You be the manager: Pick the new Braves’ third baseman
This would be the left side of my infield: Prado and Sea Bass. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Audience participation time. (Not that this audience is ever disinclined to participate, for which I thank you.) The Braves would seem to have three options at third base, and Bobby Cox articulated them yesterday: “We’ve got [Brooks] Conrad and [Omar] Infante and we should get [Martin] Prado back at the start of next week.”
OK, you be the manager. Pick one.
Being pushy, I’ll go first. I like the Prado option. I think Infante is better at second base than at third, and I think Prado can play either spot just fine. I’m not crazy about the idea of uprooting an All-Star second baseman, but it has to be said: Infante was an All-Star, too.
I’m less high on Conrad. He’s great at the end of games, less great when he starts them. He’s hitting .238, with more strikeouts than hits. (Both Prado and Infante have twice as many hits as K’s.) Besides, having Conrad in the lineup would diminish the full Conrad Effect: He’s the guy you need to pinch-hit with the game to be won. Indeed, he has more RBI’s as a sub than as a starter.
Oh, and since you asked: The notion of Troy Glaus as a starting third baseman was all but quashed by Frank Wren on Thursday. Said the general manager: “Based on the health of his legs, [I don't think] that makes a lot of sense to put him over there.”
There’s also the chance the Braves could try to swing a trade — Ty Wigginton and Chone Figgins are two post-deadline possibilities — but Wren also noted that the combination of Infante and Prado in the everyday lineup was powerful in itself. Quoth Wren: “I’m not sure we’ll find anything better than that out on the market place.”
Loading ...Reality check: Wigginton is hitting .260 for Baltimore, Figgins .253 for Seattle. Infante is hitting .330.
My batting order would be this: Infante, 2B; Heyward, RF; Prado, 3B; McCann, C; Glaus, 1B; Gonzalez, SS; Diaz/Hinske, LF; Ankiel/Cabrera, CF. Brooks Conrad would be my DH in Games 3, 4 and 5 of the World Series. (Just seeing if you’re still reading.)
But I’ve never been known for my lineup-making dexterity (or for anything else, come to think of it), so I invite your input. Pick the new third sacker. It will make you feel better about the absence of Chipper Jones. It will enable you to get in touch with that feeling that rests within all of us — to manage, if only in this space, a big-league team. And I can assure you Bobby Cox will take the results of this poll to heart.
OK, I lied about the last part.
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418 comments Add your comment
Idiot Wind
August 13th, 2010
9:54 am
Glaus said out front when he arrived here that he is a very streaky hitter. He’s been true to his word. Let’s hope he’s warming up again…
GATA
August 13th, 2010
9:55 am
Trade for Scott Rolen.
Kentavo
August 13th, 2010
9:55 am
Hinske does seem to be a bit burly – I love Prado and Infante and Conrad – but I wish we’d have the wherewithal to pick up a more prototypical 3rd sacker – I don’t know realistically who that would be as Wiggington would probably get claimed by someone in the AL first and not clear waivers; and A. Ramirez has too much cash left on his contract.
Dcat
August 13th, 2010
9:56 am
Mark – like your lineup. Everyone seems to think Heyward should move to third in the lineup. Please expand on your thoughts of leaving him in the second slot…..
Billy Ray Valentine
August 13th, 2010
9:56 am
joe,
they are professional athletes….they’re all whiny little girls.
WWThompson
August 13th, 2010
9:57 am
ON CALLING GONZALEZ SEA BASS -
I vote, as he is now in the deep South, that his nickname be changed to:
THE CATFISH. Thoughts?
RickW
August 13th, 2010
9:57 am
Prado is our starting 3B once he’s back from the DL. I think you still platoon in left and give Glaus plenty of rest down the stretch. And then you hope that they can hold off the Phils.
Btw, could last night’s news be any worse? Not only did we find out that Chipper tore his ACL, but the Phils came back from 7 down to win. Ugh…
My lineup:
vs righties
Infante
Prado
Heyward
McCann
Glaus/Hinske
Gonzalez
Hinske/Cabrera
Ankiel
vs lefties
Infante
Prado
Heyward
Diaz
McCann
Glaus
Gonzalez
Cabrera (I think Ankiel has proved he can’t hit lefties)
CJ
August 13th, 2010
9:58 am
Hankie, I realize Prado has been there before filling in, but I still think that the Infante/Gonzalez tandem up the middle is not as good as the Prado/Gonzalez tandem. Far less errors.
alan
August 13th, 2010
9:58 am
Now that Chipper is out for at least this season which is very upsetting and sad. Prado playing 3rd base sounds good, if less than ideal. How about Hinski playing 1st base and Glaus either pinch hitting or playing first base occasionally. It becomes frustrating watching him strike out or hit into a dp. His current hitting will decline again. He reminds me of a dead tree when he is batting, very little life.
Hankie Aron
August 13th, 2010
9:59 am
True Kentavo. I like the idea of Scott Rolen GATA but i don’t see it happening. I don’t think we make any moves externally
Billy Ray Valentine
August 13th, 2010
9:59 am
with Chipper going on the DL, who do you think they will bring up from AAA to fill the roster spot?
Freddie Freeman would be a nice left handed bat for Bobby to use.
Wes Timmons is a singles and doubles guy with a sweet glove in the field.
Barbaro Canazarez mashes, but he’s right handed and a pure fastball hitter.
Chris from INDY
August 13th, 2010
9:59 am
what a bad day for braves fans…without reading any posts i was immediately thinking put troy glaus back at third where hes more comfortable anyway and will make less errors. call up freddie freeman to play first and get his feet wet, since they will call him up next year or in september anyway. my thoughts
Ramblin Wrecker
August 13th, 2010
9:59 am
I agree, Prado is the better defensive 3B and he also has shown way more power than Omar, which I think you need in a corner IF. I still think the Braves should look for a backup 3B, like Wes Helms-Marlins or Pedro Feliz-Astros to add to the bench, instead of having Brandon Hicks or Diory Hernandez wasting a 25-man roster spot. Either that or you bring up Freddie Freeman as a bench bat and spot 1B starter and let Hinske be solely a LF.
George Stein
August 13th, 2010
10:00 am
Infante should go to 2nd and move Prado to 3rd, assuming that’s where they are strongest defensively. The line up should go: 1) Prado; 2) Infante; 3) Heyward; 4) McCann.
Heyward is the #3 hitter of the future. He’s proven he’s ready. And now it’s his turn to take this team to the playoffs. Let Prado and Infante get on base and let Heyward and McCann get them in.
Hankie Aron
August 13th, 2010
10:00 am
Supes- I agree completely with you about ESPN Portland before Atlanta. If you watch Sportscenter only, you might have a hard time finding out they were even in first place.
leland
August 13th, 2010
10:01 am
This is a great time to try a left-handed fellow at third. See what he could do. It would be an innovative move, and if it were successful, it would spread throughout baseball like tobacco spit drizzling down dugout steps..
Phillistein
August 13th, 2010
10:01 am
Supes
August 13th, 2010
9:47 am
Off topic but playing Houston forced me to realize that Philly traded Jay Happ for Oswalt. That was a mistake for Philly. I love them weakening their team to please the fans. Oswalt is on his way out and Happ is on his way up. Here’s to not having to face that kid as much in the future!
*****************************************************************************************************
Whereas oswalt may not be AS overwhelming as in years past the guy can still bring it. He’s 32, Happ 27. I loved Happ and was sorry to see him go. The fact of the matter is………Phillie is contructed to win this year and the next 2, maybe 3 years. The core, Utley, Howard, Rollins, Werth, Hallyday are all past 30. In the next few years this great run with these players will be over. They’re looking to win NOW.
Richham
August 13th, 2010
10:01 am
Infante at 2nd and Prado at 3rd, that is by far the best lineup at this point. I really don’t know what other possibilities would even come close to filling in the gap.
Your not going to replace Chipper’s power in the lineup, but you can replace his offense and defense.
nola braves fan
August 13th, 2010
10:02 am
SHOCKING COMMENT ALERT – I agree with Sir Bradley on all of the above (gasp). Esp the lineup. Prado has shown much more power and ability to hit for extra bases than Infante. He would be a great 3 hole hitter.
I do not want to see Bobby put J-Hey at #3. He has enough pressure on him already. Just let him ride his rookie year out in the 2 hole. He has built some comfort level there… don’t rock that row boat too.
rekingball
August 13th, 2010
10:02 am
I thought that the intergalatic mothership had picked Shultz up, for re-evaluation and reprograming.
Hankie Aron
August 13th, 2010
10:03 am
Leland- I hope your’e kidding about the left handed 3B thing but that comment about the tobacco juice is funny
BoroBall3
August 13th, 2010
10:03 am
Mark – you totally should have put Joe in his place with his comment/question about Chipper either being liked in the clubhouse or a whiny little girl. I know its not your style to do so, but Chipper has done more for this organization than any other player in recent memory. Which is why it would not surprise me to see him as their hitting coach in a few seasons, which would be given to him b/c players like, respect and admire him for his candor AND baseball knowledge.
Mike Jay
August 13th, 2010
10:03 am
Glauss is coming around so no need to bring up freeman to platoon of al lthings. That would only impede his gorwth. he needs to be playing everyday and getting his at bats. How many world seris teams have depended on two rookies for offense as we would if we did that? we wil lsee him in Sept. and if he performs he might just get a post season spot. I will nto comment on Chipper’s replacement. I am enjoying being in denial about the whole thing.
Curious George
August 13th, 2010
10:04 am
If the Braves acquire him from the Mariners, would Chone Figgins try to beat up Bobby Cox in the dugout when “The Skipper” inevitably takes him out of a late-season, pennant-race game for not hustling and/or not putting the team first?
NCBravesFan
August 13th, 2010
10:05 am
Prado at third & Infante at 2B makes the most sense and from a defensive standpoint, there are multiple players who can make up for the loss of Chipper.
The big question out there is – how do you make up for Chipper’s absence in the three-hole in the lineup?
It’s hard to know which players for sure cleared waivers, but my guess would be Wren will almost have to get a player who can hit via trade if he can. (Unless Wren & Bobby think Heyward or Prado can fill the 3-spot in the lineup without losing too much at the top.)
Phillistein
August 13th, 2010
10:05 am
P.S.
You’re not going to miss Larry too much now. Where you’ll miss him is if you make the playoffs. The guy’s a warrior and a battle scarred vet. If I was splaying the Braves in the playoffs I’d rather NOT see Larry in there.
Billy Ray Valentine
August 13th, 2010
10:06 am
All you hear is about how Chipper should be the next hitting coach for the Atlanta Braves.
Has anybody taken the time to ask him if he even wants to be around the game once he’s retired.
He’s an avid hunter, what makes you think he doesn’t want to head off to the double dime ranch and hunt all year and enjoy his retirement.
kbrab
August 13th, 2010
10:07 am
By the end of the month, Boston will see they are in no position to get to the playoffs. So, at that time, I’d hope that Mike Lowell had passed through waivers and we could swing a deal for him. He’s still a very good defensive 3B and his bat will still give you a long ball from time to time.
ByteMe
August 13th, 2010
10:09 am
Infante has played at 3rd this season, something Prado has not. I’d play him at third. I’d put Infante and Prado back-to-back at the top of the line-up and let J-Hey and B-Mac try to knock them in. I’d move Glaus down to 7th or 8th at this point to take the pressure until he starts finding the gaps with balls that come off his bat.
cattle dawg
August 13th, 2010
10:09 am
I like Prado at 3rd. Mark, I do like your lineup ,but I want Diaz playing 5-6 games a week in left.
rekingball
August 13th, 2010
10:09 am
Losing Chipper is like a drop-kick to the gonads, and then being stomped in the stomach while your laying there on the ground.
Wren is probably right again, there isn’t much out there, better than having Prado and Infante in the lineup at the same time.
There is one thing for sure, The Braves are not going to find another Chipper Jones out there anywhere.
Tale of Woe
August 13th, 2010
10:10 am
I agree with most of the readers here that I would put the top 3 as Prado, Infante, Heyward….That doesn’t seem so bad. Though I think the loss of Chipper is a killer. Who are we going to bring up to replace him?
Bat Masterson
August 13th, 2010
10:11 am
Bradley, remember when you were advocating to extend Glaus, not long ago, I do. My opinion was lets see if he can make through the season with out losing an extremity. Those were good times.
Prado at third when he’s back.
Either or Prado / Infante one and two, Heyward at three.
Too bad you can’t DH for the shortstop, oh well.
Just say no to Figgin-ton ……………… Go Braves
Atburgh
August 13th, 2010
10:11 am
I like Prado in the 3rd spot in the order and at 3rd base, but, I don’t want him to change his approach at bat to that of the prototypical 3rd slot hitter. Generally more power and RBI expectations are placed on that spot in the order and the tendency is to power up. Martin needs to stay true to himself.
sid's bream
August 13th, 2010
10:12 am
I like your lineup Mark (only because the braves won’t bring up Freeman), but what about strength in the bench with our bench doing the starting?
Who do you see getting called up to take Chipper’s spot and hopefully bringing some depth there?
cattle dawg
August 13th, 2010
10:12 am
I think Glaus is starting to come around. He’s getting a few hits and his outs are hard hit balls.
SG10
August 13th, 2010
10:14 am
The biggest challenge with Chipper out is psychological. It is lot difficult knowing your leader is done and you are his permanent replacement than being a temporary sub for him. I hope Braves handle it well. It will be interesting statistic to know but my feeling is that Braves have won higher % games without Chipper in past 2 years than with him in the line-up.
Regarding the line-up, Infante has been so clutch, it is difficult to have those opportunities batting lead-off. May be he should bat second and Heyward at third. Prado should continue batting lead-off and play third base.
Tale of Woe
August 13th, 2010
10:15 am
Glaus hitting the ball out of the infield is a mircle
mr baseball
August 13th, 2010
10:15 am
Since the Braves manager sometimes seems to put as little as thought as possible into determining his batting order, no surprise that many folks on here are following in his footsteps.
When Prado comes back, he does not need to be re-inserted into the leadoff role. Too much pop in his bat, especially relative to Infante, who should hit first.
I know this may be too inside baseball for some on here, but the whole lefty-righty thing needs to be taken into account. Having Heyward, McCann and maybe Hinske hitting 3-4-5 is not a good idea. It’s just inviting the teams with quality LH relievers (Feliciano, Romero, Burnett, etc.) to trot those guys out in key spots late in games.
Optimal batting order:
Infante, Heyward, Prado, McCann, Glaus (assuming he can hit more like he did in May & June than he has of late), Hinske/Diaz, Gonzalez, Ankiel or Cabrera. Cox can play around with the bottom half of the order depending on who’s pitching, but the top 4 should remain consistent once Prado returns. Heyward is probably better suited to hitting 3rd, but it’s better to leave him where he is than have him hitting directly in front of McCann.
Too early to give up on Ankiel, but if he doesn’t start hitting at a reasonable rate, Wren may need to return to the waiver wire for another OF bat. Unless Prado is going to be out longer than expected, Braves don’t need to replace Chipper from outside the team. Infante will do just fine with Conrad in a backup role. Judging from what we’ve seen defensively, Infante stays at 2nd & Prado moves to 3rd.
Maybe someone like Geoff Blum would be a decent addition. Versatile, not too expensive, can hit a little off the bench. Much more likely to contribute than Hernandez.
The Phillies have overcome having 6 of their 8 starting position players on the DL at some point this season, plus problems at the back of the bullpen. No reason the Braves can’t survive Chipper’s injury. Even though he’s hit lately, it’s not like he’s produced at the levels of Howard or Utley this season.
MyTwoCents
August 13th, 2010
10:17 am
Start Prado at 3rd, bat him second and trade Ankiel and the bullpen bum Peter Moylan!!!!
meh
August 13th, 2010
10:18 am
Prado at 3B and Infante at 2B. We need Conrad to come in and hit pinch hit HRs in the 8th or 9th every game.
MR
August 13th, 2010
10:19 am
J Hey should hit 3rd. Not Prado.
Gary
August 13th, 2010
10:19 am
Detroit will give us Jhonny Peralta.
Gary O
August 13th, 2010
10:19 am
Mark,
Why would you move Prado from hitting second and make him the #3 guy? Why not go Infante, Prado, then Heyward?
Another question. Who do we have in the pipeline to take over at 3B?
PMC
August 13th, 2010
10:21 am
Conrad is Magic pinch hitting off the bench and he’s a great defensive player. He’s not so good in the everyday lineup. I think we should keep him in his current capacity where he’s excelling.
mohawk
August 13th, 2010
10:21 am
Bring Bob Horner out of retirement!
I like this lineup.
Infante – 2nd
Prado – 3rd (Or Bob Horner
Heyward – RF (time to step up in a power role)
McCann – C
Glauss – 1st Base
Diaz/Hinske – LF
Cabrera/Ankiel – CF
Gonzalez – SS
Bill D
August 13th, 2010
10:22 am
Im convinced Conrad will hit consistently if he plays every day. I say play him at Third, Infante at second and Prado at First. Let Glauss pinch hit, and rest his legs.
meh
August 13th, 2010
10:23 am
Infant 2B
Heyward RF
Prado 3B
McCann C
Gonzalez SS
Hinske 1B
Melky/Diaz LF
Ankiel CF
Nate McBrutal
August 13th, 2010
10:23 am
I
Dirty Dawg
August 13th, 2010
10:23 am
What’s the deal about when people need to have been on the Big club in order to be eligible for post-season play? I always thought that they had to have been on the ‘roster’ at some point prior to September 1…is that correct? If so, then why not get Freddie up here for whatever period, or any others that may be able to contribute come October. I know about the ’starting the arbitration clock’ but dammit we’re as close as we’ve been to making the playoffs in years and I’d hate to see them blow it by acting niggardly (look it up). And while we’re at it, what’s with the Thurston kid. He was right in the thick of things in Spring Training at third – and they wisely chose Conrad – to make the team? I know he’s not tearing it up, but how’s his defense? Can he play anywhere other than third?