’all!
3-1 qualifies as “owned”?
nolie
September 19th, 2012
6:39 pm
its mixxo, murph
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
6:41 pm
DiamonbackMac: That’s classic.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
6:43 pm
DOB,
Any word on how tix sales are going for the WC game played on the 5th?
Frankie has his.
brian
September 19th, 2012
6:44 pm
RC – packaged does not equal spare parts. It would be Delgado plus significant prospects for Headley
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
6:45 pm
Frankie: I agree with your 5:41 p.m. comment. All of it.
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
6:46 pm
nolie-
You’re losing 3-1 in the eighth to the mighty Nats…..
….you’re getting “owned” chief.
Deal with it.
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
6:48 pm
Now report THAT!
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
6:49 pm
Vicky Rino very Bourn like as a Dodger and not hitting the ball with much authority.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
6:49 pm
I wasn’t the one who questioned it mixxo, Murph was.deal with him….
brian
September 19th, 2012
6:49 pm
I have no problem with Fredi not naming Medlen starter at this time for the playoff game. First of all, we have to make the playoffs. Secondly, however unlikely it may be, I am not giving up on the division. We have seen bigger collapses……….
I also would have no problem for fredi to answer a question that if the playoff game was today, yes Medlen would be the starter. There is not a hotter pitcher in baseball right now. A lot can happen in a few weeks and we are not sure if we will even be playing in that game so it is very premature for me to name a starter for the one game playoff series.
Murph
September 19th, 2012
6:50 pm
You’re losing 3-1 in the eighth to the mighty Nats…..
….you’re getting “owned” chief.
From Urban Dictionary:
Owned
v. owned, 0wned, pwned, 0wn3d, pwn3d, own3d.
v. tr.
To be made a fool of; To make a fool of; To confound or prove wrong; embarrasing someone: Being embarrassed.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
6:50 pm
are you accusing me of ever having reported you about anything? Cause if you are you are as big a damn liar as Tomahawkin is. I wasn’t even around when your little tantrum hit the blog
Murph
September 19th, 2012
6:52 pm
According to Gameday, Storen throws a 97mph sinker.
Remember when Venters used to… nevermind.
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
6:53 pm
Relax ‘chief.’
Conscience eatin’ at ya?
Nothing accusatory in that post.
Murph
September 19th, 2012
6:55 pm
I reported you, Mixxo. I reported you several times, sent emails, even called DOB on his cell phone and left a message.
Owned.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
6:55 pm
if it was not accusatory, what was its purpose?
and no my conscience is completely clear, but I hate to be accused of something I did not do.
as do most folks
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
6:58 pm
Murph-
lol
Yeah, I always figured you as part of that crowd.
I suggest you grow some thicker skin tough guy.
owned.
BartBuzz
September 19th, 2012
6:59 pm
The past 27 games should be called the Bourn Non-Identity. Sure he’s a good center fielder with good speed. But he’s not a power hitter and certainly not an RBI man. And he’s definitely not worth a long-term-millions-of-$$ contract. Hey, but that’s just my non-professional opinion. Maybe we need to try some Billy ball.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
6:59 pm
I suggest that you quite trying to be a tough guy mixxie
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
7:00 pm
Mixxo just kind of guy that scares you a little. Like might have human remains in his freezer kind of guy.
Just kidding Mixxo, please don’t stalk me.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
7:03 pm
But he’s not a power hitter and certainly not an RBI man…
kinda hard for a leadoff man to be an RBI guy
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
7:03 pm
*that snitch crowd
Anyway, I’m here to enjoy a baseball game with my Braves and friends……you guys keep bringing up dirt on folks….. we’ll try to co-exist.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
7:05 pm
what “dirt” would we know about anybody? Try to make at least a modicum of sense
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
7:06 pm
Even if he sells out he is the baddest man on the planet. Got love The Boss on MLB postseason commercials singing Land of Hope and Dreams.
Miss the Big Man though, what a loss.
cabravesfan
September 19th, 2012
7:08 pm
Even if he sells out he is the baddest man on the planet. Got love The Boss on MLB postseason commercials singing Land of Hope and Dreams.
Miss the Big Man though, what a loss.
Going to my first Springsteen concert in December
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
7:09 pm
Won’t be the same without C but going to be awesome experience. Good for you.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
7:09 pm
Chipper’s Farewell Tour continues as Marlins Reyes gives him fly-fishing equipment in ceremony at home plate. Hug, tip cap, ovation from rather sparse crowd.
Chipper hasn’t done any fly-fishing and said he wanted to learn. Marlins asked the Braves, got that reply, and set about getting him some gear.
Remley
September 19th, 2012
7:10 pm
You assumption about fishing gear as a gift for
chipper was spot on DOB.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
7:11 pm
“I saw my rock and roll past flash before my eyes. I saw something else: I saw rock and roll’s future and its name is Bruce Springsteen.”
nolie
September 19th, 2012
7:13 pm
what can you do with a fly if you do catch it? Would take a whole passel of them to fill you up….
Remley
September 19th, 2012
7:13 pm
Mikey!
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
7:14 pm
Michael says……enough of this!
“I’m starting my run!”
Brava
September 19th, 2012
7:14 pm
Mikey!!! Good to see.
cabravesfan
September 19th, 2012
7:14 pm
Frankie-
VJ is a Springsteen veteran, so when we saw he was headed back to Southern California, we couldn’t pass it up (he was here a while back but the only seats were behind the stage and were outrageously expensive for that location)
Animus
September 19th, 2012
7:14 pm
Good for Bourn – first w/that foul past first – put a good swing on that one and then with his double. Maybe, just maybe he’s about to bust out a bit.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
7:15 pm
“I saw my rock and roll past flash before my eyes. I saw something else: I saw rock and roll’s future and its name is Bruce Springsteen.”
Time magazine?
Remley
September 19th, 2012
7:16 pm
Beautiful ABC baseball.
Animus
September 19th, 2012
7:17 pm
I’ve seen Springsteen more than 60 times in concert – some of the best $ I’ve ever spent. Never didn’t enjoy the show. And, going again this year, so much better than some of the other senior citizens “rockin” these days.
Remley
September 19th, 2012
7:17 pm
Dang that would of been gone in most parks
Fredo
September 19th, 2012
7:18 pm
another ball hit .400 feet that’s pretty much an easy out …. I bet Chipper doesn’t mind never seeing this place again
*btw, this being his last game in Florida … what did the Marlins do for him? They didn’t say anything about a gift or anything while he was batting
Tomahawk Mafia
September 19th, 2012
7:19 pm
That is the second time in as many games that Chipper Jones has robbed by the dimensons of the ballpark. 1-0 lead with Medlen on the mound feels good though.
Fredo
September 19th, 2012
7:19 pm
ah I should have known DOB would be on the ball (and maybe the announcers too in pregame but I usually skip that)
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
7:20 pm
Janish returns to ATL to have shoulder checked; Simmons still out of lineup
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/19/braves-janish-returns-to-atlanta-after-shoulder-injury/
Animus
September 19th, 2012
7:22 pm
Frankie – I think that quote was from the article by Jon Landau – who later produced albums for Springsteen. Not Time Magazine, it was in a small paper out of Boston IIRC.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
7:22 pm
the Real Paper Jon Landau, May 1974
Tonight,” his column began, “there is someone I can write of the way I used to write, without reservations of any kind. Of Springsteen’s recent concert in Harvard Square, he wrote: “On a night when I needed to feel young, he made me feel like I was hearing music for the very first time. When his two hour set ended I could only think, can anyone really be this good, can anyone say this much to me, can rock and roll speak with this kind of power and glory? And then I felt the sores on my thighs where I had been pounding my hands in time for the entire concert and knew that the answer was Yes.
Springsteen does it all. He is a rock’n'roll punk, a Latin street poet, a ballet dancer, an actor, a joker, bar band leader, rhythm guitar player, extraordinary singer, and a truly great rock’n'roll composer. He leads a band like he has been doing it forever. I racked my brains but simply can’t think of a white artist who does so many things so superbly. There is no one I would rather watch on a stage today.”
Animus
September 19th, 2012
7:24 pm
Yep – that’s the one nolie
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
7:24 pm
Thanks guys, you are correct. Time did do a piece on him early though, did they not?
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
7:25 pm
Attaboy BMac!
Good gawd.
Animus
September 19th, 2012
7:26 pm
Yep – Springsteen was on the cover of both Time and Newsweek in the same week – a huge coup for his then manager Mike Appel. Just in time for the release of Born to Run.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
7:26 pm
2 hour set? What a prima donna.
Animus
September 19th, 2012
7:28 pm
He’d get booed if he only played for 2 hours now – routinely the shows are at least 3 hours plus. And it never gets old.
George_George
September 19th, 2012
7:29 pm
Good evening all
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.
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
7:30 pm
And has been known to have 4 hour sets in earlier days. Unbelievable.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
7:30 pm
this was when Bruce was pretty much still a college campus band with a rep for great live shows that were much better than his records .
I’d guess that was a year or more B4 the Time cover. Landau was a big deal at that time as a critic
Tomahawk Mafia
September 19th, 2012
7:31 pm
Go job for Medlen working out of trouble. He seems to be struggling with his command a bit in the early going.
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
7:31 pm
3rd time – really, George?…
Veer
September 19th, 2012
7:32 pm
DODGERS ARE A DISGRACE. YOU HEAR HOW THEY ARE IN PLAYOFF HUNT. THEY CANT DO SH**t
George_George
September 19th, 2012
7:32 pm
BELIEVE IN THE MEDS.
Veer
September 19th, 2012
7:34 pm
Medlen isn’t struggling with his command. he just isnt getting called strikes on what seems to be strikes
George_George
September 19th, 2012
7:37 pm
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
7:31 pm
3rd time – really, George?…
****************************
Hey VJ, at least I said if BRAVES have a desent playoff run FREDI should keep his job.
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
7:37 pm
What strike zone??
Veer
September 19th, 2012
7:39 pm
Constanza won’t even get the ball out of the infield
Frankie
September 19th, 2012
7:39 pm
“Tonight,” his column began, “there is someone I can write of the way I used to write, without reservations of any kind. ”
Pretty nice words Ace, sure DOB appreciates all the goodwill.
Animus
September 19th, 2012
7:39 pm
Little Georgie !!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice little RBI there.
BartBuzz
September 19th, 2012
7:39 pm
Hey nolie:
And it’s hard to score when you don’t get on base. How many 0-fors has Bourn had lately. He’s had plenty of missed opportunities.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
7:39 pm
2-0 lead for Medlen in the 2nd inning.
brian
September 19th, 2012
7:39 pm
Georgie rules
Brava
September 19th, 2012
7:39 pm
Georgie!!!!!
Veer
September 19th, 2012
7:40 pm
Constanza deserves to be on the playoff roster baby.
I change my views
Fredo
September 19th, 2012
7:40 pm
there’s the second run, Meds should be set for this game now
FIRE FREDI GONZALEZ
September 19th, 2012
7:40 pm
Constanza!
It would have been a win last night if he were not pinch hit for in the 9th!
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
7:41 pm
George @ 7:29
Thanks, George. I’m planning to reference that later and now I will not have to go back to the old blog.
Animus
September 19th, 2012
7:41 pm
And, lest I forget, Uggla w/that stolen base to put himself in scoring position. Always hustling – helps the team.
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
7:41 pm
MEDS!!!
Brava
September 19th, 2012
7:41 pm
Meds!!!!!
Veer
September 19th, 2012
7:41 pm
Here comes the pathetic Bourn. Strike out i bet.
I don’t need to see his at bat to know he will make an out
brian
September 19th, 2012
7:43 pm
Keep working Johnson and get to their bullpen
Brava
September 19th, 2012
7:43 pm
Bat, I thought I was back on the old blog when I read George’s comment.
Veer
September 19th, 2012
7:44 pm
SEND JEFF BAKER IN FOR BOURN NEXT INNING.
George_George
September 19th, 2012
7:44 pm
A lot of folks love to put down on JOSE C, He is not a starter, but he is a heck of a utillity guy, good to have him on roster.
brian
September 19th, 2012
7:44 pm
Agree animus
Tomahawk Mafia
September 19th, 2012
7:45 pm
Oh look. Michael Bourn struck out swinging on a breaking ball.
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
7:46 pm
Brava_
I get that. George is memorable
Brava
September 19th, 2012
7:46 pm
I agree, George. He catches a lot more grief than he deserves around here.
Juan
September 19th, 2012
7:47 pm
“Trouble WithThe Curve”…..No this not a Eastwood Movie is the The Bourne Problem.
He can’t hit the Curve..
Brava
September 19th, 2012
7:47 pm
Well, when you read the same comment for the third time….
Yes Way Josè
September 19th, 2012
7:48 pm
Get rid of Bourn and start Geoegie in centre next year. He’d be cheaper and faster.
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
7:48 pm
I like Constanza in the mix.
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
7:49 pm
DiamondbackMac
September 19th, 2012
7:51 pm
Meds – Just what the doctor ordered.
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
7:55 pm
Meldeen is a total badass. He can even shutdown the blog.
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
8:00 pm
I agree, Bat.
Brava
September 19th, 2012
8:02 pm
Chipper!!!!
Animus
September 19th, 2012
8:02 pm
After hitting 2 DEEEEEEP shots to center, a little bloop ends up tying him with Gehrig – congrats.
Veer
September 19th, 2012
8:02 pm
Prado with another risky base running to 3rd. If it was on target then he would have been out. Prado isn’t as fast as he thinks he is. Maybe DOB should tell him this
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
8:02 pm
Be, too.
Atta boy, Chipper
Brava
September 19th, 2012
8:02 pm
Bat is going batty.
Animus
September 19th, 2012
8:03 pm
Chipper – WTF????? Guess he was still thinking about his hit.
brian
September 19th, 2012
8:03 pm
What was the old man thinking?
M.V.P.Heyward
September 19th, 2012
8:03 pm
WOW, 2 sac flies? WTG!
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
8:04 pm
Chipper ties Lou Gehrig for 58th place on all-time hits list with 2,721.
Animus
September 19th, 2012
8:04 pm
Good think Prado was hustling home – just beat the double up and got the team a run.
Fredo
September 19th, 2012
8:04 pm
Chipper: “the ballpark man … it messes with YOUR MIND MAN!!!!!”
George_George
September 19th, 2012
8:04 pm
CHIPPER! I don’t care if he just hits singles. I want him to finish over .300 for year, if hitting singles will do it that is fine
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
8:05 pm
Going, Brava? You’re being generous, most would say “gone, long ago”
Brava
September 19th, 2012
8:08 pm
Made me laugh, Bat.
Remley
September 19th, 2012
8:10 pm
He was thinking of fly fishing brian
Bay Area Steve
September 19th, 2012
8:10 pm
You’re killin’ it today, Bat. Additional hat-tip for “Double Yikes!,” and “Pastornicky nightshirt.” You win, sir.
phil
September 19th, 2012
8:10 pm
Nice start tonight!!
Brava
September 19th, 2012
8:11 pm
I love watching Meds pitch.
Remley
September 19th, 2012
8:12 pm
Let’s keep the picket fence going Bravos.
phil
September 19th, 2012
8:12 pm
Chipper deserves to be booed, as some might say…
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
8:12 pm
Mission accomplished then, Brava.
Ha, thanks BAS. I wondered if anyone noticed those.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 19th, 2012
8:13 pm
DOGGIE II is rolling. I don’t like LITTLE DOGGIE because the only thing ‘little’ about him appears to be his stature. Certainly nothing little about his heart and desire, or his arm.
George_George
September 19th, 2012
8:13 pm
Peanut fussin, I am getting hungrey so outta here. Have a good one y’all. BELIEVE IN THE MEDS. Nite all.
FIRE FREDI GONZALEZ
September 19th, 2012
8:15 pm
Jose Constanza > Jose Reyes
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
8:15 pm
Constanza!!
M.V.P.Heyward
September 19th, 2012
8:15 pm
Flyin’ George!!!
phil
September 19th, 2012
8:15 pm
Georgie is at it tonight! Lol
Animus
September 19th, 2012
8:15 pm
Wow – love to watch him run – lots of speed there, now take 2nd!
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
8:17 pm
Medlen or Hudson would start potential WC game
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/19/medlen-or-hudson-would-start-potential-wc-game/
Brava
September 19th, 2012
8:17 pm
The “Pastornicky nightshirt” one was incredible, Bat. Had me chuckling for quite some time after reading it.
FIRE FREDI GONZALEZ
September 19th, 2012
8:17 pm
Joe Johnson looks like Tommy Hanson tonight. All he can get over is that curveball.
Animus
September 19th, 2012
8:18 pm
78 pitches already for JJ? Good news for the Braves – gonna see some bullpen tonight
phil
September 19th, 2012
8:19 pm
Joe Johnson?
Animus
September 19th, 2012
8:19 pm
Josh Johnson
George_George
September 19th, 2012
8:20 pm
David O’Brien
September 19th, 2012
8:17 pm
Medlen or Hudson would start potential WC game
****************************************************
WOW, You just figured that out? We have been saying it for days.
phil
September 19th, 2012
8:21 pm
Fire Fidel Guillen!!
BartBuzz
September 19th, 2012
8:21 pm
Bourn comes thru again. He should be benched.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 19th, 2012
8:22 pm
Poor Bourn. Nothing goes correctly for him anymore.
M.V.P.Heyward
September 19th, 2012
8:25 pm
85 pitches for JJ.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 19th, 2012
8:25 pm
98.6
phil
September 19th, 2012
8:26 pm
Good lord.
Isn’t it fairly obvious Medlen gets the nod october 5th?
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 19th, 2012
8:26 pm
Enter your comments here
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
September 19th, 2012
8:29 pm
BALLGAME
Sopheee
September 19th, 2012
8:31 pm
hoey ump
phil
September 19th, 2012
8:31 pm
This umpire has issues…..
What a doof.
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
8:32 pm
Thanks, Brava. I’m from the “one has to give to get” school, so I try to carry my freight.
It’s a good thing Biff is fast. I thought he looked better on defense earlier this year, now not so much.
phil
September 19th, 2012
8:33 pm
Dodgers 2-0
ijonathan
September 19th, 2012
8:35 pm
A sure way to reduce page views DOB is to have benign comments hang in moderation limbo.
Brava
September 19th, 2012
8:35 pm
Dodgers 3
Nats 0
Top of 3rd
phil
September 19th, 2012
8:37 pm
Fire Davey Johnson!!
Buffalo Bulls hit the hail mary halftime pass on kent state. Lol
CRM300
September 19th, 2012
8:41 pm
Just read an article on Josh Hamilton. He would look good in center field for the Braves!
Animus
September 19th, 2012
8:42 pm
Where was Uggla throwing THAT ball?????
CaptainMudd
September 19th, 2012
8:43 pm
Did a little ‘brainstorming’ earlier because Meds was on my mind….and in my system. I tried to reach out and shake hands with a stranger at a public place….he asked me if I was meditating and I thought–yeah, that’s the secret to Medlin’s success; he simply meditates
S/O To Mixxo!
BartBuzz
September 19th, 2012
8:46 pm
I keep waiting for Medlen to fall apart. I need to wake up and accept the fact that kid can damn well pitch. He’s a shoe-in for the tie-breaker playoff game.
CaptainMudd
September 19th, 2012
8:46 pm
I just got on a few frames ago…and, as many have said——Homeplate UMP blows!!!
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 19th, 2012
8:47 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM
BRAVES players slated to participate in the ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE action this year.
Pitchers
RHSP ZEKE SPRUILL
LHS/RP CHRIS JONES
RHRP CORY RASMUS
Position
C MATT KENNELLY
SS NICK AHMED
3B ED SALCEDO
let the games begin…….October 4, 2012.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
8:48 pm
Meds is not as sharp tonight. missing the mitt more often.
CRM300
September 19th, 2012
8:49 pm
Bourn is playing his way into a contract the Braves can afford.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
8:49 pm
looks like Georgie might have gained a few pounds this summer. anybody think so?
phil
September 19th, 2012
8:50 pm
Send constanza to the arizona fall league!
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 19th, 2012
8:50 pm
Still 3-0 folks? I’ve been looking at the Leagues down south of the border and the AFL.
brian
September 19th, 2012
8:51 pm
What’s the scoop on kennely?
CaptainMudd
September 19th, 2012
8:51 pm
Shutout of Marlins still possible
phil
September 19th, 2012
8:51 pm
You know i do….
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 19th, 2012
8:53 pm
..??
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
8:55 pm
It is, rich.
CRM300
September 19th, 2012
8:56 pm
Still 3-0, bottom of sixth.
CaptainMudd
September 19th, 2012
8:56 pm
@Nolieee….Chip thinks Meds’ change is great tonight, he just stated such via broadcast
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 19th, 2012
8:57 pm
brian:
Aussie KENNELLY pronounced keh-nelly, light-hitting most of the time, has occasional hitting spurts, some power, AA last season. Servicable defensively. Good upside potential.
Animus
September 19th, 2012
8:58 pm
Dumb question – but I can’t find the answer.
If Medlen pitches into the 9th, and suppose with one out, he and Prado switch positions for a batter. Medlen comes back and gets the final out or two.
Would he qualify for both a win and a save?
nolie
September 19th, 2012
8:58 pm
he has been good tonight, but not quite as sharp as the coupla previous outings.more pitches have gotten up. still a shutout obviously
abeeeewright
September 19th, 2012
8:58 pm
I think Washington is going to win the second game of the DH.
If Braves win their series and LAD wins tomorrow, Brave pick up a game over this series.
phil
September 19th, 2012
8:58 pm
I couldn’t help ya out, rich, because i’m too dumb and am such a hater…..
Animus
September 19th, 2012
9:00 pm
Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
They just showed Chipper, Freddie and Uggla on the Kiss Cam at Marlins Park!
Too much hugging going on???
Brava
September 19th, 2012
9:00 pm
Dodgers 6
Nats 0
Top of 4th
Fredo
September 19th, 2012
9:01 pm
Strasburg’s replacement didn’t do so well tonight
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
9:02 pm
CaptainMudd -
Hiya Brutha!
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 19th, 2012
9:03 pm
Much grass, amigos!
cabravesfan
September 19th, 2012
9:05 pm
Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
They just showed Chipper, Freddie and Uggla on the Kiss Cam at Marlins Park!
Even better, the Fish broadcast showed it on TV
Animus
September 19th, 2012
9:07 pm
Mr. Prado – very well done
Brava
September 19th, 2012
9:07 pm
Wow! Marteeeen!
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
9:08 pm
‘TEEENNN!!!
Bat Masterson
September 19th, 2012
9:08 pm
Prado just makes plays.
phil
September 19th, 2012
9:08 pm
Yeah….
Prado can’t play ss…..
Great play. Has looked great there all night.
M.V.P.Heyward
September 19th, 2012
9:08 pm
Marteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen is the man!
Ken Stallings
September 19th, 2012
9:08 pm
Martin Prado is a baseball god!
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 19th, 2012
9:09 pm
phil:
Yes, I can see you now on top of Chimney Rock screaming, “I hate the BRAVES.” It’s in the win’ bro’.
MIdtown
September 19th, 2012
9:09 pm
“Prado elevates and releases his inner Jeter!”
I like the Marlins play-by-play guy.
Fols
September 19th, 2012
9:09 pm
I am glued to every Medlen start…I don`t see a player T on the website….I need one.
FIRE FREDI GONZALEZ
September 19th, 2012
9:10 pm
Chipper is going Yammo on this one.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 19th, 2012
9:10 pm
But you hate CHIP CAREY? Hater!
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 19th, 2012
9:10 pm
I wish somebody would go back and repost all the comments about how scary it is to have Prado playing short…yeah, a game or two at short is going to kill the Braves…
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:11 pm
They really do need to bring the Prado commercials back, because Marteeen really can do just about anything! What a baseball player!!
Bambino
September 19th, 2012
9:11 pm
Medlen is out of site!
Hanson needs to go!
Ken Stallings
September 19th, 2012
9:13 pm
You know, when you crush a pitch about 405 feet (like has happened twice in this game) it really ought not to be an out! The Marlins have to move the fences in! It is crazy enough to experience it over a three-game series. But, to play half your games it would make practically every hitter on your lineup hate wearing a Marlins’ jersey!
cabravesfan
September 19th, 2012
9:13 pm
Hugo-
No problem with Marteen playing SS for a game or two (or several, even)- it’s long term (as in permanent) that would concern me. Same with him at 1st base. He can more than handle himself there for a a week or so, but long term, I think he gets exposed defensively
Ron H
September 19th, 2012
9:15 pm
Just checked in and can’t believe Meds is throwing another shutout…I mean, seriously! Wow. This kid is amazing! What the heck? And it’s not just a fluke run…Kid strikes them out, gets them out, and if he can’t get strikes, finds ways to get them out. In awe of this kid…Wow.
phil
September 19th, 2012
9:16 pm
What the heck?
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 19th, 2012
9:18 pm
Cab, there’s no real way to know if he would get “exposed” until he actually tried it. There’s no reason to try it of course…but the results might not be all that horrendous, and he might resent the implication that they would be,,,
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
9:18 pm
lol
What’s nolie, murph, TOBF, VJ and Frankie doing on the field of play??
O M G !!
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 19th, 2012
9:18 pm
98.5
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:19 pm
Nice catch, Michael!
CaptainMudd
September 19th, 2012
9:19 pm
@Phil just a tad curious….Please define what a ‘hater’ is in terms of Blogworthiness?
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
9:19 pm
Bourny!
Ron H
September 19th, 2012
9:20 pm
Oh, and did I just see the Nats are down 6 – 0 to the Dodgers? Good night for the Braves so far…
cabravesfan
September 19th, 2012
9:20 pm
Hugo-
based on the lack of playing time he’s had there in his career and reports that it is not a strong position for him, why risk it? Like you said, no reason for him to be anything but a back up there, especially since he IS so strong at other positions.
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:21 pm
Meanwhile, Kris a/k/a “Little Doggie” keeps doing what he’s doing so well!
Ken Stallings
September 19th, 2012
9:22 pm
Come on, Fredi! Let Medlen go out and try to earn the complete game shutout! Keep the bullpen on the pine tonight and have a night of rest!
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
9:22 pm
Medlen so far, 8 scoreless innings of 4-hit ball in 99 pitches. Headed to top of 9th with 3-0 lead. O’Flaherty warming, but not sure if that’s just in case.
Jimmy Crack
September 19th, 2012
9:22 pm
Kris Medlin is my frickin hero.
phil
September 19th, 2012
9:22 pm
Mudd – i don’t know. I think the hater term is stupid myself. Seems to mostly mean one who dares disagree with another who thinks he or she is smarter than others for no apparent reason. Something like that, i guess.
phil
September 19th, 2012
9:24 pm
Of course, some are smarter than others but not always the ones that think they are…..
Ken Stallings
September 19th, 2012
9:24 pm
Doesn’t look like that will happen! Kimbrel is throwing in the bullpen.
DS1
September 19th, 2012
9:25 pm
cab
Marteen has certainly surprised me with the way he has handled the SS duties. Though I’d think there would be no doubt he’d be lacking in some range over there. Which has been the reason all along he was not considered as a full time starter.
What an incredible game for Meds!! I’d love to see him get a shot at the 9th for the shutout. Have Kimbrel at the ready if a batter gets on. But Kris has gotten thru the 7th and 8th with 18 total pitches!
Mitchell
September 19th, 2012
9:26 pm
I’d take a meaningless Dan Uggla solo home run.
Or nothing at all.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 19th, 2012
9:26 pm
…
Brava
September 19th, 2012
9:26 pm
Spot on, phil.
DS1
September 19th, 2012
9:27 pm
Jimmy Crack
And John Wyane is my favorite actor! (learn to spell your fav players name correctly, OK)
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 19th, 2012
9:27 pm
Despite his less than stellar defense, the Braves were considering Pastornicky at short. If your offense is good enough, being merely adequate on defense is no big sin.
phil
September 19th, 2012
9:27 pm
Mac looks hungry….
Nice hit too!
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:28 pm
Well done, BMac (not to mention what he did in last night’s game – “McCant” this!)
cabravesfan
September 19th, 2012
9:28 pm
DS1-
Exactly. He’s perfectly capable of handling just about any position for a short time, but there are some that, long term, I would not want to see him play…
Meds is my guy! Always has been
cabravesfan
September 19th, 2012
9:29 pm
Hugo-
Which is why I like Janish on the team- his defense is invaluable at short
usnavyvolfaninva
September 19th, 2012
9:29 pm
Wow…Octavio Dotel is pitching for his 13th team this year.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 19th, 2012
9:29 pm
True, but then phil there’s you.
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:30 pm
Mitchell – or a meaningless Uggla walk? Are walks meaningless when they lead to runs on the board, or is it just home runs that are meaningless?
cabravesfan
September 19th, 2012
9:30 pm
Also, Pastornicky lost his job because of his defense. I don’t think they were expecting it to be quite so shaky
Animus
September 19th, 2012
9:30 pm
Great job tonight for Medlen, PH here though
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
9:30 pm
What is Mac doing on third base!!????
DS1
September 19th, 2012
9:30 pm
Certainly good to see Mac having a solid couple of games with no apparent lingering injury issues.
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:32 pm
Well done, Reed!
usnavyvolfaninva
September 19th, 2012
9:32 pm
Hopefully McCann goes on a hot streak into the playoffs.
Ken Stallings
September 19th, 2012
9:32 pm
Reed Johnson just drilled a double to the left centerfield wall but the only man on the team who could not score with two outs on contact was at first base. I was hoping Brian McCann could have made the turn at third but he hobbled in just as the throw was being made to the cutoff man!
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
9:32 pm
Medlen out after 8 scoreless innings, 99 pitches, 4 hits and 1 walk with 6 strikeouts. Braves up 3-0 and have 2 on in 9th
Mikey
September 19th, 2012
9:34 pm
Any reason with 25 guys on the bench that we can’t find a runner for McCann?
Mikey
September 19th, 2012
9:34 pm
Any reason with 25 guys on the bench that we can’t find a runner for McCann?
Mitchell
September 19th, 2012
9:34 pm
Lyle Inning-Over-Bay.
Ha!
CaptainMudd
September 19th, 2012
9:34 pm
@Phil…..Thanks, if I may, in addition; subjectively oriented sub-par reference inspired by the ‘I know more “I know more baseball” notion–so I’ll wait ntil you and I cross paths….when it occurs; any rebuttal challenging the uncertified baseball genius will be dealt with sternly and, the ‘hater’ label then becomes attached–then a host of like-minded followers support the challenged wherefby negating that individuals credibility–this is when the final screw is mounted on the ‘hater’ label.
Ken Stallings
September 19th, 2012
9:34 pm
Poor Brian McCann. I am sure there was a day he remembers being fleet of foot. But, alas, too many years of playing catcher!
Brian “I am not French” Gaudin is up now trying to strand McCann at third!
phil
September 19th, 2012
9:34 pm
Overpaid is done…
Ken Stallings
September 19th, 2012
9:35 pm
Sorry! Make that Chad “I am not French” Gaudin — and he said “Non!”
keyLargo
September 19th, 2012
9:35 pm
I don’t want McCann on the team if that’s all he’s got running. Pick up the option and work every team in the American League. It will be no harder to find a catcher than a CFer.
Just clearly cost a run there.
Mitchell
September 19th, 2012
9:36 pm
Not so funny after all.
Thanks for playing, Lyle?
ryan
September 19th, 2012
9:36 pm
Fredi wants Kimbrel to get a save thats why he send Overbay up to pinch hit.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 19th, 2012
9:36 pm
But Pastornicky was “shaky” in the minors, whatever excuses were made for him. It was no secret. If the offense had been there…
usnavyvolfaninva
September 19th, 2012
9:36 pm
Dang, Miguel Cabrera just left the yard with a heater way up and out of the strike zone.
kelevra
September 19th, 2012
9:37 pm
boscan and ross on the bench i dont really understand why a pinch runner wasnt used…..cost us a run
phil
September 19th, 2012
9:37 pm
If Buffet Brian wasn’t 50 pounds overweight, he scores easily….
I’ve seen cashew nuts run faster than him. And no, it’s not his bum knee.
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
9:38 pm
Get somebody up Fredi.
Ken Stallings
September 19th, 2012
9:39 pm
How spoiled can one be to actually feel a bit of disappointment that Kimbrel came into the game to pitch!
Reyes continues his rare dominance with a leadoff single. Carlos Lee took less time to record an out than it took me to type this sentence!
Mitchell
September 19th, 2012
9:39 pm
Even with a three run lead I’m not comfortable.
When it comes down to it the Braves can’t hit in the clutch…
That’s the end of the sentence.
cabravesfan
September 19th, 2012
9:40 pm
If Buffet Brian wasn’t 50 pounds overweight, he scores easily….
Except that he’s not 50 pounds overweight
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:40 pm
Come on, Craig!
Ken Stallings
September 19th, 2012
9:40 pm
Ugh Oh! Kimbrel just hit the next batter and is putting the potential tying run at the plate!
Hmmm, getting more “interesting” than I’d like to see!
phil
September 19th, 2012
9:40 pm
Great time of year for Kimbrel to start showing cracks…..sigh.
Ralph
September 19th, 2012
9:40 pm
Medlen or Kimbrell forCy Young. Cy Young is an award for the best pitcher in the league, is there any better than those two? It’s up to the sports writers to decide, no minimum innings required
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
9:40 pm
More trouble.
phil
September 19th, 2012
9:41 pm
Of course not, Cab….a vision of thin.
Mitchell
September 19th, 2012
9:42 pm
Famous last words, Chip.
Ralph
September 19th, 2012
9:43 pm
Who said Prado couldn’t play SS, Me for one, little did I know.
Ken Stallings
September 19th, 2012
9:43 pm
Yeah, Phil, why don’t you stand up and get nailed on the inside of your knee with only a thin strap of elastic between your inner knee ligaments and a foul tipped baseball going at 90 plus miles per hour! Then, having experienced that, you can tell me in your “expert opinion” how McCann’s knee isn’t killing him!
I played catcher and I’m telling you, you don’t even have to get nailed a few games back that way to have your knees kill you this late in the season! And I never played higher than high school where I played only 30 games a year — not 162!
cabravesfan
September 19th, 2012
9:45 pm
There is a rather large gap between “thin” and “50 pounds overweight” (especially when you have no idea how much someone weighs. Also- being thin does not automatically make you fast)
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:45 pm
Yeah, you want a thin catcher, all the easier to run him over at home plate, makes great sense!
Mikey
September 19th, 2012
9:45 pm
Baseball Fans: You have just had the privilege of seeing the best starter & closer in ML shutout the mighty Marlins
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:45 pm
Kimbrel had gone 20 consecutive appearances recording at least one strikeout. His last game with no K’s was on July 18th.
Brava
September 19th, 2012
9:45 pm
Yes! Braves win!
Mixxo
September 19th, 2012
9:45 pm
Yay!
DS1
September 19th, 2012
9:46 pm
I’m really embarrassed that Kimbrel can’t get through an inning without a K!!
Ken Stallings
September 19th, 2012
9:46 pm
Kimbrel gets the save, preserves the shutout, and Medlen ties Lefty Grove for 21 consecutive team victories in games started!
How cool is that!
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
9:46 pm
Yeah, Braves!!! Great job, Kris, Marteen, Michael, Freddie, Craig, and oh yeah, little ole Georgie!!
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:48 pm
Pretty sure the magic number for clinching a playoff spot is 6, unless you’re counting a tie for the 2nd wild card spot, in which case you would need a 163rd game. But to me, that’s not the playoffs.
Ron H
September 19th, 2012
9:48 pm
Nats are feeling the pressure…They’re still down and the Braves could be 4.5 games back after tonight. Not many games left, but we’ve seen a collapse before.
Brave New World
September 19th, 2012
9:48 pm
Oh yeah!
phil
September 19th, 2012
9:49 pm
I hear you, Ken…
But he didn’t just become slow as molasses last week.
DS1
September 19th, 2012
9:50 pm
cab
You do realize he’s just pushing your buttons, dontcha?
The way to get him off the subject is to just agree with him, like: “Yeah, Brian ‘Weight Watcher’ McCann might be a tad on the heavy side!”
Brian from SC
September 19th, 2012
9:50 pm
LOL…sorry math error…it is 5.
phil
September 19th, 2012
9:50 pm
Medlen is something else…..truly amazing stuff.
Except for the ones who just knew he could do it all along.
David from Athens, AL
September 19th, 2012
9:51 pm
Ron H … remember Nats won first game … so Braves were 6 games behind, if they lose then 5 behind!
cabravesfan
September 19th, 2012
9:51 pm
DS1-
Yeah, I know…
M.V.P.Heyward
September 19th, 2012
9:51 pm
Magic number is down to 5!!!
phil
September 19th, 2012
9:52 pm
Actually Wayne, no i’m not….
The guy is fat. I love him but he is. Maybe just 30 pounds…..
DS1
September 19th, 2012
9:53 pm
Mac has always been slow. Kinda like Freeman and Bruce Benedict and my wife. All very slow runners.
But I’d sure like to see him get a trainer for the winter for career longevity. I understand that sometimes a catcher needs to go into the season a bit heavy, as they will lose some weight over the year. But I don’t think anyone would disagree that he could be in better condition.
phil
September 19th, 2012
9:55 pm
And that’s all i’ve ever wanted too for mccann….
Please get in shape. For several reasons.
DS1
September 19th, 2012
9:56 pm
phil
I don’t think so. Not 30 lbs worth. I am 40 lbs over weight. And no way is Mac anywhere close to that. He might be 15-20 lbs too heavy. Maybe.
Have you seen him up close? He’s really not fat.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
9:59 pm
Great game, Meds really settled in after the 4th or so. Kimbrel a bit rough but we got what we came after.
phil
September 19th, 2012
9:59 pm
No, not up close. I’ll go with 20. I call it fat. Different degrees of fat of course.
Disney world fat, walmart fat, mccann fat….
I was a good 30 pounds heavier at one time yrs back, and thinking about it that way, yeah, 20 makes sense.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
10:00 pm
30 pounds, bulloney.
DS1
September 19th, 2012
10:00 pm
Irony. Talking about somebody else being out of shape and whuffing down a piece of cheese, sausage and jalapeno pizza!
cabravesfan
September 19th, 2012
10:02 pm
DS1-
Yeah, but that pizza sounds GOOD
phil
September 19th, 2012
10:02 pm
Bulloney is why he’s fat….
That pizza sounds good….where’s the phone?
Fredo
September 19th, 2012
10:03 pm
i think Beckett is done, Mattingly …….
George_George
September 19th, 2012
10:04 pm
BELIEVE IN THE MEDS ! even if the blog say that is a duplicate comment. lol
Brava
September 19th, 2012
10:04 pm
Uh oh. Dodgers 6 Nats 3
ChattTownBrian
September 19th, 2012
10:04 pm
Medlen couldn’t even get the complete game shutout. And some of you want him to start that wild card game?
DS1
September 19th, 2012
10:04 pm
In May I’d be the first to tell you that Kris Medlen’s greatest contribution to this team would be to have quality bullpen outings to bridge the gap between the starter and the closer. But I was definitely wrong!
And darned happy to be wrong four shore.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
10:04 pm
I swear DS1, I have never seen a baseball place where so many people are whining about playes being s bit overweight.If its not Mac, its Tommy. sheeeesh!!!
ACE
September 19th, 2012
10:05 pm
DOB call me disrespectful. If ever there was a case for the pot calling the kettle this is it.
ChattTownBrian
September 19th, 2012
10:06 pm
The collapse is being put on hold a little longer this September. It will start in Philly.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
10:06 pm
you are disrespectful, not that you are the only one by any means
DS1
September 19th, 2012
10:06 pm
It WAS good. Now it’s GONE!
OK, I’m going to go and work some sudoku puzzles. Later good folks!
Bo Graves!!
ACE
September 19th, 2012
10:07 pm
Be careful George, your comment about which two pitchers would pitch the WC in reference to DOB will stir up a DOBBERS nest.
cabravesfan
September 19th, 2012
10:07 pm
Night DS1! (I am a master of Sudoku)
Paul Wall
September 19th, 2012
10:07 pm
JUST IMAGINE HOW MUCH CLOSER WE WOULD BE TO THE NATIONALS IF WE WOULDN’T HAVE GOT SWEPT BY THE BREWERS!!!
nolie
September 19th, 2012
10:08 pm
had home made pizza today. Mama Mary’s thin crust started it off.
DS1
September 19th, 2012
10:08 pm
nolie
What would they say about Mickey Lolich and The Babe??
George_George
September 19th, 2012
10:08 pm
ChattTownBrian
September 19th, 2012
10:04 pm
Not MEDLENS fault FREDI pulled him. FREDI just does not believe in CGs.
ChattTownBrian
September 19th, 2012
10:09 pm
McCann, Francisco, Hinske, Tommy and Fredi are metting with Chino Cadahia for an all night buffet.
ACE
September 19th, 2012
10:09 pm
Thanks Nolie. You support is appreciated.
Gil In Mechanicsville
September 19th, 2012
10:10 pm
ACE Maybe but you have to remember who’s blog it is to begin with.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
10:10 pm
they would become apoplectic about both, and hundreds of others over the decades
nolie
September 19th, 2012
10:11 pm
you’re welcome ACE, always glad to help…..
Paul Wall
September 19th, 2012
10:11 pm
Hey guys honestly does anyone here think we can catch Washington?
ACE
September 19th, 2012
10:11 pm
Good win tonight. Moving ever closer to that WC berth.
nolie
September 19th, 2012
10:11 pm
not me
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:12 pm
Cecil and Prince also come to mind. Who cares if they hit home runs, and Prince actually moves pretty darn well – send ‘em to a fat farm!!
kelevra
September 19th, 2012
10:12 pm
paul wall
it doesnt take much “imagining”
if we had won 1 game we would be 1 game closer
if we had won 2 games we would be 2 games closer
if we had won 3 games we would be 3 games closer
Brava
September 19th, 2012
10:14 pm
Dodgers 6 Nats 4
ACE
September 19th, 2012
10:14 pm
Who could ever forget. DOB or one of the DOBBERS are quick to remind everyone of that fact should they disagree.
old man
September 19th, 2012
10:14 pm
This Medlen thing is getting sort of freaky. Lefty Grove? Whitey Ford? Geez.
George_George
September 19th, 2012
10:17 pm
Paul Wall
September 19th, 2012
10:11 pm
Hey guys honestly does anyone here think we can catch Washington
******************************************************************************
We can only wait and see, We better catch them cause our chances in that silly play-in game are not good with FREDI as MGR. BRAVES should be the only WC team.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 19th, 2012
10:17 pm
Medlen’s ERA down to 1.51. I know he won’t get the cy young, but it still seems unfair. He’s so far ahead of Dickey in ERA, it’s ridiculous.
M.V.P.Heyward
September 19th, 2012
10:17 pm
Ryan Howard is a clutch hitter.
Down by 1, 1 on 2 outs with a 2-run jack.
Fredo
September 19th, 2012
10:17 pm
Dodger’s pen has almost blown that 6 run lead they had …
Paul Wall
September 19th, 2012
10:17 pm
Come on kelevra I asked a legit , Jesus Pete!!
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
10:18 pm
I’d sure like to play the Dodgers in the one game…
SteveInFXBG
September 19th, 2012
10:18 pm
Nats have ‘em loaded with 1 out, down 6-4.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 19th, 2012
10:20 pm
And why would you give an award to someone named Dickey anyway? It’s just not right.
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:20 pm
Without Kershaw and the Cards now getting Carpenter back, the Dodgers look better and better as a 1-game winner advance opponent.
Paul Wall
September 19th, 2012
10:21 pm
I’m a consistent follower of the blog, I deserve a little more respect than that, you chump!!
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
10:21 pm
Worthless Dodgers…
Fredo
September 19th, 2012
10:22 pm
and there goes the lead
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 19th, 2012
10:23 pm
The Dodgers…the worst team that money can buy.
ACE
September 19th, 2012
10:23 pm
Expert, texpert choking smokers
Don’t you think the joker laughs at you?
see how they smile like pigs in a sty
see how they snide, I’m crying
Brava
September 19th, 2012
10:24 pm
Wow the Dodgers pen failed mightily tonight.
Paul Wall
September 19th, 2012
10:26 pm
So are we dobbers are dobbies??
CaptainMudd
September 19th, 2012
10:26 pm
Yes the Braves are halfway there….oh, oh,….Gearrin, Batista, Delgado, Hanson, Moylan, Jonny…….ooh, ooh Living on a Prayer.
Brava
September 19th, 2012
10:27 pm
I’m a doobie.
ACE
September 19th, 2012
10:27 pm
Slippery when wet
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
10:28 pm
Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen: “Medlen threw the crap out of the ball.”
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/19/braves-beat-miami-3-0-as-medlen-wins-again/
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:29 pm
Funny Cap’tMudd with the 80s music flashback!
abeeeewright
September 19th, 2012
10:29 pm
Dodgers back in front. Do they have a closer for the ninth?
Fredo
September 19th, 2012
10:29 pm
nice one Clippard!
Brava
September 19th, 2012
10:29 pm
Dodgers scored a run. 7-6
Puma
September 19th, 2012
10:29 pm
Jeezzzzzz, I had all but assumed the Dodgers had one that 2nd game. That team, although talented, took steps back in the Boston & Marlins trades. That lineup should be averaging 6 runs a night…oh wait maybe that’s not enough.
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
10:30 pm
Thanks, Matt Kemp – still do not trust them…
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:30 pm
Or rather the play on the 80s music flashback!
monty
September 19th, 2012
10:32 pm
Another ho-hum Medlen win. Yawn.
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
10:32 pm
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
In other news, Kris Medlen has allowed 6 ER TOTAL in his 9 starts this year. #Dodgers just allowed 6 runs in the 8th inning. #uselessinfo
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:33 pm
Kris really is amazing to watch right now, he really is. This is great to watch.
ACE
September 19th, 2012
10:35 pm
well I do my best to understand
but you still mystify and I want to know why
I pick myself up off the ground
to have you knock me back down again and again
and when I ask you to explain well, you say
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 19th, 2012
10:36 pm
I learned how to play “Cruel to be Kind” a year or so ago. Wonderful song!
ACE
September 19th, 2012
10:36 pm
Good thing Frank and Fredi keep Medlen in the pen to save him for this run. mmmmmm yeah right.
brian
September 19th, 2012
10:37 pm
thanks Rich for the update. I will work on my spelling.
brian
September 19th, 2012
10:39 pm
love watching Meds pitch. Nice win for the Braves against a very tough pitcher
brian
September 19th, 2012
10:40 pm
smart move by Fredi (yes, mark it down) to pull Medlen after 8. No reason to wear him out tonight. I am planning for him to pitch deep into October
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
10:42 pm
Someone in a vituperative state of mind tonight…not that there’s anything wrong with that…
CaptainMudd
September 19th, 2012
10:43 pm
…”Jungle life, I’m far away from nowhere….on my own like Tarzan Boy.” “Hide and seek, I play along while rushing across the forest.” “Monkey Business on a sunny afternoon.
“Night to Night
Gimme the other
gimme the other
change tonight
One to another”
Fredi has shut down a lot of the monkey business and his team, like Tarzan is climbing to new height under his leadership–something many thought [after last season's collapse]doubt abounds….Fredi takes action….starts being Night to night…ooh he said gimme the other, gimme the other….change tonight, Braves Win—No Monkey Business now!
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 19th, 2012
10:45 pm
Ha, thanks Derosa!
BFChris27
September 19th, 2012
10:46 pm
Dodgers win!!!!!!!!!!!
Fredo
September 19th, 2012
10:46 pm
back down to 5 back and Capuano goes tomorrow
Brava
September 19th, 2012
10:46 pm
Dodgers win.
Paul Wall
September 19th, 2012
10:46 pm
So Medlen is due to have a bad game right? Well what if its during wildcard one game playoff?? Nooooooooo!!!!!
nolie
September 19th, 2012
10:49 pm
C’est la vie
monty
September 19th, 2012
10:49 pm
mrnatural
September 19th, 2012
5:48 pm
“I can remember people carping about Greg Maddox’s lack of devotion to fitness.”
Yeh, as long as you can perform at HOF level you can do as you please. Lose 8 mph on your fastball, have a bum shoulder and bad back and you might want to consider adding some fitness to your heavy lifting(beer drinking). Just a thought.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:50 pm
seems like it was a good game… shame I missed it. Magic # to 6 now? We’re getting closer, I can almost officially ring the bell.
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:51 pm
Thanks, Dodgers!
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:52 pm
So Medlen is due to have a bad game right? Well what if its during wildcard one game playoff?? Nooooooooo!!!!!
Shhhhh…. I had that same thought myself, that’d be horrible for sure. Can’t expect it to happen though, he’s been consistently good.
M.V.P.Heyward
September 19th, 2012
10:53 pm
Magic # is down to 5 to clinch wild card.
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
10:54 pm
I don’t think the Braves can win the division, but I haven’t given up hope on it. And given the current circumstances, the Dodgers look like the “better” opponent for a play-in game. So the Dodgers beating the Nats is a very good thing, no matter how you look at it.
MikeInFl
September 19th, 2012
10:56 pm
Hey guys honestly does anyone here think we can catch Washington?
Heck, we could catch them by middle of next week. Not saying it’s likely, but the Nats are pretty beat up physically, and minus one top starter. It wouldn’t be so shocking to see them go in the tank for a few games, allowing us to make up some ground quick.
Not predicting it, of course. But no way would I throw in the towel at this point.
Failing that, I don’t see how choosing a pitcher to start the play-in game is even a discussion. A must-win game, and a pitcher who never loses. Not rocket science, is it?
Fredo
September 19th, 2012
10:58 pm
“I am planning for him to pitch deep into October”
The way I’m guessing at it: he’d pitch the playoff game, probably pitch Game 3 of the NLDS on regular rest and then he’d be done for that series since Games 4*/5* are on Thur/Friday. And then possibly for the NLCS, he’d pitch Games 2 and 6* on regular rest. And if they don’t plan on bringing him back early for any one of the games it would then fall to (another guess of mine) Hudson/Minor and they would be the ones getting the multiple starts per series coming back on early rest
nolie
September 19th, 2012
10:58 pm
a pitcher’s waist size has not got a damn thing to do with his elbow, shoulder or velocity
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:02 pm
Chipper Jones @RealCJ10
Med is a beast ladies and gentlemen! Even got a knock tonite. Big series win after letting one slip away last nite. Off to Philly. Nite yall
Brave New World
September 19th, 2012
11:03 pm
Braves will have to go 10-2 to have a shot at the division, but the Nats would have to collapse to make it a reality.
The A Bomb
September 19th, 2012
11:05 pm
All you people who regurgitate Chipper’s tweets…
Just remember a year from now all the tweets will be about the size of the antlers on some moose or how he splattered deer urine all over himself.
Or how he went MAMMO with his AMMO.
Can’t wait to read those.
Fredo
September 19th, 2012
11:06 pm
“does anyone here think we can catch Washington?”
mathematically, of course they still have a shot otherwise they’re 5 back and the Nats Magic Number is 9 … so there’s not much room for error … so realistically the Nats would need to have another bad series and soon and the Braves would have to take advantage of that by beating the Phillies.
You would love for the Braves to be within probably 3 games before the Nats have to face a team they’re 5 and 7 against on the year in 6 of their last 9 (and the Cardinals in the middle of that)
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:09 pm
nolie – C.C. Sabathia sort of proves that, doesn’t he?
ChattTownBrian
September 19th, 2012
11:15 pm
Even Chipper made me actually able to stand Jose Reyes because it sure looks like he respects CJ a lot. Looked pretty genuine when he hugged CJ.
ChattTownBrian
September 19th, 2012
11:18 pm
I’ll be quickly ignoring any tweets from Chipper on killing animals. That disgust me, but I still love the guy.
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:18 pm
It did, CTB. That surprised me, too.
ChattTownBrian
September 19th, 2012
11:21 pm
MIBravesFan, I was expecting Carlos Lee or even Guillen to honor him on the field, not Reyes. I guess those guys volunteer to do that. I now dislike Reyes less now.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
11:21 pm
Bravos quotage after another Medlen win
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/19/braves-quotes-after-wednesdays-medlen-win-vs-miami/
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:24 pm
Thanks for the quotes, David!
MIBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:26 pm
“Groundhog Day” is a great thing when it’s a good day every 5th day!!
chipontheroad
September 19th, 2012
11:29 pm
The Braves have won 21 straight games started by Kris Medlen. The last time a team won more consecutive starts by one pitcher was 1950-53, when the Yankees won 22 straight Whitey Ford starts. Medlen’s streak is currently tied for the third-longest in the Live Ball Era with Lefty Grove (1931 Athletics).
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
11:31 pm
Since 7/3/12, Meds has 87 IP, 57 hits, 85 Ks, 13 BBs, ERA 0.72…
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 19th, 2012
11:35 pm
BillShanks @BillShanks
RT @NekYeffud: @BillShanks Medlen kind of reminds me of Greg Maddux. Who would you compare him to? – Cy Young.
Can’t be serious…. but then, maybe he is?
ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfo
Kris Medlen held Marlins hitters to 0-for-8 in at-bats ending with his changeup. He went to 2 strikes to 12 hitters and retired them all.
Kick ‘em down, send ‘em home.
Venice Jim
September 19th, 2012
11:37 pm
Adam Kilgore @AdamKilgoreWP
Tyler Clippard says the pitch to Kemp was right where he wanted it. Very tough one for him to swallow.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
11:41 pm
Final version of game story from your sweaty correspondent here at humid Marlins park, where the roof is open and downtown Miami is twinkling in the distance, samba music filling the air…. (OK, I made up the part about the samba music)
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/19/braves-beat-miami-3-0-as-medlen-wins-again/
Powder Blue
September 19th, 2012
11:41 pm
Kris. Freaking. Medlen.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2012
11:44 pm
One more nugget, this via ESPN Stats & Info gurus: Kris Medlen held Marlins hitters to 0-for-8 in at-bats ending with his changeup. He went to 2 strikes to 12 hitters and retired them all.
ACE
September 19th, 2012
11:58 pm
One final participation. Hope everyone enjoys the city of brotherly love.
Venice Jim
September 20th, 2012
12:05 am
I’m sure we will…
Venice Jim
September 20th, 2012
12:19 am
Adam Kilgore @AdamKilgoreWP
Reds win in 11. Nats the best team in baseball by only half a game.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
12:21 am
Mammo with the Ammo…I love it.
I also love all the hypocrites who eat meat but deplore hunting
nolie
September 20th, 2012
12:22 am
Gotta admit that the Reds have been a surprise to me this season as good as they have been
Brava
September 20th, 2012
12:26 am
Kimbrel imitating the big 3 and being critiqued by Batista. Funny.
http://mlbfancave.mlb.com/fancave/video.jsp?content_id=24764019&topic_id=19224580#fbid=YGZXDmuzZVI
Venice Jim
September 20th, 2012
12:26 am
George should have stuck with his original plan to become a Reds’ fan…so much heartache would have been saved…
keyLargo
September 20th, 2012
12:26 am
Chipper Jones tied some old player from the ancient era with 2721 hits tonight. Guys name was Gehrig or something like that.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
12:29 am
never heard of the guy……
Venice Jim
September 20th, 2012
12:35 am
Time to take my leave for the evening…
CaptainMudd
September 20th, 2012
12:42 am
@VJ…..Do you have someone filling in for you tonight?
CaptainMudd
September 20th, 2012
12:46 am
Might it be Dr. Carl Stouffer, renowed authority in the field of Adult General Psychiatry?
CaptainMudd
September 20th, 2012
12:51 am
Also…a reminder. “Wham” featuring George Michael will play a 30 minute set featuring ‘Careless Whisper,’ in exchange for a Chipper Bobble-Head and Fredi’s Autograph.
Brave4life-1995 All over again
September 20th, 2012
1:23 am
Medlen better be the guy for if there is a 1-gmae playofff
Ward
September 20th, 2012
1:27 am
Hello everyone! Great job by the Master Medlen…..Since, Prado can play SS. Was wondering if Prado can catch? Just crossed my mind.
Ward
September 20th, 2012
1:28 am
Maybe we can put Prado, as catcher until Mac figures it out? Little humor.
MIBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
1:41 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=L_XilxdwTgc&NR=1
SNEAKY PETE
September 20th, 2012
1:44 am
Ward, I think I remember comments that Prado would likely have been the emergency backup catcher during the season, especially after Diaz was sidelined.
I am sure that he would be willing to give it a try and do his best.
They need to lock him up for four or five years in my opinion
SNEAKY PETE
September 20th, 2012
1:46 am
Prado made a great play tonight, one that I never would have thought he would be able to complete.
He just continues to amaze, even Fredi can’t ruin him
SNEAKY PETE
September 20th, 2012
1:48 am
Great link MIBF, thank you.
I love The Boss and that is a great song.
Ward
September 20th, 2012
1:51 am
Sneaky Pete – I would sign a 7 year deal, and really lock Prado up.
SNEAKY PETE
September 20th, 2012
1:59 am
Prado will be 29 next season I think, 7 years would be a little longer than I would probably go for.
Perhaps 5 years with a club option, Ward?
Ward
September 20th, 2012
2:32 am
Sneaky Pete – Will agree with you on that. Just would like the Braves next year to focus on Offense instead of pitching. Why do you wan’t to pay for some one like Greinke. Too streaky, and would like the Braves to change course. I like Swisher, and think we should sign him. He’s a winner, and I also think Braves should sign Bourn.
Ward
September 20th, 2012
2:34 am
Imagine!!!!! Swisher LF, Bourn Center, and Heyward. Sign Reed Johnson for the 4th outfielder. Braves have enough pitching. Need some much needed offense.
Ward
September 20th, 2012
2:35 am
All, I’ll talk tomorrw some time……Braves are just 4 wins from 90 wins, and might be able to add 2 more. Keep believing…….Peace my friends, and”Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
NO MORE FREDI
September 20th, 2012
3:15 am
“That’s a good question. I don’t know yet. For me, it’s between (Tim) Hudson and (Kris) Medlen.” – Manager Fredi Gonzalez on which Atlanta starter would be given the nod to start a potential NL wild card game.
I called it. Told you he would want Hudson out there when every time Medlen gets on the mound Braves already feel like they are going to win. Hey fat boy! Throw Medlen WC game and Hudson game one if they move on. How fat and stupid are you?
NO MORE FREDI
September 20th, 2012
3:16 am
Ward – Bourn is leaving Braves for $$ and Swisher would never be a Brave.
Ward
September 20th, 2012
3:39 am
NO More Fredi – Take a valium, and calm yourself. Your too messed up now for words, and only look more like a fool when you talk…….A valium would help your big head, or big empty head……Have fun shooting off your big mouth……Peace Out! “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
John Leonard
September 20th, 2012
4:11 am
Now Ward play nice.
David O'Brien
September 20th, 2012
5:56 am
Josh Willingham hit his 35th homer for Twins. Still say he’d make a great fit for Braves if the Twins are willing to trade. Move Prado to 3B and play Willingham in left. Making $7 mill in 2013, then eligible for free agency.
SNEAKY PETE
September 20th, 2012
6:26 am
Been whining here for Willingham for years. Most always around an 850ish hitter. Willingham in left and Prado at third gets it done for me too
SNEAKY PETE
September 20th, 2012
6:31 am
The Twins say they do not want to trade him the last I heard, but I guess that might be a ruse to raise the price I suppose.
David O'Brien
September 20th, 2012
6:33 am
Bourn’s double Wednesday was his 2nd extra-base hit in his past 29 games. Has .168 avg and .480 OPS in past 28 games.
SNEAKY PETE
September 20th, 2012
6:38 am
If he comes down to where we can afford him because of a bad second half, do we still want him long term?
David O'Brien
September 20th, 2012
6:52 am
Braves are 10-4 with 2.38 ERA in past 14 games, including 6 wins when scoring 3 or fewer runs.
David O'Brien
September 20th, 2012
6:57 am
If he comes down to where we can afford him because of a bad second half, do we still want him long term? — Sneaky Pete
Just depends on the price, in my opinion. But I’d expect Boras to keep him out on the market about as long as it takes to get something he considers a reasonable contract, with his idea of reasonable probably being a lot more than most anyone else views as reasonable.
Couch Tater
September 20th, 2012
7:05 am
Will the scout will ever admit he thought Medlen could be Chipper’s heir?
2006 : “Take a chance. He’s a switch hitter. Puts the bat on the ball. The arm to chunk it from 3rd.”
Now: ” There wuz jus something that reminded me of Maddog. Call it.. scout’s intuition.”
CB
September 20th, 2012
7:09 am
I am telling you, the man has sold his soul to the devil.
Jeff R
September 20th, 2012
7:24 am
Personally, I’d rather get rid of Maholm over Hanson.
I think Hanson needs to overhaul his mechanics or he’s going to continue to have shoulder fatigue as a season progresses.
Maholm’s not flashy but a dependable back end pitcher. And I do also think Hanson will be trade bait this winter.
Jeff R
September 20th, 2012
7:26 am
Boras will leverage the heck out of Bourn, regardless the second half slump. I’m guessing Philly bites and makes a serious play for Bourn.
Jeff R
September 20th, 2012
7:29 am
Josh Willingham hit his 35th homer for Twins. Still say he’d make a great fit for Braves if the Twins are willing to trade. Move Prado to 3B and play Willingham in left. Making $7 mill in 2013, then eligible for free agency.
If the price is right, I’d hope Wren seriously considers pulling the trigger. Plus, I’d like to see Prado back in the infield on a regular basis. Think Prado being in the infield improves the defense.
Paul Wall
September 20th, 2012
7:41 am
Forget signing Bourn, Braves need to sign Denard Span. His career OBP is much better than Bourn’s!
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
7:46 am
New magic numbers for each race:
NL East – Washington – 9
NL Central – Cincinnati – 3
NL West – San Francisco – 5
NL Playoffs (relative to Los Angeles, first team out):
Washington – 1
Cincinnati – 1
San Francisco – 5
Atlanta – 5
St. Louis – 12
AL East – New York – 14
AL Central – Chicago – 13
AL West – Texas – 11
AL Playoff spot (relative to Los Angeles, first team out):
Texas – 7
New York – 10
Baltimore – 10
Oakland – 11
Chicago – 13 (relative to Detroit, for division)
Lew
September 20th, 2012
7:49 am
Medlen went down to the crossroads?
Sylvester Bill
September 20th, 2012
7:50 am
Sure is a lot of love on here for Willingham, but he’s not much more than a statue in left field.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
7:50 am
Yesterday the Marlins and Blue Jays were mathematically eliminated from the postseason, joining the Astros, Cubs, Rockies, Twins, Indians, Mariners, and Red Sox.
The Pirates and Padres were eliminated from their division races last night.
Here are the eliminations numbers for trailing teams (the # of losses plus wins by the team ahead of them to be eliminated from the playoffs; when the number reaches zero, you’re out):
NL Playoffs (relative to St. Louis, last team in):
New York – 2
San Diego – 6
Arizona – 10
Philadelphia – 10
Pittsburgh – 10
Milwaukee – 12
Los Angeles – 12
AL Playoffs (relative to Oakland, last team in, unless otherwise noted):
Kansas City – 1 (relative to Chicago for division)
Tampa Bay – 9
Los Angeles – 11
Detroit – 13 (relative to Chicago for division)
CB
September 20th, 2012
8:04 am
Gone, Lew.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
8:08 am
Washington can clinch a playoff spot today with a win.
Cincinnati can clinch a playoff spot if they win, or if the Brewers and Dodgers both lose.
They’ll be the first ones in.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
8:12 am
Kansas City would be eliminated from the playoffs with a loss to the White Sox today.
The Mets would be eliminated with a loss and a win by St. Louis.
The Brewers would be eliminated from the NL Central race with a loss or a win by Cincinnati.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
8:13 am
Sure is a lot of love on here for Willingham, but he’s not much more than a statue in left field.
I don’t think I’d let his ability at the least valuable defensive position on the field deter me from drooling over his offense. Two years of control at below-market price, even expecting a drop from this year’s numbers, in this particular lineup…he’s as good a fit for a need as they are likely to find. Probably worth some overpay in trade, especially if Wren decides not to pursue a front-line pitcher and has a little extra currency.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
8:15 am
Personally, I’d like to see Shields acquired, just so we could call Medlen “Little Game”.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
8:20 am
Making $7 mill in 2013, then eligible for free agency.
David, he’s signed through 2014, I’m pretty sure.
Jeff R
September 20th, 2012
8:22 am
I don’t think I’d let his ability at the least valuable defensive position on the field deter me from drooling over his offense.
I’ll accept a little less defense in left for more pop. And I’d be glad to see Prado at third.
Frankie
September 20th, 2012
8:28 am
ACE
September 19th, 2012
10:36 pm
Good thing Frank and Fredi keep Medlen in the pen to save him for this run. mmmmmm yeah right.
Yeah had him penciled in at #2 in April right? I mean he threw 2 innings last season, he can go over 200 the following season.
Livan would have held some of those leads early on too while Meds comes out of the gate as SP, right?
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
8:34 am
Livan would have held some of those leads early on too while Meds comes out of the gate as SP, right?
You can’t explain the Medlen usage to some folks, man. Waste of keystrokes.
Jeff R
September 20th, 2012
8:39 am
“ACE is the place of the unhelpful blogger man.”
Kinda snappy.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
8:39 am
Braves have made up three and a half games in the standings in a week.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
8:44 am
So if we keep it up, we just might catch the Nats? Dang, that sweep in Milwaukee hurts more and more.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
8:46 am
Poor Pittsburgh…they are back down to .500, and look like they may have their 20th straight losing season. They are 16-32 since July 28th.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
8:50 am
Brewers are 13-4 this month, Braun is just unconscious, and they’ve even gotten a little pitching. Four at the Nats, starting Friday. Need those Beer People to stay hot.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
8:51 am
The Braves would still need a LOT of help to win the division. If the Braves finish out 10-2 over their last 12 games, they would still need Washington to go just 6-8 to tie them.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
8:58 am
The Braves would still need a LOT of help to win the division.
One series at a time. If anything, the Braves getting swept at Milwaukee, in the midst of a good run, should show that a single series can make a lot of difference. Can’t think about making up five games, gotta think about making up one today, then try to do it again tomorrow.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
9:06 am
I told ya the Braves needed to take 2 of 3 in Milwaukee. Then they’d only be 3 out.
phil
September 20th, 2012
9:07 am
Poor Pittsburgh, my backside….
Let’s worry about Atlanta and our continued success. Well, at least until October 5th…
phil
September 20th, 2012
9:10 am
A tie does us no good since the Nats have us head to head, unless I’m forgetting something.
Besides, we’re not gonna catch em. We play Philly this weekend, and they’re likely to take 2 of 3 from us, all things being equal. If we scratch out more than 5 hits in 2 of the games, it’ll be worthy of a parade.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
9:11 am
Since that Sunday night game in San Fran vs. Bumgarner during whioch he hit a 3 run homer and boosted his OPS to a .862(high for the 2nd half), Heyward has hit .239/.269/.398 in 22 games, 93 PA’s with 4 BB’s,15 K’s, .254 babip.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
9:11 am
If the Braves and Nats tie, they would play a 163rd game in Washington the day after the season ends. The winner of that game would be the division winner and in the NLDS. The loser of that game would be the first wild card and host the 2nd wild card team in the one-game playoff the following day.
phil
September 20th, 2012
9:14 am
Thanks for the clarification. Basically what you’re saying is that game 164 might be our last game, if a miracle happens down the stretch and we catch the Nats…..sigh
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
9:15 am
Josh Willingham hit his 35th homer for Twins. Still say he’d make a great fit for Braves if the Twins are willing to trade. Move Prado to 3B and play Willingham in left. Making $7 mill in 2013, then eligible for free agency.
Minnesota is in an entirely different position than San Diego, imo. The Padres have one of the better farm systems in the sport with both arms and bats – great balance.
The Twins have four position player prospects that a lot of people like in OF’s Aaron Hicks, Oswaldo Arcia, Miguel Sano and 2B/OF Eddie Rosario.
There isn’t an arm in that entire system worth anything.
But, all that said, trading Morneau and Span for pitching probably makes a lot more sense if they want to try and fool the fans into thinking they have a shot in the AL Central. Me? I’d trade every asset possible. Even Mauer.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 20th, 2012
9:15 am
Why DAVID, i think you might be in love. Certainly you are at least enamored of DOGGIE II. Heading your latest article “……MEDLIN win vs. MARLINS…..”
And not misplaced either. I feel an affinity for MEDS akin to love.
HUDSON has that same type of chutzpah as DOGGIE II, and it appears MINOR is growing into the mind-set. BEACHY has it as well, as does KIMBREL.
Hopefully, this ‘tude is infectous and permeates the entire pitching staff going forward.
Anyway DAVID, thanks for headlining MEDLEN, as most every BRAVES-follower knows where the catalyst to victory lies.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
9:16 am
If the Braves and Nats tie, they would play a 163rd game in Washington the day after the season ends.
And I’d say the Nats would have little chance of winning that game, after blowing a 8.5 game lead in three-plus weeks. So, it’s all good.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
9:17 am
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
For sure, WAR is an imperfect measure of a player’s performance. So is batting average;HR;RBI; fielding percentage; UZR-150; SBs; etc., etc.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 20th, 2012
9:18 am
phil:
What’s up old buddy?
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
9:19 am
Since August 12th vs. the Mets in which he hit a home run and his 2nd half OPS hit it’s high mark of .829, Freddie Freeman has hit .212/.329/.398 in 34 games, 143 PA’s – 21 BB’s, 30 K’s. .233 babip.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
9:21 am
There isn’t an arm in that entire system worth anything.
Give ‘em everybody, LOL, except the guys in the low minors and Graham, maybe. Hanson, Delgado, Spruill, a couple from Column B, whatever. Prospect-whip ‘em.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
9:23 am
For sure, WAR is an imperfect measure of a player’s performance. So is batting average;HR;RBI; fielding percentage; UZR-150; SBs; etc., etc.
Wow. Buster is certainly fighting the fight for the people of Fangraphs.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
9:24 am
Even Mauer? That’d be nice, he could replace Mac if need be. Start with a Hanson+Delgado package.
Though I’m wondering, since their farm is so bad, Hanson doesn’t do them that much good, he’s not a prospect.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
9:25 am
Efrim, I think what he’s pointing out is that there isn’t a perfect measure, of any sort, and both dinosaurs and geeks are wrong to think so.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 20th, 2012
9:28 am
Tradin’ time. Got to go.
MEXICAN LEAGUE play is first down south, and kicks off October 11.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
9:29 am
Medlen will probably finish 15-20 innings short of qualifying for ERA titles and stuff.
If he DID qualify, here’s where he would rank in the NL:
ERA – 1st (1.51)
W/L – 1st (.900)
WHIP – 1st (.936)
H/9 – 3rd (6.84)
BB/9 – 2nd (1.584)
K/BB – 2nd (4.91)
HR/9 – 1st (.288)
WAR ALERT!
Seriously, WAR is not a perfect measure, maybe even less so for pitchers, but it says something that despite having only 125 IP, Medlen is 5th in the NL among pitchers in baseball-reference’s WAR.
Kimbrel and Medlen are 1st and 2nd respectively, in the NL in Win Probability Added for pitchers.
Ric Flair to Right
September 20th, 2012
9:36 am
Mike Minor ERA outside of may in 5 months of work? 3.05!!!! real good work
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
9:38 am
For fun…if you combined Brandon Beachy’s season with Medlen’s portion of the season in the rotation, you get Krandon Beachlen.
Krandon Beachlen would be 13-5 in 23 starts with a 1.42 ERA in 151.2 IP.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
9:38 am
Give ‘em everybody, LOL, except the guys in the low minors and Graham, maybe. Hanson, Delgado, Spruill, a couple from Column B, whatever. Prospect-whip ‘em.
If I were them, I’d honestly trade everyone. It’s a really bad team with holes at 3rd, SS, 2nd and massive issues in the rotation and the bullpen. Not to mention the farm system. Keep Mauer given his contract and home town guy and try to acquire pitching.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
9:40 am
I think what he’s pointing out is that there isn’t a perfect measure, of any sort, and both dinosaurs and geeks are wrong to think so.
I agree. Seems as if the conversation occurs every single year as we discuss MVP/CY Young ballots.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
9:42 am
Seems as if the conversation occurs every single year as we discuss MVP/CY Young ballots.
I’m as big a Mike Trout fan (non-family division) as there is, but, if Miggy gets the Triple Crown, he’s my MVP. Can’t help it, and the catcalls of “dinosaur” wouldn’t change my mind.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
9:44 am
Maybe if the Braves take on Jamey Carroll’s contract, we can get Willingham for less than you’d think? 13:$3.75M, 14: $2M club option ($0.25M buyout)
$3.75 million is a lot of scratch for a utility infielder. Plus the 250K buyout and that’s 4M for him in 2013. Yeesh.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
9:45 am
Miguel Cabrera winning the Triple Crown would be a real litmus test for the baseball writers. How old-school are they? If he wins the Triple Crown and Trout still wins the MVP, then the tide has turned.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
9:46 am
I’m as big a Mike Trout fan (non-family division) as there is, but, if Miggy gets the Triple Crown, he’s my MVP. Can’t help it, and the catcalls of “dinosaur” wouldn’t change my mind.
Yeah, I would still go with Trout. The 50 points of SLG just isn’t enough for me.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
9:50 am
http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/depth/_/name/min/minnesota-twins
That’s just awful. And I know Span would be in CF, Revere in RF if for health. That’s a really bad baseball team with no pitching in sight. Willingham, Morneau, Carroll, Span, Doumit – I’d trade all of em for pitching and infielders. Keep Mauer and Revere, wait for Hicks, Arcia, Sano, Rosario and hope that the pitching blends in around the same time. Not sure what else they can do. They’ll be picking 1st or 2nd for a few years, so that’ll help.
Murph
September 20th, 2012
9:53 am
Maybe it’s the constant bombardment of politics at this time of the year, but debating anything that involves a vote makes me cringe. Obama, Trout, Romney, Cabrera… I hate Novembers.
Also because Mrs Murph can’t cook, and after 8 years of marriage has yet to successfully pull off a decent Thanksgiving meal. Year 1 she literally boiled the bird. Well, at least the bottom half of it that was in the pan.
I’d like to enjoy the postseason and October, skip November, and go right to the Winter Meetings and the happiness that is the Christmas season.
Bat Masterson
September 20th, 2012
9:53 am
Krandon Beachlen would be 13-5 in 23 starts with a 1.42 ERA in 151.2 IP.
Extend that guy now!
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
9:56 am
I’d definitely try and hold onto Teheran and Graham this offseason. I’d like to hold onto Bethancourt and some of the kids in the low minors(Rookie Leagues). I don’t think Wren will trade Sean Gilmartin either.
Jeff R
September 20th, 2012
9:57 am
Poor Pittsburgh…they are back down to .500, and look like they may have their 20th straight losing season. They are 16-32 since July 28th.
The Pirates need to rally and at least finish at .500.
I’m still impressed with the job Neal Huntington is doing in Pittsburgh. He’s drafted quality prospects (particularly arms), and has the building blocks in place for longer term success.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
9:58 am
Yeah, I would still go with Trout.
Geek.
Trout winning would show that defense has gone from undervalued to overvalued, in my view. That might be a natural swing of the pendulum, I guess.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
10:04 am
Yeah, definitely have to hold onto Teheran. His stock isn’t as high as it was before. Delgado and some other pitching prospect are “gone” this offseason due to trades. just hope it isn’t Graham or Gilmartin.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
10:06 am
Bethancourt and Gilmartin would be available if the right trade came along, or at least that’s what I would be willing to do. I’d probably just have a few that would strictly be hands off.. and that probably would be a very short list maybe just Teheran, Graham and Alex Wood.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
10:08 am
Sims probably would also be one too.
Murph
September 20th, 2012
10:08 am
Delgado and some other pitching prospect are “gone” this offseason due to trades
I don’t know that it’s an absolute certainty that Delgado gets dealt. Maybe 50/50. I’d much rather hold on to him than Gilmartin, but I’m also a big time Delgado fan after his work down the stretch last season.
Gotta believe that Graham is now the only pitcher on the “untouchable” list… and that it would take a crazy return to pry Teheran loose, although I think he’ll be a part of a trade this offseason.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
10:09 am
Sims or Wood can’t be traded until next year, so they are off limits.
Like I said, I think Hanson, Delgado, and Ahmed are prime trade assets this offseason.
RC
September 20th, 2012
10:09 am
Trout winning would show that defense has gone from undervalued to overvalued, in my view. That might be a natural swing of the pendulum, I guess.
Why can’t it simply be “properly valued”? It’s not like Trout’s line of 118 / 27 / 77 / 46 / .327 is THAT far off of Cabrera’s 101 / 41 /130 / 4 /.333. If you include just a very, very small bump to Trout for defense, then you could argue he’s been the more valuable player. If you include anything more than a small bump, it’s not even a discussion.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
10:11 am
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2012/09/20/fantasy-baseball-could-the-braves-really-catch-the-nats/?
Washington holds a five-game lead over the Braves with 14 to play. (The Braves have 12 games remaining.) That’s still a sizable margin. But it’s not nearly as big as it was a week ago, when the Nationals were 8 1/2 games in front. And if you’re wondering if such a big lead has ever been squandered in so short a time, the answer is yes. The 1964 Phillies, long the gold standard of flops, led by 6 1/2 with 12 to go.
(Oh, and if you’re wondering, “How far ahead of St. Louis were the 2011 Braves with 14 games remaining?”, the answer is 4 1/2 games. We know how that turned out.)
Truth to tell, they already do. The Nationals’ magic number to clinch the division stood at 11 on Sept. 13. A week later, it has only shrunk to nine. If Washington had beaten the Braves even once here over the weekend, we’d have no real reason to get excited. But the Nats didn’t, and we kind of do. We around here know how fast leads can disappear.
Jeff R
September 20th, 2012
10:13 am
Bethancourt and Gilmartin would be available if the right trade came along, or at least that’s what I would be willing to do.
Bethancourt is highly regarded within the Braves’ organization despite a lackluster season (ended by injury). He’s certainly well regarded around the majors. Not sure Wren would part with him, given that McCann may be a short termer.
Gilmartin is getting closer to major league ready. The pitching pipeline is never full enough. Jurrjens’ injuries, Beachy’s elbow, and Hanson’s shoulder indicate that there’s never enough pitching talent available.
phil
September 20th, 2012
10:15 am
Medlen only pitched 8 shutout innings….
Back to the pen with the guy.
RC
September 20th, 2012
10:17 am
Sims or Wood can’t be traded until next year, so they are off limits.
Like I said, I think Hanson, Delgado, and Ahmed are prime trade assets this offseason.
Can’t they be traded as a PTBNL, like Drew Pomeranz was last year? Or is that only applicable for in-season trades?
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
10:18 am
I don’t know if Prado could catch or pitch, but I’d bet he would give it his best effort inf asked. He may be our emergency catcher right now, with Diaz out.
Highest priority may be to lock him up, at least 5 years.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
10:19 am
Why can’t it simply be “properly valued”?
That’s just it, I don’t really know what is “proper value”.
We aren’t at the point with defensive metrics that they should be relied upon with as great a confidence factor as some folks seem to give them. If I can’t use them with confidence, then I’m reluctant to use them at all, in a case such as this. I know that puts me on an island, but that’s where I sit.
Jeff R
September 20th, 2012
10:20 am
I’m high on Ahmed. I think he could be a conversion to second, and I believe he’s ranked higher than LaStella.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
10:20 am
Can’t they be traded as a PTBNL, like Drew Pomeranz was last year? Or is that only applicable for in-season trades?
Not sure. You could be right, though I thought it was different for offseason trades.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
10:21 am
Can’t they be traded as a PTBNL
I believe so, but I could be mistaken.
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
10:22 am
scoots – Move over, friend. I’m joining you on that island. I see value in a lot of the new metrics, but I haven’t bought into the defensive measures…not at all.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
10:23 am
Can’t they be traded as a PTBNL, like Drew Pomeranz was last year?
The answer to that is “yes”, with this caveat: there is a time frame in which a PTBNL must be named (can’t wait a year to name the guy, for example), and a date before which recent draftees cannot be traded. So, the trade would have to occur within a window that accomodates both of those time frames. I don’t think an offseason trade would be able to do that.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
10:24 am
If I can’t use them with confidence, then I’m reluctant to use them at all, in a case such as this.
Yeesh, scoots. I don’t know man. I can’t sit here and watch Cabrera at 3rd base, Trout in CF and both players on the basepaths with their offensive numbers and pick Miggy as the MVP. Just can’t do it.
Just like I don’t think Heyward is just a .270/.340/.490 hitter and that’s all this year. There’s more there. I just know it.
RC
September 20th, 2012
10:24 am
That’s just it, I don’t really know what is “proper value”. We aren’t at the point with defensive metrics that they should be relied upon with as great a confidence factor as some folks seem to give them. If I can’t use them with confidence, then I’m reluctant to use them at all, in a case such as this. I know that puts me on an island, but that’s where I sit.
That’s a fair stance. I agree that we are not at a point for which they can be relied upon with great confidence, but I do feel like they are good enough to give you a “ballpark” idea of how a player performs. While there is no way I’d feel comfortable using any defensive stat to “rank” two players who are within a point or two of each other, the gap in defensive stats between Trout and Cabrera is ginormous, and backed up by both scouts as well as my own “eye test”, making more comfortable saying that there is likely a sizable gap in their defensive values. A gap which, in my opinion, is more significant than the gap in their offensive values.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
10:26 am
And I’m going to be pissed off if J-Hey sits lower than .830 this year or if Freeman sits lower than .800. Not a good finish to two very strong seasons offensively.
RC
September 20th, 2012
10:27 am
And now to backtrack on my statement somewhat, I do think that Fangraphs version of WAR is BS. Their position adjustments are arbitrary at best, and I don’t agree with how they are applied.
But that doesn’t mean that we should simply ignore defense because it’s too hard to measure. It just means that judgement must be applied, and everything can’t be boiled down to a single number.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
10:28 am
I can’t sit here and watch Cabrera at 3rd base, Trout in CF and both players on the basepaths with their offensive numbers and pick Miggy as the MVP
Yet, we both know that SBs are pretty meaningless when it comes to scoring runs, correct? So, we’re left with Trout’s defense to outweigh Cabrera’s superior offense. I’m not even saying that such a thing might not be the case, in actuality; I’m way open to that thought. But I’m still going with Miggy.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
10:30 am
Yet, we both know that SBs are pretty meaningless when it comes to scoring runs, correct?
I don’t know that…do you know that?
Also, baserunning value is much more than stolen bases, just like defense is much more than not committing errors.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
10:32 am
But that doesn’t mean that we should simply ignore defense because it’s too hard to measure. It just means that judgement must be applied
And on that, we agree. It shouldn’t be ignored, not at all, and I’d like to think that I haven’t fully done so, in this case. I believe I’m valuing it less, in this one single context of MVP, is all.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
10:32 am
Yet, we both know that SBs are pretty meaningless when it comes to scoring runs, correct?
I’m not counting just SB’s for Trout. I mean, that’s part of it, but that’s not all what baserunning is wrapped up in as I know you know.
RC
September 20th, 2012
10:32 am
Yet, we both know that SBs are pretty meaningless when it comes to scoring runs, correct?
I am open to being proven wrong here, but I don’t think this statement is accurate at all. That’s like saying that doubles are pretty meaningless to scoring runs. I think that SB are somewhat meaningless if you are CAUGHT stealing a lot….the general rule of thumb is that you have to have an 80% success rate to have a positive contribution to runs scored. Trout is 46-for-50, so his 92% success rate is well above positive.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
10:33 am
Trout is fun to watch yes, but I still have to go with Cabrera for MVP. Especially if he gets the Triple Crown. Cabrera is a better hitter, and that’s lead his team to lots of win. Trout is an inferior (but not bad) hitter. His defense is great, but I have a hard time believing that his defense outweighs Cabrera’s offensive skills.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
10:34 am
I don’t like that Trout missed the first month of the season. That hurts him a bit, imo.
RC
September 20th, 2012
10:35 am
And on that, we agree. It shouldn’t be ignored, not at all, and I’d like to think that I haven’t fully done so, in this case. I believe I’m valuing it less, in this one single context of MVP, is all.
Fair enough. Everyone is not going to agree on everything, and like I said, thought needs to be put into it rather than simply picking a numbers, whether it be RBI or WAR. It certainly sounds like you’ve thought about it plenty, and it’s not exactly like there is a “wrong” choice between the two.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
10:36 am
I don’t know that…do you know that?
Yes. There is only a microscopic correlation between stolen bases and runs scored.
Beyond the math, consider this. There is only one game scenario in which a stolen base leads to a run that would not have otherwise scored, had the base not been stolen. That is, a single run scores in the inning and that single run would not have scored without the stolen base. In all other scenarios, the run scored by a base-stealer would have scored without the steal.
RC
September 20th, 2012
10:38 am
His defense is great, but I have a hard time believing that his defense outweighs Cabrera’s offensive skills.
I don’t think the way to look at it is “his defense outweighs Cabrera’s offensive skills”. I think the question to ask is, “How much better of an offensive player is Cabrera than Trout, and is that a larger value than how much better of a defensive player Trout is than Cabrera”? Considering how close they are offensively (based on the numbers I posted above), and how much ahead Trout is defensively, I am of the opinion that Trout has more overall value than Cabrera.
TennesseePaul
September 20th, 2012
10:39 am
if Miggy gets the Triple Crown, he’s my MVP. Can’t help it, and the catcalls of “dinosaur” wouldn’t change my mind.
Concur.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
10:39 am
I do think the difference between Trout’s baserunning and Miguel Cabrera’s base…running… should be considered when having this discussion.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
10:41 am
it’s not exactly like there is a “wrong” choice between the two.
I’d take them both in a pickup game, yes.
And I surely wouldn’t stamp my foot and throw a tantrum if Mike Trout is the MVP. That case can certainly be made.
Venice Jim
September 20th, 2012
10:41 am
Richie Justice at MLB.com:
At the moment, Kris Medlen is baseball’s best pitcher. He’s throwing three pitches for strikes, getting swings and misses on all three pitches, getting outs on all of them. Opposing batters simply have no idea what’s coming.</i.
http://justice4u.mlblogs.com/2012/09/20/inside-kris-medlens-pitching-clinic/
phil
September 20th, 2012
10:42 am
You guys are not on an island….
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
10:42 am
scoots, but there are a lot more situations where Trout, with his ability, would score when getting on base, than Cabrera. Not only can Trout steal a base or two, but if he’s on second, he’s scoring on a hit. If he’s on first, he’s scoring on a double. Not the case many times with Cabrera.
Trout scores 45% of the times he reaches base, not including hitting homers. That’s best in the AL. Miguel Cabrera scores 28% of the time.
RC
September 20th, 2012
10:42 am
There is only one game scenario in which a stolen base leads to a run that would not have otherwise scored, had the base not been stolen. That is, a single run scores in the inning and that single run would not have scored without the stolen base.
Let me preface by saying I know this is kind of obnoxious to point out, but I’m doing it anyway. There are other situations in which the SB leads to multiple runs. If the player steals, then the next batter hits into what WOULD have been an inning ending double play, and then the next batter hits a HR, then every run that scored after the would-be double play wouldn’t have happened without the SB. Yes, it’s an extreme example, but just pointing out there are other situations.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
10:42 am
Concur.
Boy. Now I know why you guys really don’t want to sign Michael Bourn.
TennesseePaul
September 20th, 2012
10:43 am
I mean, that’s part of it, but that’s not all what baserunning is wrapped up in as I know you know.
oh. oh! I know this… I know this!! It’s about drag bunts. Busting it down the line to beat out grounders. Hustle. Grit. Determination. Right? That’s why we also must include Constanza in this MVP talk.
Venice Jim
September 20th, 2012
10:44 am
I guess McFanning the link isn’t quite as bad as my normal incompetence…
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
10:45 am
Wow. Can’t believe the year Torii Hunter is having at the plate: .308/.361/.450.
Solid.
Lew
September 20th, 2012
10:47 am
I third that one, dinosaur or no. No one has won the Triple Crown in 45 years – it’s an elite accomplishment whether or not the youngun’s acknowledge the validity or not.
TennesseePaul
September 20th, 2012
10:48 am
Now I know why you guys really don’t want to sign Michael Bourn.
Not for $18M. Line him up for $9M or less, and I’ll be interested. Still think that’s over paying a tad. I just don’t see that guy being worth the money in his post 30 years.
There is this mythical 5-tool player out there who does it all on both sides of the ball and is a brilliant man off the field. He makes the big dollars. he’s the prize and a team hands him that massive check as part of the prize. Everyone sees it. Huge check, all around awesomeness. … Michael Bourn isn’t that player. McCutchen, yes. Trout yes. Even Mauer fit that bill, injuries stink, but he fit that bill. Michael Bourn is not that guy. When he signs his contract, he’ll still be in the 1% club and we can all go downtown and sleep in tents and complain about how his paycheck is our misery, but he isn’t in the 0.00001% club.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
10:50 am
Lew, I think Miguel Cabrera winning the Triple Crown would be an absolutely incredible accomplishment, the likes of which I have never seen. But I still think I would vote for Trout. He’s been that good. I think he’s been a more valuable player than Cabrera.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
10:51 am
but there are a lot more situations where Trout, with his ability, would score when getting on base, than Cabrera.
And that is a valid point. Add some black to the Trout column.
If the player steals, then the next batter hits into what WOULD have been an inning ending double play
Can’t assume the DP, LOL.
There may also be some other tangential scenarios that I haven’t considered, sure. I make an assumption that the percentage of those game scenarios occurring in the total of all scenarios involving a steal is so low as to be negligible. Outliers which, even if included, would not change the overall conclusion. I could be wrong about that, but I don’t think so.
Murph
September 20th, 2012
10:52 am
Give Cabrera the MVP, Trout the ROY, done and done.
Lew
September 20th, 2012
10:53 am
“Trounjt scores 45% of the times he reaches base ……Miguel Cabrera scores 28% of the time.”
And how many RBI do the players hitting behind the two stalwarts have? I guarantee that it isn’t all OBP or base running acoonting for that difference. They have to get driven in by someone. That might just affect the percentages.
phil
September 20th, 2012
10:54 am
Cabrera and Trout can share it…..
A triple crown would be something else, even if it is comprised of meaningless stats like RBI and avg….and heck, who cares about homers either.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
10:57 am
Not for $18M. Line him up for $9M or less, and I’ll be interested.
I think I’d go as hugh as 12 million a year for him. Four years, 48 million. That’s it.
I think he’d be a huge bargain for three years, 27 million.
TennesseePaul
September 20th, 2012
10:57 am
I think Miguel Cabrera winning the Triple Crown would be an absolutely incredible accomplishment, the likes of which I have never seen. But I still think I would vote for Trout
This isn’t going to shape up like Howard vs Utley. If Cabrera wins over Trout, and some one gets in my face about it, I’ll just look at the two season and see two massive seasons, one of them accomplishing a feat untouched in 45 years by a guy in his prime. The other a guy who’s 20 and has plenty of time to win every single MVP for the next 10 years.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
10:57 am
And how many RBI do the players hitting behind the two stalwarts have? I guarantee that it isn’t all OBP or base running acoonting for that difference. They have to get driven in by someone. That might just affect the percentages.
Of course it does. So you have to think about that…no statistic is perfect. For the record, Cabrera hits ahead of Prince Fielder and Delmon Young. Prince Fielder has 100 RBI. Trout hits ahead of Torii Hunter, Albert Pujols, and either Morales or Trumbo. It should be noted that Hunter, hitting 2nd in that lineup, only scores 33% of the time he gets on base.
brian
September 20th, 2012
10:58 am
can’t ignore a triple crown winner but Trout has been by far and away the best complete player in the AL this year
TennesseePaul
September 20th, 2012
11:00 am
I think I’d go as hugh as 12 million a year for him. Four years, 48 million. That’s it.
4 years is a nice length. Longer than that and it gets bad. 4 years and the young ones haven’t even earned their full money. So it is manageable.
I’d certainly offer him a qual. I don’t think he is worth as much as they hype says he is, but I know the hype is there and might as well cash in on it.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
11:00 am
Think about it this way: If MLB gave out MVOP (Most Valuable Offensive Player) and MVDP (figure it out), then Miguel Cabrera would win MVOP in the AL, with Trout finishing second. Trout would win MVDP, and Miguel Cabrera would…not get any votes.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
11:01 am
The other a guy who’s 20 and has plenty of time to win every single MVP for the next 10 years.
He just may do it.
This isn’t going to shape up like Howard vs Utley.
What year was that again? I’m so happy Howard won. It produced one very awful contract.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
11:02 am
For the record, I would vote for Trout, but if Cabrera won, I would be OK with that. I would not rant or get in anyone’s face.
Lew
September 20th, 2012
11:04 am
If he wins the Triple Crown, Cabrera should win the MVP – that’s all there is to it. Trout will win the ROY – and that is as it should be.
And finally – someone admits no statistic is perfect. Not BA, not RBI, not WAR. They all have some meaning – even those that were invented recently – and all are about as relevant as any other – though WAR is highly suspect at best.
So I’m going with the accomplishment that hasn’t happened in five decades – if it were as meaningless as some would have it then more would accomplish it.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
11:04 am
Think about it this way: If MLB gave out MVOP (Most Valuable Offensive Player) and MVDP (figure it out), then Miguel Cabrera would win MVOP in the AL, with Trout finishing second. Trout would win MVDP, and Miguel Cabrera would…not get any votes.
Excellent way of putting it.
Trader Jack
September 20th, 2012
11:05 am
Murph
September 20th, 2012
10:52 am
Give Cabrera the MVP, Trout the ROY, done and done.
Agreed. It’s a win/win for both parties, and they each get a trophy to boot!
Lew
September 20th, 2012
11:06 am
Yeah, but they aren’t giving out two awards recognizing defense and not.
RC
September 20th, 2012
11:07 am
Ok, I’m now tired of the AL MVP talk. Back to hypothetical Braves trades.
Here is a legit question, and one that I’m not sure I know my own answer to. Assuming each player’s season would have turned out the same, if given the chance to go back in time and revisit the proposed trade of Martin Prado, Jair Jurrjens, and Arodys Vizcaino (or Delgado or Teheran) for Adam Jones, would you go back and do the deal in Frank Wren’s position?
Jones’s current line: 95 runs, 30 HR, 77 RBI, 14 SB, .286/.336/.506 avg/obp/slg
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
11:08 am
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
In MVP race, consider the fear/respect factor shown by opposing mangers. Mike Trout has been walked intentionally 3 times this year.
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
Even with Prince Fielder behind him, Miguel Cabrera has been intentionally walked 15 times this season. That is remarkable.
Cabrera for MVP!!!
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
11:08 am
The point is, Lew, that in my opinion, voting for Cabrera for MVP is basically saying that MVP is offense-only award. I don’t think that’s necessarily some backwards way of thinking…indeed, MVPs have been given to great offensive players throughout history. I just view MVP as a more comprehensive thing.
George_George
September 20th, 2012
11:08 am
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
10:18 am
I don’t know if Prado could catch or pitch, but I’d bet he would give it his best effort inf asked. He may be our emergency catcher right now, with Diaz out.
Highest priority may be to lock him up, at least 5 years.
**************************************************************
Good morning all
raleighbravefan, even if I know you don’t like me at all. I totally AGREE with you on your above post. We should not let him get away.
brian
September 20th, 2012
11:09 am
if cabrera does not win the triple crown, he should not win the MVP award. Silver Slugger award yes. MVP no – he is just too big a liability on defense and on the basepaths. Trout’s bat is not far behind, he has the steals, and he plays great defense.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
11:09 am
I guess my main point in starting that whole MVP discussion was that it’s not such a no-brainer as my buddy Mr. Law seems to think.
I mean, maybe it is and I just don’t see it that way. That could be the case, too.
In any event, both them sumbees can ball and that’s a fact.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
11:10 am
To me, it seems like you can help your team out more by being a great hitter than by being a great defender. As long as you aren’t a complete butcher in the field, I’ll take your hitting prowess
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
11:10 am
Let’s say Josh Hamilton finishes with 44 homers.
If Cabrera has 44 homers, he should be the MVP, but if he has 43, Trout should be the MVP? I just think that’s a weird line of thinking.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
11:10 am
Shocked at Adam Jones’ year. I didn’t even like the five year, 85 million dollar deal he got prior this season. But I was wrong, I guess.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
11:11 am
Ok, I’m now tired of the AL MVP talk. Back to hypothetical Braves trades.
Ha!
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
11:11 am
As long as you aren’t a complete butcher in the field, I’ll take your hitting prowess
So, Trout, then?
Fols
September 20th, 2012
11:12 am
Where’s George…I thought for sure he’d be calling for a coaching change after FG left McCann in to run?
I now firmly believe that if we had the best record in baseball, he’d still want a coaching change.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
11:14 am
I sorta wish some folks valued defense and baserunning more than they do. The game is more about the bat, and that makes sense. But there is a lot of value in the glove and the legs. You can’t be Jose Constanza at the plate, though. That’s for sure.
abeeeewright
September 20th, 2012
11:14 am
I’m picking Krandon Beachlen for my fantasy team. That guy seems to be pretty good.
How tall is he?
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
11:15 am
I just think that’s a weird line of thinking.
You need to tap into your inner dinosaur.
Lew
September 20th, 2012
11:15 am
I’ll go along with the defensive aspect being more important to baseball people the day that an all glove, no bat player is offered a multi year contract larger than the best offensive player contract signed that year.
Defense IS important and I sincerely doubt any knowledgebale baseball person would disagree, but it’s the offense that brings in the fans (Chicks dig the Long Ball and whatnot) and brings the money – not making great plays in the field. They don’t have a fielding derby at the All Star Game, do they?
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
11:16 am
As long as you aren’t a complete butcher in the field, I’ll take your hitting prowess
Hah! Oh Miggy would be working at Lobel’s in Yankee Stadium. Lead man there.
RC
September 20th, 2012
11:17 am
I’m picking Krandon Beachlen for my fantasy team. That guy seems to be pretty good.
How tall is he?
Somewhere between 6′3″ and 5′10″.
Lew
September 20th, 2012
11:17 am
And I haven’t heard a single plea here in DOBLand for the Braves to fill the two outfield positions this winter with defensive wizards – everyone wants a boomer in the middle of the lineup.
RC
September 20th, 2012
11:18 am
I’d like to see a steel cage match pitting Krandon Beachlen vs. O’Ventbrel. That’d be brutal.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
11:18 am
How tall is he?
I’m afraid he’d be bullpen height, LOL.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
11:19 am
Also, I think how you play in September, ya know, when your team needs you as they make a playoff push is important.
Cabrera in Sept. .371/.438/.823/1.261 8 HR, 21 RBI (73 PAs) (.375 BABIP)
Trout in Sept. .273/.368/.394/.762 2 HR, 3 RBI (76 PAs) (.340 BABIP)
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
11:19 am
I always like to do math! This is pretty simple. Give each player an offensive and defensive rating, then assign a relative “importance” to offense as opposed to defense.
If you say Cabrera is a 10 on offense and a 5 (being generous) on defense.
And you say that Trout is a 9 on offense and a 10 on defense.
And you say that value is 70% offensive (generous to offense?)
Then the composite “rating” would be 9.3 for Trout, 8.5 for Cabrera.
And you can play with the numbers.
If instead Trout is an 8 on offense and a 9 on defense, but the offense % stays the same, then it changes to 8.5 for Cabrera and 8.3 for Trout.
If you then change it to 65% offense and 35% defense, then Trout goes back on top, 8.35 to 8.25.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
11:20 am
Ya know, I’ve been saying for a while that there is no way that the Braves bring in two starting calibur players in the outfield + a frontline starter this offseason.
But, they really could if they wanted to while staying within budget.
Then, I remembered pre-2009. Got Vazquez, Lowe and Kawakami to beef up the starting rotation and then? Settled for Garrett Anderson in LF.
I guess that’s why I see one of those holes existing into spring training.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
11:22 am
Also, I think how you play in September, ya know, when your team needs you as they make a playoff push is important.
It’s not MVP Of The Month.
abeeeewright
September 20th, 2012
11:22 am
“ncscoots, September 20th, 2012, 10:36 am … “There is only a microscopic correlation between stolen bases and runs scored.”
I’d be interested to see where folks are finding correlations between offensive events and runs scored. Is there a site or search that can be run or has someone written an article?
This applies to bunts, stolen bases, OBP, SLG, and all the other things.
RC
September 20th, 2012
11:22 am
I always like to do math! This is pretty simple. Give each player an offensive and defensive rating, then assign a relative “importance” to offense as opposed to defense.
If you say Cabrera is a 10 on offense and a 5 (being generous) on defense.
And you say that Trout is a 9 on offense and a 10 on defense.
And you say that value is 70% offensive (generous to offense?)
Then the composite “rating” would be 9.3 for Trout, 8.5 for Cabrera.
And you can play with the numbers.
If instead Trout is an 8 on offense and a 9 on defense, but the offense % stays the same, then it changes to 8.5 for Cabrera and 8.3 for Trout.
If you then change it to 65% offense and 35% defense, then Trout goes back on top, 8.35 to 8.25.
It’s going to be hard to read the blog anymore now that I’ve smashed my head through the computer screen.
RC
September 20th, 2012
11:24 am
Then, I remembered pre-2009. Got Vazquez, Lowe and Kawakami to beef up the starting rotation and then? Settled for Garrett Anderson in LF.
But that was only because Bowman and DOB pissed Griffey off.
Kidding……
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
11:24 am
A lot of people incorporate things like September performance and overall team performance (postseason or not) when voting for MVP. Indeed, that went a long way in getting Chipper his in 1999. I just don’t think of MVP that way.
Lew
September 20th, 2012
11:24 am
Efrim – Supposedly they have about $23 mil to spend. Say they made a trade for (just for arguments’ sake) Willingham and Span for a package of Delgado, Hanson and another minor league arm – or whatever it took). That fills both outfield openings and leaves you with about $12 million (aftewr subtracting DS’s and JW’s salaries).
Does that leave enough for a good pitcher AND extensions?
RC
September 20th, 2012
11:26 am
A lot of people incorporate things like September performance and overall team performance (postseason or not) when voting for MVP. Indeed, that went a long way in getting Chipper his in 1999.
So did hitting 45 HR while your cleanup hitter missed the season due to leukemia.
Lew
September 20th, 2012
11:26 am
What a trade like that WOULD do is to fill the outfield and leave penty of cash to lock up players longer term.
RC
September 20th, 2012
11:27 am
Does that leave enough for a good pitcher AND extensions?
Depends on how you define “good pitcher”. Front-line starter? Nope. Solid innings eater, #3/#4 type guy? Maybe.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
11:29 am
ab, google “baseball correlation stats” or something like that. Ought to bring up thousands of hits.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
11:30 am
Outside of April, (when he hit .298) Cabrera hasn’t hit under .300 for any month. Trout is on the verge of having 2 such months (August and September). Cabrera has 3 straight months of an OPS over 1.000, Trout’s has dropped for the past 3.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
11:31 am
If Trout struggles over the last couple of weeks, and Cabrera continues to destroy the ball, widening the gap between them offensively, I’m definitely open to a change of opinion.
George_George
September 20th, 2012
11:31 am
Fols
September 20th, 2012
11:12 am
Hi Fols , I posted at 11:08 four minns before yours. My latest thought on FREDI were made yesterday. I said he should be KEPT ON as MGR if BRAVES get past silly play-in game and win best of 5 series.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
11:32 am
Solid innings eater, #3/#4 type guy? Maybe.
I can’t see expending resources for that guy, not with the projected 2013 SP. If they can’t fit in a front-line guy, better to allocate those resources to the OF spots and go big.
Lew
September 20th, 2012
11:33 am
RC – I’m just not seeing a new pitcher in the immediate future. Enough for the FO to fill the two outfield openings and extend approriate players.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
11:33 am
Bourn’s dilemma will determine what direction we go.. hopefully it’s nothing more than a qualifying offer and a see ya later if the bidding heads north of 9 million a year which it more than likely will do.
Lew
September 20th, 2012
11:34 am
Yep – What scoots just said. We have enough mid rotation pitchers.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
11:34 am
brian from sc Trout scores 45% of the times he reaches base, not including hitting homers. That’s best in the AL. Miguel Cabrera scores 28% of the time.
slanted and irrelevant. trout hits 1st, miggy hits 3rd.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
11:36 am
Does that leave enough for a good pitcher AND extensions?
Only 12mil left? By my calcs (if Hanson and EOF were gone) our payroll would be 85mil or so, and that’s after us signing a pitcher for 16mil. That’s without signing Prado and JHey to extensions, but rather going with their projected arb salaries.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
11:37 am
slanted and irrelevant. trout hits 1st, miggy hits 3rd.
Slanted? Maybe a little bit.
Irrelevant? I don’t think so.
What batting order position they hit in wouldn’t matter. It’s the quality of who’s hitting behind them that would. For example, Cabrera hitting leadoff, followed by Fielder and Young, would be the same as Cabrera hitting 3rd, followed by Fielder and Young.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
11:39 am
Span is intriguing but I don’t see where he’d be more valuable over a Gentry. Span has been nothing more than a platoon the last couple of years which matches up pretty much with Gentry. Gentry possibly would come at a lower cost through acquisition and future cost to retain. He’s got more speed, possilby better defense and hits from the right side plus is very good against left handers.
T J Lambert
September 20th, 2012
11:40 am
All this MVP talk and both teams may make the playoffs. Are they really MVP’s
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
11:40 am
If scoring percentage is only based on batting order position, then why are the players below 30% almost all really slow? Paul Konerko, a bunch of catchers, Adam Dunn, etc?
A major part of your scoring percentage is how fast you run. The players around you in the order also affect it.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
11:41 am
As I remember, Span’s splits against lefties are pretty good.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
11:42 am
keithlaw @keithlaw
He’s been great, but no. “@bjpierson: Would you put Kris Medlen in the top 5 for Cy Young voting? 125 IP, 0.94 WHIP, 1.51 ERA, 108 SO/22 BB”
Not even Top 5…
Lew
September 20th, 2012
11:45 am
O’Flaherty will not be gone. Way too much bang for the buck. Hanson is only scheduled to make about $2.5 mil and EOF about $3-3.5 mil. You wouldn’t save enough on them to make up the difference for a good pitcher even added to $12 mil when you figure the cost of extensions..
DAP
September 20th, 2012
11:46 am
brian from sc What batting order position they hit in wouldn’t matter. It’s the quality of who’s hitting behind them that would
of course it does, brian. how often does trout get on base with no outs? alot more than cabrerea does, giving trouts teamates extra opportunities to drive him in. your point was that trouts baserunnin helps him score more often, which may be true, but that stat doesnt mean anything, pertaining to that, because its slanted.
bat trout 3rd, and cabrera leadoff, and i would be willing to bet thier scoring percentages would normalize to being roughly the same.
ChattTownBrian
September 20th, 2012
11:50 am
When Medlen comes back to earth it’ll be funny to read some certain bloggers posts here. Be a fun laugh.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
11:51 am
As I remember, Span’s splits against lefties are pretty good.
Not much difference from one side or the other, so yes.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
11:51 am
All stats are slanted, DAP. One reason Miguel Cabrera has more RBIs than Trout is because he hits behind hitters who get on base, more so than Trout. So his RBIs are slanted. Does that mean how many RBIs Cabrera has shouldn’t mean anything?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
11:51 am
As I remember, Span’s splits against lefties are pretty good.
But his splits outside of Minnesota, are not.
Lew
September 20th, 2012
11:51 am
And they aren’t spending $16 mil on anyone, much less a pitcher.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
11:52 am
O’Flaherty will not be gone.
I’m kind of leaning that way as well. It wouldn’t surprise me if they didn’t offer him a 2 or 3 year deal.
Lew
September 20th, 2012
11:52 am
I’d say that the main issue with Span is health. He only played 70 games last season and 114 so far in 2012.
Fols
September 20th, 2012
11:54 am
Thanks George, that might be the nicest thing i’ve seen you type! haha!
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
11:55 am
TOBF, his away splits are definitely huge.
Lew
September 20th, 2012
11:55 am
Translant – I’m seeing a two year $6 mil deal. We can’t afford a op line pitcher AND the two outfielders, but we CAN afford the staff we have and to maintain the lock down bullpen. In fact, that bullpen is aboslutely essential.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
11:55 am
Lew: But we’d already be at 85mil with Hanson and EOF gone, and that’s with signing a pitcher. If EOF stays, we’re at 88mil. I do believe Hanson is gone. I have a 7mil LF and Span in CF (5mil?) added into this.
Still about 7mil to use for extensions of players/mid-season acquisitions. And that’s assuming that the extensions (Prado,JHey) would cost more than their expected arb. salaries.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
11:57 am
And that’s assuming that the extensions (Prado,JHey) would cost more than their expected arb. salaries.
Maybe not a good assumption. Many times the salaries given in the long term deals line up well with arb salaries. They may make even a little less, in exchange for making more money 5 years from now.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
11:57 am
brian from sc If scoring percentage is only based on batting order position, then why are the players below 30% almost all really slow? Paul Konerko, a bunch of catchers, Adam Dunn, etc?
any of those guys bat leadoff? if not that stat is still slanted.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
11:57 am
Lew, do you think they will be looking for 2 outfielders? or do you feel they may actually see what Juan can do on a daily basis and leave Prado in LF?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
11:58 am
Brian@11:57 Exactly. That would free up even more money for Frank to use for a FA of his choice.
brian
September 20th, 2012
12:00 pm
Brian from SC – it does make good reasoning in regards to the thinking of numerous people that if Cabrera wins the triple crown then he gets the MVP and if he does not then he may not win the MVP. There are going to be many voters who would vote for trout or someone else but cannot ignore the historic triple crown so vote for MC. If he loses the HR race by one HR he no longer has the historic triple crown on his resume
brian
September 20th, 2012
12:00 pm
Brian from SC – it does make good reasoning in regards to the thinking of numerous people that if Cabrera wins the triple crown then he gets the MVP and if he does not then he may not win the MVP. There are going to be many voters who would vote for trout or someone else but cannot ignore the historic triple crown so vote for MC. If he loses the HR race by one HR he no longer has the historic triple crown on his resume
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
12:00 pm
I am not disputing the stat is slanted. Can you name one that isn’t affected by multiple skills, factors, and environments? I’m saying just because it is affected by multiple things, doesn’t mean it’s meaningless. If that were the case, no stats would have any meaning.
Lew
September 20th, 2012
12:00 pm
Dude – Just freaking foreget the way too often mentioned paragon of pitching you drool to sign. He ain’t coming here. And neither is any other $16 million player.
‘And your math is more than fuzzy – in the example, we traded for Willingham ($7 mil) and Span ($4 mil) – that’s $11 mil off of the $23 we supposedly have available. How in hell can you fit a $16 million pitcher AND extensions into $12 mil left (or even — though it won’t happen- if you add another $6 mil from Hanson and EOF)?
Wren will fill the outfield positions, or work a platoon between third and LF with Martin and make some extensions. There is not a pitching acquistion on the horizon.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
12:00 pm
brian from sc All stats are slanted,
and that particular one does nothing to support your conclusion, because of how slanted it is.
One reason Miguel Cabrera has more RBIs than Trout is because he hits behind hitters who get on base, more so than Trout. So his RBIs are slanted.
yup.
Does that mean how many RBIs Cabrera has shouldn’t mean anything?
it of course means you cant fairly compare trout and cabrera based on RBI.
Lew
September 20th, 2012
12:03 pm
Transpolant – Even if they platoon Martin with JF at third, they’ll still need a CFer and a platoon partner for Martin in LF. Not so sure that will be Reed Johnson, either, though they COULD do that.
brian
September 20th, 2012
12:03 pm
if Cabrera keeps hitting like he has and leads Detroit into the playoffs it will be difficult to not vote for Cabrera.
I did not realize that trout has “struggled” in Sept.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
12:04 pm
So if all stats are slanted, and you can’t fairly compare two players based on slanted stats, then how do you ever compare two players?
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
12:14 pm
Good talk this morning with no one flipping out. Love it. Sucks that it’s an off day, though.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
12:17 pm
I looked at the primary leadoff hitters and 3rd place hitters for each AL team. (Not including Baltimore, since Markakis was the leader at both positions). I can’t do a split to tell you the composite stat of every player who has hit at each position, so this is the best I can do.
For the 13 primary leadoff hitters, the average scoring% is 37.6%. Trout ranks first among them at 45%.
For the 13 primary 3-hole hitters, the average scoring% is 29.2%. Cabrera is 10th among them at 28%. The ones worse than Cabrera are Adam Dunn, Kyle Seager, and Billy Butler.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
12:19 pm
With us adding Span and Willingham, and not getting a pitcher this offseason, our payroll would be at about 81mil. If we extend Prado and JHey, we’ll probably be closer to 80mil. Payroll was approx. 94mil this year, and I’d expect it to go up a bit for next year, especially if we make a deep run into the playoffs.
This was with keep EOF and trading Hanson. Obviously, if we trade EOF, we’ll have another 3.5mil or so to work with…
DAP
September 20th, 2012
12:19 pm
brian from sc I am not disputing the stat is slanted. Can you name one that isn’t affected by multiple skills, factors, and environments?
im not trying to!
I’m saying just because it is affected by multiple things, doesn’t mean it’s meaningless.
im not either. im saying it doesnt mean what you are trying to say it means.
youre saying when trout gets on base, he scores more often than cabrara does when he gets on base. thats true. your conclusion is that its because trout is better on the basepaths, which is probably true. you you cant tell from the given information.
I contend that if trout hit 3rd, and cabrara hit 1st, they would score about the same percentage of the time they got on base.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
12:22 pm
I contend that if trout hit 3rd, and cabrara hit 1st, they would score about the same percentage of the time they got on base.
Based on the data I just posted, that would be clear indicator that Trout is providing more value on the bases, since leadoff hitters should be scoring more than 3-hole hitters.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
12:22 pm
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/09/cody-ross-talks-next-contract.html
Cody Ross is open to discussing an extension with the Red Sox before he hits free agency in six weeks or so. But he knows what he’ll be looking for if he does reach the open market. The 31-year-old told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that his top priority will be joining a contender.
“Number one this season is probably going to be winning,” he told Bradford. “I’m to that point where I want to win.”
Ross noted that he’ll also take into account role, location, and length and value of contract when weighing offers. The SFX client has a .274/.339/.500 batting line with 21 home runs and 32 doubles in 479 plate appearances for Boston this year. He has played all three outfield positions and continues to thrive against left-handed pitching (11 home runs, .313/.398/.670 batting line). Ross suggested that he can repeat — and even improve upon — these numbers.
“I’m me now. This is me now. What I’m doing this year. This is me,” Ross said.
Could’ve been with a contender this year…. he’s gonna turn this into a pretty good contract though. Don’t think Atlanta will take him for his price.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
12:22 pm
Span does a lot of things well, but his splits away from Minny aren’t good. So you’re left wondering if he’s a product of the park.
He hits LHP well enough for a LHH. Plays good defense. Has a good contract.
The injuries are also another issue. Tough call. Lots to think about.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
12:23 pm
I think Ross will be looking for what Willingham got last year. Three years, 21 million.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
12:23 pm
youre saying when trout gets on base, he scores more often than cabrara does when he gets on base. thats true. your conclusion is that its because trout is better on the basepaths, which is probably true. you you cant tell from the given information.
Not really. I’m using the stat as EVIDENCE that Trout is better on the basepaths. I’m not using it to prove it unequivocally. Just like posting that Cabrera has more homers than Trout is evidence that he has more power, but does not prove it.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
12:25 pm
brian from sc So if all stats are slanted, and you can’t fairly compare two players based on slanted stats, then how do you ever compare two players?
i guess you try to make sure the stats are slanted the same way. i think most people accept the slantedness of most stats, which is why there is so much room to disagree on the most valuable player.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
12:26 pm
Span career away from Minny: .260/.331/.347 – solid walk rate. Not nearly enough power.
I like him. If there is better out there that makes sense, I hope Wren finds it though.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
12:29 pm
Efrim-
Actually from what I have read, Ross wants 10-12 somewhere….
He’s apparently crazy and/or high…..
flange1
September 20th, 2012
12:30 pm
Days like today are when the blog is at it’s best.
I am enjoying all of the discussions without the normal negative nellies throwing in a we’re doomed every 4 sentences.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
12:30 pm
Ya know who I really don’t want in LF next year? Nelson Cruz. Had enough of him.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
12:32 pm
If we acquired Span and Willingham, we’d be on the hook for:
2013 combined total of 11.75million
2014 combined total of 13.5M with a 1m esculator if Willingham reaches 525 PA’s in ‘13
2015 Span at 9M team option or 500k buyout.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
12:32 pm
brian from sc For the 13 primary leadoff hitters, the average scoring% is 37.6%. Trout ranks first among them at 45%.
For the 13 primary 3-hole hitters, the average scoring% is 29.2%. Cabrera is 10th among them at 28%. The ones worse than Cabrera are Adam Dunn, Kyle Seager, and Billy Butler.
some of that is from pinups, too. but i do think its a fine big picture shot of what those guys are doing. how about RBI %? what percentage of runners do those guys drive in? id say that would be a pretty fair stat.
one could argue that cabreras job isnt to score runs but to drive them in. if trout is scoring a super high percentage of opportunities, and cabrera is driveing in a super high percentage of opportunities, then both guys are doing thier jobs well, and youd have to decide which of those is more important?
Based on the data I just posted, that would be clear indicator that Trout is providing more value on the bases
yes, but it would also show that the difference between them isnt quite as large as it looks, based on the stat you posted, which was so slanted, it cant do anything but mislead us.
brian
September 20th, 2012
12:33 pm
I could see the Braves signing Ross for LF, moving Prado to 3B and trading a lefty reliever for Bourjos (and prospect) while signing Greinke if affordable.
I could also see the Braves looking to move Delgado for an OF or 3B as the main pieces of a deal. Could the Braves get Willingham for Delgado and would they do it?
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
12:33 pm
Efrim-
Who gives a sh*t about power?! That has been MUCH of Bourn’s problem this year….got power happy and all of a sudden you look up and while the guy has a career high in HR he also has 140 K’s out of the leadoff spot….
The Braves desperately NEED more guys that can put the bat on the ball….
Plus like I believe Lew said yesterday, Span’s home and road can’t be predicated on park simply because he’s played in two vastly different parks in Minny.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
12:33 pm
esculator = escalator
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
12:33 pm
A winning stretch will do that for ya, flange. The fact that the Braves’ postseason slot is all but set means it’ll be pretty peaceful around here for the next couple of weeks.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
12:35 pm
brian from sc I’m using the stat as EVIDENCE that Trout is better on the basepaths. I’m not using it to prove it unequivocally.
gotcha
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
12:36 pm
Who gives a sh*t about power?!
The world of serious baseball fans and baseball team executives?
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
12:37 pm
We could however still aquire Willingham in this scenario.
Gentry doesn’t even become arb eligible until ‘14 or a FA until ‘17, so basically over the next 2 years you wouldn’t even exceed 9m combined for the both either of the next 2 years.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
12:38 pm
I’ve got one question.
Who is Gentry? I’ve never heard of this person.
RC
September 20th, 2012
12:41 pm
Who gives a sh*t about power?!
Chicks. I hear they dig the long ball.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
12:41 pm
AT-
Thats a nice thought but I cant see Minny trading both guys in the same deal to the same club….
FWIW, I’d place a greater emphasis next year on speed, better baserunning, defense, and putting the ball in play….
We will already have Uggla, JHey, and Freddie to rack up the strikeouts….
So why not go out and make the OF a priority for both speed and defense and trade for Span and go after say a Victorino or someone who has some speed, doesn’t K too much, and can play some solid D….
This would then make a Greinke signing or Shields trade or the like make more sense as placing a better rounded team behind them in the field and put more pressure on the opposition….
Dont get me wrong, I love Michael’s speed, but hes headed to a career low in SB since he became a full time player AND already at a career high in strikeouts…
Frankly, I think we will miss his D more than the offense
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
12:46 pm
Craig Gentry of the Rangers.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
12:46 pm
FWIW, I’d place a greater emphasis next year on speed, better baserunning, defense, and putting the ball in play….
I believe we have the #1 defense in the NL, #2 in the MLB (behind Seattle). Can’t get much better than that.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
12:46 pm
does anybody think its at all possible that we work out a trade for justin upton?
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
12:46 pm
For a leadoff hitter though….
Isn’t the objective of the leadoff hitter to get on base so that the middle order guys can drive him in?
You know, not everyone can be Mike Flippin Trout guys!
TennesseePaul
September 20th, 2012
12:47 pm
if you combined Brandon Beachy’s season with Medlen’s portion of the season in the rotation, you get Krandon Beachlen.
The truth is Krandon Beachlen’s full name is Krandon Francoise Beachlen and he has pitched this line:
_W-L_GS____IP__ERA__K/9_BB/9_HR/9__WHIP__AVG__OBP__SLG__OPS
16-7 29 182.2 2.17 7.44 2.27 0.59 1.013 .208 .261 .297 .558
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
12:47 pm
But we lose Bourn and move Prado to 3b….
So we will need to add new pieces to keep up there TOBF…..
Adding Willingham would take us about 10 places down (in the NL)
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
12:48 pm
You’ve never heard of Troy Gentry from the band Montgomery Gentry? Dang, you’re missing some good stuff.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
12:49 pm
DAP-
Anything is possible, but our strength is something the DBacks really don’t need….
They need positional help and we can’t really deal from something we have very little in.
TennesseePaul
September 20th, 2012
12:49 pm
Who is Gentry? I’ve never heard of this person
He’s a bench player with platoon potential for the Rangers.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
12:49 pm
p-town You know, not everyone can be Mike Flippin Trout guys!
yeah, but it sure would be nice to have a guy who could slug right around .400.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
12:49 pm
Krandon Beachlen
I don’t care who you are…..thats funny right there!
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
12:50 pm
DAP-
From the leadoff spot?!
Shoot me a list of all the guys who do that from that spot who aren’t making a boatload and aren’t named Mike Trout….
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
12:50 pm
P-T, I’d probably be alright with Span if I thought there was a greater advantage of having him over Gentry. I’d just prefer to go get Gentry, cost less, more speed, better defense and doesn’t K much. And I want us to stay away from Victorino as far as possibly human. He’s aging and aging quite rapidly. The other knock against Span is he’s very injury prone.
TennesseePaul
September 20th, 2012
12:51 pm
Career splits of Gentry
______AVG__OBP__SLG__OPS
Road .260 .317 .313 .630
RHP_ .265 .326 .312 .638
Home .301 .376 .393 .768
LHP_ .296 .368 .397 .765
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
12:52 pm
I don’t necessarily have to have Greinke, I’d be alright with Haren if he becomes available.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
12:53 pm
AT-
Victorino was just a guess….
Here’s a thought….
Would you be opposed to trying to net BOTH Gentry and Span?
Bat Span 1st, Gentry 8th and play Gentry in LF….
DAP
September 20th, 2012
12:53 pm
p-town Shoot me a list of all the guys who do that from that spot who aren’t making a boatload and aren’t named Mike Trout…
before i do that, ill tell you trout is slugging in the mid .500 range, which is REALLY high, especially compared to a .400. thats 1st baseman/LFer type of power.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
12:54 pm
AT-
I’d be alright w/ Haren too as he’s proven he can win in either league….
But he seems to be regressing a bit……and he’s every reason you’d want a solid D behind him (no Willingham)
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
12:55 pm
I’d be alright with that.. it would also create a lot of flexibility for certain match ups.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
12:57 pm
DAP-
I’d rather have a solid OBP, low K’s, 1:1 K/BB ratio, great speed, good baserunning, solid D guy…..
Power means little to nothing to me when we already have Freeman, McCann, Uggla, Heyward…..we dont need another 120+ K guy….
IF we can find ALL of that in a player that HAS some power….let me know who it is and tell me why he wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg
DAP
September 20th, 2012
1:04 pm
p-town, so i just checked a handful of the leadoff hitters in MLB that i could think of. jimmy rollins, jayson werth, austin jackson, angel pagan, ian kinsler, alejandro de aza, norichika aoki, all have slg% above 400. other players like michael bourn and desmond jennings have slg% close to .400.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
1:12 pm
p-town I’d rather have a solid OBP, low K’s, 1:1 K/BB ratio, great speed, good baserunning, solid D guy…..
for a leadoff hitter, id rather have a .400 OBP than a .400 slg. but, you usually dont see player with no power get on bse that much.
Power means little to nothing to me when we already have Freeman, McCann, Uggla, Heyward…..we dont need another 120+ K guy….
a .400 slg% isnt a power hitter. its a guy that gets a respectable amount of hits, some for extra bases.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
1:18 pm
Can Fredi really lead a team to the playoffs?
DAP
September 20th, 2012
1:18 pm
p-town, i would consider a .400 slg% a floor for mlb players. you wont always be able to have that when youre putting together a team, but if im looking at a team, my floor for production is a .400 slg% and a .330 OBP, or else im looking for an upgrade, no matter the position.
RC
September 20th, 2012
1:24 pm
Can Fredi really lead a team to the playoffs?
If Bruce Bochy and Bob Brenly can win World Series, then yes.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
1:26 pm
If Bruce Bochy and Bob Brenly can win World Series, then yes.
I still can’t believe Brian Sabean won a World Series.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
1:30 pm
i always though bruce bochy was pretty good. he aint?
George_George
September 20th, 2012
1:32 pm
ACE
September 20th, 2012
1:18 pm
Can Fredi really lead a team to the playoffs?
*************************************************
BRAVES are winning dispite FREDI. I don’t see them getting past the silly playing game. BTW with our record we should be the only WC.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 20th, 2012
1:42 pm
C-MART has been in 51 G with 71.12 IP this season to date. Allowed 79 H, 4.04 ERA, 1.346 WHIP.
None of his stats really exceed last year’s work with the exception of SO/9 and SO/BB ratios where CRISTHIAN has had a big jump. Last season he ‘K’d at a 6.7 per nine rate. This season that has jumped to 8.1 which is also far above his four year career number of 7.2 per nine. His 3.76 ratio of SO to BB is the best of his career.
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
1:50 pm
George – Following up on your comment from this morning…
I frequently disagree with you, and often find your obsessions (with DOB and Fredi) both amusing and tiresome. Many here would probably have similar opinions of me. I would NOT say that I don’t like you. In fact, I find that you often add positively to the discussion (excepting the afore mentioned obsessions). Keep posting, buddy, and forgive my occational snarkiness…chalk it up to my age.
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
1:52 pm
Ghost – How’s your wife doing?
phil
September 20th, 2012
1:57 pm
flange1
September 20th, 2012
12:30 pm
Days like today are when the blog is at it’s best.
I am enjoying all of the discussions without the normal negative nellies throwing in a we’re doomed every 4 sentences.
**************
We’re done for….
How’s that?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
2:03 pm
Let CMart walk next year,he’ll be making 1mil or so. Let Gearrin or someone similar pitch. Save 500k.
chipontheroad
September 20th, 2012
2:07 pm
NO Bravos tonight GO Dodgers(
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 20th, 2012
2:08 pm
I’m just looking at some of the members of the pen and thinking about who might stay or go.
C-MART’s numbers this season appear ugly compared to his career year [2011], but his walks per nine have declined ever so slightly [2.1 vs. 2.2 in 2011], and his SO’s have really taken off. I say he’s a keeper out of the pen.
Starters for my taste
DELGADO, MINOR, MEDLEN, HUDSON, BEACHY at this point. On stand-by HANSON.
In addition, we need a top pitcher who has something to prove to baseball over the next 24 months. So the BRAVES give him that opportunity, then they part ways. Preferably a FA this fall, but someone under control for a year with a club option would do also.
Just not too spectacular going out. Nothing like that ADAM JONES heist that FW avoided last winter. And a LH’er would be just perfect.
Of course, if wishers were horses, then beggers would ride.
Potential trade, if there is any value to be had:
JURRJENS, HANSON, MAHOLM
Gone
FA SHEETS
flange1
September 20th, 2012
2:08 pm
Thanks phil!
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 20th, 2012
2:16 pm
raleigh:
Finally, this morning a diagnosis- VASCULITIS. It’s ugly, but that’s where we are. It is potentially fatal. Now the doctors must decide what type and to what degree she has been effected at this point. More tests no doubt, and more days or weeks without a course of treatment. Meanwhile, the prednisone and albuterol have made life bearable, but not out of the woods by any means as the disease continues on.
Thanx for asking. The short answer: we keep chewing away at the problem. We’ll be successful eventually, I hope.
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
2:21 pm
Ghost – Hang in there, my friend, and tell her that a lot of people that she doesn’t even know, are praying, and rooting for her full recovery.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
2:22 pm
Continued prayer for you and your wife, Ghost. Not good news at all.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
2:23 pm
DAP-
Ok, maybe I can make my point more clearly….when I said “power” I was directing it toward some saying we need to throw someone out there that can hit 30…ala Trout….
You’re right, 400 SLG isn’t saying much, but of the guys you mentioned, Werth, Rollins, and Kinsler are all making a decent chunk of change….Jackson is about to be a rich man, and De Aza and Jennings are pretty unproven….
So that leaves you with Pagan whom I think has inflated numbers due to the triples in that massive park in SF….
But yeah, I see where you are going and I hope you see where I am based on my commentary about speed, defense, and contact….don’t get me wrong, I dig the long ball too….that said, I have seen way too many instances in the last few years of Braves and the solo dinger….so that leads me to side on OBP over SLG when it comes to that #1 slot.
phil
September 20th, 2012
2:23 pm
Same here, Ghost….
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 20th, 2012
2:26 pm
Thanx phil. You know I’ve just ribbin’ ya’. No hard feelings from my end. I really think you do good work here.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 20th, 2012
2:28 pm
TOBF:
Thanx.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 20th, 2012
2:29 pm
Doc #4 time. Later.
Frankie
September 20th, 2012
2:33 pm
ACE
September 20th, 2012
1:18 pm
Can Fredi really lead a team to the playoffs?
*************************************************
BRAVES are winning dispite FREDI. I don’t see them getting past the silly playing game. BTW with our record we should be the only WC.
Have you two numbnuts ever played the game of baseball? Guessing no.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
2:37 pm
One word to describe it and him: Awesome.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-company-that-kris-medlen-keeps/
RC
September 20th, 2012
2:38 pm
Have you two numbnuts ever played the game of baseball? Guessing no.
As someone who HAS played the game of baseball for roughly 20 years of my life, that may be the single worst argument that is brought up when disagreeing with someone else’s opinion. Having played baseball doesn’t make anyone’s opinion on it any more valid, nor does not playing make one’s opinion invalid.
That’s not to say the two guys you were referring two are not numbnuts. That could totally be true. But come up with a better reason than “have you ever played the game?”.
Frankie
September 20th, 2012
2:42 pm
Pulease
Same crap day in day out about the Manager and how this team is so bad because of him. It’s just a tiring freaking act and you know it.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
2:42 pm
I’m not a big Joe Sheehan fan, but I found this viewpoint interesting. Nay, even thought-provoking.
In building his bench for this game, the question the manager has to ask about every single player is: How would I use this player to create a game-deciding run? Players with broad skill sets but no standout tool are less valuable than players who can do one thing — run, hit a homer, reach base — exceptionally well…The tactical value of a player, rather than the strategic one, is what matters.
This makes sense to me. And the gods help me, but this would actually lead me to have The Constanza Bonanza on the play-in game roster, LOL.
Frankie
September 20th, 2012
2:45 pm
Bruce Bochy reference to winning a world series and anybody can?
Wow, really? Not the 27 Yankees he’s trotting out there daily this season and doing it again. Might want to rethink that one.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
2:46 pm
p-town, dont need a power hitter, but its nice to have a guy that doesnt get the bat knocked out of his hands.
another characteristic about those guys i mentioned (along with most of them being paid pretty well) they are on good teams. the bad teams have guys who slug .350 leading off. not what we want, if we can help it. which we can. prado should leadoff before we get some slap hitter to bat there.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
2:51 pm
ncscoots This makes sense to me. And the gods help me, but this would actually lead me to have The Constanza Bonanza on the play-in game roster,
for that situation where you need a nubber off the end of the bat to be nearly beaten to first base? :- )
nah, i know. pinch running.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
2:52 pm
This makes sense to me. And the gods help me, but this would actually lead me to have The Constanza Bonanza on the play-in game roster, LOL.
Starting to come to grips that we are in the “coin flip” game, eh scoots?
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
2:54 pm
RC
I concur…I wonder how much baseball Vin Scully played.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
2:54 pm
Based on what I’ve seen from Tim Hudson vs. Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday in his career. I have a really difficult time allowing him to pitch that game over Medlen. I just think it makes so much more sense to have Meds pitch it. I don’t necessarily think Hudson would get pounded, but it’s hard to ignore the data and I think I’d have Tim get ready for Game 1 of the NLDS – provided the ball bounces our way, of course.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
2:54 pm
If the player steals, then the next batter hits into what WOULD have been an inning ending double play, and then the next batter hits a HR, t…RC
tsk tsk, prime baseball rule: one can never assume a double play.
there is no question but that stolen base totals correlate less with runs scored that many other offensive stats do, though there is some positive relationship
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
2:56 pm
OK, scoots. You have convenced me to include Constanza ON THE BENCH. Who would you leave off?
nolie
September 20th, 2012
2:57 pm
my floor for production is a .400 slg% and a .330 OBP, or else im looking for an upgrade, no matter the position….DAP
I like that pretty much, prefer more obviously, and depends some on the position (no 730 LFers for me) but for the weak hitting positions it makes a good floor
phil
September 20th, 2012
2:57 pm
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 20th, 2012
2:26 pm
Thanx phil. You know I’ve just ribbin’ ya’. No hard feelings from my end. I really think you do good work here.
***************
I didn’t know what the deal was the other night. All is well.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
3:00 pm
Doesn’t Pastornicky have speed like Constanza? Y’all keep forgetting about the kid…
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
3:01 pm
I’m noodling here, with Sheehan’s note in my head…who, exactly, would I put on a “tactical” bench for the play-in game and why? I figure the SP plus one more guy from the rotation (in case the cops haul the starter off from the stadium for some reason), my three back-end guys, and maybe one more lefty and a couple of righties, depending on the opponent. Eight position players. Still got nine spots. I know I’m taking at least one more catcher, leaves eight. I’ll assume that I can cover all the other defensive positions, in case of injury. Now who do I put on there?
Need some PH thunder from both sides, at least one excellent bunter, a speedy guy, couple of good-eye/contact guys, what else?
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:01 pm
I’d be delighted if Andrelton Simmons can average .730 over the next six seasons. That’s an incredibly valuable player we have if he does do that.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:02 pm
Sorry to hear that rich, but good luck on the treatment. AI diseases are troublesome and can be hard to treat. I sure hope she responds well. Got some prayers coming y’all’s way from down here
David O'Brien
September 20th, 2012
3:03 pm
Then, I remembered pre-2009. Got Vazquez, Lowe and Kawakami to beef up the starting rotation and then? Settled for Garrett Anderson in LF.
But that was only because Bowman and DOB pissed Griffey off.
Kidding…… — RC
If we have that much power, you should thank us. Griffey hit .214 in 2009 and .184 in 2010, the year they found him sleeping in the clubhouse during games.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
3:04 pm
Just 6 seasons? I was thinking, ya know, like 15. One of my coaches believes that Simmons will be the Braves player most likely to stay in Atlanta for his career, doesn’t see him as being a good enough hitter to get a huge payday somewhere else.
Frankie
September 20th, 2012
3:04 pm
“Doesn’t Pastornicky have speed like Constanza? Y’all keep forgetting about the kid… ”
He’s got some pep but not like Constanza. Still, IMO I keep the kid on the playoff roster over Janish(if he comes back) . Ole Paulie did his job but Rev gives you a little more at the plate and hopefully doesn’t see the field in any games.
phil
September 20th, 2012
3:05 pm
For that one game, winner take all play in, toss up, who knows what will happen, roll the dice, pray like crazy, hope like heck game on October 5th, screw the bench. We’d better come out guns a blazing and score about 8-10 runs and have a darn good game from Medlen, thus avoiding even the possibility of needing to rely on anything from the pathetic, thread-bare bench.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:06 pm
The White Sox have signaled to Jake Peavy that they’re unlikely to exercise their $22MM club option for 2013, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. Instead, the team is expected to pay a $4MM buyout in a move that would make Peavy a free agent.
That’s not exactly news. Not even KW was going to pay that ransom for one year of Peavy – given his injury history.
He’ll be pretty sought after, though. I’d definitely make a qual. offer to Jake if I were them.
count_schemula
September 20th, 2012
3:06 pm
“Doesn’t Pastornicky have speed like Constanza? Y’all keep forgetting about the kid…”
He does have some speed. He mostly batted 8th though, so, he never got to use it.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
3:07 pm
ralieghbravesfan , scoots. You have convenced me to include Constanza ON THE BENCH. Who would you leave off?
i aint scoots, but remember the 25 man can change again once the game is over. so, you dont have to carry 5 starting pitchers, or anything like that. personally, im taking 3 starters (medlen, huddy, and minor) 7 relievers, and 15 position players, including 3 catchers.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:08 pm
sure Efrim, so would I, but I’d rather he hit 930.
Simmons has some super strong defensive skills that might raise 730 off the floor a bit, but for most players I agree with DAP
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
3:10 pm
scoots – Don’t forget a designated “beaner” pitcher, in case you need to plunk someone, and don’t mind your guy getting tossed. If this was a hockey team, you would need a designated “inforcer”…might not be a bad idea. (I hear there’s a bunch of hockey guys hanging around, with nothing to do.)
DAP
September 20th, 2012
3:11 pm
nolie, I like that pretty much, prefer more obviously, and depends some on the position (no 730 LFers for me)
yeah, its a little bit of a broad brush, but you have to draw a line somewhere. if im a GM, my guys needs to at least be giving me that, or ill be looking for an upgrade.
phil
September 20th, 2012
3:12 pm
The Rev had a tendency to want to show off in his brief stay with us earlier this year. I suspect it did him in as much as his overall poor play in the field, minus the show off moments.
The guy likely will never amount to much, just like Schafer never did and likely never will. Those two just don’t seem all that talented to begin with. And I never played the game, so I’m probably dead wrong. Well, I did play in the back yard a lot…
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:13 pm
sure Efrim, so would I, but I’d rather he hit 930.
Simmons has some super strong defensive skills that might raise 730 off the floor a bit, but for most players I agree with DAP
It would help to know the average slash line for every single position this year across the 2 leagues. That’s going to help frame the conversation, I think.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
3:13 pm
Jake Peavy will be available this off-season. The White Sox will not pick up his option, according to Jon Heyman.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:13 pm
He’s got some pep but not like Constanza. Still, IMO I keep the kid on the playoff roster over Janish(if he comes back) . Ole Paulie did his job but Rev gives you a little more at the plate and hopefully doesn’t see the field in any games.
might keep both but no way do I take Ty over Paul if I only keep one, I cain’t believe all the folks one here who think that having a great defensive starter negates the plus of having a great defensive sub. It does not, in fact since some pitching evaluations might be swayed some by the expected defense an unexpected fall off can be a pain. anyway for the one game play-in there will be room for both if they cut back on starters
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
3:13 pm
phil – If we come out blazing, and score 8-10 runs, I’d rather pitch someone besides Medlen, Huddy, and Minor…and save those guys for the next round against Nats or Reds.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:14 pm
If the .850 is the new .900, then that has to change what is “acceptable” from an offense standpoint.
I think Simmons is an All Star in my book every single year if he is going to hit .730 and play that sort of defense at the position.
Need to value the glove and the baserunning.
Animus
September 20th, 2012
3:15 pm
Something I just saw – the Braves are 43-32 at home and 43-32 on the road. Guess I love symmetry.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
3:16 pm
Don’t forget a designated “beaner” pitcher, in case you need to plunk someone, and don’t mind your guy getting tossed.
I imagine that this is one game where retaliation would have to wait ’til next year.
I can never remember the rules for being added to a post-season roster, but I think anybody on the 40 could be on it, correct? I’m having trouble filling my eight bench spots.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:16 pm
Jake Peavy will be available this off-season.
Frontline talent. Injury history is too much for us though. He’d make a good bit of sense for a team with a large payroll that can take some risks.
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
3:16 pm
Efrim – $22M with a $4M buyout??? On a guy with his injury history? Frank Wren haters need to take not…to me that’s far worse than any contract we’ve signed.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
3:16 pm
Any decent starter added to the free agent pool is good news for teams possibly looking for starting pitching. It can’t hurt to have another on in the mix.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
3:17 pm
raleigh, the White Sox are declining that option, which means he will be a free agent this off-season.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
3:17 pm
Oh, I see what you’re saying now, raleigh. Sorry.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
3:20 pm
efrim It would help to know the average slash line for every single position this year across the 2 leagues. That’s going to help frame the conversation, I think.
maybe. if i want a winning team, im not all that concerned about the average player. my standard is going to be a little bit higher.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:21 pm
It would help to know the average slash line for every single position this year across the 2 leagues. That’s going to help frame the conversation, I think…Efrim
not so much for me, I want that level or I’m looking to improve. in most cases I would try hard for it not to be that low. In real life baseball, I don’t think relative strength is as important as real production. Obviously I might not always be able to get what I want, but if not I would be looking in most situations
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
3:21 pm
scoots – So you’re saying that being on an NHL roster doesn’t qualify you for the MLB post season? Oh well, it was just a thought.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
3:21 pm
Medlen, Huddy, and Minor
Definitely wouldn’t take three starters. Worst comes to worst, you’d use O’Ventbrel for multiple innings, if need be, so you could cover 4 or 5 innings with those guys, alone.
Frankie
September 20th, 2012
3:21 pm
Sorry not buying that either Nolie. They are not going to keep both obviously. Janish did a serviceable job, great pickup. Extra inning game I want somebody on the bench that’s not hitting a buck 85 like Paulie does. Pastor is a better baserunner, hitter and bunter and gives you more tools to work with. Unless Simmons goes out with a injury, absolutely no need for Janish. Heck Prado can fill in to play a couple of innings if needed at short now. Our bench is still a shortcoming, even more so with Janish sitting there.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
3:21 pm
id take a risk on peavy, if the price was good. will he get a multiyear deal?
Frankie
September 20th, 2012
3:23 pm
Thoughts on extended playoffs and not just the playin game BTW
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
3:23 pm
This stuff Efrim? http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/split.cgi?t=b&lg=NL&year=2012#defp
If so, it shows the avergae NL SS having a .257/.310/.387/.697 line. Average AL SS has a .256 /307/.371/.677 line.
RC
September 20th, 2012
3:23 pm
Efrim – $22M with a $4M buyout??? On a guy with his injury history? Frank Wren haters need to take not…to me that’s far worse than any contract we’ve signed.
In fairness, I believe when that contract was signed he hadn’t had much of an injury history. Still turned out to be a really bad deal for the White Sox though.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
3:23 pm
Peavy’s going to pass 200 innings this year, and pitching pretty well. I think he’ll get multiple years.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
3:25 pm
scoots Definitely wouldn’t take three starters. Worst comes to worst, you’d use O’Ventbrel for multiple innings, if need be, so you could cover 4 or 5 innings with those guys, alone.
im taking minor as a long reliever. a lefty with strikeout stuff. leave him off if you want man, its your funeral.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:27 pm
not so much for me, I want that level or I’m looking to improve. in most cases I would try hard for it not to be that low. In real life baseball, I don’t think relative strength is as important as real production. Obviously I might not always be able to get what I want, but if not I would be looking in most situations
avergae NL SS having a .257/.310/.387/.697 line. – TOBF
I can honestly say that I do not expect Andrelton Simmons to hit much more than average(the above) too often. And I don’t expect Wren to continue to look for a replacement for SS.
RC
September 20th, 2012
3:27 pm
Worst comes to worst, you’d use O’Ventbrel for multiple innings, if need be, so you could cover 4 or 5 innings with those guys, alone.
No chance that happens. The only way you’d know you needed to sue them for multiple innings is if the game goes to extras, and by that time Fredi will have already used Venters and O’Flaherty in single inning situations. My guess is they take 2 starters, just in case something happens to the first.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:28 pm
maybe. if i want a winning team, im not all that concerned about the average player. my standard is going to be a little bit higher.
I guess I just value D at a premium position like SS or C. I don’t see Simmons hitting .730 regularly. And with that said, I don’t believe Wren feels he needs an upgrade there.
RC
September 20th, 2012
3:29 pm
im taking minor as a long reliever. a lefty with strikeout stuff. leave him off if you want man, its your funeral.
If a situation arise in which Minor would be required, things have probably gone very, very poorly already. It’s likely everyone’s funeral at that point.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:29 pm
I think Peavy gets a three year deal. Heck, maybe as high as 14 million a year.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
3:29 pm
im taking minor as a long reliever. a lefty with strikeout stuff. leave him off if you want man, its your funeral.
He’s outta here! Hudson, too, for that matter. Regardless of whether Hudson or Medlen starts the game, I’m probably taking Hanson or Maholm as the second starter. That guy gets in the game only if the slated starter tears something in the bullpen before the game. Otherwise, I go with my bully after the starter.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
3:30 pm
Well, if we’re taking 2 starters instead of 3 (which I’d prefer), take Medlen and Minor. They’ve been our best starters since July 1. Spin it to Huddy as us saving him for game 1 of the NLDS.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:30 pm
I already said that Simmons is strong enough to lower his hitting floor. that does not apply to all that many players
RC
September 20th, 2012
3:31 pm
maybe. if i want a winning team, im not all that concerned about the average player. my standard is going to be a little bit higher.
Considering that a few of the “above average” shortstops play on the Phillies, Marlins, and Cubs, I’d say it’s not hard at all to have a winning team while being below average at a few positions.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
3:34 pm
Hanson or Maholm as the 2nd starter….. ouch, esp. with the 1st guy. Whoever the intended SP is better not get hurt!
phil
September 20th, 2012
3:34 pm
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
3:13 pm
phil – If we come out blazing, and score 8-10 runs, I’d rather pitch someone besides Medlen, Huddy, and Minor…and save those guys for the next round against Nats or Reds.
****************
Moi aussi, but we can’t know in advance if the guns will be a blazin….we can know, however, that they very likely will be as silent as a snowy morn, based on our past history.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:34 pm
no reason to be sorry Frankie. If Janish is healthy they could easily use both in the one game scenatio. Next season I will bet bullets that Janish is the BU SS whatever they do with Ty
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
3:34 pm
Indians beat the Twins in extra innings!
Yeah…no one cares. 12,231 people at that game. That’s actually better than I would have thought.
phil
September 20th, 2012
3:36 pm
Absolutely, Janish should be the backup next year, unless he tore up his labrum the other night and is about to miss a year or so….
Janish was terrific for us, whether he could hit a lick or not. Guy was rock solid.
Frankie
September 20th, 2012
3:37 pm
Janish or Rev in NLDS or NLCS? I say Ty. Next year I agree, Janish is the backup. Talking in the present though, I am going with more offensive power than a one dimensional guy in the playoffs.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
3:38 pm
ouch, esp. with the 1st guy.
If you’d think for a second, instead of knee-jerk some dumb-azz Hanson rip, you’d realize that he’s a good choice for that particular spot.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
3:38 pm
Efrim-
Yeah, Huddy gets blasted by Molina, Holliday, and Beltran….
Thing is, there aren’t many PA to go by, but Medlen has done well against each of their big 3….
Holliday 0 for 3 w/ 2K
Molina 1 for 4
Beltran 0 for 6
I actually like that many of their guys havent gotten a 1st hand look of Medlen either….I think that also gives him another advantage over Huddy there….especially when you consider that the Cards have made Huddy their personal b*tch
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:38 pm
I think Simmons might hit 730 ish fairly often
phil
September 20th, 2012
3:39 pm
Simmons is clearly too injury-prone….
Dump that sackorocks right here and now!
abeeeewright
September 20th, 2012
3:40 pm
“ncscoots, September 20th, 2012, 11:29 am … “google “baseball correlation stats” or something like that. Ought to bring up thousands of hits.”
I’m going to read all those articles. Then, I’ll know everything about the subject there is to know. ‘Cause you know, everything on the interweb must be true. Folks wouldn’t write it and put it out there otherwise.
(Actually, I did find the SABR research journal archive. There might be something useful there.)
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
3:40 pm
Okay, so suppose we made it to the NLDS. Simmons and Rev are the SS on the roster, Janish isn’t. If Simmons were to get hurt, would we be able to call up Janish to replace him? Or must we wait until the NLCS (if we make it)
Basically, are replacements for injured players allowed to be made in the middle of a series?
DAP
September 20th, 2012
3:41 pm
RC If a situation arise in which Minor would be required, things have probably gone very, very poorly already.
i dont think so. could be a long extra inning game, you never know. if im taking one extra starter in case plan A goes down to injury, im gonna take two, in case plan A goes down to injury and we go extras.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
3:42 pm
I’m trying scoots, I really am. He’s a decent pitcher, I just don’t know if I’d want him to start in the playoffs. Even in an emergency. Lefties kill him.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
3:43 pm
scoots I’m probably taking Hanson or Maholm as the second starter.
honestly, that just dont make no sense. why would you have inferior pitchers on the roster? take the best 2 SP (or 3, if youre me)
RC
September 20th, 2012
3:43 pm
Basically, are replacements for injured players allowed to be made in the middle of a series?
I don’t think they are. Or if they are, I think there may be some rule stating that the player who was replaced (Simmons) would have to miss the next series also (or possible the rest of the playoffs).
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:43 pm
I think Simmons might hit 730 ish fairly often
I probably need to see more of him. If they continue hit him 8th, then we’ll see some walks boost that OBP up. Not sure he can slug .400, so he’s going to need to obp AT .350 to have a chance at .730 year in and year out.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:43 pm
no, thats why so many teams carry an extra catcher. they should cut back on starters for the one game, if healthy no reason Paul and Ty could not both be there. gets trickier if we advance to the actual series games
RC
September 20th, 2012
3:44 pm
honestly, that just dont make no sense. why would you have inferior pitchers on the roster? take the best 2 SP (or 3, if youre me)
While I’m not sure how I feel about 3, I absolutely agree with the rest of this statement.
abeeeewright
September 20th, 2012
3:44 pm
“Brian from SC, September 20th, 2012, 12:00 pm … “Can you name one that isn’t affected by multiple skills, factors, and environments?”
The Grand Unified Field Stat.
Unfortunately, until the Large Hadron Collider came on line, it couldn’t be discovered. Folks are just now accelerating baseball players to near the speed of light and running them into outfield-wall-shaped targets and analyzing the resulting wreckage. Should have a theory any minute now.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
3:44 pm
efrim I guess I just value D at a premium position like SS or C. I don’t see Simmons hitting .730 regularly. And with that said, I don’t believe Wren feels he needs an upgrade there.
RC Considering that a few of the “above average” shortstops play on the Phillies, Marlins, and Cubs, I’d say it’s not hard at all to have a winning team while being below average at a few positions.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
3:44 pm
Scoots-
Hanson?
Shall I die laughing now or later? — Only way Hanson would get in that big of a game is if there’s a bus crash transporting ALL of the relievers plus Hudson and Minor back to the park from some other location….
Maholm wouldn’t be too bad a choice to take as the 2nd guy though although he has only had 1 career relief appearance….and thats not a great sight there….
BUT I do agree in taking 2 starters and then throwing in a plethora of relievers and bench help….
FWIW, Tim Hudson did have a relief appearance in the 2001 Division Series…he only threw 25 pitches, but he piggybacked Mark Mulder after he didnt pitch all too well
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
3:45 pm
Cause you know, everything on the interweb must be true
Yeah, I forgot, LOL.
Still, while some sabermetricians might be loony, they’re usually careful with the truth (as they know it, anyhow). You can probably tell pretty quickly whether a site has any cred or not, by using the Glazed Index. This is a measure of how quickly your eyes glaze over when reading the mathematical basis for whatever notion is under scrutiny.
Quicker glaze, more cred. If you can understand it through to the end, it’s probably fake.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:47 pm
If you take your best starters and use them for whatever reason in that game, who starts in the next series?
abeeeewright
September 20th, 2012
3:47 pm
“ncscoots, September 20th, 2012, 2:42 pm … “And the gods help me, but this would actually lead me to have The Constanza Bonanza on the play-in game roster, LOL.”
Construction of the play-in roster, considering it’s likely the Braves will play it, should give us grist for discussion for many blog pages. This is never before seen territory, and there should be plenty of counter-intuitive ways to approach this single game roster construction.
Instead, we’re talking about Denard Span.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:48 pm
i mean, its more of a guideline than a rule, guys.
Eh, I’d lower the bar for SS’s personally. 10 of em OPS’d above .730 across the MLB with a min. of 300 PA’s.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
3:49 pm
nolie If you take your best starters and use them for whatever reason in that game, who starts in the next series?
doesnt matter if you cant win that game.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:50 pm
And a couple I wouldn’t have near SS due to their defense.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:50 pm
being in the top 10 is just where I want mine to be Efrim, I’m not trying to put together an average team.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
3:50 pm
Instead, we’re talking about Denard Span.
I think that just came about in the context of Willingham and Span both coming in a Twins’ deal.
Tradem or Playem
September 20th, 2012
3:51 pm
Before next Season the Brave’s should trade Julio Teheran or Randall Delgado to Kansas City for Wil Meyers.Meyers could start in right while Heyward moves to Center taking Bourn’s place after he signs a huge contract with Washington.Prado could be left with other options for backups.I would dump Hinske and bring up Meija(sp?)to back up Freeman and also Pinch hit.Prado could be Francisco’s backup and Uggla’s backup at 3rd and 2nd respectively and Janish can back up Simmons.Bethancourt(sp?) should be called up to back up Ross….let McCann go…..another option in the outfield would be to resign Francouer if he would take 2-3 mil a year……A team with Heyward,Freeman,Simmons and Meyers would be dangerous and they would be all 24 years old or younger.Meyers is as slow as Freddie on the basepaths,is a decent fielder and a great contact hitter like Freeman…………….make the trade Franky Baby!
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:52 pm
it will sure matter if you do win it. you don’t go into a series with the mindset of not winning, your future decisions must be based on the assumption that you will win
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:54 pm
maybe we can trade Delgado and Teheran for Trout. He’s just a rook, so unproven in the long run, they might jump at that deal…..
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:55 pm
Beltran with a 2 RBI 2B for the Cards – up 5-3 now on the Astros.
Great player.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
3:55 pm
While it would make the most sense to take the 2nd guy as someone who has relief experience, the biggest problem is that the Braves have no starters with a decent amount of relief experience….
Tim Hudson has 1 regular season relief appearance back in 2008 and 1 postseason relief appearance in 2001
Paul Maholm had an early season relief appearance with the Cubs this year…his 1st
Tommy Hanson has NEVER pitched in relief
Mike Minor has 1 career relief appearance as well back in his rookie year
So yeah at that point, I think you go to either who you think is the #2 OR play it based on matchups…
IF you base it on criteria A, its either Hudson or Minor as that guy
IF you base it on criteria B, looking as though it will be St. Louis to play, Hanson and Maholm BY FAR exceed what the other two have done vs the Cardinals…in fact, Hanson has shut down all 3 of the Cards big 3 even to the tune of Beltran being 1 for 14 against him…Holliday is 6 for 31 against Maholm….so that would be all about pick and choose and hope Medlen goes long enough to not have to worry….
But for me, it’d be Maholm….because I look at the numbers and if you needed to bring someone in to shutdown Holliday and Freese, at 9 for 44 (.205) w 4 XBH….he would be the guy
Take Your Meds
September 20th, 2012
3:56 pm
If Gonzalez doesn’t start Medlen in the Wild Card Game(that’s if they get there)then every Brave fan should cry Bloody Murder and not buy tickets to the game as they will certainly Blow it!
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:56 pm
I think that just came about in the context of Willingham and Span both coming in a Twins’ deal.
And Jamey Carroll – ya know, since we are taking on extra money to get Josh…..
……..since, ya know, we do that all the time.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:57 pm
I take Meds, Hanson and Maholm, a buncha bench and pen
RC
September 20th, 2012
3:57 pm
Before next Season the Brave’s should trade Julio Teheran or Randall Delgado to Kansas City for Wil Meyers.
The day KC agrees to that trade is the day Kris Medlen starts a playoff game at shortstop.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
3:58 pm
HA! Look at Nolie and that Bobby Cox worrying about tomorrow mentality when if you don’t win there isn’t a tomorrow
Classic Nolie
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:58 pm
I think…..
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
3:59 pm
RC-
The day KC agrees to that trade is the day we’re all in a group jackin it in San Diego….
I’m sure someone will get the South Park reference
nolie
September 20th, 2012
4:00 pm
no reason to think we wouldn’t win in such a way that the #2 and #3 starter would save us. when the #4 couldn’t. and that is pretty much pro-baseball think which is where I learned it
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
4:00 pm
take Meds, Hanson and Maholm, a buncha bench and pen
I guess, though, it would depend on who pitched in 161 and 162. I hadn’t thought of that. Won’t do much good to take a starter who pitched two days earlier.
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
4:01 pm
abeeee – You could get a PhD in “baseball stats (good and bad) available online.
Shaun will bow down and worship you.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
4:02 pm
Scoots-
I kinda have the feeling that Fredi may either pitch the young guys the last couple days or do a piggyback scenario to prevent injury and keep guys fresh….
So that would mean Delgado and Teheran going in Pittsburgh if things are all sewn up by then….
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
4:02 pm
Two weeks away. Can’t believe we are 150 games through. Time flies….
nolie
September 20th, 2012
4:02 pm
it might scoot, you can use a guy for an inning or so on his session day if pressed. thats why I would likely take two other starters,
nolie
September 20th, 2012
4:04 pm
think what Chipper must now be beginning to fathom @ the 150 game stead
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
4:05 pm
Efrim-
Yeah I know…..bought tix months ago….can’t believe its almost time for me to get on a plane and head to the ATL
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
4:05 pm
it might scoot, you can use a guy for an inning or so on his session day if pressed. thats why I would likely take two other starters,
Yeah, that’s true. But that would have to be some kind of “pressed” if you got six other pitchers in the bullpen.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
4:05 pm
http://espn.go.com/mlb/attendance
Braves are on pace for 2.36 million in attendance, and will most likely be higher… And extra 50K for that WC game might just get us Josh Hamilton.
Wait, what?
RC
September 20th, 2012
4:06 pm
take Meds, Hanson and Maholm, a buncha bench and pen
I guess, though, it would depend on who pitched in 161 and 162. I hadn’t thought of that. Won’t do much good to take a starter who pitched two days earlier.
True, but if you plan is to have Hudson and Minor ready in Games 1 and 2 of the division series, it’s pretty unlikely they would have pitched in games 161 and 162, since you’d have been setting up your rotation that entire week. The Game 2 starter might not be ready, but the Game 1 starter should be good to go in the pen for the WC game.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
4:06 pm
Efrim-
Puff Puff Pass…..
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
4:06 pm
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/09/marlins-plan-to-fire-beinfest-promote-jennings.html
The Marlins are planning to fire vice president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest and replace him with assistant GM and VP of player personnel Dan Jennings, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. The dismissal could occur as early as next week. Two Marlins executives told Nightengale they’d be stunned if the Marlins don’t make further changes.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
4:07 pm
Braves did 2,510,119 in 2010 – Bobby Cox last season. Plus 2 home playoff games that year.
Guesing around 2.6 million in total that year. Don’t think we’ll get there this year, but you never know. We have one more home stand during the weekend vs. the Mets and then the Fish at home Monday-Wednesday.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
4:08 pm
Can Loria fire himself? Is that possible?
RC
September 20th, 2012
4:09 pm
Not saying that I don’t trust Efrim’s attendance numbers, but how did the Phillies sell 100.9% of their tickets??
I think that’s an example of a “bad” internet statistic.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
4:09 pm
they should fire the owner. I’d much rather have LM
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
4:10 pm
KW moving to Team President and Rich Hahn to GM. Isn’t JS Team Pres? I keep forgetting…
nolie
September 20th, 2012
4:11 pm
10% SRO. every arena has some
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
4:12 pm
I think that’s an example of a “bad” internet statistic.
Possibly. I haven’t checked MLB.com or if they even have attendance #’s.
RC
September 20th, 2012
4:14 pm
KW moving to Team President and Rich Hahn to GM. Isn’t JS Team Pres? I keep forgetting…
Yeah, JS is Team Pres.
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
4:16 pm
Take Your Meds – I would favor starting Medlen, but I sure as Hell don’t assume we would lose with Huddy or Minor…or even Maholm or Hanson…. Or did Medlen start 86 games this year, and I just missed it?
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
4:20 pm
Well, the roster decisions will be interesting, anyway. At least, for one year. Wouldn’t surprise me if we get a hue and cry in the offseason about “distorted” rosters, and “integrity”, and whatnot, and they change the rule for next year.
Making managers think outside the box? What’s next, wOBA on the Jumbotron?
Ward
September 20th, 2012
4:24 pm
Hello everyone! Good post,and good talking. I still like the idea of trading Hanson. I also hope the Yanks don’t pick up Nick Swishers contract. I Like Swisher, Bourn, Heyward, Or Swisher Durango, Heyward.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
4:26 pm
We don’t want no Swisher in Atlanta and no Bourn for 9 plus a year.
Ward
September 20th, 2012
4:26 pm
If we can get Swisher? Braves should have the money to sign both, and trade Hanson for prospects.
Ward
September 20th, 2012
4:28 pm
Swisher is a winner, and can come up big in the clutch. I want both Bourn, and Swisher for long term.
cricket
September 20th, 2012
4:28 pm
Two Marlins executives told Nightengale they’d be stunned if the Marlins don’t make further changes.
yup, heard they are going to have a fish fry and replace all the fish in the tank
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
4:29 pm
Hello everyone!
It’s my favorite post of the day, not gonna lie. Good spirited Hello!.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
4:30 pm
Bourn will be out of our range, he’s getting more than 9mil/yr. Swisher is 32 and supposedly wants a Jason Werth-like contract. No thanks!
Ward
September 20th, 2012
4:31 pm
Efrim – Enjoy your post, and trade talks. some interesting ideas…..
Ward
September 20th, 2012
4:32 pm
Well, I want offense over a streaky pitcher named Greinke, and not thanks on Greinke.
Ward
September 20th, 2012
4:35 pm
Well, could only come on for a few minutes. Talk later tonight, but I repsect all your post. We all have some interesting ideas. Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
4:35 pm
Oh, Lorrr…Ward doesn’t want Greinke. Maybe TOBF is right.
TTFN…Go Braves.
Murph
September 20th, 2012
4:49 pm
Ward was in the house… I always seem to just miss him.
cricket
September 20th, 2012
4:49 pm
“Kemp is a great player,” teenage phenom Bryce Harper said. “That’s why he was MVP last year. I think with one swing of the bat he can change the ballgame. There’s really nothing you can do about it.”
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
4:50 pm
It sure would have been nice had they actually gotten in on the Cespedes derby last year. We wouldn’t be looking for anything but a centerfielder.
cricket
September 20th, 2012
4:51 pm
interesting
Tonight’s Caught Looking, airing at 9 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, goes behind the scenes at last weekend’s Nationals-Braves series. Spoiler alert! The Braves swept the series.
But Caught Looking is about more than the game action:
… the episode features compelling in-game audio, highlighted by wireless microphones worn by Braves third baseman Chipper Jones and Braves pitcher Kris Medlen. The episode also features in-depth interviews with Nationals manager Davey Johnson, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, as well as profiles of Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and third baseman Ryan Zimmermann. Off the field, a camera crew spent time with Jones as he met Emily Wynn, a huge Braves fan who barehanded Jones’ walk off home run on September 2nd. The band OAR is also featured, as they take in Saturday’s game and prepare for a postgame concert that night.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
4:53 pm
I think with one swing of the bat he can change the ballgame.
Good to see that some thoughtful vet well-instructed Harper on cliche usage.
David O'Brien
September 20th, 2012
5:00 pm
Series preview: Braves at Phillies
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/20/series-preview-braves-at-phillies/
Jimmy
September 20th, 2012
5:06 pm
Someone earlier mention Nintendo-like stats. Look at this:
34 Games started, 28 complete games.
13 Shutouts.
304 2/3 innings.
22 wins, 9 losses….with five 1-0 losses.
1.12 era.
I was looking at some of my old ball cards last night and saw that on the back of my 1969 Bob Gibson card. He did that in 1968 – The Year of the Pitcher.
That is truly Nintendo numbers. And with no pitch count to worry over.
Later good folks.
Murph
September 20th, 2012
5:06 pm
Is that show Caught Looking available online? I don’t think I get the NBC Sports Network.
cricket
September 20th, 2012
5:10 pm
doesn’t look like NBC Sports Network is available online legally. i get it in tampa on brighthouse cable.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
5:25 pm
I would thank David for the preview but I caint stand the thought of ACE calling me a DOBBER……
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
5:31 pm
Nolie-
Is that DOB’er or like Dobber from Coach?
Better than being a Frittata like Ward
nolie
September 20th, 2012
5:32 pm
ACE calls it DOBBERS. what do I know??
nolie
September 20th, 2012
5:33 pm
s’posed to be DOB’er I guess , but ACE ain’t all that bright some times……
Bay Area Steve
September 20th, 2012
5:34 pm
You probably get it, Murph.
Used to be Outdoor Life, then Versus. You know, random hockey and bicycling that makes the four-year-old want to hurt people.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
5:34 pm
Reds clinch playoff berth.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
5:36 pm
Maybe he means doppelganger but thinks it’s spelled dobberganger?
cricket
September 20th, 2012
5:38 pm
come on nolie, if ACE calls you names, you know you’ve done something right
Murph
September 20th, 2012
5:44 pm
Used to be Outdoor Life, then Versus. You know, random hockey and bicycling that makes the four-year-old want to hurt people.
Ahhh… that channel.
We got rid of cable for the summer and only recently got it hooked back up. I have no idea what the channels are anymore… the Time Warner channel lineup says they carry it, but I’m not sure if it’s on one of those $6.99/month tiers that I refuse to pay for.
Bay Area Steve
September 20th, 2012
5:55 pm
Brandon McCarthy @BMcCarthy32
“Those helpless two weeks after the cable company changes your channel lineup is prob my best comparison for concussion recovery.”
It’s OK, Murph. You’re just slightly behind a guy who recently took a 120 mph missile off the side of his dome.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
5:57 pm
So the Redlegs are the first to make the postseason. They’ve still got a division to clinch, and they can do it as soon as tomorrow. Congrats to them…that’s a neat bunch they have over there.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
6:01 pm
Other playoff implications today: with the Reds’ win the Brewers were eliminated from the NL Central race. With St. Louis’s win, the Mets are now one loss tonight away from packing it in for the season.
Disgusted
September 20th, 2012
6:06 pm
To the poster who recommended a Will Myers to the Braves deal—
Anyone who thinks that KC would trade Will Myers is going to be disappointed.
We do not have anything within reason that would make KC budge and why should they.
Will Myers is one of their building blocks. I’d be shocked if he is traded.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
6:09 pm
I wouldn’t mind having Bubba from KC, but I think he’d be as, if not more untouchable than Myers.
Disgusted
September 20th, 2012
6:11 pm
I hope they never go to High School Football on Thursday nights.
Come on — HS Football belongs on Friday nite and Friday nite only — It is still about Education and preparing the HS kids for College, trade school military or work after HS now, isn’t it.
Just looking at the ad in the AJC — I guess they are replaying a game that was on last Friday. At least I hope so.
Disgusted
September 20th, 2012
6:12 pm
Maybe we can pick up Jake Peavey in this off season after all — Wren can finally get his man four winters later heh????? (sarcasim)
Disgusted
September 20th, 2012
6:13 pm
AK Transplant — Who is Bubba? You talking about Billy Butler?
Venice Jim
September 20th, 2012
6:13 pm
Erin Andrews @ErinAndrews
Florida Atlantic DE says Alabama ‘can be beat’
Chipper Jones @RealCJ10
@ErinAndrews Hes right! Bama can be beaten. By the Niners!!!
Erin Andrews @ErinAndrews
@RealCJ10 poor guy…meanwhile your squad is 3-0 (and mine!)
Chipper Jones @RealCJ10
@ErinAndrews Little better than expected huh???
Erin Andrews @ErinAndrews
@RealCJ10 mercy..me too…how many more gifts are you going to get from teams??
Chipper Jones @RealCJ10
@ErinAndrews Ha….2!
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
6:16 pm
Bubba Starling
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
6:16 pm
Peter Moylan @PeterMoylan
1 of many http://pic.twitter.com/IMhgcRAG
Poor rooks, esp. Tyler.
Disgusted
September 20th, 2012
6:49 pm
@AK Transplant — I don’t know much about Bubba Starling — have to look his prospectus up.
Murph
September 20th, 2012
6:55 pm
Starling is at least a couple of years away from being ready… would be a nice move for the future, but not likely to help the team out next year.
David O'Brien
September 20th, 2012
6:59 pm
With postseason near, Braves hope Bourn can get back in groove
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/20/braves-hope-bourn-can-get-back-in-groove/
David O'Brien
September 20th, 2012
7:05 pm
Nolie-
Is that DOB’er or like Dobber from Coach?
— P-Town Brave
At the Marlins game Wednesday, we saw this group of little kids wearing shirts with “Lil’ Dobbers” on the front. I almost asked their coach — they were a team of some kind — where I could get some adult-sized shirts like the kids were wearing. Figured we could distribute them to blog denizens.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
7:06 pm
OK I am gonna bolster up my courage and say “Thank you DOB”:, I will try to deal with ACE’s disdain the best I can……
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
7:07 pm
I almost asked their coach
Got afraid to ask the tough question….
Fredo
September 20th, 2012
7:33 pm
Mets Jeremy Hefner doesn’t make it out of the first inning (faced 7 batters and didn’t retire a single one)
ACE
September 20th, 2012
7:42 pm
To Nolie and others, DOBBERS is the right name. Always buzzing around not doing anything useful…
ACE
September 20th, 2012
7:43 pm
maybe the brave one can start doing a frequency of who says thank you DOB most.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
7:44 pm
you mean like daubers?
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
7:46 pm
The Mets must want to get a head start on their packing for the off-season. 8-0 in the first inning of a game that will eliminate them from the playoffs.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
7:47 pm
DOB was talking about Tshirts, I have a stack of old I beat Bisher, Superpicker and I beat the press Tshirts and have some mugs too.
Bat Masterson
September 20th, 2012
7:49 pm
Nice line @ 7:07, TOBF
ACE
September 20th, 2012
7:50 pm
Exactly, but spelled to reflect the leader of the group.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
7:51 pm
I thnk I should get the rights to DOBBERS like that is a clown question bro.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
7:56 pm
Washington strikes first.
Bat Masterson
September 20th, 2012
7:56 pm
A Crusading Everyman needs an antagonist.
Batman has The Joker.
Andy Dufrense had Warden Norton.
O’Brien has Ace.
Mixxo
September 20th, 2012
7:59 pm
“I thnk I should get the rights to DOBBERS like that is a clown question bro.” – ACE
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
8:01 pm
Is one of these guys on MLB Network supposed to be doing play-by-play? This is not game broadcasting, it’s studio talk.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
8:01 pm
who else would want the rights, some idiot like Mixxo???
Mixxo
September 20th, 2012
8:03 pm
Brian from SC -
Think I’m gonna have to turn the sound down on MLBTV.
Sounds like a Nats love-fest.
Mixxo
September 20th, 2012
8:04 pm
Mark Ellis…….answering!
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:05 pm
Hello Mixxo, Free at last, Free at last, Thank God almighty Free at last.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:06 pm
Nolie take some Geritol it will be alright.
Bat Masterson
September 20th, 2012
8:08 pm
What’s the latest on Sheets? Is he gonna get any more innings in this year?
Mixxo
September 20th, 2012
8:11 pm
ACE -
Amen Brutha!
nolie
September 20th, 2012
8:12 pm
everything is already alright. the fact that I make fun of your idiocy does not mean I am mad, just that I am having fun. Its great to find so many idiots all in one place to make fun of. One of the reasons I love it here so much
nolie
September 20th, 2012
8:14 pm
oh that was sooo great a comment mixxie. even you should be able to do better than that
nolie
September 20th, 2012
8:15 pm
we should get Tomahawkin in here. get the three class clowns back together
phil
September 20th, 2012
8:17 pm
Lol
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:21 pm
Other DOBBERS will be here shortly don’t fret Nolie
Bat Masterson
September 20th, 2012
8:22 pm
Seems like just the other day Chipper held that press conference announcing his retirement at the end of the season. Now here we are two weeks away from it.
George_George
September 20th, 2012
8:22 pm
Murph
September 20th, 2012
5:44 pm
Used to be Outdoor Life, then Versus. You know, random hockey and bicycling that makes the four-year-old want to hurt people.
Ahhh… that channel.
We got rid of cable for the summer and only recently got it hooked back up. I have no idea what the channels are anymore… the Time Warner channel lineup says they carry it, but I’m not sure if it’s on one of those $6.99/month tiers that I refuse to pay for
***********************************************************
That channel is now NBC SPORTS, it is on my 200 block that I do pay a bit extra for.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:25 pm
Repeat after me, Thank you DOB, Fredi is always right and if he happens to be wrong we will never question it. We must agree with all other DOBBERS at all times. Thank you again DOB.
Bat Masterson
September 20th, 2012
8:26 pm
Hey, George. Ace has been looking for you.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:27 pm
I do agree with one statement you made Nolie. It is great to find so many idiots in one place to make fun of.
George_George
September 20th, 2012
8:28 pm
Almost gametime, so outta here. I don’t know why NFL starts there night games 8:30 or later. What is wrong with a 8:05 start? DO IT NY GIANTS.
phil
September 20th, 2012
8:29 pm
Such hate…..
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:29 pm
@Bat, I’m your Huckleberry.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:30 pm
Hate on Lip
phil
September 20th, 2012
8:30 pm
They start so late so the east coast can’t watch for long.
Hate.
abeeeewright
September 20th, 2012
8:30 pm
“Batman has The Joker.”
Batman also has the Clock King. I think Clock King is a little more appropriate analogy for Ace than the Joker.
cabravesfan
September 20th, 2012
8:30 pm
I don’t know why NFL starts there night games 8:30 or later. What is wrong with a 8:05 start?
Because it is better for the west coast viewers to start at 5:30 instead of 5:00
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:31 pm
No one cares about the left coast.
Bat Masterson
September 20th, 2012
8:32 pm
That’s hilarious, Doc
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:33 pm
AbeeWRONG that’s Mr. Freeze to you sir.
cabravesfan
September 20th, 2012
8:34 pm
I suspect the people that live here do. And their families that live elsewhere. I care.
Bat Masterson
September 20th, 2012
8:34 pm
abee_
I’m not all that up on Batman but if you say so, that’s good enough for me.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:36 pm
Lane Kiffin is giving another press conference hurry are you will miss it.
cabravesfan
September 20th, 2012
8:37 pm
Ace-
Is there any particular reason you like to act like a jerk to me?
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:37 pm
A bat not up on Batman???
cabravesfan
September 20th, 2012
8:37 pm
Also, I don’t watch press conferences for any team, even those that I follow
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:38 pm
DOBBERS always resort to name calling. I forgot to put that in the pledge.
cabravesfan
September 20th, 2012
8:39 pm
Ace-
I did not call you a jerk. I asked why you like to act like one.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:40 pm
Today so far by the DOBBERS, I have been told I am not too bright and that I am an Idiot and a jerk. About par for the course.
cabravesfan
September 20th, 2012
8:41 pm
Also, You seem to be the one that has decided to call a group of us “Dobbers” in a less than complimentary way. Whatever that means…
phil
September 20th, 2012
8:41 pm
cabravesfan
September 20th, 2012
8:42 pm
Again- I DID NOT CALL YOU A JERK. You can act like a jerk and not be one. In fact, VJ seems to like you and is always telling me I should give you a chance. But every time I think about it, you say something designed to take a shot at me.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
8:44 pm
Have the Mets forgotten how to play baseball? Shame. Collins is a good manager from what I’ve seen this year…
Bat Masterson
September 20th, 2012
8:46 pm
While I don’t by into the Dobbers dichotomy I think you play a vital role here, Ace.
phil
September 20th, 2012
8:47 pm
The Mets are mailing it in, I suppose…..
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:47 pm
Cab really did not intend to be a jerk to you.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
8:47 pm
WTH is a Lane Kiffin??
nolie
September 20th, 2012
8:49 pm
DOBBERS always resort to name calling. I forgot to put that in the pledge..ACE
excuse me, but you started it with the ‘clown question’ comment. don’t start what you ain’t man enough to finish whiner
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:49 pm
I too have relatives on the left coast.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
8:50 pm
fertilizer plays a vital role everywhere Bat, in one way or another…..
Bat Masterson
September 20th, 2012
8:51 pm
Some people think Lane Kiffin is a college football coach, others not so much.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:51 pm
I’m a man I’m 40, I’m a man I’m 40.
cabravesfan
September 20th, 2012
8:51 pm
Ace-
I believe you. It’s often hard to judge tone in a written comment and some of yours, which you may have intended to be joking or friendly challenges, read – to me – as something else. I will try to not take your comments to heart so much
nolie
September 20th, 2012
8:51 pm
never heard of him, but thanx Bat
phil
September 20th, 2012
8:53 pm
I have relatives on the left coast too. To heck with em!
Bat Masterson
September 20th, 2012
8:53 pm
Sure thing, nolie. And yeah, Ace is full of it.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:53 pm
Yes it does Nolie and we are happy to have you as ours. Keep on spreading it.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
8:55 pm
oh wow ACE, that was so original…. pathetic, just pathetic
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:56 pm
Cab you are once twice three times a Lady.
MiaBchBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
8:57 pm
Geez, I thought we were on a good karma streak here on the blog. Guess not.
By the by, count me as someone who does NOT want to trade R. Delgado or J. Teheran this off-season. I would much rather trade T. Hanson and jettison JJ and save some dollars there.
Again, I know I am gonna hurt some feelings, but BMac will not be worth the $12 mil they’re gonna pay him next year. I’d rather divert those combined savings into a couple of OF’s. Catcher should never be a position where too many millions are spent because of the immense physical demands of the position. Another year of Ross and a FA fill-in for the position until Bethancourt arrives (Martin from the Yankees is a FA and probably would benefit from a return to the NL) would be more than serviceable, while $$$ resources are diverted to an organizational OF situation that is, to put it VERY charitably, an abject disaster.
phil
September 20th, 2012
8:58 pm
Thanks, Lionel….
ACE
September 20th, 2012
8:58 pm
Thanks Nolie for your continued support.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
8:58 pm
Wow. The Pirates lost?? Brewers are red hot….
phil
September 20th, 2012
8:59 pm
Buffet Brian is worth maybe 5 these days…..really not that much, sadly.
But he’ll be back eventually…..?
abeeeewright
September 20th, 2012
9:00 pm
For the play-in game, I’d start Huddy AND Medlen. Stick Meds at SS while Huddy goes after everyone but Beltran and Holliday. Bring Meds in to pitch, Prado to SS, Huddy to whatever position Prado was playing. Alternate the two for the whole nine innings.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
9:00 pm
I wouldn’t be too quick to give up on Mac. They also said Frank Robinson was washed up too and all he did was go to the AL and win the MVP.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
9:00 pm
always glad to help ACE, I realize that you need all the support you can get. What else are friends and fellow blog members for? …..
MiaBchBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
9:00 pm
Oh, and here’s my title for the present CF situation…
The Bourn Departure.
Buh-BYE!
ACE
September 20th, 2012
9:03 pm
I don’t think Bourn will be back. Someone will pay big time for him.
MiaBchBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
9:03 pm
abeeeew. – that is a unique approach. However, given Huddy’s proclivities for giving up 1st inning runs, I’d rather go with the baby-faced assassin named “Little Doggie”.
In a one-game playoff, I will take Kris Medlen over ANY pitcher in the majors right NOW… and October.
abeeeewright
September 20th, 2012
9:04 pm
ACE, September 20th, 2012, 8:33 pm … “that’s Mr. Freeze to you sir.”
I’m sure you see yourself as the Arnold Schwarzenegger version, but methinks you might be closer to the Otto Preminger version.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
9:04 pm
Since it has been injury involved most season, no reason assume that Mac will not bounce back, other than the blog predilection for writing off every struggling player as done forever. I’m sure if it was here in ‘04 many of the same folks would have screamed and whined about Chipper’s eternal demise
MiaBchBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
9:04 pm
ACE: Robby wasn’t a catcher.
abeeeewright
September 20th, 2012
9:06 pm
“Bat Masterson, September 20th, 2012, 8:34 pm … “I’m not all that up on Batman but if you say so, that’s good enough for me.”
I was aiming for the most obscure, lamest Batman villain of all time. So, it’s not surprising that you (or anybody else for that matter) haven’t heard of him.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
9:07 pm
abeeeewrong, what’s wrong with Otto?
nolie
September 20th, 2012
9:08 pm
I see no alternative to extending Mac, we have no adequate full-time replacement, even for what he is hitting now, and we have too many other places that could use help to make searching for a decent catcher yet another part of the equation.
The following year will be a different story since it will entail a long contract.
.
Bat Masterson
September 20th, 2012
9:08 pm
Martin from the Yankees. Sure go ahead and pick him up. Then send Heap to the Yankees a year earlier than he will get there anyway.
MiaBchBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
9:08 pm
Well, nolie, truth be told, Chipper has been on a relative decline, albeit not an overt production decline. But, like Ken Griffey Jr. in his last 5-7 years, Chipper has been injured more than often the past seven seasons. I have my suspicions as to why, but that does not matter a whit right now. The facts are what they are: for a team that has been uber-dependant on Chipper, he has missed many, MANY critical moments in the past seven seasons.
Love the guy, but it is what it is.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
9:09 pm
Abeeeewrong, Also like the Mad Hatter and Louie the lilac.
MiaBchBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
9:10 pm
Well, Bat, if the Braves had Yankee money…
abeeeewright
September 20th, 2012
9:10 pm
“MiaBchBravesFan, September 20th, 2012, 9:03 pm –” that is a unique approach.”
I was mainly aiming to get Meds a start at SS to be relieved by Prado.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
9:11 pm
Mac could also have a career year in a contract year.
abeeeewright
September 20th, 2012
9:12 pm
“what’s wrong with Otto?”
Great director. Not so much as a person.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
9:14 pm
Nolie is right the only thing to do at this point is to pick up Mac’s option.
ACE
September 20th, 2012
9:18 pm
George should be happy the NY Giants out to an early big lead.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
9:18 pm
caint really agree with most of that MBBF, certainly not back to near 2004 anyway
MiaBchBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
9:21 pm
ACE: love your optimism, but I am not so. Then again, it would not be the first time I am wrong.
However, the ravages of time and the position take their toll. Remember Javy Lopez had a MONSTER year in his walk year, which I am sure was science-aided. He did NOTHING of note once he signed with the O’s. I do not think BMac is that kind of guy, and he will have a ncie season next year, but not worth $12 mil. We NEED OF help NOW, and the Lowe money off the books, the Chipper money ditto, Hanson & JJ gone, & not wasting money on Bourn should help the Braves solve a chronically miserable OF situation at two positions.
Again, the days of Mike Piazza are over. Catcher is NOT a position where you spend tens of millions. A very good defensive, pitch-calling catcher catcher hitting .250 is just fine by me, so as long as I have OF’s that can hit, slug, and drive in runs consistently. I just don’t see BMac catching and being that kind of MVP-like presence in the lineup anymore. Not for that money, not even for one year, when pressing needs abound at positions with significantly lesser injury risk.
brian
September 20th, 2012
9:21 pm
MBBF – I do not know if this off season is the time for consideration of trading McCann but that is a good argument. The demands of the position of catcher take its toll and make it hard to justify an extended investment. Mauer will probably end up at 1B and even so the Twins are probably regretting that contract.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
9:22 pm
I’d like to see Mac stay, but only if he bounces back strongly next season, AND takes a home discount. If not, hopefully we will have some other spots more settled and will be able to spend the needed effort to replace him. I hope I’m wrong but I have little faith that Bethancourt will ever hit very well in the bigs
MiaBchBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
9:22 pm
nolie: just scroll down the years (from 05 to 11) and note the games played. Those numbers will not lie.
brian
September 20th, 2012
9:24 pm
MBBF – I am sure that will be a topic of conversation this offseason – whether or not to keep McCann. If we are not going to extend is it worthwhile to trade him this offseason. We could get some very good prospects, young players and maybe get the OF we need. McCann would also benefit from a move to the AL where he can rest more while playing DH. Boston would be a good fit for him as they rebuild. The Braves could use his $12 million to help pay for Greinke or to pay for extensions of our young core while using the young players and/or prospects to fill gaps, rebuild our farm in regards to position players, and/or use the bounty to try and trade for Headley
nolie
September 20th, 2012
9:25 pm
that is in no way different from any other player in his thirtys. he has been more productive thru those times than most non-PEDers. and look at the batting title and another 100 RBI year. and even the last few years his numbers have been in the top few of NL third basemen including many who played all the time. Just not buying it in any but the most general way
MiaBchBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
9:25 pm
Oblique. Bunions. Shoulder. Hip. Knees. Like Cossell said, “it’s always the knees.”
ACE
September 20th, 2012
9:26 pm
I agree with you on Javy’s walk year. He didn’t much of anything after that. I just hate to think that Mac has reached that end stage of his career at this age. Watching Murphy go into decline was a tough thing.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
9:28 pm
falling on deaf ears, I’m afraid
nolie
September 20th, 2012
9:30 pm
Mac is just 29, catcher or not there is no reason to assume that he is near done
abeeeewright
September 20th, 2012
9:33 pm
It’s funny how Prado was ready for the blog’s scrap heap after last year. Now, sign the man to a 10 year contract.
Mac’s having a down year. Don’t pick up his option! Run the bumb out of town.
Antwan Mitchell
September 20th, 2012
9:35 pm
Since Chipper’s $13 mil is coming off the books (along with Derek Lowe’s $10 mil)….the Braves could do a bold thing and let Michael Bourn walk as well….and make a run at signing Josh Hamilton to a big contract.
I know, he’s left handed (in a lefty loaded line-up)…and he has had issues off the field. However, dude is a beast at the plate. He plays a good center field. He’d take a lot of pressure off Heyward and Freeman.
Hamilton wouldnt have the pressure in Atlanta (certainly no pressure coming from our soft-ball tossing local reporters) he would in New York or Boston. Texas seems to be reluctant to offer him a big contract. L.A. already has big money tied up in Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford (two lefties in their line-up).
It’s a bold move…but in my mind, worth the risk.
1. Prado
2. Heyward
3. Hamilton
4. Freeman
5. Uggla
6. McCann
7. Cody Ross (my other wish for the Braves)
8. Simmons
9. Medlen
That would be a GREAT Opening Day 2013 line-up!
nolie
September 20th, 2012
9:36 pm
yup, like I said there are a lot of folks who prefer to think a bad year means