Braves’ spring training: What do you think is No. 1 issue?
Nate McLouth and the situation in center field is one of the Braves' questions this spring.
Spring training officially opened this week, and that always means two things: 1) Hope; 2) Questions.
I’ll be heading down to Orlando in less than two weeks to examine a few issues but I figured this blog would be more appropriate today. Some national media outlets, like FoxSports.com, are locking onto the loss of closer Billy Wagner as the No. 1 issue facing the Braves. It’s a worthy topic. But I figured I would let fans weigh in.
Loading ...Here are a few areas I believe most folks are looking at, along with my view. Let me know what you think and vote in the accompanying poll. That way we can come to some highly scientific conclusion, which I’ll pass along to general manager Frank Wren, who’ll quickly move to resolve the matter. (Slight sarcasm.)
What is the biggest issue in your view?
– 1. Billy Wagner’s retirement: It takes a special mindset to be a closer but I believe Craig Kimbrel and/or Jonny Venters can get it done. Being able to work with Wagner for a season should have helped.
– 2. Chipper Jones’ comeback: I’m not as confident here. Jones was starting to hit the ball well when he was injured last season, and there’s zero reason to question his determination. But asking a player to come back from a torn ACL at the age of 39 (come April 24) is an iffy proposition.
– 3. Black hole in center field: Nate McLouth is back, but it’s not because the Braves are oozing with confidence in him. It’s because they’re obligated to pay him $6.5 million. (McLouth also will receive a $1.25 million buyout after the season, assuming the Braves don’t exercise a $10.65 million team option.) Jordan Schafer still has potential but he’s regarded less of a prospect now than he was two years ago, given injuries and confidence issues. Help is needed.
– 4. Defense: The signing of second baseman Dan Uggla should significantly improve the lineup. But Uggla has his deficiencies in the field — his 18 errors placed second among major league second basemen — and the Braves were tied for third in the majors with 126 errors. Some of the team’s problems, however, can be attributed to injuries and backups (like Brooks Conrad) playing too many innings.
– 5. Freddie Freeman: First base has long been a Braves’ problem area. But Freeman is just keeping the spot warm for Albert Pujols. (Hey, a guy can dream, right?) Seriously, Freeman could be the real deal after crushing Triple-A, but it’s dangerous to just assume he’ll be a smashing success. Jason Heyward seemed a safer bet, in that regard.
OK, now it’s your turn.
By Jeff Schultz
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Earlier:
– Jadeveon Clowney picks South Carolina: Is the SEC East theirs?
– Georgia wins but looks like far from an NCAA tournament team
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231 comments Add your comment
ChillyMutt
February 14th, 2011
3:06 pm
Gotta have the lead to need a closer. And if we have the lead enough where a closer matters, I think we will be fine with Kimbrell and Venters.
Nate can’t be any worse than he was last year. (fingers crossed)
Defense … If Ugla doesn’t single handed lose a playoff series for us, its an upgrade.Hopefully by opening day, Conrad employment will include using the phrase “Would you like fries with that?”
Freddie Freeman…. if you’re gambling on a rookie to carry a team, most often, you’re gonna lose that bet.
I voted for #2. Chipper’s Health.
If he doesn’t stay in the line up and productive the whole line up unravels.
blazerdawg
February 14th, 2011
3:06 pm
Team speed and CF
Adm1023
February 14th, 2011
3:11 pm
The Atlanta Braves have given us a reason to talk about October for many seasons. But, they are always leaning on HUGE maybes every season. Whether it’s rookies, the over 35 year old player they signed hoping he makes a comeback(not Derek Lee) or the players they keep giving chances. It has been a long time since I have looked at the Braves Roster in the preseason and said this is a good team. The Braves take to many gambles to be in October consistently. If Derek Jeter was in the condition of Chipper Jones he would be gone. The fact that we need him to come back to have a good season is a huge stretch and will result to another year of sadness for Atlanta fans. Please prove me wrong Braves.
D A DoubleU G
February 14th, 2011
3:12 pm
My #1 “concern”??
How about the CONSTANT negativity coming from Jeff Schultz and Mark Bradley.
Jeff just cannot stand the fact that it’s the 2nd most giddy day for Baseball fans (second only to actual opening day), because Pitchers and Catchers reported.
So instead of writing a “What to be excited about” or “What’s the Brave’s strongest area going into Spring?” articles, he comes up with this buzzkill garbage.
LIGHTEN UP JEFF!!!!! I seriously think you need counseling sometimes to make you see anything positive. Take the blinders off your office window (yeah right, more like tiny cube or janitor’s closet) and let sunshine into your life.
GO BRAVES!!!!!!!
chris
February 14th, 2011
3:18 pm
It’s a toss up for me between Freeman at 1B and Nate in Center. I think Nate can play and he’s proven it or the Braves never would have made the trade. Freeman is an unknown and I don’t think he’ll have the success that his friend in RF had a year ago.
You didn’t even mention Jurgens and if he can have an injury free year.
Bill Stanfill
February 14th, 2011
3:23 pm
1. Offensive production from CF. If you can get great defense, you can accept a .250 batting average. You can’t accept .190 and very average defense. McClouth has about 40 games to prove he’s the Comeback Player of the Year for the Braves. No more than that.
2. Chipper’s shoulder, knees, feet, back. . . . I’m pulling for him but the Braves cannot accept another injury-ridden season. Chipper knows that too.
3. 1st base and LF These positions have to be an important part of any team’s offensive production. If Prado, has to move to 3rd, I’m hoping that Fredi will not go the endless platoon route in LF like Cox did. A mid-season trade may be necessary here.
Freddie Freeman has a history of starting slow and heating up as the season progresses. Hopefully, he’ll get off to a decent start and have less pressure on him during the first half of the season. The Braves will need to be patient.
4. The pitching will be fine. In fact, it will be more than fine, starters and relievers.
I’m optimistic. The Braves needed an Uggla-like right-handed bat and they got THE Uggla. I also like Wren’s moves for bench players and relievers. The defense won’t be great but the odds are that it will be better than last year. There’s also a good chance that the return on Alex Gonzalez will be higher this year, defensively and offensively. Fredi Gonzalez, I believe, will be a great manager (especially if all that young pitching comes through over the next few years).
RebelBrave
February 14th, 2011
3:26 pm
No.1 issue for me is the FANS. Come out and support the team!
Zing
February 14th, 2011
3:27 pm
Got to be center field and Nate “Ain’t” McLouth. Chipper’s health ranks as a concern, but the Braves can easily plug Prado into 3B, and they have some bench players who can play LF.
John G.
February 14th, 2011
3:27 pm
I’m afraid we’ll all miss Billy Wags.
Fols
February 14th, 2011
3:35 pm
If Nate bunted every at-bat…he’d have a better opportunity to succeed on the bases.
When they catch on, he can incorporate a sliding bunt attempt.
Either way, when he unleashes that god awful upper-cut swing we’re all left shaking our heads.
Love the Puls insert, Chipper/KK/Nate come off the books and we could afford half of Puls contract!
Mike
February 14th, 2011
3:37 pm
All we can really do is do what we can with what we’ve got. In my opinion, we have a solid squad but just a few uncertainties as we look up and down the lineup. I’m completely confident in our pitching staff…starters and otherwise…because they proved that last season. Sure…replacing a future hall of fame closer like Billy Wagner will be tough but Kimbrel showed promise and from what I saw, a little polish and this guy can be scary good. Venters…already scary good.
If my calculations are correct, a lot of money will free up after this year and we’ll be able to spend a bit. We can go get a big time outfielder to join Heyward and Prado out there to play center. I’ve been really intrigued in the possibility of acquiring Grady Sizemore as Cleveland is rumored to be shopping him this year. Maybe if we find a lot of depth in pitching, we could put something together to send up to the Indians to get Sizemore here.
Phillistein
February 14th, 2011
3:38 pm
What are the Braves biggest issues
Here’s 5
Projected rotation
1. RHP Roy Halladay, 21-10, 2.44 ERA in 2010
2. LHP Cliff Lee, 12-9, 3.18 ERA in 2010
3. RHP Roy Oswalt, 13-13, 2.76 ERA in 2010
4. LHP Cole Hamels, 12-11, 3.06 ERA in 2010
5. RHP Joe Blanton, 9-6, 4.82 ERA in 2010
D A DoubleU G
February 14th, 2011
3:38 pm
RebelBrave,
Move the stadium somewhere other than the unreachable ghetto and the fans will come.
We need to plop a smaller stadium down at 14th and Peachtree Street where the Symphony Hall was suppose to be built 10 years ago. Have ti within walking distance of the booming 20 and 30 something crowd living in Midtown, which is conveniently right next to a couple MARTA train stations. No risking your life walking through 5 points to get to a bus, which I am not even sure will be in service this coming year.
99% of Braves fans live north of the city, and they are turned off from the inconvenient MARTA transferring or having to drive through rush hour in the city to go to the southside ghetto The Ted currently resides in.
Until we have an actual in-town stadium, continue to expect MANY empty seats Mon-Thu home games.
Vain Jangling
February 14th, 2011
3:40 pm
Flintrock70 @ 2:24 p.m.
Yeah, I like Prado as a guy to round out a team. He’s a clutch player from time to time. I just think it’s going to be a bit of an adventure for him day in and day out in left. He’s far from a natural. And I believe his offense is going to be feast or famine. Otherwise, my point with Freeman is simply that breaking into the bigs at first base is a tough nut to crack, although I know he’s got to do it sooner or later. I’m afraid he’s going to struggle this year against big league pitching. And no, at no time did I want Heyward sent down last year. He, sir, is the real deal. I’m not a pessimist, but I just think we’re going to need more than a couple of guys to have career years to duplicate last year’s win total. We can’t count again on those last out, come-from-behind wins to go our way this year.
Otherwise, PLAY BALL!
Robert
February 14th, 2011
3:42 pm
“Robert,
That burns brotha! Ease up on old Brooksy,lol!”
I have never had any issue with Brooks Conrad himself
I dont blame the screwdriver if some fool tries to use it as a hammer – I blame the fool
Robert
February 14th, 2011
3:45 pm
“You don’t need 5 guys hitting 30 HRs to have a great offense”
Dude, this is Atlanta.
If your eight regular position players dont all hit 30 home runs and if every one of your pitchers doesnt throw 118 mph, and if so much as one player goes on the dl during the year, then if the team manages to win more than 35 games during the season, it means the manager was a genius
JCH
February 14th, 2011
3:45 pm
Write in – Gonzalez at SS
1) he didn’t have much offense for Atlanta last year
2) he plays only marginal SS
3) he’s getting older
4) no clear replacement
If Chipper goes down, Prado plays 3B and Hinske LF
In CF we have McClouth, Schafer or even Mather youve got to believe one of those will pan out
Same situation at closer and in thevrotation for that matter
Hinske can play firstbalso if need be
But, what happens if Gonzalez goes down??? Diory and his sub-200 average I guess
Robert
February 14th, 2011
3:48 pm
Prado for president
I think most of thoe projections are reasonable – at least for the regulars and the major pitchers
I think you might be a little optimistic re Freeman’s average – but I think you might be a little on the low side re Heyward’s power numbers
The Grinch
February 14th, 2011
3:50 pm
Give ‘em hell, Robert!
CF won’t be that big a problem as long as they’re allowed to compete for it in Spring Training. If so, SOMEONE will beat out Nate, even if it’s just some schlub from the crowd at Disney. I wouldn’t count out Schafer yet. Even if he hits .200 it’ll be an improvement, and he actually plays defense. Now, if Nate’s just penciled in because of salary, it’ll be a different story.
FalconDawg
February 14th, 2011
3:53 pm
I’m sorry did someone say the name Pujoles?
proffish
February 14th, 2011
3:56 pm
I think it’s a mistake to look at just the closer. The Braves need solid contributions from at least five arms in the bullpen.
The Grinch
February 14th, 2011
3:59 pm
Oops…time to get some work done. I’ll chime in again later. The Braves will win 92-95 games this year barring disaster.
Phillisux
February 14th, 2011
4:04 pm
Phillistein February 14th, 2011 3:38 pm What are the Braves biggest issues Here’s 5: Projected rotation
1. RHP Roy Halladay, 21-10, 2.44 ERA in 2010
2. LHP Cliff Lee, 12-9, 3.18 ERA in 2010
3. RHP Roy Oswalt, 13-13, 2.76 ERA in 2010
4. LHP Cole Hamels, 12-11, 3.06 ERA in 2010
5. RHP Joe Blanton, 9-6, 4.82 ERA in 2010
Sillystein: After Halladay, that “immortal” rotation went 46-39 (a .541 winning %), and averaged 11.5 wins per “future Hall-of-famer” so that’s real scary for Braves’ fans in 2011.
Robert
February 14th, 2011
4:04 pm
It makes no sense to think that CF is our major problem
After all, it cant get worse than last year – and we made it to the playoffs despite that problem
In other words, it’s proven to be a problem that can be overcome, and since it cant get worse, you put those two together and it means its not our biggest problem
Now, that’s not saying that CF is a shining spot. It’s not saying we couldnt hope to improve there.
But if the CF (whoever it ends up being) performs exactly like the CFer’s did last year, we could go back to the playoffs, just like we did last year
Robert
February 14th, 2011
4:07 pm
“If Ugla doesn’t single handed lose a playoff series for us, its an upgrade.Hopefully by opening day, Conrad employment will include using the phrase “Would you like fries with that?””
I dont agree with that.
Conrad can contribute to the team.
Conrad didnt lose the playoff series last year
If I watch someone try to use it to install a window – and in the process the window breaks, I dont throw away the hammer claiming its useless
Robert
February 14th, 2011
4:10 pm
GRIIIIIIINNCHH!!!! – gimme a manhug dude
I am PSYCHED for this season!!!!!
ATL FAN
February 14th, 2011
4:12 pm
Easily the Chipper Jones one… he will either make or break us this season
mowreck
February 14th, 2011
4:16 pm
I’ve always like Nate and am hoping he shows us a reason to keep him in CF this year. He has looked good so far according to the coaches.
timthebrave
February 14th, 2011
4:25 pm
Here are my biggest worries
1. Chipper health-If he goes down we will have to juggle a lot. Making the defense worse
2. Nate Mcclouth- I would like to blame the injury but he wasn’t lighting it up before he got the concussion.
3. Overall defense-I’m not worried about Uggla as much as everyone else
4. Replacing Wagner-I think we have the men for the job
5. Freddie Freeman-I’m not expecting the world out of a rookie and I know he can handle the position.
dustin
February 14th, 2011
4:25 pm
the season will be dependant on chipper jones’ health….if he can come back heathly then we’re fine, but if not we may be doomed….injured chipper leads to prado moving back to 3rd from left leaving a gap in left and nate the great? in center…thats not a very good OF unit if prado has to play 3rd…on the offensive side if chipper is in the line-up i believe some pitchers will go after him thus throwing many fastballs which is a good thing, also hes still chipper jones so veteran pitchers will respect him thus taking the weight off of our youngins(freeman, heyward) so they will get better pitches to hit…so by far the season rests with chipper’s health
Chopper
February 14th, 2011
4:25 pm
Simple, it’s Chipper’s recovery. Nobody expects much from McLouth, so if he hits .190 nobody is going to freak out. If Chipper can’t play or hits like early last season, it will be a big deal. There’s no plan B to replace Chipper. There’s a plan B, C & D for McLouth (Jordan Schafer, Matt Young, trade).
There are real answers to replace Billy Wagner, in Venters and Kimbrel. I think between the two of them the closer job will be in good hands.
Will Freddie Freeman be any worse than Troy Glaus and an injured Derek Lee? Maybe in April/May, but he’s got a good swing and makes contact, so he’ll match their production if not exceed it.
Defense is an issue, but Uggla makes up for his defense by driving balls out of the park and driving in runs. For all of Omar Infante’s skills, he didn’t do either. And Brooks Conrad should not play in the field as much as he did.
Hee Soop Choi
February 14th, 2011
4:32 pm
Barbaro Canizarez has been called up at least 3 times for the Braves over the last 3 seasons. He did nothing in the majors. Canizarez is nothing more than a minor leaguer.
Mark (another one)
February 14th, 2011
4:34 pm
As with every season for the last 15 or so, Chipper. He plays the hot corner and hits 3rd. Most teams would struggle if their number 3 hitter is out, and the Braves would be no different. If anyone can come back from a blown ACL at 39, he will do it. However, it is the top concern.
I see a three way competition for playing time in center (McLouth, Shafer and Young) so I am not as concerned there. I like the other positions (with Chipper healthy) but I am also concerned with depth in the middle infield. Diory has to chow he is able to get it done or Lucas is going to get a shot.
For some reason I don’t have a great concern about Freeman. I know he is young and this will be his first season in the majors but he will adjust. Just don’t expect a lot of offense at the beginning of the season. It will come around. In the mean time, his defense will probably save us 3-5 games above last years defense at 1st. I think that is huge.
Gen Neyland
February 14th, 2011
4:34 pm
I’ll go with #3…
timthebrave
February 14th, 2011
4:36 pm
Phillistein……Joe Blanton…He leaves every team shaking in their boots. hilarious
justin1
February 14th, 2011
4:41 pm
Atlanta needs better beat writers.
justin1
February 14th, 2011
4:41 pm
With the exception of DOB.
ernisTbass
February 14th, 2011
4:46 pm
If you can have McClouth and The Situation in center couldn’t you have Snookie and Mather in left?
jerry
February 14th, 2011
4:48 pm
The #1 issue is the same damn thing it always is. Not willing enough to spend the money to upgrade the team.
jojo
February 14th, 2011
4:52 pm
CENTER FIELD
U Got It Right!
February 14th, 2011
4:53 pm
You Nailed it Schultz-e-baby!………
dlove
February 14th, 2011
4:56 pm
Short is a spot of concern as well.
steve brown
February 14th, 2011
4:56 pm
The amount of money being spent (wasted) on a guy that will hunt more days this year than he plays baseball.
batman
February 14th, 2011
4:59 pm
send lowe to the yankees, then upgrade the outfield.
Ready Fredi
February 14th, 2011
5:01 pm
I think Both Fredi’s(Fredi and Freddy)will be Ready!…….Will Prado move on over and let Chipper take over?Will Kimbrell be the Closer or a Hoser?Will Johnny be able to cut the steam of summer and put more vents in the opposing teams fanners?Grab your popcorn boys and girls and let the Boys of Summer move into the lead cause wer’e getting no more NFL feeds!
markie mark
February 14th, 2011
5:03 pm
yep, those 5 things….they are what I am worried about. And you get paid for these kinda obvious blogs….
rainman
February 14th, 2011
5:06 pm
Right now, the outfield (in particular CF) is the biggest area of concern. I almost assume Prado will be needed in the infield
sooner or later. So, who is the 4th outfielder?
Bottom line is that – if the Braves had a star in centerfield that could lead-off, steal some bases, have a high OBP, hit for
average, and be a gold-glover on defense — well, I think they would have a shot at a pennant!
Of course — “If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride”.
Mike10
February 14th, 2011
5:07 pm
I wish I could vote for all 4 because this team has more than one issue.
coach phil
February 14th, 2011
5:09 pm
The braves need owners who will be willing to spend money on quality players. not pitchers who have had 2 or 3 surgeries or field position players not past their prime.
20yrBravesfan
February 14th, 2011
5:10 pm
I voted the center field issue as my No 1 issue, but if Chipper turns out to be below average and clogs up the 3 hole that could be a bigger problem – not to mention the large salary he draws.
If the Braves get sentimental and put up with him underperforming for longer than they should that will be my new No 1 issue. i really, really hope that does not happen – play well Chipper.