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.
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
418 comments Add your comment
joe
August 13th, 2010
10:58 am
If Glaus continues to struggle, put Prado at first and Conrad at 3rd. If Glaus comes out of his slump, leave him at first and put Prado at 3rd.
Jim
August 13th, 2010
11:00 am
Even though Bobby Cox is a third baseman, I say move Glaus to his natural position at third. Hinske to first and Diaz can play every day. Infante still available to play any seven positions.
BraveMan
August 13th, 2010
11:00 am
I like the Prado option with Infante at 2nd and Conrad coming off the bench. But a deal for Wigginton, if not too costly, make bring some much needed power. He is batting only .260, but with 18 HRs and 61 RBIs compared to Infante’s 3 HRs and 29 RBIs. The Bravos need some more pop in the lineup.
Ralph
August 13th, 2010
11:00 am
1. Infante 2b
2. Prado 3b
3. Heyward rf
4. McCann c
5. Gonzales ss
6. Diaz/Hinke lf
7. Freeman/Glaus lb
8. Ankiel cf – Until we can get something better
5. Diaz/Hinke lf
BuckheadBrave
August 13th, 2010
11:00 am
I have faith in Glaus. he is a veteran and a World Series MVP, lets see if he can step it up and be the man along with Mac.
Tweets that mention You be the manager: Pick the new Braves' third baseman | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
August 13th, 2010
11:00 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, crlnix. crlnix said: RT @MarkBradleyAJC: U B the manager: Pick the #Braves new 3B starter. (I'm a #Prado advocate.) http://bit.ly/a15DWa [...]
boots
August 13th, 2010
11:00 am
I agree with the Prado 3B / Infante 2B combo. (Besides, Infante is on my fantasy team, and I’d love to see him play more.) However, we need power in the lineup, and I would go after (yet) another outfielder for LF. We could bring in an outfielder and let Hinske platoon with Glaus at 1B and use Diaz off the bench.
BuckheadBrave
August 13th, 2010
11:01 am
and where would something better in CF be coming from Ralph?
Dawgdad (the original)
August 13th, 2010
11:03 am
Eric Hinske must be shocked being a career third baseman on a team without a regular third baseman to not even have his name mentioned as a replacement.
Anyway, i would move Gonzo to third, play Omar at short (IMO, he is better defensively than Gonzo), and leave Martin at 2nd. But, if we can get Chone Figgins cheap, you gotta look at it. Great to have him and if he hits plug him in somewhere every day. He can play multiple positions just like Omar. I remember him in the outfield for the Angels.
GTSteve
August 13th, 2010
11:04 am
One thing for sure, we will find out soon who Bobby thinks should be at 3rd
ChippersLoveChild
August 13th, 2010
11:04 am
In the offseason your trade Mike Minor for Casey McGehee.. Brewers need pitching and Casey brings pop to this lineup… It might be overpayment on Atlanta’s end, but they have a surplus of young arms, deal from your strength… if not Minor than another pitching prospect… for now, the band-aid approach, put Infante at second and Prado at third.
MacLee31
August 13th, 2010
11:04 am
I really like the idea of buying low on Chone Figgins if the money worked out. Sending McLouth and KK the M’s way could go a long way towards that. The Braves are not going to find a power threat on waivers, but the addition of Figgins speed could transform the lineup in a different way. If the Braves acquired Figgins, he would be my starting 3B, Infante my starting 2B and Prado my starting 1B.
Lineup of:
Figgins
Heyward
Prado
Mac
Hinske/ Diaz
Gonzalez
Infante
Cabrera/Ankiel
NANA
August 13th, 2010
11:05 am
I don’t have time to read all the comments but we should leave everyone where they are and let Brooks Conrad cover 3rd. It is terribly sad to be talking of Chipper’s replacement but we knew it was coming. I sure didn’t want it to be like this.
Greg Norton
August 13th, 2010
11:05 am
Pick me!
tremaine
August 13th, 2010
11:06 am
I THINK THE BIGGER QUESTION IS WHO BATS THIRD.
Braves73
August 13th, 2010
11:07 am
Common sense would dictate that Prado should be moved to third, Infante to start most if not everyday at Second, and keep Conrad coming of the bench. Of course, that’s common sense/logic.
Here’s Bobby’s logic: Prado to remain at Second, platoon Infante with Conrad at third (which means Conrad would get the bulk of playing time due to the number of right handers the Braves would face). I love Conrad and everything he has done to help this year’s team, but he need come off the bench.
siskel_god
August 13th, 2010
11:07 am
Figgins would be good because of his versatility and speed. If Seattle really is willing to let him go for peanuts than take himWorse case scenario Chipper comes back next year and you have a speedy switch hitting left fielder.
Ted M
August 13th, 2010
11:08 am
Amit Shah – Aramis Ramirez makes over $16 mil a year and he’s not at the end of his contract.
BuckheadBrave
August 13th, 2010
11:09 am
Why on gods green earth would Seattle want KK or Mclouth, forget taking both of them. There is no force trade button in real life.
Shannon Herrmann
August 13th, 2010
11:10 am
I think Prado moves to third but remains in leadoff….he’s done way too well there to move. Infante or Heyward hitting 2nd and 3rd in the the lineup with McCann 4th. This would be ideal. Then they add Glaus to the BENCH and bring up Freddie Freeman!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But I’m just a girl, what do I know?
DawgDad
August 13th, 2010
11:10 am
I would use this LA series as an “earn your job” evaluation period for Conrad. Throw him out there at third until Prado comes back and see if he answers the bell and decides the issue. Not much choice really, but I perceive Cox is hoping for big things from Brooks on an everyday basis.
Conrad and Infante offer different types of skills: Conrad has far more power and far less OBP and is potentially better defensively at third, Infante is far more consistent and has plus-value OBP but lacks power and range defensively. Maybe a continued mix-and-match is the result.
If Infante and Prado settle in as the answers at second and short there really is a question as to who plays where. I think you have to play Prado at second because his has better range. Down the road (next year) maybe Prado moves to third – it’s an option, and I suspect he’s gold-glove caliber there. Over the long haul I think you want a bit more range defensively at second than what Infante’s shown, which is not much (adequate).
DawgDad
August 13th, 2010
11:11 am
I said “short”; I meant “third”.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 13th, 2010
11:11 am
get figgins or move Prado..anybody decent in the minors to call up so they can get some action?
steve whitmire
August 13th, 2010
11:12 am
Prado at third for sure, but I’d bat Jason in the three hole, Cox needs to give him another pep talk about taking the big swing instead of trying to walk, we need a big bat now Jason not walks. I’d bring Freeman up in Sept. and give him some big league exposure but I’d keep Glaus at first, we would not be in first place without him and he’s our best shot at staying in first if he gets his bat going again.
scBravesfan
August 13th, 2010
11:12 am
jim – what part of Glaus’ knees are shot and he doesn’t have the mobility to play third base do you not understand???
Keith
August 13th, 2010
11:12 am
Sooo sorry to see Chipper out! Perhaps he can get the surgery and come back next year! I would not count him out and retired yet. For now, replace him with Infonte, and Prodo can go to second. Pretty good replacements if you ask me. Good luck Braves for the rest of the season, and Chipper see you next year!
Heyna
August 13th, 2010
11:12 am
If Freeman doesn’t come up until September, then I just cannot buy that Wren is pulling out all the stops this year. Arbitration clocks aside, I like this team’s chances now and for the next few years but Glaus is a huge uncertainty. Freeman is an unknown quantity and he might not be ready. But I don’t think putting him on the roster before September will ruin him if he isn’t ready.
On the 3B note, I really like the sound of Prado there (he’s an allstar because of his bat), Infante everyday at 2nd and May Glaus in 1st.
Ted M
August 13th, 2010
11:14 am
Is Wilson Betemit available?
Can Wilson Betemit be had?
Jo-Bu
August 13th, 2010
11:14 am
I think it’s a no brainer that Martin Prado should move to 3rd.
MD
August 13th, 2010
11:14 am
Prado at 3rd, Infante at 2nd, Freeman at 1st, Glaus the well rested Bat on the Bench.
Infante, Prado, Heyward, McCann, Gonzalez, Freeman/Glaus, Diaz/Hinske, Cabrera/Ankiel
awj
August 13th, 2010
11:14 am
…(SARCASM ALERT)…How about Scott Rolen for Nate McClouth, KK, Kyle Farnsworth, and any other players we need to dump.. Seems like a great trade.
Between Prado and Infante, we need 2B and 3B covered. I would think Prado would be the better 3B. Conrad can fill in at both positions..
The only change I would make to the batting order is flip Heyward and Prado. That puts a couple of good OBP guys at the top andprovides some good protection for Heyward…
Nasty Nate
August 13th, 2010
11:15 am
I think once Prado comes back, you need to keep Conrad on the bench. Yes, I feel like he has earned a spot with his clutch play, but he better suits the team as the guy that can come through late in games. As for Infante or Prado at 3rd or 2nd, I think you need to put Prado back at 2nd, and move Infante over to third. Both can play the hot corner, but Infante was selected for the All Star game on the basis that he is versatile in the positions he can play, and has been used to moving around. I don’t think it would be a great idea to move Prado over to third after he had been playing second base all year prior to the injury. Not saying I don’t think he can handle it, just probably a better idea to keep him where he’s been most of the year, and move Infante since he’s been used to playing different positions.
Either way, the Phillies suck, I can not believe they somehow won that game last night, but the Bravos will pull it out in the end.
Doc Holiday
August 13th, 2010
11:15 am
I think you would want Infante on base when Prado hits a double or a HR.
I think you would hate to make Heyward bunt if Infante gets on base late-close, you would rather see Prado do that.
ATL's Finest
August 13th, 2010
11:16 am
I like that lineup…However, I’d put ol Glausy down in the 8 hole…I think he will be more of a liability as the season wears on. What’s with the Braves and their inability to obtain and maintain a reliable glove and bat at first?….
Jim Hertel
August 13th, 2010
11:16 am
Here’s my suggestion for the Braves (for what that is worth!). Liberty Media needs to use this crisis as the moment to pony us big-time, and reward the team and fans for this remarkable season by going out and bringing in a big stick like Aramas Ramirez. He would be a right-handed bat in the middle of our lineup, and our 3rd base problems would be covered for the next couple of years. The lineup needs this kind of bat, because whenever Freeman (I hope sooner rather than later) takes over at 1b, the batting lineup will become even more left-handed.
Liberty Media could take a giant step in gaining fans acceptance and support going forward by taking bold action, and this move just might salvage the season and send Bobby riding off into the sunset with a WS ring.
DawgDad
August 13th, 2010
11:17 am
Seattle would want a near-term prospect for Figgins. They might take KK as part of the package, and KK would probably benefit from playing out there, but Seattle would be stupid to do a straight-up deal.
If I were Seattle I’d start by asking for Freeman. When Wren hangs up I’d wait for him to call back and offer something of real value.
Jo-Bu
August 13th, 2010
11:17 am
No doubt about Freeman’s defensive ablities over at first base. But can we really insure that his bat can be as hot as Troy Glaus’ bat when Troy is on a hot streak (which I think he’s about to embark on)?
Blast from the past
August 13th, 2010
11:18 am
Time to bring back Greg Norton. I think Wren is going to have to redo his contract though, because rumor has it he legally changed his name to A Drop-Off In Production.
Tech Sucks
August 13th, 2010
11:19 am
Really hate that this happened to Chipper this year. Tough way to go out on a team with a legit shot at another ring.
The Doktor
August 13th, 2010
11:20 am
I personally don’t think it’s a question of Prado AND Infante in the starting lineup, it’s actually where they play in the field. Omar has played just about everywhere, and well too, so it wouldn’t be much of a stretch for him to just ‘make himself at home’ over at 3rd base. The reasoning is, I don’t really think the Braves should screw around w/ Prado… the guy was ‘locked in’ at second before he hit the DL. Confidence… and familiarity, it’s less disruptive to a team already experiencing turmoil on the roster. I agree they really aren’t gonna be able to do themselves and justice (short or long term) by going outside the organization just to ‘fill a spot’ at this point. Omar’s flexibility is HUGE, and so is the way he’s filled many roles – he’s played over at 3rd before and did a nice job when asked. Minimize the ‘flux’, stabilize what they have and just do it. If they need to get some of the other kids involved, so be it. Bottom line, they’re all professional athletes and capable of doing what’s asked of them…
The Phillies are due to cool off – just like the Braves did. Gonna be an interesting stretch run to the finish, that much is certain…
Tater the Bobby Hater
August 13th, 2010
11:20 am
What does it matter what anyone thinks? Cox will throw all logic and reason to the wind and do whatever he FEELS like doing at the moment. Then when his stupid move fails miserably, he will stick with it far beyond a reasonable amount of time (he’s a player’s manager) and as always he will be held accountable by no one. Thank God he’ll be gone soon!
MD
August 13th, 2010
11:21 am
Jo-Bu, its hard to go on a hot steak with bad wheels. Glaus walks with a limp and appears to be hurting badly.
Jo-Bu
August 13th, 2010
11:21 am
I’d love to see, “and his name is… DAAAAAAAN UGGLA!”, in a Braves uni. Fat chance as the Marlins are going to want a Mike Minor and a few other prospects back in return. I say that Libery Media needs to pony up and give the Marlins lots of money instead of our best prospects for that deal.
Sugarbear
August 13th, 2010
11:22 am
To the point — Adam LaRoche. He is hitting .271, with 74 RBI, playing with a terrible team. Arizona would trade him for future picks. Then Glaus to 3rd, if he has anything left, or platoon with Prado, or sit Glaus down to bring late innings power that Atlanta so desparately needs. (About his weak legs, why is he playing in the National League and with the Braves?) LaRoche plays 1st base, hits in the middle of the order, and hits well in the 2nd half of the season. He should NEVER have been let loose either of the 2 times.(So much for Bobby Cox protecting his players.) On top of which, he is well liked by many of the Braves (or those who are left) – just not Cox & Wren.
The sputtering machine called the Braves (who I love) will come apart by Labor day. They have a couple of utilty infielders (Prado & Infante) having career years + McCann & pitching — and not much else. Otherwise, erect a cardboard cutout of Hudson on the mound to scare the opponents, and have your other pitchers and BP guys lob a few balls to the plate. Sort of “chuck & duck”.
On another subject – what’s with the Atlanta city newspaper and its “vaunted” sports writer asking us to write a news article in lieu of him? Are they terminally lazy or spending August in Highlands, NC, collecting a pay check? The 2 should be pulling out the stops to drum up enthusiasm for the Braves who remain in 1st this late in the season.
And, there should a recall movement regarding Wren; his failure to help the Braves and his willingness to let fine players go for nothing in return.
b12 joneal
August 13th, 2010
11:23 am
they are talking about a CHONE FIGGINS TRADE for K.K do you think thats a good trade
crackbaby
August 13th, 2010
11:23 am
Since the Red Sox are toast, how about getting Adrian Beltre?
Mark, can you explain how this works with the waiver wire rules, etc. after the trade deadline?
I think Beltre is in the last year of a contract at something like $9 million (maybe 2011 is an option year). Dude can hit.
b12 joneal
August 13th, 2010
11:24 am
THATS A GOOD TRADE TO ME GO TO MLB TRADES RUMORS .COM/ATLANTA BRAVES
Perturbed
August 13th, 2010
11:24 am
Dawggie at 10:28: “This hasn’t been a playoff team to begin with. The starts have aligned the first 6 mos. of the season.”
Please tell me you are kidding right? Second most wins in the NL and NOT a playoff team. Whatever you’re smoking…lay off for a while.
Tater the Bobby Hater
August 13th, 2010
11:25 am
Beltre can rake and play D. No way they would even consider a trade.
b12 joneal
August 13th, 2010
11:26 am
CHONE FIGGINS FOR K.K GOOD TRADE ITS ON MLB TRADE RUMORS .COM