The Braves lose a series but buy some much-needed pitching
Tim Hudson's start Sunday: Six innings, five earned runs. Ouch. (AP photo by David Tulis)
The Braves lost a series to the team they’re chasing – although, having gone 27-29 over the past nine weeks, this constitutes the slowest chase since O.J. Simpson took off in the white Bronco — but might have found a way to hurry things along. A half-hour before they played the Nationals on Sunday, the Braves announced they’d signed Ben Sheets to a minor-league contract.
Don’t be misled by the language. “We didn’t sign him to be a minor-league player,” said Frank Wren, the general manager. “We want him to be one of our [big-league] pitchers, probably even a guy in the rotation.”
For “probably,” read “definitely.” The Braves signed Sheets, who since 2008 has won four big-league games and undergone two surgical procedures, because they’re desperate. They’ve hit better than they did a year ago, but they’ve pitched much worse.
Said Wren, speaking of his rotation: “We haven’t been as consistent as we’d like … We need more of [these starting pitchers] being a sure thing on a daily basis.”
Said Fredi Gonzalez, the manager: “We have matched up well [against the opponent's starting pitchers] at times, and at times we haven’t.”
Having witnessed a run of 14 division titles built on the innings eaten by stellar starting pitchers, we in Atlanta should know the drill. If we’d forgotten, these Nationals can serve as a case study. Washington’s everyday lineup isn’t as good as the Braves’, but it holds the National League’s best record because it has outpitched everybody.
Said Chipper Jones: “That team’s in first place for a reason. They’ve got lockdown starting pitching.”
The Nationals have 50 quality starts (six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs), which is third-best in the league. The Braves have 31, which is the second-worst. There’s your 4 1/2-game deficit.
Over the hot weekend the Braves actually hit the Nationals’ starters pretty well, driving All-Star Stephen Strasburg to dehydration after three innings Saturday and forcing Gio Gonzalez, another All-Star, to throw 114 pitches over five-plus innings Sunday. (An epic 14-pitch at-bat by the rookie Andrelton Simmons in the second inning all but ensured Gonzalez would weaken, which he did in the sixth.)
The Nationals didn’t manage a quality start in the series, but they won two of three because the Braves didn’t muster one, either. The home side trailed 4-0 after four innings Friday and 4-nil after one inning Sunday, and you cannot spot a good team — the Nationals’ bullpen is splendid, too — that many runs.
But that’s what the Braves have done too often: Fallen behind early, thereby lessening the effect of their own stout bullpen. (Though the Braves’ relief efforts have been mitigated by the wayward ways of Jonny Venters, who was bad again Sunday.)
Pitching-wise, the year began badly and got worse. Jair Jurrjens, an All-Star last season, lasted four starts before being shipped to Gwinnett, and the youngsters Mike Minor and Randall Delgado never found traction. Then Brandon Beachy, who was leading the National League in ERA, was lost to Tommy John surgery, all but forcing Wren to go shopping.
As encouraging as Jurrjens’ two recent big-league starts have been, as stout as Minor’s winning effort against Strasburg was, the hope that these five pitchers will coalesce into a playoff-caliber rotation has been reduced to a wish. By signing Sheets, the Braves got a guy that cost them nothing but money. If he pans out, Wren wins the Clark Howard Savvy Shopper Award of the month. But don’t think the Braves are done.
Said Fredi Gonzalez, the manager: “Frank and I have been talking for three or four days. If this [Sheets] works, we still have other pieces to go get another guy.”
The Braves have hoarded young pitchers — Minor, Delgado, Julio Teheran (who’s at Gwinnett) and Arodys Vizcaino — the past two seasons. Surely the plan is for Sheets to render either Minor or Delgado expendable, at least in the short term. Unless the rotation catches fire before the trading deadline at month’s end, the temptation will be great to swap a young arm for a proven one.
The Braves aren’t crazy about renting free-agents-to-be, but if an established starting pitcher — Zack Greinke of Milwaukee, say — could turn a middling season into something that extends beyond the 162nd game, it might be worth parting with Minor or Delgado. (For all their promise, it’s fair to say neither seems a Strasburg.)
The belief within this team is that it hasn’t played to capacity; without better starting pitching, it never will. Hiring Ben Sheets can’t hurt, but there’s more than one hole in this rotation.
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
138 comments Add your comment
Jborodawg
July 2nd, 2012
12:10 pm
Yeah, Sheets is a reach. But long as it’s not costing much to try him out…and as long as ‘they’ don’t think it’s an actual solution, then…
Dirty Dawg
July 2nd, 2012
12:29 pm
Where do you start…just when you think ‘it’s the pitching, stupid’…it’s the bats…and vice-versa. I know Danny Ugla is a great teammate and he’s his own worst critic, but – and not to add to the pressure he already feels – if he doesn’t come around at the plate, and if the Braves keep him in he top five of the lineup, we’re doomed. And Mark, what do you know, or can find out, about whether Atlanta was ever in the hunt for Oswalt? There was a guy that would have been available for ‘just money’ (as if that’s not more than the LM-Braves are interested in parting with)…admittedly a lot of it, but still I wonder.
Appalachia Brave
July 2nd, 2012
12:36 pm
Frank – Where are all your great players on the ALL-STAR team? Come on man..wake up!
Charles
July 2nd, 2012
12:55 pm
Sheets is a sound move — no harm and all upside. But there is great risk in trading for a rent-a-player unless the overall pitching rebounds, which is doubtful even if Sheets is a Comeback of the Decade. The Braves are in 4th or 5th place for the NL wild card, which even if they get there could be just one extra game. To stay in the hunt in order to justify a big-time pitcher move they need to take at least 5 out of 7 from the Cubs and Phillies before the All-Star break to consider such a move. Otherwise, finishing near .500 for the first half of the season doesn’t justify gambling away the rest of this season on a Teixera-type pitcher deal. The Braves have never done very well on those types of arrangments.
Pat
July 2nd, 2012
1:09 pm
Typical Braves move… don’t spend anything and hope that someone who nobody else wants will find lightning in a bottle. Blah blah blah….
Stinger 2
July 2nd, 2012
1:10 pm
Caseyatthebat: Well said. Clusters has had his anti-Chipper and generally
negative talk about the Braves going on for quite sometime. Last night on this blog, he resorted to badmouthing the music played at a game last week. Thepoor guy needs to take his meds and rest awhile.
Stinger 2
July 2nd, 2012
1:12 pm
Caseyatthe bat: Well said. Clusters posts are nothing but trash talk about Chipper and the Braves.
Trash talk
July 2nd, 2012
1:34 pm
Sorry, but they’ve earned every bit of it. The wheels are coming off earlier this season, that’s all.
bulldogbubba
July 2nd, 2012
1:38 pm
@ Stinger2 – I believe Clusters comments were about Fredi and his Shades today and He may have commented “chin hairs” but nothing brutal. This team seems to be dying a slow death and some of our players need to go including Chipper , Diaz, Wilson , Hinske…. so on and so on. I understand being supportive to a long time veteran but if He truly cared about the team He would step out of the way and let the organization put somebody at third and give us a better chance to win. It is suppose to be about putting the best players on the field. Have a nice day!!!!
Sons of Rick Matula
July 2nd, 2012
1:41 pm
Mark … really? Ben Sheets, an over-hyped, injury plagued, .500 pitcher who hasn’t pitched in 2 years is Frank Wren’s “plan” to bring back the days of Maddox, Glavine & Smoltz. If the Hawks did something similar, you’d kill them. You seem awe struck of the Braves organization. These guys are clueless.
Sonny Clusters
July 2nd, 2012
1:54 pm
Wow! We was never hurt so deeply as when other bloggers criticize us for talking baseball. Golly, gee, we like Chipper, too, but not so much that we want a Chipper tattoo. We just think he is gassed and maybe not the role model he’s made out to be and maybe, just maybe, he could step up and lead the team rather than just talking like a deer. Sitting out a game with the division leaders at home means he’s putting Chipper ahead of the team and we are happy to point it out. A real leader would strap on the leotard and play ball and will his team to a win. Lastly, fans like the tender little one are a reason the Braves don’t feel compelled to make changes and do better. They are the ones who think they are watching champions because the homeboy upstairs claims a “championship” for taking the division – or a wild card.
Bob the Blogger
July 2nd, 2012
1:58 pm
I wonder what Kris Medlen did to disqualify himself for consideration as a starter, especially in light of the failures of Delgado and Minor? The explanation the Braves give is that he’s too valuable as a reliever, but isn’t it easier to find middle relievers than starters? His lifetime numbers are pretty darn solid.
Caseyatthebat
July 2nd, 2012
2:37 pm
Sonny, maybe you’re looking for too much. I think it’s time for others ( Brian McCan’t & Uggly, for instance) to establish a leadership position. Chipper will be gone in several months. Perhaps your angst would be better served viewing Chipper from the perspective of coming off the bench. A .292 average and .375 on base % ain’t bad. And, I don’t know your age, but sometimes us old guys can’t play……even at home.
DetroitBraves
July 2nd, 2012
2:52 pm
Since we’re apparently appraising Sonny Clusters today, I generally disagree with him on Chipper but the posts are entertaining enough and generally harmless. However, he’s spot on in his criticisms of Fredi and I appreciate his take on the legitimacy of the flags on the outfield wall (I find legitimacy in more of them that does he, but less than do probably many of you). All that said, the criticisms, even when I may disagree, are much less grating than Stingers Prozac laden, rah, rah, everything the Braves brass does is above question posts. Too much sucrose for me.
DetroitBraves
July 2nd, 2012
3:02 pm
@Bob the Blogger, I agree with you 100%. Unless there is a reason to think Medlen can’t hack it as a starter – health maybe (though stress on a starter vs. reliever is debatable) or maybe his stuff doesn’t hold up for multiple looks (though I have not heard this anywhere) – then the more innings you get out of a talented pitcher the more valuable the pitcher will be. The Braves’ rationale, if that really is the rationale, doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Sons of Rick Matula
July 2nd, 2012
3:19 pm
Mark … come to think of it – Terry McGrady was the Ben Sheets of the Hawks. How did that work out?
b
July 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
Sheets has been injured way too much in his career, Just a matter of time for another one.
And what’s happened to Teheran’s going backwards this year?
SAL
July 2nd, 2012
3:56 pm
tHIS SEASON’S OVER. lET’S TALK SOME FOOTBALL!!!!
Hillbilly D
July 2nd, 2012
4:35 pm
Teams make moves like signing Ben Sheets to a minor league deal, all the time. It’s called trying to catch lightning in a bottle. He used to be a pretty good pitcher. The Braves are hoping he can still do it. It’s a low dollar, low risk gamble. If he can’t cut it, they release him and move on to the next one. And he doesn’t take up a spot on the 40 man, unless they decide to bring him up.
MediocreRtheBraves
July 2nd, 2012
4:58 pm
That’s the issue: a mediocre team and we’re expecting them to beat the best in baseball? Not gonna happen. Hope the limp to the 2nd wildcard and something crazy happens – like the plane carrying the Giants to ATL goes down near El Paso and there are no survivors. THEN and ONLY THEN, the Braves may win a series. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww SNAP!
TradeFreddi
July 2nd, 2012
5:00 pm
Freddi, Minor and Delgado for a pack of smokes!
Bore-em-at-the-ted
July 2nd, 2012
5:01 pm
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (Atlanta Brave’s baseball).
Chipster
July 2nd, 2012
5:08 pm
I don’t even like this team
Disarray
July 2nd, 2012
6:32 pm
I really don’t know why everyone thinks our pitching depth has gone out a window. Why would the Braves trade Delgado or Minor instead of demote them for Teheran. They all have bright futures, it would be stupid to trade them away for any interim pitcher. The pitching will even out, get a new trainer or something…
double
July 2nd, 2012
9:58 pm
Huddy needs to come in early,warm up a little extra.pitch to his team mates.Then go out and pitch,break these 1st innings curse.
Around The Horn
July 3rd, 2012
6:08 am
DON’T TRADE YOUNG PITCHERS
Don’t trade away your young pitching talent Frank!
Don’t do it!
And please, whatever you do, don’t fashion another “Tex style” trade!
Just say no!
Don
July 3rd, 2012
11:00 am
It ain’t no MYSTERY.
When your Pitching Staff is made up of formerly great pitchers who have all been injured – they ain’t gonna be great no more.
Packere Ed
July 3rd, 2012
11:38 am
This team can not win the big prize for two reasons:
1. Owners care less about winning, Braves are a Tax Deduction
3. Not enough cash to compete
Why trade young talent for an established veteran when you can not win anyway?
Bernie
July 3rd, 2012
12:56 pm
As long as Frank Wrenn is in charge of the Braves you can forget about having a good team. It has been evident that this team can’t hit and if they can’t hit so what if someone like Bourn gets on no one can move him along . The guys that do get on base just dies out there. The pinch hitters aren’t doing a thing and it just seems that if a player becomes a BRAVE is career goes to pot. The days of Ted Turner is over but boy we sure could use him now. Mr. Wrenn you need to make a trade and not wait till the season is over with. The player that you trade for needs to be able to HIT. McCann is a good catcher but you don’t need to tie up a bunch of money to resign him. When Minor led the Yankees 4-0 the relievers gave the game away. Pitching is needed but the offense should take priority.
frank huff
July 3rd, 2012
1:21 pm
no matter what the braves pick up in trading for pitching, they will never win with their current manager. Freddie got canned down here in Florida for a reason or two–especially his handling of pitching. And just like bobby cox, hitters with low averages seem to be able to swing at will–never working the opposing pitchers. Hear Freddie is heck of a nice guy and that the players love him–because he gives even mediocre players free range. old retired guy now living in south florida but still a braves fan
Michael
July 4th, 2012
12:44 am
Funny now that “much-needed pitching” even appears in the article title. I still remember very freshly that most people thought we Braves have extra pitching and wanted to trade away some. Even at that time it did not look too good on paper, unless you had not noticed what type of pitching staff Ranges had secured. Complacency is the biggest enemy for our Braves to get better…..
Brandon Lee
July 4th, 2012
4:16 pm
Whose Kidding Who here… Sheet s IF He contributes anything at all , this year Will NOT Compensate for the TEN Yrs Minor or Delgado is Projected For Whomever they Play For…. This Mentality of Short-Sighted Economics by Wren and FG, has Absolutely made NO Sense whatsoever to Anyone with any Baseball Savvy.. and Thus Frsutrating Braves Fans to no End…
Brandon Lee
July 4th, 2012
4:26 pm
Bob-the-Blog is right on… NO Explanation Anywhere Including Mark Bradley, Why Medlin is Not inserted into the Starting Rotation, Where He Was Supposedly Sent down to Do… NOw, it’s let’s All Cheer because Wren and FG consort into buying up damaged goods and expect a Positive Force out of a Blimp full of holes… aLas Until CJ unleashes the Braves his Contracted Millions, there is no hope of Gaining much, unless the Braves decide to Promote acouple of 19 yr olds picked from the Draft a few days ago. and Unless FG Leaves there is NO HOPE Whatsoever of having anybody with Intelligence to Guide this Team.
Arthur
July 4th, 2012
4:42 pm
Pitching?????? What about the hitting? Next year the Braves will have Chipper’s 15 million and Lowe’s 10 million to spend. Hopefully they can resign Bourn. Then they need a big bat. It is time to realize the young pitchers are just that, YOUNG. Signing Greinke should be an almost given before trading these youngsters. I like our team but I think they need a good swift kick in the a–. The manager needs to give out some tough love.
Ralph
July 4th, 2012
5:54 pm
Wren said they didn’t get him to be a minor league pitcher, does anyone know what they are paying him, i’m sure they have guaranteed him more than minor league pay to sign.
Ralph
July 4th, 2012
5:58 pm
Mark, why is it that when I post on your blog then go back to read it, it isn’t there then I go back the next day and it is there?????????????????
Steve
July 4th, 2012
8:17 pm
Hitting is bigger problem. Bourn, while hitting for averag, is on pace for 140+ strike outs. Freeman is racing toward a 140 strikeout year. Uggla is on pace for 200 strike outs. I can’t recall Heyward driving in a run when batting with bases loaded and a .270 average isn’t top notch. McCann is a mystery at the plate. Chipper might play in 100 games this year. Bourn leaves next year as FA most likely anyway unless Wren overpays and mortgages the next 5 years.
Braves need a manager that can get fundamentals ingrained into players & can run a game. They don’t need a rental pitcher. This team is very mediocre. Fans just need to face it.
jt
July 5th, 2012
1:15 pm
The only thing scary about Uggla is the bat might slip out of his hands and kill somebody, when he “wiffs” at a low outside pitch. God he is awful.