Braves

By Thrillhouse44

April 23, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

Nice italics, DOB. Do you think Andruw is just in the middle of a typical Andruw slump/anti-streak, or is he putting pressure on himself since it’s his walk year?

By Taylor

April 23, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

The Braves are gonna win the Series.

By Thrillhouse44

April 23, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

I swear this blog was all in italics the first time I read it…

By KneeJerk

April 23, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

Dolphin Stadium is a JOKE. They’ll do ANYTHING to get fans in there. The only thing tackier than the teal color is the cheerleaders. The ONLY good thing about the stadium is the easy turnpike access and the incredible video screen.

By Baron

April 23, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

Dodgers up a half game for league wide honors, not that it matters. Thorman seems like he might just be waking up, 4-13 with 2 doubles and a homer in his last 5 games. And his OPS is better than Frenchy’s, if you can believe it. Despite the LF hole we look pretty dang good, after popping the Mets in two series I’d say the class of the East, if not the whole NL. Haven’t seen the Doggers yet but I can’t have a great deal of faith in that particular pitching staff. Or the Met’s, for that matter.

By Bob in SF

April 23, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

Langerhans has not proved he is more than AAAA hitter. He has had a couple of decent streaks in his career but not this season and it might be time to give him a ticket to Richmond to get things straightened out. Thorman might come around but then I’ve read some other sources on Baseball America and ESPN.com say that he might also be a classic 4A player: a guy who will crush some mistakes but for the most part not be able to consistently hit good MLB pitching. The question is where do they get some help to replace Langy at the very least? Is there anyone on the farm that they think might be ready to take a jump and contribute? There has to be someone in AAA who might be a journeyman but can hit more than .064!

By Daybed Wagmoe

April 23, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

DOB, an error in the 4th paragraph:

They haven’t lost a game yet in which they trailed after six innings, and have won four of 10 games in which they trailed after six innings…

i’m guessing that first “trailed” should be “led”?

it’s good to see andruw showing signs of life in the last couple of games. hopefully he’s getting on the right track, and there won’t be anymore talk of moving mccann to the clean-up spot. i think he’s a prime candidate once andruw leaves atlanta, but for now, i don’t think it’s such a great idea. i like him hitting behind chipper and andruw, giving him the chance to bring more guys in when they’re on base. besides, mccann is great protection for andruw; if andruw were hitting behind mccann, i’d imagine opposing pithcers would be more apt to pitch around to get to druw.

happy birthday andruw!

By KneeJerk

April 23, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

Langerhans is Darren Lewis

By CMC

April 23, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Do you agree with me that Willie Randolph butchered that game yesterday for the Mutts? Leaving the lefty (can’t spell his name) in to face Renteria instead of going back to the bullpen was not a well-received move in New York, I am certain. I heard during the TV telecast that Randolph did not go so far as to say that the Braves were all the way back. I think that he needs to focus on his own game management skills intead of how the Braves are doing. I love the fight in this Braves team. You are right in that they aren’t on all cylinders right now and still managing to win games in a way that we didn’t see too often in 2006. Keep up the good work!!

By A.J.

April 23, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

I guess Floyd would probably be a good pick up. How long is his contract? Just a year or two?

It would be weird seeing Floyd in a Braves uni, I have gotten so used to hating him when he was a Met, Marlin, Expo.

I mean, this is a guy that for 12 and half of his 13 years in the majors (not counting 93 when he only played 10 games) coming into this season has been on a division rival. That’s an impressive streak.

Not to mention, my first memories of baseball watching were in 92 or 93 playoffs (watching Braves. v. Philles) and the first game I ever went to was in 94 for my 8th B-Day when the Braves beat the Phils (12 days before the strike). So you could say that for my entire baseball-watching life I have been rooting against Cliff Floyd.

Still, based on what you said, he does sound like a stand-up guy. I mean he respects Smoltz, Chipper, Bobby, so I respect him.

Heck, I even liked Sheffield when he was here and I KNEW he was a tool.

So yeah, I could get used to Cliff.

At least we have one thing in common: we have both been against the Phillies for 13 years.

By Brad in MT

April 23, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

I think that this team is gaining a lot of confidence with all of these wins, esp. considering that the team probably feels they can play a lot better. When everything starts to come together this team is going to be a really good team that knows how to win and believes it can win, something that was missing last year.

By Carroll

April 23, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

DOB: I think you laid out all the reasons why Floyd will NOT be the odd man out in Chicago—especially that tiny $3 mill price. I think the only one that we could hope to pry away from them would be Jones. I would accept him at this point—even though I’m not a fan of his—just to have a real LF! This might also help take some of the pressure off Wilson/Thorman.

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

The Dodgers own the best record at 13-6. But the Braves do hold the second best record, and if they win tonight, would be tied with the Dodgers for best record in the NL.

By Willy Wally

April 23, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

No. Darren Lewis could steal a base.

By Renegator

April 23, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

DOB,

How long does Langerhans have to start doing something before JS and BC get serious about finding a replacement? Are we talking weeks, months, what? What are your feelings being so close to it all?

By AZBravoFan

April 23, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

The LF-1B situation is starting to remind me of the ill-fated Mondesi-Jordan experiment of a few years ago. Don’t know how much more rope you can give these guys. Floyd would be interesting. But perhaps what they need is an injection of a young, hungry player. Sort of along the lines of Charles Thomas that year (remember him?) I was just looking at Brandon Jones’ numbers at Mississippi. He’s hitting .353 with 4 doubles, 2 HR 12 RBI and 4 SB. Sounds like a continuation of what he was doing in spring training. Wouldn’t mind seeing him in the lineup. Then we could have the Killer Joneses!

By ChrisinPA

April 23, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

DOB

I think the Braves need to do something with Langerhans, he looked completely lost at the plate against Heilman, on Sunday. Is it too early to think about Brandon Jones, or even consider Doug Clark? That would require the Braves sending him through waivers, right?

Did you get a chance to take a listen to Phonograph yet? If you did…what did you think?

By DC Braves Fan

April 23, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

DOB What about a LF from our own farm - G.Blanco & B.Jones (shoot even W.Harris) have all gotten off to good starts! They can’t do any worse than our current configuration.

By Willy Wally

April 23, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

I am tired of this team being Langersharted. Langerhans with his bat is Darren Bragg and at whatever his best is going to be: Xavier Nady.

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

I’d agree with Carroll on that Floyd call. From all I’ve read, the Cubs were excited to bring Floyd home (I guess he grew up in Chicago). And, after the offseason rumblings of trading Jones, I’d imagine he will be the one on the block prior to any others. His draw back is his salary. Maybe the Cubs could cover part of it.

I think it’s a little early to make a trade though. We have yet to see how Davies will do, and Cormier and Redman. Though I’m pretty sure Redman will blow more often than not. We have a little bit of cash, alluded to by JS, from the Hampton Insurance, so we might be able to swing a deal for Jones, but I’d imagine no deal will be swung for anyone until we are absolutely perfectly comfortable with the pitching. If no comfort is found in the pitching, then a move to secure it would come ahead of LF.

By Alan

April 23, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

DOB, as always, you’ve just about covered everything. To use another cliche, we can’t really say the Braves are doing this with mirrors, but things are going very well, aren’t they? This despite the bottom third of the order being a disaster. A guy like Cliff Floyd or Jacque Jones would be welcome IMO. And as good as KJ has been lately, I still say he’s not going to stay in the leadoff spot any longer than this year - and maybe next. Someone yesterday compared his approach and swing to J.D. Drew’s. I agree. At this moment, KJ is the logical successor to Chipper in the 3-hole. I’d still love to see the Braves get a “true” leadoff guy (that is, a Furcal/Reyes/Rollins type) and do a bit more of manufacturing runs. And staying patient. Not that those other guys are exactly patient, either, but they’re more patient than any Brave aside from KJ, Edgar, Chipper and McCann. The Braves have really struggled against lefthanders (which clearly is why they’re seeing so many of them). Willis has owned the Braves lately - let’s hope they make him work tonight and just don’t go hacking away. Frankly, if things don’t turn around in LF soon, I’d take a close look at Willie Harris. He’d inject a lot of speed at the bottom of the order, which is another ingredient that’s in short supply.

By MBATL

April 23, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

Floyd sounds like a nice addition, but he’s got a ton of incentives for plate appearances and/or games started, that could push his ‘07 pay to 7.5 mil, and might guarantee him a big contract in ‘08 (another reason for the cubbies to sit him or trade him). Details aren’t completely clear to me, but we’d have to be a little careful there, it seems…

By knowitall

April 23, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

Bob in SF, for the 100th time, the Braves can’t just send Langerhans to the minors. He is out of options so they have to decide whether or not he will make any offensive contribution at all this year. Sending him to the minors would mean that he would have to clear wavers and at his price, I’m sure some team would pick him up because of his defensive ability.

By BossLady

April 23, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe I got on the front end of the blog usually 400 or more

By Mike S

April 23, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

We’ve got some decent outfielders that were non-roster invitees. Willie Harris is murdering the ball right now. He played a pretty good CF and stole some bases during spring training.Why not?

By ncscoots

April 23, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

You guys do realize that most of the names being bandied about as replacements in LF are not even on the 40-man roster, right? Right?

Blanco is the only guy at Richmond who is both hitting there and actually on the 40-man. Unfortunately, he’s also slugging about .380, which means at the ML level, he just gets the bat knocked out of his hands. Probably not the answer.

By Baron

April 23, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

It’s way too early to start thinking about Cliff Floyd or Jacque Jones or any such, for a couple reasons: 1. Too early to tell if Langy, Thorman, Wilson and Diaz can between them produce at some level aproaching major league. Considering our other bats, they don’t even need to be league average. They just can’t be league stink. 2. Replacement level major leaguers like the afore mentioned just aren’t neccessarily an upgrade over Wilson and Diaz. 3. We may have help in the minors. 4. All those guys except Thorman would have to clear waivers to be sent down, although the way things are going it might not be the worst thing if someone wants to claim Wilson, Diaz or Langy. 5. And the biggest reason to stand pat, until probably the All-Star break: We could conceivably trade for a real value player. We’ll need to wait for teams to fall out of contention, and for other teams (just as the Braves) to suss out exactly what kind of help/prospects they are in need of. My Bosox pal and I have been debating a Soriano or Gonzalez for Wily Mo Pena or Kevin Youklis trade since spring training, but we finally decided that, as long as both teams remain in contention, there is just no reason to pull the trigger until the deadline, even if you’ve already agreed in principle. This also gives time for Langy/Thorman/Wilson (I like Diaz off the bench) to exhibit some kind of value that someone might find useful in a trade. And who knows, maybe we pick up a Fred McGriff, a real difference maker from a team that’s out of it, if some crazy Braves exec decides that an extra 2-3 mill in salary this season might be an okay business decision if it makes us World Series contenders.

In short, we’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain by exhibiting patience. We’re in first place! Oh yea-eeyeah!

By Hunter

April 23, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB, I appreciate the trade fodder, but I doubt Floyd is going anywhere. He’s from Chicago and the GM out there loves him and signed him in spite of the fact that he already had 4 left fielders on his roster. They were begging people to take Jones of their hands in the offseason and couldn’t do it. He’s making too much money. I’d love for JS to get his hands on Murton, all that guy does is hit, but I don’t think Henry is that stupid. It looks like we’re stuck with what we got right now.

BTW, anybody noticing what Salty is doing so far this year. Dude is hitting almost .400 with 4 HR’s in about a dozen games so far. Between, him and Brandon Jones and the pitching of Jo-Jo Reyes and Matt Harrison, they’re in first place and doing ok, thank you very much. I don’t think Jones is ready and it may even be a little early to think about Salty coming up, but if the guys in LF and 1B don’t pick it up by July, we could be looking at their replacements coming from downstairs.

By Willy Wally

April 23, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

Baldelli. His name has not been mentioned on here for a few days so I thought I would mention it just for the hell of it.

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

Scott Thorman is hitting .308 in his past five games with an OPS over a thousand. He’s coming around. It’s unfortunate for him that he has been relegated to a platoon role.

Especially considering this:
Season AB H 2B 3B HR AVG OBP SLG
2006 92 27 1 1 3 0.293 0.365 0.424

That’s Thor’s split against lefties last season in the minors. Not that much power against lefties, but a great average.

By DonCoburleone

April 23, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

Everyone is missing the point when it comes to calling somebody up… In order to do that you’d have to send Langerhans down, and since he has no options left he’d have to pass through waivers. And despite his .064 BA, I guarantee you somebody would pick him up as a 4th outfielder for his glovework alone. He must really be a favorite of Cox, otherwise I think he’d already have been sent down to try and clear waivers….

By ncscoots

April 23, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Willy, I needed that cold slap at the end of a long day :-)

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

HA! Nice Willy Wally. This is a new blog, so lets lament one last time that Cincy tied up Freel long term. And how about Crawford? Anyone? Anyone?

By Brad in MT

April 23, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

I think its too early to be thinking about trading for a new LF. If the Braves are going to call someone up they would have to have lost all confidence in Langerhans producing, and I don’t see them feeling that way right now, but if he’s still struggling in another month they might have to reconsider.

By ElbravoX

April 23, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

Release Hampton, use the money to sign Bernie Williams. I am a freaking genius. Call me Mr. X! ~genius~

By BosnianBaller

April 23, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Flloyd is good, but Jason Micheals or David Dellucci would be better

By Carolina Gent

April 23, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

So here I am happily reading away at another of DOBeatWriter’s famous blogs when three things occur to me that I wanted to comment on. THat, in itself is unusual since I normally prefer to let others do the blogging while I enjoy the reading, but felt it was tiome for my monthly post, so here goes…

Cliff Floyd? Sounds like he’d be a good addition, but I agree with others that he’s probably not going to be made available. Do I remember that Langy has no options left? Seems like even with a .0whatever average, somebody would pick him up for defense, but maybe that’s OK, too if Diaz/Floyd could hold the fort until B. Jones was ready to come up from Mississippi.

The fast start, and the weekend series in particular, has been really, really fun to watch. You could feel it back in spring training, from the super blogs DOB gave us back then. I do have a couple of concerns, however. As awesome as the bullpen has been, I’m concerned about burnout. Hudson won’t throw 8 innings of 0’s each time out, but I’m still uneasy about Davies and Redman, and who knows if Cormier will be as good in his return as he was before the injury. That seems like at least 2 question marks in the rotation, putting more pressure on a bend, but don’t break, bullpen. SO far, so good. No complaints. But I’m a Braves fan so I have to worry about something, right?

FInally, as our (well, everyone but Robert) Bobby Cox approaches the MLB record for ejections, what should be the fitting momento? The ball? No. Home plate? Maybe, since he’s most often tossed for protecting his pitchers. How about the cap from the ump who puts him in the books? Seems like that would be “fitting.”

By T-bone

April 23, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

Agreed, DOB, we have to do something at either LF or 1B, maybe both. I also agree that the Braves are on a roll, and they have that swagger of the Braves of old. They go into a game expecting to win. However …

I do think that things will somewhat catch up with them. Andruw will come around and be Andruw—maybe .270, 40-50 HRs, but not the best clutch hitter. And the team ERA will get better. The top 3 starters are solid and between Davies, Redman, and Cormier, we’ll get enough quality starts in the 4 & 5 slots to get by. And Gonzo will regain his form (surely he knows that he auditioning for the closer spot for next year) and Bobby will find a reliable spot lefty from the farm (it isn’t McBride right now), so the bullpen will improve also.

But none of this will improve the production in LF & 1B, and I don’t think we can enter a penant run in late July with those two key offensive positions being dormant. Floyd would certainly be a great addition, especially playing DH in October (I’m thinking ahead—but so far, nobody has stopped the Braves). But JS needs to think a bit farther down the road. Can we make a trade now for an outfielder to take Andruw’s place if he leaves after this season? I still have Rocco on the brain.

I think that the Braves are one offensive piece (LF or 1B) away from having a great season. But I fear without that piece, a long season may catch up to us at some point.

By jed

April 23, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

I like the Cliff Floyd idea, and think it might definitely happen in a couple months. And if the Cubs were smart, they’d trade Floyd for Langerhans. Stop groaning. Eventually, Ryan’s gonna hit about .270, and then he’ll be a thoroughly valuable player. Key word there is “eventually.” But what can Cox do with him? Ryan’s out of options, but he desperately needs to be in Richmond right now. So since a lot of you are on Cox about this, answer the full question: What would you do with Langerhans? Just put him on waivers?

By meansonny

April 23, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

It has been mentioned before about all the lefties that the Braves have faced. They are 5-5 when going up against a left handed starter (2 of those wins were Glavine’s starts)

The Bravos are 7-1 when facing a right handed starter. Our lefthanded hitters are playing much tougher against right handed pitching. A homerun in every 21 plate appearances for the team (that includes Langerhans production).

Again, stats this early in the season don’t mean much (Coach the Braves were 11-10 in 2004 with all that run production and dominant ERA for the month of April. The stats hadn’t kicked in yet at that point when they finished with 96 wins).

But I think this is a good sign as we start to play more teams outside our division and face more right handed starters. Hopefully, our win/loss will continue on that 7-1 pace.

By TRobb

April 23, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

I like the Floyd idea. It makes sense.

By Baron

April 23, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

I for one think Thorman may wind up decent. He looked bad bad BAD for the first two weeks but he’s shown some discipline and plan of late. I’d like to see him play everyday for a while. Diaz and Wilson are going to be okay- they are what they are. Langy is in BIG trouble. He’s just a mess up there right now. That at bat yesterday- man, when he walked back to the dugout, he looked exactly like I felt on the day I knew I was going no further in competitive baseball. There’s no where for him to go. He needs to sit for a week and then be brought slowly back, hitting only against the dregs of the league. His career is at stake right now- he’s in a tail spin that he may not be able to pull out of.

By knowitall

April 23, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

Eh, Mr. Genius(ElbavoX), you still have to pay Hampton if you release him and he still counts towards the salary cap. Genius indeed.

By ernesto

April 23, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

ElbravoX releasing Hampton won’t…awww forget it. Great idea.

By ElbravoX

April 23, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

Bernie, Bernie, Bernie!!!

By jed

April 23, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

TP—I like Crawford and Baldelli, of course. Just not sure what we’d have to give up for one of them. I think the Floyd trade could be done quickly, in comparison. Gotta say, your confidence in Thorman doesnt make a lot of sense to me. .308 in his last five games? Not exactly a staggering statistic. I agree with you that he’s got to get AB’s…I’m just not optimistic about what we’ll see when he does. But I’m CERTAINLY not faulting Cox for playing Wilson against LHP. I expect to see Wilson start hitting very soon…

By rammerjammer

April 23, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

DOB, it ain’t like you to start floating trade ideas unless there’s something brewing. So I have a feeling JS is on the phone to someone, somewhere…thinking that this LF situation is not going to fix itself. And he’s probably right.

By Fred from CT

April 23, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

knowitall

There is no salary cap

By flange1

April 23, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this

Hi All,

DOB, any news on McCann fingers? That looked like a nasty pitch that could cause some real problems especially if his fingers got sandwiched between the bat and the ball.

Wilson looked a bit better yesterday, but he still looks to me if something is bothering him. I remember watching him play for the Pirates, and he always seemed happy, smiling and joking. Now, he is always somber. He also looked totally overmatched vs. Oliver Perez.

I think he is the key to the 1B and LF situations. If his sholder will allow him to play left and leave Thorman alone and let him play 1B, I think we would be fine. I don’t think Diaz is an everyday player. If Langy can’t find his stroke, we need to look to Wilson.

By jed

April 23, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this

I’m pretty sure X was joking….

By Rosalynn

April 23, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this

If theah ah good outfieldahs in the minahs, then the Braves should bring one up for a cup of coffah and see what that boah can do. Langahans does not look well and probabla need some rest and relaxation.

Ah have seen mah name mentioned sevahral times by some otha bloggah. That is also the little bloggah that picks on jimma smith a lot.

That little bloggah will not leave jimma smith alone! That bloggah also blogs about yoahs trula, Rosalynn Smith Carter. Notice Ah said, Rosalynn SMITH Carter. Cousins. Does that explain everathing that needs to be explained Mr. Uglablogger?

One might think Stinka is back but this is likela just a pooah imitation. Now, as to the use of a nom de plume - Ah think that boah LeTwan Anthona was the fuhst bloggah in this sequence but that boah tuhned to juhnalism as a juhnalist and has been vera happpa doin’ juhnalism on this blog.

Now, let’s talk a little moah baseball … Ah think the Braves will make a trade with Milwauka for left fieldah Kevin Mench. That boah will bring a lot to this Braves team. jimma smith can tell moah about this storah latuh.

By meansonny

April 23, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this

Brad in MT I’m guessing here, but Langerhans probably has till Mid May (give or take depending on his strikeout totals) to prove his merit in the platoon.

I’d give him till mid June to prove his merits on the roster spot. If nothing improves, they’ll waive him. The only option for him at this point is to take up a roster spot, or to cut him loose. They’ll only do that after giving him ample time to put up or go home (why else would we let him go with nothing in return).

June (for the roster spot) is enough time to not cost us in the playoff push and in the post season. But again, why cut ties when you don’t have to. Right now, he’s actually a very cheap option in LF. This may alleviate some money which can be spent later in the year (as opposed to taking on the whole salary for the entire year).

By ElbravoX

April 23, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this

Knowitall It’s an ongoing topic here. Just testing the waters.

By Willy Wally

April 23, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

Release Hampton and use the money to sign Bernie, huh? Uh-oh, after hearing that comment, I am concerned about DOB’s welfare. After reading that, DOB has a broken Pixies record repeating endlessly in his head: Where is my mind? Where is my mind? Where is my mind?

By MizzouGuru

April 23, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

I would have absolutely no interest in Cliff Floyd. He is injury prone and not much of a defender. Also, I think Matt Diaz will hit. He pretty much always has- thru the minors and in MLB. He is streaky, though. It’s still real early.

By KC

April 23, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

Coach: “We appear to have ourselves a 90-95 win season so far. Those Mets are on pace for a 96-100 win season. You don’t seem to think they can keep it up , I hope your right.”

Hope I’m right??? Of course I’m right! lol

Seriously though… while I may be wrong about many things, there’s no possible way I could be wrong about this.

Again, the Mets are on pace to finish the season with a 1,000 runs scored and a team ERA of 2.68. Do *YOU *think they can keep that up?

Do you think we’re looking at the greatest pitching of our era and the best lineup since the Big Red Machine? Beacause if they keep this up, that’s what they’ll be. They win 120 games and will be regarded as one of the best teams in the history of the game.

Forgive my skeptecism. They’re a good team… a darn good team… but they’re not good enough to finish the season with 1,000 runs and having led both leagues in ERA. It is a near statistical certainty that their hitting will tail off a bit, and their pitching will tail off a lot.

The Braves are likely to hit better and pitch better than they have so far… while the Mets will have to come back to earth somewhat in the near future. They’ll still win a lot of games, but they can’t keep up this pace of hitting or pitching.

By Yars

April 23, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

What if the Braves got rid of Langerhans & then called up Brandon Jones & he stinks it up? He just doesn’t produce for us? Then what? I don’t think Bobby/front office has given up on Langy. However, if Langy is not even hitting .150 by mid-May, then we’ve got a problem. Matt Diaz isn’t playing much better. I don’t see Cliff Floyd being the answer. What about a player like Corey Patterson or Jay Payton in LF? As long as Kelly Johnson keeps producing in the leadoff spot, why move him out of it? That wouldn’t make any sense, at least not this season. Let’s not think about next season right now, in which I think he won’t be batting leadoff. He has too much power & doesn’t steal enough bases to bat leadoff. KJ would thrive in the #5 or #6 spot. As of right now, I say leave KJ in the leadoff spot. Thor needs to play more, not just against RH pitching. I have way more confidence in Thor than I do C. Wilson at the moment. I enjoy seeing Thor play. The guy gives 120% every game he plays in.

By RedEyedAndBlue

April 23, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

DOB, what are the Braves’ options with Aybar? They have suspended him indefinitely (not paying him) but what would happen if they released him? Would they be responsible for the remainder on his contract?

I may be in the minority, but I think Cox should let Langy have at least three at-bats everyday ‘til he breaks out of his slump. No point in a platoon if neither player is hitting. Stick the one who is less agile defensively on the pine.

By beachcomber

April 23, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this

There is one good thing about Dolphin Stadium. When you live halfway between Atlanta and Miami as I do - it is a much easier ticket down South. At the end of June, next Braves trip in, we will walk up and have seats behind home plate. I know it’s not a home game but half the fans will be wearing Brave’s colors so you feel almost at home. On another matter, I agree with my fellow blogger, Langy, a great kid, is lost. He reminds me of Reitsma last year - just lost. But I will prefer we look within for a solution.

By DonCoburleone

April 23, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

I like the idea of getting a left fielder, but Cliff Floyd is not even being offered in a trade by the Cubs. They want to get rid of Jacque Jones, not Cliff Floyd. If they were to trade Cliff Floyd, I’m sure they’d want alot more than anyone would be willing to give up.

And Wily Mo Pena for Soriano or Gonzalez? Are you serious??? How horrible of a trade would that be. I’d rather have Coco Crisp than Wily Mo Pena. The Youkilis trade idea is not a horrible one though… That guy makes KJ’s OBP look weak…

All that being said though, one thing I’m certain of is that we are stuck with Wilson/Thorman at first and Langerhans/Diaz in left until at least July.

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this

jed: My Confidence in Thor is based in the fact that he is showing life. Had he played all five games in a row and played full time at that, the .308 would be more impressive… his season average would look better as well. Similar situation with KJ. For weeks there was weeping and gnashing of teeth that KJ was even on the team, then he hits over .300 for a week and all of the sudden everyone gets it. Thor would be in the same boat if not for that platoon. Plus, there is Thor’s season last year… .298 with 15 HR in AAA. He split time between ATL and Richmond to combine for .279 with 20 HR in 437 at bats. That’s about 25 HR per 550 at bats. He has what it takes. He also K’s at a fairly low rate. And most importantly, he hustles like no one’s business. I’d play him every day for his hustle alone just as an example to the other guys.

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

jed: Crawford and Baldilli was also in jest.

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

Plus, while 5 games is a relatively few amount of games, we must remember, we’ve played less than 20 total.

By Willy Wally

April 23, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this

Druw will not be traded (been discussed too many times about why not) but for fantasy geek purposes: How about Druw, Diaz, Wilson, Davies for Millar, Patterson, Payton, Cabrera, and a few prospects? Never gonna happen but then you could have Patterson in center, Payton in left, Langerhans off the bench, Cabrera who has more upside than Davies, Davies could go back to work with Mazzone, Millar would be better than Wilson, ease Thorman in and out at 1B and LF with less pressure if Millar is here, having Millar’s presence in the lockerroom would be helpful and change the identity of the team, and a few prospects to make up for the loss of Druw who we were going to lose anyway. Not going to happen obviously and I don’t know if it would make any sense anyway because Payton and Patterson could be more expensive holes in the lineup than Diaz and Langerhans and Wilson. Also, the Orioles are not that great, so why would you want essentially a third of their offense?

What about Druw for Tejada straight up since Tejada always complains about being there and you would essentially not have to pay much more money for Tejada than Druw is currently getting?

Throw in Diaz and/or Wilson for Millar.

Once you get Tejada, then trade Renteria to the Cubs for Pie, Floyd, and prospects.

Repeat after me, Where is My Mind? Where is My Mind? Where is My Mind?

By T-bone

April 23, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

They need to tade for a speedster and put him in LF and find a big bat for 1B. Then move KJ to #6 or #7 in the order; let him protect Frenchy.

By Chop Chop

April 23, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this

I challenge the folks at Turner Field to play an audio clip of “Apache, ‘pache boy! Apache, ‘pache boy!” whenever a Braves player hits a homer.

By David O'Brien

April 23, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

Sorry about the couple of typos. That’s what happens sometimes in this new age when you’re firing off blogs while trying to unpack and get out to the ballpark and download stats and blah blah blah. These things aren’t copy-edited like the stories that go in the paper.

Anyway, fixed the one thing _ obviously I mean haven’t lost a game when they LED after six innings, not when they trailed. But that fact and their 4-6 record in games in which they did trail after six … pretty impressive.

OK, NEWS ON McCANN: Not in lineup today, might or might not play tomorrow, depending whether Bobby wants him to rest another day. McCann said he wants to play tomorrow.

As reported yesterday, just bruised, X-rays negative. He’s got a black-and-blue fingertip on his ring finger, but he took BP and lifted weights, etc. It’s not a big deal.

KELLY JOHNSON is out of lineup tonight, WOODWARD leading off.

Pretty typical of Bobby _ don’t rest Kelly the day after his 0-for-4, 4K game, but rest him after his two-homer game. He likes to do that, give the guy something positive to think about while he rests.

But to tell the truth, it has more to do with how tough Dontrelle has been on lefties this year _ they’re 2-for-24 against him, slugging just .125, and righties are 30-for-79 (.380) and slugging .595 against him.

By Adam

April 23, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

What about Dukes from the D-Rays for left field? Might take a prospect but the guy has Bo Jackson type skills.

By Baron

April 23, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this

Wily Mo kicks butt. He’s Ryan Howard waiting to happen. Last year Howard, that is. And check yo stats, DonCoburleone. KJ’s got Youki by 70 odd points OBP. In fact, I’d rather have Wily Mo of the two. More upside, check it:

Career: AB: 1120 R: 146 H: 291 2B: 48 3B: 4 HR: 63 RBI: 177 BB: 76 K: 386 AVG: .260 OBP: .314 SLG: .479 OPS: .793

Never played more than 110 games, still only 25 years of age. OBP increased every year to .350 in 84 games of ‘06. That’s what you call a major leaguer waiting to bust out.

By jed

April 23, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

TP—I was one of the few supporting KJ the first weeks of the seaason. I saw a lot of potential in him a couple years ago and felt he’d be fine this year. I’ve watched Thorman in Richmond and Atlanta, and although I know he hustles, I just can’t get over how physically awkward he is. I dont see the great potential, really. Still, I dont mind the platoon of Wilson & Thorman—you might get a combined .260/20/70 outta that. Which is livable if you get production outta LF. Eventually, they’ll have to address one of these situations, for certain….

By Ron Roberts

April 23, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this

The Langerhans stuff I brought up the other day, so that was a re-run for me, DOB; otherwise, another nice open-dialogue blog today.

The stats usually don’t lie, but 10th best hitting, 9th best hitting means… 1/2 game shy of best overall record? Haha. Gotta love baseball, eh?

Take away the two mammoth blowout losses, and I think the stats would be fairly more representative of Atlanta’s pitching prowess, this season. Take away the two Oliver Perez starts and the baffling whiff-fest in Washington last week, and I think the batting stats would be a bit more representative, too. That being said, our offense has struggled, but I think it’s very promising to see Kelly Johnson raking like he is now. We’re seeing why the organization had so much confidence in him, and if this is legit, then we know Edgar, Chipper (when healthy), Andruw, McCann & Francoeur will follow him in the lineup with solid stats by the end of the year. And that ought to scare the hell out of the Mets and anybody else who steps up to make a run for the pennant.

The only thing that worries me about the streaky nature of our bats is…

…will this same kind of slump hit us in October if we’re in the postseason?

Braves fans, what we’ve learned, then, is that we can win games and series when our bats are quiet. That’s very promising.

By MEB

April 23, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this

Has everyone forgotten Matt Diaz legging out the routine ground ball to short for a critical base hit against the Cubs last Thursday. Hustling right out of the box Matt was able to keep the rally going. That one play typifies the play of Matt Diaz. Why are we talking about acquiring “surplus” guys when we have a gem on our roster already. Give Matt the position because he’s earned it and keep Langerhans around for late inning defense. Why don’t we focus on hiring a hitting coach, oh… I forgot, we have one of those.

By Chop Chop

April 23, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this

Thorman swings too hard and he’s got that big uppercut swing going. Not a good combination for a guy who doesn’t have star talent. He’s destined to be a temporary placeholder at first. Salty will be a first baseman. If the Braves let Andruw Jones walk at the end of this year, they’d be smart not to trade a bunch of top talent away for a temporary fix in the outfield. That means letting Salty remain a Brave and seeing if he can realize his talent in the bigs.

By Braves20

April 23, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this

The under/over for Thorman can’t be much more than .240. I’ll take the under.

By David O'Brien

April 23, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this

ChrisInPa, haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet, and don’t have it on the trip with me. I’ve been really busy with all kinds of stuff at home and have a stack of unopened CDs and DVDs to get to someday, in addition to hours of DVR’d shows, etc. I’ll let you know when I play it. But thanks. Just only so much time in a day, bro.

No answer to the question about how long they’d wait for Langy. Don’t want to guess. Just know he’s out of options, for what it’s worth.

And no knew word on Willy Aybar yet, either. From team or from people I know at MLB office.

By socalbravefan

April 23, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this

Wow! A Bo Jackson reference. Now that was unexpected. I love this blog… always entertaining!

By Tomahawkin

April 23, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this

Whuddup D.O.B. !!! I bet New Yawk was fun…Those games were good! felt like da playoffs…

I dunno about you guys but the intro Music they play At Shea kicks Turner Field’s Arse…And I’m not gone start talkin trades til after we’ve passed the 40 game mark… Let’s just go out and D-rail da D-Train…

By chipdip

April 23, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this

langerhans needs to be sent down…who cares about willie!!!!!! cliff floyd has a horrible arm!

By DonCoburleone

April 23, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the info on McCann DOB, perfect timing too cuz there’s just enough time for me to substitute my backup catcher on my fantasy team… NIIICE!

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

Sshheeesh! Davies has his work cut out for him. That line up wouldn’t strike fear into a little leaguer pitcher. It’s gotta be a bummer to know you’re toeing the slab but all the hot hitters are benched. So much pressure to be perfect. I hope Davies shines tonight and shuts the Marlins down. It’d be nice to get him in a zone so we could count on a win more often than not out of him. 15 minutes till game time…

GO BRAVES

By journalist jimmy smith

April 23, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this

this just in - michael vick will testify before congress. expected to pass through security without a hitch. more later.

now, baseball … it is a tradition with bobby cox to rest the player of the game for the previous night and call on a reserve to play. bobby has done this with thorman and now with johnson. let’s see … mccann out. johnson out. thorman out. with such a fearsome lineup dontrelle may not show up.

By Willy Wally

April 23, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this

Bo knows Langerhans ain’t cutting it but then again Bo Knows Diddley.

By dgd

April 23, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this

I’m a Braves fan living outside DC and I’d love to see Bobby (whom I love, please don’t say I’m another Robert) have the nerve to do with Andruw what Nats manager Manny Acta did yesterday with HIS best player this season, Ryan Church: sit his butt on the bench after he failed to run hard on a routine grounder. I’m so tired of seeing Andruw loaf (and I also think he’s lost at least a step in the field) that it might be best to not make a serious run at re-signing him, especially for the mega-bucks he will command…….

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

DOB: I just spoke with my brother and he said something interesting for a change, I thought I’d pass it along. (I’ve been pushing that guy to get on this blog and show his support, something about work and schedules, I don’t know, it seemed like a weak excuse to me.) But anyway, he said he was talking to a friend of his who knows you, in passing I guess. His friend is a writer for the AJC sports section as well. I think he covers the Hawks. His name was Keith or Kevin, I don’t recall. There was a K in there. Anywho, this guy also gave props to your blog. My brother said as soon as he meantioned an AJC blog to him the guys eye lit up and knew exactly what he was talking about. Sounds like you got a rep over there for being the Blog King.

By chipdip

April 23, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this

why is woodward on the team?????? he blows!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no kj…put a gun to my head.

By DonCoburleone

April 23, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this

Now lets see if Andruw can do the little thing… All we need is a fly ball Andruw

By DonCoburleone

April 23, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this

Bam, good start to this one… Hopefully that is all Davies will need tonight.

By Greg in TN

April 23, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

Evening denizens…

Just underway from the house Dan Marino built… Plenty of good seats still available from the looks of things.

Thanks for the update on B-Mac, DOB. Thankfully it’s a bruise we’re talking about and not anything bigger than that. Our plans for an NL East resurgence would have certainly taken a hit had it been something worse.

As I’m typing this, we’re starting off pretty good against Dontrelle Willis. Back-to-back singles by Renteria and Chipper and AJ has followed with an RBI single.

Friends, we started the season knowing that 1B and LF were going to be unknowns. I believe that when the time comes, JS will make a move where it makes sense to do so. The points DOB makes about Cliff Floyd are intriguing. Not sure what the Cubs will ask for, and I know they would much rather move Jacque Jones instead which would be an aggravating factor in any negotiations with Jim Hendry. For the most part, if we make any type of move, I anticipate it would be from Richmond or Mississippi until we get closer to the trading deadline.

Davies plunked Ramirez and he just got smacked pretty hard by Dan Uggla and now we’re tied. Davies is gonna have to settle down and find a groove or it could be a long night at the ballpark.

By Greg in TN

April 23, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

Smart, smart, smart play by Craig Wilson and Bryan Pena on Dan Uggla at the plate.

Wilson throws home, Pena blocks Uggla off the plate, but cannot get the tag on him, but alertly goes and tags him once he realizes the home plate umpire did not make a call.

Made that mistake one time although I swear I hit the plate. Umpire didn’t see it, but his is the only opinion that mattered.

These guys are teeing off pretty good on Davies. I hope it’s just first inningitis.

By DonCoburleone

April 23, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this

The more I see of Pena, the more I like him… What is it with the Braves organization and catchers? They grow ‘em like weeds!!!

By Gil in Mechanicsville

April 23, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

Appears to be a common pattern for Kyle to be shaky early. Long way to go.

By dharma initiative

April 23, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this

Davies seems lost on the mound. And Redman tomorrow - ooo boy!

Batten down the hatch.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

April 23, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this

Maybe they should let Pena play first…

By Greg in TN

April 23, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

Nice comeback on Miguel Cabrera to end the second. Best pitch of the night for Davies so far, which isn’t saying too much because he hasn’t looked sharp at all before that pitch.

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this

Ken Suguira was his name. He no longer works in the sports department though.

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this

The platoon is paying off so far. All our switch hitters and right handers have hits.

Thor could have struck out looking. Some how though, he would have done it with hustle.

By segundo

April 23, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this

You flip the channels during the commercial and you notice that there is an arena football game on ESPN2.

You think: arena football is to baseball as britney spears is to cate blancett; as sabado gigante is to meet the press; as corn dogs are to fillet mignon; as floyd the barber is to cliff floyd.

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

Is the ump stingy with the zone or is Davies missing pretty bad? On gameday it looks as if they are all fairly close calls on the balls and right down the middle with all the strikes.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

April 23, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

I hate walks, you cannot defend agaist them.

By MBATL

April 23, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this

Nah, 10Paul; he’s struggling with his command, and when he’s missing, there’s not too much question about it.

By eric the elder

April 23, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this

That last bat by Wilson says it all about this guy, at least so far. Runners on 2nd and 3rd, and he watches a third strike over the heart of the plate. He just doesn’t seem to fit in with this team in terms of enthusiasm, confidence, aggressiveness, having fun, etc. Hope he improves, but he looks locked up.

By Greg in TN

April 23, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this

TennPaul,

Davies hasn’t been too close on anything outside of the strike zone and with the exception of the strikeout pitch to Cabrera anything he’s trying to hit the corners is floating out over the plate when he’s getting hit.

By Sir Stealth

April 23, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this

I think Craig Wilson pretty much sucks and should be benched, but from what we seem to have heard about him it’s probably pretty inaccurate to say that he lacks enthusiasm or the desire to have fun. I think he probably has a lot of personality and desire, I just wish he could hit better.

By ssiscribe

April 23, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

Evening denizens. Must get to work on ye old third special deal in the past three days … think my eyes are going to cross over here soon.

But just checking in with a bit of bad news for those of you who love reading about the grand old game: David Halberstam, whose classics include “October 1964” and “Summer of ‘49” was killed in a car accident this morning in California at age 73. Great, great baseball writer. He will be missed.

—30—

By Gil in Mechanicsville

April 23, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this

Davis’s fastball looks flat. Like it is sitting on a tee…

By Willy Wally

April 23, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

What the hell happened to the Colorado Rockies? Why don’t they just go back to their Blake Street Bombers heyday? At least they made the playoffs and had an identity back then. Just looking at their team now in their lineup against the Mets, they are garbage.

By Willy Wally

April 23, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

What is the point of Woodward? Shortstop? Edgar plays almost all the time. If he gets hurt, then just bring up Escobar. Woodward has to go. What a waste of roster space. Escobar and Prado should be up here and Woodward and Orr should be sent packing.

By Willy Wally

April 23, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

very sad to hear about halberstam. loved his books.

By geauxbraves2000

April 23, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this

At least now we know which Kyle has shown up.

By Rod Johnson

April 23, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this

Too late. Too late.

By The Truth Hurts

April 23, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this

walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk….lance cormier to the rescue!

how sad is that?

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this

What the crap is this…..where is oscar? please someone find oscar.

By jd

April 23, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this

at least davies was consistent-he sucked in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth innings…cormier, hurry home, please

By eric the elder

April 23, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this

Can you imagine what the Mets lineup would do against Davies? He has only two pitches - - a straight fastball between the belt and letters, or a ball.

By parks

April 23, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this

If Escobar and Prado are called up, they sit on the bench the majority of the time. It slows their development. Only way we see them is if Chip or KJ gets hurt

By David O'Brien

April 23, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this

Tonight is a perfect example of why, when I’m asked three weeks or more before a decision has to be made, what the Braves are going to do about the Redman/Davies/Cormier thing, I say there’s no reason to speculate. This stuff usually works itself out, and if it doesn’t, then at least the variables change.

Right now we’ve got Redman coming off a quality start, Cormier having reduced arm strength in his first rehab start, and Davies looking as bad tonight as Redman ever looked, or pretty close.

The Marlins stranded two runners in EVERY INNING until that three-run homer chased Davies. He was fortunate to last that long.

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

What the heck is this……lance…..oh lance…….where is lance?

By Winston

April 23, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

Fellas I hate to say it, but the back end of the rotation and the bottom of the order I believe may come to hamper the Braves this year much as the bullpen did last year. When Redman and Davies go out there they are struggling just to keep us in the ballgame, much less shut anybody down. I know it’s early, but this isn’t like Davies has been bad for a couple of games now, he’s been bad since that day in Fenway. And he’s been getting beat the same way, pitching up in the zone. Really hasn’t shown any adjustments. You know it’s bad when we are looking forward to Lance Cormier’s return!!!

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this

i can’t believe a team that is supposed to be the class of the east are putting up this pathetic performance. when do we start getting rid of pitchers with either a velocity problem….eh hem calling mr. redman…….or a movement problem…..paging mr. davies…when?

By MEB

April 23, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

Down 8-2 in the bottom of the fifth with Uggla having just walloped a long one. Another walk to Willingham and the beat goes on and the beat goes on.

Well… we got four turns at bat so lets score some runs!

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

Lets see if somebody will pick up our trash….how bout Redman, Langerhans, Wilson for a real Major Leaguer? No takers? Well it was worth a shot.

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

Lets hope some of Chippers winners dust gets rubbed off on some of the players in the dugout. I remember teams of past not being as talented but they didn’t give up the game like some of these guys do. At least a few years ago every player had desire and team spirit….some of these guys just hand the game over anymore.

By Ron Roberts

April 23, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

See, this is what I was talking about earlier. The division race is going to be decided by our 3,4 and 5 guys.

What’s so frustrating about Kyle Davies was how he was so lights-out in his first start, and just flat-out awful these last two.

By Efrim

April 23, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

This is ridiculous. Francouer homers to lead off the inning, then Wilson and Diaz go down. I really think that the Braves have some glaring holes that need to be fixed if this team wants to win the world series.

By Willy Wally

April 23, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

This $80 mil payroll is killing us. The reality is $50 mil or so is tied into five players. The rest goes to the rest of the team. As a result, we are left with too many holes. Davies is garbage. Mark Well Fedman is garbage. LF is inadequate. 1B is inadequate. Woodward is horrendous. Orr should have never been a major leaguer. Chipper is right. This team ain’t gonna hang with the Mets. Our payroll when you take out the top 5 players ain’t much different than the Pirates and Nats and Marlins. We’ll be a playoff team nevertheless but this crap ain’t gonna take us anywhere great. What’s the point of watching the rest of the season? The best we can hope for is yet another first round defeat (with the final loss occurring as always at the Ted). I’m done. I’ll do you all a favor and stop blogging now. Robot says call him when Bobby Cox retires. I say call me back when we get a real living freaking owner. I’m tired of pretending this is going anywhere. All I want is a $100 mil payroll - very doable in this market. We did it for almost ten years until 2003. The hell with this. Call me when we get a real owner. UNTIL THEN…… I’m done with this team. This is a cruel joke being played on the fans. We are being used and played for suckers and most fans just don’t care. See ya.

Keep up the great work DOB - and the rest of your bloggers as well.

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this

Let Kelly play…….get wilson out of there….worst case is Thorman getting some lefty experience.

By Chad

April 23, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

Couple questions…

1. What are the chances of seeing Salty in the majors this year at 1B? Has he ever seen time or been taught 1B defense? Getting some offensive production from that spot would be very nice.

2. If the answer to switching Salty to first is a resounding NO, what are the odds of trading him for starting pitching and/or LF and/or 1B? It seems like with McCann locked up for some time, if Salty isn’t going to play 1B he’s going to be moved, and with the problems we’re having at LF/1B and with the back end of our rotation…why not?

By jd

April 23, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

willy wally, i agree with you but come down off the ledge…it’s just one game…sometimes guys surprise you…but your basic premise that this is a great franchise being left to twist in the wind is correct…

By Reality

April 23, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

The Braves are without a doubt a surprise to me. They seem to have the Mets number so far this year. But they are predictable. They come off a big weekend series with the Mets then go to Fla. They will probably lose the series to the Marlins. That’s the frustrating part.

Hudson seems to be real this year. Hopefully, he’ll be a stopper.

Smoltz is a 5-6 inning pitcher. Maybe he can get us to the bullpen with a chance to win, that is…. if Bobby doesn’t continue to leave him in too long like he has done the last couple of outings.

Chuck James seems to be doing it with mirrors. I have no idea how he has been effective the last season and a half but somehow he has. Hopefully, he will continue to pitch well and his outing in NY wasn’t a preview of what’s coming from him.

Kyle Davies is a head case. Hope Cormier can return and be effective ‘cause Davies is a long way from being dependable.

Mark Redmon is going to be a sub .500 pitcher.

Ryan Langerhans. This kid is a great outfielder but good grief I would rather have the pitcher take his cuts rather than Langerhans. Like Davies, another head case. He couldn’t hit a decent high school pitcher right now. His defense is outstanding but can you afford to carry an outfielder who can’t even make contact with Major League pitching? He’s not going to turn into a .300 hitter one day. Guys who struggle like he has over the last two seasons don’t one day become an everyday contributor.

The Braves have a shot this year. They aren’t perfect but no team is. They do need to beat up on the sub .500 teams and not be beaten up by THEM. They need to beat the Nats and Marlins. The Phillies may turn it around and if they do they will be no pushovers. The Braves need to dial up the intensity against other teams like they do the Mets. If they don’t, they will lose a lot of games to inferior teams.

By Efrim

April 23, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

Come on Andruw

By MBATL

April 23, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

Chad, I heard Scheurholz on the radio a couple of weeks ago and that question (Salty) came up; in typical JS fashion, he danced around, but basically said that while there is no immediate plan to move Salty, there is also no organizational “dictum” saying that they won’t move him; that the day may come when they decide to give him a 1B mitt or an OF glove and say ‘let’s see what you can do.’

He acknowledged that as long as McCann is healthy, Salty can’t play catcher for us; and that the remaining choices are to trade him or to move him to another position, and one of those would obviously happen this year or next. Pretty obvious, I guess, but that’s what the man said, more or less…

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

Man if Hampton would just…..i don’t know….not show up for a scheduled meeting like another player we know….then maybe we could suspend him with NO PAY and get a real pitcher not these masquerading throwers.

By Glass Half Full (GHF)

April 23, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

DOB

Loving the Springsteen references. “The River” is a great double album and it’s almost, almost as good as “Born to Run.”

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

I love Andrew but where is the guy I love? This free swinging, no timing, pop up hitting machine is a shadow of himself.

By MBATL

April 23, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

For those complaining about our lineup… that’s 5 earned runs in 6.2 innings off Dontrelle Willis, with 2 key starters getting the night off. Really not half bad.

Now the pitching is another story, of course.

By brent a.

April 23, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

I believe that if he was available, I would’ve let McCann PH for Diaz, and then let L-hans play left.

But, that’s just me.

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this

By the way…who says there aren’t heroes anymore?

By JJMB

April 23, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

That’s funny. The annoucers say Dontrelle is having his first baby, and he will be off to the hospital to be with his wife.

Yet, he sits in the dugout swilling a beverage. That just cracks me up.

By fastasballs

April 23, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

Andruw just missed making it a one run game. What’s with Frenchy? 20 RBIs with 75% coming with 2 out.

Only three down, let’s get some runs!

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

Come on guys try and pull this one out……Wheres kelly?

By ernesto

April 23, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

Here’s your chance to see Thor against a lefty

By Greg in TN

April 23, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this

MBATL,

I agree with you. Willis is the only reliable arm they have in the rotation. We’re climbing back into the game, just like we did yesterday in NYC. I hope Moylan and the rest of the pen can keep the Marlins off the board the rest of the night.

Davies didn’t pitch well at all tonight and made a decision as far as what to do with Cormier returns a little more murkier.

By ernesto

April 23, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this

Well, it wasn’t a whiff.

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

and the mighty Thor swings…..not quite what i was hoping for…

By Tomahawkin' Again

April 23, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

DOB: I think the common theme for the last 30 minutes or so with the blog is right on. We see a team of promise & heart, but we want to know if Liberty Media will allow Schuerholz to make the deals over the summer to fill the holes that are apparent to all. Playing the Marlins tonight, I am reminded of the ‘97 season. Florida beat us up in the regular season (8-4), but the Braves dominated the rest of the NL that year to win the East by 9 gms over the Fish (101-61 to Florida’s 92-70). But, the Marlins were a bad match-up for us that year and took the NLCS 4-2. Could that scenario be something we are to see this year, but with the Mets playing the NL bully and the Braves being the Mets-killer during the regular season and hopefully getting a shot in the LCS? JS has to be allowed to make that 1 or 2 moves in July-August to be ready for October.

By David O'Brien

April 23, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

Guess what I just heard: Macay McBride quietly was moved into a starting assignment tonight for Richmond vs. Indianapolis and went three strong innings, allowing one unearned run on five hits and NO WALKS with three strikeouts. Hummm…..

By Greg in TN

April 23, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

Willy Wally,

Since you got it all worked out already, can I have the Powerball numbers for Wednesday night’s drawing please?

By N8.....be aware: Armageddon is coming!

April 23, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

“Andruw just missed….”

Story of the short season, summed up into three words, dontcha think?

Actually nice to just see him knock in some runs.

By Greg in TN

April 23, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

That is very interesting DOB. Thanks for the update.

By N8.....be aware: Armageddon is coming!

April 23, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

WOW! That is VERY interesting news, DOB.

Sorry, gotta make this short. Don’t wanna bore anybody.

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

DOB

Who’s going to be your early pick at pulling out of their slump? Thorman, Wilson, Redman, Davies, Langerhans?

By Chad

April 23, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

brent a.

No way. You can’t use your last catcher to PH. Orr is the emergency catcher and he had already pinch-hit, so McCann would never PH unless we’re talking extra-innings, no-guys-left situation.

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

Diaz just looks funny. He runs funny. He hits funny. I still think he’s a baller though. Bobby should give him some more playing time.

By Greg

April 23, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

Big surprise. We face lefty. Bobby plays junior varsity lineup. We lose. This team has no prayer of making the playoffs if it faces lefties. This crap is absurd. You play the hot hitter, Bobby, not the weak hitting right hander just because he’s right handed. 4 sure outs from Woodward. IT makes me want to throw stuff.

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

Woodward just who you want up in the 9th……man…

By brent a.

April 23, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

Chad,

I knew Orr had hit. I’ve actually seen a manager use his last catcher early. But it is VERY RARE.

He could’ve saved Orr, but I guess he’s committed to giving McCann the night off.

So much so, that McCann is out there warming up pitchers between innings.

By Greg in TN

April 23, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

Wow, Chipper just creamed a fastball from Owens.

Can’t say that our third baseman didn’t show up at the ballpark tonight. Chipper is 3-4 with a triple and homer.

Tying run at the plate now after an AJ double.

By MBATL

April 23, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

What’s the problem with Woodward? He’s hitting .261 playing almost no time… what do we expect from a backup 2B?

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

Thank the heavens for the Jones.

By brent a.

April 23, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

Now can you use McCann?

:)

By N8.....be aware: Armageddon is coming!

April 23, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

“JS has to be allowed to make that 1 or 2 moves in July-August to be ready for October.”

I disagree. This team needs to figure out the holes that need to be filled RIGHT NOW, or there will be no need for us to make a move come July/August for the stretch drive, IMO.

We seem to have the Mets’ number, when it comes to head to head meetings, but we’re still struggling against EVERYBODY ELSE, while the Mets just keep going about their business against the other teams.

Guess what. We only play the Mets so many times. If they beat up on the rest of the league and we can ONLY beat up on them, we’re gonna be watching the Mets play in the post-season, while we’re sitting at home, thinking we had the better team, just because we could “handle the Mets”.

I would be extremely happy/content with playing .500 ball against the Mets, and taking care of our business elsewhere.

As I’m looking at the current boxscore, I notice that we have 4 guys batting under .250 in the lineup. YIKES.

Like I said. Better fix those issues soon, because as I recall, we all just figured (other than Coach), those bullpen problems would just “blow over” eventually last year.

I commend JS for not “settling” for last years bullpen coming into this year, but IMO, there is only so much patience that can be had with the LF situation.

BTW, DOB, I wouldn’t have a problem with Cliff Floyd. As I recall, the Braves were contemplating trying to get him from the Marlins to play 1B at the deadline a few years ago. So if that was an option then, it may still be an option now. Grab him to play left, and if the kids in the minors are ready to come up and play LF, and the Thorman/Wilson platoon isn’t working still, then throw Floyd at 1B.

Not to mention, when (not if) Andruw leaves after this season, having his bat out there, would aleviate some of Andruw’s loss.

I’ll say this. THIS TEAM HAS NO QUIT, and that is a good thing. Too bad McCann was still sore tonight.

Still doesn’t solve our 4th and 5th starter spots in the rotation, but they don’t give up. I like that.

PS: Anybody notice that Francoeur is actually hitting and knocking in runs ON THE ROAD? That’s a nice trend for him to start, IMO.

By fastasballs

April 23, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

Good come back, win or lose. Come on McCann hit a blupe somewhere and get this game tied.

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

Thats the AndrUw I love…

By Tomahawkin' Again

April 23, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

C’mon McCann…BE THE MAN!!

By krathone

April 23, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

I see two solid starters in Hudson and Smoltz. I agree with an earlier post that I have a strange feeling about Chuck James. Maybe I’m just over thinking, but I’m just not sold on James. Hope I’m wrong and he continues to puzzle other lineups for the most part.

The last two spots in the rotation are up for grabs. Maybe Mcbride could start… who knows.

Is Craig Wilson this years Raul Mondesi? A fairly recognizable name who may not even be around by mid season? Should Thorman be allowed to play against both righties and lefties? With the number of lefties the Braves have faced so far, how are they going to tell if Thorman can be the everyday first sacker if he isn’t going to be in the lineup 40% of the time?

Glad DOB said what needed to be said about Langerhans. Early in 2005 he had some big hits for the Braves. Since mid 2005…the guy has been a different hitter. Or should I say NO hitter. He just isn’t an option anymore.

By BabyGoatEater

April 23, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this

McCann is swinging so good I’ll forgive em for that…..good game….Later

By George

April 23, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

2 words for this game “Oscar Villeral”

By Pink Elephant

April 23, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

There is a pink elephant in the room called AOL/TW & LM. You all continue to act like ostriches with your heads in the sand and ignore it.

By Greg in TN

April 23, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

Not enough tonight, but we rallied.

N8, got to disagree. Everyone knows where the soft spots are, however going out and getting the right fit for what we need is going to be difficult if not impossible at this time of the season. The Cubs would love to unload Jacque Jones. Is he the answer? IMO, no, because he is as much a hack and jack guy as they come. In nine seasons, 861 strikeouts going into tonight’s game.

If we’re wanting to get anybody that can come in and contribute and be a good fit for our lineup, I don’t think it’ll be until closer to the trade deadline.

By Tomahawkin' Again

April 23, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

N8 The reason I typed July-August is that because of the wild-card and probably 20-25 teams will be thinking that they have a shot at the playoffs, teams will not make deals prior to then. But, having typed all that, I agree 100% with everything else you wrote. Need to fix the holes (LF, 1B, end of rotation) to go from 85-90 win team to 95-100 win, World Series contender.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 23, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

Ahhhhh back in first…..That’s better.

By N8.....be aware: Armageddon is coming!

April 23, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

“2 words for this game “Oscar Villeral””

REALLY?

He was MORE to blame than Davies. I don’t think so, but nice try.

That, of course, is not to say that Oscar did his job. He didn’t.

By Jared

April 23, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

Two more words for you. Chris Woodward. If he gets on base we have a tie game. Why is this guy even on the roster?

By Harlo

April 23, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

Funny how Joe “Homer” Simpson never questions a close call when it goes for the Braves. He was morally outraged that a Gonzalez pitch in the bottom of the 8th wasn’t called a strike. Yet, in the top of the ninth on a very similar pitch to Chris Woodward—not a peep.

Keep groveling for that paycheck Joe.

By Greg in TN

April 23, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

Hey!!!! That’s the No Chop we all know and love. Welcome back from the wilderness.

By krathone

April 23, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

No quit in this team. That’s pretty cool. Too bad it was a loss but coming back at the end helps get some of the bad taste out of the mouth.

They just showed a graphic on TV that supported what some have been posting here. Hudson and Smoltz doing the job, the back 3 in the rotation a bit shaky (including James)

By MEB

April 23, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

Guess I picked a bad night to sing the praises of Matt Diaz. Going 0-4 with 6 LOB is not getting the job done. Not only were the numbers bad but his at bats were bad as well. Oh well, I have faith that things will turn his way. Too bad the good guys didn’t win tonight. Same time tomorrow night, see y’all.

GO BRAVES!!!

By MBATL

April 23, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

Pink Elephant, sure, you’re in the room. Another $15-20 million would make this a lot easier. But from Scheurholz to Cox to the players to the fans, we just don’t have any control over that. So the challenge is to put together a champion anyway… or just give up. We’ll see what happens.

Keep some perspective, folks. Tonight we sent our #5 starter against their #1, in their ballpark, and had our best hitter in the box with the tying run in scoring position. It would’ve been nice to win the game, of course, but all is not lost.

We keep complaining about the position players - personally, I think we’ll be okay in LF and 1B. The problem is that our pitching is below average at this point. We scored SEVEN runs tonight - that should be good for a win most nights, shouldn’t it?

By N8.....be aware: Armageddon is coming!

April 23, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

DOB

Here’s a question for you, about Bobby.

You said earlier, that he’s pretty good about giving a guy (KJ) a day off after a good performance, as opposed to the 0-4 with 4 K’s, the other night. Especially with Dontrelle on the mound.

I can appreciate that, really I can. THAT is the kind of “little things” that he does, the get’s overlooked by Robert (and even myself) when raggin on some of Bobby’s decisions.

But back to my question. WHY ON EARTH would he take the “hot hitting” KJ out of the lineup, when we were already gonna be without McCann in the lineup with his fingers being bruised/sore????

I mean, coach has given us all the numbers a hundred times already telling us HOW BAD we are against lefties, and those games against lefties we’ve sucked in have had KJ and McCann in the lineup!!!

Just seems kind of strange to me.

So there you have it. EVEN when I’m trying to compliment Cox on a decent job of managing “the team” with giving KJ a day off, I’ve found a way to question the “timing” of this one. LOL!

Bottom line is this. We lost by one run. Anybody out there think KJ getting 4 AB’s wouldn’t have been the “difference maker” for one more run tonight? Hell, even if he had a bad night against Willis, he would’ve been the leadoff hitter in the top of the 9th, instead of Woodward.

(sigh)

By eric the elder

April 23, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

DOB, how do McBride’s 5 hits in three innings equal three “strong” innings? Have Davies and Redman lowered the bar that much?

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 23, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

Greg in TN, Where have YOU been? I posted earlier today…..Twice.

By N8.....be aware: Armageddon is coming!

April 23, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Greg in TN & Tomahawkin’ Again

I agree with you. Floyd is NOT “the answer”. But even you have to agree, that with the stick, he’s MORE of the answer than Langerhans/Diaz.

As far as him being Hack-n-Jack. TOTALLY AGREE. But that’s better than Hack-n-NOT JACK, isn’t it? LOL!

Besides (this is the part directed at BOTH of you). Ultimately, when I say filling holes/making moves, I’m thinking of making a move from within the organization (Blanco, Jones, Bohn, etc….)

Say for instance, what DOB mentioned tonight about McBride. THAT is a bold move. If it works, GREAT. If it doesn’t, are we REALLY any worse than throwing Redman and (or) Davies out there every 5 days? I say no. I still don’t think McBride has an out pitch for righties, which will be his downfall as a starter. But maybe the organization thinks he’ll be better suited, by getting regular work. We’ll see.

JS/Bobby have to try SOMETHING.

But I agree with you guys. Gonna be NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE to make trades (that could be considered upgrades) anytime soon. Unless we’re willing to trade Escobar, Salty, Lerew, Harriso….or ALL OF THEM and make a BIG move.

There you go everbody, you can start up again with the Baldeli talk. LOL!

By krathone

April 23, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

The 7 runs they scored tonight was great! But the fact is there are going to be some nights when you only need to score 3 or 4. The Jones boys, Mccann and Francouer are not going to be on every night. On those nights you just may need some production from your LF and 1B positions to dig out some runs. I just don’t think it’s wise to throw away a couple of spots in the batting order. A slick fielding shortstop may stay in the lineup if he isn’t hitting. I know of no team in MLB who is willing to throw away a corner outfield spot in the offensive lineup cause the guy plays good D.

I still think Diaz in going to hit. But even if he isn’t ready to play every day, he’s not going to be the total at bat giveaway that Langerhans is right now. Diaz hit the ball hard twice tonight but at someone.

By Greg in TN

April 23, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

No Chop,

Scroll a bit brother. I’ve been here posting too. The difference? The Braves took it on the chin tonight, and I’m still here.

We’ll be just fine. Should we make a spot for you again in May? Or will you just be showing up for losses between now and then?

By N8.....be aware: Armageddon is coming!

April 23, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

eric the elder

Considering McBrides control (or lack there of) before getting sent down. I think the NO WALKS is the part of the equation that makes it a strong outing.

DOB

Any chance the Braves are showcasing him (McBride) for trade bait?

By N8...Mommy didn't pay me enough attention

April 23, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

DOB

Blah blah blah BLAH blah. LOL! I LOVE to hear MYSELF talk. NOT you, ME. My points may be MINDLESS, I may crash the BLOG with my long POSTS, and I MAY be a sissy whose CHILDREN are ASHAMED of. But BLOG I will because I’m allowed and you’re not the boss of me! LOL!

By Greg in TN

April 23, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

LOL

I hear you, N8.

By Jon

April 23, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

DOB, What are your thoughts on Elijah Dukes as a possible trade candidate for the LF job? That guy has got a tremendous amount of raw skill and potential. Probably still a little raw, but it would be a tremendous upgrade to our current LF situation.

Thorman will be fine and just needs a little time. Craig Wilson is done.

By raindawg722

April 23, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

All Chuck James has ever done at every level is get people out. He did not pitch that great the other day but that was against an unreal lineup and he usually does not fare as well in day games. He will be fine. We should be more concerned with the back of the rotation.

By t-towndawg

April 23, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

Blame this loss on Kyle Davies and Booby Cox. Davies was awful. What is Cox thinking putting his hottest hitter (KJ) on the bench. Why did he leave Davies out there so long? It was obvious after the 2nd inning that he didn’t have it. Sorry guys, but I think Cox sux just as much as Robert. I’ve never liked him and I think the Braves have won in spite of him for 15 of the last 16 years. Also, something has to be done about LF and 1B. Wilson and Langerhans both blow. Diaz cannot hit when he plays regularly. Thorman is not getting an opportunity to prove himself. I agree with the poster above: If we wait until the break to get help, it’ll be too late. The Mets are not going away.

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

Good idea Pink Elephant. It takes a load off since there’s nothing we can do about it any way.

Nice to see Francoeur go 4 for 5. That should go a long way to improving his road numbers. And I like seeing Chipper healthy. The man is on a good pace to hit 47 HR by year end.

I’m starting to fret about this pitching. It is better than last season. Hudson is about the biggest improvement in the rotation. Smoltz is a constant. But James, Redman and Davies do not bring the confidence I initially attributed to them. The further we get from the Spring Training hope, the more I begin to question this staff. The bullpen has been great, no doubt, but it isn’t the top pen that it was projected to be. All of this is after 20 games. So more time is certainly needed. But I can’t blindly believe that things will certainly get better. I still hope they will but watching Davies struggle worse with each outing isn’t promising. And, McBride, I’m glad he might get a shot at starting… I just hope it doesn’t turn into a Jason Shell fiasco. That’d pretty much ruin his confidence.

But on the good side we did get 12 hits tonight. It looks like our bats are starting to come to life, which is nice. So long as they are primed and ready to get through June. If they drop off again like last June and our pitching is still only 2 deep we’ll be in for something terrible.

By Ron

April 23, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

DOB, You think there is any way that we could get Jenkins, or one of their outfielders from the Brewers, We have traded with the Brewers before, maybe we can do it again.

By brian

April 23, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

I know baseball does not have the NBA history of “injuries” landing a player on the DL when a team doesn’t want to waive him but the player has lost his spot, but any chance Langy has a nagging injury that needs rest? A 15 day DL stint could let Langy heal up and allow a 15 day trial of Blanco, McCarthy, or Brandon Jones (who were all hitting above .300 when I checked this weekend). I think the Braves can replace LF from within though DOB makes a very intriguing Cliff Floyd argument. I just wonder what it would cost us to get Floyd.

As far as SP, Lerew looked like he was finding himself so far this year and good scoop on McBride. I cannot remember who but there is one blogger(not me) who has been plugging McBride as a starter and we all poopooed the idea because of his trouble with righties. Harrison is taking care of business at AA and we are one injury from seeing him in the bigs.

Great Blog DOB on Cliff Floyd and even better scoop on McBride. Just don’t know if they want McBride regular work (like Boston did with Craig Hansen in the minors) or they are trying to build him back into a starter like they did with Chuck James after his DL stint last year

By N8 says: The 1st Amendment RULZ! LOL LOL LOL LOL

April 23, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

“But BLOG I will because I’m allowed and you’re not the boss of me! LOL!”

Read my mind.

What kind of computer do you have, btw, that you can “hear” what you type?

I want one.

By Bobby

April 23, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

And after the weekend victory….the Braves still find themselves in 2nd place. Braves may play the Mets well this year…but the bottom line is the Mets wreck the subpar teams while we struggle.

Mets are certainly not going away this season.

By t-towndawg

April 23, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this

Why is everybody singing praises to Smoltz? Didn’t he give up 6 to the Mets Sunday? Didn’t he get lit up pretty good in his last start in about the 6th inning? I’m worried about the whole rotation with the exception of Huddy. He is lights out.

By eric the elder

April 23, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

N8, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits in a 9-inning game is a “strong outing.” If we think McBride’s outing was strong because he actually made it all the way through 3 innings without a walk, even though he gave up 5 hits, we are in bigger trouble than I thought.

By sri

April 23, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

resting 2 good hitters on the day 4/5 starter pitches drastically reduces the chances of our winning the game.. i know the previous series was the mets and we had to prove a point, and McCann got hurt yesterday.. but hopefully in the future they will be rested when one hudson/smoltz are pitching.. looks like even diaz is not hitting now.. hopefully it is just a slump.. we have too many holes to sustain us through the long season.. hope JS fills them either through our farm/trades before waiting too long like last year.. Would you guys trade too much of our future for winning this year?

By krathone

April 23, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

Being 12-7 at this point….. under the circumstances is like found money.

Tell ya what feels frustrating. Swept the Phils to start the season. Continued winning the first week. Have beaten the Mets 4 out of 6 and the bottom line is that the Mets went back into first by half a game! lol The Braves have scrapped for every win and the Mets just seem to yawn and go about their business and sit at the top of the division. The Mutts lose to the Braves and kick everyone else’s butt. The Braves give the Mutts headaches and play mediocre against everyone else.

I suppose that same frustration is what everyone else in the East has felt for years toward the Braves.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

April 23, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

A few observations and rants.

1. Why in the name of all that is right would Cox sit a red hot hitting Johnson in favor of Chris Woodward. I realize that Willis is a nasty lefty but so is Glavine. Why?

2. Francouer is maturing before our very eyes. Even I, his most ardent supporter last season, have to admit that I thought it would take a couple of years. The Braves seemingly unwillingness to make him be more patient gave me reason to believe that it would take awhile. But, this is a smart kid and has realized on his own that he has to be a complete hitter to be considered an elite player. We could be seeing an All-Star season from Francouer. He has 22 RBI in April and he still has seven games left. Thriry is not out of the question.

3. Davies needs seasoning in the minors. He is way too inconsistent. This is why Cormier’s injury was perhaps more detrimental than Hampton’s and why it is a must that Cormier come back and come back strong. I know the Braves want him to make three more rehab starts but they may only be able to afford two.

4. I find it interesting that McBride started tonight and don’t believe that its a coincidence that it was mentioned in spring training that McBride could possibly start. He started throughout his minor league career with good numbers and didn’t relieve until he called up in 2005. If he can get his mechanical problems worked out, he could a God send to the rotation.

5. This team does not quit. They were down 8-2 and had just had their a** handed to them and stormed back to within one run. That never say die attitude could come into play later in the season.

6. Our bench needs some strengthening. Willie Harris would be a better fit than Pete Orr. Harris can actually get on base and steal one. I am in agreement that Escobar doesn’t need to be sitting on a bench not getting any at-bats. However, I wonder if he could not take over the role Willy Aybar was going to have. I don’t see why Escobar couldn’t get 10 to 15 at-bats a week. He could spell Johnson at 2B, Renteria at SS, and Chipper at 3B.

Just my opinions and observations on some things.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

April 23, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

Eric the Elder, considering McBride hasn’t probably pitched three innings in one game in two years his start wasn’t so bad. Lets see how he does with his next start before passing judgement.

By Ron

April 23, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

I agree with alot of you guys about bringin up some players from the Minors, but we will be in the same situation if they fail. But the player could become another Charles Thomas. Either trade for someone or bring somebody up from the Minors, IT is that simple!!! By Mid May if Langy aint hittin, and for some reason Diaz aint hittin either, then who cares if some team grabs Langy off the Waivers, we gotta worry about winning games NOW. We cant worry about Langy if he aint hittin.

By Sir Stealth

April 23, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

I’m surprised to see everyon question Bobby’s methods (e.g. resting Kelly and B-Mac even though Kelly’s hot and we have one of our lesser pitchers in there) every time we lose. Bobby’s been doin’ this stuff for years and it nearly always gets us where we need to be at the end of the season. He manages for the whole season folks, not one game against the Marlins in April. This applies to not making snap judgments about players based on limited stretches as well. If we don’t end up in the postseason this year, it ain’t gonna be ‘cause of Bobby Cox. If you’re just venting over a close loss, at least admit it and don’t act like you should be managing the team just cause you would have played Kelly Johnson tonight (run production seemed just fine by the way).

By A.J.

April 23, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

Man, they had me believin tonight.

Francoeur is really showing himself to be a potential future MVP candidate. Heck, if he keeps improving like he has the last few games he could win one this year.

Obviously he is on a hot streak, and the real test will be when he gets cold again, how cold will it be, how long will it last and how good will he be when he warms back up.

Still the skill he’s shown the last few days just proves to people that he’s not hopeless. Hearing .293 OBP enough will scare anyone, it’s been big for him to get back and prove some people wrong.

Another exciting thing about this team is the ability we’ve shown to comeback and the fact that in so many games, even ones that we didn’t win we’ve had chances to tie it up in the late innings.

Detractors will say, we can’t get the lead early, without a couple key hits we are .500.

But in fact, you could say that with just a couple more key hits (like tonight, like when we had them loaded against Cordero a couple weeks ago) we are 14-5 or somewhere near there. We have been in lots of ball games late and when you are in those situations you will get key hits sometimes.

This just shows that these wins are not flukes.

Obviously, we need to get out of the sixth with the lead more often, but these showings have been pretty heartening.

Being a Braves believer, I am prone to side with the general argument of, look how good we’ve been with the holes we have. Think if we fill those holes.

By Ron

April 23, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

Sri, I would give up some of the Future, but it would depend on who we would get and how long they are under contract. Would not give up Salty for nobody, Yes I know he plays Catcher, but we can move him to another position.

By Eric C.

April 23, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

DOB, Except for Hudson, Smoltz, and Wickman, I’m really concerned about the Braves pitching. They’ve been outscored 59-52 since their 7-1 start…and the offense relies too heavily on the HR. Is 5-6 in the past 11 games truly representative of this team?

By krathone

April 23, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

No matter what moves are made….. or not made…. this April has WITHOUT A DOUBT been more fun than last April :)

By David O'Brien

April 23, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

I asked Bobby about McBride after the game, and he gave all indications that he only started because the Braves want him to get his confidence back and believe pitching more innings might help.

As I’ve noted before, McBride is pretty bad against right-handed hitters, so I don’t know how that would be such a wise move to put him in the rotation (of course, Redman is awful vs. righty hitters, too _ but that’s another story).

By the way, check this out:

The road has not been kind to Davies for most of his time in the majors. After posting a 1.00 ERA in his first three road starts in 2005, he’s gone 3-8 with an 8.53 ERA in his past 16 road games.

He’s 1-6 with a 10.09 ERA in his past eight road starts.

Against the Marlins, he stinks regardless of venue: He fell to 0-3 with a 10.19 ERA in six career games (four starts) against the Fish. He’s given up 20 earned runs in 17-2/3 innings against them.

By Greg in TN

April 23, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

AJ,

Gotta side with you. It hasn’t been easy the first several weeks of the season. I’ve seen more fight in this team this year in the first few weeks than what I saw most all of last year.

That’s the most encouraging thing to me. We have holes and areas where we need to improve, but I see these guys scrapping and fighting all year long, and I think we’ll get some extra help from JS at some point in time.

By eric the elder

April 23, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

Robert, jib, it would take about an hour to read this one blog alone, and I estimate that about 85% of it consists of passing judgement. In fact, you even passed judgement on my judgement. (smile)

Not to parse words, but there is a significant difference between “strong outing” and his “start wasn’t so bad.” I can agree with your wording.

By Brad in MT

April 23, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this

Sir Stealth, I agree with you 100%, it amazes me how some people second guess someone who has such a proven track record. People seem to forget how long the season is and basing judements on a couple games, or weeks doesn’t translate into long term success when it comes to giving guys days off, etc.

By David O'Brien

April 23, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

haven’t read all the posts tonight, but did anyone comment on how strong Gonzalez looked? That’s the biggest positive of the night, even more than the rally (since the rally fell short).

He hit 95 mph with two fastballs. that’s close to his peak velocity with PIttsbgurgh, maybe a tick or two off.

By Drummerdad

April 23, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this

DOB, That was a short lived first place experience…again. These Braves do seem to be playing to the level of their competition a bit this year. Hope they get out of that soon.

Was Rich Hill THAT GOOD for the Cubs last week? Or were the boys just having a bad time? I heard pieces of the game on the radio.

David, I am amused by the way you kind of start working us when you get or hear an idea about a move for a player. First you did it with the idea about Glavine during the offseason and he ditched us. (You couldn’t help that!) Then came the move with Gonzales. Now it’s Cliff Floyd. Nothing wrong with your MO, just amusing. You worked us hard on the Glavine thing though amigo.

Concerning your news on McBride quietly starting a game tonight, who makes those decisions? I mean, internally, does a decision like that come from Bobby, or John Schuerholz or Frank Wren?

What kind of cigars have you been smoking lately?

By Efrim

April 23, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this

This is an 85-90 win team unless:

We acquire a starting pitcher. There really isn’t much out there. I don’t even think there will be in July either. So many teams are going to be in it by mid-season that they will not want to give up so soon. Regardless, JS has to find a way to get another pitcher. We are all awaiting the return of LANCE CORMIER. That is sad. We all went nuts after Davies first start, but in reality, the Hampton injury killed us. Not to mention we need to get more than 5 innings a start from Chuck James. If he is mediocre, Hudson and Smoltz are going to wear down by August trying to pitch deep into games to save the bullpen.

We acquire a starting left fielder or 1st baseman who can actually drive in Francouer and McCann. It is getting ridiculous seeing these guys be this bad. I know what everyone is going to say, the team can’t be perfect. But LF and 1st base are automatic outs right now. I vote for getting a left fielder. Who knows? Maybe the Rangers will sour on Mark Teixera and give him up for less than they should. Tex for Davies, Harrison and Salty. That is wishful thinking though.

By David O'Brien

April 23, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

Francoeur had two more two-out RBIs tonight, giving him a league-high 16 this season and a majors-leading 69 since beginning of 2006 (he was tied with A-Rod in the latter category before tonight).

That’s crazy.

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

DOB: That’s good to hear. Can’t get that info from Gameday. Wait, you can, but it slows down the response time. So you can’t get that info and enjoy watching gameday. Nevertheless, thanks. The weather is starting to warm up, maybe that’s all Gonzo needed.

By gotigers72

April 23, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

The Braves won’t win the division or the Wild Card unless they start getting something beside Ls from their 4th and 5th starters.

I keep waiting for Davies to get it mentally, to start becoming a pitcher rather than a thrower. I keep telling myself that he’s only 23, but he’s been in the majors for awhile now and the light still hasn’t come on. The definition for mental illness is: Doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. Well Davies keeps pitching the same way and expecting better results. Pitches up in the zone too much, throws too many pitches [NINETY in 4 innings tonight], nibble, nibble, nibble, give up a couple of walks then a three run homer. Pitches behind in the count. Gives up too many walks [SIX tonight]. Has one good game, then three or four bad ones. The announcers tonight said that McDowell praises Davies for his work ethic and the fact that he is eager to learn. Apparently he can’t put into practice what he learns. The clock is ticking on him doing what it takes mentally to be a successful major league pitcher. Nothing wrong with his stuff. Million dollar arm, 5 cent head.

As far as Redman, I have been wondering why the Braves continue to think they will be successful with soft tossing lefties. Here are 3 examples. These are stats from this year 1 - HoRam - 1-1 record 6.30 ERA 2 - Odalis 1-2 record 8.64 ERA and 3 - Bruce Chen 0-0 record 7.20 ERA. Looks like that would be enough definitive evidence for them to stay away from those type pitchers. Redman will do the same as Davies, a good game followed by 3 or 4 poor games. Afraid that’s not gonna be good enough from the 4 and 5 spots. I expect one of those 2 to be sent out when Cormier is ready to come back. Flip a coin as to who. My choice would be to send Redman away. At least Davies is young and maybe Bobby can get in his head about doing the things he needs to do to become a PITCHER.

By Drummerdad

April 23, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

DOB, Do you think that when Glavine goes into the HOF he will go in as a Brave or a Met?

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this

A-Rod hit two more Home Runs tonight. That guy is out of control. 14 homers in July. That just wrong. Back in the day, 30 homers was a big thing. This guy could reach that mark by next week with the way he’s swinging. I don’t think there can be any doubts about A-Rod opting out after this season. This is a classic Boras walk year. And A-Rod will have at least 3 cash rich teams after him this offseason. Maybe 4 if the Dodgers want to get involved. Hell, maybe even 5 if for somereason the Rangers want another go round. lol. Unbelievable.
Honestly, this is what I thought AJ would be doing. Maybe he will. He’s just getting warmed up I guess.

By Pink Elephant

April 23, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this

The funny thing about all of you is that you think you can not complain about the ownership because “you can’t do anything about it.” BUT crying about every move of Bobby, inaction of Teflon John, and strikeout of Langerhans, A. Jones, Wilson? What good does that serve? Is any of your crying going to change any of that? No! Not unless you all are foolish enough to believe that anyone in control over there reads your stuff and acts upon any of it. This team is going nowhere and it is because of the ownership group. Crying about Langerhans? Come on, what is the point? Think about the teams we had. How did we go from crying about performance or nonperformance of Grissom, Lonnie Smith, Deion, Otis, Gant, Klesko, Justice, Lofton, McGriff to crying about Langerhans, Diaz, Thorman, Wilson? Absurd.

Keep ignoring that big old pink elephant that is our ownership group. They are not trying to win anymore. They have figured out just how much they have to pay to have a better than mediocre product that will keep all of us coming to the park. We want the World Series. The owners could care less so long as we are stupid enough to keep handing over money. I would rather direct my ire at the silver spoon faceless billionaire owners rather than lash out at a kid like Langherhans who is trying his butt off but who just might not be good enough to be an MLB player. He certainly never would have played for any of the Braves teams from the 1990s. That is how far we have fallen. We’re crying about Redman, Davies, Mcbride, Cormier. Disgusting.

What happened to this team? Why do all think it is useless to rant against the actual root cause of all of the team’s problems but it is okay to wail at the symptoms.

It is like waiting for Ocean’s 13 to come out but being told that Clooney, Pitt, Damon, and Cheadle are not going to be in the movie. The movie studio won’t put them in the budget because they figure that the Ocean’s 13 name is the star of the show and not those actors. So, they can throw any old scrub actor in the movie and the moviegoing public will go anyway and fork over millions watching scrubs trying to pretend they are movie stars. And the moviegoing public won’t question once why the heck Pitt, Damon, Clooney, and Cheadle are not starring in the movie. In fact, just in case things don’t work out, the movie studio will convince people not to care that the big stars are not in the movie but direct all their anger not at the movie studio but at the scrubs inadequately trying to fill the shoes of the stars.

In the 1990s, we were watching Caddyshack. Since AOL/TW and LM, this has been like watching Caddyshack 2.

By Eric C.

April 23, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this

An aging Smoltz, a mediocre James, an inconsistent Davies, and a project in Redman…2,3,4,5… championship material eh? I guess the Braves have done more with less in recent years…but this is definitely pushing the limits.

By TennesseePaul

April 23, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this

Tex for Davies, Harrison and Salty.
Efrim, that would be a sad, sad day. Salty could very well be the next Teixeira, and he’d be considerably cheaper since Teixeira is a free agent this year or next. But Teixeira is from Georgia Tech. so he’s got that going for him…
Thor needs more time. More time playing every day. It has to blow for him. This winter he went from a AAA starter, to a major league starter, to a platoon guy before he even got on the field. All the talk was about giving Thor the job. It’s his to lose kind of thing. Then we sign one deminsional Wilson and Thor is bumped down to a platoon role.
Langerhans though, eesh. That guy has it rough. At least his defense isn’t slumping. I still find it amazing he was able to hold Alou to a single, when had it been Diaz out there it would have been a double at least. But Langerhans bat is depressingly weak. He needs to figure something out. Maybe we could put Wilson in LF with Diaz for a while and let Langerhans swing in the indoor cages until he gets it figures out.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

April 23, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this

I must say that I am a bit amused at those who say we can’t bring up any minor leaguers because they don’t have major league experience. I have to ask the silly questions. How are they going to get experience unless they get the playing time? How are we going to find out if they can hack it unless they receive the chance?

By Ron

April 24, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this

Drummerdad, Without a question Glavine goes as a Brave, he played for Atlanta for a long time and he won a Championship here, no question at all!!!!!

By Sir Stealth

April 24, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this

Last weekend, Kyle Davies took the deciding game in a series against the Mets. Now he has a bad outing and people wonder if he will ever be able to get anything but an L. Chuck James started out the year lights out, now he takes a loss and is “mediocre.”

This goes the other way also. For example, Kelly Johnson shouldn’t have been sent down before (obviously) and should have a solid year, but a hot week doesn’t make him a number 3 hitter. Thank God this team is led by a steady hand…

By TennesseePaul

April 24, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this

What good does that serve

Several. We’d like to think it played some small part in Gonzo’s MRI, if only by constantly pestering DOB to the point he tosses it out as a ice breaker while he’s out drinking scotch and burning a cuban with JS and Bobby. Plus, if anything it’s fun.
Complaining about a multi-billion dollar tax free deal serves little purpose and is no fun.

By fastasballs

April 24, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this

Drummerdad Hill was THAT good the other day. He has a unbelievable curve ball & great control.

On to tonights game… Really bad outing by Davies followed by one by the vulcher. Gonzo looked very good, that is great news indeed. Also the Aussie did well.

Great comeback tonight. Renteria, CJ, AJ & Frenchy were 10 for 16 with 7 RBI, 3BB & 6 runs. Oh and only 2 LOB amoung the four. The rest of the team, 2 for 21 with 10 LOB! Ouch!

To get that kind of production & lose is tough, but those nights happen. I really like the fight the Braves have shown this year. Lots more comeback victories ahead. Later in the year these comebacks will be in the back of every team’s mind that they play.

I guess the debate will continue to be what to do in left field. We will have plenty of time to argue about it because neither of the leading characters are going anywhere, or produce for that matter.

No team is going to make a trade this early unless we are dealing PRIME prospects. With the thunder 1-6 in the order all they need is a steady bat, .260-.280 with a decent glove that doesn’t stike out a ton. We don’t need a guy who hits 30 HR & drives in 100 although that would be nice. Diaz left 6 on base by himself tonight. If he had 1 hit if those situations the game is totally different tonight.

Thor will be fine. Wilson on the other hand is useless, no production & a suspect glove. Just let Thorman play every day.

The bench, for a lack of a better word, sucks. Although KJ & McCann did not come through tonight if was great to have that confident feeling in a Braves pinch hitter. I fail to have that warm, fuzzy fealing when Wilson, Orr, Woodward, & Langy are announced. Pena I like.

By Randy

April 24, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this

Gonzalez definitely looked better. The lead off walk was still a little troubling, but at that point in the game I had become pretty numb to walks.

I really thought Moylan looked fantastic. Some nasty action, two groundballs and poppped up Cabrera. Obviously Gonzalez is a more important piece, but Moylan showed promise tonight.

By fastasballs

April 24, 2007 12:33 AM | Link to this

Pink Elephant,

We LOVE the game & the team, that’s why people come to this blog so they can discuss the great game of baseball & the Braves. Everyone throws their two cents worth in. None of us would be here if we did not love the team.

Yeah I wish the Braves had another 10-15 mil to spend but I’m not going to give up my team that I have lived & died with for 25 years because they are not spending 200 mil a year like the Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox & Mets.I don’t want to watch a team that has to buy a World Series. Besides none of the 200 million dollar club has done worth a damn except one year of the Red Sox.

Did you get the term “silverspoon faceless billionaire owners” from moveon.org? You sound like a typical liberal, always b*** about the rich owing the rest of us something. Baseball is a business regardless of how we look at it.

Go look at the rosters of the early to mid 90’s Braves teams. The offense out there today would put many of those teams to shame. The bullpen today is as strong as the Braves have ever had IMO.

The Braves have NEVER just thrown money to every free agent like the Yanks & Sox. They signed what they needed & took lots of chances on guys that panned out like Jared Wright & JD Drew.

I could go on for days about this but what’s the point?

By Sir Stealth

April 24, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this

Hey fastasballs, thanks for needlessly bringing your view of politics into your otherwise excellent point. [sarcastic clapping]

By Coach

April 24, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this

Win some , lose some. Redman on the mound tomorrow.

By jed

April 24, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this

What’s the situation with Blaine Boyer? That guy was lights-out a couple years ago.

By farthammer

April 24, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this

Sir Stealth, I don’t know what steady hand you’re referring to. Looks like Muhammed Ali is in there managing this team

By fastasballs

April 24, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this

Sir Stealth Yeah your right, I kinda regret adding that tid bit. It was one of those heat of the moment deals. I’ll leave out the politics from now on.

By Sir Stealth

April 24, 2007 1:22 AM | Link to this

fastasballs, no problem man - I agree that it’s crap to demand thoughts on the ownership of the team (which I try to think about as little as possible) instead of the baseball being played on the field.

By bergian

April 24, 2007 1:22 AM | Link to this

Robert (Justice Is The Best), I may have the reason Bobby Didn’t play KJ against Willis. It’s because KJ is hot! Willis can screw up a leftie but good, so why take chances, when chances are a leftie rarely does anything against him, anyway?

By Sir Stealth

April 24, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this

Farthammer has secretly confided to me that he’s only referring to the rekindling of the torch of Atlanta sports glory that’s gonna return to town for the first time since the Braves forgot to bring it back from New York in October ‘96.

By bergian

April 24, 2007 1:27 AM | Link to this

I have a idea for the team, so DANGEROUS, it can only be mentioned after midnight!!! What if

By bergian

April 24, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this

Hey! It’s gone! It was too dangerous!!!!!

By fastasballs

April 24, 2007 1:39 AM | Link to this

Well I’m off to watch “The Riches”, gotta love it. Peace out

By bergian

April 24, 2007 2:02 AM | Link to this

Ok, I have seen some outside the box(You know, crazy!) thinking on this blog so….if there is still no offense from 1st base say by Mid May…..why not Bring Salty up to Catch and McCann to 1st??? What? Impossible? Well, there have been a few offensive catchers moved away from behind the plate (Biggio, for one)

McCann may be too good an offensive player to leave behind the plate(and off the field once a week)He would no doubt hit for a higher average without the tools of ignorance weighing him down.

We always hear how we are a “Small market” (Even though we are the fastest growing city in the U.S. and have at least 5 million people in and around the ATL) So, if we couldn’t afford to sign free agents that would fill a need, why not try it for a few weeks?

If he hits, great! The Braves could either keep him right there, or if he has proven to folks around the M.L. that his is a switch hitting Catcher with much upside, trade him for a starter,(Most teams have too many good ones anyway) a left fielder, a 1st baseman.

One way or the other,somethingwill have to happen with ol’ Salty, correct? Should we just let him tear the cover off at AAA while the Mets and Marlins pull ahead of us????

By bergian

April 24, 2007 2:07 AM | Link to this

Oh, one more thing. LaRoache is hitting an amazingly low .105 with 3 homers and 7 RBI’s. And those are still better power numbers than Diaz/Langerhans or Thorman/Wilson have put up! Yikes!!!

By ShortBusDriver

April 24, 2007 2:14 AM | Link to this

So is it because I’m short in stature, or is it because I drive the short bus, or is it because I’m short in stature and I drive the short bus, oh, the uncertainty?

By ShortBusDriver

April 24, 2007 2:21 AM | Link to this

All Aboard!

By Coach

April 24, 2007 4:39 AM | Link to this

Thorman , Diaz , Wilson , Langerhans , Pena , Woodward and Orr have combined to hit .178 with 4 home runs and 11 RBI in 191 at bats. That , ladies and germs is Pathetic.

By jed

April 24, 2007 4:45 AM | Link to this

I thought Pink Elephant's post was interesting and, for the most part, accurate.  I was puzzled by fastasballs' contention  that PE was a "liberal," as my dad is a staunch conservative and he views the Braves like PE does. ("How are you gonna win with THESE scrubs?") Actually, I tend to lean a little left, and I agree with my dad and with PE's post, so what does that tell us?  Nothing, except that the Liberal v. Conservative paradigm is the great red herring of our political era. Free yourselves, people.  Hallelujah.
  I do think Braves ownership, post-Ted, has given JS enough money to field a team that could win divisions, but not WS championships.  I think that's a definite ownership strategy.   And I share Fastasballs' view that I dont want to pull for a team that spends 200 million to buy a WS.  (See, Fast, you're a Populist! Not a conservative!)  And godknows I gnash my teeth when guys like A-Rod say they want to play for the Yankees, because "at this point in my career, it's all about winning."  
   What kind of victory is that?  And the ridiculous thing is that the talking heads at espn will nod in agreement and commend "A-Rod's commitment to success."  It's like commending a guy's "warrior spirit" when he switches sides to fight for the Nazis because "they just took Paris and it looks like they're really--top-down--committed to victory."   
  Where was I?  Ah yes.  Cheap-a* AOL.  Braves have been my boys since the 70s, so although we often dont have the money to compete with the Yankees, you  just sorta take pride in division titles, suck up the playoff losses, and develop a deeper appreciation for JS's work.  (Is that what baseball has come to?  With all the player movement, we shift our fanly cheering from individual players to our GM's?  "Schuerholz can kick Minaya's butt!")  
  Or is it this desultory post's great lesson that AOL was, in fact, right?  We all came back, didnt we?  Blake said "The cut worm forgives the plow."   I dont wanta get all Chomsky on you, but that may well be the point here.  Are Braves fans no more than 'cut worms' forgiving the corporate plow?  Or are we really just a buncha loyal southern boys?  Or maybe both?  Oh! I've got it!  In the age of consumerism, our sentimentality is  twisted to serve that plow.  Yes, baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Karl Marx....

By jed

April 24, 2007 4:54 AM | Link to this

I thought Pink Elephant’s post was interesting and, for the most part, accurate. I was puzzled by fastasballs’ contention that PE was a “liberal,” as my dad is a staunch conservative and he views the Braves like PE does. (“How are you gonna win with THESE scrubs?”) Actually, I tend to lean a little left, and I agree with my dad and with PE’s post, so what does that tell us? Nothing, except that the Liberal v. Conservative paradigm is the great red herring of our political era. Free yourselves, people. Hallelujah. I do think Braves ownership, post-Ted, has given JS enough money to field a team that could win divisions, but not WS championships. I think that’s a definite ownership strategy. And I share Fastasballs’ view that I dont want to pull for a team that spends 200 million to buy a WS. (See, Fast, you’re a Populist! Not a conservative!) And godknows I gnash my teeth when guys like A-Rod say they want to play for the Yankees, because “at this point in my career, it’s all about winning.”
What kind of victory is that? And the ridiculous thing is that the talking heads at espn will nod in agreement and commend “A-Rod’s commitment to success.” It’s like commending a guy’s “warrior spirit” when he switches sides to fight for the Nazis because “they just took Paris and it looks like they’re really—top-down—committed to victory.”
Where was I? Ah yes. Cheap-a* AOL. Braves have been my boys since the 70s, so although we often dont have the money to compete with the Yankees, you just sorta take pride in division titles, suck up the playoff losses, and develop a deeper appreciation for JS’s work. (Is that what baseball has come to? With all the player movement, we shift our fanly cheering from individual players to our GM’s? “Schuerholz can kick Minaya’s butt!”)
Or is it this desultory post’s great lesson that AOL was, in fact, right? We all came back, didnt we? Blake said “The cut worm forgives the plow.” I dont wanta get all Chomsky on you, but that may well be the point here. Are Braves fans no more than ‘cut worms’ forgiving the corporate plow? Or are we really just a buncha loyal southern boys? Or maybe both? Oh! I’ve got it! In the age of consumerism, our sentimentality is twisted to serve that plow. Yes, baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Karl Marx….

By Lew

April 24, 2007 4:54 AM | Link to this

Coach-Can’t argue with you there, but should we do what so many have suggested and bring up our entire AA team?

By Coach

April 24, 2007 5:02 AM | Link to this

No Lew , just axe a couple of the dead weight players , namely Langerhans and Orr. Bring up Blanco , Prado and lets see if they can do any better.

By Bravo Nam

April 24, 2007 5:10 AM | Link to this

Braves’ pitching

Feel like a scratched old record since I’ve been saying this since the end of last season, but I’ll say it again. At the end of last season the Braves needed to get a No2 and No4 starter. The got something close to a No4 starter, Redman, but it’s not going to be enough. The Braves biggest problem at the moment is not their hitting or BP, it’s their starting pitching.

The Bravos have three reliable starting pitchers- Smoltz, Hudson and James. Redman is going to be lit up more often than not, Davies is incredibly erratic, and even if Cormier does get back to full health again, there’s concerns over his durability. Smoltz and Hudson are a 1-2 punch, James is a no.4 starter, and we can look at Redman, Davies and Cormier as our no.5. At bare minimum, the Bravos need to add a no.3 type starting pitcher, otherwise our bullpen is going to be burnt out half way through the season. I’ll say it again- Bravos need a no.2/no.3 starter- even if they make it through the season on what they’ve got, it’s not gonna hold any water come playoffs.

LF/1B

For all intents and purposes, we’ve only got 6 hitters- that means one time through the order- opposing teams are essentially getting three free outs. The Braves have gotten away with it so far, but their luck can’t last- I like DOB’s idea of getting Cliff Floyd.

By David O'Brien

April 24, 2007 5:36 AM | Link to this

Fell asleep, woke up to turn off laptop.

Baron, this one caught my eye. You wrote: “My Bosox pal and I have been debating a Soriano or Gonzalez for Wily Mo Pena or Kevin Youklis trade since spring training.”

So you think the Braves, who traded a relatively young first baseman (LaRoche) who hit .285 with 38 doubles, 32 homers and 90 RBIs last season to get Gonzalez, would months later trade Gonzalez for Wily Mo Pena or Kevin Youklis?…

Drummerdad, I’d think Glavine would still go in as a Brave, given that he had about five times as many wins with the Braves as with the Mets, and four times as long a service with them.

By Lew

April 24, 2007 6:03 AM | Link to this

Coach-Orr isn’t playing, anyway. Blanco has zero ML experience, so we have no idea what he’s going to do or not. I just don’t see the Braves releasing Langerhans and that’s what essentially would happen if we place him on waivers. Matt diaz is well on the way to proving he’s not the solution, either.

By Coach

April 24, 2007 6:20 AM | Link to this

Lew , for the Braves to do nothing would be like sticking their head’s in the sand. Something has to give , if it’s nothing more than one of those , oop’s the guy stubbed his toe and we have to put him on the DL and call up another player. Then the Braves need to do it. The Braves started out 7-1 and out scored the opposition 41-28 , they have since gone 5-6 and been out scored themselves 52-59 , coincidence ? probably not.

By NCBravesFan

April 24, 2007 6:47 AM | Link to this

I am officially dubbing Kyle Davies the Preston Hanna of this generation.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 24, 2007 6:48 AM | Link to this

162 games will tell the story. The Braves may get up for a series against the Mets but the Mets are built to win over the long haul.

By Ron Roberts

April 24, 2007 6:58 AM | Link to this

My God, reading some of last night’s posts is good early-morning comedy. Really.

How many “lets bring up Salty and have him play first” posts can this blog handle?

Does it matter - AT ALL - to some of y’all that Saltalamacchia hasn’t played a STITCH of first base?

Nah, apparently not. Sheesh. Scott Thorman’s gonna rake, eventually, but he has to be given time. You guys are railing on his lack of production right now, and yet I remember a certain Kelly Johnson who s-t-r-u-g-g-l-e-d in his early going in the majors. He needed time; Thorman needs time, too. He was absolutely killing in Richmond the little bit of time he was down there, folks. Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s had a good month at AA. Yeah, that’s promising and great and all, but folks, he might be more worthwhile to this team as trade bait than a call-up to play a position he hasn’t played. He’s a catcher; Brian McCann’s a catcher, too, and we’re not letting him go (see:McCann contract extension). Thorman/Wilson platoon hasn’t delivered, yet, but check the standings, folks: we’re a 1/2 game out of first and we have the number on the team we’re trailing.

It’s a 162-game schedule and the knee-jerk “why don’t we” fans just expose their lack of baseball knowledge with each “Dear God, call up somebody” post or “what about Salty at 1B” comment. The organization had confidence in Kelly Johnson for a reason, and they’re just as confident in Thorman’s abilities, too, or he wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t have shipped LaRoche off to begin with.

Here’s an idea; notice that the rest of the lineup is warming up: Kelly (who was given the night off tonight because Dontrelle’s a lefty, armchair managers…stop railing on Bobby for sitting KJ after a “hot” game) is hitting, Edgar’s being consistent ol’ Edgar, Chipper’s doing well now, Andruw’s starting to come around, McCann’s bringing his game to the plate, Frenchy’s truly evolving before our eyes, and that takes us six deep into the order, folks. Geez, not bad at all! With our top-tier starters (Smoltz, Hudson, Chuck James) and our bullpen, we can afford to be patient with our 7 & 8 guys in the lineup.

We just scored 7 - in a loss - with Kelly Johnson and Brian McCann getting the night off, too. C’mon, folks. Chill. We’re not going to win every game; McCann and Johnson and Chipper aren’t going to play every day, and it takes time for most major leaguers to establish themselves at the major league level at the plate.

By chipdip

April 24, 2007 7:04 AM | Link to this

bring up salty

By Pink Elephant

April 24, 2007 7:10 AM | Link to this

fastasballs, it’s funny how you start throwing the liberal moveon.org thing out there for no reason. No one said spend like crazy and no one said spend more than $100 mil and no one said sign a bunch of free agents. The point really is spend $100 mil or so and retain your own guys. I certainly hope you are a millionaire or a billionaire because if you ain’t in the richest 1 to 10%, then I have no idea why you are so defensive of the fat cats. Amazing! You are probably just another poor schmuck like the rest of us. If you want to root for the pocketbooks of the owners, then go right ahead. But don’t pretend you are a Braves fan. When you go to a Braves game, do you say this ticket is going to put $22 into the pocketbook of the owners, Woo-Hoo! They will only spend $10 of it and pocket the rest. Woo-Hoo! Bring on the beer and nachos and peanuts, I’m going to spend money tonight folks. I wanna see just how much of my money the owners can pocket and not reinvest in the team before I realize what a sucker I am. And then of course you chop, chop, chop, right? Oh no, that’s right. The Tomahawk Chop has pretty much died because many fans have subconsciously become aware that they are being played for fools by the owners. Most fans can’t even fake it anymore as a result. We love the Braves and we love and hate the players but fastasballs, it is chumps like you that prevent this team from winning. If this fan base was more demanding and vocal and humiliated AOL/TW and LM, then changes might actually occur.

By Vonshawn

April 24, 2007 7:18 AM | Link to this

It’s getting to a point now that whenever I see Oscar V., Kyle D. or Mark R. pitching I know it’s going to be a long night.

Unless we put a lot of runs early tonight, it appears we will lose our first series of the year, because Hudson doesn’t pitch until game 3.

Damn, I really miss Mike Hampton now!!

By Pink Elephant

April 24, 2007 7:21 AM | Link to this

Oh No Chop STFU! I might be ranting against the Braves owners right now but you are just about the most foolish person on here. Our owners might be cheapskates but your owners are a bunch f retards. You ain’t gonna win anything this year. Reyes will pull a hamstring. Wright has mysteriously lost power. Delgado is losing. Valentin is a fluke. Green is garbage. Alou was always missed half the games when he was a kid why should things be different when he is an old man. Loduca is a waste of a an at bat. Your manager is not very good. Your pitching staff is a joke.

Again, No Chop, you come on here and you say the Mets are this and that but you never tell us why. I don’t even think you know why except that you are a moronic fan. Your team spent all that money and you have no pitching? Chrissakes. Did Oliver Perez in NLCS Game 7 teach you a darn thing? FOOL! Learn how to make arguments before you post anymore please. WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY NIGHT?!?!?!? nowhere to be found.

By krath

April 24, 2007 7:54 AM | Link to this

“I just could never get comfortable out there,” said Davies, replaced after Miguel Olivo’s three-run homer in the fifth inning provided a 5-2 lead.

Perhaps the Braves could let him pitch in his favorite slippers. Maybe a nice, plush, recliner could be installed next to the pitching rubber so he could relax between pitches. I know, how about a sip of 2003 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges De Latour Private Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon which is Very elegant and fine-textured, yet also full-bodied, it has a spicy, cedary nose and concentrated palate of black cherry, black pepper, leather and minerals…. between pitches?

What the F? He is in his third season facing big league hitters! It’s about time he finds his comfort level and the strike zone!

By Efrim

April 24, 2007 7:56 AM | Link to this

Tennensee Paul:

Regarding you 11:54 post last night. Salty is not a first baseman. He is a catcher. At some point, the Braves have to trade him. If he could play 1st base, I think they would of converted him by now. The guy will be traded this offseason for a power bat. Do I want to trade him? Absolutely not. He has power with OBP skills, he is going to be a great hitter. But McCann is our catcher. Tex is a Boras client and a free agent after 2008, but we need to win the world series now, and Hampton’s contract is up after 2008 anyways so we should have money to spend.

By Efrim

April 24, 2007 8:00 AM | Link to this

YOUR ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR NEXT DAYS STARTING PITCHER…….

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 24, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this

Pink Shi-t head check the standings and get used to seeing the Mets in first place f******* face.

By Ron Roberts

April 24, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this

Wow, a half-game lead after we just spanked your #ss in front of your own fans, and you wanna talk smack?

As the Guinness guys would say…

Brilliant!!

By NationalLeagueEast

April 24, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this

Seems to me Pink Elephant started the smack-talking, with a tirade of unsupported criticisms of the Mets. No pitching? I think it’s time for that myth to die.

By KC

April 24, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this

You guys remember that old ditty about the Boston Braves… “Spahn and Sain and pray for rain”.

Those guys were lights out, but the rest of the rotation sucked for a time. We’re in a similar situation right now, only we at least have 3 good starters. Davies may well turn into a quality pitcher, but it doesn’t look like the Braves want to be counting on him in a pennant race right now.

We need to get a look at Cormier. I hope he’s healthy soon. If Cormier’s not the answer, we’re going to need to make a move. We don’t need brilliance out of the 4th/5th slots, we just need some good innings and quality starts. A 4.50 ERA is quite average, but if we had two guys holding the other team to 3 runs over 6 innings, we’d win most of those games.

I think Lance Cormier well may be the answer… we’ll just have to wait and see.

By The Grinch

April 24, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

Krath, good post. Davies reminds me of a spades partner who has a wheel but keeps throwing out the four of diamonds or something because he’s scared he’ll run out of spades. Ron Roberts, I agree with your 6:58 with the exception that I don’t ever see a reason at any time to play Woodward over Johnson unless KJ’s injured or exhausted (which he shouldn’t be yet). Sitting someone who hits righties great but is inexperienced against lefties in favor of someone who’s proven beyond a shadow of a doubt he can’t hit either doesn’t make much sense to me. Chris Woodward is about as useful as goose %$#@ on a pump handle. If KJ had a hangover or something, then I understand. It happens. This is not an alarmist reaction; just an observation. I agree we’ll be fine one way or the other.

By kdbanks

April 24, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

Why trade when we have depth in minor leagues? Gregor Blanco (.349 avg, .801 ops) and Bill McCarthy (.306, .918) are both playing well.

I think Ryan would benefit greatly from some time down (up?) at Richmond where the pressure would be non-existent. Why not have Blanco come up and spell Diaz?

By Ron Roberts

April 24, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this

Which game last weekend would you like to point to as your finest pitching performance? You had 7+ runs scored on your pitching staff in two of three games. You’ve had one pitcher do well against us, frankly. One.

By Metropolitan Man

April 24, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this

If this donesnt change your perspective about a team getting better as the season goes on, I dont know what will. You guys minus Hampton, the METS will add Pedro becasue so far, so good:

April 24, 2007 — Pedro Martinez’s rehab from his torn rotator cuff continues to go very smoothly.

“He looks great and feels great,” Chris Correnti, Martinez’s personal trainer, told The Post in a phone conversation yesterday, “and he’s working extremely hard.”

Even though Martinez is in St. Lucie and away from the Mets, Correnti said his client hasn’t been depressed or unhappy.

“Spirits are good. He’s just extremely determined,” Correnti said. “He’s really motivated and determined to get through this next phase of his progression.”

Martinez’s rehab yesterday lasted approximately four hours, according to Correnti, and the righty is now throwing at 180 feet, an impressive distance. On March 23 the 35-year-old was at 75 feet.

Martinez - who has suffered “no setbacks,” according to Omar Minaya - will eventually move to throwing off a mound, though Minaya said that shouldn’t be until “at least” June. The GM still projects an August return.

By NationalLeagueEast

April 24, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

Ron - Mets team ERA is under 3, and the bullpen is under 2. Sounds pretty good to me.

By The Ghost of Syd Thrift

April 24, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

So many post, so little knowledge. In my day I saw the same thing, club owners who spent big money on free agents because they had no idea how to run a successful organization from within.

The Braves will not be making moves because of the likes of a bunch of misinformed, thickheaded bloggers who cannot understand basic information being imparted to them at this site.

The Braves are not currently planning to change their roster baring an injury. The Braves are allowing their minor league players to gain experience while keeping club cost at budget. The Braves are not going to spend as much as the Mets nor do they intend to try.

As for McBride, baseball people know it is common practice to send a reliever down to work on mechanical flaws by having him start minor league games on occasion. This also allows for the reliever to build arm strength and stamina. You will note he only pitched three innings.

By KC

April 24, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this

NO CHOP ZONE:

I’m not sure how “up” the Braves really got for that Mets series, even though they won it. Smoltz and James were both awful, 1B and LF gave us nothing (and continue to give us nothing), and M.Gonzalez and Chad Paronto were both unavailable in the bullpen.

The Braves are going to get better offensively as Andruw comes around and we start to get something - ANYTHING - from 1B/LF.

Atlanta’s pitching is certainly going to improve. Smoltz and James, who saw their ERAs spike after their lousy weekend efforts, will get those ERAs back down, and will win a lot of games. Also, Mike Gonzalez looked great last night, and Chad Paronto will be back soon… so the bullpen will get much, much better.

As I’ve pointed out before, if the Mets keep up this pace, they’ll score 1,000 runs this year and finish with a MLB-best 2.59 ERA.

You and I both know that neither of those things are going to happen. The Mets are GOING to tail off some offensively, and tail off a lot with their pitching. It’s absolutely, 100% certain.

They’re going to score a lot of runs, pitch better than anyone expected, and win well over 90 games… but they cannot keep up this super-human pace. As you’ve pointed out, it’s a “long haul” over 162 games.

The Mets are playing out of their minds right now at a pace they cannot possibly sustain. This is when they should be putting a lot of distance between themselves and everyone else in the division… and they are distancing themselves from everyone… except Atlanta. That must be very frustrating for Mets fans. =)

By Metropolitan Man

April 24, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this

Fernando Martinez, the Mets’ 18-year-old marvel, was pulled from Sunday’s Double-A Binghamton game because he was “not running as hard to first base,” according to Mets VP of Player Development Tony Bernazard.

“It’s a policy of the organization no matter who it is,” said Bernazard, who said he spoke with the outfielder on Sunday.

This is why we are so excited about the future of the METS. The youngins’ are learning now that no nonchalantness will be tolerated. Even though this should be the standard, its good to read that it wont be tolerated in the minors, so dont try it in the majors.

By KC

April 24, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this

Metro Man:

Remember that previous arm surgeries took about 5mph off Pedro’s fastball… so there’s no guarantee that his most recent surgery won’t adveresly affect his stuff. Elbow surgies rarely (after adequate recovery time) affect a pitchers “stuff” anymore, but it’s still not uncommon for shoulder surgeries to do just that.

But IF Pedro gets back at 100% this year… you will have an edge at that point in time, assuming the rest of your rotation continues to pitch anywhere near as well as they have so far.

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 24, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this

Agreed with the previous post that Cormier’s injury has hurt Davies, because he needed to be working out his issues in Richmond. Seems the only curve ball he can throw for a strike is a hanger, and we know what major league hitters do with those “mistakes”. Location of his fastball is spotty and predictable - he’s getting behind almost every hitter, and then has to either try to hit the corners (unlikely - the umps don’t give him Glavine’s zone), or just serves one up on a platter just to get a strike, or, of course, gives a free pass. 6 walks and 2 K’s ain’t gonna get it on any night.

I enjoy hearing the game called by Boog. He is so much better that Biff Barf Rathbun. Joe Simpson is ok. I liked Torborg and wish they had brought him back. I want to know why we are stuck with Chip, instead of Skip. If I hear “it’s a fly ball to center, and a can of corn” one more time, I’m going to puke. Even my wife asked the other night “what’s a can of corn”? I told her it was a sealed metal cylinder which contained corn, but outside of that, I had no idea what its relevance to baseball is. Anybody know the origin of this stupid saying?

By Yars

April 24, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this

Kelly Johnson struck out 4 times Saturday, & I think Bobby didn’t want to have a repeat of that against Dontrelle. Unlike Thor, Wilson, Diaz, & Langerhans, KJ can hit LH pitching. So he had a bad game Saturday, big deal. Even A-rod, Chipper, & Jeter have a bad game every now & then. Woodward brings nothing to the table. He’s usually a weak out. Some of you have stated that Atlanta would have won if KJ & McCann had been in the lineup? Perhaps. I will tell you this much, we have got to do something about LF. How long can we use the excuse, but it’s still early? I am not worried about 1B. I say keep Thor in the lineup even if a LH pitcher is pitching. I have more faith in Thor than I do Wilson. Thor needs to be playing everyday.

By Ron Roberts

April 24, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

NLEast….

A month of baseball isn’t something to base your opinion of your pitching staff on. That goes for any team. Most of the teams the Mets have faced so far are in the bottom half of the league in hitting.

If it holds up through June I’ll concede the point to ya. Honest.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 24, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

KC….As scary as it may sound the Mets offense will also get better. Wright and Delgado aren’t hitting yet. The bullpen needs to tighten things up as well, namely Heilman. The Mets should have won that final games against the Braves. But I say again, The season will have it’s ups and downs. I realy don’t care if the Mets lose every series to the braves as long as they win the division and get to the World Series.

By Ron

April 24, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

I think that we need to make a move now for LF. I know Matt Diaz hasn’t been hitting, but i think it’s bc he hasn’t had many ABs. Put him in there for a few games and see what happens. Langy just doesn’t have it. We’re a month into the season and he has 2 hits? Last year, we waited until way to late to take action on the bullpen. Let’s not make the same mistake again!

i like langy, and i know he’s out of options, but there’s a lot at stake here. We need production there…

as far as 1B, i like Thorman’s intensity. reminds me of a captain caveman when he’s up there. Harness that raw power and Thor will give you lightning!

Just my thoughts…

By Christy

April 24, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

A question for any and all. I was wondering how much of a role Brayan Pena being behind the plate vs. McCann could have on the efficiency/pitching of Davies and Redman. I ask only because Pena has caught all but one of Redman’s games and last night for Davies. Not being an expert, just wanted an opinion of how big of a factor calling and catching a good game could have in Redman’s and Davies success - i.e. Smoltzie and Huddy may not need the support or help as much as Redman or Davies that McCann can provide - IF McCann is a better catcher than Pena. I’m not saying he is, because, as stated above, not an expert here. Just an impression.

By Ron Roberts

April 24, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

And No Chop, you have to be well-aware that the Braves are right there with you despite Andruw Jones struggling, despite no contribution yet from 1B and LF, which won’t go on long with JS as the GM, although I think the guys we have will come around, and despite losing one of our own starters, and two if you count Hampton.

By David O'Brien

April 24, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

Ghost of Syd Thrift, how long would you expect a situational lefty reliever to go in his first start in years _ 6 innings? Three is quite a bit for a first start, especially when he gave up five hits and had a few Ks and obviously threw a lot of strikes.

But the reason I asked Bobby after the game, and reason I mentioned it DURING the game when I first heard that he’d started (the Braves said nothing about it beforehand, no plan to have him do that), was because, if you’ll recalled, Bobby mentioned unsolicited during spring how McBride could start with his variety of pitches and how he might even consider starting him THIS YEAR if there were injuries.

So down act like anyone was out in left field in at least pondering the idea _ before Bobby’s postgame comment last night refuted it _ that the Braves might actually be considering the move (a move I said all along made little sense because of how righties hit McBride, but you’ll remember Bobby insisted in the spring that McBride could do it).

By Tony

April 24, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

When has a major league team made it to the postseason with only 4 everyday players? Never. So sorry Edgar, Chipper, Andruw and Francouer are it for the Braves. Booby Cox is average at best when it comes to handling the offense. He retarded Klesko’s growth and now he is doing the same with Thorman. Listen folks, there is a reason Atlanta only won 1 world series when it had the unlimited payroll. Now with a restricted payroll we are seeing how great Bobby and John are. Raul Mondesi, Craig Wilson…The bench is putrid. If a righty starts, the Braves have Orr, Pena, Woodward, Wilson, Diaz coming off the bench. No speed, no defense, no hitting…thus no threat. The Mets will run away with the East b/c they will pound the rest of the National League…I hope Bobby and John wake up soon. Damn…if Diaz and Wilson get at least one hit tonite, more than likely the Braves win. Davies does not have consistent major league stuff. WHERE ARE THE HARD THROWERS IN THE BRAVES MINOR LEAGUES? Do they not draft hard throwers, can’t remember the last one to come up throught the system.

By Lee

April 24, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

This are 2 of the worst leftfielders I can remember in the Braves history of the whole organization. And we are lucky enough to have them both play at the same time. Langy has lost all confidence - like a pitcher who cannot find a strike zone anywhere. Diaz, well now LEW see why he did not make the Devil Rays or Royals organization -JS & BC please release Langerhans and bring ANYBODY up or trade for SOMEBODY

By The Ghost of Syd Thrift

April 24, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

Scalp ‘Em Braves My good fellow, long before supermarkets, the old corner grocery store would fill your order off the shelf. Often the can goods would be stacked on shelves to the ceiling behind the counter.

The clerk would use a long handled hook placed expertly behind the can, give it a slight tug and catch the falling can in one smooth move.

I watched my father do so many times while growing up in Locust Hill.

By David O'Brien

April 24, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

Christy, yes, McCann is better overally, and much better at calling games, getting pitchers to relax and find a groove, etc. He was good to begin with in that regard, and has gotten much better since he broke in.

That said, the catcher wasn’t the reason Davies couldn’t throw strikes last night. he’s got issues, man, that crop up time to time. Confidence, mechanical flaws, inability to relax and slow down when he’s unraveling … all things he’s gotta find a way to eliminate, or at least make sure they only crop up very infrequently.

I mean, his numbers don’t lie. It’s been a rocky road since that initial burst of good pitching after he first got to the bigs.

By KC

April 24, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

I agree with others here on KJ. I was PI$$ED!!!!!! when I saw Woodward in the lineup. KJ is one of the hottest hitters in the league right now, and it made no sense to me that he would be sitting in favor of Chris #$%^% Woodward!!!!!

Neither Chris Woodward nor Ryan Langerhans should EVER start unless someone’s hurt.

And the more see, the more I really want the Braves to make a move to add another bat. I like DOB’s idea about Cliff Floyd… but anyone who can hit worth a lick will do just fine.

Again, given the fact that Thorman, Wilson, and Diaz can all play both 1B and LF… we could look for a bat at either position. It doesn’t really matter.

By JasonInMaine

April 24, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

The Braves have played well, and when you consider the fact that they are basically playing with 8 less opportunities to score runs due to the automatic outs in LF and 1B; they have played really well. But, IMO, they need to fill one of those holes and get another starter. I would like to see them give someone else a shot in LF, play Thorman, and at some point; I think they will need another starter. Smoltz hasn’t been the dominant Smoltz we all know and love, but he will come around. Chuck will be okay even though I am not sold on him winning 15-17 games. Davies and Redman scare the crap out of me every single time they take the mound, and it is awful hard to win a series when they both pitch in it. It appears Cormier is going to have lingering problems and he expects to have to try and pitch through pain for the rest of the year.

By T-TownDawg

April 24, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

No Chop and MetroMan, Put this in your pipe and smoke it: 3 of our starting 8 hitters have given us nothing every game. 2 of our starting pitchers have given us nothing every 5 days and Smoltz has only been good for 5 innings…..and we’re still only 1/2 game back. I said earlier that the Mets would not go away. Neither will the Braves. Why do you guys disappear after we kick your a$$, only to reappear a couple of days later?

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 24, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Ghost of Syd Thrift:

Thanks for the explanation. Interesting bit of trivia/history. I still want Chip to stop saying it, though. Once in a while, its ok - every game, though, is too much - it sounds, well, kind of corny.

By KC

April 24, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Assuming Mike Gonzalez comes around (last night was a great start), the Braves will soon be in a position to trade a reliever or two to get another bat or a veteran starter (if Cormier doesn’t come through or can’t stay healthy).

Paronto will be back soon. Phil Stockman has thrown 6 innings at Richmond and has 1 hit, 6 strikeouts. Moylan looked pretty good last night, and Boyer and Sturtze should soon be healthy as well.

So again, when Gonzalez has righted the ship, and Paronto gets healthy, we’ll be in a position to deal a bullpen arm or two… maybe Yates and/or Villarreal. Their ERA’s don’t look so hot right now, but they were solid last year and are capable of much more than they’ve shown so far this season as a whole. I think both would attract interest.

I know this is a little far-fetched… significant inter-divisional trades are rare, and there would be a lot $ issues to work out, but… I wonder if the Phillies would give up Pat Burrell for some bullpen help and a major-league-ready prospect. He seems to have fallen out of grace in Phili.

How bout’ Yates, Villarreal, and Y.Escobar for Pat Burrell, with the Phillies paying half of Burrell’s (14 mill) 2008 salary?

We then plug Stockman into the 6th slot, and either Moylan, Boyer, or Sturtze into the 7th slot in the pen. Just a thought.

By Coach

April 24, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

Tony , you might want to use your fingers next time you try and count. Johnson , Renteria , Chipper , Andruw , McCann and Francoeur are everyday players and Diaz would be if he could get his bat in gear. Thats six or seven regulars , depending on your perspective.

By Christy

April 24, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

Thanks DOB. didn’t mean to suggest that was the sole reason for Davies’ meltdown. Just wanted to know how big of a factor it could have been, especially given that his previous start was pretty good.

By The Ghost of Syd Thrift

April 24, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

Ah, Mr. O’Brien as I said, it is not unusual to have a young reliever to work out problems by starting a minor league game. The number of innings pitched is not an issue here. It is an opportunity to work under the guidance of his coaches. I would suspect a predetermined number of pitches were more likely the factor in how long he was in the game.

The same could be said of young Mr. Cormier in his start in Rome. Wins and losses in minor league games are of no real consequence in the big picture. A fact often lost on many minor league fans.

By KC

April 24, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

JasonInMaine: “and when you consider the fact that they are basically playing with 8 less opportunities to score runs due to the automatic outs in LF and 1B…”

Bro, I think you’re overstating the case a little. I mean, sure… things have not looked good at 1B or LF, but they’re not “automatic outs”. I mean… not really. They’re coming around… aaaah, who am I kidding. You’re right, they suck! lol

Acutally, while they’ve been awful so far, I think we have to give Wilson and Thorman more time. Wislon has a proven track record, and Thorman’s a much better hitter than he’s show.

But left field needs to be fixed ASAP!

By JasonInMaine

April 24, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

When your 3, 4, and 5 hitters go 9-12 with 2 HRs and 7 RBIs and you lose; it hasn’t been a good night!!

By N8 says: The 1st Amendment RULZ! LOL LOL LOL LOL

April 24, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

Coach

“No Lew , just axe a couple of the dead weight players , namely Langerhans and Orr. Bring up Blanco , Prado and lets see if they can do any better.”

Like or not my friend, as each day passes, you and I are thinking alike on roster move suggestions.

Now if only you could find a way to be a little more pessimistic, we’d be a blogging match made in heaven!

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 24, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

For anyone concerned about where we are, holes in the lineup, starting pitching issues, etc., it could be worse. Look at the Cubs - went on a spending spree over the winter, and are in last place. Their supposed aces, Wood and Prior, are on the DL (Prior undergoing exploratory shoulder surgery over here in Birmingham by Dr. Andrews, as we blog), Zambrano isn’t exactly tearing it up, and is browned off over his long term contract being on hold pending the sale of the team, that kid Miller, who destroyed us last week, went on the DL with back problems, their bullpen cannot hold a lead, etc. Their offense is scoring runs in bunches, kind of like us last year, but they have no pitching now.

I’ll take our salary challenged roster with concerns over a couple of positions over that 7-12 mess anyday.

I think things will work out at first - I do wish Bobby would quit the straight platoon, and give Thorman more at bats, to either prove he belongs, or not. I do agree that something needs to be done in LF - just not sure what. When JS calls me for advice, I’ll be sure and let everyone know.

By eric the elder

April 24, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

The question isn’t if, but when, and I fear we will wait too long. The most recent example is agonizing through Reitsma until all was lost, and then getting Wickman too late.

I can also recall a couple guys who were apparently not yet considered ready for the bigs, and then they HAD to be brought up because of injuries. Their names were McCann and Francoeur, and the excitement in the city was palpable. I’m not ready to give up on Thor and Diaz, but I can’t believe we don’t have anything better than Wilson/Woodward/Langerhans down there. If nothing else, they would inject some enthusiasm instead of those three guys boring us to death.

By jason

April 24, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Langerhans and Diaz are 2 good guys, but good guys don’t win games.It’s apparrent why BC is platooning the 2. Diaz is a good hitter when he is not over exposed. O for 16, os 20 after last night. Langerhans is just plain bad. I don’t think his defense is all that great. especially not grat enough to over shadow the hitting. I was thinking yesterday, let’s put KJ back in LF. Not such a good idea, I wouldn’t want to mess with him now. Outstanding defense for someone who has never played 2B before, wait until he gets comfortable there. We have tofind answers at LF, and 1B. The production is horrible. I say let Thorman play every day. Give him th KJ tratment of a couple of years ago. Lf is the sore spot. DOB, I like your thoughts on Floyd. In a platoon situation with Diaz; it would work. Left handers generally get the majority of AB. Diaz wouldn’t be over exposed. I know its early, but still almost 100 ABs per position. Langerhans would have to bat .500 the rest of the year just for a shot .250 avg.

By Lee

April 24, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

JasonInMaine - Excellent point about the production from 3,4 and 5 hitters and you still don’t win the game. KC I have thought about Pat Burrell also - he scares me a bit though - Sometimes he really goes into a bad slump also. But anything would be an improvement over what we have now and Burrell as an 7th or 8th hitter would not be a bad idea and the Phillies fans have been down on him a few years anyway.

By Greg in TN

April 24, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

Morning denizens…

The offense almost overcame a rocky start last night. Looking at Davies quotes that DOB harvested last night makes sense after thinking about it. He was overthrowing a lot last night and was not able to get into a rhythm.

I believe the offense is making strides and will continue to improve. Some have voiced concerns about Smoltz’s last couple of appearances, however I am not looking at the length of his appearances and reading very much into that at this point. I am surprised and ecstatic at Hudson’s season and I think that while he may have off nights here or there, he’s back. Chuck James needs to improve on his last start against the Mets, but I think he’ll do that.

Tonight, will we see the Mark Redman that gave up seven earned runs against the Marlins in Atlanta or will we see the guy that went 7 1/3 and pitched pretty effectively against the Cubs?

By KC

April 24, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

“I do wish Bobby would quit the straight platoon, and give Thorman more at bats, to either prove he belongs, or not.”

Agreed.

By chipdip

April 24, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

do you think torre should rest rodriguiz after his recent tear!!??? bobby cox would.

By eric the elder

April 24, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

On the one hand, “resting” KJ because Willis was on the mound makes one wonder when, in New York, KJ had just hit the first pitch of the game from a HOF leftie out of the park.

On the other hand, KJ seems like a fragile kind of guy, and a bad outing could have messed him up for a long time. Maybe Bobby knows him better than we do.

On the other hand … oh well, I suppose this is the kind of thing that keeps us blogging.

By Lew

April 24, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

MetroDude-Two things, Buddy. 1.Pedro hasn’t had any setbacks and won’t be throwing off of a mound until at least June. Dude, there will be setbacks-it comes with the territory. I refer you to Mike Hampton. Yes, I realize they are two different injuries, but there will still be setbacks. No one’s rehab goes perfectly. Even if he does come back in August, it may be wquite a while before he has anything like normal command. You’re putting way to many eggs in his basket. Now number two. Gee, your minor league players are finally learning they have to hustle and you’re thrilled here? Seems to me this is a lesson Braves farm hands learned at bare minimum 12 years ago when Andruw got pulled in the middle of an inning. Sure doesn’t take much to fuel your optimism, does it? Chop Zone-Do you seriously believe that the Mets will bat over .300 for the season or have a team ERA under 3.00 for the year? If so, you really need psychiatric therapy. It sure doesn’t take much to p!ss you off, does it? You trying to get dumped from the site again? We’d be glad to help.

By Lew

April 24, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

KC-You don’t want Burrell. He’s more frustration than the Braves and their fans can handle. He’s streaky, he strikes out a lot and he is not good defensively. Not to mention, as you said, the Phillies would have to pay more than significant portions of his salary. There has to be a considerably better option-if we really need to find someone out of the organization. Note to everyone wanting to release Langerhans-It won’t happen. Putting him on waivers would amount to the same thing. BC and JS are just not going to dump a player of his defensive capabilities and extremely low salary and get nothing in return-especially without someone to step into his shoes. I repeat. It won’t happen.

By scott

April 24, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

DOB…. What do you think about moving Yunel Escobar to left in the minors? He’s currently tearing it up offensively and his Rocket Arm would come to good use in the out field. He could also spot start for Chipper or Edgar if they need a day off.

By Pink Elephant

April 24, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

David Wright has 6 home runs in his last 344 at bats and 8 home runs in his last 401 at bats. He ain’t gonna turn it around. But at least the Mets have one helluva slap hitting third baseman. Can you say Edgardo Alfonzo? His career started the same way before a big decline in power production as well.

By NationalLeagueEast

April 24, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

Lew - All you ever talk about is what WILL happen in the future—as if you have any way of knowing—and you ignore what IS happening. Right now, Mets pitching is pretty darn solid. You can hope it will collapse, but that’s GUESSING. Right now, all the evidence says the Mets staff is a lot better than it was given credit for. If that changes, then you can criticize it. But you wanting the Mets pitching to be bad doesn’t make it so, and the Mets are proving that to you night after night.

By TennesseePaul

April 24, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

Efrim: Salty is not a first baseman. He is a catcher. At some point, the Braves have to trade him. If he could play 1st base, I think they would of converted him by now

Sheesh Efrim, the guy hasn’t even had a shot at 1B and you’ve already proclaimed him incapable of handling the job.
You are correct; Salty is currently not a first baseman. Very much like KJ was not a second baseman before this season. Salty is still catching because IF the Braves need a trading chip, Salty is the biggest one they have, or at least, in the top 5. And Salty as a catcher is more valuable than Salty as a 1B.
Trading for Teixeira would not work because of his price and pending free agency. Take a look back and see how the Braves handled Andy Marte. They didn’t trade that top prospect for a 1 year rental. Some how JS, genious that he is, was able to pull in 3 years of Renteria and Cash for 1 minor leaguer with little Major League experience. No way they trade Salty for one a year rental, which is what Teixeira would be. Assuming the Rangers were even willing to trade him.
Salty very well could be playing 1B by the end of this season in AA. Time will tell. I wouldn’t completely rule it out. If the Braves managment sees Salty mature even more as a hitter then they will find a way to get his bat into the line up in Atlanta one way or another. If not, yes, he will be traded for a part they deem necessary.
The other reason I’m not keen on that trade proposal, besides the fact that it’s only April, is because it does trade Davies. Struggle as he does, we don’t have a large derth of Major League ready pitchers to step in should, say, Cormier get hurt, or Hampton, or Redman fall completely apart, or Smoltz go down… or should the ever looming oblique strain from Hudson occur. Davies, as hittable as he is, is a line of defense we can’t necessarily trade at this moment.
And for clarification, in case I was mis-read, I am not advocating calling up Salty right now to start 1B. I think Thorman will be able to handle the job. At the very least, Thor should be given a chance to prove that he can or can’t handle the job before we pull in someone else. Platooning with Wilson does little to help the team or Thor.

By Lew

April 24, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

NLEast-You can’t seriously believe that the Mets’ staff-or any other staff, Braves included-will end a season in this era with a team ERA under 3 runs per game. Dude, it’s not going to happen. It hasn’t happened for years and the Mets are not going to buck that trend no matter how much you wish it to be so. The same with a team batting average of over .300. It just isn’t going to happen. Not just by the Mets, but NO ONE in MLB will. Don’t go acting like this is smack talk. It is common sense. Everyone but you Mets fans can see it.

By TennesseePaul

April 24, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

Escobar to LF… Interesting. It worked for KJ. And I’m sure if you told Escobar that move would get him to the top quicker, he’d consider it. But, like Salty, Escobar’s value is highest at SS/middle infield. I don’t see that type of move coming until mid season, if at all.

By Rodger

April 24, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

To paraphrase Old Ben (aka Obi Wan)-Preston Hanna-now there’s a name I’ve not heard in a long, long time

By Lew

April 24, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

NLEast- I don’t ignore anything. If you want to hear the Mets praised, I’m afraid you picked the wrong forum for that. Try watching ESPN-They’re enamored with the NY teams. What’s that? You mean they really only pay attention to the Yankees? Too bad. Maybe you should trade for ARod if you want press.

By NationalLeagueEast

April 24, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

Lew - apply some of that common sense to your own pitching staff. It’s in much worse shape. And no one said the Mets would have a sub-3.00 ERA at the end of the season, but neither can you assume their pitching will COLLAPSE. It’s shown itself over the past two seasons to be much more capable than that. Take off your Braves blinders and look at the stats.

By Rodger

April 24, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

It’s really frustrating that Bobby keeps running out a lineup that doesn’t show the promise of delivering a lot of runs when he throws out a pitcher who will really need them. That has seemed more noticeable in the last couple years than ever (I guess that’s because we’ve trotted out more “pitchers” that need the runs).

By TennesseePaul

April 24, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

All that typing on Andy Marte got me curious…
Player .AVG .SLG .OBP
Marte: .179 .333 .220
Renteria: .303 .474 .376

LaRoche: .105 .281 .261
Wilson/Thor: .169 .310 .277
Gonzo: 7.1 innings, 2.45 ERA

Giles: .347 .493 .386
KJ: .292 .538 .418

So far, as weak as some of these guys have been, we are still on top. Giles has the advantage in average, but is lagging in SLG and OBP and KJ still has a very respectable average. LaRoche is just choking out there in Pittsburgh. Thor alone is almost doubling LaRoche’s numbers (.206, .471, .270), Wilson is killing that platoon. And there is no contest in that Renteria/Marte swap.

We need a better bench. I think it was Coach or N8 who posted the cumlative bench numbers. They’re terrible. Replacing the bench would be a major boost. That alone could help the platoons. But it is early. Orr has only been in 8 games and registered 6 AB. He really hasn’t had a chance to play this season.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 24, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

LEW…..The Mets have very few weakness’s. I’m not boasting just stating facts based on stats. All off season you said their pitching would be their downfall. I think any sober blogger can see that Maine and Perez will hold their own this season. The braves on the other hand lack team speed. Can’t steal without it. The back of the rotaional is questionable. they’re poor situational hitters as far as moving runners over (Productive outs). You can’t live off the 3-run homer all season. Sooner or later you’re going to have to manufacture runs to win games. As the season progresses this will become clear and the Mets will slowly pull away….You’ll see my friend.

By Braves20

April 24, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

“Thor is nearly doubling LaRoche’s numbers.” Quick - let’s sign him to a McCann-like contract!

By geauxbraves2000

April 24, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

The Cubs and the Braves are basically cut from the same mold, pretty good starting pitching and a few boppers, no speed and no fundemental baseball. Redman did have a good game, but Oliver Perez kicks the Braves’ butts everytime out. Sometimes it’s not the pitcher, it’s what team you face.

Geaux Braves!!

By Lew

April 24, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

NlEast-I looked at the stats. The Mets have not had a sub 3.00 ERA before now and won’t this season. I still contend your pitching staff is way overachieving. I’m not comparing them to anyone but themselves. We’re not even 20 games into the season. What the Braves have done is sustainable. What the Mets have done is not. It’s real simple. Your offense is great, but will not hit .300 for the season and your power numbers are way down. I don’t understand how you can dispute this. Seems to me you’re just looking to give Braves fans some grief. If so, do it with someone else. I’ve got better things to do than take your sorry fans to school. Chop Zone-I still contend your pitching staff WILL be your downfall. You’ve done well so far and STILL lost 4 of 6 to the Braves despite your vaunted offense and overperforming pitching. You’ll see, but likely won’t believe your eyes. Later.

By CMC

April 24, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

DOB,

I haven’t had time to read all of the posted blogs in the past few days, so excuse me if I am beating a dead horse here. If the LF production issues continue, do you think Bobby would consider moving Kelly Johnson to left field and promoting Prado to handle 2B? It appears that Prado is ready to contribute for someone at the major league level. Kelly seems to be locked in now, much more comfortable at the plate than he was at the start of the season. I think settling in with the glove has made a huge difference. Langy just doesn’t have a clue at the plate right now, and Diaz seems better off the bench than in an everyday role.

By fastasballs

April 24, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

I’ve got a technical question on call ups & the 40 man roster. The Braves have 39 on the 40 man roster. Say the Braves want to bring a player up like Escobar or Brandon Jones that is not on the 40 man, he is first added to the 40 man, then called up? He can be called up & sent down as as many times as the Braves want for this year and that is considered 1 option, correct? But once he is on the 40 man he has to stay there? Can you be removed from the 40 man without being released or traded?

Since Hampton is done for the year is he still taking a spot on the 40 man roster?

By KC

April 24, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

TennPaul:

Don’t leave KJ’s power out of the Giles/Johnson comparison. 4 homers (an inch away from 5) from the leadoff spot.

By Baron

April 24, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

DOB, the conversation was mostly about Wily Mo in spring training- he’s played centerfield, and would be an economical replacement for Andruw next year. Also, the Gonzalez for LaRoache trade happened before the Braves were able to get Soriano for Ramirez- it seemed at the time as if the Braves may have overshot on the bullpen rebuild. As the woes at 1B have become apparent, the inexpensive Youklis started to look like a good fit for the Bravos. Don’t forget, part of LaRoche leaving was his potential price tag. And of course, the Sox need pen help.

My main point was in that scenario or almost any other, patience can only be of benefit.

By Lew

April 24, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Fastballs- I believe you are correct on all points, but I’m not sure about removal from the 40 man roster and how that affects status. Everything else is right, for sure.

By Bobby's Cox

April 24, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

If you told me to throw three straight strikes in a row, I couldn’t have done it tonight, especially with the same pitch,” Davies said. “Mechanically, I was jumping at the plate.”

Doesn’t sound like a MLB ready pitcher…Any MLB starter or reliever should be able to throw strikes. Don’t like Kyle, never have and won’t unitl he proves he’s ready. 1 good start against the Red Sox 2 years ago is not enough proof. Please save us and our bullpen Cormier!

By Lew

April 24, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Baron-You are wrong. The LaRoche/Gonzalez deal came after we already had Soriano. People were griping that we traded Roachy unnecessarily.

By Hunter

April 24, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

I believe, and somebody will correct me if I’m wrong, when you move someone from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL you open up a spot on the 40 man roster to add someone else. So, if that’s true, when the Braves moved Hampton to the 60-day a couple weeks ago, they opened up a spot for another minor leaguer.

By CASHMERE

April 24, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

its time to look at salty in right or betta yet brandon jones, make a trade for j.gomes-tampa,jeff baker-colorado,as far as the floyd thing i dunno cuz thats temptin but im thinking brian jordan all the way. trade prado,andruw-and u can ask 4 whateva u want long as ajones is cool with it, wilson in left and either thorman or salty on first, or salty in lf(he can play it buy the way think carlos lee)

By beachcomber

April 24, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

CMC - re: Prado/Johnson, I think you may on to something there. While you hate to see all the labors of Glen Hubbard go to waste, it seems a logical solution to a serious problem in LF. It would seem if we are truly going to contend, we have to get 1B or LF going. Last night, our 6-8 hitters were 1 for 13.

By Chris

April 24, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

CMC - I like Diaz’s bat over Prado’s, and jerking Johnson from one position to the next isn’t going to help his hitting.

By Coach

April 24, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

I see confusion about this 40 man roster question , so I’ll just add a link. It will explain things a lot better than I can.

By Coach

April 24, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MajorLeagueBaseball_transactions

By Carroll

April 24, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

If BC was going to insist on Woodster starting last night—since he apparently has some history with Dontrelle—he should have started him at 1B instead of Wilson. Bobby had no business benching the best hitter in the league last night!

By Chris

April 24, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

About LF, I think it’s more likely that, as I think TennPaul pointed out, we’ll see Escobar in LF. They won’t move Johnson. Chipper Jones started his ML career in LF, as there was no room for him in the infield; so there’s a precedence in the organization for making that kind of move. Either that or Escobar gets traded once Schuerholz gets clarity on whether 1B or the 4th spot in the rotation is the greatest weakness.

By Coach

April 24, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MajorLeagueBaseball_transactions

By TennesseePaul

April 24, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

KC: True. That’s why I included slugging. But we’ve all seen what a year of Giles in the leadoff role produces in Atlanta… mediocrity with a ton of Ks and complaints.

Braves20: A B-Mac deal for this level of production from Thor would not suffice. We need to look at something around 10 years, 252 million as a starting point. He is doubling LaRoche after all, and LaRoche was going to be the guy we missed most. But alas, instead of a hole at first base from 1 guy, we have two guys doing the job for less money. One of them Canadian. LaRoche was just another victim of Corporate Out-Sourcing.
You guys are going to let Samir and Michael go?
Yeah. We’re going to bring in some entry level college graduates. It’s a standard operating procedure.
Naturally my initial post was more of a reflection of how poorly LaRoche is doing than how well Thor is doing.

By Coach

April 24, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

That link isn’t $%$^&#$@ working !

By Coach

April 24, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

http://kmbumb.people.wm.edu/roster/glossary.html

By Braves20

April 24, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

Given the upside of Escobar, there is no one in the major leagues, hitter or pitcher, we could expect to get that would be equal value. Any trade of Escobar runs a very high risk of being a Smoltz-Alexander trade.

By N8

April 24, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

To EVERYBODY talking about Salty’s availability/ability at 1B or trading him with NO room at the big league level due to McCann.

Have you guys every thought that if Thorman doesn’t work out at 1B this year or even through next year, that the Braves will move McCann to 1B to save his knees so they have his bat in the lineup for the next decade, while letting the kid (Salty) worry about his hitting, while playing a position he is familiar with?

I think that having Salty behind the plate as early as next year (if not then, by 2009), and McCann at 1B, is a much more realistic option than having Salty at 1B and keeping McCann behind the plate.

Just my 2 cents, for those that don’t think I’m too boring and need a hug from my mom.

By Braves20

April 24, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

Tenn Paul, in the spirit of your post, I don’t think 252/10 is enough! We were talking US dollars weren’t we?

By Jersey-Gil

April 24, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

Hello guys.. I like to said that i agree with mush of you guys..bobby have to end that platoon in first and give Thor the opportunity to show what he got..in left field we are ok defensenly…the other guys can carry the lack of offense in left(Renteria,chipper,andruw,Mac,and Frenchy). If you look the stat we are close in first place because the pen and also we win when it important(when we play east div team) we are 11-6 in the Division and 1-1 playing with other Division team..in the reverse the mets are in First because they are 4-0 again other Division Team and 8-6 again east division.If only first month…i will tell diferent story to the mets when come July and those old Fulks(Green,Alou,Glavine,Hernandez)can’t stay in the heat of the summer.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

April 24, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

Chris Where do you get your information? Off the toilet wall at Winn Dixie? Chipper came up as a shortstop. He volunteered to move to left field for the good of the club so Vinny C. could play third base. That moved ended up nearly cutting short Chipper’s career as he found he could not do the type of running required for the outfield position.

By Baron

April 24, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

Copy that, Lew. But I stand by my theory that LaRoche was let go partially for financial reasons.

And call me crazy, but I think the reason the whole conversation started was a rumored deal that would have resulted in LaRoche in Pitt, Gonzalez in the Bronx and Melky Cabrera as our heir apparent to Andruw. So you can understand my interest in Wily’s Mo Pena.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

April 24, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

N8 It is always the Braves plan to bring along one new player each year. Your scenario has as much merit as any. However, McCann could play well into his 30s before a position change is necessary.

It is always tough to give up a good prospect but if you have a solid farm system you use them as strength. How many prospects do have at S/S now? How many can we use? Think about that….

By forcesaberz

April 24, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

I know Oscar V had a rough outing last night but if redman and davies continue to struggle I wouldnt mind seeing Oscar get a shot at starting. We have great bullpen depth already and when Paronto comes back I could see moving Oscar to a starter. then we’d have both Cormier and Oscar instead of the God aweful Davies and Redman. Oscar wouldnt be lights out but at least he’d have more confidence then Redman or Davies

By Metropolitan Man

April 24, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

LEWI 12:26 post: I’m not comparing them to anyone but themselves. We’re not even 20 games into the season. What the Braves have done is sustainable. What the Mets have done is not.

With that logic, if the METS do come down they should be at the same level that the braves have been sustaining. So the METS will win the division by 1/2 game.

By TennesseePaul

April 24, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

Brave20: HA! Thor is Canadian. He doesn’t want any of our tainted bills. It’s all in Euros.

N8: I seriously doubt BMac will be moved to first. The pitchers love him, and from what I’ve read, he is the better defender and game caller of the two.

By forcesaberz

April 24, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

I am so glad we are rid of LoRoach. Even when he was hot I didnt like him. Way to streaky. Actually a lot liek AJ. Amazing sometimes but never ever consistant. That’s why I think it is absurd that AJ is going to get a massive contract. Good riddence honestly. I am excited to have another $13 to use on a guy that can actually hut for average. Who cares about the HR if AJ cant come through when it counts.

By Rodger

April 24, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Gil, go back a ways-Chipper was going to replace Gant in LF when he came up, before blowing out his knee. Maybe we should find Chris’ Winn Dixie?

By Ricardo

April 24, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

N8 -

I see the logic, but McCann is a good defensive catcher and is getting better. It’s supposed to be easier to find a good 1B than catcher so I think you got to hang to one when you find it. Not sure Salty is in the same league with his defense but I could be wrong.

By Rodger

April 24, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

MetroMan-sustain losing 2 of 3 to the Braves the rest of the season. It’s like deja vu all over again.

By Richard Cory

April 24, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

Salty to 1B, Salty to LF. Well, could happen. Matter of fact, if he stays with the Braves, it most certainly will happen. Problem is—it won’t happen real soon. He came to AA ball, last year, from A ball, and struggled to adjust to the pitching. Well now he seems to be adjusting quite nicely, but they don’t want- throwing a new position on him, and causing any setback. If he continues to hit, he will either begin learning LF or 1B, or be traded. Most catchers can move to 1B, 3B, or OF, easier than those position players could move to catcher. Be patient, something will transpire—on down the road.

By TennesseePaul

April 24, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

if the METS do come down they should be at the same level that the braves have been sustaining. So the METS will win the division by 1/2 game

MetMan that doesn’t make since. How is it the Mets are only a 1/2 game up performing at an unsustainable level, and would remain that far up by reducing the output level while eveyone else in the division plays the same? I’m not trying to get into who is going to win the season based on 20 games of play, but… the Braves rule! lol. Seriously though aside from all that jazz, I don’t follow how that would work.

By Mr. J

April 24, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

N8, Regarding McCann and Salty, imagine this: Lets say that at some point Salty comes up and it turns out that he can indeed hit ML pitching. And furthermore, it turns out his defense is adequate. Why not see if both McCann and Salty can be trained to play first base. Then alternate them behind the plate, or attach them personally to certain pitchers (McCann catches pitcher A B and C, Salty catches D and E). In this way both bats are always in the line-up, yet neither are worn out from catching too may games.

I can’t recall seeing a situation like that before, but why not?

By STRETCH

April 24, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

I FOR ONE THINK THAT CLIFF FLOYD WOULD BE A GREAT FIT, CAUSE LORD KNOWS, WE NEED SOME MORE POP IN THAT LINEUP! JUST CURIOUS, HAS ANYONE HEARD ANYTHING/RUMORS?

By Gil in Mechanicsville

April 24, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

No catching prospects in AAA right now….

Now we know why he blew out that knee. Never saw him play outfield in the minors.

Pena is a good looking young catcher. He would be getting a lot more playing time on another club.

I am thinking Langerhans is going to break out tonight… Like the guy said in Major Leagues “He’s due”

By Kieran from Long Island

April 24, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

It’s a kinda funny business, when the seaosn was starting people were sharpening the axe and getting ready to prop Kelly Johnson onto to the execution stool(Myself included), especially after that dropped popup in Philly. Now people are LIVID that he’s not in the lineup against Dontrelle Willis and his fantastic numbers against lefties. Its just amazing how fast things can turn around.

I’m of the mind, and I know that this will probably be shot down right now, and probably all season, that Mcann is Not going to be behind the plate by the time that contract he just signed runs out. This really isn’t sparked by the Saltalamaccia Craze that everyones into (I personally believe everyone was watchign the same spring training game i was spring 2006 when jarod hit a game winning shot off of The Dodger’s right handed flamethrower Broxton and that alot of the mania derived from that afternoon). I just personally dont theink Mcann is as good as everyone seems to think he is back there. Game calling aside (Its the first, and sometimes only thing people bring up when talkign about his defense) He hasn’t thrown anyone out this season who isn’t named Felipe Lopez. He seems very clunky out there and is error prone. I have no knowledge as to whether he could play first base, but i think that its logical he could end up there. Listen before you jump at me, I’m not saying this is soemthing that is going to happen in August, in 2008 or even this decade, but when a young catcher struggles this much defensivly early in his career, ESPECIALY when he’s as gifted a hitter as Brain is, its plausible to think he’ll end up at 1st base. We shall see.

PS-I’m afraid of Langerhans going 2-3 because then we might NEVER see the end of it. I like the guy, its hard to watch him suffer like this, but has he done anything in his career to lead us to believe that there’s hope for much else???

Trade for Bonds so that he can break the Record in a Braves Uni????

that was a joke, and so is he

By GeorgetownKid

April 24, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

To whomever may know,

Do we have the option of sending Redman to Richmond when Cormier becomes available? Or would we have to waive Redman first?

Secondly, why is it not a viable option to move Woodward to 1B? Hasn’t he played there before? I don’t recall any discussions on this topic, but I don’t see why we shouldn’t consider it.

Woodward isn’t a great hitter, and he certainly hasn’t been overly impressive thus far. But with some more at-bats, he would contribute more than our sub-Mendoza brothers at 1B.

By N8

April 24, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

I agree with you all about McCann.

First and foremost, his catching should be priority #1. He was a good catcher (good enough for Smoltz to request his services when he pitches), and like you all said, it’s getting better.

It’s just tough, to have to give, IMO, the best bat in the lineup a day off every 5th day. We’ve been blessed and cursed, IMO having two of the best offensive catchers in McCann and Lopez before him (hell, Estrada could fall into that category - sans the power).

Blessed because, as the Chipper commercial says, that’s a rare commodity. But cursed, because with the way Bobby gives his catchers regular rest, we’re without one of our best hitters in the lineup for about 20-40 games per year.

Imagine, if Bobby had to give Andruw (when he was actually productive) a “rest” every 5th day, how much weaker our lineup would’ve been.

Then again, Salty hyped MUCH more about his offense, than his catching skills. So maybe he should be turned into a 1B, if Thorman fails.

Salty’s stock may be high now, but may go HIGHER if he develops into a good catcher, as well as a good hitter. Since the great hitting catchers are a rare commodity, his stock may be MUCH higher next year at this time, if he has a good year.

I just think that McCann’s ability at the plate as a hitter is SO GOOD, that I would hate to see him struggle later in his career, due to being behind the plate for so long in his younger days. Kinda like Piazza. Though defensively, McCann is hands down a better “catcher” than Piazza ever was. But I’ll assume, you understand the comparison.

By Hunter

April 24, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

Does everyone remember Mike Piazza being moved from catcher to first base? I do, and I also remember laughing hysterically ever game he was over there until he got out of position and a runner ran into him breaking his wrist. It’s not a simple transition and first base requires some athleticism and familiarity with where you are and the position. We can forget about him moving there this year whether it’s in Mississippi or Atlanta. The Braves want him focusing on getting comfortable behind the plate and in the box, which is the best way to get him confident and hitting like he is and to maximize his trade value. Learning scouting reports of opposing pitchers and hitters, as well as working on footwork and a quick release behind and his swing are hard enough, throw in the beating his body is taking as a catcher and the thought of making him work a couple extra hours a day at first on footwork with a completely different glove might be a bit much to put on a 21 year old coming off a frustrating, injury plagued year.

By TennesseePaul

April 24, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

Richard: I’m wondering how much of the M-Braves troubles were tied to the Manager. In Salty’s defense, he started the season injured and suffered for it. But he had a productive second half (July-August).
H 2B 3B HR BB K AVG OBP SLG
25 6 1 5 21 13 .338 .474 .649
But even still, every one on that team down there had a down year. They’ve since released Blauser from the Managers role and every one of those players is doing better. It’s an odd coincidence if anything.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 24, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this

If the Braves want to get UP for the Mets and lose to every other team that’s fine with me. BC has always had a hard on when playing the Mets. It’s been obvious over the years. In the past the Braves would beat the Mets in an important series and send the Mets into a tail spin they couldn’t recover from. These are not you fathers Mets. They’ll bounce back and win 4 or 5 of the next 6 games. This team won’t be kept down Mr BC. They’ll keep on coming.

By ernesto

April 24, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

I don’t know about Floyd, seems like he’s on a downslope productivity wise. And he’s not a good defender.

I look at it this way, I like this team. A lotof guys are off to slow starts and we’re battling for first.

Guys are going to hit. Even Langerhans isn’t going to bat .039 for the year.

By TennesseePaul

April 24, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

More than likely Davies will be Sent to Richmond. He started out the season on the Richmond Braves, though I don’t think he ever got to the team due to the injury to Cormier. But nevertheless, his options clock is open so I’d imagine he will be going down. If Davies was lights out during his starts we would have to look into the Redman situation, but with the way Davies is pitching, he’ll be the one to be moved. We have more invested in Davies in the sense that, Davies is one of our own, young, cheap, and under our control for several more years. So it is more prudent to work to straighten out Davies.

By MBATL

April 24, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

N8, I’ve thought about McCann at first too. Don’t think it’s likely, but it’s not unreasonable to consider. I agree - I’d rather see him get 600 ab’s instead of 450.

From all I’ve read, Salty is probably the better defensive catcher (except apparently McCann is great at pitch selection).

But, Salty is also athletic enough to play 1st or LF. I’d guess if anyone is moving (and I hope someone is), it’ll be Salty. ‘Course that wouldn’t likely happen until end of this season, or more likely next spring.

One other thought: it’s a lot to ask of either of them to change positions. Big-hitting 1B and corner OF are not that rare, but catchers who can rake are. For either, it’d be a sacrifice in terms of prestige and probably earning power.

By TennesseePaul

April 24, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

I remember Piazza catching, and laughing every time a runner got to first and simply walked to second from there. Piazza was an offensive force, but never had any defensive skills at any position he’s fielded. Maybe DH, but the jury is still out on that position too. lol.

By Rodger

April 24, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

No chop-the Braves have yet to lose a series-and they keep beating the dead horse, er, Mets. Do some ciphering…

By TennesseePaul

April 24, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this

N8: Maybe the plan is to get Thor used to MLB pitching. See if that takes. If it does, and Salty is still in the system, bursting at the Offensive seems, then the move would be to see how well either LF or 1B take with him. And which ever he is better at he takes and Thor takes the other. Thor, by that time, would have experience at the Major League level at both 1B and LF making moving him less of a factor. Plus, we’d have all sorts of coverage with those two guys being able to play 2 positions each. We could potentially have, in a years time, 2 back up switch hitting catchers in Atlanta. One on the bench, the other manning LF or 1B.

By Coach

April 24, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

Look for the Braves to unload on Rick Van den Hurk to night , the Marlins young right hander. He got shelled like a peanut by the Mets , giving up eight runs in four innings. If Redman can hold the Marlins under three or four runs tonight , we still have a chance to win the next two games and win this series 2-1.

By Jersey-Gil

April 24, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

Hey Rodger..you have your fact wrong…Chipper came up as a SS when in spring Training ge blew his knee, by that time we already has Gant replacement on Ryan Klesko, when Chipper came back from his knee surgety he only can play Third base to limit his moment,terry Pendlenton was the third that time and help Chipper to adjust to that position then Vinny came again to the Braves and the Klesko fiasco do not work and Chipper volunteer to play left.

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 24, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this

Any of you choads who think, or believe, that McCann or Salty will get some time at first are tripping, stoned, drunk, or a combination thereof. Those sort of position changes are dealt with in winter ball and spring training. Not midseason. The answer to the lack of production at first are not to bring somebody up, unless they are already proven defensively at the position. The answer is to keep the platoon in place (far less than satisfactory so far), put Thorman or Wilson in the lineup everyday, irrespective of who is pitching (Thorman being my preference, at least until he proves that he cannot hit major league pitching during consistent play), or trade. Please stop the “bring Salty up” talk. It won’t happen - he’s at AA, and quite likely is not yet ready for major league pitching (I know, we brought Frenchy and McCann up from AA, but they have been exceptions to the general rule).

By MBATL

April 24, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

Scalp em, I don’t think most of us are suggesting Salty is the answer this week.

By Metropolitan Man

April 24, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

My bad TENNESEE PAUL: I forgot to mention that if the METS play at this high level and the braves continue theirs, then by the time the METS come back DOWN to earth it will be too late. Then they can play at the same level that the braves or any other team and maintain the big lead that will occur in the next month or so. Just remember, do you see the METS honestly getting better or worse as the season goes…..my bet is BETTER. I know the braves have a chip on their shoulders and this is only fun if the two teams stay close. Nobody likes a blowout unless it leads to WS rings. No competiton makes baseball boring. Please braves, stay in the race so we can maintain this enthusiasm until the bitter end.

By George

April 24, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this

I still say as I stated last night you can sum this game up in two words “oscar villeral” . Davies didn’t have it. if oscar kept it at 5. we would have won the game. No knock on oscar, no one is perfect all the time. the braves will do fine.

By Coach

April 24, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

If Davies keeps stinking it up , he will be optioned to Richmond. However, if he turns in a couple of solid starts , he stays in the rotation , Cormier ends up in the bullpen and Redman stays right where he is. Both these scenario’s allow the Braves to keep six starter’s for depth purposes. I don’t like it , but thats the way it is.

By Rodger

April 24, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

Jersey Gil, I think you might want to go back & check. He was an SS through the system, but in 94, was being brought up in LF.

By Hunter

April 24, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

Scalp ‘em, most top prospects skip AAA and go straight to the big leagues when they prove they’re ready to be promoted from AA. This year is a pretty rare exception with several teams starting their top prospects in AAA, but mostly they are there for a reason(defensive issues, blocked by someone at the MLB level, etc.). You’re absolutely right about not changing positions mid-season, though. There’s no chance that happens. But, don’t think that players won’t be called up to the bigs from AA, it happens all the time. Matter of fact, tonights pitcher for the Marlins got called up from AA after making no more than 2 starts at that level. Of course, it was out of necessity and he’s not ready, but it happens. Two years ago, the Braves called up McCann and Franceour from AA when they may not have been as ready as they should have been, but that was out of necessity also. AA is where the big time prospects distinguish themselves from the nobody’s, if they prove themselves there(offensively and defensively) most teams have no problems letting them try to make the big club.

By Hunter

April 24, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this

BTW, I’ve heard a couple times that the year Chipper blew out his knee in Spring Training, he’d made the team and was moving to LF just so they’d have a place for him. They moved him back to third for the next year.

By MGL

April 24, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Chipper 1742 games, 1330 @ 3rd, 364 OF, 48 @ SS.

By DAP

April 24, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

N8

how are we playing well against the mets but “struggling” against EVERYONE else?? our record is 12-7, and 4-2 of those are against the mets, so were 8-5, which isnt struggling. struggling would be under .500. try telling the phillies were struggling against them. the only team were under .500 against is the marlins, who we have a 1-2 record against. 3 games is not enough to tell if we really struggle against a team.

By MD Braves fan

April 24, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

Has anyone noticed that Frenchy is leading the national league in RBI’s? Who cares if his batting average is .268 if he makes his hits count!

By KC

April 24, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

Metro Man: “I forgot to mention that if the METS play at this high level and the braves continue theirs… Then they can play at the same level that the braves or any other team”

That’s right… until the Braves get hot and go on a tear.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

April 24, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

Rodger Does not make any difference anymore….. Just proves Braves have a history of not giving great importance to defense in left field.

If you can hit, they will find a place for you to play…. If you can’t, you better be able to catch the ball and throw the ball.

Langerhans is still around because he is the back up centerfielder. A team that scores 7 runs should win the game…

There are a few live arms on the Richmond staff but they are not going to get a chance ahead of the money players. One of them is Manny Acosta.

By journalist jimmy smith

April 24, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

dob’s clever use of “overally” in an above post has drawn attention from wendell wurlitzer of the wurlitzer prize committee. we shall see what happens. now, michael vick’s testifying before congress did not go well for michael vick, who missed the plane! yes, missed the plane to d.c.! that’s where congress meets. oh, well, should have sent a baseball player - smarter. and if michael vick continues at this rate maybe michael vick will soon be a baseball player. wonder if michael vick can play left field? and now, chipper is playing some goood baseball right now but if chipper gets hurt, what are the plans? can dob ask someone?

By Jersey-Gil

April 24, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

hey Rodger,i just Check the 1994, Chipper jones was not in the 1994 Roster…the Outfielder was David Justice,Deaon Sanders, Roberto kelly,Tony Tarasco,Dave Gallahger. The decision of Chipper playing left came later. Gogle to “1994 Atlanta braves Roster”

By StingerSplash

April 24, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

Re: Soriano or Gonzalez for Youkilis or Wily Mo. Did anyone see Pena’s feeble efforts at the plate Sunday night? Think Cerrano from “Major League” without the plate discipline. Wily Mo will remain another one of those “what if” guys. “Joboo” will never help him how to learn hit slider. Think the Yanks might part with Melky Cabrera for some bullpen help, because outside of Proctor and that Rivera fella, that is one unimpressive bunch of arms. (Vizcaino’s got stuff, but like Proctor, he’s about to be burned out by June 1).

By Baron

April 24, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

Cormier won’t be back for 3 weeks, folk, IF all goes well for him. Scouts Inc. said he had some “tightness” after his outing yesterday. When (and if) he returns they’ll have to either ‘pen him (in which case the Moyle or Yates or the Coyle gets sent down) or they start him- and they’ve got to either send Davies to Richmond or put Redman on waivers. And there are teams that are REALLY hurting for starters (Yanks, Rox). Then again, no one wanted him in the spring, and it’s not as if he’s done anything yet to change the opinion that he’s washed up.

At any rate, Cormier is not going to save this pitching staff. F-ing Davies has got to get his P’s and Q’s together, and like now. Otherwise, Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.

By Richard Cory

April 24, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

2 Hall of Fame catchers come to mind right away, who played other positions. Yogi Berra, played LF, late in his career, and Johnny Bench played some 3b. I’m sure there are some other good examples—anyone? Anywho, it should not be done overnight. There needs to be some learning process involved. Anyone who thinks Salty won’t be moved to OF, or 1B, please tell me what in the world, they will do with him, other than trade?

By beachcomber

April 24, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

GeorgetownKid - Sub Mendoza Brothers! Love it! Combined .170 with 20 K’s as we speak.

By Baron

April 24, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

Frenchy: 20 Hits, 22 RBI. 15- 15!! two out RBI. How does he do it?

By beachcomber

April 24, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

R. Cory - add Elston Howard to that list. He played a good bit of LF for the Yanks. And your reference to Berra reminded me, a very old person, of his incredible 1954 season where he struck out 12 times in 597 official at bats! Hell, some of our guys can do that in a week or less!

By TennesseePaul

April 24, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Otherwise, Spahn and Sain and pray for rain

Smoltz and Hudson then start your cussin’

By Braves20

April 24, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

We need a solid outing from Redman tonight. Pitched well enough to win last outing. Fear tonight will be another 9-8 game.

beachcomber - you’re stealing my thunder by posting combined Thorman/Wilson numbers. But they are down .010 since my last posting with another 3-4 K’s. Best duo since Jordan-Mondesi.

By DAP

April 24, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

the braves have alot of depth everywhere, which makes it interesting to talk about who will come up out of the minor and play where, and where the guys that are in the majors now are going to go when those guys come up. ive thought through some scenarios about this, ya’ll tell me what you think.

first of all, this year… kelly johnson should be the regular 2nd baseman, and not get time off because a big lefty is pitching. woodward is not the answer. those guys on the bench should not be starting ANY game unless there is an injury.

thorman should be the regular 1st baseman, not platooning. he shows signs of being a dangerous hitter.

diaz should be the regular left fielder, not platooning. he great at the bottom of the order.

2008: one of our SS prospects is ready ill just guess escobar. he leads off too. KJ stays at 2nd and bats 2nd, because renteria will be traded. thorman has proven himself at 1st base, and the braves call up an outfielder to play left and bat down in the order. wickman signs elswhere or retired, soriano is our closer. this is all if andruw stays.

if andruw does NOT stay, renteria is traded, escobar(or andus) is called up, lillibride is called up to play 2nd, KJ moves to left, and we sign or trade for a CF. im not sure at this point who would leadoff ect. because i dont know what the CF we get would be like. wickman gets resigned as well. in this case, diaz might be around as a 4th outfielder.

no idea about salty. if thorman doesnt work out then he will probably get a shot at 1st.

as far as the rotation goes for 2008, think it will be smoltz, hudson, james, hampton, and davies. the 6th starter will be someone from our minor leagues. i say this because when guys start showing they are ready in the minors, we are gonna deal someone, and i dont think it will be davies.

anyways, thats what i think might happen for ‘08. im probbaly way off,but its fun to see things develop.

By N8

April 24, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

DAP

If playing .500 ball against the Nationals and Cubs is “acceptable” to you, more power to you.

For as WELL as we’ve played (more like, how well the RESULTS are), we should be DOMINATING the other teams.

That’s all I’m saying. In the past, the Braves teams that were really good, abliterated the weaker teams, and held their own against the other division winners.

If you’ve read any of my posts recently, you’d notice that I’ve pointed out that I’ll take a LOSS if we played well or competed.

Say for instance, last night. Davies STUNK it up. But we managed to rally and make it close, you know….fight to the finish. All WITHOUTH McCann and KJ in the lineup. Not a bad loss if you ask me.

Quite honestly the RESULTS have been better than we’ve played, IMO. Though I agree with DOB, the sign of a good team is one that can win when all the “parts” aren’t clicking. Which Ronnie Milsap could see right now, about us.

So, am I happy with the record? Yes. I’ve said all along, we can’t keep up with the Mets all year. I still believe that. That doesn’t mean we can’t BEAT the Mets. We’ve already shown we can. I just think that their holes aren’t as glaring (not to mention they have fewer of them), as ours are. They will proceed to dominate EVERYBODY else, even if we have their number, in the head to head department.

Without making a couple of moves, we need to focus on the wild card, IMO. The Mets aren’t fallin apart anytime soon, from where I’m standing.

If Cormier doesn’t come off the DL and give us a DOMINATING starter to add to the rotation, we are looking at going under .500 in most of the games that Davies and Redman start this year.

JS’s whole offseason of “moves” was predicated on the BIG THREE in the bullpen dominating the end of games for us. Not to mention McBride/Paronto being part of that mix as well. Well McBride fell apart over the offseason, Paronto is on the DL, and Gonzalez has yet to show us much (though he looked good last night).

If that bullpen doesn’t DOMINATE like JS thought it would, we are in for a LONG summer.

By Baron

April 24, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

Ahright, ahright already. I got it figured out now. Aybar, McBride and Redman for A-Rod, with the Bombers agreeing to pay 97.4% of his remaining salary, and he agrees to play LF for the season, and then to opt out of the years remaining on his contract.

Now that was too easy. I think the problem, guys and gals, is that you all have a tendency to overthink everthing. Just get up there swing! It ain’t brain surgery!

By Richard Cory

April 24, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

beachcomber—good call on E.Howard. Speaking of Yogi, he is one of my all time favorites. And I, also agree with him—Jackie was out.

By Baron

April 24, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

That’s money, TennPaul. Get your copywrite now. Funny because it’s true. I was almost evicted from a sports bar last night for cursing Davies after he issued his like 13th walk to lead off the inning.

By TennesseePaul

April 24, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

beachcomber: You think 12 times in 597 AB is something… Check out Tommy Holmes, the old Boston Brave OF. In 1945 he had 636 AB and struck out 9 times to 70 walks. He hit .352 that season with 28 HR, 47 2B, 6 3B and 224 total hits. In his entire career he had 4992 AB and struck out only 122 times (he ended with a .302 AVG). AJ does that in a single season! Talk about a tough out.

By Rodger

April 24, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

beachcomber, if we go extra innings, Langy might do it in one game.

Richard Cory, how about the illustrious Gary Carter?

Jersey Gil-he wasn’t on the 94 roster because he was hurt in ST.

By David O'Brien

April 24, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

NEW BLOG UP

might be some typos, haven’t had a chance to re-read it. going down to clubhouse first

By Mike

April 24, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

even when Cormier gets back, Redman isnt going anywhere. The guy’s a seasoned veteran who will adjust and get some big wins under his belt.

Just because Lance had a good Spring doeant make him a lock for a starter all year.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 24, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

KC, Do you realy think IF the Braves go on that tear you’re dreaming of they’ll leave the Mets that far behind…..honestly

By DAP

April 24, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

N8, dude, i hate it when the braves lose, but i dont care of they lose EVERY GAME they play agaisnt the nationals and cubs, if they beat everyone else. an 8-5 record against non-mets isnt struggling, brother. thats all im saying.

too small of a sample size to think we consistently will win or lose to any particular team this season anyways. let just win series, no matter who the team is.

By beachcomber

April 24, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

R. Cory - damned right he was out. Like you, Yogi was one of my favorites, still have my first Yogi model catcher’s glove proudly displayed in my office.

And yes, Tenn Paul, I think 12 K’s in 597 at bats is something. Holmes was a decent player with 88 career home runs Yogi had 358 - totally different type hitters.

By bergian

April 24, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

N8, Move McCann to 1st you say, and have Salty as the catcher! Great idea! I thought so when I suggested it at 2:02 am as well! ;)

By young

April 24, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

The Braves are the worst hitting players in the world. Every year they lead the major in strikeouts. With exceptions for a small number of players, these clowns cannot hit and it is not the hitting coach. The greatest center field ever is hitting under 150 and he wants 230 millions in cash. These hitters are bad on the day they were born. In additional, do not mention that the Braves are the second best team in the National League because the Hawks were the best team in the NBA after four games and they are the worst team at the end of the season.

By Young

April 24, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

The Braves are the worst hitting players in the world. Every year they lead the major in strikeouts. With exceptions for a small number of players, these clowns cannot hit and it is not the hitting coach. The greatest center field ever is hitting under 150 and he wants 230 millions in cash. These bad hitters are bad on the day they were born. In additional, do not mention that the Braves are the second best team in the National League because the Hawks were the best team in the NBA after four games and they are the worst team at the end of the season.

By Young

April 24, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

The Braves are the worst hitting players in the world. Every year they lead the major in strikeouts. With exceptions for a small number of players, these clowns cannot hit and it is not the hitting coach. The greatest center field ever is hitting under 150 and he wants 230 millions in cash. These bad hitters are bad on the day they were born. In additional, do not mention that the Braves are the second best team in the National League because the Hawks were the best team in the NBA after four games and they are the worst team at the end of the season.

By Young

April 24, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

The Braves are the worst hitting players in the world. Every year they lead the major in strikeouts. With exceptions for a small number of players, these clowns cannot hit and it is not the hitting coach. The greatest center field ever is hitting under 150 and he wants 230 millions in cash. These bad hitters are bad on the day they were born. In additional, do not mention that the Braves are the second best team in the National League because the Hawks were the best team in the NBA after four games and they are the worst team at the end of the season.

By Young

April 24, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

The Braves are the worst hitting players in the world. Every year they lead the major in strikeouts. With exceptions for a small number of players, these clowns cannot hit and it is not the hitting coach. The greatest center field ever is hitting under 150 and he wants 230 millions in cash. These bad hitters are bad on the day they were born. In additional, do not mention that the Braves are the second best team in the National League because the Hawks were the best team in the NBA after four games and they are the worst team at the end of the season.

By Young

April 24, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

The Braves are the worst hitting players in the world. Every year they lead the major in strikeouts. With exceptions for a small number of players, these clowns cannot hit and it is not the hitting coach. The greatest center field ever is hitting under 150 and he wants 230 millions in cash. These bad hitters are bad on the day they were born. In additional, do not mention that the Braves are the second best team in the National League because the Hawks were the best team in the NBA after four games and they are the worst team at the end of the season.

By alan from Atlanta GA.

April 24, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

C’mon JS I know we gotta save money to pay Mike Hampton but it’s getting rediculous. Left field is a joke this year, why can’t we just get one decent player instead of those two. I thought Diaz was going to be better than he is though. First base is a joke also with the platoon system, give Thorman a chance to hit lefties. Make Kelly Johnson play everday, when Woodward it is almost a guaranteed loss. If BC wants to rest up Johnson, don’t. Where’s Pete Orr these days? Has anyone found Aybar? If they could clone Langerhans and Diaz together, would they have a decent LF who can hit? or would they have have a LF who’s a fair outfielder who can’t hit. Such is speculation when one thinks too much.

By chris

April 24, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

Holmes was more than a decent player. He held the NL record for consecutive game hitting until Rose broke it. He was their franchise player in the 40’s.

By Serge

April 24, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this

Man if we still had Giles. We could have a Seccond baseman hitting .350 and KJ as our Left Fielder and not worry about a .050 hitting “good guy”

By George

April 24, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this

Hey is there a record for lowest batting average for a position player. Langy think positive

By Ronnie

April 24, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this

The only bad thing about listening to the Braves on radio is that you know you’ll be forced to think about Mark Lemke’s hair plugs.

By Bobby's Cox

April 24, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

You guys are ALL wrong, except that there is a problem with left field and 1st base.

1. Do not move McCann to 1st to bring up Salty. McCann benefits the team in his play calling and is too immobal to field the position. If Salty is gonna make the bigs with the braves it’s gonna have to be at first base. The braves should train him now in the minors. Thorman’s swing is too long & lazy to be a successful hitter, much like the Roches.

2. Who cares about a trade or a platoon in Left. Let Diaz play EVERYDAY and watch him hit. Numbers aren’t everything at this point, unless your 2 for whatever Langs is with a 60% K rate and the rest you roll over to 2nd so weakly that my 13 year old brother can field. Diaz CAN HIT. Even his outs he hits hard. Sooner or later the hits will fall and diaz will be hitting .330 again. Leave Diaz alone.

3. If for some reason you don’t like Diaz, move KJ to left and bring up Prado. Prado can hit as well, and has better D. No offense Mr. Hubbard (good job yet again), but Prado is still a better 2B. If anything, bring up Prado and Escobar for the bench and give up on Langs, Wilson, and Woodward. They’re all trash!

4. Trade for a pitcher. Davies may still have a bright future, and we may still be saying that when he’s 35, but the Bigs isn’t the place to work on lingering command issues. Cormier will be a good #4 if his Tris hold up, but if not, then we have no one. Davies and Redman aren’t working. It’s time to let Boyer work to be a starter & make a trade. I fear that Cormier has something wrong other than his muscle. A strain in the Triceps doesn’t take a month to heal. Prado, escobar, and lilibridge are good trade bait.

5. Middle Relief. I think it’s worse than we realize. Yes Wickman, Gonzalez, and Soriano are solid, but if for some reason the Braves need a reliever to get us to the 7th, it’s a mark in the loss column.

By Bobby's Cox

April 24, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

You guys are ALL wrong, except that there is a problem with left field and 1st base.

1. Do not move McCann to 1st to bring up Salty. McCann benefits the team in his play calling and is too immobal to field the position. If Salty is gonna make the bigs with the braves it’s gonna have to be at first base. The braves should train him now in the minors. Thorman’s swing is too long & lazy to be a successful hitter, much like the Roches.

2. Who cares about a trade or a platoon in Left. Let Diaz play EVERYDAY and watch him hit. Numbers aren’t everything at this point, unless your 2 for whatever Langs is with a 60% K rate and the rest you roll over to 2nd so weakly that my 13 year old brother can field. Diaz CAN HIT. Even his outs he hits hard. Sooner or later the hits will fall and diaz will be hitting .330 again. Leave Diaz alone.

3. If for some reason you don’t like Diaz, move KJ to left and bring up Prado. Prado can hit as well, and has better D. No offense Mr. Hubbard (good job yet again), but Prado is still a better 2B. If anything, bring up Prado and Escobar for the bench and give up on Langs, Wilson, and Woodward. They’re all trash!

4. Trade for a pitcher. Davies may still have a bright future, and we may still be saying that when he’s 35, but the Bigs isn’t the place to work on lingering command issues. Cormier will be a good #4 if his Tris hold up, but if not, then we have no one. Davies and Redman aren’t working. It’s time to let Boyer work to be a starter & make a trade. I fear that Cormier has something wrong other than his muscle. A strain in the Triceps doesn’t take a month to heal. Prado, escobar, and lilibridge are good trade bait.

5. Middle Relief. I think it’s worse than we realize. Yes Wickman, Gonzalez, and Soriano are solid, but if for some reason the Braves need a reliever to get us to the 7th, it’s a mark in the loss column.

By Andy A

April 25, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

DOB, great inshight, as usual.

Left field continues to be a blaring weakness for this team. Has there been any thought of looking to the minors for help? Perhaps Blanco? Couldn’t be any worse than what Langy is going through right now, and it would be nice to have some options MLB ready if Jones decides to chase the money next year. Diaz is a hitter and will continue to do just that, but I don’t think he’s the everyday option.

I know it’s still early, but how much longer can the “his defense makes up for his lack of offense” story hold up?Especially with the back end of the rotation looking like 2 out of 5 games will be offensive in nature…in more ways than one.