Atlanta Braves: Will wretched road trip lead to horrible homestand vs. Yankees, Red Sox?
Can anything salvage the Braves’ rapidly sinking season?
The team lost six of nine games and all three series on a trip that ended Sunday in Boston with manager Bobby Cox, third baseman Chipper Jones and reliever Eric O’Flaherty being ejected by home plate umpire Bill Hohn in the 7th after arguing a would-be strike-three call on an 0-2 fastball to ex-Brave J.D. Drew.
Atlanta’s luck? On the next pitch, Drew singled in a run for a 5-4 Red Sox lead. Adding insult to injury, another ex-Brave — Boston’s Nick Green — nailed a 9th-inning walkoff homer off reliever Jeff Bennett for the 6-5 Red Sox win.
After a makeup game tonight with the Cubs (34-31), the Braves (32-36) finish their tough interleague schedule, hosting the AL East’s top contenders — the Yankees (38-31) and the division-leading Red Sox (42-27) — before rounding out the homestand against NL East-leading Philadelphia (36-31).
YOU TELL US: Can the Braves possibly pull off a winning homestand against the likes of New York, Boston and Philly? If so, how? At 4.5 games back in the NL East, does Atlanta still have any postseason hopes? Is it too soon to give up on the Braves or is the ‘09 season effectively over?
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79 comments Add your comment
forget the curveball Ricky
June 22nd, 2009
10:55 am
nope
Tommy
June 22nd, 2009
10:58 am
My guess this will finish our season.
yellerjacket
June 22nd, 2009
11:05 am
It could go either way, obviously, but I haven’t resigned myself to giving up on this season yet. If we stay within 5 or 6 games back, regardless of our record, as we get closer to the trade deadline, I think we’ll see Wren make a move for a slugging 2B or corner OF. This stretch will be rough but it’s all about how many games out we are.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
June 22nd, 2009
11:09 am
I honestly have more hope than I did a week ago. Even though the Sox took the series, I was really impressed with how the Bravos played. They battled, which I haven’t seen from them in a very long time.
Joe S
June 22nd, 2009
11:13 am
Yogi Berra once said. “It ain’t over until it’s over,” I say we fans push hard on this Braves team they need a spiritual lift from us on this home stand. We shall remain loyal and positive even pass the waiver wire.
The Braves will play really really strong and will sweep the Cubs and upset the New York Yankees media and show that we aren’t fooling around.
We have done this before. From WORST to FIRST, WE CAN DO IT. Even though were in 4th place.
stew
June 22nd, 2009
11:13 am
We have the best pitching in baseball. The Phils and Mets can’t match us.
bpennington
June 22nd, 2009
11:14 am
granted we don’t drop too far out of the race there’s always a chance given the Mets penchant for choking and the Phils shaky pitching. Hope springs eternal, eh?
MMenerey
June 22nd, 2009
11:14 am
We will see. Hopefully these ejections lit a fire under the Braves. If we can replace either Frenchy, KJ or GA, or at least have one of them get hot and start raking, we can easily go on a winning streak. We can compete with the better teams, we just can’t beat the teams we should. This week will define us. Yes, we are only 4.5 games back, but there are 3 teams ahead of us. What are the chances we get hot and all 3 of those teams don’t? We have to hope they play all year how they have played and we step up our offense.
MMenerey
June 22nd, 2009
11:17 am
I’ll be there Tuesday booing all the Yanks and on Sunday also. Though I’m trying to trade my Sunday tickets for Friday night. I will be there to counter the other fans.
Livin In AL
June 22nd, 2009
11:18 am
Yes We can! Gotta play 9 innings of real baseball both on offense and defense. We have seen a spark here and there, so time to get all the plugs sparking. I can’t believe I am so optomistic!
space monkey
June 22nd, 2009
11:24 am
Not a chance in hell.
Stewie Griffin
June 22nd, 2009
11:25 am
This incarnation of the Bravos is a joke, if Bobby Cox spent as much time getting thrown out of games on strategizing wins then maybe we’d have a winning record. This team is dead in the water, another season without postseason baseball.
Cletus
June 22nd, 2009
11:34 am
I think the Braves are starting to play better. If Infante was not hurt and playing in RF or 2B, we’d be in pretty good shape if he was still hitting .300.
GA is starting to hit the ball, so I think we can stop worry so much about LF.
But with Hudson coming back, I think the Braves have a glut of starters and should package a starter for some offensive help.
Things look better now than they have in a while. We are less than 5 games out, that is NOTHING TO MAKE UP.
Floyd
June 22nd, 2009
11:40 am
You know, not to sound like a blind loyalist here, but Atlanta is just 4 1/2 games out of first. And the Mets and Phils aren’t without their fair share of big problems, too. It’s looking more and more like 86 wins could take this division….the Braves have a lot of work to do, but this season is far from over. Get past their #1 starters and the Mets and Phils wouldn’t have enough starting pitching if they combined their staffs. Just sayin’.
bravesfan27
June 22nd, 2009
11:40 am
Listen guys we are only 41/2 games out of first. If we can get a winning streak going we can be in 1st in no time. No one on our division scares us. We have the best pitching and we havent played anyone in our division in over a month.Hopefully last nights ejections can get this teams mo-jo going.LETS GO BRAVES BABY!
Tami
June 22nd, 2009
11:42 am
I’ve run out of answers for this team. I’ll continue to support them until the end of the season as usual. However, even whenever any and all vacancy spots the team has are filled by f.a. signings, trades and/or callups, nothing seems to work for very long. Maybe…just maybe….when Hudson is able to pitch again this season, it might light a fire underneath the team to give them an extended run down the stretch. But, who knows. I don’t want to cash it in too early, but it’s not looking too good right now.
jazzyk
June 22nd, 2009
11:45 am
At 4 and a half games out the season is far from over. But aside from the standings, I want to see the Braves run, run, run! Somebody, anybody, bunt for base hits, for sacrifices. Get on base. Steal. Hit and run. Do what you have to do to manufacture runs when the offense is sputtering. If they do that,
I think the Braves still have a shot at moving up in the standings.
MiltonDawg
June 22nd, 2009
11:50 am
Yesterday’s game was so horrible and tough to watch. I hope it sets off a spark in these guys and they get off their butts and start hitting and winning. Enough is enough.
Fischerking04
June 22nd, 2009
11:53 am
Is there any merit to the rumor that the Braves and Fish might have a trade in the owrks that is centered around Frenchy/KJ and Uggla/Hermida?
That would be sweet.
Ripped Again
June 22nd, 2009
12:02 pm
I’m looking forward to the Falcons season .The Braves lost me three me a month ago.
Fischerking04
June 22nd, 2009
12:04 pm
People keep mentioning that we could easily move up because our pitching is so good. But they are failing to mention that we only have two guys in our lineup that have any consistancy (Chip, Mac). Without the ablilty to get clutch hits we can’t contend with the the other two teams in the division that are able to drive in runs at key points in the game for wins despite bad pitching.
I agree with Stewie Griffin that with no offnse to speak of we are dead in the water.
macingram
June 22nd, 2009
12:05 pm
Only if they learn to play offense. Both small ball and big ball.
Larry
June 22nd, 2009
12:05 pm
This season was over before it started. Excellent starting pitching but way too little offense from critical areas of the lineup. The Braves lack power production from the corner OFs and 1B. You can cover one with a power hitting catcher but not three. It is that simple – there is just not enough pop in this lineup to score consistently and that is what it takes to be a better than .500 team. You need power hitters today because when a pitcher makes a mistake, he needs to believe he will pay dearly for it. That fear causes mediocre pitchers to make more mistakes. The Braves do not elicit that fear in anyone.
I wish the Braves would acknowledge what those of us who have been watching baseball for decades can see, we are in a rebuilding phase after 14 years of unprecedented success. That is fine, I will support them as I did during the successful years while they develop new talent. But to sit around and pretend they are going to be contenders during rebuilding is placing unfair expectations on the players.
We need to step back and let the young players develop. Jeff Francoeur will be a decent hitter someday, we just need to let him try things and work it out without putting the pressure of a failed season on HIM. Bringing Garrett Anderson was a great move, he is a mediocre player everyone likes and when young players are ready, no one is going to argue that he is far superior. Same with Casey Kotchman – he is a Keith Hernandez except there is no Busch Memorial Stadium like the 80s to build a speed team around.
In two or three years, we will have a young crop of hitters. If Frank Wren does not keep trying to make a rebuilding team into contenders, we may even have some good young pitchers left to go with Tommy Hanson. With PATIENCE (Bobby), Jo-Jo Reyes will figure out what it means to pitch in the majors – he has the stuff he is just a headcase now.
B12 JONEAL
June 22nd, 2009
12:09 pm
I DONT THINK WE NEED TO TRADE FRENCHY OR GA.MABE KJ CAUSE WE HAVE PRDO AN OMAR CUMING BACK.GA HAVE AN STILL CUMING AROUND HE IS HITTING BETTER THAN CHIPPER RITE NOW.SO WHY TRADE HIM.AN FRENCH BEEN SHOWING SIGN.
B12 JONEAL
June 22nd, 2009
12:19 pm
So i think we will have a good homestand. People STOP WORRING
shadetree
June 22nd, 2009
12:22 pm
The bottom of our order is killing us. If only one person would step forward but then again you can’t step forward if you’re not any good. KJ terrible streakiness and Francouer inability to bat have cost us at least 1 run a game if not 2. Cox refusing to play small ball. I listened on the radio yesterday and toward the end the annoucer kept saying Nate looked like he wanted to steal 3rd. How many times do we see a runner get on and he’s left still standing on 1st or second. Small ball. It appears you can’t coach what you don’t know. I do know to keep Prado at 2nd full time but there again Cox won’t do it. When Infante gets back he would be my rightfielder but until then I would keep Diaz over there. Most of the time he’s pretty clutch.
Scenario. You get a runner on. Walk, error, hit whatever. It’s the 8th inning and you’re down a run. So, runner on 1st with no outs and down a run. The batter coming up is a semi fast guy with a 250 average and he is known to be able to lay down a bunt. Runner on 1st is semi fast also. How do you play it. Cox plays it like, okay if we get 2 more hits we can score a run and tie it. This must be done before they get 3 outs. With Cox we need 2 hits to get that runner in. Instead, why not let the batter take the first pitch to show he’s going to swing away and then on the next pitch he squares to bunt or drag bunts so with the sacrifice we have a runner at 2nd with 1 out. Now we need 1 key hit to score that run. You can’t get that key hit with the runner still at first because Cox is waiting for the 2 base hits. Therein lays the Braves problem. You can’t set and wait because those 2 hits may never come. So far this year they haven’t come through. In the first 6 innings we show signs of that clutch hitting but from the 7th on (when the pressures on) we don’t get that hit. Sometimes we do but percentages point to no most of the time. We are runing some fine starting pitchers work and that is a shame. I wish Lowe and Vasquez would stand up together and tell the players to get going or get gone. We have no leader, no desire, no spirit and no coaching. All we can do is hope we get those 2 hits before we get 3 outs.
MICHELLE
June 22nd, 2009
12:31 pm
I FEEL SORRY FOR THE FANS DURING THIS NEXT HOMESTAND. THE COMPANY WHO IS IN CHARGE OF CONCESSIONS, ARAMARK, HAS WORKED RELENTLESSLY TO ENTRAP THEIR MOST DEDICATED, LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES. THEY LET GO OF SOME REALLY FAST, DEDICATED, CUSTOMER FRIENDLY EMPLOYEES AFTER BLATANTLY SENDING IN THEIR OWN “SECRET SHOPPERS” WHO WENT TO EMPLOYEES, SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES, ASKING THEM TO “BEND” THE RULES. MOST OF THE INFRACTIONS WERE EVEN EXAGGERRATED.
AS I SAID, BE PREPARED FOR LONG LINES AND TONS OF HALF-TRAINED NEW PEOPLE WHO DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOU ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
ARAMARK SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES ON THIS LEVEL OF PETTY ENTRAPMENTS THAT POLICE ARE FORBIDDEN FROM DOING BUT ARAMARK THRIVES ON.
AND REMEMBER…YOU CAN ONLY PAY FOR 2 DRINKS ON EACH TRANSACTION SO DO NOT EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO PICK UP YOUR BUDDY’S TAB!
GOOD LUCK!!!
Larry
June 22nd, 2009
12:33 pm
Our leader is Bobby Cox–its over!
Richie
June 22nd, 2009
12:38 pm
I agree 100% with Larry. The main thing that is keeping this team from winning consistently is the lack of a power bat in the middle of the lineup. People want to talk about the Braves inability to manufacture runs and move runners over. Remember though, the 95 world series team was not a run manufacturing team nor where most of the Braves teams during the 14 years of division titles. They always had the McGriff, Galaragga, Justice, etc. to scare opposing pictures because one mistake would be sent over the fence.
If this Braves team can hang in the race in the NL East and acquire a big power bat sometime before or at the trade deadline, then they most certainly have a shot. I wonder with the wealth of Braves starting pitching right now if Wren is considering dangling Tim Hudson for a power bat. Maybe Tim would not mind returning to Oakland for a guy named Matt Holliday.
Jan
June 22nd, 2009
12:41 pm
2-8 maybe 3-7. Already put a fork in the season ’cause it’s done. Nothing exciting in the next two years to look forward to. I’m depressed. Would love to see the wallet opened and above average, competitive players on our team. When I think we could have had Youk from the Red Sox I just want to shake Frank and John.
WestCoastBrave
June 22nd, 2009
12:43 pm
Only 4.5 games out. We have great starting pitching, a decent bullpen, and I still think our offense is capable of being servicible now that GA is starting to show some signs. Once Chipper gets hot again and Kotchman starts hitting massive amounts of doubles again, we will start winning.
Do not give up on this team!!!!
Cut Francouer though. . .he sucks.
NORRIS
June 22nd, 2009
12:45 pm
pitching could win for us if we could hit. We need some pop in the lineup and sitting Mccann once a week is killing us. We have got to find a way to keep his bat in the lineup.
The problem out there is there isnt any power bats for hire. We cannot afford another rental for 2 months and give up talent from the farm system. It would have to be another deal like Mclouth where we trade for a guy that will be under contract for a few years.
These guys that will be free agents at the end of the year is a big waste of time. So forget Holiday and move on to something else.
DHD
June 22nd, 2009
12:47 pm
The Braves will win today and 4 out of 6 against the Yankees and Red Sox. We will be 2 games back when the Pillies come in. Get ready for a showdown then. Ok…I can dream, can’t I??
BravesFan
June 22nd, 2009
12:50 pm
“We need some pop in the lineup and sitting Mccann once a week is killing us.”
Would you rather have him play everyday so he gets burnt out and come mid July August his average drops 50 points???
NORRIS
June 22nd, 2009
12:53 pm
braves fan????
nobody ever heard of this sitting a catcher weekly until the last few years.
You never heard of Johnnie Bench sitting once a week. Rodriguez typically played 143 games a year at catcher and not DH. soooo
But be that as it may.
Why not start looking at Mccann at first base?
Jfreak
June 22nd, 2009
12:59 pm
So many here keep saying if the Braves get on a winning streak they can make a run at the playoffs? What? They haven’t been on a winning streak all year and there is NOTHING in this line up that has changed that would lead a reasonable person to believe anything is likely to change! Unless there is a MAJOR trade in the works the Braves will finish 3rd or 4th in the division?
However, if they stay close (less than six back) Wren may make a move with a pitcher or two to help this offense?? But we need two hitters!
Lead off and a power hitter? That seems like a lot to ask for from this organization?? And don’t forget those teams ahead of us will be trying to improve their team as well!
I’m ready for a whole new attitude starting with management!
BravesFan
June 22nd, 2009
1:01 pm
Mccann at first is the best option especially that first is one of our weaker positions with the bat considering run production
Strike Out-field
June 22nd, 2009
1:02 pm
My guess is the braves will somehow find a way to go 0-11 for this 10 game set.
NORRIS
June 22nd, 2009
1:04 pm
You know I can even see sitting a guy on occasion but when we have lost 3-4 games in a row and the next day is an off day. YOU DONT sit one of your best hitters. This was an issue that management knew of to start the season. You cant have your best hitter sitting out weekly. You have to find a way to improve the team to the point you can rest him.
another situation there is when you already have Chipper out for a day. Are you going to go ahead and sit Mccann too. NO you suck it up for the day and look for another day to rest him.
This is just some of that Boooby Cox poor decision making.
John OTC
June 22nd, 2009
1:05 pm
I believe in unicorns, mermaids and the Easter bunny. I’m still not gullible enough to believe the Braves are a .500 team this year!
NORRIS
June 22nd, 2009
1:11 pm
whats funny is that the braves have managed to hang out around the 500 mark. Just imagine if we had a little hitting. Imagine if we would have had francoeur hitting or KJ, or anyone with any production from center. )(prior to Mcclouoth)
If we would have had a little bit of hitting we could actually be in first. I know it sounds crazy but it really could be possible had we had some hitting.
Pete
June 22nd, 2009
1:18 pm
The chances of me having a date with Jennifer Anniston and/or winning the lottery are far greater than the Braves having a winning homestand.
Just Pat
June 22nd, 2009
1:20 pm
Am happy to see a “tad” more optimism than pessimism here, although when you look at the “contenders vs. pretenders” poll, it it totally different. I will NOT give up on them because I remember the year we were much further back than 4.5 games (maybe 9?????) and we STILL took it all, although it took the Giants, I think it was, losing their last game that gave it to us. No, I won’t give up on them yet.
Marc
June 22nd, 2009
1:33 pm
Drop Bennett and our chances of winning will double.
Matty
June 22nd, 2009
1:42 pm
This team is awful and would find a way to loose even if we had 3 more Chipper’s on it. Time for top to bottom change.
PHIL
June 22nd, 2009
1:43 pm
GA is so lazy he makes me sick. I wouldn’t play him if he was hitting .400. Why he plays against left handers is beyond me. Waht was the deeal with Frenchy and Kansas City they were talking about yesterday?
Randy J.
June 22nd, 2009
1:46 pm
I Believe in this Bravos!!
Randy J.
June 22nd, 2009
1:46 pm
these*
Canadaian braves fan
June 22nd, 2009
1:51 pm
hey folks, I have started a new blog site of the Braves for school. Go on and comment if you would or vote on the poll at ww.newblogofbraves.bolgspot.com
Thanks and I think the Braves can win the divsion if they get another bat
Michael
June 22nd, 2009
2:06 pm
Frenchy, KJ,and Schafer would not be on any other Major league team but the Braves. After this season or sooner Cox need to go. The game has passed him by. He talks about KJ as if thought he is Chase Utley.
Helluva Engineer
June 22nd, 2009
2:23 pm
They will be lucky to win one game. Braves suck. Season is over. Kelly Johnson sucks.
And I am a huge Braves fan.
Jeffrey
June 22nd, 2009
2:25 pm
Can someone PLEASE explain to me why that moron, Jeff Bennett, was on the mound yesterday during the most CRUCIAL part of the game with the game all knotted up at 5..as always, Bennett, BLEW IT, and the Braves lost the game..all Bennett has done the past few seasons is cough up leads and lose games for the Braves..countless times with the Braves either leading or at least tied, Bobby Cox, brings in Bennett, only to have that lead or tie turn into a loss..Get rid of Bennett and, most importantly, GET RID OF COX!!! to answer this blog’s question..the Braves have NO shot of winning the NL east..no longer are the teams in this division “whipping boys” to the Braves as they were for more than a decade..The Braves are done as long as Cox remains as their manager!!
Helluva Engineer
June 22nd, 2009
2:26 pm
I think DHD is drinking the blue kool aid. I am done with them. All they do is make me pis* me off and ruin my evening when I watch those losers. GA and KJ are pathetic. Especially KJ.
Helluva Engineer
June 22nd, 2009
2:28 pm
I agree Jeffrey. I was unable to watch the game but why was Bennett in the 9th? Where was Soriano and Gonzo?
Jeffrey
June 22nd, 2009
2:28 pm
Thank-goodness for the “Nats”..two years in a row!! otherwise it would be back-to-back last place finishes for the Bravos!!
Jeffrey
June 22nd, 2009
2:30 pm
Excellent questions, “Helluva Engineer”..it’s decisions made like yesterday’s that explain why the Braves “choked” away SO many games in the playoffs!! Bring back Joe Torre!! a MUCH better manager than Cox..we both saw how Torre completely outmanaged Cox in the ‘96 and ‘99 World Series..and look what Torre is doing with the Dodgers the past few years..sat down, then secured that “washed up” Andruw Jones release last season..something “disallusioned” Cox would NEVER have done!!
NYC Braves fan
June 22nd, 2009
2:31 pm
What does everyone think about trading Franceour and Diaz/Anderson/someone else for Matt Holliday? The A’s are really far back and his contract is over at the end of the year. It will add another solid bad to our line up.
Helluva Engineer
June 22nd, 2009
2:38 pm
Jeffrey…another question is why did he pitch Gonzo in Cincy with like a 7 run lead and not Sunday??
What about Berkman? I think he is signed longer than one year. Holliday would be another rental who we could not afford to sign after the season.
BravesFan
June 22nd, 2009
2:40 pm
WE dont need to make a move for someone like HOlliday who only has half a season left on his contract. Go out for a bat that we could secure for the next 2 years. make a deal similar to the McClouth trade but prefereably someone with a little extra pop.
BravesFan
June 22nd, 2009
3:03 pm
anything would be nice
NORRIS
June 22nd, 2009
3:03 pm
NYC Braves fan. You cant do that. You might as well be just giving them away. because you would only have holliday until the end of the season. After that you wouldnt be able to afford him
NORRIS
June 22nd, 2009
3:05 pm
However would love to have a bat of his calliber in our lineup. for sure…
Mitchell
June 22nd, 2009
3:14 pm
I’m not giving up on the Braves. That doesn’t mean I think they’re suddenly get on a roll and win the division, but I’m not giving up on them. I probably should though, I’d be much happier.
It’s all about Turner Field. They don’t play well there. I think I’d rather be playing these teams on the road. After all we’re 6 and 3 against the Phillies at Citizens Bank in our last three series (going back to last year) but 0 and 9 at home. The only real shot we have to just stay in this race is to beat the Phillies. We got a lotta games left against them but really the Braves are their own worst enemy.
I liked our chances going into Boston even though we tanked in Baltimore and Cincy and I predicted a series win and we should have had it. Still got a bad taste in my mouth after yesterday’s game.
I’d feel better about this homestand had we won yesterday but we still play well against the top teams and in my opinion we outplayed the Red Sox for the most part. I think it’s just going to come down to clutch hitting and mental toughness.
And if Jeff wants to say that the next seven games are going to be like away games then he better put his money where his mouth is.
wisco
June 22nd, 2009
3:14 pm
they fought all weekend! i still have hope. pitching is good, 4.5 half games back. we’re still in it. got to sit kj and give prado or infante 2b. As always, Go Bravos!
Paul Lentz
June 22nd, 2009
3:41 pm
Tommy……………..your “guess” is far from correct. The Braves season is not over. The thing that many of you forget is that no DH will be used against the Yankees and Red Sox this week. Dont tell me that Boston not having David Ortiz or the Yankees not having Hideki Matsui in the line-up isnt going to hurt those teams. I can easily see the Braves winning at least 2 of 3 from both teams. As far as the Phillies are concerned…….they arent the Phillies of last year. I think that their pitching is worse than our offense is right now. I feel that is the home stand that will PROPEL us back into the thick of things. While many of you look at this home stand from a “fearful” standpoint………I see OPPORTUNITY. The Braves starting pitching will give us a chance these next 10 games.
Larry………Jo-Jo Reyes is a BUM. Dude will be no better than a journeyman left hander who pitches long relief. I hope some team is foolish enough to believe that Reyes has talent and will give the Braves “value” for him.
Also, you have to be smoking some seriously bad sh_t if you think that Jeff Fancoeur will ever develop into a “decent Major League hitter”. Once Major League pitching figured out to pitch Francoeur, he became a “flame out”. It happens all the time. Brad Kommisk anyone?
B12 JONEAL………..what “signs” has Francoeur exhibited that he is “coming around”? In his last 6 games, he’s 3 for 20 (.150) with 1 RBI. In the month of June, he has 1 double and 1 homer in 57 at-bats, while batting .228. If you think that is “coming around”, then WHAT THE FCUK IS A SLUMP?
NORRIS………why would “giving away” Jeff Francoeur be such a bad idea? If the Phillies or Mets were foolish enough to want Jeff Francoeur, I’d give him to them for FREE. Instead the Braves paying him to kill our rallies……..another team could be paying him to kill THEIR rallies. Imagine how good it would be for the Braves to have to pitch to Francoeur if he played for the Mets or Phillies. Easy out.
Jalb3rt
June 22nd, 2009
3:59 pm
People here keep saying crap like ”we should replace KJ, JF and GA…. if you have been watching the games, than you should know that McLouth, McCann, Escobar and G. Anderson are the only ones swinging good bats, not even Chipper Jones is helping right now. And yes, i know GA doesnt have the ”pop we need”, but he is definitely helping. The two positions that Braves’ management need to concentrate in upgrading are 2B and RF, i dont know if we should be looking for someone with pop instead of just an upgrade, someone productive, because this team has a history with those kind of players with pop, they end up losing their pop when playing for the Braves just to regain it after their gone.. a la Castilla, R. Sanders etc… or not helping at all… a la Texeira! We cant afford that again!! And if we do something like that, I have a fear that we will be watching one of our three future monster sluggers Heyward, Freeman or C. Johnson debuting for another team in a couple of seasons. We should be thinking a bit more about the future instead of being so obsesse with this year, in 2010 or 2011, we will have an amazing outfield with Heyward, Schafer and C. Johnson, and pop at 1B with Freeman, pop at SS with Escobar, pop and excellence at C with McCann and lest not forget about the rotation with guys like Lowe, JJ, Hanson, Medlen, Hudson, etc… Are you people bling? Dont you know that for the Braves to be able to satisfy all the ”fans needs” to win this year, they’ll have to trade the entire farm along with KJ, JF, ”and GA” to get something other than a sac of balls and a couple of bats? I say trade people on the roster, KJ along with the ”Swinging-at-sky-high-pitches-Diaz”, JF with Norton, Blanco, Bennett and Campillo or something like that… but dont f’up the future for a stuped postseason disappointment in 09…
Paul Lentz
June 22nd, 2009
4:27 pm
I’ve seen blogs titled “should we trade chipper”, “is it time for bobby to retire”, and “is the season over for the Braves”……………However, I would like to see a blog titled “Is Frank Wren a serious candidate for Executive of the Year award”?
Frank Wren has done a really good job rebuilding the Braves. At the end of last season, the Braves starting pitching was in DISARRAY. Against a lot of public backlash……Frank Wren traded for Javier Vazquez (gave up a prospect who probably wont amount to anything and a career Triple A player)……..signed Derek Lowe (many of you said the Braves “overpaid” for him)…….Ripped off the Pirates in the Nate McLouth trade (gave up a bum, a singles hitter, and a relief pitcher prospect)……..and more importantly, didnt resign Hampton, Smoltz, and let Glavine go. Also, after the disaster that the back-up catcher position plagued the Braves last year, Frank Wren made a smart pick-up in signing David Ross to a 2 year contract.
I know that Wren has gotten a lot of backlash for “not improving the offense”. Signing Garrett was the best option, giving the financial constraints. Many of you MORONS are forgetting that the Braves are paying Tim Hudson $15.5 mil to be on the disabled list this year. If the Braves didnt have to pay him, then Frank Wren would have been able to improve the offense this past winter.
However…..there is good news on the horizon. At the end of the season, there will be no more contracts to players who are hurt. Hudson’s contract comes off the books at the end of this season. In 2007, the Braves paid $52 mil to 4 starting pitchers who pitched a combined 52 starts. This year, the Braves are paying $36 mil to 5 starters who have pitched a combined 60 starts, with 94 games still left in the season. Even when you factor in Hudson’s $15.5 mil salary this season for zero starts so far, that pushes the starting pitching payroll to $51 mil to 6 pitchers who have started 60 games, still a much better bargain than last year. If the Braves dont exercise Hudson’s option, then the Braves will have a 2010 salary allotment of $36 mil for our starting 5. That frees up so much money to improve the offense.
Frank Wren has worked wonders so far. And I’m sure that he will make a trade happen in the next few weeks to improve the offense even more.
aswingruber
June 22nd, 2009
4:43 pm
The Braves don’t need to make any more trades. Before we got McLouth, the outcry was for a solid outfield bat with power, many of you saying that was the missing to piece. Well, Wren went out and got that bat in McLouth and all that has resulted in is a 6-10 record since he came over. It’s obviously, as Carrol pointed out, that we’re more than a move or two away from being a contender. The Braves problems run much deeper than any midseason flash-in-the-pan acquisition is going to change. The last thing we need is a move that’s going to deplete our pool of prospects even more, prolonging our mediocrity as there is no one guy who’s going to turn this team into winners. At least not this year. Time to start thinking ahead.
gcsu12
June 22nd, 2009
5:07 pm
no
Robert E. Davis
June 22nd, 2009
5:49 pm
I think the Braves are at a crossroads right now. Will GM Frank Wren trade developing minor league prospects for offensive “quick fixes,” or, will he elect to stay the course with what we have and hope we improve? It’s a tough choice. Seems you’re darned if you do and darned if you don’t.
'66 Braves Fan
June 22nd, 2009
5:51 pm
I’m still not convinced Frenchy will ever figure it out offensively. Maybe another trip to the minors for awhile might help, but I don’t know. He just looks all goofed-up at the plate (so does KJ)….
Art
June 22nd, 2009
6:12 pm
trade anderson
bravesfalconhawk
June 22nd, 2009
6:19 pm
this team will grow a pair and i think the braves will be in first place at the end of this homestand…hopefully omar infante will be back soon
bravesfalconhawk
June 22nd, 2009
6:23 pm
TRADE FRANCOEUR…ITS BEST FOR HIM AND BRAVES
Chuck
June 22nd, 2009
6:55 pm
I may be me missing something, but are the majority of favorable comments coming from fans (and announcers) that are actually watching these games? The pitching has not been that good lately. And the offense has been bad all season(except for a handful of games). Bobby has been great in the regular season for 15 years but not the last two seasons nor in the playoffs (especially in the playoffs).
So … Will it be next season or 3 seasons from now when we have a contender again? It depends on what is done to vastly upgrade the offense (at least 3 more bats), and what is done to get managerS that can deal with younger players.
Bottom line: This season (like last) is a joke! Trying to do the same things with the same cast & mamngers isn’t going to work. It doesn’t matter about the next 6 games even if they are all won because from what I’ve seen, the struggling teams have it pretty easy.
We do have bright spots but not enough. And Chipper is not getting younger, and catchers only last so long.
Eric
June 22nd, 2009
8:19 pm
I think the possibility is there. Just playing in a national league park gives us hope. (Wang going Tuesday does not hurt either) I think we need to take 5 or six games or mentally we will not be in a playoff hunt. The Philly series is really important. The Mets will implode on themselves again, Marlins are a year or two away, Nationals by 2020, so it really is between the Braves and Phillies. If we go 2-7, very likely the end of the road and start the firesale. Goodbye Francouer
insanity
June 22nd, 2009
9:00 pm
Why are we not getting offense from offensive positions? Left field, right field, or first base. Left field, Anderson looks like he needs a cane to get around out there and his swing most of the time looks like an old man swinging his cane at a bee buzzing near him. Franceour, I love the guy, but it just ain’t working. Kotchman is supposed to be in the Mark Grace mold. Even Grace had more power. Forget Mark Grace, forget Casey Kotchman or whichever nub they stick over there. Where’s our McGriff or Big Cat for this team? Where is our thundering first baseman? One more position needs some criticizing, second base. Kelly could actually get away with his horrible offensive numbers if he was a superb defender, because second base is traditionally a defensive position. Lets face it though, Kelly is not a superb defender. I do like our starting pitching if we could find a way to get rid of our $8 million dollar import. Funny thing is, the team was all to eager to address what they thought was a problem in the off season by adding starting pitching. Do we have to wait till next off season for them to fix the offense? I hope not. I really think we would have a chance if we could get some thunder and lightning to scare some pitchers. Power and speed are a necessity to disrupt a pitchers rhythm. We don’t have much of either.
insanity
June 22nd, 2009
9:06 pm
One other thing, TP was a great Braves third baseman. TP is a horrible hitting coach. We got guys going to others teams coaches for help on hitting. We got others going to Chipper. Can we get a hitting coach who can do something besides put hitters in a career long hitting slump?
I Hate Traffic
June 25th, 2009
10:34 am
What I would like to know is why an army of INS agents wasn’t at the Georgia Dome last night for the soccer game to round up great multitudes of illegals in one big scoop.
I hate EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU who caused a traffic nightmare last night and made many of us miss the first 4 innings of the Yankees-Braves game by backing up I-75 for 2 freaking hours.
Seal the Border, and…
GO, BRAVES !