Braves

By Chico Escuela

May 30, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

If Tim Hudson is traded that tells me the Braves’ will be under reconstruction for a year or two, and need to free up money to acquire a key position player or two.

How about Chipper, Reitsma, Hudson & LaRoche to Houston for Oswalt, Lamb & Lidge ? Chipper, the least productive #3 hitter in baseball, could be closer to his ranch in Texas.

By Voice of Reason

May 30, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this

You would be GM’s make me laugh. This is real, not fantasy league. The Braves are not gonna be dismantling the team because they’re 4.5 games out in May. Get real! Better yet, go find another bandwagon to jump on. JS will be buying in July, not selling. Are they perfect? Not close. Are they competetive? Not always, but usually. Are they capable? Yes, with some adjustments. I quit blogging here because I got tired of the whole negative vibe that permeates this forum. I still read because there’s no better source for real time information than DOB. You knee-jerk types really amuse me, though. I can only assume that this is another side effect of the SportsCenter highlight reel mentality. If you are in that big a need for fast-food instant gratification from your sports, following MLB from day to day is not for you. There, I feel better…

By Kevin

May 30, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this

Dave where is the rumor of trading Hudson coming from?? The Braves are still in great shape to make the postseason, the philles are looking to move players and the mets have not played a lot of winning teams as of yet. They are only 5 and 4 versus the Braves this year, not that dominant. IN JS makes a huge shakeup, have to keep the young guys and move older players, any word on Draytom Moore to KC? Thanks for the blog

By TennesseePaul

May 30, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this

I believe the Braves are currently under reconstruction, and have been at least since last season. When clubs are under construction, they bring up their minors to the majors. We did that last year and won. We are trying to do it this year, and I hope we win. But trading all the veterans away isn’t going to help.

I’m not sure where all this Hudson Trade talk is coming from, but I just can’t see Hudson being traded. Even with the cost conscience corporate owners, the Braves have been able to obtain and keep high dollar players. The return of Hampton from the DL will be the only issue concerning high dollar players. But that doesn’t occure until this off season. And at that point, it is fully within JS’s realm to trade whomever he please if he thinks it will improve the team over all.
Having said that, Chipper, Andruw, Smoltz, Francoeur, and McCann will not be available in any trade scenerio. Aside from McCann and Francoeur, the rest of those guys have the ability to block a trade.

With the successfull arrival of Chuck James, the Braves will have plenty of starting pitching for the future in Hampton, Thomson, Sosa, Ramirez, Davies, Hudson, and Smoltz. This makes it more logical that a starting pitcher would be dealt for either a bat or a closer, or both.
LaRoche is good on the defense, but JS has mentioned that a middle of the order guy would be a good trade. That bat would either be in LF or at 1B since neither of those positions have a “face of the franchise” player in them. And since Thomson is a free agent at the end of this season, I could see him being traded by the trade dead-line. Especially if Sosa and HoRam are actually going to pitch like they’ve pitched recently for the rest of the season.

Giles has been doing well lately. He’s been getting on base much more often. At least 2 out of 5 plate appearances. .400 OBP isn’t bad. Chipper is hitting .300. He’ll get his stroke back and smack a few homers in the near future.

The two concerns I have are:

By Drummerdad

May 30, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this

I disagree with trading Chipper. He’s bled Braves’ red and blue and has at times carried us. Smoltz, Chipper, and Andruw get to go by their own decisions rather than some classless “team moves”. Smoltz turned down Daddybucks George to stay a Brave. Chipper restructured to help improve the team. I really hate to say it, but it feels like we’re getting ready to go through an organizational dismantling by the pencil heads at TW and Liberty. I hope not, but it’s starting to feel like it. I watched it happen to the Padres in mid nineties. Made for some really MAD FANS. These guys at TW and Liberty better be careful. There are only so many seats they’ll fill in Atlanta with a mediocre, but “efficiently managed business enterprise.”

By gb

May 30, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this

DOB what is the latest on Kelley Johnsons condition?

By utahjoe

May 30, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

Where is this talk of a Hudson trade coming from?

By Bob in SF

May 30, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this

I saw the Hudson trade rumor on ESPN.com attributed to the NY Post. The Post basically cranks outrageous rumours as a matter of course so it’s not one I would take seriously.

By Chop Chop

May 30, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!

The “Hudson trade talk” comes from a little snippet of a New York Post column that was speculating on what pitchers the Yankees might be interested in at the trade deadline. There is no actual “trade talk.” In fact, here is what I found on CBS Sportsline’s “Rumor Mill”:

“The Yankees are keeping a close eye on pitchers Dontrelle Willis, Kelvim Escobar, Jason Schmidt, Livan Hernandez and Tim Hudson says the New York Post. Willis, Escobar and Schmidt are all in the final year of their respective contracts.”

That’s it.

By Drummerdad

May 30, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

Yeah, the NY Post and also Richard Justice at the Houston Chronicle. hang in there.

By stephen

May 30, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/justice/3912375.html

http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/66612.htm

By Voice of Reason

May 30, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this

Be careful how you say “Hang in there.” Half the people on this blog will think someone is ready to hang himself. Actually, it sounds like half the people on this blog are ready to hang themselves.

By Josh

May 30, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

Voice of Reason,

Im glad you got all that off your chest. I feel a little better now too.

thanks Voice of Reason.

By J-Baller

May 30, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this

I’d like to hear if the “great” DOB has heard anything about Hudson.

By ABC

May 30, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

J-Bailer, DOB dispelled the rumor days ago. NYNY is a huge petridish full of BS and it gets airborn every once in a while. No one trades their #2 starter, even if he is a puny, inury-prone runt.

By ozzy

May 30, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this

A wooden Indian on first. A left fielder hitting .240. A depth-less bullpen led by Chris Reitsma. No speed. A fading star on third. An oft-injured 39 year-old leading your pitching staff.

This is a playoff contender?

If yes, I see three and out in October.

By Sonny

May 30, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this

I just e-mailed John S about having a Chris Reitsma Pinata Night! The Braves would have a record turnout.

By journalist jimmy smith

May 30, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this

bloggers, how can we be so selfish? esteemed al gore predicts the end of civilization and we are worried about baseball? imagine no one to make root beer. no one to sell cheese. and we worry about no one to close? think of no dob reports from the locker room. and we worry about laroche strikeouts? it is time to take al gore seriously before civilization ends. one more trip to hooters for chipper jones. one more double cheeseburger for andruw. just one more pennant and ws for the braves. now, what if al gore is wrong? what if civilization continues? will chipper still be at third base when he must wear dentures and depends? journalist jimmy smith reminds everyone that when al gore threw out the first pitch in atlanta he threw very much like a girl and the ball did not travel to the plate in the air. contrast that with our commander in chief who painted the corner. now, politics is not appropriate here but the end of civilization deserves mention. journalist jimmy smith urges time warner to spend money now to win the pennant this season in case al gore is right.

By Larry

May 30, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this

There is no mystery!

The game’s best GM and scouting will make us competitive and the game’s most predictable manager will put in Chris Reitsma to lose a must win game.

I have the most reliable crystal ball in the world when it comes to Bobby Cox.

1-14 record the last game of postseason—embarrassing!

Ever wonder what our record would be if Bobby Cox knew how handle relief pitchers and had any skill at manufacturing runs when the bats are cold? I do! We’d have about 5 or 6 World Series Championships by now with all the talent he’s be afforded, like having the games best pitching for about 10 consecutive years in the 90’s.

Ten consecutive years of baseball’s best pitching staff and only one championship to show for it!

By Chop Chop

May 30, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this

journalist…maybe commander in chief might help braves closer situation? in chop chops estimation, commander in chief could use change of scenery. after all, commander in chief is the decider. maybe he decide on more favorable outcomes for braves in close games?

By P'Cola Michael

May 30, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this

We’ll trade Hudson…yeah right! I see us giving up Langerhans, LaRoche (who’s value is definately down) or even Betemit before Hudson. If we’re not going to play WB, he’d fetch some talent for sure! Not that I want him to go, I think he is having a great year, but, to get talent, you either have to pay, or give up talent…JS doesn’t pay that often.

By Rob

May 30, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this

Wow Larry, that’s a great statistic you came up with. 1-14 on the last post season game. How brilliant an observation that is. So by you’re “statistic” Joe Torre is a pathetic 4-6 in these games. Maybe he should be fired. Get a clue you roto-league playing tool.

By Rob

May 30, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this

I’m so tired of hearing “1-14 in the last game of the postseason”. Aside from Joe Torre, can somebody name even ONE current manager who is better than “1-something in the last game of the postseason”? I’m betting you can’t.

By Rob

May 30, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

I’d like to point out that the 1-14 comment by “Rob” was posted by two different people…complete coincidence.

By Ron Roberts

May 30, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this

1. Stop talking to DOB and “Dave” on this blog. See, that’s half the problem with some of the bloggers… they don’t pay attention to details! Guy wrote today’s blog, so why are you replying to DOB?

2. Schuerholz is a genius because he assembled a championship-caliber squad, Larry, and you blame Cox for using the players he’s given by the same GM? Wow. That made NO sense, dude. JS brought Reitsma to the Braves, too, you know? And I ask you this… where would our record have been the last two seasons without Bobby Cox at the helm? Find me a manager who’d have done a better job with 8 rookies being asked to contribute, as we had last season.

And Ozzy, the “wooden indian” at first hit .310 on the last road trip, with 3 HRs and 10 RBI in nine games.

By RobC

May 30, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this

I will change my posting name to avoid confusion. The is not the Rob that called Larry a roto-playing tool, this is the other one.

By Jason

May 30, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this

Lastings Millege up for the Mets tonight. Another new face for a new era. How is the tailpipe tasting fellas?

By Riley Martin

May 30, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this

Esteemed Journalist Jimmy Smith It is never time to take Al Gore seriously unless he decided to reinvent the internet and things of this nature. This is all we should listen to Al Gore about until he gets some movement on his heater.

By ozzy

May 30, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this

Hey, Ron Roberts.

Getting “fat” off the Cubs and the little sisters of the poor do not impress me !

The Wooden Indian seems prone to termites when facing a good team like the Dodgers.

In fact, when facing a team with a record over .500 seems to befuddle the Braves’ hitters.

By Scott

May 30, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this

You have to ask, Jason? You’ve had that tailpipe in your mouth for over 10 years now.

By ncscoots

May 30, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this

jeez, Jason, if you’re so excited about the arrival of the new kid for the Mutts, maybe you should take the time to spell his name right. How’s the apple in the throat tasting? Is it all the way up to the nostrils yet?

By brewdawg

May 30, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this

Jason, I checked the mets magic number. It’s already at 108! You’re right this division race is over. As for the tailpipe- you’ve tasted it for 14 straight years so I guess you’ll have to tell us.

By brewdawg

May 30, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this

Damn scott you beat me to the tailpipe joke! ha ha well done

By Ron Roberts

May 30, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this

LaRoche hit a grand slam off the Diamondbacks, Ozzy. Come to think of it, with that swing alone, he outscored the Braves’ other two games against the D-Backs.

By HEAD COACH

May 30, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

Hey , I disagree with Cox sometimes but dont blame him for one world series. Cox guides them to the playoffs and its up to the players themselves to step up thier level of play because we all know Cox cant do it by himself in the playoffs. I believe they should have won it all in 91 and repeated in 96. Chipper is a 10 and 5 player , he cant be traded without his consent. Hudson is going nowhere. JS has about an 80 million budget to work with , five players are tying about 60 million up in salary , which doesnt leave much to work with salary wise. Thats why JS was trying to trade Thomsons 4 million contract during spring training. As much as we would like them too , neither Chipper nor Betemit can play 1b , chipper does need to sit until he is healthy and Betemits bat and glove should be in the game everyday. Carl Crawford could solve a lot of problems for the offense and defense but Cox seems to be set with Giles as his leadoff man. Langerhans and Diaz go a great job in left , this team just needs some speed at the top of the order. Tihs team can pull it together with a consistent closer , better defense from the infield and a little small ball. I have faced up to the fact that the Braves are a middle of the pack team financially and it shows on the field. If they do catch the Mets they will have to beat them in head to head games and do the same with the phillies. JS will have to pull a rabbit out of his hat in order to organize a decent trade without adding to the payroll.This team obviously needs improvement and I wish them well , but I really dont think they would get very far in the playoffs. So enjoy the season , its going to be a three team dogfight down the second half stretch.

By RobC

May 30, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this

Still waiting on someone to name a manager other than Torre who’s record in the “last game of the postseason” is better than 1-anything….

By Voice of Reason

May 30, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this

Wow… Such venom on this blog. So many people ready to throw in the towel…

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” -Thomas Edison

“Mama makes a good pie.” -LeTwan Anthony

I’m not sure how the pie thing ties in, but I miss talking about pie…

By MBATL

May 30, 2006 05:03 PM | Link to this

RobC, I’ve asked the same question many times in here… a little differently; if you could fire Bobby, who would you replace him with? Never got the first reply…

Uh, I think it’s logical that you win more against bad teams than good ones. If you win 70% against the bad and mediocre teams, and maybe 45-50% against the good ones, you’re probably in the playoffs.

This is not a great Braves team; even with some bullpen help, it’s still not a great team - lots of problems, as some are so eager to cry about. All the more reason to respect the leadership that will keep them in contention, get everything possible out of them.

By Hy Anenzede

May 30, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this

Like almost every year, the Braves will end up 20 games or so over .500. Do the Mets have the pitching to be around that mark? I don’t think they do. The Philles will have a nice 3rd place finish. Have faith thee of little belief.It is way too early to throw in any towel.

15 in a row.

By MGL

May 30, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

For those of you who are not following the stat splits, the Braves had the best win/loss % in the NL East in May. .642 to .555 for the Mets. Yes, there are problems that need to be addressed, but keep the faith and let’s cheer this team on to a great June!! Go Braves!!

By eric the elder

May 30, 2006 05:32 PM | Link to this

Voice of Reason, excerpts from your 2:08 post:

“You would be GM’s make me laugh… . Get real! Better yet, go find another bandwagon to jump on. You knee-jerk types really amuse me.”

Excerpt from you 4:59 post: “Wow, such venom on this blog.”

Not ragging on you, just found it interesting.

By nathan

May 30, 2006 05:35 PM | Link to this

Rob C……you might not find any manager with a better record than 1 & anything…..but find me one that’s worse than 1 & 14!!!

touche!

By Sammy Kershaw

May 30, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this

Probably Jim Leyland, but i would rather have Cox if that is the intent of the question.

By Voice of Reason

May 30, 2006 05:42 PM | Link to this

Eric: Point taken. Once I got my “venom” off my chest, I was seeking a sunnier outlook. I’ll take my medicine on that one…

By MBATL

May 30, 2006 05:47 PM | Link to this

Nathan, guess you and I have crossed paths on Bobby before. You do make your points without being overly negative - you’re a fan, not a hater, I know.

It’s been interesting to see a couple of managers, including Leyland, publicly “call out” their players this year; and it seems to have had good effect. I guess there’s more than one way to skin a cat. Can’t imagine Bobby ever doing that.

By MBATL

May 30, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this

Oops, Nathan, I forgot to add, the obvious flip-side to your question is, show me a manager who’s BEEN there 14 times, much less 14 times in a row.

By Ron Roberts

May 30, 2006 05:53 PM | Link to this

Find me a manager, other than Bobby, who’s gotten their team even in position to go 1-14 in such a short span.

Anyone?

Bueller?

By LeTwan Anthony

May 30, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

Hello, Raisins. LeTwan read your earlier post with interest. LeTwan, too, stopped posting for a time but continues to read the blog. For a time, the blog got too ugly for LeTwan’s tastes. LeTwan thinks this team over the past 14 years has been built on pitching and defense and that has driven how Bobby Cox has managed. Bobby no longer has the best pitching and the defense is not as strong as before. Renteria is a fine player but does not cover the ground nor does he have the arm of Furcal. He makes up for that with clutch hits and team baseball. Chipper is a shadow of his former self defensively and and he is not “destined to hit” as some say. He is destined to age more and have diminished skills. Bobby has a different sort of team this year and it will be interesting to see if he manages differently at some point. Another blogger talked about small ball. Renteria plays it. Diaz, too. Anybody else you can think of? Mama often asks about that nice young man, Raisins. I will tell Mama that you are thinking pie. Maybe she will cook one for you. What is your favorite? LeTwan has heard of a sweet potato pie with a chocolate crust. That sounds like an interesting combination of tastes. Maybe Mama will try making one.

By Voice of Reason

May 30, 2006 06:03 PM | Link to this

LeTwan: Tell Mrs. Anthony “hello” and sweet potato with chocolate crust will be just fine. Also, ask her if she believes that Craig Counsell, (who has played a stellar 2B, gets on base more than 33% of his AB’s, makes less than $3M/yr., and is a trade candidate because he is in the last year of his contract with young Stephen Drew tearing up AAA behind him and ARI in need of pitching,) would make a nice “small ball” addition to the top of this lineup. Just speculating, mind you, not playing GM…

By MBATL

May 30, 2006 06:08 PM | Link to this

Letwan, welcome back.

I’d add McCann and Chipper (yes, Chipper, with a .400 OBP, 26 RBI, and 31 runs scored in 38 games) to the list of guys who put the ball in play, move runners, get on base … but clearly, AJ, Franceour, Giles are free swingers. Strikeouts are a big problem (and everybody’s favorite, WB, is probably the worst offender). I like Langerhans, but we’re really hurting at the LF position, in terms of production; maybe Diaz should get more time there.

By Chop Chop

May 30, 2006 06:09 PM | Link to this

Torre: 4-7 LaRussa: 1-10 Cox: 1-14 Leyland: 1-3 Baker: 0-4

Oh…and one guy who’s unemployed as a manager…

Piniella: 1-4

As you can see, most of the requisite “top managers” suck in their final postseason games.

Larry, I think they should all be fired. Baseball needs to find some managers who can win in the postseason. Like Ozzie Guillen. He’s 1-0. Perfect record as a postseason skipper. And Jack McKeon. He’s 1-0 in fifteen seasons of managing. That’s better than 1-14 in fifteen postseasons! Man, Cox is a terrible manager!

The more and more I smoke this stuff, the more sense Larry makes.

Good job, Larry.

By nathan

May 30, 2006 06:09 PM | Link to this

MBATL…..I agree it’s not his style to do that. And I do believe that he is the best guy out there for the young players. But I think the worst thing in the world with a bunch of overpaid/under achieving group of veterens is a players manager that won’t sit them down when they fail.

One of Bobby’s strengths is that he believes in his players and their abilities to “right the ship”. But I believe he is making a huge mistake (for the present and the future) by not giving Reitsma significant time off other than mop up duty (preferably in games we are getting our A$$’s kicked - because I honestly believe that not even a 10 run lead is safe with him! LOL!)

I believ IMO that a manager’s DUTY to the fans & owners and other players is to play the BEST AVAILABLE people regardless of age/experience/wage. I just read this morning on SI.com that the pirates were worried that platooning Burnitz & Wilson was a waste of too much money (9 million combined) at one position for how low their payroll is. That is the most assinine thing I’ve read in a while. If the two players aren’t good enough to play every day, then they should be platooned. If the GM made the mistake of overpaying somebody it should not be compounded by playing that said person everyday just because they’re making a lot of money. I guess that’s why they’re the Pirates! That would be like if Hampton was totally healthy buy really sucking (not to far out of the relm of possibility!) and we had a rookie pitching lights out. But Bobby & JS said “well, Hampton is making 11 million dollars, so we better play him.”……that makes me want to scream.

Not only is Bobby doing it with Reitsma & Ray. Why isn’t Matt Diaz playing everyday somewher? Even if it’s rotating between Frenchy & Langerhans….heck throw him at first base, I read he was drafted as a catcher, you’d think he could dig out some throws over there. Why did Brian Jordan make the team & Jurries didn’t? Hmmmm let’s think about it. In fact I bet if Lemke didn’t have those “floaters” in his eyes that caused him to quit playing, Bobby would still be penciling his name in the lineup….I think I’m kidding with that one!

As far as other managers out there who we would “want”. There was a couple of them right under our nose for a while:

Ned Yost (though maybe too much like Bobby for me)

But what kind of running/pressure make things happen team would we have with Ozzie Guillen as manager…..He’ll be the one that got away, as far as I’m concerned.

On a side note. Does anybody find it ironic that 3 of the first 4 hitters in the Dodgers lineup are ex-Braves. I tell you what, if Furcal & Lofton stay healthy & get hot….look out!

Also, didn’t we pass on Nomar at 1st base this off season. I’m sure the ex-Georgia Bulldog would have loved to come “home”. Of course the verdict will be out on that until the season is complete to see where he stands health wise. But IF (big IF) he stays healthy I expect 125 RBI out of him with those 2 guys on base ahead of him.

By Del

May 30, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this

Yate up, Cormier down !! Why not Yates up, Reeksma down ???

By Chop Chop

May 30, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this

Nomar played at Georgia Tech, Nathan. I spit on Nomar.

Go Dawgs.

By MBATL

May 30, 2006 06:18 PM | Link to this

Nathan, Nomar was a Yellow Jacket, not a Bulldog… big difference! But point taken. I was in favor of looking at him back in the off-season, but was roundly shouted down by the blog. He’s a great ballplayer when healthy.

Appreciate your thoughts. I’m by nature a “defender” of Bobby and his decisions, but like everybody else, I’m baffled by the continued use of Reitsma as closer.

I can only assume that you (the organization) evaluate a player, signs him, and doesn’t want to be too quick to give up on him. Once you demote a guy, it’s hard to bring them back, and it is a long season. But unless Reitsma turns the corner real soon, I’m sure we’ll see him drop in the rotation.

By nathan

May 30, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this

your right my mistake on nomar….didn’t mean to offend anybody (even though i’m good at it! LOL)

By brian

May 30, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this

The Hudson rumor came from the ESPN rumor mill where it said that IF the Braves fall out of contention expect Hudson to be available. I have no idea why that rumor mill statement popped up this week now that the Braves are IN Contention.

DOB answered this rumor a blog or two ago.

By John Hoar

May 30, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this

Ah, Jimmy Smith- a very insightful blog. Now that Al Gore has added global warming to his other inventions, your perspective is very timely.

 I have mentioned this on other blogs, but still feel that JS has the dollars to make a deal, as well as expendable talent. My reasoning is based on the fact that a big chunk of money on Hamptons contract is being paid by insurance; Chipper restructured his contract; we got rid of Kolb; and part of Renteria's contract is being paid for by the Red Sox. There are also other smaller savings, and it has to combine to be somewhere between eight and fifteen million.

I do not believe that it all just went back into the TW corporate kitty. Nor do I think it is like JS to tell us that he has the funds. He did say that there had been NO discussions about additional financial restraints concering the upcoming sale. Additionally, he hinted that pitchers, closers, shortstops, and middle of the inning hitters were the most difficult to trade for or to obtain. My interpretation of this was that he felt that we had starting pitching, a shortstop, and that his direction was on the other two- closers and middle of the lineup production.

 I am an optimist, perhaps, but it is based on past performance by management. I not only feel that the right move or moves will be made. but that, if we don't get rained out tonight , we are going to kick butt!!!  Go Braves.

By LeTwan Anthony

May 30, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this

MBATL, thanks. LeTwan agrees that McCann is an unselfish player who puts the ball in play. His daddy taught him the right way to play the game and McCann still plays that way. Chipper is Chipper. He was the face of the franchise - now it’s probably going to be Francoeur. That Delta commercial is a good indication of what’s to come. Raisins, Counsell wears out the Braves. Mama is still kinda mad at him for you know what. Still, he could help the team. Another player who could help is Kelly Johnson. LeTwan would hand him a mitt and let him bat leadoff.

By Chipper's Mama

May 30, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this

Chipper is a perennial all-star, a superstar ! He’s the best ! Nobody does it like him ! He lives for the big play, the chance to drive in all those runs!

How can it get any better than being Chipper Jones?

Aren’t you jealous !

By TennesseePaul

May 30, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this

First of all guys… it couldn’t be 1-14. We’ve only been in the post season 14 times. It could be 1 of 14, or 1-13, but not 1-14.
But again, that is over a span of post season series, some of shorter length than others. So a more appropriate observation would be:

By SOUTHERN JACKASS

May 30, 2006 06:47 PM | Link to this

The Braves Suck,the entire organization sucks,everyone should be fired including John s and Bobby c.The Mets are the Bomb,they are going to win it all then lets hear all you loser Braves fans start your whining,you don’t need no stinkin closer,your entire franchise stinks,your city stinks,everything about Atlanta stinks!New York is much better.Atlanta is a hick barberic city,New York will eat it alive.Braves Sucks,Braves Suck,Braves suck,Bobby Cox sucks,Chris Reitsma sucks,Andruw Jones sucks,Chipper Jones sucks,Terry Pendleton Sucks.Should I go on?Atlanta fans sucks and are the worst in Baseball.

By eric the elder

May 30, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this

Just about everything that can be said about Reitsma has been said, but there is one anecdote that came back to me. A few years ago, Larry Bowa was sitting in his Phillies office when one of his coaches came in and informed him that the Braves had made a pitching deal. Bowa said, “Please, don’t tell me it’s Reitsma.”

Bowa was convinced that the Braves had significantly improved their pen and therefore would be that much harder to catch. Okay, this will probably unleash a flurry of snide Bowa comments, but it does show that Bobby and JS weren’t off their rockers.

Sometimes what seems to be a good transaction just isn’t.

By Woogidy

May 30, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this

Ok fans, Time to get busy. MLB announced the All-Star leading vote-getters today for the NL. There are some surprises(Biggio at 2b) and some not so surprises(Pujols at 1b). I am not saying to vote for all Bravos, I am saying Scott Rolen doesn’t deserve to start at 3b over Miguel Cabrera, Craig Biggio over fill in the blank (Dan Uggla to be quite honest). This is what drives me crazy about the way the All Stars are selected. Jim Thome isn’t even on the Ballot!!! Unreal. I think they should change the format to where only 30-40% of the fan votes count. The rest should be sportswriters, players, and coaches. Anyways, go vote and vote smart. peace

By MBATL

May 30, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this

I remember reading that comment from Bowa, eric. And thinking, boy, the Braves must’ve pulled off another great acquisition.

The clock’s ticking on Reitsma, but I really don’t have a problem with the Braves giving it every chance to work out as planned… not a whole lot of options out there that I know of.

By Scott

May 30, 2006 07:17 PM | Link to this

Chico Escuela, do me a favor and

By Scott

May 30, 2006 07:18 PM | Link to this

Chico Escuela, do me a favor and NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, WATCH BASEBALL AGAIN!!! You are seriously one of the dumbest humans to post on this board and that’s saying something.

By nathan

May 30, 2006 07:26 PM | Link to this

At least us Atlanta fans don’t sucks at grammar.

Oh Yeah………yous sucks!

By Bob, journalist

May 30, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this

Honorable Southern,

You have a point … only problem is that there are some young Mets’ fans who sincerely write and act as you simply because they know no better and follow your lead. While some of us really enjoy your posts, it’s bad for role models to use incorrect grammar and it’s just not nice for you to make fun of them like that!

By steve

May 30, 2006 07:36 PM | Link to this

Nathan, there is one thing to say about managers’series records. There are a LOT of 0-0 records out there and Bobby isn’t one of them. I would rather be 1-14 than 0-0. He may not play my type of game but he get to the playoffs. I know 20+ teams that wish they made the playoffs, win or loss.

By journalist jimmy smith

May 30, 2006 08:01 PM | Link to this

journalist jimmy smith welcomes back jeff torborg to the booth. now, a team with 8 announcers could seemingly afford a real closer. why do they have 8 announcers when chip caray and don sutton never take a breath between words? now, the mia hamm watch … baby seal has brought mia hamm a present to the game. he is quite smitten. we will see what happens. furcal just made a play that we have not seen since last year. he went to his right and saved the 3rd baseman then threw out the runner with a bazooka. the braves are getting on base tonight and moving the runners over - well, not really - they’re swinging so hard they are falling down but they are getting hits. now, another new pitcher with no neck, tyler yates. it is a trend. all the team’s troubles should be gone now that cormier has been sent away. journalist jimmy smith is not sure how cormier was picked, but, then, journalist jimmy smith would not give reitsma the ball in the ninth inning. andruw just mada a great catch in center field. baby seal is on his way down the aisle to mia hamm. journalist will report more later.

By jennifer

May 30, 2006 08:02 PM | Link to this

What a catch, go A.Jones.. and go BRAVES

By jennifer

May 30, 2006 08:06 PM | Link to this

Gee with all of these people in here putting there 2cents in Yall could go start you own baseball team together,lmfao

By eric the elder

May 30, 2006 08:12 PM | Link to this

Jennifer, explain please? I don’t know what that means.

By Jennifer

May 30, 2006 08:19 PM | Link to this

Explain what?

By nathan

May 30, 2006 08:31 PM | Link to this

steve, i was just commenting on everybody else’s posts about the 1 - 14 mark in the postseason. I know the game has changed out there in the last decade or so. But I do recall Bobby running / hit & running more often in the past. And don’t say it’s because we didn’t have the “legs” to do it. Because Furcal stole 96 bases his last season in the minors (granted against AAA pitchers & catchers), Grissom stole 70some bases with the expos in 93 or 94, & we sure as heck didn’t use Lofton to his ability.

Granted there were some injuries that maybe hindered those stats/attempts.

But Bobby ran Otis Nixon & Neon all the time. Gant too, as far as that goes. I just don’t understand why he sits back & waits for the 3 run homer all the time. Make things happen, don’t wait for them to happen. Even Don Baylor had the Rockies in 1995 running. If I remember correctly, they were one of very few, if not the only team in recent history to hit 200 homers & steal 200 bases.

I believe that Bobby has made some questionable decisions in the playoffs, but mostly the failures fall on the players not getting it done. I mean:

It’s not Bobby’s fault Jermaine Dye cut in front of Grissom & caused him to drop a fly ball that led to a run in the 96 WS.

It’s not Bobby’s fault that Reardon hung a slider to Ed Sprague in 1992.

It’s not Bobby’s fault that Sheffield didn’t hit the weight of my 2 year old daughter in two postseason’s with the Braves.

etc……..

However, Bobby does occasionally leave starting pitchers in too long, he has a bad habit of bringing in starting pitchers in tough relief situations (Leibrandt vs. Puckett in 1991).

But in general I blame the players for choking, more than bobby for being “out managed”.

However, I cannont & will not, condone giving the ball to Reitsma in a close situation at any moment for the rest of this season. What ever happened to his 96 MPH fastball he had ealry last year? How come it was OK to give Kerry Ligtenberg the ball in the 9th inning, but not Ken Ray! Seems to be almost the same situation to me. That situation being no other “obvious” closer options, so why not give the ball to the guy who’s consistantly gotten people out all year? Seems way too obvious to me. After the quick and easy 1-2-3 ining he had last week, I was sure the job was his. Then you hear Bobby say “I was going to give Reitsma 2 days off anyhow.”

That about made me want to punch myself…..repeatedly!

By nathan

May 30, 2006 08:40 PM | Link to this

Nice choice to throw home & keep that double play in order trying to get the speedy lofton at home Andruw!

It’s STUPID mental mistakes that are making the pitchers throw more pitches. When you throw more pitches, usually bad things are going to happen.

Chip & Joe just said on radio, that the dodgers have struck out the fewest times of NL teams. Funny how some fans on these blogs complain about those of us that are disturbed by all of the Braves K’s at the plate. People argue “who cares if Andruw strikes out a lot, he knocks in runs and hits HR’s”.

You put the ball in play, good things can happen. Even if it’s mistakes/pressure by the other team. Say…..a mistake, like your CF throwing home with no chance to get the guy and letting hitter advance to 2B.

By nathan

May 30, 2006 08:49 PM | Link to this

I feel like I’m bloggin with myself! LOL!

Does anybody else out there feel that this team is all about the “smoke & mirrors”. Everbody keeps saying, “we’re on a roll now…..look out Mets”

Yeah! Right!

I’m sure the Mets are shaking in their boots. Hmmmmm. We beat up on the Marlins, Nationals & Cubs. Yeah we took 2 of 3 from Padres, but the Peavy game with all the K’s & the LUCKY HR from Langerhans was a joke. Everytime they play a team that plays “good-smart” baseball, we look like the bad news bears. And for that commment, I must appologize the Bad News Bears for the insult.

By MBATL

May 30, 2006 08:57 PM | Link to this

Nathan, you’re pretty much focusing on the negative. Does somebody owe you an annual trip to the WS?

AJ is by all acclaim the best CF in the game; he made a mistake on a throw, and that gets a lot of comment. Guess we take all the great play for granted.

By ncscoots

May 30, 2006 09:04 PM | Link to this

nathan, don’t want you feel all alone, dude…BTW, I don’t think the team is “smoke and mirrors”. I do think a lot of our bloggers are basing some of their perceptions on April performances, rather than what players are doing NOW. LaRoche cranked this month, and oh by the way, dropped his strikeouts from April’s 28 to May’s 16 in about the same number of AB; Giles’ OBP this month is over .360; and Langerhans is showing signs this week of having his thumb finally healthy. The starting pitching has slumped a little in the last ten days, but I don’t think that will last. I like the fact that we’re trying at least one new bullpen option (I love Cormier and Villareal, but their WHIPs are stratospheric). Maybe Will Startup is the next callup if Yates bring something to the dance.

By eric the elder

May 30, 2006 09:08 PM | Link to this

nathan, if you are watching the game, maybe you saw the repeated shots of Andruw after he missed the cutoff. I’ve never seen him so down on himself. The bad mistake is probably worth mentioning - - although maybe not twice - - but so too is the great, diving catch he made earlier.

By steve

May 30, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this

Can someone tell me the Mets record against +500 teams and -500 teams. Also the Mets have played more home than away games. I believe the Mets built their lead against below 500 teams. Now everyone wants to say the Braves have cut into the lead because they played -500 teams, it evens out.

By nathan

May 30, 2006 09:30 PM | Link to this

MBATL….the way i see it at 27-24 the negatives are barely outshined by the positives. What I’m getting at is that in the past (Maddux, Glavin, Smoltz rotation) the margin for error wasn’t as big a deal. But having said that, those teams never seemed to make the “mental” mistakes these guys do. Is that a coaching problem?

I mean, really, would Bream, McGriff, Galaragga, Joyner or any other 1B ever have non chalanted that play LaRoche did the other day (i know…..it was almost 2 weeks ago, i’m over it! LOL)

And because Andruw is the best CF in the game, I expect him to make the right decisions. I don’t think that’s too much to ask. Errors happen. Mental mistakes at this level are unacceptable. Especially from a 12 million dollar man.

But I stll love him! I just like to complain!

Hey, I knew they’d come back! LOL

By nathan

May 30, 2006 09:32 PM | Link to this

I’m not watching. I’m listening on MLB.Com radio.

Thank you for the info, though, that’s good to know. He knows better. And obviously with the HR later in the inning, it didn’t matter. But that’s not the point.

By nathan

May 30, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this

steve. I agree, it does even out. But I’m just speaking in relative terms. Maybe neither the Mets or the Braves are worth a darn. Since all they do is beat up on the “have nots”

But you are probably, pretty close in your assumption, that the Mets have not really beatin’ anybody either.

By ncscoots

May 30, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this

but, nathan, of the 1B you mention above, only Galaragga (maybe) could have made the stop on that bullet down the line a couple (or three or four, who knows?) of days ago. But, as you say, hey, we’re over it! :-)

By eric the elder

May 30, 2006 09:45 PM | Link to this

Renteria is one of our best hitters and hits naturally to the right side. I don’t approve of the bunt here, even though it moved Giles over.

By ncscoots

May 30, 2006 09:53 PM | Link to this

BTW, I never did get around to addressing GC’s raison du blog today…he makes 600 at home sound like a tall mountain, but in reality, standard playoff math is: win two out of three at home, and play .500 on the road. That gets you around 95 wins, which in most years should get you in the playoffs. So I don’t see that playing .600 ball at home is that big a deal.

By MBATL

May 30, 2006 09:56 PM | Link to this

There’s about a 1 in 3 chance that you would be right, eric.

By eric the elder

May 30, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this

mbatl, don’t know what you are basing the 1 in 3 chance on. Batting average? The point is that Renteria has a good swing to move the runner over even if he makes an out. Meanwhile, he has a chance to drive the runner in. I just don’t like taking the bat out of the hands of a hot hitter.

By TennesseePaul

May 30, 2006 10:07 PM | Link to this

Sheeeesh. GameDay MLB.com is WAY OFF. I don’t know what game they’re watching, but it’s way better than what I’m seeing.

By TennesseePaul

May 30, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this

There. Now they corrected it. Must have seen my post. They had it in the bottom of the 8th with a walk to LaRoche and Francoeur sitting on a 3-1 pitch. The game was still tied. Tis a shame it isn’t true.

By elbravo x

May 30, 2006 10:12 PM | Link to this

I only have L.A coverage here. Monday and Lyon are making jokes about the Braves.

By ncscoots

May 30, 2006 10:15 PM | Link to this

elbravo, what kind of jokes?

By nathan

May 30, 2006 10:22 PM | Link to this

ncscoots…..i completely agree with you, LaRoche has much better range than any 1B we’ve had in a long time if not ever. But again see the above post about adruw’s throwing Mental mistake earlier in the game. When somebody has all of the ability in the world, that’s when it frustrates me, when the make stupid mistakes. Much different than a physical error. That S**t happens. You can’t always make the perfect play. But when your JOB is playing baseball, mental mistakes are not acceptable. Get your head in the game or your butt in the dugout is what my little league coach used to say. If you can use that theory with 12 year olds, you certainly can use it with millionaire adults.

Nice play Frenchy! After the Dodgers make a mental mistake on the basepaths, you’ve gotta shut the door!

Anyways, if Bobby didn’t believe that Andruw was as good as he thought he was, he never would’ve pulled him out of that game a few years back. Slacking and half A*******ing it won’t be tolerated.

By nathan

May 30, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this

Looks like the Yates experiment didn’t work!

………NEXT!

By LeTwan Anthony

May 30, 2006 10:25 PM | Link to this

LeTwan thinks the Dodgers are putting on a clinic on National League baseball. They are finding a way to move the runners and score.

By MBATL

May 30, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this

eric, point taken. Don’t necessarily agree in terms of strategy, but doesn’t matter much when you don’t have a bullpen.

Not to be lost in the discussion, a pretty good start for Sosa… think that’s 3 in a row.

By nathan

May 30, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this

LeTwan Anthony……

I couldn’t agree more. I don’t even acknowledge the American League style. I call what the Dodgers are doing just plain ol’ playing BASEBALL the way it was meant to be played. As I recall, it was the way the Braves used to play in the 90’s.

I complain about Bobby as much as anybody, and somtimes I think some of you are naive to the notion that Bobby is the be-all-end-all of all things baseball.

But even Bobby would admit, it’s up to the players to execute. I remember when our pitchers would get a sacrifice bunt down on the 1st pitch perfectly. Now they’re lucky if they can bunt the ball fair at all. And usually it goes right to somebody. All things “small ball” otherwise known as the “Little Things” that go supposedly unnoticed, they aren’t being noticed because they just aint happening anymore.

The starting pitching isn’t quite as good.

There is less contact by batters being made.

The defense sloppy if not downright horrible.

The Power Hitting is Down.

The bullpen SUCKS.

& the Managerial decisions on who should be playing/batting order is quetionable.

Other than all of that, we got the Mets right where we want them!

By nathan

May 30, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

way to put the ball in play giles.

By nathan

May 30, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this

here’s where chipper will get his “meaningless - pad your stats” 2 run homer……too little too late!

By MBATL

May 30, 2006 10:41 PM | Link to this

Nathan, way misjudged you earlier, regarding ‘fan’ vs ‘hater’.

Bad couple of losses. We’ll see what June brings. ‘night all.

By nathan

May 30, 2006 10:41 PM | Link to this

Oh, what do ya know?

He’s even more worthless than I thought. He can’t even pad the stats. Good effort guys. No matter who wins the east, Braves or Mets will get eliminated the night before the playoffs start.

Wasn’t everybody mocking the Dodgers, for the people they signed the past couple of off seasons.

Kickin A$$ and that’s without Kent.

Sad, Sad, Sad.

By nathan

May 30, 2006 10:46 PM | Link to this

MBATL…..

I’m not a hater, I’m just the president of the Negaholics Anonymous! LOL

have a good night all, I’ll be back tomorrow to spring my negativity upon all who arrive.

PS……it isn’t just a couple of “bad losses” the last 4 or 5 wins have been ugly vs. some pretty ugl teams. So, I’ll leave it at that.

By Del

May 30, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this

Well, we are certainly off to a GREAT start on this homestand!

Dodgers playing ball like it was meant to be played. Anyone on our bench taking notice how they manage to hit with runners in scoring position?

Yates certainly was an improvement over Cormier, wasn’t he?

Rem looks and pitches like a man who should have hung them up years ago.

I thought Andruw was a streaky hitter, but I believe Francoeur will outdo him!

Another game that leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. Elder Eric is absolutely right when he blogged a few days ago that this Braves team is just not a very good team.

I know one thing. The GM for the Dodgers did a far better, a FAR BETTER job last offseason than our JS did. They play sound, fundamental baseball even with 8 players on the DL.

Only positives I saw was the resurgence of RL’s bat and the pitching of Sosa.

How many times did our outfielders throw home, only to have the batter advance into scoring position as a result?

Night all.

By nathan

May 30, 2006 10:59 PM | Link to this

Del……how would you like to be the VP of my club?

By Chop Chop

May 30, 2006 11:18 PM | Link to this

Yates pitched about as well as I thought he would. Bobby has some suicidal tendencies, and one of the most common is the tendency to throw a freshly called-up pitcher right into the breach. Well, it failed…again. Yates might be effective, but why not ease him into it? Or, for God’s sake, at least let him start an inning for his first appearance. Oh well. I won’t try to reason with Bobby anymore.

By Eric C.

May 30, 2006 11:23 PM | Link to this

I was going to say something negative about the past few games, but after reading previous posts, looks like the negatives have all been been discussed…what a season.

By Jason

May 31, 2006 12:06 AM | Link to this

Bobby thinks just because you bring someone up from the minors, you have to put them in the very first game. Good Job Bobby. You lost us another one. The players arent losing half these games, it’s Bobby Cox.

By Canuckbravesfan

May 31, 2006 12:36 AM | Link to this

Why Yates and not Phil Stockman—my God, Stockman must wonder what he has to do to get a call up for a weak bullpen. If you check his numbers at Mississippi and Richmond you would wonder if somebody in our front office is mad at him about something !! Amazing decision on Yates.

By Chuck E.

May 31, 2006 01:07 AM | Link to this

BC’s post-game comments clearly showed frustration with Yates (said he was throwing too hard), so maybe it’s something that can be fixed by next game.

Not that I’m optimistic about this team at all. They just don’t seem to have “it” this year. Good comments all around about the lack of NL-style play. I don’t expect Giles or Renteria to lead the league in steals, but we’re really slowing things down.

By Head Coach

May 31, 2006 01:37 AM | Link to this

Typical Cox move , throw the kid to the wolves … hey ,Remlinger had already lost the game so it didnt really matter. Cox just wanted to see what Yates had on the mound. At least Sosa is on his game and as long as the starting pitching is healthy and effective this team will in the hunt for the playoffs. I think Cox is ready to start tinkering with the roster and its going to get interesting. McCann on the DL is really hurting the team , we need him healthy. Here is a telling number on the quality of this team. We are 13-3 against teams with a losing record and 14-22 against teams .500 or better , go figure ?

By student

May 31, 2006 02:00 AM | Link to this

Right, little history lesson for some of you losers 2005 28-23 2004 25-25 2003 37-18 2002 30-25 2001 26-26 2000 35-16 1999 31-20 1998 39-18 1997 36-17 1996 35-17 1995 20-13 1994 31-18 1993 29-23 1992 23-27 1991 25-19

Right so whats our record now? Its 27-25. Admittedly not great, but in 3 of our 15 pennant winning season we had worse records than we have now. In another three we had records that were only a couple of games better than this current season. The point isn’t of course that this means that we are guaranteed another pennant, its that braves teams have often had so-so starts and recovered. Its just not time to panic yet. Everything hasn’t been great of course, but it hasn’t been that bad and we are only 4.5 games back with a long way to go. Hudson isn’t about to be traded, the sky isn’t falling yet. Actually the schedule has been fairly tough so far and the team has been on the road a lot. So, seriously lets all stop acting as if its all over in the first week of June.

By Chop Chop

May 31, 2006 02:52 AM | Link to this

student, we all know the Braves’ history and we all know that the season is still young. We all know that the Braves can bounce back and that things can get better.

student, if you are a student of history, you know that history is laden with examples of empires falling and the status quo being riven asunder. The Braves are a sports team, but sports teams are historically no different from civilizations. Every power inevitably must fall. Braves fans who are concerned about this team are knowingly (or unknowingly) aware of this team’s eventual fall from grace. All we want is for the team to fight tooth and nail (through trades, call-ups, etc.) to continue to win. If that means including Jarrod Saltalamacchia in a trade to get a proven closer, so be it. If that means making Chipper Jones unhappy by moving him to first base, so be it. There is no need for the organization to panic, but there certainly is no need for inaction.

As an aside, I am aware of the flowery rhetoric I have imposed on you, dear readers. I daresay I am a mite ashamed of myself, but that shall pass.

By Bob, journalist

May 31, 2006 03:15 AM | Link to this

Chop Chop,

I can’t fault Bobby for using newly “called-up” relievers in pressure situations … it minimizes the buildup of nervous anticipation … and besides, that’s why they’re called up.

All I know about Tyler Yates is what I’ve read and heard … it appears that he was less than effective with the Mets in 2004.

He was 1-4 in 7 starts for the Mets with an ERA of 6.34 … opponents hit .317. He appeared in 14 games as a reliever with a 6.43 ERA … opponents hit .298.

Missed 2005 due to Rotator Cuff Surgery …

Released by Baltimore in early 2006 and picked up by the Braves in early May …

My question is: Why is this “failed starter” turned reliever after 7 starts in his rookie season … in Atlanta less than one month after “returning” from surgery?

I suppose that it could be because he was reasonably effective in 7 appearances at Richmond … giving up 2 runs over 8 1/3 innings with 10 strikeouts and 3 walks.

He evidently has a better than average fastball with a decent slider and change.

Maybe he’s up here to keep Wilson Betemit company … somebody needs to.

By eric the elder

May 31, 2006 08:01 AM | Link to this

I hope someone can straighten me out if I’m wrong, but I don’t think I’ve seen Chipper hit a fly ball to the outfield in about a month. He’s not hitting for average that badly, but his outs all seem to be weak grounders to 1st or 2nd. When we took the bat out of Renteria’s hands and made him sacrifice to move Giles to 3rd, I had no confidence at all in a sac fly from Chipper.

More than ever, I think Del is right about Chipper being hurt, tired, or something. It might be worth letting Betemit play 3rd for a while and give Chipper a week off to go visit his father, work on his swing, and recharge his batteries.

By steve26520

May 31, 2006 08:13 AM | Link to this

Bobby Cox’s and John Scherholz’s devotion to roster players that did the job for them maybe twice in the past ten years is admirable, but misplaced. The name of the game is to win, but this roster is not going to do it. Make a trade with some of that minor league talent for an established closer. Bring up the youngsters and cut loose the likes of Remlinger, Reitsma, Sosa, Jordan, players all past their prime and without the ability to perform as a major leaguer consistently any more. Yes, 14 consecutive years of division titles is amazing, but allowing the falloff to continue as it is going now could bring us back to the ‘same old Braves, of the 80’s sooner than we’d like.

By El Sid

May 31, 2006 08:22 AM | Link to this

Why cut Sosa when he’s turned in another fine perforrmance?

This team has more holes than the Titanic !

Inconsistent offense. Everyone swing for the fences. No speed. No leadoff hitter. The starting rotation drops off after Smoltz & Hudson. No bullpen. A manager that is loyal to guys over the hill.

A trade for a closer ain’t gonna do it !

Instead of entertaining offers for Tim Hudson, a player in his prime, I’d shop around the much ballyhooed Chipper Jones, a a player in obvious decline.

By Yars

May 31, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

Unless the Braves fall out of the NL East race by the trading deadline, Hudson is going nowhere. I think the Braves are a little disappointed in Hudson. When they traded for him, they were thinking he would win 17-20 games every season. He’s only been average so far. If the Braves do fall out of contention by the trading deadline, who is the say that Andruw won’t be traded? I think he only has a year or 2 left on his contract, and let’s be realistic, there is no way the Braves can afford to resign Andruw. We all know he will want a 4-5 year/$75 million deal. No way he will be resigned. I don’t think Andruw will go for a home town discount either. He’s still very young, and can still hit and play excellent defense. I agree with those of you who say that the Braves lack speed. Giles isn’t a leadoff hitter. Bobby needs to tinker with his lineup more and perhaps put Langerhans in the leadoff spot for a couple games and throw Giles in the #8 hole. Why not? The Braves can’t afford to keep losing a game, then winning a game, losing a game, winning a game, ect… The NY Mets are for real this season. We all need to realize that. As for the NL wildcard, it will be within reach. I see teams like the Reds, Rockies, Padres, Astros, Brewers fading away real soon. They all got off to good starts, but they won’t be in contention come August 1. I only hope that JS makes a trade or 3 to improve this ballclub before it’s too late. We definitely have holes to fill. LF, 1B, and at closer, leadoff.

By eric the elder

May 31, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

El Sid, Yars, Del, and others, you have said it exactly right. If the Braves had a hole here OR a hole there OR a hole somewhere else, JS would have a chance to fill it. But this is a team with so many holes, and it’s too late and too expensive to do much about it.

The Braves organization is like those who bought stocks during the heady days of the 90s when the Dow was over 11,000 and then were stuck when the Dow dropped to 8,000. We have 5 players who were signed during the good times and now snarf up 3/4 of a restricted payroll. Having big and many holes and little manuevering room leaves only agonizing choices. Resign ourselves to rebuilding or give away all our kids with the hope of getting some people who can salvage the situation. I don’t think the latter can or should happen.

By El Sid

May 31, 2006 10:07 AM | Link to this

Trading Hudson away, under any circumstances, would be a huge mistake! Should it happen, our pitching staff would be a 39 year-old John Smoltz and a cast of mediocre, unaccomplished pitchers.

If freeing up money is the objective, trade Chipper Jones so we can afford to keep Andruw for the next 10 years, a player in his prime who may get even better. Chipper’s best years are behind him and only the homers are blind to that fact !

By Jim

May 31, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this

Has anyone read the article in this week’s Newsweek about the tax right-off deal being worked out between Time-Warner and Liberty. It leads the reader to believe that the only interest that Liberty has in owning the Braves is to complete a stock swap that minimizes their tax liability. Maybe these Hudson rumors have nothing to do with baseball and everything to do with corporate profits.

By nathan

May 31, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

Chuck E……..Bobby saying Yates was throwing too hard is the last straw for me!!! I’m sick and tired of him and leo turning hard throwers (which is what you need in the bullpen for strickouts to get out of jams)and trying to turn them into Maddux! There will only one greg maddux. H.Ramirez used to throw harder than he does. We tried making Jason Schmidt into a wussy, when he didn’t comply, we shipped him off (now granted he hasn’t stayed healthy, but when he is he’s dominant) Odalis Perez throws harder now than he did when he was a Brave. I remember him hitting 95-96 and blowing people away in first few starts. He was a little erratic, but had “electric stuff”. He didn’t wanna be Tom Glavine, so we showed him the door. And then you have Jason Marquis. Well he didn’t get along with Leo, because he didn’t feel they liked his ideas on how to throw, so sorry son, you’re gonna have to get on out! Then the best example of this philosophy: Hey, lets trade Jose Cappelan (98-100 mph fastball - that needed to be harnessed) for Dan Kolb, a closer with “ground ball” stuff and a 90 mph fastball.

See what I’m getting at. The only two guys they never did this to were Smoltz & Avery. Once Maddux arrived, everybody had to fit that mold. (Burkett, El Presidente, Neagle, Horacio, Davies, Chuck James) If you don’t throw a change up, Leo & Bobby don’t want you. Heck, anybody notice now that Smoltz is not tryin to throw 94-95 on the gun, he’s less effective. Yeah, it’ll keep him “healthy” but who cares if he can’t get anybody out with men on base. That’s why we alway have & always will have bloop hits killing us all year long & in the playoffs. Good hitters make contact with offspeed crap & take it the other way. All the bloops look like line drives in the box score. Then we get the old quotes from Bobby: “he was thrown really good out there, sometimes they just fall in the right spot”. That’s funny. They don’t seem to fall in the right spot against Clemens, Schilling, Smoltz of old, or Randy Johnson when the ball is in the catchers glove for strike 3!

And student…….I agree with you, those numbers tell a good story. The story is that those other teams of the past you talk about didn’t have a bullpen that seems to give up a run an inning. And there was usually hitters “slumping” at the beginning of the year causing the bravos to not score a lot of runs. This team scores plenty, and whether it’s poor pitching, horrid defense, or ridiculous mental errors, this team usually gives up more than it scores. There is a difference between getting beat, and beating yourself. You can handle a loss if the other team just plain old out played you on that day. But when you consistantly shoot yourself in the foot, that spells for a long season.

By Del

May 31, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this

Student and others … Appreciate that you keep pointing out that the Braves have recovered from prior years slow starts to win the division, HOWEVER; there are several reasons why this probably won’t be true this year. Namely:

We don’t have Furcal leading off

We don’t have a younger Chipper, Amndruw, Smoltz, Remlinger

We don’t have a closer

We don’t have a setup man

We don’t have a stable and reliable bullpen

We don’t have stable ownership

We don’t have a batch of rookies who have weathered the sophmore learning curve

We don’t have a consistent bat from Giles

We don’t have reliable #3, #4, and # 5 starters

We do not have a deep bench; ie. Orr, Pratt, Jordan

We still do not know how to execute the game of “small ball” when needed.

Anyhow, you get the drift. I think I’m going to start rooting for the signs of improvement in the above areas in the hopes that come next year we can be assured of being a truly competitive ballclub.

By craig t

May 31, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this

I agree that trading Chipper would make sense for the Braves, but what has any of you Hudson fans seen to make you think he’s ever going to be the stud number 1 pitcher he was in Oak. The only consistant thing about Hudson since coming to the Braves has been his up and down pitching.This team has several holes this yearf as opposed to the last few years where one move could make a big difference, this year two ar three moves are needed ( closer, bullpen help, leadoff hitter, another big bat in the lineup ) This team has too much up and down pitching performances, along with a offense that strikes out way too much, and a defense that isnt great, way too many holes for one move to fix. Yes we are only 4.5 gamnes out, but these arent the same good old Braves we’re used to seeing

By Jennifer

May 31, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this

Trade Chipper to free up money? Chipper has always been the man to step up to the plate and change his contract so that the braves can afford to get players. and i think chipper did that for the last 2 seasons…

By Booby Cox

May 31, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

Yep, Yatesy was throwing the ball a little too hard last night. He was just missing. The kid’s got great stuff, and he’ll sure help us. He was quite a find.

Chris Reitsma has sure been throwing well in our simulated games. Struck out Chipper, Gilly and Adam on nine pitches. Can’t wait to get him back on the mound.

Duh.

By student

May 31, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

Chop Chop, obviously I understand that it isn’t going to last forever. This might be the year. For one thing, I think this years Mets might be the toughest competiton we have ever faced in this division. My point is simply that things really aren’t that bad. They aren’t great either, but I don’t think that they justify all of this talk about making wholesale changes or junking big pieces of our lineup.

All teams have holes. Even the Yankees can’t seem to find enough reliable starting pitching. I don’t really think the Braves have more holes than anyone else or so many that we can’t hope to make things work.

Some of these supposed problems aren’t really problems. The starting pitching has been pretty good. Hudson has been a little unlucky but is really starting to be the achor of the staff. Smoltz looks great although he needs to be careful not to burn out too early. Thompson has been struggling his last couple of starts, but Ramirez looked pretty good coming back from injury and the much maligned Sosa looks like he might be getting it together. Trust me, at least 2/3rds of the league would be happy to have our starting pitching.

As for the lineup, not so bad either. No one seems to have noticed, but Giles appears to be breaking out of his funk. He’s not an ideal leadoff hitter, but things look better when he can at least start getting on base. Renteria has been great. Chipper isn’t hitting for a lot of power, but has over a .400 OBP. I’ll take that. Andruw appears to be getting on track again. Laroche has been hitting better although I’m not a big fan, Frenchy strikes out too much, but will hit some home runs and get some big hits. He also looks like he is being a little more patient which can only be good. The lineup looks a lot better once McCann gets back in there and despite all the heat he takes, Langerhans is a good player who can bat .270, hit for a little power and plays a great defensive left field. If thats your 8th hitter, you aren’t doing too bad.

The bullpen is a problem, but a lot of it would be fixed by making Ray our closer. Then Reitsma gives some depth further down the rungs.

Look sorry about the long post, I’m not trying to be pollyanish, I think we are in for a tough fight this year, but I actually think the team has been underacheiving thus far and that is promising as far as it goes. We only have holes everywhere if your model is some kind of superteam. If you want to compare our roster to the rest of the National League, I think you’ll find its not so bad.

By Rex

May 31, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

Jennifer,

Just think how much more money Chipper could free up if they traded his self-centered, arrogant, “I Live for this” self?

By student

May 31, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this

oh and I’m confused, whats so bad about the defense. Laroche, whatever else you want to say about him is a very good defensive first baseman. Giles has made some great plays. Renteria is a downgrade from Furcal, but McCann has been capable behind the plate, chipper is decent. We probably have the best defensive outfield in the Major Leagues. Langerhans is really, really good out there, Andruw is Andruw, and Frenchy has a great arm and saves us runs that people miss because no one runs on him anymore. So, exactly what are you talking about again?

By Jennifer

May 31, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this

the Braves always find away to make sure things get done and win games.. they have been doing this for years.im sure the big heads in atl. will figure it out.

By nathan

May 31, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

Chop Chop…..Bobby has really brainwashed you, hasn’t he?

“Hudson has been unlucky” WTF!!!!

Hudson on 2 out of 4 pitches doesn’t hit his spots, the ball is consistantly up. He can’t live upstairs in the strike zone. So if him making poor pitches constitutes him bein unlucky, then I guess I agree with you. Not trying to be an a$$, but next time he pitches, watch where Pratt’s glove sets up and where the pitch goes. If he hits the spot he gets those weak ground ball outs. If he doesn’t, start warming up the bullpen.

But, you could have good points (opptimistic at least) about the other problems. So…….lets only hope!

By bigboi

May 31, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this

Where’s the love for Sosa? All the guy does is goes out there anc pitches lights out his last three starts and gets no love. Right now I think he’s our ace or at least number 2 guy. He just didn’t get enuff innings in during the WBC, now he’s on fire!!!!!!!!

By Jim

May 31, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this

bigboi is right.

Without Sosa we don’t come close to winning the division last year. He has the best stuff of anybody (including a 39 year old Smoltz) on the staff, and is far better than any potential return we would get in a trade if the get-rid-of-Sosa now had their way 2 weeks ago.

By Del

May 31, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

Student … I commend you for your positive attitude re. our Braves. If you think our roster compares favorably to everyone elses, perhaps you can explain to me why we have a losing record against teams with a winning record. What have you discovered that I have missed?

By Del

May 31, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this

Bigboi … After grooving a pitch that resulted in a homer, I wouldn’t say that Sosa was lights out; however I would say that he pitched a good game and better than most of his co-starters his past few games. I believe Sosa is someone we can build our future staff upon, providing he keeps himself in good physical condition. Being out of shape this spring was a BIG part of his early season problems.

By nathan

May 31, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this

student……I’m not trying to pick on you. But making “GREAT” plays on defense doesn’t constitute playing great defense. Everybody wants to talk about Ozzie Smith’s “GREAT” plays, and that would be justified. But he was a GREAT shortstop because he made all the easy plays. It’s kinda like umpires. You don’t notice they are there until they don’t do there job. It’s only when they blow a call, that people get on them. They are expected to get it right all of the time.

As a fan I expect players to throw to the right base, hit the cutoff man, etc…..

Jerry Rice didn’t make a living in the NFL making great diving & jumping catches. He made a living making every catch thrown his way. Consistancy is what its all about. Rafael Belliard hardly ever made the GREAT diving stops or incredible throws from the hole. He just gobbled up everything hit his way, hardly ever had a throw that wasn’t chest high and on time. Vinny Castilla was the same way.

I gues in a 3 page post kinda way. I’m trying to say that playing great defense isn’t always about making the great play, it has more to do with making the easy plays on a consistant basis. Great plays are for Baseball Tonight, Sportscenter & all of the other highlight shows. Teams that lead the league in the fewest ammount of errors & throw to the correct base so runners don’t advance, to me, are truely GREAT defenses.

By nathan

May 31, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this

student…..I did forget to add that I do agree with you about our outfield being the best as far as covering ground. But sometimes having a strong arm is a curse. Sometimes Andruw & Frenchy assume they can throw everybody out and they can’t. They need to play smart and pick there moments. But, you’d be hard pressed to show me a better outfield with as much “range” as ours.

Thought I’d throw that in there to show that as much as I like to “argue” and complain, I can agree with people too. (if it’s a good point. LOL!)

By NEWSFLASH !!!

May 31, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this

In a tactical response to the Houston Astros’ signing of future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens, Atlanta Braves’ GM John Schuerholz announced the signing of 48 year-old lefty Fernando Valenzuela.

Braves’ manager Bobby Cox made the following statement: “Looks like John Schuerholz has reached into his bag of tricks once again. Our scouts in Mexico say Fernando looks just like he did back in 1981. His experience will do our staff wonders.”

Duh.

By Chop Chop

May 31, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this

nathan, as I’m sure you’ve probably figured out, I wasn’t the one saying that “Hudson has been unlucky.” That was student.

I agree with your comments on the importance of having steady, if not flashy, defense. What made Furcal so good last year is that he did a much better job on the routine plays than he had in the past. He realized that he didn’t have to gun the ball over to first every time. He picked the right times to use that cannon arm of his.

Del, the main positive factor in Sosa’s last three starts is that he has kept his obvious pitching mistakes to a minimum. Other than the gopher ball to Ethier last night, he was locating his pitches well and keeping hitters off-balance. Prior to these last three starts, he was making four or five big mistakes a game and was paying for them every time. Unlike you, I don’t believe Sosa is a guy to “build a future staff upon”, but when he’s at his consistent best (which is rare for his career), he’s a third starter that can be very productive.

By nathan

May 31, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this

chop chop…..sorry for the incorrect bashing! LOL!

What I said about the defense also holds true for pitchers.

How often do you hear “he’s got really good stuff”, but they can’t put people away with that really good stuff. Consistancy on the mound is what makes pitchers great. We took Maddux’s control for granted all those years. That’s why it’s so hard to watch young pitchers walk a batter an inning. We’re not used to it.

By nathan

May 31, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

but to add to my previous post. It sure would be nice to have at least 2 consistant “power” pitchers in the pen. And one more for the rotatcion. I think that’s why Glavin & Leibrandt were so successful. They were sandwiched in between Smoltz & Avery. So the off speed stuff was “different” in a 3 game series. But Maddux & Glavine were so consistant with their stuff, that they could and have had success no matter who was around them in the rotatiion.

By P'Cola Michael

May 31, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

Hey, I know this is off topic, but, does anybody happen to have any reasonably priced Jimmy Buffett Tickets for the Friday night concert?? 4 lawn seats would be ideal! ??? If so, leave a post where and I will reply with my email address. —Go Braves

By Balthazar

May 31, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

so long, dayton.

By BOB C

May 31, 2006 01:53 PM | Link to this

Dump Cormier in favor of Yates? Cormier seemed to just have a bad case of rust after coming off the DL. His pre-DL stats were among our best. As for Yates - loved him in a Mets uniform, you could see the glow for miles everytime we lit him up - which was often.

By student

May 31, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

Del, my answer as I said before is that I really do think this team has underacheived thus far. We aren’t even through a third of the season yet and I think the talent is there to be better than we have been. They have played pretty inconsistently yet are still two games over .500 and only 4 1/2 out of the east lead. Yes, you are right, we have managed to stay in it by beating up on teams like the Marlins and Cubs. But the fact is that we are hanging around and I’m convinced they can play better baseball. I think we have the parts but the pieces just haven’t been fitting quite right. (And the mess with the bullpen is not helping)

You may be right and I may be wrong. Maybe we aren’t as good as I think we are,and maybe this isn’t underacheiving at all, but I still think its a little too early for definitive judgements.

By little cindy

May 31, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

this ain’t a ticket counter p**. share your limited knowledge of baseball or p** off. your friend, little cindy

By P'Cola Michael

May 31, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this

Little cindy,

I have got more Braves knowledge in my a$$ than you will ever have!

Nice use of the word “ain’t” you uneducated redneck.

Your teacher,

Michael

By student

May 31, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this

Okay, missed this post from earlier. Last post and I’m done for the day. Just to answer a few points.

We don’t have Furcal leading off: Fair enough, the leadoff position has been a problem. However, people seem to forget just how inconsistent Furcal could be. When he was playing well and getting on base he was a huge asset but he also spent long portions of the season trying to hit homers and flying out. Furcal is only hitting .259 with a .336 obp% right now. Not really all that stellar.

We don’t have a younger Chipper, Amndruw, Smoltz, Remlinger: For some reason Chipper isn’t hitting for power but he is hitting for good average, Andruw is only 29 and playing as well as he ever has. Smoltz looks very good although I too am a little worried about his durability.

We don’t have a closer: Well actually I think we do. Ray looks very good when he gets the chance. Now if someone could just convince Cox of this…

We don’t have a setup man: Fair enough the rest of the bullpen has been a problem but for most of the braves run the pen hasn’t been a strong suit. I do think we need to pick up somebody dependable before the trade deadline.

We don’t have stable ownership: eh. Its not like Shuerholtz had carte blance to pick up whoever he wanted the last couple of years either, but I do have some concerns in this area.

We don’t have a batch of rookies who have weathered the sophmore learning curve: Um Frenchy has been inconsistent but not terrible since his bad start, but Langerhans has been okay, and McCann was having a great year before going on the dl and will hopefully be back soon.

We don’t have a consistent bat from Giles: He’s getting better, Giles is a streaky hitter, he’ll be back in form.

We don’t have reliable #3, #4, and # 5 starters: Been a little unsettled, but I do think as I mentioned earlier that Sosa is coming around and Ramirez looked encouraging. Jury is still out here.

We do not have a deep bench; Huh? This is one of the better Braves benches I remember. Betemit and Jordan are good bats, Orr is a useful guy to have for pinch running. Seriously take a look at our pinch hitting numbers. They are very good.

We still do not know how to execute the game of “small ball” when needed: Eh. Sometimes this has been okay, other times not.

The point is that I think you have let your pessemism get the best of you. Everything isn’t perfect, but its not all terrible either and some of it may get better. Its easy to forget that we aren’t the only ones with some problems. The mets are also worried about the depth of their starting rotation and I would take our bottom three over theirs any day.

By little cindy

May 31, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this

prissycola, you girly man, good call on that. your posts demonstrate where your baseball knowledge comes from.

By P'Cola Michael

May 31, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this

you are right cindy….forgive me for being the blog idiot…I should probably get a refund on my MBA too huh?

loser

By David

May 31, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this

ok why would they trade tim hudson that doesent make since hes a great starting pitcher and right now the only problem for the braves is the bullpen so i’m pretty sure if their are any trades coming up its going to be in the bullpen not the starting rotation

By little cindy

May 31, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this

an mba? more baseball (in your) azsss? is that supposed to impress me? you’re a loser alright. good luck with jimmy buffet, girly man.

By Jerry

May 31, 2006 07:22 PM | Link to this

I’ve seen comments in several blogs about Chipper’s skills declining and his noble contract gesture. Put the two together, and Chipper worked out a deal for himself, and not so much for the Braves. With the Braves “pinching pennies” the way that they are, Chipper was going to be handled just like Maddux, Glavine, and Furcal at the end of this season. I realize it would have been an option year, but I just can’t believe that the Braves would have gone through with his option at that price. By redoing his contract, he got guaranteed years at superb dollars for his stats. I like Chipper just as much as the next Braves’ fan, but he is not a #3 hitter any more. If he’s injured, I think Cox would rest him. That’s always been Cox’s M.O. Betemet should get some time, but I don’t see him as an everyday player. The bullpen is the problem, so when that gets ironed out, the Braves will be ok. You can’t expect to win them all, but you do want to be competitive 90% of the time.out, the Braves will be ok.

By Headsup

May 31, 2006 10:46 PM | Link to this

Ok everyone, first of all let’s be realistic, for a team to win a division for 14 years is amazing.Sooner or later that will come to an end.That being said the Braves are still very much in contention!There are many teams that would love to have the talent that the Braves have.It’s not the end of the world for Chipper and Andruw, they will come around, their careers prove that they are good and even the best go through slumps. JS will make a few adjustments and the team will show its true colors.

By phil Niekro

May 31, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this

Sign my brother Joe and myself,we can do a much better job in the Braves rotation ,Joe can replace Thomson.I was a starter in my day but i can be the closer .my knuckleball still works and i am a hall of famer.so try me as the closer.

By Headsup

May 31, 2006 10:59 PM | Link to this

I think the Braves should try to trade for Carl Crawford (Tampa),the guy would make a great leadoff hitter and left fielder.Keep Langerhans as a good lefty bench player. Then go after a good starting pitcher, and make Sosa the closer with Ray as a setup man.Shaking up the batting order after these moves would give the team a spark, and Crawford has almost as many steals as the entire Braves team, Just a few moves and the Braves would be back on track!

By JOHN SMOLTZ

June 1, 2006 03:06 AM | Link to this

YOU GUYS ARE DUMB. A 3RD OF COMMENTS HERE ARE POINTLESS. BUT I GUESS THATS WHAT COMMENTS ARE. ITS NOT REITSMAS FAULT HES THE CLOSER. HE IS FORCED TO BE A CLOSER. SO HE DOESNT HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A CLOSER… MOST PITCHERS DONT. HE IS A SETUP MAN AND THATS IT. WHY DO YOU THINK FARNSWORTH WENT TO NEW YORK TO BE A SET UP MAN. CAUSE HE KNOWS HES NOT MADE TO BE A CLOSER. BUT THID TEAM IS PLAYING BETTER RECENTLY AND I THINK THEY WILL BE THERE TO THE END WITH A GREAT CHANCE TO WIN THE DIVISION. BUT I DO THINK ITS TIME TO LET SOMEONE ELSE HAVE A CRACK AT 1ST BASE. BYE BYE :(|)