Your attention, please: Braves have a new second sacker
You know dumb ol’ Bobby Cox? The manager who never changes his mind? The one who wouldn’t give up on Kelly Johnson as his second baseman no matter how little he hit?
Bobby Cox announced Tuesday night he has a new second baseman.
After Martin Prado had four hits (two singles, a double and a homer) and four RBIs (three to tie the game on three separate occasions, the fourth to win it in the 10th), Cox said: “Every time he’s in there, he does something good.”
So an enterprising journalist (blush) asked the manager: Is Prado your starting second baseman?
Loading ...Said Cox: “Right now, yes. He’s too hot to take out, unless his groin flares up.”
Contrary to popular belief, Cox isn’t the world’s biggest idiot. (As we know, this enterprising journalist is the world’s biggest idiot.) He has seen his team not hit for what seems like forever, and he has seen the nudge Prado has provided. Sometimes a nudge is all an idling team needs, especially one that pitches like this.
Kelly Johnson is hitting .216. Martin Prado is hitting .299. There’s no comparison, at least not at the moment. Cox had to make this change, and he has. This doesn’t mean Johnson will never play again. But I wouldn’t expect him to be in the lineup again this week, or maybe even this month.
See, as much as Bobby Cox loves his players, he loves something else, too. He loves to win.
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299 comments Add your comment
owl hunter
July 1st, 2009
12:52 pm
Rios would be a great addition, but it’s going to take more than what you’re offering, Tony. Bats are at a premium this season, and teams like ours and the Giants are going to have to overpay for their services. The Cards just traded their closer of the future for what is essentially a super-utility player.
Blair
July 1st, 2009
12:53 pm
LOL at KJ for Rios…Probably will take more to get him, and we will have to get “cash” considerations in return.
Tony
July 1st, 2009
12:54 pm
Mark, you are so correct. Escobar is a good talent. As great a manager as Cox has been, it is his job to manage players. Everytime someone appears to have a personality conflict or whatever, we cant be quick to offer them up. If an attitude adjustment that needs to be made then it is up to management to smooth things over and keep everyone on the same page.
fieldofdreams
July 1st, 2009
12:55 pm
Congrats to Martin Prado. He deserves second base, and seems to have been waiting patiently.Braves need to sweep this series.
BIG DAWG
July 1st, 2009
12:55 pm
WES , After Glavine finishes you yard work, Could you send him back to Turner Field to trim those tall weeds around the pitchers mound. They have been there since the mid 90’s. Thank you
Blair
July 1st, 2009
12:56 pm
I also think people that hate Bobby Cox are gigantic idiots.
Bravo
July 1st, 2009
12:57 pm
Why has there been no talk about a trade for Berkman? We have Kotchman, Johnson and a few others to offer. He would push us over the hill.
Wes
July 1st, 2009
12:57 pm
RY- I wasn’t disagreeing with you, I was just saying the guy does have a case to be a little upset. Especially since he’s the only thing we got for, arguable, the best 1st baseman who has ever played
owl hunter
July 1st, 2009
12:58 pm
Tony, I’m with you on Esco. He’s talented, and a young guy in a new country. He’s going to have kinks that may not be worked out as quickly as some American players. He hasn’t been groomed for MLB his whole life.
Pete
July 1st, 2009
12:59 pm
MB, I will forgive you all your transgressions from now to eternity for this one. You’ve been writing better and better blogs lately. Excellent writing. And now, you’ve finally gotten rid of KJ. I am speechless.
owl hunter
July 1st, 2009
1:00 pm
Bravo, we can’t afford Berkman, and Houston isn’t trading a franchise crnerstone for mediocre players no matter the quantity. Ed Wade is also an idiot, though, so if money worked out, who knows.
All I'm Saying Is...
July 1st, 2009
1:01 pm
Wes is right: Hitting between .270 and .300 at 1B is not good enough for MLB especially if you are only generating 5 HRs and 20 or so RBIs like Kotchman has (which projects out to 10-15 HRs for the season and at best 50 RBIs). In MLB, 1B has always been a power hitting position (for example: Fred McGriff, Albert Pujols, Mark Texiera) for a team along with hitting around .270 and Kotchman has done nothing in that department compared to others whether you use an all star like Tex or Pujols or an also ran like Adam Dunn (and his 150+ strikeouts per year)
During the all star break, send David Ross to Orlando for some extended spring training so as to get him ready to play 1B and turn Kotchman into a late game defensive replacement and PH. Bring up another kid to back-up McCann.
If Frenchy keeps his surge going, then obviously keep him in the line-up but also dangle him as trade-bait at the 7/31 trade deadline and see if the free spending Yankees or Red Sox or other contenders bite.
Nate is our CF and lead off solution once he gets healthy and with Escobar back in the line-up then we would have some hitters at the plate:
Nate
Escobar
Chipper
McCann
David Ross
GA
Frenchy
Prado
Horner's Corner
July 1st, 2009
1:01 pm
Kotchman’s average this season is identical to his career average and his OPS is just below his career numbers, so if you are highly disappointed with CK’s production then you are to blame for expecting something vastly different. KC is consistent, he is a tough out that handles good pitching (went 4 for 7 in the two Beckett games) and rarely K’s, he’s cheap and he plays great defense. Do you build your franchise around him? No. But is he a good 2 or 3 year stop-gap player that fills the position until a prospect is ready to take over? Yes. Much bigger issues in ATL than Kotchman.
owl hunter
July 1st, 2009
1:01 pm
Best 1b ever?!?!? Please tell me you’re not talking about Tex. Great player, but not much of a difference maker.
Claudel Washington
July 1st, 2009
1:02 pm
Prado is pretty consistent and shouldn’t be a one game wonder. He definitely deserves to play everyday at least for a month or two before KJ could sniff the field again. As for Frenchy, if he could just play his way up to a 270 hitter, it would make our lineup some much deeper once McClouth and Escobar get back in there everyday.
However, since we no power in left, right or 1b, Wren has to make a move one stick that can at least but a threat of the long ball in one of those positions before the Braves are a contender this year. Kotchman, Frenchy and Anderson/Diaz are all about the same player. We don’t need 3 positions hitting 275 with a double in the gap being their only threat. I will take strike out machine Adam Dunn any day.
Tony
July 1st, 2009
1:04 pm
That is true Owl…Berkman, uh uh…but at least everyone can agree that we need immediate help. The outfield is in really bad shape, seriously. The Braves will just have to work that old magic and pull something off.
owl hunter
July 1st, 2009
1:04 pm
Ross at first? AHHHH!!! Educate yourself! It takes more than a few weeks to learn first base. We don’t need guys playing out of position. Ross is a nice hitter, but he’ll be exposed as an every day player.
Samm
July 1st, 2009
1:05 pm
iv been saying for the past month that prado should be playing 2nd and its about time
Uri
July 1st, 2009
1:05 pm
The braves should put prado in until omar infante comesback. Remember infante had like a .345 batting average until he broke his wrist. Johnson is going through a rough time so bobby cox shouldsithim out for a couple of weeks.
owl hunter
July 1st, 2009
1:06 pm
We do need help. Hopefully we don’t do another Tex deal. That was JS though. As great as he was, Wren wouldn’t make that deal.
rlinaug
July 1st, 2009
1:11 pm
Even if KJ were to begin hitting 300 for the rest of the season, he has nothing on Prado, who’s a superior defensive player. Cox should have made this move long ago. Long ago.
Kevin in Chatty
July 1st, 2009
1:11 pm
If Chipper really wants to be the team player he is, then he would gladly move to first base when Infante returns and let Infante play 3rd. This would put our best hitters in the lineup. If we make a decent deal involving Francouer for another bat in right field we will be contenders down the stretch (or if Francouer would continue to improve).
Anyone agree?
Tony
July 1st, 2009
1:12 pm
Does management even pay attention to the fans? After a while, the cheap hotdogs and casino pitches are going to (walk) the fans…
Ross
July 1st, 2009
1:12 pm
Well I feel bad for KJ, a good kid with no bling, no tats and a regular haircut. That’s usually a good sign of someone who came to the park to play and not to be admired. I don’t understand how he can be so streaky. Could be he belongs in the outfield. Given Chipper’s fragility, he’ll probably get another shot to start – he’d better make the most of it. For now, good move!
-drl
Skeezix
July 1st, 2009
1:13 pm
Re: Cox-one does not win 14 straight Division titles by being incompetent…..Finally I had some fun watching a Braves game. It was great to see them fight back after Gonzo blew the lead. Prado definitely earned it last night. What a performance! But Bobby had already been moving in that direction in my opinion–last night sealed the deal for Prado. So it is no surprise Bobby said what he did last night. Bobby doesn’t give up too quickly on his players and I don’t think he’s given up on Kelly. I think Kelly will be a better player once moved back to his natural position, the outfield. The kid does have a graet swing and lots of power, he is just lost at the plate right now and putting way too much pressure on himself. We will see him in a utility role for the rest of the year. I am close to saying that I would like to see Yunel’s butt demoted next. Bobby will probably give him one more chance, and if he screws up again that will be it. Glad to see that Frenchy is developing more discipline at the plate, has shortened his swing and now is starting to see positive returns. We need to cut him some slack….it ain’t easy hitting ML pitchers, he’s still very young and Bobby “the Master” knows he is too good in RF to not give him some time to develop and realize his full potential.
owl hunter
July 1st, 2009
1:13 pm
I know this is off topic, but lets all take a moment to revel in the trainwreck the Mutts have become. Minaya is the most overrated gm ever. Always has to make a splash, and has no use for talented reserves.
Submariner
July 1st, 2009
1:13 pm
Why not a deal that packages Francouer, Johnson and some pitching for Ryan Braun. When Hudson is ready, there’s gonna be a log jam in the rotation. Braun’s contract is relatively cheap in relation to other fron line, right handed bats and you can move him back to 3rd base when Chipper finally hangs it up. Makes sense to me, but probably not to Brewers fans.
TampaGator
July 1st, 2009
1:14 pm
Another note to Bobby Cox. When Omar Infante returns, stick him somewhere in the everyday lineup. The man can hit. He can run. He can play defense. Oh, nowhere in the Braves lineup for someone like that. How about rightfield, Bobby? Bat Infante leadoff, the Prado, Jones, McCann. Makes too much sense for Bobby to do, so just forget about it.
Mark Bradley
July 1st, 2009
1:15 pm
At the risk of infuriating everyone, I should point out that Frenchy is hitting a bit better. Up above .250 now.
And I might also note that Kelly Johnson hit .287 last season. For all of those who say, “This needed to happen two years ago,” how do you reconcile that contention with his 2008 performance?
Tony
July 1st, 2009
1:15 pm
Kevin, that would be cool, but each player needs to man-up and play their positions. This is the big leagues, not LL. Upper Mgmt needs to make transactions, Cox needs to manage, and players need to play…that simple.
Braves73
July 1st, 2009
1:16 pm
Mark, you are given Bobby too much credit for what has been long overdue. This move should have been made one to possibly two months ago. Also, don’t believe the hype…Bobby will find a way and or excuse to get “his boy” back on the field (that’s the true Bobby way). Do you think any other manager would have left a sub-par defensive “second sacker” with horrific offensive stats stay in the lineup this long?
And how do you justify the label that Prado is just a “utility infielder”? He has never been given the same blind opportunity that KJ has (without justification).
WILD BILL
July 1st, 2009
1:17 pm
Typical bandwaggoners! Dude has 1 great game so hes our new 2nd baseman. Infante is still the better player, but hes injured & KJ stinks so its not rocket science to put Prado in to start right now, even for Bobby. Prado is a solid player but hes got a ways to go before you say he should be playing everyday, but definetely a good team played thats sound fundamentally(unlike Escobar). And who gives a damn about Frenchys drawers, just shutty & start playing some basball, Ross needs to be playing more(maybe he can sub. some @ 1st) if Infante was healthy we start him @ short & let Escobar sit on the bench next to Bobby until 1 of them kills the other LMAO We STILL NEED A CORNER OUTFIELDER, if you could get Holiday to sign a deal to stay after this year I say trade some pitching & maybe KJ, Diaz, Frenchy, whoever & lets get it done, we cant win if we cant score no matter how good the pitching is, GO BRAVOS!
Kevin in Chatty
July 1st, 2009
1:17 pm
Submariner,
Why would the Brewers take such a bastardly deal?
owl hunter
July 1st, 2009
1:18 pm
Submariner
No way, no how. Braun will be a Brewer for a long time. Why can’t anyone understand that other teams aren’t here to make us better? The Brewers are in first place. Why would they want to trade their best player for trash? There is no quick fix for this team. We will have to make subtle improvements (ie, not getting Jeter, A rod, and Damon, for Frenchy/ KJ/ Prospects, and not playing everyone out of position) until things gel.
Kramerica Industries
July 1st, 2009
1:18 pm
Stop it with the David Ross to 1st Base nonsense!!! He is a career back-up catcher. His career batting average is .227!! yes, he is having a good season backing up McCann – but please, a 32 year old back-up catcher is not going to become an all*star 1st baseman.. enough – let’s keep it realistic!!
bry22
July 1st, 2009
1:18 pm
Trade Franceour, Kelly Johnson and either JoJo or Medlen for Adam Dunn. And if needed throw in a couple million of their salaries!!!! We would be a lock to make the playoffs. One trade and we are in!
Horner's Corner
July 1st, 2009
1:19 pm
Juan Pierre is NOT the answer. For one, he gets paid a ton ($10M/yr) and the Braves don’t need to pick up his contract. Two, if Schafer is the future in CF then why trade for a $10M 4th outfielder. His career OBP is not bad, but it has diminished over the past several years (excluding this season). He rarely walks and his career SB % is not great. He cannot, and I mean CANNOT throw a baseball, and every runner will take an extra base on him. His whole game is speed and he’s getting old. I really like the guy, but he’s not the answer in A-Town.
Mark Bradley
July 1st, 2009
1:21 pm
I’d agree about Juan Pierre. The Braves don’t need another singles hitter. They’ve got Kotchman.
TampaGator
July 1st, 2009
1:21 pm
Submariner…why would the Brewers give the Braves Ryan Braun (one of the best young players in baseball) for Francouer, Johnson, and “some pitching?” It is like saying, if you are a Brewers fan, let’s trade two guys who can’t hit and “some pitching” for Brian McCann. Yeah, the Braves would do that right away! Good thinking there.
Joseph killeen
July 1st, 2009
1:21 pm
Mr. Bradly for once u and i agree Martin prado is the man he hustles works hard and thats what the braves are all about ive been a prado fan forever hes the man go braves and congrads Martin prado numba 14
Submariner
July 1st, 2009
1:22 pm
Well, the Pirates do it all the time. If not for the Cubs emplosion, you’d probably see crazy deals like that out of Milwaukee too.
Mark Bradley
July 1st, 2009
1:23 pm
Kelly Johnson’s trade value has never been all that high, but it’s hard to imagine it could be any lower than it is now.
Wes
July 1st, 2009
1:23 pm
Owl – I’d love to get a handle on what ever drug it is that you are smoking. Not only will he knock in 130 runs, he’ll SAVE just as many as that in the field! Take him off the Yankees and they’re under .500…….kind of like us.
BravesFan79
July 1st, 2009
1:23 pm
Smart move by Bobby. Now if we can only convince him that Soriano and Gonzo should never pitch in the same game when were up by 4 or 5 runs well solve burning up the bullpen also!
Mark Bradley
July 1st, 2009
1:24 pm
Omar Minaya is the most overrated GM since Steve Phillips.
TampaGator
July 1st, 2009
1:24 pm
Mark, no major league team can afford to have a “singles hitter” playing first base, especially when you already have a “singles hitter” (that is when he doesn’t strike out or hit into a double play) playing right field…another position where you can’t afford to play a singles hitter. And you wonder why the Braves can’t score runs. This added to a manager who sits and waits for the three run homer from players who can’t hit home runs.
Ry
July 1st, 2009
1:24 pm
I agree, the Braves do not need Pierre. They need a power threat to hit behind Chipper. With Tex hitting behind Chipper last year, he won a batting title.
owl hunter
July 1st, 2009
1:24 pm
Kramerica
Amen!
Horner and Mark
Good point on Pierre. I stand corrected. I didn’t realize his insane contract. I was just thinking of names we could use the so sought after Fenchy/KJ megapackage for.
Skeezix
July 1st, 2009
1:26 pm
Mark: You’re not infuriating me – Frenchy is finally putting it together and very well may help turn this offense around the rest of this season. If so, will the Cox bashers give him credit for being patient with Frenchy? Also, I am glad you’re reminding the short term memory folks about Kelly’s 2008 BA. Almost every hitter goes through what he been experiencing at some point—Jimmy Rollins is having even a worst year than Kelly (but some of these “would be managers” who have posted today would have already dumped Jimmy Rollins I suppose.
Mark Bradley
July 1st, 2009
1:26 pm
Gonzalez was weird, pitching-wise, last night. He should have struck Mayberry out but gave up a 400-foot homer on a terrible slider. I had visions of Jim Leyritz.