As constituted, these Braves aren’t going to win anything
Not to say this team has gone to the dogs, but ... you get the idea. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
It isn’t just that the Braves aren’t hitting. It’s that they don’t look as if they’re ever going to hit.
Troy Glaus isn’t what he was. Nate McLouth isn’t what he was. Melky Cabrera was never anything special. Yunel Escobar seems to have regressed. Chipper Jones is 38. You tell me: Is that batting order ever apt to strike fear into the hearts of enemy hurlers?
Shed a tear here for Frank Wren. Presumably on orders from above, he keeps trying to put a team together on the cheap. But there aren’t many GMs who can bring that off — remember, John Schuerholz’s run of excellence was forged when the Braves and Yankees were trying to outspend each other — and Wren has evinced no signs of being a Billy Beane-counter.
What Wren did this offseason hasn’t worked. (Other than bringing up Jason Heyward, which was a no-brainer.) Javier Vazquez hasn’t pitched well for the Yankees, but wouldn’t you rather see Vazquez in the Braves’ rotation, as opposed to Kenshin Kawakami? Cabrera isn’t a starting outfielder. Glaus isn’t a starting infielder. Billy Wagner has been pretty good, but what’s the point of having Billy Wagner if there’s never a case to close?
The Braves are last, by a considerable distance, in the National League in hitting. They’re 10th in pitching. The 1965 Dodgers could win games 1-0, but there’s no Koufax or Drysdale here — or a Glavine or a Maddux or a Smoltz — here. These Braves have to hit, if just a bit, to win. And they can’t.
It has, granted, been only 22 games, but they’ve been 22 sobering games. Ten days ago the Braves staged as outrageous a comeback as any team ever has — the three-homer astonishment against Philadelphia’s Ryan Madson and Jose Contreras — to tie for first place in the NL East. They haven’t won since. They’ve scored 17 runs in nine games.
They’re last in the NL East. (They’re three full games out of fourth place.) They’re tied with the Dodgers for last in the National League. In all of the majors, only Baltimore has been worse. Even with Heyward working his wonders, his team has collapsed around him.
This is baseball. A good team can overcome a bad start. The 2009 Colorado Rockies were 9-13 after 22 games (and 20-32 after 52) and made the playoffs. But they had to fire their manager to do it, and that’s not an option here. Besides, you could look at the Rox and say, “That team’s losing, but it still has some players.” You can’t say that about these Braves.
This, sad to say, isn’t a very good team. It has some pitchers but too few hitters. As constituted, these Braves aren’t going to win anything.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
461 comments Add your comment
Hutson Mason
April 30th, 2010
1:51 pm
Enter your comments here
Gary
April 30th, 2010
1:52 pm
LCharles- check out Gorkys’s numbers this year and get back to me.
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 30th, 2010
1:52 pm
In my last posting, I meant to say “It’s apparent why the rest of baseball loves Bobby Cox” in the last paragraph.
Peter
April 30th, 2010
1:54 pm
I read all this stuff about “Sprig Training” and how well they were doing…….
That is tryout time folks……. Anyone except Nate can hit against A, AA, and AAA pitchers….
It is like when a team goes undefeated in preseason football, and all think they are going to the Super Bowl !
Folks this IS the REAL Braves…..like it not……this is REAL !
J.o.h.n.n.y C.r.u.n.c.h
April 30th, 2010
1:55 pm
Here is what I’d do to try and fix the Braves:
1. Insert Nate McLouth back into the lead-off spot. Because of his contract, the Braves have no choice but to hope that he can revert back to his old self. Even if he still sucked a month from now, things wouldnt be worse then they are now from the lead off position. However the upside is that he rebounds and starts to hit again. If that were to happen, then he’d be able to use his speed to steal a base help jump start our offense. If he cant turn it around, then call up Jordan Schafer in June (assuming his wrist has fully healed) and bench McLouth.
2. Insert Jason Heyward into the #2 hole. We need speed at the top of the order. Why not take advantage of Heyward’s patience at the plate by having him hit #2 (instead of bashing him for taking too many pitches), which would give McLouth a chance to steal a base if he can manage to get on base. Heyward would get better pitches to hit hitting in front of………………..
3. Insert Martin Prado as our #3 hitter. Prado has been raking at the plate. However, he only has 4 RBIs because no one is getting on in front of him. At least with Heyward in front of him, he’d have someone who has a decent chance of getting on base. Also, Prado is patient enough to give Heyward a chance to steal a base.
4. Keep McCann in the #4 slot. He’s our best power option, period.
5. Insert Escobar into the #5 hole. Sure Yunel is struggling. However, I’m willing to give Escobar the benefit of the doubt and attribute his struggles to being in an early season slump. When he rights himself, he will be able to insert some much needed power into the #5 hole.
6. Drop Chipper down to the #6 hole. While I feel that Chipper’s best (or even decent days) are way behind him……..it isnt realistic to push for the Braves to bench him (because of his contract and iconic status). So I propose having him bat #6 in the order and SHOW that he can still hit. Make him EARN his way back into the #3 hole.
7. Insert Omar Infante into the #7 hole and have him play 2nd base…..moving Prado over to 1st………..meaning that Glaus’ days with the Braves ARE OVER. Freddie Freeman needs more time in Triple A. So barring a trade, why not just shuffle the lineup? Glaus’ bat speed is simply not there anymore. Infante makes good contact and can handle the bat.
8. Keep Diaz and Cabrera platooning in left and batting in the #8 hole. This would limit the damage they’re causing. Hopefully one of them would find it in themselves to catch fire at the plate.
9. Dump Bobby Cox and hire Bobby Valentine. Cox’s coddling approach isnt working. We need a manager who will light a fire under their A$$E$.
Chase Utley was the #2 hitter for the Phillies during his first few years in the Majors. However he was moved to the #3 spot when his patience at the plate translated into a high batting average AND power. Why not use that approach with Heyward? Take advantage of Heyward’s patience at the plate and allow him to grow into a more aggressive hitter.
Delbert D.
April 30th, 2010
1:56 pm
Do the Braves have the dreaded “cancer in the clubhouse?”
Al Hrbosky is a no talent bum
April 30th, 2010
1:58 pm
There are a couple of things the Braves can do to improve. Move McCann to first base he is brutal behind the plate. Put Hinske in left field he is a better hitter than either left fielder right now. I would love to see Chipper gone his best days are behind him.Get some one who cares about playing ,Anyone!!
Ken Caminiti
April 30th, 2010
2:01 pm
You should sign me, as I can still out play half the guys in the starting line up.
extremus
April 30th, 2010
2:05 pm
LIST OF THINGS TO DO AT TURNER FIELD IN 2010:
1) Watch real MLB teams come into town and marvel at how good professional baseball players look doing their job. Also wish we still had the money to pay such players to come to Atlanta.
2) Scoot up to all of the empty higher-dollar seats in front of us for a better view.
3) Chant “Cox! Cox! 62-100!!!”
4) Count down the days until Liberty Media sells the Braves and hope it’s to a human, legitimate owner.
5) Watch Jason Heyward age 20 years in right field by season’s end trying to carry the team offensively.
6) Watch for Chipper’s retirement announcement, coming soon…
7) Bring on the ostrich races, baby!!!
georgiadawgg
April 30th, 2010
2:10 pm
TERRY PENDLETON LOOKS LIKE A BIG FAT BLACK GORILLA SITTING IN THE DUGOUT EATING HIS PEANUTS. BOOBY COX LOOKS LIKE A ALBINO GORILLA EATING HIS PEANUTS.LETS GO CHIP, LETS GO KID, LETS GO MAC. THATS ALL HE DOES ALL OF THE GAMES I WATCHED. AND THOSE BRAVES ANNOUNCERS MAKE ME WANT TO PUKE, THE WAY THEY CALL A GAME.
tennisbrave
April 30th, 2010
2:12 pm
I guess Wren thought he could win with these “blue light special” players. When you get these over the hill players, that is exactly what you get. Time for some changes at the top.
Mickey Mantle
April 30th, 2010
2:12 pm
IIIII cannnnn sdill pwa beder den moft dese bums out der rrriigt now……
Dang…..ware da helll isss my jack and coke!!!
Mudcat
April 30th, 2010
2:13 pm
LAROCHE JACKED 2 HOMERS LAST NIGHT…..AND WE HAVE TROY GLAUS. THAT WAS THE DUMBEST MOVE THE BRAVES COULD HAVE MADE AFTER THE MAN BATTED WELL ABOVE 300 THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON. TP SHOULD HAVE HIS JOB HANDED TO HIM ON A SILVER PLATTER AND BE GONE. ALL THE BRAVES PLAYERS WHO SUCKED HERE SO FAR ARE HITTING ABOVE 300 WITH OVER 5 HOMERS TO START THE SEASON. THATS 25 HOMERS MORE THAN THIS CLUBS HOMERLESS STREAK. SOMEBODY PULL THE PLUG ON THE MANAGEMENT….BOBBY THANKS FOR LEAVING ONCE THE YEAR IS OVER.
Bill
April 30th, 2010
2:13 pm
internal problems, agree on everything except Smoltz. You are wrong about him only thinking about him self. You don’t know him are you would know that he is a winner and would do anything to fire up player etc to win. The Braves need more player like that. Chipper is no angle and does not have the fire in his pants to be a leader, he tries but you can see whats real and whats not. Some have it some don’t. I like both players but one puts alittle more pride (JS) in his job.
Smoltz would make a great mgr. He demands only the best from players. Chipper would make a great Coach. MADDOG, well he could do anything he’s that good.
Want a winning team!
April 30th, 2010
2:14 pm
Mark, thanks for not being politically-correct and telling it like it is with the Braves. Jeff Shultz has been beating that drum since last November. The Braves fans have been pleading for change for three years!
Atlanta used to have a real professional baseball team with players who had the stuffing, instead of the stuffing like many on today’s team. Just watch other games and see how the desire to win is really strong. Here, it is the strong desire to finish the game and go play golf. If I were the manager, I would make the teams keep practicing, just like you get a basketball player to keep practicing free throws until they can’t miss. But, practice doesn’t make perfect; Perfect practice makes perfect, as a wise football coach one said. Let’s get the people who will direct whatever talent we have now, and clean house as soon as we can. I am real disappointed that the Braves, like other Atlanta sports teams are losers! We never go home with the the trophy.
So Mark, keep talking sense and at least we will “win” with you if only in our dreams!
Babe Ruth
April 30th, 2010
2:15 pm
I can eat 17 hot dogs and still drink your butt under the table Mickey, you pathetic light weight….
P. Bull Terrier
April 30th, 2010
2:15 pm
Don’t be so quick to rush TP out the door. We might need him in the line-up.
The Braves have all the players they need to save money and be at least as good as they are right now, and they are already under contract.
TP at 3B
Brian Jordan in LF
Ron Gant in CF
Joe Simpson at 1B
That doesn’t solve the problem at SS, but either Yunel comes around or Chipper goes back to his original position.
They can’t be any worse than what we have now.
Ken Stallings
April 30th, 2010
2:20 pm
Mark Bradley,
Look this up and post it if you can please …
How much longer does Liberty Mutual have to own the Braves to reap their sole purpose for owning them — their tax write off advantage?
That’s the key answer to this problem. The day after Liberty reaches this money milestone will be the day the Braves are put up for sale and we can finally have our team from out of this purgatory it is in!
Bill
April 30th, 2010
2:22 pm
angel=sorry typo in a hurry.
Skeezix
April 30th, 2010
2:25 pm
BREAKING NEWS: MLB has decided to invoke the never before used ‘Mercy’ Rule. To give the Braves hitters a better chance of making contact, MLB issued an edict that will allow them to hit the ball off a tee. Tony LaRussa, coach of the St. Louis Cardinals, was quoted as saying “I support MLB invoking the Mercy Rule on behalf of the Braves-I mean my pitchers said it was sad–they felt like they were pitching to a pony league team”.
helmet head
April 30th, 2010
2:29 pm
Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue
The Mcchicken Sandwich
April 30th, 2010
2:31 pm
Dilbert I believe the nWo is the poison in the clubhouse.
Hollywood Hogan–Frank Wren
Kevin Nash—-Bobby Cox
Scott Hall—-Terry Pendleton
Richard Hamilton
April 30th, 2010
2:35 pm
Why would the Braves trade for Gonzalez anyways? This team needs a lot more help than just one player. We need a GM, coaches, players, etc. Too many holes to fill to waste prospects so you can finish 4th in the East.
Mitchell
April 30th, 2010
2:54 pm
The blame falls squarely on Bobby Cox, not Frank Wren.
Bobby Cox is the worst manager in baseball. No debate.
If Frank had fired him last year mid-season, a space chimp could have gotten us to the playoffs.
Terrible coaching, no fundamentals, no heart, no work ethic, no toughness. No wins.
Mitchell
April 30th, 2010
2:56 pm
georgiadawgg, keepin’ it real. And by that I mean racist. But whatever.
Bruce Mac
April 30th, 2010
2:58 pm
MB, why can we not hire Leo and a great hitting instructor and let Uncle Festiss sit on the side line and look stupid. Promise the hitting instructor the head coaching job and give Leo a three year contract. Then figure out who is the closest to coming to the bigs and bring them on up, get them some at bats. Let Glaus and McClouth go to make room for a couple of young guys. Neither one is ever gonna hit. Pitching will improve 100% I guaranty. Hitting has to improve with a fresh look.
Mike67
April 30th, 2010
3:00 pm
Has anyone noticed what Kelly Johnson and Adam LaRoche are doing? They should both be in this lineup! Yes, Martin Prado is a keeper, but we could have Johnson at second and Prado at short!
Too tough 44
April 30th, 2010
3:04 pm
You last yr. when I heard Cox was going to retire, I was so excited…THEN, i heard he was gonna give us one final yr. GEEEZ, HOwever, as a loyal Braves fan, I thought, ok, this is the “fiery” yr for the Braves to win it all…..I am so, disappointed in this team. And, there needs to be coaching changes, a dead fish stinks from head to tail!!!!! What if us fans purchase those tickets that allow the fans to stand behind the batting cage and maybe BEG these players to exhibit some sense of urgency, and hey I believe I could improve their hitting. # 1 Bring up Freeman, cut Lauosy Glausy, “Needs more milk”
cabrerra, Big out Mclouth, Turn the Dial Diaz, just so so hopeless. Go ahead and rebuild, stop making us true Braves Fans SUFFER!!!!!
Nathan Hurst
April 30th, 2010
3:05 pm
Im 34 years old, been watching the braves for 30 years, my excitement this year went from very high to an all-time low. We can preach about who to fire and who to hire but the bottom line is that we are still fans, if not we wouldnt be on here everyday looking at the next possibility. We can turn things around, but it better happen soon. 5 games back is not too bad behind we just need to win the next 3 series and then re-group. Lets just pre-tend we have gotten or June out of the way early…..statistics show that we stink it up every June…..Come on Braves, Im still rooting…..trying to at least!!!!!
cheshire
April 30th, 2010
3:12 pm
I’m really tired of people throwing out the “fair weather fan” label on anyone who is frustrated with this team. This franchise has brought constant heartache to it’s fanbase since 1991 with the exception of one year. That’s ridiculous. The fans deserve better than to have their hopes raised every year, only to end up watching either an opposing team celebrating on our field after knocking us out of the playoffs, or not even making to the playoffs. It’s not fair weather if you are just being honest about what the results are going to be. Unfortunately being negative has been totally appropriate every year except 1995.
Sorry, i’m bitter. I have poured so much money and time into this team and been rewarded so little. Welcome to being a sports fan in Atlanta.
Tom
April 30th, 2010
3:15 pm
They might when the biggest bust in braves history. Or they could set the record for consecutive losses. They only need 15 more losses to tie the 1899 Cleveland Spiders! I say let’s go for it!
Kay Whidy
April 30th, 2010
3:22 pm
Braves suck.
Is it football season yet?
Braves need to hire Nick Saban.
Karma
April 30th, 2010
3:22 pm
9 straight losses since their stupid leave the dug out after a homerun moment.
I won’t be going to a game until they get rid of the pathetic coaching. Should have kicked bobby and his idiot clan out 5 years ago.
14 division titles and one world series. That is booby cox
Then you have the hawks. Pathetic. Thrashers. Pathetic. Falcons. Pathetic.
And people wonder why fans don’t get into these teams.
Beverly Harrison
April 30th, 2010
3:23 pm
I hear Pendleton likes the white women around Highlands area.
Atlanta sucks as a sports town
April 30th, 2010
3:25 pm
Mark
If the Braves are indeed done the quit your job because you have nothing else to write about. Seriously, take Cynthia Tucker and Jay Bookman with you.
MitchC
April 30th, 2010
3:25 pm
Mark, I often agree with you, buddy. (Oh, and welcome back from the Hawks nightmare, by the way). There are two things that you didn’t say in your article.
One, why didn’t you call for Frank Wren to get us a hitter? While the Braves hitting has been pathetic this year, one more decent hitter in the lineup, could make a very, very big difference.
Second, you also didn’t mention that in 1992, the Braves were seven games under 500, seven games out of first, and dead last, in the last week of May, and then roared back to win the then NL West by a cozy eight game margin. . Granted, our rotation this year is as good as the Glavine, Smoltz, Leibrant, Avery one of 1992, but they are still decent.
The starting pitching, and Billy Wagner, I think, are good enough to at least compete for a wild card. If Frank Wren would get off his A$$ before it’s too late, and get us one big hitter, (ie, Adrian Gonzalez, who was mentioned last week, and is cheap, at only 5 mil a year). the starting pitchers who seem to throw good games many nights, might finally have some runs to work with.
If Wren doesnt get us a hitter, soon.. this season is doomed. However, if he can do something via the way of a trade, for a big hitter, it might and can make a very big difference.
Right now, things look very bleak. The rest of the season will depend on if, and when, Wren gets us a hitter. If he gets us one soon, the team will play better, and a wild card is a possibility. If not, we will be battling the Nationals for last place, and be close to the 72 win disaster we had two years ago.
DP
April 30th, 2010
3:28 pm
Larry, if it took you 20 years to stop forking over $11K per year for Braves season tickets you shouldn’t be commenting on anybody else’s IQ.
No Brave
April 30th, 2010
3:30 pm
The braves ownership and management are too cheap and incompetent to ever field a winner here. This will be like the 1970s-80s all over again–one bad team after another.
kurula
April 30th, 2010
3:30 pm
”it’s only been X amount of games”…man, that refrain is getting old. ”it’s only been” can only last so long. yeah, it’s only been 22 games. and there have only been 8 wins. i don’t care what point in the season you are in, that is terrible. and what do you expect as an upside from a dismal line up? you think they are gonna go on ”a tear” a rip off 14 wins in their next 22 games? they aren’t built for that. they can’t hit, the defense isn’t amazing and the pitching has started to try and over compensate…and it’s getting ugly. jason heyward wasn’t supposed to have to carry this line up, remember? he’s a rookie and now, along with prado, they are all there is to the offense on a daily basis. and relying on a rookie to carry you is…stupid. he is a fantastic player and when he gets hot he it is a thing of beauty. but he’s a rookie. he will have cold spells. all that is left when he’s cold is martin prado. the guy can flat out hit, but unless he starts turning his two-hit games into 2-homer games…well..can’t win a lot of games when the box score shows 3 prado singles and nothing else form the braves.
Linda Wasileski
April 30th, 2010
3:31 pm
Has anyone seen Heywards new gf?
I hear she is a Kappa Delta at GA Tech. Beautiful petite brunette.
MitchC
April 30th, 2010
3:38 pm
I wrote a long comment before that didnt seem to go up, so I’ll try again.
Mark, I agree with you that this Braves team as currently put together won’t compete for a wild card or division. The offense is pathetic. However, you failed to state in your article that the team would have a shot for, at least a wild card, if a gentleman named Franklin E Wren would get up off his butt, and get us one more hitter. Earlier this week Jeff Schultz, I believe, stated that Adrian Gonzalez would be a fit for this team, both economically, as he only makes 5 mil a year, and for the lineup. The starting pitching has been very decent, and has had little run support to work with. However, if we had one more big hitter, to go along with Mccann, Heyward, and Chipper, when he hits, that would make all the difference in the world.
Tell me, Mr Bradley, do you think that one more big hitter via trade would make the difference, and if so, do you see Frank Wren trading for one?
jerry
April 30th, 2010
3:38 pm
I keep hearing about how tight money is with the Braves and that is why they are not very good. If they were selling hamburgers that were not very good because they could not afford good hamburger meet, would you keep buying their hamburgers? Well, that’s what they expect you to do.
tell it like it is
April 30th, 2010
3:45 pm
We all new Chipper was done last year.They just surrounded him with less talent.Like i said before these braves won’t win 100 games in 2010.
Mike
April 30th, 2010
3:51 pm
Well, now that the Atlanta Braves are back in town, we are fortunate enough to have two choices for minor league ball this weekend. I think I’ll save some money and opt for the less expensive Gwinnett Braves -:)
Sidney R. Hill, Jr.
April 30th, 2010
3:52 pm
Why in the world trade ANY reasonable minor league prospect for Gonzalez? This team isn’t going to be saved by one good bat. McLouth, Glaus and Melky Cabrera are all flops. I doubt they could be traded for anything, so just cut them and open up roster slots for young players. Bobby is at least 5 years past the point where he was a good manager. Not necessary to fire Pendleton now, as the new manager can/will do that. If Wren, who’s already had a year to do his search, can’t find a good manager, then fire him too.
bob
April 30th, 2010
3:55 pm
Money is not the answer, look at payrolls of many contending teams. bring in the right players invest in the future. look at Tampa bay Marlins Padres etc. This formula worked for us in 1991 -96. WE went with youth added a few vets and it worked. The sad thing is all of the aformentioned teams don’t draw. ATL is a major market, unlike small market teams , put a good product on field and watch what happens.
kurula
April 30th, 2010
3:56 pm
mitchc–if you are frank wren…what do you trade? what do you have right now to trade with? and if you get gonzalez, you had better sign him because you can’t have texiera part 2. all the guys traded to texas in that deal are starting for the rangers. so, you gotta sign him…with what money? chipper is coming off his contract when gonzalez is a free agent, but then you have to compete with the red sox. so your only option is to try and sign him to an extension. but now that ryan howard signed a 25 mil a year deal, you have to use that as your starting point. i say starting point because gonzalez is younger and has more baseball in his future. realistically, i’d say that is not gonna happen. and that’s without even saying that the padres are in first place. probably what will happen is they will release someone and sign…oh, i dunno…jermaine dye. some of you think that is a good idea. i do not. is that really upgrading? he hit something like .220 last year. something will happen. i do believe that. and i think that glaus won’t gonna be a brave in a month.
Shane
April 30th, 2010
4:00 pm
Was he not run out of baltimore after underachieiving?
No he wasnt. He was fired because the prima donna Cal Ripken didnt like him. Ripken always demanded to stay in a seperat hotel from the rest of the team and be given the nicest suite in town. One day Ripken was late for the plane as the rest of the orioles sat there waiting. Wren told the pilot to leave without him. Well that pissed Ripken off big time and Wrens days were numbered after that.
Why?
April 30th, 2010
4:02 pm
Any idea when Liberty Media might sell the Braves?
Why?
April 30th, 2010
4:04 pm
Maybe Mark Cuban could buy the Braves?