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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
364 comments Add your comment
RKCola
July 13th, 2012
7:45 pm
FIRST
RKCola
July 13th, 2012
7:46 pm
Yes, victory is mine…Go Braves
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
7:48 pm
RKCola — would you like the certificate, the small stuffed teddy bear or the big eraser as your “First” prize?
RKCola
July 13th, 2012
7:50 pm
Haven’t seen the new Wahlberg movie but that teddy bear looks funny. I guess I’ll take that. Thanks for the bloggage, Jeff. Stay dry out there.
Sonny Clusters
July 13th, 2012
7:57 pm
Welcome back, Jeff! Some stuff happened while you was away but we didn’t read about it since you didn’t write about it. Can you tell if Dan Uggla is popping up or striking out tonight?
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
7:57 pm
Consecutive walks to load the bases and Dan Uggla swings on the first pitch? Oy.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
7:58 pm
Sonny — you be a prophet.
Adam
July 13th, 2012
8:00 pm
I want to like Dan Uggla…I do. But gosh he is infuriating.
Sonny Clusters
July 13th, 2012
8:02 pm
Uggla is not the sharpest crayon in the box. He would be deer-ish if we didn’t already have one on the team. It sure is good to have Jack Wilson in there considering McCann’s bat is missing tonight. We think this is the start of the second half and we was hoping they’d start with everything clicking.
SOS Braves
July 13th, 2012
8:03 pm
Jack Wilson is absolutely worthless. But it seems that Uggla is too. However, Uggla has potential and Wilson doesnt.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
8:03 pm
Jack Wilson has an excuse — he’s a 79-year-old backup shortstop.
G
July 13th, 2012
8:04 pm
Where is McCaan?
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
8:04 pm
By the way, the Mets’ Chris Young didn’t walk a batter in his previous 2 starts. He walked 3 in the first inning.
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
July 13th, 2012
8:10 pm
It dont mater what Wren do unless he get rids of the loosing managar.
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
July 13th, 2012
8:11 pm
Why is there only comercials on now?
Chris
July 13th, 2012
8:11 pm
What’s up at game??????
TV went to commercial with only 2 out in top 2nd??
Chris
July 13th, 2012
8:12 pm
And GameChannel on MLB website shows no pitches being thrown
TGT
July 13th, 2012
8:12 pm
What the heck is going on with Peachtree TV?! It cut out in the middle of the top of the 2nd and is running nothing but commercials!!!
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
July 13th, 2012
8:13 pm
Realy its back 2 back Big Bang and Sienfiled comercials
Sonny Clusters
July 13th, 2012
8:13 pm
This would be a good time to hit the press box buffet while the lights are out. Fill your pockets with cheese and rolls.
Jeff
July 13th, 2012
8:13 pm
Power outage at the stadium…chillax
Chris
July 13th, 2012
8:14 pm
Since it went out on TV, MLB shows NOTHING going on…
Streaker???
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
July 13th, 2012
8:15 pm
They dont want us 2 see how much sux the Braces R ! LOLOL
Chris
July 13th, 2012
8:15 pm
Liberty won’t even pay power bill
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
July 13th, 2012
8:17 pm
What is chilax?
Sonny Clusters
July 13th, 2012
8:17 pm
Uggla can probably bat in the dark and it won’t make much difference.
Jsine
July 13th, 2012
8:17 pm
McCann became a Daddy today at 2PM! So…that’s where he is! With his wife and newborn son! Congrats to Jim. Someone explain to me why Uggla is still playing…every game? He must have something on Freddie…really. Geez…he’s so bad …even the power went off in disgust!!!
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
July 13th, 2012
8:20 pm
Meet the Browns? Someone poke my eyes out.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
8:20 pm
Sorry. Lost wireless — because we lost POWER! Officially a blackout at stadium at 8:07. Still going, Somehow there’s power to video board and they’re showing the Nationals and Marlins game. This is the first time I’ve been in a power outage in a stadium since a World Series game at Candlestick Park. There was an earthquake that night. This is better.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
8:22 pm
Braves just came back onto the field. Some but not all of the lights are back on.
sezWho
July 13th, 2012
8:23 pm
Sonny….Sonny…Sonny….sad but true. But when Ugg gets hot again he will be amazing. As far as fg GOES, I wish he would; far far away.
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
July 13th, 2012
8:23 pm
Thats one way to not loose 2 nite. Turn the lites off!
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
8:24 pm
We’re back to baseball. Wimps wouldn’t play in dark. Baseball players are soft. … Anyway, official delay of 16 mins.
sezWho
July 13th, 2012
8:25 pm
It’s LOSE, not LOOSE.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
8:25 pm
That Hudson strikeout took about 20 mins.
Sonny Clusters
July 13th, 2012
8:27 pm
Jeff, some people think Fredi manages in the dark. Did you see anything to support that?
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
8:28 pm
Sonny — Impressive. I thought it would be 5 or 6 comments before somebody took that swing. You’re ahead of the curve as usual.
jerry
July 13th, 2012
8:29 pm
Rule the East? Man, that’s some pretty high cotton!
Alaska Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:31 pm
It’s pretty easy to get frustrated with a guy like Uggla when he’s down. Of course, his record-breaking streak last year was sort of nice, eh? He’s extremely streaky. We all know that. But, when he’s hitting, he’s firecracker hot. Also, whether he’s hitting or not, he’s a 110% guy on the field. He runs hard and he gives up his body to get to grounders. Everyone wants the perfect second baseman who hits .320, never commits an error, and whacks about 30 HR’s per year. All in all, Uggla is pretty good, and when all the other elements of this team are clicking, he plays his part just fine.
It’s a shame to see one of Hudson’s starts interrupted like this. Perhaps he’ll come back into the game; certainly he’ll want to, but the start-and-stop-and-start-again approach is not so very good for starting pitchers, and his effectiveness likely will be affected. I really hate these delays for that reason.
Let’s see what Sheets can do. He was highly effective for a good part of his career, and was dominating when at his best. How might things have been different if the Braves had written off Smoltz because of his serious injuries? Sheets may not work out, but if he does, we’ve struck gold.
ABF
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:32 pm
ABF, nice to see a commenter with some common sense on Uggla.
Quack Quack
July 13th, 2012
8:35 pm
Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. McCann!! I was wondering too.
The reason opportunity is often missed is that it usually comes disguised as hard work.
GO BRAVES!!!
Alaska Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:36 pm
Well, excuuuuuuse ME! Apparently the delay didn’t hurt Hudson’s pitching or his hitting. My MLB broadcast still isn’t working. Jeff: Is that a result of power problems at the stadium, do you think?
ABF
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
8:36 pm
Jeffrey, tell me the guy next to F Wren in the pic is NOT Jerry Sandusky
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
8:37 pm
Alaska Braves Fan — Really? Can’t explain MLB feed. All I can tell you is the game is on in front of me.
Alaska Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:37 pm
JaxNC Braves Fan: Thanks! These judgments sometimes are difficult, but the guy does have a sound track record.
ABF
sezWho
July 13th, 2012
8:37 pm
I don’t think fg has what it takes to tell Uggla to sit out a game. Anyone ever seen him get mad, or lay down the law? Ain’t gonna happen.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
8:37 pm
By the way, if there’s a blackout in Alaska, and it stays light there for 23 hours a day, does anybody notice the power’s out?
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:39 pm
sezWho, he sat Uggla just before the break.
Alaska Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:39 pm
Jeff: We’ve learned that everything takes three days longer to reach Alaska. At least video doesn’t come by mail anymore. It hasn’t been so very long ago that all TV was two weeks old when we got it.
Please post any dramatic developments!
Thanks!
ABF
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
8:40 pm
yes, you know the power is out when the air conditioner goes off
JimBob
July 13th, 2012
8:40 pm
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
8:37 pm
By the way, if there’s a blackout in Alaska, and it stays light there for 23 hours a day, does anybody notice the power’s out?
LMAO!
Alaska Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:41 pm
Jeff,
Good point. We’re on the Kenai Peninsula, 225 miles south of Anchorage, so our longest day still has about 4 hours of relative darkness. In the interior, above the Arctic Circle, 24 hours of daylight. Most Alaskans stay awake most of the summer and sleep a great deal during the winter.
ABF
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:44 pm
ABF, middle of the 3rd. Hudson singled in the bottom of the 2nd, Bourne made an out and Prado hit into an around-the-horn double play. Mets 1-2-3 in the top of the 3rd.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
8:45 pm
Todd — It’s not Jerry Sandusky. Almost certain.
Columbus
July 13th, 2012
8:45 pm
It depends on who we can get in return. Must be an above average starter thats for sure. BUT there is not a rush right now. Lets see how Sheets does because if he pitches like his old self, hes lights out. Dont forget JJ nor that Minor and Delgado have pitched great in their last 2 starts. ALL of them. Personally I would NOT trade any of them. UNLESS it was for a 1 or 2 starter to go along with Hanson and Hudson.
Braves have options and young players to trade and several options including going with what we got and Sheets. IF the right pitcher with the right contract or one that would resign, then I might trade one of the guys for a REALLY, REALLY, GOOD PITCHER. The thing with OUR younguns, they are cheap for a few years. JJ, not so much depending on what he does the rest of the way…IF JJ gets his strength back, HE IS AWESOME I.E. LAST YEAR BEFORE HE GOT HURT AND SHOULD HAVE STARTED THE ALLSTAR GAME….
TOUGH CALL……GOTTA BE THE RIGHT PITCHER FROM A NON-CONTENDER THAT WANTS YOUTH FOR A CONTRACT… AND BRAVES BETTER BE ABLE TO RESIGN HIM…….! OR DONT DO IT AND TAKE A LESSOR PITCHER. ID RATHER HAVE MEDLIN THAN A MEDIOCRE SIGNING AND THEN WOULD GET A LONG RELIEVER IN THE PEN…..
I WOULD NOT EASILY TRADE MINOR, DELGADO OR TEHERAN…..NO WAY. MINOR AND DELGADO OR ON THE VERGE OF BEING DOMINANT…..TEHERAN IS A YEAR OR 2 BEHIND THEM…..
Alaska Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:46 pm
JaxNC Braves Fan: Thanks! I’ll follow along on the ESPN scoreboard. It’s slow, but it does give pitch-by-pitch coverage. Perhaps MLB will kick back in up here soon.
ABF
Jim
July 13th, 2012
8:46 pm
NEVER! NEVER! We do not need another Wainbright or Texas debacle. The Braves have made marginal moves the past four years and failed. Wren has NO MONEY!
1) Pitch the young guys and let them develop
2) Bourne has Boras as his agent and the Braves will NOT be able to resign him. Trade him now while we can get some young prospects for him.
3) Trade McCann now and get some young prosects for him. He will be TOO costly next year and hits into TOO many double pays and is a defensive liability. Bring up Bentacourt to play and develop.
4) use the money from Chipper, Lowe, and McCann next year to either sigh a bat for the outfield with Prado moving to third or sign a third baseman.
Wren needs to show some bold moves. Enough with the incremental appraoch. We do not have a deep pockets Turner any more.
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
July 13th, 2012
8:46 pm
Must Haywood swig at the fist pitch evertime?
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
8:47 pm
How much does Melatonin go for above the Arctic Circle?
And now, back to the game.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
8:47 pm
A walk and a double for the old guy tonight. … that’s also a 14-game hitting streak.
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:47 pm
Chipper, one out double. 14 game hitting streak.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
8:49 pm
Thanks Jeff. i was sure that either Sandusky had escaped or Wren had been caught.
Weary Traveller
July 13th, 2012
8:50 pm
Uggla is a non-productive out machine right now
sezWho
July 13th, 2012
8:50 pm
JaxNC Braves Fan: Uggla is at bat now. Popped it up again
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:50 pm
Come on, David. Pick us up!
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:51 pm
That’s what I was talking about!
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
8:51 pm
Ross … gonzo … 3-run jack makes it 5-0.
Weary Traveller
July 13th, 2012
8:51 pm
best back up catcher in baseball
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:51 pm
Three run homer. 5 nothing Braves.
Sonny Clusters
July 13th, 2012
8:51 pm
Did he pop up again?
Casey
July 13th, 2012
8:51 pm
Uggla is worthless!
Alaska Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:52 pm
You know, it’s amazing, but at 40 Chipper still seems to be the key to success for the Braves. What innate talent! Our biggest problem next year will be to replace him and to find a new leader.
As for melatonin: Light boxes have some popularity here because of SAD (Seasonal Affect Disorder), which results from reduced sunlight during the winter. Personally, I love the winters. Our little town feels all warm and cozy then.
ABF
ABF
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
8:52 pm
bad weather has knocked the satellite out. plugged in the radio and Rossi hit a homer! Wonders never cease!
G
July 13th, 2012
8:52 pm
How dumb are the idiots who voted in Dan Uggla as an All Star started. This is another awful decision made by Frank Wren.
SOS Braves
July 13th, 2012
8:52 pm
Uggla = Wilson (i.e. SUCK)
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
July 13th, 2012
8:53 pm
Its about time Betsy Ross helped out
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
8:53 pm
Jeff, who replaced Simmons on the roster? Not Pasternicky?
SOS Braves
July 13th, 2012
8:53 pm
Can we put in a couple of bat boys for Uggla and POS Wilson?
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:54 pm
All he Uggla haters will be cheering when he gets hot and carries the team for awhile.
Alaska Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:54 pm
It’s killing me that I can’t see this! I’m sending Selig a letter.
ABF
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:55 pm
I don’t think they’ve made a roster move yet. Rumor mill says they’re trying to make a trade.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
8:56 pm
thanks Jax
Alaska Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:56 pm
Well, at least now the MLB screen on the computer is showing a “Technical Difficulties” message. Perhaps someone has a hammer?
ABF
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
8:56 pm
Have the Braves given up on Pasternicky?
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:58 pm
I’m not sure if they’ve given up but his defense is suspect. At the very least, they’ve decided he’s not ready yet.
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
8:58 pm
I really hate Uggla
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
8:58 pm
if, Heaven forbid, Ross went down is Freeman the Braves emergency catcher? Or maybe Prado. He seems to be able to play about any position.
sezWho
July 13th, 2012
8:58 pm
JaxNC Braves Fan : I thought you were serious when you said Uggla was sat out at the break. I know he will get hot again, and we know he is trying very hard. Maybe too hard. My point was fg sux not Uggla.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
8:59 pm
Todd Grantham — no shortstop called up/acquired yet. Expect a move soon. If it was going to be Pastornicky, I’m sure they would’ve done that already. So likely making a minor deal.
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
8:59 pm
MLBRumors: The Braves are working to acquire a veteran stopgap-type shortstop to fill in while Andrelton Simmons is on the disabled list, Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio reports (on Twitter). The Braves are hoping to complete a deal in the next 72 hours, Bowden writes.
Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said yesterday that the Braves were considering internal options (presumably Tyler Pastornicky and Josh Wilson) as well as trade options, according to Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Backup shortstop Jack Wilson figures to get extra playing time with Simmons injured. The list of potentially available shortstops includes some veteran options that could interest GM Frank Wren.
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:00 pm
Can Pastornicky play 2b ?
Weary Traveller
July 13th, 2012
9:00 pm
I think Matt Diaz is the emergency catcher
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:00 pm
i like Uggla but damn he can be a frustrating performer to watch.
Casey
July 13th, 2012
9:00 pm
Pasternicky has been playing 2nd and they won’t to leave him there, continuing what he’s been sent down to do. It doesn’t soound like he’s coming back up anytime soon..
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
9:01 pm
Announcers are talking about Wright being a free agent next year. I could think of worse options than him replacing Chipper. Probably a long shot…
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:02 pm
wonder if Alex Gonzalez is available.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
9:02 pm
JaxNC Braves Fan — That’s accurate, which is a word I don’t always use with Jim Bowden. …. And BTW, Braves have been known to announce trades in the 9th inning or after games. So it wouldn’t stun me if they did something tonight.
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:02 pm
Uggla should give back $5 million. He aint earning it.
Gimme a Break
July 13th, 2012
9:03 pm
Here’s a move. Sit Uggla! I literally have to change the channel when he comes to bat – same as I did with Franceour.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:03 pm
Wow, Tyler’s stock has pulled an Enron.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
9:03 pm
Mets on the board. That’s two hard hit balls and a walk in inning off Hudson.
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
9:03 pm
sezWho: June 29th: Braves second baseman Dan Uggla didn’t like it much, but he didn’t argue either, when manager Fredi Gonzalez gave him his first day out of the lineup of the 2012 season Friday night against the Nationals. It was a little longer ago than I thought.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
9:04 pm
2 more runs … Make that 5-3. I think it’s time for a visit to the mound.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:04 pm
ok, how long is Fredi going to let Hudson get hammered?
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
9:04 pm
Come on, Tim, settle down.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:06 pm
As far as the Braves really making a run into and deep playoffs a bench player and a starting pitcher are a must. Dangle Delgado for bait.
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
9:07 pm
Come on, Ump!
Alaska Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
9:08 pm
Marco Pillow: One sore spot for me is that in my entire life I will not have earned $5 million, and I have done OK by middle class standards. I wouldn’t mind if players earned quite a lot, because their careers are much shorter than mine – 5 to 20 years as compared to my 36 and counting. Still, to earn several times, sometimes very many times my lifetime earnings stings. Of course, when I pay for tickets and subscribe to MLB I help underwrite those salaries, so I guess I’m being a bit hypocritical.
ABF
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:08 pm
Make that new SS now!
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
9:08 pm
Wilson dove for the ball and is coming off the field.
Delbert D.
July 13th, 2012
9:08 pm
Sheets is the low price, high risk plan. He may account for 3 or 4 losses with no wins, or maybe not, to try to be fair. In terms of getting back in the race, those would be expensive losses. In addition of getting, say, Greinke as a best case, the missing-man-at-shortstop formation must be addressed. Otherwise the best efforts of the starting pitchers circle that drain.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
9:09 pm
Where are the elephants? We need elephants.
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
9:10 pm
Looks like Prado is moving to short. Heinski going to left field.
sezWho
July 13th, 2012
9:10 pm
No problem, Jax. I haven’t seen anything out of fg that impresses me. Right now the Braves look like the Keystone Cops.
G
July 13th, 2012
9:10 pm
Frank Wren idiot….. No backup shortstop. Can we call him what he is.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
9:10 pm
OK, so that no backup shortstop thing didn’t work out tonight …. Jack Wilson hurt. Prado moves from left to short. Hinske going in game in left field.
Sonny Clusters
July 13th, 2012
9:10 pm
Were you thinking Fredi going to the mound or somebody else? Wilson is hurt and Prado is going to SS. The wheels are coming off. Make the deal.
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
9:11 pm
Looks like Wilson might have dislocated or broke a finger. Prado has played 2 games at short, last time in 2008.
B Cox
July 13th, 2012
9:11 pm
Yes, A left-handed starter would be great. Frank Winn should try for something realistic…Joe Saunders from the Diamondbacks would be a pretty good pickup.
Trade Uggla, Delgado and Teheren for Saunders plus a minor league prospect.
Let Prado play second base while Constanza and Diaz can play left field.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
9:11 pm
Fredi Gonzalez strikes again by not calling up SS before the game……WORST MANAGER IN BASEBALL
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:12 pm
Hes the only Brave besides Hinske sucking. Give me one year at $5 million and im set for life.
Alaska Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
9:12 pm
Maybe not being able to watch this particular game isn’t so very bad. Are we snake-bit?
ABF
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:12 pm
Oh God! Heaven help us on a fly to left.
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
9:14 pm
Guarantee you that the roster move wasn’t Freddie’s call. It was Wren. And I don’t think you can really blame him for not making a move if he has a deal in the works. Just bad luck.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:14 pm
That is a legitimate second guess on Fredi (and Wren) not having a utility infielder (that can play short) .
Sonny Clusters
July 13th, 2012
9:15 pm
Looks like an elephant in left field.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:15 pm
Jeff, if you call up a guy for a 2 day stint in the Majors does that count against future non waiver moves with that player?
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
9:15 pm
Who’s better defensively in left, Heinske or Diaz? Glad I didn’t have to make that call.
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:15 pm
I bet Don Sutton & Reggie Jackson wont be having dinner anytime soon…
SG10
July 13th, 2012
9:16 pm
Can Prado pitch too? That could end our starting pitcher search…
Phil
July 13th, 2012
9:16 pm
At least it gets Wilson out of the lineup … maybe the replacement can hit better than a pitcher
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:16 pm
an almost laugher getting away
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
9:16 pm
Murphy — 9th batter in the inning.
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
9:17 pm
I’d agree it’s a legitimate second guess if we hadn’t lost short stops in back to back games.
JaxNC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2012
9:17 pm
Way to go, Martin!
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:17 pm
Can we get a damn manager? Take Hudson out.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:17 pm
Prado is a jack of all trades
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
9:17 pm
Wow …nice play by Prado, especially coming in cold.
Sonny Clusters
July 13th, 2012
9:18 pm
Prado can play anywhere, do everything. If he is traded we are through with the Braves.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
9:18 pm
Todd — I’m guessing yes — a move is a move. But not an expert on all of those bb rules.
SR
July 13th, 2012
9:18 pm
Damn right it is a legitimate second guess Todd G and good point- same ol moron Wren.
Frank
July 13th, 2012
9:19 pm
How about recall Constanza to play left field and let Prado play shortstop! What a play!
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:20 pm
thanks, how many ups and downs does a guy get before out of options?
Delbert D.
July 13th, 2012
9:22 pm
“Yes, A left-handed starter would be great”
Even at shortstop. I don’t want Prado to fall victim to the obvious curse on that position.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
9:22 pm
Hudson single and a double. Need to bat him sixth.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:23 pm
i would assume that EVERY game is important to the manager. only ones he shouldn’t care about are the 15-1 losing efforts. the non shortstop move was like being a couple of runs ahead in a game and ceding a couple of innings to get to the 9th. (I’m not sure i understand what i wrote)
Gimme a Break
July 13th, 2012
9:23 pm
Perhaps Hudson should be giving Uggla batting tips.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:24 pm
somethings wrong! glad he batted but why in the heck did he get the opportunity? Fredi asks and a pitcher’s arm could be falling off and if he says “i’m ok Skip” the guy stays in for further hammering.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:25 pm
Gosh, think Hudson might be getting tired stranded at second base?
sezWho
July 13th, 2012
9:27 pm
OK, we have known for how many days that simmons couldn’t play? Then theres the All Star break for four days, and the powers that be did nothing? Fine mess you got us into Wren.
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:27 pm
Bat Uggla 9th. Heck,better yet just replace him. He’s really a terrible hitter.
Casey
July 13th, 2012
9:28 pm
The PITCHER leads off the inning with a double and you can’t get him in!?
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
9:29 pm
Why are you blaming Gonzalez for not having a backup shortstop? The decision was Frank Wren’s.
Weary Traveller
July 13th, 2012
9:29 pm
heyward about to go yard
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:29 pm
Braves go looking in trash dumpsters for players. Like Ben Sheets.
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:31 pm
Enter your comments hereMinor,Uggla,Pastornicky to Cubs for Dempster & Garza.
Don
July 13th, 2012
9:32 pm
i can’t believe the braves didn’t call up a shortstop.This is a stupid organization
Sonny Clusters
July 13th, 2012
9:32 pm
That was some ugly baseball. Hudson was laboring, still gets to bat, doubles and is left stranded on second base.
Sonny Clusters
July 13th, 2012
9:32 pm
third.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:33 pm
so the ole prediction was correct: Hudson stranded.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
9:34 pm
Well Im not a big fan of Wrens either so get rid of both of them clowns…….Hire Danny Ferry
Casey
July 13th, 2012
9:34 pm
Does Pendleton have his glove? Maybe he can play a little short.
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:34 pm
Will the Braves continue to play Uggla going 0-4 every night?
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
9:35 pm
We need some NEW blood in the organization because the old regime has become stale
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:36 pm
Jeff, ask Uggla if he forgot how to hit after the game.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:36 pm
Jeff, is it true that Duda grew up adjacent to the Camptown Race Track?
nybob
July 13th, 2012
9:36 pm
FG drives me crazy.
Hudson has a lead off double and is left stranded.
FG always plays for the big inning.
Hence, the LOB percentage for the Braves.
Why not have Bourne bunt and move Hudson to third? A sac fly then scores Hudson.
FG and RMcD are the reasons why the Braves will not contend. No flexibility. Just the same old stuff game after game.
FG’s idea of a bold move is to move Chipper from the 6 hole to the 3 hole. Wow!!!
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:37 pm
and Tim grew up swimming in the Hudson.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
9:38 pm
Todd Grantham — How long have you been waiting to use that?
boondawg
July 13th, 2012
9:38 pm
Fire Fredi, Fire Frank, trade the prospects that we have for legit players. Had we have traded prospects last year we would have made the playoffs.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:38 pm
dislocation of small finger, no fracture for wilson
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
9:39 pm
Official injury announcement for Wilson– dislocated right pinky, X-rays negative, day to day.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:39 pm
to be honest, just thought of it.
Don
July 13th, 2012
9:39 pm
what happened between don sutton and reggie jackson
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
9:40 pm
That’s it for Hudson, Martinez coming in.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
9:40 pm
Seriously Simmons has been hurt since SUNDAY thats 6 days ago and we come out with 24 men. Terrible decision making. I wish we had a Danny Ferrry type of GM to purge out the waste and become more efficient
Phil
July 13th, 2012
9:41 pm
nybob, did you watch Bourn’s at bat? He tried to bunt for strike 1 and then he pulled the bat back on strike 2. Would you have liked Freddi to have him bunt with 2 strikes? Then you could have complained about him trying to have Bourn bunt with 2 strikes.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:41 pm
Fredi, as usual, an inning late taking out a pitcher. What did letting Hudson bat accomplish? is the bench so bad that there was no pinch hitter worth giving a shot?
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:41 pm
This redneck couple with 9 kids finallly decided to have the wife’ tubes tied. A friend asked them why do this after 9 children? Husband said he read where 1 out of evey 10 babies in America were born of Mexican descent.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
9:42 pm
Another mediocre outing for a Braves starter — Hudson 4 runs, 8 hits with 2 on base in 4+ innings.
1-800-SAFE-VOTTO
July 13th, 2012
9:42 pm
Jack Wilson – dislocated pinky, middle joint. Maybe a week or two and he should be back. You can pop that sucker back in place, tape it to your ring finger, and be back in the game in no time.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:42 pm
let’s hope Duda doesnt get a pic 6.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
9:43 pm
The Braves get too much of a free pass from the AJC. This team has lost 10 games this season that a decent manager would have won. Now we are gonna blow another 5 run lead. This has already happened several times this season.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:43 pm
Martinez gives up a grand slam. Mark my words.
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:44 pm
Reggie said that Sutton,P. NIEKRO,G.Carter didnt belong in HOF. Also said Arod was a roid user and his stats werent legit.
willieghateslibertymedia
July 13th, 2012
9:44 pm
well i told that stupid idiot. wren to get a short stop this team will not make the playoffs , i am one of the retired assassins and mcann tsking off to be with his newborn one if my kids was born while we were wrestling for world title mcsnn,s in a pennate race he needs to be plsying he has all life to see his kid. the braves will get swept by the clowns mets
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:46 pm
Braves score 5 runs then quit hitting. Typical.
alex
July 13th, 2012
9:46 pm
@1-8oo, but he’s a brave:dry eyes, “tired”, pinky dislocation, cut finger,strained oblique;as lobo would say, it’s binky time at the ted
WHERE IS LOBO?
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
9:46 pm
Also were paying Hudson 9 million a season. maybe we could dump that salary and use that money to go after a REAL pitcher. Also Uggla is making 12.5 million and thats a waste, and McCann while hitting better last week is still not worth 12 million he will make next year. We need somebody to coem in and dump the waste and bring back efficiency
Delbert D.
July 13th, 2012
9:46 pm
Hudson is still the all-time RBI leader at Auburn, no?
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:48 pm
Night to night actually…
Don
July 13th, 2012
9:48 pm
Sutton,Niekro and Carter deserve to be in the hall of fame.Reggie is stupid
Delbert D.
July 13th, 2012
9:48 pm
j-Man – According to you, that would be Billy Beane?
SR
July 13th, 2012
9:48 pm
Nice outing to start the 2nd half Hudson. Good grief!!
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:49 pm
Marco, Reggie, who’s only play that will be remembered is when he stuck his fat ass in the way of throw from second to first in a World Series aint got much room to talk!
Brave-less
July 13th, 2012
9:49 pm
at least 4 runs in only 4 innings, isn’t a mediocre start … it’s terrible
willieghateslibertymedia
July 13th, 2012
9:49 pm
lets all go to colorsdo find liberty media and wring there danmn necks seriously ! these sap suckers need to be whipped
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:49 pm
Ugglas making $12 million too much…
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:49 pm
Like i said, Martinez is great!!
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
9:51 pm
Nope Im for paying players that PERFORM like Prado and Bourn but why should we payout for under performance. Just because someone is a nice guy doesnt mean they deserve a Brinks truck full of money. But look at the 10 million being paid for a pitcher not to play here?????????
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:52 pm
from Jerry Sandusky’s blog: this game makes my sentence look short.
Casey
July 13th, 2012
9:52 pm
Freeman gets on – Uggla hits into DP – Ross flies out. Just thought I’d throw out a prediction.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
9:53 pm
so far, freeman popped out
1-800-SAFE-VOTTO
July 13th, 2012
9:54 pm
J-Man – Great ideas. Let’s just go out and sign a REAL pitcher. How much you wanna pay for Hamels, Shields, or Greinke? $9 mil a year won’t touch those guys. Huddy’s been consistently good for years, minus the Tommy John surgery, and every time he goes out he gives you a chance to win. Let’s let McCann go and get Wieters or Posey….yeah right. And all Uggla did last year was hit 36 HR and drive in 82, and this year he’s on pace for 25/90 and he’s not even gotten hot yet.
Geez, a lot of you whiners in here are worse than Tennessee Vols football fans!
NORRIS CHUCK
July 13th, 2012
9:54 pm
They best be trying to get a pitcher in here, cause what they have is not gonna cut it. Sheets coming out Sunday…geez, cant wait to see that
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:55 pm
Reggies been apologizing. 300 wins is automatic HOF credentials. Reggie IS an idiot.
1-800-SAFE-VOTTO
July 13th, 2012
9:56 pm
Jeff, do they still serve that Bentley’s Popcorn at the stadium? That stuff is AWESOME!
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
July 13th, 2012
9:56 pm
We may be leading 5-4 but this game feels like a terrible loss right at the moment. Huddy may be headed for the DL and Jack Wilson’s injury just adds to the misery.
Marco Pillow
July 13th, 2012
9:58 pm
So Wren is waiting on teams to test the market for SP? He can be the first. What a moronic statement.
Tom(Independent Viet Vet USAF)
July 13th, 2012
10:00 pm
Go get Jeff Keppinger from TB(he does not play regularly anyway for them). He can play all IF positions, hits around .290 and rarely KO’s!! Our minor league guys not productive enough? Another option is leave Prado at SS and bring up Constanza to play LF with Diaz!!
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
10:00 pm
Sorry folks … had to duck out of conversation for a quick update to serve early print master.
SG10
July 13th, 2012
10:01 pm
Just watching the game, it feels like the Braves ERA is significantly lower with Simmons in the lineup. Does anyone have stats that might confirm that?
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
10:02 pm
OK … 3 straight walks, Francisco hitting for Martinez and Mets making a double switch … this is too much for me. …. OK. I’m fine now.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
10:03 pm
bases loaded. no runs scored. bet on it.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:04 pm
Now look at the money they we will have off the books next season
$10 million Lowe
$14 million Chipper
$1 million Wilson
$2.125 mil Diaz
$1.6 mil Hinske
$6 million Jurrjens if we nontender him
$12. mil Option for McCann
$9 million option for Hudson
$6.845 million for Bourn
Thats a total of
$62.57 million that can be used if we have the same pay roll
Lets say we give Bourn 15 mil a season that bumps it to 47.57 million
now lets say we sign Grienke for 20 million that leaves 27.57 million
Ok we have a bluchip Catching prospect Bethancourt that could replace McCann defensively
and we could more replace McCann’s bat with that 27.57 million heck with that kind of money
If we did have that 27.57 freed up we could realistically go after Josh Hamilton.
But of course thats not gonna happen because we like to pay “Nice guys” and McCann and Hudson will get their options met.
Delbert D.
July 13th, 2012
10:05 pm
The unearned runs surely must have gone down with Simmons at SS.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
10:06 pm
Not saying this game moving at a slow pace but expect the Braves to open a breakfast bar in the 8th inning.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
10:06 pm
Francisco — that didn’t look so good, nice pitch though.
Casey
July 13th, 2012
10:06 pm
All he had to do was put it in play..
SG10
July 13th, 2012
10:07 pm
Can we bring Julio Franco back as a pinch hitter?.. Man, that guy was good for the Braves. Perhaps, not coincidentally, Braves have not won the division since he was let go. The same could be said about Furcal. At least now with Bourne and Simmons, we can get Furcal’s qualities back.. we still miss Julio Franco’s great at bats off the bench.
todd grantham
July 13th, 2012
10:07 pm
you must have shown Mrs. Schultz a grand holiday for her to let you out on a Friday night.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:08 pm
Ill tell you this the Braves seem to leaves the most bases loaded Ive seen for a while
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
July 13th, 2012
10:09 pm
Beachy is done, Huddy is pitching on a bad ankle, Jurrjens is still questionable and the two kids (Minor and Delgado) are very inconsistent, while Ben Sheets is an unknown commodity. Leaving us with Tommy Hanson as the only sure bet at the moment.
So somehow I’m not thinking this team’s pitching can carry them in the second half.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:10 pm
And we are gonna get snake bitten tonight. We need to get a real GM like we got with Dimitroff and Ferry because Wren just does nothing but waste money, and hires Bobby Cox rejects.
Casey
July 13th, 2012
10:10 pm
I don’t have a good feeling about this game. Too many missed opportunities.
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
July 13th, 2012
10:11 pm
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
SG10
July 13th, 2012
10:12 pm
Where is Brooks Conrad when we need him?
The best close&late hitter Braves have had in a while..
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
10:12 pm
Todd Grantham — Every day with me is a friggin’ holiday, don’t you know that?
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:12 pm
Ok lets trade for Grienke now
Delbert D.
July 13th, 2012
10:12 pm
J-man – Interesting list, but I assume that all of those lower-paid guys are not going to be replaced with inexperienced call-ups from the minors. There is likely to be a Hinske-equivalent, Diaz-equivalent and Wilson-equivalent in reserve on the bench. The guy that *has* to be put under a new contract ASAP is Bourn. I’d hate to see them let him get away, but there is always the constraint of not having a committed owner of this team.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:13 pm
We need Jamey Carroll too
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
10:17 pm
SG10 — “Where is Brooks Conrad when we need him?” … Oh yeah, he’d be a great defensive option.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:18 pm
Yea I dotn see why they havent engaged Bourn about a contract ASAP. But if you look at the numbers of the bench Juan Fransico has had the best numbers this season. Hinske hasnt had the seasons he had the last 2 years and Diaz has been diaasppointed. I personally wuld rather have a good athletic CF like Constanza and get a Back up 1st baseman with a Right handed power bat……wait we have one of those in Ernesto Meja, he has 18 HR with a .315 BA in AAA and has good size.
Delbert D.
July 13th, 2012
10:19 pm
One thing about Conrad, he keeps his head in the game. Boink! Ouch!
archie
July 13th, 2012
10:25 pm
The shorstop inaction this week is inexcusable. If you managed a McDonalds and forgot, or neglected to order enough McNuggets for tonight, you’d be fired. Yet Wren and the Frediot somehow get away with negligence at the major league level.
archie
July 13th, 2012
10:26 pm
Where did Hinske spend the All-Star break? The KFC buffet?
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:27 pm
We really dont have any good defensive athletic backup outfielders on the ML roster. Constanza never gets the chance he deserves but if Hinske and Diaz are gonna have those terrible numbers I think I would rather have Constanza up and have Meja back up Freeman and to come off the bench as a Right handed power hitter. Also Jack Wilson is still great defensively but you still need better than .175 all I wwould want is .220 but Wilson just cant bat anymore.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
10:27 pm
Old man homers.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:28 pm
Well the AJC NEVER calls out the Braves. They just gave them a free pass last year.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:29 pm
Yea Chipper kills the Mets again…….wish he would stay
SG10
July 13th, 2012
10:30 pm
Jeff,
Brooks Conrad would be upgrade over any of the current bench players offensively. It’s amazing how pathetic our bench is really..I always wondered why Braves never tried to convert him to an outfielder. Clearly, he wouldn’t have been as much defensively liability and his run-after-everything attitude would have served well there..
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:30 pm
Somebody tell Chipper to try and find Ponce De Leon’s fountain of youth so he can stay
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:31 pm
SG10 Brooks played some outfield while he was in Atlanta
SG10
July 13th, 2012
10:31 pm
Jeff,
Clearly Conrad would have been upgrade over current bench offensively. I always wondered why Braves didn’t try to convert him to an outfielder where he wouldn’t be as much defensive liability and his run-after-everything attitude would serve him well there.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:32 pm
Who we really miss is Omar Infante
SG10
July 13th, 2012
10:34 pm
J-Man, He did? How did he do defensively? I must have missed those games.I remember him only at 3rd and 2nd base.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
10:34 pm
How about that — clutch hit from Uggla brings home a big run.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
10:34 pm
SG10 — Loved Brooks Conrad but after what he went through in playoffs he was a complete head case here. Was never the same after that.
SG10
July 13th, 2012
10:35 pm
J-Man, I agree with you on Infante but I think he was better than just a bench player. I was sad when Braves traded him away (even if it was to get Uggla).
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:35 pm
He was so-so defensively
Larry Boy
July 13th, 2012
10:36 pm
Holy crap! Uggla got a hit!
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:37 pm
Well ill say this Uggla is one of the smartest baserunners in the Majors
Caseyatthebat
July 13th, 2012
10:37 pm
Sonny Clusters, in case you haven’t gone to bed…………Chipper has single, double and home run. Batting over .300. This demands creativity in your relentless criticism of him. Sleep well Sonny.
Larry Boy
July 13th, 2012
10:39 pm
Hinske looks like a left guard- not a left fielder.
JC Boscan III
July 13th, 2012
10:40 pm
Where’s Conrad tonight?? He got a pinch hit single for Tampa tonight. Odd fact — his career regular season fielding pct. at 2B is .992, much higher than the league average. (note: I didn’t mention 3B nor the playoffs).
Also, Drew Sutton, who could’ve been on our bench, is hitting well over .300 with the Pirates and batting leadoff – after we unloaded him from Gwinnett.
SG10
July 13th, 2012
10:40 pm
Jeff,
I agree with you on that..although he did have few dramatic moments early on in the season after that playoff misery but overall, he had a bad season. It wasn’t ‘Greg Norton’ bad but it wasn’t good. I wasn’t particularly sad when he wasn’t re-signed but my comment about missing him was from the years when he was phenomenal in clutch situations and off-the-bench..current bunch is a collective failure..
dean
July 13th, 2012
10:40 pm
I can’t hang anymore tonight. Gotta get up at 4-too- early to head to the airport. If I wake up to bad news I’m going to be pissed. “Gotta hold ‘em Braves!” as an old announcer used to say. Good night.
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
July 13th, 2012
10:42 pm
Why do they keeps saying Chiper has a hall of fame carer?
SG10
July 13th, 2012
10:42 pm
Jeff,
Would you compare Conrad = Pastornicky when it comes to boneheaded plays or lack of smart plays is probably more polite?
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:43 pm
So Jeff have you seen Sheets pitch in any minor league starts? Do you know where his fastball was clocked at?
Tom(Independent Viet Vet USAF)
July 13th, 2012
10:44 pm
Archie – That was a good one about Henski!!!
SG10
July 13th, 2012
10:45 pm
J-Man, I read 93 mph. Plus 10 Ks in 10 innings is not bad at all to go with 1 walk..sample size is too small though. I hope Braves give him more than one start, no matter how Sunday’s goes..
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:46 pm
I still think Pastornicky can become decent defensively but he needs another season of Minor League ball. Another mistake this season was letting Pastornicky be the opening day SS instead of Simmons who outperformed him. That move alone cost the braves at least 5 games
SG10
July 13th, 2012
10:47 pm
J-Man, Yeah. That brings me back to my question earlier, what is the Braves ERA with Simmons in the lineup and without? My gut feel is that it is substantial..
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:47 pm
I dont see why Minor isnt expendable now that we have his exact double in Sean Gilmartin.
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
July 13th, 2012
10:47 pm
N E 1 else getting tried of all the CHiper hype?
SG10
July 13th, 2012
10:48 pm
At 93 mph, Sheets could be hardest throwing Braves starter in the current group? I read somewhere that Nationals starters’ average fastball velocity is 94 mph!
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
10:49 pm
SG10 — Can’t compare the 2 and it’s really not fair to Pastornicky. Don’t know how good he is but kid’s only 22. Conrad 10 years older.
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
10:50 pm
J-Man — No. And no.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:50 pm
I think we should offer Minor, Eduardo Salacedo, and Delgado for Grienke only if we lock him up long term
Tom(Independent Viet Vet USAF)
July 13th, 2012
10:50 pm
You guys are right about our bench players, they are so far past their prime, just collecting paychecks now! Guys like Constanza and Mejia need to be brought up and allowed to stay for a least several months, not a one week thing and then back down.
Billy
July 13th, 2012
10:52 pm
Rev is now a 2b and OF’er…he will be player Conrad always wanted to be.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:53 pm
Well Omar Infante is available according to ESPN. Lets go after him to be our SS until Simmons comes back and he can be our Super Utility man like he was in that All-Star season of 2010
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
July 13th, 2012
10:54 pm
Grate anoter strile out
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
July 13th, 2012
10:55 pm
I darnk 2 much JD tonite. I just through up on my shoes
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
10:56 pm
O’Flaherty for Medlen.
Larry Boy
July 13th, 2012
10:57 pm
They should let Prado close in the ninth. I’m sure he could.
SG10
July 13th, 2012
10:57 pm
As a Braves fan, which team do you currently hate more, Phillies or Marlins? With Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez, Guillen and their owner (Loria?), Marlins edge ahead for me..
For me, Mets are now NL’s new lovable losers and Nationals are young and dynamic..
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
10:59 pm
Here are the moves I think should be made
1. Trade for a Starter …….Go for Grienke
2. Get a SS………………….. Jamey Carroll or Omar infante
3. get another late inning reliever…….Jonathan Broxton
4. Bring up Meja and Constanza to replace Diaz and Hinske.
Now tell me I cant do a better job than Frank Wren lol
Tom(Independent Viet Vet USAF)
July 13th, 2012
10:59 pm
J-Man – Good choice(Infante or Keppinger from TB), I would be happy with either or both!!
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
11:00 pm
Wait whose the people in the offseason that said Prado couldnt field SS
SG10
July 13th, 2012
11:00 pm
J-Man, Do you think Marlins would trade Infante within the division? I hope that happens though..
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
11:01 pm
Like I said we need another late inning reliever. Lets go for Broxton
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
11:02 pm
Well the Marlins traded in the division to get him in the 1st place remember.
Billy
July 13th, 2012
11:03 pm
With Wren I don’t expect nothing. Fredi said Braves have been talking trade for 4 days..Wren just said they hadn’t. Who is tell the lie? I beginning to believe both are full of it.
SG10
July 13th, 2012
11:04 pm
Yeah, you are right so I hope they do it again…
Prado one Kenobi
July 13th, 2012
11:05 pm
Jeff the Braves must have been on something in spring training when they thought about trading Prado. He is the Braves MVP!!!
Bravissimo
July 13th, 2012
11:05 pm
Jeff…did you take sonnys suggestion and fill your pockets with cheese and bread during power outage??
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
11:05 pm
I think its dumb to wait for Moylan to come back from injury he hasnt played a full season since 2009 and when he has been in he hasnt pitched like he used to, so we need to go on ahead and go after Broxton
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
11:07 pm
Well let me be the GM I will at least do something. Unlike Wren
Billy
July 13th, 2012
11:08 pm
Sheets hadn’t either J-Man.
Joe from the 'ville
July 13th, 2012
11:08 pm
Hey Jeff. We need a media guy to go #mikewallace on the Braves and find out why Medlin doesn’t get a start. Their answers are lame. Your the man to do it!
Billy
July 13th, 2012
11:09 pm
Glavine has done a great job tonight filling in for Joe.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
11:09 pm
Thats true but were not waiting for Sheets hes being thrown right in there Sunday
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
11:11 pm
Braves have 9 walks. Mets 4. No wonder this game taking so long.
J-Man
July 13th, 2012
11:14 pm
Smoltz still does color commentary better than Glavine …..and everybody else.
Seriously Fox should dump McCarver (How in the heck did he win the Ford Frick award) for Smoltz
I gotta vent how the Hell is Tim McCarver going into the hall of Fame and none of our great broadcasters (Ernie Johnson Sr., Pete Van Weren, or Skip Carey arent) I mean come on they were part of they first syndicated national Brodcast of Major league Baseball with TBS, yet the Writers will not acknowledge them……Seriously Schultz you and the entire AJC need to raise cain about that and draw up petitions.
Larry Boy
July 13th, 2012
11:15 pm
What was heyward doing?
Billy
July 13th, 2012
11:16 pm
Thats true..I hope he does great. What does that say for Spring Training? He got ready in 3 weeks and has not pitched in 18 months. But thats a cheap pitcher that may pay off big.
Prado one Kenobi
July 13th, 2012
11:18 pm
Who was it that the Braves wanted for JJ and Prado? That center fielder from Baltimore- Adam Jones? Can he play SS or 1st or 3rd? Just Asking??
Jeff Schultz
July 13th, 2012
11:21 pm
Mets pitchers apparently lost the strike zone over the All-Star break.
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?
Hillbilly D
July 14th, 2012
12:44 pm
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Chipper Jones said.
Me and Chipper agree on that.
Hillbilly D
July 14th, 2012
12:51 pm
Need to keep Uggla. His OBP is only 9 points behind Bourn and 29 points ahead of Freeman, 11 ahead of Heyward.
That’s sort of an apples to oranges comparison. Bourne’s job is to get on base; Uggla’s job is to drive in runs. In run production ( [runs scored + RBI] – HRs ), they are virtually the same. Uggla is at 87 and Bourne is at 86. Uggla has actually scored more runs than he’s driven in and is second to only Bourne, in runs scored. Uggla is tied for second in RBIs. I’m not a big Uggla fan but his production doesn’t seem to be a problem.
WTF
July 14th, 2012
12:54 pm
How FG decided that Wilson was better suited to start over Pastor is beyond me. We all know that defensively he doesn’t have the range at SS, but he can at least hit his weight and puts up some tough ABs. If I were him, I would take this a vote of no confidences and would be hoping to be included in a trade. FG and Wren have absolutely no plans for him in the future if you can read between the lines. I think he would be fine for a stop gap while Simmons is out. Why waist some valuable resources on a trade for a SS when they need to be allocated towards pitching? Only way Martin should continue to play SS is if they could get Carlos Quentin from the Padres. Always thought he would look good in LF and in a Braves Uni.
JASon
July 14th, 2012
1:01 pm
“Man filling potholes himself”
“Tired of ‘Call Me Maybe’? Singer isn’t”
way to go ajc, you are #1
Bill
July 14th, 2012
1:03 pm
That is an opening?? The Brave seem to be coming together, but a real opening would be if the Nats lose a game once in a while.
Hillbilly D
July 14th, 2012
1:19 pm
a real opening would be if the Nats lose a game once in a while.
That’s the advantage to being in first place, you control your own destiny.
Sherrill
July 14th, 2012
1:37 pm
I’m glad McCann finally had his baby; maybe he will look thinner now.
big o
July 14th, 2012
1:38 pm
nice article… our shortstop plays in Texas yall
Marco Pillow
July 14th, 2012
2:19 pm
Uggla has become the Braves Joe Johnson. Big contract with paltry production.
Scott Brantley
July 14th, 2012
2:49 pm
Why does anybody give a damn about being FIRST when they post?
da[01
July 14th, 2012
9:56 pm
Wren is looking like he is over his head. Can’t we get someone who is NOT on the scrap heap? Can’t we call up a SS that is only 25 miles up the road? Can’t we have a capable hitter somewhere on our bench or in our minors to help?
The front office handling of the whole SS situation since the end of last year is horrible.
Felton returning to Knicks as option if Lin goes – Atlanta Journal Constitution | The Time of Press
July 15th, 2012
11:10 am
[...] Braves have opening vs. Nats, but still need to make move [...]
coach13
July 15th, 2012
11:29 am
Fact is the Braves need starting pitching help.They are a team without an ace on their staff. I seriously doubt a 33 yr old pitcher who hasn’t pitched in 2 years and whose had 2 arm surgeries is the answer. If Greinke or Demptser can be locked up for a long term (heck, even 3 years) it is worth mortgaging whatever you need to. They draft pitchers every year in the draft, they’ll be fine. The Braves can’t always be planning for the future.
Uggla’s slide continues; Minor makes some strides | Atlanta Braves
July 24th, 2012
1:00 pm
[...] followed this one nearly two weeks ago: “I’d like to see us get a pitcher,” Jones told AJC columnist Jeff Schultz. “You would be [...]