5 reasons to be concerned about your 2011 Atlanta Braves
"Now boarding: Flight 2011, bound for ... October?" (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Ever notice how every player and manager always says he’s “excited” about spring training? Because every player and manager always is. Spring training is the fun part. But somebody has to function as a wet blanket, and here I stand. (Or drape, as the case may be.) Here are five reasons I’m concerned about the local nine as it readies for Lake Buena Vista.
1. The defense could be deadly. Dan Uggla will help the batting order, OK? We’re agreed there. But Uggla is a bad defender — 47 errors over the past three seasons, which is a bunch for a second baseman — and he’s the new Braves second baseman. Which means Martin Prado moves to left field, where he has played a total of three big-league games. Even if Chipper Jones is healthy, he’ll still turn 39 in April. And Alex Gonzalez, who turns 34 next month, was a major defensive disappointment.
Think about it: At how many positions do the Braves have a first-rate defender? Freddie Freeman should be fine at first base, but Brian McCann is only OK, and even Jason Heyward had some odd moments in right field last season. I worry that some fine pitchers will be undercut by the men stationed behind — or, in McCann’s case, in front of — them. But that’s what I do. I worry.
2. Nate McLouth is again projected as the center fielder. That’s a major position on any ballclub, and I haven’t seen anything from McLouth since he arrived in June 2009 that makes me think he’s even a minor asset. (From what I’ve seen, the Pirates got rid of him just as his career took the ol’ Matterhorn nosedive.)
It was noteworthy that Rick Ankiel was the Braves’ starting center fielder in the Division Series even though McLouth was on the active roster. The Braves thought so little of Ankiel they let him leave after the season, and now they plan to run McLouth out there again. Maybe this makes sense to you. It doesn’t to me.
3. Craig Kimbrel walks people. The Braves haven’t officially designated Kimbrel their closer, but they’re clearly leaning that way. And he has everything you’d want in a closer … except control.
Over 151 minor-league innings, Kimbrel walked 95 batters. (That’s an average of 5.7 walks per nine innings, which is terrible.) He walked 16 men in 20 2/3 big-league innings after his promotion. He walked Travis Ishikawa in the devastating ninth inning of Game 3 of the NLDS, and sure enough Ishikawa scored the tying run.
Speaking Wednesday at Turner Field, Kimbrel said: “From right now until the season, [working on control] becomes my focus. I want to improve it.”
It’s not an option. Either Kimbrel throws strikes or he doesn’t work the ninth inning. As Jeff Brantley, himself a closer, once said after watching John Rocker blow a save via bases on balls: “You can’t walk people if you want to close.”
4. There’s still no speed. The Braves ranked 14th in a 16-team league in stolen bases in 2010, and their new position players are Freeman, who’s no deer, and Uggla, who has 19 steals in five big-league seasons. The guess is that Fredi Gonzalez would like to play more Small Ball than his managerial predecessor, but he wouldn’t seem to have the tools.
5. Magic might not be transferable. Last season the Braves won 25 games in their final at-bat. Much went wrong along the way, but enough games went improbably right at the end for this team to slip into the playoffs on the final day. It was a wild ride and a good ride and, not incidentally, Bobby Cox’s last ride, but the doings of 2010 weren’t anyone’s concept of a blueprint.
The 2011 Braves have Uggla and Freeman and Kimbrel but will be missing Billy Wagner and Omar Infante and Troy Glaus — who in one month changed the course of 2010, let’s not forget — and Matt Diaz. This team will again pitch well, and it figures to hit better than it did last season while fielding worse. It took 91 wins to qualify for postseason in 2010, and that number would seem the ceiling for the 2011 Braves.
By Mark Bradley
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387 comments Add your comment
JOE
February 9th, 2011
2:36 pm
MB, just talked to your boss. He told me your getting a raise and a promotion!! Congrats. He also told me to tell you, YOU SUCK!!
whatev
February 9th, 2011
2:37 pm
@chewyandrw WOW you and Mark must be twins. You can wallow in your negativity. While I’m over here cheering for the Braves. GO BRAVES.
D A DoubleU G
February 9th, 2011
2:38 pm
51st!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Mark
February 9th, 2011
2:39 pm
Once again your show the world your an idiot and the braves will prove you wrong AGAIN this year
D A DoubleU G
February 9th, 2011
2:39 pm
D A DoubleU G
February 9th, 2011
2:42 pm
Seriously Mark…….
Does it make you feel good as a journalist(sic) to constantly be negative? Do you write these articles about every local team hen sit back and laugh as you read people ripping your articles apart?
It’s kind of sadistic.
Lighten up for once, or move back to Kentucky and cover the local HS basketball teams.
Matt
February 9th, 2011
2:42 pm
the whole point of this article is to point out the potential negatives on this ballclub. By the way, there are plenty.
Attacking a guy for pointing out what could be improved on the ballclub is exactly why Atlanta teams are mired in mediocrity.
Atlanta is a going to have uphill battle to seize this division from Philadelphia and with the way Cincinnati came on last year, the Wild Card is a tough order as well. Sure, spring training hasn’t even started yet and everyone has the right to be optimistic, but don’t shoot the messenger. There are some big question marks regarding this team and with the way Philly is stacked, they need to be addressed.
JOE
February 9th, 2011
2:43 pm
Matt, we all understand the negatives of this team. Thats not the point.
GT Alum
February 9th, 2011
2:43 pm
Enough with optimism – what, between the suckage of Tech and UGA football and basketball, the Falcons’ early playoff exit and the Hawks’ floundering, this hasn’t been enough of a winter of our discontent, so you decide to dump on the one thing we have to look forward too right now?
Between this and yesterday’s Bon Jovi blog, it’s obvious you’re tapped for blog ideas. Why don’t you just admit to your editors that you can’t come up with quality material this often instead of continuing to tarnish the legacy of Ralph McGill and Henry W. Grady? Although it’s been a while since the AJC was a paper of any merit anyway.
JOE
February 9th, 2011
2:46 pm
Totally agree GT Alum!! I think MB sits at his desk reading everything on this site looking for anything positive, and then just rips it to shreds. Freakin lazy!!
chewyandrw
February 9th, 2011
2:47 pm
@whatev Id rather have the ability to see the Braves for what they are than imagine them as great. I bet you are a half glass full kind of guy huh? I am a “that glass has got some water in it” kind of guy. And I’ll bet he comes up with an article on the “5 Reasons to be Excited about your 2011 Atlanta Braves” within the next few days. You must not understand his job.
@Thanks Mark Ummmmmmmm how did the Braves show Mark up last year? By blowing a sizeable lead late in the regular season or by bowing out of the playoffs so quickly? In fact, I believe last year, he predicted the Braves would make the playoffs.
You see normally I disagree with Mark Bradley. I think that most of what he writes is typically wrong. But I am also smart enough to understand the following:
1. We can all have our own opinions.
2. Its a choice to read his articles.
3. That all of you who want him out of town for his “negative” views dont realize that Cox Enterprises loves it when he writes this stuff because it gets so many hits online and people pay attention to the paper. How boring would it be to read how great the Braves were everyday? It would be awful. And people would lose interest.
4. I bet everyone of you will use at least one of his points within the next 24-48 hours with a friend disputing that person.
5. Some of us are def more intelligent about some topics than others. Apparently most of you have a deficiency in understand baseball.
Bama Brave
February 9th, 2011
2:50 pm
Number one through five should be speed!
LeeC
February 9th, 2011
2:50 pm
Well, can’t say I disagree with Mark’s assessment, and I really can’t find fault for a preseason critique. Hopefully, the players read these blogs and become motivated to prove the doubters wrong. Yes, sometimes the whole functions better than the individual parts, but that’s not guaranteed. The Braves have a lot of holes to fill. Good luck to them.
01HAWK
February 9th, 2011
2:51 pm
CJONES 3B………………………………….Average fielder………..Has never been gold glove fielder
AGONZALEZ…………………………………Average fielder
DUGGLER…………………………………….Average fielder
FFREEMAN………………………………….?
MPRADO……………………………………….First year in outfield
McOUT……………………………………….How did this guy win a GOLD GLOVE ?
HEYWARD………………………………….Strong arm BUT,,,,,,,,,,,,,For the sake of it, can not catch the ball when it is close to the wall. Him and DIAZ both got stage fright when a ball was getting close to the wall.
MCCANN………………………..One of the worst fielding catchers in either league. Does not get in front of the ball …………………tries to backhand and is bad about blocking balls in the dirt. Joe Simpson has mentioned it many times that McCANN needs to slide over and get in front of balls.
This is why they will not win a world series anytime soon. OH, and your utility infielder is BROOKS CONRAD.
CASE CLOSED
Tweets that mention 5 reasons to be concerned about your 2011 Atlanta Braves | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
February 9th, 2011
2:53 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley and Zach Blend, Bart Burnett. Bart Burnett said: RT @MarkBradleyAJC: Enough with optimism! Here are 5 reasons to be concerned about your 2011 Atlanta #Braves. http://bit.ly/eoty8h [...]
whatev
February 9th, 2011
2:53 pm
Enough with this shooting the messenger crap. I don’t need him pointing out issues for me. If you paid close enough attention to the Braves you already knew the issues. Mark is not breaking any news here. Instead of wasting time on this he could be informing us about something we don’t know about the team. But I guess thats too much work for him.
JOE
February 9th, 2011
2:54 pm
Ahh, 01Hawk brings clarity to the whole thing. Thanks bud, I will now never watch a Braves game again……pfffffft!!
Saint Dawg>>>
February 9th, 2011
2:54 pm
C’mon guys lets get real for a moment..We have a new Manager,still have a great pitching staff..Give Freddi/G time to evaulate his players and put together his Team..There are gonna be players this S/T that will do well,don’t be surprised if someone makes it out of S/T that we would’nt thought had a chance..Or a trade that takes place…GO BRAVES im behind ya win or lose…!!!
DHD
February 9th, 2011
2:56 pm
Wah, wah, wah….
What a Load
February 9th, 2011
2:57 pm
You know Bradley is running out of things to write when “No Speed” is one of the reasons to worry about the Braves. When have we ever relied on speed? YAWN.
whatev
February 9th, 2011
2:59 pm
@chewyandrw So I guess you had the Giants and the Rangers in the WS. Everything always goes as planned.
JOE
February 9th, 2011
2:59 pm
You think Bon Jovi and Blank can go in on halvsies for the Braves??
Joe
February 9th, 2011
3:00 pm
It has gotten really funny predicting what you come up with each day that is negative.
JOE
February 9th, 2011
3:02 pm
Hey, thought I was using JOE, Joe?
timthebrave
February 9th, 2011
3:03 pm
The smell of freshly cut grass…The crack of the bat….MB writing a negative column….Yep… spring training is almost here
Valtool
February 9th, 2011
3:03 pm
@KEV You’re off on the post season prediction. Do you think any NL team will be able to hit well consistently against the starting 4 of Halladay, Hamels, Oswalt, and Lee? the Phillies are putting up the finest starting rotation since the Braves in the 90’s. They lost Werth in CF and a streaky bat, but Redan High’s Domonic Brown is an excellent prospect to take his place. They’ve had no other significant roster changes in the off season. Durbin and Romero went free agent and they got Romero back. The offense is still strong and the only real question mark in my opinion is the bullpen and whether or not our friend Mr. Lidge can perform to his potential.
chewyandrw
February 9th, 2011
3:03 pm
@whatev What do you want to know then? We know the starters, pitchers, bullpen, best prospects….I guess you want to know their sleeping habits, who they are romantically involved with, what they had for dinner and other information. I am glad to know you dont need him pointing out things…I forgot we were writing on your blog thats published on a major newspapers website. And does every piece of news have to be breaking? No. And if he had written positive things, that wouldnt be breaking either. Quit making excuses.
I guess we should expect these articles from now until Monday on the Braves:
“Chipper Jones switches his pant sizes to a 36.”
“Freddie Freeman ate at Burger King two days in a row but switched his drink.”
“Craig Kimbrell called his friend and they are planning to goto a Thrashers game.”
Does it sound worthy enough to read? No. Is it breaking news. Yes. I will go with the articles that have some substance whether positive or negative.
whatev
February 9th, 2011
3:05 pm
@chewyandrw You obviously don’t get it. I done.
JOE
February 9th, 2011
3:08 pm
Chewy, hows chippers herpies doing?
chewyandrw
February 9th, 2011
3:10 pm
@whatev Wonderful comeback. You just took a worse beating than the Hawks last night. Of course, I can’t count it as too large of a victory with sentences you structure such as “I done.” You should not be wasting time in school on the Braves blog when obviously you should be studying the English language. Our tax dollars at work people. At least I know of one person who is not going to be affected by the upcoming changes in the HOPE scholarship.
Chop Chop
February 9th, 2011
3:12 pm
I tend to agree that the Braves’ ceiling isn’t much higher than what you’re pegging it at, Mark. The Braves definitely should be a good team, but they may not have what it takes to do more.
Then again, not having Bobby around should unleash a tide of victory the likes of which this town has never seen. You know, because he held us back, the ol’ coot.
Mark Bradley You Ignorant Choad
February 9th, 2011
3:13 pm
Every manager will take a closer with 5.7 BB/9 if he can post a 20.0 K/9. Conveniently you forgot that statistic. Note to AJC management: Please do not DOB stray from his blogging on the Braves; also in the interest of the Reading Public please refrain from letting this hack comment on anything outside his field of expertise (Kentucky Basketball). Yesterday He trashed JBJ and today the Braves. Tomorrow Jesus and the American Way? Jeez Bradley you used to be cool, what the hell happened?
01HAWK
February 9th, 2011
3:14 pm
Atlanta Braves errors 2010………………………………126
San Francisco Giants errors 2010………………………73
Fielding lost alot of games for the Braves
chewyandrw
February 9th, 2011
3:14 pm
@whatev I take that as you giving up. I’ll take that victory though it is not saying much esp to a person whose sentence says “I done.” Shouldn’t you be learning the English language in 5th period rather than blogging? Our tax dollars at work folks. There is one person who will not have to worry about the new changes to the HOPE scholarship. The bell is about to ring so pack up and get ready to get on the bus.
reebok
February 9th, 2011
3:17 pm
no way do these guys make the playoffs. you’ve got 2-3 good every day players and a bunch of guys past their prime, with a few other guys who never had a prime. .500 ballclub.
Chop Chop
February 9th, 2011
3:17 pm
All depends on when the strikeouts and walks occur, I suppose. Many Braves fans are going along with the assumption that Kimbrel and Venters are going to destroy the NL. That’s insane.
whatev
February 9th, 2011
3:20 pm
@chewyandrw What a big man you are. I wasn’t battling you. If this makes you feel good about yourself. Go ahead and take it, whatever it is that you supposedly won.
chewyandrw
February 9th, 2011
3:24 pm
@JOE I thank you for assuming that I am smart enough to be Chippers doctor. With my high intelligence in response to other peoples posts I can see why you would think so. I do not know in fact how his herpes are doing because I am in fact not a doctor and am not sure if he even has herpes. And do not care.
For some reason, you either want to know for the following reasons:
1. It will be a cause for concern to his ability to play.
2. You caught him with your wife and want to know if you will be feeling that same sensation when you urinate.
I will assume you are a fan of the Braves and go with choice 1. But not really doubting its choice 2. Either way, I dont care and I hope that the retires during spring training to that we can use that money for someone productive.
Richham
February 9th, 2011
3:28 pm
Just an article looking to get page hits.
chewyandrw
February 9th, 2011
3:29 pm
@whatev It was not a battle…we are not rappers. It was a debate. And thanks for conceding victory though I had already taken it. And I can see why the such short responses. Reading your sentences is like walking through a minefield. Just type everything into Microsoft Word and check the grammar before you post next time. You make this way too easy.
Jason
February 9th, 2011
3:32 pm
Bob Petit – Chipper’s name is Larry Jones..
Ramblinwreck83
February 9th, 2011
3:36 pm
chewyandrw
February 9th, 2011
3:14 pm
@whatev I take that as you giving up. I’ll take that victory though it is not saying much esp to a person whose sentence says “I done.” Shouldn’t you be learning the English language in 5th period rather than blogging? Our tax dollars at work folks. There is one person who will not have to worry about the new changes to the HOPE scholarship. The bell is about to ring so pack up and get ready to get on the bus.
Kind of like you ending sentences like this.
“5. Some of us are def more intelligent about some topics than others. Apparently most of you have a deficiency in understand baseball.”
It’s “Apparently most of you have a deficiency in understanding baseball.” you TOOL. Maybe you should’ve learned the English language when you were in school. Quit acting like you and Bradley are the wise men of baseball. I agree that there are issues with this team like there is every year, even in ‘95. Every team has issues each year. I just think we have a more sound team barring injuries than last season. The whole starting line up was utility players. They played excellent but we needed more seasoned players. This year will be great. Might not be Division Champion great but, i believe we could be looking at the wild card it things go right.
Ramblinwreck83
February 9th, 2011
3:38 pm
“if things go right”
jerry
February 9th, 2011
3:39 pm
None of that worries me. What would worry me is if they were in the same division as the Yankees. Ouch!
Ramblinwreck83
February 9th, 2011
3:40 pm
chewyandrw
Quit calling the kettle black
Mark Bradley`s Booster
February 9th, 2011
3:50 pm
Excellent points Mark. No one who truly knows the Braves
can dispute your valid concerns. Most of these negative responses probably result because these people just want to disagree with you for the heck of it.
lilhomer
February 9th, 2011
3:51 pm
the best thing i can think of now is that TP will be in the first base coaching box…not yapping around the batting cage….
oldmike
February 9th, 2011
3:52 pm
This team has to be better with a new young aggressive manager who will make the team play small-er ball and not sit back wating for the 3 run bomb. Expect Jay Hey to have a monster season. I think he’s the real deal (sorry Evander). Having Uggla immedialtely adds spark to a stagnant offense since his addition upgrades outfield production (Prado to left) immeasurably. IF (big one here) Freddie Freeman has a rookie year anything like J-Hey did then watch out. Aren’t we due to receive a rookie monster gift. Pitching should be strong enough to overcome weak-ish defense. And, adding Uggla also weakens the Marlins and takes away a late game Braves killer. Now pray for some Phillies pitching staff tendonitis (they aren’t real young there and big innings guys to boot). Go Braves.
Chris
February 9th, 2011
3:52 pm
Try wet tampon…Bradley sole puprose on the AJC is to write ridiculous posts for the sole purpose of internet hits, which increase ad sales. Very much enjoyed your post Ray Pugh, was about to write the same counterpoints.
1. As the Braves do make a lot of errors, defense cannot be solely judged on this stat. It must include range and all the other Sabermetric stuff. (1) This is not Martin Prado’s first year in the outfield. He plays there every year in the Dominican leagure. Therefore he is an UPGRADE in left field which gives us an Prado, Heyward, McClouth/Shafer outfield which I would say is in top 10%. Alex Gonzales makes more unbelievable plays than errors, and Fredi Gonzalez himself has said how much better Uggla has gotten over the years. He is an excellent DP turner and will benefit from not playing on concrete like in Miami. Freeman is an upgrade over Glaus, McCann has improved every year, and Chipper is Chipper. It would be nice to find a Rafael Belliard for the bench.
2. McClouth can only go up over last years product of McClouth/Cabrerra/Ankiel.
3. If you look at Kimbrel’s walks on 2nd call up compared to 1st call up there was significant improvement and should only get better. He also recieved invaluble postseason pressure time experience.
4. While speed helps with range and total bases (i.e. 1st to 3rd), it is significantly overrated. Posnanski and Bill James (who make Bradley look like a worker for the elementary school newspaper) has posted many times explaining how SB is the most overrated stat in game. Heyward is one of best base runners in game.
Overall, the team should be much improved with Lowe finding his stuff, another year for Minor, Hanson, Jurrjens, Heyward, Freeman, McCann, etc. A superb bullpen and added pop and protection on Uggla.
chewyandrw
February 9th, 2011
3:53 pm
@ramblinwreck83 Dang…a fellow Jacket. I appreciate you correcting me. I did mess up one sentence and you were right.
I guess your child @whatev just got in in the car and ratted me out. Good for you coming to his defense. Yeah, Mark Bradley and I have gone on to pronounce to the world we are leaders in the baseball knowledge industry. And better yet, the very next sentence, you being to add your opinion of the Braves. You are just as bad as I am. Forgot you are Jayson Stark or Buster Olney writing in disguise.
How can you compare this team to the team of 1995? They did have speed, defense, youth, a closer, a shortstop, a centerfielder, and magic. Pretty much the complete opposite of this years team AND the opposite of all the points Mark was making.
More sound? You moved your best infielder to the outfield, your 2nd best infielder got traded for more power-NOT BETTER OFFENSE overall, and you have a unproven rookie at first. We got worse at Third with Chipper coming back, a little better in left. Center sucks and Heyward has to avoid the sophomore jinx.
Things will have to go almost perfect for them to get the Wild Card. The chances the bullpen is better is slim.and none.
Well at least we can both wallow in the disappoint of GT baseball. They will have a great team and due to the coach,be a huge disappointment.