AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > May > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSunshine, Huddy vs. Boomer, and in-game bloggin’!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Absolutely beautiful day at the ‘yard here, folks. San Diego is in town, but you’d think we were in their town, it’s so perfect _ sunny, 82 degrees, low humidity … come on.
Actually, it’s better than San Diego, because the marine layer of fog would just be burning off at noon out there, and it’d be too cool to sit in the stands in shorts and T-shirts like so many early arrivers are here at Turner Field.
(And some are in less than T-shirts, if you know what I mean. What a way to make a living _ I just wish I was sitting out in the stands, instead of here in the pressbox.)
But anyway, to the game. Braves have a very good chance for a 3-games-to-1 win in this series with Tim Hudson facing big ol’ Boomer, David Wells, this afternoon in the finale.
Can you believe this: A win would give the Braves their first three-game winning streak since April 11, when they beat Washington to move to 7-1.
Since then, the Braves are 14-11 and have won back-to-back games three times, and that’s it. Then again, they haven’t lost back-to-back games since April 12-13, which is pretty impressive when you consider what they’ve gotten most nights from the back end of the rotation.
It can’t be overstated how important the bullpen has been lately, specifically Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez. It’s the work of the ‘pen that’s allowed the Braves to keep games close and give the lineup time to stage its improbable rallies and string together all those two-out hits.
I’ll repeat, the Braves can’t expect to keep getting all these two-out hits and staging all these late-innings rallies. I mean, they’re 7-9 when trailing after six innings (not 7-10, as the Braves’ own notes indicated; Elias confirmed it’s actually 7-9). That just doesn’t happen.
And the two-out hitting? The Braves are hitting .295 with two outs, 12 points better than the majors’ next-best (Mets, .283), before today. The Braves are hitting a whopping .303 with runners in scoring position and two outs, a full 20 points better than the majors’ next-best (Yankees).
But while the two-out hits almost certainly can’t continue at this pace, the Braves’ bullpen can continue to dominate. In fact, they’re just doing now what the team expected when they made the trades for Soriano and Gonzalez in the offseason.
I mean, they made those moves to have a bullpen that could shorten most games to six or seven innings, and that’s exactly what they’re doing lately. Which has been even more important, given the early exits by some of their back-end starters.
Check this out: Soriano in his last 10 appearances has allowed just two hits and three walks with 12 strikeouts in 10 scoreless innings. Utter domination. He’s 3-for-3 in save opps in the past eight days.
I told you this spring this dude is the real deal as far as attitude _ fierce, no-nonsense, great scowl, rarely seen smiling. That works just fine when you’re this good. (If you stink, you look silly trying to be hard. He doesn’t stink. He doesn’t look silly. I still don’t like to make eye contact with him.)
Gonzalez? He’s nice as can be in the clubhouse, but a live wire who looks ready to come to the plate and beat someone for making him throw a bad pitch. Early on his command issues and sore elbow sent up some red flags around Braves Nation, but not anymore. He’s rounding into the kind of form he demonstrated for most of his 24-for-24 save season with the Pirates in 2006.
He’s got a 1.17 ERA for the season, and in his past 13 appearances Gonzalez has allowed nine hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts in 12-1/3 scoreless innings. In his past eight games, it’s six hits, zero walks and eight strikeouts in eight innings. Great stuff.
Wickman threw a bullpen session yesterday without pain in his back, and Bobby Cox said today that the big man should be ready to come off the DL on Tuesday, the day he’s eligible, without benefit of a minor league rehab assignment.
So the Braves’ bullpen should be at full strength for the Boston series next weekend, if not sooner.
Alright, gonna stop here for now, because, yes, today’s is in-game blog day. Wheeee! But seriously, let’s make this worthwhile. Tons of posts today, folks. Tons of freakin’ posts.
Let it rip, and tell your boss to haul a@& if he doesn’t like the fact that you’re on the computer. The Braves are on. Tell him or her to chill. The sun’s shining, Huddy’s facing Boomer, and baseball is good for the soul.
Speaking of good for the soul, George Jones is playing at some fairgrounds about an hour north of Atlanta on Saturday. And Son Volt on Friday at Variety Playhouse. Good series for me to miss, in Washington this weekend.
I’ll be catching up with the boys in Washington and Boston. Might have to see the Possum in the interim.
Alright, blog away, denizens of the Braves/Man in Black. Let’s bring this thing to its knees. Circuit overload is our mission.
SECOND INNING For those who missed update on last blog, Renteria’s out of the lineup again with lingering flu symptoms. Doing better today than yesterday, but still sick. He played Tuesday with the flu, had the big double and triple, and looked like he might pass out when he got to third on the triple and was bent over trying to gather himself.
How ‘bout Boomer? David Wells is my age, much richer, but not in nearly as good a condition. Andruw stayed with that lollipop curveball Wells threw him in the first and pulled it to left field for an RBI single. Then Frenchy doubled to drive in another.
Braves let him off the hook, though, leaving two in scoring position in the first, when McCann struck out and Woodward popped out. We’ll see if that haunts them.
Did I mention it’s gorgeous out here, and some folks are sunning themselves? Well, worth mentioning again.
SECOND INNING (pt. II) Well, I was just about to say how impressive it was that the Braves were making Boomer throw strikes, got those two-out walks by Kelly J and Diaz (who’s batting second today in Renteria’s place). Then Chipper pops out to the catcher and they leave two stranded for the second innning in a row.
Gotta love when they crank Led Zep “Rock n’ Roll” on the PA system, like they’re doing now between innings.
END OF THIRD INNING OK, nothing happened in that inning, other than Boomer getting a hit. He’s my age (43) and not in nearly as good a condition as me, but Wells is rich and can still get a hit off Tim Hudson. And he lives on the beach in San Diego. So I’ll stop being critical.
Who am I kidding, we’d all love to be David Wells.
Anybody got an update on the Boulder High School situation? When I left the house, they were in lockdown mode. Nobody here had an update and my Safari and Firefox servers are occupied with you all and the game tracker.
FOURTH INNING Ok, Mike Cameron’s bat just flew into the stands, and the fan who caught it was wearing a pink shirt and capri pants. The fan was a guy. What up?
FOURTH INNING But you know what, he looked like he had enough money to have purchased them in Capri, where he probably has a summer home. So I’ll shut up.
Meanwhile, things aren’t going well now for Huddy. Back-to-back doubs by Cameron and Kouzmanoff and it’s 2-2 now. Huddy’s pitched well lately, but you know how long it’s been since he won? April 20.
He’s pitched eight strong in each of his last three starts, with no wins.
FIFTH INNING It didn’t go out, but Andruw Jones really got a lot of that ball to end the fifth inning. He skied that thing to the warning track. Between that and his five hits in three days (so far), might be reason to believe the noted pull hitter could be about to go on a tear. Perhaps this trip? The Green Monster next weekend?
SIXTH INNING After that Huddy scare in the top of the inning (liner off his glove and part of glove hand), Braves are doing some hitting in the bottom of the frame (like saying “frame,” jargon we can’t, thankfully, get in the paper. But it works here. Toe the slab, bottom of the frame, can of corn _ no, I’ll draw the line at that. Hate ‘can of corn.’ Hate it.)
McCann single, Woodward double … OK, and there goes Wilson. Striking out. BossLady, you’re right. He ain’t looking good.
Pinch-hitting for Huddy, who’s thrown 80 pitches. Don’t know if the hand’s sore or if Bobby just doesn’t want to pass up this scoring opp. Willie Harris at the plate…. walks.
Loaded for Kelly Johnson, who’s not hitting like he was a week ago, but still has come up with big hits in critical situations, like last night. Let’s see.
SIXTH INNING I swear, I typed that last line, hit the save button, and the next pitch he hit to right field to clear the bases. Wow. Another big hit. He keeps doing it.
And Wells is gone now. Braves up 5-2, the bullpen getting ready.
SEVENTH INNING Paronto walking on the edge a bit there, but they can live with one run in. Double-play ball, that’s why he’s here.
Gotta like your chances now, though I see Yates warming up and not Gonzo. I’m sure because Gonzo’s been used the past two days. Too bad, with lefty Adrian Gonzalez due up. He’s a stud.
MIDDLE OF EIGHTH INNING Fine inning by Yates. When he’s on, he’s outstanding.
Can’t believe it: Kings of Leon playing on the P.A. system while they scan the crowd for the video board! Great stuff. The in-game entertainment person is really on his or her game today. Keep it up, please. All season.
Someone just held up a good sign: “We Rillie Like Willie”
NINTH INNING Gotta love Soriano’s entrance. Just a deliberate walk to the mound, head down the whole time. Fires a few hard warmuup tosses. Does the sign of the cross behind the mound, then gets to work.
Helluva catch by Frenchy running back at the warning track for the second out. Folks are on their feet now, pretty good day-game crowd out here, everyone standing as Soriano faces Termel Sledge.
Gas inside at the legs, nearly hits him. Then more gas and a swing, no contact, 1-1. Another swing-and-miss, 1-2, everyone making noise now. Pop up to McCann.
Game over. Three saves in three perfect ninth innings in three days for Soriano.
To the clubhouse. Later. Nice spending the day with the denizens of Braves/Man in Black.
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Comments
By ellaguru
May 10, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
No way. Not first. Not me. Hi, Dave.
By Mike S
May 10, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
4 broken bats in the first inning for Hudson. Pretty good. (Still managed to get 2 hits)
By David O'Brien
May 10, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
I can tell no one’s shopping at Ella Guru today. Someone go in there and buy a CD from Don, give him something to do besides blog.
OK, gonna move my comments to the original post now, so look for them there, at the bottom. I’ll just tack on some random thoughts from time to time, or whenever the Tomahawk Team appears.
By Major Harris
May 10, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
yeah, you can never have enough Son Volt…whatever
By flange1
May 10, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the new blog DOB! Let’s take the fat boy downtown early today!
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
I hope A.J does something here. He did so much for losing 9-0,1-0 Bravos, A.J. is looking good
By Stuart
May 10, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this
Good to see Diaz hitting early today. He is such a great weapon when used properly and that is in a platoon role. He and Willie are perfect fits for the platoon in LF. If the Braves can get more from Andruw and 1B, then they will be REALLY good. We still need another arm, EITHER bullpen or starter to step up, but I like us alot.
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
Wow! way to go Frenchy!!
By Tony
May 10, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
Big at bat for McCann here in the 1st. 2-0 is a nice lead. But if we can get a 4-0 lead, I can get back to work, and let Huddy finish it off.
By matt
May 10, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
Did ya’ll see that great at bat by Frenchy?!?!? I was thinking last night while the Smoltz/Maddux tribute was going on, it’s just too bad that Glavine, Smoltz, and Maddux couldn’t still be pitching in ATL. It’s too bad that contracts and things behind the scenes that we don’t know about force guys out. To think we could still have those 3 guys…..ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! That would be something sweet righ there!
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
Man Frenchy took care of his first A.B.in great fashion…
By David O'Brien
May 10, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
Major Harris …sounds like a certain West Virginia-bred sports writer who might be taking the day off while some of us work.
Damn, just realized I was supposed to be blogging live up top, not here. OK, I’ll move my comments up there.
Where is everyone? If this is it, we’ll just shut ‘er down and watch the game.
By flange1
May 10, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
DOB, will you be at teh Son Volt show?
By Bryan (Go KU)
May 10, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
David, Is Edgar sick again today?
By Erik
May 10, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
I’m a bit worried about McCann. He’s never looked this lost at the plate. Something about his demeanor is just wrong.
Good to see the rest of the lineup getting out of their slump, however. Maybe Heap can bring it on later in the game.
By NewYorkBravesFan
May 10, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
Hopefully stranding two runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out, doesn’t come back to haunt us. McCann needed to put the ball in play.
DOB, How is Renteria doing?
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
How much more nasty can Huddy’s sinker be man that thing is digging in on the SD hitters.
By Bubbaallred
May 10, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
Is it just me or does Woodward belong in AAA? Neither He nor Petey Orr do much for me.
By jjgrogan
May 10, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
What’s the story on Renteria being out of the line up?
By Bubbaallred
May 10, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
DOB: What’s wrong with McCann? Is it the finger or what?
By Coloradobravesfan
May 10, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
DOB… we’re here. Just need to be quiet so the boss doesn’t catch us. Keep the updates coming…
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
DOB I really think that B Macs finger is still biting him he didn’t look good on his first ab,and what a gorgeous day for Braves baseball.
By DC Braves Fan
May 10, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
Are the Bravos going to revisit Diaz playing 1B again? That way we get to keep 2 good bats (W. Harris/Diaz) in the lineup. Wilson’s got nothing and Thorman’s not too much better right now.
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 10, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
Huddy looks good today, ground ball hits are okay. Hard to hit a homerun on the ground….
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
Man the game last night was classic,made me almost wish we could see an encore.Doggie still looks good,and Smoltz what else can be said the man bleeds Braves baseball..
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
Nah Bubba your not alone aiwth your thoughts on Woodward,I’d rather see Orr and Escobar! don’t like Woody much myself
By honest_abe
May 10, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
i wonder what it would feel like to be mcann.. you’re one of the best catching prospects this organization has ever had. not to mention the fact he’s been the braves best hitter not named chipper for the past two years. and he gets a minor injury, the braves call up salty, and everyone is talkin about possibilities of moving mcann to first, platooning both of them between 1st and 2nd. he must be like what the hell do i have to do around here to get people satisfied?
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 10, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
Okay Chip… Need some more two out majic..
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
Good a.b by K.J. and Diaz,I think Kelly is one helluva lead off hitter, can’t ask for much more!!
By Greg in TN
May 10, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
Afternoon everyone…
Nice day at the Ted, we’re staked to a lead and Mr. Hudson is dealing. Sounds like the perfect recipe to me.
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 10, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
Boomer really has old “Uncle Charlie” working today….
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
Wells is gonna keep on with that bubble gum curve and get his behind lit up severely,he keeps hanging that thing and sooner than later Bam!
By Justin
May 10, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
I agree, why pay so much for Woodward when Escobar would give you more production and better defense???
By michael of b'ham
May 10, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
I guess it’s too much to ask ANYONE in sports radio in Birmingham,AL talk about anything but college football and NASCAR! Thank goodness for the internet or I’d never be able to keep up with day games! I was among the many who took a shot at AJ the other day for trying to pull everything. Let me now say THANK YOU and GREAT JOB Andruw for going to right for 2 game winners!(maybe it wasn’t on purpose,not sure) but thanks anyway. Now, if the Braves can win this one today, the schedule for the next few days are favorable. Here’s hoping!
By BravesScout
May 10, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
I know the Braves don’t want to bring up a minor league guy to sit the bench, but we haven’t gotten anything from Woodward.
DOB-Do you think today’s game has the biggest weight difference in the history of baseball for pitchers facing each other. It must be 100 pounds, your thoughts?
By Matthew, Dad to Walter
May 10, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB, any idea on when Boyer and/or McBride might be returning to the big club? I’m not sure where they’d fit in, but I know that they were looked at as important bullpen cogs in the offseason. Any word?
By JasonInMaine
May 10, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
I have to agree…B-Mac hasn’t looked good for a while, and he hasn’t hit a HR since the SECOND game of the season.
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
DOB ever checked out B.Paisley man that dude can bend some serious strings himself.
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 10, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
Okay, let’s wear him out on the bags…
By Braves Fan Trapped In OR
May 10, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB, First time…long time.
With Saltalwhatchamicallit having the superior throwing arm behind the dish…why haven’t the Braves thought of moving McCann to first? I mean he will still hit at whatever position he is at. I mean we can continue to ignore the log jam or we can solve the problem before it gets out of hand. But I guess since Smoltzie loves pitching to McCann so much we will have to wait until he retires. Or give Salty a break every fifth day by letting McCann catch Smoltz. At first I was all for trading Salty but now that I have seen this kid in action…we need to hold onto both guys. No offense to Bryan Pena. Have you worn out your Arcade Fire cd yet? Mine has yet to leave my cd player.
By chip
May 10, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
DOB - How is Thorman looking in person? And is Wilson as bad in person as he looks on TV?
By Matthew, Dad to Walter
May 10, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
McCann is in, Renteria is still sick (flu-like symptoms). DOB posted this earlier, I believe.
By Shaun
May 10, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul, hope you read my post from the last blog continuing our on-going Andruw discussion:
Andruw is never going to get hits consistently because he’s never been a high average hitter.
Andruw never gets a lot of hits in non-BB, non-sac plate apperances (low AVG).
If you’re counting on Andruw to consistently get hits in clutch situations (and all situations), you’re right, he’s not going to do it.
People were complaining earlier this week because AJ is the cleanup hitter and “you pay the cleanup hitter to drive in runs.”
Well, Andruw drives in runs but not because he makes a lot of contact or gets a lot of hits with runners on (or any other time for that matter). He drives in runs because a)a lot of his hits are homers which guarantee he’ll drive in at least one run, and b)he’s been hitting in a good lineup the past few years so a lot of runners are on when he does get hits or when he flies out.
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
Griffey just went into 5TH place on the HR list good for him.I remember when he was can’t miss but injuries hurt him bad!!!
By TennesseePaul
May 10, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
We’re here DOB. Now look what happened. I take my eye off gameday for a second and Boomer is on base. On a single of all things. Let’s gittum Hudson!
GO BRAVES
By TennesseePaul
May 10, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
I think McCann’s finger is still bothering him. He hasn’t been himself for a while. Hopefully he’ll figure it out and start flashing that power again.
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
David Wells looked like my Grandpa running into third just then.
By DAP
May 10, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
its nights like last night and days like today that make baseball such a great thing. i was at the park last night and it was perfect for baseball, today is really nice as well.
greatest game on earth.
By TennesseePaul
May 10, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
Wells is going to be fatigued after all this running.
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this
Sweet that was a nice feed to Huddy by C.Wilson for the last out.
By JasonInMaine
May 10, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
Okay, I am at work and can’t watch the game. It seems Huddy is getting hit hard, and I have one question:
How the heck does Boomer Gout Wells go 1st to 3rd on a single to RF?
Regards,
Jason
By Lee
May 10, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
With starting pitching looking better and with Cormier coming back eventually the Braves apparent only weakness is these backup bench players like Woodward, Orr and Wilson. Bring Escobar up and see what he can do in a part-time role. The Braves can provide him enough playing time by giving the infielders a day off for rest here and there
By TennesseePaul
May 10, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
why pay so much for Woodward when Escobar would give you more production and better defense
Because Escobar is being groomed for a starting job. He is more valuable as a starter. He gets more experience as a starter. And he didn’t have all that great of a AA season last year. But eventually something is going to have to be done about this bench. It’s a pathetic bench. Woodward, Wilson, Orr. These guys don’t really cut it.
By Drew
May 10, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
DOB, why don’t the Braves just give McCann 3-4 days off so he can really get that finger healed. He doesn’t seem like himself at the plate, and Salty seems like he can do a solid enough job. Seems like we ought to try to get McCann healthy while we have a solid option to take his place.
By Fed Up
May 10, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
Wow! What an awful lineup! Throw a lefty at Atlanta and you see Diaz, Woodward, and Wilson. Sheesh!
Am I the only one who is sorry to hear that Wick will be closing for us again soon. I know everybody loves Wick, but Soriano is a much better closer. He threw lasers at the Padres last night. They couldn’t touch him. Something is wrong with Fox’s gun because that did not look like Mid-90s stuff. He was overpowering. Wick is immensely more hittable. Soriano throws heat.
By Ruppert
May 10, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
Man- have to work, my brother in law is taking my baby nephew to his first game today. Can’t beat the weather. Liked Andruw’s right field hits- conscientious effort? I have noticed more opposite field hitting through the lineup this year than ever. Last time we had this many balls being sprayed was when Gerald Perry was here.
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
DAP I couldn’t agree more,I have been a Braves fan since 1970,there isn’t anythhing better than a beautiful day off and Braves baseball
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 10, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
They are keeping the ball inside on Brian. That takes advantage of the sore finger.
By Jared
May 10, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
David Wells looks like Bob Wickman.
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
DOB,any thoughts as far as the floating rumors about the Braves and Jason Davis? just curious,I believe he would be another good arm for the team.
By Chip Caray hater
May 10, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
Is it just me? Am I the only one who finds Chippy’s giggling at his own unfunny, lame quips, inning after inning after inning, nauseating?
By TennesseePaul
May 10, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
Payne: AJ wasn’t the clean up hitter until a few years ago because he couldn’t do anything with consistancy.
People shoot down comparisons with Willie Mays, Dimaggio and the likes because AJ can’t hit with those guys. He has the power to be included, but he doesn’t have the hitting skills to be included.
The biggest knock on AJ is, he isn’t consistant. He could be a .300 hitter. He was in the minors. He isn’t in the majors because he insists on pulling the ball. It’s of his own hard headed attitude that he is not a .300 hitter. Everyone who watches him play sees this. It’s within his reach and he doesn’t go get it. That is the potential he fails to live up to.
As for his splits, he has bad career splits in clutch situations. And he is living proof that these numbers don’t work out to match career numbers over time. He is living proof that some hitters aren’t successful in the clutch. Others are the same in the clutch, and still others are better in the clutch.
I’m sure you’ll have some retort to this, but thems the facts no matter how you attempt to sugar coat it.
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Huddy’s still looking nasty with that sinker.
By Tomahawkin' Again
May 10, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB, we’re here too in Florida, but like ColoradoBravesFan typed earlier, trying to make sure the boss doesn’t notice; I am following the game via the game cast on MLB.com. For those of you who are watching on TBS or DOB, how many people stuck out of work today and is @ the Ted? Was impressed by the nearly 37,000 last night…need to keep the crowds building for the summer because the Bravos are legit!
By JasonInMaine
May 10, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
For those watching the game, does Hudson look as bad as he does when following the game on Gamecast? That’s 5 hits already…
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 10, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Drew, I have to agree with you on that one…
By flange1
May 10, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
DOB, No updates on Bolder. Still in lockdown seacrching for masked intruders. Could be a prank or could be a problem.
I will keep you posted on anything dramatic.
By BossLady
May 10, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
I watched the 1st hour at lunch. Andruw still hitting. Why is Wilson still here?
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
how in the hell does that ball get past A.J.
By JasonInMaine
May 10, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
Joebrave, he can’t be looking that nasty. That’s 7 hits and 2 runs in 3.1 innings…
By Knox Braves Fan
May 10, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
I’m looking to by one of the Johnny Cash complilations. I’ve narrowed it down between The Sun Years, Unearthed, and The Legand. Any advice?
Also, do you notice anything different in A. Jones mechanics (besides the falling down on almost every swing) that is causing such a terrible start?
By Victor
May 10, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this
What was that??? that ball should be caught by Diaz. This guy is a liability in left field!! Now we are tied…
By StingerSplash
May 10, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this
Following this on MLB Gametracker. MLB.TV is blacked out, so I don’t get to see the doubles. But back to back two-base hits to two guys not even hitting their weight? Hmmm…. Wells’ pitch count is up there and the Padres have had to use their bullpen some in this series, and Maddux only went 5 and change last night. Maybe the Braves can make some more hay off the Pads’ pen.
By Drew
May 10, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
DOB, they cancelled classes at Boulder High School, but so far haven’t found anything.
By David O'Brien
May 10, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
BossLady, for one thing, Wilson is making $2 mill. Guaranteed. Now I’ll go back up top where my comments are supposed to be. Just wanted to check out how the posts were coming along.
Keep firing away, folks. Chip hater, you ain’t right. I like Chip, just hate that he keeps trying to make me listen to the new Rush album.
By BossLady
May 10, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
I would rather hear Chip giggling than his dad, depressing,negative and critical comments. He should have left with Sutton.
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 10, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this
Okay, good bunt Huddy…
By BravesScout
May 10, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
DOB
School in Boulder is closed for the day. Bomb Searchers have found nothing as of yet.
There were 2 people running around in ski masks hours before school opened. School was canceled prior to anyone getting there.
Go Bravos
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
Dude I didn’t say he looks nasty i said his sinker looks nasty,it’s the other pitches that are getting hammered
By JasonInMaine
May 10, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this
Kelly 8 hits in his last 42 ABs for a .190 average and B-Mac has 6 hits in his last 40 ABs for a .150 average. This is not good when you start the likes of Woodward and Wilson. With the pitcher, that’s 5 spots struggling to get a hit.
By Shaun
May 10, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul,
It’s hard to say if Andruw ever had the skills to be a consistent .300 hitter.
He did hit .300 in the minors but he also struck out a lot. Looks like most of his contact turned to hits because he can hit the ball hard and the defenses are obviously not as good in the minors.
It’s easier to hit .300 when you don’t have to deal with major league defenses.
My theory is Andruw never had the skills to be a consistent .300 hitter in the majors; he was never going to be in the class of Mays and DiMaggio. He was always destined to be a good power hitter with a decent amount of walks, good power, and relatively few hits.
By matt
May 10, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this
Honest Abe- Has there been any talk about trading McCann or moving him to 1st? Everything I’ve heard is just the opposite (use Salty as some quality trade bait, maybe for a impact starting P, or move him to 1st). I don’t anticipate a lineup change this season unless McCann just REALLY starts to struggle. I think you’ll see the Braves start hitting Salty some grounders this winter and seeing what he looks like. I would think plan A would be to see if we can keep both of them and work it out.
By NewYorkBravesFan
May 10, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
Come on! Let’s get some runs for Huddy! This is David freakin’ Wells!
By Bubba
May 10, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this
I too am hoping that Bobby sticks with sorino as closer. I wish we would put wick in the 7th inning spot, gonzo in the 8th and Sor in the 9th.
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 10, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
Getting hammered and giving up ground ball hits are not the same. A couple of the hits were dieing quails….
Only two balls really hit hard. Not giving up walks which will kill your ERA…
Well pitched game by both sides…
By Lee
May 10, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
DOB New Rush CD - glad I heard about it here first - I like-um.
Carolina Lady I miss Sutton - Joe Simpson does not seem to look as cheerful with Scambi (spelling?? - don’t feel like looking it up) ) this year either. Him and Skip worked together better as a broadcasting team. Don and Pete were good together also.
By ruppert
May 10, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
Knox: Andruw has switched to a Tom Emanski(you know - The back to back to back AAU champion coach with the videos pimped by Fred McGriff)type swing with no stride. Timing mechanism is turning the front knee inward to open the hips. This setup especially requires a willingness to hit the ball where it is pitched. Trying to pull an outside pitch you will lose your balance and fall forward and look a lot worse than in a more normal stance where you can step into the outside pitch and keep your balance.
By Lee
May 10, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
Bubba - I agree with that statement unless we can trade Wick for something worth value down the road.
By JasonInMaine
May 10, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
Boomer hasn’t allowed a hit since the first inning…
DISGRACEFUL!
By Lee
May 10, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady excuse me I meant BOSS LADY
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
nothing like a good liner to put you on your a*!Cmon Huddy get your stuff together as Harry Caray used to say stay with what brung ya to the dance fella!!
By Efrim
May 10, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
What happened to Hudson?
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
glove hand not to worry
By Victor
May 10, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
Scary moment… Huddy was hit!!! wow… He looks ok… wow
By JasonInMaine
May 10, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
Gil,
Thanks. I am following the game on GameCast, and I wondered if he was getting hit has hard as it seemed. That’s why I asked…
Regards,
Jason
By flange1
May 10, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Best article I could find about Bolder
(http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2007/may/10/police-searching-suspicious-men-outside-boulder-hi/)
By Victor
May 10, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
Ok guys… He is ok!!! His sinker is working… scary moment
By Efrim
May 10, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
I must say, this offense is struggling on all cylinders in the first 6 innings….like all year.
By ellaguru
May 10, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
As Ernie Johnson, Sr. would say, we’re zippin’ right along. Need a couple of runs, though.
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
People get this straight McCann will not be traded,Wickman will not be traded,and Saltalmacchia will not be traded!!! stop with useless panderings,however I do think there is more to the Braves interest in Jason Davis than a fleeting one! but none of the three names you mention will be traded!!! Salty would look very good in right field,but not first base we have a 1b his name is THORMAN.
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
nice play K.J. but tag the runner man tag the runner!!!
By BossLady
May 10, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
I know, Skip should have been first to go was my point.
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
Now let’s get some RUNS for heaven sakes,Wells ain’t throwing nothing but junk,bats laying on shoulders,what the hell whatta play by Cruz on that Frenchy drive!!
By Bubba
May 10, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
Lee,
Yea if Wick pitches well when he comes back mabey we trade him for an area of need like bench or 4th starter.
By Víctor
May 10, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
Holly cow!!! almost a homer by Frenchy & now Mac on board
By Rodger
May 10, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
WOW-Woodward not making an out? Must be windy? Giles playing in like a little leauger batting.
By Shaun
May 10, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul,
According to baseballreference, Andruw’s clutch numbers really aren’t significantly different from his overall numbers.
I’m trying to find some other sources to verify but can’t find many with clutch splits.
According to foxsports, his career numbers with RISP aren’t much different than his overall numbers.
I did find something interesting on fangraphs.com: Andruw has a .287 AVG on balls in play. That means his .266 career average is obviously a result of a lot of strikeouts, which he’s done since the minors. I’m guessing he hit .300 in the minors, again, because defenses weren’t good enough to keep his average lower than .287 in the minors.
By Grahamdawg
May 10, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
CRAIG WILSON IS THE WORST PLAYER ON OUR TEAM!!!!I CAN’T STAND HIM. PLEASE PLAY THORMAN EVERYDAY BOBBY
By Rodger
May 10, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
Not to worry-Wilson made up fpr him.
By Drew
May 10, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
DOB, how much longer will Wilson have to be terrible before Thorman gets a shot against some lefties?
By matt
May 10, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
Exactly when do we pull the plug on the whole Craig Wilson thing? Where do we get these guys from, better yet why? B.J.Surhoff? Brian Jordan’s second trip around and now Craig Wilson?
By NewYorkBravesFan
May 10, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
Bobby should have put the suicide squeeze on with Wilson up. It can’t be hard to bunt the 80mph stuff Wells throwing.
By Tomahawkin' Again
May 10, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
Wilson really does suck, doesn’t he? A simple, stinking flyball to get the runner in from 3rd & we get that?!? C’mon Willie!
By Victor
May 10, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
Craig Wilson is 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position!!! I think is time to give big Thor more time at bats against lefty pitchers…
By David
May 10, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
DOB, I’m going to Myrtle Beach in a couple of weeks and I’m going to catch the Pelicans while I’m in town. Who do I need to be watching for on the Pelicans team? Are their any top prospects?
By dk
May 10, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
sunofagun they did it again!!!
By NewYorkBravesFan
May 10, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
What’s not to love about Willie Harris? Solid Defense. Steals bases. Plays hard. And that was a good at bat.
By will
May 10, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
GET RID OF C. WILSON
By Rodger
May 10, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
Damn-Harris can motor-KJ too! Great job!
By NewYorkBravesFan
May 10, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Ballgame! Nice job KJ!
By Me
May 10, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Has Craig Wilson always been this bad?
By Tomahawkin' Again
May 10, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
ALLRIGHT KJ!!!!!!!!!!! …Wilson still sucks!
By JasonInMaine
May 10, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Okay, Kelly is now 8-41 (:
Regards,
Jason
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 10, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Wow… Got to love this kid Willie C.
Now a triple by Kelly Jo…. 5-2 Braves
By TennesseePaul
May 10, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
YEAH!!!! Way to put the W in Hudson’s line KJ!
GO BRAVES
By ellaguru
May 10, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
KJ. Can. BALL.
By Braves Fan 79
May 10, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Wilson 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position…and its not like he hits good when no one is on base either. And Woodward cant hit a lick and made errors in the field lately. Why in the world do we even have these guys on the team?? Why not bring up escobar to replace woodward and salty to replace wilson or pena?? I shure hope woodward and wilson arent on the playoff roster!!
U gotta agree David that thats what seperates the mets from the braves….the mets have good bench players while the braves have to settle on retreads from other teams. Sucks…i miss Ted Turner owning my team. Owell Go Braves!
And if i see redmen ever pitch another game for the braves im gonna hurl…
By Víctor
May 10, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Kelly Johson clears the bases… Big hit… also amazing at bat by Willy Harris.. He can flight people…
By ssiscribe
May 10, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this
Ah, nothing like afternoon baseball. DOB, you said it, dude. Sunshine. Great, eh, sights to look at. Warm temps. And, for scribes, no rush of deadline like covering a night game.
Everybody enjoy. Keep on keeping on, Bravos. I gotta keep on keeping on to stay on deadline, so for now, the Scribe abides.
—30—
By dk
May 10, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
save some of this for october, boys
By ChucktownBrave
May 10, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
Bobby, Please play Thorman everyday. Him getting experience against lefties will only make him better. He can’t possibly be any worse.
Nice walk Willie. KJ clears the pads … awesome.
Oh sh!!, here comes the boss
By Thrillhouse44
May 10, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
KJ comes up clutch! Way to call it DOB!
By Dylan
May 10, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
hey joebrave we have a right fielder as well his name is franceour.
By ChucktownBrave
May 10, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
OK, coast is clear.
Huddy’s in line for the win. The team owed him at least one. Now it’s the bullpens turn.
By matt
May 10, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
Hey Dave, if you go to that Son Volt show, get there early. My friends, the High Strung, are opening up. Great band, great rhythm section, high energy (the name suits them well). Oh yeah, Go Braves! KJ does it again!
By JasonInMaine
May 10, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
rut row shaggy…
By TennesseePaul
May 10, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
Payne: His clutch numbers are below his career numbers. I don’t know why you insist on this but here you go. 2-out RISP: 700 OPS, 225 AVG in 989 plate appearances. Enough PA’s to justify a level of hitting in that situation. Nearly 200 points below his career OPS. Late and Close is the best bet for AJ, though even here he fails to obtain his career level of production. But keep making false statements. I see you adhere to Roberts mission statement: Repeat something enough times some one will eventually believe you regardless of accuracy.
Was AJ capable of being a .300 hitter? Yes. If he would use the whole field he would hit .300. It is the one portion of his game that he hasn’t lived up to his potential. And so far, from everything he has been quoted as saying, it is by choice that he doesn’t go to right field and therefore by choice he is not a .300 hitter. Only adds to the frustration of his most avid fans. I love watching AJ play, but he can be annoying with his approach. Another point on this going the other way business… he wouldn’t K as much. Most of his K’s come from him trying to pull that outside pitch. If he just went with the pitch, he’d hit it to right field. Pitchers couldn’t use that to get him out. They’d be forced to come in on him, and he can pound the ball when they do. It’d benefit him in every way to go to right more often.
He produces as is, but he could be better if he choose to be.
By HP
May 10, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
Now lets get some insurance runs on the board!!!
By Tomahawkin' Again
May 10, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
Thank you brother of Marcus for the double play. That sure is a crafty 11-hitter Hudson & Pronto are spinning there against the Pads…YEESH
By BossLady
May 10, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
To all, Wilson commenters, he is guaranteed $2 Million so we’ll have to take him just like he is or not. LOL
By Dylan
May 10, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB this is a musical type of post if you havent seen the movie DIG yet definately check it out that goes for everyone in case you didnt know its the story of 2 bands the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Dandy Warhols.Even if you arent a fan of the bands the story is absolutely entrancing its an excellent look at the makeup of a band and what goes on in the head of a musical genius.
By Matthew, Dad to Walter
May 10, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
Yet another qulaity start for Huddy:
6 IP, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Can we now say that Huddy is back to his ace form? 8 for 8 in quality starts!
By BravesScout
May 10, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
Will we see the big 2 today to close the door?
By Shaun
May 10, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this
To the regular posters I have had excellent discussions with and to the man who’s helped build one of the best baseball blogs around, David O’Brien, here’s something for you to read which helps explain my points of view. Hope you enjoy.
By John B.
May 10, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
Braves Fan 79: To answer your question, you don’t bring up young talent to let them waste away on the bench. They might play, but nowhere near the amount they would in the Minors. Pena is a good backup catcher to spell McCann. As for Woodward, I wouldn’t say the he can’t hit. He’s had hits in his last 3 games (4/11) and in every game he has started (6). His worth is shown by his being able to play almost every infield position. Guys like that have jobs because of the depth they allow a team to have.
By matt
May 10, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
Are the Braves using plastic bats or something? How many shots have they hit lately that when it leaves the bat you think “Oh that’s gone!” Only to have it drop like stone?!?!? Did you see that ball that McCann just hit?!?! I thought that was about 10 rows deep at least!!!!!! Frenchy hit one early that I thought was for sure gone!!!
By ncscoots
May 10, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
Seems that the foul language trap is missing some…see the poster “people are strange”. We don’t need that kinda crap here, pal. Let’s see if we can get that IP banned, shall we?
By BravesFanInRockies
May 10, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
Don’t look now, but Woodward’s hitting .262. No, he doesn’t deserve more playing time, but at least he’s no longer an automatic out, unlike …
The way Harris is hitting and Wilson is not, perhaps it’s time to give Diaz some time at 1B if Thorman is just incapable of hitting lefties.
By David O'Brien
May 10, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
X-Rays back on Hudson _ negative. he’s OK.
OK, back up top for comments.
Oh, and Dylan, I have that movie Dig on DVD, with a ton of great extras. It’s a terrific movie, great music. Fascinating to see the meltdowns in both bands, albeit some sloppier than others. Great stuff.
By Víctor
May 10, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
X rays were negative in Huddy’s wrist & Yates was lights out!!!
By Bubbaallred
May 10, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Yates sure looked good. One more inning. Who’s pitchin the 9th?
By Efrim
May 10, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
I wish Yates closed this game. I didn’t want to see Soriano or Gonzo today…..
By JasonInMaine
May 10, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
Wow, Wilson really is terrible. I echo the sentiments of others and what we have been saying for weeks…let Thor play everyday!
By Shaun
May 10, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul,
So AJ was a .300 hitter in the minors because he hit the ball to rightfield, not because of inferior minor league defenses, even though most of his other minor league stats look the same?
Here are BaseballReference’s stats for AJ:
Career Overall: .266 AVG/.345 OBP/ .504 SLG
RISP: .256/.363/.447
2 out, RISP: .225/.363/.400
Late and Close: .259/.347/.475
Tie Game: .273/.351/.510
Runners on: .261/.351/.472
Bases Loaded: .277/.301/.413
His stats are different, so I’m wrong to give that impression, but he’s basically the same type hitter in most situations: low AVG, good out-avoiding, good power.
By N8
May 10, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
I don’t like the way Harris holds his bat.
OK. Just kidding. But since we’re about to go to the 9th inning, I figured I better complain about something to guarantee victory.
By Big Bree
May 10, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
Hey Dave people don’t buy CD’s in stores anymore, they go to sites like (http://www.burnlounge.com/MuzikMine to get their music. Braves look good today…especially Huddy!!
By Lee
May 10, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
DOB - I am no saint by no means but Nscoots is right about that language on this type of posts by people are strange at 3:01. Can you take it off this blog.
By Rodger
May 10, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
Shaun, doesn’t tell us much but why we should appreciate it!?
Thought Hampton had made a miraculous recovery until I realized the wrong uni color, and saw Hampson.
By Víctor
May 10, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
Two good at bats vs lefty pitchers by Willy Harris… any chance to see him playing everyday???
By flange1
May 10, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
Nate complains = Braves win! Brak out the champagne! eh, beer! eh ginger ale???
By Efrim
May 10, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
Soriano’s arm will fall off by August. We need to trust some of our other arms.
By Lee
May 10, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
Shaun - I have told you I respect your stats and knowledge of the game before. But baseball is a game of fun also - that post actaully almost made me fall to sleep.
By Big Bree
May 10, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
Sorry about the music link Dave it’s (http://www.burnlounge.com/MuzikMine)**
Glad to know Huddy is okay too!
By flange1
May 10, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
Time for The Assassin to mow down the Padres!!
By Stuart
May 10, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
4 out of 5 days, Yates is the best pitcher in the bullpen. That fifth day however, is yeesh. I think he has had 3 in a row, so watch out in the next couple of times out, he is going to gag.
By April
May 10, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
From my Blackberry - I love day games. Here I am in a sun dress, feeling the sun on my soft shoulders and fending off the advances of all these short little men at the park today. If I could find a guy around 6’11” - a no nonsense kind of guy - I would be a happy woman. I know there is such a guy blogging here but he is retrograde. Honey, we can work on that. Tonight, there will be new photos on the website of me at the game. You look at them and see what you are missing. Love is in the air.
By N8
May 10, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
Anybody else out there think Soriano (looks wise), resembles Marvin Freeman?
I said it yesterday, I’ll say it again. I actually LOVE Soriano as the closer.
One word…..INTIMIDATING.
Hmmm, Wickman, Gonzalez, Soriano.
Kinda makes you long for last year with Reitsma, Sosa and Ray, doesn’t it?
By Víctor
May 10, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
Hey guys you are not to beleive this… I have been seing the whole game at the office and suddenly my assistant came & could not see the final
By Coach
May 10, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
Wow , 7-3 home stand. Ten games over .500 and in first place. Great work guys !
By N8
May 10, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Efrim
“Soriano’s arm will fall off by August. We need to trust some of our other arms.”
I have the same concerns. The guy (along with Gonzalez) has been so darn good, and after last season I don’t blame Bobby for going with the “hot hand”.
But they just said that this is his 4thappearance in the last 5 games, with NO OFF DAYS until after the upcoming road trip.
Nothing that a couple of blowouts in Pittsburg won’t solve. But easier said than done, I guess.
Just want to note, I’m NOT complaining about the overuse of Soriano, just being cautiously concerned.
6 IP, 0 ER, 2 W’s/ 1 Save for Gonzalez
6 IP, O ER, 4 Saves for Sorian on the homestand.
Looks like we’ve got our very own version of the NASTY BOYS. Let’s just hope that we don’t have to witness either of them ripping of their shirt while coming of the mound like Dibble, or getting in a fight with Bobby in the clubhouse. OK, maybe Robert would enjoy that.
By TennesseePaul
May 10, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Payne: I don’t know why you keep going with this. Here, I’ll copy and paste my previous. Should I bold text it for you? Maybe some italics so you can see what I wrote? I’ll try again in plain text: “If he would use the whole field he would hit .300”.
Why you keep going with this I don’t know. But I’m through after this post.
By ernesto
May 10, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
7 and 3 homestand is outstanding!!
By Steeledawg
May 10, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB or anyone else going to the Son Volt show tomorrow night, have a good time. I wish I could make it, but the Misses already has me booked for the night.
Any thoughts on The Search after a couple of months of spins? I think it gets better everytime.
Nice win for the Bravos, back in first, on to Pittsville.
By Scott
May 10, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
So, which website do you speak of April?? Attractive women in sundresses at a ballgame…as Borat would say “Is-a very nice-a”!!
By Hawke
May 10, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
Another quality pitching performance from Huddy and 2/3 of the pen. I cannot stress enough how much better I feel about the Braves so far this year than last. The knots in my stomach don’t turn as much anymore with this bullpen. There is just something that feels really good about this team…reminds me of when I would go nuts seeing the Braves come back in 1991 & 1992 (and climbing up a traffic light in Athens in celebration of Sid sliding home). Thanks for this great blog David, and for keeping a live game blog going.
By Tomahawkin' Again
May 10, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
7-3 homestand, 10 games over .500 and currently all alone in 1st - IT’S GREAT TO BE A BRAVES FAN!
By Jason
May 10, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
I’ll take 3 of 4 all day.
The Braves are the real deal. Last year was just a fluke. But it’s going to be a race to the end with the Mets. But I believe the Braves will prevail over the Mets.
By Shaun
May 10, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul,
One question to ask that opens up something else: How often does it affect the outcome of a game that Andruw may draw a walk instead of get a hit in a certain situation?
Look at particularly AH’s OBP’s in clutch situations. They are pretty good. He does a pretty good job of avoiding outs in clutch situations.
As we said, a walk is not always as good as a hit, but is it significantly hurting the team that Andruw is merely avoiding out at a good rate instead of getting hits at a good rate in certain clutch situations?
I think this is a better question to ask than is AJ a good clutch hitter?
I think it’s more that AJ is a bad situational hitter as opposed to bad clutch hitter (which there may be little difference).
Seems like hitters that can do a lot of things well do tend to hit better in the clutch—hitters that hit for a high average, hit for good power and avoid outs at a high rate. (See this article)
By Efrim
May 10, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
BIG WIN!!!!!
CAN WE PLEASE BLOW OUT PITTSBURGH AND WASHINGTON SO THAT SORIANO AND GONZO GET SOME REST!!!!???
By Shaun
May 10, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul,
How do you know if he’d use the whole field he’d hit .300? I’m sure there are some .300 hitters out there that don’t use the whole field. And I would guess he didn’t use the whole field in the minors when he hit .300. I’m sure he didn’t use the whole field his one season in the majors when he hit .300.
Don’t you think it had something to do with minor league defenses that he was able to hit .300 in the minors and not the majors? Seems like his approach hasn’t changed.
By ncscoots
May 10, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this
Re the use of Gozalez and Soriano, it goes in spurts. Earlier in the year, they each had relatively long periods of infrequent use, and that will happen again. Plus, Wick is back Tuesday per DOB above. I imagine he’s yearnin’ for some burnin’ after laying out two weeks.
Cal dudes, yo…definitely harshed your mellow, brahs. Fer sure.
By BamaBrave
May 10, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
It must be a bit wierd for the Boys these days, in that every team they encounter has recent ex-Braves. Next up: Rochy.
By Bill
May 10, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
There is nothing wrong with McCann. He won’t be playing first or traded. I think the problem is, he see’s all the attention Salty is getting. Sooner they do something with Salty, the better it will be.
By Jimbo
May 10, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
Same old Midget…Same old ridiculous swing.
By gotigers72
May 10, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
7-3 homestand, not too shabby. Even with Edgar out 3 games, and he has been the hottest hitter. Francoeur is raking, but the stats don’t show it because he’s been hitting so many “at ‘em balls”. He has been smoking the ball for about the last 4 games. Chipper and McCann not hitting too good the last 10 games. Thought Chipper had come out of it last night with that laser he hit for a double, but Wells made him look pretty weak today.
The pitching is looking better. I felt it would come around. Now we have to go to Pittsburgh and throw Davies, Chuck [Redman], and Lerew, so I have the right to change my opinion on Monday. But if those guys can get through the 6th or 7th with a lead, game over. The problem is they haven’t even been close to getting that far recently except for Lerew’s one start.
If the Braves aren’t going to dump Wilson, then Bobby needs to make him a bench player and play Thorman at first full time. He looks lost at the plate, doesn’t even hit the ball hard much. I know Thorman’s at .240, but as soon as he gets hot, he has to sit down for a game or two. Hope Pittsburgh is throwing all righthanders so Harris and Thorman will be in the lineup. I know Harris has a .235 career average, but you’ll have to admit, he’s been making things happen when he’s been in the game. He says the reason he’s playing better this year is because he “feels at home”. Apparently his brother is living with him and he has friends and family come to the game regularly. Works for Frenchy and McCann, appears to be working for Harris.
By Steve McP
May 10, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Bill - McCann is the one with the long term (realtively cheap) contract - he is not going anywhere soon
By Jimbo
May 10, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Hou long will it take before Joe Simpson reaches across the booth and smacks that goofball Dip Jr?
By BamaBrave
May 10, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
DOB, is it too soon to speculate on the starter matchups in Boston? That’s gonna be one helluva good litmus test to see where we stand.
By DAP
May 10, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
i dont get why everyone complains so much about woodward. its not like hes amazing, but i dont think hes been horrible. and hes had some big hits. hes way better than wilson. if youre gonna complain about someone….
By Bravos
May 10, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
DOB Since the issue of overusing Gonzo and Soriano seems to be pretty prevalent today, I have a question.
Would these two guys rather pitch regularly as they have been, assuming it will build up arm strength and keep them limber and in control? Or would they rather get more rest than they are getting to stay fresh, at the risk of being a little out of whack when they do pitch?
I know starters, particularly older ones (like Smoltzie, Clemens, etc.) NEED to have regimentation. They have a steadfast routine that they follow and, very often, extra days off will mess with them more than help them. Is the same true with relievers?
Or, as everyone says, are we risking having Gonzo and Soriano’s arms fall off by the end of the year?
By the way, who wants Giles back? No knock on Marcus, because he was great for us. But KJ sure looked a lot better, didn’t he?
And I love seeing Willie Harris do well. Funny how everyone said his great Spring Training was a fluke. Looks like he should have been in the Bigs from Day 1.
By Sir Stealth
May 10, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
I’m pretty sure that if nothing changes between now and then that our starters in Boston would be Lerew, Smoltz, and Hudson. Looks like Boston would pitch Beckett, Dick-K, and Wakefield. So Lerew or whoever v. Beckett (please God do not let Redman come back ever), Smoltz v. Matsuzaka, and Wakefield v. Hudson. Of course I could have that completely wrong or a billion things could happen before then.
By Chip Caray hater
May 10, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
Jimbo, I’d say the over/under would be June 10th.
By TennesseePaul
May 10, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
Alright! We have a serious chance of going on a 6 to 9 game winning streak. I’d like to see it happen. It seems like forever since the last time we had a long winning streak. Actually, it’s been since July 18th of 2006. Getting on a streak now would put some distance between us and second place. And, as for the hitting today, I’m pleased KJ got a hit and reached base twice. His average has been slipping lately. Ever since the NL West came to town. And I’d like to see McCann hitting like he was last year. But he had the lull right around his injury. So there is plenty of time for him to pick it back up.
Alright, back to work…
GO BRAVES
By DAP
May 10, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
ruppert, good explanation on andruw’s swing. i was just going to say that he is opening up and pulling his body away from the ball in an attempt to pull. yours sounds more professional. either way, watching him the last two nights he seems to be staying in on the ball a little better, evidenced by the hits to right field. hes also hitting it more level when he does take it to left, instead of popping it up or grounding it to short.
By journalist jimmy smith
May 10, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
it has been a week since the toenail was removed from mark redman’s sore toe. whither the toe health of this pitcher? will we ever see mark redman again? will mark redman toe the rubber again for the atlanta braves? can the rubber be toed with no toenail, or is it called something else? and if we must wait for a new toenail …
By Coach
May 10, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
By the way , those Mets start a three games series against the Brewers who have won 11 out of their last 12. Get ready to kiss your butts goodbye , Metro boys !
By alan from Atlanta GA.
May 10, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
Why can’t Bobby Cox let Scott Thorman hit againsy lefties? How is he going to progress? Wilson is not as good and he can’t hit as well. Of course he gets a hit occasionally. How many errors does Woodson have to make before a replacement is found?
By BamaBrave
May 10, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
Thanks Sir Stealth…I’d love to miss Schilling. Hope it works out that way.
By Jack
May 10, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
NO HOMERS FOR A BUNCH OF GAMES——WHO CARES. JUST KEEP THOSE RBI SINGLES AND DOUBLES COMING.
By N8
May 10, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this
Shaun
“I’m sure he didn’t use the whole field his one season in the majors when he hit .300.”
Uh. The ONLY three year stretch in which Andruw’s average rose every year was from 1998-2000. Now I realize that the Big Cat missed the 1999 season with cancer. But I don’t think that it’s coincidence that those three years that were the years when it appeared that Andruw was beginning to “get it”.
Big Cat was a guy that hit for power and used the WHOLE field. If I recall, he hit around .375 or something like that in the early 90’s. Galarraga was the first RH power hitter for Andruw to “look up to” after having all the lefties surraounding him in the lineup. If I remember correctly, Galarraga took him under his wing and made turning Andruw into a better hitter, his mission.
But having said all of that, there is NO GUARANTEE that he would hit better by using the whole field. But I think it’s common sense to realize that if a guy is willing to take the pitch where it was thrown, he’s bound to have more success. Especially a guy with as much natural power as Andruw, it’s not like he doesn’t possess the power to take a ball out to right.
By Fred from CT
May 10, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
how bout willie harris. this guy has to be on the team the rest of the year even if we make a trade for a leftfielder then you have to keep him as a utility player. you can’t teach speed.
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
Good stuff walking thru 2 of the best staffs in the league,and Dylan I was referring to next year in right field for Salty simply b/c Frenchy will be our new center fielder. got it get it good.
By MGL
May 10, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
Esteemed journalist jimmy smith - you have been misinformed regarding ingrown toenails. The toenail does not have to be removed, just dug out and trimmed from the area in which it is intruding. Not exactly major surgery, but the if the toe was infected from the intrusion, it could take some time to heal. In Redman’s case, let’s hope it is about six months.
By caveman22
May 10, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
mgl and Jimmy I’ve had that surgery and you are correct, the nail is not removed but the ingrown part is cut and removed from the tissue that it has invaded. Some ingrown nails can go in as far as 1/4 to a 1/2 inch depending on how much pain you can take before you finally say “uncle”. I had surgery on both toes and then the doctor inserted a cotton swab with a deadening agent that prevented the nail from ever growing back on that side. The pain before hand was excrutiating to the point of torture. Afterwards, and I mean immediately the pain was gone. The toe heals within a 7-10 days but you can do just about anything on it within 48 hours. So Redman is ready to pitch now it’s just a matter of when or if Bobby Cox puts him back out there * or pays Paronto and Wickman to stop on his other toe!!*
By Navigator
May 10, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
I hate to bring Cox’s name up again, but he’s doing to Soriano what he’s done to other good relievers. You build your regular season record on his arm, but where will he be in the playoffs. When it comes to relief pitchers, I’ve always believed that he can’t see the big picture, and only cares about this day/this game.
By journalist jimmy smith
May 10, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
journalist jimmy smith thanks mgl and caveman22 for the information on ingrown toenails. however, this journalist stands by the earlier report that the toenail was removed because that is how it was reported by one of this country’s eminent toe journalists, our own dob.
“A fill-in is needed for left-hander Mark Redman, who’s on the 15-day disabled list recovering from surgery to remove an ingrown nail on his left big toe.” -DOB
now, little piggy … This little piggy went to market, This little piggy stayed at home, This little piggy had roast beef, This little piggy had none. And this little piggy went… “Wee wee wee” all the way home…
By Eric from MO
May 10, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
Fedup- Before Wickmans last 3 appearances he had yet to give up a run. Im not saying he is better than Soriano, I like them both, but its not like Soriano wont still be pitching.
TennesseePaul- I dont want to be a smartass, but how do you know when someone has the potential to hit .300. You say if he uses the whole field, well what if all he does is hit slow grounders or pop it up when he goes the other way. You also say look at his numbers in the minors. Well in high school I hit over .700 my sophmore, Jr., and Sr. year. Does that mean if I would have played college and professoinal baseball I would be hitting over .700, and to think I setteled to be a construction worker. The pitching is just better at the major league and some hitters are just never going to be able to hit for average.
By Bob, journalist
May 10, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this
It took all concerned, but although Willie Harris is 0 for 2 as a pinch hitter, he somehow seemed to be the key to that inning … and Kelly seemed to be expecting what he got.
Shaun, you struck out with the bases loaded with your Andruw is never going to get hits consistently because he’s never been a high average hitter … did you read that somewhere? Methinks you’ve got it upsidedown and backwards.
Did you sleep through your 6th Grade Logic Class?
Hopefully, McCann’s woes at the plate are associated with his injury … it looks like his swing is neither as somooth nor as level through the hitting zone as has been typical of him.
I imagine Hudson would agree that it feels good to win after you’ve been bitten by the snake; especially when you weren’t not as sharp as would be desired. Of course, he might not be feeling too good at the moment.
It may have been unfair to suggest Andruw’s over swinging was associated with his ego and stubborness … I’m sure there are reasons why he might well feel the need to swing harder to generate the power he thinks is expected of him … but, regardless, he seems to have backed off somewhat so that his misses don’t always result in a total loss of balance … and there’s some evidence that he is trying to alter his swing on occasion … it’s refreshing.
You’ve just got to appreciate Willie Harris… I’m sure his performance has been especially gratifying to those who couldn’t understand why he didn’t make the club out of Spring Training … neither could I.
Bobby’s recent comments may tell us more about that than we’d like: “He’s been pretty good. When he gets on base, boy, it’s a big plus. He can play a lot of positions, and that’s important.”
Contrast that with his typical raving comments concerning less impressive performances from others.
When they don’t try to do too much, our guys do pretty good … now, it would be nice if they could sweep the Pirates and the Brewers could run their winning streak to 9 games! 22-12 ain’t too bad, but 25-12 would be better!
By Darrin "The Vent King"
May 10, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this
Can it be? Is it possible? Have the Braves finally mastered the art of being “gamers”? You know, having that “dog” in you that will not allow you to choke or get scared when the game is on the line? I honestly believe success without failure is impossible. This belief also is the reason I believe the “worst to first” season back in the day was a bad thing. I know it sounds crazy, but think about all the teams and individuals that have failed miserably after acquiring nearly “instant” success early on in life. When the hard times that come along with failure are standing in your way at the doorsteps of success, you don’t know how to deal with it because you’ve never faced them before. You have to have that to become real champions IMO. Having that 14 year div title run done away with last season may have been the best thing that could have EVER happened to these Bravos. It has made them hungry in the right way. I mean, how could you stay hungry when your trip to the playoffs appeared to be a God given right? “Ho-hum, here we go again…” seemed to be the karma hovering over this team and the fans here in Atlanta that whole time (save ‘95). Now there appears to a firey yet quiet chip on their shoulders that’s a little different that the perceived “smug-ness” that earlier versions of the Braves carried. They seemed to play with a different sense of urgency, almost like they are in the playoffs already and every oppurtunity counts. I REALLY hope they keep this going. If they can reach the playoffs (w/the addition of one more solid starter) with this clutch hitting and bullpen- THE NATIONAL LEAGUE WILL BE OURS!
GO BRAVES!!!
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this
I guess metsfan,got some egg on his face with that ludacris prediction,and since we didn’t lose 9-0,how does second place taste arsehole? now go back to your corrupt NY media blog and spew your bias there,because it isn’t welcome here MORON!!!!!
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
And now that the niceties are out of the way:how encouraging is it to be winning against the two top pitching staffs in the NL,yeah,yeah,I know about Milwaukee but until july I will keep the jury out on them,and say the Dodgers,and Padres have the best staffs top to bottom in the League,although urs ain’t to shabby.
By TennesseePaul
May 10, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this
Eric from MO: Taking it back to high school to prove a point? You can’t be serious, so you must be a smartass. Or Payne in a different name looking for an answer.
I can’t find the charts anywhere to get better career numbers, so I ran them against multiple different variables. After watching AJ play for 11 years I know he is a sucker for low and/or away pitches. Pitches he should “go with”, if he is going to swing at all, so that he is hitting to the opposite field. If we say that just 15.5% of his K’s were from him trying to pull a pitch he should go the other way with, he’d be a career .300 hitter. This doesn’t include the countless times he’s pulled that pitch right to the third baseman for a double play. Again, I don’t have the charts of data in front of me, but I think saying 15% to 16% of his strike outs only would cover any discrepancy in ground outs and strikeouts that don’t match this description. This works out to be about 5% of the total outs he makes in a season. In other words, setting the system up this way assumes AJ is making an out 5% of the time or less because he is attempting to pull a ball that he should hit to right field. I’m suggesting that he hit it to right field in that 5% of the time. That’s it. That isn’t much more for him to be a .300 hitter. Just changing his approach 5% of the time.
As for his minor league numbers, he hit .300. I would say those show you more about a player than high school stats. And he hit in the .330 range in the minors at age 19. That’s a strong showing for any ball player.
As for AJ in the pros, he has hit .300 before. In the year 2000. That year marked the third straight year he dropped his K’s. Now, I can’t say for certain what percentage of his hits were to right field that year. But I can see he reduced his strike outs for three straight years and for three straight years his average went up. Then he started striking out a lot and his average went down.
Hitting to right field would improve his numbers. But, I’ll even go back to Payne’s holy-grail, if he’d just layoff the crap pitches, it would have helped as well. AJ has to do one of two things, show the opposition he can hit that pitch to right, negating it’s out-effect. Or, show the opposition he can take that pitch and draw walks, again negating it’s out-effect. Either or both of those would make him a .300 hitter.
All of this can go neatly along with AJ’s voiced opposition to being a hitter who uses all parts of the park.
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this
Andruw,is starting to come around some,I hope that He does’nt regress in what He’s doing at this time,However I do believe he has his own agenda as TP stated,and that is He is gone at season end,hence my reasoning for stating that Salty will look really good in RF for the Bravos,Since Francouer will assuredly take over in CF next year.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
May 10, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this
With Bob Wickman slated to return next Tuesday the bullpen just needs to hang on for the weekend.
I hate it when we face a team that has been losing a lot of games in a row. That would be Washington…. They have not been getting blown out of games, just losing by one oer two runs. Sorry guys but that is just the kind of team that will sneak up on you and bite you in the butt.
As for the Buccos… They are not a bad team, just not very good yet. They have some talent.
Wasn’t it not too long ago that many on the blog were concerned that the Braves would only score via the three run homer? Now no homers and they are still scoring runs. Baseball has a way of evening things out. Look for the to return of the big fly this weekend..
By joebrave
May 10, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this
All in all good win today,Good game,and beautiful day for Braves baseball,Joebrave has an absessed tooth and is wishing everyone a joyous blogging session,Thanks DOB for the job you do,peace out for know denizens,and Go Braves!!!!!!
By David O'Brien
May 10, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
15-19 and seven games out of first place a year ago after 34.
22-12 and a half-game ahead in first place this year.
Not a bad turnaround.
And with that, I’m gonna pack my laptop, and like Junior and DEI, I am out of here.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
May 10, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this
On the Andruw Jones debate….. If Andruw hits a few more to right, he would find more holes in left… He is strong enough to hit them out to all fields but more often than not when a player is trying to hit the long ball he will fail.
Just hitting the ball hard would be enough and yes, he has always been a sucker for the down and away slider. Why? Because when you try to pull an away pitch you are actually further away from it when you swing.
It is why I have become more impressed by Francouer. He is hitting to all fields now. His average will improve. Pitchers will find him more difficult to pitch to and therefor will get better pitches to hit.
The longer you see the ball the less likely you are to swing at pitches in the dirt…..
By David O'Brien
May 10, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this
Gil, the good thing is, there’s not a better chance to rest the bullpen than against the Nationals, and it ain’t like the Buccos are exactly tearing it up either.
With the three-game streak they’re on now, and seven against the Pirates and Nats coming up, the Braves should take at least eight games in a 10-game stretch before heading to Boston.
By caveman22
May 10, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this
dob I’m gonna need an answer on the “toe”.
Whole nail removal or partial, it’s just something I gotta know.
Jimmy says your the foremost toe writer so I’m hoping for some resolution here.
Gonna be tough to sleep till I get that info.
By journalist jimmy smith
May 10, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this
guess which player has 23 strikeouts in only 56 at-bats … did you guess wilson? thorman has 11 strikeouts in 75 at-bats. it doesn’t seem like wilson is handling left-handers all that well. maybe bobby can give thorman a shot at playing full-time like homeboy said before the season. there aren’t many holes on this team right now if the starters will be okay.
By Coach
May 10, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this
Hampton , gone. Cormier , yet to throw a single pitch. Aybar , A.W.O.L. Langerhans a wash , literally. Redman , do I really need to comment ? The back of the rotation is just starting to get it’s act together. Past problems with the platoon in left field and still at first base. Wickman is on the DL , the bench sub-par………and yet , look at where we are ! first place ! it’s Unfreaking believable what this team has accomplished and overcome so far!
By Willy Wally
May 10, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this
The Magic Number is 129!
We’re in the 120s now! Alright!
By Eric from MO
May 10, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul okay you caught me, I was being a smartass on the high school stats. However, I still think you have shown me no proof. You say AJ batted over .300 in minor leagues. Right but most of those at-bats came against single A. Also there is one year that AJ batted over .300 and I think you said it was 2000. However it was .303, doesnt mean he is .300 hitter. I mean if he got 2 less hits that year then you couldnt even use that as evidence. Also you say if he would lay-off the pitches he shouldnt swing at then is strikeouts would go down approx. 15%. I dont completely disagree with you but let me show you another scenario, lets say he starts laying off pitches on the far side of the plate and they get called for strikes. So he starts getting called strikeouts. This could just as easily cause his Strikeouts to go up 15%.
By The Grinch
May 10, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this
Okay, I need some professional advice. I just got back from Kroger, where I bought a package that said “43% Chocolate Chip Cookies,” featuring a picture of cookies. I have to admit to being intrigued, since if it contains 43% choc. chip cookies it must neccessarily be 57% something else, and why were whatever the majority of the contents were not pictured? And what else was in there? Syrofoam s’s? Roofing tacks? Diamonds? I had to get home and find out. So, I open it up and it’s nothing but cookies. Are these people retarded, and do I have the basis for a lawsuit involving false advertising?
Jimmy Smith, Craig Wilson has VETERAN PRESENCE. Why do you not understnd the importance of that to Bobby? Are you trying to imply we would’ve gotten more production out of the catching position last year without Todd Pratt? You people…oh, forget it.
Rupert, I’m going to be wondering what a W** is for quite a while.
By April
May 10, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this
New photos are posted, Honey.
By Willy Wally
May 10, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
Okay, I need some professional advice. I just got back from Kroger, where I bought a package that said “43% Chocolate Chip Cookies,” featuring a picture of cookies. I have to admit to being intrigued, since if it contains 43% choc. chip cookies it must neccessarily be 57% something else, and why were whatever the majority of the contents were not pictured? And what else was in there? Syrofoam s’s? Roofing tacks? Diamonds? I had to get home and find out. So, I open it up and it’s nothing but cookies. Are these people retarded, and do I have the basis for a lawsuit involving false advertising?
What is the Grinch Andy Rooney now or something? I would have said Jon Stossel but you didn’t say Gimme A Break at the end.
By David O'Brien
May 10, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
Here’s something more than a bit alarming.
Since Aug. 15, 2006, Craig Wilson’s offense: 53 games, .167 (20-for-120) with three doubles, three homers, five RBIs (not a typo), 12 walks, 44 strikeouts.
It was painful just to type that.
By Shaun
May 10, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
TennPaul,
I think Andruw may have hit .300 in the minors because he’s obviously able to hit the ball hard and hard hit balls are more likely to be hits in the minors than in the majors.
But he still struck out a lot in the minors, same as he does in the majors.
By Efrim
May 10, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this
Than we need to stop giving him at bats then DOB. Thorman, who hasn’t been good, should get more at bats against lefties.
By Joshhh
May 10, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
I Love how so many of you were doubting Kelly Johnson at the beginning of the season. Well guess what I WASN’T, thank you very much. haha
By Joshhh
May 10, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
I Love how so many of you were doubting Kelly Johnson at the beginning of the season. Well guess what I WASN’T, thank you very much. haha
By Efrim
May 10, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
I’m kind of waiting for McCann to go nuts and start hitting some home runs. 24 last year, 2 so far this year, I think all in the first week. Power outage for the NL’s best catcher.
By BabyGoatEater
May 10, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
Sorry wasn’t around today guys (I hear that clapping), had to work in a place with no computer…ahhh….but hey we can’t all be cubicle dwellers. Did just get finished watching the game (rerun on MLB.TV). Good game. Scary liner off Hudson. I’d say we were about 1/15th a second from a lost season. Glad he’s ok though. I see everyone up in arms about Wickman coming back….hey he was darn near perfect when he wasn’t hurt so lets give em a break huh. Its so nice to have a bullpen.
DOB: you never answer me anymore but…You takin’ the trip to PA this weekend? You’ll be missin out on a great Panani’s sandwich.! Glad to get to see the Braves live. Hoping Lerew lives up to his last start. If your going, it’s supposed to be nice weather (never happens up here anymore) from what I’ve heard from the weather guy.
By superman
May 10, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this
Is Wilson good at anything? Crappy with the glove. Crappy with the stick. I dont get the veteren pressence either. I mean besides his short stint with the yankees when was the last time he was even on a winning team?
By Yars
May 10, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe some of you ripping KJ. Did you actually expect him to hit .320 the entire season? Maybe his bat has cooled off a bit, but I don’t see him going 0-20 anytime soon. If he puts up a .280 average, 15 HR, 65+ RBI, 110 + runs scored, 15 SB, solid defense, & a OBP of around .400, how can anyone not be happy? I hope he’s in a Atlanta uniform for a long time. I look forward to his at bats because he just never know what to expect.
By Panani sandwich?
May 10, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
pssst (dob has a stalker)
By Mets Fans
May 10, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this
I love it. Basebal always has a way of taking back what it gives. Every one of htese come from behind wins is one that will bite you in the AZZ later. Get ready for another Jne Swoon.
Meanwhile, the Amazin’s are about to take on Suppan, Ben Sheets, Capuano, and Marquis. 4-0 baby. AGainst those pitchers? you know you’ll be feeling that. Ha Ha!!!!!!
And watch how Sosa does tomorrow and claim you don’t wish you had Peterson.
METS RULE.
By braves fan 202
May 10, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this
I have been at school all day than played some golf and went out to eat. I got to listen to the post game show on the way to the golf course so i heard what is going on. I cant believe people think moving mccann to 1st is an option. He is our catcher, we know he can cathc, we know he can hit, and we know he will keep doing both. The braves are not looking to move him to first cause salty threw out 3 guys. I think that the only option is to move salty to first. he gives off the same vibes frenchy did in ‘05. The only difference is salty does not look like a slump hitter, and he can hit it anywhere on the plate(which we all know was francouers main problem in that slump he had). If we dont move him to first, whatever happens i dont think it matters cause currently they’re looking solid!
By meansonny
May 10, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
Trying to think about what’s ailing McCann.
I’ve noticed that his splits are more spread out than usual (.237 AVG with .635 OPS versus lefties) (.322 AVG with .922 OPS v. righties)
He’s only had 1 multi-hit game since the Mets series (4/21)
He has been getting on base at a decent clip (.380 OBP in limited play for the month of May). But his power and average numbers have taken a small dive.
The bunt attempt appears to be about the time of his slide. So although Salty may appear to be a distraction, I’m betting that his performance has more to do with his fingers (and possibly just a slump).
In observation, he appears to have trouble with pitchers who throw a good change-up (Young, Maddux, etc) in addition to left handed hurlers (Wells, Lieber, etc).
Someone on another post mentioned that pitchers are keeping the ball on his hands because that affects his grip and fingers the most (not sure about that one, but sounds smart)
By Eric from MO
May 10, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this
Mets Fans what place are the mets in?
By BabyGoatEater
May 10, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
Yeah, stalker. Your very funny. Anyone ever tell you that uh….uh…oh yeah you didn’t leave a name or a actual post-name. Whatever.
By BabyGoatEater
May 10, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
Oh, I see it was Mets fan or Metswhateveryoucallyourself……You cryin cause the woopin you got on the blog last night? Just keep thinkin the Muts will win, then you can just get your heart broken once more.
By The Grinch
May 10, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this
Willy Wally, that did souns a bit Andy Rooney-ish, didn’t it? Maybe I’ll go eat some prunes. Y’know, I saw Craig Wilson a few times with the Pirates (I think), and I remember that while he was a .250-ish hitter he did have some pop. He certainly didn’t suck this bad; wonder what’s up? Time for a snooze.
By bruce
May 10, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this
Dave:
Wow, those Wilson stats are tough. What are his stats for the same time period as a pinch hitter. I remember that was a primary reason we said we acquired him, solid pinch hit record, some LF and 1B, but the shoulder could not handle LF.
I’m fired up… If my wife gets a good biopsy result tomorrow morning… I’ve got 7 straight days of Braves live in person… driving to Pittsburgh after the appt. Dave, Sorry you will not be in Pittsburgh, but glad you are coming to DC. Did you know there is a small vineyard about 30 minutes west of DC just off I-66 in the hills next to an apple orchard called Chateau O’Brien is the link. I drink more beer than wine, but Jody and I bought a dozen bottles, Sorry I missed out today. Thanks, Bruce
By meansonny
May 10, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
With a lefty going tomorrow, do we expect Salty, Diaz, and Wilson in the lineup?
Zack Duke had a losing effort with 7 innings and 3 earned runs against us last year.
With a 1.59 WHIP and not a lot of strikeouts in 2007, this is the type of guy that our patience at the plate should pay dividends (despite being a lefthander)
By Efrim
May 10, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this
Mets fans is an idiot. But in all honesty, the 35 games after these 7 games with Washington and Pittsburgh will tell us a lot about this ball club. Toughest stretch of the year.
By Send Money
May 10, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t dismiss moving McCann to first without thinking it through.If Salty can call a game close to what Brian does,we know he has the defensive skills.I do worry about Mc wearing down and losing some of his offense over time.If Salty wasn’t in the picture it wouldn’t be a valid question,but from what I’ve seen let’s not be closed minded to the idea.Does anybody know if Lerew (not sure about the spelling)is scheduled for another start ? He looked real good last time out and I’d like to see if he can handle the job before moving him out.
By David O'Brien
May 10, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this
SendMoney, the Lerew thing has been everywhere for two days _ Bobby announced Wednesday that he’s starting Sunday.
By meansonny
May 10, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this
braves fan 202,
The subject has been beaten to death. Someone else put it real well. If we’ve got both in the lineup everyday, then it’s the Braves will be very fortuate. Regardless of who’s where.
The arguements for McCann to move are out of respect for his bat. He’s an all-star hitter. Playing 1B would give him an opportunity to start 150+ games in a season instead of around 130+
He’s not necessarily an all-star catcher (defensively, he will probably not win a gold glove. and probably not be above average throwing runners out).
It’s a win-win situation no matter who’s there next year. Personally, I want his bat in the lineup (when healthy. and I want him healthy every day).
By Thrillhouse44
May 10, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this
DOB, do you think Bobby will start playing Thorman more since Wilson is slumping so bad?
By bruce
May 10, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this
I recall (without looking it up) that Thorman looked good in Pittsburgh last year, recalling that Rochy had pulled a hammy sliding into second and agravated it early in the Pittsburgh series sliding into second on a double. I think Thorman should get more starts and let Wilson try to prove himself in PH role as needed.
By DAP
May 11, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this
the braves bullpen just got some love on sports center. they were talking about how good soriano and gonzalez are.
By Send Money
May 11, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this
I’m watching Clemons on sports center,I don’t think I’d want to bring him to Atl under those conditions even if we could afford the prorated 28 gazillion smackers.It just wouldn’t seem right to me,it fits the Wankees style more than ours.
By meansonny
May 11, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this
Good post about the bullpen hopefully getting some rest the next 7 games, DOB.
I checked some numbers. We score almost 50% more runs per game on the road than at home. Our road AVG is +.035 and our road OPS is about +.100 better than at home. After this recent home stretch against LA & SD, we have 4 more road HR’s than at home in 5 fewer away games played.
Who cares about stats when we’re winning? I’m sure the bullpen does. It’s tough avoiding save situations when your scoring about 4 runs per game at home.
Go Braves! Lets Pound SteelTown!!!
By jed
May 11, 2007 3:58 AM | Link to this
—looks like LF is officially fixed, at least for a while. so, why not turn attention to 1b? thorman’s hitting .240 in a platoon, folks. give him the job full-time and he’ll be hitting .200 by mid-june. there are other options at 1b. i’d give thor another 2-3 weeks, and when he continues to struggle, i’d send him to richmond, and re-address the situation. options? diaz/salty until we can make a trade? those 2 would produce, and who’s to say the fielding would be any worse than thorman’s?
—also, i posted days ago about Schilling Vs. Clemens: who’s the bigger narcissist? i think schilling’s recent erroneous tirade about bonds stems from his frustration with clemens getting all the attention of late. i’m amazed that the press still seems to admire these two self-emphatuated clowns. i mean, randy moss and terrell owens are considered ‘bad guys’ by the press. to me, though, there’s not much difference between them and schilling & clemens. except that schilling and clemens know how to ‘say the right things’…oh…and they’re white of course. boil it down and they’re all a bunch of me-first drama queens.
By JasonInMaine
May 11, 2007 6:36 AM | Link to this
It would be nice to extend the winning streak tonight. I hope Davies can turn the corner and have a couple of quality starts in a row. Here’s to Bravos win tonight!
Regards,
Jason
By Ralph
May 11, 2007 6:51 AM | Link to this
Put Diaz on First.
By Ralph
May 11, 2007 6:57 AM | Link to this
Put on first, get rid of Wilsom and sent Thorman back to the minors, bring up a hitter from anywhere who can play first base, and the Braves will be a almost perfectly balance team. There will be no doubt that if the pitching can stay strong the Brave will be in the World Seris.
By JasonInMaine
May 11, 2007 7:04 AM | Link to this
Ralph,
I would rather have you at first than Wilson!
Regards,
Jason
By JasonInMaine
May 11, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this
From Philly.com:
“It’s unknown whether Toronto will conduct a fire sale, but the Phillies, Braves, Dodgers and Orioles are among teams that have had scouts at recent Blue Jays games.”
At first I thought the Braves might be scouting their starting pitching…but half of the staff is on the DL, and except Doc; the rest of the staff sux!
Regards,
Jason
By h_charles
May 11, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this
Wilson may need to go, but he deserves a bit more time. Unlike Langy, Wilson has a proven track record against lefties. Yes, he is struggling, but he still doesn’t have a large sample size of at bats to judge him just yet. Give him a few more weeks — he is not this bad a hitter. Never has been. If he continues to struggle he can be let go, but I’m not sure who we have to replace him. Thorman isn’t quite ready for everyday duty yet (although he is hitting the heck out of the ball even when he gets out these days).
By meansonny
May 11, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
LoL Smoltz on 790 the fan.
Maddux sent the ball he hit to smoltz with a request to sign it. It was previously enscripted “hit #278 off a bald guy”.
Smoltz said he sent another ball back reminding Maddux what what # strikeout he was on his march to 3,000.
Smoltz has always been a solid interview.
By Calvin
May 11, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this
Anyone else find it odd that the Bravos had 36 homers in April but only 2 in May yet, we are still winning?
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 11, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this
Good morning all, yes a chance to take a couple of series as the Braves head north. The conjecture over first base is amusing. Yes, Wilson is struggling mightily but Thorman is just about where you would expect a first year player to be. He is hitting the ball hard just at people right now. Thorman is also hitting the ball to all fields. He will only get better.
People should remember that Duane Ward was the Braves first choice last year. Wilson was a “best available role player” when signed. Who knows what his real problem is right now.
I just hope that Braves fans realize the Braves are not the Yankees and don’t just try to solve their problems by throwing money at them. I can tell you that the Braves will not just move McCann to first in the middle of a season.
By Shaun
May 11, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
Ralph,
The offense seems pretty well-balanced even with Wilson and Thorman at firstbase (see runs scored).
By ECU Grad
May 11, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
When we were winning with the 2 & 3 run homers everyone was crying we can’t win like this all year. Now we are winning with hit after hit and everyone is wondering where the power went. Isn’t this what everyone was asking for a couple of weeks ago?
As the saying goes, ‘that’s baseball.’
Happy Friday Blog!!
By Shaun
May 11, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this
Calvin,
The Braves are still outscoring their opponents 34-30 in May. Scoring is slightly below average well pitching/defense has really stepped up.
Smoltz and Hudson have 3 of the Braves 6 wins.
It’s still early in May. I’m guessing things will swing back to really good offense and good enough pitching pretty soon.
By ernesto
May 11, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this
Any news of lingering effects on Huddy’s wrist. is he going to miss a start? Is Edgar playing tonight? So many questions……okay, actually just two.
Ahh, the morning after a 7-3 homestand, it’s a fine day in Braves’ nation.
By Metropolitan Man
May 11, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
Guy Conti, the Mets’ bullpen coach who is tight with Pedro Martinez, says the rehabbing right-hander is preparing to be exceptional again.
“I can’t tell you how hard he has worked,” Conti said Wednesday. “I’m not talking two and three hours a day, I’m talking four and five hours a day. He has totally committed himself to being the Pedro Martinez of old, and if God doesn’t take anything away from him, he is going to max out.”
Martinez is slated to throw off a mound next month.
Now that we will have Mota back in less than 3 weeks things are going great.
Now to address you brave bloggers who cry and whine about METS fans posting here. 2 years ago we could post here and be laughed right off because we were losing. After last year when the wheels you were praying to fall off didnt, it ruined your season on top of the fact that the braves went from 1st to 3rd. Now this year they are winning again and its the same venom. When the METS lose its, where are those METS fans so we can clown them. When they win, its get outta here, we dont want your kind around. Sounds eerily similar to something else doesnt it. Anyway pick a moood and stick with it brave bloggers. Dont get me wrong, I’ve met, blogged, and drank with some cool cats: Grinch, Scribes. I enjoy reading the rants of Robert, KC, even Lew when he takes his meds. But some of you are so juvenile it makes it hard to understand if you guys are even watching baseball. The season is so fun and exciting so far that you are missing the true element of the game griping, and whining. I wont blog here often (already cut back) unless you face the METS or another NL east foe or something big happens in baseball. I will most defiantley post under METROPOLITAN MAN because its a keeper, posting under different names is juvenile and not my cup of tea. The sad thing the only thing to suffer because of you guys rudeness is the HITS on this blog. Thanks DOB for your blog. I have no clue how you really feel but I know you are a business man and know how to stir th pot to get the voices going. Keep ‘em coming becasue I will continue to watch and read about BASEBALL, the greates game ever. So with that said braves fans, this is not your blog or personal online paper. It is a forum for anyone from anywhere to discuss baseball and get under your skin becasue you are a braves fan, deal with it and just be enjoy the main reason we blog….baseball. It dosent matter who you root for, just dont be an a* like most of you have been to visitors here. Respect the game, respect the players, and respect the fans.
By beachcomber
May 11, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Belated thanks to the blogger who answered my question about the Braves record since Willie C. Harris was called up. Stayed away from the blog yesterday as I was taping the game at home. This team’s performance reminds me of the mid-90’s except with a better pen!
By Braves20
May 11, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
Late with my weekly update on our first base tandem. A combined .214 with 28 hits and 34 K’s. As to the LaRoche trade poll that appears elsewhere - it’s really a push. We did get a good reliever but we lost 32-90. His struggles in the Steel City are more a factor of being top banana as opposed to the Atlanta line-up where he was probably the 5th or 6th best hitter with a lot less pressure.
By MEB
May 11, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
Not bad Metro Man! The Mets will help our Braves keep their focus for another long string of Division titles and hopefully some more World Series rings. Keep up the good work and I would love to link up with you guys at the Ted.
GO BRAVES!!!
By JasonInMaine
May 11, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
Heck, Phil Nevin could do what Wilson’s doing, and he would have been a lot cheaper!
By Lew
May 11, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
MetroDude-You will be my last post to a Mets fan. Too bad-you’re a pretty good guy-but, guess what? We don’t care what Mets fans think and for every decent post you may make, there are 10 from other Mets’ fans who, shall we say, just aren’t as nice. You all shall cease to exist. From this point forward I will concentrate on the Braves and what they do. The Mets and their fans are non entities. And MetroDude, BTW-The only meds I’m on are for diabetes and related issues. Can you say the same for the Mets fans that proliferate here? Bye.
By Mets Fans
May 11, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this
Yeah, let’s all go have a drink together! I love watching losers cry into their beers.
Aren’t those the words to every country song you necks listen to?
By Metropolitan Man
May 11, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
Let the classic cases begin!!!!
By ernesto
May 11, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this
I give props to any Met fan who comes on after a loss or 4 and takes what they’ve been dishing out. That’s sure ain’t most of the snipers on here.
By Lew
May 11, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
I rest my case.
By P'Cola Michael
May 11, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Hey, DOB, what is our record in series’ this year? I know we haven’t won every series we have played in, but seems we have taken a majority???
By The Grinch
May 11, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
MetroMan, if you could pass some of your class onto ANY of the other Met douchebags that blog here, it would be greatly appreciated. However, I must disagree with you on one point. Nobody on this blog seeks out Mets fans to give them %$#@ when we win; we jump on the ones that are already here talking smack in the first place. Nobody here cares enough about the Mets to go trolling their blogs. Notice no Phillies, Marlins or Nat fans show up here either. It appears to be a disease exclusive to Mets. As I have previously stated, you deserve to be treated differently as you actually are interested in having a friendly rivalry/may the best team win sort of thing (plus I don’t want to p** you off since you’ll owe me 50 bucks at the end of the season…:-)), but your northern compatriots are so pathetic and juvenile they aren’t even worthy of scorn. This will understandably cause those here who don’t know you better to catch you in the crossfire. “If you lie down with dogs…,” and all that.
By flange1
May 11, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
Metro Man,
I will agree that your posts are always interesting and normally not offensive. But the other couple of Mets fans posts are offensive and are only trying to inflame Braves fans. The norm is when we lose, they run their mouth. When we win, they run their mouthes about how great the Mets are. When the Mets win, they scream to the rafters about how great the Mets are and if the Mets lose, they are no where to be found.
I also agree that baseball is the greatest game in the world and that reading and blogging baseball is great. I don’t have any problems with interaction with non Braves fans if the converstaion is cival and about baseball.
I also agree that the Mets have a great team. I think John Maine is going to be a star and if Oliver Perez keeps his head out of his ear, he could be as well.
I would not get to up waiting for Mota or Pedro. With Mota, you are not sure if he will be good off of the juice. With Pedro, you never know about sholder problems. He could work 10 hours a day and the sholder might not be the same. I know Hampton’s injuries were not his sholder, but he worked his butt off only to get hurt again.
Remember this is a Braves blog for Braves fans. If you want to post and be nice GREAT if not, you know what will happen.
By the way, good luck in Brewer land.
We should kick some Pirate butt!!
By The Grinch
May 11, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
Rob Scneider to Guillermo Mota: “Soooo, you lika tha juice.”
By ncscoots
May 11, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
Mets throw Sosa (!), Pelfrey, and Perez against Suppan (2.63), Sheets (4.04), and Capuano (2.31). Oops.
Braves throw Davies, James, and Lerew against Duke (5.50), Armas (7.94), and Snell (2.35).
I’ll take those odds this weekend, and bet on a little Braves separation from second place.
By meansonny
May 11, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
The Grinch,
LOL. EXCELLENT OBSCURE REFERENCE!!! (10:49 post)
By Lee
May 11, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
Out of the 12 series the Braves have played. They have won 8, lost 1 and tied 3. Not bad. Keep winning series and everything else should fall into place.
By Metropolitan Man
May 11, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
I’m not looking for acceptance here, that will happen or it wont on its own. However why wouldnt METS fan blog here if they feel the braves are their biggest rivalry in the NL and the Stankees in the American league. In the NY papers we bashed the Stankees and the braves all year long (off season too) and we enjoy each other rants becasue we know what the bottom line is….baseball. We go head to head with those Stankee fans but we all realize at the end of the day we wish we were at the game side by side rooting for our teams. There are annoying brave posters on our talkback site and we give them hell, but never would I condone he/she be banned or something bad happen to that person. I cant talk for all METS fans but trust me, the ones who love baseball are fine people, they just dont blog here. Now if NATS, Fish, and Philthie fans saw what you wrote here about their teams, I guarentee they would flood your blog with responses to defend their team. Thats human nature at its best.
Grinch: keep hyping yourself up, that 50 is mine. Dont worry, I”ll use it to by us drinks while we watch the METS in the 1st round of the playoffs.
By P'Cola Michael
May 11, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this
Thanks Lee…I knew they were off to a great start like that…only losing 1 of 12 series is huge.
Won a bottle of Jordan Cabernet on Hudson yesterday from a buddy of mine who lives in San Diego….should have seen the R-Rated text messages going across the country!
Thanks KJ for that triple!
By P'Cola Michael
May 11, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
The series we lost was against the marlins where Davies got rocked and Hudson went 8 strong innings with 12K’s and Wick’s blown save! Lost 4-3 with their 4 coming in the bottom of the 9th. (explative)
Otherwise, we would have won 9 series and tied 3 with no losses…what a difference a year makes!
By TennesseePaul
May 11, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
It’s unknown whether Toronto will conduct a fire sale, but the Phillies, Braves, Dodgers and Orioles are among teams that have had scouts at recent Blue Jays games
We do have some bullpen depth and the Jays just lost their closer for the year.
By ernesto
May 11, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
This is the weekend we find out if we’re going to get anything at all out of 3/5 of our rotation. I’m glad it’s Lerew going instead of Redman, at least I feel like we have a shot.
I asked earlier about Huddy, but the blog took a Met-wardly dirction, anyone know if he’s going to miss a start? If Edgar’s playing tonight?
By ernesto
May 11, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
PCola Michael - Yeah, and that one series we lost was only b/c of a thankfully rare bullpen meltdown
By ncscoots
May 11, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
But who on the Jays’ roster would be attractive to the Braves, other than Alex Rios, and Jays would have to be brain-dead to trade that guy. Maybe Matt Stairs, if they are looking for bench help, but he’s a lefty and no help at 1B or LF. Oh well, guess there’s SOMEBODY in which they are interested, LOL.
By DonCoburleone
May 11, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
“Out of the 12 series the Braves have played. They have won 8, lost 1 and tied 3. Not bad. Keep winning series and everything else should fall into place.”
Absolutely right Lee. That is what the Braves did for 14 of the past 15 regular seasons. Rarely had the big, flashy 10 or 12 game winning streak but just went out and won series after series and by the end of they year they’d have 95-100 wins. I see that again in this years team, pretty exciting…
By fastasballs
May 11, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
After a 1/5 of the season the Braves & Mets are the class of the NL. I’ll withhold adding the Brew Crew until the end of the month. They have the best record but probably have played one of the weakest schedules to date.
It’s been a fun year so far. The Braves have played solid ball the whole season. They will get on a long winning streak, maybe they are in the middle of one now. Without Redman there to screw it up the chances improve.
Willie Harris has been playing his butt off. He seems to always be in the middle of a Braves rally by either getting a timely hit or walk. He’s been a great addition & upgrade over Langerhans.
Without this year’s pen the Braves probably are 6-7 out right now, maybe more. What a difference a year makes.
By DonCoburleone
May 11, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Maybe the Braves are looking at Tomo Ohka on Toronto? When healthy he’s a better option than Davies or Redman for sure, and probably Lerew too…
By fastasballs
May 11, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Ernesto, I don’t know about Renteria but Hudson won’t miss a start. X-Rays were negative & it was his glove hand that was hit so he’s fine.
By Mets Stink
May 11, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this
Roy Halladay or Vernon Wells would both make nice acquisition! Just kidding, that will never happen.
By Steve McP
May 11, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
I would not say that the series loss to the Marlins was because of a “bullpen melt down” - Huddy should never have been allowed to stay in for 3 batters who all singled, giving Wickman (who we now find out was injured) the alomost impossible save - I think that to call that a blown save is really harsh, although I know it is the “rules”, in much the same way as Paronto got a win by throwing a single ball recently, sometimes stats can be very misleading, yet we quote them all the time to support our assertions!
By JasonInMaine
May 11, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
10Paul,
But the report is suggesting that the Jays are going to sell and not necessarily looking for replacements of their injured players. But, if they were, who would you target?
Regards,
Jason
By meansonny
May 11, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this
ncscoots,
I think the Braves have a great shot at winning every night, even with the 3-5 starters (thank you bullpen).
But in an attempt to respect our opponents…
Zach Duke has a 2.35 ERA against the Braves. And could be another Lefty starter which pitches well against only us.
Snell is just dealing it out this year.
Pirate fans feel real comfortable with their bullpen (setup guys Marte, Capps, and Chico this season. But I’m hoping our Bullpen Busters can keep up the good work. 7th, 8th, and 9th innings should be lots of fun this series.
By joebrave
May 11, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
While I may agree Metroman has a lot of class, his counterparts in mets fandom makes it hard to accept his courtesy,all any of us can ask is for a good clean pennant race,but let’s do it shrewdly,meaning maybe a decent trade that is beneficial to your trading partner as well as you,and don’t try to buy the damn thing,earn it on the field,then maybe you’ll get some respect.otherwise J.Reyes is your only player that I will acknowledge,and I wouldn’t want if I had to overpay to get him.
By Shaun
May 11, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
meansonny,
Duke has only pitched two games and 15.1 innings vs. the Braves. He only has two K’s and his strikeout rate so far in his career (a good indicator of future success/failure) isn’t all that impressive (186 K in 337.7 IP).
By Fred from CT
May 11, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
lyle overbay would be a nice move. off to a slow start this year but a good ballplayer.
By Shaun
May 11, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
joebrave,
Check out that SI article that we were discussing the other day.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/05/07/bp.ufd.fifth/index.html
Nate Silver ranks Hanley Ramirez as basically even with Jose Reyes.
No. 6. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins, Age 23
As much as I like Reyes, however, I like Ramirez a little bit better. The two shortstops had nearly identical numbers last year and they have nearly identical numbers this year, but Ramirez has two small advantages. First, he’s six months younger. Second, he’s at least three inches taller, which means that his bat has more projectibility from a power perspective. Reyes and Ramirez are extremely close in value — you can call them No. 6 and No. 6a if you want. But if Ramirez were in New York and Reyes in Florida, the presumption would be that Hanley is the better player.
By Willy Wally
May 11, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
Is anyone else scared that we can look so good but the go out and lose 2 of 3 to the Pirates? No reason to fret about teams like the Pirates but it always seems that when things are going good, some crappy team jumps up and bites you on the ankles.
By Lee
May 11, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
Great - now we have to look at bald headed David Wright everytime we logged into AJC web-site.
By Mike in 'Fretta
May 11, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this
So there is a report that the Braves (among other teams) have scouts looking at Bluejays players due to a possible firesale. If the Bluejays are going to have a firesale why would they keep Halladay? That means they are throwing in the towel for this season and are looking to rebuild with younger and cheaper players. If there is one thing the Braves have an abundance of in the minors it is young, cheap player who are ready for the bigs.
I can’t help but think of what it would be like to add a guy like Halladay to the Braves starting rotation. I know it is ridiculous for me to even dream about it, but man how dominant would the Braves be if they have Smoltz, Hudson, Halladay, James and Lerew/Davies/Cormier. That would be a rotation similar to Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz of the 90’s.
I have to imagine that the scouts are not there to look at Halladay…I mean what is there to look at? The guy is as dominating as they come is in the prime of his career and oh wait…he is making over 12.5 million this year…well so much for that.
Well, it’s Friday and work is slow so you can’t blame me for day dreaming.
By meansonny
May 11, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
Dukes has pitched real well against both Joneses. And we aren’t killing the ball against lefties this season.
Does David Wells ring a bell (k/9 and k/bb, ERA, this season are not attractive). We didn’t get a hit in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th inning against him.
I’m not saying we won’t win. But my confidence is in the Braves abilities more than the opponents inabilities (if that makes any sense).
Just trying to respect our opponents.
By ncscoots
May 11, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Agreed, Snell is the real deal, and I think Duke has pitched well for last couple or so starts. Still, Duke’s few innings against the Braves may or may not be an indicator, remains to be seen. I still take my chances with the Braves’ matchups this weekend, versus the Mets’, and that’s really where I was going.
There’s just something about hearing “Sosa, Pelfrey, Perez” in a series that makes me smirk, and I’m not even a smirkin’ kinda guy, LOL.
By meansonny
May 11, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
LOL. If a Braves pitcher other than Smoltz or Hudson could pitch 15.1 innings in 2 outings against any opponent, THEN I WOULD BE A VERY HAPPY BRAVES FAN.
I know that you are questioning the sample size. But if a pitcher can go past 3 times in the batting order against a team on 2 separate occasions with success, then call me impressed.
By JasonInMaine
May 11, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
Fred from CT,
Actually, Overbay wouldn’t be bad at all. Overbay would be a good addition and is fairly cheap for this year. Thorman could hone his skills and be the power bat off the bench.
Regards,
Jason
By jason
May 11, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
I hope Lerew is this years Chuck James. That would help a lot.
By Shaun
May 11, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
meansonny,
Oh, I’m not saying Zach Duke wasn’t impressive. I’m saying it’s only 2 outings and he wasn’t exactly overpowering—3 K’s and 14 H, including 6 doubles. I wouldn’t assume a couple of good outings are any indication of what he’s going to do against the Braves the rest of his career…that’s all.
By Lee
May 11, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
Read Blue Rays would really like to move Troy Gauss ( Braves certainly don’t want or need him) It would not surprise me if Toronto wanted to rid themselves of A.J. Burnett (don’t really know what his salary is - probably pretty high)
By meansonny
May 11, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this
2008 salary situation.
In an attempt to find a solution to another starting pitcher, please let me know if I’m out of line on the following theorem.
Dropping Wickman next year frees up $6.5M. Dropping Craig Wilson frees up $2M. Andruw not on the salary cap appears to be already spent on Hudson and Smoltz (although there appears to be a variable from Hampton’s insurance policy helping out). There might be a few $$$’s left.
This could free up some money to sign a free agent starter of good value. Especially if we “cost average” future salary availability after we don’t have to carry Hampton’s contract in 2009 and beyond.
Just putting thoughts to paper for discussion. Trying to see what Schuerholz may have to work with in terms of another starter (assuming we’re not happy with Davies who will be out of options. Or Cormier. Or the health of Hampton)
By Shaun
May 11, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this
JasonInMaine,
If Thorman’s not the starter, I’m sure the Braves aren’t going to let him rot on the bench at this stage in his career.
I think Thorman’s basically the regular unless he starts to really play horribly.
By JB in ATL
May 11, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
I was there yesterday right behind the visiting dugout. Great game. KJ’s big hit. Soriano lights out. Chipper Jones day. The only thing I didn’t like is the embarassing suburns on my knees.
http://atlbravesfan.mlblogs.com
By Mike in 'Fretta
May 11, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
Lee,
A.J. Burnett is currently the highest paid player on the Bluejays making $13.2 Million this year. I am sure they would love to dump him, but who on earth would want to pick up that enormous salary?
By Mike in 'Fretta
May 11, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
I think the Bluejays firesale will be happening sooner rather than later, they have lost 9 games in a row and are 10.5 games behind the division leading Red Sox. They have to see the futility and trying to come back from such a deficit with the Red Sox playing so well this year, the Yanks signing of Clemens and heck even Baltimore and Tampa are putting up a good fight.
By meansonny
May 11, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
Just noticing that you left off the fact that Dukes only gave up 2 walks.
2.35 ERA 1.04 WHIP Averaging 7.2 innings per start against the Braves.
Again, I think we’ll get him out of the game around the 6th. Hopefully steal a run or two that inning, and then show SteelTown that their vaunted bullpen is not as good as advertised (thank you Adam LaRoche)
By DonCoburleone
May 11, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
Question for everybody… If the Jays agreed to pay some of AJ Burnett’s salary would you trade Salty for him???
By Fred from CT
May 11, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
donC
NO
By dave
May 11, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
heres what some of the braves are on pace to do this year
K Johnson .289 24HR 94 RBI 132R E Renteria .338 20HR 100RBI 130R C Jones .291 45HR 105RBI 123R A Jones .233 23HR 113RBI 90R B McCann .287 10HR 83RBI 47R J Francoeur .288 24HR 132RBI 80R S Thorman .240 16HR 70RBI 54R
Hudson 18-4 1.83 260IP 170K 52BB Smoltz 22-4 3.25 230IP 188k 65BB
Rafael soriano has already thrown in 18 games this year i hope they dont wear him out this year he is pace to throw 87 innings. thats not good for a reliever who throws 1 inning a game. thorman is looking streaky and Mccanns and Andruws output is look bad, of course mccann has somewhat of an excuse though. I hope andruw comes around soon. look at the #1-3 hitters runs, even with a bum #4 hitter behind them.
By Mike in 'Fretta
May 11, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
meansonny,
Are you making a case with your salary projections for the future that the Braves could realistically make a run at Roy Halladay…assuming of couse the Bluejays would part with him?
I would rather see another stud pitcher in the roation than resign Andruw Jones for $15 million+. I love Andruw, but I strongly believe his best days are behind him and he just isn’t worth that kind of money.
Now Roy Halladay…well he is one of the best Pitchers in the game. If the Braves were to somehow aquire him we would have the best rotation in Baseball. The Bluejays need help at Catcher and SS both positions the Braves can address with our minor leaguers.
Could you imagine in a best of 5 series trotting out Smoltz, Hudson and then Halladay…and closing out those games with Gonzalez and Soriano…man that would be a rotation for the ages.
Okay, I am getting way to excited about something that will probably never happen…but man it would be so great.
By Mike in 'Fretta
May 11, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
DonCoburleone,
To answer your quesiton about Burnett…absolutely not! He has a 5.03 ERA, has never one more than 12 games in his career and he is injury prone. Burnett is definately not the answer, I would rather stick with what we have than go after that guy.
By DonCoburleone
May 11, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
I think the Jays are stuck with Burnett though, he’s the financial anchor on that team and the only way to get rid of him would be to agree to pay a good chunk of his salary; and of course that would be admitting you made a mistake after only 1.5 years - something you very rarely see a GM do unless the guy is just so awful you have to (see Jeff Weaver)…
By Lee
May 11, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
DonC - Good question about Salty for A.J. Burnett - had to think on that one. I would say no but if the Blue Jays would agree to pay part of A.J.’s salary it would not be completely out of the question.
By David O'Brien
May 11, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
Salty for A.J.? Are you serious? I really like A.J. as a person, have known him since the Marlins signed him. But he’s way too injury-prone to even consider giving up Salty for him. No way.
By Mike in 'Fretta
May 11, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
I just read an article in the Toronto Star about how the Bluejays are really trying to stock their minor leagues to bring up young inexpensive players instead of overspending on free agents like they have done the past few years. The article also states that the cupboard is bare and there appears to be no young prospects who are ready to make the leap from minor to bigs any time in the near future.
Sounds like a team the Braves can talk to about making some trades. We do have a surplus of tradeable players in the minors.
By Mike in 'Fretta
May 11, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
I just read an article in the Toronto Star about how the Bluejays are really trying to stock their minor leagues to bring up young inexpensive players instead of overspending on free agents like they have done the past few years. The article also states that the cupboard is bare and there appears to be no young prospects who are ready to make the leap from minor to bigs any time in the near future.
Sounds like a team the Braves can talk to about making some trades. We do have a surplus of tradeable players in the minors.
By JasonInMaine
May 11, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
Well, he’s not the regular now…
But, I do understand what you are saying. My point is simply that if the Braves thought he was the answer, well; he wouldn’t be platooning with a guy hitting .179. Of course, he is only hitting .240 himself. But, it is all moot anyway. Overbay signed a 4 yr 24 mill contract. So, I say give the everyday job to Thor and see what he can do.
By Efrim
May 11, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I heard a couple of people say Salty for Lastings Milledge would be a possibility. I laugh at such things. BUT, Salty for Dontrelle talk will DEFINETLY surface this winter. Olivo is not the answer over there. They have tons of pitching. Salty and Jordan Schafer for Dontrelle Willis???? Thoughts???
By JasonInMaine
May 11, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
If Burnett is the answer, we are asking the wrong question!
By Shaun
May 11, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
Efrim,
I doubt Salty is going anywhere within the NL East unless the other team gives the Braves a whole lot.
I also think the Braves need to get at least one good prospect in his early 20’s in the deal.
I don’t think you trade a young, switch-hitting, top catching prospect for one player who will decline in four or five years or for just one pitcher (because of the injury risks); unless that pitcher is someone like Johan Santana (ain’t gonna happen!).
By Fred from CT
May 11, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
how bout overbay for thorman and prado
By Mike in 'Fretta
May 11, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this
Halladay has been hammered in his last 2 outings…I wonder if the Braves are scouting him to see if he is struggling due to an injury or if it is just a mechanical problem? I wouldn’t be suprised if they were doing as much analysis on him as possible considering what the Bluejays GM did when he basically lied about the severity of BJ Ryan’s injury.
By DonCoburleone
May 11, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t do it DOB, I was just throwing the question out there… But who do you think we could realistically get for Salty? I know I am very interested in trades and have a pretty good idea what quality starting pitchers demand on the trade market (Kazmir for Zambrano aside). And from what I can tell, the Braves WILL NOT get a Jake Peavy or D-Train for Salty (in fact, NO CHANCE IN HE!! of that happening). I believe they wouldn’t even be able to get an Ian Snell, James Shields or Ervin Santana type for Salty (those 3 I consider starters who could potentially help our rotation this year and beyond)… The only thing I could see happening is Salty for a veteran pitcher nearing free agency on a team that’s out of it (and the only name that comes to mind with those qualifications is Mark Buehrle - and we all know that would only be a rental, cuz he’s probably gonna be the #1 starting pitcher on the market this offseason)…
By JasonInMaine
May 11, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Efim,
All references that I have seen in regards to Milledge for Salty also included Philip Humper—their number 1 and 3 rated prospects. That may be a little more intriguing…
Regards,
Jason
By JasonInMaine
May 11, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
Look at the number one prospect from 05…
2005 Top 50 Prospects
By JasonInMaine
May 11, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
Interesting interview with Frank Wren:
Wren Interview
Regards,
Jason
By Efrim
May 11, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
Salty is still a prospect guys. To get Dontrelle Willis, they would have to give him up, as well as another high rated prospect. Willis is a establised major league pitcher. I know he will cost money, but Hamptons contract of 14.5 is off the books after 2008. That is when Willis is a free agent. It’s something to think about. I guarentee Salty would not be enough for Dontrelle. He is young and left handed.
By meansonny
May 11, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
Mike in Fretta.
I’m not picking the talent. Not prospecting on who we could bring in.
But the numbers I proposed show $8.5M available from the loss of Wick and Wilson. Who knows if we still have any $$$ from Andruw’s contract to add to that total.
I’m guessing that we could allocate an additional $10M to a starter next season. If we cost average or maneuver a salary structure, we could possibly target under $12M for another arm (my cost averaging is based upon Hampton’s salary coming up giving us an extra $2-$3M that we could borrow against a year early from the budget).
By Lee
May 11, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
Fred from CT - YES
By Efrim
May 11, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
DONC,
I agree. People don’t get it. Prospects are still prospects. As good as they are, NO TEAM will give you an established major league quality player for someone who hasn’t gotten on the field for a full season yet. Salty, Harrison and Shafer would be the ransom for Dontrelle. And by the way, I can’t hear anyone say that Willis isn’t going to get traded in divison. If the price is right, they will def. get him to Atlanta or New York.
By Glass Half Full
May 11, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
So the Mets have gone bald, but what about their wives? Inquiring minds want to know.
By Shaun
May 11, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
Efrim,
What about giving up a quality, established major leaguer in AJ Pierzynski for Joe Nathan, Francisco Liriano and Boof Bonser?
What about giving up an established, quality major leaguer in Mark Mulder for Dan Haren and others?
Yes, prospects are prospects but certain prospects are worth taking a chance on.
For example, as I’ve written before, go back and look at the hitting prospects in Baseball America’s Top 100.
At least 80-90 percent of the hitting prospects in the top 100 become very serviceable major leaguers.
Obviously it depends also on the established major leaguer and a team’s needs, but often times it is not a bad idea to trade an established major leaguer for a prospect.
By DonCoburleone
May 11, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
Cool link their JasonInMaine on the Top 50 prospects of 2005, always interesting to look back and see who the “experts” had pegged as the next superstars of baseball. Based on those rankings, you could say that Marte may already be a bust! Overall though, I think those guys did a pretty good job. I mean, tons of guys on that list are making an impact somewhere in the majors right now… Prince Fielder, Jared Weaver, Matt Cain, Scott Kazmir, Delmon Young, Hanley Ramirez, Francoeur, McCann, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Rickie Weeks, Josh Willingham, Nick Swisher, etc… That’s not too shabby…
Oh yeah, another interesting one, Willy Aybar was #34 on that list - its a shame he can’t get his act together…
By flange1
May 11, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
Guys in terms of the Blue Jays here is what I see,
I don’t see any other matches….
By JasonInMaine
May 11, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
Where did the Mets get Delgado and Lo Duca from? The Marlins will make a trade if they get what they target. Which in those two deals, I am not sure what it was! I think the division was just sick of the the Braves decade and a half domination (:
Regards,
Jason
By Wayne in Utah (this week in Wyoming)
May 11, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
DOB Long time no talk. Wi-Fi in the Pizza Hut in Lander, Wyoming allows me to ask a question today.
Everybody is doing trade speculation it seems, as I also like to do myself. The question: What are you hearing from the clubhouse that might be just a bit out of the normal scouting other teams and players??? Toronto seems to be everybody’s target for a trade partner these days.
A comment: I would not trade Saltalamacchia for anything less than a #2 starter or can’t miss, 5 tool, outfield prospect.
Thanks Davey!
By Tyler
May 11, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
Does nobody remember getting Edgar Renteria for Andy Marte? Marte was one of the top PROSPECTS in the minors who had done nothing in the majors. Granted, Renteria was coming off a down year, but Willis isn’t any Johan Santana who just had a Cy-Young year either. You would be surprised on what we could get for our mighty prospects.
By Efrim
May 11, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
Sorry, you misunderstood me. Yes, prospects can net you some established talent, but there are very rare cases where you can trade a minor league catcher for an established front of the rotation major league pitcher.
By Dirtie Birdie
May 11, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
Yeah, that BP list of top prospects was amazing in that they got so many guys right from 2005 - even if the order of their impact was wrong - but still amazing to be able to handpick the best 50 out of thousands of minor leaguers and get it mostly right. I would imagine that the top 50 order really does not matter very much. In most years, #50 could be just as good as #1 and vice versa. But to draw people to your list, you gotta rank ‘em.
By Shaun
May 11, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
Efrim and DonC,
Here’s something that may help explain why it’s not that bad an idea to trade established major leaguers for prospects. This is from the SI article a few of us have discussed this week.
So why does A-Rod get bumped down to No. 10 [from No. 3 last year]? Because as great as A-Rod is, there are a lot of other players in baseball who are nearly as great, and quite a bit younger. Would I take the rest of A-Rod’s 2007 or the rest of Grady Sizemore’s 2007? Probably A-Rod, but it’s close. Would I take A-Rod’s age-34 season in 2010, or Sizemore’s age-27 season in 2010? The answer is Sizemore, and I don’t think it’s remotely close. A-Rod might be the best player in baseball right now, but if we’re looking at a six-year time horizon there are at least a half-dozen guys ahead of him.
Obviously you’re not going to trade Rodriguez if you can’t get an awesome player in return.
My point is this: Players age a lot differently than people seem to realize. It may seems crazy to think anyone could be as good as A-Rod but it’s very likely that somebody or several somebodies will be better in five or six years. Not that A-Rod will decline to the point of being anything less than All-Star caliber but he’s likely to decline to the point that some players five or six years younger will be obviously better.
By Dirtie Birdie
May 11, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
Scroll down the top 50 prospect list and you see an article about The Amazing Danny Kolb:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=3071
By Efrim
May 11, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
Flange1,
Rios wouldn’t be worth it. They would ask for too much. All they want right now is starting pitching and unfortunately, we don’t have any. Overbay is interesting. He is pretty cheap, and is a defenite upgrade over Scott Thorman.
By Efrim
May 11, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
To add on what I was saying. You listed those trades above, The A’s and Twins were getting back PITCHING in those trades. We have no pitching to deal. Harrison wouldn’t net a lot right now. He would have to be included in a deal with Salty to get anything of value.
By Shaun
May 11, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
DonCoburleone,
Not trying to nitpick but Marte is still young enough to become a decent everyday thirdbaseman. Wouldn’t surprise me.
I wonder how much of Marte’s play is due to not being able to just play everyday.
I mean, look at Wes Helms. He got/is getting a chance later in his career and seems to be making the most of it. And Marte probably is much more talented.
Again, not trying to nitpick. Marte’s chances of becoming a superstar are shrinking by the minute but he still could be a good player someday fairly soon.
By Matthew, Dad to Walter
May 11, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
Carroll’s got a new blog posted about Laroche.
NEW BLOG IS UP
By Fred from CT
May 11, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
flange1 you said Overbay is a maybe but I don’t see him as an upgrade over Thorman.
He is a huge upgrade over thorman. very underrated player. The guy is a major league hitter despite his terrible start this year in which he is starting to turn it around.
By Shaun
May 11, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
Dirtie Birdie,
Pitching prospects are a different animal altogether.
Carroll Rogers has a new blog up.
By Efrim
May 11, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
Your not getting it man. Major league pitching is hard to come by. Your not getting a front of the rotation guy for just a minor league catcher. I don’t care how good he is. Willis is young too. If we called Kenny Williams for Mark Buerhle, he would ask for Salty and then some. Would I trade Salty for Buerhle?, absolutly not. Trading for quality starters is difficult. I heard we offered Andruw Jones for Ervin Santana and Nick Adenhart this off season. Bill Stoneman said no. He is right. I would not make that trade if I was the Angels GM either. Point being Young pitching is a commodity and you can’t give it up right now because it is so scarce.
By JasonInMaine
May 11, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
flange1,
Overbay’s stats last year were:
avg hr rbi 2B OBP Slugging .312 22 92 46 .372 .506
So, while not an Albert Pujols like upgrade, I think Overbay would be an improvement. But, the improvement may not make up for the difference in pay. He is not a target as a result of his new contract, but I do think, as they are now, he is an upgrade.
Regards,
Jason
By flange1
May 11, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
Hi All,
I have looked at Overbay’s stats and he does look like a nice hitter. He is in the beginning of a 4 year $24 million contract. I believe that as Thorman gets more comfortable, he will be a very similar hitter to Overbay at a lower dollar amount.
That is what I was trying to say!
By DonCoburleone
May 11, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this
I know Efrim, too many fans on here talk about Salty like he is Brian McCann or something. Not only does he have basically ZERO big-league experience in his career so far, he’s coming off of a .230 season in AA! His trade value does not equate to a young, proven major league starter - despite what people on this blog may think…
By Drayton Xavier
May 11, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this
Okay, better late than ever, but I am sure you all have discussed the idea of keeping Soriano/Gonzalez in their present roles, haven’t you????
Also, Salty seems to be the most talented non-starting catcher in ALL baseball, and possibly the catcher with the most Johnny Bench potential (DOMINANT, MVP) since … Johnny Bench. He has a presence in the batter’s box and behind the plate (and throwing out runners) that says “star” and “the natural.”
He’s 22, and should be playing now.
Why can’t we package McCann (All-Star catcher) and Wickman (top 5 reliever) for one great player at 1B, maybe Howard of Philadelphia???? How’s this for a lineup???
Johnson 2b Renteria ss CJones 3b Howard 1b Francoeur rf Salty c AJones cf WHarris, lf Smoltz p Soriano/Gonzalez rp
By gotigers72
May 12, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
Too late now for Halladay. He is out 4-6 weeks after having an appendectomy. They’re through for the year, and they were supposed to have a pretty good team. Fire sale may start soon, but they will do what Florida did and get some very good young players.
Players that won’t go IMO; Rios, Wells, Burnett. Just about everybody else could be had for the right price. You know with Ryan out they’ll be looking the Braves’ way due to the strength of our relievers. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Steinbrenner make a move for Burnett or even Halladay later because I don’t think Clemens is going to be the answer.