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.
♦
Last four posts (free and in HD)
♦ Braves’ Wren struggling with decision on whether to deal
♦ Countdown’s health report: A-Roid, hot dog stands, mite fight!
♦ With Oswalt trade looming, should Braves worry about Philly?
♦ Ranking the SEC, from Bama to Vandy (and Georgia No. 4)
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
177 comments Add your comment
Herschel Talker
July 27th, 2010
4:47 pm
Schultzie:
You the man.
HT
JOe T
July 27th, 2010
4:47 pm
Had to be done!! He has got to get his swing together!!
JOe T
July 27th, 2010
4:47 pm
Enter your comments here
Skram30082
July 27th, 2010
4:48 pm
Good move by the Braves.
Hey, any word on Venters’ suspension?
Sutton's Fro
July 27th, 2010
4:52 pm
PLEASE tell me that Gregor Blanco got his roster spot! It’s kinda funny we have struggled with a regular starting 8, and then have a couple .300 hitters on the bench (Blanco and Infante).
Frank Wren
July 27th, 2010
4:56 pm
It’s not my fault. When I traded for McClouth I thought he was that immortal dude from Highlander.
keith
July 27th, 2010
4:57 pm
Good job for now! For us to be competitive in the playoffs and have a legit shot in the WS, we need one more bat.
Josh Willingham, please.
Or Hart.
keith
July 27th, 2010
4:57 pm
Sutton’s, Blanco still need to stay in AAA for 4 days before he is available to be called. Hopefully, he will be called up then…
Smitty
July 27th, 2010
5:03 pm
The Braves could not ask for more than Blanco gave them just last month. Plus they have Infante.
Greg Norton
July 27th, 2010
5:03 pm
I am still available, big boys….
Mr. Pappagiorgio
July 27th, 2010
5:03 pm
Why dont we put Infante in Center or left, and move the others around????
Sutton's Fro
July 27th, 2010
5:07 pm
Greg, my beer-league softball team doesn’t even want you!
The Grinch
July 27th, 2010
5:13 pm
The first step towards recovery is admitting you have a problem. Good job, Frank. At least SOMETHING positive came out of that Florida series.
OpenMinded
July 27th, 2010
5:13 pm
Even Francouer would be a great improvement over McClouth
ShaunC
July 27th, 2010
5:14 pm
The Bridge to Nowhere line is great!
"Chef" Tim Dix
July 27th, 2010
5:15 pm
Sad but true, you could not wrap him in bacon and get a cayote to take him.
Bring on Greg White.
Darrin "The Vent King"
July 27th, 2010
5:15 pm
HALLEJUAH!!
rugburn
July 27th, 2010
5:15 pm
if you are talking about willingham for cf, we would be better off putting diaz out there. we need a cf not another converted project and i like matt’s bat
Too tough 44
July 27th, 2010
5:22 pm
As any player being demoted, I feel sorry for them…but, its time to play our BEST TEAM AND players that can produce! And, I am a chipper fan, however, his best value may be resting and playing every other day and pinch hitting…letting him get some needED rest! And, would rest up McCann a little more too…we need fresh legs, eyes and bats for this home stretch, and hopefully on to win a WS!!!!!! GO BRAVES!!!!!!
William Shatner Face
July 27th, 2010
5:23 pm
So were playing without a center fielder now?
Remarkable
July 27th, 2010
5:24 pm
You are right Jeff but does this mean we have a $5 million dollar man playing at tripple a for the next two plus years? Can Blanco and Diaz be our answers? I don’t think so.
Beer Angel
July 27th, 2010
5:24 pm
One more eyesore to go………….. CHAVEZ! This guy should go sell beer in the stands. I cringe when I see him come out of the bullpen.
Bangkapi Ajarn
July 27th, 2010
5:27 pm
Jeff, Props for this paragraph- succinct, almost poetic, places the transaction into perspective re: the big picture. Well done.
“There was a time when McLouth was viewed as the bridge to Schafer. Now both are bridges to nowhere.”
rugburn
July 27th, 2010
5:28 pm
can i get an amen for too tough. we also need production in the 3-hole. 1 and 2 are getting it done. there have been alot of rbi opps and our 3 spot should be leading the league
Braves' Wren struggling with decision on whether to deal (UPDATED) | Jeff Schultz
July 27th, 2010
5:31 pm
[...] ♦ Braves had no choice but to cut losses with McLouth [...]
Tweets that mention Braves had no choice but to cut losses with McLouth | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
July 27th, 2010
5:31 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by sambrooklyn, Sport Fanatic, Steve Gardner, Doug Smith, Ray Flowers and others. Ray Flowers said: RT @JeffSchultzAJC: #Braves had no choice but to cut losses with McLouth http://bit.ly/bSY6tx [...]
Ted M
July 27th, 2010
5:32 pm
So McLouth went willingly? Or did have no choice?
Paddy
July 27th, 2010
5:36 pm
Nate’s contract sort of makes you forget about Albie Lopez!
Ted M
July 27th, 2010
5:37 pm
Damn, he was poised to bust out against Strasburg! LOL
Paddy
July 27th, 2010
5:38 pm
Ted M …of course he went willingly! Are you going to walk away from a 5 Mil a year contract. If he is playing he is collecting!
Idot
July 27th, 2010
5:39 pm
He probably could have quit and forfieted all the money, or accepted a buyout. What would you have done?
Hedley Lamarr
July 27th, 2010
5:40 pm
YYYYEEEEESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bobby Coccyx
July 27th, 2010
5:40 pm
He really is a good kid.
Falcon Josh
July 27th, 2010
5:40 pm
Enter your comments here
Falcon Josh
July 27th, 2010
5:42 pm
Hinske/Diaz ,LF Heyward, Center Infante/Blanco ,RF
Why not?
wawel78
July 27th, 2010
5:42 pm
It’s not Blanco, it’s Clevlen. They have to wait at least 4 days (I think) to bring Blanco up.
Good luck, Nate. I hope you can work out your issues.
Bob Horner
July 27th, 2010
5:43 pm
Paddy is genious…..he stole my words….
Oregon Brave
July 27th, 2010
5:44 pm
Perhaps there is a God. Now Frankie me boy. Take out KK and we will ROLL!
Ted M
July 27th, 2010
5:45 pm
I wasn’t sure if his money was guaranteed no matter what he did.
gt76
July 27th, 2010
5:45 pm
Option to AAA…just cut him loose and write it off…the game Sunday was brutal to watch..if we still had Blanco on the bench he would have been a vast improvement over McClouth
NCBravesFan
July 27th, 2010
5:46 pm
I feel bad for the guy and hope he puts it together in AAA. Best of luck, Nate.
Stockdog
July 27th, 2010
5:47 pm
Great column Jeff, very funny and to the point. I hate to see Nate fail, but he is a 5million dollar hat rack that talks, walks but don’t hit. Cleveland will be brought up to come off the bench until Blanco finishes his 10 day stint in the minors (4 more days). Cabrera and Blanco will play center.
Idot
July 27th, 2010
5:47 pm
I would like to see McLouth get his swing leveled out, and stop trying to hit HRs at almost every AB.
AmosM
July 27th, 2010
5:49 pm
He deserves credit? I think the demotion of McClouth is major defeat for Frank Wren. He tied up significant cash and time in a player who will probably never be productive in a Braves uniform. We have no centerfielder and few serious leads on a new one going into a heated pennant race. And the Phillies are *coming.* Give him credit??
Idot
July 27th, 2010
5:50 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if KK gets traded. He has pitched some pretty good games this year and there is usually a contender looking for pitching this time of year. He does have some value.
med
July 27th, 2010
5:53 pm
maybe McLouth gets his swing working again in AAA and returns next spring with a vengeance.
Idot
July 27th, 2010
5:54 pm
He could return when the teams activate the 40 man rosters this season.
Braves send McLouth to the minors - Bob Smizik's Blog - post-gazette.com
July 27th, 2010
5:56 pm
[...] the rest of the story. Posted Jul 27 2010, 05:55 PM by Bob Smizik Filed under: Nate McLouth Online: Contact Us [...]
Idot
July 27th, 2010
5:57 pm
I don’t think that the Phillies are a juggernaut, yet.
But they were picked by all the experts to take the div.
I still believe that the Braves can win the East.
JohnSmith
July 27th, 2010
6:03 pm
All we are saaaaaaaaayin’…is give Blanco a chaaaaannnnnce…
DawgDad
July 27th, 2010
6:04 pm
Best wishes Nate. Fix your problems and get back up here.
bc1992
July 27th, 2010
6:07 pm
Why is Heyward not playing center field??????????????????? He is the fastest player the Braves have on the roster. It is a no brainer!! Heyward is a great out fielder. However, Cox is the manager.
tim
July 27th, 2010
6:07 pm
3 years at 15.75 million $$ for ANOTHER non performer…. The glaring problem with major league sports!! The exact reason I never spend a dime on a mis-managed business.
Reid Adair
July 27th, 2010
6:08 pm
Yeah, it was a sign alright, Frank Wren.
It was a sign that this demotion was long overdue and that, frankly, Nate McLouth probably never should have been brought to Atlanta in the first place.
JohnSmith
July 27th, 2010
6:08 pm
Actually, McLouth was the fastest player the Braves had on their roster. Too bad he never got to show it on the basepaths, eh?
Sonny Clusters
July 27th, 2010
6:11 pm
What is Al Gore doing? Maybe he can play some centerfield for the Braves until something good happens. We remember that he throws like a girl but that was from the mound. He might be able to turn it loose from centerfield. Can he hit? How does he do in warm weather?
Chop Chop
July 27th, 2010
6:12 pm
I didn’t really understand what all the panic about McLouth was. They wanted to give him some games to see if he’d get it going. It didn’t happen. The team is still in first place. I’ll rip Wren in a heartbeat, but I never thought for one second that McLouth would be allowed to play like that and stay in Atlanta. Wren deserves credit for that.
Legend of Len Barker
July 27th, 2010
6:16 pm
Andruw Jones is the all-time winner in this, but McLouth deserves a mention in the “got the least out of the most skills” category. He has so many tools, but like Andruw all he cared to do was uppercut at the ball and hope it went into the seats. Same strike zone recognition, too. Except that Andruw would always sheepishly grin; McLouth just looks confused.
Matt the Brave
July 27th, 2010
6:17 pm
The announcers pointed out something with McClouth’s swing the other night. The Braves have asked him to work on shortening it up, but so far, all he’s done is load up much more before swinging. In essence, this means that his swing is even longer than it was before the concussion. His swing is all sorts of messed up, and I don’t think that it’s anybody’s fault other than McClouth.
On a side note, I wonder how long it’ll take for the Braves to demote Kawakami?
Sonny Clusters
July 27th, 2010
6:18 pm
Well, you never know where you’ll find a center fielder. If we was looking we’d look for somebody a little taller than McLouth or somebody that could start his swing up higher and not end up over his head. We was always thinking McLouth was swinging uppercut and trying to hit home runs. Now, he hit that last ball pretty hard according to Bobby and to Frank but it only went to an infielder and it turned out to be a double play. When we hit a ball hard it bounces off somebody’s seat. We will just hope that McLouth gets better soon.
bman
July 27th, 2010
6:19 pm
Nate, best of luck in AAA.
I think its funny when people yell and scream about 3yrs and 15.75 mil, it was team friendly deal for a guy who put up some respectable numbers for three years straight. Yes, he’s having a terrible year, but don’t cut the nose to spite the face. He’ll settle down, and come back with a vengeance, because, unlike francouer and escobar, this guy he liked by his teammates and is not fighting a demotion (at least publicly). It shows he’s in it for the braves to win it, not for himself. Maybe this will allow him to step back and “reset” in a less stressful environment, instead of a place where their fighting to win the division and a WS. I bet he’ll be back up by the end of august, play like he has before, and be vital to the stretch run.
Tweets that mention Braves had no choice but to cut losses with McLouth | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
July 27th, 2010
6:19 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ReidAdair, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: Braves had no choice but to cut losses with McLouth. http://bit.ly/atDlmt [...]
boog
July 27th, 2010
6:33 pm
five million for two more years to McClouth… seven million another year to Kawakami and fifteen million per year for two more years to Lowe. Three players … twenty seven million per year. And only minimal production from one of the three…Lowe. It is amazing that the Braves are winning. When they shed these contracts and Chipper and they could really do something special.
Bob Horner
July 27th, 2010
6:38 pm
bman…I hope you’re right……I really do…McClouth isn’t a jerk or a headcase….
gcs
July 27th, 2010
6:41 pm
Thank you Mr. Wren.
I have no doubt that Bobby Cox probably threw out some objections but you were able to convince him otherwise.
This is a huge step in your maturation as GM.
.
SD Dawg
July 27th, 2010
6:44 pm
Great call Boog. Kawakami and Lowe’s contracts make me want to puke!
Gumby
July 27th, 2010
6:44 pm
This was the right move with Nate. Getting him here was a good move. His numbers with the Pirates were good but it just hasn’t worked here, even before the concussion. I have nothing but good wishes for him. His teammates seem to like him so maybe he can put ego aside and figure out what the problem is. If he can that would be a huge plus for the team to get Nate back playing the way he was with the Pirates.
GADAWG88
July 27th, 2010
6:49 pm
I agree with falcon josh
UGAFan
July 27th, 2010
6:53 pm
I feel so bad for Nate because he seems like such a nice guy but he is hurting this team. Don’t forget though he came up with one of the biggest at-bats this season. Walkoff homer off Contreras . Bravos went on to sweep the Phillies.
JASon
July 27th, 2010
6:55 pm
I don’t have any remorse for McLouth. Dude sucks. He got a comfortable contract and then flopped. I mean, did he work on his swing at all? Its one thing to have an off season, but .168, dude? Most organizations would have sent you down long ago.
gcs
July 27th, 2010
6:56 pm
Whoa Schultz,
You left out a pretty big detail. They replaced McLouth with Brent Clevlen (?!?!). Is this all about options? Give me a break. He IS not going to help the team and the Braves are in a race here. Why not bring back Gregor Blanco?
Back to the doghouse with you, Wren.
.
.
wxwax
July 27th, 2010
6:57 pm
Not sure Wren deserves plaudits for getting fleeced by the Pirates and tying his roster into knots.
Andruw Jones
July 27th, 2010
6:59 pm
I would love come back to where it all started for me, get me out of Chicago please!
Paddy
July 27th, 2010
6:59 pm
Bob Horner….I always loved your mental approach to the game ever since calling that next shot off of Bert Blylevvin in your ML debut. People had no idea how baseball smart you were. And to hit his curve ball for a HR, well, priceless!
nique
July 27th, 2010
7:01 pm
completely agree that wren shouldn’t get credit for demoting a guy that he traded for and obligated the club to pay. good points by boog as well. still though, can’t argue with being in first right now.
Mitun
July 27th, 2010
7:07 pm
cut McLouth and Kawakami and then try to get a reliever and CF
Cletus Dooley Earnhardt SR.
July 27th, 2010
7:22 pm
wheen dos FOOTBALL seison start? Im so freekin sick of beisbol!
- GO UGA! AND SONY PURDU!!!!
Bob Horner
July 27th, 2010
7:26 pm
Thanks Paddy I could handle the inner half of the plate….I guessed correctly on the curve you’re alluding to…my 4hr game was cool too…but honestly we weren’t in a pennant chase I got pitches I could hit…
Art
July 27th, 2010
7:49 pm
You might think this is crazy but read on. Brian had lasix surgery and had issues last year and wound up having to wear glasses and then had corrective surgery again in the off season. Nate McLouth had lasix surgery in the offseason and I was just wondering if Nate has eye problems.
Dnice
July 27th, 2010
7:52 pm
Legend of Len Barker You are wrong for downing Andruw. Its amazing that we were not satisfied with the numbers Andruw put up. Dont ever put Nate and Andruw in the same sentence because Nate was not a GG player and he never was a homerun hitter. Even when Andruw sucked so bad his last year here he at least hit the ball out the park and brought in runs (about 85 last year).
On another note are we sure Gwinnett will accept Nate??????
Joslyn James
July 27th, 2010
8:03 pm
Hey McClouth….Pay me a million bucks…I’ll fix your swing….like I did Tiger
Eli
July 27th, 2010
8:04 pm
damn, didn’t we know this was coming? Come on fellas. bring on the next Andruw Jones…
Eli
July 27th, 2010
8:06 pm
I bet Cletus Dooley Earnhardt SR. has at least five bumper stickers on his car. Anybody wanna take that bet?
Bob Horner
July 27th, 2010
8:07 pm
This sux…I’m soft hearted..I bet a buddy $10.. straight up…when Strasbug got scratched I gave him 2 to 1 odds…..now I’m poutin..!!!
Bob Horner
July 27th, 2010
8:08 pm
Eli I’ll take the under….(I warn you…I’m due)
Bob Horner
July 27th, 2010
8:08 pm
looks like Big Red has settled down…down 0-3
Eli
July 27th, 2010
8:10 pm
sorry bob, he probably has a truck
Jesse James
July 27th, 2010
8:12 pm
How many starters have you seen throw from the stretch? I know he isn’t a starter, but in all my years of watching pro ball I have never seen a starter of anykind throw from the stretch all the time. I guess when you are a reliever you don’t change.
Bob Horner
July 27th, 2010
8:15 pm
Jesse..I’d be laughing if I didn’t bet the game…..ur right…dude is not winding up…
Eli
July 27th, 2010
8:18 pm
come on Bravos!!!
mr baseball
July 27th, 2010
8:20 pm
When are Infante and Diaz going to join McLouth in Gwinnett? After all, our future Hall of Fame manager decided Sunday to use McLouth instead of Infante & Diaz in his stupefying decision to pinch run for Hinske in the 7th inning and then leave McLouth in the game so he could ground into a double play with the bases loaded in extra innings.
Evidently, Cox thought McLouth was better than Infante and Diaz in that situation, and before the Braves played another game, he’s in the minors. What does that say about Cox’s opinion of Infante & Diaz? Not to mention his managerial acumen.
Bob Horner
July 27th, 2010
8:22 pm
mr baseball….Cox gave McClouth his last chance…he failed…get over it….I have
Najeh Davenpoop
July 27th, 2010
8:23 pm
Bring back Andruw!
Colonel Claude
July 27th, 2010
8:23 pm
Schultz, you are tripping on your high heels. Give Frank Wren credit? He’s paying this guy $5 mil a year. Hey, what about KK, Lowe, etc? You’re a writer, grow a pair already, take the GM to task. What’s Glaus hitting .250 now? Your comeback will be, Look the Braves are in 1st place. It ain’t because any of the guys above, Jethro. It’s Prado, McCann, Hudson, Say Hey–guys Wren had nothing to do with acquiring.
Ronald Millsaps
July 27th, 2010
8:25 pm
Let’s get Gregor Blanco and Josh Anderson back on the team.
If we’re going to trade Kris Medlen, let’s go for a Corey Hart. I’m not sure Cody Ross is fair compensation.
Bob Horner
July 27th, 2010
8:27 pm
Colonel Claude …are you an Alpha Male..???
Braves20
July 27th, 2010
8:34 pm
While Cy Batista mows us down, hopefully our GM is looking with for a bat.
Jake
July 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
This team is in a slump. When is someone gonna say something. Prado batting 250 the past 15 games. Chipper not hitting at all. Hayward just average. Glaus back to his old ways. Things can turn quickly in baseball. Lose this one and it’s likely 2 series losses in a row with Strasburg likely to go tomorrow or thurs. Phils won 5 in a row. Could be 3.5 back tonight. Of course this all started when idiot fool Mark B talked bs about how these braves were different and would win their div.
Harry
July 27th, 2010
8:37 pm
Isn’t it great to see the Troy of April is back! Well, maybe he will get hot again in September.
Mookie Mills
July 27th, 2010
8:38 pm
Thank you for removing the weakest link that has cost us at least 4 games due to all the 0 for 4s and shoddy defense. Bring back Blanco to play centerfield and get our chemistry back.
Tom
July 27th, 2010
8:39 pm
How much does scouting and preparing to face a certain pitcher have on a team and then you face someone else?
GT Alum
July 27th, 2010
8:40 pm
Col Claude, don’t forget Jair and Hinske, both of whom were acquired by Wren. Not to mention that the Braves aren’t in first place if Glaus hadn’t hit well for the month and a half he did. Also, Wren’s not the one who originally brought Huddy here, but he is the one who signed him to an extension and made room for him in the rotation. I don’t think Schultz has said Wren’s made all the right moves. He’s actually one of the biggest KK critics there is, and he’s not crazy about Lowe. Unfortunately, you’re taking a very one-sided view of Wren’s work like you’re accusing Schultz of doing. It’s just the opposite side. Wren’s obviously made mistakes, but you’re really not seeing the whole story if you think he’s only made mistakes.
GT Alum
July 27th, 2010
8:45 pm
The one positive thing that should be said about McClouth – at least he said the right things about going to Gwinnett and didn’t pout and throw a temper tantrum like another OF who had been struggling mightily for about a year did when he was demoted about a year ago.
Trey
July 27th, 2010
8:47 pm
Time for another Troy out.
Trey
July 27th, 2010
8:48 pm
It’s amazing how a guy can be sold cold, then hot and then so cold again. Inconsistent. This isn’t their pitching. It’s a big slump and something better be done fast or they could be looking at being down 5 games.
bee killer
July 27th, 2010
8:54 pm
so let me get this straight- we are losing to the Nationals, who are pitching solely out their bull pen? This team looks like they’ve gone cold after the all star break. And why can’t Alex Gonzalez hit a homer in a Braves uniform? Hope they turn it around fast because the Phillies are coming!
Don
July 27th, 2010
9:11 pm
Idiot had to write this
8 reasons why these Braves will NOT squander this lead
4:48 pm July 22, 2010, by Mark Bradley
This young man is about to get going again. Just watch. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
They’d suffered a bad loss late Wednesday, and now the Braves had to play an afternoon game against the team with the National League’s best record on a sweltering day. (Heat index: 106.) They won so easily as to make you believe there’s no way the final 10 1/2 weeks of this regular season hold any danger for this dauntless band. The reasons why:
1. They can pitch. It never changes. As long as you can pitch, you can win. The Braves won breezing Thursday — actually, they did some sweating, too — because Tim Hudson never gave the Padres a chance. He worked seven innings and yielded six baserunners, one of whom was erased by a double play. This isn’t a team apt to lose five in a row because the rotation won’t let that happen. Jair Jurrjens looks hale and hearty, and even if Tommy Hanson and Derek Lowe haven’t been dominant they’re fine as Nos. 3 and 4 starters.
2. They’re buoyant. Not 15 hours after a sobering loss, the Braves had taken a lasting lead in the decisive game of a three-game set against an opponent they might well see in October. Said Billy Wagner, who blew a save Wednesday night: “Good teams are resilient. The heat out there today was awful; I guarantee you the Padres had never felt anything like that. We jumped on them early and kept them out there a long time.”
3. They’re daring. The key play of the first inning was the rookie Jason Heyward going first-to-third on Chipper Jones’ single to left field, which isn’t easy to do. (Heyward scored the only run the Braves would need on Troy Glaus’ sacrifice fly.) Said Bobby Cox of Heyward: “His instincts are off the chart, and he’s got some larceny in him. He’s not afraid to take a base.”
4. They’re clever. The 20-year-old right fielder is wise in the ways of older men, and there are a bunch of older guys to backstop him. Back to Heyward taking third: “You’d be surprised how many [left fielders] at this level can’t make that throw,” Jones said. “We’re a smart team. We steal bases at a very high percentage [69.5 percent, to be precise]. We’re very good at taking the extra base.” Then this: “We’ve got ballplayers. We’ve got guys with great instincts.”
5. They have a dependable shortstop. Alex Gonzalez, nicknamed Sea Bass, had four hits Thursday and made another series of deft defensive swoops. Said Cox: “Watching him play shortstop these past few days has really been special.” Jones likened A-Gonz to Ozzie Smith and Omar Vizquel, saying: “It’s that he’s having a great offensive year, but what I want out of a shortstop is defense — to know that 99 percent of the time he gets his mitt on something he’s going to make the play.”
6. They have a healthier Heyward. He was hitting .251 at the All-Star break, but this is in no way a .251 hitter. He carried this team when nobody else could do a thing in April, and he’s capable of more heavy lifting. He hit .321 over the seven-game homestand. He will do even better very soon.
7. They have a working lead but they’re not impressed by it. Said Wagner: “We play as a team. Chipper has said it a million times, but it’s not one person keeping us going. It’s someone new, a new face in the bullpen, helping us win a game. And we worry about one game at a time, and that comes from the manager.”
8. They have it going in a way that makes you believe they’ll keep it going. They didn’t panic when they lost nine consecutive games in April. They didn’t wring their hands over the lost lead Wednesday night. They press on. They’ve won or halved 20 of their past 21 series. Said Gonzalez, on board only a week: “When you watch the way they play ball every day, you think, ‘This is a great team.’ ”
“Great” overstates. This is a good team that has come to maximize every resource. It isn’t without flaws, but after 95 games it holds the best record in its league. Gonzalez again: “We play hard. We do the little things you have to do. We want to put ourselves in position and see what happens at the end of the year.”
What will happen: The Braves will play beyond the 162nd game for the first time since 2005.
POAD
July 27th, 2010
9:12 pm
Who is in charge of the Sports vent? They are not doing their job. Sports is 7/365 and we get a vent 3.4 maybe 5 days a week Sports vent? Get to work Sports Vent Person.
Alan
July 27th, 2010
9:14 pm
ok let’s see if it works. usually when i turn off the game, they come back.
Ron
July 27th, 2010
9:21 pm
too late, the cancer has spread.
reason
July 27th, 2010
9:22 pm
The Braves should enjoy first place, by this time next week they will be in second, maybe third place. Bobby is going back to his old way and the Brave hitters just stand there and watch the third strikes, along with the lousy playing of Chipper.. As for McLouth, he should have been release a month ago, he a no lost. Frank Wren said he does not want to disrupt the chemistry of the Braves, there would be better chemistry, with real center fielder, and a decent first baseman who can hit. The only problematic thing is dropping out of first place.
poopdawg
July 27th, 2010
9:25 pm
Schultz , the AJC should cut their losses with you. Your such a GOOBER that loves to write about jocks having athletic misfortunes. McLouth is not a loser , you are. Anybody that has played some ball , knows there will come a day when things are not going your way. For some those days turn into a week.
Ron
July 27th, 2010
9:26 pm
Give it 3 days, Nate, and you’ll be back.
concussions
July 27th, 2010
9:27 pm
this guy was recovering from a concussion – these can be tricky to navigate and may take some time from which to recover
I hope Nate can get his skills and timing back for a triumphant return to the team for a playoff run!
tj
July 27th, 2010
9:28 pm
bad news braves again back to april all over again
terrible defense and no hitting the hot streak is over and here come the phillies second place just isn’t good enough
Kerryb
July 27th, 2010
9:42 pm
concussions, the playoff run will soon be over. We got shut out by an average team throwing an average starter out there on last minute notice for his first start. That is weak. No big hitter in the middle of the lineup. Glaus has lost it and Mac is not a cleanup hitter. No big bat by Saturday means fade to third place.
ben
July 27th, 2010
9:45 pm
“pouty shortstop Yunel Escobar”…sure could use his bat right now.
Alan
July 27th, 2010
9:47 pm
Didn’t work. Phillies up 2. Gonna be 3.5 back and we have to play at cincy who played us tough earlier this year. Could be in 2nd place by the end of the week. Unbelievable.
oh well
July 27th, 2010
9:49 pm
It did not help tonight, did it?!
Peter
July 27th, 2010
9:50 pm
The Braves are imploding currently……where si the leadership in the dugout ?
Where is the hitting ? Where id the solid D ?
We have bandaged a team together so far, but this is not a championship caliber team unless each guy looks in the mirror and steps it up a notch, and even then who Knows !
bob
July 27th, 2010
9:53 pm
McLouth move paying dividends already. Hinske reached second base tonight. Great scam by the Nats, announce Strausberg then scratch him the last minute to sell out again tomorrow.
ben
July 27th, 2010
9:56 pm
Escobar went 3 for 5 tonight; Gonzalez was 0 for 3. Not really Gonzalez’s fault. Chipper Jone’s defense is costing Braves games…he was the one so happy that Escobar was gone…so if chemistry is so much better, why is Chipper playing so poorly?
Dr. K
July 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
The rest of this trip is probably going to be ugly. Brian Jordan is actually praising Miguel Batista and saying the Braves just weren’t prepared to face him. Give me a break ??? He is so far over the hill you can’t even see him. He is a rag armed mop up man. Chipper is done, Glaus sold his soul for a great six weeks and has absolutely stunk ever since. (obviously it was only worth six weeks) Melky Cabrera cannot hit…period. It was fun whiloe it lasted but I sense arepeat of the Apri swoon coming on.
bob is an idiot
July 27th, 2010
10:00 pm
Yes, clever marketing ploy by the Nats … after an x-ray and MRI, I’m sure he will be on the mound tomorrow … turn in your fan card
MitchC
July 27th, 2010
10:06 pm
Jeff, the Mclouth move was good, but the Braves have other serious troubles. If things hold as they are tonight, the Braves will have lost half their division lead in only four days, and it will be down to 3 1-2 games.
Several days ago, your esteemed colleague Mark Bradley, who I like very much, and have a lot of respect for, was writing articles boasting why the Braves won’t blow the divisional lead. A few more days like the Braves have had this week, and the lead will be all gone.
The Braves are in serious danger. They need to start winning games, and fast, and hope that Philly loses a few. If not, the Phillies are going to go right past them.
BillyBoy
July 27th, 2010
10:43 pm
I thought he blamed the Pirates for his issues. Something about their doctors did not know he needed new contacts. What a joke. He took his 5 mil/yr and played like $hit. Laughing his way to the bank.
craigslist stud
July 27th, 2010
11:10 pm
So I guess Nate had a concussion during spring training too, huh? And why the hell would Bradley write an article about how we won’t blow the lead with 2 MONTHS left to play? Clown.
juice sourcer
July 27th, 2010
11:15 pm
Hate to say it but the Braves are fading. Mark my words…they will be out of 1st place within 3 weeks..maybe 4…I will come back to report this. No playoffs this year.
JOD
July 27th, 2010
11:26 pm
Mark my words… trading Escobar seemed like a good deal, but look what has happened to the braves since the trade… can we say getting close to the edge folks?
bee killer
July 27th, 2010
11:34 pm
I dont dislike Gonzalez but his lollipop throws to first make every play a close one. scary!
otisnixonsmokescrack
July 27th, 2010
11:39 pm
cough, cough….
tjhook
July 27th, 2010
11:55 pm
I’m not prepared to give up on McLouth yet. He does need a reset, though. Hopefully, he won’t put too much pressure on himself to excel at AAA, but just concentrate on what the Braves told him to work on.
JRW7
July 28th, 2010
12:07 am
Great day, MCOUT is gone!!!!!!! But oh me, THE PHILLIES ARE COMING, THE PHILLIES ARE COMING!!!!!!!!!! Well, I have enjoyed this ride for long as it lasted. I hope we can get our swagger back, ???????????????????
hmmmm.......
July 28th, 2010
2:04 am
Lets bring laroche again and sign barry bonds to pinch hit. crazy right but what has wren done right? wagner. they’d come cheap….. i know too many lefties….but come on bonds trial is set back till 2011 and rochy is awesome in the second half. Oh yeah and fire TP please…..
Inject Me
July 28th, 2010
3:11 am
Glad the Braves traded Escobar. He only makes highlight plays every night and has a hit in every game with the Jays. Now, we have Alex Gonzalez soft tossing throws to Glaus and making every play bang-bang. Oh, well maybe some Bad Karma for the Braves since they have only been a .500 team since they removed the “clubhouse cancer”… At least Gimper Jones has really played great and showed why he is a great leader on the team! Oh wait, he hasn’t! Glad these guys are all playing loose and winning since Escobar is no longer there to bring them down and cost them wins!
The Pink Penetrator
July 28th, 2010
3:30 am
People talk like McLouth has done something personally to them. Do you guys seriously think he wants to be playing like he currently is? Maybe, just maybe he needs a change of scenery. It’s not like he asked to be traded to Atlanta, he even signed a team friendly contract with the Pirates. So leave the guy alone, hopefully he makes it back to Atlanta. If not, then best of luck with another team!
Arkie
July 28th, 2010
7:13 am
Braves seem to be going DOWN. WHY? They have two quality starting pitcher, one that came up before he learned how to pitch, hold runners on, etc. The others are winners if enough runs are scored. We need a big bat, Chipper is not a # 3 hitter, Glaus is not hitting, McCann is trying too hard. He is a very average catcher – needs to play first. Other than one relief pitcher that I agree with IDOT needs to be selling beer some where, has been very good. However, as usual we will wear out their arms with over pitching. Why does a little man such as McLouth think that he is a home run hitter? If he corrected his swing, hit line drives to use his speed, but will he ever see this?? Go Braves you will neeed some (a lot) of luck.
Clay
July 28th, 2010
7:43 am
Does Nate have room in his car for Chavez?
Clay
July 28th, 2010
7:49 am
Arkie: ” Why does a little man such as McLouth think that he is a home run hitter?”
***************************************
Nate had pretty good power at Pittsburg – 42 homers total in ‘07 & ‘08, with 164 RBIs and 42 stolen bases. It’s no wonder that Wren wanted him, and he hit 11 dingers when he got on the Braves, but he has just lost it. Unbelievable.
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
7:57 am
Now release or bench Troy Glaus, put Hinske at 1st, trade for a power hitting OF and roll on ! Otherwise, watch the Phillies overtake you .
BATTER UP
July 28th, 2010
8:01 am
CAN WE ALSO SEND JIM POWELL TO BE THE VOICE OF THE GWINNETT BRAVES. DUDE IS AWFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BATTER UP
July 28th, 2010
8:02 am
CAN’T WAIT FOR OUR MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WE JUST TRADED FOR WES HELMS
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
8:02 am
Chemistry means zilch when you go 0 for 50. Give me a head case that can hit .320 over a nice guy that hits .200 any day. Players get paid to produce not to be best buddies…
Barnacle Bill Bavasi
July 28th, 2010
8:02 am
Don’t look now, but it’s starting to smell like April around here again.
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
8:04 am
Chipper,Glaus,Gonzalez,McCann,and Prado need to step up and produce. These guys are killing us lately with weak bats. Prado hit well all year up until now.
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
8:06 am
Cox platoons Hinske who goes 3 for 5 when he plays. Glaus goes 0-4 with a walk. Who do you think DESERVES to start at 1B ?
Same with McLouth and Blanco. Blanco hits .300 for 2 weeks, McLouth returns with his .175 BA and Cox demotes Blanco and plays McLouth. Dumass.
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
8:07 am
Glaus = Weakest Link (now that Mclouth is triple Aing it).
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
8:09 am
Schultz, you are much better than DOB writing blogs. At least you don’t hire out Carroll Rogers and Brian whatever his name was. Pretty lame to get others to write blogs for you.
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
8:12 am
I don’t understand Wren debating over trading for help though. Its a no-brainer. Just look at the Phillies offense and the Braves. The Braves have no Ryan Howard & Jason Werth type power bats.
robdawg08
July 28th, 2010
8:13 am
Although I’m sure Wren THOUGHT those basts belonged to Chipper & Glaus.
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!
Auburn may get an '04 title yet (and who's USC's cover boy?) | Jeff Schultz
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?
Blank says Falcons are playoff team again (and maybe more) | Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2010
4:39 pm
[...] ♦ Braves had no choice but to cut losses with McLouth [...]
Roy Oswalt going to Phillies, and Braves need to respond (UPDATED) | Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2010
4:55 pm
[...] ♦ Braves had no choice but to cut losses with McLouth [...]