Are Braves playing dangerous game or can magic continue?

DCbravosfan

May 21st, 2010
11:42 am

first?

Chief Nock A Homa

May 21st, 2010
11:48 am

Third??

Third?

May 21st, 2010
11:50 am

The questions about the starting staff are valid, but Lowe and Kawakami have both pitched well in their past 2 starts. So if we’re basing Hanson’s collapse on 2 starts, then we have to consider that maybe the other two are turning it around.

Chief Nock A Homa

May 21st, 2010
11:51 am

Seriously…

I think you are right that those producing right now should be a bonus, not necessarily the norm (although I would expect Glaus to produce if he is recovered, etc…)

I think the question to answer your question becomes this:

Do you think that Chipper, Escobar, McCann, et al are going to begin producing, and that this just happens to be a poorly timed slump for all three at the same time…

McCann you have to believe is going to begin producing… Escobar you would think will at minimum produce more than he is… And, Chipper, is his will strong enough to keep him going enough???

Thoughts??

Delbert D.

May 21st, 2010
11:52 am

Can Jones…wait, I think I’ll stop there.

sportsmandh

May 21st, 2010
11:52 am

Schultz, you are rockin’ it. Thanks for the good coverage.

I knew this was going to be an interesting season, hope it stays that way. As far as the rest of the year goes, I think it will be a lot like last year. I think they’ll be in the hunt for a playoff spot pretty much to the end even if they don’t make it. I think we will see some of our core guys stabalize. I’m still a little suprised people think anything we get from Glaus is gravy. It just took a while for him to get passed his injury. The guy is a very proven player, moreso than LaRoche in opinion (offensively anyway) who most people thought we could live without.

I’m a little concerned about the starters, but not overly concerned. I think Lowe really is coming around, but I’m not getting my hopes up too much on him. Just hope he can provide a lot of innings. If JJ comes back strong we will be good. The other day on DOB’s blog I proposed the idea of looking at a 2nd half trade (rental) of Cliff Lee and got fileted by the blog denizens. B/c my idea was to use Escobar as part of the trade. But I don’t care who they offered if there would be a way to get Lee for the second half as long as they don’t give up too many prospects like they did for Texiera. In my opinion, if they have a shot at the playoffs they should do what it takes to make it, as long as they don’t throw away the farm.

Ethavery

May 21st, 2010
11:52 am

I’m very concerned about Chipper, McCann, Escobar and McLouth but look at the bright side. With these guys struggling, we are 21-20. When they get back, we’ll be tough to stop. Hanson will get it together. You forgot to include Medlen who has been a stud all season. We got some great young pitchers in the minors. How close is Minor to coming up by the way? Go Braves!

stevie zero

May 21st, 2010
11:54 am

really like to see chip hit second, heyward third. and why not start infante at short and have escobar earn playing time. infante was raking

Pat Rocket

May 21st, 2010
11:54 am

Fourth??

wiley

May 21st, 2010
11:55 am

Keep winning that’s all that matters. Hopefully the pitching comes around.

"Chef" Tim Dix

May 21st, 2010
11:56 am

At the beginning of the season the question seemed to be run production from the corners.

Now it appears to be third and center as left was given void.

Here’s hoping Schaffer can come on with the G-Braves and create a senario.

Paul H

May 21st, 2010
11:57 am

I think the fact the Braves overcame a 9 game losing streak shows they’re not afraid of anything at this point.

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:00 pm

Fact is, unless the guys you mentioned get hot, there is no way they will be in contention in August. However, if they do start playing better, and it comes down to the wire, we will look back at these games as pivotal.

NCBravesFan

May 21st, 2010
12:01 pm

To me, the Braves right now are an above average team that is probably not going to the playoffs. Problem areas would be defense, power and speed. Assets are starting pitching and the likelihood that a few hitters you mentioned will improve.

I’d say they’re a player or two away from being a true playoff contender. I vote for keeping Medlen in the rotation. A healthy Jordan Schafer could help at some point. If not, the outfield situation needs to get resolved fairly soon via trade.

VinceVanGo

May 21st, 2010
12:02 pm

I think the Braves will be fine if Bobby Cox makes all the right moves, something he has not always done in the past. If he will play the hot hitters and stick with them until they cool off, and pitch the hot pitchers the Braves have a team that could surprise and make the Wild Card. So what if Hinske and Glaus aren’t multi million dollar players in their prime. They are both doing great and know that will bode well for a contract somewhere next year. They’ll continue to produce. Conrad and Infante are great to have coming off the bench although I still think Infante should play almost everyday and Conrad should spell Chipper a little more often. When I say play the hot hands that includes Chipper and McCann and Escobar. If they’re slumping give them a couple of games off. Make them want to do better when they’re in there instead of knowing Bobby will employ the Norton-Syndrome, “you stink, you still play.” As for pitching I think it’s time that Medlin finds his way into the starting rotation. Pitch the hot hands too. And find some work the young future closer. If Bobby Cox can put all of his years of experience to work, forget playing his favorites and go with the motivated hot ball players the Braves will be okay, I even think that they’ll make the playoffs.

stevie zero

May 21st, 2010
12:02 pm

got to get chip out of the three hole. need at least SOME power and rbis there. his walks and obp are valuable but not in that power slot. medlin has been very impressive and a solid replacement anywhere in rotation. clubhouse confidence has returned. braves are ready to challenge for playoff spot

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:03 pm

The way I look at is, Bobby will keep rolling Mc, Chipper and Yunal out there and they will either:

A) Get hot, keep the braves in contention, and be in the mix in the end, only becaue of our superior talent, in spite of Bobby Cox.
B) Stay cold and Bobby Cox will be the worst manager in the world becaue he keep rolling them out there.

Hollywould

May 21st, 2010
12:05 pm

NCbravesfan read my mind. Schaefer is looking better and better/ Medlin has some nasty stuff. When JJ gets back this staff is as good as any. Pitching can get them thru the dog days. At some point Escobar, Chipper, Brian all will start hitting. Hang tough/bring up Schaefer(Mclouth just soesn’t get it.

Hollywould

May 21st, 2010
12:06 pm

sorry, Mclouth (doesn’t) get it with that uppercut swing.

sportsmandh

May 21st, 2010
12:07 pm

Hollywould,
McClouth gets it better than Melky. I think Schaefer will replace Melky as soon as possilbe, and Melky may be traded for the famous player to be named later.

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:07 pm

Vince, so all you have to do is stay with the hot hitters and hot pitchers? Is it that simple? So, you should not have roles, all the players should feel as though they are one bad game or series away from getting benched. Pitchers should know if they have a bad game, they are out of the rotation.

PMC

May 21st, 2010
12:08 pm

They are what they are. I’m happy with it as long as it’s interesting. I don’t really see more than a week or two tear in it for Chipper at this point. Mac will rebound. Escobar will rebound. They have a nice capable bench. It’s just going to be day to day. This is still a team in transition from what was to a brighter future where playoffs are expected again.

heymmered

May 21st, 2010
12:08 pm

Mclouth has been swinging a hot back the last week and a half to two weeks. He is proving to be a nice 8th hole hitter.

Hollywould

May 21st, 2010
12:08 pm

Also, Just read the new Sporting News yesterday. Has about 6 pages of accolades on Bobby Cox. Good read but disturbing that some players knew Cox would not take them out of the lineup as he was so loyal. I think that is a fault/not a good thing.

bulldog bubba

May 21st, 2010
12:09 pm

My question is why can’t we sit Jones,McCann,Escobar a couple of games a week and use Conrad,Infante and Ross a couple games week? We know Chipper is getting slow and hurt a least once a week.It may freshen th line-up and start to give us more offense.We also have Medlen and Venters in the bullpen could they not start some games and give us a shot to win some games and less chance to lose with Lowe and Kawakami starting every 5 days.Let face it those two are not our best pitchers.Can’t we manage the team a little better?

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:09 pm

How did McClough make the all-star team a few years back?

heymmered

May 21st, 2010
12:09 pm

Hot bat not back

Hollywould

May 21st, 2010
12:10 pm

Sportstsmandh, You are correct on the Melky thing. This guy does not seem to have a clue.

Keith

May 21st, 2010
12:12 pm

Third or a very close fourth. Yesterday”s game was unbelievable, but that is the greatness of the game! It isn’t over till the last out. The big question is, Where will the braves be at the all star break? I doubt that we will be wondering then. Hopefully, we will be surprised, but at this point, I just don”t think the majic will be there. I think the braves will cool off offensively. Pitching will be good, but the bats will go silent. It will be interesting for sure.

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:13 pm

There are a lot of ways to skin a cat, Cox winning % over 29 years is .555. Regardless if you like his style or not, the proof is in the pudding. Sure he has made decisions that have lost games, but he made them what won them too. He put Brooks up last night.

You watch a player take a few at bats, Cox watches them for hours watching film, taking BP, and just going about their business as pros. Cox believe if you have produced, and you do all the right things preparing, that eventually you will reward his loyalty, or patience, or confidence, whatever you want to call it. A .555 career winning percentage tells me it must work.

Reid Adair

May 21st, 2010
12:14 pm

I’m not as concerned about the pitching as I am the offense. Despite the recent late-inning heroics, I am still not convinced the Braves have the capability to put up any semblance of a consistent offense for the next 120 or so games.

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:16 pm

Reid, I am with you, however all I ask for is a reason to watch come August/September. Phils are just a better team, but I do believe in destiny. These games might come up big in September.

sportsmandh

May 21st, 2010
12:19 pm

I think you guys are giving Cox a little too much credit yesterday for ‘having Brooks in the game’. There was no magical premonition about the big comeback. It is more along the lines of what Schultz said. Cox had gone into surrender mode, pulling his starters to give them a few innings off on getaway day when it looked like it was mop up time. It just so happened a big rally happened. That is why they play the games. And it just shows too that this team does have a really strong bench and bullpen.

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Bubbly

May 21st, 2010
12:22 pm

Spotsman, I got money that says Diaz gets traded before Melky.

Hollywould

May 21st, 2010
12:23 pm

Sure, Cox has a good winning % but how much of that was Maddux, Smoltz, and Glavine getting the 4inch
outside calls in the 90’s? Umps changed that when they started getting graded. What is his% in the last 5 years? Loyalty can get you in trouble/ask my fist wife!!!

DCbravosfan

May 21st, 2010
12:24 pm

Braves are staring down the barrel of a 75 win season unless the pitching shapes up . . . you can get away with crap hitting if the pitching is there, but as you note, the Bravos’ starters have not been following the script . . .I would have more optimism if the Bravos had a couple candidates for summer call-ups . . . any good news on Shaefer’s wrist? also, any time table on JJ?

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:26 pm

Hey, if you are going to blame cox for decisions that don’t work, you sure got to give him credit when they do.

One other Cox Tidbit, he ranks for in all time wins, one behind Tony Larussa, one of the most celebrated “game mangers” there are.

However, Cox does have a better career winning percentage than Larussa, and also has a better winning percentage than #5 on the career wins list, a guy named Joe Torre.

That Said, both Torre and Larussa have more championships, so I could debate they are better. But the fact is, if you are in the debate with Larussa and Torre, you got to be pretty good.

Furthermore, if I concede that Torre and Larussa are better managers due to their championship, I believe Cox is a better 162 game manager due to his winning %. So, basically, I can make the argument that Cox is the best 162 manager to ever manager the game.

Schultz doesn't actually watch

May 21st, 2010
12:28 pm

One bad start due to sickness and suddenly our rotation is falling apart? Excuse me if I don’t panic. Kawakami allowed 0 ER his last start, Medlen has been great filling in for JJ, Hudson has been a rock and Hanson had the worst outing of his career but he is still an ACE. “The team can’t rely on a rookie?” Sure they can, when this rookie is having the best rookie season since a guy named Albert Pujols (heard of him?). All in all this is an incredibly weak argument if the main problem the Braves have is that players that have proven capable of producing haven’t came around yet.

What??

May 21st, 2010
12:28 pm

A very unbalanced article in my opinion. JS fails to mention that McCann is starting to hit now that he has his eye issues figured out. Escobar is a proven major league hitter who has been probably our most clutch hitter for the past few seasons – HE WILL HIT. Chipper does seem to be in a state of real decline and I for one believe he will retire with Bobby at the end of the season. JS also doesn’t mention Medlen’s excellent pitching or the fact that Hanson was sick yesterday (fighting dizziness). Hanson is far too good to go into a prolonged slump. Lowe is fine as a third or fourth starter (regardless of whether he is overpaid for that role). Kawakami can move to the bullpen once JJ comes back and I think he can play the long reliever role nicely as his issues seem to mostly come in the 5th and 6th innings of his starts. If the Braves are near .500 at the All-Star break, they will make the playoffs. They have always been a second half team under BC and will be this year. If they can keep from digging a whole that is too deep like they did last year, they will take the wild car.

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:28 pm

Hollywood, he had the big 3 for about half his career. Again, if you say he had the “players” that inflated his W%, then you can easly understand that he did not have them the past 5 years.

Again, when they win, it is becaue of the players, lose? Bad Manager.

Hollywould

May 21st, 2010
12:29 pm

DC fan, i am a season ticket holder at Gwinnett and Scheafer is coming along well. Won’t be long until they will have to bring him up. Mclouth and Melky cannot do it.

sportsmandh

May 21st, 2010
12:30 pm

Bubbly,
If so it will only be b/c they can’t find a taker for Melky.

Justafan

May 21st, 2010
12:32 pm

Dick, you was right yesterday saying Braves would win after being down 8-0. What a comeback, little of everything…Is it better to be LUCKY Than good????

Braves will still need to make couple on moves..

wawel78

May 21st, 2010
12:33 pm

any chance the yanks will let us void the Vazquez-Melky trade?

I have not seen mentioned that 5 errors contributed to the heroics over the last 3 days. I don’t think this team is too good but as Domino says “you are what your record is.”

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:35 pm

Bottom line, Cox is good, one of the best ever. If Lonnie Smith touches 2nd base, and Leritz and Kirby strike out, he goes down as one of the best ever.

So, if he got to 3 games away from being maybe the best ever, you go to be pretty good.

Hollywould

May 21st, 2010
12:35 pm

Mr Charlie, I think Cox is a good mgr but I could have managed those teams with that pitching staff and the way umps called it. Look at our pitching guru (mazzone). Didn’t quite work out for him once he left did it? Coincidence?

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:37 pm

Vasques got pulled from the Yankees rotation. Dumping him after his career year was a stroke of genuis. I apologize to Frank Wren and Tim Hudson, I was wrong on that one.

wawel78

May 21st, 2010
12:38 pm

but Kirby didn’t strike out, did he? Cox put a LH pitcher in against a guy that was hitting over 340 against them and, I haven’t looked it up in a while but I believe up to that point he was hitting over 300 against Liebrandt. I’m fine if you disagree but I think 162 games cover up Cox’s mistakes. There’s not as much margin for error in a 7 game series and the Braves pay for it.

wawel78

May 21st, 2010
12:39 pm

i would rather have Vazquez than Melky. The young guy we picked up in the trade has good stats though.

Justafan

May 21st, 2010
12:41 pm

Hollwould, you may be a season ticket holder at Gwinnett but I don’t believe you… Schefer has played in 5 games and is hitting 174 with 4 hits and 4k’s….Doing well? they will have to bring him up soon?? What are you smoking?

wawel78

May 21st, 2010
12:41 pm

I think I’m going to have to repeat this on every Braves blog: Escobar makes $400,000/year. He is not going anywhere.

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:42 pm

Sometimes being a good manager just means knowing to stay out of the way. You look back, we did have 3 great pitchers, but the other 8 pitchers and 15 everyday players were all over the map. Pena? Wolers? Rocker? We also had a history of taking pitchers off the junk heap and making them productive, then they would get another contract and leave, and go back to sucking.

Furman Bitcher

May 21st, 2010
12:43 pm

Here are the facts. The Braves are about right where they should be which is at .500. If Chipper & Yunel start to hit they have a shot at the playoffs. If they dont they will be right where they are now at .500. It’s just that simple. Pitching will be fine.

Hollywould

May 21st, 2010
12:43 pm

Hey Justafan, come out sometime I will buy you a cold one. He is hitting bullets and and having some bad luck. The impt thing is he is playing every day. Actually, I have some good smoke.

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:44 pm

WAW, Vasquez cost about 12 mil per year, now it means nothing to me, but I am sure the braves front office is high fiving that he is not here.

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:44 pm

Furman, you are a wise man.

bully 11

May 21st, 2010
12:44 pm

Put Chipper on the bench and the Braves will win. If Chipper was still in yesterday’s day the Braves would have lost. No power, slow swing, and questionable defense. Put the young man who was playing shortstop at third and watch the Braves win. What is the Braves record with Chipper on the bench this year?

Justafan

May 21st, 2010
12:45 pm

Hadn’t worked out for Braves since Leo has been gone? Coincidence?
Braves have won nothing since he’s been gone!

Furman Bitcher

May 21st, 2010
12:45 pm

What Jeff meant by giving up on Escobar was in a trade I believe.

Someone

May 21st, 2010
12:45 pm

Jurrjen’s record and ERA will recover once he comes back, KK had a good start but was denied a win because our bullpen acted up, Hanson was feeling dizzy and said he felt like he was going to pass out in the 2nd, and I wouldn’t worry about Lowe because he gets so much run support.
Bottom line: Kawakami, JJ and Hanson are going to be better. Of course JJ’s ERA was affected by the start in which he pulled his hammy (gave up 3 runs in the first, I think) and Hanson SHOULD be 4-2, but due to the rainout where Chipper made an error, he’s 3-3. Kris Medlen has been doing a good job in the rotation. I think KK should take his spot in the bullpen and Med should be a starter!

Fred

May 21st, 2010
12:45 pm

So who can the Braves bring up from the minors (and when)? The team obviously is not going to spend any money on the open market.

wawel78

May 21st, 2010
12:46 pm

why shouldn’t JS mention the pitching? Out of our main starting 5, one is under 3.00 and the other 4 are all above 4. I am happy to concede Medlen but the starting pitching was not supposed to be this bad. I think they will turn it around but the article is justified in the results.

Bob Horner stayed hurt

May 21st, 2010
12:46 pm

As a die hard Braves fan I think the “magic” bodes well for the team…I figure McCann and Yunel will get it going…but Chipper, I’m not so sure about him…he’s 38 and swinging late….

ugalaw

May 21st, 2010
12:47 pm

Despite having some bounces go their way the last few days, the Braves pythagorean W-L is 22-19, so they’re actually a game behind where their objective performance would suggest. And they’re doing this with no production or less than expected production from Escobar, Jurrjens, McCann, McLouth and Chipper Jones. The only player who’s performing at a level far above what should objectively be expected is Eric Hinske.

By contrast, the Nationals, who have a 19-23 pythagorean W-L and have players like Livan Hernandez who are performing at an objectively usustainable level, are clearly living on borrowed time.

Furman Bitcher

May 21st, 2010
12:47 pm

I meant “not giving up escobar ina trade” sorry jeff,

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:48 pm

KK pitched very well 2nd half of last year, and has not pitched nearly as bad has his record indicates. Medlen is a real bright spot. Again, if the backbone players get hot, we will be in the hunt, if not, we don’t stand much of a chance.

hootersgirl

May 21st, 2010
12:49 pm

Brian Jordan was right…Chipper has not been working out and is soft!…He needs to GO!

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:50 pm

WTF is a pythorgian?

Hollywould

May 21st, 2010
12:50 pm

Check out what the Braves era has been under Mcdowell. Not bad at all/enjoyed the blogging/ I am going to smoke one!!!

wawel78

May 21st, 2010
12:50 pm

Someone above mentioned giving up Escobar in a trade for Cliff Lee.

You’re right about the money saved for Vazquez. It’s just crazy to me how that the main players involved in that trade have been horrible this year.

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:51 pm

He might be soft, but I get he can raw-dawg is when he has to.

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:52 pm

Waw, it was a salary dump. Plain and simple.

1st 2010

May 21st, 2010
12:53 pm

Do you just like trying to bring the Braves down?!?!?! They are playing you just wanted to make a story out of it…..you said frank deserves some credit( i agree) The BRAVES NEED SOME CREDIT!!

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:53 pm

It would have been nice to get more production our of Melky, I thought he as a better player, but it is still early. He might get hot.

Electric Dream Machine

May 21st, 2010
12:54 pm

Starting pictching isn’t going to be an issue, one of those guys will become productive (Kk, Lowe, JJ) and we always have Medlen and Resop just a phone call away.

Btw, we lose Resop if we don’t put him on the 25 man by June 15. He has too good of numbers to let go for nothing.

I think Mac will rebound, and Esco’s lack of line drives is concerning, but not nearly as concerning as Chipper. This is a larger sample than just this year…as this was the norm last year.

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
12:55 pm

Chipper is just getting old. He all but admitted this is his last year.

Justafan

May 21st, 2010
12:56 pm

Hollywould, you sound like General Cox=Everything is good.

I’ve always give Esco a break on his play, mistakes etc but thats old now. Trade him and get something of value the Braves need. One Star don’t stop the Show!

timthebrave

May 21st, 2010
12:56 pm

Jeff Schultz….aka debbie downer…You shouldn’t have wrote this article today

Justafan

May 21st, 2010
12:59 pm

Not bad at all..hahaha.. no play-offs either..that sucks.

TONE

May 21st, 2010
1:00 pm

The braves are going to be like this all year !
win the wild card
get hot and win the series to send cox out right
I have all this from a very reliable source

Sonny Clusters

May 21st, 2010
1:01 pm

We was thinking the other teams might quit making those errors at the end of the game and it would be best to get some early runs. We was thinking some pop in the three spot would help get some more runs in. If Chipper is doing as well as we are reading he is doing we must be hallucinating at the games. If the Cards can move Pujols out of the 3rd spot in the order surely the Braves can move Chipper. Then again, maybe not.

wawel78

May 21st, 2010
1:01 pm

another escobar trade suggestion…………

Clay

May 21st, 2010
1:01 pm

Don’t think the Braves will need “trick fixes,” Shultzie. Escobar and McCann both will hit at a .400 pace sometime soon for an average correction. Probably Melky too. Nate’s already started. If these guys hit their career averages, it won’t matter if Chipper does or not. It wouldn’t hurt any if Bobby would get him out of the 3-spot, though.

Justafan

May 21st, 2010
1:02 pm

Don’t get me wrong. I like MeDowell but I liked Leo better. Leo would make a good Mgr. to replace Bobby Cox.

wawel78

May 21st, 2010
1:04 pm

it was something crazy I read last week but I think it might be a good idea to put chip in the leadoff spot. His OBP is higher than Prado’s because of all the walks.

I will say this for Chipper – I’m not sure his power is coming back but I have been to a couple of games in the last few weeks. His swing is there. He’s just not getting any breaks. Take it how you want because I would normally argue that the stats don’t lie.

Clay

May 21st, 2010
1:04 pm

Sonny, remember, you are making unflattering insinuations about the greatest, smartest man (nose-picking and wife-slapping aside) in the history of sport.

Let's Go

May 21st, 2010
1:08 pm

Escobar is nothing more than DeAngelo Hall with baseball cleats. The guy is nowhere as good as he thinks he is and his problem this year is simple, he feels he is a better player than someone who is hitting in the 7 spot. Infante makes the Braves a much better team and he plays hard every game. One more good start and Medlen will probably become a fixture in the starting rotation so once JJ is healthy the bullpen will have 2 Asian players unless Kenshin pitches the way he did Wednesday in his next 3 or 4 starts. The Braves need another outfielder with some pop so don’t be surprised to see a trade come up in the next 6 weeks if this team stays at 500 or better.

Clay

May 21st, 2010
1:09 pm

……….and the “greatest 162 game manager ever.”

Alabama Braves Fan

May 21st, 2010
1:10 pm

Funny. Wasn’t the conversation last year (or the last couple of years) about how the Braves could NOT win 1 run games. Everyone said it was because of some flaw in the team. Now they are winning these games and. . . wait for it. . . wait. . . there is a flaw in the team!

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
1:11 pm

Well, we all pick our noses, and we sometime slap our wifes, especially when they spill the good scotch.

Furman Bitcher

May 21st, 2010
1:11 pm

As long as Hinske is hitting like he is there will be no trade for an outfielder. Now if he cools off look out and they are still close look out.

Ryan

May 21st, 2010
1:11 pm

So I took the time to go through and rate the team on a 1-10 scale. I assumed 5 was their current level of play through 41 games. If I expected them to perform better the rest of the year they moved up on the 1-10 scale and if I expected them perform worse they moved down on the scale. Below are the rankings I assigned, which you can feel free to debate.

Prado – 5
Heyward – 4
Jones – 7
Glaus – 5
McCann – 6
Escobar – 8
Hinske/Diaz – 5
Cabrera/McClouth – 7

Hudson – 3
Hanson – 7
Jurjens/Medlen – 5
Lowe – 5
Kawakami – 5

Bullpen – 4
Injuries/Bench – 5

All in all I’d say the starters in total will perform about the same throughout the remainder of the year. The offense will improve as a group and I think the bullpen will be slightly worse due to fatigue. I think the bench and injuries will be about the same as we’ve already had a reasonable share of injuries to start the year.

In total I’m projecting an 88-74 record (roughly .553 WP), which should put them right on the cusp of the playoffs. I’d say the WC would be between Braves, Giants, Rockies, and Marlines. Reds and Padres will fade over the season.

Thoughts???

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
1:12 pm

I know what that is, but how does it project that braves being 23-20?

hootersgirl

May 21st, 2010
1:12 pm

Chipper should pull himself out of the 3 spot for the TEAM! Bobby won’t do it

Joey M

May 21st, 2010
1:13 pm

I have never seen more Braves hitters suffer from the same affliction of not being able to hit. How can C. Jones, B. McCann, Y. Escobar, and N. McLouth not be hitting all at the same time? Chipper recently said he will retire before he embarrasses himself. I wonder why he is still playing if he can make that statement. McCann got new glasses so he is trying. What have the other guys done to try to snap out of this really bad spell?

Furman Bitcher

May 21st, 2010
1:13 pm

Chipper doesnt fill out the line up card

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
1:13 pm

Hooters girl, you should know as well as anywone, Chipper will not pull himself out of anything.

Furman Bitcher

May 21st, 2010
1:14 pm

Joey I heard Escobar bought a new gold chain and some ear rings. That is what he did to snap.

Furman Bitcher

May 21st, 2010
1:15 pm

Well played Mr. Charlie. Well played.

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
1:16 pm

Joey, I am sure they are all lookiing at old tape when they were hitting, taking batting practice, and just getting their hacks. Sometimes just forgetting about it for a while, sometimes a good raw dawging will snap you out of it.

Ted Striker

May 21st, 2010
1:16 pm

I say have Susan Sarandon start sleeping with Tommy Hanson. I don’t know much about baseball but that ought to give them another 10 wins.

GEORGIA97

May 21st, 2010
1:16 pm

Thanks, Dr. McKilljoy.

Furman Bitcher

May 21st, 2010
1:16 pm

With a Hooters girl

F-105 Thunderchief

May 21st, 2010
1:18 pm

To your core question of can they keep doing this, my answer is: I don’t care how they win as long as they do. This was never a perfect roster, it was one with huge questions marks. If they are competitive all year, I’ll be happy. I don’t expect this team to be a world beater and if they are, it’ll be much fun and much gravy. The Braves are still building and it looks like they are doing OK at it. Are McCann and Escobar done? Probably not. Chipper? Maybe. Glaus, Wagner and Saito are stopgaps to up-and-comers. It’s baseball season and the Braves are doing OK. I’m happy.

coach joe

May 21st, 2010
1:18 pm

Vasquez starts today for the Yankees vs. the Mets.. After yesterday’s miracle how can anyone be negative..Infante needs to play..

Go Braves..

Ryan

May 21st, 2010
1:19 pm

Sorry the .553 is the winning % througout the remainder of the year to get to 88 wins. One item I forgot is schedule. We’ve already gone through our 1st or 2nd toughest stretch of the year with 19 games in 20 days and 16 of those on the road. The next tough one is 11 straight games on the road in early June. How does this team hold up over the next month. If we’re still close as of June 14th I like our chances.

Rob

May 21st, 2010
1:19 pm

I tend to agree with Jeff, however the timing of this article is pretty lame. Just complete the biggest 9th inning comeback of their lives, and today we try to figure out what is wrong with them? Probably could have saved this for the next disappointment. And Hollywould- please shut up with your tired rhetoric. This crap about the Big 3 not being good pitchers and getting 10 inches off the plate is pitiful. Thanks to whoever corrected the bonehead with Schaefers true stats. Actually hitting lower than Melky in AAA! Sounds promising.

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
1:21 pm

Amen 105, all I ask from this team is a reason to watch come September.

Maybe I like Cox so much because I remember what it was like before he came around. People just don’t know what bad is. Although I did like when Ted was the coach.

TONE

May 21st, 2010
1:21 pm

no no no keep sarandon away from the braves , jenna jameson on the other hand would be a better choice , i bet she could correct the bats

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
1:23 pm

Fact is, to have any chance at all, they have to prove they can beat the Phils, have not seen much evidence of that. But again, just be in the hunt come September, that is all I ask.

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
1:24 pm

I don’t know, you don’t want Jenna around a buch of Raw Dawggers, that could be risky.

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
1:25 pm

You get Jenna around Raw Doggers like Conrad, next thing you know the entire team breaks out in a rash.

guthro

May 21st, 2010
1:25 pm

Yes, at least give Infante a couple of starts a week until or unless Escobar returns to the last year’s level of play!

In the last two weeks McLouth is hitting .260 or so, his usual average. he looks good in the 8 hole–some hits, some speed, a bit of power, not enough of any of those to hit leadoff.

And yes, unless Jones, McCann & Esco return to their customary levels, this team’s no better than third in the division.

TONE

May 21st, 2010
1:26 pm

good point on the rash ! cant hit or pitch if you are scratching

N

May 21st, 2010
1:31 pm

Seriously. The best you can do? Admit you were going to write a story about how bad hanson is and then change it to how bad the team is. Really???? Have you watched baseball before. Good pitchers have down times. Look up Josh Beckett. No mention of how hanson was not feeling well. And you are surprised by Glaus? Why, his track record supports what he is doing now.

Why do I get the feeling you wish the Braves were 8 games under .500

F-105 Thunderchief

May 21st, 2010
1:32 pm

I’d rather have Sarandon at 60-something than Jameson.

F-105 Thunderchief

May 21st, 2010
1:32 pm

But then I’m a fairly old phart myself.

In My Head

May 21st, 2010
1:35 pm

Schultz, you must see into my head or I see into yours or whatever….
Anyway, this column says exactly what I feel about this team. The players who are producing should be the gravy, not the backbone. With a quarter of the season gone and piggybacking on last years performance it seems that Chipper isn’t the go to guy anymore on offense. His career, like his abilities, are fading away.

The starting pitching has been a disappointment.

Now if I posted these ideas on another blog that is hosted by AJC, I would be labeled a malcontent, know nothing, fair weathered fan that should be horsewhipped for breathing! At least on this side of the board, there seems to be some folks who recognize this team isn’t being touted as the favorite to win the 2010 World Series yet.

Ramblin Wrecker

May 21st, 2010
1:38 pm

Agreed on the offensive front. Chipper, McCann and Escobar have to get closer to their norms or they won’t continue this offensive renaissance.

As for pitching, I’m concerned about Hanson and Jurrjens the individuals, but not concerned about the Braves pitching rotation going forward. I think Medlen should remain in the rotation after Jurrjens returns (bye bye KK or DLowe). He’s got a pedigree (in the minors and so far in the majors) that is comparable to Jurrjens. And if Hanson has an injury issue, the Braves have some options that would not be awful. For immediate assistance they can dip down to Gwinnett and pull up Chris Resop. Resop is 4-1 with a 2.03 ERA, 1.13 WHIP with 56 K’s in 48.2 innings. That’s very good. He could offer spot starts in the event of injury. Or for a more prolonged open spot, how about Mike Minor? Minor has a 3.43 ERA with 65 K’s in 44.2 innings. He’s missing bats and is very polished according to Braves scouts and Frank Wren. I think the rotation will be ok.

GTSteve

May 21st, 2010
1:40 pm

Mr Charlie

May 21st, 2010
1:13 pm

Hang on while I wipe soda off my screen

In My Head

May 21st, 2010
1:45 pm

“Rob

May 21st, 2010
1:19 pm
I tend to agree with Jeff, however the timing of this article is pretty lame. Just complete the biggest 9th inning comeback of their lives, and today we try to figure out what is wrong with them?”

Actually it’s this kind of thinking that can keep a team from making postseason play. That’s the problem with this teams management. Sit on their laurels. Braves just won a great game! Lets celebrate for a couple of days! The Braves had back to back walk off wins a few weeks back and followed it with losing 9 IN A ROW!

I would rather be proactive than reactive. The teams who are constantly trying to get better don’t usually take the day off to strut. The teams who are constantly trying to get better generally DO get better. The teams who say “we’re good enough, lets enjoy the moment” will probably be at home watching the teams who aren’t satisfied, playing in the post season.

DawgDad

May 21st, 2010
1:50 pm

It’s nice to see Glaus has turned it around, and nice to see signs of life in McLouth. Those guys are sorely needed. Hinske is essentially doing what we expected from Diaz, from the other side of the plate. When Diaz eventually comes back that is an acceptable platoon in left field.

Escobar needs to right his ship, but expectations are solid that he will, in time. He’s a shortstop; Cox and Cadahia need to tell him to calm down and not get so excited about not hitting because his defense will keep him in the lineup, and when his bat does come around his role in the lineup will change accordingly. He is wired; he needs to relax at the plate and let the game come to him.

The remaining strategic mistakes are: Cabrera (we’re getting exactly what his history indicated we’d get, factoring out ballpark effects), reliance on Chipper and McCann to hold down the 3-4 slots (needs to change NOW), not getting a true leadoff hitter.

I feel for Chipper; this is not a slump anymore; almost four full months at this level of performance, with virtually no power from the left side. His defense has been awful, too. I hope this isn’t the end for him, because he’s headed for the Hall of Fame, but I’m convinced he’s not coming back to anything near all-star caliber performance. He’s getting outplayed by Brooks Conrad, Omar Infante, Martin Prado, anyone the park over there at third base. I feel for him, but the Braves pay people to make the tough decisions.

The pitching staff is the least of the worries right now. Reportedly the Minor prospect is pitching well and might actually be MLB ready by mid-season. Not worried about Hanson. By the end of the year Lowe and Kawakami may well be fighting for bullpen jobs.

G'Vegas Dawg

May 21st, 2010
1:51 pm

Who cares? They’re winning aren’t they? True they are still a little under .500, but, it’s a big time turn around from April. I’m enjoying watching the latest version of the cardiac kids…

Delbert D.

May 21st, 2010
1:52 pm

Shaeferer is almost well enough to trade, isn’t he?

Don’t ask…I’m tired of looking it up.

Alaska Braves Fan

May 21st, 2010
1:52 pm

To make an obvious observation: There’s a reason why we play the games instead of just settling the score by analyzing the makeup of each team. Sometimes a group of guys or gals ends up becoming better, even much better, than the sum of the parts. That’s what happened yesterday. Luck? Yes, some, but you have to do some things for luck to happen.

Starting pitching is a serious concern, but mainly because of sickness and injuries. When all five starters are able to walk out and give their best, we will have a good shot in almost every game.

It’s really difficult to figure what’s going on when several players who ordinarily produce well slump simultaneously. Should we expect them all to resume their previous levels, or has something happened to each of them that is irremediable? The most likely outcome is that McCann, Escobar, and Jones all will play better as the year progresses. If everyone else holds what they’ve got, the Braves should make the playoffs. (The data says a person probably never should have a second set of surgeries on the eyes. Each surgery weakens the cornea and makes success more transitory.)

Despite some ups and downs, the bullpen is a strength this year. As one of the radio guys said recently, we have to like our chances whenever it’s our bullpen versus anyone else’s. That is no small advantage.

Predicting any outcome in sports is chancy, but the Braves likely will win 90+ games this year and make the playoffs. Still, it all comes down to the score each game for 162 games.

ABF

Crack Head

May 21st, 2010
1:55 pm

135th!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

MAN!!! WOW!!!!

papadawg

May 21st, 2010
1:56 pm

What I’ve seen until now is a weak back end of the Starting pitching and a very inconsistent batting order. I know good teams come back in the latter inings to win but can we expect this group of guys to do this for the rest of the season.

Hillbilly Deluxe

May 21st, 2010
1:59 pm

When a team is down 8-0 and comes back, they are to be commended for not giving up and perservering. However, in order to overcome a deficit like that, you have to figure the other team’s failures had as much to do with as the winner did.

tom

May 21st, 2010
2:01 pm

The sky is falling, the sky is falling…..whoops, Braves Win 10-9, Go Bravos

meh

May 21st, 2010
2:02 pm

that comeback was awesome and all, but I’d like to see the Braves take a lead and just stay in the lead the whole time.

ijudgenot

May 21st, 2010
2:05 pm

While we all should congratulate the Braves players for not giving up, its not like they had 5 straight hits with a walk off monster grand slam. The reality is that they had 2 singles followed by 3 hit balls that should have been caught but were not. So the Reds played a huge part in the come back. Also Cox decision to replace Chipper with Conrad and McCann with Ross was not made because he thought they would spark the team, but was his way of saying the game was lost so why not give Chipper and McCann(night/day game right behind each other) some rest. Conrad just made him look smart. McClouth is showing that the 8 spot suits him better than leadoff hitter, but that want deter Bobby from reinserting him in leadoff spot if he continures to hit while in 8 spot.

Tale of Woe

May 21st, 2010
2:05 pm

I read that Hanson has been sick. I think that we should give him a break for his terrible outing yesterday. McCann, Chipper, and Yunel need to start hitting or this team is going to be in trouble. I agree with Jeff about winning a short series with these type of heroics from Glaus, Hinske, and Conrad – we can’t be a winning team over 162 games unless the big 3 join Heyward and start producing.

J

May 21st, 2010
2:06 pm

I dont see how the Braves winning in bottom of the ninth changes the situation with starting pitching and Hanson’s collapse. The grand slam didnt erase the beating Hanson’s ERA took in the 2nd.

Fan since '65

May 21st, 2010
2:07 pm

Your comments sound similar to the ones being made in 1991. They were wrong then….

goose trippett

May 21st, 2010
2:10 pm

unlikely sources…..troy glaus and hinske..
shutup dude

John

May 21st, 2010
2:11 pm

Jeff – don’t buy into the typical fan error of buying/dumping something on the hot trend. It’s like buying stocks that way.

3 weeks ago the apoplexy about Glaus and the need to call up Freeman, lest the Braves season wash away, was like standing next to a tornado siren. Now – Glaus is one of the more productive hitters in the middle of the lineup. If you haven’t noticed – veterans often take more than a 2 week spring to get going (see Garrett Anderson last year).

As for Hanson – weren’t you or Bradley writing 15 days ago about how fun it will be to watch a young Braves pitcher become a perennial Cy Young candidate?

The flip side of your argument – what if McCann, Escobar and Jones hit for 10 pts LESS than their career avg? They all move up about 50 pts. The IFand the pitching is not the long-term concern. It is the LF and CF spots – and that is where you can expect Wren to make moves. Either move Infante out to LF to platoon with Hinske or get another everyday guy. In CF – how far away is Schaefer? Those are the moves.

BravesFan

May 21st, 2010
2:17 pm

I wonder if it would make sense to have Ross catch every 5th day. As Bobby used to do with Javy Lopez. That would give McCann mutch need rest. I don’t know why Bobby went away with that. I know that Maddux wanted to throw to someone other than Lopez but I’m wondering the one day off would help McCann. Anyone agree or disagree.

Dr. Phil

May 21st, 2010
2:17 pm

The Braves will do better if Chipper gets a fishing show sponsored by Red Man and Escobar becomes a hairdresser.

JD

May 21st, 2010
2:17 pm

Chipper will come around, if they ever throw him any strikes. He leads the league in walks. The strategy is to not give him anything good to hit.

ray k.

May 21st, 2010
2:23 pm

The way things are rolling right now, there really isn’t a position with a gaping hole that needs fixing via trade. If 3rd base were occupied by anyone other than Chipper, I’d say let’s go get somebody in July, but he’s too valuable a presence; you have to think Escobar is going to figure it out sooner or later; Hinske may crash to earth, but I suspect he’ll remain servicable, finishing with a .270 avg and 10 HR’s in 350 AB’s (primarily against righties).

All told, the Braves chances of winning 88-92 games hinges on 3 things:

Lowe’s sinker.
JJ’s return to form.
McCann’s return to form.

Chipper’s OB% will remain respectable even without the power. Glaus is no longer a sure out, which means Mac will see more to hit.

That’s it in a nutshell.

Elon Brave

May 21st, 2010
2:25 pm

Why would we assume that Chipper, McCann, and Escobar won’t start hitting when they have proven track records of being much better than they are right now. I can understand the argument that maybe Chipper is done being Chipper, but the other guys will bounce back.

ray k.

May 21st, 2010
2:27 pm

John,

I don’t think McClouth is going anywhere, man. His defense and speed are needed, and his bat has woken up a little bit.
LF would be the only position being looked at for an upgrade (unless escobar continues faltering badly and/or has another baserunning blunder)

ray k.

May 21st, 2010
2:29 pm

And Schafer hasn’t done anything to instill in me any degree of confidence that he can man the CF position on a regular basis. I’ll take McClouth.

hooters girl

May 21st, 2010
2:30 pm

Sorry but all I can think about is kissing your sexy forhead Schultz. You are one sexy man and your honest opinion about the braves is just icing on top. I LOVE YOU!!!!

lefty fielder

May 21st, 2010
2:35 pm

Hooters girl is overly dramatic and kinda corny but I like it.
I call it the Dagmar theorem.

Abner Double Dee

May 21st, 2010
2:40 pm

baseball is about managing “magic”. baseball is about trying to balance streaks and slumps. the bottom line is, the Braves are at .500 and within a “streak” of first place. of course this goes without saying the are within a “slump” of the cellar (see: late April fall from first to worst). I hate to trade in ciches, but let’s take ‘em one at a time… an ugly win is better than a pretty loss. Hanson still has good stuuf, McCann and Chipper will produce, and if they do not, in the time-honored tradition of baseball, somebody else (Heyward, Hinske, Glaus) will “pick ‘em up”. every team has flaws, and even the teams without flaws have to play 162 games. I am enjoying the 2010 Braves. talk to me in September.

Donny Corleone

May 21st, 2010
2:42 pm

What Chipper said: “I think i’m contributing this year even though my average, homers, RBIs, and slugging pct. is down.”
What Chipper meant: “You thought I would retire and walk away from all of this money? What a bunch of rubes! BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

JASon

May 21st, 2010
2:43 pm

Isn’t it funny in the NL East rankings how things are just turning out like last year again? The Phillies are comfortably out in front, with the nationals and the mets moving towards the bottom again. Every time the braves get people excited and make a run at that top spot…they may get it down to 3 or 4 games…you are going to see the phillies just pick it back up and pull away again. I mean, even in the West, the Dodgers are moving right back up to the top of their division, just like last year. It makes it very boring when the same thing happens each year.

Donny Corleone

May 21st, 2010
2:44 pm

Chipper: “Have you seen my ranch? My jet? My ex wife? It takes a chunk o’ change to keep this $h– going.”

Donny Corleone

May 21st, 2010
2:46 pm

Chipper: “Oh, by the way, OW.”

chris

May 21st, 2010
2:46 pm

We definitely need a shot in the arm offense wise. A trade would not be a bad idea but don’t sell the farm. Adrian Gonzalez a good choice; I’ve always felt the braves should have pursued Alex Rios and brought him to the National League; maybe under different settings he could flourish; he has speed on bases and can hit with power at times. Anything is better than what we have in Melky and Nate. I had high hopes for Melky but the avg dont lie and hes just not getting it done consistently. We need to have a Fred McGriff type bat in that lineup other than superman JeyHay. Hes still going to have his struggles as a rookie and Jeff Great point- you cant ride a season on a rookie – you need your catalyst and foundational players to step up! They havent yet and if they dont do soon the season will be gone as well as the magic. Not sure what is up with the rotation. Hanson still has the stuff, his location was awful last two games, Lowe needs to be part of a trade bait package, Huddie getting it done. Hopefully JJ will be bcak soon better than ever but if not- need to look for an alternative. Say what you will about John Sheurholtz; he was never scared to pull a trade in the past and do what he had to do to bring players in. If we’re serious about winning as an organization we got to go get SERIOUS baseball players and put them in an Atlanta uniform!

Phil

May 21st, 2010
2:47 pm

Mr. Charlie IS Bobby Cox, has to be.

Innocent Bystander

May 21st, 2010
2:49 pm

JS- You raise an excellent point. How long can we really expect unlikely guys like Hinske, Glaus and Conrad to be the heroes? You mentioned Chipper, Mac and Esco and their lack of any production whatsoever. I would say that once those guys come around (or once Mac and Esco come around, Chipper may be done) that should outweigh the “unlikely heroes” decent back to reality.

The fact that this team is getting the job done without our main guys is what really counts, because I suspect it’s only a matter of time until they start hitting again. Mac will have 2 HRs this series… take that to the bank!

JGzee

May 21st, 2010
2:50 pm

you hit it on the nose Jeff. The law of averages can’t keep Chipper, Mac, and Esco down for much longer. When JJ gets back and Medlen takes over KK’s spot in the rotation we’ll have a few nice winning streaks and be within 1 or 2 games of first in September and potentially leading the wildcard!

Donny Corleone

May 21st, 2010
2:50 pm

We may not have all of the right players in an Atlanta uniform, but we’ve sure as heck got better players on the bench than on the field at some positions.

jerry

May 21st, 2010
2:52 pm

At what point does Bobby draw a line in the sand regarding Larry Jones?

steve whitmire

May 21st, 2010
2:56 pm

JEFF, you da man fer shure, the worst problem facing this team is the manager, I love Bobby but he is STUBBORN beyond belief, he has three solid players on the bench in Hinske, Infante and Conrad who should be starting in place of Melky, Escobar and Chipper, but he refuses to start them. Infante could be in left, Hinske in center for that matter. I don’t think Hinske or Infante could be confused for Willie mays in the field but they can hit. Which is more than you can say for nate

Chipper

May 21st, 2010
2:56 pm

I wonder if Chipper can get out of his hotel room now and walk around.

Chipper

May 21st, 2010
2:57 pm

Enter your comments here

Boot Chip Caray also

May 21st, 2010
2:58 pm

While were are at it, can we get rid of Chip Caray also?

Fire Frank Wren

May 21st, 2010
3:00 pm

Do not under any circumstances trade a valuable asset like Escobar for a rental player. If trades are made they need to be made in an effort to make a great team in 2011 and beyond. With or without a Cliff Lee this team is not going to make the playoffs. And even if they lucked into a wildcard, it will be a quick exit. Start building a championship team for 2 years from now when the rediculous payroll errors are gone and the Braves have a chance to be really good.

Phil

May 21st, 2010
3:01 pm

“I love Bobby but he is STUBBORN beyond belief, he has three solid players on the bench in Hinske, Infante and Conrad who should be starting in place of Melky, Escobar and Chipper, but he refuses to start them.”

Very good point and I agree 100%. Mr. Charlie will explain it to us I’m sure, he and Cox(if not the same person) think alike.

eric the elder

May 21st, 2010
3:06 pm

When opposing teams start pitching around Heyward, or intentionally walking him, to get to Chipper, will he get the message? And how will he respond? Will he tighten his belt or sulk? Without production from the 3-hole, this season will not end well.

hooters girl

May 21st, 2010
3:11 pm

lefty fielder you are just jealous… Thats OK I can give you some lovin too I hope you are not mad sexy Schultzy.

Phil

May 21st, 2010
3:11 pm

eric the elder,
Heyward needs to be in the 3 hole or maybe even cleanup. I like Chipper and he’s been a great player for the Braves through the years, but he’s clearly not the same player anymore.

But Cox will not budge on this, I guess he thinks longevity gives you a free pass. I guess that’s why Cox is still here.

wawel78

May 21st, 2010
3:13 pm

I disagree that Conrad should be starting in front of Chipper. His OBP is 400 so he’s still getting on base. They need to find a way to get him out of the 3-4-5 holes though.

Infante might be doing better than Escobar RIGHT NOW but Escobar is light years ahead of Infante. Give him some time.

John Tucker

May 21st, 2010
3:17 pm

Flaws are clear:

(1) 2 non-hitting OFs McClouth and cabrerra need to be replaced with productive hitters who can play defense and one of whom can bat leadoff. If Schafer is physically healed fro wrist surgery, he could do the job in CF.

(2) 3b CHiper Jones who needs to retire and become a coach, COnrad will be a legitimate replacement only when he gets his batting average over >260.

(3) A frayed starting rotation – after Hudson, Medlen and Lowe are barely passable. Kawakami will be okay with some decent run support. But, if JJ and Hanson do not return to the rotation and to form soon, the Braves will have to bring up or trade for somebody else

(4) Escobar needs an attitude adjustment from the neck up, but Infaante can spell him for the rest of the season if needed.

(5) 1B is okay with Glaus, who is the team’s hottest hitter now, unless he cools off again.Still would trade Glaus and Freddie Freeman and a couple of minor league pitchers for Adrian GOnzalez.

hooters girl

May 21st, 2010
3:18 pm

I for one think Phil is an Idiot.

Fire Frank Wren

May 21st, 2010
3:19 pm

This team does not make playoffs with or without Cliff Lee. Only trade valuable assets like Escobar for future stars. 2012 and beyond the Braves have a chance to be great after these stupid personnel moves play themselves out. Sit back, have a beer and enjoy Heyward, Hanson, Shaffer, Freeman, Venters, Kimbrel and Medlin until then.

MitchC

May 21st, 2010
3:20 pm

Jeff, so what do you think the answer is then:? Two weeks ago this team was ice cold, and couldnt hit a lick. Now, they are scoring runs, winning, have moved into serious contention for a wild card spot, and.. if they keep winning, even have a shot to make a run at the Phillies.

The biggest loss on the staff is JJ. He will be back. I think the team needs one more power bat, even though they’ve been scoring runs lately. Hanson’s problem may just be a slump. (Sophmore).

What do you propose the Braves should do to make this “magical” run, into a more consistent team that can win over the long season, without “magic”

Left out in Suwanee

May 21st, 2010
3:20 pm

Not sure if anyone has suggested this but Chipper should be moved up to the 2 hole batting in front of Heyward. Chipper’s would see a lot more fastballs and wouldn’t be walked nearly as much and then we’d all really see if his bat speed is totally gone.

Scott

May 21st, 2010
3:26 pm

Who knows what will happen, but I agree, the “luck” will eventually run out. Chipper isn’t Chipper, that’s just a fact of baseball life. He’s an aging legend, trying to hold on as long as possible. He, we, really can’t expect to produce more than a .265, 15 HR, 65 RBI’s, in 140ish games, and if he manages that I’ll be impressed. As for Glaus (I hope I don’t curse it), I think we’ll see a 30/100 season from him, he looks good, and he’s starting to see the ball very well. Hinske won’t be consistent, but who knows, he had some wonderful years in Toronto a few years back. I’m not overly concerned with Hanson’s “collapse”, he’s just losing a little command, and needs to re focus, and adjust, like all pitchers do. Overall, I think we’ll see a winning season, similar to last year, but this team will not satisfy anyone’s “return to glory” dreams.

wawel78

May 21st, 2010
3:27 pm

THE BRAVES WILL NOT BE TRADING ESCOBAR. HE MAKES 400K/ANNUALLY.

wawel78

May 21st, 2010
3:29 pm

and for the person who said it is “likely” the braves will win 90+ games, how did you come to this conclusion? They’re on pace to win 85.

Phil

May 21st, 2010
3:29 pm

hooters girl,
Shouldn’t you be out serving some rednecks beer and burgers?

Fire Frank Wren

May 21st, 2010
3:31 pm

Escobar is a valuable asset and we are not going anywhere soon so why not trade him for two young studs and play Infante? What you say only makes him more valuable to others. The sooner we sell anything of value that doesn’t fit into our 2012 plan the better.

hooters girl

May 21st, 2010
3:32 pm

Phil shouldn’t you be filing your unemployment for the week?

Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans

May 21st, 2010
3:38 pm

Of Chipper, Yunel, and B-Mac, I know Brian will come around. Chipper should improve BA-wise, but the homerun-stroke seems to have waned. I feel Yunel’s problem lies in the head, and I don’t know if Bobby can crack the code. Could the next guy? Eddie Perez maybe? Dunno.

shane

May 21st, 2010
3:41 pm

and for the person who said it is “likely” the braves will win 90+ games, how did you come to this conclusion? They’re on pace to win 85.

They are on pace to win 85 games and haven’t played very well. I still think McCann Chipper and Escobar will start to hit. KK will improve and it will be just like adding a free agent pitcher when we get a healthy JJ back.

P-Man

May 21st, 2010
3:42 pm

Jeff, this is the 2nd time I’ve heard this referenced as the greatest comeback in Braves history, but I remember a game in Los Angeles against the Dodgers in the late 70s or early 80s where the Braves scored 8 runs in the top of the 9th to win 9-8.

shane

May 21st, 2010
3:44 pm

Escobar is a valuable asset and we are not going anywhere soon so why not trade him for two young studs and play Infante?

Infante over a full season would be a disaster.

1. He is not an everyday player for a reason
2. He is a lifetime .260 hitter
3. His range and defense at SS ( the most important defensive position on the field ) are extremely limited. He is an OFer who happens to be able to play some SS.

If you ever played strat-o-matic baseball you’ll understand this. At SS Escobar is a 1 or a 2. Infante is a 5.

shane

May 21st, 2010
3:47 pm

Jeff, this is the 2nd time I’ve heard this referenced as the greatest comeback in Braves history, but I remember a game in Los Angeles against the Dodgers in the late 70s or early 80s where the Braves scored 8 runs in the top of the 9th to win 9-8.

I remember that game too. Seems like Murphy hit a HR in that one to tie it or win it.

GTSteve

May 21st, 2010
3:48 pm

hooters girl

May 21st, 2010
3:32 pm

Phil shouldn’t you be filing your unemployment for the week?

Unemployment can’t be filed until Sunday

chem

May 21st, 2010
3:49 pm

Javier Vazquez has an 8.01 ERA a quarter into this season with the Yanks and a 4.24 career ERA over a 13 season career. No matter how he pitches from here on out, last year was a fluke, and Wren was smart to get something for him.

shane

May 21st, 2010
3:51 pm

No matter how he pitches from here on out, last year was a fluke, and Wren was smart to get something for him.

Agreed. And from the looks of it this Adroys Vizcaino is gonna be a stud.

Sean, True Atlanta Fan

May 21st, 2010
3:52 pm

Seriously, do we have to be negative right now? The Braves might not be hitting or pitching as well as they want to now but they’re doing the most important thing: WINNING GAMES. I mean it takes a while for some of the Braves players to start get going, but they’re right now in a better position than they were last year. I mean we had an outfield of Diaz, Schafer, and Francoeur. Now we have Hinske, McLouth, and Heyward. The rotation will get better as the season goes. If not, they’ve got Mike Minor or Chris Resop waiting in the minor leagues.

Now the only changes I would like to see are Heyward be moved to the 3rd or cleanup spot and moving Chipper to second or sixth in the lineup. And Omar Infante replacing Yunel Escobar at shortstop for now. Escobar is being way too aggressive at the plate.

Fire Frank Wren

May 21st, 2010
3:52 pm

What you are saying only reenforces the reasons to trade him. Escobar is valuable and is at maximum value now. What difference does it make if he is a 1 and Infante is a 5, we will be home in October either way. Trade him now while he has maximum value. It is my opinion we will wait until he is making big money and then let him go rather than pay him because we have can’t afford it with all the other mistakes. We continue to hamstring the future by waiting too long to develop and execute a plan. We wake up every year in the same environment expecting a miricle to occur. It ain’t happening.

cattle dawg

May 21st, 2010
3:53 pm

Whats the chances of Medlin staying a starter when JJ comes back, assuming he can keep up the good work. Could kk move to the pen?

Real UT

May 21st, 2010
4:01 pm

Medlen has looked pretty good.

"Chef" Tim Dix

May 21st, 2010
4:01 pm

cattle dawg: There are 8 Million reasons the Braves will not move KK to the pen at this point in the season.

jesse james

May 21st, 2010
4:07 pm

Yea Jeff the timing of your article is questionable. Let’s enjoy the moment. It is a long season and what a thrill for the fans yesterday. Yes we could sit in front of our keyboard and look for all the negative, but all Braves fans enjoyed that. I believe Conrad will have some more moments and he along with the other new guys on the team will keep this up. They have fight and that is what you look for especially in pro sports now days. Oh and by the way you still couldn’t carry Coach Richts’ jock strap. Boy you are a loser!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fire Frank Wren

May 21st, 2010
4:07 pm

Chef and unfortunately $8 Million more reasons in 2011. Ugh!!!!

cattle dawg

May 21st, 2010
4:08 pm

Good point about the money, but the braves did make a good move in starting Heyward right away and not leaving him in the minors for money reasons. Im just glad to see them playing good ball. Im interested to see what they can do over the next 2-3 weeks.

Trey

May 21st, 2010
4:17 pm

A millionth?

Bobby's Cox

May 21st, 2010
4:18 pm

Here’s the question: How long do you think the Braves can keep getting away with these narrow escapes and wins engineered by unlikely sources

You don’t get it Jeff. Maybe it’s just your attempt at playing devil’s advocate.

These are games we should be losing, yes. However, when you will games you should lose, then add them to your ordinary wins total, that’s how you play over .500 ball and make the playoffs.

Not sure what you’re looking at, but the lineup is coming together, and the pitching despite it’s recent let downs, is still top 5 in the NL. This team will be competitive as long as the magic numbers are above 0.

Trey

May 21st, 2010
4:23 pm

That was a beautiful game, even if it is just a dangerous game let’s not think like that though. Let’s just keep the fair weather fans quiet and hope this is true magic that will continue. The Braves may disappoint every now and then, but so does every team. The Braves are an amazing team, either way and they can make the game very interesting.