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
Mark Bradley
August 13th, 2010
11:26 am
Team puts a guy on waivers. The other clubs have a chance to claim him. If someone is claimed, the team can either pull the player back from waivers or try to make a trade with the claiming club. In case of multiple claims, the team with the worst record has first dibs.
Aaron
August 13th, 2010
11:26 am
1. Otis Nixon CF
2. Mark Lemke 2B
3. Ron Gant LF
4. Fred McGriff 1B
5. David Justice RF
6. Terry Pendelton 3B
7. Eddie Perez C
8. Walt Weiss SS
Now that’s a winning team! And I say we put Kevin Milwood and that filthy curve on the mound and let Kerry Lightenberg shut em down in the 9th
DZ
August 13th, 2010
11:27 am
PLEASE WREN, NO TRADES!
Mike Bradley, Mark's evil twin
August 13th, 2010
11:28 am
I would love to have Figgins because I think this year is an aboration but he is gonna make 9 mill a year for next 3 or 4 years. The cheap Braves are not going to pay anybody that kind of dough. Infante will be fine playing 2b, ss, or 3b. Move Heyward to 3 hole and hope for more power. The whole ball of wax comes down to production at 1b. If Glaus can’t help us with some power it is going to be tough to win playoff games. Maybe Urban Meyer can help us with some pop out in CF.
Just Me
August 13th, 2010
11:28 am
If we bring Freeman up it should not be in a platoon situation and then Glaus should move back to 3rd base. Keep the extra strength off the bench.
b12 joneal
August 13th, 2010
11:28 am
MARK did you here the CHONE FIGGNS FOR K.K RUMORS
hmmmm.......
August 13th, 2010
11:28 am
I’d bat infante 3rd because he’s a switch hitter. If we can get a waiver wire deal done i hope the guy is righthanded.
awj
August 13th, 2010
11:29 am
some of you guys are actually calling for Infante to go back to the bench when Prado comes back in favor of Conrad or another option?? Are you nuts…It is going to be Prado and Infante, it is just a matter of who plays where and who hits where…
brandon
August 13th, 2010
11:30 am
I say Prado at 3rd, Infante at 2nd. It’s a luxury to have Prado, Infante and Conrad. They can be totally interchangable when one or the other needs a day off…plus you have Hinske who can play LF and 1st AND Melky can play any of the three outfield positions. The flexibility with this team is far more superior to any other team now and any team that I’ve ever seen and could pay huge dividends.
collegeballfan
August 13th, 2010
11:32 am
You are kidding! Keep Prado at second when he gets back and Infante goes to third. Conrad stays on the bench. You make as FEW changes as possible. The only change that must be made is replacing Chipper. Just do that and nothing else.
MD
August 13th, 2010
11:32 am
Chone Figgins .253 with 1 Hr in 418 AB, I’d rather they teach KK how to play 3rd.
hmmmm.......
August 13th, 2010
11:32 am
here are some options from mlb trade rumors:
Aramis Ramirez, Pedro Feliz, Wes Helms, Adam Kennedy, Jose Lopez, Brandon Inge, Jhonny Peralta, Ty Wigginton, Edwin Encarnacion, Melvin Mora and Willie Bloomquist
They also have a story about trading kk for figgins
Blake
August 13th, 2010
11:33 am
I like the Idea of Infante playing everyday.Infante at second and Prado at third sounds pretty good to me.Now we’re gonna see Infante blossom into the everyday player that Prado has become…Yeah…I like It!
hdh
August 13th, 2010
11:33 am
Too bad they can’t bring Blanco up.
Gary
August 13th, 2010
11:33 am
Good response MD
Mike Bradley, Mark's evil twin
August 13th, 2010
11:33 am
Mark,
Don’t you think it would be tough to get any decent player on waivers from American League? Don’t they get first choice within their league. I would think Yankees, Red Sox, or Rays would gobble up anybody decent before they got around to National league, then almost all teams have worse record than Braves so say Phillies could block.
Howdy Dowdle
August 13th, 2010
11:34 am
Why in the name of Ken Oberkfell would anyone other than Infante/Prado play third? I agree with you Mark (there’s a first time for everything) Prado is better fit at third because Omar is better at second. In fact, I believe Martin will be the everyday third bagger after Larry Wayne retires. Starting Omar weakens the bench, but strengthens the starting lineup more than anyone you could find on the waiver wire. What do you prefer, a strong starting lineup or a strong bench? Seems to answer itself. Some say Infante is not an everyday player, not sure what they’re basing that on. He’s never been one here. Those same people said the same about Martin, he seems to be doing okay as a starter. Finally, doesn’t it seem that these two are just interchangeable? They each play splendidly wherever you put them, and they each can hit anywhere in the lineup and not get overly analytical about whether they are leading off, three hole, etc..
b12 joneal
August 13th, 2010
11:35 am
i think its a good trade frank been trying to move k.k anyway an CHONE FIGGINS will make our bench deeper
Gary
August 13th, 2010
11:35 am
Most contenders have a 3rd baseman in place. Most bad teams would rather play youth than grab someone off the wire.
hmmmm.......
August 13th, 2010
11:35 am
I’d like to see us get Ramirez but thats doubtful.
Nacho Daddy
August 13th, 2010
11:35 am
Omar at 3rd, Martin` at 2nd, great defence. table setters for offence, RBI chances for Heyward, McCann, & 5th batter
JT Grace
August 13th, 2010
11:36 am
My lineup would be:
Infante 2B
Heyward RF
Prado 3B
McCann C
Glaus 1B
Diaz/Hinske – LF
Melky – CF
Gonzalez – SS
crackbaby
August 13th, 2010
11:36 am
Thanks, Mark.
Hey Tater – Beltre signed a one-year deal with the Bosox this year (9 or 10 mill). There is an option for next year with a $1 million buyout.
Chipper’s contract was $14 million this year. So you have to pay the remainder of Beltre’s contract this and buyout for next year and maybe a lower level prospect or some cash. Boston has very little leverage.
Seems like Wren and the Braves owners should do it to give Bobby a real live chance to win the pennant this year. Beltre’s power and glove would be sweet.
MB – I’m I completely off-base here? (too much $$$?)
Lee Smith
August 13th, 2010
11:36 am
Freeman is obviously the first baseman of the future. Why not bring him up and see what he can do? Rotate Prado, Glause and Conrad at third base. I believe that if the Braves were going to hang onto Glaus he would have to be moved to third base anyways.
Lee Smith
August 13th, 2010
11:37 am
Sorry for the spelling mistake GLAUS
Howdy Dowdle
August 13th, 2010
11:37 am
Aaron…what, no Greg Olson catching?
Digging for Gold
August 13th, 2010
11:37 am
YOU Be the Braves Manager:
Pick Your Nose on Live, National Television…..
…Repeatedly….
Mr. Webster
August 13th, 2010
11:37 am
offence? defence? I thought school was back in session.
matt
August 13th, 2010
11:37 am
Don’t even have to read the article. This is a no brainer. Prado. Prado needs to hit 3rd and play 3rd. The only other acceptable option is Infante playing 3rd moving Prado back to 2nd.
Prado is the best hitter on the team, even when Chipper was healthy.
Infante
Heyward
Prado
McCann
Diaz
The rest are irrelevant as to what order since they are not even remotely consitent hitters.
Dawgdad (the original)
August 13th, 2010
11:39 am
I wouldn’t trade a broken bat for K.K., gimme a break. There has to be a lot of cash going with KK if Seattle is considering taking on his mega contract.
Howdy Dowdle
August 13th, 2010
11:39 am
Okay, enough with Glaus to third nonsense. Watch him round first after getting a base hit (rare enough site these days). He has bad feet, getting worse by getting no rest through June and July (thanks, Bobby) No way he can play third aymore. Even if he could, he’d be nothing like as effective as Omar or Martin. Let it rest, along with the ‘Freddie Freeman to third’ nonsense.
Don
August 13th, 2010
11:41 am
Why would the Braves not give Freeman a try by playing him – even if just for a week – to see what happens – instead of playing Glaus (not producing) on and on and on. Freeman might or might not produce. If he did – great. If he did not – then go back to Glaus. What do they have to lose. Who knows, they might try Freeman and him get hot for the remainder of the season – or at least produce for a few weeks until the pitchers adjusted to him.
But, of course this is typical Cox — For needed changes that are so obvious to most everyone, it takes Cox weeks, sometimes months, sometimes never to make them.
Howdy Dowdle
August 13th, 2010
11:41 am
Due to the large asian population and their past with asian scouting, etc…Seattle would be the logical place for KK to end up, and they are a poorly enough run organization that they would actually make the trade. Maybe they’d let us have Josh Fields.
Don
August 13th, 2010
11:42 am
The big question is — Can the Braves maintain their Division lead in spite of Cox’s blunders?
Howdy Dowdle
August 13th, 2010
11:42 am
Freeman will be up in two weeks, he’ll get his chance then. Chill
fan of chippers legacy.
August 13th, 2010
11:42 am
wheres Vinny Castillo when ya need him, or not? this team will be fine with Infante filling in at third. I don’t see the argument to move Prado to 3rd. and keep Infante at 2nd. I feel Infante is a better 3rd baseman than 2ndbaseman precisely because his range is more apt for third. couple steps here, couple steps there. I agree with the blogman on the lineup and world series situations with raadman off the bench for those crucial game 7 situations.
I recall joe thurston and brooks conrad going head to head during spring training, whats thurston been doing this yr? and any chance he gets the call?
As a life long braves fan chippers play marked the end of my childhood affair with braves. Atlanta has been blessed to have a franchise player for so long. I was at the game in Ft. Lauderdale against the yankees when Chipper tore his acl the first time, legging out a grounder, collapsing shortly after hitting the bag. Best of luck to the good ole boy whom sported the high socks his first few years in the league.
10 will surely be next to 29 in left field.
phoenix falcon
August 13th, 2010
11:42 am
My EVERYDAY lineup:
1. Infante 2B
2. Prado 3B
3. Heyward RF
4. McCann C
5. Gonzalez SS
6. Freeman 1B
7. Diaz LF
8. Ankiel CF
crackbaby
August 13th, 2010
11:43 am
Wherever he plays, Prado should lead off. He’s done GREAT there. Infante is Superman – what a ball player!
If no Beltre, I vote keep Prado at 2nd and put Omar at third. Let’s face it, he can’t be any worse than Chipper was this year (14 errors).
Chipper is a Hall of Famer and has carried the Braves in the past but the old warhorse is has worn down and it showed again this year.
Al
August 13th, 2010
11:44 am
I can’t believe there’s not a waiver wire 3B better than Ty Wigginton and Chone Figgins.
What makes the Braves so good is their depth. They won’t have it starting any of their backups the rest of the way.
ps. I hope Chip makes it back next year!
Ramblin Wreck
August 13th, 2010
11:45 am
I think having both Prado and Infante in the lineup will help both the offense and defense. I just hope Glaus can stay on his feet until Freeman shows up in September. I’m thankful that Glaus carried this team for six weeks, but he’s either very streaky or just worn out.
Coach
August 13th, 2010
11:45 am
Infante is not a switch hitter, Glaus at 3rd is almost the worst idea i’ve heard all season. If you wanna move Glaus then bring up the 1b of the future that is raking in AAA right now and move Glaus to the bench. He’d bring some potential pop off the bench. Conrad stays on the bench as a PH or to give a starter a rest kind of guy.
Let’s not go crazy because our .250 3 hole hitter is out for the season. This is not like losing Pujols people!!!
NCBravesFan
August 13th, 2010
11:47 am
Figgins is the type of player who could come through waivers because no one is going to want to be saddled with his contract. Since he’s on a multi-year deal though, it’s a bit of a risky move if he is truly on the decline.
My guess is that Wren will not pull the trigger, unless SEA throws in quite a few $$ in to the deal.
Turtsnap
August 13th, 2010
11:49 am
Mark…. rule used to be that any callup Sept 1 and beyond could not compete in post season play. Is that still true? If so, looks like the Braves would want to call Freeman up prior to 9/1, so that he would be available if we make the post season……
Bravesbasher81
August 13th, 2010
11:49 am
I agree with you mark I would slowly work Prado back in the leadoff role though but Prado does seem tempting in the 3 hole as well
Jim Hertel
August 13th, 2010
11:50 am
Figgins is a risk, but any trade with KK involved going the other way is a good one.
rlukegoddard
August 13th, 2010
11:51 am
Mark,
Your twitter buddy here.
Great column. I’m not sure I like your line-up though. Heyward deserves a shot at the 3-hole, given that’s where he’ll likely be for the future.
Why move Prado out of his lead-off spot? Remember when Bobby moved him there earlier this year? We started winning. Wouldn’t want to disrupt that.
The line-up should look like this (in my humble opinion):
Vs. Righties
1. Prado, 3B
2. Infante, 2B
3. Heyward, RF
4. McCann, C
5. Hinkse, LF
6. Gonzalez, SS
7. Ankiel, CF
8. Glaus, 1B
9. Tim Hudson, P
Vs. Lefties:
1. Prado, 3B
2. Infante, 2B
3. Heyward, RF
4. Diaz, LF
5. McCann, C
6. Gonzalez, SS
7. Ankiel, CF
8. Glaus, 1B
9. Tim Hudson, P
Warren Spahn
August 13th, 2010
11:51 am
No more dumb panic trades. Win or lose with what you have now.
Ted Striker
August 13th, 2010
11:51 am
Clusters —
The report on Schultz and scalp sunburn was false. It was started with TMZ and picked up by Perez Hilton (no relation to Paris) without ever being confirmed.
I can tell you conclusively that Jeff has been over at my house since his last column involved in a marathon beer-pong match, only pausing for bathroom breaks and Mark Bradley columns.
You heard it here first. Look out, ESPN.
papadawg
August 13th, 2010
11:52 am
I know it’s time for Chipper to step aside but I didn’t want it to be because of an injury
Somebody
August 13th, 2010
11:54 am
Chipper in a wheelchair.