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Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > June > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThere’s still life in these Braves
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Braves are engaged in a holding action. They sat 6-1/2 games behind the division leader on Father’s Day. If they’re that close or closer on July 14, Day 1 of the All-Star break, they’ll have cause to believe they can still win the NL East. Or, failing that, the wild card.
But July 14 is a ways away. Speaking the day after John Smoltz had surgery and Tom Glavine went back on the disabled list and Jair Jurrjens sprained his ankle on the clubhouse steps, Frank Wren stressed the need to get some notion as to “how long guys are going to be out.” He has a better idea today.
Smoltz is gone for the year but maybe not forever. Glavine is gone until — Wren’s prognosis — “sometime around the All-Star break or thereafter.” Jurrjens seems OK. Mike Gonzalez has yielded one earned run in four rehab appearances with Richmond. Rafael Soriano is now officially the bullpen equivalent of Mike Hampton. And Charlie Morton is 1-0 in the big leagues.
Because the rotation has been in enforced flux since March, we on the periphery keep expecting Wren to swing a deal for an established arm. (Greg Maddux is the most popular name.) Speaking on a teleconference Friday, the general manager said something fairly instructive: “Starting pitching really hasn’t been our problem. It’s more a lack of hitting.”
That’s true. Even a cobbled-together rotation — Tim Hudson and Jurrjens and Jorge Campillo and Jo-Jo Reyes and now Morton — has given the Braves enough chances to win. They just haven’t availed themselves. They’ve hit for average (still second-best in the National League) but to increasingly lesser effect (seventh in RBIs). This can partly be traced to the absences of Mark Kotsay and Matt Diaz, but more has to do with the tepid yields of Mark Teixeira and Jeff Francoeur.
Yes, Teixeira leads the Braves with 48 RBIs, but that places him only 10th among National League hitters. Given that he bats behind the major-league leader in average and on-base percentage, Teixeira ought to be fashioning a massive season. (Akin to 2005, when he hit 43 homers and drove in 144 runs with Texas.) And he has, it should be said, perked up this past month. But he’s still hitting .276, nearly 10 percentage points off his career average. He’s better than this.
As for Francoeur: As a rookie in 2005 he hit .300 with 14 homers and 45 RBIs in 70 games; through 68 games this season he’s hitting .256 with eight homers and 38 RBIs. He’s better than this, or should be.
As dire as these past two weeks have been, there’s still life in these Braves. The first two games in Anaheim showed as much. If Chipper Jones can stay healthy; if Teixeira and Francoeur can deliver at a higher rate; if this crazy-quilt rotation can keep clicking off quality starts; if Gonzalez can return before the bullpen collapses from the strain … then this team should be close enough a month from now for Wren to provide some sort of bolstering acquisition.
For now, though, it’s wait and see. With uncertainty rampant, there’s no sense making a big move yet. Why trade for veteran help if, four weeks hence, you find yourselves 10 games back and newly inclined to deal Teixeira before Scott Boras tells him to leave?
But this much we know: The organizational mind-set is to never give up on anything. John Schuerholz didn’t, and Wren seems similarly inclined. The Braves traded for Bob Wickman in July 2006 and Teixeira last summer; each time they were in third place, and each time they finished third, but not for lack of trying.
If this team can stand its ground until the break, it will feel really good about its chances. And at some point the plague of injuries has to abate. Doesn’t it?
Permalink | Comments (83) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves/MLB
Comments
By Ward
June 15, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Ah, I like the optimism! After winning two from one of the best teams in the majors, on the road, with young guys leading the way; there is hope!! Bobby is outcoaching Mike S. and enjoying the timely hitting. That is where we have been amiss!!!! Go Braves!
By Crabby Bill
June 15, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
You got it backwards,the team has excellent team stats.They’re not as good as their stats would suggest.
By Geo.
June 15, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
I say let our rookie starting pitchers pitch! We don’t need another aging arm such as Maddux. It’s time that we let Reyes, Jurrjens and Campillo team with Tim Hudson to carry our team. These guys can pitch and they will be exciting to watch. Forget Diaz and leave Brandon Jones in left. Bring Kotsay back and team him with Blanco in CF. Find a better replacement for Boyer in the bullpen and we will have ourselves a very exciting team to watch on the field. I’m not for trading our young stars for high priced veterans. Our rookies will be stars if we just let them play ball. Go Braves!
By Carl
June 15, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
I think the Braves still have a chance. Especially if Texeira will concentrate more on his hitting and less on adjusting his cup and Francoeur will be a little more patient and stop trying to pull everything and go with the pitch that is given to him.
By proeye
June 15, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this
I think the key to any team is to STAY YOUNG and avoid trading for players with an iffy health history. At least with putting younger players on the field you can be assured of keeping them in the line up! I didn’t see Smoltz, Glavine, and Soriano all going down, let alone Moylan and Diaz. I figured that we might lose at least one player but not 5-6 key players at the same time.
Why not concentrate on going younger? With everything that’s happened in the last few years, I think I’d rather see someone like Francouer traded for two good prospects. What about trading Tex right now for two top of the line young players? It’s possible that any number of contending teams would rent him until the end of the season. Frankly, I’m not certain we have enough to make it to the World Series so why don’t we work on 2009? With this makeshift pitching staff??? I don’t think so.
We know we are going to lose Tex anyway… Frankly, I never thought he was THAT good in the first place. Look at his stats! He has only hit over 40 homeruns once in his career. We traded for upside and it hasn’t materialized! I think younger players have more desire, they are cheaper, and they often win because of it (Twins, Marlins).
Hah… Now that I’ve said this, watch Tex go on a tear and make me look like a fool… ;-)
By D-Cider
June 15, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
Soriano and Gonzalez had a history of arm troubles when the Braves picked them up. Kotsky had injury troubles, as well. I always thought A. Jones was going to turn it around last year and that didn’t happen. Franceour is filling those shoes nicely.
By tomahawkchop
June 15, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
our best shot is the wild card, the phillies are a collective bunch of offensive beasts
By Harlan Sanders
June 15, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
“There’s just something about these Falcons.” - Mark Bradley, August 2007
Anybody know how the Falcoons made out last year after Mr. Bradley’s prognosis?
By siskel
June 15, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Guys like Tex who play gold glove defense and hit 100+ rbi’s and 35+ homers at 27 or 28 years old are very rare lock him up long term and let him focus on baseball. Let the young guy’s pitch let B.J. man left field for a while and forget about trading any young talent. These old guys are to frail to depend on and baseball has been going through a youth movement for quite some time. Demote Frenchy to A ball and call up Heyward he’s too good for Rome right now and Blanco is not our CF of the future so call up Schafer. We won our last division title with 11 rookies so I know it can work. Lastly have I just been spoiled by the defense of the Lemur and Giles or is K.J.’s defense really the worst in the history of baseball?
By Paul from Richmond
June 15, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this
Wren has it right. When we added just a couple of bats we took two in a row from a very good LA team. When we only score 3 runs a game (like we did in the last series) only magnificent pitching can keep us in the game.
By gman
June 15, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
if the Braves trade anything for Maddux, Wren should be immediately fired. Getting glavine back was admission enough that the Braves haven’t consistently developed any pitching talent in the last 20 years.
This is a pretty average team, no need to hollow out the future for a meaningless trade to bolster a roster that just doesn’t have it.
By Herschel Talker
June 15, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
gman is right. The talent isn’t there. The Braves haven’t developed a solid pitcher since Kevin Millwood. Time to trade Tex for some quality pitching prospects and retool for a run in 2009.
By Supes
June 15, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley,
do your research.
After June 20, only 4% chance that the Braves will win the NL East statistically speaking if they are below .500
There is life, but you should focus on the other side of this. Where is the article on Jeff Francouer calling him out? I guess the Braves are beyond reproach, and so is the natural. That little mention on him is all you did? Darn, wouldn’t want to be “negative” and report some facts.
2-17 with bases loaded and no sac. fly? Now many RISP he’s stranded this seasson?
What else to expect from the soft media market in the ATL.
By Larry
June 15, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
It is suggestions like this sportswriter’s unabashed ignorance that continue the downward spiral in circulation of the AJC and perpetuate the image of current AJC sportswriters as truly the biggest goobers in the land. Leading the way, Mr. Bradley and Mr. Moore, goober co-chiefs!
This team is led by the biggest fraud in professional baseball whose greatest accomplishments are world championships at nostril mining and nick-name manufacturing and now without Maddox, Glavine and Smoltz in their prime is exposed for what he truly is—average, average, average!
Mr. Bradley, nothing can be done about your cerebral deficiency, but do you have an ounce of courage in that wiry little body of yours to tell the truth or is getting access to the Braves’ clubhouse buffet more important to you?
By Jared
June 15, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
Top of the 6th and runners on second and third, two out, down two runs, and guess who happens to be at bat? Jeff Freaking Francour! He flies out to end the inning, and you just have to wonder when someone is going to sit him for a few games, or at least let someone with a better than Mendoza average with runners in scoring position, pinch hit!
By Mark Bradley
June 15, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
I’ve done my research. On July 4, 2004, the Braves were 40-41. They won the NL East by 10 games. It is, as we all should know by now, a long season.
By Bowie
June 15, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
Mark, The Braves are on the road to greatness! I wish and you wish but the truth is they’re no better than 3rd. Bet on it.
By GT
June 15, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
“The Braves traded for Bob Wickman in July 2006 and Teixeira last summer; each time they were in third place, and each time they finished third”
You’ve just made a great argument for why the Braves should NOT repeat the mistakes of the last two years. It is going to take a lot more than a deadline trade to fix this current roster. Mortgaging another 2-3 seasons of the future to cement another 3rd place finish is not what this organization needs, nor is it what real fans want. Lets take our lumps now and be ready to win another championship in 2-3 years. The Braves need to be sellers at the deadline this year.
By Mavis Beacon
June 15, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
Unlike complete wastes of flesh like Mike Vick, the BRAVES still have legitimate dreams of pro sports success… and literacy!
By Phillip
June 15, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
I think to say this team doesnt have the talent is wrong. The pitching staff has shown to be quite deep and talented. The problem is the bullpen has been overworked, we’ve had little clutch hitting and when Kotsay is out of the lineup we’ve got the worst hitting OF in history. If anything the Braves need to make a trade for a good hitting OFer but the problem is we’ve got several studs in the minors (Schaefer,Heyward,Hernandez) who will be up soon. Why not give Barry Bonds a call?
By GT
June 15, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
“On July 4, 2004, the Braves were 40-41. They won the NL East by 10 games”
Just to lift the rose-colored sunglasses for a moment and interject a bit of reality… 1. Perhaps a minor detail, but the 2008 Phillies are considerably improved since 2004. 2. Even if the Braves hover around .500 by the allstar break, what exactly have you seen from them this year that makes you believe they are capable of going 50-30 to close out the season? Their ability to win close games, or their penchant for winning on the road, perhaps?
By Bowie
June 15, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
3 out of 16 agree with you mark.
Larryhas a good point. Why does all ajc reporters give in to Cox and the Braves. Never ask him tough questions,never tell the truth and Make Cox out to be God or something. The Fans deserve reporters to tell it like it is not the way they wish it to be. All ajc reports are yes men for the Braves. Its sad because I like you Mark on everything but Braves. IF IF IF IF in your report alot of ifs? Happy Fathers Day.
By Rick M
June 15, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
Injuries have been brutal to the Braves and I’m surprised they are even a .500 club right now. That being said, there is no sense in trading away good young talent for a mid year pickup, UNLESS you feel your minor league system is so stocked you can just plug and play. Guys, unless the Braves are just head and shoulders above everyone else their is no use giving up talent as the REAL ISSUE the team ALWAYS has in the inability to win close games. Fine, Bobby Cox is a HOF manager. However, it is not by bad luck, injuries, or Texeria or Francoeur not hitting well, that the Braves have lost 21 straight games on the road decided by 1 run. It’s on the dugout coaching, game strategy, and execution. The Braves just jave been extremely poor at this ever since the Braves team in 91. The team batting average is 2nd in the NL and their ERA is 3rd. We don’t execute. When we have speed, bobby is too afraid to run, too afraid to be the aggressor, instead waiting and hoping.
As far as Texeira goes, he always heats up in the summer months which is a shame as it’s doubtful he will continue to see CJ on the bases nearly as much as he has on the first 70 games. I’d trade Texeira to the 1st team that offers me something very good. As far as Francouer goes, I’d find someone who can really get in his head as he’s developing bad habits and starting to remind me of A Jones at the plate, with much less power. SHOCKING they beat Angels 2/3 but I will take it.
By brad
June 15, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
I want to say gg campillo and escobar, they were the only 2 tonight that looked half way interested in playing. As far as Frenchy (like me take a second or two so I dont say anything to get kicked off this site)…….OK (xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)….OK now I can say what I want. When a ball is hit in a park that you are not familiar with dont assime a hard hit ball is a home run. As he basically walked to the warning track thanking it was WAY out, he could have caught that at the 4 foot wall. That homer should have never happened if we had a right feilder that would have ran it out. Bobby should bench him for 5 games move Blanco to RF and Anderson to center………. Its called BRASS BALLS,
By The Curse o the Tomahawk Chop
June 15, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
The Curse of the Tomahawk Chop is alive and well.
By The Struggle
June 15, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
At least the Braves aren’t smoking dope, raping puppies, beating women (post-1995) and getting arrested for DUI (post-2004), unlike some other local sports franchise owned by a bumbling, womanizing Jew I might mention.
By Bravphin
June 15, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
Of course there is time left, time to be optimistic, but only if changes are made. The team like it is now will be lucky to get above 3rd place. Francour hit well last year because he wasnt trying to hit every pitch out of the park. He is this year. especially whith runners in scoring position. When a little bloop single of his bat would score a run, he is swinging for the fences trying to be a HERO. Then you have Yulel leading off. He swings at anything. He is better suite for the 2nd slot. We have the perfect lead off man batting 7th or 8th. BLANCO should be leading off NOW, not when ever they get 12 games behind. Kelly Johnsons always batted better in the 7 hole. IF TEX isnt going to produce in the 4 hole, Put MCCANN there for awhile. I BET a dollar to a donut TEX will start hitting. IF not, TRADE him by july 31st for PITCHING.
basically, what I am saying is, if they are waitg for JULY 31st trade deadline to make moves to help this team, THAT will be too late.
By BravesLover
June 15, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
Come on now…reporters can’t rake on BC or the players because they wouldn’t get to “play” in their sandbox anymore. No more smoozing with the guys or getting the inside news. No more tidbits therefore no more travel money. One can get more objective Braves news by reading/listening to other media. BTW loved watching Morton last night. Sure have liked what I’ve seen from Campillo, Morton, Jurgens, and Huddy. That’s a nice group of pitchers that will be fun to watch. Maybe I can take my breaks when the hitters come up. Did I say “hitters”? I meant “swingers”.
By Mumenshcantz
June 15, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Mark- I may be missing something but aren’t these Braves supposed to be on the edge of greatness? At the time I said you were smoking crack and that they were a Chipper Jones Hammy tweak away from the basball equivalent of a gutter ball. They are still a very fragile team lacking quality depth and they have absolutely NO shot at cathing the Phillies in their current incarnation. They need to trade Texeira for some good quality prospects and bring up that beast from the minors to play 1st base. Go with youth and shoot for the moon. Hampton, Soriano, Glavine, et al. if they contribute at all it will be a bonus but consider them a distant memory.
BTW you Racists and Vick haters… not really sure why you are showing your asses on the board but you aren’t changing any minds with your ignorance, you are just showing how much ignorance you have to share. Please go back to reading Mein Kampf and diddling your sister, and let the adults talk, will you.
By Tyler
June 15, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
Trade Franceour now and get whatever you can. Bring Anderson back up and platoon him (speed is very important). I like the pitching with Hudson, Jurgens, Reyes, Morton and then trade for a 5th starter. The line-up I like is Anderson or Blanco, Escobar, Chipper, Tex (I guess, not really pleased with him thjis year), McCann, BJ, KJ, Anderson or Blanco and then pitcher. I still think that if the bullpen can quit blowing saves that we have a shot. The Phils pitching is not that deep, and please remember that the Phils were in the shape that we are in, last year. Let’s keep being optimistic for now, I know’s it’s hard, but let’s try. GO BRAVES!!!
By Adolf
June 15, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this
Mumenshcantz - Bring me some water Boy ! Get off your high horse, Spanky. Go be self-righteous someplace else. Even though this is a baseball blog, say hi to Mr. Vick for us in Hell. BTW - Go MARLINS!
By Robert S
June 15, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
Chipper Jones made mention of something last week that got overlooked a bit.
He said, as reported on espn.com, “We need to execute. We don’t execute. Everybody else executes, we don’t. Everybody else makes the crucial play. We’re struggling with it…..You have to bring it every day. I don’t know if some of us bring it every day.”
He’s absolutely right. Some of his teammates don’t bring it every day. They don’t execute. They lack in simple fundamentals - catching the ball with two hands on a pop fly, not swinging at ball four when your team is behind, not trying to hit a three-run homer every at bat. Not making contact with runners on base and less than two outs. Granted, even Chipper struck out with runners on tonight, but he’s also a .400 hitter, and clutch. Kelly Johnson? Frenchy? Teixiera? I don’t see a whole lot of clutch there.
It’s amazing how the cast of characters change year after year and yet the results are still the same. Sure, the Braves can get hits, and pitch a little, but it’s execution - stringing those hits together, making the clutch pitch in a crucial situation, making the fielding plays when they need to be made (ahem, calling Kelly Johnson) - that wins ballgames. I could’ve said the same thing in 1993 or 2000. The difference then was that it was in the playoffs that the Braves would suddenly forget to play, not in the regular season. Now the “virus” has spread.
I honestly don’t think these Braves have the ability to execute or the heart to win when necessary. They play scared, trying to not lose instead of playing to win. They’ll be around .500 like last year, but unless the Braves can start playing solid ball with the guys they have, no trade is going to make a whit of a difference…..
By jch
June 15, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
Maddux??? You must be kidding!!!!
Do we really need another OLD arm on the team? Having Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux in the rotation in the 90’s - FANTASTIC; in 08, not so much…
Frenchy made a great splash as a rookie and has done very little since. He has a great arm and a very average bat. Not too hard to find… Please get off his band wagon.
Let the young guns throw. If Glavine comes back put him in the pen. The young guys need some experience if their going to be the guts of the rotation in the years to come. And, they’ve been pretty darn effective!
Has anyone notice the saves leader on the Braves has 3 while the national league leader has 28 (courtesy of the Braves this evening)? Dan Kolb could have done this!!!! Can’t wait for Gonzo to get back, I’d run him out there over Sori’elbow any day!
By jch
June 16, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this
Just finished reading through all the posts. It seems a “youth movement” is the concensus.
I couldn’t agree more.
However, several of you claim we need pitching - that’s the one place pretty good! Our bullpen is TIRED; they’ve been overworked and poorly utilized while we tried to piece together a starting rotation. The bullpen is great, just over-worked.
Our starting pitching on opening day looked fantastic on paper - if that paper was written in the late 90’s. Now, with all the injuries, we’re starting to see what some of the young guns can do and they are holding their own.
I think we should explore the idea of locking up Tex for several years if we can afford it. Just wait, by the end of the season you’ll agree; he’s always like this early. However, we need to do this NOW not later. We need to know by early/mid July if it’s possible. If not, this would give us enough time to make a deal for some young talent - NOT Maddux or anyone else old enough to have a colonoscopy recommended annually.
Frenchy - who knows… He said he wanted to increase his power numbers this year. All he’s accomplished is lowering his average the best I can tell. Could we trade him for anything interesting? Doubtful considering he makes next to nothing now and will be up for the big bucks soon.
Brandon Jones looks very good but we need more time to know anything for sure.
Does anyone else think it’s pretty sad when you have to say losing Kotsay killed your outfield offensive production????? Wow… I like him but he ain’t all that at the plate… However, it is what it is…
By Jared
June 16, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this
We keep getting updates on what’s his name…the former Colorado Rocky who had a couple of really good years before sticking us with a fat contract and not pitching for like three year…oh yeah, Mike Hampton. The only thing is we don’t need Hampton, he won’t perform as well as Jurjens, Reyes, Campillo, or Morton, and since we have Hudson at the top of these young studs, why don’t we instead ask ourselves when Kotsay will be back?
We need hitting, particularly clutch hitting, are there any updates on Kotsay?
By Coach (FED UP WITH MANAGEMENT)
June 16, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this
Um, news flash to Mark Bradley.
The Phillies are the defending division Champions and just as good this season as they were in 2007. They will repeat.
The leading wild card team at the moment is the Cardinals. Can you say Tony La Russa ten times real fast, arguably the smartest manager alive, not to mention that the Cardinals just won it all in 2006.
Our Braves have no lead off hitter, no running game, no closer and the offense is dysfunctional at best. The bullpen is overworked and on pace to shatter all known records for innings pitched in a single season.
Chipper isn’t slumping, he is playing hurt and it is showing up in the batters box. He is 2 for 15 since he he tore his hamstring(.133 BA). The man is headed for the D.L. and when that happens, this team will go up in smoke like a box of fire crackers.
The Braves cannot and HAVE NOT been able to beat left handed pitching for the third season in a row(currently 11-15 against the southpaws).
Did I mention they have the most OVERRATED manager in history? The guy who has won fewer and lost more World Series than any other manager in major league history, the man who has lost back to back World Series(91-92)and lost more post season games than any other manager has, (66-66) with a .500 post season record.
Face the truth, Cox is a one trick pony.
Bradley, do us a favor and grow a pair. Stop treating Bobby Cox like the neighborhood pet and do what the NY media is doing to Willie Randolph. Those folks are about to drop kick his butt and Cox deserves the same.
Everyone is talking about the Mets historic collapse at the end of the 2007 season. Well , here is another historic moment that you and every other journalist in Atlanta, Georgia missed.
I’m talking about the month of June 2006, where the Braves went 6-21. It was the single worst month of baseball in the 43 year history of the Atlanta Braves franchise. THEY HAVE YET TO RECOVER. It happened and not one single media outlet in the state of Georgia thought to speak out in complaint at the manager.
You sir and the rest of the Kool Aid drinkers sipping at the fountain of Bobby Cox make me want to just barf. Grow a damn back bone and stop defending a manager who is living and getting by on past reputation alone.
Thanks for the opportunity to vent, because it is the only thing keeping me from going insane during baseball season.
By captain Midnight
June 16, 2008 1:58 AM | Link to this
A couple of weeks ago you wrote “these Braves will be in first place by July 4th and never look back.” Last year you wrote that “there was something special about the Falcons.” Francoeur has left enough men on base when he came up to bat to be in first place if he had drove half of them in. Talk about over rated. He will swing at anything this side of first base that you could n ot hit with a telephone pole. As bad as the pitching has been it’s been good enough. It’s the hitting that has been woefully bad too many times. This is an average team that relied on too many “over the hill gang.”
By Bolero
June 16, 2008 2:25 AM | Link to this
Let’s not forget Bradley’s infamous “Tech could go a long way into the NCAA basketball tournament” sentiment about the Georgia Tech team a few years ago.
The man is not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to predictions and analysis.
By Tom Long
June 16, 2008 5:57 AM | Link to this
One quick fix here at trade deadline would be to clean out the lockers of Greg Norton and Corky Miller. Neither one of those guys is even an average major league hitter, and either one of their bats in the lineup is a game killer.
By Phil
June 16, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
Well, well, well. Now Bradley is changing his dates to try and cover his insane predictions. “First place by July 4th” now turns into “6 1/2 by July 14th”. I’ve got news for you Bradley, it will be 10 1/2 or more by July 14th.
Coach and Captain Midnight, you guys are right on.
By Titothebear
June 16, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
Jeff,
You are the most wishy-washy sports reporter I have ever seen. One week the Braves stink, the next they are contenders, and back and forth. Not to mention you are a jinx. So, do us all a favor, STFU and let the games play themselves out…then you can formulate your…ahem…opinions!
By Phil
June 16, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
P.S.
This just in, Bradley predicts Davis Love III to win the U.S. Open today.
By JWILLI120
June 16, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY THE BRAVES WON’T SEND FRENCHY DOWN TO GET HIS HEAD ON STRAIGHT, WE HAVE NO GET IN YOUR FACE GUYS ON THIS TEAM, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME FIGHTING AND ARGUING ON THIS TEAM, LET’S SEE SOME FIRE OUT OF THESE GUYS, SOMEONE GET FREAKING MAD, SIT SOME OF THESE BUMS DOWN CORKY, FRENCHY, TEX NO FIRE WHAT SO EVER, THIS TEAM HAS NO HEART SINCE THE DAVE JUSTICE DAYS.
By Phil
June 16, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
JWILLI120, I can answer your question in 2 words:
Bobby Cox
By JWILLI120
June 16, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
HEART, GRITTY DETERMINATION, GUTS TIGER 12 FOOT BIRDIE TO FORCE A PLAYOFF IN THE US OPEN NERVES OF STEEL HE SINKS THE 12 FOOTER THAT’S WHAT THE BRAVES NEED TO FOLLOW THAT EXAMPLE WTG TIGER ROARRRRRRRRRRRR!
By Oneiron
June 16, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
Stop ragging Cox. He’s not the one on the field popping up w/ runners on base. He’s not the one blowing saves for Hudson. He’s not dropping popups w/ two outs in the ninth to cost games. Many folks, including Chipper, have said it’s execution costing them games. Injuries have hurt also. I believe they should bring up the youngsters and let them try - wouldn’t hurt anything - and maybe give some of the veterans some time to think. Then if they do well - let those vets go for some arms.
By Kathy
June 16, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
With Blanco’s speed, why is he not hitting leadoff? Put Yunel in the 2 spot, and move KJ down to 7. If Chipper’s quest for .400 has turned him into a singles hitter then we need runners on base for him to drive in. Get some speed on the bases!
By Oneiron
June 16, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
Kathy’s right, I suggested this a long time ago. I’d even move Francouer to eighth spot until he improves - or bench him.
By Kathy
June 16, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
With Blanco’s speed, why is he not hitting leadoff? Put Yunel in the 2 spot, and move KJ down to 7. If Chipper’s quest for .400 has turned him into a singles hitter then we need runners on base for him to drive in. Get some speed on the bases!
By Kathy
June 16, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
With Blanco’s speed, why is he not hitting leadoff? Put Yunel in the 2 spot, and move KJ down to 7. If Chipper’s quest for .400 has turned him into a singles hitter then we need runners on base for him to drive in. Get some speed on the bases!
By Barry
June 16, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
You guys are all idiots. Except for Robert S, who made the best observation in response to all the moronic comments.
Yeah, Rob, execution is right. Remember when Johnson dropped the pop that would’ve ended the game in Philly, and later the Braves lost in extras? EXACTLY. The perfect microcosm to this season. Play to win. Don’t play to not lose.
Solutions —
Jeff Francoeur — He doesn’t need to go to the minors. He needs to listen to his hitting coach. He’d be hitting .330 if he’d slap the ball to right field when he doesn’t get anything to pull. Chipper has been doing that alot lately from the right side of the plate and he’s hitting .430 as a rightie. French, pretty please with sugar on top, hit the ball to right field.
Pitching — If there’s one thing Cox des better than anyone in baseball is manage young talent. Remember when Mark Wohlers made his ML debut? No? It was on the road in San Diego in the ninth inning. There were ducks on the pond and Cox called on a guy that had never pitched in the majors to save the day.
And he did.
These guys are brought up and Cox expects them to contribute like everyone else, thus building their confidence, because Cox beleives in them. Remember the Baby Braves? That’s why they were so good. Well, now we need a team of Baby Braves to step-up into starting roles. I say let them have it. I didn’t really like the Glavine signing and Smoltz (who by the way is my favorite Braves) was a ticking bomb waiting to explode. Now they’re both out. Let the youngsters take care of it from here on out, come what may. Jo Jo, JJ, Camp, Morton, etc. I think these guys can carry the load. They might not get us to the playoffs this year, but next year and for a few years to come, the starting rotation will be OUTSTANDING if all these guys pop at the same time. All it takes is talent and faith. Remember, 90% of baseball is half-mental.
Lastly, I live in Philly and I watch the Phils play every night. Guess what? They aren’t that good. They have a solid bullpen, but their starters (outside of Hamels) are so-so and most of the guys in their lineup are WAY too easy to strike out (Howard, Burrell, Feliz) The problem is that their top three hitters are almost impossible to get out (Rollins, Victorino, Utley)
Escobar, Johnson, and Chipper are becoming quite a group too. Escobar is growing up fast and I feel Johnson is coming along just fine as well. He’s really turning into a good hitter. And Chipper is Chipper. This team is good. It just has to grow into its skin. People say the team is old. Really? Other than Glavine and Smoltz this team is VERY young. Look at the regular starters. Blanco, French, McCann, Johnson, Escobar, Tex … this team is REAL young.
Have a little patience, Braves fans. Sometimes greatness is a work in progress. I think we’ve got the seeds planted.
By Rick Long
June 16, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
Can anyone tell me how often Cox has hit and run or even had the few guys on the team who have some speed try to steal a base this year? I think the Braves lead the universe in grounding into inning killing double plays. I am so tired of hearing about the “bad luck” and the “hard hit balls right at someone”. It is ridiculous how many good pitching performances have been wasted this year because the Braves can’t score a couple of runs. You can’t always sit around and wait for the 3 run homer. When things aren’t going your way, you have to be creative (that would be a first for Cox) and try to make things happen.
By G Thompson
June 16, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
This is basically a .500 team. Nothing more. Nothing less. I’ve been saying that since mid-April.
By Barry
June 16, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
I too think they are nothing more than a .500 team this year.
By Skeezix
June 16, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
I hope your right Mark, but there has been something wrong with the Braves offensively for the last two seasons and it seems to be continuing this year (except for Brian and Chipper of course). It shouldn’t be so when you look at the talent level, but there seems to be a persistent confidence/mental problem, especially in key situations. If Frenchie doesn’t get his head right, he is going to end up like Andruw. Why would any pitcher throw him a strike, when they can throw him sucker pitches and he gets himself out? And, Tex consistently doesn’t produce with runners in scoring position. Also, Cox still hasn’t found the right guy to lead off, although I’d love to see Blanco given a chance. However, if somehow the bats can come around, I think we can make a run at the post season.
By JWILLI120
June 16, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
the braves are better than their record indicates heart is inside of players chest and not in the throat, i don’t see any in the braves line up with the exception of chipper. he is the only one that strikes any fear in the other teams. please sit frenchy until he gets it or he will be the next A.Jones (lost right now @ the plate). Bring the Studs up from the FARM PLEASE BEFORE IT”S TOO LATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Baseball GODS PLEASE HELP US IN THE ATL
By Kelley
June 16, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
I agree totally.
Surely, the Braves have already been through a season worth of bad luck. Now, hopefully, there will be no more rash of injuries to endure. (fingers crossed as I type it).
Certain players on the team (Frenchy especially) need to start getting the “big” hit. I shudder when I see him come to the plate with bases loaded now. In my opinion, that’s our biggest weakness, timely hitting.
Even though they got beat last night, Campillo kept them in it the whole game, they just couldn’t get the big hit. Pitching, as a whole, has kept it close and given them a chance.
I don’t expect the Braves to panic and fall completely out of the race. I know there are alot of you out there who, for some insane reason, fail to appreciate Bobby for how great he is; but Bobby will keep this team in it, he always does. Bottom line: never count out a Bobby Cox team. His patience and persistence will get them through 162.
“Soriano, the Mike Hampton of the bullpen” how true!
By Barry
June 16, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Well said, Kelley!
By Barry
June 16, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Actually, Toronto leads the universe in double plays. And let’s face it, aren’t all DPs “inning-killing”?
The Jays have 81, followed by the Red Sox with 76, the White Sox with 68, then the BRAVES with 65.
So actually, the Braves are fourth in the universe.
By Mark Bradley
June 16, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
Here’s the thing: A baseball regular season lasts six months. If we learned nothing else over the run of 14 division titles, we should have learned that. How many times over that span did we count the Braves out? (I’m including myself here.) How many times were we wrong?
As bad as it looks today, it could all seem different this time next week. The idea, as every baseball man will attest, is to give yourself a chance at the All-Star break. If you’re still around .500, anything could happen. Ask the 2007 Phillies. Ask the 2007 Rockies. Each was 44-44 on July 13, and each made the playoffs. The latter even reached the World Series.
By fieldofdreams
June 16, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
Oh, the irony: We’re headed to Texas, where 5, count ‘em 5, of our best prospects are fighting with the vigor of youth to reach the big leagues, while we’re stuck with a sullen, non-productive, contract year, first baseman, who has one eye on New York, and the other on his agent, the most unrepentant shark in basebvall. When our GM made this deal last year he said it would keep us playing in October; now we know the the real issue is how and when to dump Texeira, and recover some of the value lost. Bradley: get a clue, dude, the only resemblence between the Fab 14 and this team is the uniform.
By tomahawkchop
June 16, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
wow, i dont think most people on here have been watching the braves…no leadoff hitter? no running game?…btw Mark you are doing a fabulous job in reporting…yes the braves do still have life. the fact of the matter is, we have way too many injuries and our bullpen isnt great due to that
By Will
June 16, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
I do agree with the fact it is a long baseball season. But what is not understood about this Braves team when compared to past slow starting division winners is that the 2008 Braves are not that great of a baseball team. period! The Bravos are a .500 baseball team and i just dont understand why them playing two good games this weekend makes everyone drink the Kool Aid again!!
By Mark Bradley
June 16, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Fun fact: Of the eight teams that made the playoffs last season, three were at or below .500 at the All-Star break. (The Phillies and Rockies were mentioned above, and the Yankees were the third.)
I’m not saying the Braves are definitely going to do the same. (Yes, I’m backing off the first-by-the-Fourth stance of Memorial Day.) But I’m saying that, if they ever start to get lucky as opposed to unlucky, they’ll have a shot.
By Skeezix
June 16, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Having Goldbrick Hampton in the dugout with a uniform on has jinxed this team.
By Kashi
June 16, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
We could have swept Angels if Frency had been benched. We won game 1 and 2 with timely hitting by lower part of line up. We got few hits with lower part of line up yesterday too. C’mon you have gave enough change Frenchy to improve his swing. Bench Tex and Frenchy for a game and see what happens. We are a good club with very deep loyal managers. Do you think Frenchy and Tex is going to stay with Atlanta Braves with manger’s loyalty? Helll…no, Tex will be gone and Frenchy will if we don’t offer em $$$. Its time to win game with right players in right batting order.
By Alan
June 16, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
I’m with you, Mark. As inconsistent as the Braves have been, they still are in the race. Yes, the Phillies are a good team (very good on offense), but they’re far from a great team. Aside from Hamels, their starting pitchers are not nearly as talented as the Braves’ (even without Smoltz and Glavine). The Mets? Aren’t they in 4th place, below the Braves? It’s time, however, for the Braves to get going, and the weekend in Anaheim may have been a harbinger of things to come. Tonight they’re in Denver for a makeup game with the Rockies. Let’s see if they can build a little momentum and take it with them to Texas.
By Kelley
June 16, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
If everyone would be objective, when you really stop and think about all the injuries (2 or the 3 outfielders, 4 or the 5 projected starters, most of the bullpen, and Chipper from time to time); it’s truly a wonder that the Braves are only 6 games out.
Not many clubs in MLB could survive the injuries that way the Braves have; not that many of you would ever give them credit for it.
I was excited to see the Phillies have a series with the Red Sox coming up, maybe they can help us out a little and beat up on the Phillies.
I’m frustrated w/ Frenchy too, but bench him? Who do you replace him with? Not many options these days.
By GREG KAMINSKI
June 16, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
FACE IT BRAVO FANS, THE SEASON IS OVER ALREADY!!! THE NEW & IMPROVED PHILLIES WILL BE THE NL EAST CHAMPS WITH MURDER’S ROW (ROLLINS, VICTORINO, UTLEY, HOWARD) KNOCKIN THE COVER OFF THE BALL. THE BRAVO FANS ARE LIVIN IN THE PAST AND THE ‘ONE’ RED BANNER (OUT OF 15) IN LEFT FIELD AT TURNER STADIUM IS EVIDENCE OF THE INEPTITUDE OF COX AS A MANAGER. TIME FOR BOBBY TO GO!!!
By warren
June 16, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
lets all look at this with some perspective. the braves are losing games they should be winning, finding ways to lose is not a good sign, i agree with most of you that the young arms in the rotation look better than i thought. jj, huddie, reyes, morton, and campillo. who cares if hampton comes back, if these guys keep getting quality starts like they did this past weekend, they wont need him in the rotation(HAMPTON AS CLOSER!!!) why not? he would only be good for a inning anyway(too fragile) and they get back a healthy gonzo soon. bullpen and starting staff are not the problems. i really love francour, but trading him might not be a bad idea. his stock isnt that bad right now. plus a change might turn him around. i like b. jones, didnt espect the power at the majors, but ill take it. i dont think you need to platoon him, lets see what he can do. we really need kotsay to come back and play. when he was in the lineup, that offense was starting to click.yunal is a great 2 hitter. the braves need to be aggressive if there within 6 games by the break. i really think tex hould be traded for some young hitters, i really like him, but their not going to be able to sign him! boras is a greedy man! trade to indians for ben fransisco. power hitter who can play right. indians would jump at that!!!
IF THE BRAVES OFFENSE CAN GET IT GOING, HEY HAVE A SHOT. I LOVE THE BRAVES AN WATCHED THEM FOR THE LAST 19 YEARS. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE FIRE I USE TO. GO BRAVES!!!
By Lou Vales
June 16, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
Dear David, I’m usually a wise guy, but I respect you and there is really no reason to denigrate your opinions—except as they pertain to the frail lefty from Blountstown—therefore I would really like to ask why you and 98% of others are so encouraging of John’s comeback attempt??? I believe the man is 41 years old and instead of doing a Brett Favre impersonation that it is time for him to move on with his life, AND Lord knows he has way more on the ball than the QB from Southern Miss. Now I could see John coming back to play for a team that can win a World Series, BUT(BIG BUT) he is playing for a team, organization and a manager that could only win one World Series while having 3 Hall of Fame pitchers and a decided competitive advantage over division opponents. Next year Tex is gone, Larry is 37 and more brittle, the Hudson physical body is another year older than chronologoical body, Glavine is performing union organizing activities in Billerica, Hampton is in the South of France, Juir is having the first of many injuriers related to body type, Soriano is still saying “Why??”, Gonzalez is done, Kotsay is done—-This is why Smoltz is coming back??
Isn’t it true these surgeries will finally impact his ability to swing a golf club—his new passion—-and mess with his life going forward??
David, The Florida Marlins—the Marlins of a 19 million dollar payroll, no fans, a stadium 3 years away, no lucrative broadcasting contract, and basically no owner will win a 3rd!! World Series before the Braves win their 2nd in the last 60 years!!!!
By Lou Vales
June 16, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Dear Mark, SORRY!!!!! Obviously meant “Mark” and not “David”!!!
By Art
June 16, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
I think the Braves need to trade for Xavier Nady form the Pirates and that will give some pop to left field. trade Diaz, Brandon Jones and a Double A pitcher. Braves will then have the pop they need.
By Phil
June 17, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
The Mets decided that mediocre is not good enough, they want to win. So they made a change in removing Wille Randolph. I wish the Braves organization would grow some kahunas and do the same. Bobby Cox is NOT going to turn this thing around, either this year or next if does stay another year. We do have some talent on this team, but Cox just sits in the dugout picking his nose, he’s done as a manager. It’s time for Bobby Bowden, I mean Cox, to drift off into the sunset.
By Ralph
June 17, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
When will Cox, mover kelley to the seventh spot and Frenchy to the eighth spot. The pitching has been very good, the rest of the team, specially Texeira, who with all the hullabaloo, about his hitting strikes out with runners on base, trade him, as soon as possible, he stinks. If Terry Pendleton, was in any other club, he would have been fired a long time ago. Is Pendleton been kept around, because he is going to be the next manager, if so the Brave, will get worse, if he can’t help their hitting, he won’t help them win. The free swing Braves, king of the strike outs, and leader of leaving man on base, and can’t play basic baseball. Reason, Bobby wants the team to play as individuals, and not to play 123 baseball. One can’t replace the whole team were, they lose one run games, because of a manager that can’t control the team. The most noticeable thing about the Braves team, there is no spark.
By DP
June 17, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Texeira will probably get better and Gonzales could help the bullpen. But I don’t expect any more out of the former wonder boy Francouer than what he’s been producing. Time to accept that he is at best an average big league outfielder, not the next Chipper Jones or Dale Murphy.
Chipper Jones isn’t going to continue to hit .400 and given his recent history we shouldn’t be shocked if he goes down for an extended stretch with a bad hamstring or another rib cage injury. And the starting pitching isn’t likely to continue to be as good as it has been. Guys like Reyes and Jurjjens figure to hit the wall when they start getting up in innings and more teams start facing them for the second and third times. Morton has all of one big league outing under his belt and was known as an underachiever in the minors. Campillo is a guy who was picked up off the scrap heap, more likely to turn into the Jorge Sosa of 2006 than to be a reliable starter.
If the starting pitching falters, the already overused bullpen (what’s left of it) will collapse under the load of innings.
At least Bradley didn’t suggest he was expecting the Braves to get anything out of Mike Hampton.
This team tried to get through this year counting on two starting pitchers over 40 to make it through the season and it hasn’t worked out.
Add in the continuing inability of the Braves to manufacture runs or execute basic plays when they have to. We’ve seen that for 2 1/2 seasons now, the same amount of time the Braves have been a .500 team. At some point you are what your record says you are.
If you take off the rose colored glasses, probability suggests that the Braves are much likelier to crash and burn in the second half than they are to contend for the playoffs. My guess is that a month from now the big question will be whether to move Texeira before he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
June 17, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
The Phillies are 72 games into the 2008 season. Their current record is 42-30.
The 2007 Phillies were 37-35 at the same juncture last season.
Wake up and smell the damn coffee, we are not going to catch the Phillies.
The two teams ahead of the Braves in the wild card standings are the Marlins and Cardinals. I don’t believe the Florida club can keep winning much longer.
However, the St.Louis Cardinals have Tony LaRussa, whom I believe to be the smartest manager in the game of baseball and in case Braves nation has not been paying attention, the man has done one hell of a job so far this year.
We had better hope that Albert Pujols elbow explodes real soon. Otherwise, I think the Braves are done.
By Ralph
June 18, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
What good is good pitching, if the rest team can’t score runs. Doesn’t Cox see that the same line-up, isn’t working, why can’t he change things around to inspire the team. Chipper, is doing great, the sad part is chipper is hurting and he is about the only one you can depend on to deliver. No one knows when Texeira, is going to start deliver with men on base, as of now he is not reliable without striking out, he, should be move down one spot, and McCann move up to the clean up spot. How about this line-up, may or may not be the answer, but Cox has to do something, to light a fire under, the team. 1. Blanco 2. Escobar 3. C. Jones 4. McCann 5. Teixeira 6. B. Jones 7. Johnson 8. Francoeur, or Diaz or anyone else Get rid of Miller and Gotay, bring back Pena and the young center fielder from the minors.
By NO MORE BOBBY
June 20, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Losing to the Mariners? Cmon guys! When in the F will everyone see that Cox is done as a manager!!! He cant get his team prepared for a team like Seatlle? Its a joke and Im already over this season and 2009.
2010 = CHANGE!!!!!
Eat sh*t Braves front office!! Your a bunch of cowards afraid to make a move like the Mets just did. Atlanta fans deserve better than this crap!!!!!!!!!
By Tomy Fournier
June 24, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
ATLANTA FANS DESERVE BETTER THAN THAT….”WHAT A JOKE”…MY PEOPLE(FANS)YOU KNOW WHY THE MET MAKE A MOVE???…BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE FANS DON’T GET IT…FOR THE FANS…ENOUGH IS ENOUGH…AND I DON’T KNOW WHEN THE ATLANTA FANS ARE GOING TO STOP THIS…PLEAAAAASE…DON,T BUY MORE TICKETS…OUT OF THE PARK…NOT GOOD TEAM….NOT TICKET….OK?????
By Tomy Fournier
June 24, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
ATLANTA FANS DESERVE BETTER THAN THAT….”WHAT A JOKE”…MY PEOPLE(FANS)YOU KNOW WHY THE MET MAKE A MOVE???…BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE FANS DON’T GET IT…FOR THE FANS…ENOUGH IS ENOUGH…AND I DON’T KNOW WHEN THE ATLANTA FANS ARE GOING TO STOP THIS…PLEAAAAASE…DON,T BUY MORE TICKETS…OUT OF THE PARK…NOT GOOD TEAM….NOT TICKET….OK?????
By ManOfTeal
June 25, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
You are beating a dead horse the Braves are done.
Go Marlins!!!!
By mark
June 25, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
I wonder if anyone else noticed the similarities between Francoeur and Andrew Jones? Both smile while striking out and after errors. In Andrew Jones defense he only made 2 or 3 errors in his career, Francoeur has more potential to comit errors and bat 230. I am glad he didnt sign the contract offer they made him . He wanted more and after this season he will be lowballed if they are smart.