Braves had no choice but to cut losses with McLouth
This is what Nate McLouth looks like when he hits a home run. It's an old picture. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
When I spoke to Braves general manager Frank Wren earlier today and asked about the struggling Nate McLouth, this is what he said: “The last ball he hit the other night was the hardest he’s hit since he came back. So we’re hoping that’s a sign.”
Sign? Right. Turns out the only sign was off of Interstate 85 heading north, exit 115: Buford Drive. That’s where McLouth will be parked indefinitely.
The Braves optioned McLouth to the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves. Ironic. He sort of takes the roster spot vacated in Gwinnett by Jordan Schafer, who was recently demoted yet another level down to Double-A Mississippi.
There was a time when McLouth was viewed as the bridge to Schafer. Now both are bridges to nowhere.
Give Wren credit for this. He understands this season can be a special one for the Braves. He’s not taking any chances. He decided to deal talented but pouty shortstop Yunel Escobar, giving up age and potentially something greater down the line, for the more stable Alex Gonzalez. Now he is dropping McLouth, who is hitting only .168 this season and is 1-for-15 since returning from the disabled list with a concussion. The final straw might have been grounding into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded the other night in Florida.
The move doesn’t solve the Braves’ problem in center field, but it eliminates an eyesore from the roster. Wren presumably has been trying to move McLouth before Friday’s non-waiver trade deadline, but the fact the player signed a three-year, $15.75 million contract extension last season makes that problematic.
But for now, he deserves some credit for knowing when to cut losses with McLouth.
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177 comments Add your comment
Marvin Mangrum
July 28th, 2010
8:16 am
Not meaning to be cold, but the boy wasnt good when he was good. And that is the problem. We got McLouth, we got Kawakami, theres more, Chavez, theres more. But when does it end. If a guy wont come w/o a garanteed contract, leave him.
Chris C.
July 28th, 2010
8:33 am
His batting is just the most recent problem. Ever since he started in ATlanta (don’t know about his previous play), he has been reluctant to even attempt to throw any runners out. Whether it’s confidence, an unknown injury, or whatever, he would not air it out and that’s a stat that can’t be measured, but has surely cost us all year.
Don
July 28th, 2010
8:57 am
With Bobby Cox’s obsession to use some players who are not producing at all on and on and on; the only way that Wren could stop Cox from continuing to blow games with McLouth was to get him off the roster.
The big question is – Has Cox already lost enough games by using him to keep the Braves from winning the Division in the final standings.
Remember that he used him almost full time for the first 1/4 of the season or longer with him producing almost nothing – and with Infante and Hinske on the bench (Diaz was injured at the time).
Don
July 28th, 2010
9:14 am
There are TWO “Dons” posting. The post of 9:11 pm is certainly not mine.
Dumbo
July 28th, 2010
9:14 am
Where’s Norton….we need Norton!!!!
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
9:21 am
I agree Don. In April Glaus,McLouth,Melky,and Escobar hit about a combined .150
Most of them got better in May but what about those 20 games they cost you in April ? They count the very same as wins and losses in July.
When a hitter is in a 1 for 20 slump don’t let it carry over to a 3 for 60 slump.
Melky way
July 28th, 2010
9:37 am
Just think we could have still had Josh Anderson,for a whole lot cheaper!
Melky way
July 28th, 2010
9:41 am
Batter up, you don’t have to yell.
BobtheBlogger
July 28th, 2010
10:24 am
I saw Nate being interviewed last night and felt kind of sorry for him, then I remembered he’s getting paid $5 million dollars a year. If you average making $100k a year for 40 years, that’s only $4 million. I wish him the best, but I realize there’s no need to feel sorry for him.
Klink
July 28th, 2010
10:26 am
Schultz, you dunkolf. Way to state the easy and obvious.
He will be a good ball player again. I’m sure not in Atlanta…unless he turns it around in Gwinnett and gets called back up in September. I hope he does.On the other hand, Jordan (body by chemistry)Schafer is done.
Justin Bieber
July 28th, 2010
10:40 am
What about a midget? Put him in centerfield. Won’t get a lot of hits, but WILL draw a lot of walks. This has been done before!
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July 28th, 2010
10:50 am
[...] ♦ Braves had no choice but to cut losses with McLouth [...]
Carma
July 28th, 2010
10:58 am
They disrupted the chemistry they had by sending Blanco down and reinserting McClouth into the lineup…why do you do that? You got a good thing going and you mess with it????? If they don’t finish 1st, blame it on that move…they got lots of bad Carma going now…self induced.
Brobby Crox
July 28th, 2010
11:36 am
Yeah, it’s not like Melky is tearing it up or plays a great defensive center field. But RELATIVELY SPEAKING, as in, relative to McLouth, he’s batting a good 70-80 points higher and seems to be about par defensively with him–which is weird, incidentally, b/c McLouth seemed to be so good last year defensively. I think Wren is right– McLouth lost his mojo, and he just needs a long period of time to get it back. When/if he does, well, the Braves have him under contract for another two years. But he doesn’t need to drag the team down while he’s wandering.
Kentavo
July 28th, 2010
11:49 am
I DO applaud Wren for getting McClouth off the roster, otherwise Booby would continue to play him in critical situations. At least Frankie has learned something.
But I can’t imagine we’re going to get an impact CF from anybody, so we might be looking at the best available bat at any position that will fit into the budget…or not.
He’s probably better off dealing for some relief pitchers to solidify the couple of shaky spots in the pen.
Bartman
July 28th, 2010
11:57 am
I didn’t realize McLouth had any options left. I thought only Blanco did. I’m glad he did. Except for the $$$ that could be spent somewhere else, that may work out well. That being said I agree the chemisty thing took a shot the other day. I’m sure there must be a reason that Clevlen was activated as opposed to Blanco being recalled…. I just can’t see wht that is. Anyone know?
Kentavo
July 28th, 2010
12:11 pm
Blanco has to stay down for 10 days, unless there’s an injury on Braves roster; Clevlen got the call because he was already on the 40 man roster. Clevlen also has more big league experience than the other guys on the farm (except Taveras); he got a few cups of coffee with Detroit.
Bartman
July 28th, 2010
12:31 pm
Thanks Kentavo. I completly forgot there was a certain amount of time they have to stay down after being demoted.Clevlen has some experience but not enough to be note worthy. I’m guessing, unless Clevlen gets hot in the two ABs he’s going to get, that Blanco will be back up after his 10 days are up. He deserves to be anyway.
Anybody want to guess 3 possible players that might be moved out of the Braves organization over the next 3 1/2 days? …if any.
Pickin n Ginnin
July 28th, 2010
12:35 pm
Kawakami, Blanco and Marek
Klink
July 28th, 2010
12:52 pm
Saito Conrad Diaz…extra Resop Dunn or Marek
Bartman
July 28th, 2010
1:16 pm
Has there even been a Kawakami sighting? He does occupy a roster spot. When players from different leagues are signed, are their Options different? Can he not be optioned out without going through waivers? I’m guessing no. he pitched his best game and then disappreared for almost 3 weeks and then pitched one crappy inning. Seems like a waste of a roster spot. Or did I miss him being on the DL….that is possible.
chuck
July 28th, 2010
2:11 pm
I think we should wait a few days and get Blanco back. We should be platooning Hinske and Glaus at first and Cabrera and Diaz in left. Prado, Gonzales and Chipper all need days off. Infante could rotate between those positions and get some at bats while giving those guys some needed rest. Otherwise, I think we will be fine. Of course if we could pick up an Adam Dunn or Corey Hart for left field for Cabrera and Michael Dunn, then of course we should do it. Ross from Florida is NOT an upgrade. If we feel like we NEED to do something beyond Blanco in Center then Nijer Morgan looked awful good leading off and playing center.
The Infamous Big Nasty
July 28th, 2010
2:35 pm
Guys, it doesn’t matter who we acquire in a trade Bobby will not change the lineup! It will remain Gimper, McCann and Glaus… Whoever we acquire will bat 6-8, so would it really matter? Even when guys are playing well they get benched!
Johnny3Steps
July 29th, 2010
1:03 pm
CAN “Bones” Jones play first or centerfield? I still believe the chipper will come through
Freddie : G
July 29th, 2010
3:22 pm
Dan UGGla is the guy we should be going after, we could always move Prado to Third or First for the remainder of the year. McLouth was not hitting but so is Chipper. McLouth is paid over $6 Millions this season and Chipper approx. $15 Millions or 250% what McLouth earns. Who is giving the Braves more?
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