The Braves’ best (but mostly the worst) of 2009
Never let it be said that I don’t try to serve the audience. Here’s a little something with which to disagree while you’re sitting around monitoring the Braves-Cubs game this afternoon. Here are first-half Braves superlatives, and whatever the opposite of superlative might be.
Most Valuable Player: Javier Vazquez. I didn’t much like this trade over the winter, but only a fool would argue with the results. He has outpitched Derek Lowe (by quite a bit) and Jair Jurrjens (barely). But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t trade Vazquez for the right big bat.
Least Valuable Player: It’s tempting to say Greg Norton — hard to top, as it were, a .098 batting average — but nobody really expected much of Norton. And I’m sure Kelly Johnson (.214 BA) will receive much support in this competitive category, and I can’t say as Casey Kotchman has done all that much, either. But Jeff Francoeur is the choice: He has 18 extra-base hits and 12 walks in 316 plate appearances. That’s awful.
Best rookie: Here’s a hint — his first name’s Tommy.
Worst rookie: Jordan Schafer had 34 hits against 63 strikeouts before being demoted. He hit a home run on Opening Night in Philly and only one thereafter. He wasn’t ready. And now he’s blocked by Nate McLouth.
Best outfielder: This is a bit like being the most accomplished ice fisherman in Florida, but it is, virtually by default, Glidin’ Garret Anderson. He has five home runs and 30 RBIs in 216 at-bats, which makes him the Babe Ruth of this crew.
Best series: Martin Prado against the Phillies last week — 7-for-12, four extra-base hits, six RBIs.
Worst outing: Jeff Bennett against the Yankees on June 23. Yielded the go-ahead single to A-Rod and a homer to Nick Swisher, and in between he broke the little finger on his left hand by punching a door. This revelation prompted Blindog to offer this on the ol’ blog: “When I read that Jeff Bennett had broken his non-pitching hand, I thought … which one?”
Best game: The 5-4 defeat of Philly last Tuesday. Prado had four hits and four RBIs, three of which tied the game, the last of which won it.
Worst game: The 1-0 loss to Boston and the ancient knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Not because it was so poorly played but because the Braves seemed so … helpless.
Wildest week: The Braves demoted Jordan Schafer, released Tom Glavine, traded for Nate McLouth, promoted Tommy Hanson, got trashed by John Smoltz and Glavine, apologized to Glavine and managed to get shut out in consecutive games by Milwaukee. That was June 1 through June 7. A month later, I’m still dizzy.
Worst season by a Hall of Fame manager: Let’s stipulate by saying a bad season by Bobby Cox would be the best season Bobby Valentine has ever had. But still … the Braves have pitched too well to be under .500 at this late date. No, they can’t hit much, but Cox waited too long — bloggers, take a bow — to bench Kelly Johnson and to let Francoeur linger as his everyday right fielder.
Best-case scenario: The Phillies don’t find any pitching and the Mets never get healthy and the Braves win the NL East by default.
Worst-case scenario: Frank Wren gets antsy and trades away the rest of the farm system for a short-term rental bat and the Braves do as they did when they got Mark Teixeira two Julys ago — finish third anyway.
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103 comments Add your comment
The_Superhoo
July 8th, 2009
1:34 pm
Best outfielder isn’t McLouth??
Leslie Chow
July 8th, 2009
1:38 pm
I no like Bennet since he choke against Boston and Yankee hitters. You need make award for sucky Kotsman also.
JeanE
July 8th, 2009
1:41 pm
Sadly, you are oh so right. It is pitiful. I’ve come to expect them to win one, lose one, win one, you get the picture. But I still wouldn’t trade Vasquez. You never know when one of these starters will go down & you can’t count on Hudson to be OK. Cox is, as you said, having a horrible managing season. It was obvious a long time ago that KJ should be sat as well as Francoeur. But he hung in there with them past their expiration date & the team suffered. There’s reason guys love to play for him, he is loyal to a fault & doesn’t get in your face. Love the promotion of Conrad from Gwinnett, saw him play there, he is really good. Still haven’t given up on this team but pessism is setting in. Also, please play Diaz more often, he never gets the benefit that Franceour does. One 0-4 night & he’s back to the bench, whereas Jeffy played night after night doing the same thing!!! Totally unfair.
J Dub
July 8th, 2009
1:41 pm
Greg Norton has to be the Least Valuable. He did nothing for this team except waste a roster spot.
GT, where nerds get shot and robbed everyday
July 8th, 2009
1:43 pm
First?
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 8th, 2009
1:44 pm
Blow it up
The_Superhoo
July 8th, 2009
1:44 pm
McLouth (Braves): 5 HR, 15 RBI in 110 AB, .297 BA, .847 OPS
McLouth (Total) : 14 HR, 49 RBI in 278 AB, .274 BA, .833 OPS
Anderson: 5 HR, 30 RBI in 211 AB, .275 BA, .707 OPS
McLouth wins?
Let's Go Bravos!
July 8th, 2009
1:48 pm
We’ve had a rough 1st half of the season, but I believe that these Braves can still win the division. We’ve got good pitching and that’s generally what it takes to win the division. All we need to do is have our hitters be more consistent at the same time. I’m tired of seeing Prado or McClouth being the only hitters that can hit one night, while McCann and Chipper turn it on the next night. They need to have more drive to perform day in and day out. Why is that? Why can they only be pumped for games against the Phillies and Mets? Do we have any clutch hitters, that when we are down by 1 with 2 men onbase can deliver a shot to the gap to win the game? Our guys need to find their winning spirit inside of themselves before this team will begin to be compete at a high level! Let’s go Bravos, play the way I know you can!
Mark C.
July 8th, 2009
1:50 pm
How is the bullpen meltdown in Philadelphia not the worst game? That was crushing.
Mark Bradley
July 8th, 2009
1:51 pm
I give Garret bonus points for having been here all season.
Mark Bradley
July 8th, 2009
1:53 pm
The bullpen meltdown was pretty awful, but that was the third game of the season. The Boston loss seemed to culminate the frustrations of the first three months. (And then, for no reason, the Braves went out and won the next five.)
Leslie Chow
July 8th, 2009
1:57 pm
I take away point from Anderson because he lazy with his glove. Slow and Lazy
GT, where nerds get shot and robbed everyday
July 8th, 2009
1:58 pm
I thought the worst loss was the game Chipper and Bobby got thrown out of in Boston. We got completely screwed. I thought Chipper getting tossed would fire us up (which it seemed to, we came back and tied it up next inning). Then, on a day that is was so windy fly balls were making U-turns and going back to the infield, Nick Greene finds a way to bend one around the pesky pole. I think had we taken that game we not only with the Boston series but we roll over the Yanks at home and proceed to crush the phillies. That one really took the wind out of the sails.
Swaga1
July 8th, 2009
1:58 pm
The quote from blindog was priceless
GT, where nerds get shot and robbed everyday
July 8th, 2009
2:01 pm
Hey MB, with blindogs great line in mind, have you considered a “Best Lines From the Bloggers” article? I know that I have seen some good ones.
The_Superhoo
July 8th, 2009
2:01 pm
Leslie Chow – “I take away points from Anderson because he is lazy with his glove. Slow and Lazy.”
Exactly. McLouth’s got much better defense.
Bravedawg
July 8th, 2009
2:07 pm
I’ll never understand the hate of Casey Kotchman from Braves fans. He’s hit between .270 and .300 all year, and hasn’t made a single error since being traded to us last July. I mean, he’s no Teixiera, but he’s also not paid like Teixiera either. He’s just about worth the price, which is hard to say for others.
Leslie Chow
July 8th, 2009
2:09 pm
Mark you take back Anderson wins best outfielder award. He lazy, soooooo lazy. He not even hustle for fly balls.
13th warrior
July 8th, 2009
2:13 pm
don’t even think of trading javi vazquez, he is, by far the best pitcher in atlanta rotation
Bravedawg
July 8th, 2009
2:16 pm
Leslie Chow – he’s almost as lazy as you. Well, I’m assuming you’re too lazy to write the apostrophe and the “s”, to form “he’s”…and not that you’re just an idiot who would actually talk like that.
The_Superhoo
July 8th, 2009
2:17 pm
13th warrior,
I agree that Javy has been OUTSTANDING for the Braves, but for the right price, trade him. Gotta give value to GET value (unless you’re dealing with the Pirates).
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 8th, 2009
2:20 pm
Best Braves pre-game reel I watched on ESPN last night: Jeff Francoeur being the only Brave to swing and miss during Huddy’s BP.
Bravedawg
July 8th, 2009
2:20 pm
And let’s be clear – Garret Anderson is just old and slow. Also, at the beginning of the year, he was recovering from a hamstring injury that had kept him out of the majority of spring training games. Let’s be careful where we throw the “lazy” label. He’s having a solid season for us, if you care to look past this “lazy” thing.
CLTDawg
July 8th, 2009
2:20 pm
No farm system left to trade. Frenchy needs to go, but not sure who is willing to take him or more to the point would give up anything for him. Maybe we can pull the old Greg Olson trade and get some balls and bats?
Intramural Team is Aggressive
July 8th, 2009
2:22 pm
You’re probably right that Schafer is blocked by McLouth for this season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if McLouth takes over right field for the Braves next year and Schafer ends up back in center (he’s got much better mobility to the ball).
Mark Bradley
July 8th, 2009
2:26 pm
Now you’ve done it, GT. You’ve gone and given me an idea. (And thanks!)
Mark Bradley
July 8th, 2009
2:27 pm
By the way, Bravedawg, I responded to your question about the Hawks. Sorry to have taken so long.
GT, where nerds get shot and robbed everyday
July 8th, 2009
2:29 pm
Haha, you’re welcome MB.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 8th, 2009
2:31 pm
After reading that article about KK, I think he now knows more English than Yunel.
Chris Broe
July 8th, 2009
2:35 pm
The Braves have just been mathematically eliminated from the 2010 playoffs. Fact.
Mark Bradley
July 8th, 2009
2:40 pm
2010? Wow. Tough to manage that in July 2009. Though the Nationals might have done it.
All I'm Saying Is...
July 8th, 2009
2:45 pm
Bravedawg: The hate of Casey Kotchman is because his power numbers stink compared to the other first baseman in the NL and the Braves need sluggers as we have enough singles hitters. Casey’s .270-.300 (much closer to .270 in the past month) batting average in no way makes up for his lack of HRs, RBIs, and overall slugging which is critical for any first baseman. For example, let’s compare him to the Cubs first baseman Derrick Lee whose numbers are
ABs Runs Hits 2Bs 3Bs, HRs RBIs BBs Ks BA OBP Slugging
268 38 76 13 0 16 53 31 55 .284 .359 .511
Kotchman’s numbers are
ABs Runs Hits 2Bs 3Bs HRs RBIs BBs Ks BA OBP Slugging
242 19 66 18 0 3 30 23 24 .273 .339 .384
Lee isn’t even all star caliber yet he makes Kotchman look pathetic particularly in HRs and RBIs AND his Batting Average is better.
All I'm Saying Is...
July 8th, 2009
2:47 pm
Intramural team is aggressive: Schafer isn’t going anywhere except home to coach high school ball until he learns to hit and Nate already knows how to do that and play centerfielder
Bravedawg
July 8th, 2009
2:50 pm
All I’m Saying Is –
So, you’re telling me Derrek Lee is better than Casey Kotchman? Congratulations for creating an argument out of thin air. I would’ve never opposed that argument. Derrek Lee is LIGHT YEARS ahead of Casey Kotchman.
I fully realize Kotchman is lacking in the power department. He always has. It’s not like he’s averaged .330/25/110 every year. He’s doing exactly what we thought he’d do when he came here. An above average hitter and superb defensive player. That’s about it. It’s not like he’s underachieving. He’s achieving quite accurately.
I just think with the underachievers on this team, we’ve got a lot to complain about before we get to Casey Kotchman.
All I'm Saying Is...
July 8th, 2009
2:53 pm
Bravedawg is right: Garrett Anderson is not lazy and anyone who says that is crazy. GA is 37 years old and has been in the bigs since 1994. You don’t last at the MLB level without a work ethic. He’s simply giving all he can at this stage of his career and he was never known for his fielding which is why he has always been a left fielder (which is where you play your defensively least capable outfielder). (And its your fault, Bradley, because you call him Glidin’ which implies he is not putting forth effort when clearly his results at the plate show how valuable he is to the Braves)
All I'm Saying Is...
July 8th, 2009
2:55 pm
Bravedawg: And I guess what you’re telling me is you’re satisfied with Kotchman at first? Well, I’m not. Just like I was not satisfied with KJ at 2B and Frenchy at RF and I take some of the credit for them being benched. I say get someone better to play 1B everyday and turn Kotchman into what he is which is a late game defensive replacement and pinch hitter but please don’t try and tell me how good Kotchman is because he hits between .270 and .300 as that is unacceptable for 1B and Derrick Lee is one example of what a 1B is supposed to provide by way of offense. Adam Dunn is another (despite his 150+ strikeouts per year).
Mark Bradley
July 8th, 2009
3:00 pm
Actually, Bobby Cox also used the word “glide” to describe Garret Anderson’s gait. And I don’t mean it pejoratively; I mean it descriptively.
Bravedawg
July 8th, 2009
3:07 pm
All I’m Saying Is -
We’re more in agreement than you may think.
Of course, I would love to have Derrek Lee, or Adam Dunn, or any other prolific HR hitter at 1B. But what else are we going to get? There aren’t many 1B on the trading block, and even if there were, we wouldn’t be able to afford them (at least the Adam Dunn’s of the world). If we’re stuck with Kotchman, we could do a lot worse. We can’t overlook his flawless (literally) defense. Of course, that doesn’t make up for his lack of HRs (I wouldn’t bring RBI into the discussion. You have to have guys on base to knock them in, and we don’t exactly have a Murderer’s Row in front of him).
All I'm Saying Is...
July 8th, 2009
3:19 pm
Bravedawg: So since we agree we can do better then I say trade Kotchman to the Nationals straight-up. As you stated, Kotchman is more economical so the Nationals should have interest and if need be we could throw in KJ or Frenchy.
Bradley: You can write whatever you want but your use of Glidin’ (incorrect spelling and posting it next to a picture of Garrett missing a foul ball in the field) clearly comes across with negative intent as opposed to Bobby’s use of the word glide to describe his running which is a more obvious compliment. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t make much of this but readers of this blog picked up on your use of Glidin’ (which you started after GA didn’t back up an infield chopper which made its way to the outfield) and as a result of your harping on him not backing up on the play (which was not why we lost the game) readers of this blog are now trying to suggest that this 15 year major leaguer is lazy which he clearly is not—he’s simply 37 years old and limited defensively (has been his whole career) and particularly at the start of this season when he was hampered by a calf injury furthering impairing his defense.
Sonny Clusters
July 8th, 2009
3:20 pm
When we was playing ball together back in school nobody would dared to call Jeff least valuable when we was playing ball. I seen him get on base a few times getting hit with the ball. That takes some guts.
Pennywise
July 8th, 2009
3:21 pm
I think this years team motto should be ‘Fear of Success’, or ‘Dare to Fail’. They have been consistently mediocre to the very end.
Jack G.
July 8th, 2009
3:39 pm
Please help me.—-I have been checking all I know how to check and cant find anything that says 1B must hit a ton of HR to be a good solid Player
Hillbilly Deluxe
July 8th, 2009
3:43 pm
I give Garret bonus points for having been here all season
An outfielder spends far more time on defense than he does at the plate. McLouth has half the RBI’s in half the at bats, a better batting average, and .100 better on base percentage. There’s also the little matter of catching the ball, running the bases, etc. In my view, I’d much rather have McLouth over the long haul. He’s a gamer and there’s no stat for that.
I’m not a big fan of Bobby Cox, never have been, but I’d take him over 1000 Bobby Valentines.
f leghorn
July 8th, 2009
3:44 pm
My wife refuses to watch Mike Gonzales pitch unless there are men on base. . .she can’t stand all that rocking back and forth. . .says it reminds her of having sex with me. . .whole lotta work, small payoff. I don’t think that’s a compliment.
NC Braves Fan
July 8th, 2009
3:46 pm
GT definitely had one of the better blog stories … claiming to have given up the longest HR BMac hit in high school … whereupon Bank Walker correctly guessed where GT pitched (because BW actually saw the HR!).
On s completely different note, I think Hillbilly Deluxe may be the best blog name going, although Mrs. Chanandler Bong is certainly moving up the charts quickly.
Herschel Talker
July 8th, 2009
4:09 pm
When does Booby get fired?
Leslie Chow
July 8th, 2009
4:11 pm
Bravedaug like Kotsman!! HAHA, you a loser!
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 8th, 2009
4:16 pm
Sonny Clusters, I’m so glad you’re back. Oh, how I’ve missed you.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 8th, 2009
4:17 pm
NC Braves Fan, thanks for the shout-out. A small ode to the best situation-comedy ever.
Mitch C
July 8th, 2009
4:42 pm
Mark, I agree with most of what you said, except for one thing. I really don’t think the Braves are going to win the East. I dont know if the Mets will ever get untracked with all their injuries, but the Phillies ate playing better, and the Braves just seem to be stuck in neutral. I keep waiting for Philly to turn it on, and I think they will.
The Braves might finish second in the East, if the Mets continue to flounder, and the Marlins fade. Even if the Braves go on a bot streak, which is very questionable, considering how they’ve played, they will be lucky to finish at 500, which is sad, because, the way everyone in this divsion has played, 85 wins, or even less, might be it for the NL East “champions”, whoever it is.
Mitch
Braves73
July 8th, 2009
4:46 pm
Mark, right on all fronts. Prado should have been playing months ago and Frenchy has to go. You can no longer live with the awful production in the outfield.
All I'm Saying Is...
July 8th, 2009
4:51 pm
Jack G.: Look at the teams in first place and examine the statistics of their first baseman — Ryan Howard (Phillies), Kevin Youkilis (Red Sox), Miguel Cabrera (Tigers), Texiera (Yankees), Kendry Morales (LA Angels), Albert (Cardinals), and James Loney (Dodgers) — and you will learn why Kotchman is inadequate despite his ‘high’ batting average.
sidslid
July 8th, 2009
4:53 pm
This is starting to smell like one of those “Marlins win at all from the wild card” years. Phils get Halladay, but all he does is get them the division and a first round with the Dodgers. Marlins get a cake walk against Milwaukee or St. Louis in first round. Before you start talking about Pujols, remember the Marlins took out Barry Bonds in ‘03 in the first round and then came “The foul ball heard ’round the world” against the Cubbies.
R Rob
July 8th, 2009
5:28 pm
MB, In your article this morning you said that BC’s patience had run out on Kelly and Frenchy.
Well, a lot of us have run out of patience with the nose picker(BC)!
brewdawg
July 8th, 2009
5:28 pm
I’d like to join the discussion, but by the time I post this, a new blog will be up, and another forgotten blog will be making its way down the queue.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 8th, 2009
5:35 pm
I’d pay $500 for one of those nose flingers. I’ll be a Bobby fan until the day I die.
Hillbilly Deluxe
July 8th, 2009
5:47 pm
This is starting to smell like one of those “Marlins win at all from the wild card” years.
They do have a history of strong second halves, this is a weak division, they are about due again, and the planets all seem to be lining up. I’d be keeping an eye on the Fish if I had a dog in this hunt.
Mark Bradley
July 8th, 2009
5:55 pm
I’m not sold on the Marlins. I don’t see these guys as being nearly as good as the 1997 team (Sheffield, Charles Johnson, Renteria, Counsell, Bonilla, Kevin Brown, Alex Fernandez, Al Leiter, Darren Daulton, Moises Alou, Robb Nen) or the 2003 club (Beckett, Penny, Urbina, Pavano, Pudge, Castillo, Lowell, D-Lee, Miguel Cabrera, Pierre.)
Mark Bradley
July 8th, 2009
5:58 pm
By the way, the Braves just won again. Francoeur went 0-for-4. Kotchman hit a home run. Cubs made two big errors. Kawakami goes to 5-6. Braves pull within 3 1/2 of the Phillies. Maybe we’re all being a little hard on these guys. (I’m including myself here.)
Bat Masterson
July 8th, 2009
6:13 pm
No MB, you are not being to hard on them, nor are most of the bloggers.
eastbound and down
July 8th, 2009
6:32 pm
mark,
when do you think the braves bullpen is going to implode from overuse? take a look at the stats for games pitched
1 Peter Moylan
ATL
45
2 Pedro Feliciano
NYM
44
Carlos Marmol
CHC
44
4 Ronald Belisario
LAD
43
Mike Gonzalez
ATL
43
Ryan Madson
PHI
43
Eric O’Flaherty
ATL
43
8 Jon Rauch
ARI
42
Mark Bradley
July 8th, 2009
6:40 pm
Bobby Cox does love to use his relievers. Always has.
Look at it like this, though: Jeff Bennett should be rested for the stretch run.
Skeezix
July 8th, 2009
6:52 pm
You’re right Mark, if Wren doesn’t go off half cock and trade away the farm, we may have a solid team next year. Wren/Cox needs to focus on the offense. We may even have a good second half, if ATL could add a power bat to this line up. Frenchy has been the biggest disappointment—one has to wonder what the hell happened to him. Even when he swings at good pitches, he seldom hits it solid. That wasn’t true two years ago.
NCBravesFan
July 8th, 2009
6:54 pm
You know, I’m about convinced that if Wren can swing the right trades, we could be right in the middle of this sucker till the end. I’ll be curious to see how the Braves play in Denver to close out the first half.
Skeezix
July 8th, 2009
7:08 pm
Braves took the series despite continued anemic hitting thanks to great pitching by Vazquez, KK, and the pen. Now if Lowe could get back on track….
Coach (Moon Pie, Anyone?)
July 8th, 2009
7:45 pm
Cox burns his bullpens, which is why they will melt in August and September.
Francoeur played today, went 0 for everything.
I’ll chronicle his first at bat:
Swing, foul ball.
Swing, foul ball.
Swing, foul ball.
Swing and miss, go sit down and Cox will continue to run his useless butt out to RF. the only way to remedy this situation is to release Frenchy.
The only way we win this division is if everybody finishes with a losing record and that ain’t likely to happen.
Best case scenario, Vazquez and Gonzo get traded for some top flight young players to man our outfield.
Mark Bradley
July 8th, 2009
7:52 pm
It’s not Francoeur’s swinging and missing that troubles me. He has always been a flailer. It’s what Skeezix says: Even when he hits something now, it’s at best a single. Where’d the power go?
Mike
July 8th, 2009
7:56 pm
Being a little hard on these guys? Geez, with 2 wins in a row and road series win I guess we should all start jockeying for playoff tickets.
Let’s forget these two games and remember the season as a whole. Or not….
NCBravesFan
July 8th, 2009
8:14 pm
Coach, you also said back in May the Braves were going to get hit by “a freight train” in June because of their schedule – and yet they gained a game and a half in the standings from June 1 – July 1.
Thanks for the pontifications, but I prefer to sit back and watch what happens.
Jack G.
July 8th, 2009
8:27 pm
All I’m Saying is
A homerun hitting 1B is a plus not a necessity. The same goes for all positions.
How a player hits determines where he hits in the batting order, not his position. You can have a homer hitting pitcher (Babe Ruth) outfielder, infielder dont mastter where he plays—-just because a lot of 1b men are power hitters dosent mean much Power comes at all spots—-or it dosent.
Be-little, BeBOLD
July 8th, 2009
8:37 pm
Creat a photo album of “Frenchie’s Flailings” . . . enshrine it in the Hall of Fame!
Be-little, BeBOLD
July 8th, 2009
8:42 pm
Francoeur is following in Bobby’s footsteps, probably be a “great” manager someday since he never amounted to much as a player. Cox #6, Francoeur #7 watch for it!
Jack G.
July 8th, 2009
8:42 pm
Be Little….
Excuse me but dont you mean Hall of Shame
Burdell
July 8th, 2009
8:47 pm
And now [Jordan Schafer is] blocked by Nate McLouth.
I disagree. McLouth has a negative UZR that seems to get worse from year to year as his range diminishes. Right now, he’s the best corner OFer on the team at playing CF.
If Schafer proves he’s ready for a promotion in 2010 and the outfield remains unchanged (sans Anderson), expect McLouth to move to LF and Schafer to move back to CF (granted his UZR is also negative).
Ron Martin
July 8th, 2009
9:05 pm
Can’t trade Vazquez!
Look at it this way, if you had to win one game, which Braves starters would you want on the hill? It’s Vazquez, no doubt.
Unlike last year, this team has the pitching to make a run, if they get another big bat. (OK, not ANOTHER big bat — it would be the first)
So trade some more prospects and let’s get this thing done!
neither, you say neither
July 8th, 2009
9:09 pm
Saying you’d take Cox over Valentine is like saying you’ll take the flu over cancer. I don’t want either one! I’ve always been a Cox guy, but the last few years he seems to be overmanaging, if you will. His loyalty to his guys comes seems nothing short of stubbornness. Watching Andruw go almost an entire season at cleanup as he hit .230 or so was maddening, and the continued starting of Kelly at 2nd when Prado and Infante (before injury) were on the bench along with Frenchy’s playing over either Prado, Infante, or Diaz is absolutely more than I can take. Also, what kind of message does it send, MB, when a player is benched for lack of production, and then after complaining about it in the paper gets reinstated? Diaz is hitting 80 points higher than JF and playing comparable defense, yet he sits the last two Cubs games after JF complains publicly. I realize BC has forgotten more baseball than the rest of us know, but sometimes he makes me want to pull my hair out…if I had any.
Wrigley Wrules
July 8th, 2009
9:16 pm
MB,
Just got in from Chicago where I watched the Braves/Cubs game 2 and 3 and am wondering why KJ would ever see a Braves uni again. I know he’s a local guy, and I wish him well, but Prado is a legitimate starter at 2nd or 3rd and Conrad is absolutely ready to play at this level. Very nice glove, and so far he’s hitting. Time will tell how the pitchers adjust to him, but he looked good up close.
Frenchy? Why in the name of Bowie Kuhn would Bobby not start Diaz the last two games?
French cannot hit, looks lost at the plate, and has turned out to be a little bit of a whiner if he isn’t playing. Can he not see that he is not producing and Diaz gives us more offense right now, and very close to the same defense?
Sonny Clusters
July 8th, 2009
9:35 pm
0-4 aint all that bad because when we was playing ball Jeff went 0-4 a bunch and still made it to the Braves and that might be whats wrong now.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 8th, 2009
9:40 pm
The only thing shorter than Frenchy’s pitch counter is the Braves ability to win consistent series.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 8th, 2009
9:40 pm
*pitch count
Man, I blew that one.
Vince
July 8th, 2009
9:43 pm
I’m ready to give my Braves Blueprint for the Future because it involves the present. It’s not short though! The Braves are grooming Heyward(RF) and Freeman(1B) for the future. Both are left handed batters. Add Mclouth, McCann, Chipper for 2 more years and possibly Jordan Schafer and the Braves are left handed stacked. They need some decent right hand hitters.
Pencil in Escobar and Prado(2B). They need to groom or trade for a right handed power hitter who can hit .275 or better to fill left field. They also need the same for 3rd when Chipper decides to become the hitting coach.. The Braves will then field left handed power at catcher, first, and R.F., and right handed average and power at S.S., 2nd, and in left. With speed and or power in C.F. the Braves will field a very good team. How about pitching? In 2-3 years Hanson will be #1 and Jurrjens#2. Medlin or another up & comer will be #3. Lowe may be #4. But what the Braves need is a really good left hand pitcher. You can’t win the pennant or Series with 5 right handed pitchers.
So how do we get there? We start trading the correct pieces to get the right pieces! We could trade Vasquez for 2-3 top prospects(always getting at least one pitcher in any trade.)
We could trade Kawakami for prospects. Kelly Johnson, Francouer, possibly McClouth if they think Schafer will be ready. But here’s the blockbuster! Brian McCann is great but will never be able to play anything but catcher or DH in the American League. His bulky body will not allow him to catch for more than 4 or 5 more years. Before his contract is up the Braves should trade him for 2-4 decent prospects and a everyday player. To do so will require them to be grooming a replacement catcher in the minors, or trade for a prospect. And one final idea. I wish the Braves would add Ed Yost to their coaching staff and groom him to take over for Bobby Cox. He came from their system and would be perfect as the Braves manager. Sorry for being long winded, but I’ve been thinking an awful lot about the Braves future.
Mark Bradley
July 8th, 2009
9:53 pm
Kelly Johnson is one of the few members of the Class of 2005 who wasn’t a local guy. He’s from Texas. And I don’t see much future for him as a Brave.
Dale Morphy
July 8th, 2009
10:23 pm
Lots of players power numbers have decreased dramatically over the past 2 to 3 years, not just Frenchy’s. Hmmmmmm.
sidslid
July 8th, 2009
10:28 pm
How many more years would Bowie have lived if he had worn an overcoat to the World Series night games?
BugKiller
July 8th, 2009
10:41 pm
Mark…
… I hate saying this, I hate even thinking this…
… but you ask, “Where did his power go?”
There’s been rumors for years that at certain schools in Gwinnett County, that there are players on the football team who find their way (through boosters, through friends, whatever) to PEDs.
Now, as far as I know, those rumors don’t stretch over to the baseball team, but I seem to remember that Frenchy was offered a scholarship to Clemson, and did play high school football at one of those schools that those rumors have been floating around.
You asked the question. And in this day and age, what I’m alluding to should be looked at as a possible scenerio.
I mean, his loss of power over the last 2 years coincides with baseball getting “tough” on PEDs during the 2007 season.
I may not like Jeff Franceour. I personally think he’s a spoiled, entitled punk who’s used to being handed things without really having to work for them, which is why his attitude is so poor.
But I hate even mentioning this.
But… just like with the guy in Philly suddenly having a career year, we can make the same guesses about a guy who had 30 homer power suddenly losing it.
I seem to remember a Mr. Brady Anderson from Baltimore who was a 20 homerun hitter, suddenly put on a ton of muscle and hit 50, then his career fell apart due to injury.
Frenchy has had some nagging little injuries the last two seasons. Nothing big. But nagging.
Again… I’m just saying… it’s out there, you know?
BugKiller
July 8th, 2009
10:48 pm
And please, people… I’m not accusing Franceour of doing anything untoward.
I’m just positing a hypothesis. Just ONE of the many reasons his power COULD have disappeared like that.
I mean, anyone from Gwinnett County has heard the rumors about the two big football programs from Lilburn and Snellville.
But please… I don’t want to cause an uproar or anything. The man asked a question. I gave a POSSIBLE answer.
BugKiller
July 8th, 2009
10:51 pm
Oh, and Mark… I laughed so hard at your Willie Martinez joke on the other blog that I shot my mouthful of coke out my nose… I haven’t done that since I was a kid.
That was Jeff Schultz funny.
the ghost of Reno Bertoia
July 8th, 2009
11:01 pm
Thanks to all the contributors to this blog. You made my night. I had a lot of laughs. Let’s do it again soon.
curtis jones
July 8th, 2009
11:03 pm
Well, the Braves have won two in a row (!), so most of the Cox-bashers are smiling peacefully tonight. Never mind that he won those two games the way he did back in the glory days; with excellent starting pitchers and reliable closers. Period. Reality check: the Braves scored six (6) runs in those two wins. Just six. Some of those were courtesy of the Cubs’ laughable defense.
With last year’s starting pitchers on the hill (or this year’s Lowe) both games would have been lost. So let’s not get too excited over the brilliance of the HOF manager. The Braves won DESPITE his questionable lineup choices and bonehead decisions.
And speaking of Mr. Lowe: better hope that sinker’s working in Denver, or there will be lots of souvenirs in the outfield.
carl
July 8th, 2009
11:08 pm
Mr. Bradley, thanks for finally throwing at least a bit of criticism Cox’s way. He probably cost this team 3-6 wins thus far with his dunderheaded “loyalty” to Johnson and Francoeur. Sitting a hot Diaz the last two days because he finally had an O-fer to put back in a guy who has 5 O-fers a week is just plain criminal. Cox was never a brilliant strategist. Now the game has just plain passed him by.
im4ball
July 8th, 2009
11:09 pm
The Braves have found a player in Conrad. He plays hard and puts the ball in play instead of striking out. While he is an infielder, it would be nice to see him or Prado replace Francouer full time and the other play second.
Not a fan of Garrett. I know he has paid his dues in the majors but he “dogs it” in the field and running the bases. At the same time, he is better than Francouer
My Mid-Season Grades
Starting Pitching – A- (B+) keeping the Braves in each game, a lot more innings than past few years.
Middle relief – C+ . actually not terrible except for a few games. Good news is that they are better with Bennett gone.
Closer – A. combination of Soriano and Gonzalez has been very good
Fielding – D+ too many errors
Offense – D some brights lately: Like first 5 of McClouth, Prado, Chipper, McCann, Escobar (though I am not a fan of Yunel). Past that….. Kotchman is not too bad in the 7 or 8 hole. That leaves two vital parts of the order, especially the 6 spot which is akin to the 3rd spot and is expected to hit for average and power.
Coaching: B: it is sometimes difficult to work with a hand you are dealt and while I beleive that Cox has say so in player selection, he also has to work with who he has. I still think Cox is suspect in his “in game” management but it appears that he is at least making changes…albeit it late and slow. As mentioned, woudl love to see Conrad stick and may try to fill one of the vital spots higher in the batting order. would also like to see Cox be more aggressive in the approache to the game…
im4ball
July 8th, 2009
11:23 pm
I seriously doubt that Francouer does or has done PED’s. The problem with Francouer comes basicaly from his beggining. From everything I have heard (and I know people who played with him before high school plus have a son who played at the same time in HS) Jeff has always been a notorius first pitch swinger. In little league/ travel ball and then in high school, Francouer was a much better athlete than most everyone around him and as a consequence, he got by with swinging early and often. In the pro ball, everyone is a great player and so the playing field is leveled off. In addition, the pitchers and ptiching coaches find your “holes” and know just how to exploit them.
Francouer has never had to adjust to anything and now now he needs to. What you are seeing is his lack of confidence,him trying to make adjustments at the plate, his serious lack of an eye and his lack of discipline.
The lack of power can be attributed to many things including being off balance and/or stopping or slowing you bat in mid-swing trying to adjust to a pitch you never should have swung at. This in turn is caused by a poor eye and being far too aggressive.
The question is; can Francouer fix his problem or has a life time of free swinging doomed him?
Mark Bradley
July 9th, 2009
12:13 am
I do not for one minute believe Francoeur has taken a performance-enhancing drug. Not one, not ever. When I said, “Where’d the power go?”, my intention wasn’t to cast any sort of aspersion. Let me be clear about that.
Ken Stallings
July 9th, 2009
12:28 am
Overall a good column, but Nate McClouth is easily the Braves’ best outfielder — not even a close contest.
Cox has made all the hard choices, and the results are more than a few benched former starters. It is painful medicine finally administered. Perhaps with this, the Braves might win this thing (as you said by default). Any other division in baseball and the Braves would be playing for pride.
BugKiller
July 9th, 2009
12:35 am
And I don’t believe he has either.
But in this day and age, what we believe and what is true are not always the same thing.
I would have NEVER have thought Manny did PEDs.
He doesn’t have the “look” of someone doing PEDs.
There are the slam dunk, no duh guys: Bonds, Clemons, Anderson, Palmiero, Sosa, MacGwire.
Guys who suddenly got great who were average, guys who were very good and their career fell apart due to injury, and guys who got better the older they got.
And then there are the “huh?” guys, like “they did PEDs… why?” guys. A-Rod. Manny. And throw in some guys who’re suddenly bad this year like David Ortiz as a maybe on that pile.
The thing is… we’ll never know.
Guys who were good and suddenly aren’t anymore… stuff like that is going to invite unfortunate questions.
And the thing is, because no one besides Canseco has come forward to name names, EVERYONE is going to be painted with a broad brush when it comes to PEDs.
The mythic locker room silence is going to doom a whole generation of players.
BugKiller
July 9th, 2009
12:57 am
The good news is… because of PEDs… Jim Rice got into the Hall of Fame.
I emailed Tom Verducci and asked him if Dale Murphy and Fred McGriff now have legitimate shots, because their numbers suddenly look very good again, like the numbers of many players who came before them who’re in the HOF.
He said he was always a Murphy backer, but that he believes that yes, guys like Murphy are now going to get a more fair shot from the writers because all of these 400 to 500 home run hitters the last 15 years are all suspect in some form or another.
I mean, we wouldn’t think Ken Griffey Junior would have ever taken PEDs, because he’s so talented, but then again, we would have said the same thing about A-Rod, too.
And Griffey has seen his career derailed by a ton of injuries involving ligaments and muscle tears… signs of PED usage.
So while this whole era is bad… it could be okay for the guys like Dale Murphy or Fred McGriff, who did things the right way.
Michael
July 9th, 2009
4:55 am
The Braves really aren’t as bad as you may think. I think Bobby Cox needs a little kick in the pants for not doing a few things right recently. I’m the biggest Francoeur fan, but something has got to change for him. My amateur opinion thinks he’s mentally screwed at the plate and just dropping his elbow on every swing, trying to grab 20 points on his average in one swing. But anywho, he needs to be put in a three-man platoon with Diaz and Anderson. Frenchy is still too young to give up on, especially if you can re-sign him for a couple of years at what he’s been worth the past couple of years.
But the huge mistake now is leaving McLouth at leadoff. He has 14 homers overall, tops on the club. WHY is he not hitting cleanup? Move Prado to the top, insert Escobar in the 2 hole. Keep Chipper at 3, then go with B-Mac and McLouth in the 4-5 spots (either way). Anderson No. 6, Kotchman 7, Diaz/Frenchy 8.
You’re probably not going to get anybody better that isn’t rent-a-rich just like Tex. Anderson is 100 years old, so you never know when he might go down (I think Chipper is the same age). Diaz seems to be competent in left, and I still think Frenchy can turn things around in his career given the right guidance. There’s nobody in Gwinnett to bring up, and there’s nobody you’re gonna get who is any less of a risk. Don’t forget that this guy was hitting near .300 and driving in 100 a couple of years ago. I don’t know, but maybe TP is doing something wrong.
All that said, this exact team can win the NL East. Make the World Series? Depends on the pitching, which is awesome — even without Tim Hudson. Just don’t blow this thing up because it’s maybe a player or two (or just a better current player or two) from being very good.
Coach (2010 or Bust)
July 9th, 2009
5:34 am
About that Freight Train……..CHOOO CHOOO!
Our Braves went 11-15, June met the Braves full steam and they went SPPPLLLAAAAT!
Right in the middle of the train tracks. AS in road kill.
NCBravesFan
July 9th, 2009
7:13 am
11-15 and gaining ground in the division qualifies as a “SPLAT?” Whatever.
When I think splat, I think of June 2006, or just about any June the Braves played in the 70s and 80s.
Terminator
July 9th, 2009
8:24 am
I am the Terminator. I own the Braves Message Board. Also post as aNdy jones and many other pseuso posts. My passion would be to sniff Francouer’s turkey underwear.
The facts of blog: Three times a day, five days a week | Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
5:02 pm
[...] springs to mind. I’ve written a poem, sort of. I’ll try to make lists. There will always be a fairly extensive Bradley’s Buzz — a collection of links [...]
Jefrey Breshears
July 10th, 2009
9:58 pm
Garrett Anderson has been a real disappointment. Sure, he could probably hit .280 without ever taking BP, but he can’t run, his arm is weak, and his fielding is deplorable. Has he always been this lethargic? Perhaps the Braves could order him a case of that 5-hour energy drink I’m always seeing advertised on TV.
kevin
July 11th, 2009
4:58 am
As this is updated franecor is gone to bat better with Ny Mets be re-signed as a met maybe unless yankees get him…for sell programslol!so we won with rockies big deal.they win sat n sunday n braves be cryin again cox be wantin to beat up someone….TP will stand at dugout pickin his balls n stuff see who else he can ruin!