Help Fredi steady the reeling Braves: Your tips welcome!
Who thinks either man knows a thing about baseball? (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The Braves, as noted, have played their way into a spot of bother. But this is baseball, where momentum is tomorrow’s — by now, that would be today’s — starting pitcher, who would be Randall Delgado. So hope remains. That said …
I know you folks. (Not personally, not even Sonny Clusters — at least not to my knowledge.) I know you’re not willing to rely on ephemeral concepts like momentum and fate. You want managerial action! And here’s where I ask: With his team reeling, what should Fredi Gonzalez do?
(I pause to note: Unlike his predecessor, who relied on his iPhone for electronic interaction, Fredi has a laptop. There’s no guarantee he’ll see the fruits of your wisdom, but there’s a chance. And if your advice is sagacious enough … well, you could be the one who saves the Braves!)
Being a famously splendid sport, I’ll go first. My advice to the skipper:
• Tell Chipper Jones, “The next time the ball is hit your way, try to find it.”
• Tell Derek Lowe, “The next time you pitch, throw left-handed.”
• Tell Jason Heyward, “That stuff you were doing last year? Do it again.”
• Tell Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson, “Stop hurting.”
• Tell his hitters, “When there’s a man in scoring position, try to drive him in.”
See, I’m not really sure a turn-over-the-postgame-spread-table tantrum is in order. I don’t for a second believe the Braves aren’t trying as hard as they can. (Think about it. Why would they not be trying hard? Because they’d much rather be lumped with the ‘64 Phillies than partake of postseason play?)
I do believe the injuries to Jurrjens and Hanson have put a greater load on the bullpen, and the load on the bullpen was already immense. I do believe Brian McCann’s post-DL slump has put a strain on a lineup that didn’t have a Prince Fielder or a Ryan Braun in the first place. (Note that Milwaukee has both those guys.) I also note that, if you go by that “expected wins” stat, the Braves’ overall numbers suggest they should be 83-71, not 87-67. So maybe they’ve actually gotten good value from this roster, which could be taken as a sign of — gasp! — skilled managing.
But I know you folks, and I know that’s not what you want to hear. You want action! You want accountability! You want resignations on the postgame-spread table! You want to see this team Play With More Emotion! You want all that stuff you wanted but didn’t get to your satisfaction with Bobby Cox and charge and aren’t getting with Fredi G., either. So here’s your chance.
Tell Fredi what to do. And if your suggestion is good enough and he happens to see it, I’m reasonably certain he’ll tip his cap to you.
By Mark Bradley
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406 comments Add your comment
Baseball movie advice....
September 20th, 2011
2:37 pm
I think Jobu might need a refill or we might need to cut the head off a rooster. Maybe Fredi’s breathing out of the wrong eyelid.
Rick
September 20th, 2011
2:37 pm
“We’ll never know if Chipper could have made the play, because Chipper did not make the catch.’
If we’ll never know, then you can’t try and claim that if Chipper fielded it that they would have won. And he may not have gotten a hit with the bases loaded, but he’s one of the few Braves with a solid AVG this month so I don’t know how you could complain with his overall performance.
George Allen
September 20th, 2011
2:37 pm
Hey the team meeting thing worked twice, maybe once more…a game’s a game.
J Hey's Better (Than This)
September 20th, 2011
2:41 pm
You are what your record says you are look at the last 15 games period! they have played like crap tired of hearing the “big hit” or “Tip Your Cap”! Performance thats all that matters stop making excuses and perform!
John A.
September 20th, 2011
2:42 pm
I would advise Fredi to go to the lineup that has scored the most runs, and stick with it. If he follows the inept lineup he stays with…..STICK A FORK IN THE BRAVES!!!
Giveup chasing that dream that JHEY is going to turm things around……this is the last week of the season….if JHEY hasn’t found his grove by now you’re just kidding yourself. Bench him and play Constanza…..advise JHEY to play winterball, and listen to what hitting instructors tell him about the holes in his swing. If he maintains his headstrong ways find a home for him elsewhere.
P Rose
September 20th, 2011
2:43 pm
Bring back nickel B E E R night to fill the seats with rowdy fans for the Phillies series!
Rick
September 20th, 2011
2:45 pm
“Giveup chasing that dream that JHEY is going to turm things around……this is the last week of the season….if JHEY hasn’t found his grove by now you’re just kidding yourself. Bench him and play Constanza…..advise JHEY to play winterball, and listen to what hitting instructors tell him about the holes in his swing. If he maintains his headstrong ways find a home for him elsewhere.”
He’s hitting over 260 in September with over 400 OBP. His SLG still isn’t up there but I’d say he’s definitely finding a groove. And you’re just speculating by saying he’s headstrong. I think it’s more likely he fell into bad habits with his hurting shoulder and hasn’t been able to completely get out of them.
JeanE
September 20th, 2011
2:46 pm
Nothing is going to change unless we suddenly get better starting pitching and I don’t see that happening. And the bullpen may be just spent, even if we get longer innings from the starters. We’ve never hit, I’m jealous when I hear these monster scores of 15-2, we’re lucky if we get 3 runs and then pray the pitching holds up. Well, not it’s not and we’re toast. I do wish David Ross got more starts, I like the way he handles the pitchers and his defense and if Mac’s not hitting, why can’t Rossy play 1 x per week??
GABuckeye
September 20th, 2011
2:49 pm
Put Constanza in the lineup for Heyward. Heyward isn’t the answer, he’s been pretty much clueless at the plate all season. Not sure why Larry Parrish can’t see the issues with his swing, Joe Simpson has been pointing them out for months now (maybe the other teams have been listening to Joe, as it’s been working).
Constanza’s a gamer. He’s got speed and he gets on base. Let Heyward watch and learn from him.
DetroitBraves
September 20th, 2011
2:50 pm
MB, one of the factors thought most likely to have a team exceed their expected wins is a strong bullpen, so that the Braves deviate slightly up isn’t that surprising. Of course, the biggest factor, by far, is variability. As for crediting their realized record being somewhat akin to their expected record, remember that the expected record (I’m assuming this is unadjusted for competition) is simply based on runs scored and runs allowed. Since one of the major complaints with Fredi is his sub-optimal lineup configuration, the runs allowed part of the equation has arguably not been maximized as a result of his misallocation of resources. The real record approaching the expected record is simply owed to the strength of the central limit theorem, rather than anything in Fredi’s rather round noggin.
BlueMoon
September 20th, 2011
2:50 pm
Tell Wren whoever he has working the pitchers physically isn’t doing the job. Too many injuries that shouldn’t be happening. Knees, backs…and then you throw in Hanson doing work in the offseason at Boras’ place…Hanson needs about 20lbs of muscle in his legs, back and a little in the shoulders. The stronger all the muscles around the rotator cuff are the less likely you are to hurt the rotator cuff. I pitched in college and in the minors and never had one single injury, mostly due to working smart and hard in the weight room. You can have flexibility and strength and these Braves pitchers don’t have it.
Rick
September 20th, 2011
2:51 pm
“Constanza’s a gamer. He’s got speed and he gets on base. Let Heyward watch and learn from him.”
Learn what? They are two completely different types of offensive players.
J Hey's Better (Than This)
September 20th, 2011
2:53 pm
I was telling a friend today as a Die Hard Braves fan that I am if the Cards would come back over take the Bravos and sneak in the playoffs it would bother me…..BUT THEY DID WHAT THEY HAD TO DO AND THEY WON BALLGAMES! If the team wins ballgames this conversation is all for naught the Braves control their own postseason goal they are not chasing a team to get to the postseason TEAMS ARE CHASING THEM! If they dont make it is because they got outplayed and the better team deserved to win the Wild Card. I am soooooooo sick and tired of people making excuses for this team. What I would like to hear is someone ANYONE just say we are playing like crap its our fault! I remember when the Braves expected to win ballgames, That mindset now resides in Philadelphia that is the difference between the Braves and other teams right now. The Phils, Brewers, Yankees, ext expect to win we are in a HOPE WE WIN mode. SO IF ANY PLAYER OR WRITER WHOEVER reads this its plain and simple. The players are not getting done from pitching to the hitters. All egos aside if your not getting it done move over if someone else will!
Tim D
September 20th, 2011
2:55 pm
Rick,
The numbers Prado has put up over the last 7 games is nic but when was the last time he got a big hit with runers on? The last one I can remember is the gamer winner he had about a month ago.
Pierre
September 20th, 2011
2:59 pm
Play George Costanza!!!! He is exactly what the team needs. Bench Heyward for Constanza. They were on a roll when they were playing him, now they are not playing him and they are not winning. Coincidence???
CRED
September 20th, 2011
2:59 pm
Speed kills. A bad playing surface and speed go hand in hand.
George Allen
September 20th, 2011
2:59 pm
I would like to see MORE Teheran less Lowe! Lowe in Relief. Call up Billy Waggs to have Kimbrel know what to do after giving up game-winning HR.
wreckbuzz
September 20th, 2011
3:00 pm
I’d settle for running out a lineup with Jose Constanza in it. We were winning, scoring runs, putting pressure on the defense. Then he turned his ankle, and we have not been the same since. Partly because that seemed like an opening for Fredi Gonzalez to let Jason Heyward play everyday again. But despite his OBP being higher, his hitting is not.
Constanza creates offense by speed. Sure Heyward walks a good bit. But that’s the end of it. Never seen a guy take second base on a walk by using his speed. Constanza puts the ball in play and the defense is pressured into making a mistake. Then when he’s on base he can steal and/or take extra bases on balls in play. Heyward does not have the same ability to disrupt.
JoeFan
September 20th, 2011
3:01 pm
To late for the Braves to recover. New ownership, players and management needed for 2012.
DCBrave33
September 20th, 2011
3:01 pm
My advice to Fredi would be, as much as the bullpen may be overworked, if your going to go down it might as well be with your best guys. You have to use those guys, and if they dont get it done, then they dont get it done. It’s as simple as that.
Also, I hope he discussed 3 days rest with Tim Hudson after his last start so that maybe, possibly, Huddy is ready to throw tomorrow on 3 days rest in the event we lose. You CANNOT possibly pitch DLowe if you are facing a sweep and the possibility of losing your lead by Friday (with Thursday day off, if Cards sweep Mets and we get swept we would be tied).
I just hope they have prepared our one Horse to be ridden the rest of the way.
George Allen
September 20th, 2011
3:01 pm
The Nats will be No Walk in the Park. Especially if they have Strass.
Grego
September 20th, 2011
3:02 pm
What happened with my posting ?!?
GABuckeye
September 20th, 2011
3:04 pm
Rick, Learn to adjust your game. Learn to do what is necessary to win. Casting your hands and rolling over on an outside pitch, producing a weak grounder to 2nd base more often than not is not learning. Learn what it takes to be a major leaguer.
bostonbravo
September 20th, 2011
3:05 pm
make Parrish “co-first base coach”. Let Constanza catch, Cosmo Kramer pinch run & have a Festivus party in 7th inning! Problems solved.
Frank C.
September 20th, 2011
3:06 pm
I agree w/several who said Chipper might not have thrown out the speedy Bonafacio anyway. But to dodge a high hopper like that?? I suppose it’s a natural, instinctive reaction, but really!!!
Also, some have suggested Fredi is playing Heyward over Constanza on instructions from Wren. I doubt that is true, but the thought has crossed my mind as well. If that is the case, I would wonder if they’re “shopping” Heyward. If so, good idea.
freshd
September 20th, 2011
3:06 pm
I saw Heyward hit a home run and score two runs last night. Martin Prado should never bat second and he should platoon with Constanza in left, and Diaz should platoon with JHey in right, depending on the pitcher. AND FIRE LARRY PARRISH, He makes TP look like a genius.
NorCalBrave
September 20th, 2011
3:06 pm
As a rightfielder a lot of you don’t like once pointed out: you win as a team and you lose as a team. The Braves got contributions from a lot of guys to get the big WC lead; and now they’re not getting contributions from lots of guys. Fredi can only ask so much. If they get overtaken, well, that’s just the way it goes sometimes.
Joshua
September 20th, 2011
3:08 pm
First thing now it is win or go home. It doesn’t look like St. Lois is going to slow down. Second bench Hayward. When he lost is starting job and had to fight to try to get it back his average rose into the. 230s, sine he has been starting every day it has fell back into the. 220s. Put constanza back in the lineup. . I know he is in a slump, but I will take someone in a slump whose avenge during the slip is. 288 over someone whoseaverage is. 227 who is not in a slump. I don’t consider Hayward to be in a slip. A slump doesn’t last over a year, and his decline started around august of last year. Next put chipper hitting second again. Then put freeman or uggle third and the other fifth. Put mccann fourth, he seems to hit better in that spot. Next against the marlins get Diaz in the lineup, not one in baseball hits them any better than he does. Lastly find a way to get Gonzalez to the plate, he is one of the hottest players in baseball right now
Rick
September 20th, 2011
3:09 pm
“Rick,
The numbers Prado has put up over the last 7 games is nic but when was the last time he got a big hit with runers on? The last one I can remember is the gamer winner he had about a month ago.”
Like I said he’s had 3 RBIs over the past 7 games. And that depends heavily on who is in front of him and if he is hitting with runners on or not. Especially now that he’s back in the number 2 spot, he’s going to have less RBI opportunities. He’s hitting over 280 with RISP this season.
GaryinBham
September 20th, 2011
3:11 pm
I only played baseball as a kid. Basketball was my sport in HS. But it always seemed to me that in some ways, emotion in baseball can be counterproductive. This isn’t dodgeball. Controlling emotions can be as crucial as having them. This team is pretty beaten up and the pieces left are tired or inexperienced in this sort of thing. I say just sit back and see if they can do it and cheer for ‘em. Nothing else TO do right now. All this “Fire Fredi” garbage is just absurd. The pressure, I’m sure, is unbelievable, they’re all giving it everything. The young kids are in this for the first time. But the other possibility is that one of them might stand up and give a great moment. If it doesn’t happen, well that IS baseball. The rest of us should just take our medications and watch the games. Heck, this is REAL drama! Don’t like it, watch the Kardashians.
Mike
September 20th, 2011
3:11 pm
Get Constanza back in the lineup, even if he has to play short. This group was just starting to figure out that speed wins baseball games. Even when it’s just Bourne in the lineup, we’re too timid on the bases. Run. Hit-and-run. And run some more.
KD
September 20th, 2011
3:11 pm
Next year I think the Braves should not take off for the All-Star break, they haven’t been the same since. They will(are) falltering just like last, except instead of winning the division and have the wild card to fall back on, this they don’t even have that luxery. The Braves are DONE !!!!!!!!
Rick
September 20th, 2011
3:12 pm
“Rick, Learn to adjust your game. Learn to do what is necessary to win. Casting your hands and rolling over on an outside pitch, producing a weak grounder to 2nd base more often than not is not learning. Learn what it takes to be a major leaguer.”
My point is, they are completely different hitters that need to do different things. Constanza gets slap hits, infield grounders, etc. that he can beat out using his speed. Then he steals bases. Heyward needs to be a line drive type hitter who can drive in runs.
Rick
September 20th, 2011
3:13 pm
“Second bench Hayward. When he lost is starting job and had to fight to try to get it back his average rose into the. 230s, sine he has been starting every day it has fell back into the. 220s.”
As I mentioned, he’s hitting over 260 this month. Since being put back in the daily lineup, his average has actually gone up slightly.
Stephen
September 20th, 2011
3:14 pm
Right now, the Braves seem to lack fire and emotion. I know they want to win, but I see no emotion at all. They lose like they did last night and they all give “Aw Shucks!” shrugs and walk off the field. I want to see some guys getting pissed off!
There should have never been a bottom of the 9th last night because the Braves were handed 3 runs as a sympathy gift by the Marlins. When that happens and you still lose. You suck really bad. I hope they can turn it around but I say the odds are now way against us.
With no JJ, Hanson and a terrible version of Lowe, I seemed to be the only one sounding the alarms back at the end of August. Our rookie starters are okay, but not ready for the big stage. We are guaranteed toast. I hope I’m wrong.
iTiSi
September 20th, 2011
3:17 pm
Two things that Fredi Gonzalez and Presidennt Obama have in common: 1. Neither one has the necessary experience to do what they are doing 2. Neither one has the slightest idea what they are now doing.
AlanFalcon
September 20th, 2011
3:20 pm
Is it time to panic YET !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dirty Dawg
September 20th, 2011
3:22 pm
Let Ross play some…he’s better at calling and catching and throwing and the last time I checked he was hitting, at least, as good as Brian. Sit Heyward, like McCann we can’t keep shoving them out there in hopes that they’ll start hitting…and i don’t necessarily mean play Diaz every time you sit Jason.
Decide that while it’s not yet time to panic, it is damn well time to get mad as hell. Looks like St. Louis and their manager have set their minds to winnin’ this damn thing and are determined to do it. Why the hell can’t we? Teams that ‘won’t be beat, can’t be beat’.
up north
September 20th, 2011
3:23 pm
You did not really expect serious, usable answers, did you?
Heisenberg
September 20th, 2011
3:24 pm
1) On Lowe’s day to pitch, have Teheran also warm up as if he will be starting. As soon as Lowe allows 1 run, remove him. Let Tehran finish the rest of the first inning and however far he can go after that.
2) For the bullpen. Walk a hitter un-intentionally, take him out.
3) Send Hansen & JJ to an Earnest Angely healing revival.
4) Note to CK for next 2 games (which current Braves players should have already passed along): Omar Infante can hit ANYBODY’s fastball. Use another pitch.
crackbaby
September 20th, 2011
3:24 pm
Tough crowd here. All I can say is it’s better to be 2-1/2 games up than down right now.
Time to focus. One pitch at a time. Go Braves.
Giirly Girl
September 20th, 2011
3:24 pm
My two cents:
1. Don’t swing at the first pitch. Heyward and Gonzo, are you listening??
2. This comes too late for this season, but we need to have pitchers who can consistently pitch into AT LEAST the deep 7th inning. This whole middle relief thing isn’t working down the stretch.
3. Don’t let Derek Lowe pitch again, unless it’s in a relief role. He’s done. So is Lamebrink.
4. When Chipper retires, make him the hitting coach.
5. Remember those April and May games, when you thought you had all season to make up for losses? NOT
Sorry so pessimistic, I’ve already made the mental switch to college football. The Braves just don’t seem to “want” it enough, and it shows.
George Allen
September 20th, 2011
3:25 pm
Heyward, it’s your turn to be center of Attention….Again! Time for you to display that “S” on your chest…just in the nick of time!
STH
September 20th, 2011
3:25 pm
We have to try and beat the Nats, not likely! We have to beat the Phils, not likely! The Cards play no one one that could beat anyone! It will be tough I think we make it in by 1 game! Thank goodness it is a 2.5 game lead instead of a 2 game lead or we may be sunk! Once we make it in all bets are off we could exit early or win it all. I still believe! – for now! I do wish we had the cup cake games left the Cards do, but whatever!
Stanley Crowe
September 20th, 2011
3:25 pm
Well . . . we’re two games up on St. Louis and we have five games that we should win coming up (before the Phils come to town). I would rather be where we are than where St. Louis is right now. They are not going to close out unbeaten, even though their schedule isn’t too bad on paper. The Mets will surprise them. As for the Braves — keep plugging away. We’re obviously a bit worn down, and we’re asking a lot of some youngsters, with Hanson and Jurjjens down and Derek Lowe ineffective. The young pitching has been good — too many pitches are being thrown, but that’s to be expected. The one big question I have is whether we start Derek again — I think age has caught up with him, and he’s been great, but can we risk him again? I say give him the start but with a quick hook (to Martinez and Vizacaino) at the first sign of trouble. Brian McCann must be worn down too. I’ld like to see Martin and Jason revert to last year’s form. I’m still hopeful but it sure is getting interesting!
STH
September 20th, 2011
3:26 pm
Lowe’s gotta go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rick
September 20th, 2011
3:28 pm
“Sit Heyward, like McCann we can’t keep shoving them out there in hopes that they’ll start hitting”
How many times does it need to be said… he is hitting.
Oregon Brave
September 20th, 2011
3:28 pm
iTiSi: I’m with you on that one. Altho I’m on the wrong coast to enjoy it, I do like the nickel BEER night too. Go Braves
GABuckeye
September 20th, 2011
3:28 pm
Rick, agreed that they are different types of hitters. The difference – Constanza gets on base more often at this point in time. Heyward seems to be pressing too much and looks lost at the plate. Kinda like when Francoeur was here and the other teams knew to throw nothing but hooks/sliders at him and he’d wave and take a seat on the bench. Heyward has a tremendous upside, but he needs to learn to adjust at the plate, on every pitch. If he even had a plan in his mind for each at bat, that would be a start. But, while the team is fighting for its playoff life, it’s not the time to work on those things.
To score runs, the Braves need baserunners. Constanza seems to be the better option at this point in time.
STH
September 20th, 2011
3:31 pm
I would not start Lowe in any situation in life, not baseball or ordering in a drive through! This guy used to be OK, and now he sucks! I am on the bandwagon for Lowe”s gotta go! What a disgrace of pitching! I am tired of his team mates sounding off trying to pick him up. We have found excuses and covered his b.s. long he enough! Even a dog can cover his own CRAP!