It’s a Braves’ new world, but they’ll again be dealt a wild card
OK, so there's one thing about the Braves that hasn't changed. We call him Chipper. (AP photo)
The Braves are about to play games that count, and somehow the whole thing seems a bit off. Opening Day isn’t on Monday but on Thursday, and it isn’t even in April. The Braves will play seven games elsewhere before they get around to playing a real game here. And that’s just the logistical stuff. Other oddities:
Somebody else is going to be managing this club. This isn’t breaking news. We had a year to prepare for Bobby Cox’s retirement and an offseason to get ready for Fredi Gonzalez. That said: When the Braves play Thursday in Washington, D.C., it will mark the first time they’ll work for someone other than No. 6 since June 23, 1990. Know how long ago that was? The No. 1 album was “Step by Step” by New Kids on the Block. The No. 1 download on iTunes was … well, nothing. iTunes didn’t exist.
The Braves will be under new management in more ways than one. Fredi G. won’t be as much like Bobby C. as you might think. He worked under him, yes, but he’s a different guy. He’s going to work his players harder than Cox did. And, for as much as Cox meant to the Braves, the changes in managerial attitude will not be entirely unwelcome.
In a stunning development, the Braves might actually have a first baseman. Remember Rico Brogna? Robert Fick? Scott Thorman? Each was handed first base; none lasted a full season. Since Andres Galarraga was diagnosed with cancer in 1999, the only real stability at first base was offered by Adam LaRoche, and here we use the word “stability” advisedly. (LaRoche is famous for blowing hot and cold.) When in doubt, which was often, the Braves would turn to Julio Franco, and he would become the last active big-leaguer born in the ’50s. The Braves now have Freddie Freeman, born in 1989. He could hold the position for the next decade.
Despite drafting a lefthander considered almost big-league-ready with their No. 1 pick in 2009, the Braves still don’t have a lefty in their rotation. The Braves were criticized, most notably by Keith Law of ESPN, for taking Mike Minor of Vanderbilt with the seventh overall pick. Law’s contention was that Minor wasn’t apt to get much better than he already was. Last year Minor was pressed into big-league service after Kris Medlen was injured. He won three games in August but was awful thereafter, prompting a puzzled Cox to ask reporters: “Does he tell you he’s tired?” This spring Minor was edged for the No. 5 slot by Brandon Beachy, who wasn’t drafted at all. (Although Jair Jurrjens’ injury could leave a spot for Minor.)
The Braves have a better batting order than the Phillies. Even without a real leadoff hitter, Fredi G. has reason to feel good about his team’s bats. This team is going to score runs. It will probably outscore the team that has won the National League East four seasons running. The Phillies were already missing Jayson Werth, who left for Washington as a free agent, and now Domonic Brown, Werth’s replacement, has a broken wrist and Placido Polanco has a sore elbow and Chase Utley will begin the season on the disabled list with a bad knee that mightn’t get better without surgery.
It should be also noted that, at least in the National League, batters have to play the field. It’s silly to get excited about any numbers, bad or good, compiled in spring training. But anyone concerned about the Braves’ round-up-the-bats-and-let-the-gloves-take-care-of-themselves approach cannot be cheered by this: They made 32 errors in their first 31 exhibition games.
Strangest of all: The Phillies have become the Braves. Long before they began winning the division, the Phillies dazzled you with everyday talent — first Jimmy Rollins and Scott Rolen and Bobby Abreu and Mike Lieberthal, then Utley and Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard. Now most of Philadelphia’s healthy assets are in their starting rotation, and we around here know better than anyone that rotations rule the regular season. The good news is that the Braves again look capable of taking the wild card; the bad is that the Phillies have too many arms not to finish first over 162 games.
By Mark Bradley
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
113 comments Add your comment
Bill
March 27th, 2011
1:24 pm
Defense will doom this team.
Bob in SF
March 27th, 2011
1:36 pm
Many of the errors made this spring are by guys who won’t be playing everyday roles but it is concerning. Hopefully Hicks coming of age means Conrad will only be a pinch hitting and letting his glove gather dust for most of the season.
Jamaaliver
March 27th, 2011
1:39 pm
I gotta agree with Bill. The warning signs are all there.
Steve
March 27th, 2011
1:41 pm
Mark, why did the AJC not have a big baseball preview like in years past? Or is that coming out Thursday?
Andy
March 27th, 2011
1:43 pm
Wow. Terry McGuirk just crushed Schultz on the Braves TV broadcast.
Delta Stewardess
March 27th, 2011
1:52 pm
What about the Hawks fans getting screw out of money for playoff tickets? The Hawks in the playoff is like GT in the MNC game. Paying good money for a bad prodct.
markie mark
March 27th, 2011
1:54 pm
dang, I am at work and missing the game….where are the bootleg internet feeds when you need them?
and I dont think Freddy is gonna put up with the defensive miscues as much as Bobby….Freddy is too young a manager to take that in stride, I think.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
1:58 pm
I hope the Braves just feel good and play hard. I think they make the playoffs.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
2:01 pm
Mark B
Only your Kentucky Team is left in the Dance for the SEC. Are you going to Blog during their game or just watch from home?
Hillbilly Deluxe
March 27th, 2011
2:01 pm
The Phillies have their question marks and their starting 8 isn’t what it has been but as long as the starting rotation stays healthy, they’ll be in the hunt. I think Fredi working the Braves harder might show up as a positive factor, late in the season, but the defense has got to get better. And don’t forget the Fish. Should be interesting to watch it all play out over the summer.
Football Fan
March 27th, 2011
2:06 pm
The Phils have no bullpen at all. That means the Braves will surprise and win the NL East.
oldbird
March 27th, 2011
2:09 pm
Braves win division over Phillies. We have almost as good a starting rotation and a much better bullpen.
steve
March 27th, 2011
2:23 pm
Team looks strong but there are dire concerns. Fragile Freddie… just not sure he can cut the mustard offensively at 1st, weak uppercut swing will lead to many a pop up and strikeout, he is the weak link in what should be a healthy and productive offense. Starting rotation is 2nd best in NL, only behind Phillies but infield defense is a concern Bullpen may be the best in the NL and possibly baseball. Lots of young arms with high pressure game experience. Hopefully the Braves will score enough runs to overcome the errors… I say they are a sure lock for 87-90 wins and a wildcard spot.
My offensive predictions:
Fragile Freddie .206 5 HR 35 RBI ( will be demoted to triple A by June)
Eric Hinske . 260 13 HR 50 RBI
1) Martin Prado .305 19 HR 90 RBI
2) Nate Mcclouth .268 22 HR 68 RBI
3) Chipper Jones .289 24 HR 90 RBI
4) Dan Uggla .275 34 HR 102 RBI
5) Brian Mccann .276 22 HR 74 RBI
6) Jason Heyward .266 20 HR 81 RBI
7) Alex Gonzalez .259 18 HR 72 RBI
9) Pitcher
steve
March 27th, 2011
2:23 pm
and for some reason (8) comes up as a smiley face on here…
Mark Bradley`s Booster
March 27th, 2011
2:25 pm
Interesting observations Mark. I hope you are right escecially about the team being worked harder under FG. Also, it would help a lot if he could get them to work smarter (need to greatly improve in the field by not trying to make plays that cannot be made)as well as harder.
Mark Bradley`s Booster
March 27th, 2011
2:30 pm
Delta Stewardess: Did you retire in the 1960 era before they changed your title to Flight Attendant? I was hired in 1972 but I don`t recall ever seeing a Delta Stewardess.
GovClintonTyree
March 27th, 2011
2:31 pm
Mark, please talk to your editor (I assume there are still editors) and talk to him/her about the whole “Braves New World” thing. My God, that’s overused. Trite. Hackneyed. Stop me when you’ve agreed.
Never Trade Young Pitching
March 27th, 2011
2:33 pm
If the Phils have become the Braves does that mean that the Braves have become the Mets? Pitching and defense win. Every season obnoxious Mets fans would show up proclaiming their latest acquisition to be the difference maker. A strong rotation covers up a lot of ills. Theirs is stronger than ours.
Objective observer
March 27th, 2011
2:34 pm
@Delta Stewardess
Nice to find some Bulldogs who don’t pee all over themselves when they see the Gators coming.
That would be the Butler Bulldogs.
Hillbilly Deluxe
March 27th, 2011
2:35 pm
and for some reason (8) comes up as a smiley face on here…
Try adding an extra space or two between the 8 and the ). Might work; not sure.
DHD
March 27th, 2011
2:35 pm
Braves New World????? REALLY??? Did you just make that up? Braves fans….REAL Braves fans…make fun of writers who use that EVERY TIME there is a change with the Braves. I really am surprised you used this lame term.
Brainerd Brave
March 27th, 2011
2:36 pm
Andy,
He crushed Forbes Magazine. Schultz article was more or less the same interview with McGuirk he just gave on tv. They did not make that very clear during the broadcast though.
5150 UOAD
March 27th, 2011
2:40 pm
Any chance Jurgins will be taken off our hands anytime soon?
bvillebaron
March 27th, 2011
2:41 pm
Steve:
Thanks so much for enlightening all of us about how lousy Freeman’s swing is and how poorly he will play this year. Why should we listen to career PROFESSIONAL baseball talent evaluators who keep proclaiming that Freddie has a terrific swing when we have you to keep us straight? Obviously that .318 BA, 18 HR and 87 RBI (with one stint on the DL) as one of the youngest players in the International League last year just a fluke, huh?
Savannah Fan
March 27th, 2011
2:42 pm
Okay- let’s play ball and see how it shakes out-we should win few and lose a few
Steve
March 27th, 2011
2:49 pm
Yea that other Steve guy is a moron. Freeman will do much better then his prediction.
Mark Bradley`s Booster
March 27th, 2011
2:50 pm
DHD: As captain of the Mark B. booster Club, I must respectfully disagree with your 2:35 disparaging comments
about the Braves New Word as used by the dean of AJC sportswriters. Mr Bradley used the term to properly describe the departing of BC and coming of FG. When was the last time Mark used this term? I don`t think he used a lame term but a very appropriate one.
GovClintonTyree
March 27th, 2011
2:50 pm
“The Phillies were already missing Jayson Werth, who left for Washington as a free agent, and now Domonic Brown, Werth’s replacement, has a broken wrist and Placido Polanco has a sore elbow and Chase Utley will begin the season on the disabled list with a bad knee that mightn’t get better without surgery.”
I think you’re discounting this a bit too much, Mark. You realize that they’ll open with Ben Francisco in right, Luis Castillo at second, potentially Wilson Valdez at third…Rollins, Ibanez, Ruiz, Howard and Victorino are over 160 years old, most of them with injury histories?
Phils are going to see a lot of 2-1 games. Better get used to it. Halladay shuts ‘em down for seven, Madson, Romero, Contreras, or some other tomato can comes in and gets blown up. Wanna bet the Phils lead the league in lost leads this year?
Kurdt Kobain
March 27th, 2011
2:51 pm
Braves have a good enough team to win the East. Phillies’ offense isn’t what it used to be, they don’t have much of a pen, and I would be surprised if they got a career year out of all four of their rotation guys. Someone’s probably going to get hurt and someone’s probably going to have a down year. I want to see Oswalt and Lee pitch a full year in that stadium.
Not saying the Braves will win the East, but I don’t think the difference between Philly and ATL is very much. Philly just has more star power and name recognition.
steve
March 27th, 2011
2:56 pm
To the other steve and bvillebaron: I hope I am wrong but just because freedman shined in triple A doesn’t mean he is going to shine in the bigs… anybody remember Jordan Schafer? Freeman looked terrible during his late season call-up last year. A late season call-up a season doesn’t make but outside of hitting a homer off Roy Halladay he looked clueless at the plate. I’ll be the first one to eat my words if he wins rookie of the year.
GovClintonTyree
March 27th, 2011
3:04 pm
Yeah, but Steve, that one home run went a long, long way and was off Roy Halladay. Besides, he went 4-24. You’re going to slam him for his average over 24 at bats?
He’s got a very compact swing, brings his hands directly to the ball, and has hit at every level after a brief adjustment period. I’m thinking we ought to see what he’s got before pronouncing him the next Scott Thorman.
Hillbilly Deluxe
March 27th, 2011
3:11 pm
the dean of AJC sportswriters.
With all due respect to MB, I believe the dean of AJC sportswriters goes by the name of Mr. Bisher, even if he doesn’t work there anymore.
Katherine
March 27th, 2011
3:11 pm
kawakami is awful…hope they can at least trade him for something
GovClintonTyree
March 27th, 2011
3:22 pm
In Cincinnati, they’re dropping like flies. They might could use KK.
GovClintonTyree
March 27th, 2011
3:25 pm
You know, Minor is lefthanded, touted, and looked like a stud to me last year. He had a good spring. There’s absolutely no reason he shouldn’t be in the rotation, unless somebody very, very impressive beat him out in the spring.
As much as I like Minor, and conventional baseball thinking would favor Minor, they must think Beachy is something special.
oldbird
March 27th, 2011
3:32 pm
As a fellow Carl Hiassen fan GovClintonTyree, is it okay if I just call you Skink or Captain?
Scj
March 27th, 2011
3:56 pm
thoght you would write about ku possibly losing along with duke and oh st and that crushing 80% of the brackets. lol
wish i took unc. i almost did
bvillebaron
March 27th, 2011
4:01 pm
Steve:
Of course success in the minors is no guarantee of success in the bigs. My only point is that your assessment of Freeman seems a little harsh and at odds with how other view his swing and tools. Keep in mind also that Freeman’s track record in the minors is that he has struggled for the first month or so with each new promotion before he settles in. Hopefully, the fans will show a little patience if he gets off to what should not be seen as a totally unexpected slow start for the first month or so. Finally, 24 sporadic at bats in September (mostly of the pinch hit variety) for a 20 year old kid who is used to playing every day is no measure of anything.
Jes
March 27th, 2011
4:10 pm
Time for the refs to start giving ku the calls. No way they can let two small schools make the final 4
and possibly crash the nat champ game
chem
March 27th, 2011
4:11 pm
“first based” “here we use the word ’stability’ advisedly” “would became” …..Did DOB write this paragraph for you?
BeerDawg
March 27th, 2011
4:11 pm
Steve, C’mon….. McOut….22 HR?…..Seriously?……Really?
If he has 22 hits all year I would be surprised…… get real. Yeah, yeah..I know, he had a decent spring against a bunch of AA and AAA pitching
GO VCU
March 27th, 2011
4:27 pm
If they win, there will be no #1 seeds in the final 4. Has that ever happened?
Jim B
March 27th, 2011
4:27 pm
(8)Just testing
GwinnettDad
March 27th, 2011
4:28 pm
@Steve – ah, the joys of spring! The optimism! You have four players, including Chipper, with 81 RBI or more on a team that McCann led last year with 77. All 8 positions contribute 18 homers or more on a team that last year went 21-18-16-15-11. What in the world are you smoking?
Actually, I hope you’re right. But 177 home runs from just these 8 positions? Can you say, “Fat Chance!?” I’ve heard of comeback players before, but your predictions would require Jesus to at least be a 1st base coach.
GO VCU
March 27th, 2011
4:30 pm
Phillies won 97 games last year with 6 of their starters on the DL from time to time.
They get lee and halladay for an entire season? And some idiots think they wont dominate?
The braves will be lousy at scoring runs again and no wild card. WC is going to Chicago
Whoa Nellie
March 27th, 2011
4:32 pm
Like Young off the bench, compact strike zone, great for pinch running and a decent fielder. Have seen him play numerous times, always hustles. Bobby would have kept Mather, at least Fredi went with results and not well he get going eventually mentality.
Mike
March 27th, 2011
4:37 pm
Lets look at the Braves defense this spring from the starters shall we:
Prado: 1 in 21 games(came at 3B)
McLouth: 0 in 19 games
Chipper: 1 in 14 games
Gonzo: 2 in 21 games
Freeman: 3 in 22
Heyward: 0 in 17
McCann: 1 in 16
Uggla: 2 in 22
Pitcher: 2 in 32
Going by at least one or two of these guys played in each of the now 32 games 12 errors is not bad especially given it is kinda tough for guys to get in the flow when they do not play constantly.
@BeerDawg. Yeah it was just ST but guess what. McLouth’s struggles began in spring last year against those AA and AAA pitcher. (No its not like he ever faces ML pitchers ever in ST (sarcasm).) I will admit 22 HR is a bit high but McLouth has been solid. Even had a double today against arguably the best pitcher in baseball.
Whoa Nellie
March 27th, 2011
4:43 pm
The Cubs..Seriously…Colvin is solid, Ramirez and Soriano, though, are getting are getting old. Ramirez has only played in 206 games over the last two years. Bullpen-two words-Kerry and Wood. Starting rotation still has the mentally unstable Zambrano. Love Wrigley Field and like the Cubs..But they will choke just the Jayhawks did today..The Goat Curse lives on..
Mike
March 27th, 2011
4:44 pm
GO VCU. Yeah you are right about the Phillies winning 97. Btw the Phillies had a whole year of Halladay last year. However Atlanta won 91 games with dead bodies at LF and CF, their leader out for 1/2 the year and recieved only 2 good months from their 1B. I will bet this team scores more runs than Philly this year. Especially if Utley is out for about 2 or 3 months.
Fab-Five Fredi
March 27th, 2011
4:47 pm
Raw-Dawg okay for pinch hitting only, God help us if he gets in the field.
Mike
March 27th, 2011
4:49 pm
@steve(the one with the predictions. Yeah I remember Jordan Schafer. I also remember he fractured his wrist in the *5th* game of the season and it required surgery. Did you forget that?
kral
March 27th, 2011
4:49 pm
you never know do you markie…I hope the braves win it all…and I’M SURE YOU WOULD NOT HAVE PICKED VCU OVER CANCAN…DANG WHAT NCCA D-1 IS MISSING WITHOUT A PLAY-OFF, LET THE EXPERTS PICK THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME,,YEAH SEE HOW THAT IS WORKING…not shouting just trying to be emphatic
kral
March 27th, 2011
4:50 pm
got blocked
Fab-Five Fredi
March 27th, 2011
4:51 pm
someone had mentioned that the Phillies wre becoming the Braves of the 90’s…I sure as heck HOPE that the Phillies become the Braves of the 90’s this year. Look great in the regular season and choke in the post season with the N.L. Wild Card winning it all. I will take the Braves playing the role of the 90’s version of the Florida Marlins.
kral
March 27th, 2011
4:52 pm
hello
enz
March 27th, 2011
5:03 pm
Chem – “first based” “here we use the word ’stability’ advisedly” “would became” …..Did DOB write this paragraph for you?
…Good call! HAHA
extremus
March 27th, 2011
5:09 pm
If anything may end up overcoming the apparent lack of solid defense, it’s the fact the Freddi Gonzalez has everyone take infield every day, going over fundamentals. Last season’s Braves were at times bafflingly inept with regard to basic fundamentals both at the plate and in the field, and many of us wondered why. Then we heard all of the reports this Spring from Chipper and others saying how long it had been “since any of them had taken infield practice”.
…Oh.
So don’t assume that the sloppy defense will be allowed to continue under Freddi Gonzalez’s watch. He isn’t Bobby Cox (the legend), no, but then he isn’t Bobby Cox (the managerial approach), either. I think the Braves are in good hands; time will tell.
What?????
March 27th, 2011
5:10 pm
Braves’ New World????? How original. I hope you don’t pay for these original headlines. This is embarrassing for the AJC.
Bill Nahorodny
March 27th, 2011
5:15 pm
Wonderful article, Mark. The Phillies bullpen and batting lineup don’t scare me at all. Yes, they might have a better starting rotation, but I still think we match up pretty well with them on that front.
Tomahawk
March 27th, 2011
5:24 pm
Wild card? You’re talking about a team that had first place locked down for two-thirds of the season until injuries took over, and even AFTER they lost crucial, can’t-lose pieces of the team, they STILL put up a bigger fight against the eventual World Series champions than any other team. How are they following up their 2010 performance? With a better team. As a writer for the Braves you should know this. Yes, there are questions, just as there are for every team in baseball. However, if you have to pick a team that is better equipped to tackle 162 games, which is what you’re doing, there’s no way you can argue that the Phillies as a TEAM are better equipped than the Braves to do that.
Evans Atlanta
March 27th, 2011
5:25 pm
This is why Belliard and Lemke were so vital in the early 1990s, for though they did not provide high offensive numbers, we could find confidence in their daily starts, knowing of their defensive abilities.
Tomahawk
March 27th, 2011
5:27 pm
… I’m still terrified of their rotation, though.
Necromancer
March 27th, 2011
5:27 pm
Phillies become the Braves? Oh, you mean they’re getting crappy ownership too???
Maddux
March 27th, 2011
5:30 pm
I agree with the fellow that says Freeman will be a flop. He’s not shown anything in the Bigs.
He has warning track power and that’s it.
I hope I am wrong.
Our defense, long a hallmark, will embarrass us often this year.
GO TEAM!
The Babe
March 27th, 2011
5:41 pm
Since no one claimed it……..FIRST!
Mike
March 27th, 2011
5:42 pm
Maddux the guy had 24 ABs with noo consistency for ABs. He played in 20 games and had 24 ABs. Find me a guy with no ML experience who can put up a .250-.300 average only getting 1 AB a game for the course of a month. It is tough. As well the guy has warning track power. HE IS 20 YEARS OLD! Power is usually the last thing to develop for any hitter. He is also more of a line drive hitter anyways. As is Heyward. The thing that can not be ignored though is how good Freeman is defensively.
Go Vols
March 27th, 2011
5:51 pm
Great pitching, pretty good hitting – let’s not get overly optimistic about what Chipper can contribute – but awful fielding. That part of the Braves game is reminiscent of the 80’s teams. Still, I’m optimistic about the season. Go Braves!
Mike
March 27th, 2011
5:53 pm
Will Freeman struggle at the start of the year or like a month later? Probably? Did he struggle last year at the start? Yes. He still managed though to hit .318 with 18 HRs. He showed last year he can make adjustments.
Badgerina
March 27th, 2011
5:55 pm
Is it too soon to declare the winner of the Final Four Fiasco?
VCU and Butler in the Final Four
March 27th, 2011
6:04 pm
What? Huh? Am I on Drugs? What’s going on here? You mean the NIT don’t you?
Skeezix
March 27th, 2011
6:10 pm
You are right Mark–the Braves will make the playoffs again. However, I think your prediction on who will win the NL east is off—it will be the Braves. Why? Simply because the Braves,
overall, are a better team.
Prophet Not
March 27th, 2011
6:12 pm
I love the way “expert” prognosticators almost always predict last year’s outcome. Come on, man. Make up something better then that.
PTC DAWG
March 27th, 2011
6:15 pm
Wildcard and the playoffs…any serious Braves fan would take it right now.
Skeezix
March 27th, 2011
6:16 pm
Hampton announces his retirement? What a joke. As we Braves fans know, he was retired in place years ago when he was with the Braves.
count_schemula
March 27th, 2011
6:20 pm
This Braves team has every chance to win the division.
Phillies have a better rotation, but our rotation is not weak and we have 2 options at #5.
Braves have a better bullpen and bench.
Phillies have some issues – Howard has peaked. He strikes out a lot and while he will get his, look at Mo Vaughn and Cecil Fielder for examples of fast the big guys can decline.
Braves have a better outfield. Heyward gets his second year in RF, the Phillies go with their backup rookie while their main rookie rehabs. Phillies have a better CF, but McCLouth became a head case, and unless his career is just over, he is not as bad as he showed last year. Prado is a .300 hitter in LF and Ibanez is old. When Prado comes in to man 3b, we have several capable backups. If we played Hinske every day in LF he would at the very least field as well and produce as well as Ibanez.
We have McCann.
I think Freeman is the real deal. Think Sean Casey. Maybe not this year, but Freeman should hit for average with medium power and good defense.
We have Uggla. The glove? Sure. But he’s a bulldog who hits 30HRs at 2b.
Chipper sat in the dugout last year and probably learned a little bit about leadership in the process. When he’s not in the lineup he will be in the dugout keeping people’s head right.
We have Kimbrel and Venters. They have Lidge and he’s on the DL.
Halladay is the best pitcher in baseball. The Phillies rode him HARD last year and they will ride him HARD this year.
If Rollins was still capable of .280 25HRs 80RBIs and 25SBs and if Utley was healthy, then maybe I give the nod to the Phillies. But as things stand today, I like our chances.
kral
March 27th, 2011
6:20 pm
no,,,NIT not<<big dance cinderallers..you know like d-1 football will never have,,,like d-2 had when no.16 West. KenT. in the play-off won it all…hoping for a NC from the BUT-ler or the V with A BIG SEE-U…hey makes you want to buy into the espn experts..journalist experts.. and the fearless blog experts
ScottyDawg
March 27th, 2011
6:30 pm
The good news here is that I have never seen Bradley make an accurate assesment of talent. Braves should be in good shape.
big o
March 27th, 2011
6:34 pm
MB I think the Braves will when the division. We only get the Phills for 18 games. Its what we do against everybody else and what they do against everybody else. Factor in injuries and team depth. I do think they have money to make a trade at the deadline but Wren proved last year he will get us players. I just hope that was not a farewell to Bobby and he is committed to doing it every season.
kral
March 27th, 2011
6:34 pm
weather
dawg4u
March 27th, 2011
6:43 pm
Mark I agree that the Braves will be the wild card with say 93 wins to the Phil’s 96. We should have a much better offense. Speaking of Kris Medlen, whatever happened to him? Is he still in the Braves organization?
Mike
March 27th, 2011
6:49 pm
dawg4u Yes Medlen is still with Atlanta he just had TJ surgery late I think August.
dawg4u
March 27th, 2011
6:52 pm
Thanks Mike. I temporarily forgot about googling that info. Medlen would really round out our rotation if he could return to last year’s form but I see where he probably won’t be ready before August. Beachy and Minor are good to have too though.
Mike
March 27th, 2011
7:06 pm
I see Medlen sitting the rest of the year. Unless it is dire that we need him. I do not see that happening though. As of right now even if 1 guy does down, we have Minor, if a 2nd goes down there is Kawakami/Lopez, if a 3rd goes down we have the other(however we are looking at trading either Lopez or KK). No real reason to rush Meds.
Hillbilly Deluxe
March 27th, 2011
7:09 pm
Glad to see Bill Nahorodny dropping by to comment. Always pulled for him, in his playing days.
"Chef" Tim Dix
March 27th, 2011
7:09 pm
Brave heathy, Phillies not so much.
Chipper and McClouth produce, race is on.
Phillies no bullpen, may not need one. Braves, RH off the bench, apps wanted.
Will be fun, interesting for sure, I’m of the mind that many, and i mean MANY…
Underestimate the productivity of a heathly Chipper Jones.
Dudes a can’t miss first ballot HOF’er.
Go Vols
March 27th, 2011
7:15 pm
Good points, Chef, expecially about McLouth. I’m not overly optimistic about that one, although I’d take a .260 – .270 average from him. If Chipper plays 120 games, bats .280 with 20 HR’s, I’d be satisfied.
Tim
March 27th, 2011
7:48 pm
Hey Mark. So the Braves have made 32 errors this spring. How many errors have been made by the 8 starting position players? You know the guys that actually count? Try 9.
Freeman – 3
Gonzalez – 2
Uggla – 2
Jones – 1
McCann – 1
Prado – 0
McLouth – 0
Heyward – 0
And seriously the Phillies pitching is too good? Unless Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels and Lee pitch a complete game everytime out they will have to use the bullpen and at last check the Braves have a huge edge over the Phillies in the bullpen and they aren’t that far off in the rotation either. I will eat my crow if I have to but I gurantee the Braves will win the NL East this year and the Phillies won’t even make the playoffs. How’s that for a bold prediction?
dawg4u
March 27th, 2011
7:49 pm
@Mike. I agree. I think that Beachey and Minor will get it done for us one or the other or maybe both. I really don’t think we will see Medlen unless something really goes wrong as you say. I really think that the two position players that could really be key for us are McLouth and Freeman.
Mark Bradley
March 27th, 2011
8:34 pm
Kris Medlen is recovering from Tommy John surgery. He’s still an Atlanta Brave.
Ekim
March 27th, 2011
10:22 pm
I was intrigued to learn that (8) is a smiley face, so I HAD to try it.
Ekim
March 27th, 2011
10:23 pm
Maybe not all the time.
Braves2011
March 27th, 2011
10:32 pm
A lot of peope on here are VERY confident about the Braves pen and quick to say it’s much superior to the Phillies and it may very well be but there is is still a lot of unproven talent. Jury is still out on Kimbrel and Venters and whether they can handle the closer role. The rest of the arms….Sherill, Linenbrink, Martinez….come on these guys don’t exactly strike fear into opposing teams. I just think you have to understand that Lee and Halladay are going to go 7 or 8 innings every time out. You can expect Oswalt and Hamels to give you 7 innings as well. A full season of Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee is superior to that of Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick. The latter duo accounted for 50 starts last year. I think the Braves have a shot but I don’t think with that rotation they’re going to be very difficult to beat this year.
GovClintonTyree
March 27th, 2011
10:44 pm
Oldbird, “Skink” or “Captain” will do nicely. Lots of folks forgot I was drafted by the Braves about the same time I was drafted by Uncle Sam. Guess who won?
Carl
March 28th, 2011
12:00 am
Long season
joe
March 28th, 2011
6:31 am
how did Sherrill make the roster? looked like he got lit up this spring….
jfreak13713
March 28th, 2011
8:09 am
Braves win the divison by 3 games and sail to the World Series! Seriously, Wild Card and strong chance of contending for National League. Go Braves!
Robert
March 28th, 2011
10:51 am
“Fredi G. won’t be as much like Bobby C. as you might think. He worked under him, yes, but he’s a different guy. He’s going to work his players harder than Cox did. And, for as much as Cox meant to the Braves, the changes in managerial attitude will not be entirely unwelcome.”
Indeed
southerntomahawk
March 28th, 2011
10:58 am
GOVCU,
dude, yeah the phillies had injuries, but they were all in the first half, and it was incredibly lucky that all those guys came back just at the right time, and all at the same time (thats a crazy coincidence)
The Braves on the other hand went the whole year with a rag-tag lineup, we only had our full healthy lineup for a few weeks at most. Hell, towards the end of the season and into the playoffs, we had to start Matt Diaz, Melky Cabrera, and Brooks Conrad. We went the last month or so of the season without Chipper, and Martin Prado, arguably our two best hitters. Don’t forget the phillies only won the division by six games. If the Braves were healthy, that margin would have been a whole lot closer.
Robert
March 28th, 2011
10:58 am
It is truly sad to look back on how close the Braves came to being great over the past twenty years when they were ignoring such simple things as taking infield practice.
It’s like a chef who had all the ingredients to make a gourmet meal but didnt bother to check to see if the oven was on.
This team is solid top to bottom, has a great bullpen, some excellent young talent, and is finally has a competent manager
The Phillies have a great starting staff – but they have their issues. Ryan Howard is gonna fast and ugly. I’m not saying it’s gonna be this year, but when it comes, it will be dramatic. He’s the type of guy who will go from 40 hr and 120 rbi to 20 hr and a .185 batting average overnight.
We have the better team overall
The Braves will win the World Series in 2011.
You heard it here first
bfred
March 28th, 2011
11:50 am
Half of the Phils’ veteran starters will be out with injuries to start the season. That is a tough way to come out of the gate. With 162 a player almost never gets completely healthy, especially at that age. Howard has not been in game shape for a couple of years and I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulls up lame at some point also. So yeah, they may be the Braves of 10 years ago – great rotations, questionable offense and no reliable closer (Lidge is out also, and known to blow up as well). Braves are younger, deeper and healthier. It’s going to be a fight.
bfred
March 28th, 2011
11:52 am
Oh, and I think Mark was referencing how the Braves New World thing has been a headline all over the place, for obvious reasons. I’m sure he knows it’s not original. I remember that headline in a 1991 Sports Illustrated.
Wayn-o
March 28th, 2011
1:13 pm
Is it me or does Chipper look like he’s poking an imaginary Pillsbury Dough Boy in that photo?
nashvillewill
March 28th, 2011
2:56 pm
As the season begins, these observations and opinions:
1)Freddy G will be a big improvement over Bobby. Puts up with less and demands more. I hope he removes any player who refuses to run out a ground ball.
2) Fredi F is already struggling. I expect him to do poorly in first month. How Heyward and Chipper and McClouth perform determine how Braves start.
3)Prado, McCann, and Uggla are reliable, barring injury. Should produce near .300 avg., 60 HR’s over the season, and at least 200 rbi’s. Pretty good basis.
4)Pitching, over all, is the best in the NL, factoring in bullpen.
5)Defense is still a concern. I hope Freddy continues to insist on solid defensive effort from all–including McClouth and Uggla.Let’s assume Conrad is not put in late game situations as defensive replacement.
6)I think a 3-way race between Braves, Phils, and Marlins is too close to call. Whoever is second will fight Cubs for wild card. It should be interesting.
OldFan
March 28th, 2011
3:33 pm
A lot of us see an overall improved team, but with reservations about the defense. It’s not simply a matter of counting the number of errors. The best teams have the ability to convert hits to outs on defense. It’s what happens in that space between a clean hit and a messy error where the real defense is played.
The Big Dog
March 28th, 2011
4:12 pm
Scott Thorman could rake. He once raked my entire front yard for 5 bucks.
The Big Dog
March 28th, 2011
4:13 pm
“LaRoche is famous for blowing hot and cold.” I think he just blew, period.
fieldofdreams
March 28th, 2011
4:20 pm
Can I ask all the AJC writers to refrain from referring to Huxley’s book when writing about the Braves? “New world” this, “new world’ that. It seems badly overused and no longer moves us readers. That said, I like the Braves quite a bit. If they play anywhere near their potential they’ll smoke the NL, for sure. Hebrews 11th chapter is instructive.
MitchC
March 28th, 2011
8:39 pm
Mark, thanks for the analysis. I agree with you that the Braves will win the wild card.
You mentioned the Braves having a better batting order than the Phillies. Maybe right now, with all the Phillies injuries. However, as we know, the Phillies pitching should be much better than the Braves.
As you know, this Braves team has three issues. Injury prone players, age, and an unproven first baseman in Freddie Freeman. Venters and Kimbrel are very young closers… but.. hopefully between the two of them, they can do well.
My prediction: It should be just about the same as last year. A win total in the low 90s, and the wild card. Considering the Phillies pitching staff, a better prediction would be unrealistic, unless Philly really gets hit with serious injury problems, and the Braves play far above expectations.
Don
March 29th, 2011
11:09 am
Remember – just recently – the Braves were looking forward to the great young Pitching staff including Medlin and JJ. Now Medlin is gone for the season (and who knows if he will return and really be effective) and JJ has not been really consistant and effective since his Shoulder injury and now has yet another injury. The story ever since McDowell has become the Pitching Coach has been Pitcher injury after injury after injury. At first, some said it is mainly the older pitchers. This is no longer the case. Is McDowell responsible for this because of his conditioning program and the way he handles pitchers. Perhaps,perhaps not — But these injuries seem to be a lot more common than in the past. but the Braves continue to keep him.
Largo
March 29th, 2011
9:12 pm
One of rhe worst defenses in the league. A suspect offense and one pitcher already down. Does this sound like a wild card winner?
Robert
March 30th, 2011
11:35 am
Atlanta won 91 games last year with an idiot manager. Nuff said
Robert
March 30th, 2011
11:41 am
“As you know, this Braves team has three issues. Injury prone players, age, and an unproven first baseman in Freddie Freeman. Venters and Kimbrel are very young closers”
1. Every team that has a chance to contend has to worry about injury – if they’re young enough that they are all sure to be healthy, then they are too young to contend
2. Every team has a question mark at one or more positions. I think Freeman will be inconsistant at best and may well struggle significantly – but that wont kill them even if he does
3. Not having one set closer and losing a HOF closer are both overstated problems. Given the plethora of hard throwing relievers they have, they’ll find somebody who can pitch the final inning every second or third night
Every team has question marks, and weak spots. Every year. This team has made the playoffs repeatedly with plenty of question marks AND a complete idiot managing. If you can succeed while dragging anchor, you can succeed when the anchor is cut loose
Cheap MBTs
April 1st, 2011
4:31 am
Will not compare your daily life to others’. You have got no concept what their journey is all about.