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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
992 comments Add your comment
uga-brave
September 22nd, 2012
12:33 am
braun hitting .350 1.044 ops 7hr, 23 rbi, 9 stolen bases
aramis ramirez .336, 1.044 ops, 8 hr, 24 rbi
aoki, .339, .951 ops, 22 runs, 11 stolen bases.
great month of September for those three guys.
Venice Jim
September 22nd, 2012
12:53 am
Good night for me to be unable to pay much attention to the game (and zero to ye olde blogge)…
NO MORE FREDI
September 22nd, 2012
12:57 am
I would like the Fredi supporters to explain him continuing to throw Hanson out there when the guy is done for the season. He is negative energy and I feel like we are going to lose before the game even starts. Little things count. Win or lose and ignoring this Hanson thing is going to screw us up.
SNEAKY PETE
September 22nd, 2012
12:58 am
Hanson was a draft and follow, who got signed a year later to a bonus way way above the round he was drafted in, a 22 round pick only in a technical sense. Draft and follow is now outlawed which is too bad for the Braves who used it
Hansom is not tipping his pitches either, though it is easy to pick up the ball out of his hand
SNEAKY PETE
September 22nd, 2012
1:00 am
No More Fredi- now theres a guy that DOB can ban with my blessing. Mitchell too
uga-brave
September 22nd, 2012
1:03 am
pretty sure there are other things that do not occur on the field that will limit hanson’s time in atlanta.
NO MORE FREDI
September 22nd, 2012
1:14 am
SNEAKY PETE – You want people banned for having their own opinions? Are you the blog Hitler?
SNEAKY PETE
September 22nd, 2012
1:20 am
no, I just find your obsessions more annoying than ACES.
Not seriously advocating the banning of anybody
uga-brave
September 22nd, 2012
1:24 am
hey bat, how does chris matthews have a job? \
he make a jackarse out of himself everytime he come on Maher.
uga-brave
September 22nd, 2012
1:35 am
hey chris matthews redistribute your frickin wealth.
my grandfather came from Italy, wiith frickin zip. managed in his years to send my father to Northwestern.
all the time living in mount vernon new york.
figured out how to be a fresh fish wholesaler.
put the country on the TIT much longer and they wont get off.
John Leonard
September 22nd, 2012
1:38 am
Uga:He does not make one of his self,he is one.
uga-brave
September 22nd, 2012
1:39 am
spelling and context is not my late night strong suit.
uga-brave
September 22nd, 2012
1:41 am
not much a fan of the other side either, but chris matthews is beyond ignorant.
the dude plays talk show.
John Leonard
September 22nd, 2012
1:48 am
With the way the bats are going,I’m scared to play any one right now.If the pitcher give’s up a run,we probably lose.
Ward
September 22nd, 2012
1:52 am
Hello everyone! I guess my Pep talk didn’t help Hanson? Was hoping it would fire him up, but can’t have him in the Postseason, and he should have pitched his last game tonight. Let’s hope the Braves skipper gets it, and Wren?
uga-brave
September 22nd, 2012
1:54 am
BAT, by the way the Kernen who you hate has a masters from MIT.
yeah that joe.
dated a girl that worked for CNBC for a couple of years way back when.
BAT, cocaine larry kudlow was the real deal.
John Leonard
September 22nd, 2012
1:59 am
I would be surprised that Fredi gets much of anything Ward.
Ward
September 22nd, 2012
2:01 am
John Leonard – I agree with you on that one. I forgot when Hanson won one.
Ward
September 22nd, 2012
2:03 am
he reminds me of Lowe, and how they kept putting Lowe out there. It’s amzing how you see the same thing happening with Hanson.
uga-brave
September 22nd, 2012
2:05 am
BAT,
maria is married to saul steinsburg’s kid. john.
pretty sure there was a time when they had a interest in “individual investor.”
John Leonard
September 22nd, 2012
2:06 am
He did the same thing last year with Lowe,and we know how that turned out.We need to find out if Sheets can help us,give him one of Hanson’s starts.
Ward
September 22nd, 2012
2:06 am
I would rather have delgado out there than Hanson.
John Leonard
September 22nd, 2012
2:09 am
But if we don’t start hitting,it won’t matter who we have pitching.Maybe Prado? He does everything else.
Ward
September 22nd, 2012
2:12 am
Braves hitting has been in a coma, and wonder if they will ever see the ball? It’s so bad that it stinks. Freeman, Mac still can’t figure out the shift, and Uggs is having trouble locating the ball.
Ward
September 22nd, 2012
2:14 am
Freeman has just well, let’s just say he hasn’t knocked the cover off the ball lately, and I wonder if he knows he’s in a slump?
ward from ND
September 22nd, 2012
2:19 am
IF you own or work for a small business that covers your healthcare, not good.
obama will tax your company off the chain.
Ward
September 22nd, 2012
2:20 am
No reason to panic, as of yet. Let’s just hope the Braves can get things fixed, before the season ends?
ward from ND
September 22nd, 2012
2:24 am
do you really think chris matthews is any different than bill maher? or neil boortz.
John Leonard
September 22nd, 2012
2:24 am
Night all,and remember”The truth is just the truth,perception is reality”
Ward
September 22nd, 2012
2:25 am
The good news is we should be able to hold to the Wild Card, and home field advantage.
Ward
September 22nd, 2012
2:33 am
The Braves need to next year, invest in some offense, no more pitching. Just invest in offense, so you don’t see whats happening like it is now. Braves can’t have the same offense again next year. All, have a good one! Good talking, and, still keep hope! Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
ward from ND
September 22nd, 2012
2:46 am
bond traders. i knew guys at sandler o neil that traded CMOS.
uga-brave
September 22nd, 2012
2:50 am
govt national mgtg. at 5 %.
pay the yeild plus principal.
uga-brave
September 22nd, 2012
2:55 am
ginnie maes do that.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 22nd, 2012
4:24 am
Reading HANSON’s comments give me pause. He thinks he’s bad. How much improvement will there be if FG keeps running him out there as he says he’s going to do.
I certainly understand supporting your guy, but come on man, his mind is shot, and frankly that’s everything at this level. If a guy doesn’t thiink he’s going well……he isn’t, and that needs to be the end of it until next season.
DO NOT put him on the post-season roster. Let him work out some things over the winter, and come back next spring for a last try at this.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 22nd, 2012
4:27 am
Maybe JOHN SMOLTZ’s guy. You know the one in the stands that counseled him early on.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 22nd, 2012
5:47 am
I agree that Hanson should not be on the post-season roster. He has become too much of a liability; not to say his mechanics, or confidence, or whatever the root problem is can’t be fixed. He was good once…he can be good again. The kids’s still young. But I don’t think he’s ready to handle the pressure of pitching in the playoffs.
Couch Tater
September 22nd, 2012
6:05 am
easy to pick up the ball out of his hand
The hook and the fastball always looks to be on the same plane, as well.
Don’t forget the big club had James, Carlyle, Jo Jo and Davies in the rotation when Tommy was getting coached in A-ball. Must have been the Cliff’s Notes version of Deception 101.
Frankie
September 22nd, 2012
6:55 am
Hanson this, Hanson that. Really? Problem is throwing Tommy Hanson out every 5th game?
This offense is anemic and only thing different from last September, is that we are healthy and will hang on to a wildcard slot.
Bourn needs to be platooned right now. Heyward, Chipper and Freeman? Been mediocre. J Hey has had a solid season but has not shown the ability to be able to carry a team. Chipper? .308 slugging percentage in September is embarrassing. Great hitter but get him out of the cleanup position and bat him 2nd. Total singles hitter with no pop at all right now. Freeman? Wow, hitting under .220 this month and repeat of last September. Is he wearing down?
McCann just makes you sad right now. Injuries? He can’t hit. Play bat him 8th.
Fortunate in a good position where you can tweak the lineup without high probability of blowing playoff chances.
This current 1-8 lineup is WEAK and has been since constructed. Make a change!
Frankie
September 22nd, 2012
7:03 am
Michael Bourn is .217 since the break. That’s .217 and .182 this month. Has Reed Johnson ever hit major league pitchers that throw righthanded? Gee, bet he’s had a couple of opportunities.
Plenty of blame to go around here. If this lineup stays the same and they turn it around going into playoffs, FG is to be commended. If nothing is done and they limp in and out of the playin game, he’s gone period no questions.
Need to be very concerned about this offense and less about Tommy Hanson.
cowdogit
September 22nd, 2012
7:03 am
The Phillies were sitting on Hanson’s faseball ‘ He needs to be moved to the bull-pen and have McDowell teach him how to throw a circle change-up. A good off-speed pitch will speed up his fastball, This was Mazzone’s specialty.
Brian from SC
September 22nd, 2012
7:51 am
Update magic numbers
NL East – Washington – 7
NL Central – Cincinnati – 1
NL West – San Francisco – 2
NL Playoffs (relative to Milwaukee, first team out):
Washington – clinched
Cincinnati – clinched
San Francisco – 2 (relative to Los Angeles for Division)
Atlanta – 5
St. Louis – 11
NL #1 seed – Washington – 11
NL #1 wild card – Atlanta – 5 (relative to St. Louis)
AL East – New York – 12
AL Central – Chicago – 12
AL West – Texas – 9
AL Playoffs (relative to Los Angeles, first team out)
Texas – 5
New York – 7
Baltimore – 8
Oakland – 9
Chicago – 12 (relative to Detroit for division)
AL #1 seed – Texas – 11
AL #1 wild card – Baltimore – 12
Cincinnati clinches the NL Central with a win or St. Louis loss today. San Francisco clinches the NL West with a win and a Dodgers loss.
Couch Tater
September 22nd, 2012
7:56 am
B-Ref lists run support, but I’m curious about the way they figure it.
For Example: Hudson split shows 11 games of 6+ runs scored which technically is correct, but he was lifted before some of those runs were scored. Shouldn’t the run totals be figured while he is the pitcher of record?
or, am I mis-reading?
Anyhow,
Run Support : 0-2, 3-5, 6+
Hanson- 9,8,11.
Hudson- 6,9,11.
Minor -10,10,8.
Medlen- 2,2,6.
Brian from SC
September 22nd, 2012
7:57 am
Elimination numbers
NL Playoffs (relative to St. Louis, last team in)
San Diego – 4
Pittsburgh – 7
Arizona – 8
Philadelphia – 9
Los Angeles – 10
Milwaukee – 11
AL Playoffs (relative to Oakland, last team in)
Kansas City – 1 (relative to Chicago for division)
Tampa Bay – 8
Detroit – 12 (relative to Chicago for division)
Los Angeles – 13
Yesterday, Arizona was eliminated from the NL West race. Pittsburgh was eliminated in the race for the #1 wild card slot.
As we’ve said the past couple of days, and it hasn’t happened yet, Kansas City would be eliminated from the AL Central and the playoffs with a loss or White Sox win. St. Louis is eliminated from the NL Central with a loss or Reds win.
Efrim
September 22nd, 2012
7:59 am
“I feel like I’m battling my [rear] off trying to help my team win, and I’m not doing a very good job,” said Hanson, who is 0-4 with a 5.06 ERA in his past seven starts. “Today was a horse[bleep] day. I’m not pulling my weight around he
Is the shoulder bothering him? Has it been an issue at any point since the start of the season?
erubi
September 22nd, 2012
8:02 am
Braves moved Prado down in batting order to get RBI’s….it worked….why is he batting 2nd again?
ncgary
September 22nd, 2012
8:20 am
bat in answer to question about maria
the answer is tatooed across her chest
that and the fact she dont mind selling
out to be a corporation shill
anyone else think its time to reduce hanson workload to 3 innings or less a game
maybe give martinez a chance like medelin finally got pull a quick switcheroo start martinez and make him fesss up as to when hes out of gas and give tommy the ball for 3 innings in relief/
that or figure out how hes tipping his pitches
Couch Tater
September 22nd, 2012
8:38 am
anyone else think its time to reduce hanson workload to 3 innings or less a game
You’re probably talking for this year, but see Prognosis:
http://www.chrisoleary.com/projects/PitchingMechanics101/Analyses/TommyHanson.html
I know SteveOH really liked this guys work. Interesting to read.
Jeff R
September 22nd, 2012
8:54 am
I certainly understand supporting your guy, but come on man, his [Hanson's] mind is shot, and frankly that’s everything at this level. If a guy doesn’t thiink he’s going well……he isn’t, and that needs to be the end of it until next season.
The Ghost is right. Trotting Hanson out there isn’t doing the Braves or him much good.
Hanson this, Hanson that. Really? Problem is throwing Tommy Hanson out every 5th game?
This offense is anemic and only thing different from last September, is that we are healthy and will hang on to a wildcard slot.
Partially agree, in that the offense continues to drag. But sending a pitcher out every fifth game who isn’t pitching well and the offense isn’t producing as anticipated comes closer to a sure recipe for a loss.
Can’t change all the hitters. Can drop Hanson from the rotation. Add Delgado.
Jeff R
September 22nd, 2012
9:00 am
Couch Tater, thanks for posting the article at 8:38 am about Hanson’s mechanics. Good read.
Smoltz was on MLB Network a few weeks ago and said that Hanson really needs to overhaul his mechanics this winter. Smoltz used himself as an example of a pitcher who had to make mechanical changes during his career.
DAP
September 22nd, 2012
9:04 am
jeff r Can’t change all the hitters. Can drop Hanson from the rotation. Add Delgado.
i would do this if we had a really good shot at the division. but, we dont. keep hanson in there every 5th day, and try to get him right. might need him in the playoffs (although i hope not) and need him to have as much trade value as possible.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 22nd, 2012
9:05 am
Ghost at 4:24 Right on. Hanson He can’t be all that confident right now, and this certainly isn’t helping. Drop him from the rotation, add Delado. Come playoff time, give him an assignment to strengthen his legs and shoulder, get better prepared for next year. Maybe give him more time to re-work that delivery.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 22nd, 2012
9:09 am
keep hanson in there every 5th day, and try to get him right. might need him in the playoffs (although i hope not) and need him to have as much trade value as possible.
Doubt he’d be on the PS roster…. We can try to get him right, but there’s not much time. He’s due for 2 more starts, that’s not gonna help up his value that much. Not even if he threw 2 perfect games. Need to see it happen over a longer period of time.
Lew
September 22nd, 2012
9:10 am
Not surprising Hanon’s confidence is shot after the injury and all the changes that haven’t exactly worked to any appreciable degree, but a head case? Nah. He’s just dejected and has all the reason to be in that state.
I’d say shut him down and put him working with Dr. MIke Marshall over the winter. A change of delivery might help and Marshall might just be the one to help him.
Jeff R
September 22nd, 2012
9:13 am
DAP, good points but the flip side is that Hanson may erode his trade value – such as it is – by continuing to perform poorly in limited innings.
And, frankly, I’d rather not use Hanson in the post season. If Sheets is healthy, go with him. I’d use Delgado as an alternative, too. The kid didn’t have a bad run earlier in the season in Atlanta and at this point I’m not thinking he could do worse than Hanson.
DAP
September 22nd, 2012
9:17 am
theonlybravesfan He’s due for 2 more starts, that’s not gonna help up his value that much
but benching him for the rest of the season, whether or not he makes the post season roster, hurts us if we try to trade him. it hurts our leverage in trade discussions.
Jeff R
September 22nd, 2012
9:20 am
I’d say shut him [Hanson] down and put him working with Dr. MIke Marshall over the winter. A change of delivery might help and Marshall might just be the one to help him.
Mike Marshall – kinesiologist – and a long ago lights out reliever… in the days when some elite relievers often racked up 125-150 innings.
Jeff R
September 22nd, 2012
9:25 am
DAP, MLB teams scout their competitors routinely. At least they have personnel cover their competitors games on TV. I think it’s fairly common knowledge that Hanson isn’t what he was, that he’s having problems (one would hope just mechanical) and needs remedial work.
I can’t think that Hanson’s value is much lower by sitting him out. But it may help the Braves, which is our focus.
DAP
September 22nd, 2012
9:35 am
jeff r I can’t think that Hanson’s value is much lower by sitting him out. But it may help the Braves, which is our focus.
its not about his trade value as much as it is about the braves’ leverage when trying to trade him. if we bench him, other teams know were ready to give up.
i dont think the braves need help. they are fine. they will win the wild card even with hanson making two more starts.
Summer of George
September 22nd, 2012
9:36 am
Kimbrel may have deserved it more last year. Dickey’s been a great story for baseball and the Mets. Sounds like a super nice guy. He should get it this year.
And don’t count Philly out yet. It sucks, but their still alive for a playoff spot.
And most likely, any team fighting for that 2nd wild card is gonna be the hot team and hardest to beat at the time.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 22nd, 2012
9:38 am
DAP,
I don’t think that’s necessarily the case. Depends on the need. If a team needs pitching badly enough, and Wren looks hard enough, he’ll probably find one with a good bat they can trade. Hanson’s not a lost cause, and he can be useful on any ML roster given more time. I don’t think sitting him the last 2 weeks will do much harm, but I don’t think FG’s going to anyway.
Jeff R
September 22nd, 2012
9:42 am
its not about his trade value as much as it is about the braves’ leverage when trying to trade him. if we bench him, other teams know were ready to give up.
But DAP, if Hanson continues to perform poorly in those two games? And if he’s not used in the post season? Are teams going to regard Hanson better as a result?
The other consideration is that if Hanson is just having mechanical difficulties (that lead to shoulder and elbow stress and fatigue), then this winter, after clearing his head, and putting him to work on his mechanics, Hanson might just revitalize his career.
Hanson’s problem isn’t a lack of talent. He needs to make significant adjustments on the mound to get his game back on track.
Summer of George
September 22nd, 2012
9:45 am
The 1st wild card team is the one that gets screwed. Fight all this time to blow away the field for that spot. Then possibly go down in a one game play-in to a hot 2nd wild card team. Even if you win, you have to waste what would have been a first game pitcher for the division series.
2nd wild card team will seem to have less pressure and more of a nothing to lose attitude in a one game playoff.
Summer of George
September 22nd, 2012
9:48 am
Not liking the 2nd wild card, but if MLB is gonna do it, they might have to go to a best of 3 or 5 series instead of a one game playoff. Baseball wasn’t built to have one game playoffs except for division ties at the end of a regular season.
This isn’t the Any Given Sunday league.
Summer of George
September 22nd, 2012
9:51 am
Was yesterday first day of Fall? Have to change name, if so.
Bat Masterson
September 22nd, 2012
9:51 am
hey bat, how does chris matthews have a job? \
BAT, by the way the Kernen who you hate has a masters from MIT.
yeah that joe.
BAT,
maria is married to saul steinsburg’s kid. john. _ uga-brave
UGA_BRAVE
MIT, huh. I don’t doubt Kernen is a highly intelligent guy. I wonder if it was at MIT that he learned to speak in incomplete sentences, to condescend, to stomp on and inhibit conversation. Whatever his problem is he’s been this way for a while now, and I’m much more likely to learn something when he is not there.
Maybe John could explain to Maria the relationship between demand and hiring.
I don’t care about Chris Mathews job, not one whit. If he was off the air Monday it would have zero effect on my life. I watch CNBC because when Knight Capital screws up I want to know about it. The same with TPX or RVBD or any stock not on my radar, because I might be able to profit from it.
Granted most of what I do, that plays out over weeks or months, is more informed from what I read. None the less CNBC is on from 6 to 5, Monday through Friday, because it is likely the quickest source for things I need to know.
Still point taken. There is nothing really gained from my hammering out a couple of sentences here about what is in reality a minor irritation.
My great-grandfather was a country doctor and farmer. He got sick making house calls when he was 92 and died. My maternal great-grandmother was from the Lee family in Virginia, you may have heard of them. My people fought for the Confederacy. My grandfather was a moonshiner when he was a young man. Too bad he was not all that interested in mechanics, or racing, maybe if he had been I would have some interest in NASCAR.
ChattTownBrian
September 22nd, 2012
9:51 am
Summer ofGeorgeit’s awful. It could turn out real bad for us. I agree with you, that second wc team seems like they’d have less pressure on them.
Oops, hope a ball doesn’t hit a clob of dirt and bounce the opposite way and that eventual winning run scores. But nah, shi* like that never happens in a baseball game. The best team will always win a game.
ChattTownBrian
September 22nd, 2012
9:55 am
The one game thing is the worst thing I’ve ever heard of in baseball.
Dadgum....
September 22nd, 2012
9:59 am
Whatever lead the Braves have in the WC remember to reduce it by one game. Unless you want to end up tied. No thanks. If the Braves get swept away in Philly, look out. The last team the Braves want in a winner take all is Philly.
Hanson. Oh boy here we go again. The anti-Medlen. Got to be wondering now if the Braves have any future plans for him. Quite honestly, I would have shut him down Sept. 1st. We simply have too many other options and next year we have no room for him at all. None. He will probably be gone in a package trade during the off-season. Sad, really is. The pitching delivery change did him no good and now he has no confidence. He is what he is at this point. Perhaps a new team is what he needs. He should get one soon.
abeeeewright
September 22nd, 2012
9:59 am
I see folks talking about replacing Hanson in the rotation with Delgado or Teheran. How long’s it been since either of those guys pitched an inning? There’s only 11 games left.
By my count, Hanson would start against Miami and Pittsburgh if everyone went on regular rest.
Although, they’re likely to stay in rotation with the off-day and run everyone out with an extra day of rest. In which case, Hanson would start against Miami and Pittsburgh.
If the Braves go on a four game winning streak, Fredi might want to look at Hanson’s next start and make a change. Otherwise, it’s probably best to just let him eat some innings and save your creativity for the play-in game.
ChattTownBrian
September 22nd, 2012
9:59 am
Selig is a smart baseball man, so it’s not like he doesn’t understand where fans are coming from on this. Greed and money get in the way. Somehow, when it comes back around, having this extra team for a playoff spot puts more money in their pockets. That’s what I believe.
Dadgum....
September 22nd, 2012
10:04 am
Chatttown…so two teams having a legit shot to advance in the wild card is bad? Sorry, it puts a big premium on winning the division in addition to a very good play in scenario. One game is awesome. Everything on the line. Pushed all-in. MLB got this right IMO.
abeeeewright
September 22nd, 2012
10:06 am
Of course, with the white-hot Brewers playing in their hizzouse, Braves could pick up 3 games in the loss column by the time they play Miami again.
ChattTownBrian
September 22nd, 2012
10:07 am
Dadgum, I wouldn’t even care if it was a 5 game series, not one game. When or if the Braves lose that game will you still be saying MLB got this right? It’s bullshi*, silly, F’d up, whatever else you want to say. It ain’t right.
Lew
September 22nd, 2012
10:07 am
Dr. Mike Marshall was a reliever for the Dodgers a couple of decades back. He made 50 or more relief apperances 8 times, including three times over 90 (no typo) appearances, one of them in his age 36 season. His high appearance total was 106 games and 208 IP.
He understands fully how a body and all of its parts work together and should be able to help Hanson develop a delivery that didn’t wear on his shoulder.
If they don’t fo that, the should – at the very least – find a workout program for Tommy similar to those utilized by Nolan Ryan or Roger Clemens, both power pitchers who relied on super strng leg workouts for their power.
Dadgum....
September 22nd, 2012
10:08 am
It’s always about money. Fan interest= mo’ money.
Rock on….you can’t hide money, beauty, or talent.
DAP
September 22nd, 2012
10:11 am
jeff r if Hanson continues to perform poorly in those two games? And if he’s not used in the post season? Are teams going to regard Hanson better as a result?
maybe not, but what they wont think is “the braves have given up on this guy”. at least thats my mind set. either way, i really doubt hanson will get yanked from the rotation.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 22nd, 2012
10:12 am
We need to start building momentum as we head into the playoffs. We want to be a hot team, especially since it’s just a 1-game playoff. We might have to play the Brewers. Need to be clicking on all cylinders. Currently, Hanson is a downer. Might be best to remove him and use a different pitcher, such as Delgado.
George: Today is the first day of fall.
WBuckAtC
September 22nd, 2012
10:13 am
When you talk about the money coming off the books, you ned ot also take into account the raises that will come to players such a Heyward, Prado, EOF, etc. The amount of money will not be near as great as all think.
Letting JJ go is a no brainer. Wonder if the Braves treid to unload him before the trade deadline for a mid level propect.
Trading Hansen would be great before he gets arbittration. You have to remember that Delgado and Teheran are waiting and Beachy will hopfully be back next mid season. I see the Braves picking up options on Huddy and Maholm. Medlen and Minor would be in the rotation as well. Let a cheaper #5 take over Hansen’s spot and see if we can get a MLB ready player to play LF for him. I think Bourne is gone. Need a CF as well.Constanza is bnot the answer.
We also need ot make sure Ross is et for next year. Mac will have his option picked up.I think Johnson might be a nice re-sign. Bench needs to be overhauled. If Simmons is healthy, Janish is not needed and might be a trade kick in.Need a bench player who is more versatile in the mold of Prado or Infante who can not only play multiple positions, but can also be a threat on offense..
abeeeewright
September 22nd, 2012
10:14 am
I’m in favor of the one-gamer, after much reflection. Back in the day, if you didn’t win your division, you sat out the post-season. Think about SF winning 100+ and missing the playoffs.
The advent of the single WC fixed one inequity, but created several more. The second WC fixed the worst of those inequities (devaluation of winning the division).
Lew
September 22nd, 2012
10:14 am
Did it ever occur to any here that maybe they have no intention of trading Hanson this winter – that they’re not as ready to give up on him like many here seem to be – that in the scheme of things his first year arb salary with the past season’s results will hardly hamstring the Brves this next year?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 22nd, 2012
10:16 am
Quite honestly, I would have shut him down Sept. 1st. We simply have too many other options and next year we have no room for him at all. None.
100% agree.
Otherwise, it’s probably best to just let him (Hanson) eat some innings and save your creativity for the play-in game.
Or we could let Delgado eat those innings. He’s more likely to be in our rotation next year, and he didn’t pitch all that bad earlier this year. Might not make much of a difference now though, which is why I believed Hanson should’ve been replaced with Delgado since Sept.1. The Sheets injury is what kept him in the rotation. He should be thankful.
Dadgum....
September 22nd, 2012
10:17 am
Oh my. No thanks to a wild card series of any length over one game. The 2nd wild card team is playing with house money in a one game shoot out. That’s more exciting than 5 games. You will never hear me clamoring for 3 or 5 games.
abeeeewright
September 22nd, 2012
10:18 am
The Brewers are definitely the Central’s come-from-behind streaking team. Just wonder when they’ll run out of fuel. Before or after they make the post-season.
Braves need to put a spike in Philly right here and now. They had a chance to interrupt Milwaukee’s momentum, but they laid an egg in that series.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 22nd, 2012
10:19 am
That thought has occurred to me Lew, but where does he fit? He’s struggled against lefties this year, and to pay 3.5mil for a reliever who can’t get out lefties is a lot. The rotation is already full. Hudson, Medlen, Minor, Maholm, 5th guy (Delgado/SP we acquire). He almost has to go to the ‘pen, but that’s pretty well stocked with arms.
Lew
September 22nd, 2012
10:20 am
Only BRaves -I think more around $2.5 mil.
DAP
September 22nd, 2012
10:23 am
lew Did it ever occur to any here that maybe they have no intention of trading Hanson this winter
it has not occurred to me that wren wouldnt shop hanson, no. you could be right though. maybe hanson is already in the plan for next season. does that mean that neither delgado or tehran is? or does it mean that hudson or maholm’s option wont be exercised?
Dadgum....
September 22nd, 2012
10:25 am
Let’s not forget Beachy after the all star break next year. Hanson simply doesn’t fit in and is a good throw-in as a trade package. Also, it’s not like the Braves are giving up on him. Been through a lot of changes and injuries with the guy. He has had multiple chances and it simply doesn’t appear he has a Braves future ahead of him. Maybe he can emerge with another team and scenario that gets him back to a starting rotation guy. Right now he simply does not fit that bill with Atlanta.
cowdogit
September 22nd, 2012
10:25 am
Has Chipper had a hit since his game winning homer ?
Lew
September 22nd, 2012
10:26 am
Well, agfter looking at what Jurrjens got after a poor season in 2010, maybe it will be closer to the higher figure. However, pitching is at a premium and Hanson hasn’t completel;y fallen off the cliff – he has shown himself to be effective , just not everytime out.
Fantasy Baseball mentality reigns supreme here and people are quick to want to dump a player after a couple of ofers – IN the real world of baseball, they might realize that Hanson could come back (he’s still young and apparently willing to make changes), is not excessively expensive and they could easily use Teheran or Delgado for trade bait – or some a bit lower in the minors. They may not be willing to sell low on Tommy given his not overly excessive salary.
Lew
September 22nd, 2012
10:29 am
DAP – Hopw many starters have we needed the past two years? They may not be willing to jettison ANY ML ready pitching – especially for a small return. And let’s not forget we do have a bullpoen someone could pitch out of.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 22nd, 2012
10:34 am
A couple of o’fers? He’s been bad since last year, and has declined every year in the bigs. Part of it has been injury, but that’s still kinda scary.
I wouldn’t trade Delgado/Teheran/Graham or some of the younger guys in the minors over Hanson. Those guys can have more impact in our future than Hanson will. Hanson has 3 more years of control, and I bet all 3 will not be with the Braves.
DAP
September 22nd, 2012
10:37 am
lew Hopw many starters have we needed the past two years? They may not be willing to jettison ANY ML ready pitching – especially for a small return.
yeah youre right. this offseason is another unique one though. it will influence the direction of the franchise for years to come, so it might be the time to make some big changes. what they can get for hanson will matter. if they cant get value im sure they will keep him. but i bet they would trade him for a solid position player, or even young pitching.
Lew
September 22nd, 2012
10:38 am
Fantasy baseball mentality Only Braves – The team has an investment in Hanson and the return right now would be low. He may well have more value to them with the team than traded for some scrub or future scrub.
Look at Jurrjens – he had missed two successive second halfs and was still given his arb amount this year – and his injury seems to be chronic, whereas Hanson’s hasn’t proven to be – yet – if it ever does.
Lew
September 22nd, 2012
10:40 am
DAP – Seriously – if you were a GM, would you trade a solid position player or young pitching for Hanson – who is esentially, young pitching?
chipontheroad
September 22nd, 2012
10:41 am
Yes Lew I believe Tommy is at a crossroads he did win quite a few games for us this year it would behoove him to get serious and not end up in the ditch so to speak
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 22nd, 2012
10:44 am
Yes the return on any trade would be low, very low. I’ve said that all along (and been mocked). However, looking at his trends, any results from keeping him here would be bad as well… Really want to pay 3mil for that? Especially when he likely won’t be here in 2014-5 anyway?
Seriously – if you were a GM, would you trade a solid position player or young pitching for Hanson – who is esentially, young pitching?
No I wouldn’t. I’d be trading a “Salary Relief” type prospect for him. It’s a risk, and I’m not trading a good prospect for a guy that has been iffy.
chipontheroad
September 22nd, 2012
10:45 am
And he could come back and be that ace not the blogger but the pitcher not the fantasy but the reality whether these presumtuous incessant no it alls believe it or not
Lew
September 22nd, 2012
10:49 am
OnlyBraves – ASctually, to say he has been “bad” since last year is somewhat misleading (and not all that accurate).
The second half of last season he was injured. Sucks, but it happens to players all the time. He tried to make adjustments over the winter and actually [pitched pretty well through June (an ERA in the mid threes – not spectacular, but hardly all that bad as we keep hearing in reference to the object of your extreme Bromance. He even pitched well enough to win in his last couple of starts prior to last night and even last night could have won (he gave up solo HR’s – no runners on base was an improvement) had the Braves actually decided to bring their bats with them.
Yeah, he’s off from what we had hoped to see from him, but this is hardly someone who is shot to hell and needs to be run out on a rail.He just isn’t putting up the numbers to wow the number crunchers here in DOBLand.
DAP
September 22nd, 2012
10:49 am
lew if you were a GM, would you trade a solid position player or young pitching for Hanson – who is esentially, young pitching?
yes i would, if i needed a SP now. seriously.