Your attention, please: The Braves have a new second sacker

MatthewH

July 1st, 2009
10:56 am

This is an excellent choice. After seeing Kelly Johnson try to turn a routine double-play into a rundown on Sunday, he certainly needed to be benched!

All I'm Saying Is...

July 1st, 2009
11:04 am

About darn time KJ was removed. And Kotchman ought to be nervous cuz he should be on the clock. Further, Francoeur better keep it going at the plate the rest of the year whatever the cause. You can make all the wise cracks you want about Garrett not hustling enough for your taste or Escobar throwing his helmet etc. but the bottom line is that THE LACK OF HITTING FROM 2B, 1B, AND RF AND THE THREE HUGE HOLES THEY HAVE COLLECTIVELY REPRESENTED IN THE LINEUP EACH AND EVERY GAME IS WHAT HAS BEEN KILLING OUR BALL CLUB PREVENTING US FROM CONSISTENTLY SCORING RUNS.

mike

July 1st, 2009
11:15 am

“He has seen his team not hit for what seems like forever”

Exactly. He waits way too long to do anything about anything. He should have been playing around with this lineup weeks ago.

Go Braves.

mountain_jim

July 1st, 2009
11:21 am

I could not believe how many bonehead plays Kelly made on Sunday.

Bob

July 1st, 2009
11:21 am

Love the way Prado plays: he hustles, does the little things it takes to win, and he’s a natural infielder, which KJ never has been. Bravo.

Blackberry Cobbler

July 1st, 2009
11:22 am

Booby Cox is still an idiot. It took him a month to realize and finally do what fans have been screaming about………. get KJ out of the lineup.

See ya Kelly (aka Trade-Bait Johnson). Been nice knowing ya.

Ed

July 1st, 2009
11:23 am

I want to personally thank you all for stopping suggesting that Vazquez be traded.

Leigh

July 1st, 2009
11:28 am

At our house we call Prado “The Museum,” because he’s world-class like The Prado in Madrid.

Don

July 1st, 2009
11:31 am

And it only takes him 10 times as long as any intelligent person to grasp the obvious.

benchwarmer

July 1st, 2009
11:31 am

Vazquez is pitching great! Why would anyone trade him?

Jamaaliver

July 1st, 2009
11:31 am

Mark,

Do we have any highly regarded 2B prospects in the pipeline? Is there a long term solution on the horizon?

Vince

July 1st, 2009
11:34 am

I’ve been begging for Prado to be in the starting lineup all year. It’s about time and he should stay in there whether it be at first, second, third, or right. And the same when Infante comes back. Play him anywhere but somewhere! Let Kotchman & Francouer beware. There are enough tools in the chest but Bobby Cox sticks with slumping players way too long. If Philly can bench Rollins why can’t Bobby Cox bench Francouer, Johnson, Kotchman? He should bench all of his consistent “first pitch swingers” to send a message. Even Chipper’s swinging at more first pitches than he ever has. You don’t see the Red Sox and other disciplined teams doing that. And it’s not just a Pendleton problem, Bobby Cox who has benching authority should be all over his “first pitch swingers.” I am still wondering if someone other than Prado(Ross, Diaz) could play first base. It would improve the hitting if Ross could, he’d probably hit 20-25 homers. Either way, we have enough hitters, Bobby Cox just needs to play the motivated and hot hitters daily and change when necessary.

Mmmmm, Erin Andrews

July 1st, 2009
11:35 am

A F T

Don

July 1st, 2009
11:35 am

To the contrary Mr. Bradley, this adds additional proof as to his incompetence — taking such a long, long, long time to make the change. Not even talking about a permanent change you may wnat to make; Cox has never used the hot hand – or even adjusted his batting order to take advantage of the hot hand.

DeWayne

July 1st, 2009
11:35 am

Bout time they made some kind of change on offense, heck trade for mike hampton back since he can hit better than half the everyday players.

Cletus

July 1st, 2009
11:35 am

Mark Bradley likes to make self-deprecating remarks about his intelligence, but don’t be fooled by his coyness. He really is an idiot.

And since it took Cox (aka “greatest manager [Bradley has] ever seen”) only 3 months to see Prado is a better defensively AND offensively, I guess he’s an idiot too.

Cox has never shown the ability to manage games. He has merely shown the ability to make players get along with him and each other reasonably well. Almost any baseball manager could win a string of divisions with the players Cox had.

Now, along with not managing games particularly well, Cox has also lost the ability to manage a game according to his available talent. Even Earl Weaver would have had the Braves playing small ball by now.

Space Monkey

July 1st, 2009
11:36 am

I have to agree with Bench Warmer. It’s been clear since the first of May that KJ was a liability. He was the worst leadoff choice Bobby could find. Yet, game after game, we had to suffer through him. I’m betting that at the end of the season, two of those games where KJ played instant out in the leadoff spot will cost us a shot at the post-season. And with our pitching, the post-season could have been interesting.

John

July 1st, 2009
11:38 am

Brooks Conrad plays 2B for AAA Gwinnett. He is probably the 2B of the future. Looked pretty good in Spring Training too..

Robby

July 1st, 2009
11:39 am

I think KJ’s streaky hitting has much to do with Cox trying to make him a 2nd Baseman, a lead off hitter, then a middle of the order hitter. I would move him back to the OF as a platoon type player and challenge Frechy for the RF spot.

Mike lump

July 1st, 2009
11:41 am

“Right now, yes. He’s too hot to take out, unless his groin flares up.” Thats what she said..

Curtis Jones

July 1st, 2009
11:44 am

Agreed with Don at 11:35. With the right players penciled in the starting lineup this season, we would be in 1st place by 10 games. Unlike last year, we have starting pitchers who go deep into games, and Cox has set them up for failure most nights with his banjo-hitting, slow-footed lineup…while impact players like Prado, Infante, Ross and Diaz languished on the bench. Let’s put a starting lineup out there with some hustle, some speed, and some bats. Give our terrific starting pitchers a chance to win!

leggomyego

July 1st, 2009
11:47 am

One thing Bobby has always taken knocks for is his willingness to give players every benefit of the doubt. I remember when KJ came up and he stuggled so mightily; Bobby rode the bad streak out with KJ, saying things like ‘he’s putting good swings on the ball, he’s just not getting any breaks..” and things like that. This is why players love Bobby. He understands baseball. He understands guys sometimes need the time to get themselves straight. Baseball isn’t a fast-food sport. It’s not like football where you only have 16 games to get things right. It’s a 162 game marathon, and Bobby has always managed as such. Indeed, it was time for Prado, he earned the spot and KJ did everything possible to lose it. But now that there has been a change, there can be no ill will, no dark sentiment reflected by a player who thinks he didn’t get every chance to keep his job. There will be no one in that clubhouse who feels that way either. The clubhouse mentality will only improve with this decision, and no inklings of dissension will come from it because of the way it was done. Every player in that clubhouse now has been re-affirmed of two things: Bobby will give you every chance to keep your spot on this ball club, and Bobby will pull the trigger on a move when it’s time. Expertly managed in my opinion. Watch the Braves pick up steam from this.

Mac

July 1st, 2009
11:49 am

Thank goodness. Is Infante out for the season?

Curtis Jones

July 1st, 2009
11:50 am

If indeed the Braves pick up steam from Cox’s long-overdue moves, let’s be honest. If the Mets and Phillies weren’t so inept and injury-riddled, they would already be leading the Braves by 10-15 games. Cox is lucky he’s in a weak division, which doesn’t make his inept managing so obvious in the standings.

FireCox

July 1st, 2009
11:51 am

Why in the world did this not happen at least two years ago? Prado has been the better player all along. KJ cannot hit and is not outstanding defensively.

It makes no sense that KJ has been starting at second for years except that Cox simply likes the kid. There is no other rational reason.

Yet 40% of this city still thinks Cox should be managing the Braves. Unreal.

Ralph

July 1st, 2009
11:51 am

Now, if we could get Infante back and playing right field and put either Ross or McCann on first we might go somewhere, Kotchman would do a good job as a bench hitter and Frenchy and Kelly could be traded for a couple of prospects.

Robert

July 1st, 2009
11:53 am

IT’S ABOUT TIME!!! Booby Cox messed this one up! It took him a month to realize and finally get KJ out of the lineup. He is way too streaky! i hope prado is the 2B the rest of the yearIf the braves are going to make a push for the division which is still very possible because the rest of the division kinda sucks then all the clowns have to go!!! KJ was the ring leader of the clowns!!!! he didnt hit, didnt play good defense, and make boneheaded plays!!! kotchman, francoeur, bennett, Pendleton are the next clowns to go but at least kotch and french play defense and are hitting better recently! Bennett punched a wall so he took care of that himself! and i think its funny that everyone because a worst hitter around TP!!! fire him and maybe, just maybe we can make a move in this division!!!! GO BRAVES!!!!

CS

July 1st, 2009
11:54 am

I said spring of 2008 this guy was ready but Bobby had to stay with the Kelly (outfielder) Johnson experiment when it was obvious Prado was better. This is much deserved and hopefully not too late.
Congratulations to the best 2nd baseman on the team.

mike

July 1st, 2009
11:54 am

Duh. Duh. Duh. What was he thinking?

JeanE

July 1st, 2009
11:55 am

I have to agree with the other posters…it took way too long to make what was an obvious move. We all know Kelly is a great guy, so what? Cox stuck with him as he does all his players whether they are producing or not until he had no choice but to bench them. Now, what about platooning Francoeur with Diaz in right????? Diaz deserves to play alot more than he does, D Ross, too.

Rich W

July 1st, 2009
11:56 am

As good as I feel about having Prado at 2B everyday, I am concerned about having a good back up infielder like Infante or Prado available. Who plays 3B or 1B when Chipper or Kotchman go down? Not Hernandez. Chris Burke (utility guy) was signed and has some ABs at Gwinnett. Will they bring him up? Who else?

Kenneth Simpson

July 1st, 2009
11:57 am

After watching Johnson on Sunday and Escobar’s attitude it is about time that the braves found someone who wants to play and let them play. It is such a shame that the braves gave away Elvis Andrus to Texas when they could really use him and his hustle now. The giveaway of all those players to Texas rates the worse trade the braves ever made. All they have to show for this bummer is Kotchman and look what he is doing. Play Prado and try to find someone else to play shortstop if the farm has anything left after all these bum trades in the past.

bird

July 1st, 2009
11:58 am

Bravo Prado!

NC Braves Fan

July 1st, 2009
12:01 pm

I disagree about Bobby taking too long to make the call – if I was in KJ’s shoes, I’d want every opportunity to work things out at the plate. He’s earned the right and Bobby showed some loyalty. Nothing wrong with that in my book.

Kelly has only himself to blame for riding the pines now. Hopefully Martin can continue to provide a spark. Getting Infante back in a few weeks will help, too.

Frustrated Braves Fan

July 1st, 2009
12:01 pm

About Da*n time. This should have happened at the end of spring training.

Turkey Underpants

July 1st, 2009
12:04 pm

I’m glad Prado is in the lineup as much for his defense as his offense. He has been solid defensively all year, even when he was playing first base. I don’t expect Prado to hit as well as he did last night every night, but I am anxious to see what he can do now that he has the chance to play every day.

Also, please stop killing Francouer. He is having a very solid homestand and I have been increasingly pleased with his approach at the plate. Plus, his range and arm in right field make him a valuable asset even if his power numbers don’t turn around.

I have to keep telling myself that last night was only one game, but it sure would be nice to go on a winning streak and really get back in the thick of the division race.

Jordan, True Brave Fan

July 1st, 2009
12:04 pm

Finally after all this time, Martin Prado starts. I’ve been saying it for months and it finally will happen.
Now all the Braves need to do is get rid of Kelly and Bennett and get another bat before the trading deadline and they’ll be set.

PMC

July 1st, 2009
12:05 pm

Of course, all we need now is for him to stay healthy and for Infante to make it back healthy and keep tearing it up.

Also Francouer seems to be hitting much better.

All I can do from here is to hope bunt practice is in full effect and they start finding out how to score runs with RISP and less than 2 outs.

The 5 No votes

July 1st, 2009
12:05 pm

Should Martin Prado start at 2B the rest of the season?

* Yes. (98%, 237 Votes)
* No. (2%, 5 Votes)

Signed,

Kelly Johnson, Kelly Johnson’s mom, Kelly Johnson’s dad, Kelly Johnson’s wife, and Kelly Johnson’s mom one more time for good measure.

NC Braves Fan

July 1st, 2009
12:07 pm

Turkey – I agree with you on Francouer … I think Garrett is the guy who should be traded if anyone – he might bring a little return since he’s hitting better, and in the process we might be able to solve the LF offensive and defensive “issues” we’ve had all year.

BradInHuntsvegas

July 1st, 2009
12:08 pm

KJ in 07 and 08 had some of the better offensive years historically for an Atlanta second baseman – Lemke for example had only one comparable year. Baseball is weird in that occasionally an established and productive player just goes flat as a pancake for an extended period (Andruw). Hard to tell when to give up. Braves had to do that with Mark DeRosa, and he went on to have a very solid ML career.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
12:08 pm

I agree with leggomyego about the 162 game arguement. Also, please stop throwing Infante in with the “languishing on the bench” thing. He is INJURED! He will get his playing time when his broken hand heals. The clowns that think he should be playing right now, Ross should be playing 1st, or Lowe/Chipper are going to be traded are the same people who will turn on Prado the first time he makes an error, or goes 0 for 4.

Tjsorrow

July 1st, 2009
12:12 pm

now move anderson to right diaz in left bench francour as well

Wes

July 1st, 2009
12:13 pm

Mike and Heywood: don’t forget Prado has been banged up for a few weeks now and the groin is nothing to mess with. If he’d been healthy, he would have seen some more PT

Wes

July 1st, 2009
12:15 pm

NC Braves. Who in the hell would trade FOR Anderson??? No one would even sign the guy for 2 Mill when he was a FA. He has no trade value, therefore, will NOT be traded.

We should unload Francoeur now that he has a couple of hits. He may have actually put a tiny bit of value back in himself on the market for us.

perry

July 1st, 2009
12:16 pm

Bobby Cox should change his name to One Month Delay as it took him late July to remove A. Jones from cleanup batting below 200. He is getting faster making decisions on Prado as it is only 1st of July!!

Johnny Bravo

July 1st, 2009
12:16 pm

It’s about time Prado gets his shot. Heart goes out to KJ but you have to produce to play.

Ron E.

July 1st, 2009
12:18 pm

I refute you thus, Mark Bradley: Jeff Francoeur.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
12:20 pm

This is the perfect opportunity for a trade before the deadline. Kelly Johnson and Frenchy for a good hitting outfielder. Keep Escobar. The Braves would still have Hernandez and Infante, when he returns. The pitching staff is set as the Braves are 4th in ERA in the majors. We need a power hitter in this lineup.

Bravedawg

July 1st, 2009
12:20 pm

NC Braves Fan – who would you like to trade G. Anderson for? Remember that he’s hitting .284 and has been steadily improving all year.

I can’t get over how everyone just hates Kotchman and Anderson for no apparent reason. Kotchman has been hovering between .270 and .300 all year, and provides Gold Glove defense at 1B…the man hasn’t made an error since becoming a Brave almost a year ago. Anderson has been performing very well after a rough start – again, he’s hitting .284, which is HOF numbers compared to the rest of the anemic offense. Just because Anderson doesn’t run around the outfield with reckless abandon doesn’t mean we need to tar and feather him.

And Cox hasn’t played Prado as much because A. he’s had a lingering injury almost the entire season, and B. KJ has shown that he is a streaky hitter, and Cox was hoping he’d come out of this slump – he has in the past. I agree that I’d rather have Prado out there, but let’s not act like the answer has been so obvious all year long.

BIG DAWG

July 1st, 2009
12:20 pm

Hey, where is Glavine now? Anyone heard?

Turkey Underpants

July 1st, 2009
12:21 pm

Just got out of the dryer. I’m feeling 8-0.

Bill Heller

July 1st, 2009
12:22 pm

50th? Let’s teach Kelly Johnson how to throw a knuckleball…

Herschel Talker

July 1st, 2009
12:22 pm

Your attention, please: It matters not. Stick a fork in the Braves. They are done.

Ry

July 1st, 2009
12:24 pm

Has anyone heard rumors of Escobar being on the trading block? It would kind of make sense, since Bobby has been sitting him recently.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
12:26 pm

Tony

What “good hitting outfielder” can we get for Frnchy/KJ?

Tony

July 1st, 2009
12:26 pm

Mark, can you make a call to the front office? We need a trade before more aggressive teams take whatever is left to help us.

Ken

July 1st, 2009
12:27 pm

Giving Terry Pendleton his walking papers should be next on Bobby’s “to-do” list.

My son’s little league coach could do a better job than he has. Seriously.

Marc

July 1st, 2009
12:27 pm

I don’t know if this move was as obvious as you guys make it out to be. Prado has been in the majors about as long as KJ has and despite Kelly’s 6 errors this year KJ still has better defensive numbers than Prado does in their careers. There’s the reason the guy was an utility man. He’s almost as streaky as KJ is too it’s just less noticeable when a backup player hits a funk or a hot streak. Hopefully he’s really improved though and can maintain that as an everyday player. I guess what I’m really trying to say is: this team still sucks.

Wes

July 1st, 2009
12:27 pm

BIG DAWG: He’s actually getting ready to mow my lawn in a couple of minutes.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
12:29 pm

Well there is Alex Rios and Jermaine Dye for starters…

Knock-a-homerun

July 1st, 2009
12:30 pm

FINALLY! Now do the same to Francouer.

Wes

July 1st, 2009
12:30 pm

Bradley-

Any chance Kelly goes down to take a breather and retool himself back to the OF? Don’t have the info infront of me — does he have any options left or does he have to clear waivers?

SEC Fan

July 1st, 2009
12:30 pm

This is about 2 months too late, I like KJ as a person and know he is a good guy but he is not a everyday major league 2nd baseman-i like the way Prado plays the game and this was an easy call by Cox

Robert

July 1st, 2009
12:33 pm

IT’S ABOUT TIME!!! Booby Cox messed this one up! It took him a month to realize and finally get KJ out of the lineup. He is way too streaky! i hope prado is the 2B the rest of the yearIf the braves are going to make a push for the division which is still very possible because the rest of the division kinda sucks then all the clowns have to go!!! KJ was the ring leader of the clowns!!!! he didnt hit, didnt play good defense, and make boneheaded plays!!! kotchman, francoeur, bennett, Pendleton are the next clowns to go but at least kotch and french play defense and are hitting better recently! Bennett punched a wall so he took care of that himself! and i think its funny that everyone because a worst hitter around TP!!! fire him and maybe, just maybe we can make a move in this division!!!! GO BRAVES!!!!

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
12:33 pm

I realize there are hitters out there, but what gm wants our garbage for one of their top hitters? We can’t afford Dye, and the Sox aren’t even sure they want to trade him.

Submariner

July 1st, 2009
12:33 pm

Finally! I get to watch a game where they play some small ball! Thank You Bobby Cox! Although, I personally think that the guys took it upon themselves to bunt guys over! I also have to mention that Cox should have pinch hit for Lowe with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth.

Michael

July 1st, 2009
12:33 pm

Prado is hot….right now. But does everyone remember the Prado from last season? Very very weak bat. And has everyone forgotten KJ’s bat from the last few years? Has everyone forgotten the game at Shea that KJ won last year single-handedly? Prado and KJ are both average 2B’s and neither is the long-term solution. We need to look elsewhere for our 2B of the future. Prado’s history says that he won’t stay hot for long.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
12:33 pm

You are a good one Mark…maybe there is no one in the office… lol…I wonder what is the future of the Braves when we seem to always be strapped financially, trying to getting players for nothing. Any potential owners out there with some capital?

Daniel

July 1st, 2009
12:34 pm

thanks for that last point Mark, I guess the people on this blog don’t actually follow the team.

Turkey Underpants

July 1st, 2009
12:36 pm

Buster Olney reported the “rumor” that the Braves are willing to trade Escobar for a good hitter. I would love to see a deal where they send him to Oakland in some sort of package for Matt Holliday. Not sure if that would work with the Braves budget, though, since he’s making $13.5 million.

Larry

July 1st, 2009
12:36 pm

Mark,

You said: “Cox had to make this change…”

Exactly! A monkey on rollers skates new he HAD to make this change. When Cox starts making decisions when he should, or even anticipates that he should, and not wait until when he and every other human knows he HAS to make a change, the you’ll have something to write about!

Tony

July 1st, 2009
12:36 pm

Frenchy and KJ are not totally garbage. Maybe a new atmosphere will change their slumps. Both of these guys and a prospect should be enough to get a trade done for Dye or Rios. Rios really would be a beast here.

Ry

July 1st, 2009
12:37 pm

Robert, what are you talking about with Kotchman??? Dude has hit between .270 and .300 all year. Very consistent hitter and gold glove defense. What do you expect every one of the position players to hit .300 or better. Get real.

Submariner

July 1st, 2009
12:38 pm

Oh, and where was that philosophy in the 99 WS when Cox sat Brett Boone for game 4 after he went off in game 3? Prado should start a 2B and Blanco should start in LF.

Hoof Hearted

July 1st, 2009
12:38 pm

I keep reading and hearing how the braves need another “bat,” and most people equate that to a power hitter. I agree that we need another bat, and a power hitter would be nice, but what I think this team really lacks and needs desperately is a true leadoff hitter. Someone who can get on base and steal. Someone who can worry a pitcher to death. Sadly, I think such a player will be as hard or harder to find than a power hitter.

Wes

July 1st, 2009
12:38 pm

Prado hit .301 last year. Hardly a “weak” hitter. I mean, its no .211 THIS year, but hey.

Horner's Corner

July 1st, 2009
12:38 pm

Michael (12:33 post) – “But does everyone remember the Prado from last season? Very very weak bat.”

Is that the same Prado that posted the following numbers last year for the Braves? .320/.377/.461 Maybe you had someone else in mind.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
12:39 pm

It is better to write about Cox and other Braves than to be concerned with what Smoltz and Tex are doing. Good article Mark.

wawel78

July 1st, 2009
12:40 pm

so if you think the braves should bench everyone, who should play in their place? I like Franceour as the 8 hitter. I would have to check but i think he’s improving there from the lack of pressure. The backup catcher at first is a good idea but i think someone of you underplay the difficulty in switching positions at this level.

I didn’t like KJ but Cox did the right thing by sticking by him. He is one of the streakiest hitters I’ve ever seen and Cox was trying to wait it out. The braves just can’t afford to any longer.

I’m not saying the division titles streak is the greatest record ever but if any manager could have done it, why is no one else coming close?

Marc

July 1st, 2009
12:41 pm

*Calls Toronto*

“KJ for Rios straight up!”
“No that’s stupid!”
“I’ll give you Jeff’s underwear!”
“WOW OK SIGNED AND SEALED!”

Submariner

July 1st, 2009
12:41 pm

Ry, On the nose with Kotchman.

Dawg A

July 1st, 2009
12:41 pm

Wow ….. there is a first time for everything!! Bobby putting the right thing over loyalty? Look out Bobby you might not win the S.I.’s “most like to want to play for” award. But you are safe for now the award just came out. You have time to earn the award again! I am certain you will return to your roots!

Tony

July 1st, 2009
12:42 pm

Hoof Hearted…I said this also yesterday…you are correct…whoever the Braves can get into the lineup with a trade would be a much needed addition…

Ry

July 1st, 2009
12:42 pm

Hoof Hearted, I could be wrong but wasn’t McClouth filling the lead off role quite well before his injury? He gets on base alot, can steal, and can hit for power.

Wes

July 1st, 2009
12:42 pm

RY- considering this is Major League baseball and not little league, high school or college, I think he has the right to expect either a .300 average or some power from the 1B position. Yes, Kotch has an excellent glove, but he is hiting .260 with no power and is the slowest guy on the field….not exactly appealing when you’re talking Major League first basemen.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
12:44 pm

If Frenchy can sustain this moderate uprising, maybe. KJ played his trade value away. Riccardi is an idiot, though, so he might fall for it. I think they should try that package for Pierre when Manny comes back. Pierre fits the need for a leadoff hitter with speed, plays ok defense and that might help us more than hoping for three run hrs now. We could then move McClouth to 5th in the order. That may have the same effect of having Rios. Pierre is about to be the odd man out in LA.

B12 JONEAL

July 1st, 2009
12:45 pm

Bobby did a great job trying to wait kelly out.now its Prado chance.i will put my money on that this will spark the braves to a playoff birth.People need to leave frenchy an GA because thy have been our best hitters latey an prado

Hoof Hearted

July 1st, 2009
12:45 pm

Ry, McClouth is doing better in the leadoff spot than anyone else has this year, and he’s more of a threat to steal than anyone else on the team, but that does not necessarily make him a true leadoff hitter who is a base stealing terror. Do you really think opposing pitchers are terrified of McClouth getting on base? Furcal used to give pitchers fits. I want somebody who consistently draws pick off throws to first and makes a pitcher nervous. Plus, McClouth is such a good hitter that he needs somebody on base that he move over or drive in. I’d like to see McClouth batting 2.

Wes

July 1st, 2009
12:46 pm

Anyone that listens to Howard Stern: What happened to Schuley?

Horner's Corner

July 1st, 2009
12:47 pm

Yeah, those speedy first basemen are a dime a dozen, why can’t the Braves aquire one.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
12:49 pm

Yes…KJ for Rios. He is a pretty consistent hitter, steals bases and has power. He would benefit tremendously in Atlanta’s lineup at 3rd or 5th.

BT

July 1st, 2009
12:50 pm

Mark, my sentiments exactly on Escobar. If you are unsuccessful motivating someone you just trade them? In the real world if you have a “producer” but he is a pain in the butt, you find another way to manage him.

Ry

July 1st, 2009
12:50 pm

Wes, I didn’t say he was the greatest, but certainly adequate. He is not a clown because he is hitting under .300. That’s ridiculous. The Braves cannot afford a team full of .300 hitters with power.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
12:51 pm

Owl Hunter, I made that argument yesterday as well…Pierre, Rios, or Dye should be in a Braves uniform this week.

NO MORE BOBBY

July 1st, 2009
12:51 pm

As much as I dislike Bobby, nice that he finally made a move that makes sense.

Next up – Frenchy!!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
1:26 pm

That is interesting Horner. The only reason he will not be starting in L.A. is because Manny is coming back. He has been outstanding in Manny’s absence and needs to start for us. He will get on base, steal and score in front of Chipper, McClouth and McCann. Get him while Manny distracts the Dodgers attention on him.

Robert

July 1st, 2009
1:26 pm

RY- 2 homers from your first baseman is not good. first base is a power position. it makes it even more glaring when no one is hitting for power. We need to upgrade at the position…

The Colonel

July 1st, 2009
1:26 pm

Hello, Bobby Cox: NOT ALL PLAYERS ARE WORTH WAITING FOR. Kelly Johnson sucks. Always has, always will. He’s probably a nice guy but he is a total choker. I’d rather have my dog playing second base in a critical game. (Note the time of Jonhson’s benching, too, bloggers. You know, against the division leaders and all . . .) Francouer is the same way. At some point the manager has to say okay, this is Chipper and this is McCann and I KNOW he will come around. But sometimes he has to say, bye-bye sucker. Hit the pavement, the road to Kansas City is that way. Cox is a good manager but he relies way way too much on a formula that only works some of the time. It’s like he really doesn’t trust himself any more. And so, you know, I sort of don’t trust him, either. Prado should have been starting long before this.

Wes

July 1st, 2009
1:27 pm

Tampa- You COULD have a singles hitter playing first………if you had team speed and did NOT already have singles hitters playing 3B, LF, RF, 2B, SS and C

Sonny Clusters

July 1st, 2009
1:27 pm

We was going to the game tonight but I got to thinking that maybe Jeff wont be in their since Blanco played so good last night. If Bobby was to do the same thing with right field and left field that he done with second base we might be seeing some new players starting like we use to do when we was playing ball together back in school. Coach always liked to play the hot hand and let the hitters hit and let the easy outs sit. We was state champion.

Submariner

July 1st, 2009
1:27 pm

I know the Brewers aren’t gonna part with Braun, but since we’re all playing GM, it’d be a better deal than going after guys like Damon. What they should have done is passed on Kawakami (although he’s been getting it done) and Anderson and spent that money on Ibanez. The rotation still would have been pretty good with Medlen in that spot.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
1:28 pm

Wes

We we’re under .500 with Tex. It’s not all his fault, but he has yet to prove much as far as winning and playoffs are concerned. He’s a great talent, with great numbers and potential, but he’s got a long way to go before he’s considered an all time 1b. If baseball was invented in 2003, maybe. Anyone, sober or otherwise knows that.

Blair

July 1st, 2009
1:29 pm

Two dingers at first may register as more than substandard. We need another stick.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
1:30 pm

The Braves will have to be creative business-wise to deal with any player they acquire. That is what they get paid for. Whether it is Pierre, Rios, Dye, or whoever. They have to get to work. We will be more satisfied with the acquisition of another player in this lineup (outfielder), than just sitting back hoping someone falls in our laps.

jeffrey d

July 1st, 2009
1:31 pm

I don’t see Prado (or Inante) as more than just utility players who are hot (was hot in Infante’s case). Maybe I’m wrong.

I definitely think you should start Prado now given Kelly’s inability to hit, but I don’t think he’s the long-term solution. If KJ could get things figured out, he can be a heck of a player. But batting second certainly isn’t the place to figure things out, Bobby. I’m thinking the minors (don’t know if he has options left though).

Blair

July 1st, 2009
1:32 pm

Can we please stop wasting time playing hindsight. It’s easy to be GM four months after the decision is made. It’s asinine.

jeffrey d

July 1st, 2009
1:32 pm

Oh, and I love how you guys think that other GMs are rushing towards their phones to inquire about Kelly. If you guys don’t want him on the team, what makes you think other teams are so eager to have him?

Sonny Clusters

July 1st, 2009
1:33 pm

I doubt Bobby Cox ever played on a state champion and maybe thats what he needs. When we was playing ball together back in school we was state champion and we had Coach looking out for us and making decisions on who was going to play and who was not. Coach wouldnt wait as long as Bobby when we was playing ball. I think thats what the Braves need and that probably aint all they could use.

Dawg A

July 1st, 2009
1:33 pm

Mark… I asked you in a previous blog about your favorite and least favorite players to be around. I really enjoyed your response. Bringing up Minaya and Phillips reminded of the other part of the question I asked you. Who are your three favorite managers and your three least favorite managers to hang around with? I really enjoy your opinion on these subjects.

leggomyego

July 1st, 2009
1:33 pm

Some folks kill me with their goofy ideas about how to run ball clubs and the preposterous trades they propose on these sites, and when they proceed to get enraged when proposed goofy ideas and preposterous trades aren’t pulled of by management. Do you guys ever hang out in reality? Nobody is going to trade us Babe Ruth for Bob Uecker (or, if you Bull Durham fans prefer, Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas, for gosh sakes..although that trade was indeed made.. .but i digress…). Catchers don’t all just whimsically become first basement, if they did everyone would do it. Why even write such asinine drivel? That’s right, i just used the phrase ‘Asanine Drivel.’ Wanna know why? Cause you guys are driving me stark raving literate with you insane horsepoop, that’s why. Everyone wanted Kelly benched weeks before now, but there are reasons why things like this are done methodically by good managers like Bobby Cox. Remember Adam LaRoche? First basemen for the Pirates now? He always started slow, and still does. March-June numbers: .240 ave., 51 homers in 1379 ABs. In 550 ABs, that’s around 20 round trippers. Fast forward to his July-Oct numbers: .307 ave., 70hr, 211 rbi’s in 1182 ABs, That’s a HR increase of 33 homers in the season. Does this begin to clarify why you don’t automatically bench a dude just because he’s having an off day? Off week? Off Month? or Off Half? I would hope so. You ride these things out in baseball, you give guys a chance to fix things, otherwise you knee-cap yourself with your own lack of patience. KJ had to prove he couldn’t fix things before Bobby needed to fix things. That’s the difference between a manager and a great manager. That’s buying you something that big contracts and nested bonuses can’t: Respect from your players and faith in the brain trust. You guys may not want that in a ballclub. Chew em up and spit em out if they dont’ perform immediately and always, right? whatever. Teach em to throw a curveball and move em to the bullpen… gotcha.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
1:35 pm

Berkman would clearly make this team a contender and you can’t tell me that Houston wouldn’t consider a Kotchman, Johnson, Marek and Redmond for Berkman.

Keeper

July 1st, 2009
1:36 pm

You know, at first glance, I read that headline as: “Your attention, please: Braves have a new second sLacker.”

We’ve certainly had enough of those. Or in Bull Durham terms, lollygaggers. Or in real-world terms, just gaggers. Hope last night and/or Prado are the spark that turns it around this year rather than next.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
1:37 pm

leggomyego and jeffrey d, you are a breath of fresh air in a world of “would be gms” and the like.

jeffrey d

July 1st, 2009
1:37 pm

I was making a little joke about Kotchman, whom I think is substandard.

I’m not to big on Kotchman. He seems too decent to get rid of but he won’t exactly wow you. And my goodness have we ever had anybody slower? He needs a tuba player following him while he runs the bases.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
1:37 pm

Still can’t afford Berkman.

Andre "Pulpwood" Smith

July 1st, 2009
1:38 pm

Mark Bradley inspires men and weakens women’s wills. He pleases the eyes of children and the noses of dogs. He is awesome, and you should tip your hat as he passes, even if it means stealing someone’s hat.

Turtsnap

July 1st, 2009
1:39 pm

It should also be pointed out about Prado, as has been reported by Mark and other journalists before, the kid knows how to play the game. Just last night, in addition to his 4 hits, he sacrificed an AB by bunting a runner into scoring position. I don’t think the Braves closed the deal on the sacrifice, but hey, Prado did his part!!

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
1:39 pm

Berkman’s salary is pro rated, why couldn’t they afford it?

Helluva Engineer

July 1st, 2009
1:39 pm

See ya Kelly Johnson. You suck!!!!!!!!

Enjoy the bench where you belong. And keep Jeff Bennet with ya. Losers!!

The Colonel

July 1st, 2009
1:40 pm

Skeezix: Yeah, Jeff was great in that bases loaded situation last night, swinging at the first pitch, a pitch a foot outside the strike zone, rolling it to the second baseman. Great baseball there.

Sure, he is putting it together. That average will be up to what . . . 252 or 253 in no time. Why, he’ll crack double digits in homers before Labor Day for sure. Just awesome.

At the plate, he reminds me at a George Bush press conference . . . a totally overmatched man who just wants to get out of there as fast as possible . . . you know before somebody notices how inept he really is.

You are too used to mediocrity, Skeezix. ‘Member what Lombardi said. (Vince Lombardi, right.) They named a pretty nice trophy after him.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
1:41 pm

A great move right now would be to trade Lowe and get some prospects back to use to upgrade our lineup and acquire Berkman.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
1:42 pm

I just don’t see the Berkman thing happening. On a smaller scale, it’s like the Brewers giving up Braun. We already traded the farm for Tex. Why do it again?

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
1:43 pm

Where’s the sense in keep Lowe? Take him and his ERA out of the starting rotation and our staters ERA goes down.

Helluva Engineer

July 1st, 2009
1:43 pm

I got up and left my seats last Thursday when Jeff Bennet came in to pitch. That is how much I hate him and knew he would blow it. Went down to the Chop House to drink more. He is the next Dan Kolb. They were good seats too.

Horatio Cornholder

July 1st, 2009
1:44 pm

Congratulations, Smoltzie. Looks like the joke’s on you!!

Suckers.

Helluva Engineer

July 1st, 2009
1:45 pm

It was actually Wed night he pitched.

JMar

July 1st, 2009
1:45 pm

“And Kotchman ought to be nervous cuz he should be on the clock.” That’s a negative, considering that our backup first baseman was just named the starting 2B. Plus the guy is a defensive machine. He may not be an all-star, but he’s the best we’ve got.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
1:45 pm

Lowe is staying. It’s not all numbers, man! He is a playoff-tested, proven, durable pitcher. That is something we have lacked in recent years. He hit a rough patch, but it’s no reason for reactionary trades.

Randy J.

July 1st, 2009
1:46 pm

FINALLY!!!!!!!!

Horner's Corner

July 1st, 2009
1:48 pm

Tony (1:26 post) – Everybody knows that players get hot and then they get cold (Just ask Kelly Johnson), so don’t pretend that Juan Pierre has found the ability to play at a higher level than he did before. He will come back down to earth (probably right after he gets to Atlanta) and the Braves will be stuck with a $10M reserve outfielder. This would be called buying high and it’s one of many reasons why you are not a GM. By the way, watch this guy play defense sometime. His range is average at best and he has one of the worst arms you’ll ever see. You’ll actually feel embarrassed watching him throw.

Paul Lentz

July 1st, 2009
1:48 pm

owl hunter…………..MORONS like you are still “complaining” about the Texeria trade from July 2007. It’s been 2 years since that trade and in all reality…..what did the Braves give up?

1. Matt Harrison……11 starts, 6.11 ERA, 63 innings pitched, 81 hits, 23 walks, 34 strikeouts, 4-5 record, 1.64 WHIP, hitters are batting ..316, and has been on the disabled list twice so far this year.

Harrison’s career stats are: 26 starts, 5.76 ERA, 147 innings pitched, 181 hits, 54 walks, 78 strikeouts, 13-6 record, 1.60 WHIP, hitters are batting .30, and was also on the disabled list last season as well.

Dude pitches about 5.7 innings per start. He’s basically a younger version of Horatio Ramirez or Chuck James. A “promising” left hander who cant stay healthy, uses a lot of pitches to get through 5 innings, and ends up taxing a bullpen.

Harrison couldnt even make our pitching staff.

2. Elvis Andrus…………(.269), 3 homers, 14 RBIs. 4 doubles, 5 triples, 15 stolen bases 16 walks, 27 strikeouts, and 12 errors. Dude has some speed, however he doesnt draw a lot of walks nor does he have a lot of power. Triples usually come from running out hits hit down the right field line. Notice he only has 4 doubles and 3 homers.

Andrus is a decent player, however nothing to get worked up over giving up. And besides, where would he play if he was on the Braves?

3. Jarrod Saltalamacchia……….batting .250, 9 doubles, 6 homers, 27 RBI, 14 walks, 77 strikeouts, .296 OBP, .380 Slugging, .676 OPS.

Dude is only a year younger than Francoeur, yet they are virtually the same player. At least Francoeur hasnt struck out as much. Again, where would he play if he was on the Braves roster?

4. Neftali Feliz………..2 years later and dude is still in the Minors. Putting up, at best, average numbers at the Rangers Triple A affiliate. Dude reminds me of the Merkin Valdez kid the Braves gave up to the Giants in the Russ Ortiz trade about 7years ago. The Giants are still trying to develop this kid, lol. Didnt Ortiz win 20 games for us twice before busting out as a free agent with the Diamondbacks? What did the Giants get from those 3 “prospects” that we gave up? Anyone remember Damien Moss, lol?

5. Beau Jones……….in Double A getting rocked as a reliever. 23 games, 33 innings pitched, 42 hits, 24 walks, 38 strikeouts, 2-4 record, with an ERA of 5.88.

While the Braves only got a total of one season out of Tex, we still have Casey Kotchman and a minor league pitcher to show from the deal.

I would consider the deal to be a “wash”. When all is said and down, this trade wont go down much more than a rental for the Braves and a bunch of flameouts for the Rangers. History wont be a harsh on Braves management 5 years down the line when this trade is brought up.

And besides, it wasnt Texeria’s fault that the Braves didnt make a push to the play-offs. Chipper and Smoltz getting hurt in the second half were among the chief reasons we crumbled in the later part of 2007.

So go ahead and join the other MORONS who keep saying “man, we gave up the farm for Tex”.

NC Braves Fan

July 1st, 2009
1:49 pm

BraveDawg @ 12:20pm: My point wasn’t to hate on Garrett at all – it was merely to suggest that in terms of return, he would likely be a more valuable trade asset than Jeff. GA is signed for one year – unless Jeff turns it around dramatically with the bat, he is likely to be non-tendered this offseason – so I doubt Jeff would command much in a trade.

Also, even though Garrett is hitting better, the left-side defense has been horrible this year – and he’s part of that issue. By acquiring a bat in LF who play serviceable defense, the Braves could solve two problems at the same time.

If you trade Jeff you lose the bad bat, but you also have to replace his defense in RF.

Finally – I like Garrett, I just don’t think he’s the right fit for this team (and the NL, quite frankly).

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
1:51 pm

What exactly has Lowe done over the last few years? Near a front man! We’re told durable just to justify the millions the Braves spent on him. Play-off tested? well you must make the playoffs first. I don’t think the rotation would skip a beat without him. We’ve got Hudson coming back, lets get something while we can. But if I had to pick between Berkman and Lowe.. give me Berkman any day.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
1:52 pm

Right again Owl Hunter. Lowe, with the exception of only a few games had earned runs hovering around 3 per game. The problem is again, is that he has not had sufficient run support. We seem to keep forgetting the need.

macdwolfpack

July 1st, 2009
1:54 pm

My only question is what in the hell took Bobby so long to recognize the obvious? That is what scares me about Bobby right now as a manager. He has become to complacent in his loyalty and therefore he sets the tone for complacency on this Braves team.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
2:02 pm

Bravo
Lowe wone the final game of the world series with the Red Sox. He also was a big part of the playoff Dodgers lasyt year. Hudson will not make any major contributions til next year. Tommy John is no joke.

Paul
I’m not one of these guys who thinks the Tex trade ruined us forever, I was just making the point that we can’t keep trading multiple prospects for a quick fix. I’m teribly sorry that you don’t have enough confidence in your words that you need to resort to personal attacks. I agreed with the Tex trade as a bold, agressive step. It just didn’t work out as planned. These kinds of trades cripple teams when they become habitual. The Yankees would be perrenial cellar dwellers if it were not for their unlimited funds. While I hang with my fellow “morons” you should seek anger management. Try meditation. You may be able to preven becoming the Milton Bradley of this blog.

braves70

July 1st, 2009
2:02 pm

On August 31, 2008, Kelly Johnson was hitting .263. He had a great September against weaker pitchers and minor league call ups to finish at .287. He really was not that great in 2008 when it counted the most. I feel Bobby Cox is a year too late in switching to Prado and has already cost us many games due to this failure.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
2:03 pm

Ps. I’m not a moron, I’m just bad at typing.

AlabamaBrave

July 1st, 2009
2:04 pm

Statement on MLB Rumors is that the Braves are willing to trade Yunel for a proven bat. If that is the case who would play SS? Elvis Andrus? No wait, he was traded away in that fleecing by the Rangers.

Seriously, why trade Escobar with no viable replacement in place?

Shoeless Joe

July 1st, 2009
2:04 pm

Seems like a lot of Bobby’s ‘player loyalty’ can be attributed to the Brave’s trying to receive some value for their underperformers. As long as they play, there’s the possibility that they’ll play better and thus increase their trade value. Who’s gonna give us anything of value for KJ, Frenchy and Kochman. They’re not valuable everyday players and they’re making a fair amount of money now with the prospect of making even more next year if they’re on somebodies major league roster. Given the economy, it’s easy to see why teams would give their prospects a shot a the bigs, rather than taking on the baggage and expense of our ‘established’ big leaguers.

Robbie T

July 1st, 2009
2:07 pm

It was a good game last night and Prado was great also.But let the team lose a couple in a row and Prado have a couple of 0 for 4’s and then see what all the sofa managers say.They will all be for running him out of town on a rail after a tar and feathering.Maybe B-Mac can move to second base then and Ross can catch everyday.You idiots are all pathetic,you all have all the answers.I honestly don’t know why i read this garbage.

AFnPC

July 1st, 2009
2:08 pm

I wish we could get another hitting coach. I like Terry Pendleton for the person he is, and player he was, but he is a terrible hitting coach. We need someone else.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
2:09 pm

Lowe will give us 200 mostly quality innings. We did overpay, but everyone does these days. If you want to compete with NY and such, you have to overpay sometimes. Enough of this “let’s trade him because he had a few bad games” mess. What trade do you propose, Bravo? I’m certain it won’t work.

Braves326

July 1st, 2009
2:12 pm

People—-

RELAX! 4 games back and the next five games are against NL East opponents. Our lineup isn’t going to crank out homeruns like the Yanks, Sox, or Phils. We knew that going into this season. Lay off Kotchman (he leads the team in doubles, .269 average isn’t terrible), Frenchy has been playing better and he’s got a cannon out there in RF. He’s played in all but two games, so he’s reliable in that he doesn’t get hurt often like most of the other guys. We can POTENTIALLY win the division with these pitchers, just got to have faith that Bobby can put together a lineup that will get those guys some runs (Prado at 2B is an outstanding start).

Mike

July 1st, 2009
2:15 pm

I can’t argue that Kelly deserves to continue to start or that Bobby didn’t give him enough time to snap out of his funk. But everyone seems to forget the guy was one of the best offensive second basemen in the league the last 2 years. And any advanced defensive metric shows he has been above average in that department the last 3 years as well. I know this doesn’t fit everyone’s emotional pre-concieved opinions but a team that picks up KJ will reap the benefits in the medium to long term.

Most of his offensive problems this year stems from nothing but bad luck. I remember several games earlier this year when KJ would hit 3 or 4 balls right on the screws and they always seemed to be right at someone. Checking the numbers (a novel concept in our reactive world)proves this out.

His batting average on balls put in play this year (BABIP) is .238 which is significantly below the league average which typically hovers right around .300. And every study has shown that BABIP is largely dependent upon luck and shows little correlation to a repeatable skill. A deeper look should focus on line drive percentage (if a guy is hitting a low percentage of liners, a low BABIP is expected and could eliminate or reduce the bad luck part of the equation). KJ’s line drive % this year is 15% which is below the league average of 19%, but not to the point that his BABIP would be .238. For example, KJ had a line drive % of 15% back in 2007 as well and had a .328 BABIP (for comparison, his line drive % was 20% last year).

Again, Bobby did what he had to do but KJ will right this ship if given the chance.

GT, where nerds get shot and robbed everyday

July 1st, 2009
2:15 pm

BRING ON PIERRE AND GET FRENCHY AND HIS TURKEY UNDERWEAR THE F OUTTA HERE

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
2:16 pm

Also, as much as I like Javy, he folded late last year when the Sox neede him. Not saying he’ll do the same fo us, but I trust Lowe late in the season. If you lay off the video games and watch the real game, you’ll know this.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
2:17 pm

Escobar is not the problem…he has what, the second best avg in the lineup? The infield should become even more solid with Prado in. The focus is this horrid outfield. No, we do not need a blockbuster trade. We just need a trade that will employ a solid player that can be signed for more than a year. If that calls for giving up one or two prospects, so be it…the question is: is Atlanta just hoping that one day things will just fall into place, or are they ready to be contenders year to year again?

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
2:18 pm

Owl, you know you could count up on one hand the great starts Lowe has made in the past 4 yrs. And yet you insist we absolutely need him! He’s been by no means our best or even 2nd or 3rd best pitcher in the rotation. He’s been just average, there’s plenty of average out there. We need a good leader on offense that knows what the playoffs are about and to hit behind Chipper with power and average. Berkman changes the whole outlook of this team. He can play 1st and the outfield.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
2:18 pm

I swear, there’s something wrong with this keyboard. I’m really not illiterate.

david

July 1st, 2009
2:20 pm

What took so long??

DOUG B

July 1st, 2009
2:21 pm

ABOUT TIME!!! KJ BETTER BE SWEATIN IT BECAUSE WHEN OMAR GETS BACK, KJ IS NOW 3RD STRING BEHIND 2 UTILITY PLAYERS! THE GUY SHOWS NMO EMOTION AND DOES NOT CUT IT. TRADE KJ, FRENCHY AND KOTCHMAN TO BUC-OS FOR IAN SNELL AND LAROCHE.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
2:21 pm

Owl, you know what? you might want to stop listening to the media and make up your own assessment. Your quoting everything I’ve heard ever since Atlanta signed Lowe and Vazquez.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
2:22 pm

Berkman is fine, but you won’t figure out a trade that will work. Our organization is not as deep as before, and I promise you the Braves have no intention of getting rid of a trusted commodity like Lowe, even for Berkman. I like Lance, don’t get me wrong, but please come up with a trade that will work financially, not drain our system, and pry loose the closest thing he Astros have to a marquis player. I’m waiting…

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
2:24 pm

and another thing? you said don’t judge Lowe because of his slow start and bad performances so far this year, yet tell me that Vazquez folded in the last game for the Sox? how about looking at the games Lowe has given away by bad performances and look at the games given up during Vazquez’s performances due to bad offensive performances.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
2:25 pm

Who said anything about Lowe for Berkman?

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
2:26 pm

I’m saying it because it’s true. You see, I watch baseball, not just the Braves. Do your homework. Although I don’t intentionally quote “the media”, these are things in history that happened. “The media” sometimes accurately reports things that really happen in baseball. There is nothing to substantiate anything about Berkman to the Braves. Just a pipe dream, my fiend.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
2:27 pm

Lowe had a slow start? We’re tied.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
2:27 pm

I said Lowe for prospects. Then lets look at Kotchman, Johnson, Redmond, and Marek (or Jo Jo here) for Berkman.

Gene

July 1st, 2009
2:28 pm

That was a great effort last night, and there may be some life left in them. Smoltz looked good as well.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
2:28 pm

Why would the Astros do that? Berkman is their Chipper. This rules, by the way.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
2:29 pm

And another thing, that would give us even more flexibility with pay roll. Could possibly add another addition… bench, bullpin, etc…

Bob Horner

July 1st, 2009
2:30 pm

great move Bobby – Martin reminds me of a young Mark DeRosa – VIVA MARTIN!!! Way to go kid!

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
2:32 pm

why wouldn’t the astros do that? They aren’t going to compete, they are and have said they are looking to the future.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
2:32 pm

Right Owl…why would Houston do that? That would leave Erstad at first, and he is not having such a great year.

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
2:33 pm

How does adding payroll make us flexible? Maybe I’m missing something. Also, you’re going to need to throw in proven major league talent (Esco?) to make this insane deal work. Good thing this trade won’t happen in a zillion years.

Braves326

July 1st, 2009
2:33 pm

I’d be stunned if the Braves went after Berkman…

owl hunter

July 1st, 2009
2:35 pm

Stay down, man. Stay down. I gotta go. Nice scrapping with you all.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
2:36 pm

Kotchman and KJ isn’t major league talent? How does adding Berkman give us flexiblity? Lets see, Lowe 15mil, Berkman 14.5mil, Kotchman 2.5mil, KJ 2.5mil.. I’m not sure.. could you add that up for me?

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
2:37 pm

Yeah, you might want to go get brained washed some more by the media.

Bobby Cox Hat Tipping Club

July 1st, 2009
2:38 pm

So Kelly played forever and ever the last couple of years through his ups and downs. (mostly downs) Prado-Infante-Whoever were never serious options at second because, lets face it, the job was KJ’s. Those guys just aren’t every day players. They are utility men! (I’m amazed at THAT KOOL AID that has been sold by AJC writers and other media types.)

Never mind that KJ has been a head case ever since he’s been in Atlanta. Never mind that KJ has been the poster boy for Coxs’ patience by his 0 for thirty something performance when he first came up. Never mind that the very same 0 for thirty something performance is what the writers of the AJC and commentators for the media have used as an example of what a great manager Cox is and that his wisdom lead to KJ getting hot after going 0 for said thirty something.

Wow! That turned out well didn’t it? Four years later and KJ is still a head case, barely hitting his weight and Bobby is a freakin’ genius because he finally put in a player at second who should have been in that position for some time now into the lineup!

Bobby is such a genius that he just didn’t have the same patience with Mark DeRosa as he has shown with KJ and Frenchy. DeRo won the second base job and got hurt. Marcus Giles got the job while DeRo was hurt. DeRo came back and Giles kept the job. Next year, Chipper stayed in left and Dero struggled the first third of the season at 3rd, so Bobby moved Chipper back to third and sat DeRo. Eventually DeRo gets hurt and non-tendered and goes on to become a very good big league ball player. Where’s Marcus Giles?

Bobby has so much collateral it’s amazing! In no other town could he keep his job based on past performance rather than current results. An off year? Sure he earned that. Four off years is a trend and should spell change at the top.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
2:44 pm

There you have it… Add Berkman, Subtract Lowe, Kotchman and Johnson.

Paul Lentz

July 1st, 2009
2:47 pm

Mark Bradley……………if Elvis Andrus was still with the Braves and the Braves traded Yunel………where in the batting order would Andrus bat? 8th, maybe 7th. That’s where he would bat. He has no pop in his bat. He has the speed to bat at the top of the order, however he doesnt hit for a high average nor walks a lot either.

So unless Escobar was packaged to get a “BIG TIME SLUGGER”, I wouldnt see how having Andrus playing shortstop would help the Braves. I watch a lot of baseball (I subscribe to the MLB Extra Innings package on Direct TV). I’ve seen the Rangers play a lot this year (I live in San Francisco so I get to read about and see a lot of Giants and A’s baseball). Elvis Andrus has a decent glove and can make some good plays. However his bat has a “long” ways to go. He gets to see good pitches because the Rangers have a lot of offense in that line-up. However, put him on the Braves and you guys would all be complaining about him being no different than Kelly or Francoeur.

Given the climate of 2007, I would make that trade all over again. Schuerholtz did the right thing in rolling for the dice. He didnt give up anyone in that trade that I would lose sleep over. If Smoltz and Chipper had stayed healthy, then perhaps the result would have been different.

I think that this year’s team is much better than the Braves of the summer of 2007. We just need a slugger to play right field. If Wren can acquire that elusive slugger to play right, then that would allow Infante to start at second when he comes back after the All-Star Break. I’d much rather have Prado as our super-sub (in case Chipper or someone needs an off day, which would probably happen a number of times).

The Braves could insert Infante in right field after the All-Star Break, however that would love our bench pretty thin.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
2:48 pm

I believe that Giles is currently a free agent…

Matty

July 1st, 2009
2:50 pm

For those who think trading Lowe is a good idea- YOU WILL NEVER, EVER, EVER BE ABLE TO SIGN ANOTHER DESCENT STARTING PITCHER WITHOUT A TRADE CLAUSE! Oh and by the way the Braves do not give those.

woody

July 1st, 2009
2:50 pm

who cares. stupid braves crap waste of time. wake me up for football season…til then its snore time.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
2:52 pm

I was asked what to do with Lowe? I’d tell you what I would do. Why not trade him to LA Angels, for a package of Brandon Woods and William Smith? Smith is a GA native. Then we could move Kotchman, Johnson, Jo Jo and Marek for Berkman. If this didn’t do it, sweeten it with the addition of Deunte Heath.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
2:53 pm

Matty, hate to tell you this.. They sign for the money, not the team anymore.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
2:54 pm

have you not heard the “It’s a business” motto before?

Herschel Talker

July 1st, 2009
2:56 pm

Bobby Cox likes men

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
2:57 pm

Mark Bradley, Do you not think those trades would better our team as a whole?
was asked what to do with Lowe? I’d tell you what I would do. Why not trade him to LA Angels, for a package of Brandon Woods and William Smith? Smith is a GA native. Then we could move Kotchman, Johnson, Jo Jo and Marek for Berkman. If this didn’t do it, sweeten it with the addition of Deunte Heath.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
2:58 pm

Right Matty. The pitching staff should be off limits anyhow…if it aint broke dont fix it. 4th Best ERA in baseball…they will get better if the bats heat up

Paul Lentz

July 1st, 2009
2:58 pm

owl hunter…………….I see nothing wrong with making trades like the Tex trade. How many times do I have to say that “WE DIDNT GIVE UP ANYTHING IN THAT TRADE THAT IS WORTH LOSING SLEEP OVER”? I have looked at the stats of 3 of the players who are in the Majors (Harrison, Andrus, and Salty), plus the 2 guys still in the Minors……….I just dont see what the fuss is over. Perhaps MORONS like you believe everything the MEDIA says about “giving up the farm”. Say it enough and it becomes “fact”.

You might want to take a better look at the trade. The Braves starting pitching is too good right now to waste on a lack of offense. I’m sure that Frank Wren is doing what he can to make the right trade.

I “suspect” that there is a chance that a “big trade” could be made by the time the next home stand rolls around (you know, to drum up attendance in addition to improving the team, lol).

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
3:05 pm

Hey Paul, what do you think about a lowe for woods and smith with the angels and then move kotchman, johnson, jojo for Berkman?

Frenchy's Underwear

July 1st, 2009
3:05 pm

Bobby’s still an idiot, took him this long to see the obvious, like it always does, he is stubborn as a mule and dumber than one.

LSU

July 1st, 2009
3:05 pm

Is this another one of those “The Braves are great and Bobby Cox is awesome” blogs that happen every time the Braves get on a 2 game winning streak? Braves should’ve scored more runs last night, because what they lack in power, they more than make up for with their lack of speed.

Bobby Cox naming Prado as the starting 2nd baseman after he gets 4 hits is nothing but pure genius on the part of Bobby in my opinion.

Wasn’t the Braves last 3 game winning streak almost a month ago?

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
3:08 pm

That would leave Jurrjens, Vazquez, Hanson, Kawakami in the front 4 while opening a 5th spot for Medlen. But the top 4 would still be strong. Just need 3 big ones for the playoffs. I’d take Jurrjens, Vazquez, Hanson any day in that spot.

coach k

July 1st, 2009
3:08 pm

watch baseball tonight and you will see all our guys we trading contributing somewhere. Why is it they can’t do it here and need a new start. Answer Management!!! Get me freaking someone to manage this team with passion and attitude. Quit babying these guys and hold them accountable, the guys that are producing play and the ones that are now sit, plain and simple. Now go get Dye and Derosa, blow out Frenchy, Kelly and player to be named.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
3:10 pm

The trade for Brandon Woods would also give us insurance in case a Chipper injury leaves us with an opening at 3rd. With Omar coming back soon, we’d have one of the best benchs in the game.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
3:13 pm

Coach, I’ve been saying the same thing. Some like to hold on to what could have been, and mourn over Braves that are gone. Yes, we may need new managment, young, intelligent, enthusiastic mgmt. I like Dye, Rios, and Pierre. It is time that Wren and the guys play a little extra golf this week and suit one of these guys up.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
3:14 pm

As much as Cox makes me absolutely angry when he decides to give our best players their days off on the most important games of the season, he’s still not the total problem. These guys get paid plenty of money to produce. They need more accountability!!!

Jonathon

July 1st, 2009
3:21 pm

The Devils Wears Prado!

coach k

July 1st, 2009
3:23 pm

Well why is all this so painfully apparent to all of us. We need that passion, not that one game at a time bs. We never hear from Wren or Sheurholtz, this offense is anemic. There is no team attitude here looks like just a group of guys, meet at the ballpark at 7 and will hits some balls. Cox is too mello and it is alright to bust some of these guys in public. We pay their dam salaries act like you want to be out there and have some fun. Bobby small ball when your not scoring works too.

Paul Lentz

July 1st, 2009
3:24 pm

Bravo…………there is NO WAY I see the Astros making that deal. No team is willing to give up ANYTHING for Jo Jo Reyes or Kelly Johnson. So basically, you are proposing the Astros trade Lance Berkman for Casey Kotchman? Not going to happen.

I would not trade Derek Lowe. Reason being, if the Braves can be in the race come September, then you will see why the Braves paid Lowe all that money. I’ve watched this guy pitch over the years. He simply is calm under pressure. That sinker is a thing of beauty come play-off time.

I still have “nightmares” from last year (you know, when our starters couldnt go 5 innings……..when it seemed like one of our starting pitchers would get hurt once a week). It is so nice to know that our starting pitching is going to give us 6-7 innings a night, giving us a chance to win every night out, and staying healthy.

And just think……….how bad would the Braves be if Frank Wren had listened to the MORONS who filled up this blog over the winter and re-signed John Smoltz and Mike Hampton? Or if he listened to public opinion and decided not to give up “prospects” Brent Lillibridge and that Flowers kid for Javier Vazquez? Or if Frank Wren kept the “prospects” and decided not to make the Nate McLouth trade? Or if Wren didnt have the courage to cut Tom Glavine and bring up Tommy Hanson?

Many of you MORONS have called for Frank Wren’s head. Many of you IDIOTS have complained every time Frank Wren made the tough, “correct” decision. I want to see the Braves WIN. Many of you want to see your favorite players play, like this is an “old timers game” instead of Major League Baseball.

As bad as our offense has struggled this year………if Frank Wren had listened to many of you MORONS…….we would have no starting pitching, and our offense would suck even more. While Garrett Anderson hasnt lit the world on fire with his defense……..I feel that he has been a bargain offensively. He’s only making $2 mil. Plus he’s been hitting much better the past month.

I want to see the Braves win today. If some prospect can be packaged to help us improve our team, then so be it. It isnt like the draft next year or the year after that cant be used to draft new prospects.

When playing No-Limit Texas Hold’em poker, there is a saying………”In order to live, you cant be afraid to die”. Same way with making trades to improve the team. I”m not saying that a GM should make reckless trades……….just as a good poker player isnt going to bluff recklessly. However there are times to “go all in” because the potential reward is really great. Poker players who “play it safe” never win big. You dont see a poker player win a tournament by “playing it safe”. And you dont see teams win the World Series by “playing it safe” either. A scared man cant win.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
3:32 pm

I just can’t see where Lowe is as big of as asset as everyone thinks he is. If that was the case, we could definitely get a great package of prospects for him. Another thing, he’s not the only pitcher this year going 6 or 7 a night, there’s 4 other guys doing just that. I also think Medlen should be in the rotation as well. The kid is a scrapper and definitely has passion for the game. I say move Lowe now, trade for Berkman and you have something. Otherwise, we could just stay pat and finish somewhere between 3rd and 4th place in the division.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
3:35 pm

I never would suggest a Kotchman, KJ and JoJo trade for Berkman. At least not without offering 2 out of these 3, Marek, Heath, and Redmond.

Big B CH 99

July 1st, 2009
3:39 pm

I don’t see why people hate Kotchman so much, personally I like the guy. He reminds me a little of Kotsay, not an All-star by any means, but a solid Major Leaguer, & he’s playing great defense at 1B. There’s nothing wrong w/ having several guys that can hit 270-290, 10-15 HR’s, & 70 or so RBI’s. Personally I think that if U can get 5-6 guys that hit around 270-280, U can have a pretty good O, but the problem is that if U sit around like Bobby, & wait for someone to hit the 3 run bomb, then that’s not gonna work, b/c U have to have a bunch of guys that will hit 20-30 HR’s.

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
3:41 pm

Don’t hate Kotchman, he would just be a casualty of the dire situation our offense is in. We just need a power clean up hitter that can also hit for power.

Paul Lentz

July 1st, 2009
3:44 pm

Bravo……………….Lowe is an experienced, big game pitcher. If the Braves are still in this thing come September, then you will see what makes Derek Lowe, well “Derek Lowe”. Sure, he hit a rocky patch in June. However, his body of work more than suggests that Derek Lowe will bounce back, just like Chipper Jones will rebound from his current slump.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
3:45 pm

Bravo, Lowe is only suffering because of low run support. He is a guy that you want in there if the Braves should make the playoffs. Guaranteed, if the Braves reach the playoffs due to some major spark in the offense. Their pitching will be hard to be with the type of rotation used in the playoffs.

Paul Lentz

July 1st, 2009
3:48 pm

If the Braves do not make a trade to upgrade the offense………then our only hope is that Bobby finally benches Francoeur when Omar Infante comes back from the disabled list after the All-Star Break. Omar can hit and we need his offense. Omar coming back, along with Prado playing second, and McLouth and Escobar getting healthy………has to happen if the Braves are going to have a chance to contend if a big trade isnt made.

coach k

July 1st, 2009
3:52 pm

the only piece to this puzzle is a hitter between chipper and mac the can get you yo 35 home runs and everytime he steps up they have to think who do they have to pitch to. I would have liked sheffied still for the price. Heres one KJ, Jo Jo and escobar for Handley Ramirez, oh yea, let’s get this one going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bravo

July 1st, 2009
3:56 pm

I just don’t see where a 7 and 6 record is so good? *4.44 ERA*. Has won only 2 games in his last 9 starts. Maybe I’m missing something but that not good. We’re only 4 games back, if he goes 5 and 4 and we’re just 1 game back, I would agree with you but he didn’t and we’re not. We need some offense and someone that can carry this team on their backs. That’s Berkman. A good offense can lift a team through a lot of pitching slumps. But at this point we can’t afford what Lowe is giving us which isn’t much.

jch

July 1st, 2009
3:57 pm

Out of curiousity – if no one on the board wants him, and Cox has benched him, exactly which major league team do you think would inerested in an “iffy” fielding 2B hitting .219???

The only place KJ may be headed is 15 miles NE…

Tony

July 1st, 2009
3:58 pm

Paul…that is true. Lowe will be ok. Maybe, just maybe Wren has some suitors and a deal already in mind for getting some outfield help. He said the other day that teams’ payrolls are limited, which is probably true, but surely, “where there is a will there is a way”. He has made some good deals to get what we have so far, just needs to keep on pushing…

ABQ brave

July 1st, 2009
4:01 pm

Lineup

1. McClouth (when healthy)- gets on base and can run
2. Prado – can move runners over and has some pop (like last night homer then sac bunt)
3. Jones – wait until the hits start coming, i mean he is below .300 thats very rare, law of averages will get him back
4. McCann – great hitting and game calling catcher (needs to be starting NL all-star)
5. Escobar – can always drive in runs when runners are on base
6. Anderson – great situational hitter and has always been a clutch hitter
7. Franceur – bat is starting to come around but his defense is always nice
8. Kotchman – well where else in the order will he hit, maybe 7, excellent defense 1B
9. Lowe, Vasquez, Jurrjens, Hanson, Kawakami – all great starting pitchers and cause any opposing offense fits (so in about a month Hudson comes back and then what happens?? who is odd SP out?? 6 man rotation??? Kawakami is always better with 5 days rest…save arms for possible post season)

Tony

July 1st, 2009
4:04 pm

Well Bravo, again run production has been the problem. Over the last 10 starts, Lowe had 2 bad ones. The others, his highest earned run was 3. That is 8 games allowing 3 runs at the most. Not perfect but not bad for any pitcher. And his continued success will depend on how well he is supported by his team.

dawgs74

July 1st, 2009
4:08 pm

When Omar Infante returns, Bobby needs to find a spot in the lineup for him too. We was swinging a good stick before his injury.

jdmac

July 1st, 2009
4:19 pm

Mark, you mind throwing a notepad at Frank Wren before he deals Escobar? According to Buster Olney this afternoon, the braves would be willing to trade him for a big OF bat. Huge mistake if you ask me; Anderson and Francouer are just now coming alive and Yunel might be the most talented guy on the team. Thoughts?

bruce

July 1st, 2009
4:19 pm

Kelly against left handers is 21 for 67 or 313 batting average. He is hitting 176 against right handers. Pinch hitting might be a good role for a bit, maybe spot start against left handers to get back into a groove.

All I'm Saying Is...

July 1st, 2009
4:23 pm

Bradley: Glad to read on this blog that you think Kotchman is ’substandard’. I think you need to write about his sub-standard performance more often (at least as much as you like to type Glidin’). I strongly agree with you that, at the MLB level, your first baseman cannot be a singles hitter — and I don’t care how good his defense supposedly — 5 homers and 25 RBIs is awful and unacceptable. Much as I rail about his 150+ strikeouts, Bradley is right in that Adam Dunn would be a step up (though obviously not a long term solution——–by the way, Bradley, who do we have at AAA and AA as our 1B of the very near future?)

Paul Lentz: You have made some insightful posts regarding the Tex trade (as well as questioning some of the other trades proposed—I agree with you that there is no way we should trade Derek Lowe). First, I would say, move on people as that train left the station a long time ago. But I would add, if we had kept Jarrod, who is to say that he could not have been moved to first base (and before you question it, please remember that plenty have people have changed positions—-two that immediately come to mind are: Dale Murphy went from Catcher to CF and Craig Biggio went from Catcher to 2B so it is not a stretch)? Similarly, if we had kept Elvis, who is to say he could not have been moved to play second base? That trade may be a ‘wash’ as you say right now based on the performances of the players but it is what we could have done that is what is really important and we could have kept those guys and had better options at 2B and 1B.

All I'm Saying Is...

July 1st, 2009
4:29 pm

jdmac: You are 100% correct—-no way in heck should we trade Yunel Escobar: he is our best, young everyday player and this is only his THIRD YEAR IN THE MAJORS! The Braves would be fools to trade him now. He can hit, he can field, and he is clutch at the plate. Rarely have the Braves had anyone at SS as good as Yunel (remember Pat Rockett or Sonny Jackson anyone?—Ouch, I hurt myself just recalling those two names).

Anyway, keep Yunel and get Nate healthy and along with Prado (we need to tell him he is our starter for the remainder of the season—don’t want him looking over his shoulder—and stick to it because he will have a slump), we will be in much better shape. And if we can get a starter at 1B and move Kotchman to late game defensive replacement/Pinch Hitter status, then we will be golden (assuming Frenchy keeps it going at the plate) as finally our problems at 2B, 1B, and RF on the offensive side ill have been solved as you can’t win especially in the NL with one third of your batting lineup hitting poorly.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
4:37 pm

Hey Mark, are you still on hold with the front office…we need help before Frenchy cools down! lol

ABQ brave

July 1st, 2009
4:39 pm

All I’m saying is…

we have Barbaro Canzanillas (sp?) down in AAA who can really hit…he came up for a few games and was ok at the majors but has some great AAA numbers.

Everyone needs to stop saying that we just need one more big bat and then its playoff bound…it sounds real familiar…like say 2007 when we went 500 in august and september after acquiring tex and now you got rid of some prospects…jason bay and matt holiday are free agents at the end of the year if we can make do until then and get something in off season

MCLeeb

July 1st, 2009
4:39 pm

Why is everyone asking who’s in the minors, and who’s gonna be the 2B of the future. Prado’s only 25, why can’t he be our 2B of the future. He’s looked way better than anyone else I’ve seen in the minors or majors playing 2B.

RufinoLinares

July 1st, 2009
4:45 pm

Now that the hole at second base is filled, what about LF, RF and 1B? Any ideas at those positions. Then, Atlanta will have a major league lineup. Anderson has swung the bat better lately, but his defense is uninspired. Frenchy is just Frenchy. I don’t think he gets back on track. Kotchman is about as threatening as many of the first basemen that the Braves have ran out of here.

Tony

July 1st, 2009
4:53 pm

That is the big question RL…they have to make a deal for an outfielder like yesterday…

David from Simpsonville

July 1st, 2009
5:00 pm

Before the Braves signed Garrett Anderson and we still had every reason to think Kelly Johnson could hit, I thought the Braves should start Prado at 2nd and move KJ to LF. I respect the effort KJ has made for this team, but I’ve thought for a while that Prado was a better call for 2B.

All I'm Saying Is...

July 1st, 2009
5:04 pm

ABQ Brave: Thanks for answering my question. Though I can’t get his name right either, I do remember when they brought Barbaro C. [sp] up and if the question is who else besides Kotchman do we have to play first in the minors, then Barbaro is not the answer. All the more reason to try and find something at the trade deadline.

Bradley: Since you started calling him Glidin’ on this blog after he didn’t back up a chopper hit to one our infielders (guess it had to be 3B or SS) and subsequently went on and on talking about his gait, then I find it disingenuous at best (and an outright instance of prevarication at worst) for you to now suggest that your calling GA Glidin’ is not meant to be a criticism but a description.

No matter what you call GA, his hitting has come around and we need him in the line-up every day. Hmmm….can he play first? I don’t think so and it is a position that’s harder to pick up but makes me wonder since he is so versatile.

Chipper would not go for it but the best thing starting in 2010 for this team is to either move him to 1B and give Infante a full time shot or get off a dime and sign a power hitting 1B via free agency (and still find a place in the lineup for Infante).

MCLeeb: I’m with you in that we need to give Prado a long look at 2B—at least as long as we gave KJ (another example of how you have to be a student of the game: study pitchers and their tendencies, make adjustments at the plate, make a video of your at bats when you are on a hot streak and consult them when you are in a slump, etc.) KJ had two excellent seasons at the plate in 2007 and 2008 and went kaput this year. Had to remove him from the lineup and done at the right time as can easily say we gave him every chance to figure it out.

cdog

July 1st, 2009
5:05 pm

Finally BOBBY COX has come out of his HYPNOTIC TRANCE on KELLY JOHNSON. keep up the good work MARTIN PRADO.CAN WE TRADE JOHNSON NOW OR BRING UP A LEGITIMATE SECOND BASEMAN FROM THE FARM FOR INSURANCE?NEXT COX SHOULD KEEP HIS EYE ON ESCOBAR. TOO MANY BONE HEAD ERRORS AND MYSTERIOUS INJURIES ARE POPPING UP WITH HIM. WE NEED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE SHORTSTOP POSITION IF THE BRAVES WRE GOING TO WIN THE EAST

All I'm Saying Is...

July 1st, 2009
5:06 pm

“No matter what you call GA, his hitting has come around and we need him in the line-up every day. Hmmm….can he play first? I don’t think so and it is a position that’s harder to pick up but makes me wonder since he is so versatile.”——Sorry, I had a brain freeze: I meant to type “Hmm,…can INFANTE play first when he comes off the DL? Not GA. He can barely play LF.

cdog

July 1st, 2009
5:10 pm

JDMAC USE YOUR HEAD AND NOT YOUR HEART. ESCOBAR ALONG WITH KELLY JOHNSON HAS KILLED THE BRAVES. A TRADE WOULD STRENGTEN THE TEAM ON DEFENSE AND OFFENSE.WHAT HAS ESCOBAR DONE POSITIVE TO HELP THE BRAVES WIN? HIS NEGATIVES BY FAR OUT WEIGHS HIS POSITIVES

Tony

July 1st, 2009
5:10 pm

I beg to differ cdog. Escobar has the second best avg on the team. He has a good arm and good def skills. He has certainly done his part thus far. Now he needs to play everyday…

All I'm Saying Is...

July 1st, 2009
5:11 pm

cdog: Who in MLB would want Kelly Johnson? Seriously, dude, no one would take him off our hands even strictly for cash or wooden bats. And Escobar is only in his third full season at the major league level and it is way too early to give up on him. I’ve said it before and I’ll type it again: Escobar is our best young, everyday player and he can hit, he can field, and he can hit in the clutch. The Braves are too weak on offense as it is to trade away a talent like that. We need to give Escobar at least as much time as we have given Francoeur (this is his fourth full year in the majors).

(and you might want to learn the lower case function—you are killing my old eyes! )

braveswin

July 1st, 2009
5:37 pm

Sure Prado is hot right now but give Pendelton a few days of working with him and he’ll forget how to hit in short order. Someone tell me ONE hitter that has gotten better under his watch. With a major league hitting instructor this team might show some life

Jfreak

July 1st, 2009
5:40 pm

Lets not give Chipper a pass either. I know he is the face of this franchise but he numbers are way off as well! So when we blame KJ or Frnechy for the the collapse of everything including the mortgage and auto industries lets remember our biggest star has not been himself the past couple of years either. I know he is getting older and can’t put up great power numbers anymore but when we are looking at why the Braves are scoring less don’t forget our Hall of Famer is playing more like he old enough to be in the hall of fame and less like what makes him a hall of famer. Nothing aginst Chipper he can only play as well as his age and body will allow but there is an impact this has up and down the line up and it may be time to rethink his place in the batting order???

jgon

July 1st, 2009
5:49 pm

Every time the Braves win a game its supposed to be the turning point. Have to wait and see if the bats go back to sleep.

bp

July 1st, 2009
5:53 pm

don’t get too excited,you know after a couple of games ol bobby is gonna run kelly (worst 2b in baseball)right back out there.The guy can’t hit,bunt or field but booby still loves him.Why is he or Bennett on our roster?

Paul W

July 1st, 2009
5:58 pm

Our talent is not as bad as most of you think, but we need some freaking COACHING. That means that we must identify a players flaws and try to improve them, not just throw them on the field. There are three perfect examples on the Braves right now-
1) ESCOBAR. He is a great talent, but he is a head case. Does that mean we dump him or try to FIX him? Other than Ramirez in Florida I think he is the most talented SS in the NL, if not in baseball. We need to hire a tutor- a spanish-speaking former great SS (maybe Concepcion?) to work on his short-comings and his attitude. He is too good and too young to throw on the trashheap- yet.
2) ANDERSON. Yes he’s hitting in the .280’s now, and we really can use his bat. HOWEVER- Cox needs a man to man, heart to heart talk with this guy. He has hitting talent, but his lackadaisical approach to defense and base-running is intolerable. Bobby needs to try to make him understand that he has a responsibility to LEAD, as a 16-year veteran. Translate LEAD as HUSTLE. If he is too self-centered or too stupid to get the message, bench him. If that doesn’t get to him, RELEASE HIM. I dont care if he hits .380, his disregard for fundamental requirements is not acceptable. The next time you see him jog after a ball rather than RUN after it, blame GA, but blame Cox for tolerating it too.

3) FRANCOEUR. Jeff is young and has raw talent and should be salvagable. Again, for the money we pay these players, we can afford some tutoring. Hire a tudor that we can accept and that JF can accept- and send them both to Gwinnett. If he can listen to good coaching and accept that he needs to change in order to succeed, I think he can be an All Star. If not, he is hopeless and should be allowed to play out his option.

The remaining need for this team is to return to FUNDAMENTALS. Cox needs to start fining and benching like a mad man over these things. It drives me CRAZY. Fail to run out a ground ball- FINE EM!! A pitcher fails to cover 1st base- FINE HIM!! An outfielder sits with his hands on his knees on an infield play- FINE HIM. Runner on 2nd, less than two outs, and a RH hitter pills the ball to short or third, failing to advance him- FINE HIM. These players are PAID, for goodness sakes, they aren’t volunteers! If they knew that Cox wouldn’t tolerate this crap, they would adjust, or sit on the pines.

Young players are taught that everyone has a job whenever a ball it hit anywhere. Ground ball to the left side, for example, the LF must CHARGE in case of an error, and be prepared to back up 2nd or 3rd in case of a rundown; the RF should be CHARGING up the RF line in case of an overthrow. This is just one example, but these prima donnas won’t even run out a freakin’ ground bal!!

The players don’t escape blame, but the manager and coaches MUST create an environment where these things are demanded. Championship teams do these things. If you don’t, you’re just collecting a paychaek.

trueblueBravesFan

July 1st, 2009
5:59 pm

Mark that’s what you get when you drink Relabeled Tab(My Name for Coke Zero….think about it…it tastes just like Tab did)

Sir Stealth

July 1st, 2009
7:04 pm

Mark, I understand that you’re currently in the business of interacting with internet bloggers, but I think you do a disservice by legitimizing a mass of blog comments by equating them with a mass of true feeling when it comes to Bobby Cox. Even tongue in cheek comments referring to some kind of overriding sentiment that our Hall of Fame legend of a manager is an idiot make such garbage seem like the dominant voice of Braves fans. It’s natural that those commenting on the internet will post less rational reactions and constantly be ready to ride the manager out on a rail and cheapen the Braves’ legacy of winning, but no one who I actually respect feels this way, and I know a lot of Braves fans.

If I sound like a kool-aid drinker or blind worshipping fan, it really doesn’t matter, cause it remains stupid and self-defeating to dump on your own legends and cheapen your own team’s legacy.

Quint

July 1st, 2009
9:32 pm

What do yo guys think about this: Should the Braves make an offer for Juan Pierre? He is a much better leadoff hitter than anything we have right now. Put him at leadoff and move everyone else back a spot. I am still not sold on Garret Anderson. I think he may still be too tentative after his injury. He just never seems to be putting much effort into anything other than swinging a bat. I know Pierre may be playing a little better than he is know for, but he still has speed and can steal bases. I don’t know. Just a thought.

Pete

July 1st, 2009
9:35 pm

Hey Mark…can you ask Bobby if Diaz is his new starting LF now? Might as well strike while the iron is hot.

Mitch C

July 1st, 2009
10:21 pm

This is a good move since Prado is hot.

I didnt watch much of the Phillies series due to work, but winning two in a row against the division leaders at home is good.

As much as I hate to be a party pooper, Mark, isnt this how the Braves have played all year? We get up for the good teams, and flop against the second division flops. While we are only three games out of first now, we simply need to get on a good streak if we want to be a contender.

I’m going to take a wait and see approach.

Mitch

don pardo

July 1st, 2009
11:28 pm

I have to admit, I have never been a big Kelly Johnson fan. Maybe it was his less then 200 BA his first year. I will admit the second half of last year, gave me pause, but in the end it turned out to be more of blip than the real thing. You can argue cox should made the move sooner but will all the injuries, Omar Infante, Chipper, Kotchman, Escobar, it’s been tough.
Frankly I thought at the time that Omar was a huge loss, and I think that turned out to be correct.
So now we lived through Schafer, and Johnson. Now just one more to go.

the truth...

July 2nd, 2009
12:22 am

OK….for all you dump Kotchman band wagon riders….let’s take a look and see the truth about Sid Bream and the first 3 years of the 14 season run as Division Champ…….remember him? Well he was our 1B from ‘91-’92-’93….So the take is that Kotchman isn’t enough at first..

the Truth for Sid Bream is:

Batting Average: .253-.261-.260
Home Runs: 11-10-9
RBI: 45-61-35

the Truth for Casey Kotchman:2007-2008-2009

Batting Average: .296-.272-.269
Home Runs:11-14-2
RBI:68-74-28

patrick

July 2nd, 2009
2:06 am

Everyone says that Kelly has always been a terrible hitter, but since when? Last year he hit .287 with 12 homers, including an unreal September. I wouldn’t expect the posters on here to understand what BABIP is, but I’m disappointed Mark apparently doesn’t either. Batting Average on Balls In Play is a stat that measures how often the batter gets a hit on a ball put in play. BABIP is almost always between .290 and .340, with anything higher considered lucky and anything lower considered unlucky. Kelly’s is .238, well below his 2007 and 2008 numbers of (respectively) .328 and .340. Clearly he has been very unlucky and his average will regress (in the good way) back to his career norms. At the same time, I agree with Bobby’s decision to play the hot bat. However, the hate for Kelly is ridiculous

Theo

July 2nd, 2009
12:03 pm

I agree with Robby and his post on July 1st. KJ should be platooned in the outfield and allowed to challenge JF in right. A little competition just might help both of them. When Infante comes back, he could do the same thing to Kotchman. I agree that Infante should be in the game every day somewhere. I also think the idea of trying Ross at 1st wouldn’t be a bad idea at time. Keeping him in the game as much as possible is a good thing.

HATinGA

July 3rd, 2009
6:53 am

These fans are tough, I think Kochman is leading the team in doubles and he missed some games.And he is very solid with he glove. Frenchy has looked a lot better at the plate.
Altho more days off to get Diaz more ABs might even help him,Jeff has Alot of hard line drives right a infielders ,he looks alot better when he sees more pitches, but thats the Braves as a hole Chipper looked bad last night swinging early in counts.

Your attention, please: Braves have a new second sacker

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Your attention, please: Braves have a new second sacker

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