The 2009 Braves: They’re OK so far, but they need a tweak
A year ago the Braves beat Brandon Webb on Memorial Day, and these fallible fingers went to work. “They’ll be in first place by the Fourth of July,” they typed, “and come Labor Day they’ll be pulling away.” In a career of Dewey-defeats-Truman moments, it was among the dewiest.
One year on, no rosy proclamation will be offered. The forecast of May 2008 was based on the Braves getting healthy. (They would, alas, get hurt at an even more alarming rate.) These Braves are getting healthy, too, but there’s difference. What we’ve seen is apt to be what we’re going to get: Good starting pitching, not much hitting, a slew of games that must be won 1-0 or 4-3, which, not coincidentally, were the scores the first two nights of the Toronto series.
At peak capacity, the Braves as constituted could win 88 games. They cannot win 95. At best, they seem a wild-card team – good, but not that good. A lot of things have to go right for them to win, and lately they have. But I don’t see this offense holding up over six months.
The Braves’ starting outfield against the Blue Jays on Sunday carried a total of five home runs, two of which came on Opening Night in Philadelphia. The Braves as a team entered the game with 30 homers, which ranked 13th among 16 National League clubs. They’ve been putting the ball in play a bit more – they had the fourth-fewest strikeouts among NL teams – but it isn’t as if they’ve been reincarnated as the 1982 Cardinals.
This isn’t an offense built on speed. The Braves have 10 stolen bases, the fewest in the majors. (Brian McCann is tied for the team lead – with two.) This is simply an offense that, as much as it would like to generate the three-run homer on cue, doesn’t anymore.
Loading ...Speaking of those 1-0 and 4-3 victories, Bobby Cox was moved to recall a time when the Braves won such games as a matter of course. “Those were the days, man,” he said, but there are clear differences.
As good as Derek Lowe and Jair Jurrjens and Javier Vazquez are, they’re seven Cy Youngs short of matching the rotation of the ’90s. And there’s no Fred McGriff playing first base, no Ron Gant or David Justice in the outfield.
There’s Chipper Jones, who’s still great, and Brian McCann, who’s very good. And Yunel Escobar is a threat. But who else? Garret Anderson and Casey Kotchman are doubles hitters. Jordan Schafer is fighting to stay above .200. True, Jeff Francoeur seems to be coming around, but weren’t we saying that a month ago?
To their credit, the Braves just swept a good team. But the first two victories were hairbreadth things, and Sunday’s game was in the balance until the seventh, when the Jays left the go-ahead run at third and Jones, in his only at-bat of the series, lined a pitch off first baseman Lyle Overbay’s mitt to untie matters.
Said Cox afterward: “The hitting is timely, most of the time.”
Earlier in the day Cox had offered this appraisal: “I can’t say I’m thrilled with where we are, but I like our team.”
I do, too. But I’d like it more with another bat in the outfield. I suspect Cox would, too.
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165 comments Add your comment
bosox fan
May 25th, 2009
12:57 am
This is a good team. If they stay within striking distance until August they get Hudson and Infante back. Glavine needs to bow out gracefully. Medlen for now and Hanson next month will be much better options. Without steroids pitching is much more important and the Braves have an abundance of it. They do need to play Diaz more and get a big time outfielder to boot. Even if they stay pat, with their pitching they can win the East Mets and Phillies pitching stinks. Pitching wins in August and September. Schafer will be OK. Remember the Orioles won with the great fielding no hit Paul Blair and very good pitching.I think this team showed a lot this weekend. Thank God McCanns glasses work.
Dr. Van Nostrand
May 25th, 2009
1:04 am
What you have to remember though is that it takes two teams to make a trade. For example, ust because we want to offer Kawakami and Hudson for Adam Dunn doesn’t mean that the other team wants them or wants to trade Dunn. Same goes for Peavy. Peavy ain’t coming to Atlanta. That ship sailed during the offseason. Even if they were interested in starting talks again AND Peavy actually agreed to come here, we can’t fit him into the budget at this point. We could’ve back when those talks took place, but that was before we signed Lowe. Lowe basically took the budget slot that Peavy would’ve taken. Like I said in my post above, any trade the Braves make to bring in a bat this season will be a relatively modest one. It’s not going to be a blockbuster type of trade. Quite simply the money isn’t there in ATL’s budget to do it. If you really want to try to come up with trade ideas to talk about, look for reasonably priced bats that might be available.
I’ll throw out a few names that could fit that bill: Ryan Church (fallen out of favor w/Jerry Manuel in NY), Marlon Byrd (expendable given their OF depth), Ryan Spilborghs (solid hitter who seems to be constantly be mired in part time status despite career .793 OPS vs. RHP/.828 OPS overall), Josh Willingham (OF logjam in WSH), Luke Scott (currently on DL, but youngsters in BAL make him expendable once BAL is out of the race). All those guys are very cheap options who could help the ATL OF situation. Guys who are actually realistic trade targets, albeit not saviors. They’re the types of guys the Braves figure to add if/when they make a trade to address the OF. Those guys would actually fit into the budget.
Big B CH 99
May 25th, 2009
1:17 am
Mac definitely needs to be our everyday leadoff hitter, b/c bedsides Chipper he’s the only power hitter we have.
It doesn’t matter if we have speed or not, b/c Bobby NEVER steals bases. He believes in playing power ball (waiting for the 3 run bomb, but w/ only 2 20+ HR hitter (Chip & Mac), that don’t work, U need to use the speed U have & manufacture runs definitely w/ the doubles hitter we have that might work.
I would like to see Diaz get more PT, he’s seems to play well when he does get the chance, & maybe he’ll hustle a little more than Garrett, I know he’s lost a step in his age, but I see him being a little lazy running bases and in the OF.
We’ll just have to wait & see what happens.
Legend of Len Barker
May 25th, 2009
1:49 am
Watching the last two days makes me think there is hope, but alas that will be lost when a certain #10 gets back into the everyday lineup.
I think that without Chipper the rest of the club steps it up. With him, they subconsciously rely on him to produce (except for McCann). And since ol’ Chipper’s so inconsistent about being healthy, I’m about ready to ditch him for Prado.
Forget Diaz. When he’s not on a roll, he’s a complete frustration to watch. Not as much as Schafer, but my qualms with him are mainly that we’ve painted ourselves into a corner as we have no viable alternative. Who would’ve thunk that it’d be easier to replace Chipper than it would to replace a rookie? Can we still get Otis Nixon? Brian Asselstine? Albert Hall?
Sir Pop A-Lot
May 25th, 2009
1:50 am
Francoeurs problem is that he is hyperactive and has an attention defecit disorder. Maybe a little A.D.D. medication would do him wonders. ie, Adam Laroche. I am not kidding! The kid has ants in his pants. Just relax, look for your pitch and hit the freakin ball dude.
drago
May 25th, 2009
2:11 am
Bench Francoure and let Diaz play right field.
Shane
May 25th, 2009
3:10 am
Whats this love affair with giving away Matt Harrison. He stinks. His lifetime ERA is 5.27.
He is the second coming of Horacio Ramirez.
Paul Lentz
May 25th, 2009
3:27 am
Ron Roberts, your proposed Kamakami $8 mil, Hudson $11 mill, in trade to Washington for Adam Dunn $10. Why in the world would Washington make that trade. Kamakawi had a great pitching performance on Friday. However, he has to show that he can be consistent and keep his walks down before any team will consider obtaining him in a package. If Kamakawi improves and starts consistently pitching well, I see attendance improving with Japanese fans attending more and more games. While the that trade be a windfall for the Braves, there’s no way Washington would ever fall for that. I would rather keep Kawakami and develop him, and then possibly use Hudson as a closer (like Smoltz) if he can come back in August. Hudson has great control. Can locate his fastball. And has a sinker that will prevent hitters late in games from putting one in the cheap seats.
jc_dawgs
May 25th, 2009
3:46 am
Pitching is where its at. And folks….the Braves have it. I’ll take a starting rotation of Lowe…Jurjjens…Vasquez…Kawakami….Medlen/Hanson-aug/Hudson-aug (take your pick) any day of the week.
In fact….Vegas is catching on. Thats right…the boys in the desert have moved the Braves up to 14 to 1 from 30 to 1(open) to win the NL flag. They are seeing it too.
If they can just hang in there and keep it close…watch out. With the middle relief emergence of Bennet and O’flaherty…the pitching has great potential. Look for the Braves to go on a late season tear…similar to the 91 season…anyone remember? 9 back at the all-star break and then the pitching took over. They won the division and pushed the Twins to 7 games in the series.
I see 90-95 wins….call me crazy thats fine but the pitching is there.
jdmesp
May 25th, 2009
6:39 am
pitching wins games. i had copmletely forgotten about Hudson but if he can come back in august and even pitch to ahlf his potential, we’ll have one hell of a pitching lineup (starting and bullpen)
Julia
May 25th, 2009
6:53 am
I’ve been away from the blog for a time but I see an old friend blogging here. I would love to get together for a SHRIMP SAMMICH. Nothing beats a good SHRIMP SAMMICH.
hop
May 25th, 2009
6:54 am
clearly, the braves attendance this season is in the dumpster. this club is in the red big time, and the owners are not going to spend anymore money.
why should they, the fans are not supporting the club.the braves might be unloading salaries themselves and frenchy could be the first to go.he is simply not a very good player.
ttom
May 25th, 2009
6:56 am
We could have had Ibanez, who is doing rather well for the Phils but at the time I didn’t think that was a move we needed ro make. I think Schafer will come around and hit better but what is better? .260 or .270? I like Frenchy but maybe a change of scenery would do him good and get us some more power in the outfield. I don’t know who we try to trade for, the Texeria trade really killed us as far as prospects. I don’t think we can afford to give up too much more off the farm. We certainly don’t need to go after someone that’s a free agent anytime soon. In the mean time I think we should hit and run more and try few more straight steals when we do get men on base.
bobbert
May 25th, 2009
7:13 am
Move Kelly Johnson back to the outfield(center?) and get Matt Diaz in left more often.
Play Prado and Infante when he get back at second. They are both hitting around 300 and play better defense than Kelly.
Outside Robber
May 25th, 2009
8:07 am
Back to the Schafer question. I’m less concerned about his hitting than his inconsistent lapses as a fielder. The guy just doesn’t get a good jump on the ball. He’ll dazzle you on certain balls with a long flight but look lost at sea on those balls hit over his head or in front of him.
I’ve seen signs that his hitting is about to come around, getting more wood on the ball even if it’s a foul tip or whatever and have always liked the quickness of his bat. Pitchers are going after him on the inside stuff which is should have been expected but of late, I see him getting around a bit on those pitches as well.
Given the parameters of this team, as currently constructed, adding speed to the lineup would provide a new dynamic that’s certainly missing. Speed lurks in the minors with Gorkys and Heyward. Just saying.
Supes
May 25th, 2009
8:15 am
Dr Van Nostrand,
First…why even bring up Jake Peavy sir? He is not needed in ATL anymore, and apparently he is a baseball DIVA who did not want to be here (if the rumors were true, that the Trade was all but done and he said NO). On top of that…Kevin Towers is made to look like a full thanks to little JAKE (who has rather average numbers outside of PETCO park btw…when healthy he is an innings eater, but average numbers. Check for yourself). Out of all the teams (that we know about that tried to acquire Jake Peavy…the Braves offered the BEST package and the trade still didn’t get done. Padres asked too much from the Cubs, who also didn’t have the “right players” to trade. Jake Peavy “prefers the NL” so he declined the White Sox’s offer. He also “isn’t convinced that ATLANTA can win in the future” so he didn’t want to come here…yet he believes a team who HASN’T won the WS in over yes I lost count how many years will be more likely to win than the Braves. Have you seen the Cubs play this year? Injury central, combined with lack of scoring and they are 3rd in the NL Central now. So much for “little Jake’s” perception of who is going to be a winner and who isn’t. The point is…Braves don’t need a DIVA SP on this staff and looking back are LUCKY to have dodged this bullet. Good Riddance Jake Peavy. I hope I never have to blog about this guy ever again, b/c it’s like beating the dead horse:)
Now…onto your trade options…Josh Willingham had some health issues(concerns) and only projects as a part time player. I believe our BENCH is stocked full of guys who can give you those 40-50 games per year. Not what the Braves need. I am open to dealing for Luke Scott (who also has an injury problem), but seems to me to have the greater upside. I’ll say this…no matter what I’d much rather have a healthy Luke Scott in LF or RF than either one of our current options.
The person who wants Schafer to workout 3-4hrs a day, that couldn’t be further from what Jordan needs. Yes he needs more size to fill out his frame, but if he is going to do it naturaly (and not through illegal means) you have to remember that 1st he’s 22. His metabolism is sky high still, meaning he’ll need TIME to fill out his frame. He could be a solid 185-195 eventually. But TIME and actually LESS TIME in the gym is what’s needed here. No more than 45 min a day, also not sure how good his nutrition is, but that’s got a lot to do with it. But it’s mostly a combination that he’s young, high metabolism and needs TIME to fill out.
tom, Braves never considered Ibanez as an option here due to his age (which doesn’t make sense, b/c D-Lowe is the same age as RAUL and they gave him a 4 year deal!). A mistake on the part of the Braves. Raul Ibanez in LF would be a huge upgrade right now (numbers wise) from what they are getting out of Garret Anderson (professional singles/doubles hitter when healthy).
dap01
May 25th, 2009
8:17 am
Is there an unwritten rule that makes Jeff Francouer always have to play in RF? His OB% is less than .300, he hits singles. Let him earn time like everyone else.
braveshoo
May 25th, 2009
8:28 am
I agree with those who say the Braves are out of money, and cant afford a big bat like Holliday. They are going to have to win with pitching and defense, and I think they can. We have 3 starters pitching great. KK is coming around. I THINK THOSE 4 starters are a joint 20 games over 500 by the end of the year. Look at their record now. We would have a better record if our 5th starter could go 500. Add Hanson and hudson to this group, and our pitching is great.I say keep our prospects, and stick with the gameplan this year. Resign Hudson long term and trade KK or Vasques during the offseason to free up money for Hudson, and pick up a young outfielder who wont cost much and can add to the offense. Teams need pitching, and you can get a good young player without adding much payroll. Look for teams with a surplus of outfielders-Texas,for one. And during the offseason sign the hitting coach from Texas. He helps our hitters much more than TP. Make TP the bench coach. WE also need a ist base coach who can teach the art of stealing bases-Davey Lopes,or maybe Otis Nixon. Make Hubbard our 3b coach. Add these two coaches and watch how much better our current players will play. Other Bloggers-Mark Bradley, let me know what you think?
fieldofdreams
May 25th, 2009
8:49 am
Although I predicted a .500 finish at the beginning of the year, I’m thinking the Bravos can make a real shot at either a wild card or the division championship. Turner Field is a pitcher’s park, and we’ve got a really good starting rotation. If we get Infante back, and replace Frenchy in right with an honest to goodness Major League player, they have a real shot at the division. It’ll be interesting to see how effective Huddy can be. St. Louis wins the league, however, and Boston wins the World Series.
TommyP
May 25th, 2009
8:50 am
Mark: Great minds must think alike. Just the other day I noted that the Braves lineup reminds me of the ‘85 Cards….minus the speed.
That the Braves are where they are should be considered about as good as it gets with this current crop of players.
Schafer needs to go down for some more seasoning in Gwinnett. Bring up Blanco even though he’s struggled so far. Put him in the #8 hole. Maybe even bring up Barton and let the two do a strict platoon in CF. They’ve both had brief stretches of success in the majors and would just be the stopgap solution ’til Schafer is ready. Let’s remember…many players over the years have struggled when they’ve returned to the minors after a stint in the majors.
Gorkys is probably fine where he is for now. He’s striking out as much as Schafer but in AA.
Big OF bat is needed to balance out the lineup.
Another thought is if Francoeur doesn’t get back to where he was, platoon both he and Garret and get that big bat for the opposite corner position.
GT
May 25th, 2009
9:19 am
They will trade a pitcher for a hitter before the all star break. That is why Hanson is down and not starting. They are displaying a throw away pitcher, get the hitter, and bring Hanson up.
braveshoo
May 25th, 2009
9:24 am
One mistake we made in the offseason: signing GA instead of Adam Dunn. Both are poor defensively. Anderson cost 2.5 million. Dunn 5 million for 2 years, until our young OFs like Heyward are ready.Ther is no player on the Braves has more than 5 HRs(McCann) or 21 RBIs(Escobar, Kotchman,and surprise-Francoeur).Dunn has 14 HRs and 39 RBIs.Enough said.
the truth...
May 25th, 2009
9:26 am
Big Bat….Big Bat…Big Bat………..
give it a break and play baseball….anyone see McCann KILL THE SHIFT the other night with perfect bat control????????
that folks is baseball….did Bobby Cox teach that?….NOT….Brian learned that in youth sports, and whoever didn’t jump for joy when they saw that doesn’t know baseball….
Make McCann the hitting coach and see what happens…btw isn’t he tied for team lead in stolen bases?
Point made….a baseball player….
Mark Bradley
May 25th, 2009
9:42 am
The ‘85 Cardinals, minus the speed: That’s a ringing endorsement, Tommy.
richtfan
May 25th, 2009
9:47 am
the garret anderson thing has been a colossal flop in my opinion. what we need is to get someone who can play either right or left, and put anderson and francoeur that their jobs are on the line. if they want to play, start producing.
kcob95
May 25th, 2009
10:02 am
I would say the braves should go after Adrian Gonzalez of the padres. He does not cost a great deal and kotchman can fill in on his off days. That would provide a big bat and allow you to keep the “natural” even with his lousy plate discipline. If this guy swings at another first pitch, I’m going to puke. Damn! here it comes.
Braves73
May 25th, 2009
10:04 am
I agree with you Mark, the Braves need a power hitter in lineup. I would think that just about every team has a position and or positions of need. The Braves can only evaluate and make a calculated decision based upon trade partner/pieces. With that being said, they must make a very wise decision(s)…that last couple of trades “for a bat” have not turned out too well.
It’s obvious that something must be done. Diaz is a fantastic platoon player, but he has not been able to develop into a full time starter. Anderson is a not the BIG bat they need, Schafer has great potential just needs time, Frenchy…who knows?
TommyP
May 25th, 2009
10:06 am
Gotta say, though, it’s close to being completely accurate.
Let’s see…they had one power threat: Jack Clark.
After that, the Cards had several guys in the low teens in homers or less.
The Braves? We have Francoeur, Garret, Kotch, Kelly and Yunel. When Johnson is your best bet to be your next leading home run hitter, you have serious power problems.
And we’re the slowest team in baseball on the basepaths. Ouch.
Supes
May 25th, 2009
10:10 am
richtfan,
( put anderson and francoeur that their jobs are on the line. if they want to play, start producing.)
You don’t think they KNOW their jobs are on the line? Garret Anderson was LUCKY to find a job, and if he keeps it up…he’ll soon be reduced to an AL DH (some team is bound to give him a shot at that) or basically a platoon/4th OF on an AL Team in general. He’s got a 1 year contract and is basically “playing for his life” so to speak. If he fails (so far he has, esp. slugging % numbers) in 2009 with the Braves, word will get out that he’s “finished” more or less.
Regarding Jeff…Respected baseball minds have said repeatedly, that Jeff WOULD NOT start on any other MLB team OF, except the current version of the ATL Braves. So needless to say he’s playing for a job. This “hometown story” etc wouldn’t do him any good outside of the ATL, and even here people are starting to “wake up” and realize that Jeff “may never” recover to the guy who hit around 30HR and drove in 100RBI’s.
kcob95,
Adrian Gonzalez will COST PREMIUM type minor league players. It’s true he’s not “expensive” but are you willing to do another Mark Texiera type trade where you give up 4-5 prospects. That’s EXACTLY what Kevin Towers will want if the Padres decided to show Adrian on the block. No doubt he’s one of the premiere sluggers at that position, but the Braves are NOT 1 player away (esp at 1B, where Kotchman is much more servicable than let’s say ANY of our starting OF right now).
Braves entire OF production is what’s holding them back. Not Casey at 1B.
We need a Nate McClouth type player in a trade, anything else will be a 1 year rental and we will have paid premium price in pitching.
Thanatos
May 25th, 2009
10:16 am
Mark,
Why isn’t Terry Pendleton catching more heat? Or is he and we just don’t know it?
Under TP, two star players, Andruw and now Frenchy, seemingly forgot how to hit all together.
And Frenchy goes to the Texas pitching coach in the off-season for help? That seems strange.
Last week, we read where Chipper was trying to help Schafer in his hitting?
Again, where is TP? What’s the deal here.
Mark Bradley
May 25th, 2009
10:16 am
Funny how the Pirates have become the go-to supplier for outfielders — last year Nady and Bay, this year McLouth.
kcob95
May 25th, 2009
10:23 am
Supes! You may be right that he will look for a premium deal, but with Chipper getting older, someone will need to be the building block with so many young players. He’s not going to command “Manny money” but, I think we can give up a frontline pitcher with Hudson returning and the Pads looking to ship Peavy out of town. Either give up hudson in the deal and keep what you have in the rotation, or package him with one prospect and Francoeur. Have the padres work out a longer term deal with a sign and trade that is more feasible for the braves. The padres know this guy will walk if they can’t work out something soon-so we can make the attempt. Towers tried that crap with the cubs and whitesox and got nothing.
PMC
May 25th, 2009
10:26 am
Not going to happen. If the Braves were going to add a bat this year it would have been in the offseason. They are what they are, this team is constructed to win.. 85-88 games and compete if you will but they have essentially decided not to trade prospects this year. They aren’t bringing anyone else in this year it’s up to the guys on the squad already to keep producing.
Braves73
May 25th, 2009
10:35 am
PMC – I agree wit you…if the Braves were going to do something, they would have already pulled the trigger. I say bring up Heyward and slowly work him into the lineup (to gain major league experience). I realize that a lot of folks want to wait…WHY? If the objective is to win a World Championship, then put the best players on the field and let’s see what happens.
o-me
May 25th, 2009
10:40 am
A. Gonzalez will be up for trade in 4 or 5 weeks? Would love to have him. McLouth, yes its funny Mark about Pit & OF but I’d take him , Mc,in heart beat.
Todd
May 25th, 2009
10:40 am
Francoeur has peaked. He does have a good arm but he isn’t that great of an outfielder. Trade him while we can still get something for him.
Schafer is in over his head right now. He is a victim of good scouting. Other teams have found a hole in his swing and they stay there. Infante going down hurts big time!
lagnamor
May 25th, 2009
10:50 am
Agree with you Todd. Be glad when Frenchy is gone and Jordon is back in AAA.
rod
May 25th, 2009
11:04 am
Adam Dunn ?
Jeff R
May 25th, 2009
11:04 am
I agree with Mark. The ‘09 Bravos are good, and perhaps good enough to snag the Wild Card. This team wins in the mid to high eighties, optimum. But…
Shipping off another bunch of top prospects for a bat is pure folly. The deal that brought Super Tex to Atlanta was a disaster.
The problem with pro sports today is that the thinking is short term; tomorrow be damned.
Well, tomorrow finally came for the Rangers. They’re reaping the reward for the Braves’ overpaying for Super Tex.
We’ve got some very capable young talent coming up through the system. It would be a shame to mortgage the future (and I’m talking about ‘10 and ‘11 – not far off) for a chancey fix now.
Jeff R
May 25th, 2009
11:05 am
I’d send Schafer down if Infante was playing. But not now.
Joe
May 25th, 2009
11:05 am
I don’t see a viable trade option, given my limited vision. Vernon Wells is a good player but over-priced and over-rated. Can’t justify selling the farm for him, or Jermaine Dye. As far as Peavy, why are we still talking about that drama queen toolbag? Nothing is good enough for that douche. I say bring up the kid Heyward.
trey
May 25th, 2009
11:06 am
SCBravesfan, I said that they CAN win 95 games, and you are from SC, so you would be negative. I would wage money with you, but the military does not pay that much to gamble with.
Mitch
May 25th, 2009
11:34 am
Tommy, I’m sorry to say that this team is nowwhere near the 1985 Cardinals, who had 314 stolen bases, and won 101 games. This club wont approach either number.
More likely, from standpoint, and statistics, this team will be more like the 2000 Yankees (Winners of 88 games) 2007 Cardinals (Won it all with 84 wins, though I dont think we will), and 1973 Mets. (Got to the seventh game of the WS with 82 wins) I dont think we will do that either.
Does anyone remember the 1983 Braves? 1983 was the year I became a Braves fan. They had a 6-1-2 lead in August when Bob Horner went out for the season with a broken wrist. They subsequently proceeded to go from a 71-46 record at the time Bob was injured, to finish 17-28 the rest of the way, and with 88 wins. That team had a 272 BA, 130 HRS, and a 3.67 ERA. They had several good starting pitchers. (Perez, Mcmurtry, Niekro) A decent bullpen. (Bedrosian, Garber, Forster, and the late Donnie Moore) One superstar who could hit homers. (Murph), and a bunch of spray hitters and stolen base people around him. The 2008 Braves remind me of the 1983 Braves, with less speed.
Compare our team to the 1983 Braves. We have Soriano and Gonzo in the pen. We have several good starting pitchers. (Jair, Javier, Lowe). We have not much power or stolen bases, but we can hit the ball a little bit.
88 wins may be enough to get the wild card. I dont know. It may even be enough to snare the NL East, although that’s doubtful, because I still think the Mets and or Phillies are going to go on some kind of streak, at some point, and win more than 90.
I’ll say 88 wins for the 2009 Braves, and the wild card. Hopefully we can get a bat, and get Tom Glavine and Tim Hudson back. If those things happen, our current pitchers pitch well, and those guys come back and give us something, maybe we will hit 90 plus wins.
Mitch
Cedric
May 25th, 2009
11:36 am
should have traded frenchy some time ago and got something for him.
Cedric
May 25th, 2009
11:36 am
should have traded frenchy some time ago and got something for him.
Supes
May 25th, 2009
11:37 am
OK…the Braves ARE NOT going to trade Hanson. He’s a future ACE (or is slated to be one) and that is MUCH MORE valuable than a 1B slugger like Adrian Gonzalez.
Again, you are making an argument for switching a position player like Kotchman (who is going to be going to SD if such a trade was to happen. Who do you think the Pads would want out of our current players? Swapping 1B would be logical). So Kotchman, (Jo-Jo, Hanson and or one other B level minor league player) for Adrian Gonzalez? Are you serious? You wanna give up Hanson and Kotchman (who granted is weak as far as power numbers, but is a solid contact hitter, and may lead the NL in Doubles when it’s all said and done) for Gonzalez and how is that improving the Braves OF?
Don’t forget, this question is largely about the Braves OF production, or lack there of.
If the Braves were getting their 25-30HR from their Corner OF positions, Kotchman’s power numbers wouldn’t be scrutinized nearly as much. You could actually “live with” Casey hitting (projected numbers around 8-10HR, but about 45 Doubles while hitting around .300 and playing gold glove caliber defense).
Mark, Yes…Pirates have become the place where you go if you need to acquire some OF help.
Speaking of Nady…once he comes back and starts playing again…rumors about him may surfice yet again. However, him being a Scott Boras guy…is a bit of a problem.
Not sure what the Pirates would ask for Nate McClouth…but a top tier pitching prospect or 2 will be most likely what they want.
Again…if you are a Braves fan, do you wanna give up “the future” for this season (not guaranteed to win anything anyways)
I say DO NOT play for 2009. Play for the future b/c we are a few years away from the next wave of “home grown talent” coming up and contributing to the major league team.
However, in the Off-Season, some type of move MUST and WILL BE made to improve our OF situation. I guarantee it:)
Mark Bradley
May 25th, 2009
11:56 am
A little cross-promotion: The new Bradley’s Buzz is up, and the lead item, which plays off Mark Bowman’s MLB.com blog, is on Jeff Francoeur.
Supes
May 25th, 2009
12:02 pm
Mark, will the AJC (you Schultz and others) start calling out Jeff or Frank Wren (for failing to address the OF situation) by July if things don’t improve or will the soft Media Market that is ATL once again write things like “What’s the Vitrol against Frenchy?”
David
May 25th, 2009
12:09 pm
Jeff Francoeur’s problems are between the ears, not his stance or swing. They wrote an article about Schafer and Chipper helping him, but what about an article about Jeff’s MENTAL approach to each at bat??
To me the differnce in this team is we should’ve gotten an OF that could eithar have hit HRs (Dunn)or even as important have a high slugging %…. or stolen bses (Abreau) and instead we got Anderson that is neither. Either Jordan gets it together and we can steal some bases or we trade Frenchy and a young stud for a big time right fielder that can drive in runs/steal bases and we can keep vs a one-year rental.
They do that and this team can beat anyone.
Al
May 25th, 2009
12:12 pm
Most of you bloggers wanted Andruw gone.Could it had been that he needed a few batting tip he seems to be getting in Texas? I know he is only playing part time.but if he was still with the Braves,he would be their best outfielder by far. Look up his numbers for this year.