The Braves are making moves, but the key concern remains
Did someone say Kris Medlen needs to stretch out his arm? (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
You can’t say the Braves aren’t trying. They’ve summoned Jose Constanza and plugged him into the lineup — batting him ninth, for some reason — and they’ve sent Kris Medlen to Gwinnett to brush up on his long-form techniques, and now they’ve demoted Tyler Pastornicky and promoted Andrelton Simmons. And they have, it must be noted, fashioned a two-game winning streak after going more than a week between victories. That said …
All this motion won’t yield the desired results unless the starting pitching gets better. I know I’m belaboring the point, but in baseball starting pitching is the one point that cannot be belabored.
The Braves just completed a six-game homestand; only once in the six games did a starting pitcher last even six innings, and that came on a night when Tim Hudson yielded seven earned runs in 6 2/3 innings against Washington. Last night Hudson couldn’t hold a five-run lead and was gone after 5 2/3, having been touched for five earned runs. And he’s generally considered the best the Braves have.
The Braves’ starting pitchers have compiled an ERA of 4.47, which is second-worst (leading only Colorado) in the National League. Their total of 20 quality starts — a minimum of six innings worked with three earned runs or fewer — is also second-worst, and it’s noteworthy that the teams ranking 1, 2 and 3 in quality starts are fellow NL Easters Philadelphia, Miami and Washington.
And where the Braves go next? To Washington for three games, then to Miami for three. Then comes a 15-game stretch against the American League East, the best of baseball’s six divisions. Kris Medlen better stretch out his arm in a hurry.
By Mark Bradley
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173 comments Add your comment
Joe Bling
May 31st, 2012
12:24 pm
Hudson was pitching well last night until Jack Wilson hung him out to dry. Wilson cost him the first run with the botched tag on a perfect throw from Freeman. Then he couldn’t get the ball out of his glove on a double-play grounder and lobbed a weak ball that Uggla couldn’t turn. Then he couldn’t knock down the hit up the middle that scored two runs. Huddy was visibly upset about that one. Thank God Wilson’s error in the ninth didn’t cost us.
Just like last year, Constanza has provided a huge spark with his energy and speed. But it won’t take long for the pitchers to figure him out, and when they do he won’t be getting on base anymore.
Heyward looks like he’s back to his old self: standing too far off the plate, fouling back fastballs right down the middle, and beating breaking pitches into the ground for easy outs.
What happens when you want to move a starting pitcher to the bullpen? Do you have to send him to minors for three or four outings so he can “tighten up”?
Hillbilly D
May 31st, 2012
12:25 pm
As soon as they get on a hot streak, they’ll be the greatest thing since sliced bread again. These columns seem to run throughout the season, on 2-3 week cycles.
Steve From Dalton
May 31st, 2012
12:26 pm
TomB I’m not saying the Rangers overpaid, The Braves are not in a position to spend 5 to 6 millon. Under Liberty Media the pay roll is just about maxed out.
Sonny Clusters
May 31st, 2012
12:28 pm
We read this and almost cried. Where has the pitching gone? Well, some of those ground balls that get through at shortstop are part of the problem. Catch those and make a good throw to base and it helps the pitcher. And whatever happened to the double play combination? They wanted to get Pastornicky and Uggla working together and did it help Pastornicky? Didn’t seem to. It only started problems with Uggla throwing the ball to first. Throws like a girl with those Pop-Pie arms.
Sonny Clusters
May 31st, 2012
12:32 pm
We’re not saying Uggla is more arms than brain but he sure seems to dwell at the bottom of the fish bowl. When he was seeing that porn star it may have messed him up for baseball. One thing, he has those Pop-Pie arms and doesn’t button the top two buttons of his uniform shirt. Those are characteristics of the film industry. When will he grow his porn stache?
Tom G (Independent - Viet Vet)
May 31st, 2012
12:32 pm
DetroitBraves – No way on earth is J Heyward a better player than Frenchy. Go back and look at BA’s, HRS, arm strength(runners thrown our by RF attempting to take that extra base. Yes Frenchy was immature at times and he came out of the dugout swinging(too many K’s). Forget the past and honestly look at the player Frenchy is now, that is all I ask!! That young kid from Washington(Harper)reminds me of a young Frenchy. His game is solid all around!!
TOo Tough44
May 31st, 2012
12:33 pm
I know this…CONSTANZA NEEDS TO BE AN EVERYDAY PLAYER! Why that wasnt realized early this season is beyound me….
Come on…Braves….we are nothing against good teams I am disheartened to say!
go Braves…I liked Pastornicky..his brain hasnt been fazed into an automatic out..I like houw he hits to right and not try to pull every pitch for a HR
DetroitBraves
May 31st, 2012
12:35 pm
Sonny Clusters, that’s a really good point. The Braves are the 8th worst defense in baseball in terms of efficiency, and 4th worst in the NL. Defenders not making plays, particularly not making plays because they can’t range to balls rather than simply making errors, can make a pitching staff look worse than it is. I don’t know if Simmons is being rushed to the majors or not but given his plus glove Wren’s decision is not without some merit.
TomB
May 31st, 2012
12:36 pm
Steve, is it Liberty Media’s fault or our own GM ? This is what I’ve been saying all along. We got 10 million tied up so Lowe can pitch in Cleveland, and we might still be paying on Kawakami’s contract, I’m not sure. Look other organizations have to deal with the same problems the Braves have; just look at Baltimore’s organization.
heartofdarkness
May 31st, 2012
12:38 pm
There is nothing wrong with the Atlanta professional franchises that a few Abu Dhabi oil sheiks and Chinese real estate billionaires couldn’t cure. Of course, you would have to rebuild the minor league system and wait for those future Hall of Famers to hit the free agent market. I wouldn’t be expecting a Manchester City revival in the first year.
Hillbilly D
May 31st, 2012
12:38 pm
Tom G
I’d agree Frenchy is a better player now than when he was in Atlanta. The question is, without going through the failure here and the struggles that came after, would he be the player he is now? That of course, can’t really be answered but you could make the case he would never have gotten better as a Brave. He needed a change of scenery and a reality check.
DetroitBraves
May 31st, 2012
12:39 pm
@Tom G, I’m only looking at this year’s numbers. Francoeur also ranks as a worse defender and it’s not even close. Not to mention, Heyward has out-homered Francoeur this year and stolen more bases. All of this at a considerably younger age and a fraction of the cost.
Sonny Clusters
May 31st, 2012
12:41 pm
Another thing, our 40-year old third baseman still has a bat but the glove has been retired for awhile. Put some leather on that ground ball that hit him in the leg and we don’t lose him to the DL. The left side of the infield has been sooo very weak because Chipper has no range and Pastornicky doesn’t go to his right and backhand and turn and throw. Escobar saved us. Gonzales saved us. Pastornicky not so much. Up the middle this team needs strength and is deficient at catcher, shortstop, and second base. Uggla is Kelly Johnson-ish at 2B.
dtanner
May 31st, 2012
12:41 pm
mark, i remeber an article of yours last summer touting the braves abundance of fine pitching and talking about they should trade one for a top position player, don’t think you are saying that now are you
Najeh Davenpoop
May 31st, 2012
12:42 pm
I am as disappointed in Heyward as anyone but I’d still rather have him over Francoeur. Funny how people roast Michael Vick for never improving as a Falcon but have no problem with Francoeur never improving (and actually regressing) as a Brave. Heyward is hitting .230 and still has the exact same OBP as Francoeur. If Heyward brings that up even to .250 he will clearly be the superior player.
knockahomma
May 31st, 2012
12:42 pm
Trojan
I remember a few years back when the Braves promoted from AA ball (during the season) a catcher, who became John Smoltz’s personal catcher after game 1 of catching him) and a right fielder who had some pretty good years in Atlanta).
K.Conway
May 31st, 2012
12:46 pm
Chipper is making a lot of money to sit the bench and watch!
Milburn Drysdale
May 31st, 2012
12:47 pm
You’re right SC. I too, never thought I would rather see Durbin in the game than Venters. Quite frankly, I think Durbin has pitched much better than Venters. Venters=trade bait.
Tom G (Independent - Viet Vet)
May 31st, 2012
12:47 pm
Nick@11:51a- You got me to do a little research when you said Constanza ended up hitting below .200 last season. Just for the record sir – From ATL Braves website – In Atl only : Constanza- 42 games, 109 AB, 33 hits, 10 RBI, 7 SB, 6 BB, .303BA final. J Heyward – 128 games, 396 AB, 90 hits, 42 RBI, 9 SB, 51 BB, .227BA final! Just trying to make a realistic point.
DetroitBraves
May 31st, 2012
12:49 pm
Yeah, Francoeur walks in 5.9% of his ABs and Heyward 11.2% (for their careers it’s 5.0% and 12.9%). That’s why Francoeur was never likely to be star while Heyward still has a chance. It’s also a big part of why Heyward is already better in 2012 than Francoeur. I will say in Francoeur’s defense that he is an exceptional hitter against left-handed pitching. His substandard numbers are in part due to the way teams have continued to use him. If he were to be the right-handed part of a platoon somewhere the two players would likely put up star level production.
TomB
May 31st, 2012
12:52 pm
DetroitBraves, interesting post on Francouer, I’m glad he’s doing well in KC; he’s one of my favorite players. Too early to tell if Heyward even becomes a better player than Francouer. Yes, he’s cheaper right now, but he will not be for long. Francouer’s batting average as a Brave was 260, 89 RBI’s averaging 19 Home runs over his four years here not counting his call up year. Heyward’s career batting average is 252, averaging 16 home runs and 69 RBI’s. Francouer played well in KC last year with a 285 batting average, 20 home runs and 87 RBI’s with similar production this year. Not bad, and remember Francouer is a heck of a defensive outfielder.
Mike
May 31st, 2012
1:00 pm
I agree Mark. Its one of the reasons the Phillies could never get to the playoffs early last decade. They could knock the cover off the ball, but lost a lot of games because they couldnt outscore the other team. Even for the first few years they won the division, their pitching wasnt that good and the were winning around 90 games.
The Problem is the Braves ownership is too cheap to go out and get proven arms. The Braves would have won the division most of these years since 05. The division was there for the taking most of the time. Right now, if it doesnt come out of the farm system, the Braves arent going to get it. The Braves farm system has to be the best or one of the best in baseball, and they are using it just to get by instead of supplementing it with free agents to compete for division championships and playoff runs.
DetroitBraves
May 31st, 2012
1:01 pm
@TomB, here is where we disagree – which is ok, because we’ve agreed on most things the last couple of days. Batting average doesn’t give a good measure of how well a hitter avoids making outs, which is the most important part of offense. Francoeur has never been an on-base type of player, which is even more important playing a corner position. His power is also nothing special for a corner outfielder in what is supposed to be his prime power years. And while he has a strong throwing arm, no doubt, by every defensive metric he lacks the range to even be a positive defender in right, much less on par with Heyward. It may well be that Heyward will never live up to our expectations, time will tell, but living up to Jeff Francoeur’s prime is setting the bar fairly low. No wonder that it’s a bar Heyward has already cleared.
TomB
May 31st, 2012
1:17 pm
DetroitBrave, this is the first time I’ve heard of Francoeur’s lack of range, you may be right. I do know that Francouer was a heck of an athlete, probably could have played corner back in the NFL if he chose that route… he was that good of a football player. Francoeur’s on base percentage in KC has been right at 327, 329 about the same as a Brave, and about the same as Heyward this year. Heyward OBP was .393 in 2010 but only 319 last year so not much difference between the two players on this measure anyway. Heyward’s slugging percentage has been 456, 389, and 413 this year and Francouer’s has been 476 in KC, and 491 in Texas so they are comparable. I hope Heyward turns out to be a star, but I don’t see much difference in their production right now.
Tom G (Independent - Viet Vet)
May 31st, 2012
1:19 pm
Detroit@12:39 – Ref Frenchy being the worst defender . From MLB website, this season only. Franceour – 73 PO, 5 Assists, 1 error, 2 DP while Heyward – 89 PO, 2 assists, 1 error, 1 DP, looks similar to me not worst???
TomB
May 31st, 2012
1:28 pm
DetroitBrave; Here is an article from the WSJ on how good an athlete Francoeur was.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703691804575254462552248910.html
Preston Hannatized
May 31st, 2012
1:33 pm
My reference to payroll limitations isn’t meant to be an excuse but an indictment. You don’t have to go back to Ted Turner to a day when the Braves were willing to take on salaries. The Schuerholz/Cox years saw aggressive additions made both pitching and hitting. Wren tries to wear a halo because he did nothing. He can’t do anything because his Liberty Media masters don’t want him to. Then, again, seeing some of what Wren has done, is this a bad thing?
Tom G (Independent - Viet Vet)
May 31st, 2012
1:43 pm
TomB@1:28 – Good article, brings back memories. I saw ( in his senior yr) against an East Cobb team, Jeff hit about 4 or 5 Hrs to win State Championship for Parkview. Last HR he hit was over tall pine trees in left-center, longest HS shot I ever saw! I live a couple miles from Jeff’s family and my son played at same time in HS. Incidentally both were on Braves 400 All-Star team that year with Brian McCann from Duluth. Those days bring back good memories.
TomB
May 31st, 2012
1:43 pm
And TomG, Francoeur has a gold glove to boot. Truth be known I wish the Braves would have kept Frenchy, one of the nicest guys in baseball, but I understand the decision they made, and at the time, I was hoping it would be the best for both. Francouer is what he is, a 280 hitter with average power who’s an excellent defensive outfielder.
Bill
May 31st, 2012
1:47 pm
The Big Move need to be ROGER McDOWELL OUT!
usk
May 31st, 2012
1:50 pm
TomB..keep dreaming on Frenchy..he is what he is “average” at best.
richard whiskey
May 31st, 2012
1:50 pm
FIRE THIS FOOL FREDDI GONZALES!
TomB
May 31st, 2012
1:53 pm
Well, usk, that would mean that Heyward is below average which is the only point I was making.
TomB
May 31st, 2012
1:56 pm
usk, I would argue that a 280 average with 20 homers a year is a little better than average. Not a superstar, but definitely above average.
Tom G (Independent - Viet Vet)
May 31st, 2012
2:01 pm
usk – What did Frenchy do to you, steal your girl-friend or kick your dog? You probably need to go back to talking about something you are knowledgeable about, like golf or table-tennis!!!!!
Atticus
May 31st, 2012
2:01 pm
Heyward needs some confidence and someone he can trust. Nicky can’t field that is why they sent him down. And Hanson’s fastball has NO movement. He shows the batter the ball so early and its so straight, if his slider isn’t working he’s toast. Venters is all mechanical which has now gotten into his head.
Atticus
May 31st, 2012
2:04 pm
The thing about Frenchy is he has to prove he can do it when it counts. He’s a good player but for some reason not when he was playing here his last couple of years and not in NY. Doing it in KC doesn’t mean it would work coming back here.
Heisenberg
May 31st, 2012
2:06 pm
I can overlook to a degree that Heyward’s batting average is down considering the OBP, HR & RBI offset that some. What I am not willing to overlook is the casual way he often goes after balls in RF. Uggla was batting well below the Mendoza line last year and never stopped hustling. Maybe Chipper wa sonto something when he called out Jason last year.
And IMHO, I just cannot see Heyward ever becoming a better more consistent MLB hitter until he at least stands in Fulton County (instead of Douglas County) when hitting.
cowdogit
May 31st, 2012
2:31 pm
Because Maddux Glavine and Smoltz pitched during Mazzone’s fourteen division titles , some of the fans believe Leo deserves no credit . WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK COACHED THE OTHER EIGHTY ODD PITCHERS . I don’t think Maddox Glavine or Smoltz would be going to the Hall of Fame with out Mazzone’s development of his brilliant relief staff . Any body that puts McDowell in the same class as Mazzone is a complete idiot .
b
May 31st, 2012
2:40 pm
I still don’t understand how some of you fans don’t realize what a spark plug Constanza was last year before his foot injury and fredi g. derailed him. He’s hit everywhere he’s ever played and some of you all still make fun of Jose. His bat and speed are good enough for a lot more playing time.
JeanE
May 31st, 2012
2:47 pm
At least the Braves are making moves and not standing pat, Constanza is a nice injection of energy and speed but I don’t expect it to last. Let’s ride it while we can. Francoeur coming back is NEVER happening, plus he likes playing in low pressure KC, doesn’t do well here at home, it’s too much pressure for him. Hopefully Heyward will improve, I’m not impressed with the way he’s played RF lately, he should’ve been pulled immediately after his lazy miscues the other day. I don’t care if you have to put MattE D in, Bobby would’ve pulled him. I’m not sure if Roger is to blame or not, all I know is our pitching isn’t looking so good. Even Hudson looked human last night. Jonny is giving up everything right back to the mound and through and looks so rattled. When Medlen is ready why not try Minor in the pen? I like Tyler but his defense was awful and couldn’t continue with that. Wilson had a bad night last night but his D has been good previously and you need a veteran back-up. Uggla’s D is what it is, just bad most of the time. I still don’t like that trade, we are stuck with him and he’s only getting older. We can’t always rely on scoring 10 runs to win so starting pitching has GOT to come around or package Minor/Tyler P and get someone else. I don’t think Oswalt was an answer either, bad back and not that good his last stint. We’ll see.
Tom G (Independent - Viet Vet)
May 31st, 2012
2:50 pm
Heisenberg and b – I want to be on the same team as you two!!!
Tom G (Independent - Viet Vet)
May 31st, 2012
3:02 pm
Jean@2:47 – Please look at my 12:47 post about Constanza of last season, seems like more than a nice ejection of speed and energy if given the opportunity? Some good info in your post. Pitchers have got to start fielding their position better and a SS with real good range will compensate for a lower hitting production from that position! You are probably right about Frenchy! After Jason hits .220 again this season, time to let him find himself on another team, Remember Braves are training slugger Evan Gattis(former C) to be OF prospect. Gattis can hit it further than even Uggla from what I understand.
Heisenberg
May 31st, 2012
3:03 pm
I can see Contsanza making team for good next year with Bourn likely gone via FA, Diaz not likely to be brought back, & Prado moved to 3B. Should be some OF spots up for grabs in 2012 for the likes of Constanza/Gattis/Gartrel/etc. But for 2011 looks like he will be splitting time between the bigs and AAA depending on injuries and September roster expansion.
JohnnyOnTheSpotWalker
May 31st, 2012
3:04 pm
Braves need to make a big trade. We are going to need to trade a hitter, to get a great pitcher. I would be in favor of trading McCan’t. He is going to want more money, since Yadier Molina got nice 5 yr/ 50 million contract. If there is a slim chance the Braves are going to be able to sign McCan’t to a huge contract, than why not trade him now? At least we could get a good pitcher for him, which is something this team needs.
Glenn
May 31st, 2012
3:23 pm
Pasternicky may have had poor defenseive record, but his instinct’s were even worse. Most mistakes have happened when they were trying to do too much.
TomB
May 31st, 2012
3:27 pm
For everyone complaining about Liberty Media and not our GM, consider that the Braves have a higher payroll than the first place Nationals, first place Orioles,first place Reds, second place Indians, and the second place Devil Rays. Its not the payroll, its the proper allocation of resources.
TomB
May 31st, 2012
3:32 pm
Look, by every comparable statistic, Francoeur is a better player right now than Heyward. He’s batting more for average, and his power is comparable to Heyward. I believe Francoeur is also a much better defensive outfielder and he has a gold glove to back that up. Does Heyward have more potential? I don’t know, they were saying the same things about Francoeur that they’re now saying about Heyward. Matter of fact it was these high expectations that hurt Francoeur, and ultimately ended up in him being traded in 2008. Could Heyward be subject to the same outcome? I guess it depends on the Braves, but ask yourself this, what if the Braves never traded Francoeur. What if this organization that wasted 83 million dollars on Lowe and Kawakami, could have made a trade for a great hitting left fielder then I would argue Francouer wouldn’t look so bad in outfield say of Bourn, (Beltran, Willingham – take your pick), and Francoeur.
Tom G (Independent - Viet Vet)
May 31st, 2012
3:35 pm
Heisenberg@3:03 – You are probably right about Constanza this season(but it is a same to me). He should not be sent back down unless he consistently is hitting in the .220’s, like Jason has been doing for 2 yrs now. Most 6′4″, 235lb guys play the OF well in softball games only not baseball?
DawgDad
May 31st, 2012
3:47 pm
“Which one( Constanza or Heyward) gives the Braves the best chance to WIN?”
Heyward. There really isn’t much to debate on this, when you look at the big picture (more than a week). Take a look at what some of the all-time big sluggers hit when they were Heyward’s age. I like the Willie McCovey comparison, George Foster works, many others more recent, too. Look at the Upton kid at TB (though he’s 27 now).