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
Phil
August 13th, 2010
11:55 am
If I could be the manager for a day, I would fire the old manager.
Chipper will be missed.
Steve
August 13th, 2010
11:59 am
Not a bad idea with the line-up, but Prado has to stay at leadoff just bc of the way he plays the game. He is what I call a dirty player and those players need to lead games off. Infante 2nd, Mccann 3rd, Glaus 4(I know he has been cold and inconsistant, but if you are going to play the guy he has got to hit there – the same as chipper hitting 3 all year even though he has barely been at 250 for most of the year), Heyward 5th, Hinske/Diaz 6th, Gonzalez 7th, and my man Cabrera 8th or Ankiel
kaygeeone
August 13th, 2010
11:59 am
My batting order…Prado 3rd base,Infante 2nd, Heyward RF, McCann C, Gonzo SS, Diaz LF, Glaus 1st, McClouth CF, Pitchers spot. Ankiel swings like a pitcher, what a bone-head move to get him.
old timer
August 13th, 2010
12:00 pm
Prado at 3rd. That’s his future unless we get a power hitter who can play well there. Then we have the option to move Martin back to 2nd. Infante has to play somewhere, so why not 2nd? Conrad off the bench. Time to platoon Hinske at first. Troy could use some rest. If he gets red-hot again, play him every day again. DH Glauss, Hinske in the World Series and play Prado at first, Conrad at third. I am fine with Jason hitting in the 3 hole. He’s clutch and would thrive there.
Really sorry about the great Chipper Jones. He was heading for a dynamite second half. Hall of Famer has brought us a lot of joy.
Gene
August 13th, 2010
12:00 pm
Prado would be great. Please not Glaus!
Doc Holiday
August 13th, 2010
12:00 pm
I would pick up RAmirez also…………if Chipper retires, we use that money to pay him if Chipper stays we deal him………..We will have to pay him 5mill this season, but thats the cost of Chippers injury……….. If Braves think they can fill this up within the organization, they are sick………
Just think about it…….we were already thin………we just got thinner………..Chipper was not slugging, but he was getting on base………..a lot (11th on the league)…………. We strated trying to get offense months ago……… now we are weaker………..if we could get it fix within earlier, how can we get it fix within now??? We just cant.
Go get Aramis, pay the money and go for the ring……….. We need infante as a bench threat and backing up people………..
Secondly, we cant leave the line as thin as it is. What if Prado needs more time? or comes back and goes back into DL. What if Heyward needs to be DLed or Glaus? we have to be prepared for that…………and I think Aramis is the answer…………the only answer in my book………costs a lot, but any other pick up, will not fit on this team.
BobtheBlogger
August 13th, 2010
12:01 pm
I’ve always heard Prado was a better at 3rd than 2nd, and Infante was better at 2nd than 3rd, so this is a no brainer. The only question now is who to fill the void of Infante as the reserve.
Goyka
August 13th, 2010
12:02 pm
Do we not have anyone in the minors that we can bring up?
Jim Pierce
August 13th, 2010
12:02 pm
Turtsnap: You are correct: Here’s the rule:
Players must be on a team’s 25-man roster as of August 31 to be eligible for post-season play. The only exception is that a player on the 60-day disabled list may be replaced by another player from the team’s 40-man roster (as of August 31) who plays the same position.
Donny Corleone
August 13th, 2010
12:03 pm
Striker, so Schultz was picked up by Perez Hilton on the beach?
Sons of Rick Matula
August 13th, 2010
12:03 pm
Mike Lowell from the Red Sox … power, plays 3rd and 1st. He’s perfect for Frank Wren – breaking down in his late 30’s but still dangerous. May be too expensive and would he clear waivers?
Ralph
August 13th, 2010
12:04 pm
“MD” I like your lineup best, better than mine.
Craig
August 13th, 2010
12:04 pm
How about this for a lineup….especially since Ankiel can’t hit a lick…Batting Order
Infante 2B, Cabrera CF, Heyward RF, Prado 3B, McCann C, Glaus 1B, Gonzales SS, Ankiel/Hinske/Diaz LF
Coach
August 13th, 2010
12:05 pm
Dont’ like Heyward in the 3. I know that’s where he will probably end up hitting for the majority of his career but he’s a rookie. If we are putting our hopes on a rookie in the 3 hole then we are screwed. Infante has done a nice job at leadoff while Prado has been out and Prado is the best hitter on the team and one of the best in the NL. Move Diaz up to the 5 (considering he’s a hitting machine) and drop Glaus to 6th or 7th.
Donny Corleone
August 13th, 2010
12:06 pm
Drop Glaus to the bench.
Keith
August 13th, 2010
12:06 pm
Bradley, agreed, I like Prado. But I might put Heyward in the 3rd hole even though I know sometimes he’s too patient when he needs to get a hit.
What about this?
Start Infante and Prado….but be sure to pick up a new bench player. Probably better than Hicks. The idea is Freeman so we can rest Glaus, but I don’t see that happening.
So no on a trade for a starter, but yes on a trade for a decent backup.
MD
August 13th, 2010
12:07 pm
Goyka
Wesley Ryan Timmons .292 avg, 6 Hr 53 BB, 33 SO in 367 AB.
I’d rather see Freeman up, Glaus to the bench and Prado to 3rd
kjoy04
August 13th, 2010
12:07 pm
Infante 2B
Pardo 3B
Hayward RF
McCann C
Gonzalas SS
Cabrera CF
Diaz LF
Hienke 1B
That’s all I got to say!
judd
August 13th, 2010
12:07 pm
i understand mark’s thinking for batting prado 3rd. he’s been a stud this season. but he’s been very comfortable batting leadoff (or at least he’s looked it). maybe it’s j-hey’s time to slip into that #3 spot and stay there for the next decade. put prado at 3rd base, batting 1st.
if you can get wigginton relatively cheap, and he’d pass through waivers, that’s not a bad move. it keeps your bench very strong.
and dirty dawg, thurston has been playing mostly 2nd base at gwinnett. but he can play 3rd and the outfield. not a bad utility man…but not the big answer this season.
Bobby Coccyx
August 13th, 2010
12:08 pm
They’re all good kids.
Andrew
August 13th, 2010
12:09 pm
No one is in favor of bringing back Andy Marte? After all, he was supposed to be Chipper’s replacement!
Ted M
August 13th, 2010
12:10 pm
Well I guess I’m the only one who thinks Betemit would really strengthen our bench while Infante starts.
kjoy04
August 13th, 2010
12:11 pm
Well I do have one more thing to say, Ankiel is no better than McClouth,they both stinks, get rid of both. Bring back Willie Harris and Blanco. Go get Chone Figgins.
Whatthehey
August 13th, 2010
12:12 pm
Sea Bass? Anyone care to explain that one?
Shawn
August 13th, 2010
12:14 pm
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.
———————————————————————————————————————————————-
They both have 3.24 ERA’s for their career, and this season Happ is 3.45 and Oswalt is 3.34. I’d much rather have the young arm for years to come than the old guy who will be gone soon since all else is so close to the same. just sayin!
scBravesfan
August 13th, 2010
12:15 pm
Braves 73 – doubt Bobby would go with a straight platoon at 3B with Conrad and Infante because of how well Infante his right handers (I think his avg vs RHP is about .365).
Marc in FL
August 13th, 2010
12:15 pm
Only problem with using Prado at 3rd is you lose depth. If Infante or Prado goes down again you have to use Conrad as a starter, which was Bradley pointed out; is not a good alternative. Infante and Diory are the only backups for SS as well, and I’d rather have Infante there if something happened to A-Gon.
Infante has a good bat, but his usefulness as an utility guy is his best strength in my opinion. I’d rather find an everyday replacement so Omar can still roam the field where needed.
Ted M
August 13th, 2010
12:16 pm
Ankiel hits righties pretty good. He is down right terrible against lefties and its one of BC mystifying moves that he even starts against lefties.
Charlie DC
August 13th, 2010
12:17 pm
Actually games 1,2,6 and 7 of the world series since the NL finally won one this year. I was still reading!
Supes
August 13th, 2010
12:18 pm
Darn, quit clamoring for Freedie Freeman folks…he’ll be here soon enough…as in 3 weeks! No way does he fill the need to play 3B, we have Hinske and Glaus at 1B till then. Just stop it. A 20 year old kid is NOT the answer at 1B RIGHT NOW. No need to put that kind of pressure on the kid in the middle of the pennant run. He will be the starting 1B for the 2011 season barring injury or a terrible spring training (which is highly unlikely).
Onto A. Ramirez from the Cubs…NO WAY…have you seen his contract???
Figgins…as many have said here…only way it happens is if SEATTLE eats about half the salary coming to him in the next 4 years and they take Kenshin off the Braves hands (therefore saving face infront of the Japanese media/baseball folks and ridding them of his upcoming last year contractually). Plus Kawakami will fit well with the large Asian fan following of the M’s (until he starts losing games for them that is)
I don’t think Chipper has played his last game at 3B for the Braves, so the versatility to play Figgins in the OF helps a potential move to acquire him.
LCJ
August 13th, 2010
12:18 pm
Maybe with Gonzalez’s shakey defence, he should play third and move Infante to short. Prado would continue to play second base. He’s been terrific there and has earned to keep it. Has also earned the leadoff spot. I’d move Infante to 8th which happens to be the toughest spot in the batting order. The braves have had success there with Blanco or Melky being able to slap the ball and hit bad pitches. Having Infante batting 8th adds value to the pitcher’s position.
Jo-Bu
August 13th, 2010
12:19 pm
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.
Glaus does not have the legs for 3rd anymore with his knees the way they are. It takes a lot of range to play 3rd and Bobby Cox’s playing career ended for that very reason.
john d
August 13th, 2010
12:20 pm
M B I can’t believe that you would still insert Hayward in the #2 hole! Take a look at his #s since he’s been there. One hr! He is a power hitter and rbi man. Please drop him down in the order where he belongs. We have the best one two punch in the league! Prado and Infante they have been there all year.
Jo-Bu
August 13th, 2010
12:23 pm
Jo-Bu, its hard to go on a hot steak with bad wheels. Glaus walks with a limp and appears to be hurting badly.
Not if you are knocking ‘em out of the ball park. As long as he can touch them all, you don’t need wheels. But you do need a healthy set of knees.
rob
August 13th, 2010
12:23 pm
I think that Omar is a fantastic player and deserved his allstar nomination. But lets remember why he was an allstar. He can do a little bit of everything. We need his flexibility so lets go get someone thru waivers and let Omar come off the bench and spell some guys 3x a week. Get Figgins – he would give us something we havent had all year SPEED
Figgins
Prado
Heyward
McCann
Glaus
Hinske/Diaz
Gonzo
Ankiel/Milk Dud
Pitcher
How many times has a leadoff hitter with speed get us down in a game early – Michael Bourn, Nyjer Morgan, Jose Reyes, etc. We could finally have that!
@john d
August 13th, 2010
12:24 pm
“M B I can’t believe that you would still insert Hayward in the #2 hole!”
John d, think you could phrase that a little more delicately?
deb
August 13th, 2010
12:25 pm
I agree with crackbaby on the lineup. As soon as Bobby made Prado leadoff hitter, they braves pulled out of the funk. Call me superstitious on Friday the 13th, but I’d hate to mess with that.
hal
August 13th, 2010
12:26 pm
haystackis a prototypical4-3 ground out
Nate McBrutal
August 13th, 2010
12:30 pm
I am starting to think that “b12 joneal” is the one spreading the Figgins trade rumors. Give it a rest man!
the real Old Gold
August 13th, 2010
12:30 pm
I think a platoon effort at 3rd depending on the pitcher (opposing) would work out just fine.
p.s. Can Glaus and Free the Freebird!
Falcon Josh
August 13th, 2010
12:32 pm
I havn’t enjoyed watching Gonzalez and Infante playing up the middle together at all. They don’t seem to have the same mojo as Prado and Gonzalez.
GADAWG88
August 13th, 2010
12:33 pm
I agree with Voice of Reason. He’s got the right line up
Daniel Buck
August 13th, 2010
12:34 pm
Mark I have a question, I am hearing Figgins for KK but it seems like we would be adding salary that we do not need… Is there a possibility the O’s would take the same deal for Ty Wigginton because I believe he is in the last year of his deal???
Brave New World
August 13th, 2010
12:39 pm
Figgins for KK and Farnsworth works for me. Put Figgins in the lead off spot with his speed, and we have a new dimension to the Braves offense. But please no Pedro Feliz, Ty Wiggington, etc. for prospects.
POAD
August 13th, 2010
12:44 pm
Poado. He has better range and maybe can help Gonzo keep the errors down.
typical poster on this blog
August 13th, 2010
12:46 pm
I agree with the guy who said lets trade for scott rolen. maybe the cardinals will take Kenchin Kawkazi and nate maclouth; of course they would have to kick in some salary money…
Insane Braves Fan
August 13th, 2010
12:48 pm
Make Frank Wren play 3rd base.
Ted M
August 13th, 2010
12:49 pm
Rolen plays for the Reds
MD
August 13th, 2010
12:50 pm
If the Braves get Figgins they’ll need a name change to the “Smurphs”
Warren Spahn
August 13th, 2010
12:50 pm
Figgins for Farnsworth and Kawakami would be robbery. The Braves don’t make such trade unless they are the victims. For the Braves to make such a trade, they would insist on including Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran.