Braves

By Mark

June 19, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this

Relax. This team just doesn’t have the talent they need to win. There are going to be bad years.

This past weekend it was so obvious which team had more talent.

By mathias

June 19, 2006 09:38 AM | Link to this

1. Bullpen 2. Bullpen 3. More Bullpen

This bullpen sucks! Everytime we put a good inning together offensively, the bull pen defaltes everything we had going. We need bull pen help.

By Rob S.

June 19, 2006 09:40 AM | Link to this

In the past few years, we’ve managed to avoid getting hit by multiple bad happenings. This year, it’s all happened to us and all at the same time.

• Injuries to key players. Imagine Blaine Boyer and John Foster actually getting outs in the bullpen. Mike Hampton could sure help out our starters right now.

• The Payroll cutting finally caught up to us. In the past few years, we’ve let go J.D. Drew, Gary Sheffield, Kyle Farnsworth, Kevin Millwood, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Mike Remlinger, Rafael Furcal, Julio Franco, Jaret Wright, Paul Byrd, Kent Mercker, and so many others. Just a few of those players and we’d be sitting in first right now.

• The Minor League pipeline is empty. For as much as I enjoy watching Francouer play (most of the time), he should still be in AA because Drew should be in RF. We used up our top talent to win last year, and we’ve got a year or two before more top guys like Elvis Andrus, Beau Jones, and Matt Harrison are MLB ready.

• There’s simply no one to trade for. The trade market is barren. There are very few good relievers available for a fair price. It’s just not worth it to trade Anthony Lerew or someone like that to get a reliever we won’t be able to resign.

• Moves for lesser known players didn’t work out. Villarreal and Cormier have been awful. Tyler Yates and Chad Paronto have been workable, but they’re not exactly like Jaret Wright winning 15 games. The only off-season move that’s worked out was trading for Renteria.

In past years, one or maybe two of these hit us, and we survived it. But this time, it’s all 5, and as much of a miracle worker as Schuerholz and Cox can’t survive all of the above. And let’s not mention that Chipper’s apparently no longer a power hitter and even our veteran pitchers are far from lights out these days. I’ve said it in the past, and I’ll say it here again, “It’s far better to lose in the division series than to not make the playoffs at all.”

By brian e

June 19, 2006 09:40 AM | Link to this

Time to face it for what it is. Let the young guns play and call it a year. Rest your starters and see what you can get for trade value for the Jones boys. Nobody in their right mind would want anyone in the pen. Try just to win one game and go from there. It’s only a matter of time before John S bails ship and Bobby C retires.. It’s time for a new team, new owner and new management completely..

By alex

June 19, 2006 09:40 AM | Link to this

I really do not understand why all media, fans, etc keep asking what is wrong or what we should do. It’s pretty simple folks, the bullpen. They have blown what, 20 games for the Braves? Take just half of those back and we are at .500. The starting pitching has been shaky but not terrible. The offense has done OK also. The Braves just have an awful bullpen, it’s that simple. What should they do? There is nothing they can do. There are not any GOOD relivers out there.

By Johnny Taco

June 19, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this

RE-TOOL FOR NEXT SEASON !

Trade John Smoltz to Detroit so he can win 200 career games, & end his career with a winner. He’s not the future of the Braves & is due to make 11 million next season, money the Braves could use elsewhere.

Trade for Carl Crawford of the D-Rays, a outfilder who can leadoff and has speed.

Take offers for Chipper Jones & get what you can for this fast fading star.

Acquire a legitimate first baseman.

Trade Marcus Giles & put Wilson Betemit on second.

By Johnny Taco

June 19, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this

RE-TOOL FOR NEXT SEASON !

Trade John Smoltz to Detroit so he can win 200 career games, & end his career with a winner. He’s not the future of the Braves & is due to make 11 million next season, money the Braves could use elsewhere.

Trade for Carl Crawford of the D-Rays, a outfilder who can leadoff and has speed.

Take offers for Chipper Jones & get what you can for this fast fading star.

Acquire a legitimate first baseman.

Trade Marcus Giles & put Wilson Betemit on second.

By Johnny Taco

June 19, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this

RE-TOOL FOR NEXT SEASON !

Trade John Smoltz to Detroit so he can win 200 career games, & end his career with a winner. He’s not the future of the Braves & is due to make 11 million next season, money the Braves could use elsewhere.

Trade for Carl Crawford of the D-Rays, a outfilder who can leadoff and has speed.

Take offers for Chipper Jones & get what you can for this fast fading star.

Acquire a legitimate first baseman.

Trade Marcus Giles & put Wilson Betemit on second.

By Merle

June 19, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this

Burn it down. Trade Chipper. Trade Smoltz. Hell, trade Andrew. This year is done, gone, fini. But we have some incredibly valuable players who can create the nucleus for another run. And this time lets build for the post season. 3 excellent starters. A lights-out closer. A solid bullpen. And a bunch of high OBP players with a couple mashers.

By KneeJerk

June 19, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this

Great post, Rob. I agree with everything you mentioned. Chipper is looking a lot like B.J Surhoff (in his prime) these days.

By jj

June 19, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this

Forget about trying to bring in help just to make a run a playoffs. Use the remaining games to promote good young talent to play at major league level and use offseason to dump all the dead wood and totally rebuild with a two to three year time frame in mind. that is what they did in late 80’s early 90’s. but bottom line Schureholz will need more money to spend to land a couple of key talented players (mainly pitching) if the Braves are going to contend. The players shouldn’t be whining and crying about the funk they are in; they should be in other players faces to pick it up a notch. I would be fighting mad. This team has too much talent to be sub 500.

By VP

June 19, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

Simple. Offer Leo Mazzone a deal that he can’t refuse!

By Lou

June 19, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

The Braves showed with their first run this season, that there is always hope in the NL East. I would not be surprised if we get some bullpen help, win the wildcard and make a postseason run.

By Braves For Life

June 19, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

Shut them down. No just kidding.

This one is a nobrainer. Its time to rebuild like the Marlins and Nationals did. Get rid of the dead wood, get rid of the old players that are soaking so much of the payroll and giving very little back. Yes that means Chipper. If he were a team leader then I would have to second guess this statement, but hes not a team leader and at this point he needs to be a DH on an American League team.

Andruw well his days are over. Hes continued to become another Moe Vaughn and his defense is slipping because of his weight. He has gone back to his swinging at everything. Well maybe then again if we ditched Chipper then Andruw would come though. Seems he does better as the leader when he has to lead.

Bullpen has got to clear out. We have a team that has millions locked up in 4 or 5 players. Can’t have that anymore. The money has got to be divided here. You get what you pay for. Keep a few rookies (Francoeur, McCann) trade away the rest for players who can help our team.

By Rutuger

June 19, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

One “rebuilding” year out of every 15 isn’t too shabby. Anyone who abandons the team at the first sign of hard times can stay the hell gone. We suck, it’s miserable, but I’m a Braves fan for life and when we get it back together and start stomping a* again next year, the bandwagon-jumpers will be met with the bottom of my boot as they race to jump back board.

By Lew

June 19, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

Like JS told the ESPN guys last night-if we just bite the bullet this year, next year Hampton, Boyer, James, Davies, Foster and Ramirez are back. That right there helps the staff. I truly don’t know where we can get relievers. I guarantee there is no extra spending allowed because of the pending sale. We may just have to live with first to worse and take up the Mets perpetual chant of “Wait ‘til next year.” The one thing that kills me is that Chipper is hitting over .290. This is hardly scrap heap material. His power numbers are down, but that could be because they aren’t giving him pitches to hit. No one is truly afraid of Andruw. Andruw may be the one to trade with some value. Next year would probably be his last as a Brave, anyway. Like they were saying last night, all of those years of diving for balls and hitting the wall have taken there toll.

By Brian

June 19, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

First team ownership needs to be settled. Hopefully the Braves will end up with a local owner that cares about continuing the winning tradition over the long-haul, not someone who is only interested in a short term investment.

Secondly, it’s been a good run and it’s now time to build for the future. We have many outstanding veteran players under contract, so we’re in an excellent position to trade for young talent and/or multiple draft choices… and we have a GM that is adept at doing so. I’m sure the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Dodgers, and others will soon be in the hunt for players soon. With the core group of young talent already in place, I don’t think it will take long to be back on top.

By Alan

June 19, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

I agree with VP. All the focus on what kind of trade moves to make has obscured the fact that McDowell isn’t able to make diamonds out of coal like Mazzone could. Hell, he (McDowell) was SUPPOSED to be a bullpen specialist. Yeah right. I think letting Mazzone go for such a paltry sum was one of the worst moves in baseball history. Two years ago we saw the end of the Curse of the Bambino. Welcome to the Curse of the Mazzino…

By braves fan

June 19, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

Trade Smoltz? Trade Chipper? Trade Andruw? Are you guys insane? If any of these three guys get traded this season, then you can forget winning next season, or the season after that. This is not the Marlins. There is a state of the art stadium and a fan base that supports this team (as difficult as it was to tell this weekend with the Sox in town). There is no reason to take this team all the way down to zero. A few good transactions in the bullpen and this team can win this season. Smoltz pitched 7 strong innings. Hudson has pitched very well, and so has Horacio before getting beaned. Add Chuck James to the rotation, get Davies back healthy. If they can get any good performances out of the bullpen, they’d be back to competitive. The offense has been potent, but inconsistent. I believe that if the hitters can relax and not feel like they have to score 15 runs to win, they’ll be fine. They are all just pressing trying to hit 5 run homers and keep the bullpen from having to hold it down. Trading the core players would be a mistake.

By DHD

June 19, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this

It’s not going to happen, but just for fun…..

Trade Chipper/Andruw?Reitsma to the Yankees for ARod(the Yankees are not happy with him) and Dotel(who is coming off the DL)

Trade Giles to SD for Roberts(assuming he’s not hurt)

Trade Smoltz to Detroit for Zumaya/Rodney

Trade Thomson to Texas for Cordero

Lineup:

Roberts,cf Renteria, ss Betemit, 2b ARod, 3b McCann, c Francoeur, rf LaRoche, 1b Diaz/Langy, lf

The bullpen would be great.

By Rob S.

June 19, 2006 09:56 AM | Link to this

I say we option Villarreal, Cormier, & Yates, and maybe Paronto, back to Richmond. Call up 3 prospects like Anthony Lerew, Daniel Curtis, & Matt Wright. Try to turn them into clones of Jon Papelbon, who was a minor league starter. Call up Will Startup and give him the ball in the 9th. If Devine gets well, bring him up too. Trade Thomson for just about anyone simply to clear payroll and put Chuck James in the rotation.

Some other minor leaguers showing promise: Manny Acosta & Zach Schreiber have both been lights out in relief for Pearl. Give Brian O’Connor a chance to be the lefty in ‘pen. Kevin Barry has looked good at Richmond as well.

Pratt, Jordan and Remlinger. All good guys, all had solid careers. Remmy can still throw some and he might interest a team making a run for the playoffs. But all three need to go. Brayan Pena clearly has earned a shot in the bigs.

As to the lineup. Bill McCarthy was tearing up in past years in the Spring and at Richmond. Let’s give him a chance already. Wes Timmons should get a shot. Gregor Blanco already has 17 SB at Pearl. Let him lead off and play LF.

We clearly just need to make this a growing year. Andruw should be kept at all costs, but as much as I hate it Chipper and Huddy should be trade bait for the right players. But they should be MLB ready prospects, not future types. I think Smoltz has earned the right to retire here and we should go ahead and pick up his option for next year. If he’s traded, it should be to Detroit and nowhere else. Thinking of that, Joel Zumaya would look awfully nice closing out games for us.

By Walt

June 19, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this

They should try Jorge Sosa to close the last 4-5 outs..Edgar Renteria batted some leadoff for the Cardinals, they should try him at leadoff and drop Marcus Giles to eighth until he gets his confidence back.

By Bill

June 19, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this

This is a critical stretch for the Braves. Freed from trying to keep the streak alive, they can finally make some moves to benefit the team in the long-term.

If played correctly this could just be one down year before another streak starts.

If nothing else get rid of some salaries so there can be some flexibility going into this off-season. If the Tigers want Smoltz, give him the option to go.

The worst thing right now would be for them to win 10 of 12, give the front office hope, and delay any beneficial long-term moves.

By Jason

June 19, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

Here are a few conspiracy theories for Braves fans to consider:

1: At Turner Field, where all of the Divsion and NLCS banners are hung - There is no more room for a 2006 banner. If we were to win the Division in 2006, there’d simply be no spot to put another yellow banner… maybe they knew something! 2: I work for the Braves. They gave employees t-shirt last season when we won the division. They say 14 Straight and on the bank it says “Who’s Counting?”. Are they trying to say that would be the last one? Are we not supposed to notice we aren’t going to win another division title? 3: Ownership in limbo: There’s been next to nothing as far as news regarding the team ownership…hey AJC, where’s your inside man? 4: The Braves fan club, Bravo Club, is gone THIS year. People are mad as can be that it’s gone…they loved it. Why is it gone this year…the same year the Braves are in LAST place? Publix was the sponsor of Bravo Club. They decided to drop it and sponsor the fireworks every Friday night. The fireworks are great, but man, with Bravo Club, ya went home with pretty awesome stuff. 5: Was Leo really the one with the magic? 14 Straight years with Leo. Leo leaves, we are in last place. Hmmmmm…. 6: More Red Sox fans than Braves fans…in other words, half of New England came down to Atlanta….nuff said.

By roy

June 19, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this

The Marlins have shown us how to do it. Let’s have a big fire sale and bring in hot new talent.

By Jason

June 19, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this

88 MILES PER HOUR!!!

KABOOOOOOOM!!!! (GIANT SPARKY FLASH)

Monday, June 19th, 1990

By Rob S.

June 19, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this

In response to Jason, no, I don’t think Leo leaving is the reason everything’s gone down hill. He was a superb pitching coach, but really, he just saw the writing on the wall and saw a really good opportunity to get out before he went down with the ship.

By Voice of Reason

June 19, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this

Why are you people piling on Roger McDowell? Last I looked, the Orioles pitching numbers weren’t much better than the Braves’.

The simple truth is, the Braves’ bullpen is populated by a cast of has-beens, never-was’s, and never-will-be’s. Paronto, Stockman, Remlinger, Ray, Villarreal, Yates, McBride. Honestly, how can you expect to win with that? I think there is hope for McBride, although right now, it’s guilt by association.

When you have a problem so glaring that it completely takes your mind off of the offensive shortcomings, it’s pretty sad…

By Jason

June 19, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this

I say forget this season, rebuild and look forward to the Thrashers (hopefully) making the playoffs and bringing the Cup to ATL in 2 or 3 years. And, of course, it goes without saying: GEORGIA FOOTBALL IS AROUND THE CORNER!!!!!!!!

By Bravesfan too

June 19, 2006 10:12 AM | Link to this

Well lets take a minute to reflect shall we. The bullpen is made up of has beens and never going be’s.

1st base is covered by inconsistancy and has been for 4 years.

Braves payroll is paid to 4 players. Opps that does not work.

Manager sits on fingers and does nothing, not ever changing the lineup. Whats up with that one?

Bench consists of Pratt and Jordan who are each hitting a buck 90. Not good, not good at all. Both are past their prime and are not contributing either. Along with Remlinger all three need to say their goodbys.

The braves and Bobby are to eager to play veterans even tho their time has been over. Vets add something to a team I agree, but only if they are productive players too. If a vet is there only to mentor then your coaching staff needs updated because thats what they are paid to do. Players who do not produce and are soaking up payroll on a restricted club is a waist of money and roster space. It was a mistake last year and its a mistake again.

I will say one thing, Bobby is consistant as they get playing the old farts who cant play the game anymore. Its time to move on boys. Let go of the high priced vets who care eating the payroll and take this opportunity to build a team Atlanta can be proud of. Its been awhile.

By roy

June 19, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this

I don’t believe that half of New England came down for the game. When North East Airlines merged with Delta in 1972, thousands of folks moved from Boston to Atlanta. Many of those folks are still here (many retired from Delta) and they still love the Red Sox and buy tickets to see them when they come to town. Of course, there are many who do travel BOS-ATL to see their beloved Red Sox.

By Robert

June 19, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this

So, when do the Braves admit the biggest mistake they ever made? Letting Rockin’ Leo go appears to be a huge mistake!!!

By BP

June 19, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

It’s been a GREAT run!!!

Thanks to the Atlanta Braves Organization for giving us the fantastic teams for 14 years!!! Kudos!!! Does everyone understand that we have been the envy of every organization for 14 years, except maybe the Yankees??? Give the last 14 years, hell 5 years to the Cubs and see the reaction in Chicago (And how many empty playoff seats)!!!

All good things must end sometime!! We will survive and re-tool!!

Maybe next time Braves fans will actually fill the stadium and not take things for granted. (The playoff attendance the last few years have been embarrassing)

I’ve watched this team when they were in last place before and will continue!!!! Say what you want, they are (and were) always exciting, good or bad!!! Braves Fan Forever, GO BRAVES!!!!!

By Joe C.

June 19, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

This is the greatest braves team of all time LOL

By James G

June 19, 2006 10:19 AM | Link to this

What needs to be done is move the team from Atlanta, it clearly isn’t a baseball town. This past series with the Red Sox was a disgrace to Braves fan everywhere. How do fans of any team let another teams fans come into their house and smack them around like they did over this weekend. It has been bad for years, as far as the fans base in Atlanta goes. When every other team is selling out every post-season game the Braves hardly have half their stadium full. Then fans wonder why the Braves can do anything in post-season. If the Yankees has fans like that they wouldn’t have won 27 world series. Come on, everyone who says to start trading players and build for the future, for what? So they can have another teams fans turn Turner Field into an away game for the Braves? I love Altanta and I know it could be a baseball town if everyone who is a Braves fan, even when they are losing, goes to the games and shows their support, even if they are losing. Because I am stationed in New Jersey, I only get to see the Braves play when they are in New York to play the Mets and I go to every game. I save all my leave days so I can watch them. Altanta is the only city I Love and the only city I will call home. I hated seeing what happened this weekend and if it didn’t bother you, as a Brave fan. Then find another team to follow because you aren’t a true Braves fan!

By Grateful for 14 years

June 19, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

While the bullpen is undoubtedly our biggest mess, I question Terry Pendleton’s job the most. He may have been a fabulous hitter, but can he teach what he knows?

I just think of all those leadoff basemen… stranded & unmoved three outs later.

I’m sure Google could tell me, but where is Don Baylor these days? That guy could COMMUNICATE & improve players. I’m not so sure about TP.

By Jason

June 19, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

We’ve won the division for FOURTEEN YEARS. FOURTEEN YEARS. It’s been a long time since 1990 and Atlanta has changed so much since then. We’ve taken for granted how good the Braves have treated us since 1991. Go find another city where their baseball team has been winning since 1991. Not even New York can say that. We’ve been treated to so many great and fond memories over the last 14 years. We’ve simply come to expect it. Every October, since I was in the 4th grade, I’ll I’ve ever done is eat, sleep, and watch the Braves. This October, I have no idea what I’m going to do! We forgot that most teams do have down years. We’re always in first or close enough to it to not have to worry. Now, however, we have to worry for the first time in 14 years. We haven’t had to worry in 14 years, so we don’t even know HOW to worry properly. We don’t know how to react because we haven’t HAD to react in 14 years. But this is what I advise: The Braves need a cooling off perioid: 5-10 years of lackluster baseball. And then, all of the sudden, we’ll have a great winning year and it will feel like 1991 all over again. Bring back the magic we once had. But just beacuse our beloved Braves are not doing so well is NO reason to stop being fans. Sox fans love their team no matter how they are doing. Cubbies fans do the same. Yankees fans always remain loyal. Mets fans do. Why should Braves fans be any different? They might be our Loveable Losers this year, but that’s no reason to stop loving them. Don’t stop coming to The Ted just because we are doing poorly…in fact, it’s all the more reason TO come out to The Ted…and cheer on your Braves…to help them all that you can to get out of this slump. Don’t you want to hear the chop going…without it blasting over the speakers of Turner Field…but just the crowd doing it on their own? If you want that, you better come out and help turn these Braves around. Don’t let the Marlins or Red Sox take your team pride away…they are just a couple of hot teams beating up on a team down in the dumps right now. Braves fans are the best and always will be.

By James G

June 19, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this

I don’t want to see the Braves moved from Atlanta, I was trying to make a point.

By Gota love em

June 19, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this

Call for Liberty Media to tell Time Warner to open up payroll. If they are in the process of buying them and they want a winning team, then they need to say, hey Time Warner, we are not buying losers. Open up the payroll now and then dictate how much to open it up.

The fact is the Mets and Philly went on a buying spree and signed some really good names. They didnt stop at that, they kept on filling their holes. The braves only sat and held. Only an idiot and Time Warner could not see how much they improved. Bargan baseball, thats what the braves have become. Bargan baseball. What a shame to end this way.

By Hal

June 19, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this

This is dependent on just how much chance the Detroit Tigers think they have of winning this year if in fact they do i would propose a trade sending Smoltzie to the Tabbies for Frenando Rodney and Zumala ! Bingo our bullpen is fixed for next year would the Tigers do this deal not if there real smart but one can dream lol

Then i would see what it would take to get Carl Crawford ,whatever it takes short of giving up all of our top prospects i would do it,maybe a Marcus Giles ,Anthony Lerew Ryan Langerhauns would do it .If so lead off and left field are fixed for the foreseable future

I would give Thorman a real chance to see if he can hit big league pitching (not the two weeks most fans think is time to give up)If He can hit our first base situation is now a pure power hitter ,with a great defensive back up and left handed pinch hitter available

these moves leave a huge vacancy in the rotation if Smoltz leaves the off season should be spent trying to aquire a younger starter with top of the rotation potential

I would NOT trade A Jones ,Frenchy or chipper and heres why

Chipper has no real value and you would get very little in return but hes still a very good hitter and a marginaly effective third baseman Andruw is still the best all around center fielder in baseball and replacing his defence and 30 hr 120 rbis is IMPOSSIBLE Frenchy,although at times i would love to throttle him for his complete disreguard for the nuances of the game still has tremendous up side .Hes a guy with 40 hr 120 rbi potential and young and cheap

I would Also entertain offers for Renteria .His hitting has been great but im not sure he has the range or arm anymore to play shortstop on a good team but his contract and offence would make him a great upgrade for one of the many financial chalenged contending teams

Thses Moves would make our finances better while making the team younger and addressing what is the worst bullpen in history

By Bob

June 19, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this

I would combine a couple of trade deals which would get rid of Chipper Jones with Wilson Betemit taking over 3rd, Adam Laroche leaving with a legitimate 1st baseman with a strong bat taking his place (remember Klesko?), and revamp the whole bullpin. I would move a couple of your starters out to the bullpin and try to secure some new starters or bring up some of the power pitchers in the minors!

By nick

June 19, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this

The Braves underestimated the impact of letting Leo go. He was the rock for our pitching staff. In addition, we have gone from a team very rich in pitching talent to a team of kids that don’t have the experience and tenacity to overcome our latest challenges. We have nobody in the bullpen that has the confidence to take the mound and shut down the other teams offense. Watching McKay last night was the hightlight, strikeout the opponents top two hitters and then completely cave. We need some senior, proven talent in the bullpen that can work with some of these young guys.

By Rick

June 19, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this

I think trading John Smoltz is a good idea. Although he has been a big part of the success of the Braves in the last 14 years, he is 38 and has a big contract that the Braves can not afford. Trade him to Detroit, Boston, or Cleveland.

I don’t think Chipper Jones should be traded during the season but after the season is over I would definitely try to move him. His batting skills have diminished and years with a possibility of a DH will prolong his career.

Last niht during the bullpen explosion, Peter Gammons suggested that the Braves may trade Andruw Jones. I don’t agree with this. Andruw is still only 29 years old. His defense saves the Braves alot of run. Trading him would be a mistake.

By Joe C.

June 19, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this

Mets didn’t buy anybody, they traded for most of the new guys this year like Delgado,LoDuca, El Duque. Only big free agent they signed was Billy Wagner. Oh and the ageless Julio Franco.

By Chambers

June 19, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this

Here’s the lineup:

LF: Diaz New Hybrid Short Base: Renteria First: Betemit Catcher: Bobby Dews Third: ARod (asuming the Yanks don’t blow your Reitsma opportunity) CF:Betemit RF:That sack of rosen P:Betemit

By Erron

June 19, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this

I’m afraid this is going to be it for a while. Hello, 80’s Braves. Do we really think this company from Denver cares one way or the other if the Braves win or lose? The team was not what they wanted in the first place and they only got it as part of the bigger package. I don’t see much money getting spent to improve anything. The best thing we can hope for is the Braves being sold to an owner with a passion for baseball, not news.

By John

June 19, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this

Bring back Pete, Skip, Don and Joe to broadcast ALL of the televised games, including those on Turner South. The decision to dump the best announcers in baseball for the fourth-rate Fox crew has put a jinx on the Braves from which they won’t recover. It ranks on the same stupid decision level as the removal of Chief Nockahoma’s teepee in the closing weeks of 1983 to accommodate more fans.

By Kent

June 19, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this

There’s really nothing that has to happen TODAY, because it’s time to start thinking about next year.

On the bright side, the Braves now have opportunities to start really auditioning players for next year’s roster. It’s a chance for Atlanta to really take stock of what they have now, rather than having to experiment at the beginning of the season (as they had to with the bullpen heading into this season).

It’s time to let all of the young guys play so they can see exactly what they have and what they’ll need to go get over the winter.

Obviously, they’ll need to go out and get proven bullpen arms, but lets take a very close look at kids like Stockman and Yates.

It’s time to give the old guys like Brian Jordan, and Todd Pratt their walking papers. Bring Brian Pena back up to back up McCann. Give Scott Thorman a chance to play regularly, and make sure Wilson Betemit is in the lineup nearly every day.

Marcus Giles will make 5-6 million next year, and since Betemit has created an overcrowded infield, Atlanta needs to trade Giles for a relief pitcher that can help them next season. If (and this is a big “if”) John Thompson and Mike Remlinger have any trade value at all, trade them as well.

Chuck James will probably be added to the Atlanta rotation next week. If he impresses, the Braves should trade Heracio Ramirez too.

Next years rotation will probably look like this: 1. Hudson 2. Smoltz 3. Hampton 4. James 5. Davies

If the kids come through, that has a chance to be a great rotation. Also remember that Blaine Boyer and John Foster should be healthy and ready to help in the bullpen next year. The return of Hampton, Boyer, and Foster should give a huge boost to the pitching staff. Add that to the fact that none of Atlanta’s big dogs are eligible for free agency this winter. So, we won’t be losing any key players to the Dodgers or the Yankees until the end of the 2007 season. And you can be sure that some significant bullpen repair will be done before April rolls around again.

YES, THE STREAK IS OVER. BUT NEXT YEAR LOOKS VERY, VERY GOOD.

By Jamie

June 19, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this

I agree with Rutuger…all these fair-weather, so-called fans, who needs ‘em. I love the Braves good or bad, and we have just been spoiled for the last several years. They will get it together again and, if this year goes in the toilet, so be it, I’ll be here rooting for them anyway!! If everybody would stop giving them grief and start showing up at the games to CHEER THEM ON, that would help!! Hang in there, guys!! Shake it off and get on with the rest of the season. Remember, the All-Star break always brings us back to life!! GO BRAVES!!

By Head Coach

June 19, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Gee whiz , I think I said fire sale about two weeks ago. Well , in reality John Schuerholtz should hold the fort until about 2-3 weeks before the july 31st trading deadline and then pull the trigger on whoever he thinks can be traded. The Yankees and Redsox will be key players in trades with Atlanta. JS can make this Baseball rivalry compete against each other for the services of Andruw , Smoltz and Hudson. Boston , Detroit ,and the L.A. Dodgers are loaded with top pitching talent. The Yankees George Steinbrenner would trade the farm to get Andruw in pinstripes , likewise the Sox would have to pony up for Smoltz or Hudson. Detroit would be a good fit for Smoltz , but I dont know if they have a real strong interest in him. The Padres are shopping for a third baseman and the Dodgers might be interested in Chipper or Hudson. Personally I would trade all the veterans and rebuild around Ramirez , Davies , James , Devine , Lerew , McBride ,Betemit , McCann , Francoeur , Langerhans and the rest of the rookies and Trade for top pitching prospects. Atlanta has a solid nucleus of young players and with the salary restrictions they need to get young and cheap in order to be competetive on the field and have room to grow financially inside an 80 million dollar payroll.

By The GM

June 19, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

Head Coach, I reject your trade proposals. The key this season is patience. One game at a time is all, we’ll get back in this thing.

By crs

June 19, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

The first thing is the bullpen, bullpen needs a complete overhaul, item 1B, braves need to get Mazzone back, he is worth atleast a run a game over the course of a season, by most accounts he is not happy in Baltimore. Second, older vets like Chipper and John Smoltz need to be traded if the price is right. Third, guys like Andruw Jones, Hudson and Renteria should also be dealt if the Braves can not afford them in the next couple of years. The only player somewhat untouchable in my mind is Andruw but like I say if the Braves can not afford him we need to get some value. Fourth, Bobby is probably a slightly better than average manager but you see how big Mazzone was to his success. Sitting back and waiting for homeruns is not a viable option in the national league. The Braves have no real hitters, guys that make solid contact every time. We are in desperate need of speed, braves made a big mistake not trying to get a guy like Juan Pierre. No untouchables on this team in my mind. Seems to me there is little immediate help in the minors at this point as we have traded away most of our top talent the last few seasons particularly pitching wise. This is just a bad team, poor coaching, Cox gets a D, Mcdowell an F, Starting pitching is a C-, Defense is C-, Offense is a D, and Relief pitching is an F. Chipper’s decline reminds me of Dale Murphy, the injuries have taken a steep toll. John Smoltz is no longer a #1 or #2, he is a three and Hudson at best has always been a #2, Braves need to get a young #1 talent in return for a Smoltz or Chipper. If Andruw is traded he is worth atleast three or four big prospects. Scherholtz has a lot of work to do startign with getting Mazzone back.

By Ryan

June 19, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this

REBUILD?!?!?

What exactly does everyone think this team is?

This team has been in a rebuild process for two years, but I guess everybody forgot.

Half the starting lineup has less than 1,000 career at-bats.

Adam LaRoche is a longtime veteran on this team, and he is only in his third season.

Trading Andruw is a ridiculous notion. He is still young, and is the type of player a rebuilding team would center themselves around.

Everyone wants to dump Chipper and Smoltz, but how are they different than the veteran presence that Pendleton or Liebrandt brought to the ‘91 Braves?

The Braves are in their second year of a rebuilding process, and it’s no surprise their struggling. The payoff will come in the next two or three years.

Scrapping that plan now would turn our Braves into the Hawks.

Y’all aren’t taling about a REBUILD.

Y’all are talking about self-mutilation.

By geekboy

June 19, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this

1) We need a real closer. We will have to trade for one because no one in the farm system appears ready.

2) We need a real first baseman. Time to dump LaRoche and his career .260 average. I would ask Chipper to play first and if he was reluctant try Betemit. If neither of those work out, trade Giles and put Betemit at second.

3) We need a real leadoff hitter. They should play left field, play good defense, hit for average and be able to steal bases.

4) We need a real pitching coach. McDowell is not effective.

5) We need better relievers, but a real pitching coach would have made what we have a lot better.

6) We need a hitting coach. Terry Pendleton is ineffective. How can he be a batting coach? He used to change his batting stance every time he changed his underwear, which was almost daily.

7) Francouer should be our #4 outfielder until he proves he is not an idiot at the plate. We should never have let J.D. Drew go.

8) Get rid of the dead wood — why is Brian Jordan on the team? That roster spot would be better used by someone with a future.

Here is the team I would try to put in the field NEXT YEAR. The names in CAPS would have to be acquired by trade. I think these trades are FEASIBLE.

LF - FREEL or FIGGINS (fast and versatile) SS - Renteria 3B - Chipper CF - Andruw 1B - TEIXEIRA (the price may be right, he’s having a bad year) RF - HART (from the Brewers, should be cheap) 2B - Betemit C - McCann P - Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton, Ramirez, Davies.

Bullpen: McBride, Boyer, James, Devine, Foster, Sosa, PUTZ (all our closers are Putzs, so why not actually have one whose name fits?)

Bench: Francouer, Pena (the catcher), Pena Jr. (the young shortstop), Juries (1B)

Dump: Jordan, Thompson, Giles, LaRoche, Villareal, Cormier, Reitsma, Pratt, etc.

By Kent

June 19, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this

HEAD COACH, There’s no reason to rebuild at this point. The Braves can put a much better team on the field next year without increasing payroll (because of the expiring contracts of Reitsma, Thompson, and Sosa… and the fact that they will probably trade Giles and mayne H. Ramirez).

With the return of Hampton and Boyer, and a retooled bullepen… there’s no reason not to give it another go next season.

By crs

June 19, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this

People, Chipper is done, we need to get something for him now because soon he will be worth NOTHING!!

By Kent

June 19, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

CRS, We can’t trade Chipper unless he wants to be traded (and he doesn’t). He has 10-5 powers and can block any trade. So does Smoltz, and I believe Andruw Jones as well.

By LB

June 19, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this

I agree with Johnny Taco toward the front of the blogs. Just count this year’s winnings as a loss, take the team and develop their skills. Another point to drive home is, every team can display a great attitude when the chips are up. It will be interesting to see how the Braves handle defeat. A winning team represents good sportsmanship no matter what the wins/losses are. If the Braves go belly up the entire year yet the players have good attitudes and are nice to their fans, their example will be very beneficial to our kids and many adults. A true winner in my book is a winning attitude and not necessarily numbers.

By Thrash

June 19, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this

Fix the Braves? FIX THE BRAVES? They’ve been broken for over a decade, what’s the rush? The Braves are the biggest underachieving team in baseball the past 10 years.

By Joe C.

June 19, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this

Good ol Chipper…always doing what’s best for the team….

By NYFAN

June 19, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

C’mon brave fans. I think deep inside you always knew that it would be the NY Mets that ended your run. Why else do you feel the constant need to attack the Mets whenever possible. This year they have a good team and they get no credit or honorable mention from the brave fan.

By L.D.

June 19, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

Yeah, this is pretty bad, but welcome back to reality, folks. The dream that has been the last 15 years couldn’t last forever. Just wish more Atlantans appreciated the run the Braves have had. This team could’ve just as easily been the Royals(not that they don’t look like the Royals now). The Braves could make some moves to try to climb out of the hole this summer, but a lot is predicated on the sale to Liberty Media, who doubtless will want to make their new investment shine. First, make a trade to get Dontrelle Willis and/or Joe Borowski up here. Willis gives the team star power(and a cheap salary) now and for the future, and Borowski is better than just about anyone the Braves have in the pen now. Doubtless the Cubs will want to move Greg Maddux before the end of the year to get something in return. The Braves should not be afraid to bring him back to the fold now to try to shore the rotation up(no more Jorge Sosa!!), then use the money they save once he leaves as an FA next year. Move Betemit to 3rd now and put Chipper at 1st, since he’s probably gonna wind up there at some point. Then look at getting Shannon Stewart from Minnesota. He’s a leadoff hitter with power and he plays left field, 2 needs the Braves have to address right now. If there’s short-term pain now, fine, so long as there’s moves made to get this team back into contention for next year. But this is baseball; stranger things have happened, and hey, there’s still a wildcard spot to be had.

By Voice of Reason

June 19, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this

Alright, folks, I’ll type slow so that you can grasp this…

Braves/Orioles pitching stats:

ERA: 4.83/5.31 - Braves.

WHIP: 1.47/1.56 - Braves.

Avg. against: .277/.280 - Braves.

Shutouts: 2/0 - Braves.

Complete games: 5/1 - Braves.

Tell me again… Just exactly what would Leo do for us?

By Dan

June 19, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this

Does anyone remember that there is still a wildcard team that makes the post-season? This team may not win the division, but if the right changes are made (Bullpen, leadoff batter, and timely hitting) we can make the playoffs as a wildcard. We are only 6.5 games back in the wildcard, and honestly I will take the wildcard because the last 14 yrs of winning the east, we only have 1 World Campionship!

By Kent

June 19, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

NYFAN, the Mets didn’t have to end the Braves run. They’ve done it all by themselves. This is not a NY beatdown… it’s an ATL implosion.

By NYFAN

June 19, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this

As a Met fan I look back at those 80’s teams and definitly think they underacheived. They should have won 2 or 3 world championships. Braves fans will eventually look back and feel the same way.

By Kent

June 19, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this

DAN, I agree, the Braves still have a shot at the Wildcard. The problem is that they haven’t fixed the problems, and there are apparently no pending trades or anything on the horizon to fix the Braves this year. That’s why I’m turning my attention toward next season, which looks very promising.

By Robert H

June 19, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this

Why are we piling on McDowell? Because he’s an utter failure, that’s why. You seem to forget that he’s the coach, and it’s his job to coach. And it’s not just this year and these guys in our pen. Go back and look at the ERAs of his starting pitchers last year at Las Vegas: 6.38, 5.35, 7.17, 7.12, 5.56, 6.58, 6.42, 8.62, 7.20. (Source: http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ibp&cid=400&stn=true&sid=t400&y=2005)

Go back and look at his experience and give me just one reason why he was worthy of ever being condisered for this job.

I’m not just piling on McDowell here. I’m piling on Schuerholz. There was absolutely nothing in McDowell’s resume to indicate that he deserved or was ready for a job of this magnitude. His team ERA last year at Las Vegas was over 6.00. Atlanta is not the place to hire a pitching coach that needs on the job training.

And fire Pendleton also. I’m getting sick and tired of seeing Braves hitters, especially Francoeur, be absolute morons in the batter’s box and then Pendleton do nothing but pat them on the butt and encourage them. Francoeur’s HR not withstanding…look at last night. 1st AB…strikes out on an 0-2 pitch in his eyes. Then, he bunts a pitch 6 inches off the dirt and a foot outside trying to get on base? Just plain stupid…absolutely no discipline at the pate. But the most irritating thing of all after the bunt was seeing Pendleton, when Francoeur gets back to the dugout, do nothing more than pat him on the butt as he went by. Pendleton should have been in his face. If Francoeur is ever going to be the hitter he should be, he’s going to have to get some plate discipline, and if Pendleton or Cox has to get in his face in front of a nationwide Sunday night TV audience, so be it. If it means Cox has to put his butt on the bench for a week, so be it. Or, better yet, send him back to Richmond and tell him he can’t come back to Atlanta until until he’s walked 10 times. This nonsense with Francoeur has been going on far too long.

I get a kick out of reading all these comments about trading this guy or that guy, or trading for this guy or that guy. Some people seem to forget that, if the coaching staff isn’t doing it’s job, it won’t matter who the players are.

By Joe C.

June 19, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this

NY Fan - Braves fans and Yankee fans are the same…it can’t be because other teams are better…it’s just that the Braves are bad.

By dtb

June 19, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

Put Smoltz back in the bull pen and go after a quality starter and a first baseman

By don't trade Rick Mahler

June 19, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

Oh the days of yore, youth, my 4 cylinder Mustang, high school, college. It’s like old times again, the Braves are in last place and I’m headed to the arcade to play some Pac Man and Galaga, then I’m off to Turtle’s to pick up the new cassettes by the Clash and the Cars.

By D

June 19, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this

GET RID OF ALL THE DEAD WEIGHT AND GET SOMEBODY IN HERE WHO WANTS TO WIN AND THOSE DEAD WEIGHTS ARE LAROCHE,GILES,JORDAN,REMLINGER,THOMPSON,REISMA AND UF ANYBODY DON’T AGREE WITH ME PLEASE RESPOND BACK REAL SOON

By RobertH

June 19, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this

And don’t give me any crap about being spoiled after 14 titles, about the streak having to end sometime, or continuing to cheer on the Braves, or whatever. It’s one thing to be well-coached, to play hard and play well, and get beat by better teams. But when you play stupidly (Francoeur and LaRoche in the batters box), don’t hustle (LaRoche, Giles in the field and Hudson running out bunts), when coaches don’t do their jobs, and when management blindly insists on keeping players whose careers are finished (Pratt, Jordan), then yes, this team deserves whatever abuse the fans heap on them.

By Southern Belle

June 19, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this

I don’t normally post, but it’s been killing me that nobody on any of the blogs I’ve read has mentioned that Andruw Jones is a free agent next year and that his agent is… (drum roll please) Scott BorA$$! Does anybody in their right mind think that BorA$$ will get a lobotomy before the end of next year and say, “Sure, Andruw will take a home town discounted contract”? Just to jog y’alls memory, BorA$$ is Greg Maddux’s and J.D. Drew’s agent just to name a few. That’s half the reason (probably more than half) that they left the Braves. When you’re a BorA$$ customer, you care more about money than loyalty. So I say, trade Andruw and get something for him, before we just end up seeing him sign with another team that can dish up more money and get nothing in return.

By Hal

June 19, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this

I Have some very good reasons for rebuiling

1 LAST PLACE

2 A payroll of 80 mil of which 60 mil is tied up in 5 players

3 A team whos on field performance is “disinterested” at best the best reason i know of to shake up the status quo

4 Areas of the team that are more suitable for a triple A team …yea the bullpens could use a “little” rebuiling

5 players who now have some value but soon may not have (ie) Smoltz

6 A fan base who have lost confidence and interest in this lacklustre bunch

By Joe C.

June 19, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

LaRoche - More clutch than A-Rod.

By JK

June 19, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this

I TRADE LAROCHE AND PLAY THORMAN AT FIRSTBASE AND TRADE GILES FOR BULLPEN HELP AND PLAY BETEMIT AT SECONDBASE AND TRADE LANGERHANS AND GET CARL CRAWFORD TO PLAY LF AND BAT FIRST

By Robert

June 19, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

There isnt one simple solution. Obviously the team needs bullpen help. More improtantly, it needs a new attitude. To that end

1. Trade Chipper - still a HOF level producer on offense, and we can argue his leadership/merits round and round, but I think he has worn out his welcome here. Best for both parties if we thank him for services rendered and part ways

2. Demote Francouer - a tremendous talent, but he needs to learn plate discipline if he is going to be a productive big leaguer in the long term. He basically needs to be told he will play be called back up when he walks once every ten at-bats over an extended period in the minors

3. FIRE BOBBY COX as manager - On a team that was full of superstars and needed no real managing, he was arguably marginally acceptable, tho even then he detracted enough from the team to cost them in the playoffs. On a team like this that needs someone that will not just let them play thru problems and that needs more than a babysitter, he is not just inadequate, he is woefully incompetant. Billy Heywood brought more to the table as a manager than Cox

4. I have excoriated Cox’s managing in this forum and to my friends for years. I have nothing but contempt for him as a manager. On the other hand, I cant find fault with what he did as a GM. If we are somehow hesitant to just punt him because of his long service time or because someone is impressed by winning 14 division titles and one WS when we should have 14 division titles and 4 WS, then give him some fancy sounding job in the front office. Just get his dumb behind out of the dugout

5. Everything hinges on getting rid of Cox as manager. Until then, we can stack the team top to bottom with HOFers and still wont win anything meaningful (cant argue it guys, the past 14 years are the proof)

By Hershell Fuller

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

Fire Bobby Cox immediately! Hire Terry Pendleton. ASAP! Allow him to make the necessary changes in the organization.Thanks, native of Atlanta.

By Burningit Down

June 19, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this

It is incredible to hear these comments after 14 straight division titles. This fan base may the most spoiled lot in all of sports. Instead of basking in the glory of what may be the greatest achievement in sports history of 14 straight divisions. Everyone is crying over 1 bad year. These are the same unsupportive Braves fans who don’t even show up for playoff games. Any other city may actually appreciate this team and what it has accomplished. There is a reason the team is in last place and it is simple. It does not have the pitching or consistency on offense to compete. Get over it.

By D

June 19, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

JOEC LAROCHE IS NOT AND NEVER WILL BE MORE CLUTCH THAN A-ROD

By Joe C.

June 19, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

Bobby Cox - Managerial superstar.

By JW

June 19, 2006 11:34 AM | Link to this

Get rid of the tomahawk chop. It is cheesy.

By Joe C.

June 19, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this

D- You obviously have not been to Yankee Stadium lately….

By MIke

June 19, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this

The Braves can’t even sell out the stadium when they make the playoffs. Yet us red sox fans come to town and you guys sell out. What does that tell you about your team(s)? Atlanta is in my opinion the best city in the country to live in. I grew up in Boston and still feel that way. The sports teams down here are horrendous Lets take a quick look:

Braves: Can’t fill the stadium even in the playoffs. Last year I had a fan fully decked out in Braves gear ask me where the scoreboard was??!?!?! Those are your fans!

Hawks: Last night I sat in section 147. I could of picked any 5 people (drunks included) and they could beat the Hawks. I can’t even look at the Hawks because the uniforms are so ugly they hurt my eyes. Really who cares????

Falcons: Medicore fan base, Mediocre team. You guys have put all your eggs in one basket with Vick who statistically last year was .500 with some of the worst QB stats in the league. Thats the bottomline.

Thrashers: Atlanta isn’t and never will be a hockey town. That being said. The Thrashers aren’t half bad and it’s to bad more people don’t get out to see them.

I say thank god for the Dawgs!

By Jonny

June 19, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

Bullpen. We need a bullpen.

Oh, and Giles, all 5 foot 7 and 170 lbs of him, needs to quit swinging for the fences. For crapssake, get on base, pipsqueak!

The offense is good enough for the starters but very few offenses would be good enough for this bullpen.

Looking forward: Trade Giles and LaRoche for middle relief. Get rid of Roger McDowell and get a tough guy back as pitching coach. Keep both Jones boys and Smoltz. They are the core of the team. Put Andruw on a diet and , no, I don’t mean a Krystal diet.

The Rookies are learning and will continue to learn.

And don’t count these guys out yet. The are only 10 games under .500 and could go on a tear any game. I really believe that. And the Mets could easily falter.

By Burningit Down

June 19, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this

The Mets easily falter? Have you looked at that lineup? Their bullpen? They haven’t lost more than 2 games in a row all year. IT IS OVER!

By Zerevon

June 19, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this

Like it or not but not having Leo is the main reason for all that failure. It is not the only reason just the MAIN one. If I knew what to do with the team, how to improve them, I would, but I don’t, Bobby and JS does and they have done a fantastic job over the years. What goes up must come down..Roman empire, Byzantine empire, Ottoman empire they all were on top once and they all went down, it is the nature of this life no one ever stayed on top forever..in sports staying on top as many years as the Braves did was AMAZING..I LOVE MY BRAVES WIN OR LOSE ALTHOUGH I PREFER WINNING… Go Braves

By Warren Sands

June 19, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this

I am 59 yrs old and have been a braves fan since I was a yougster..my math says thats a long time! So please excuse me if this sounds like a rant. This is “almost” without a doubt as a collective unit the worst I have ever seen the braves put on the field..yes there are a still a couple of bright spots, but not enought to compensate for the deep dark black holes.

By James

June 19, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

Thanks Chipper but now the time to trade to a Texas team, Trade Smoltz to the Tigers. Trade Andruw cause he alone will save any team runs with his defense. Trade Giles and LaRoache for pitching. Doing that will get all more money to make a better team that will make contact with the ball instead of striking out so much. If we have 4 or 5 guys making 3/4 of the payroll well nows the time to get rid of them and use that money to improve for 2007. First get Crawford to play LF. Get Soriano to play 2B Get Cabrera to play 3B Get Coco Crisp to play CF.Then you still will have plenty plenty money left for good pitching. Lineup 1)LF Crawford 2)SS Renteria 3)2B Soriano 4)3B Cabrera 5)C McCann 6)CF C Crisp 7)RF Francoeur 8)1B Thorman/or Free Agent 9) Pitcher…. WE can get these players for a few years for alot less money than we are spending now. This would free up some money for pitching and a good closer.

By beast

June 19, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this

Fire our pitching coach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Evry starters ERA is at least 1 run higher than it was last year. trade for 1 good reliver maybe we cud trade for jose valverde or somone that we can put in without worrying if he will blow the lead. It’s the BRAVES are’t we supposed to be known for our pitching? It don’t seem like it rite now. Besides all that I have alot of friends jumping on the phillies or nationals bandwagon some even the mets. We’ve 14 straight years of winnin the Division we’ll bounce back. I’m just hoping we can make some good moves and at least end the season over .500

By Joe C.

June 19, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this

BurningitDown is correct - The Mets have yet to experience a 3 game losing streak.

By Jerry

June 19, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

First thing that needs to happen is sale the team to someone who would really care about the team and not just their corporate bottom line. In other words find an individual buyer like Arthur Blank (that is willing to spend the money to keep good players) and not some other meida company that just wants them for a tax break.

By Burningit Down

June 19, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this

James, Great wish list, how do you propose they get all of these names, why would Boston give up Crisp or Florida Cabrera? Carl Crawford? It would take more than just top level prospects it would also take young Major league ready talent. Keep dreaming.

By John

June 19, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this

This METS fan says: There is nothing like see BRAVES FANS SQUIRM. HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!! We’ll gladly take Tim Hudson off your hands…you can keep the rest of those drunken hooligans.

By MIke

June 19, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this

James,

Just how do you expect to crisp. We just signed him to a 3 year.. Good luck with that. Might as well ask for Beckett, Ortiz, and Papelbon too.

By Ya Gotta Bereave

June 19, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

GET COMFORTABLE You’re gonna be there a while. Lay on your back so you can look up at the Marlins and the rest of the division without putting too much strain on your neck. Visit the Mets website for playoff ticket information.

By Ron N

June 19, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

1st - Trade Smoltz for 1 or 2 good prospects to a team that is in contention. Any team on the verge would love to have him and would give up some y oung talent. We need to develop some pitching, starters and bull pen. This is the diffrence for this team vs all the NL East winners.

2nd - Take offers for Chipper. Love him and Smoltz, but the time has come for them to play somewhere else. Lets get some young players and start developing talent for next year

3rd - Trade Gile for prospects.

4th - Replace almost all the starting pitching and bullpen. Without good pitching we CAN’T win. We need to start planning for the future ASAP. 1 or 2 years of this is ok but not more than that. Let’s get started on the future.

We would also save a truck load of cash by trading the above vetrans and start putting the $$ towards some of the promising youg talent.

By ugadawg

June 19, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

All the people saying Andruw is past his prime have lost their mind. Yes, he’s gotten a bit slower due to his weight and he could stand a bit more discipline at the plate. But he’s in the top 3 in RBIs in the NL and is still the top center fielder in the game. The guy is only 29 for God’s sake.

Get his butt on a treadmill and get him to lay off the high fastball and he’ll be one of the best players in the league.

By juan

June 19, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this

The ship has sunk. Leo’s departure has doomed the Braves. McDowell has fine tuned his ability to press speed redial to the bullpen each nite. The Braves have gotten old. Flipper, Andruw, and Smoltz need to be unloaded to get some young arms and hitters. Someone needs to tell Giles he’s like 5’8” and stop trying to swing for the fences. He needs to get on base instead of trying to hit it deep with his little man syndrome. And last but not least, Cox needs to go. He looks confused in the dugout this season because he realizes he can’t just sit back and let the ballclub do it all for him like past seasons.

By Dale R.

June 19, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this

DUMP EVERY RELIEVER EXCEPT RAY AND PROMOTE RICHMOND PITCHERS TO THE BULLPEN.

By ronald

June 19, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this

Frankly, I’m tired of hearing guys say “I didn’t do my job.” Quit apologizing for not doing your job and start doing your job. There are two moves I’d make very quickly. 1. Replace Roger McDowell this week. 2. Replace Terry Pendleton this week. Beside the fact that the bullpen sucks, we went 2 - 10 with runners in scoring position (except for the home run). The two glaring weakness are the responsibility of these two coaches. We are seeing absolutely no improvement in either area. Fix it now by changing coaches.

By Ya Gotta Bereave

June 19, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

* Where’s Larry?* I didn’t see him in the lineup against the Red Sox last night. Oh, it was Father’s Day yesterday so he was probably all worn out from trying to hunt down kids he may have sired on road trips. The Braves were leading that game, weren’t they? How’d that work out? Another big win I’m sure.

By James

June 19, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this

Burninitdown, Boston would trde Crisp + for Andruw in a heartbeat.Florida will unload Cabrera this year. JS can mke a deal for Crawford with our prospects. Soriano will be a free agent and if we get rid of 3/4 of the payroll, we will have the money. I will keep on dreaming. If a person can not dream in America that person has not really live life like it should be live.

By Play that funky music white boy

June 19, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this

Warren, I’m 33 and a lifelong fan - so I can’t speak to the teams of the late 60’s like you can, but you are going to say that this lineup is worse than Rufino Linearas, Rafael Ramirez, Ken Oberkfell (Horner hurt all the time), Ozzie Virgil, Terry Harper, Jerry Royster, etc.? That was awful baseball. And I love him dearly, but everyone knew how to pitch to Dale Murphy after 1982 - low and away curveballs, got him everytime (wake up Francouer, you are becoming Murphy II to the low and outside pitch!) At least with this group we can see another decade long run in the near future. I would deal Giles (Betimit is a player), and either Langerhans or Diaz and pickup a few good AA and AAA pitching prospects. Get rid of the space cadet LaRoche on first base - and bring in a legit one: No Fick, No LaRoche, No Franco.

By Sothern Belle

June 19, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this

Ugadawg,

I agree that Andruw is still a good player. That being said, how are you going to afford the salaray that BorA$$ is going to demand for Andruw after next year? If the Braves are sold to Liberty, there is NO WAY they will invest that kind of money. Liberty is looking at the Braves as a 2-3 year acquisition to avoid taxes. After that they’ll sell the Braves off, and it will be in their favor to sell the Braves cheaply (that taxes thing again).

By D Lewis

June 19, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this

If they can’t spend anymore $, rotate pitchers in from the minor leagues periodically. That always seems to shutout the Bravos.

By Joe C.

June 19, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this

Marcus Giles - The next Barry Bonds, with that vicious uppercut swing….

By Southern Belle

June 19, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this

Ugadawg,

I agree that Andruw is still a good player. That being said, how are you going to afford the salaray that BorA$$ is going to demand for Andruw after next year? If the Braves are sold to Liberty, there is NO WAY they will invest that kind of money. Liberty is looking at the Braves as a 2-3 year acquisition to avoid taxes. After that they’ll sell the Braves off, and it will be in their favor to sell the Braves cheaply (that taxes thing again).

By Olin Fraser

June 19, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this

The Braves need to strengthen pitching staff, relief and starters. A leadoff hitter is desparately needed. These changes need to be made with the future in mind, not just this year. We are not playoff caliber and do not deserve to be there. I don’t care who we may pick up. Cox needs to be more adaptable to unusual circumstances ie. a 7 game championship series or a team that is on the skids instead of the long term law of averages that he is so fond of. He has ruined more than a few left handed hitters who never got the oppurtunity to see big league left handed pitching. I thought some new faces was a good thing ie. getting rid of some of our veteran under achievers. A complete overhaul may be in order. No one exempt.

By Lee

June 19, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this

Face it, the Braves won’t be anywhere near their quality until two things happen: Time Warner and Bobby Cox are both gone.

By Play that funky music white boy

June 19, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, that whole letting Wes Helms go is looking really good right now isn’t it? That guy was a true power hitter with a great upside, and they let him go??? I don’t get that one. Maybe we could get Klesko back at first?

By Matt

June 19, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this

1. Trade Marcus Giles for (real) pitching.

2. Let Wilson Betemit hit leadoff.

3. Trade for a middle-of-the-lineup bat.

By Braves Nut

June 19, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this

What does it say about your team when you are counting on two 22 year olds, with barely a year’s major league experience to carry the load. Without McCann and Francoeur where would we be? This slide started with McCann getting hurt a few weeks ago. Francoeur plays like he’s 22, sure he could be more selective, but he’s delivered in the clutch more in his 150 or so games than any Brave since Chipper in 1999 & 2000.

The Bullpen is horrible. We’ve always had bullpen problems, but this is clearly the worst group yet. When you have $60 million of your $80 million payroll tied up in 5 players, you have a cheap bullpen by default. We are getting what we’re paying for here. It’s tough to comeback in the seventh and have a 2 run lead only to give up 7 runs in the final 2 innings. This affects everyone’s confidence, especially the young guys who are carrying the team.

We’ll have a winning streak in the next month, get back to .500 and finish a distant 3rd. Unless we get bullpen help, I don’t see 2007 being much different.

By student

June 19, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this

First of all some of you guys (hey most of you actually) are idiots. There’s a tendency when things are going badly to make idiotic suggestions about getting rid of everyone, as if they were all equally part of the problem. I don’t think anyone would actually take Chipper even if I thought we should trade him. Its not that he’s playing that badly. He’s not but he has a big contract and has had a lot of injury problems. Even for a team in a strech drive he would be a big risk. Next. Andruw maybe. He also has abig contract that is taking up a lot of our payroll and chances are we won’t be able to afford him after next year. But I hate how people argue that we should trade people without asking what we would get in return. If a team that really wanted him for the strech was willing to give us a couple of very good prospects close to being ready for the bigs, that might be a good trade, but we don’t have to trade him. If they don’t get a good offer they could just hold on to him and shop in the offseason . Its not a desperation kind of deal. Same actually with Giles. Betemit could be a starter and Giles might not be needed, but don’t just trade him for junk.

As for trading Hudson or Smoltz, I don’t think either would be a good idea. We have Hudson locked up for several years and he’s pitched decently this year. I can’t see how getting rid of him is a good long term move. As for Smoltz, I like our chances next year much better with him than without him. I don’t think we are really that far away from being a good team again. We need an actual bullpen and maybe a leadoff hitter to play left field. Junk Laroche if Thorman plays well, Get Betemit playing everyday at 2nd and I don’t hate our chances next year.

By Gene

June 19, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

Chipper looks like he has completely quit. Did you see him after Francoer’s homer last night? He was the only player just sitting on the bench when he came back to the dugout. I would trade him, Smoltz, Thomson, and Giles and hope to get some young pitchers. I would release Remlinger, Reitsma, Jordan, Cormier, Villareal, and Pratt. Betemit needs to play every day. Pena is a much better backup than Pratt. Let Thorman play first. What ever happened to James Jurries. Also, James needs to be brought back up to start. Let’s face it: this year is gone. It’s time to start building for the future.

By beast

June 19, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

Y is every body so mad 14 YEARS OF WINNING THE DIVISION my god 1 bad year and everybody says we suck we probabky do as of rite now but just look at the past c’mon ppl. I have listed wut i think about all the other reviews that i’ve read

1.If your saying lets trade chipper u must not live in georgia or u turned on the T.v. lat nite and saw the braves play for the first time in ur life.

2.If u think we should trade smoltz for anyone from the Detroit Tigersu’ve lost your mind. Your thinking about the braves in reverse all those players playin for the tigers this year have sucked in the past.

1. If u think we shud trade Andruw u shud move to a different country. Am I the only1 that’s noticed that andruw hit 51 homers last year and he won about a thousand gold gloves. He was runner up last year for MVP and ur sain lets trade him.

If any 1 thinks we shud do any 3 of those things u need to shutup and stop cryin jus like u did with the Falcons. Your obviously not a true braves fan.

By Robbie

June 19, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

Ever since LaRoche tanked that play at 1B, the Braves have gone down the toilet. He is a village idiot. What kinda of clown has to be reminded that he’s on deck? BJ can’t play dead anymore. Chipper should be the poster boy for the DL. Hey Francouer: keep swinging maybe he’ll give the other team a cold with all his whiffs. Instead of Home Depot commercials, Smoltz should represent Rogaine. All that money and he can’t buy himself a nice head of hair. I’m still waiting for the day when Andruw turns around in center and orders a hotdog to eat out there in between pitches. What a porker. Even if Giles was juicing every day I don’t think he could hit it out. And has for Cox, I swear he is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Doesn’t know who he is, where his, what the score his, and thinks Glavine and Maddux are still on the Braves.

By Dave

June 19, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this

Okay, let’s identify those players who CAN be traded without the cooperation of the player and who actually have trade value:

LaRoche, Giles, Renteria, McCann, Chucky James, Francoeur, Langerhans, Diaz, Hudson, Thompson, Ramirez, Davies, Kelly Johnson.

The following players need to cooperate to be traded, because they are 5-and-10 players: A Jones, C Jones, Smoltz.

It’s obvious what we need: an established closer and some quality middle relief, another starter, a first baseman with power and an outfielder who can be a leadoff man.

Now, who SHOULD we trade?? The logical candidates, in order of probability, are:

John Thompson - A good pitcher who is a free agent at the end of the year. I do not foresee him being re-signed with Hampton, Hudson, Davies, Ramirez and Chucky James being available to start next year. Not sure how much JS would get for him, but come mid-July, if the Braves are still over 10 games back and have no real chance for the wild card, Thompson WILL be gone, because contending teams will need a good starting pitcher.

Adam LaRouche - He’s Ryan Klesko all over again. Bobby Cox does not think he can hit left-handed pitching (why else would he put Jordan in at first base on an OJT basis??). Fielding errors by Jordan has cost the Braves AT LEAST two games. The Braves have two potential first basemen waiting in the wings in Thorman and Salty, and there are a number of teams that would take LaRouche straight up for a good middle reliever.

John Smoltz – I love Smoltzie and I truly hope he retires as a Brave, but let’s face it, he’s 39 years old and probably will not pitch past next year. Smoltz by himself could get the Braves an everyday player and a quality middle reliever, plus 1 – 3 minor league prospects. Further, though Smoltz would not WANT to go, he would accept a trade to a contender like Boston, the Yankees, St Louis, Cincinnati, any of the NL West teams, the Angels, the Rangers, Cleveland, or (most likely) DETROIT. Heck, Smoltz could accept the trade on the condition that next year’s option is voided, go pitch some other team into the playoffs, then re-sign with the Braves next year as a free agent.

Marcus Giles – Another player I love, but he is NOT a leadoff hitter, and he is not having a great season. However, his history as a clutch hitter makes him valuable. Like Furcal, he will be eligible for a large contract the year he becomes free agent eligible. The Braves have a ready replacement in Wilson Betemit, and they could get a LOT in return for Marcus Giles.

Langerhans/Johnson/Diaz – Kelly Johnson is hurt and out for the year, so it’s likely no one will touch him, but both Langerhans and Diaz have some value. One or both could fetch a decent relief pitcher, and we would have Johnson available next year to play left field. Still, Langerhans is the backup center fielder if Andruw gets injured, so I believe such a trade is unlikely.

Pete Orr – A quality infielder with SPEED always has trade value. However, Pete has not proven he is an everyday player, so the Braves would not get too much for him. More likely is the “extra” player that would make a deal happen.

Andrew Jones – By himself, Andruw could get the Braves a starter and a closer or a closer with two quality relief pitchers. It would also relieve the Braves of a big part of their salary problems. However, only teams with very deep pockets would be interested, and the smart ones would do it ONLY IF Andruw would sign an extension with them for the next five years. Andruw signed a below-market contract in 2002 because he wanted to stay with the Braves, so they would need his approval to make this happen. Further, I do not believe that this is the best move, because, after all, Andruw is only 28. He has at least ten more years of great play in him, and he could be the foundation of the club next year, but I am sure JS will listen to all offers.

Chipper Jones – Many consider Chipper the face of the franchise, and trading him would be a major shakeup of the team. However, like Andruw, Chipper by himself could get the Braves a starter and a closer or a closer with two quality relief pitchers. However, also like Andruw, only teams with deep pockets will be interested, because Chipper has a monster salary. Of all the trade possibilities, I believe this one to be the least likely.

Who is UNTOUCHABLE?? Renteria, McCann, Chucky James, Francoeur, Hudson, Ramirez, Davies, Betemit, and all the minor league prospects. WHY?

• Renteria: He has done everything asked of him and more, and he is needed for the length of his contract while the young shortstops the Braves have in the pipeline mature.
• McCann: Your catcher for the future; enough said.
• Betemit: If JS decides to keep Giles, then Betemit should be traded. However, Betemit is his 2nd baseman if Giles is traded.
• Hudson: He’s your ace, and his current salary is a bargain. He is the foundation for the pitching staff for the next three years.
• James/Ramirez/Davies: You do NOT trade good, young starting pitching!!
• Francouer: Are you kidding?? This kid has a good chance of being the next Dale Murphy. If anything, send him down to Richmond to learn pitch selection. If he had Chipper Jones’ patience at the plate, he would be a Triple Crown threat!
• All the minor league prospects: The Braves CANNOT compete with the big market teams on salary, so they HAVE to keep their prospects to replace Giles/Renteria/Chipper/Andruw 2-3 years in the future.

Who would the Braves like to trade but no one will take them? The entire current bullpen (except for McBride and Stockman) and Brian Jordan. I expect some of these players will be released if the Braves decide to write off the season and go young.

Just my humble opinion!

By rob

June 19, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this

The Braves have no leader, Chipper is to quiet, Andreu just smiles, Jeff F is to young, Giles is to small, what your missing is Julio Franco, someone that new how to lead, to take a rookie by the hand and teach, to fire up the club, to speak, your missing that. Get a leader and you will get a team that will win. LETS GO METS!!!

By Phil

June 19, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this

I would do what I have been preaching for years. Get rid of Bobby Cox. That moron has cost us several World Series titles. Now he’s screwing up the regular season too.

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this

So what would the Braves be rebuilding for. For another post-season where none of the fans show up? The support in ATL sucks and is an embarrasment.

By Johnny Taco

June 19, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this

Beast,

You must be RETARDED !

The Tigers are quite legit, and have been amassing good, young talent the past three years under GM Dave Dombrowski. John Smoltz even hinted on ESPN he would consider the possibility of going to Detroit, his hometown team. The man is nearing 40 & is 19 wins shy of 200 career wins. Do you think he’ll win 200 games playing on this roster of riffraff and castoffs? He’s already had five (5) wins taken away from him just this season thanks to the bullpen.

John Smoltz deserves better than this. I’d like to see him finish his career on a winning note, like Tommy Glavine is being able to do.

By Jimbo

June 19, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this

This is a sad state of affairs and I agree with everything Robbie said. This team has become a laughing stock and worthy of ridicule. Do we play the Cubs again? I want to win a game before the season ends.

By Tony C.

June 19, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this

Just as a comment, here’s some of the differences between NYY fans and ATL fans:

1) NYY fans demand a winner, ATL fans have come to expect a winner.

2) NYY fans cheer. ATL fans by and large, do not cheer without being prompted. By that I mean that without a good play, or bad call fans in ATL are merely spectators. NYY fans show up to their games knowing that they are the 10th man. They cheer, they cajole, they heckle on their own hook. they do not need their “cue” from the P.A. system or the scoreboard. If you’v ever been to a game at The Stadium, you will notice the NYY fans chanting and cheering for each Yankee player on the field by name This is before the first pitch folks. The only time Braves Players are individually cheered is before their at-bat. Not at all the same.

3) ATL fans for the most part seem to be “OK” with division titles. While this is a great acheivement, NYY fans are not “OK” with anything other than the championship. This is not to say that ATL doesn’t want the championship, this is to say that the acceptance level for “less-than” is much higher.

4) Yankees fans know how to “tip their cap” to the better team when they do loose. Not to say ATL fans aren’t gracious towards teams that beat our boys, but ATL fans still whine about the losses. NYY fans relish the opportunity to “get ‘em back”.

Anyway, it’s just something I would like to point out. I think people in ATL are much quicker to boo than to cheer. Our boys could do with more encouragement - winning or loosing!

By Keith

June 19, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this

I suggest going back to the retro 80’s uniforms. You know the ones. The ones that struck fear in every team in the league. Th eones the Braves played in when the lost 106 games. I think that is the new goal. Lose more than the Royals. Either that or bring Dale Murphy, Phil Niekro, and Bob Horner.

By Becky

June 19, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this

I like Jason’s attitude and totally agree with it!!

By gotigers72

June 19, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

Note to Ted Turner:

Dear Ted,

The stadium where the Braves play is called TURNER Field. Don’t you want the product inside the stadium to be a winner? Then buy back the Braves and do what you did before by making sure we had above average to excellent players. PLEASE, PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE!!!!!

Time Warner and their stupid bottom line philosophy have run this once proud franchise into the ground and into last place. Corporations aren’t the ones to own sports franchises. [See Chicago Tribune]. Local owners with passion are. [See yourself, Mark Cuban, George Steinbrenner, etc.]

Sincerely, All Braves fans

By Braves Nut

June 19, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this

With all the posting about Francoeur’s strikeouts (58) I decided to look up where this 22 year old ranked in MLB. His rank is 29th in strikeouts. I noticed 4 big names who have more K’s this year: Alex Rodriguez 62 Carlos Delgado 60 Andrew Jones 59 Manny Ramirez 60

Francoeur has 15 HRs and 52 RBIs. ARod 15 HRs and 50 RBIs Delgado 19 HRs and 50 RBIs Jones 16 HRs and 60 RBIs Ramirez 17 HRs and 42 RBIs.

By Joe C.

June 19, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this

Yankee fans are the most disgusting creatures on the face of the earth.

By HPE

June 19, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

The cost cutting corporate types have finally killed the team. We’re feeling the effects now. While it’s obvious our bullpen needs help, I think this team needs a real deal lead-off batter. We need a spark plug in the line up. Guys like LaRoche and Langerhans must be expendable.

By Head Coach

June 19, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

Yep , as usual I come up with an idea and a plan and the morons who cant think for themselves or come up with an intelligent suggestion themselves try to drown me out. Such is the life of the bandwagon. I keep making predictions and they keep happening and nobody listens. I’m the Rodney Dangerfield of bloggers , I get no respect , lol. O yea , Hampton has about 42 million left on his remaining 3 year contract ,so if you think th e payroll is going down , your wrong.

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

It has gotten so bad that those god awful TBS announcers spend 3 1/2 hours talking about their terrible BBQ stand instead of the action on the field.

By OldFARMER

June 19, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

Take the worthless bastard out behind the barn and put em out of their misery!

By bravesfansince1966

June 19, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this

Bring on the rookies from the minors— they could do as well as these millionaires and perhaps the beer prices will drop!!! DOES ANYONE ELSE FEEL LIKE CRYING TODAY? For heavens sakes CHIPPER— SMILE once in a while, the ranch is within sight!!!!!

By Realistic Fan

June 19, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this

You people that say fire Cox and John S are nothing but fair-weathered fans. The Braves as a whole are not playing good ball right. The starting pitching, bull pen, defense and hitting have been poor.

Why isn’t anyone all over Terry Pendleton for the poor hitting? Yes, I agree that the bull pen needs help. But DON”T trade the farm system for a wild card spot.

Beaseball is a business that everyone wants to win. Just imagine if your top people were out sick or hurt. Could you afford to hire anyone else to replace them? That is what the Braves are up against. At least we have a DL for temporary help.

And don’t forget. The Braves are famously slow until after the All-Star break. Have ya’ll forgotten how we won the division on the last day of the season over the Giants? I know the picture does not look good right now but if you are a true fan, you always have hope.

By atlcardsfan

June 19, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this

I agree with Jamie and Rutger….

I went to the Friday night Sox/Braves game with friends and it was an embarrassment. I’m transplanted here from StL and to see a visiting teams fans TAKE OVER the stadium like that was unnaceptable. Obviously the team needs to be retooled, but c’mon Braves fans, you gotta do better than that! You’ve had the run of all runs and have an organization that has been the benchmark for some time. It should be part of your religion to support this team. I could even understand if the park itself sucked, but Turner’s a nice place to see a game. There’s no excuse!!!

By Robert

June 19, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this

Get rid of the donkey in the dugout

By Jim Feely

June 19, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this

get rid of Pendelton and Cox for starters.Cox is the first that should go. This team whihc has operated like a business office needs a kick in the butt and energy. The guaranteed contracts are what essentially eleiminates the need to win. Put A. Jones on a diet and move Giles to 2nd in the order with renteria leading off. Sit Chpper don or try hi at first in favor of Betmit in a make or break situation. Wave Reitsma and Remlinger and bring the young arms along

By Allen

June 19, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this

Lead off hitter, closer, 1st base should be priorities. As I have said many times on this blog - can not contuue to give so much of your limited pay roll to so few players. Have to beleive if the braves get some interest in either jones or smoltz, and something they can use in return, they will have to give it some serious consideration. Cox has done a superb job but it is time to move him to a front office job and bring Yost back to atlanta to manage. Time for some new infusion of ideas and strategy. Other than this, everything is fine!!!

By Joe

June 19, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this

I think Major League Baseball needs to step in immediately and disband this team before they completely and totally embarrass themselves, their city, and the sport of baseball by winning only 10 more games the rest of the season. (And I am being ridiculously generous in estimating that this team will win 10 more games this year.)

By Wooderson

June 19, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this

NOW HEAR THIS

If you are John Schuerholtz you sit tight and wait until other teams in penant races come knocking on your door!!! The shoe is on the other foot this year - we will rebound - but we have to take advantage of the position we are in, meaning, when other teams with needs call, he have to trade them Giles, Thomson, Langerhans, etc. for their clubs top minor league talent. Look at the Marlins, they are loaded with talent because they have been able to trade off veterans for top talent.

That is what Schuerholtz needs to do. You take one on the chin this year and help rebuild for the future…with other teams talent.

By Steve

June 19, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this

EVERYBODY SHUT UP, PLEASE. HOW OLD IS THIS?? EVERYDAY THESE WRITERS GOT NOTHIN TO DO THEN ALL OF YOU (ABOUT 90% OF YOU HAVE NO REASONABLE OR RESPECTABLE KNOWLEDGE OR ANY TYPE OF QUALITY INPUT). SERIOUSLY ITS TIME TO STOP BIIIITCHIN EVERYDAY, WAIT AND SEE MAYBE SCHEURHOLZ WILL DO SOMETHIN MAYBE HE WONT. JUST EVERYONE STOP TRYIN TO BE GM AND COMPLAININ TO TRADE ANDRUW, SMOLTZ, CHIPPER ETC. YOU’RE ALL FOOLS!!!!! ATLANTA NEEDS PIIIIITCCCCCHHIIIIIINGG!!!!!! PIIIIITTTTTCCCCCCCHING!!! THE LINEUP IS FINE, IT JUS NEEDS THAT CARLOS LESS OR LEADOFF GUY CRAWFORD AND GET GILES IN THE 8 HOLE AND THE LINEUP CAN BE THE BEST THERE IS. AND IF I HEAR ONE MORE PERSON TALK TRASH ABOUT FRANCOEUR I WILL LITERALLY WANT TO FIGHT YOU. THE DUDES 22 AND ON PACE TO HIT 35 HR AND 130 RBIS AND BAT .250. JESUS WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT? NOT TO MENTION AMAZING DEFENSE. YOU ALL FRUSTRATE ME (MOST OF YOU WITH THIS FIRESALE TRASH) JS SAID HE HAS MONEY TO MAKE MOVES BUT ITS NOT JUS THAT EASY TO GET 3 GREAT PLAYERS IN A DAY. SIT BACK RELAX 90 GAMES LEFT THE WILD CARD IS VERY REACHABLE. IFFF THEY GET PIIIIIIIIIIIIIITCHING!!!!!!!!!! 1 OR 2 SOLID VETERAN RELIEVERS AND THEY NEED TO GET DONTRELLE BAD TO REPLACE SMOLTZ AS ACE, BECAUSE SMOLTZ IS A #2 AND SO IS HUDSON.

By Kevin

June 19, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this

I have idea spark Team when if play mets n we out we need some beanballs at Mets players n have a nice brawl see if this team is ready….If chipper sits n stares at batter not other women he do better…

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

Maybe if the 3 braves fans that showed up actually cheered once in awhile, that might help.

text to be linked

By Movers

June 19, 2006 01:25 PM | Link to this

Move the team to a real city with real fans, such as Nashville, where they would at least sell out a playoff game and not “boo” their own team/manager. Fair-weather city/fans!!!

By Steve Skelton

June 19, 2006 01:25 PM | Link to this

I agree with the other guy named Steve (but I won’t use ALL CAPS!!). The Braves have had an amazing run, and maybe this is the end of it. Remember how we struggled last year and then managed to win the division? Some of you folks are just flat out spoiled. We do need some changes and a bullpen that won’t blow every lead, but we don’t need to fire Bobby Cox and the coaching staff and trade all 25 players like some of you seem to think. I remember very well when this sort of losing streak was the norm for our Braves, and I will continue to support them loyally regardless of how this season ends up. The fact that there were more Sox fans at the Ted last night than Braves fans disgusted me…and the booing is ridiculous as well. Yes, our bullpen is pretty bad, but no, we don’t need to stop supporting them. If you are a bandwagon fan, go somewhere else now! If you are a real Braves fan, suck it up and stick with them. Otherwise, they don’t need you!

By Billy

June 19, 2006 01:28 PM | Link to this

There is not need to rebuild. We already are. Andruw should not be traded. He has at least four more productive years in him. and if you were to trade him trade him next year at the AS break. It makes no since to trade your premier power hitter when he still has a year left on a very reasonable contract. As for chipper. I dont think you can trade him and garner repect from your current and former players. Especially since he reworked his contract. Chipper is fading and a trade looks good in fatasy purposes but it wont make since. Many braves fans would resent the fact we traded chipper. My proposal is move chipper to the lead off. He has a good eye and gives a good at bat most of the time, I dont know his OBP but cant be that bad since he is batting .290. I WOULD not trade any of our near ready Major leaugers for bull pen help this year unless our scout belive there not going to be an impact player at the Major Leauge level. It would be very risky to trade on of our young studds for bullpen help when it seems picarious (sp?) at best to get to the post season. Giles, not sure what to think about him. I know he one of the few who really get fired up for games and you cant replace that ethusiasim (sp again?) Although if you could get some near ready minor league bull pen guys it might be worth if for next year….thats of course dontrel is not avaiable. I hear time time again that our offence needs fixed. I dont think thats the case. I think most of the probelms is in the bull pen. Not even think about the blown save but the amount of runs giving up by the bull ben in close games effectively putting them out of reach. Dont trade everyone away…no point to it. sorry for the grammer mistakes but in a rush….

A loyal braves fan.

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this

Bruce Benedict

By Steve Skelton

June 19, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this

Trade Smoltz?? Are you INSANE?? He needs to retire as a Brave (much like Glavine, Dale Murphy, and Phil Niekro…and Hank Aaron for that matter should have been allowed to do.) Smoltz has been a fantastic pitcher for a LONG time not to mention all the things he has done to help in the community. Keep Smoltz!!

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this

Jim Leyritz

By CH

June 19, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this

The entire establishment should be fired. The oweners, Bobby Cox for sure, and the entire team needs to be re-evaluated. The Braves have been very boring to watch for years. We go no further than the division. It’s pretty much accepted that we will never go to the World Series nor win one. The Braves sucks. Braves let someone else win the division…they may have a great chance to actually win the World Series.

By CH

June 19, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this

The entire establishment should be fired. The owners, Bobby Cox for sure, and the entire team needs to be re-evaluated. The Braves have been very boring to watch for years. We go no further than the division. It’s pretty much accepted that we will never go to the World Series nor win one. The Braves sucks. Braves let someone else win the division…they may have a great chance to actually win the World Series.

By Bam

June 19, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this

McDowell’s latest practical joke is dressing as a pitching coach.

If the Braves are going to save money by signing young undeveloped players, they must spend more money on coaches that can develop them

By bobH

June 19, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this

First to worst. It could well happen. Hindsight is great, but it’s pretty clear that our GM woefully missed the mark in evaluating this team’s talent. Timing is as bad as it gets; we’ll be “selling low” and “buying high.” What was Giles’ trade value in the off-season compared with today? What was Reitsma’s trade value in the off-season compared with today? What was LaRoche’s trade value in the off-season compared with today? What was Thomson’s trade value in the off-season compared with today? Four months ago, we could’ve fetched some reasonable talent without mortgaging the future. Not today.

By Train Wreck Bystander

June 19, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this

Mr. Smoltz, I realize you like being a starting pitcher. You like being on a routine and golfing on your off days.

But what happened tonight at the Ted is just karma biting you in the backside.

Sure, the Braves need starting pitching. But they a solid closer, also. How many one-run games have been lost? How many more games could the Braves have won if you had been the stopper? More than the four you have snagged as a starter, I imagine.

No one will ever be able to step forward and assert themselves as a closer while you are still in the clubhouse. You were that dominating. It’s like when Dan Marino retired and the Dolphins turned his locker into a shrine. Who could follow a legend?

And it’s all the much more difficult when that legend is still in the clubhouse, casting his long shadow.

It takes all parts of a team to win, and sometimes you can’t choose the part you get to play.

The Braves didn’t quit Sunday night, and that makes me optimistic for the rest of the season. They want to win.

I could care less about the string of division titles. To me, a wild card berth is just as good. The important thing is to be in a position to make the playoffs and to get hot at the right time of the year.

The hourglass is not yet empty…

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this

The braves season will end the same way the last 10 did. Cleaning out their lockers after a loss. That’s it. Not winning a world series isnt an accomplishment.

Rick Mahler

By ByeByeBraves

June 19, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

HEY STEVE

FRANQUEER SUCKS!!!!

MEET ME BY THE RIGHT FIELD STANDS AT TURNER FIELD DURING THE PLAYOFFS. IT SHOULD BE EASY TO FIND ME SINCE THERE WILL BE NO GAME AND THE PARK WILL BE EMPTY. (ALTHOUGHT IT’S BASICALLY EMPTY EVEN WHEN A GAME IS GOING ON).

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

Dont worry. That just means there wont be a line for Skip Caray’s “Worst BBQ Ever” stand. BTW: He made sure to tell us 30 times last weekend that they now sell T-shirts too.

Claudell Washington

By SoxNation

June 19, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

James, are you completely insane? - why not resurrect Babe Ruth and have Hank Aaron take a spin in a time machine so he can play RF too. Maybe if you say “please” the Sox will throw in Papelbon, and maybe you can get Rivera from the Yanks. The Braves could offer Macay McBride … I think that would work. Lets look at the lineup:

Crisp CF, Crawford LF, Cabrera 3b, Ruth 1b, Aaron RF, Soriano 2b … etc. etc. — the only question is Babe’s defense at 1b after being resurrected. I think they would need to work with him a bit, but he could do it. Then Papelbon can set up for Rivera. I think you’re set!

Thanks for a hospitable weekend at Fenway South - it was awesome. MORE TOOL RACE!

By tracy

June 19, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

I’ve seen a lot of posts with people saying to trade Chipper, Andruw and Smoltz and I guess since we’re not winning this year you don’t want to win next year either. It’s fine to bring in young guys but they need some guidance. What to fix?

First, give Thorman a legit shot at first base. Laroche has shown he can’t hit for average and will strike out way too many times.

Second, get over pitching injuries. Boyer is solid in the bullpen and has the right stuff to be a set up man. Davies needs to be in the rotation and James should be brought up to fill another rotation spot. Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton, Davies and James with Sosa moving to the bullpen. Use Thomson as trade bait, pair him with a good minor league prospect and nab an up and coming closer. Boyer, Sosa, Ray, Yates, McBride and the new australian would be pretty strong if you added a tough closer to that equation.

Third, trade Giles. I like his grittiness but again, strikes out too much and just doesn’t get on base enough. I like Betemit here for the long haul.

By Gerard

June 19, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

First, I would develop a sense of urgency rather than having the business-man like approach. Second, I would admit that letting Leo Mazzone go was one of the worst decsions since trading for Len Barker. Pitching has gone in the tank since he left. Third, show emotion and get some of the veterans to show some leadership. The Braves have never shown any emotion. There is still time to turn around the season. Go Braves!

By Todd A

June 19, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

Someone on here made the statement “Imagine Blaine Boyer and John Foster getting outs in the pen.” Did this person not watch John Foster pitch last year?Come on people.

By stephen

June 19, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

Smoltz needs to stay a Brave. I don’t think Smoltz wants to be anything but a Brave. I do think it’s pretty obvious where the problems lie. I don’t think I need to scream on here GET A LEADOFF MAN AND BULL PEN HELP! That’s pretty obvious. I do think the Braves are in a good position to build for the next run. There’s a solid core in place for the next 5 years if they can do some tweaking pretty soon. Add a good leadoff man, another solid starter, and some good bullpen help and they should be ok. 2007 could be a good year for the Braves.

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this

Maybe the Braves should put up another banner again this year for not winning a world series. They might as well stay consistent.

Otis Nixon

By Steve

June 19, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this

Franqueer? That is pathetically immature and I am 22 years old. I wonder how old you are. Also, I think you are calling him Franqueer out of fear, because he will be smackin HR’s and RBI’s against the Muts for the next 15 years on the All-Star team year in and year out. Enjoy it this year Muts fan cus the balls and all the breaks aint gonna drop your way like this ever again. The Muts are good twice every 20 years. Now thats pathetic. By the way as “great” as you think the Muts are, they have no chance at winning the WS. That’d be awesome if Pedro went down too. Your entire team rests on one man. Wait until your 10 win Glavine chokes it up in the playoffs just ask us Braves fans about his last couple go around in the playoffs…..CHOKE sessions.

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this

At least the Mets fans show up for games.

Lonnie Smith

By Brandon

June 19, 2006 01:58 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately it’s not like past seasons where one deal will make the difference. We desperately need a leadoff man. As great as Schuerholz has been, I can’t believe he thought we’d succeed without one. Carl Crawford would be ideal – speed, power and gets on base. Laroche needs to go. Not only does his average stink, he strikes out at least once a game. With Andruw’s contract nearing an end, I’d definitely entertain offers. I’d also think about dealing Chipper. And of course, we need a closer and another 2 hurlers in the pen. I’m not as concerned with starters since Chuck James is supposed to be a stud and Davies will be back shortly.

By Todd A

June 19, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this

Build around Andruw Jones?That is comical.Again,it becomes a matter of sound economics.You can’t afford to give a career .268 hitter close to 20% of your team’s payroll.That is an absurd notion.He is no question the greatest defensive centerfielder to ever play in Atlanta,but he is not a complete player,and never has been.Both the Jones’ boys need to find new homes.If Chipper doesn’t want to accept a trade,I would sit his candy @$$ on the bench until he says yes.

By Chip

June 19, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this

Hi Braves fans, I am writing as a Detroit Tigers fan. If you told me and my fellow fans that we would have 15 terrific years, with many playoff years and one World Series win, I think we would jump all over it and say, “You bet we’ll take it.” The type of season that the Braves are having is going to happen. Don’t give up on your team. Sit back for a moment and think about all the great times you had (as well as the heartbreaks) and pretend that is is 1990. I think you would gladly say that you are proud to have the Braves as your team.

By ByeByeBraves

June 19, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this

And what do you blame your chokes on since he left loser. I call franqueer that because he’s queer. That all. Like you. Look at Mr maturity Steve. Not long ago you were ranting in all caps like a retard and now you are the arbiter of maturity??? LOLOLOLOLLLLOO(^(LOLOLL)&(&LOLOLOLOL

LOSER!!!!!!!!!

By Kingofqueens718

June 19, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this

Contract this team into the Internatinal League. Then only could they compete for a title…even if it’s against the Durham Bulls!

Let’s Go Mets!!!

By will

June 19, 2006 02:07 PM | Link to this

STEVE IS EXACTLY RIGHT FRANCOEUR IS NOT THE PROBLEM THE KID HAS PLAYED IN ABOUT 150 GAMES IN THE BIGS. HE IS THE FUTURE OF THIS FRANCHISE ALONG WITH MCCANN AND HOPEFULLY BETIMENT. HES MADE A FEW MISTAKES HERE LATELY IN RF BUT THATS ONLY BECAUSE HES TRYING TO MAKE UP FOR THE HORRIBLE PITCHING. WHEN ITS ALL SAID AND DONE, WE WILL PUT HIM UP THERE WITH THE ALL TIME GREAT BRAVES CHIPP ANDRUW EDDIE OH yeah maybe not with hammerin hank

By Reggie

June 19, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this

PANIC! PANIC! PANIC!…well no probably not. It’s odd that a team wins as many years as the braves have. I’ll still support and cheer them on regardless.

By ByeByeBraves

June 19, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this

WHY ARE YOU ALL YEEEELLLLLIIIINNNGGG???????/AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH??????????????????????????//GSATJ;LWETwe??????????dGWERTIYWEOYTOPQYPOWIYRTQWTG QEASJYFKJAYSKKJWILLISGAYHLKDSJFHKLJSDHKJFH;SFH;SHD;HS;HD;STEVELICKSBALLSJKYTYWLREIUTYLKWTFLKWSBRAVESAREFAGSKJHDKHSDKD…..

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this

Maybe they should bring back Ted Turner to try to manage again. Im sick of seeing that dumb look on Cox’s face all game. Someone should check his pulse. At least the Braves’ underachieving is happening a little earlier this year.

Steve Bedrosian

By TennesseePaul

June 19, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this

The Cubs are in the rough now… maybe they’d part with some relievers. A fresh coat of paint, some spackel, and execution of fundamentals and this team will be out of the cellar in no time.

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this

Cub relievers? There is a reason they are terrible too. Its their bullpen, duh! What do the Braves look like the Hawks right now. Not even Sid Bream could save them.

John Rocker

By will

June 19, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this

bring back Rocker

By geauxbraves2000

June 19, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this

1) Sell the team to an owner who gives a crap. 2) See above, the rest will fall into place.

By stephen

June 19, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this

The Braves have two series coming up, one with the Blue Jays and the other with the Devil Rays. If the Braves can put together a couple of good series this week, they could be back pretty close to .500. Come on Braves fans, losing sucks… but let’s be as positive as we can!

By Ted Turner

June 19, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this

Im buying the team July 1st

By student

June 19, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this

Right. Last try for the day. First of all, there seems to be a perception that the Braves have some absurdly small payroll. Its simply not true. We have a payroll that ranks 10th in the league, only a couple million less than the Mets. Sure we ranked higher in the mid 90’s but its not like the Braves are some kind of bargain basement outfit that was given no chance to win. So what went wrong?

Well too many things at the same time. The bullpen was a concern coming into the year, but I don’t believe anyone who thought it was going to be this bad. The wheels came off. Obviously its something that has to be fixed.

Too many off seasons at the same time. This just isn’t Marcus Giles’ year. He’s a better hitter than this. Chipper has been okay, but his power numbers are down. I don’t think he’s 100% and I’m not really sure he ever will be. Then Frenchy and Langerhans and whoever else goes in Left field strike out too much. Franceaur drives in runs, so thats something, but you need people getting on base.

Really the only guys I would say are having particularly good seasons are Renteria, McCann and Ken Ray (Andruw has been okay). So some of this is just bad luck that snowballed . A bullpen this bad has to just demoralize everyone else on the team and make everyone press too hard. Look at Smoltz who throws too many pitches every time out, but can you blame him when the bullpen can’t hold any of his leads?

I also find it pretty frustrating when fans question their comittment to a team that has won 15 straight division titles after a bad year. Frustration is fine, but some of you sound like whiny kids. I would think that if things don’t turn around by the all star break, Andruw and Giles ought to be available for the right price. I think Betemit can be a starter, and Andruw as good as he is costs a lot of money. If we could trade him for a good prospect or two and take the 15 mil we save and spend it in the offseason on a leadoff hitter and some reliable help in the bullpen, that would make a lot of sense.

Again this isn’t a firesale its just a question of shifting some money around.

By Louis Vales

June 19, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this

At the end of the year let’s figure out what each win cost the Braves in salary. Let’s then commute what each Marlins win cost. Just remember Todd Helton makes MORE than the Florida Marlins all by himself. Very Interesting and Very Sad!!!

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this

They always end up losing in the end anyway. Whether it is now or October.

Tom House

By will

June 19, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this

jays, rays, jankees then the orioles we can get to .500 by the end the month. we have a pretty easy month of august check that out if you get a chance. we also still have 8 games left with the muts. we have to start winning now!

By Blaster

June 19, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this

A couple of random thoughts: First, why do you diehards even want the Braves to go for the wild card? Do you think they are going to be able to compete with the other playoff teams? Fat chance! Second, why do people keep referring to Smoltz as hall of fame bound. His won-lost record isn’t going to do it and the last I heard longevity with a team never got anybody in.

By will

June 19, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

14 straight there student this year WOULD have been 15

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

Give up will. We know you nor any other braves fans will show up even if they start winning. You dont even cheer unless the scoreboard tells you to.

Steve Avery

By Metropolitan Man

June 19, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

To fix the braves, 1st thing I would do is bring back the Gold Club. Maybe some people might come to this non-sports town. Then I would put a hooters next to Chumpers locker and see if that wakes him up. Stop letting A. Jones eat all those Krispy Kremes donuts. Make Smoltz practice pitching instead of commercials. Re-record another commercial without MC Hammer. If none of this works put METS jerseys and hats on them and watch them change immediately from sh** to sugar!!!

By will

June 19, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

Im in texas there zane!

By will

June 19, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this

oh my god mc hammer, what were they thinking?

By Drexel Gal

June 19, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this

Now we will see which members of this organization have character. Everyone got along while the team was finishing first, but the current situation will make some members of the team and front office very testy. You can be sure, if Bobby Cox gets drunk and slaps his wife again this year, he will lose his job, unlike in 1995, when he was given a pass because the team was on its way to its only World Series win while based in Atlanta. And the timing of the release of “Built To Win” could not have been more … uh … AWKWARD!

By Diane

June 19, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this

I don’t like to see people lose their jobs, but it’s time for Bobby to go. Don’t get me wrong I like him very much. He’ll take up for his players at the drop of a hat, but his coaching days are over. We need a Jim Mora for our Braves.

By BRAVES BELIEVER

June 19, 2006 02:52 PM | Link to this

THE BRAVOS HAVE DIVISION RIGHT WHERE WE WANT…LAST PLACE WITH NO PLACE TO GO BUT UP…WHAT A TEASER GROUP….WATCH US TAKE OFF AND OVERCOME EACH TEAM ONE AT A TIME…this year’s version of houston astros…may have to settle for 2nd and wild card though…bobby and john will provide another shocker with blockbuster trade…….GOOOOOOOOOOOO BRAVOS!!!!!!!!

By voice of reason

June 19, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this

This all started when JS drafted his son in the 8th round. I challenge someone to find out who was the next pick after Jr. Wouldn’t it be ironic if it was a decent reliever in the bigs right now.

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this

Exactly Will. No braves fans are ever actually near the stadium. That would mean they might have to actually go inside and perhaps make some noise. god forbid. BTW: Skip Caray’s BBQ Tshirts are still availible.

Bob Horner

By Logicman

June 19, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this

There is a common thread that runs through several of the players that we could not re-sign in the past. That thread is Scott Boras. I mention this because Andruw is one of his clients and becomes a free agent after next season. Last time around Andruw’s father tool over negotitations and Boras was left out. What about next time? We will never outbid the Yankees, and Boras always goes for the highest dollar.

I heard Peter Gammons mention this last night. I am not a big fan of Gammons or ESPN, but it might make sense to deal Andruw this year, if you can get some young pitcing. Just a thought.

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this

How could the Braves know they were gonna stink? I mean how can you not win with Mike Remlinger and Chris Reitsma in the bullpen? (insert sarcasm here)

Glenn Hubbard

By TPM

June 19, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this

Release Brian Jordan - great guy but the game has passed him . Trade Adam LaRoche - he is what he is and will not improve. Trade John Thompson , John Smoltz and possibly Marcus Giles for some young arms and a third baseman with range. Move Chipper to first base and you can re-sign Smoltz in the winter if he wants to come back.

By Bert

June 19, 2006 03:02 PM | Link to this

The Braves need to start by trading the Jones Boys, Giles, Thomson, Laroche and any other over paid “star” who isn’t performing for quality, major league ready or nearly ready players.They need to do this while there is still interest in these players. Let Betimit play third until Campbell at Rome is ready, Martin Prado second, Thorman 1st, move Farcouer to center and fill in left and right with prospects. Retain Reteria and McCann as they appear to have a sense of hitting fundamentals. Hopefully between the talent gained from trades and that being groomed in the minor league system the Braves will again challenge for championships within two years. A rotation of Smoltz, Hudson Ramirez, Davies and James should be more than capable of keeping the Braves in games with the aid of a refurbished bullpen and a manager to light the fire under all players.

By Harry

June 19, 2006 03:02 PM | Link to this

LADIES LADIES LADIES SEMMA DOWN> REMBER THOOSE MUTS ALWAYS SMACK THE BRAVES AROUND. OR DID YOU FORGET THAT BEATDOWN MIKE PIAZZA PUT ON YOU GUYS ? ANYWAY FRACqueer AKA THE STRIKE OUT MACHINE IS KNOW WHERE CLOSE TO DAVID WRIGHT. NAME ONE POSITION THAT YOU SMELLY ATLANTA fans ARE BETTER AT? THE BRAVES = THE HAWKS HAHAHAHAHAHAHA IT IS GOOD TO BE A METS FAN WHEN THE BRAVES ARE BEHIND THE MARLINS and the MARLINS DONT EVEN HAVE A PAYROLL> U B*** SPENT 90 million ON FOSSILS!!!

By Fastfoodfreak

June 19, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

I think trading Smoltz, albeit painful, would be the right thing to do. Best for all parties involved. Smoltz doesn’t deserve the treatment he’s gotten from the bullpen (6 blown leads by bullpen)… Let him finish with a contender, and use the money to invest in the bullpen. Don’t trade Francoeur, he will learn… I think we are judging him too quickly… as it was pointed out earlier, his numbers compare closely with some of the more well-known players in the league.. Someone needs to step up and be a leader on the team (other than Cox)… Team meeting maybe? Yes we have been spoiled, but doggonit, it’s okay to be mad when your team doesn’t perform… if anything, I think THAT shows more loyalty than a passive “we’ll get it together” I’m not just for saying “we suck”, but everyone here is actually putting out ideas… what’s wrong with that?

By DHD

June 19, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this

Harry……..

The level of ignorance on your part leaves me spleechless.

By toemeetsleather

June 19, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this

crying in my beer first watching my beloved jackets succumb late for the second time in two days and my bravos are sunk….hard times in the ATL..can you believe i am a big hawk fan too?…only have chan’s grid squad to look forward to…OH WELL..YEAR OF THE GRID JACKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this

The Braves string of underachieving continues for another year. Even the stupid red uniforms dont help. chop this.

Phil Niekro

By jj

June 19, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

I agree with brian e… it is time for a change all the way around beginning with the top; John S ‘s best days are behind him-the magic is gone. Bobby should call it quits after 07 and enjoy his farm and retirement. Bring in a new gm and manager that will complement the team; take 2-3 years to rebuild, take our lumps now but it will pay dividends in the years to come. Just look at what we did beginning in 91!

By Fastfoodfreak

June 19, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this

PS

I also think posting absolute studpidity on another team’s website just to kick it’s fans when they’re down is monumentally immature… yes I am southern, and I use big words, so I’ll pause while some of you belligerent NY fans catch up… Mets fans who don’t act like complete buffoons, you are welcome anytime.

By bryan

June 19, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this

Fan’s should be proud of what the Braves have done over the last 15 years. Winning this many consecutive division titles is a great accomplishment. Winning is great, but losing is part of the game as well.

By Play that funky music white boy

June 19, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this

Zane, you are killing me! Please if you have them, would you provide a witticism and a pic of Bob Walk, Rick Camp, Al Hrabosky, and Pacual (I-285) Perez?

By MISTA MET

June 19, 2006 03:13 PM | Link to this

HA ur titty f*** by mr.met take that mo vaugh err andrew jones.

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 03:13 PM | Link to this

I think TBS should change their name from the “Superstation” to the “Stinkstation” during Braves games. Im sure the fans would prefer to watch Back to the Future for the millionth time rather than the Braves anyway…

Skip Caray

By Allyssa

June 19, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this

See i dont get it….i mean we still have a lot more games left of the season so cant we come back and take first….or do all those games not really count…can somebody help explain that for me

By will

June 19, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this

HARRY how about catcher and shortstop and right field and believe it or not second base.

By Sophia

June 19, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this

Typical. Mets fans start running their mouths in June. Yeah you guys will probably win the division and break the Braves streak of 14 straight and that’s good for you. All I have to say is…took ya long enough. As far as spending 90 mil on fossils…I could’ve sworn I remember a team that spent wayyyyy more than that on a bunch of has-beens some years ago. Mo Vaughn, Roberto Alomar, Jeromy Burnitz, and more…ring a bell? ~Win or lose, Braves fan for life~

By Jimibee

June 19, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this

I think METS fans are celebrating too early. You guys need to review your season history. METS don’t have a good win record in the second half. Check these stats out.

2005 W=39 L=35 2004 W=27 L=44 2003 W=26 L-45

Another thing. In each year, the team went on a 7-10 game losing streek somewhere between mid-August and September. What’s that all about? I’m not convinced yet METS.. we’ll see.

By metsmanintheatl

June 19, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this

as have said all along…look at your roster…sad…owners quit spending when ted left so was only a matter of time until you became KANSAS CITY ROYALS NATIONAL

By SoCal Hal

June 19, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

This year is not done yet. In terms of winning the division? Pretty close to being toast. The team needs to go out and bring in two qaulity journeymen relievers(Hernandez or Marte from Pittsburgh) just through the end of the season. Plus go out and get Crawford(at any cost), Pierre or Hunter. All three could hit leadoff and play left. Leadoff and the bullpen are the two biggest problem spots right now that could use immediate attention.

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this

This one’s for you, Funky…

Pascual Perez

By harry

June 19, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this

UR catcher is a rookie and sucks. franqueer is not better then Nady and Lastings Milledge. And Jose Reyes has less errors and leads the league in steals. yo tranny(sophia) Iam sorry to say that ur wrong and prob uneducated and smelly. think about it we have beltran and delgado, wright , billy wagner. Do you even have a closer?
Spending 50 mill on chipper and ur pudgy center fielder alone where real smart moves

By Allyssa

June 19, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this

Hello can somebody answer my question

By SoCal Hal

June 19, 2006 03:21 PM | Link to this

Harry,

You just tossed the Hawks in. Does that mean we get to attack the KNICKS????

By harry

June 19, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this

The braves arent worth our time try beating the marlins first.

By Fastfoodfreak

June 19, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this

Zane, what about Biff Pocoroba?

By Allyssa

June 19, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this

hey harry why dont you shut up…our catcher is better than yours and he is still young..as well as Franceour…not Franqueer..Andruw Jones is fat either he is a great outfielder as well. Chipper Jones may not being doing so well right now but he gets the job done!

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

Alyssa, the answer to your question is that the Braves eventually lose and go home empty handed anyway. What difference is it if it is in June or October.

Keith Lockhart

By harry

June 19, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

Yea but the knicks where good in 1999 when was the last time the hawks made it even to the playoffs?

By harry

June 19, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this

Allysha? what ever iam not up on stupid names. If ur team is so good why are you in the last place? out played out classed out husseled. U know why i can gloat cuss i can say my team has heart we won that 16 inning game we keep coming back. name one game where u did that

By Tom E.

June 19, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this

This starts at the top: I have no problems blaming John Schuerholtz for the mess the Braves Organization is currently in.

Comments by him dealing with why they choose not to re-sign key-players: “Baseball is a business…we need to get revenues in-line with salaries” Other comments include: “I thought I’d be retired by now…” when asked about his overly candid book coming out while he was still GM. Think he want’s to be gone???

The smoke & mirrors guess-work & old-timer has-been off season signings have finally caught up to a team with no local ownership & is basically a stock swap & tax right-off for an owner in COLORADO!

I went to the Memorial Day game with an Iraq war soldier on leave..it was truly embarassing to see $$$ players playing like t-ballers. Jeff Francouer: “I’m not gonna say much…but we had day games & we where really tired” Please you are supposedly Pro athletes…play like it…

I’m sick of these whiners…bring-up some fresh talent from the minors…lower prices and bring a competitive spirit & family atmosphere back to the ball park…

**this team reminds me of the Falcons the season before Arthur Blank became owner…

We need local ownership and a new attitude in the front office of the Braves… Let Bobby Cox retire already & Schuerholtz too…

Let Jeff Blauser Manage & bring up some fresh talent & rebuild…

By Allyssa

June 19, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

whatever…but there is no reason coming on our site and bashing us braves fans…we know we have a problem…and hopefully we can fix it and then come back and kick your A** in the next games.but anyways how old are you…

By Ron Evans

June 19, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this

Give all of them their unconditional releases.

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this

Jeff Blauser. yeah, Im sure that is the answer. why didnt I think of that?

Jeff Blauser

By harry

June 19, 2006 03:35 PM | Link to this

old enough to be ur daddy juss like the mets own the braves this yr ahhaha u should never have let julio franco go hes been a mwentor to beltran so our cf is better then pudgy

By MVH

June 19, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this

The Braves front office should give up. They could be contending for a world series in 2 years, maybe even one year. And let’s face it, they were never contending for a world series this year, they were just hoping to make the playoffs once again. This could be a very good season in the long run if the front office takes advantage of this opportunity to rebuild with star talent. The Braves have a potential contender that has fallen flat on their face. Unloading will bring back a plethera of talent. When KC, Pitt, Washington, Baltimore, or the Cubbies unload, they don’t have the massive amount of assets to bring back young studs. The Braves have several championship caliber players. And if they keep them and try to continue to build around them, the world series championship will continue to remain ellusive. Smoltz and Hudson, as much as I like them, are not a one-two combo on a world series caliber team. They are a nice duo, but not dominant. Chipper is getting older, but is certainly a hitter than any championship caliber team would love to add to their squad. Andruw is a phenominal baseball player. Many championship teams need Andruw. Renteria and Giles are two players that certain championship teams absolutely need. Thompson can help someone out for the right price. Kenny Ray can help someone out. We keep talking about getting a bullpen help, but who? There aren’t many good guys out of the bullpen. Kenny Ray is one. So look to trade the following guys: 1. John Smoltz: possibly to Detroit, but there are other clubs that would love him as well. The dodgers and they have all kinds of prospects - same with the diamondbacks, get stephen Drew or Joel Guzman (or if the dodgers are stupid, Matt Kemp) 2. Tim Hudson: very attractive to contenders at this point in his contract. All the previously mentioned teams, also the redsox and cardinals.
3. Andruw Jones: Him and Hudson to the Dodgers could probably field Matt Kemp and Billingsley or whatever. Maybe even more. The Dodgers would become the favorites to represent the NL in the world series and maybe the best team in baseball with Jones and Smoltz. They’d have to consider. 4. Chipper: Angels could really use him as their DH and their system is loaded too. They need another hitter. 5. Thompson. A lower market team like the A’s could use him. We wouldn’t get much though. Maybe a low ceiling bullpen prospect. 6. Giles. The Cardinals would love to have Giles. There’s several teams that could really use him. Could field a pretty decent prospect.
7. Renteria. Once again teams could use him and we’d get a pretty decent prospect.
8. Ray. Another prospect.

Why pay these guys 80 million to get last. Let’s save our money and get new blood that has world series championship potential and not division championship experience. We’d not only have a better roster in a few years, we’d have financial flexibility to actually be a factor in the free agent market for once.

By SoCal Hal

June 19, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this

Harry,

Your memory is quite short. Atlanta played New York in the 99 Playoffs. Atlanta beat Detroit and then went on to lose to the Knicks. So they haven’t been as bad for as long as you think. For some odd reason they blew up the team after that year and that’s when it all went downhill. Oh well. I hope it gets better sooner rather than later.

By harry

June 19, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this

HEY MVH IT WOULD WORK BUT U HAVE NO FARM SYSTEM WHERE AS WE METS HAVE LASTINGS MILLEDE

By Brad

June 19, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this

Everyone has an opinion. I say thanks Braves for years of good baseball and PLEASE turn it around this year….This team is not as bad as it appears to be….I hope!

By Zane Smith

June 19, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this

I think “Andruw should learn how to spell his name correctly. Peace Out.

Zane Smith

By Allyssa

June 19, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this

Harry, ya you may be old enough to be my daddy cause i am only 14 but our center fielder is so much better than yours…Just wait till the second half of the season lets see how it goes down

By Harry

June 19, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

Fire McDowell. He can’t throw for the pitchers, but something besides talent level is going wrong, and nothing is happening to change the situation. No one is sacred. Trade Chipper, Andruw, Smoltz, Giles, and any other big salaries. Create some salary room for young talent. Hell the Marlins beat us with a Team salary less than some of our players. I’d say McCann is the only untouchable. Bring up Saltamacchia or Pena. Hose Pratt. Get a leadoff man with some speed. Assemble a squad with speed, and contact hitters. Fence busting ain’t winning in Hotlanta. Most clubs we face have at least one young bright pitching prospect. Where’s ours. If we can’t raise them, buy them. Apparently Pendleton can’t coach contact & pitch selection.

By Alan

June 19, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

I agree - tear it down and rebuild. Trade Smoltz to Detroit and let him go out a winner. Trade Andrew before the end of next year, when he becomes a free agent. Trade Chipper, who is too delicate a flower to pay all that money. Get lots of bullpen help and one other good starter to go along with Hudson and Hampton. Keep Renteria. The other position players are young, but they are talented and can produce enough runs to win. It might also be a good idea to think about a new manager, one who is not afraid to take chances.

By jonathan jones

June 19, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this

Its time the bobby cox era ended. I would go completely young. get rid of chipper and smoltz and retool. The braves have lots of talent ready to come up lets reinvigrate this team with youth.

By Billy

June 19, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this

Build around Andruw Jones?That is comical.Again,it becomes a matter of sound economics.You can’t afford to give a career .268 hitter close to 20% of your team’s payroll.That is an absurd notion.He is no question the greatest defensive centerfielder to ever play in Atlanta,but he is not a complete player,and never has been.Both the Jones’ boys need to find new homes.If Chipper doesn’t want to accept a trade,I would sit his candy @$$ on the bench until he says yes.

Your argument is based on his average alone? Which by the way is arguably one of the mose overated statistics in baseball. Andruw’s defense, run production, and leadership (more on that at the bottom)is every bit worth the money were paying him. I’m willing to bet that he accounts for more that 20% of our wins if you count his bat and glove work.

Now leadership: I was at the game last night…..a couple of things he did last night says to me that he is more outspoken a leader than I first thought. He pepped mccann up when he came up against papaone (spelling lol) and he was really fired up after Francour homerun.

Andruw is the braves now……D. Justice got the torch from D. Murphy, passed it to chipper now chipper is passing it to A.J. as will A.J. pass it to Frenchy.

For all the Chipper haters. The guy probably relizes he is not a power hitter anymore……after watching him for the last 30 games It appears his goal at the plate is to get one base so AJ and Fenchy can drive him in. I rather have him do that then try and hit homeruns and strike out more often.

As much as you can complain about the offence 4.8 runs per game (which is 5th in the NL) should be enough for the pitching staff to post a decent record……(for the record they are giving up 5.1 runs a game). Also it should be mentioned that we are 7th in the NL in avgage….which is respectable due to our young players and their free swinging ways. Oddly enought guess who leads the teams in walks? Chipper has an OBP% of 380. I never really followed OBP% much but thats getting on base at least once a game….Our starting pitching is not terrible. We make a move for 2 arms in the bullpen we can make a run at the wild card.

By harry

June 19, 2006 03:45 PM | Link to this

it allready went down and look what happened . a third of the season is over its gonna stay that way.

BY THE WAY EVERYONE EVRYONE> WHEN DAVID WRIGHT HAS A CHILD IT WILL BE NAMED CHIPPER

WE ALL KNOW PIAZZA AND WRIGHT ALWAYS DRILL UR A*

By Billy

June 19, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

oh yeah….marcus giles leads the team in walks

By Sophia

June 19, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

Uneducated and smelly? I think you’re way past that. English 1101 Harry. Go back and read my post and you’ll see I was talking about years ago, not this year. By the way, if you guys don’t win the World Series this year, are you a bust? Just asking since you guys gave the Braves hell about that every year.

By count_schemula

June 19, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

1. The fans do suck. I go to a lot of games and during the last game I went to… I was standing up trying to get my section going. We had 2 on with 2 out late in game and we were behind a run… what did I get for my efforts? Some suburbanite telling me to sit down. I’m like, lady, stay home for that real life TV experience.

2. Maybe John Schuerholz is not all that. The trades of Adam Wainwright and Jose Capellan do not look very good right now. You put Wainwright and Capellan in this bullpen and it’s a slightly different story. Wainwright routinely goes 2 innings of relief for the Cardinals.

3. Rode the Jorge Sosa train too long. His numbers last year were MUCH better than his real outings would suggest. He was always working out of trouble. He’s got good stuff, but loses concentration after 1-2 innings and starts throwing, not pitching.

4. The Giles at leadoff is nothing short of a disaster. Wrong hitter, wrong swing and he’s playing below potential as a result. He’s so messed up that Betemit at 2nd base seems like the way to go. Let Diaz and Langerhans fool around in the leadoff spot.

5. If this season is truly over. Trade Smoltz. He’s the only player with value right now. The Braves should keep Andruw. He’s finally become a pretty solid hitter and he stills plays a solid outfield. Ask Tom Glavine if he was missing Andruw Jones his first years as a Met.

6. LaRoche. He’s not the worst, but, he strikes out a lot. So does Francoeur, so does Giles. That’s 1/3 of the lineup that does not even put the ball in play. LaRoche is the odd man out in that equation. Chipper Jones, take this season to figure out 1st base, because, you’ve gone soft at 3rd again after looking ok after returning from left field.

7. Francoeur. I like Francoeur. The Braves have long needed a Vlad type of hitter. But, it does not work on a team with Giles and LaRoche. That’s just too many striekouts. With Francoeur, he will learn to work the count a little better (he VERY young still), but he has shown that he can be clutch and he’s fast on the bases, so, his growing pains are somewhat acceptable, he’s just having to learn this stuff in the majors, not the minors.

* Executive summary: The trades of Adam Wainwright and Jose Capellan look really really bad right now.

By Doug

June 19, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

The #1 thing that would help the Braves is for AOL Time Warner to sell the team to Ted Turner. For AOL, the Braves are just a business. For Ted, they are a passion, much like the Yankees are for George Steinbrenner.

By DHD

June 19, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this

Harry…did you go to school? Wait, I already know the answer. Maybe you just don’t have a spell check and maybe your caps lock is locked.

After the Mets have won their division 14 years in a row, you may come back and talk about how you have tied the record. See you then. Maybe you’ll have that caps lock fixed.

By Sophia

June 19, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this

I don’t think Ted Turner is an option right now. I agree he would be great for the Braves but I remember him putting a statement in the paper about how he wasn’t going to pursue the Braves because it was too much for him financially. We really do need a “fan-friendly” owner though, not a “business-friendly” one.

By Chris Howell

June 19, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this

Trade Marcus Giles to the Cubs for Scott Eyre and Ryan Dempster to shore up the bullpen. Move Edgar Renteria into the leadoff spot, with Betemit playing and batting 2nd. Give Scott Thorman a chance to play everyday at 1st, and give Matt Diaz more playing time in left over Ryan Langerhans. These moves could give the Braves a chance to make a run at the wild-card, without mortgaging the future for an improbable run at another division title.

By Roderick

June 19, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

1. Rebuild Fulton county stadium

2. Re-hire Chief Knockahoma

By Ron Roberts

June 19, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

Hearing Schuerholz talk about “next year” and having guys like Boyer, James, Foster and Hampton to improve this team doesn’t exactly make me feel all that optimistic about next year.

First of all, folks talk about Foster and Boyer as if we know what we’ll get out of them… uh, sorry but neither one of them has pitched at the major league level long enough to be surefire bullpen stoppers in our mind for 2007 right now. And Hampton? How on earth can we KNOW that he’ll be a quality #3 guy in the rotation after such a prolonged injury and recovery period, especially at his age?

All I heard amongst all that Schuerholz blather last night was “don’t expect this franchise to be in-play for any quality free agents to propel this franchise out of the current doldrums back into World Series contenders, fans…. we won’t be spending a dime to improve this team.

Thanks, TimeWarnerSchuerholzLibertyMediaCo.

By Lewis

June 19, 2006 04:08 PM | Link to this

Grin and bear it. We have had a winning team for years . Get rid of some of the high priced talent and reload for next year

By Michael

June 19, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this

They need to get an owner who has this team at heart. TWX could care less about the Braves. The problem is the bullpen. McDowell need to get fired today. He handed over a staff that has finished in the top 5 of team era the past 12 years. Do the young hitters listen to the hitting coach. I see the same bad habits out of Frenchy and Andruw over and over again. Trade Giles and Roche to get some bullpen help or move Sosa back to the pen.

Michael

By milohamilton

June 19, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this

bring me back…i think bonds will hit 756 there

By SoCal Hal

June 19, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

Is it my imagination or is Terry Pendleton getting a free ride in here? He should be the lead guy to get canned. You have to at least let McDowell ride the season out. But TP should be gone immediately. I live in San Diego and watched the Padres fire Dave Magadan for less.

By john boy

June 19, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this

Giles is the worst lead off hitter ever!!!!!! How do you expect to win with him batting first. Get rid of him. Francouer will swing at anything - demote him until he becomes more disciplined. As much as I love Andruw, there have been very few times (with last yr being the exception) when he has done anything in the clutch. His offensive production is usually when it doesn’t really matter much. Now may be the time to shop him around. We might as well face that Chipper will retire a Brave. Finally, only the Braves would play a guy like Todd Pratt.

By chris

June 19, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this

send salty and a draft pick to florida for dontrelle willis, send chipper to washington for soriano, send giles somewhere and get a good middle reliever. put betemit on 3rd move soriano back to second base and lets see what happens

By Peter

June 19, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this

You tell them Allyssa, finally someone who has sense I hope you have Brains and Beauty :) Go Braves

By Ron Roberts

June 19, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

Antonio Alfonseca’s been placed on waivers. He beats just about anything else in our bullpen right now. Get him.

By Elmo Jones

June 19, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this

Spend Money and lots of it.

By jack

June 19, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this

Sadden to see such a lack of leadership from folks like Chipper Jones. He needs to find a retirement home since it appears he retired in 2006!

By just4fun

June 19, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

Seems to me that the slide started downhill in the throw-back uniforms game … they really went back to being the “old Braves” and have yet to realize they are caught in a “time warp” and can’t get back!!!!!!!! Remember???? They were playing good baseball up until then! HELP! HELP! HELP! Get the curse of the throw-backs off!!

By Josh

June 19, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

How can you know that it’s Terry P.’s fault? The Braves can hit but when you have to get 10 insurance runs b/c the bullpen will blow it, there’s not much he can do. How many runs did the Braves score on the sox last night? 7… thats plenty of runs on a 1st place team against Schilling. I know whats wrong with the bullpen. They have Mark Wholers syndrome. Its all mental.

By randy

June 19, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

Forget it. As long as the Braves are nothing but a tax write off for Time Warner or Liberty Media, nothing will improve. The team’s best hope was that Arthur Blank would buy the team.

By C Daddy

June 19, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this

Stop all pretenses and start re-buiding now. Rather than buyers, time to be trade sellers and get some meaningful prospects back in return, assuming we have anything on the major league roster people want aside from McCann, Francouer, Betemit, A Jones and Renteria.

By chris

June 19, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

Larry Jones must go, dude is always injured and has never been good on the defense…dump Larry today!

By Jim

June 19, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

What about something like this. The Marlins haved cleared house and now that they seem to be gelling may be willing to make some moves and spend a little money to get some veterans in the lineup. What about putting Giles, Chipper, and Jorge Sosa in a deal to get Ugla and Willis and Josh Johnson. The Marlins could put Cabrera in the outifeld and Chipper at third. We would be clearing tons of money and getting great young talent. I think you use that money your saving in a combination with dealing ( and I know this sounds crazy) Tim Hudson somewhere like the Phillies to go out and get a power hitting 1st baseman like Ryan Howard or go to the Mets and get a closer like Billy Wagner. I think both those teams would love to have another starting pitcher and we could use a good first baseman or closer. Get rid of LaRoche or deal him for a middle reliever. You cant really do anything with Jordan except let him go at the end of the year. I know this is all a stretch but hey what the hell. how about this for a young, talented, and maybe realistic lineup.

2b - Ugla SS- Renteria c- McCann 1b- Ryan Howard cf- A. Jones rf- Francouer 3b- Betemit lf- Langerhans/Diaz

pitchers: D. Willis J. Smoltz J. Johnson H. Ramirez K. Davies

By Lynn

June 19, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this

How about getting our old pitching staff back together again?????

By Chop Chop

June 19, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this

Jim, you are clinically insane.

By C Daddy

June 19, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

Stop all pretenses and start re-buiding now. Rather than buyers, time to be trade sellers and get some meaningful prospects back in return, assuming we have anything on the major league roster people want aside from McCann, Francouer, Betemit, A Jones and Renteria.

By Tag Butler

June 19, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

Offense is not the problem — the Braves rank in the top half of MLB in runs and hits, so they really ought to be able to avoid the cellar.

This is all about pitching, so just focus there. Bring up some minor league relievers — they can’t do any worse than the current crew.

Bringing Mazzone back won’t help — his O’s are ranked well below the Braves on team ERA!

By Zito

June 19, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this

I would trade Giles, LaRoche, Reitsma, and Remlinger in two pairs and try to get a decent bat at first base, a leadoff hitter who can get on base and swipe bases, and a closer who lets his presence be known on the mound. Trading Langerhans for some bullpen help would not be a bad idea either. I think once we get a PROTOTYPICAL leadoff, we could follow that with Renteria, Chipper, Andruw, the new 1B, Thorman, McCann, Betemit (@ 2B), and Frenchy. Trading any starting pitching at this point would be PURE STUPIDITY.

By Jim

June 19, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this

Ok, if the purpose is rational thought, then I’d agree with much here, but there is little rationality. Any trade possibility will come as the trade deadline approaches and a contender need a pitcher (Smoltz), a third baseman (Chipper) or a center fielder (Andruw). It will be for a player(s) to named later assuming our guys will waive their 10 year veto provision. But recognize that these are proud men not use to losing. They are trying, albeit at times not up to their prior ability, but then that may be too high to reach. As for me I’ll try to remember Teddy Roosevelt’s Creedo:

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”

By jim

June 19, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this

When Leo bailed i had a pretty good idea this was going to be a horrible year. I disagree with the doom and gloom for years sect howver in that the neculious of young Braves is solid. If you look at the Braves and believe you build around A Jones Still young, Mccann (the best brave currently) Francour HE is a great FUTURE talent,Bentemit, and Diaz that is a solid starting point.Its simple We love you Smoltz but go back to closer and pitch for 3 4 years or go eleswhere. That move was plain awful it didnt get us anywhere.Hudson is a top line pitcher after that it is filled with 4 -5 type starters. Rameriez is ok Sosa is bullpen with smoltz Thompson should become the beer vender and Retisma should apply to drive the zamboni for the THRASHERS. PLEASE SOMEBODY TAKE THAT TIRED OLD MAN WITH NO BASEBALL KNOWLEDGE AND SEND HIM PACKING.

By pat

June 19, 2006 05:10 PM | Link to this

Everytime the Braves lose all the bloggers want JS and Cox’s head on a plate and want to rebuild the team from the top down. This team can win, this team has one the problem is the bull pen. If we won every game the bullpan has blown we’d be in a close second even with the rest of the team struggling. WE need to have a bullpan that can hold a lead. We had the lead twice last night and the bull pen blew it. I am glad the guys are taking responsibility, but they also cannot turn it around. So they have to go.

By Kevin

June 19, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this

During the game last night, Peter Gammons mentioned the rotation for next year—Hudson,Smoltz, Hampton, Davies, and James. So the question is are the Braves playing for next year already? If so, the idea was mentioned of trading A. Jones in the offseason—no discounts from Boras this time around. if that is the rotation for next year that means Ramirez and A. Jones should be traded for a closer and a leadoff hitter. Also I think Giles could be moved for middle relief help—if Boyer, Devine, and Foster come back, the bullpen will be cleaned out, Reistma will also be moved—he no longer can not only pitch but his mindset is just as bad now. What the Braves need when they trade for position players is players with heart and emotion—they get nothing from TP and RM—who also should be gone. Knowing JS and COx they will be loyal until the last minute and then try and improve the team but what they need are leaders—CHipper and the others are sorely lacking in that right now.

By Pesimist

June 19, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this

What the Braves should have done the past 3-5 years is learn from other teams, like the Marlins and teams that have taken similar but less drastic routes.

What Florida has done successfully twice now is build a great team and build up their minor leagues with great prospects, and instead of trading their kids away from more huge names, they’ve cut payroll in a major way, but have keep their “home grown” talent to develope and get better.

What have the Braves been getting in their trades and acquisitions? A bunch of washed up has beens, Brian Jordan??? Should’ve retired 3-4 years ago, Mike Remlinger, lost his way the first time he left ATL… Todd Pratts a good defensive catcher but he might as well leave his bat in the rack when he come to the plate.

In the past they’ve gotten a lot of these ‘older’ guys, like Julio Franco, Chris Hammond and the like and have been able to coax whatever was left out of them and they’ve peformed well, but this years crop of question marks, especially the group of desheveled guys in the bullpen, just have not panned out this year and that’s hurt Atlanta the most.

By Chop Chop

June 19, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this

Jim, realistically, the Braves could trade Smoltz and Giles before the deadline. Smoltz is my favorite Brave, but if the Braves could get a top prospect or two for him before July 31 (Carroll, most big deals are done before the July 31st deadline specifically because players don’t have to clear waivers), they’d have to strongly consider it. Giles could also bring in solid prospects or relief help.

Oh, and Jim, the Braves are cold and timid souls knowing defeat right now. According to TR (great orator, by the way…and that quote is from one of his best speeches, “Citizenship In A Republic”), that’s not really possible, but we’re seeing it proven on a nightly basis.

By bryanfred

June 19, 2006 05:27 PM | Link to this

Wow. How do you come after the Teddy quote? Anyway, do the whiners posting here have any idea how good a young nucleus the Braves have moving into everyday roles? Say what you will about Time Warner capping payroll at an uncompetitive level, at least Schuerholz has kept his wits and signed marginal free agents rather than trade away Franceur, Langerhans, McCanna and all those young pitchers for a year of veteran service. A young team needs leadership (and we do need to win SOME games) so letting either of the Joneses or Smoltz go would be a mistake. Where would we be without the three of them right now? A. Jones is only 29, for crying out loud, and who else can go seven strong innings right now? Also keep in mind that the Braves are in the middle of their worst slump in 15 years and are still only 7 or so games out of the wild card. We should not trade for short term help right now, but with a couple of decent runs (like the one we went on in May) there may be October baseball in Atlanta this year after all. Bring up some of the minor league power pitchers mentioned in other posts here and give them a shot in the bullpen - not much to lose at this point.

By Todd A

June 19, 2006 05:27 PM | Link to this

When is the last time the Braves actually won a game in those hideous red jerseys?Please,let’s put an end to the gimmicks and get back to baseball.

By J

June 19, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this

Jim, You are beyone hope for mental capacity exceeding ape status. I can’t believe I wasted time in my life to read your most ridiculous trade proposals. I want you to refund that minute of my life back, please. It did make me laugh enough to burn off my lunch though. So thanks, I guess.

By Shawn

June 19, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

The run had to end some time. However, now is the time for JS to use Braves assets to build another 10 year dynasty. Chipper needs to go. I love the guy but he has been in decline for 3 years. True Braves fans cannot justify a 15 million dollar slap hitter. The Giles leadoff experiment is a bust. He has actually been exposed. It appears that he was as good as he was in the past because of who was hitting in front of him and the fear of who was coming up after him. Now pitchers no longer fear Chipper and Furcal is not on the base pads threatening to steal. Giles has to fend for himself to get on base and sadly he can not. A 240 avg., 295 OBP, and 50 strikeouts is not getting it done. LaRoache has way too many holes in that long swing of his. He really belongs in the minors developing more plate discipline and cutting down that sweeping swing. His strikeouts and lack of focus are frustrating to say the least. Finally, as much as I hate to say it, John Smoltz is the guy that will fetch us the most talent. I know he’s the face of the Braves but we are either going to lose with him now at 12 million a year or win without him in the future. Think of what teams will give up for the 39 year old Smoltz. No doubt he is the Braves silver bullet. However, because so many fans identify with him and his history with the organization is impeccable, I would give him the choice of staying or picking the teams he would like to be traded to.

One last note. Trading Andruw is completely out of the question. Whether you want to admit it or not, he is also the face of the Braves. He is last year’s MVP runner-up to Mr. Pujols. He is unquestionably the best center fielder in the game (His nine gold gloves are proof), you can basically write down 30+ HR, 100 RBI every year including this one and he is still only 28!

The future stars of the braves are already here. Francouer 21, McCann 21, Davies 21, Betemit 24, and Lerew 23. Andruw 28 is the link to the dominant braves of the past and should be the Captain of the team if Smoltz does get traded. Chipper has never wanted the title and Giles does not have enough talent for that title.

If the Braves stay as they are, we can look forward to exactly what they are showing us this year. Remember, Smoltz wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for the Doyle Alexander trade. If the Braves can trade away David Justice at the height of their dominance for payroll consideration then Chipper and Giles and even Smoltz should not be off limits.

By Kevin

June 19, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop

good point about the deadline in July, the only major trade I can remember that was done in August was the Braves getting Neagle—never see one of those again due to the lack of pitching nowadays. IF Smoltz is traded send him to a contender or Detroit, as for Giles I think he could be dealt to Boston for prospects—Hanson?? Do you think teams would not trade with the Braves due to past success and the fact that JS seems to get the better end of the deal most of the time?

By matt

June 19, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this

Please get rid of LaRoche. He is horrible

By Todd A

June 19, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this

On the subject of Marcus Giles….(cough)steroids(cough)………

By count_schemula

June 19, 2006 05:52 PM | Link to this

If you saw the Smoltz interview last night… he’s open to a trade.

With Smoltz, we trade a pitcher who has legit post-season success, so we can probably get a top prospect and a bullpen arm and cut 20% of the payroll or whatever his percentage is.

I love Smoltz, he is the sole fire on the club right now, he leaves it out there, but… let’s be real, he’s only got a couple/few years left.

We are stuck with Chipper unless we eat a lot of contract, so, stick him at first. At least he has some plate discipline. Andruw, we need to keep. He’s 29 and he’s finally become a much better hitter. He makes the outfield smaller in a defensive way.

By Jimbo

June 19, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this

Kevin…After the trade for Kolb and trading Estrada for two stiffs…I sure would trade with JS. The magic is gone plus he’s not dealing from strength. I think this thought that teams are afraid to deal with JS is pure nonsense.

By Jimbo

June 19, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this

Todd…I’m with you on our midget 2nd baseman. All of a sudden he has warning track power and an uppercut swing…a deadly combination.

By Jimbo

June 19, 2006 06:06 PM | Link to this

Count…I would much rather trade Smoltz a year too early then a year too late.

By DaleMurphyJr.

June 19, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this

While I won’t go as far as saying LaRoche is horrible, we’ve seen him for the better part of three seasons and he’s a .270, 20HR, 70 RBI guy regardless of where he hits in the lineup. He’s not that bad, but he’s not that good. But he’s left-handed, with a decent glove and still cheap!! Let’s hope he goes on another meaningless tear that boosts his trade value in the next month. I have seen the future and his name is Scott Thorman!

By Chop Chop

June 19, 2006 06:15 PM | Link to this

Smoltz is my boy, but I’d rather see his departure help the Braves acquire some talent than ultimately hurt the team’s future.

In other words, a trade would be better than letting him waste away on a team that, as some fans are learning this year, is not guaranteed to be good forever.

Andruw is also fair game as far as future trades go. His knees are bad and he probably won’t be a centerfielder for much longer, so his value now is probably as high as it’s going to get. If he can stay healthy the rest of this season, don’t be surprised if he has a new home next year. He’s been a good player for this team for a long time, but how many World Series has he won? He might want to win one someday.

By Jman

June 19, 2006 06:20 PM | Link to this

I dont believe the transformation should be as drastic as some on here suggest. I do believe, however, that there are plenty of things to do. Keep in mind these moves are to help mainly for next year. This year looks to be a lost cause, but some of these moves could help the Braves make a late season run at the Wild Card.

1. Trade Marcus Giles. The guy has been wanting out of Atlanta for two years. He’s not to vocal about it, but there have been rumblings. Maybe you get a decent young middle reliever and/or decent bench guy for him. Then you put Betemit at 2B in his place.

2. Do NOT trade Tim Hudson, UNLESS you can get 2-3 young guys who are or will be ready to contribute by next season! Which I heard that since Willis and Zito are probably not going anywhere that Tim Hudson could bring a kings ransom to the Braves as he would be the best pitcher availible at the deadline. But ONLY, and I repeat ONLY if you get major league ready talent in return.

3. Get Carl Crawford for LF and leadoff hitter. This guy as far better and has a much higher ceiling than many of the Braves prospects. Trade Salty, Lerew, & Langerhans for him.

By Peter

June 19, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this

I agree trade Giles, he needs out of Atlanta I like him but he is not a leadoff hitter, so trade him. I say trade him for Crawford and either keep Crawford and trade Langerhand and another player or trade Crawford and a couple of players for bullpen and a starter I think Betemit would be fine as the leadoff man I would suggest putting Renteria at leadoff but he is having a great season as the 2nd in line

By JG in CA

June 19, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this

Just think how much the corporate bottom-liners that run the Braves have lost by not paying Mazzone what he was worth.

By SoCal Hal

June 19, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this

Josh,

I can agree mostly on hitting. But we’ve seen way too many strikeouts to say that TP has taught these guys how to stay disciplined at the plate. Also, there is no production with runners in scoring position. Let’s bring Don Baylor back!

By Jerald Holcombe

June 19, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this

 We all know that the bullpen is a sore spot for this team, but we shouldn't forget that when the bullpen has done it's job on occasion, the starting pitching has been terrible and the offense has had it's problems also. In short, there has been no magic in this team at all. Therefore, my belief is to unload the high paid veterans for prospects that can help us in the future. Right now Andruw can bring us the motherload because his value is way up there. Giles and Renteria can bring us a few good players also. There's not much to say in regard to Chipper and Smoltz because they don't have to go if they don't want to because of the 10/5 rule. It would be nice if they would volunteer to go, but that's neither here nor there. Come to think of it, Andruw may be covered by the 10/5 because his rookie year was 1996. At any rate, we should clear all of the high salaries that we can. I'm also not opposed to trading Hudson because he makes "pitching ace" money without pitching like it most of the time. And after all the trades have been completed, the next move is to get rid of Bobby Cox. Don't get me wrong, I've always like Bobby, but his time has come and gone. We need an infusion of new ideas. Not the same tired old thinking that we've seen the last few years.

By SoCal Hal

June 19, 2006 07:08 PM | Link to this

Peter,

I don’t think the D-Rays would ever accept Giles for Crawford. I wish we could pull that one off. It’s going to take at least one big league pitcher, plus two prime prospects. That will be the minimum.

By will

June 19, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this

Lets let dale murphy manage the team let hammerin hank gm and bob horner hitting coach and john rocker pitching coach

By robdawg06

June 19, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this

There are some very good suggestions on this thread and I commend many of you. Its just a matter of if you want to win in the next few years (keep the core star veterans) or win 4 or 5 years from now (trade the star vets and release the washed up vets). That’s a big decision for JS to make too. Chipper,Andruw,Smoltz,and Hudson all have a lot of good baseball left in them IMO. But each would likely bring in return some top minor league talent to go along with Francoeur,McCann,Salty,Davies,and C.James. I’m the most loyal Chipper fan you’ll ever know. He’s my favorite player ever. But I’m for what’s best for the team to be done. I still say the bullpen is the problem. If we had a closer that would have closed out the leads that Reitsma,Remlinger,& others blew then we would be in 1st place right now. Here’s a suggestion, spend some money on the bullpen including getting a closer like Billy Wagner or Mariano Rivera (Lidge,Hoffman,etc.).

By Jerald Holcombe

June 19, 2006 07:23 PM | Link to this

I wonder how many of you would agree with me that I’m glad to see the Braves lose like they are? Let me explain what I mean. I would much rather lose alot so that there’s no doubt that major changes are necessary to right this ship rather than to hover around the .500 mark and give you a false hope. This team has been on top for a long time and it’s time to usher in a new era. Rebuild around Francouer, McCann, and Betemit. All other jobs are available.

By will

June 19, 2006 07:30 PM | Link to this

Jerald is exactly right if your gonna rebuild you build the team around Frenchy Mccann and Betimit.

By Andy J

June 19, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this

Move Sosa to the pen as soon as Davies comes back. Think about it. He is always lights out for a few innings and then blows up in the 4th or 5th.

Do that and watch the other releivers fall in to place. I bet we would see a huge difference just by having confidence in one guy.

Dontrelle would be nice too, though. He is young.

By robdawg06

June 19, 2006 07:34 PM | Link to this

All I know is I want Bob Uecker (SP ?) as the announcer to these horrible games… At least he would make me laugh.

By robdawg06

June 19, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this

I’d like to get Dontrelle Willis too to be the future ace with the young guns at Richmond. He’s another Pedro Martinez a few years from now : Lights out and consistent.

By Ric

June 19, 2006 07:46 PM | Link to this

Try Betemit at first,sit LaRoach Find a leadoff hitter somewhere Find another starter, or 2 Find a whole new bullpen Put Andrew’s fat A— on a diet so he MAYBE, could run out a grounder. And last, but certainly not least SELL THE TEAM TO SOMEONE WHO GIVES A CRAP!! Pretty simple really!!!

By Jeff

June 19, 2006 07:47 PM | Link to this

Change the name from “Braves” to “Squaws”

By robdawg06

June 19, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this

Why haven’t we heard from Bobby and JS in the newspapers ? What is their take ? What are their answers ? We loyal fans deserve to know ! Status quo won’t work.

By young

June 19, 2006 07:52 PM | Link to this

You can fix the Braves by throwing them into a big trashcan.

By 3Pitch

June 19, 2006 07:53 PM | Link to this

Larry Beinfest did a masterful job with the Marlins during their firesale. They have some very good young players. JS is not capable of making those kind of moves. He should have retired last year and turned the job over to Dayton Moore. Regardless, I think it is over for him in Atlanta. This team is awful.

By gobraves06

June 19, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this

To every IDIOT who is suggesting that the Braves should trade Andruw: ain’t gonna happen. The reference to Scott Bor@$$ was funny (as well as true), but you have to remember that Andruw left Bor@$$ out of his negotiations last time, and he publicly stated that he wants to stay in Atlanta. Does anyone really think he won’t do that again next year? Face it: Andruw is a Brave, and he will REMAIN a Brave! As for Chipper, he hasn’t been the Chipper of old in recent years, but I think he will also remain a Brave. The renegotiation of his contract was proof that he is willing to play here for less money, so he will stay with the Braves. Everything else that has been suggested should be considered by the management. No matter where the Braves finish this year, though, I will always love my team. GO BRAVES, WORLD CHAMPS ‘07!!!!!!!

By Submariner

June 19, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this

Fire the bullpen.

By Submariner

June 19, 2006 08:02 PM | Link to this

gobraves06……..You rock!!! You’re also right, the Jones Boyz aren’t going anywhere.

By Jerald Holcombe

June 19, 2006 08:07 PM | Link to this

Robdawg06: I agree that it would be great to see Uecker in Atlanta, but Dontrelle Willis an ace? Come on, how can you seriously believe that? Willis is the kind of pitcher that comes along every so often and entertains us for a few years and then quietly disappears. It’s called being a “flash in the pan”. I think this is his 4th season. His 1st was awesome, his second not so awesome. His 3rd year was great and this year has been up and down. That’s not an ace.

By robdawg06

June 19, 2006 08:22 PM | Link to this

D. Willis will be dominant for the next 10 years. Why don’t we revisit this conversation in about 5 years and see who is right and wrong ? D.Willis has the outlook unlike most players in MLB. He loves to play the game. He was quoted as saying its a bonus to get paid to do what he would do for free if he had to ; “Play baseball”.

By robdawg06

June 19, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this

Plus Dontrelle can hit better than Giles,LaRoche,and Langerhans himself.

By A W

June 19, 2006 08:31 PM | Link to this

I would bring back Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Javy Lopez, Rafael Furcal, Julio Franco, and Leo. I would offer them all deals they can’t refuse.

By TL

June 19, 2006 08:42 PM | Link to this

What to do? So many things — so many things that should have been done already:

• Get Giles out of leadoff.
• Dump Jordan as a player and make him a coach.
• Send Reitsma packing. I love how earlier this year it was said he was learning at the feet of Smoltz; y’know, I could learn at the feet of Smoltz, but it wouldn’t make me John Smoltz, because John Smoltz has great stuff, great guts and a great baseball head. Reitsma has none of that. Well, maybe he has guts to actually talk to sportswriters after he’s blown another one, but he can’t do a 1-2-3 ninth to save his life (much less the game).
• Force the hitters — especially Francoeur — to take the first pitch. Regardless. How many times has some opposing pitcher been wild, loaded the bases, and the Braves let him off the hook? Walks count, guys. McCann knows how it’s done — and this is where the team really misses Julio Franco.

OK, those suggestions actually assume the season can be salvaged, which I don’t think it can. In the long term, I’d trade Giles (and that hurts, because I love scrappy 2Bs) and put Betemit in there. I’d dump LaRoche. Chipper I’m not sure about; make me an offer. Let some youngsters play. I like McCann; maybe he can be the team leader. (Some young catchers can jump right in to the role.)

This team, this season, hurts. It’s not so much the losses, though those are bad — it’s the way they lose. I gasped when I saw the AJC after the blown Marlins game Wednesday night, a game I thought was well in hand when I had to shut it off. I don’t think I’ve felt such foreboding since Game 4 of the ‘96 World Series, probably the turning point between a Braves dynasty and the team that’s been held up as a model of “almost.” (Imagine if they’d won … if Wohlers hadn’t gone with his third-best pitch … but I digress. Often.)

I’ve been watching this team for almost 25 years. I once saw Omar Moreno step in for an injured Dale Murphy. I mocked Eddie Haas and Chuck Tanner. But those teams were just plain bad. Watching this team is like watching something die — with agonizing slowness, losing his mind (if the definition of insanity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different result, then leading off with Giles, playing Jordan, using Reitsma is insane) and with increasing cluelessness. Somebody grab a defibrillator.

By count_schemula

June 19, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this

I’d also like to point the finger at the fans a little bit. I’ve been a fan since Biff Pocoroba, Mike Lum and god knows who else was a Brave. Atlanta fans are just really not that good. Even during the playoffs we have some lame enthusiam and not a lot of quality baseball talk going on.

It’s more like an excuse to get out of the suburbs than it is an excuse to go root on your team.

I’m still p** off at that lady for asking me to sit down with 2 on, 2 out in the 7th. I looked back about 20 minutes later and she and her brood had left for the night. Typical.

By Ralph

June 19, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this

I don’t think that Braves organization wants to fix, or cares about fixing the team. So the braves will continue to lose and embarrass themselves, the fans and Atlanta. The news medium will have a field cutting the braves down along with Bobby Cox. They will laughing at this once mighty team playing like the bad news bears game after game. At the beginning of the season a team from a really big city said that the Braves were going to be the worse team in both leagues and at present they are. I take back all the criticisms of Bobby Cox he’s got a bunch of do nothing professional baseball player who DON’T WANT TO WIN OR TRY TO WIN. *TO TURN THE BRAVES AROUND I WOULD tell the Braves player and organization the following…… *Demote 90 percent of the pitching staff, they are not ready to pitch in the major league, send them back to class A or maybe class C or some class where they wouldn’t hurt themselves. *Trade Giles and LaRoche, NOW RIGHT AWAY even if they turn things around it won’t last long, if some team wants one or both of them let them go and get a couple of pitchers who can throw strikes and not give up homers every other inning. *Have a seminar on how to stop striking out. 1 - do not swinging at bad pitches. 2 - don’t close your eyes or start swinging when the pitcher has the ball in his hand and haven’t ever releases the ball. 3 - no hoping your bat will find the ball and hit it wouldn’t work. 4 - learn to swing at good pitches those are the only ones you didn’t swing at. *Stop looking at the heavens and praying, when you’re ahead by 8 runs and the starter is replace with a reliever. *Pay attention to what’s going on in the field, and stop worrying if your stocks going up or down. *Stop looking at the Blond with the big bust sitting in row 6. *If you don’t feel like playing because of jock-itch, scratch or put power on it between innings or if your corns are kill you don’t worry they will still be killing you after the game so take it like a man ignore them and go out and give everything you have. *Think about a 9 to 5 job making pennies instead of the 3 million bucks for 6 months for playing a game which include all the benefits you wouldn’t get as a civilian. *Remember Men, kids play your game for free, you guys should go and watch some of their games and maybe you’ll learn something about winning. *And finally if you don’t feel, want or like playing the game anymore, leave, bye bye adios,,,,,,,, Yes the Braves can win if they follow all the simple suggestions above.

By SoCal Hal

June 19, 2006 09:24 PM | Link to this

We can say whatever we want over and over and over again. It starts and ends with the bullpen. The Braves are 15-14 in save situations. Just imagine if we had a nice closer(not lockdown), but nice. Take away 10 of those blown saves and we’d be in 2nd place and not even having this conversation.

The team needs to cut down on strikeouts big time.

By ipfreely

June 19, 2006 09:34 PM | Link to this

Some people keep saying to trade Chipper and Andruw and smoltz to free up money,that won’t work because all three players are 10/5 players which mean a player with 10 yrs service and the last five with the same team.The problem is to get rid of that dead wood we have as relievers and starters,.Keep Ramirez, Smoltz,Hudson,and insert Chuck James into the starting rotation,call up kevin Barry and use him also as a starter.Then get rid of Remlinger,villareal,cormier,keep Paronto,Stockman,McBride,And bring up Will Startup,use Ray as the closer or use Stockman as the closer,move Sosa to the pen,cut Jordan and Pratt and Reitsma,they are just taking up space and not doing anything,that will still leave a Veteran influence on the team because Chipper and Andruw and smoltz are still there.they can all help the new arrivals and then the second year players got some experience under their belts and they too can lead out,then the Braves have saved money with these changes,then the next thing should be is to fire Bobby C and his entire coaching staff and bring in a new manager and let him choose his own staff then get rid of John S,it is time for Frank Wren to take over.

By count_schemula

June 19, 2006 09:35 PM | Link to this

If the team does not have a closer, why stress on designating someone the closer?

Reitsma was and might still be, a decent 8th inning guy. By calling him the closer, we just messed him up. For the regular season, closer by committee can work fine, just give it to the hot hand. By the postseason, the choice should be more clear, or you obtain a real closer in some else’s firesale.

Calling Kenny Ray “Death Ray” does not make him go from journeyman to Marian Rivera.

What we need is a no walks after the 7th inning rule. Walk someone? Get pulled right there and then.

By robdawg06

June 19, 2006 10:31 PM | Link to this

I wouldn’t feel safe with Reitsma closing out a 10 run lead much less a 1 run lead as he often has blown. I realize players need chances to redeem themselves but time has run out on Reitsma and Remlinger IMO. If the always pitching poor Reds and Cubs let ‘em go then they’re pretty bad. The “If I get ‘em I can turn them around” method has got to be changed. A pitcher that can’t throw strikes and lacks confidence really can’t be taught anyway. The Braves just learn that the hard way with loss after loss.

By robdawg06

June 19, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

Hey, can’t Adam LaRoche pitch too ? I remember the days of position players pitching in lop-sided games. Warm LaRoche up, he can’t be any worse than those in the pen.

By Allyssa

June 19, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this

Amen i mean he ust have something bc of his dad lol

By ronald

June 19, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this

It’s simple. Get rid of Terry Pendleton and Roger McDowell. You can’t do it fast enough to suit me. Do it yesterday if you can.

By Casey

June 19, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this

I’ve got news for AJC: There is no fixin’ this team. Not this year anyway.

But, in preparations for next season, the first thing I’d do is trade off the deadwood and see just what I could get for the likes of Marcus Giles, Ryan Langerhans, Adam LaRoche, etc.

But to do this right, you’ve got to start with Chipper Jones. I’ve never seen someone quit on a team like Chipper has done on this team. It’s shameful.

Chipper, based on his name and former merits alone, should bring two or three top notch prospects—impact players. (and one of those players, at least, should be a pitcher with some lights-out stuff.)

And as much as I hate to say it, Andruw Jones has to go. Yes, he is a superb fielder. Yes, he hit 51 homers last year. And yes, he is a big RBI guy. But let’s face it. Andruw is the biggest chip the Braves have, and if you want to rebuild and compete immediately, then you have to be willing to make the sacrifice.

And here’s the dirty little seceret about Andruw: he’s lost a step or two. He doesn’t have the range that he once had, and it’s because he’s already so banged up from all the highlight catches. He’s only 28 or 29, and it will only get worse as he hits his 30s. He’ll never hit consistantly, which is what the Braves really need—consistent hitters. They never really had any consistent hitters. Everyone is streaky, and when the playoffs come, everyone always seems to find their coldest streaks of the season.

Lastly, and I hate myself for saying this, I’d have to trade John Smolz. I really do cringe at writing this, but as I said earlier: If you’re going to do this, do it right.

Smoltz is the best big-game pitcher of our generation, and one of the best of all time. He would be coveted by any contender—including his hometown Tigers. Teams would sell the farm to get him.

These trades would accomplish three primary objectives: 1. Clear out the deadwood and open up spots the rest of the year so the Triple- and Double-A talent could be evaluated on a big-league level. 2. Clear up salary space to sign impact free agents. 3. Completely stock the farm system with some unbelievable talent. The Braves could possibly be back in contention next season, and they’d be primed to win the division for another 14 years straight.

Sometimes it hurts to say goodbye, but it’s for the best. These moves would fix the Braves in a hurry.

By Allyssa

June 19, 2006 11:46 PM | Link to this

God you men are so crazy about trading ANDRUW JONES AND CHIPPER JONES

By Gammons is God

June 19, 2006 11:53 PM | Link to this

Of course the Braves need to make some kind of move not only because they are still within reach of the wild card, but they could fill in some gaps for next season.

1. They should trade John Thomson and Jorge Sosa for AA or A prospects. You can’t expect to get much else in return for them, but nonetheless they need to be gone to open spots for some youngsters (Chuck James and a healthy Kyle Davies). The same can be said for Reitsma. A change of scenery might do him good and mid level minor leaguer may be all he is worth right now.

2. Release Remlinger and Jordan. Both are over the hill and besides some so called leadership abilities, they aren’t do the Braves any good for the time being. Replace Jordan with Thorman (see what he’s got) and try and make a deal for Mike Gonzalez from the Pirates to step in as a possible closer.

3. Explore the Giles market. If the right deal can be made for another starter or a closer a deal must be made. There is no desperation to trade him, but if the right deal is there take it. Of the contenders in need of second base help Oakland might be a possibility. They may be willing to part with a couple of young arms, and we know Beane likes Giles.

4. End the Adam LaRoche experiment. He has some good things about him, but he’s not a deserving every day starting first baseman. I think the Braves should look at Tampa and take a chance on Aubrey Huff. The guy maybe has lost a step, but always seems to finish strong. He may be a nice fit in Atlanta. Possibly look to include Julio Lugo in a potential deal and use him at second base if Giles is traded. Betemit is a nice role player, but I’m still not sold on him playing every day.

5. If the Braves fall out of contention. I think the one Brave that should be traded is Smoltz. I love Smoltzie, but I’d like to see what a team like the Dodgers might give up for him. Billingsly and Kemp? Billingsly and Broxton? Broxton and Ethier? Guzman & Billingsly. What I’m saying is that if you could snare 2 of their top prospects it may be worth it to make a deal.

I think there are a lot of things the Braves can do I have confidence in Schurholz to put something together that will either get the wild card this year or set the team up well for next year.

By Casey

June 20, 2006 12:09 AM | Link to this

Sorry Allysa, but you’ve got to check emotion at the door. (That’s why men still rule the world.)

Besides, tell me the last good year that Chipper had anyway. And don’t give me the injury excuse. And don’t tell me he never was comfortable in the outfield. Ted Williams batted over .400 playing the same position Chipper ‘played’ for two seasons. It just takes some mental toughness, which Chip doesn’t have.

BTW: the last good season that Chipper had was when he earned the MVP in 1999 or whenever it was—moons ago. He hasn’t been the same player since. Trading him not only frees up a large chunk of change, but it also get rid of a player who lost his desire to be great.

By Head Coach

June 20, 2006 12:47 AM | Link to this

No fire sale ? John Schuerholz is either lying to cover his true intentions or he has no clue. He says he is perplexed ? obviously. If he wants to kick a dead horse , I say go right ahead while I dig the grave. If they honestly think a couple of trades will solve all the problems this season is lost. A bad stock , a bad investment , a bad team , Mr. Schuerholz do the smart thing and cut your losses.

By dan

June 20, 2006 12:49 AM | Link to this

as bad as the bullpen has been(i’ll get to that), recently we have seen the over-aggressive style of hitting terry pendleton brings to the team fail miserably. although marcus giles is certainly not a leadoff hitter it is reasonable to expect an OBP of more then .320 and not to strikeout more then 100 times. Andruw Jones has never hit in the clutch and it has worsened this year. He strikesout in situations where even a double play ball would get the run home. All the rbi he has come in meaningless situations. Adam Laroche always seems lost at the plate. Can we get some production at 1st base for once since galaragga left. even when laroche came up I remember some announcer stating something like “the braves hope adam laroche may one day mature into a .280 20HR 80RBI player. I’d be content with those numbers if he had a high OBP and less then 100 strikeouts. The problem is as long as Bobby is managing he won’t get a chance to play full time. Why would you bring in some has been who hit 240 last year and never played first base in his career to play against lefties? Now with the hasbeen mentioned above out for a while JS will probably go out and dig up some other washed up player trying to make a comeback in some obscure independent league to atlanta to play first base. (wouldn’t be surprised to see galaragga back) Also, what is the Braves fasination with back-up catchers who can’t hit. Paul Bako, Henry Blanco, now Todd Pratt I could deal with the other guys because they were usually greg maddux’s personal catcher so you would only see them once every five days or in a VERY long game. Todd Pratt is used much too often this is a guy hitting .185 thats right .185 and he starts against lefties and seems to play at least 2-3 times a week. To make matters worse, he’s not very good defensively either. At least with blanco and bako you had solid defense and a .220 average. Of all the failures on the braves it is the bullpen that wins the award for “providing the most losses to the atlanta braves organization” the policy of picking up the garbage that all the other teams had thrown away somehow managed to work with leo. However the problem was none of these players were ever resigned and given a few years as a solid bullpen that had been together with the same pitching coach for a while. instead each of these”leo success stories” leaves after a phenomenal year with the braves only to find failure somewhere else. (chris hammond, darren holmes, ect.)the one guy who they do keep around for a while is the one guy who has always been a blemish on atlanta’s bullpen as long as he’s been there. chris reitsma has been horrible since the first day he steped into the braves bullpen yet not only do the braves keep him around, they promote him to closer and pay him over 2 million dollars to do it. Sooner or later you knew the lack of a decent closser and a bullpen which had to be revamped each year with trash from other teams and guys from independent leagues was going to catch up to them. here’s an idea look at the make up of the best bullpens and imitate it. the way to go seems to be home grown young guys who can throw over 95 and have a high strikeout total and reasonably low walk total combined with a good veteran lefty and a good closer. perfect example: detroit tigers joel zumaya and fernando rodney both throw hard both home grown both have a high strikeout total. combined with jamie walker who is a solid veteran lefty and although he’s been shaky of late, todd jones is a pretty good closer. What do the braves do? just the opposite take a large tractor trailor, drive around from the yard sale at each stadium ask each manager for any special bargans take it regardless of a warning from the manager or a warning on the front saying something like RIDICULOUSLY HIGH ERA or 5 STRIKEOUTS 20 WALKS IN 25 INNINGS or maybe even the CAREFUL: FIRST USED IN DEADBALL ERA and of course everones favorite WARINING: USE IN PRESSURE SITUATION COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

By Miguel Manuel

June 20, 2006 02:11 AM | Link to this

Watch the transactions every day through July 31, and wonder why the Braves aren’t more involved in at least taking a flyer on some of the pitching that becomes available; for instance, the first place Red Sox, cooking with gas right now, picked up former 1st round draft pick Kyle Snyder (6’8” RHP) on waivers from the Royals and got a pretty good start tonight from a guy who hadn’t pitched in 11 days: 5 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K. For his career, he has a 2:1 K:BB ratio, which tends to be indicative of talent. His problem has been in giving up hits, which likely could be remedied by learning to harness his natural stuff and locate, something that could be taught by any competent organization (just not the marginally-retarded and aloof Royals). I remember when the Braves used to be in on these things all the time, but there’s a distraction in the front office this year, and it appears to have been there since the end of last season. Allowing the bullpen problem to linger all offseason and go in to spring training with proven question marks is just irresponsible. They say they tried, but it’s amazing that other teams found ways to patch holes. Sometimes unpopular moves, like trading beloved veterans have to be made. Chipper should have been moved by now; even as a 10 & 5 guy, I’m sure the organization could have worked up some scenario that he would’ve approved that would’ve benefited any involved teams. Speaking of 10 & 5 guys, Andruw’s 10-year anniversary is 8/15/06, so if moves to cut payroll are made by 7/31/06, expect him to be gone. But to answer the theme of the blog, what I would do to improve the team is fire sale Smoltz, Hudson, Andruw, Giles, and Chipper (if he can be persuaded to agree, but it seems unlikely), and fill out the rotation and bullpen with the talent we receive in trades and let them spend the rest of the season learning to get outs at the major-league level. And the hitters need to learn how to produce runs at the major-league level; it’s just ridiculous that most major-leaguers can’t hit-and-run or lay down a bunt any more. I’d reassign or fire McDowell and Pendleton, and really search long and far for inspired coaching candidates. And if I were Schuerholz’s boss I’d remind him he gets paid to ink deals that will help the club, not sign tell-all books.

By Barry McCokiner

June 20, 2006 02:49 AM | Link to this

Realistically, the Braves shouldn’t have won the division the last 4 years either. A Hall of Fame pitching coach who turned journeyman garbage into key contributors covered up our annual bullpen and end of rotation bargain-hunting. Looking at the rosters, there’s no denying that the Mets, Marlins, and/or Phillies had more talented squads the last few years, who were undone by injuries, poor managing, and GM’s who were unable to make that one extra trade (or who made trades that backfired, like Zambrano for Kazmir). The Braves on the other hand seemed to get the most out of even the journeyman hitters they brought in, like Robert Fick or Eli Marrero, which normally doesn’t happen on most teams. Also, the Braves have almost always had one extra big bat to go with the Jones boys in the middle of the lineup, whether it was Galarraga, McGriff, Jordan, Sheffield, etc. over the years. This year they decided to rely on a guy (Francoeur) playing his first full major-league season to fill that role. The Braves have not been able to count on Francoeur, or anyone else, to replace the production they usually get out of that spot in the batting order.

This year, the journeymen pitchers have been a disaster without Mazzone — the Mazzone effect has even apparently hit our best pitchers Smoltz and Hudson. We are relying so much on our young players already now that we don’t really have many people we can call up to plug holes when our current players get injured anymore, like we did last year. The plug-in journeymen on offense have given mixed results — Diaz has been outstanding, but Jordan and Pratt have been terrible. Out of all our offseason moves, the Renteria acquisition was the one great move surrounded by a bunch of miserable failures.

I still don’t think fixing the Braves is that hard, mainly because most of our players are either young and improving, injured, or both. Even this current team would be a lot better if Kelly Johnson and Blaine Boyer were healthy and able to work on their games, and Francoeur accelerated the learning curve by a couple of years. Offensively we could use some speed at the top of the order, since we apparently can’t count on 52nd round draft pick Marcus Giles to overachieve anymore. We also need that 3rd big bat in the middle of the lineup. On the bench we have one of our top 5 offensive players, Wilson Betemit, and at this point it is a crime that he’s not an every day player. As far as pitching goes, I still think if we found a way to reacquire Mazzone and replace McDowell who is obviously in over his head, it would solve a lot of our pitching problems (Jorge Sosa for example). Even besides that, if we were able to get a dominant closer somehow it would relieve some of the pressure that’s on the current middle relievers to deliver in save situations. I think with the number of talented outfielders and catchers we have in the system, plus the fact that Betemit needs playing time, we could afford to trade Giles, LaRoche, Langerhans, Brayan Pena, any of our relievers (preferably Reitsma since he gets paid the most) and/or either Sosa or Thomson. Out of all those players I think we should be able to get a guy who can close for a few years and a guy who can get on base at the top of the order. They don’t have to be all stars, but solid role players would work just fine. I also wouldn’t be totally opposed to trading Chipper if it means more playing time for Betemit, especially since letting him go would allow us to spend a lot more money in the trade and free agency markets on guys like Dontrelle Willis.

Bottom line still is though, when you have a good coach like Leo Mazzone you can mask some of the flaws of your players. When you let a good coach leave, and replace him with a guy who hasn’t proven himself, you leave yourself vulnerable to exactly what is happening now.

By johnny

June 20, 2006 08:48 AM | Link to this

First refocus on defense, throwing to proper place. Hit cutoff man. Outside of k.ray, get someone who scouts can find that can throw strikes in relief.Hane T.Pendelton, keep or upgrade the hitting for those in slumps.The achilles heel seems to be that the bullpen cant hold a lead.John schuerhola is correct when he says that the veterans aren’t playing up to their potential.I still believe that the braves need a good leadoff man. Let Giles hit 6-8 in the order thank you

By Louis Vales

June 20, 2006 08:48 AM | Link to this

This team as the result of playing in a division with two teams at the poverty level in spending—Expos/Nationals and Marlins(And you saw what happened only 2 times Marlins spent money)—another team that wasrun incompetently(Mets) and the Phillies————So the Braves basically had to beat the Phillies prior 14 years to be Easten Div Champion. WOW!!!!! Therefore with 14 opportunities to win a World Series they were able to win ONE LESS World Series than the Florida Marlins. That is a record that makes the Buffalo Bills look really, really good. My statement is—Why rebuild them anyway?/ With basically a clear path to post season last 14 years and much of that time staff had 3 Hall of Fame future pitchers on it. The Braves are what they are and when history reevaluates the chance they were afforded due to mediocrity of division they played in maybe some of this DYNASTY crap will finally be blown away.

By BravesDweeb

June 20, 2006 08:59 AM | Link to this

Since were not going to trade any of our overpaid, underachieving, veteran leadership types, you know, the 5 players tying up 75% of the payroll, instead …

The Braves should offer a package of Reitsma, LaRoche, Orr, Sosa, Remlinger, Pratt, Langerhans, Giles, Villaeal, Cormier & Thomson to the Yankees for closer Mariano Rivera.

By Randy

June 20, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this

I know that the Braves are playing like the AA Braves, but I say that this little slump can’t last to much longer. Right now the whole team is fighting each other, blaming each other and just actiong like a bunch of kids, They need to add some spunk! they need that fight back into them, when was the last time you saw the braves wearing their rally caps? I think that JS needs to pull a BIG trade one that will shake up this line up and bring some life back into it! here is my two cents on the line up

1B- Time to trade LaRoche, he has proved that he can’t hit Lefties and his D has dropped this year also, I know he has 10 hrs through 64 games (on pace for 25) but he already has 50 Ks and only had 87 last year, he is Slow and maybe a change of teams will be best for both Atlanta and Adam… I say we plug in Jurries, Thorman, Betemit, or Chipper! Time to put an end to the Jordan era! Keep him though as a coach, or something!

2B I have always loved the little man Giles, but if you look at the past few seasons he has declined a lot, his D has gooten a little better but his bat has gone soft I know he had a good year last year but it seams like he’ll have one good year than 2 bad ones, I belive that he is better in the 2 spot or lower in the batting order, I still don’t understand why Cox hasn’t tried different line-ups? I think that Giles could be part of a block-buster trade and let the new 2b play or Betemit.

SS I’m pretty happy with Edgar, the only thing I miss about Furcal is his Arm i think that he’ll hit around 18 HRs with about 80 RBIs, maybe 20-25 SB with a .300 AVG!

3B You have to love Chipper if you are a Braves fan but I think that Chipper doesn’t have the Love any more! I have been watching the games real close this year and Chipper (34) is looking very OLD, maybe he is upset he gave some of his money back, hoping they would invest it back into the team and not put it into their pockets. I think that If we did land a major trade than Chipper might have a change of Heart, I also like the idea of moving him to 1B, and putting Marte (oops he’s gone )

C WOW what has gotten into McCain, he is the unsung hero this year! I wonder what are we going to do with Salty? (1B or a the Key to a trade) We do need a better back up though!

SP Smoltz, Hudson thumbs up! Thomson, Ramierz so-so, Sosa is No-No! I think that if we get Davies back than some one is going to pen or getting traded!

RP- just plain awful! needs a make over bad!

OF- Jones is a stud! Ryan is a DUD, Frenchy needs to walk more but he is still young he has raw skills that needs to be refined,

TRADE ideas….. LaRoacha, Giles, Jordan, Langerhans, Daiz, Thomson, Ramierz, Sosa, Davies, Betemit and the blue chips in the minors…

Wishful thinking trades…. Willis and Cabrera.. might cost us Salty plus the whole AA team but might be worth is also…

Soriano- will sove the LF and Lead off problems but will also cost a lot

Crawford- same as Soriano

and any team that willing to give some bull-pin help

By Robert

June 20, 2006 09:39 AM | Link to this

Remove the donkey from the dugout

By BES

June 20, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this

Some of the trade scenarios proposed on this blog are absolute non-sense.

1)Trade for A-Rod? Why on earth would the Yankees trade the reigning MVP for anything the Braves could offer them? Why would the Braves, whose goal in this trade would be to cut payroll and/or make the post-season, trade for a guy who makes $25 mil/yr and disappears come October?

2)Miguel Cabrera? Do you really think the Marlins are going to trade this guy or Dontrelle Willis? Didn’t they just pass the Braves in the standings 6 months after dumping all of their veterans?

3)It would be absolutely absurd to trade ALL of the veteran core. I would agree with getting rid of Brian Jordan and Todd Pratt but you don’t have to make trades to do that. Releasing them and bringing up Thorman and Pena would be best. Detroit isn’t going to want Smoltz. Their pitching staff is just fine. Chipper may not be a leader or the player he used to be but good luck finding someone who will give you anyone of value for him and finding a team he would consent to go to as a 10/5 player. Don’t trade Andruw Jones— just yet. Keep him for now, try to start extension negotiations with him in the offseason and, if that goes nowhere, then look into trading him next year or letting him walk and taking the compensatory draft pick.

4)Some of the veterans can stand to be traded. Giles is simply out of place as a lead-off hitter. He is an above average second baseman and was very good in the 2 spot for the Braves in the past. Some team would give the Braves someone of value (hopefully a bullpen arm[s]). Hudson has been over-hyped since day 1 in Atlanta. He is a good pitcher but not a consistent front of the line starter that he was made out to be. With a shortage of even adequate starters on the trading block this year, Hudson would command a pretty good price from a contending team looking to add pitching (Dodgers?).

By Randy

June 20, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this

my trades was wishful thinking!!!!

By Chris

June 20, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this

First off, quit trading young talent (especially pitching) for one-year rental players.

Two, don’t pay Smoltz, Chipper, and Andruw super star money when the produce just above average numbers. Smoltz was a super star closer, but not a superstar regular season starter. Chipper does hit around .290 or .300 but the power numbers have been fading. Andruw produced last year and he is a run producer this year. His avg will alway be about .260-.280 though.

That is where to start… however after reading O’Brien’s column I believe the Braves are destined to be the Hawks if they are banking on Mike Hampton… come on now!

By krath

June 20, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this

Let’s see…..how to fix the Braves. Hummm JS said in todays AJC that he won’t trade veterans or Salty or what seems to be any of the top line prospects.

Since he won’t do any of the above, that means that he’s willing to throw scraps out to get more scraps.

Seems like that was the plan that he followed this past Winter.

Oh heck why not….. let’s just keep what we got hold hands and sit by the river and sing Cum ba Ya.

That will make everything A-OK!

:o)

By Nick

June 20, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this

What they need to do is somehow get rid of Sosa & Thomson, keep Smoltz, Hudson, Davies, Ramirez & Chuck James for the rotation. As far as the bullpen, keep Ray, McBride and Villereal. Get rid of the rest, especially Chris “Danny Kolb” Resmita. I have no clue who could replace them, but just get rid of them. Also, MAKE John Smoltz be the closer. It probably make him last a little longer, too. Then, get rid of the old guys like Brian Jordan and Todd Pratt. Bring up Bryan Pena and have Eddie Perez serve as some kind of coach so he can tutor the young catchers. Also, get rid of LaRoache, he does nothing. With that said, Chipper would have to go to 1st base because Wilson needs to be in the lineup and at 3rd base. Either Chipper plays 1st or get rid of him and get someone to platoon with Thorman. I would be the first to say that I would like to see Chipper in another uniform, but it’s a business. Then, put Giles in another spot in the lineup and get Carl Crawford for the leadoff spot and have him play LF with Langerhans as a reserve.

LINEUP

LF Crawford SS Renteria 1B C. Jones CF A. Jones C McCann 2B Giles 3B Benemit RF Franceour Pitcher

But that would make the lineup tricky after the 5th spot. But that spells a winner to me.

By Doug

June 20, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

It is really very simple. The 2006 season is over for the Braves. Ask yourself this question: Would you swap the Braves players for the Marlins players straight up? I would in a heart beat. The Marlins have shown time and again that you can reload by trading the big name veterans for other teams blue chip prospects. If I was the Braves GM for a month, that is exactly what I would do. Goodbye Chipper, Andruw, Smoltz, & Hudson. Also, cut loose LaRoche and Pratt if no team offers a prospect for them…and finally, send the bull pen packing.

By ugadawg

June 20, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this

Why is everybody’s first solution to any problem to move somebody to first base? It’s not an easy position to play. Ken Caminiti, anyone? LaRoche is one of the best defensive first basemen you’ll find. And his average is almost a mirror of Franceours’. Get off his back unless you’re willing to place blame elsewhere, as well.

By quint

June 20, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this

Bullpen: You can’t tell me that there is not a team or two with some good bullpen arms who wouldn’t be willing to trade for a couple of good AA or AAA pitchers or hiiters. Infield: What about Jurries at first? LaRoche is not cutting it. He should have a clue by now. I love Marcus Giles, but trade him to Washington for Soriano. Soriano is a hitter. He can play lead-off, he an steal bases, and he hits for average and power. Let Hubbard tutor him at second the way he did Giles and his defense will improve, too. It was only a few years ago when he was predicted to be the first 50-50 man in baseball. I doubt it, but just look at his skills.

By Robert

June 20, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

Put yourself in another team’s shoes. What would you give up for a Langerhans, or a LRoche, or for any of the clown in the bullpen?

I’ve heard the opinion that lots of other teams would love to have Cox. I say we act on that and get what we can for him, ASAP. Of course, once they found out what a donkey he is, they’d never trade with us again, but that’s a risk worth taking to get rid of the one thing that has been holding the Braves back all these years

By Ron

June 20, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

We need leaders. The braves were known for taking a so-so pitcher and turning him to a star. We did it because we had leaders in the bullpin that could teach the rookies the keys to success. Now we traded away the vetrans and now we have no leadership. Smoltz thinks hes too good to close a game or teach the young bucs. He needs to realize hes not. As a matter of fact he hasnt been good enough to win the whole thing in 14 years.

Hire some vetrans to teach and let the boys play ball.

By BOBO

June 20, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

Robert and Robert you are 100% correct. WHO WOULD WANT BRAVES REJECTS? No BULLS in bullpen,BUT A “DONKEY IN THE DUGOUT, DONKEY KONG MUST GO.”

By jim

June 20, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this

Bring up the kids and let them play There is Zero chance this team will make the playoffs. Short of a nine player trade and exchanging bullpens with anyone who would take the garbage the Braves put out there night after night this season is done. Getting young upcoming stars for C Jones Giles and Smoltz if he wont go back to the bullpen is the way to start. Next hire a real pitching coach and send Mcdowell back to fixing slot machines in Las Vegas. Nice job Roger and take Terry Pendelton with you the Braves have Never been a great hitting team and he has been the hitting coach for a long time. Finally get a manager who understands he has no talent and needs to make moves to improve what he is playing with. McCann is the best hitter on the Braves right now and should hit Third or clean up. Giles is not a lead off hitter to move some one else there Renteria maybe. And finally you are struggling to score runs in any fashion. If you have players who cant bunt either teach them to or get rid of them. Its discraceful that this team is so fundamentally poor I wouldnt let a little league team watch them for fear they would think that what the Braves do isa good baseball. Isnt Lou Pinella looking for work. Boobys treat them like Im their father isnt working anymore.

By Keith

June 20, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this

By Keith Posted June 20 at 2:10

The first thing to do is trade Marcus Giles for a pitcher and put Betemet at second permantly. One of the best bats in the squad only gets used spareingly. The second thing is bench Langerhans and put Matt Diaz in left field permantly. Third, trade Brian Jordan for a pitcher. Forth, give Larouche two more weeks. If he does not improve, bring up a new first baseman from Richmond, and trade LaRouche for a pitcher. Lastly, bring up relief pitchers from Richmond. If they do these changes, they will probably finish the season in third or forth place. Otherwise, they will surely finish last if they do nothing. All National League teams improved except the bravos. Too Bad. Also, it is too bad we still have Bobby Cox as their manager. We need to think about a change, but maybe not this year.

By bamachum

June 20, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this

Some of ya’ll are ridulous…

Suggesting a fire sale? laughable

With the amount of “fair-weather” fans in Atlanta, if the Braves were to start over at zero, no one would come to games, and those that did would be the same losers at Turner Field this weekend sporting their @#$% Red Sox hats.

The bullpen shows promise for next season. Starters should be sufficent. The biggest need is a leadoff hitter and getting rid of The Roach. Move Chipper to First, otherwise his production will continue to drop. Part ways with Jordan, Pratt, etc.

By Randy

June 20, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

I don’t think the Braves can be fixed this year. Too many needs. Not enough cash to spend. Need middle relief, closer, 2 SPs, LF, 1B, 2B and a speedy leadoff hitter.

It’s been a heck of a run. As things are going, the Marlins will win ANOTHER world series before the Braves do. They’ve already won 2 since our last and only one. They spend and win, sell and rebuild, then win again. Not a bad model.

14 straight pennants is nice, but I’d rather win more World Series with some in between rebuilding years. Selling our young talent just to try to get into the post season again is digging for fools gold. Look at interleague play. The AL is dominant again this year. Don’t give up our young talent just to choke again in the post season. I’d rather add to the substatial young talent we are already developing.

I’d keep Andrew (Andrew = Willie Mays, and he’s still young), but sell off the rest for top minor leaguers. As our stars age we will get less and less for them (or out of them). We are 13.5 back for pete’s sake and its only June. I’ve loved our team and really appreciate them. Let them go to contenders and let’s cheer them to another title this year. We need to be in good hands as they retire. Keeping the team intact and waiting for Hampton to come back to win next year is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. We’ll end up like the Yankees where everyone is old and creaky or young and not real good with no minor leaguers on the way to help.

I’d love to see a repeat of 1987. We sent aging Doyle Alexander to the 1st place Tigers for Smoltz. Doyle was awesome down the stretch for Detroit. Let’s let aging Smoltz go back to the Tigers for their #1 pick this year - Dr. Destroy (Andrew Miller), the best player in the draft. I’d love to see Smoltz help the Tigers win another World Series - this very well could be their year. I’d REALLY love to see Miller’s name on the back of a Braves jersey next year.

I do thank Smoltz, Chipper, Cox, Schuerholz, and yes, even Tanner for the great effort put in and the unbelievable FOURTEEN seasons. This will never be repeated. But all good things do come to an end. Let’s get something out of it before it’s too late. Especially good young starting pitching. Tanner was right - pitching, pitching, pitching.

Target: Andrew Miller, Anthony Reyes, Chad Billingsley. All future aces on 1st place teams. Pay whatever they ask. We need some dominant arms - and for years to come.

By Jeff

June 20, 2006 07:41 PM | Link to this

There are two things we need to do:

By robdawg06

June 21, 2006 08:57 AM | Link to this

Casey, you are an idiot. Here’s Chipper’s recent numbers. 2000 : 36 hr 111 rbi’s .311 BA 2001 : 38 hr 102 rbi’s .330 BA 2002 : 26 hr 100 rbi’s .327 BA 2003 : 27 hr 106 rbi’s .305 BA 2004 : 30 hr 96 rbi’s .248 BA

I guess averaging 30 hr 100 rbi’s and hitting .300 is below your standards. Hell, he’s one of the 10 best hitters in MLB over the past 10 years.

By Ed

June 23, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this

Put EVERYONE in the bull pen, including Bobby Dews, add McDowell, on a BUS, and lock the door. Next, go to Richmond, and then down into AA as far as necessary to get the TOTAL number of replacements. Could it possibly be ANY worse?? Absolutely not…..and at least, we would be seeing some NEW faces. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see some young kids on the field who REALLY WANT TO PLAY???

By Jeff Pace

June 26, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this

Doesn’t it just give your heart a thrill thinking about Time Warner. They are just a fantastic company with an overwhelming interest in the Braves.

By Chris

June 26, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this

Mets are in 1st! I love it. It’s been a long 7 years living here in Atlanta and watching the Braves win year after year. There’s a new sheriff in town, he’s name is Willie Randolph.