Braves’ solid-gold arms are undone by dime-store bats
If pitching is 75 percent — or 90 percent; estimates vary — of baseball, why are the Braves further under .500 than they’ve been all season?
Because the other 25 (or 10) percent of their team is worth about 10 cents.
Without meaning to say it, Brian McCann said it perfectly: “We’ve got to start playing better baseball.” Then he checked himself. “Not better baseball — we’ve got to swing the bats better.”
The Braves swing the bats just fine. It’s the hitting part that bumfuzzles them. They’ve scored one run in two games against the Red Sox, who have managed only five but have already won this loud and steamy series. Jair Jurrjens was rather good Friday night but wound up the loser. Javier Vazquez was nigh-great Saturday and got beaten 1-nil by a 42-year-old who throws about 42 mph.
The Braves mustered three singles against Tim Wakefield, who was knuckle-dusting the Braves in October 17 years ago, and Garret Anderson’s two-out double off the heat-bringing Johnathan Papelbon. Their biggest threat, such as it was, came when Matt Diaz walked in the eighth, took second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a groundout.
McCann again: “This team should win more games. You win with pitching.”
And usually you do, provided you have anything approaching a big-league batting order. The Braves have three only real hitters, and one of them (the increasingly peculiar Yunel Escobar) didn’t play Saturday because of what was described as a twitchy hip. McCann went 0-for-3 but walked and stole a base. Chipper Jones went 0-for-4 and saw his average dip to .290.
The Braves keep marveling about how lucky they’ve been, having not won a series since Memorial Day but still hanging within five games of first place. They can’t expect to be lucky much longer. The Phillies come to town Tuesday, and if the Braves lose that series we can bid adieu to 2009.
“We’re not out there trying to get shut out or stay only four or five games back,” Chipper said. “We’re busting our humps. But we seem a little offensively challenged this year for some reason, and I’m not talking about the front or the back of the lineup. It’s the whole lineup. Nobody’s exempt.”
This could well be the best these Braves can do, and there’s no real reason a team with a right fielder, a left fielder and a first baseman who have managed 10 homers as a triumvirate should bust any fences. We can credit Frank Wren for getting half his offseason spectacularly right — the Braves can really, really pitch — but having whiffed egregiously on the other half.
Still, unless you’re the Red Sox or the Yankees, there’s only so much you can fix over one winter. The good news is that these Braves should be pitching well for a nice long while. The bad is that 70 games’ worth of deft pitching has positioned them fourth in a five-team division.
The feeling in the Braves’ clubhouse Saturday was of reality descending like the crack of dawn . They can’t hit. They’re not apt to hit. You can only be shut out so many times — the number is now at nine — and still retain hope. “We’ve got to keep plugging away,” McCann said, and that, sad to say, is the trouble.
Plugging the Braves can manage. Hitting they cannot.
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218 comments Add your comment
JEFF
June 28th, 2009
12:41 am
well people i totally have been saying this for a past year but people bash me for it and NOW in front of national TV on Fox this team AGAIN lays a goose egg against a guy who throws 60-70 mph. wow is that Just embarrassing or what.. We watch the yankees and redsoxs prove to the world what a joke this ball team truly is.. you have javier vasquez on the mound against tim wakefield and this trash cant even score a run off of him.. wow just wow. They all should taken out back and mocked.. Im so Glad I sold my tickets on EBAY for 600$ to a yankees and redsoxs fan who wanted my tickets.. I didnt and will not purchase anymore for a veryy long time. Im done and tired of it.. Us Braves fans have nothing to be proud of and thats a shame.. I was in the Car on the way home from the ball fields where My little league braves won first place and the championship out of 16 teams in there league. and was listening to the announcer on XM and was saying what a shame and embarrassment that the redsoxs fans there today out number the braves fans by a 3-1 margin… people thats a joke…again no one at all cares one bit about this team . The owners to the worst GM to ever manage this team to a manager who shouldnt be managing at all anymore to the players.. they show no heart and no passion for this city and that uniform.. until liberty media bobby cox and frank wren are told to hit the Road.. get used to it.. oh and to see the Cardinals who DANG CARE About Winning goes out and gets mark derosa and on the verge of matt holiday and we sit back and watch this happen. Theres no urgency or care in the world in that front office to have some balls and stones to do something to fix this team… I will not waste another cent on anything with the braves logo on it until there are serious changes to the mindset and the way this team does business.
Average Joe
June 28th, 2009
12:43 am
What a sad state of affairs for this ‘09 Braves team. We have a manager who was a tired act at least 3 years ago, and whose stubbornness is of an epic degree. We have a hitting coach who is either inept or oblivious and clearly not doing the job. We have a more than capable starting pitching staff (of which Lowe is CLEARLY not the ace, by the way) who apparently are going to have to throw shutouts every night to make up for our comatose offense. We have certain players (Escobar) who seem like they’re in it only for themselves. We have players like Chipper and Garrett Anderson who make me hold my breath every time they move(and that isn’t often for Anderson, even if a ball is hit in his general direction) for fear of seeing them sustain one of those pesky bruised big toes, or hyper-extended pinkies. We have Kelly Johnson and Jeff Francoeur who, well, never mind. And we have good ‘ol Jeff “Left Hook” Bennett who gets the award for the greatest contribution to his team by breaking his hand, thereby eliminating the possibility of blowing yet another game for at least a month.
This is sad, really sad. From where we were to where we are…wow. Just wow.
The will to win just doesn’t seem to be there anymore. And that’s wholly unfair to the guys like McCann who give it their all each night.
Drago
June 28th, 2009
12:58 am
It maybe time for Pendleton to get the ax for General Purposes. I know he can not hit for the team and many probably do not listen to him, IE Francouer, however he is part of management and leadership and they have to make a statement that poor play should have consequences.
hang on a minute
June 28th, 2009
1:06 am
Releasing Pendleton might be a good move. I don”t think he’s the reason Kelly and Jeff can’t hit, I think they are just not good baseball players. Don’t think either of them would hit if they were playing for Texas and their acclaimed hitting coach, either. It’s killing us, however, having three virtually automatic outs in the lineup, counting the pitcher. I’m ready for Bobby to move on, too, but discounting his teams in the 90’s because he had great players is ridiculous. All great managers have great players, regardless of the sport. Players play, don’t forget that, and right now the Braves have two, maybe three everyday guys that are even major league quality offensively and defensively.
Be-little, BeBOLD
June 28th, 2009
1:09 am
I agree with all the posts about new management . . . Cox has no fire and that’s why everyone loves him. Who wants a kick in the A$$ when they fail to produce? Just keep sending us out there and maybe we’ll get lucky. COX is the GREATEST at what he does . . . nothing! Stupid moves abound in every game he manages. YES, I know he’s won 14 straight pennants and one WS . . . that does not mean he’s a great manager. It means he had a GREAT TEAM that he screwed up a lot or there would have been more RINGS!! Cox has fooled the media for years but now it’s beginning to realize the truth.
Ash
June 28th, 2009
1:14 am
Sounds like a lot of fair weather fans out there.
Be-little, BeBOLD
June 28th, 2009
1:23 am
BOOGER MAN, BOOGER MAN, please please retire!
Mark McGwire
June 28th, 2009
1:34 am
Can anyone name one Atlanta Brave, or even a former Brave, that has said “Man that Terry Pendleton really helped me learn how to hit”?
Anybody remember a Brave, current or former, say “I really appreciate what Terry Pendleton has done for my swing”?
Can anyone remember how many times Bobby Cox has hurt this team by sticking with a player or a coach, or a starting pitcher, too long ?
Can anyone suggest how bad the offense would have to be before Bobby Cox would fire Terry Pendleton ?
I have great respect for Bobby Cox, but there are no more excuses. Fire Pendleton Bobby !
Pretend Hero
June 28th, 2009
1:54 am
I dont know how anyone can watch this team hit night after night and still think Terry Pendelton deserves his salary.
Not only is it ruining this season, but he is ruining careers. How many more players does he have to destroy before he gets fired. Andruw Jones and Jeff Francouer should have been enough.
Kevin
June 28th, 2009
2:19 am
well after watchin Braves roll over n play dead(again),It comes to fact BC is soft on players Chipper jones acts as ooh i won a battin title last year i do not.Number 1 was he was out so much should have never been his…As for french horn fellow francoer he like Mark bradley of cubs…great talent stubborn to….I see francoer n AJ traded to cubs for Mark Bradley n 4 minor leaguers to braves.way bradley is now he may sign 3 year deal but Cubs may rid anyway!Lowe just sign a 4 year deal remember free agent now hurt…and why was jeff bennett in dugout with his rage of hittin door n break hand Bobby cox should said stay home!But not cox only thing he good at his nose pickin are beatin his wife at times! i see Bobby n TP fired at all star break also fired be the indians Manager to….and nats mananger we need ed yost here as mananger n gerald perry as hittin coach
J-MAN
June 28th, 2009
3:11 am
Braves needing offense geeze we known that for 2 months now DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just you writers dont come out and attack them about it and mabye it would hurt your relationship and hurt you down the road but we have nobody that will have 30 hr this year. We have a 2b that is hitting around .225 a right fielder (Who I’ve defended because of his defense) thats slumping. An aging superstar who gets injured too frequently, and no one other McCan will hit .300 sorry but thats the truth. No I know we been spoiled with a #4. hitter since McGriff that can hit 40 hr but we aint getting those players no more and wont get one until mabye 2011 when Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman are called up so the offense will be offensive for at least another 2 years so get used to it.
bigstack19
June 28th, 2009
3:13 am
There are no quick fixes. The offense blows. Terry Pendleton has to go. He is the hitting coach of a team that hasn’t hit in three plus seasons now. The only real job he seems to have is being a fat waste of a paycheck sitting in the dugout.
TPM
June 28th, 2009
3:25 am
David Ortiz was under a lot of pressure in Boston due to his very slow start. He now has more RBI than Chipper Jones. He is also tied with Oblique Jones with 8 home runs. This is a very bad Braves team
NO MORE BOBBY
June 28th, 2009
3:34 am
How can we think about getting rid of Francoeur? He leads the team with 4 Stolen Bases!
HA!!!!!
Coach ( 2010 or Bust)
June 28th, 2009
3:35 am
Think what you want Bradley, this season is in the damn tank already. No way in hell can our Braves recover. It’s impossible.
I’ll add to what Brian McCann said. You win with pitching, defense, fundamental baseball and timely hitting. The pitching is there, the rest is non-existent.
Adding one big bat is like putting a band aid on a bullet wound. It won’t work. This team like any critical patient needs major surgery. We are sellers, period. It’s time to trade for some defense, youth, outfielders and somebody who run the damn bases.
Mark Bradley
June 28th, 2009
4:03 am
Bill, I wasn’t trying to be a wise guy. I was just going through my, shall we say, thought process. Because I did think about going up to Mills and saying, “Hi, you don’t know me, but nine days ago I nominated you to manage the Braves.”
Then I thought … Nah, he’d probably call security and have me carted outta there.
Don’t be mad, OK? I really wasn’t trying to be a jerk. (Comes naturally, I suppose.)
THWG
June 28th, 2009
4:40 am
I’m not one for outlandish trade “possibilities,” but I’d like to see the Braves go after Mark Teahen. Give the Royals Frenchy (since Dayton Moore seems to love him more than Joe Simpson loves him) and whatever scraps of pitchers we’ve got (KC has a knack for getting our leftovers: see Davies, Mahay, et al).
richbrave
June 28th, 2009
5:38 am
A-h-h-h, reality sets in. As I said in the BRADLEY-SCHULTZ face-off, I side with DUTCH. The BRAVES are further out of the wild-card than they are the division lead. At least, they were as of yesterday. Today’s paper hasn’t yet arrived.
They need 32 losses at this point to be in the lead for the play-off. They would have a sizable advantage with that number in the NL East. Too many teams to climb over at this point.
But the problem can be fixed by having a home-run basher like ORTIZ, PUJOLS, HOWARD etc. FRANCOUER won’t make it in that role, the job he was supposed to assume by now. He still could develop a good stroke, but never will have a super-star one.
No, we are watching the demise of the season in this home series. BTW, I want to thank the BRAVES for giving WES TIMMONS a cup of coffee last year, good soldier that he is, and BARBARO CANIZARES this season. Nice of them to reward their troops. Too bad BARBARO wasn’t ready for prime-time at this point. We could have used him to smash down some fences around the nation.
The Real Fan
June 28th, 2009
6:04 am
A prime example of our manager’s style: Score 1-0.
Leadoff hitter get’s on base for second time in game. Player has a stolen base earlier in game.
Does runner get the okay to steal a base? No.
Manager has gives up an out to move the runner to second bringing up a hitter batting .161 and 1 RBI over last 16 games.
Batter’s out.
Last batter of inning out.
We lose. Our manager runs games as if we are in the American League.
mighty mike
June 28th, 2009
6:11 am
No speed. No power. Great pitching. Also rans.
Steve
June 28th, 2009
6:24 am
It is time for Frank Wren to step in and say we need a new hitting coach because Bobby is so loyal he would never do that. The Braves infield defense has been pretty poor Glen Hubbard needs to be replace also. When Garrett Anderson did not hustle the other day there is no excuse for that. I hope things change because the Braves are so fustrating to watch.
Charlie
June 28th, 2009
6:27 am
What DOES a hitting coach do? I used to think that question had an obvious answer. I’m not sure any more. Obviously, it’s not what I thought. If it was, Terry P. would have been fired long ago. In his defense, he is working with a group of no-talent bums (and faded stars…Chipper & Anderson). I feel terrible for the starters…to pitch so well, and lose, due to the LOSER POSITION PLAYERS that surround them. In all my years around this sport, I never seem a collection of losers brought together on the same team. They take a brainless approach to each at bat, with predictable results. They may be “busting their humps”, but when you have very little talent or ability, and the mental toughness of a perpetual choker, the results are again predictable. This team can not compete at a major league level. It is the Peter Principle. The Braves have reached their level of incompetence. I can’t watch them any more. It’s like watching high school boys hitting against Koufax and Ryan every night. Too bad. The position players should return their pay checks, and get honest work. Before July is here, the Braves, for all their “We’ve got to hit better…We’ve got to get the bats going…” will be finished, to the point that even they have to admit it. Keep the seats at Turner Field empty folks. Don’t encourage such an inferior product, as whatever 8 the Braves put on the field. (Of course, whatever team they are playing might to fun to watch. They may even play at a major league level. Heaven knows the Braves hitters don’t. I’m still wondering what a hitting coach does…at least one that achieves positive results. Terry P. should be wondering the same thing.)
willieg
June 28th, 2009
6:31 am
itold you all last week this team would go on a 8game losing streak after hanson this team is not any good brad penny will show this again today ,hes not that good anymore after today the braves will be 6 out so the phillies series is if the braves sweep which isnt going to happen they will be 3 out on the 3rd unless braves get NEW OWNERS IN A WEEK THIS TEAM IS SUNK UNTIL THEY SELL TO AN OWNER IN GEORGIA THAT CARES,this team needs to send everybody to aaa on this roster except hanson,jurrgens,vasquez,and mcann although the way he batted yesterday maybe he needs more glasses because he looked stupid batting against wakefield,and chipper needs to be sent to the fern farmforever.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2009
6:53 am
The Braves hit .250 the year they won the World Series.
Now granted, their pitching that year was spectacular, whereas now it’s just good. But you don’t have to be an offensive powerhouse to win games. That team won by getting clutch hits and stringing together baserunners, which is something this team is unable to do even though they are statistically better offensively.
Sdidst
June 28th, 2009
6:55 am
One of the things that seems to be missing in this discussion is why are the Braves not trying more to manufacture runs. I would be happier if I saw a few guys thrown out trying to steal, or getting pop ups trying to bunt. Other than McCann or Chipper, there should be no sacred cows when it comes down to laying down a bunt or trying to make a good out.
jimmy a
June 28th, 2009
7:15 am
when are they going to FIRE WREN
yogi2
June 28th, 2009
7:21 am
Franqeor needs to go He gets away with being a bum and no one holds him accountable, so the rest of the team becomes complacent. Release Frenchy and show everyone that we are serious about winning. Cox loves Frenchy
BuzzBomb
June 28th, 2009
7:30 am
Cox should be let go. A new manager could bring in his own hitters coach. A new manager would’nt put up with some of these players. Either produce or else.
Be-little, BeBOLD
June 28th, 2009
7:30 am
To answer your post Sdidst, the manager and his coaching staff!!! There are several guys faster than McCann, yet he is the only one that steals bases. I don’t think it’s because Cox gives him the signal though, I think he just does it because he’s a REAL baseball PLAYER! I even saw McLouth bunted to second by Cox when he’s only been caught stealing 3 times (once by the catcher) . . . now that’s stupid!!!!
Atticus
June 28th, 2009
7:34 am
Mark this season was done WEEKS ago. This team has good pitching, AAA hitting at best.
Be-little, BeBOLD
June 28th, 2009
7:41 am
BRAVES SPECIAL . . . all opponents . . . get one of us out and GET TWO FREE!!! We make your team look UNBEATABLE . . . GUARANTEED by the “best” manager in baseball!!
GeorgiaVol
June 28th, 2009
7:44 am
Oh, but it just CAN”T be TP’s fault! (sniff, sob). He, he’s so great! (sob again). After all HE’S JUST THE FREAKING HITTING COACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Braves will suck offensively until he leaves. BTW, Andruw seems to be doing pretty well now that he is away from TP. Just a coincidence, right? RIIGGHHTT.
Milesarcher33
June 28th, 2009
7:54 am
Why all the negativity? Thie season is less than half over. This team is a real good team and has the proper chemistry. It just takes time. Be patient. They’ll wind up hitting near the top of the National League. If I was Frank Wren, I wouldn’t make a single move other than to play the lineup we have everyday. Be patient, don’t give up hope and come to the Ballpark to support our team!!!
Tell It Like It Is
June 28th, 2009
8:04 am
Most white guys cannot run. They cannot even hit on this team. How about integrating the team to win more games. This is not a call for affirmative action. It’s a call to get some speed, power and swagger. The Braves have not had this since the days of Gant,Nixon, Sanders, Justice, Pendleton, McGriff, Jordan, Furcal, Dye, Lofton, Grissom,etc. They are boring to the nth degree. Some of you nerds in this blog can check it out by going to your databases. If I am wrong, then show me.
joel
June 28th, 2009
8:06 am
The Braves are bottom 10 [often bottom 5] in: {offense} Runs, Avg, HR, RBI, SB, Slugging %…..
Top 10 in {pitching} ERA, SO, WHIP.
We have a pennant winning team if we can find a hitter or hire a hitting coach. Pendleton is a great guy, but was a career .270 hitter who in his 15 years hit below .270 more times than not. He had 2 good years in ATL that got his career avg to there. I vote to keep him on in some capacity, but we need a hitting coach…and a left fielder with power…and a second baseman….at the least. We don’t have to remake the whole team to win. The pitching is so good that a couple of guys hitting make all the difference.
Josh M
June 28th, 2009
8:17 am
Adrian Gonzalez! Adrian Gonzalez? Adrian Gonzalez.
bull-gator
June 28th, 2009
8:22 am
I think I’ve read similar articles several times over the past few months. My answer to the problem remains the same: somehow, somewhere, pick up three players that can hit; right field, 2nd and 1st base. Oh yeah, fire Pendleton.
Sonny Clusters
June 28th, 2009
8:24 am
When we was playing ball together Coach would sometimes pick his nose. We won a state champion and I think managers that pick there nose are sometimes the best manager for the team. I wonder why a 68 year old man would pick his nose on television like Bobby Cox but hes the manager and he may be looking for a way to score some runs. Jeff was 0-3 last night and is hitting .243 but the real story is that Jeff can’t bring in any runs and I think that is because he dont know the signs. A finger in the nose means get a hit.
Hawk01
June 28th, 2009
8:42 am
Face it. This is not a good team. No speed, no power. You can not and will not win. Liberty media needs to let Bobby Cox go. Terry Pendleton is the problem. Here is my analysis of the team:
1.McClouth…….Decent player but will never hit 300. Made All Star team in Pitt only because the National League needed a Pitsburgh representative.
2.Cjones………..You do not know if he will dislocate his shoulder while putting on his jersey. Looks very old this year. Can not field, can’t run, and now he can’t hit. He got his huge contract and now he is happy and Fat.
3. Jeff Francouer………..Can not run. How did he ever play defensive back in High School ? He could have never played in the NFL. Can you see him trying to cover Randy Moss, or anyone. Can not hit, no idea of what the strike zone is. Will be a 250 avg, 15 hr, 60-70 rbi hitter for the rest of his career. Spoiled as any player can get. Still upset because he was sent to AA last year. Will never be an All Star. Look at his interview on the trade rumors……………….he could care less because he knows he is a goner either this year or next.
4. Kotchman……………….If it were not for his glove, he would be a utility player. You can not have your 1B hit maybe 10 hr for the year.
5. Garrett Anderson………………He can still hit, but he can not run, can’t throw, and is a total liability. See if you can get something for him now, even a minor leaguer will do. He would serve well as a DH. I have seen 2 plays recently where if Anderson hit the cut off man instead of throwing to 2nd base the Braves could have gotten the runner headed to the plate.
6. Escobar………..Needs to stay. Say what you want about him, but he can hit. His numbers are not an embarrassment for a shortstop. He just needs a Lou Pinella or Jim Leyland to jump him on occassions.He needs to stay a Brave.
7. Kelly Johnson………….Why should I bother. Booby Cox is enamored with him. Could not play the outfield due to injury so they switch him to 2B. He cannot field with his back hand, can’t hit, decent speed but will not steal a base, can not hit. He must go.
8. Prado/Infante………………….Why aren’t these guys starting ? Bobby Cox/Wren/Schurholz are insane.
9. Blanco………….It is time to play him a little more to see if he will produce at this level. He had 2 hits yesterday, but knowing Bobby Coz he will probably be on the bench today.
10. Diaz…………no strike zone, but he always hustles and that counts. Give him another chance to see if he can produce or he will always be a good utility player.
11. Ross………………Excellent. Has as many HR as Francouer and he plays once a week.
12. McCann…………..Excellent. Nuff said.
13. Norton…………….Time to be released. Nuff said.
14. Carlyle…………….Why is he still in the major leagues.
15. Jo Jo Reyes……..He will produce if he gets away from the Braves I believe. He will never produce in Atlanta. Trade him for something or try him in the bullpen.
16. Hernandez………..He is not ready for the major leagues. Batting under .100
17. Bobby Cox…………Time for him to resign if he cares anything about this team. Anderson on 2nd with tying run and he does not pinch run for him. Blanco on 1st and he does not have him to steal. If he steals 2nd on Wakefield with a topped out pitch speed of 74 MPH then we can have Prado bunt him to 3rd and we have a better chance of scoring. He makes managing mistakes that a teenager could do better than he can. All coaches need to be let go after this season along with Frank Wren. We need to replenish the farm system after bad trades. Texiera has been involved in 2 bad trades for the Braves that we lost our shirts on.
Final analysis of the Atlanta Braves: Good pitching, no hit, no speed, bad manager. TP is not the problem. We have a very bad team, Nothing can repair Francouer, Johnson etc. We need Leyland, Pinella, to light a fire in them. Saw how Pinella lit into Milton Bradley recently. I doubt if this group finishes at 82W-82L.
mikey 101
June 28th, 2009
8:42 am
I live in Florida. I have been a braves fan for 40 years. When TBS gavae up the Braves for reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond (I don’t) I purchasef the Exstra Inninhgs Baseball package every year just to see my team. It cost $200 this year. This team has let me down and I can’t get my money back. It may be the last year for me.
Hawk01
June 28th, 2009
8:51 am
Correction on my prior comment at the beginning of my last post. TP is not the problem. These are major leaugue hitters who make more in one year than most of us make our entire lifetime. They are suppose to hit, field, run. If we had a performance like they have given, we would hear those famous words of ” YOU’RE FIRED”.
Steve From Dalton
June 28th, 2009
9:05 am
Unless the Braves take 2 out of 3 from Philly, the season is over. (As Mark Said). The Braves need to trade Kotchman. This is a power position and he is a Table Setter. Time to bring some folks up from the minors. Frenchy has proven he is no longer a power hitter. Bring up Brandon Jones. Time to think about prolonging McCann career and move him to 1st base next year. This team is close all it needs is two legit power bats in the line up.
Tim
June 28th, 2009
9:21 am
What is Frank Wren waiting for pull the trigger on Bobby and his staff. This isn’t a one year fiasco. Lets unload Chipper for talent i hate to loose him but there has got to be some AL teams that would mortgage the farm to have him as DH. Then lets cut ties with dead weight,Johnson,Anderson,Kotchman,Blanco,and Francouer bring up the kids and let them play. This season is done it is time to start rebuilding
tee
June 28th, 2009
9:26 am
TRADE CHIPPER JONES!!!!
Justafan
June 28th, 2009
9:29 am
Steve- Hubbard and Perez are the two best Coaches on staff. They’re the only ones I’d keep.
Coach 2010 or bust- I agree its time to rebuild.
jacket3
June 28th, 2009
9:31 am
Braves are wasting away again in Turnerville…looking for that lost shaker of salt!
Mike
June 28th, 2009
9:32 am
Why is everyone so tied to Chipper? He was close to great for a long time. He hit well last season (when he wasn’t out with a toe, hand, oblique, etc). He has moderate value now and it will surely go down by the end of the season. If the Braves were willing to part with Smoltz and Glavine (whom they got nothing for since they were released/unsigned), then why wouldn’t they trade Chipper to get something of value? There is nobody else in the lineup (save McCann) that would draw any interest…..and I include our much talked about new center fielder in that group.
Sonny Cluster
June 28th, 2009
9:33 am
Tim- what is Wren waiting on to fire BC and staff===BALLS!!!!
Bigeasy830
June 28th, 2009
9:49 am
Jeff Francouer is the weak spot on the roster, get rid of him and replace him with a good power hitter and the it will give the rest of the line-up a boost. Plus the Braves are simply not good. They are being beaten by very good Boston and were Yankees teams. Why do you people expect the below average Braves to beat these two good teams. It serves them right though, they should have never traded away, Marquis Grissom, David Justice and Jermaine Dye. The Braves would have won multiple World Series if they would not have broken up that outfield. Do you all also still give Jordan Schafer the benefit of the doubt that he was not on steroids. The kid was on it. Look at his poor performance and the nagging injuries. Bobby Cox is a great manager he nor Terry Pendleton cannot squeeze water out of a rock when it comes to Francouer, Schafer and some of the others. Trade Francouer and get rid of the steroid wonder and bring in some real players.
mike
June 28th, 2009
9:52 am
Wouldn’t it be nice if the Braves actually had a legitimate hitting coach!!!