Braves have opening vs. Nats, but still need to make move
Frank Wren can't let this season's opportunity slip away without a move. (Curtis Compton)
(Second update: 11:35 p.m.)
John Smoltz looks at the Braves and sees what everybody else sees.
“They’ve made some adjustments offensively, but the inconsistency of their starting pitching has them where they are,” he said. “Win six, lose eight. Win five, lose four. They’re stuck in neutral.”
Neutral isn’t necessarily a bad place to be, particularly in the National League East. When baseball’s second half opened Friday, the Braves were only four games behind the Washington Nationals, which is better than being four games behind a team with an actual resume. The Nationals’ franchise last made the playoffs 31 years ago in a whole different language (Montreal).
There’s also this curious matter of Stephen Strasburg. Washington maintains it’s serious about this plan to limit its best starting pitcher (and his surgically repaired arm) to 160 innings. That could be construed as telling Nats fans, “We really, really want to win the division, but not really,” and/or telling the Braves, “Do you want to win the division? Here, we’ll put the ball on the tee for you.”
Strasburg is only 61 innings from hitting the mandated ceiling. Washington plays 79 games after the All-Star break. In a five-man rotation, that factors to 16 starts for Strasburg in normal circumstances. But at an average of six innings per start, there’s room for only 10 starts before the medical stop sign goes up. So the Nationals would lose six potential starts from their No. 1 starter … in a pennant race … when they have never made the playoffs in Washington.
The Nationals may shelve pitcher Stephen Strasburg for equivalent of six starts in the second half of the season.
“I don’t buy it,” Tommy Hanson said. “I mean, good for us – we don’t have to face him.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Chipper Jones said.
“I’m sure when they came up with this plan, they didn’t expect to be this good this year,” Smoltz said. “It’s a good problem to have for the future. But right now it’s a PR nightmare.”
The Braves’ return Friday had a nightmarish look. There was a blackout in the second inning, causing a 16-minute delay. Tim
Tim Hudson was mediocre, leaving in the fifth inning after allowing four runs on eight hits. (AP photos)
Hudson had his own power outage (four runs, eight hits allowed in four-plus innings). The strange decision to not immediately bring in a shortstop to replace the injured Andrelton Simmons backfired when backup Jack Wilson suffered a dislocated finger in the fourth, forcing Martin Prado to move in from left field and Eric Hinske to come off the bench. (Even if general manager Frank Wren figured he was close to a trade, the one-game risk was nonsensical.)
To open the second half, the Braves didn’t look like a smooth operation. Still, they defeated the New York Mets 7-5, and the big picture is unchanged: They have an opportunity. This should be viewed by management as a go-for-it season. That means make a deal for a starting pitcher and loosen the death grip on the pitching prospects.
The Braves can’t really know what this team will look like next season. Jones is retiring, which leaves a hole in the clubhouse. A number of other big contracts are up. And those perceived great pitching prospects (Mike Minor, Randall Delgado, Julio Teheran) that Wren has refused to let go of? Not so great yet.
“I’d like to see us get a pitcher,” Jones said. “You would be amazed how consistent you play when you’ve got five guys who expect to win every time they walk out there.”
But when asked about trading youth, he added: “The Braves have been very stingy with their young guys, and we saw first-hand what can happen when you mortgage the future for the quick fix in [the Mark] Teixeira [trade]. I don’t see them going all out again.”
They shouldn’t hold back. The main names that are circulating: Milwaukee’s Zack Greinke and the Chicago Cubs’ Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza (4.32 ERA). But Wren said Friday he has had only casual conversations with other clubs, and he still doesn’t have a sense for what clubs will demand in trade.
“Teams haven’t measured the market yet,” he said. “Right now the conversations are, ‘If this guy is available, would you be interested?’”
Does his team need starting pitching?
“We got a starting pitcher in Ben Sheets. We’ll get a chance to see Ben in the next few weeks leading up to the deadline and see what else we need.”
What they need seems pretty obvious, and the Nationals may leave an opening.
By Jeff Schultz
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364 comments Add your comment
Larry Boy
July 13th, 2012
11:22 pm
They might as well start tomorrows game when this one is over. It will be tomorrow shortly.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
11:23 pm
We’ve finally arrived at the ninth inning. … Kimbrel time.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
11:24 pm
The is still a quick game by Red Sox Yankees terms
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
11:25 pm
in a Red Sox Yankee game they go to commercial every time a player step out of the batters box
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
11:26 pm
Can we start a petition to get the classic Braves TBS crew in the hall of fame
Larry Boy
July 13th, 2012
11:28 pm
Kimbrel is just plain nasty.
Alaska Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
11:29 pm
Finally, I’m seeing the game again, and Kimbrel just struck out Wright!
Yahoo!
ABF
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
11:30 pm
Kimbrel doesnt really mess around
Alaska Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
11:30 pm
To win the first game out the gate in the second half, especially against the Mets, would be huge!
ABF
Larry Boy
July 13th, 2012
11:30 pm
I hope I didn’t jinx him.
Larry Boy
July 13th, 2012
11:31 pm
I didn’t
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
11:34 pm
How about some Kimbrel for Cy young love out there.
Billy
July 13th, 2012
11:34 pm
Thanks Jeff…Goodnight.
Alaska Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
11:34 pm
Great win! Chipper instrumental, and Ross’s power a major force.
ABF
Dr. Phil
July 13th, 2012
11:41 pm
I took a chance tonight and saw the Gwinnett Braves play in Louisville– 23 to 1, however Tyler Pasternicky looked pretty good, getting a double and a triple and scoring the Braves pitiful 1 run. If the G Braves are the future, we are in for a bad run. Why is the food much better and cheaper at minor league games?
mace224
July 13th, 2012
11:52 pm
With Simmons out, I was worried. Didn’t think of Prado. Great move. He a godsend.
Tom(Independent Viet Vet USAF)
July 14th, 2012
12:01 am
Last thought for the nite – Ross(4 RBI’s, .285BA), needs to play more, possibility starting C, McCann to 1B(keeping his bat in lineup, have no idea how he would field, hopefully at least average), and Freeman to LF(he is big but seems athletic enough to play the OF) for benefit of team. Prado stays at SS, until Simmons returns. I know it is not going to happen but just a thought out of the box. Good nite all!!!!!!!!
drew
July 14th, 2012
12:04 am
You really live in La-La Land Jeff…
The Braves are not nearly as good as you say they are..
Any bets that Uggla will be the first MLB player to strikeout 200 times???
Skeezix
July 14th, 2012
12:10 am
It was dumb not to have a back up tonight for Wilson. Just really dumb. Thanks to Prado for being a game saver, the bullpen for covering for Huddy’s bad outing and Chipper for even another big hit against the Mutts.
Just never been impressed with Wren. Really dumb.
brian
July 14th, 2012
12:15 am
I still see the Braves going after a pitcher that is not on the usual suspects list of trade targets. I have seen James Shields mentioned as a possibility.
I could also see the Braves trying to get a pitcher under contract for another 1-2 years and getting a rental such as Dempster or Liriano if the price is right in prospects.
If the Braves take care of the pitching and make the moves that they needed to make before Simmons got hurt, they can survive with Pastornicky or Rafael Belliard at SS
brian
July 14th, 2012
12:16 am
agreed that it was dumb to go without a backup for even a game at SS. Almost as bad as not having a backup catcher for a game.
the truth...
July 14th, 2012
12:31 am
Any trading of the few prospects we have for rent a dummy is absurd…so I guess we can count on it happening……
After all he trained under Big John didn’t he?…..you know Big John…..he of the give away 3 all stars to rent Texeira when there was NO WAY Texeira would ever sign with us long term….
We do not have the horses for this race….plain and simple.
JASon
July 14th, 2012
12:34 am
“the inconsistency of their starting pitching has them where they are”
Then if the starting pitching was great the hitting would suck. That’s the way the braves are. Last year you had great pitching, poor hitting. It will balance out. They will never dominate. They will always be around wild card area. Am I right or am I right.
superiorblogman
July 14th, 2012
12:50 am
I don’t think we necessarily need a big name. Quality pitching is what we need without giving up anything other than Minor, Pastornicky, and a lower level player. Maybe you replace the lower level player with Jair if you can get exactly what you want.
Bartoli Colon
Galladaro from the Brewers
Hamels
Buerhle from Miami
Josh Johnson
Dempster
Could all be aces on this team.
Greinke is massively overrated,but could still be a ace on this team.
Ricky Nolasco could help.
Matt Garza is overrated and implodes. Avoid him please.
Paddy O
July 14th, 2012
1:10 am
typical pro AJC journalism nit picking asinine idealism. You expect to trade for a good replacement in a week? Yeah, OK. I guess having Derek Lowe here another year would have been a real burden.
Paddy O
July 14th, 2012
1:12 am
Why would you NOT consider Prado a back up? some fine micro managing here. wren is competent – but if does not have the moolah to make the trade, you have what you have.
Steve
July 14th, 2012
1:39 am
Fumbling Frank Wren probably wont make a move. He will make excuses (those are his best moves), and the Braves will be left looking up in the standings.
Klaus
July 14th, 2012
2:32 am
Trade Uggla, trade for Upton, maybe Prado is not a train wreck at SS. You just need a band aid at SS for 4-5 weeks.
Trade for Greinke or Garza.
Prado a SS with Pastor-vomit as the back up
Dreams I know….
Teddy B
July 14th, 2012
3:52 am
Some really bad trade suggestions here guys, however I would not be surprised if Wren gets his ideas from those very bad trade suggestions on this site. I hope we don’t give Prado away for a rental, and I hope we don’t give up too much to get a mediocre starting pitcher. Testing the waters with Sheets actually sounds like a good idea at this point.
Minor could be used in any deal as far as I’m concerned after his spring training comments that he deserves to be a starter and if not trade him…well heres your chance, Wren. Trade him. I’m really curious what Wren is going to do at SS though, this could be bad or worse. I hope we don’t get Jack Wilson Jr. to play, I’m sure theres one out there somewhere rotting on a terrible teams bench!
ls1z28chris
July 14th, 2012
5:17 am
I think that forearm tattoo is ruining everything for everyone.
man and dog
July 14th, 2012
5:26 am
Infante, Blanco, the list goes on
reality
July 14th, 2012
7:35 am
Sit for a week with a void at SS, sit at game with fingers on chin contemplating the situations, don’t trade or callup a body for SS – bascially do nothing for a week ———– man what a job
TIMBO2589
July 14th, 2012
8:04 am
HELP
cloudodust
July 14th, 2012
8:34 am
JS : We’re so glad you earned Early Release for Good Behavior. It was noticeable that the ajc was down a decent sportswriter. Bradley couldn’t carry Mama Coxs’ team by himself… Get a natural left fielder for the 2nd half, move Prado to short, bring back Phil Neikro and trade Wilson for a box of balls and a tub of Dubble Bubble. Uggla will return to his former self when he gets it through his head it’s not just about home runs. Football is just around the corner.
birdo
July 14th, 2012
8:46 am
If Prado goes, i go. It’s a package deal.
Taylor Wooten
July 14th, 2012
9:14 am
Why is Jack Wilson in the major leagues anyway? Is he Frank Wren’s lovechild or something?
Throw the Towel In!
July 14th, 2012
9:15 am
The Brave’s ought to throw the towel in and trade Bourn before he walks and signs with Washington next season……….The Brave’s are what we think they are……………..a .500 team no better no less and no playoffs!
Wren A Player
July 14th, 2012
9:22 am
The Brave’s are gonna Rent someone for all their good prospects again and in 3 years they will be all with that major league club(remember….Andrus,Harrison,Feliz and Saltamachia for Texiria or the Wainwright for Drew deal!)and they will walk at the end of their contract for more $ because Liberty MEDIA DOESN’T WANT TO spend $ to make $!
jrob
July 14th, 2012
9:29 am
Todd Grantham. The man in the picture with Frank is his father. If you know anything about Frank and his father you would apologize for the Sandusky comment. His father attends every game and is a fantastic man. If you do not have more to add than off color remarks refrain from being a jerk.
GMR
July 14th, 2012
9:35 am
A top of the rotation guy is an absolute must. Hudson has lost his velocity and although he can still use guile to get outs he is no longer a 1 or 2 pitcher. Funny how the pitch speed stopped showing on the screen at Turner Field last night around the 4th inning, only to return the inning after Hudson was pulled – go figure. One other thing – I have been a critic of Chipper for the last couple of years but must give him kudos for last night. When the Mets brought in relief pitchers last night no other Brave bothered to look at what they were throwing until they got in the on-deck circle – they were more interested in chatting about today’s round of golf or whatever. As a result we saw horrible swings at balls in the dirt from a pitcher making his major league debut and struggling with control. However, Chipper made sure he got a good look at them and decided what pitch he was going to hit resulting in top quality at bats. Word to FG – use that as an example and get those other lazy-asses to start acting like professionals as well. The paying fans don’t treat the Braves as a boys club, neither should the players.
Delbert D.
July 14th, 2012
9:52 am
Need to keep Uggla. His OBP is only 9 points behind Bourn and 29 points ahead of Freeman, 11 ahead of Heyward.
man and dog
July 14th, 2012
10:00 am
Wren & Gonzo are really making Shultzie & Cox look really good right now.
Billy
July 14th, 2012
10:07 am
Uggla 298 ab..65 hits and 100 k’s
Bourn 359 ab..112 hits and 74 k’s
OBP crap!
Billy
July 14th, 2012
10:10 am
jrod..agree.
Billy
July 14th, 2012
10:13 am
Since when do you have to wait till dead-line to make a trade? A couple of teams already have made deals.
the truth...
July 14th, 2012
11:12 am
Over and over i hear Prado’s name in the trade talk………………WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE?
Does no one remember Infante and how he was shipped off for Uggla? Tell me how much good it has done OVERALL for us to have Uggla rather than Infante and do you forget Mike Dunn….lefthander with smoke I thnk.
Remember Prado was an All-Star at 2nd and Infante an All-Star as a untility player……….how good does that look now?
Is Frank Wren awake?
July 14th, 2012
11:20 am
Braves solution is simple. We need to trade to get Omar Infante back. He can fill in at short until Simmons comes back. Then he can fill in when Chipper needs to rest so we don’t have to watch Diaz, Hinske or Francisco play entire games.
SawThat1nce
July 14th, 2012
11:43 am
I am glad that Jeff Shultz is not the GM of the Braves, but I would to see take the GM job for one of the other teams in the NLEast.
Tom(Independent Viet Vet USAF)
July 14th, 2012
11:45 am
Great line by Ross when talking about Prado playing multiple positions well. Just hope “he does not want to play catcher and take my job away”! Ross should be playing more with that .285 BA. Sorry vets, Henski, Francisco, Wilson need to be let go now! Constanza and Mejia need to be brought up for remainder of season. Do not tell me it is a money thing either? Do we want to win or not, it is a business and sometimes guys have to be let go!
Keith
July 14th, 2012
12:42 pm
Jeff,
If Sheets is above average and stays in rotation, does Wren have a shot at GM of the year? Probably depends on if Braves make playoffs.
I say if they land another starter, he wins it hands down.
Thoughts?