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
Rick
September 20th, 2011
3:33 pm
“To score runs, the Braves need baserunners. Constanza seems to be the better option at this point in time.”
Although they were blanked for four or five innings yesterday, they have been getting their fair share of baserunners. They rank 6th in the league in AVG in the second half. Their problem is driving them in.
STH
September 20th, 2011
3:33 pm
I agree and would give Georgie a start and see what he does, hell sit my favorite in Prado just to give it a chance. Worse case seneario Prado gets rest for one day!
Grego
September 20th, 2011
3:34 pm
The starting pitching gave it all during the first 3 months of the season, pitching for the life of the team.
They were outstanding. If they had been only GOOD,or even VERY GOOD, Braves would have been out by July.
In other words, they played playoff situation games in April, May and June. They are burned. Cooked.
We now rely on prospects who are what they are : prospects.
In the heat of the summer, it’s been pretty much all on the bullpen, pitching for the survival of the team, trying to protect and save whatever Uggla and Freeman could achieve.
They now look burned. Cooked.
Lineup has been overrated for a while. Besides McCann and Uggla, no confirmed player. Chipper confirmed he is not a 160 game per season guy anymore. Neither 150…or 140. Barely 120. I’d say productive for 80 games.
Prado had a fantastic season (2009, right ?), then what ?
J.Hey has obviously not confirmed. Gonzalez has never been a good hitter.
The bench has done miracles last year. Miracles being…miracles, it has performed to its (poor) value this season.
Freemanhas been the bright light…to confirm.
(Honest) questions : the team finished last season on the knees, not built for the long run (of a season). It looks about the same this year, specially for the pitching roster. Could this be the result of an inadequate preparation (physical and mental) in the spring ?
Seeing the pathetic offense performances all year long, is the coaching staff qualified enough ?
Well…I know i am off topic, so, to get back on track, I would tell Gonzalez to tell the players : ” Guys, could you do it for me, please ? Save my job !!! “
fordcobra
September 20th, 2011
3:34 pm
Wait until next year! They are standing around waiting for the other shoe to drop in every game and so far it has. Tell it like it is THEY STINK!
Grego
September 20th, 2011
3:35 pm
??!!??
Oregon Brave
September 20th, 2011
3:35 pm
iTiSi: You got that ship right.
Pat's Rockett
September 20th, 2011
3:35 pm
Move Lowe to long relief and let Christian Martinez have a start. Also, my lineup would be this…..
Bourn CF
Constanza RF
Jones 3B
Freeman 1B
Uggla 2B
McCann C
Diaz or Prado LF
Gonzalas SS
Hudson P
Grego
September 20th, 2011
3:38 pm
The starting pitching gave it all during the first 3 months of the season, pitching for the life of the team.
They were outstanding. If they had been only GOOD,or even VERY GOOD, Braves would have been out by July.
In other words, they played playoff situation games in April, May and June. They are burned. Cooked.
We now rely on prospects who are what they are : prospects.
Dazed&Confused
September 20th, 2011
3:38 pm
Tell Leo Balogni @ the 680 TheFan to shut the hell up. Players are listening to him more than Fredi!!!
Grego
September 20th, 2011
3:39 pm
In the heat of the summer, it’s been pretty much all on the bullpen, pitching for the survival of the team, trying to protect and save whatever Uggla and Freeman could achieve.
They now look burned. Cooked.
Grego
September 20th, 2011
3:39 pm
Lineup has been overrated for a while. Besides McCann and Uggla, no confirmed player. Chipper confirmed he is not a 160 game per season guy anymore. Neither 150…or 140. Barely 120. I’d say productive for 80 games.
Prado had a fantastic season (2009, right ?), then what ?
J.Hey has obviously not confirmed. Gonzalez has never been a good hitter.
The bench has done miracles last year. Miracles being…miracles, it has performed to its (poor) value this season.
Freemanhas been the bright light…to confirm.
(Honest) questions : the team finished last season on the knees, not built for the long run (of a season). It looks about the same this year, specially for the pitching roster. Could this be the result of an inadequate preparation (physical and mental) in the spring ?
Seeing the pathetic offense performances all year long, is the coaching staff qualified enough ?
Well…I know i am off topic, so, to get back on track, I would tell Gonzalez to tell the players : ” Guys, could you do it for me, please ? Save my job !!! “
Leonard
September 20th, 2011
3:43 pm
Ship his a$$ back to Miami.
Peter
September 20th, 2011
3:43 pm
They need to take each game one at a time, but more importantly get their collective heads in the game, and play professionally.
Th me that includes being patient at the plate and stop giving at bats away with over aggressive swings.
Carlton
September 20th, 2011
3:44 pm
Allow Lowe to have a few drinks before every start. Might get him through a few innings and if he does horrible, hell, he’ll forget about it.
Phil Hamby
September 20th, 2011
3:45 pm
Do like the guy that followed you in Flordia did ….RESIGN .
alex
September 20th, 2011
3:45 pm
@ patsrocket-agree, except wilson for gonzo,earlier”demotion” lit a small flame in his—
Hope the Season is over SOON
September 20th, 2011
3:46 pm
Somebody just go ahead and put these miserable Braves out of their misery……state of Georgia is going to do as much to Troy Davis tomorrow night…..these phone baloney Braves have lived on “IFs” all season…..I am just ready for it to be over.
Marteen is a Ballplayer
September 20th, 2011
3:46 pm
I say the same thing now that I concluded in late May. You need to start over and ditch Fredi G. and the hitting coach. I was one of the biggest supporters of the Fredi G. hire, but it took only six-months for me to realize he is an awful game-manager. Three scenarios come to mind:
1. Fleet-footed Hinske at 3rd, Hanson at the plate, two-strikes to Hanson, one-run game, one-out, and Prado on deck (batting lead-off at the time). Fredi goes for a suicide squeeze with one of the slowest players on the planet, two-strikes on the pitcher, and one of our clutch batters at the plate. Double-play, game over.
2. Ascensio being left in the game to give up five runs and lose the lead. We rallied back to win, but Fredi did everything he could to lose it.
3. McCann somehow not being thrown out against, I believe, the Phillies for arguing calls. We had to put a long-reliever in the game due to our starter going down. He pitched five scoreless innings, got his first hit (a double), and his first RBI. The umpire was all over the place. We end up walking a guy that should have been strike 3, out 3. Instead, next batter clears the bases and McCann almost gets thrown out for arguing. Fredi stares from the bullpen. Later, Freddi Freeman gets called out on strike 3 on a worse pitch than the earlier called walk.
Do I even need to go into the lack of walks, patience, etc. the new hitting coach brought to this club. I was wrong about Terry Pendelton being a bad hitting coach and I was wroing about Fredi G. being a good manager.
Start fresh next year. Say what you will about Bobby, but he stood up for his players, the players had heart, and we were patient enough at the plate to make enough runs for our pitchers to win.
coach13
September 20th, 2011
3:48 pm
Bunt, steal, hit n’ run, squeeze, manufacture runs. They are awful at the sac fly and you can’t always sit back and wait for the double and the bomb. Your bullpen is gassed, you starters haven’t had a quality start in waaaaaayyy too long. Time to start trying to manufacture runs. Tell Venters and Kimbrel you’ll see them next week. O flaherty is now your closer.
jerry
September 20th, 2011
3:51 pm
Get me an Aaron, an Adcock, a Crandall, a Spahn, a Burdette, and a Matthews, and I will stomp this bunch of sissies that I now have.
jerry
September 20th, 2011
3:51 pm
what
svcsaf
September 20th, 2011
3:53 pm
•You be the skipper! Tell Fredi how to save the Braves! Earn a tip of the managerial cap! http://t.co/niv9q991 4 hours ago
•The great Kimbrel is undone by Infante, and this Braves believer says, “Uh, oh.” http://t.co/D5eKlwUV 17 hours ago
•Remember how I’ve been saying, “Don’t worry about the Braves”? When Kimbrel gets beat by an Infante home run, it’s occasion to reassess. 18 hours ago
•Last month I wondered if the ACC had a future. Today I say: Hail the ACC, new king of college basketball! #gatech http://t.co/YTxMoDLT 1 day ago
•Our all-Falcons Monday Heat Check: The cool of Matty Ice, the uncool bit of scoreboard-pointing by M. Vick. http://t.co/FO6iDhlD 1 day ago
svcsaf
September 20th, 2011
3:53 pm
ha ha
Prado4President
September 20th, 2011
3:56 pm
I’d tell Fredi that he’s doing a good job, but he needs to find a hitting coach that stresses OBP!!!
Curt
September 20th, 2011
3:56 pm
wear hats commemorating Sept 11. oh wait, MLB wont let anyone do that.
chris
September 20th, 2011
3:57 pm
Throw Pitch Counts out the window…….The next time a starting pitcher is in a groove (assuming that will happen again) ride him and who cares if he’s over 100 pitches. If he can throw a complete game and it takes 125 pitches to do it then go for it. The bullpen needs a blow so give them one when the opportunity presents itself.
Prado4President
September 20th, 2011
3:57 pm
Really for that matter, I’d just tell Fredi to find a new hitting coach. Compared to career averages, I believe every single player has fallen in most statistical areas this year. This shows that there’s a problem!
Dr. Rambunz
September 20th, 2011
3:58 pm
Bring back Skip, Don, Pete, and Joe. Things have gone to hell ever since they departed. Of course, we might need a sub or two.
Prado4President
September 20th, 2011
3:59 pm
(Every player that has been with the Braves most of the year, that is…)
BravesfaninNashville
September 20th, 2011
3:59 pm
Fredi should first and foremost protect every lead like it’s Fort Knox. As Chipper says all hands on deck. It’s hard to understand moves like wasting a 5-1 lead in the 5th and bringing in Christian Martinez our long reliever to pitch to 1 batter after we are behind by a run and then having to pinch hit for him the next inning because we need to score since we are behind. Why not bring him in before we lose the lead and have him available to pitch 2 or 3 innings. This way we waste our long guy on 1/3/ inning and further tax the bullpen because now you have to cover 4 innings without him. Moves like that make me crazy..
Nick P.
September 20th, 2011
4:00 pm
pitching has to get better because the hitting all year has been this way, .235 as a tem, so dont all of a sudden expect big chnages in approach and swing changes, they are who they are, home run hitting team incapable of stringing together a number of hits to score, one thing baseball does not lie in 162 game season with state up the wazzo, is lie about a team identity, this team is not very good hitting team, who depends on the long ball for 80% of their runs, which means it better have great pitchers, who are so nervous about giving up runs that they get out of their comfort zone in trying to do too much which lately has been translated into making mistakes due to pressure and knowing if the opponent scores three or more run there is a great possibility that you will ose this game cause your offense cannot muster up any runs! Pure and simple!
John A.
September 20th, 2011
4:02 pm
I thought I was the only one that supported the efforts of Constanza. It seems to me that Constanza has been intentionally kept hiden in the minors. What has he done that deserves this lack of support? Will he be given an opportunity to be on the roster next year? Will he be invited to spring training? If Frank and the boys don’t want him on the team (for fear of showing up their pets) I’m sure there are other teams that would love to him hang his clothes in their lockerroom.
Lowe doe not deserve another start even though he is making more money than half the pitching staff.
jt
September 20th, 2011
4:03 pm
I would tell Fredi to QUIT, GO BACK TO WHERE EVER YOU CAME FROM. WHAT ABOUT THOSE THROW AWAY GAMES BACK IN EARLY SUMMER. YOU FRIGGING “JERK”:
Now that should work, and I feel a little better!
jt
September 20th, 2011
4:05 pm
I was the biggest defender of Chipper, but holy Shi@! What a screw up that was last night.
Now I think Chipper needs glasses, or at least a seeing eye dog.
jt
September 20th, 2011
4:07 pm
Dennis Reynolds I think you have a brain tumor!!!
Bambam
September 20th, 2011
4:07 pm
Play fundamental ball, get ‘em on, get ‘em over, get ‘em in. Simple as that, Jones, Uggla and McCann should not be above bunting.
jt
September 20th, 2011
4:08 pm
I used to be Chipper’s biggest defender, but now I think he needs glasses and at least a seeing eye dog.
jt
September 20th, 2011
4:09 pm
Bases Loaded and Uggly pops up, Come On Man!!!! Big buck for nothing!!!
Dirty Dawg
September 20th, 2011
4:15 pm
Over? Who says it’s over? Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? It ain’t over til we say it’s over! Who’s with meeeeeeeeeeeee…
What this team needs is a Bluto Blutarski moment with, probably, Dan Uggla leading the charge, or maybe Eric Hinski. What we need is one final, futile, gesture. If we’re out of it by the Phillies then a few more head shots to those guys….sorry I got carried away. Either way it ain’t over til Willie sings Whiskey River…and I’m drinkin’ to that.
GWP
September 20th, 2011
4:20 pm
borrow those butt ugly UGA uniforms
Ebenezer Snerdberg
September 20th, 2011
4:24 pm
Roger Dom,
We need more bald players on the team!
Ebenezer Snerdberg
September 20th, 2011
4:25 pm
Psssst, Dirty Dawg………….it’s over!
the hot seat.....
September 20th, 2011
4:31 pm
Hey Mark, is Gonzalez on the “hot seat” like Mark Richt?
EmoryGrad
September 20th, 2011
4:33 pm
The top 5 reasons the braves will not make the playoffs: (wow, that hurts my fingers typing)
1. They play their nemesis in the form of the Nationals…to make it worse it’s in Washington. To add a cherry on top, our best pitcher goes head to head with Strasburg, so there goes our only hope of winning one in the series.
2. Cardinals play scrubs the rest of the way….and they have a good mindset of actually being confident enough to beat those inferior teams…I don’t think the braves have that same mentality
3. The Cards have Big Al, the braves don’t. Enough said here.
4. We finish with the Phillies, who whether they are in or out of the playoffs will always play us hard.
5. We can’t HIT! Anemic! Bourn was a great addition but he has sort of fizzled off of late, prado is struggling, freeman is in uncharted territories, Heyward..well.., McCann is just not being himself of late, and Gonzo (God bless his soul) is washed up.
Note: pitchers’ injuries are not an excuse..the Cards lost their best pitcher Adam Wainwright to begin the year.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
September 20th, 2011
4:37 pm
hot seat,
Surely you jest. Ownership doesn’t even know who the “manager” (read Bobby Cox clone) is.
robdawg08
September 20th, 2011
4:37 pm
I think Vizcaino should be allowed to close the next 9th inning.
I think that Prado needs to play 3rd base.
I think Derek Lowe needs to not start the last few games.
The Red Sox of the National League
September 20th, 2011
4:37 pm
1) Tell Chipper he is just too old and slow and he DOES need to retire or go to the American League as a DH.
2) Take D. Lowe back to the American League with him. I think he has earned about $1 million per loss this season if my math is correct.
3) Put Constanza back in the line-up. He was a spark to this team. It’ll be like Festivus again.
4) Play Conrad in the infield. At least we have seen that movie before and know what to expect. No one will be surprised when the Braves lose on miscues then.
Let’s face it, this is typical of this Braves organization. They just don’t have the killer instinct at the end of the season. I mean, 14 division tittles and one world series title–c’mon.
Bill
September 20th, 2011
4:38 pm
Learn to bunt, particularly when there are men on first and second with no outs in the 8th or 9th inning.
Over for 2010
September 20th, 2011
4:42 pm
Why now. All year long I have not been able to keep up with the lineup. Whos batting 1st, whos at 3rd, who is now in the 8th spot. Think about those players and how they must feel. Think of Heyward who has been replaced instead of sending him to AAA to find his swing. Think of the pitchers who watch as the pen blows another lead while Gonzalez watches them do it. Think of the players as they watch Lowe give up 8 hits and 6 runs in the first inning knowing they now have a lot to catch up on.
One thing you could count on in the 90’s is that that lineup was the same. One could be listening in the other room and know who was up to bat next. The team was comfortable, they worked out of the slumps. I have to wonder if having Pendleton still involved in the hitting part is helping or hindering the new hitting coach. Players are having to think to much.
Now I hear if we do get to the playoffs Lowe will be the starter. God, thats a 1st loss if ever you wanted one. He should not even be on the playoff team. I dont care what he did, I see what hes doing and he has lost the last 8 games. Not a good thing coming into the playoffs.
Well it does not matter at this time. They are done, They are laying down because hunting season is on now and Chipper has the woods calling. Im sure a lot of the other players are craving the same hunt. Good luck.
Freddy Gonzalez was not the right choice for a replacement for Bobby Cox and Terry Pendleton should have been sent packing instead of the 1st base coach. He was good, pendleton is not.
Old saying, you get what you pay for does not apply here, but you get what you keep, well I see that in debth. Time to move some coaches and manager and get a real monster going.
JasonInFL
September 20th, 2011
4:44 pm
Retire.