Gonzalez: Braves not considering sending Uggla to minors
Dan Uggla managed to dodge this pitch in Houston but he needs several more to start hitting the bat. (AP photo)
Dan Uggla is less than three months into a five-years, $62 million contract — and he’s not going anywhere.
I normally wouldn’t be passing along something that should seem obvious. But with the backdrop of Uggla’s struggles, I’ve had so many readers ask me, “Why not just send him down to the minors?” So it seemed time to address it with someone on the Braves.
I posed this question to manager Fredi Gonzalez following Thursday’s win over the New York Mets: Is it too early to even consider something like sending him to Gwinnett?
“We haven’t reached that point,” he said. “We haven’t even had a conversation about that. This is the first time anybody’s even mentioned it.”
And then this: “We’re trying. He’s trying. He’s battling. The season’s not over with.”
For what it’s worth, even if the Braves believed that sending Uggla to Triple-A Gwinnett could help him get his confidence back, that’s a move the veteran second baseman would have to sign off on.
Here’s your ugly numbers blitz: Uggla went 0-for-5 Thursday night. He stranded five base runners. His season average is down to .174. In the last four weeks, he is hitting .139 (11-for-79). He is hitting .127 with runners in scoring position and .184 with runners on base.
Gonzalez has tried him in six different spots in the batting order (Nos. 2 through 7), as well as sat him out altogether.
Uggla’s nine homers and 19 RBIs in 70 games project to 21 homers and 44 RBIs over a full season. He averaged 31 homers, 93 RBIs and a .263 average in Florida.
But for now, he’s staying here. How long the Braves choose to stick this out depends in part on how well the team does and whether the situation ever becomes desperate (in their view). But they’re not there yet.
By Jeff Schultz
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184 comments Add your comment
ted williams head
June 17th, 2011
10:48 am
cant believe that. Gwinnett could get him smne confidence back. this makes my head hurt which is really bad
PMC
June 17th, 2011
10:48 am
I’m kind of wondering how Frank Wren feels about this since he essentially stuck his own neck out with that contract.
No one can really argue he had the track record for what we thought we needed in the lineup. Add this trade to the McClouth trade and the Kawakami disaster, there’s a lot of dead money not helping this team win right now.
It happens, everyone makes mistakes and Wren has been brilliant rebuilding the rotation, but seriously, this has to give him ulcers.
Hankie Aron
June 17th, 2011
10:52 am
JS- I don’t think it ever gets that desperate to send him to AAA this year. Maybe even next year too, all that the Braves and Uggla can do is keep working trying to get him better at least for this season.
Rankin Smith
June 17th, 2011
10:52 am
Enter your comments hereTHIRD!!
Supes
June 17th, 2011
10:52 am
He should get till around the ALL STAR break…if this continues then by all means send him down and start Conrad at 2B till Uggla gets it figured out. You don’t forget how to hit all of a sudden…this is puzzling in more ways than one. Braves need Dan Uggla’s bat in the lineup to contend…but he’s not hitting like himself.
Either way his lack of run production is damaging to the offense right now…pitchers no longer fear him…they go after him, he chases and gets himself out most of the time.
norman
June 17th, 2011
10:53 am
It is what it is with Uggla. He aint goin no where.
Hankie Aron
June 17th, 2011
10:54 am
PMC I agree, he has some good and some bad. This one hurts equally as bad as Mclouth and KK. To be honest KK being the worst because KK’s days with the Braves are over.
Mike Jay
June 17th, 2011
10:54 am
PMC “No one can really argue he had the track record for what we thought we needed in the lineup. ”
????
We needed a right handed power hitter and he was easily the best available. He is second in HR behind Pujols in the last 5 years. That is a hell of a track record. Plus we got him cheaper then he would have commanded in FA. Wren did not make a mistake with this trade and signing. Uglla just needs to perform to his standards, Wren can’t control that and any GM would have made the same move if they could.
Dawgdad (The Original)
June 17th, 2011
10:55 am
Uggla needs a break of some kind to get his mind right. He could work on his swing when his mind gets past his struggles. Find an excuse to put him on the DL and let him rehab for a week or so.
Hankie Aron
June 17th, 2011
10:59 am
Mclouth has a little time to at least be serviceable although Shafer may limit his playing time. I know I’m beating a dead horse but I do think Uggla will turn it around at least to hit .235 or .240. I can’t see him staying under the Mendoza line all season long.
Dave
June 17th, 2011
11:00 am
I like Uggla but if McClouth comes back and hits and Schafer stays hot, then move Prado to 2nd and let those two play in the OF. I agree though, Uggla needs to strain an abdominal muscle and get on the DL
Spud Webb
June 17th, 2011
11:00 am
Dawgdad, I agree, put him on the DL, let him go down to FLA for some extended spring training and just relax and work on the string.
Supes, if we get to the point of this “and start Conrad at 2B” we’re in GIANT, GIANT trouble. Can’t and shouldn’t happen.
PMC
June 17th, 2011
11:01 am
Isn’t that what I said Mike? I know he can’t control any of that, but baseball contracts are guaranteed. So not only can he not control that, he can’t get out of it, if Uggla never remembers how to hit. This is fairly crushing for a team on a budget.
Mike Jay
June 17th, 2011
11:01 am
His ego has got to bruised, that’s at least worth a 10 day stint on the DL, no?
Bob Rathbun
June 17th, 2011
11:01 am
He looks terrible at the plate. What do you think Stinger??
Sonny Clusters
June 17th, 2011
11:03 am
We would have wrote something earlier and claimed first but we was slowed by a bad adductor. This is our first adductor poblem but we didn’t know we had one until we hurt it. Right now, Clusters is day to day. We was thinking a lot about Uggla since when he comes up to bat the only one that doesn’t seem to know what is going to happen is him. We was thinking he might change his batting stance and make more use of his adductor. Let us know what you think.
Jason Heyward
June 17th, 2011
11:04 am
I don’t want to talk about Dan Uggla. I want to talk about Chipper Jones. What Chipper needs to realize is that Chipper, at 80 percent is a force, and Chipper at 80 percent is better than a lot of people in this league, so I don’t want to hear any more about some strained adductor muscle, or any day to day crap. If necessary, I’ll get John Smoltz to have a talk with him.
LeifJohnson
June 17th, 2011
11:04 am
Why has nobody been talking about Parrish? It’s not like Uggla is the only Brave to have a bad average and not hitting. The bench has been atrocious and McCann is the only regular even close to a .300 average. Until last night and the Houston series this team looked like a Triple A team at the plate. At least Schafer looks like he is coming along but even with his good work he is still at .256.
Hankie Aron
June 17th, 2011
11:04 am
DL for a week or so sounds like a good idea to me but I don’t know if he would go for that. He is a high character guy who is tougher on himself than any blogger or journalist could ever be. I’m sure it’s killing him to struggle like he has. He was a Rule 5 draft pick so he has always been the underdog. Maybe he could give some of that money back and restructure his deal so that he feels more like the player he was when he first come up with Marlins. That’s crazy. Who knows
Bob Rathbun
June 17th, 2011
11:05 am
He should just start calling his shot every time he steps to the plate. That ought to do it
Mike Jay
June 17th, 2011
11:05 am
PMC,
your track record line is what confused me. Were talkign about Uggla not having a track record worth the contract or Wren not having a track record? If wren how so?
i think If Wren wanted he would find plenty of takers on trading uggla. So he is not stuck per say. It would be a stupid move most likely though as I think he will turn things around. Heyward being back should help him see some better pitches. Right now he is lacking patience and swinging at junk, his swing reminds of Klesko’s.
PMC
June 17th, 2011
11:05 am
Mike
indeed, and I would have made the deal too.
Mario Mendoza
June 17th, 2011
11:06 am
Come on Dan….go to Gwinnett..work things out or u know whats gonna happen?From now on it will be named after u instead of me….the Dan Uggla line
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2011
11:07 am
Hankie Aron — You’re probably right. Hard to imagine him in minors.
PMC
June 17th, 2011
11:07 am
I meant that Uggla did have the track record as a player that the Braves wanted in the lineup. On paper he was perfect. They couldn’t have done much better since they could move Prado to Left.
Hankie Aron
June 17th, 2011
11:07 am
Maybe the All Star break lets him clear his head. I hope so. Uggla was such a cluth hitter and Brave killer with the Marlins.
Andy
June 17th, 2011
11:08 am
As you mentioned, MLB players with 5+ years of service time can decline a demotion. If he were to decline, does his contract void and he becomes a free agent, or does he just go back to the MLB roster?
Regardless, if the team publicly loses confidence in him, he becomes a more disastrous version of Kawakami. If we still had Kelly Johnson on the bench, it would be tough to keep trotting Uggla out there every day. But considering his replacements would be Conrad, Diory or Hicks, we’ve gotta let him work it out.
Bob Rathbun
June 17th, 2011
11:09 am
Maybe we need to give him hats for his bats. Keep bats warm!! Or maybe the Joe Boo doll.
Hankie Aron
June 17th, 2011
11:10 am
Can’t see it
archie
June 17th, 2011
11:14 am
Jeff, here are some more feasible solutions. How about a platoon? Conrad is no everyday player, but he’s proven to have some pop in the bat, and his hustle in the field would certainly make up for Uggla’s lack of range. OR: Bat him 8th, until he figures it out. Pure and simple. Get him out of those RBI situations that he’s been stiffing on all year. Braves would be 5 games ahead of the Phillies if he was hitting .250, and had knocked in 15-20 more runs. 3.
Hankie Aron
June 17th, 2011
11:15 am
Honorable mention to Bob Rathbun for the calling your shot advice to Uggla but I think Sonny Clusters is the funniest guy on here. He kills me, although he might actually be JS himself
Sonny Clusters
June 17th, 2011
11:19 am
We remember when Chipper hurt a hammock bone and that was long before he hurt his adductor. Our adductor is pretty sore right now and we remain day to day. Not many people know that a lot of sportswriters have bad adductors. We are hoping Jeff never has this problem. Thinking some more about Uggla, we think maybe he should work some with McCann’s daddy. That may be offensive to Larry Parrish, though. We was wondering if Uggla won’t adjust his stance if maybe one night he’s going to screw himself into the ground and not be able to get up? We was also thinking they could let him run the race with the Drill and the Hammer and help him get some confidence. We sure hope he gets started soon.
Daniel
June 17th, 2011
11:19 am
Quick comments: 1) Uggla seems like the kinda guy that would sign off on going down to triple A for a short run without argument
2) It probably isn’t time for that…. yet.
3) Freddi, c’mon man, I am not saying he needs to go down but to say “that this is the first time someone has even mentioned it”? please, don’t treat us fans as retarded.
Steve
June 17th, 2011
11:21 am
Why does Uggla have to sign off on going down if he is not producing?
Hankie Aron
June 17th, 2011
11:22 am
Conrad is best suited as a pinch hitter only seeing the field here and there. I love the guy in the late innings pinch hitting but don’t want to see him in the field hardly at all. Uggla has done a good job in the field so his complete game hasn’t been a wash.
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2011
11:22 am
Andy — If he declines, he declines. Nothing changes. Braves aren’t going to outright release him, if that’s what you’re getting at. They’d have to pay off contract. But it’s not going to get to that point.
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2011
11:23 am
Archie — I’m sure if Uggla continues to struggle, a lot of things would be on the table.
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2011
11:23 am
Hankie Aron — Wish I could take credit for Mr. Clusters, but I can’t.
Hankie Aron
June 17th, 2011
11:24 am
I’ll take Uggla by a nose in the race against the hammer and drill, Uggs could be the screwdriver Sonny.
Jeff Schultz
June 17th, 2011
11:24 am
Mr. Clusters — I haven’t seen my adductor for, well, it’s been at least seven cheeseburgers now. …. I like the idea of the race with the Drill and the Hammer though.
Terry Pendleton
June 17th, 2011
11:25 am
See, I wasn’t so bad after all!
Steve
June 17th, 2011
11:25 am
Andy,what’s wrong with Diory?at least he makes contact.
stevie zero
June 17th, 2011
11:27 am
would love to see uggla change his approach altogether and use all fields. he swings like hes trying to end the world. lotta basehits out there in right
Steven
June 17th, 2011
11:27 am
A light-hitting second baseman, like Uggla, should be hitting seventh or eighth, not in the middle of the order. Since Gonzalez doesn’t seem to understand this — pretty basic — I’m of the opinion that he’s an incompetent manager. So make it McClougth, Kawakami, Uggla, and Gonzalez as poor acquisitions that Frank Wren has made. Maybe it’s time to get rid of both Wren and Gonzalez.
Kelly Johnson
June 17th, 2011
11:29 am
I’m your Huckleberry!
Sonny Clusters
June 17th, 2011
11:30 am
An adductor sounds like some kind of snake, doesn’t it? When somebody has an adductor go bad it can cause ‘em to be grumpy. It can make ‘em say things like, “Uh, go away” when somebody’s trying to interview ‘em. That’s just a heads up for ol’ Jeff. We was wondering if everybody on the team has an adductor? And we was wondering if anybody else ever hurt one while playing baseball?
DJ
June 17th, 2011
11:30 am
Please can we do the fundamentals!!!???? can anyone get a bunt down????????????????
Steve
June 17th, 2011
11:31 am
Steven you hit the nail right on the head.
stevie zero
June 17th, 2011
11:31 am
and oh yeh, any chance of moving chip and his lack of power out of 3 hole or do we have to wait for him to die?
Hankie Aron
June 17th, 2011
11:31 am
On a completely separate note, I do miss hearing Bobby Cox talking up every hitter in the box. Kinda gives like a little league feel to a serious big business game. Come on Brooksey, Jonesy, it was cool the way he was always trying to encourage the guys batting. It’s good he never got the chance to talk up Dan, then it would have been “Come on Uggley”.
shawn
June 17th, 2011
11:37 am
It does not matter if has a $62 mil contract or not the fact is Uggla is not even close to get out of his funk anytime soon. He needs to be sent to GB to work out on his mechanics or his head..He is hurting the team and keeping him in the major league level is not right
Mike Jay
June 17th, 2011
11:39 am
PMC, ok I gotcha now, we are o nthe same page
. I am simply baffled at him struggling this bad. In fact the whole offense is baffling so far. Injuries aside I expected way more then they have shown. If Schaefer keeps it up and they can stay relatively healthy from here on it….well Offense shouldn’t be a problem. Need to grab one more dependable arm for the bullpen before Venter’s falls off. Anyone know Moylan’s timetable for return? I suppose Medlin could help the bullpen out as well.
DJ
June 17th, 2011
11:40 am
If Freddi sits Schafer when McClouth comes back I will not watch another game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 17th, 2011
11:53 am
well shoot!! thanks JS for following up with FG last night after all of our comments about sending “Struggla” down to the minors. Way to follow up!!
dobearsbare
June 17th, 2011
11:54 am
I think a fair comparison can be made to Ron Gant in 1991. Gant was hitting .188 entering play on May 30 that year. Granted, we’re now 2 1/2 weeks past that with Uggla, but Gant, who at that point had a much shorter track record than Uggla has now, was never sent down and rebounded to hit a respectable .251 (his career average was .256) with 32 homers and 105 RBIs. The Braves’ decision makers have changed, but the organizational philosophy really hasn’t. Given that, I’d be way more than mildly surprised if the club even broaches the subject with him. And there’s no way he’ll agree to it.
enrique palazzo
June 17th, 2011
11:58 am
If Schaffer continues to perform, Uggla is basically not needed. I would like to see Prado in the #2 spot, as opposed to lead-off, anyways. Hinske’s bat should keep him in left field, and move Prado back to 2nd. Here’s my favorite line-up:
Schaffer – CF
Prado – 2B
Chipper – 3B
McCann – C
J-Hey – RF
Freeman – 1B
Hinske – LF
Gonzo – SS
Bob Rathbun
June 17th, 2011
11:59 am
Ugglas been in the hole more times than Dirk Diggler
Brave Fan
June 17th, 2011
12:03 pm
Any team that McClouth plays for as an everyday player, will never win anything significant(Championships)t. He just can’t get it done. Average defensively, below average arm and terrible pull everything approach at the plate. Just let Schafer play. At least he has and is trying to make adjustments and develop into a leadoff hitter. But when you throw McClouth in with Uggla, at least for right now, then a pitcher we are giving away 3 innings a night at least with little or no chance of any production. Almost as bad as when we had Kelly Johnson, Francouer, Schafer his first time up and the pitcher giving away 4 innings a couple of years ago.
Why can’t we at least get fast guys that can’t hit!
Spud Webb
June 17th, 2011
12:04 pm
Archie is correct, put him in the 8th hole and leave him (uggla) there, stop talking about it and let him play w no pressure of producing.
enrique palazzo, I agree w what you’ve got there, except leave Hinske on the bench, put Nate out in left and play small ball. Hinske is a weapon off the bench.
Henry D.
June 17th, 2011
12:05 pm
The problem with Uggla is he doesn’t have Braves pitching to feast on anymore!
JoeFan
June 17th, 2011
12:08 pm
Just sit him on the bench. His presence in the lineup is like having two pitchers hitting each game. Let him work on things and occasionally give him a start to see if there is any progess.The offense is terrible enough without playing someone who has trouble even fouling off consecutive pitches. Also, while on the subject of hitting problems, the Braves should release Mather and give a shot to Gartrell or Ramirez. Either one seems like an offensive upgrade.
Jake
June 17th, 2011
12:09 pm
The McLouth trade was brilliant. It was a brilliant move at the time. No one could have expected McLouth to hit some of the slumps and injuries he has in a Braves uniform. But the deal we got was, at the time, universally considered a win.
Charlie Morton has improved this season, but he would not even be close to on the rotation the Braves have. Gorkys Hernandez looks like he may never make it out of the minors. Jeff Locke?
It was a win for the Braves. He has had some trouble since, but he is a good player with great potential and only needs a couple weeks to really turn it on and become that guy again. Not to mention how well-loved he is by his teammates which you can NEVER undervalue.
Bad luck, not a bad move. Frank Wren has done a fantastic job with this team.
Atticus
June 17th, 2011
12:10 pm
Meanwhile, as he works it out by the all-star break the Phillies will be 8 up and the WC will start to be in doubt. It amazes he how the Braves organization treats games during the summer different than in Spetember. They all mean the same! You lose too many now, it’s hard to make it up.
Brave Fan
June 17th, 2011
12:15 pm
McClouth is terrible. So we gave up 3 other terrible players to get him. He has done nothing consistent other than be bad!
He made the all-star team for the pirates and they have to send somebody.
So he tries hard and is a well liked player. Who cares!! Get some guys that get it done.
THE EXPERT
June 17th, 2011
12:20 pm
Jeff Schultz.
I KNOW THE REASON WHY DAN UGGLA IS STRUGGLING.WHILE DAN WAS IN FLA.,HE WAS BATTING 4TH.HE COMES TO ATLANTA,WHILE BATTING 4TH,DAN WAS HITTING.359 IN 45AB.WHY DID FG MOVE HIM OUT OF 4TH?THIS IS BS.TO SOME GUYS IT IS A MENTAL THING,THEY JUST CANT HIT IN ANY OTHER POSITIONS.THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME,I HAVE STATS TO PROVE IT.I HAVE ASKED THIS SEVERAL TIMES TO YOU WRITERS BUT ALL OF YOU JUST IGNORE ME.UNTIL THIS QUESTION GETS ANSWERED LEAVE DAN UGGL ALONE.HE WAS DOING WELL IN 4TH,AND FG MOVED HIM DOWN,AND ALL OVER THE PLACE.MAYBE YOU WILL HAVE THE@#$ TO ANSWER THIS.WHEN IM IN ATL.,TODAY I WILL ASK FG MYSELF,AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT HE SAYS.I WRITE IN CAPS SO ALL U UGGLA HATERS CHECK THE FACTS ON UGGL HITTING 4TH WITH ATLANTA BRAVES 2011.
THE EXPERT
June 17th, 2011
12:25 pm
Just so you know i am good friends with josh hamilton,he went to same high school i did,and i said on here a few years ago,atlanta should trade for josh hamilton.Most of responses i got were take your meds.Guess im the one laughing now huh?Im in rf catching hamilton’s hrs tonite,i could sit anywhere,but i told him i want to catch your hrs against a aa pitcher.
THE EXPERT
June 17th, 2011
12:27 pm
Brave Fan
June 17th, 2011
12:15 pm
If you think baseball is so easy you go do it.
bias
June 17th, 2011
12:30 pm
once again the blog is full of internet idiots who think they have all the answers on why this person cant hit,cant win,etc.if u people put in as much effort somewhere other than a blog,maybe you have a job now,and be well off in this economy.Im sorry this is rants and rave section on craigs list i forgot my bad
Brave Fan
June 17th, 2011
12:31 pm
I’m disappointed in Ugglas production but he is still new to us and I really believe he’ll come around and be what he has always been over the next 5 years which is a .250 hitter with 30 or so homers.
McCouth on the other hand has been terrible since he got here and he isn’t trying to change his approach. An approach of a little guy pulling everything! At least Uggla trying to pull everything will launch a homer every now and then even during his struggles.
bias
June 17th, 2011
12:34 pm
Brave Fan
June 17th, 2011
12:15 pm
a true fan would support this team and stfu.must be a fair weather fan.im sure u r terrible at your job if u even have one as well,what a sad life to complain about someone u don’t even know.mclouth has donated more to this community,along with several other players as well.what have u done beside whine and complain.i hope u do not need any services,but u know what they say about karma.
Ted M
June 17th, 2011
12:37 pm
Based on 75 AB’s Uggla has to hit .293 from now until the All-Star break to push his ave to .200.
Phil
June 17th, 2011
12:38 pm
All the non-hitters that Atlanta got rid of are all doing just fine now!
Brave Fan
June 17th, 2011
12:38 pm
Expert, I played as long as I could and then someone hurt my feelings and told me I couldn’t play any longer because I wasn’t good enough. Thats what needed to happen to me and that is what needs to happen with Nate! Regardless of how much $ we have to eat for his contract.
bias
June 17th, 2011
12:39 pm
if this team is so bad,and players are so terrible why are you even here on this blog,moaning,whining about it.?take it somewhere else.talk like that in person watching a game and see where that leads you.
Ted M
June 17th, 2011
12:39 pm
from 2008 thru 2010 Uggla’s highest average for a month is .279 (which is the month of August.)
So he’ll be below .200 at the break pretty much no matter what.
Ted M
June 17th, 2011
12:42 pm
this blog is about Uggla…are we supposed to he’s having a great year. Really
bias
June 17th, 2011
12:42 pm
Phil
June 17th, 2011
12:38 pm
hmmm lets see frenchy hitting.275 with kc avg.dropping every month
infante..254 with fla,on the way out
kelly johnson,ariz. .224
yeah they are tearing it up with other teams
Hoosby
June 17th, 2011
12:43 pm
How has someone not suggested a Slump Buster yet???
bias
June 17th, 2011
12:44 pm
Ted M
June 17th, 2011
12:39 pm
uggla batting.359 in 2011 with braves batting 4th
THOSE ARE THE FACTS FOR THIS YEAR
Ted M
June 17th, 2011
12:45 pm
anyway we are so deep into the season Uggla is gonna have to get super hot just to get to .200.
I hope it happens, but my guess is August would be the earliest he could get his average over .200
Ted M
June 17th, 2011
12:46 pm
for how many AB’s? the sample is way to small to be meaningful and you know it.
bias
June 17th, 2011
12:46 pm
yet uggla is tied for the team in hrs so i guess the other braves hitts are terrible to.lol
bias
June 17th, 2011
12:48 pm
Ted M
June 17th, 2011
12:46 pm
10 games 45 ab
want more proof 3HRS,5 RBI’S
Brave Fan
June 17th, 2011
12:50 pm
Whats wrong with expecting more from professional ball players than just “trying hard” and “being good in the community.” Both are great things but how about results.
We could learn a few things from the Phillies, Yankees, Rangers…about having expectations. These players are paid well and they should not get a free pass just for being good guys!
I love the Braves. The Atlanta Braves. I want players that will win for the Braves and I don’t think its the Braves or their fans responsibility to ignore poor play!
bias
June 17th, 2011
12:50 pm
Ted M
read the expert post to jeff schultz,scroll back up
Ted M
June 17th, 2011
12:54 pm
I don’t dislike Uggla and not suggesting he is all bad. So he is only 33% off his career HR pace which isn’t nearly as bad as his ave and RBI pace. Good for that and he is playing great defense and he is running the bases well when he does get on.
But what’s the point of sugarcoating his season?
bias
June 17th, 2011
12:54 pm
nothing wrong with that most of u complain even when the braves were on a 6 game winning streak.you people are never happy.ask jeff if im wrong about this.this team is still over 500,its not like we are fla.,then i could agree,relax,braves will get it together,just like economy it aint gonna get better overnight.
Ted M
June 17th, 2011
12:57 pm
I’d be for moving him to 4th …he’s gonna be in the lineup so put him where he’s most effective.
bias
June 17th, 2011
12:58 pm
did u even read the post about obs?its not dan its the whole team,seem to recall schafer had uggla had back to back hits other nite,and chipper,bmac,ff all failed to produce.anf ff failed last nite nite by swinging at a ball,2 feet off the plate,yes dan failed also but chipper,bmac,ff have failed if not more with risp.
Kentavo
June 17th, 2011
12:59 pm
Jeff, stay with me here…much is made of ATL’s supposedly laidback, but businesslike, culture – could it be that there’s more pressure in this environment than we’re led to believe? Could it be McClouth and Uggla were never under such pressure while toiling for the Bucs and Fish? Could being expected to win (despite what some fans think) with a Tomahawk on your chest totally get to these guys? Would be interesting to see what Frenchy, Melky, the original Mike Stanton, and other Braves flameouts who have successful elsewhere, say about this.
bias
June 17th, 2011
1:00 pm
all im saying is since obv he hit better in 4th move him to 4th.honestly what more could it hurt?
Brave Fan
June 17th, 2011
1:01 pm
Most of those wins were against Houston and they can’t beat a good AAA team!
We just see holes the braves aren’t addressing.
We all want the Braves to win or we wouldn’t be on here.
Some speed and a couple of real hitters would get it done. Maybe thats why its so frustrating for me having watched them for 40 plus years. We are really close right now and if the right moves are made we could win big. I’m just afraid its going to be the same old same old and thats accepting mediocrity.
Ted M
June 17th, 2011
1:02 pm
Uggla’s OBP batting 4th is .479 thats pretty darn good its only for 39 AB’s & 9 walks but still worth putting him at 4th for a while
bias
June 17th, 2011
1:02 pm
ask french and kj
they are really tearing it up.
bias
June 17th, 2011
1:06 pm
i understand but u need to understand this.lets say the braves acquire kemp,or pence,or bourn.if the guys are not getting on base who u going to blame then?i said before start diory let gonzo sit at least he can bunt
Newbomb Turk
June 17th, 2011
1:06 pm
Why is nobody talking about Parrish?? For the past 5 years, everyone has wanted TP’s job!
Brave Fan
June 17th, 2011
1:08 pm
Why can’t we at least get some fast guys that can’t hit?
bias
June 17th, 2011
1:11 pm
the pitching is not getting it done.its time for the offense to take over.we have to go down to aa to find a pitcher.its sad when we have no one but tehran in aaa that can start a ballgame.going a week without a pitcher lasting through 7 is not going to get it done.lee last nite for phillies 117 pitches,complete game.when was the last time atl.had a complete game?
bias
June 17th, 2011
1:14 pm
look at last nite braves ahead 6-2 pitcher blows it.
bias
June 17th, 2011
1:15 pm
hey jeff?who is being sent down hicks?
sally
June 17th, 2011
1:48 pm
To Mr Uggla:
Make that money – don’t let the money make you. Also, don’t be afraid to forego that tempting second helping of food! Translation – you need to lose a few, buddy!
J-Man
June 17th, 2011
1:53 pm
I think Uggla needs a sports psychologist. And maybe pull up with a “strained oblique” and take a couple of weeks off maybe go to the beach and unwind and get his head straight and not put too pressure on himself
sally
June 17th, 2011
1:58 pm
The one good thing is – thank god Uggla isn’t a brotha’ – he’d be run out of dodge by now like G. Sheffield, Andruw Jones, etc. got sent packin’!
sally
June 17th, 2011
2:00 pm
But Chipper stays – no matter what.
Buck Nasty
June 17th, 2011
2:02 pm
Yo Braves fans, don’t worry about Uggla…it doesn’t matter if he hits .100 or .400, you’re still in the same division as the Phillies…so just turn out the lights…the party’s over…What the Phillies will do to the Braves will make General Sherman’s march look like a tea party…oh and Sonny Clusters, it’s a hamate bone…not a hammock bone…unless you’re insinuating that your boy Chipper got injured while pleasuring himself in a hammock…GO PHILLIES!!!
sally
June 17th, 2011
2:04 pm
Or maybe it was a good decision to dump G. Sheffield, Andruw Jones – they both suck now.
TomahawkChoppin'
June 17th, 2011
2:04 pm
First of all, Hankie Aaron on your Bobby Cox comment…I do not believe BC would’ve called him that, but I can tell you it did make me laugh because that ‘add a Y’ to everyone’s last name is a BC pattern. Funny stuff. And I do miss hearing the chirping from the dugout. Now I have to replace it with my own chirping, but I can’t do it like Bobby.
Bob Rathbun: It would be hilarious to hear the real Bob Rathbun say that about Dirk Diggler.
Bias: are you serious about removing Gonzo and replacing him with Diory just because Diory can get a bunt down? unbelievable. Umm Gonzo does a lot of things well, maybe bunting isn’t his strong point. His glove is pretty golden though.
Now to the Uggla batting fourth argument. If the numbers are true, then maybe we should place him in the 4 hole a few more times. Don’t put him in the four hole for an entire series. Instead sprinkle it in once or twice a series until the AS break. Cannot afford to get swept in a 3 game series bc we decided to bat Uggla fouth, but I’ll admit we should try almost anything at this point. Every time I think Uggla is going to break out of it…nope it was a fluke.
So if Uggla bats fourth, he will have some pretty good protection in the lineup.
Schafer
Heyward (Prado when he is healthy)
Chipper
Uggla
McCann
Freeman
Hinske
Gonzo
Pitcher
Or since FG has been toying with Chipper and McCann’s spots here lately.
Schafer
Heyward
McCann
Uggla
Chipper
Freeman
Hinske
Gonzo
Pitcher
Sandwiching Uggla between two perennial All Stars is not a bad idea, in theory.
sally
June 17th, 2011
2:07 pm
It shouldn’t matter what position in the lineup the “62 million dollar flop” Uggla bats. See the ball – hit the dang ball – hello?
TomahawkChoppin'
June 17th, 2011
2:10 pm
Buck Nasty. check the Braves record vs. your Phillies before you come down south and open your filthy philly mouth. 5-4 Braves lead season series. So if a losing record is what you call mowing down the Braves, it will be a close race.
If Sherman went 4-5 against the south, he probably would have tucked tail and ran back north. So your Sherman argument is completely unfounded.
Brave Fan
June 17th, 2011
2:13 pm
He would stand a much better chance to be successful if he were between a couple of guys that were hitting well enough to make pitchers worry a little. Hitting in front of Gonzo and the pitcher certainly isn’t going to get him more fastballs!
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 17th, 2011
2:14 pm
uggla should volunteer to do some rehab in gwinnett. i know sports is different, but if i was hired by a company and didn’t perform to the expectations…my butt would be fired and would be standing in line at the dept of labor!!!
sally
June 17th, 2011
2:15 pm
How many fastballs does one need? I’ve seen Uggla miss a bunch of fastballs during his wonderful slump.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 17th, 2011
2:16 pm
bat him 4th or 8th if Freddi is adamant about keeping uggla in the majors
Brave Fan
June 17th, 2011
2:18 pm
Enough to warrant 60 plus million. He isn’t going anywhere so he needs to put in the best possible position to have success for the team.
jmor
June 17th, 2011
2:28 pm
Enter your comments here
Mikey
June 17th, 2011
2:29 pm
Sorry to say, but after watching Andruw Jones K 3 times yesterday for the Yanks with his pathetic “stepping in the bucket swing” and clueless approach to every at bat, Dan Uggla is Andruw and is the sole reason we are not in first place!
MARK
June 17th, 2011
2:29 pm
UGGLA IS HUSTLING BUT YOU GOTTA SIT HIM, PUT CONRAD IN AND TAKE YOUR CHANCES,I’S SEND UGGLA TO GWINNET AND WHEN HE STARTS HITTING BRING HIM BACK.WE CAN’T LOOSE ANT MORE GROUND IN THE STANDINGS
jmor
June 17th, 2011
2:32 pm
Uggla is hitting around .170 after 70 games…he is nearing the half way point in the season. For him to get to .235 for the year he will have to hit .300 the second half, which is doubtful. If he improves to .230 which is more likely, he will finish the year at around .200.
DBALL
June 17th, 2011
2:48 pm
Send Ugla to way down to the Rome Braves or somewhere. The Braves got ripped off again with this deal.
bravesfan54
June 17th, 2011
2:55 pm
Don’t mean to sound arrogant, but how could any baseball fan in their right mind think a trip to the minor leagues is “an opportunity for them to get their confidence back.”
Mikey
June 17th, 2011
3:06 pm
How about a trip to the bench so just maybe we don’t have the WORST hitter in baseball killing every rally he see’s. I noticed Conrad stayed in the game last night after his clutch HR to play D at second…hope to see him there if we want the 8 best players in the lineup.
Bernard
June 17th, 2011
3:06 pm
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuggggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
???
Sonny Clusters
June 17th, 2011
3:07 pm
Buck nasty, was you insinuating that a Clusters called it a hammock bone? It was uh, Chipper himself that called it a hammock bone and it was the AJC beat writer that reported it that way. Clusters are knowledgeable about bones and ligaments and things that need to be healthy to play ball. We was not, however, familiar with adductors until last night. Chipper has had some injuries that defy description but we will always try to describe it for you.
Dennis Reynolds
June 17th, 2011
3:28 pm
The Braves are currently “aggressively shopping the outfield market” right now for a bat. Interesting because thats what we should have done in the offseason rather than moving an all-star 2nd baseman to LF. Now were stuck with an underperforming Dan Uggla at 2nd and nowhere to really upgrade.
Where are Wren and Fredi planning on putting this new bat?
I think Wren made a mistake by signing Uggla (underperforming or not) and now were paying the price. Unless they really want to unload Schafer for a Span or someone like him, I don’t see what their plans are. That said, I would love this lineup come October:
1.Span
2.Prado
3.Chipper
4.Heyward
5.Mac
6.Uggla
7.Freeman
8.Gonzo
If Chipper gets injured and the opportunity is still there, this would be a fun lineup to watch:
1.Schafer
2.Prado
3.Pence
4.Heyward
5.Mac
6.Uggla
7.Freeman
8.Gonzo
Dennis Reynolds
June 17th, 2011
3:31 pm
Or if Schafer does what I expect him to do and remain a .250 hitter, this wouldn’t be terrible either:
1.Prado
2.Pence
3.Heyward
4.Mac
5.Uggla
6.Freeman
7.Gonzo
8.Schafer
Legend of Len Barker
June 17th, 2011
3:33 pm
Uggla’s so bad, no one notices how bad Alex Gonzalez is offensively.
Joe Tess Fish House
June 17th, 2011
3:50 pm
Yea why screw up the Gwinet Braves with Ugglys pour hitting.
Joe Tess Fish House
June 17th, 2011
3:53 pm
Ugglys so bad he cant hit the brod side of a barn LOLOLOLOL
Buck Nasty
June 17th, 2011
4:30 pm
hey tomahawkchoppin’…first of all dear boy, so your Braves beat the Phillies a couple of times this year when they weren’t at full strength…big deal…it reminds me of last year when the Braves had a 7 game lead in mid August only because the Phils had a ton of injuries…but as soon as they got healthy…the Braves collapsed like a house of cards…the Braves should just avoid the rush and fold the tents now…oh by the way, that tomahawk chop is most certainly offensive to Indians…and it is SOOOOO freakin’ lame (just like the Braves attendance)…and General Sherman would have never tucked and run from that raggedy ass army…as a matter of fact, Georgia should erect a statue to him…he took it it easy on you jokers…
jmor
June 17th, 2011
4:41 pm
Buck Nasty–Enjoy your ageing Phillies team…They are getting old and broken down and are overpaid to a man. If you don’t win this year, that may be your last chance with that mid-30 year old group of overpaid, injury prone former stars.Also, you have to live in that dreary, cold climate…I can see why you have such a bad attitude and foul disposition.
Buddy Whitley
June 17th, 2011
4:46 pm
It is pretty obvious the Braves hitting instructor is not having any affects on D Uggla or D.Uggla is not listening.
It is obvious to anyone that has been a part of baseball and working with hitters what his problems are and why changes are not been implemented are unreal.
His problems are not in any order. Off balance, swinging with one hand which will result in him opening his front shoulder and taking his head off the ball.Trying to pull every pitch with his outside to inside swing.
Why not change to an inside /outside swing which will make him hit every pitch to right field.
TomahawkChoppin'
June 17th, 2011
5:17 pm
The tomahawk chop has been deemed not offensive by the Seminole tribe. Look it up. They said it was fine for FSU to use it, and a former Seminole brought it to ATL.
Sherman did not march through the southern army. He marched through towns and people burning everything in his path. The southern army under General Lee was preoccupied in Virginia by Grant. Not to go all history on you, but felt it was necessary to disprove your outlandish comments.
That being said, DR good to see ya again. Still not sold on your trade rumors but hey that’s why they call them rumors. I agree a trade will be made, but I don’t know which just yet.
Richard Borth
June 17th, 2011
5:35 pm
Dan Uggla should suggest temporary reassignment to Gwinett, which has helped other players. To refuse would be false pride when he isn’t earning his 12 million a year salary. Another way to salvage his pride: For him to suggest a reduction in compensation that reflects his underperformance.
FACTS
June 17th, 2011
5:36 pm
The hitting coaches for the Braves should be sent to Gwinnett,when TP was the HC he could not help guys out of their slumps, now Larry Parrish is in the same boat. How can guys like McClouth, Gonzalez, & Uggla be very stable & productive with former teams, yet can’t get into any rhythm with the Braves whatsoever. Not to mention a nice raw talent in Heyward ( when healthy ) not showing any improvement in plate awareness, which in turn would increase his power numbers. Troy Glaus looked terrible last year after posting decent productive numbers in previous years. Is there something in our water???
Too tough
June 17th, 2011
5:51 pm
Face the Facts….he has had ample opportunity to “get his swing straightened out” He Aint!
Its sad when Bobby Valentine noticed his problem on National tv..and I suppose our hitting coach has not or has choosen not to mention it to Uggla. Thus, send him down to the minors to get his swing back or trade him now to the American league for bright prospects and an avg. hitting outfielder, Conrad can play second for now…at least he can get a hit with runners in scoring position.
moorman
June 17th, 2011
5:54 pm
why would wren send uggla to the minors, that would make wren look bad for signing him. end of thread…………………..
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 17th, 2011
5:58 pm
Didn’t Deion bring the “chop” to ATL back in the day??
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 17th, 2011
5:59 pm
Didn’t you guys know that this is LP’s first stint as a hitting coach? One can only imagine.
Buzz ME
June 17th, 2011
6:26 pm
Uggla is UGA-Ly. Funny how things get messed up when you put uga in it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hit A Single
June 17th, 2011
8:24 pm
With his present swing, it is not going to get any better.
Jay Puskenalis
June 17th, 2011
8:52 pm
He’s moving too much in his stance, i.e. timing toe taps, wiggling bat etc. Needs to be quieter in stance, just pick front foot up and down once; hands a bit higher with a steadier bat. Also, don’t be afraid to choke up a bit on the bat. Before you can swing for the fences, you must be able to contact the ball. Think line drives to all fields Once the contact improves, things will get better. Good luck.
FSUFalcon
June 17th, 2011
9:05 pm
10 million well spent huh? Wren is a bust..this isn’t the first joke contract he has given someone…kk, and mccout come to mind….we may have to find a way to unload uggla and send him somewhere else, but who would want him? This is unreal..we’ll be eating contracts of non performers for the next few years..put this on Wren…
Marvin Mangrum
June 17th, 2011
9:29 pm
Things that need to be said! Look at your hits, look at your runs, look at your wins. Look at the stress its putting on pitching. Hell, look at the crowds. Oh!!!! Never mind!
Ted Sheckler
June 17th, 2011
9:49 pm
Uggla is a complete embarrassment. I would love to see the other Braves players go Full Metal Jacket on him and beat him with soap in socks. He should be forced to give back the rest of his salary this year. Go to hell, Uggla.
Dawgs Man
June 17th, 2011
10:16 pm
I think that Mr. No Clutch Alex Gonzalez hurts this team than Uggla. He kills more rallies than anyone with his stupid strikeouts and double plays. Great defensive player but he SUX offensively.
Dawgs Man
June 17th, 2011
10:21 pm
I thought we sent that worthless Ascensio to the minors.
Danny
June 17th, 2011
10:29 pm
I work in construction. I think I will ask my boss for a huge contract and then just work 25% of the time like Dan. And I think I will just drop what I am doing like Heyward.
Seth
June 17th, 2011
10:31 pm
If Uggla had any class, he would say if he doesn’t turn things around, and turn around means bat at least 250 the rest of the way, he will decline 50% of this years salary.
God
June 17th, 2011
10:34 pm
You can’t spell UGGLA with out a UGA,
gcs
June 17th, 2011
10:35 pm
Hate to say it but the Braves are gonna get swept by Texas.
.
alex
June 17th, 2011
10:56 pm
Sally, if you act quickly you can get in line with your “bruthus” (sp) and get out. Take some BBQ for jones(ain’t nothing like it nowhere)
Teg
June 17th, 2011
11:03 pm
Might as well bat him at #9 cause we have 2 pitchers batting each game. Carlos Zambrano is a better hitter than he is.
Angie O'Plasty
June 17th, 2011
11:11 pm
Uggla is a disaster for the Braves.
Chicken George
June 17th, 2011
11:35 pm
Explain to me again why we’re spending $60M for a guy who has never hit .300 in his life?? My sincere hope is that whoever pulled this off in the front office gets what’s coming to him…..
Regardless of whether Dan approved going down to the minors or not, its necessary – for both the team and Dan to have some separation about now.
Jeff Francoeur
June 18th, 2011
12:02 am
Hey Atlanta, the jokes on you! You guys booed me, a hometown boy out of Atlanta and even my worse times I was still batting no less than .240. Wouldn’t you guys like me now?
Dan Uggla
June 18th, 2011
12:20 am
I may be a terrible baseball player but you should see my bank account. Who cares if I’m going to set the record for lowest batting average for a starter in MLB History by years end, it doesn’t matter when you are as rich as me. Did I mention that I won’t be hitting above .150 by mid July. Man, I suck but I can make it rain, yo.
MitchC
June 18th, 2011
12:32 am
Jeff, modern day players who make 12 mil plus a year, cant just be optioned to the minors, the way they used to before baseball salaries went crazy. Had this been another era, say, 30 or 40 years ago, Uggla would have been in the minors already.
I’m not sure what to say about him, and whether he is having a bad year.. or is adjusting to a change in environment.
Were I the Braves: I would give him until the All Star Break to see if he gets hot. If this nightmare continues, maybe they should option him to the minors for a short time. See if he can feast on minor league pitching.. or perhaps if someone in another part of the orginization, can help him get it figured out.
reckingball
June 18th, 2011
1:24 am
go.
N1ghtfox
June 18th, 2011
2:09 am
90% of you moronic commenters are 140% retarded.
Not one of you has the chops to play, coach, manage or likely think about what it takes to be a MLB player. Yet night after night you all (the 90% of commenters who are 140% retarded) come post over and over like you all know everything, could fix everything, and could do everything better than every member of the Braves from the Manager down to the laundry guy.
Go shove a mitt in it. I’m so tired of the comments from the so-called “fans” of this team. There is a reason none of you are even qualified to hold Chipper or Uggla or McClouth or McCann’s jock straps, let alone give Fredi Gonzalez or Frank Wren advice on how to run this team.
If you don’t like the team, stop watching, stop giving a crap, and for god’s sake, stop commenting on articles about the team…
N1ghtfox
aREALbravesfan
June 18th, 2011
2:55 am
I understand Nightfox’s frustration — I too get tired of all of the negativity on here and other sites. While I don’t like it when the Braves don’t win, I realize they can’t win 162 games a year, and to have the 3rd best record in the NL (even after losing 3 of the last 4 games) means they are doing something right. Only Boston and the Yankees have a better record in the AL…
If you read the comments from the posters here, you’d think the Braves would be close to Houston’s 19 games under .500 instead of our present position.
JSS
June 18th, 2011
4:35 am
Sonny Clusters is like Steven Wright… You don’t want to laugh; but eventually you will…
Jeff Schultz… You and Mark Bradley need to compile a “Best of Clusters” for when you go on your numerous vacations… And then turn off the comments so Larry and Bobby Grinch can stew…
jimmya
June 18th, 2011
6:32 am
this team is like last years every other day someone gets hurt do the braves get any gym time to get in shape add to that no good players in minors to bring up that can hit
Bobby Cox
June 18th, 2011
6:44 am
If Florida can send Chris Coghlan to Triple-A New Orleans at .235 – Atlanta can send Ugglie down too and should. He’s over anxious at the plate and there’s no improvement in sight.
tim
June 18th, 2011
6:56 am
Freddi should be shown the door. Uggla is his boy and he is not willing to lift a finger. As much as I hate to say it the time has come for Braves ownership as sorry as they are but a house cleaning top to bottom is in order. Its broken time to fix it. Starting with Frank Wren quickly followed by Freddi very few players should be spared position players that should be made available, Uggla,Heyward,McClouth, easier to think who’s untouchable,McCann,Freeman,Prado, any pitcher not named Lowe or Hudson. Blow it up start over it would be less painful
N1ghtfox
June 18th, 2011
7:38 am
It’s not about whether or not the Braves WANT to send Uggla down, it’s a bargaining contract (union) issue. They CAN NOT send him down without his permission due to his contractual veteran status. It doesn’t matter if Fredi, Frank, Bobby Cox or Bud Selig himself wanted to send him to Gwinett, they can’t without his consent. Now I think it would be a good move on Dan’s part to accept/request a couple weeks down there, but who knows if that will happen.
N1ghtfox
June 18th, 2011
7:52 am
I would think Bobby Cox (see below) would know that…
Bobby Cox
June 18th, 2011
6:44 am
If Florida can send Chris Coghlan to Triple-A New Orleans at .235 – Atlanta can send Ugglie down too and should. He’s over anxious at the plate and there’s no improvement in sight.
bob horner
June 18th, 2011
8:01 am
You can take Uggley,and trade him back to the Marlins for their best bat-boy, or send him to double-A , and bring up the second baseman for the trible A club. What a joke this guy is. I guarantee you Conrad could do better than 172, and he can hit home runs every once in a while also.
N1ghtfox
June 18th, 2011
8:04 am
Bob… Read my post timed/dated June 18th, 2011, 2:09 am this applies to you…
Shock
June 18th, 2011
9:17 am
I have not given up on Uggla. But let’s face the music by doing the math.
He is hitting .172 right now, which is 45 hits in 71 games (262 ABs, leading to 3.69 ABs/game and .62 hits per game).
Now there are 91 games left. For Uggla to end up with a .235 BA for the year (on approx 600 ABs), he has to have 96 hits (336 ABs left), which would mean that he’s batting .286 from this point to the end of the season. That would bring him to .235 for the year. To be blunt, I believe that this is mathematically the best he can end the year with, nearly 30 points off his career average.
Please check my numbers but if the math is right, this will be a tough mountain to climb. Has he ever batted .286 in his career? Yes! In 2010 when he batted .287 for the year. So it’s not impossible (though with his current batting approach and technique, it appears improbable).
cdog
June 18th, 2011
9:22 am
they should send the whole gutlss team to the minors. they would still lose.they don’t care
Close Your Stance Uggla
June 18th, 2011
9:56 am
Close your stance…you’re pulling your head on every swing…opening your hips…you couldn’t hit a barn with a dart.
Don’t be afraid to listen and by all means RELAX. All that gyration crap with hands trying to look tough at the plate doesn’t work. I hope you weren’t won the millions of players using PED a few years back.
So, let the ball travel through the zone. Keep your hands inside the baseball and drive the ball you jackwagon.
mike
June 18th, 2011
10:00 am
Same ole sam ole. We continue to be weak on the corner infield. I consider Chipper weak just due to durablility. Freeman just ok. Outfiled where do you begin. Heyward may be just a flash in the pan. Pitchers adjust now he struggles and looks somewhat helpless and goes out with menstral cramps. Pitching staff solid but offensively not bult for any substantial playoff run. Falls on GM in my opinon.
rm
June 18th, 2011
10:04 am
0 for 4 again last night for Popeye and add Schafer’s 0-3, that is terrible for your top 2 spots. Time to move Popeye down to #8, maybe even #9. Most pitchers have a higher BA. Sad, very sad!
whocares
June 18th, 2011
10:05 am
Nobody is talking about the hitting coach because he’s white. This blog would be filled with hatred for TP if he was still the hitting coach. Fuc the braves and their pale fanbase.
rm
June 18th, 2011
10:11 am
It’s time to re-coin the phrase “Mendoza Line” to the “Uggla Line”. This is an insult to Mendoza…
rm
June 18th, 2011
10:16 am
The Mendoza Line takes its name from the shortstop Mario Mendoza’s lifetime batting average of .215. It is baseball slang for the threshold of incompetent hitting. Even though Mendoza’s career batting average over nine seasons was .215, some fans believe the cutoff point is .200, and, when a position player’s batting average falls below that level, the player is said to be below the Mendoza Line. But whether the original and long-recognized .215, or the popular loosely-applied figure of .200, it is often thought of as the offensive threshold below which a player’s presence in Major League Baseball cannot be justified, regardless of his defensive abilities.
adh
June 18th, 2011
10:38 am
Giving a 30+ 2nd baseman a 5 year contract is moronic. He’s a train wreck this year and a liability in the years to come.
Dan
June 18th, 2011
10:55 am
Close Your Stance: Thanks for all the real good advice, you dip****
Dan
June 18th, 2011
11:09 am
Uggla is useless! AAA ball would be too hard for him. AA or A ball would be more his speed!
DHD
June 18th, 2011
11:22 am
Here is what I don’t get about you “journalists.” You ask a manager a question. He says they have never discussed it. You make a headline about it. It reminds me of how the media treats candidates. They hound them with questions about issues and do a headline causing the reader to think the candidate is out there talking about the issue. But, you’re the AJC.
BobDawg
June 18th, 2011
1:49 pm
This was a slam dunk move for Wren.. I think Uggla has hit .400 or close to it at Turner Field when he was at the Marlins…
Cheif RunningWater
June 18th, 2011
2:56 pm
Complain all you want about the shape the Braves are in after last nights loss but I saw some really positive signs that suggest things are going to be improving here shortly as the rest of the guys return from injuries and we get our hitters back. The Braves were making pretty good contact with the ball, they were just incredibly unlucky with where the ball went..Heyward and Uggla hit some decent shots that just happened to get snagged up on some amazing plays by the Rangers. Schafer got a head-check after his 5 hit game, and chances are good he’ll be back on top of things tonight for another great performance. Jordan Schafer is the answer for the Braves @ center field. I currently live in Pittsburgh, unfortunately, and I can tell you McLouth isn’t anybody’s answer for anything he was a semi-bum with one “good year” under his belt and that year wasn’t exactly mind blowing he just got lucky alot.
pete
June 18th, 2011
4:58 pm
Chief, you need to stop discussing baseball. Braves are awful. Heyward will never every be a star. The Braves are losing today because they were not ready to play and are making mental mistake after mental mistake
ha ha
June 18th, 2011
7:47 pm
Mike J didn’t do so well on the reading comp part of his SAT I would guess