Braves

By Carolina Matt

July 9, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

First? Thanks for the new blog DOB.

By True Bravaes Fan

July 9, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

There is a reason pitchers like Mark Redmond and Julian Tavares are available, and JT really illustrated it last night!!!Send him down Richmond and bring Jason Perry up…….to pitch!! It would be an imporvement.

Braves need to sign Tex, unless the bidding becomes absurd. In addition to his bat in the lineup, his performance in the field last night was phenominal. The one downside, in my opinion, is how do you justify paying Tex more than Chipper?

By ALAGT

July 9, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

Thanks for information, really do enjoy your BLOG; althought I only look for snd read your comments!! GO Braves … I still believe we are going to capture the Division title. Then off to the post season, where anything can happen.!! Oh, I believe when Diaz comes back it will be a 4 man rotation (Blanco, Kotsay, Jeff, Diaz) in the outfield! With Blanco playing the most due to his recent excellent leadoff showing.

By ernesto

July 9, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

Can’t imagine what the Dodgers are going to do with ‘Druw. Release him and eat the dough? As bad as that sounds, paying him 18 mil to take up space on the bench and be a locker room distraction might be worse.

I feel bad for ‘Druw, but not too bad, he’s making almost 18 million dollars more this year than I am.

By JJ

July 9, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Your blog is great as usual but it begs the question - if not Holliday (and I agree with that btw), then who? Personally, I would LOVE Jason Bay or even X Nady but I’m not holding my breath that Pitt will part with those guys. You hearing anything?

Thanks

By Taylor S

July 9, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

DOB, I have heard rumors of the Red Sox being interested in Tex, if we were to trade him is it realistic to ask for one of their MLB ready young pitchers like a Lester, Bucholz, or Masterson ?

By MEB

July 9, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

I’m not first! GO BRAVES!!!

By ernesto

July 9, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

Are the Brewers and Red Sox really so stocked in their pens that they could release a stud like Tavares?

Didn’t he accept a demotion to the Sox AAA team and still get released?

We must not think much about the talent evaluating skills of Milwaukee and Boston.

Either that, or we are reeeeeeeeeeally desperate.

By gobravez

July 9, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

bring up Jorge Julio and send Tavarez to richmond!

By ernesto

July 9, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

I should clary my ‘Druw post, I meant, I don’t know what the Dodgers will do with him NEXT year if he continues to struggle.

I think they’ll stick with him this year and hope he pulls out of it.

By pfunkatl2

July 9, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

GREAT game last night…Yunel and JJ have shown all year that they are the REAL DEAL. Now let’s win a few more on this trip and MAYBE we won’t be hearing about Tex being traded, and INSTEAD hear about a decent right handed BAT coming here!

By Carolina Matt

July 9, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

yeah, I gotta say I’m also worried about this Julian Tavarez experiment…I know he has some talent and we really just need a fresh arm, but the last thing we need is a hole in our bullpen, especially since everyone else has been battling and pitching well. Lets hope last night was shaking off the cobwebs and not dangerous foreshadowing.

By Epinephrine

July 9, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

Call me crazy, but I honestly believe Frenchy is going to have a big second half. Huge? Nope. But I think it will be a big one.

By brent a.

July 9, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

I was saying “Druuuu”.

By Del

July 9, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

DOB… Would agree completely with your thoughts on the Holiday situation. Appreciate the newsy blog.

By KC

July 9, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Supes: I’m not saying it will be easy. I’m not saying it’s likely. However, winning this division it is not the “highly unlikely” or unreasonable objective for the Braves that some here have suggested it is. There are a few factors that tell me the Braves are still in it:

1 - All of the Braves competitors in the East are highly flawed, and none of them are likely to approach 90 wins.

2 - The unbalanced schedule gives the Braves 9 more head-to-head opportunities against each of their division rivals.

This give the Braves an opportunity to partially decide how many wins it will take to win the East. And the unbalanced schedule is something that has only come to pass in recent years, and I think it gives the “It’s never been done” argument far less credence. It’s far more doable with the unbalanced schedule than it’s ever been.

3 - I know a lot of people are going to strongly disagree with this, but… this Braves ball club isn’t that far away from being the best team in the East.

I think we all say that the Braves just haven’t been able to get any sort of lasting rhythm or momentum going yet, and I think that quite largely due to the injuries. IF the Braves can get Soriano back, this team will really only have one hole. One. That’s it. And of course we all know what it is… a big right-handed bat.

I mean… the pitching looks completely set, with the exception of the lack of a true set-up man (who could also serve as a back-up closer). Soriano’s the guy, if he can stay off the DL. And The lineup , when all the starters are actually healthy, is really very solid top to bottom.

In the end, it doesn’t really matter how many teams are ahead of you. It just matters how many wins the team with the best record in the division ends up with. I think there is a considerable chance that 86 or 87 wins the division or forces a playoff game. To get there, the Braves would have to go 43-28 or 44-27 (that’s a little over .600 baseball) between today and the end of the season.

The Braves really need only add one piece (unless Frenchy gets going – in which case they don’t need to add anyone)… and start firing on all cylinders. That, in my opinion, is all they need to do to be a team that can play .600-650 baseball over the final 10 weeks of the season… and I’m pretty sure that would get it done.

By TheCutMan

July 9, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

The problem with many teams in MLB is they get caught between contending and pretending to the extent that they are consistently average, making an occasional trip to the post season.

The pressure to turn things around quickly mounts, so there’s no time to be patient in developing a young team into one that can consistently play with the better teams in the league.

I think the Braves are such a team at present. If you don’t have enough or the resources to go ‘all in’ for a post season run, then the wise thing would be to invest in youth and be in a stronger position down the road.

By rupert

July 9, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

DOB,

do you get the sense the braves are actively pursuing an outfield bat? or are they in wait and see mode right now?

(totally agree with you on the payroll and signing tex, 20 mil is a very good offer and he is worth that, not much more than that though)

By BraveJL

July 9, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

Taylor, As much as the Braves would like to get back one of those guys, I don’t see them doing so for a half year of Tex. Maybe Masterson but he strikes me as a super-reliever more than a starter. Not so sure the Sox “need” Tex since Ortiz is likely to come back

By Renegator

July 9, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

Please - no - more - Tavarez!!!

By brent a.

July 9, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

KC

Good point on #2 above.

By GSU-Lee

July 9, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

DOB, this is a bit vague, but if you were GM for the Braves, what would you be going after right now, if anything, as far as trades are concerned? And yes, i can write sentences with lots of commas.

By gotigers72

July 9, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

I’m with you on trying to resign Tex. His bat and glove for the next 6 or 7 years is a GREAT deal if they can pull it off.

That weenie Boras is a cancer on the game IMHO. A jock sniffer wanna be who couldn’t cut the mustard in trying to make it as a player, now takes his bitter ego and tries to take it out on baseball in general. I guess the players he represents like him, even though a couple [A-Rod and Andruw] kind of took on their own negotiations when they didn’t like the way Boras was managing their careers at a certain point. Then they relented and gave control back to him. Good move for Andruw.

As far as GMing, Mr. Wren got off to a good start with the Renteria/Jurrjens & Gorkys trade. But he is in a slump rivaling that of Frenchy. Why sign a pitcher like that ragarm Tavares who was released by TWO teams, has a 7.20 ERA and a .356 BAA? So he could see what happened last night? BC best not put him in with less than a 10 run lead. And Corky, my God, Corky. He has left him there all year with a BA below .100 for most of the year. I can’t believe he can not do better than that. If .200 is the Mendoza line, what is .100, the O’Brien line? Just kidding Dave.

By GT80

July 9, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

I read Bisher’s article from a few days ago and he nailed it. Why do we have our bench stocked with other teams rejects? Is this a result of the overtaxed payroll due to having 25M on the DL in Smoltz, Hampton and Glavine?

And now we pick up another reject in Tavares? Frank Wren, you should be embarassed. Please tell me Tavares is not better than Stockman.

By Mike

July 9, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

Tavarez is garbage…what a joke

By Hit, Heap, Hit!

July 9, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

WTG JJJ!

And don’t miss Yunel on the cover of Sporting News magazine.

By StingerSplash

July 9, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

Great, GREAT tune selection today, DOB. Out-stinkin-standing. Let me throw this name out there for Braves trade baiters: Rocco Baldelli. Rocco Baldelli. Rocco Baldelli. Do I want to trade for him? Lord, no. But it had been so long since Mr. Baldelli was either mentioned on the MIB blog or been relevant that the young lad probably needed to see his name again without the words “oft-injured” in front or “on a rehab assignment in xxxxx” behind them.

By Renegator

July 9, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

KC

Dude, you are delsuional…

The Braves record as it stands right now is 43-48. They would have to go 42-29 just to get to 85 wins which is the minimum it will take to win the East.

Have you seen the Braves play the Phillies? I’ll give you a hint - they are 1-8 against them and showed in the last home sweep that they are vastly inferior to the Phillies.

Keep dreaming KC. This team will be lucky to finish at .500 for the year - most likely will finish about 5 or 6 games under.

By Random

July 9, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

Shaun: “Spilborghs does look like a solid player. His .423 slugging away from Coors is nothing to write home about but he’s a solid player. I just don’t know if the Rockies would trade a quality, cheap outfielder in case they lose Holliday. And I’m not sure how great he will be in the future. He’s not all that young for a ballplayer.”

That being said, how do you think he would fit in a CF platoon with Kotsay? Are you not impressed with his performance against LH pitchers?

By LA Dawg

July 9, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

Just what you want to hear, your starting center fielder with a history of back problems and recently off the DL is hosting a golf tournament?!?! What a joke.

By I was a teenage Francophile

July 9, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

Right handed bat in the outfield?

But we already have Frenchy and Diaz. Do you mean someone to platoon with Kotsay? Or someone to replace Diaz?

If the French one was pulling his weight, especially powerwise, then we wouldn’t be needing another righthanded bat, now would we?

By BlackberryCobbler

July 9, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

The Brew gets CC. The Cubs go out and get Harden. The Braves go get JT. Enough said. This team is not yet serious about winning anything.

By McFann Ô

July 9, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

Here are the answers to your Q’s from the last blog:

Original Jon McFann, what the heck are you talking about?? That was last nights game, but you are acting as if it’s todays.

We were watching the replay on SportSouth. Since I didn’t get to chime in last night (or at all this week. Dumb scheduler), I thought I’d do it today.

Ernesto McFann, what’s up with your posts?

Yep. Doing Greatest hits. No! I’m kidding. See above response.

Bobby’s Cox McFann What is that oval symbol next to your name? (Ô)

That’s a Rally Turtle. He’ll pop up every now and then (when we need a rally, right?) Just thought I’d break him in today, kinda introduce him to everybody.

By roman88

July 9, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

great point, i wouldn’t touch any scott boras client, as soon as tavarez was released i knew atl would get him, enough with the retreads, i doubt pitt. would part with nady or bay at all. gonzales looks great, shows alot of spirit to be out there, which is not shown by many others. jurjens and campilla are bright stars with alot of potential, i hope atl locks them up for many years, remember after the 95 series tavarez bawling in the dugout, i’m waiting for a emotional breakdown with him. no one in the race will part with any starters, a top catching prospect would be nice and hopefully a outfielder. go young and get some spirit on this team. the entire bench could be replaced, give canazares a chance at 1st,

By Jeff321

July 9, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

Soriano’s the guy, if he can stay off the DL

Initially I was fooled concerning Soriano! But, I do recall quite a few jacks he gave up last year. Which isn’t my idea of a good time, especially in the 8th or 9th inning.

Oh, and what do we have this year? A guy that isn’t giving up many jacks because he can’t find the plate!

By BamaBrave

July 9, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Sorry…I just can’t get past this Tavarez acquisition. And not just because he stunk like mid-August roadkill last night. There’s no doubt in my mind that his time in a Braves uniform will be as infamous as Jeff Reardon’s and Dan Kolb’s…unless he’s dumped by the All-Star break…

By john hoar

July 9, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

I have a question. Is Josh Anderson injured or what? I can’t think of any reason he hasn’t been called up unless there is something that isn’t apparent.

By Carolina Matt

July 9, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

Stinger, you do realize that Rocco is fighting a very serious and mysterious disease that may prevent him from playing baseball again, right?

By glorydays

July 9, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Do we even think about Barry Bonds? I personally don’t like the guy, but maybe his head has diminished in size to not be such a jerk but can still hit the ball. He could be a 3 month wonder and that’s all we need.

By ernesto

July 9, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

This team hasn’t shown the ability to play .600 ball for the last 3 years…but what the hell, it don’t cost nothin’ to hope.

By Mike in LA

July 9, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

I’m with you gotigers 72 on resigning Texeira. I went to the game last night and some of the plays he made were incredible and go completely under the radar. Without going into offensive stats which are very consistent on a year to year basis he’s the best defensive first baseman the Braves have ever had. On another note, I’m wondering if anyone else is getting nervous every time the ball is hit to Kelly Johnson with runners on and how Mccann seems to be dropping so many pitches?

By Chris

July 9, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

I dont really see how the signing of Tavarez is really going to help that much. He has an ERA over 7 and that was before the game last night - it’s got to be over 8 now.

But re-signing Tex is a must. There is no way anyone can convince me that the Braves cannot go up a little on the payroll and re-sign this guy. He is pratically guaranteed .300, 30, 100 and Gold Glove defense at first. How can you not want that? The Braves have not had a ton of consistent first baseman over the last few years (Franco, Thorman, Fick, Brogna, Joyner…just to name a few).

As far as LF goes, Matt Holliday is not the answer. Has anyone seen this guy play defense? And the stats given about his home/away production are pretty typical of guys that play for the ‘Rocks. I wouldnt mind us going after Ibanez or Nady (Jason Bay may be a nice bat, but whats the point if the guy cant play a lick of defense?) And Diaz coming back wont solve any problems either. Anyone remember what he was doing before he got hurt? Exactly.

Has anyone heard anything about the Braves and the trade deadline? I know that typically you’ll hear stuff about a month, month and a half before the deadline about the Braves and their interests - and then in the two-three weeks leading up its dead silent. I wouldnt be surprised if it continues that way. I dont expect to hear much - but I think something will happen withint 3-5 days of the deadline. Wren wont stand pat with what we currently have.

By DOG THE MAN

July 9, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

Its time to recognize that the Braves are a mid level team with no way to compete unless it gets alot younger and alot more hungrier. We need to take a page out of the Tampa Ray Devil Rays book. We need to go ahead an cut ties with Mike Hapmton. Let’s trade Chipper and start to actually develop the youngsters in the minors. I am sure Bobby Cox and get the most out of them and THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONTEND!!!

By ernesto

July 9, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

Julian Tavarez release watch, day 2.

By Random

July 9, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

DOB — you’re beating a dead horse in re Holliday. Quack Quack & Moby Grape put the final nails in his coffin a couple of days ago.

But what do you think of Spilborghs platooning with Kotsay in CF?

By ernesto

July 9, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

Glorydays, his head may have diminished in size figuratively speaking, but physically? I don’t think it’s possible for the Braves to sign Bonds, unless we can get a specially-made size 14 1/2 cap for that ‘roid melon.

By Lew

July 9, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

GT80-Dude I’ll save you the bludgeoning you’re likely to get from others. Stockman is injured and on the DL. He was not doing well on the injury front while with the Braves, either, which is probably why he wasn’t used when there and isn’t called up instead of Tavares.

By Ramblin Wrecker

July 9, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

JASON BAY

By StingerSplash

July 9, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

Yes, I’m aware Rocco is fighting effects of fatigue from an unknown ailment. Hope he gets better and can get back to playing. Anyone 6-5 with his arm, speed and bat is fun to watch. Think about the OF the Rays had, briefly, with Baldelli, Crawford and Gathright. That’s the first three legs of a bodacious 4x100 team.

By Milton Jeff

July 9, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

Im still miffed about how the Braves only got 1 hit after 14 innings against the Dodgers. WE NEED MORE OFFENSE!! I dont see Tex getting traded at all. He’ll stay w/ the Braves for the remainder of the year. We need another great bench player to pinch hit in clutch situations. Let Boras deal w/ Tex next year.

By prattvillenolzfan

July 9, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

KC

I actually agree with you regarding the talent of our team. ON PAPER we match up with everyone in the NL East. HOWEVER something just isn’t clicking with this team.

We can speculate whether it’s TP’s fault, Bobby’s fault, certain players fault…whatever….The fact is, this team is just too Inconsistant to be playoff calibar material.

Once again, on paper, we are just a couple of 6/7 game winning streaks to overtake the Phillies, but are we capable on the field to overtake the Phillies.

Hearing many of us play the proverbial IF game is sometimes quite amusing…IF Hampton comes back…IF Glavine comes back IF we get insert any outfielder IF Franceour gets hot….Well you know what they say about if…If a frog had wings, he wouldn’t hit is a55 when he jumped

Too much of our success depends on too many IF’S

I love the Braves as much as anybody, and yea, I think it’s possible we can get hot, but so far, the Braves haven’t shown it….

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

GT80, we’re not going to tell you again that Stockman is on the DL again with more hamstring problems. There’s no reason for us to tell you this, because the information obviously just does not register with you. Your brain does not process that sentence, that info. So we’re not going to repeat it for the 17th time in 36 hours on the blog.

So nevermind. Don’t know why Stockman’s not here. No idea. Must be something wrong with him. Don’t know what. Haven’t heard. Di-di-dum.

By BamaBrave

July 9, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

No…we don’t think about Barry Bonds, glorydays. I didn’t even like typing his name…

By ATLiens

July 9, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

dog man…….trade chipper….yeah that makes since… hes only been our most consistent player for the last 12 years…..yeah lets trade him for another inconsistent guy, at least it would make the entire lineup for the braves consistent…..ly poor that is

By bravos2249

July 9, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

GT80

to be technical Smoltz,Hampton, and Glavine lock up 37 million not 25…but that’s worse.

WOW..add Smoltz,Hampton,Huddy,Glavine,Chipper and Tex= around 74 million

So 19 other players are playing on about 28 million

By SeaAtl

July 9, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Holy smokes, what an awsomely long, good blog!

By BostonBravesGirl

July 9, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Regarding a Tex trade to Boston - Sox manager Terry Francona, on record in the Boston Globe last week, said it wasn’t going to happen. Who needs Tex when you’ve got Youks?

Regarding Tavares, the Sox radio announcers yesterday were incredulous that the Braves picked up Tavares. I’m paraphrasing here, but they said they didn’t think Tavares would fit in the Braves clubhouse, and Cox wouldn’t take long to figure that out.

Tavares was a source of frustration to Red Sox Nation; how lucky am I to have to go through that again?

By Ron Roberts

July 9, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

DOG THE MAN… where, then, do you presume the Braves “get younger?”

The catcher, LF, RF, SS, 2B and four of the five starters we’re currently using are all under 30, and the 3B and 1B are over 30 but all-star caliber players carrying their weight.

Now, if you, and those who also say this franchise needs to “get younger” want to endure a nice five-to-ten year swoon where your team racks up nearly 100 losses each season while “getting younger” with draft picks, then by all means….

….become a Royals’ fan. The Rays are a nice story - this year. Wasn’t such a warm-n-fuzzy in the 1990s or most of this decade.

By Dan

July 9, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

If the Braves want to returning to a winning tradition, the Braves will have to trade for a powerful right-handed bat for LF at the deadline. Sign Tex to a long term contract and build a team around Mc Cann and Tex. They will also need to dump salary in the form of Smoltz, Glavine and Hampton. Dump Traveras and bring up Stockman to enhance the pen and sign a #1 or #2 starter in the off-season to help out the starting pitching.

By Squire to Knight

July 9, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

If we have to get rid of Tex, I propose to trade him for a proven outfield bat. That would leave us a hole at first base. Then we trade back for Adam LaRoche.

By ATLiens

July 9, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

dog man…….trade chipper….yeah that makes since… hes only been our most consistent player for the last 12 years…..yeah lets trade him for another inconsistent guy, at least it would make the entire lineup for the braves consistent…..ly poor that is

By Random

July 9, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

KC: “The unbalanced schedule gives the Braves 9 more head-to-head opportunities against each of their division rivals… . This give the Braves an opportunity to partially decide how many wins it will take to win the East. And the unbalanced schedule is something that has only come to pass in recent years, and I think it gives the “It’s never been done” argument far less credence. It’s far more doable with the unbalanced schedule than it’s ever been.”

Good point — nice thinking there, with your head and all.

8-)

By BostonBravesGirl

July 9, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

Another thing on the Sox - Masterson and Buchholz are not exactly MLB ready. Both have spent time down on the farm this season. Another season and they’ll be consistently stellar, but now they’re just inconsistently stellar (sometimes).

And I think it will take a LOT to loosen the Sox’ grip on Lester. Before the season started, he was definitely trade bait, but not anymore.

By Christy

July 9, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

I’m thinking some of your are making too much of the Tavarez signing. Acosta got hurt right before all-star, on the 15 day DL with a bad hamstring. Stockman is hurt in AAA, also on the 15 day DL.

needed an arm to get us through until All-Star, and then Manny comes back, if all is well, and we can bid Julian adieu.

It’s not like their trying to build the bull-pen around the guy. he’s a stop gap.

By Anders

July 9, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

Julian Tavares = Bench clearing brawl.

Count on it. Of course it might be his own bench coming out to pummel him but count on it none the less.

By AGTfan

July 9, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

OK DOB so why did we sign Tavares instead of bring Stockman back? ;-)

I’m not sure what the harm is in giving him a quick look. He’s being paid a pro-rated portion of the MLB minimum. Maybe Roger sees something and can turn him back to being the dominating pitcher he used to be. If not, we can cut him loose like the Bosox and Brewers did.

By Kentavo

July 9, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

HEY DOB, you still going to be around SoCal for the weekend? You should check out VH1 Rock Honors at Pauley Pavilion honoring The Who with performances by Foo Fighters, Flaming Lips, Incubus, Tenacious D and Daltrey/Townshend.

By Chop Chop

July 9, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

DOB,

I’m reading what you’re saying, but I just can’t figure out why Stockman’s hamstring is keeping him off the big club. Could you ask Frank Wren about Stockman’s hamstring? Better yet, why don’t you ask Chipper’s quad about Stockman’s hamstring? We need answers. Stockman should be with the big club. Why isn’t he? I’ve yet to get a definitive answer about this. I mean, is the guy just letting his hamstring rule his life? That seems kind of sad. In that case, we need to corner this hamstring and get the real dirt about what’s going on here. The hamstring knows what the real scoop is. I think he’s holding out on us, man. The hamstring has hamstrung this franchise for too long. The hamstring has hamstrung my mind up in a noose made of hamstring and is hamstringing me along until I find out the inside info as to why Stockman’s hamstring is FUBAR.

Did Stockman step on ‘roo nads?

I bet that’s it.

Call him up already, DOB. You’re taking too long. You’re the worst GM ever!

Stockman should be with the big club. Can’t you see that?

By Jerald Holcombe

July 9, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

I agree with DOB that we should make an effort to sign Tex before trading him him or letting him walk at the end of the year. Even when he was having troubles at the plate, he was still the best 1st baseman we’ve ever seen in Atlanta, with all due respect to Gallaraga, McGriff, and LaRoach. If not for all the scoops he’s made this year, we might have the worst infield defense since the 80s. Personally, I’d give him 20mil per year and hope that he takes it. And as a side note, does the signing of Taveras reek? He’s the kind of loser we used to sign back in the 70’s and 80’s. The only difference is that Taveras has never ever been a consistantly decent pitcher.

By Chop Chop

July 9, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah…

DOB?

Could you please ask Stockman’s hammy if Thorman’s out of options?

Thanks.

By KC

July 9, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

renegator: “This team will be lucky to finish at .500 for the year - most likely will finish about 5 or 6 games under.”

Would you care to wager on that? Seriously. If so, email me at embassypro@hotmail.com, and we’ll work out the terms.

By Random

July 9, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

McFann — I liked Rally Turtle better with his legs out. He (she?) looks kinda cautious and defensive with just his/her head peeping out. Not desirable traits for a Rally Turtle.

What do you think?

:Ô: relaxed

=Ô= alert

;Ô; dancing

%Ô% tipsy

<Ô> applauding

>Ô< doing the “Wave”

“Ô” bye-bye

By Bobby's Cox

July 9, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

Maybe with the Taveras signing, Boras will be a little more empathetic in dealing with the Braves in regards to Tex and Holliday.

Ha. Maybe in 10 years when both players are old, washed up, and rich.

By Squire to Knight

July 9, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

Also, what about dropping Corky and allowing Canizaris and Sammons to come up. They are killing the ball in Richmond. Then you have two better right handed bats on the bench. Drop Tavares, (AND SINCE STOCKMAN IS INJURED!!) bring back Ridgeway or Schreiber.

By Phil Stockman is on the DL

July 9, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

Breaking News … this just in

Phil Stockman is on the DL

Phil Stockman is on the DL

Phil Stockman is on the DL

Dan, GT80, and astute fans, no sense to bring up a pitcher who is on the DL … yes, that’s right …

Phil Stockman is on the DL

Phil Stockman is on the DL

Phil Stockman is on the DL

Yes, and in case you missed our top story for the last 36 hours, breaking news from Richmond … Phil Stockman is on the DL

By Einstein

July 9, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

DOB and baseball fans, I agree with you about signing “cast-offs”, “has-beens”, and “washed-up” pitchers, but my concern is how MLB computes the ERA for relievers. Currently, it’s not an accurate number of what they have done. In fact, it’s like a golf handicap and very biased IN FAVOR of the player. What if it was changed so that any runner the relief pitcher inherits on first (and he scores) counts as .75 of a run. For inherited runners on second and third (and they score), .50 and .25 respectively. This might just show the true abilities of bullpen pitchers. Just a thought…after all, I’m not the shapest pencil in the drawer.

By Numb3rs

July 9, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

The probability of the Braves making the playoffs (as of today) is 14.7%. Probability of winning the division is 11.0%.

The numbers come from the web site “coolstandings.com” which calculates the odds for every major league team, updated daily, based on a mathematically rigorous computer simulation.

Check it out:

coolstandings

By Shamus Thacker

July 9, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

I wouldn’t want Hex’s spring training nonchalance [and obviously not giving a damn] to influence young players. His stats are are a mirage. By the time he gets going, the hole [to nowhere] has been dug.

By champ

July 9, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

How’s this far fetched idea Trade Tex at the deadline to the Angels for Kotchman, Figgins, and a minor league pitcher. Kotchman and Figgins still keep you competitive for a shot at the division. Then have Liberty pony up and sign Tex in the off season. One can dream…

By GSU-Lee

July 9, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

DOB, Could I get a stockman update? I mean, why isn’t he here? Thanks….just kidding dude, couldn’t resist

By A-11

July 9, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

I heard Stockman is having trouble pitching because he cannot see over those giant moles on the side of his face.

As for Tavares, did someone throw hot grease on his face? I can barely look at the TV when he pitches, throws or whatever you call what he does. Guy is a joke, let’s hope DOB is right and send him back to the circus or rehab clinic.

Excellent Merle choice DOB, Buck Owens is right up there with him for me.

By King521

July 9, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

Who cares about Stockman??? Where is Anthony Lerew?

By Lew

July 9, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

Anders-I seem to remember something about Tavares and a feud with the Rays. Is that what you meant?

Does anyone want to tell Dan about bringing up Stockman?

By Evan

July 9, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

Dave I really hope that wasn’t a Carlos Mencia reference you just made in your response to GT80. I’m sorry but I have to say I lose respect for anyone who likes that joke stealer, and he’s not even stealing good jokes either is the sad thing.

By semiballcoach

July 9, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

why worry about playoffs? look how the power arms have abused the braves this year and avoid the shame of post season

By serge

July 9, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

Why is the AJC elimianting Franceour qoutes from the website? http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2008/07/where-did-the-frenchy-quotes-go/

pressure by the Braves front office to make it seem like its not a serious issue? Wheres the journalistic integrity

By bravos2249

July 9, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

Numb3rs

also based on those numbers on 11/6/07 Phillies had 2.9% chance of winning the divison.

By James

July 9, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

Stockman and Schreiber are not playing. They are not available.

From the Richmond Paper:

Reliever Zach Schreiber found out he doesn’t need reconstructive Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. On Monday, Schreiber saw orthopedic surgeon James Andrews, who recommended rest and rehabilitation for inflammation. Schreiber thought he was dealing with a partially torn ligament.

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

Champ, I like it, but Angels wouldn’t do it. At least I don’t think they would.

A-11, no doubt. Been listening to Buck a lot back home, you forget how great he was. Got back to his stuff after listening to the Yoakam covers album of Buck tunes for several months.

By AGTfan

July 9, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

This just in…There has been no change in status. Stockman is still on the DL.

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

Kentavo, we’ve got a series to cover in San Diego, then I take a redeye overnight flight from S. D. to New York Sunday to get there for the All-Star stuff on Monday.

By Lew

July 9, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this

Someone earlier mentioned picking up Adam LaRoche. His bat might be a slight improvement on Francoeur’s numbers, but not by much. He’s only hitting about .015 better than Frenchy with two more HR and no more RBI than Jeff has. His OBP is .330. He is not hitting like he did in Atlanta and Pittsburgh is much more of a hitter’s park.

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

Alright, had time to scarf two Baja Fresh fish tacos and half a Macanudo in a 20-minute stint by the pool. Now duty calls. Gotta hustle over to the ballpark.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves IN 2009)

July 9, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this

Speaking of the division, those Mets have awoke from the dead. Jerry Manuel has them winning (7-3 in their last 10 games). Carlos Delgado is thumping again and Pedro Martinez looks like the Pedro of old. Mike Pelfrey has suddenly turned the corner on his career to.

It’s amazing what a managerial change can do, isn’t it?

For those unaware, tonights game is HUGE as in GIGANTIC. If Tim Hudson brings his A game and the Braves win, it will be the first time that the Braves have won back to back series since May 22nd.

I have to agree, the Braves need another big bat. Francoeur is still an automatic out and Cox WILL NOT take him out of the lineup.

Isn’t it incredible what happens when we have a bona fide lead off hitter like Gregor Blanco at the top of the order? Ditto for McCann in the five hole as the RBI guy behind Tex. Of Course, it only took Cox 77 FRIGGING games to figure that out before he stuck with it.

Jason Bay seems to be the perfect fit for the Braves. He’s 29, swings from the right side, plays LF, hits for power(17 HR’s in 2008) and AVG (.292). He plays an above average defensive game in LF and won’t embarrass himself with the leather. Did I mention that Bay is under contract rather reasonably for 2008 (5.75 million) and 2009 (7.5 million). I’m betting that Frank Wren is on the phone with the Pirates right now.

By Paddy McGillicutty

July 9, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

Once Stockman’s hammy finds out if Thorman’s out of options or not, DOB, can you have the hammy tell Wren that if we get Hampton’s $15M off the books combined w/ Glavine’s $8M after this year that gives us $23M worth to sign Tex and that should be enough!!!

By Anders

July 9, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

Lew

I wasn’t referring to any particular incident, just my general perception of the guy. He can be El Duque like when he’s on (The magical El Dugue not the Queens version) but when Tavares is off, especially over a period of time he becomes selfish and does something stupid like throws at a guy for no reason or loses it with an ump etc.

No big deal. Just my thoughts on the guy.

By ScottBravesfan

July 9, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

Does it even matter who wins the east or the west? No one in the NL stands a chance against the Cubs or the Brewers. The Brewers 1-2 is insane. If they lose a 5 game series there would be some serious choking going on somewhere. They are probably going to be the NLCS teams and Boston and Tampa are probably going to be the ALCS teams.

By McFann :Ô:

July 9, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

Random—

I like all your “moods” for the Rally Turtle. <Ô> He does look kinda scared with his legs inside his shell. Maybe he’s upset about Tavarez. =Ô=

Got Timmy on the mound tonight, so there’s no reason to doubt a series win, is there?

;Ô;

By brian

July 9, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

DOB - who would you target for the OF in a trade? Who would be a realistic trade option and what would they cost us?

By JJ

July 9, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

JASON BAY!!!!!!!

By Chuck

July 9, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

Not sure if any of you guys read the Dugout, but they had a pretty good bit involving Chipper and Francoeur today. Worth a look if you need a laugh…

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/07/09/the-dugout-since-u-been-on/

By Anders

July 9, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this

ScottBravesfan

We are talking about Ben Sheets on the Brewers and Rich Harden on the Cubs. Odds are one will be hurt come playoff time and possibly both. I wouldn’t bet the ranch on either team cake walking to the WS just yet.

By ernesto

July 9, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this

From MLB trade rumors “With the Diamondbacks looking for help against left-handed pitchers, one name that has come up is Barry Bonds. “He and maybe a couple of others are sort of sitting out there,” said Arizona GM Josh Byrnes said. “I think it’s a bit of assessing any players’ readiness, then knocking somebody out of the lineup, dollars, etc. I don’t want to talk about him specifically, but, believe me, we’ve considered a lot of options.” “

I don’t know if this would be a good fit or not, because I haven’t seen their clubhouse…is there enough room for the Lounge Chair?

By KC

July 9, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this

ScottBravesfan: “Does it even matter who wins the east or the west? No one in the NL stands a chance against the Cubs or the Brewers. The Brewers 1-2 is insane.”

Here are the combined numbers of the Brewers and Braves 1-2 starters this year:

Sheets/Sabathia: 17-10, 3.30 ERA

Hudson/Jurrjens: 18-10, 3.09 ERA

As for the Cubs, Hudson/Jurrjens also matches up well with any 2 starters from their rotation… but with Dempster having the season he’s having (and the Harden trade)… you could argue that the Cubs have 3 aces, where the Brewers and Braves each have 2 aces.

For that reason, If the Braves can get to the post-season, a healthy Hampton will be VERY important.

If you saw him in the spring, you know that he still has the same stuff he’s always has, and can still be a top-of-rotation caliber pitcher… if he can stay off the DL.

It’s unrealistic to think he’ll make 15 starts after the break this year… but if he could miss only a handful of starts, and be healthy in October (if the Braves can make it that far)… then the Braves will have as good a shot as anyone.

By P-Town Brave

July 9, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this

Coach

Bay would be my pick as well, but heard the Pirates insisted on Charlie Morton being part of any deal involving them…

At this point, I say thanks but no thanks…I mean the Bucs have to know they aren’t going to sign Bay after 09 anyways…we can give them a good haul for him, but Morton…NO WAY!

Here would be my offer and I’ll tell you why:

Jason Bay and Ronny Paulino

       for

Chuck James, Brent Lillibridge, Diory Hernandez, and James Parr

I wanted Paulino because we need to end the Corky Miller experiment…Ronny can give Mac a bit more rest as he can actually hit the ball…

Along w/ that, I looked at the players that can help the Pirates out the most…they will need Lil back to play SS when they trade Jack Wilson and the 2 pitchers can help them right away…Diory was pretty much a throw-in here…

Not a socks blown off offer, but I believe enough to have a serious conversation…I just don’t offer any of our stud pitchers here unfortunately…I just don’t think the players warrant it…

That and since the Pirates don’t need OF’s, I didn’t offer Brandon Jones, although I would think packaging him in some sort of deal would be a good idea soon before he loses value like Lil has.

By JJ

July 9, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this

JASON BAY!!!!!

There’s got to be a way to get him here. I’m in full wishful thinking/begging mode here. DOB-any rumors or thoughts??

By woogidy

July 9, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

Riiiiiiiii-Co-Laaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

By kirknga

July 9, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

Timely topic as always DOB.

I agree with everything you said, except trading Tex if we’re 7-8 games back.

If we trade Tex then we create yet another hole in the lineup. In other words, I rather gamble and try to keep him than to take a definite step back by trading him.

Of course, and I’ll beat the drum again, if they can get back major league talent that fill the void his loss would create, and some other team need, then that would be the best possible trade. Trading the certain for the potential would not be a comfort.

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

P-Town Brave: No way. Pirates want major league talent, guys who can step in their lineup right now. Probably two such players, but definitely at least one and a top prospect.

That package wouldn’t get it done. With his affordable contract, Pirates can command big return for Bay.

By pfunkatl2

July 9, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this

Totally agree on Jason Bay, GREAT fit…cost is ANOTHER thing. They aren’t gonna go for our rejects, not even sure Frenchy would work…we’ll see.

By pfunkatl2

July 9, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this

Not so sure we wouldn’t part with Morton…tho I would rather see Reyes go.

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this

Here’s a fun fact: Tavarez’s .367 opponents’ average this season includes .537 (22-for-41) by lefty batters, who also have eight walks and a .600 OBP against him. Yes, .600. And they’re slugging .610 against him.

Right-handers are hitting .224 (11-for-49) with just one extra-base hit against him for a .245 slugging percentage.

So he’s a situation righty, I guess. Only face righties. In the name of all that is holy, please.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves IN 2009)

July 9, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

And the other massive transaction involving the Braves that no one heard of is……

The Hanshin Tigers have purchased the contract of Chris Resop from the Braves. No word as of yet on who or what the Braves will get in return.

This quote from his dad, Tom Resop:

“If you ask me, he’s as excited about pitching in Japan as he was about making his major league debut,” said Tom Resop, Chris’ father. “He’s thrilled to death. Not being on the 40-man roster, what was he going to do?”

By heading to Japan, Resop can earn a seven-figure salary and avoid the career uncertainty he faced.

“When you’re designated for assignment, they put you on waivers,” Tom Resop said. “If you’re not picked up by somebody, you’re sitting around for 10 days. Then you get sent back down to Triple-A.

“When he comes back from Japan, he’ll be a free agent. So there’s no loss. It’s a win-win situation. He’s going to make very, very good money playing for the Hanshin Tigers.

By RC

July 9, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

Does anyone even remember last year? How Jason Bay was one of the worst everyday players in the major leagues? Yet now we are supposed to give up the farm to add a guy whose splits show he wouldn’t even help us that much against left handed pitching? I just don’t see it. I agree that a move will need to be made, but at this point it’s still up in the air whether that move will be to buy or sell.

By FanNoMore

July 9, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

I can no longer support franchises that are not committed to excellence. In the case of Atlanta that has always applied to the Hawks and Thrashers. Say what you want about the Falcons but at least I know that Arthur Blank will at least TRY HIS BEST to be successful. I can accept failure in those circumstances. If the Braves fail to step up and sign Texeira it is a signal that second best will do. Things have been deteriorating since Turner was removed from ownership and this will be the final straw as far as I am concerned.

By David-ATL14

July 9, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

Outstanding blog DOB. Keep up the stellar work.

Enjoy it much.

By DonCoburleone

July 9, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this

DOB have you had a chance to talk to Chipper lately about his quad? Haven’t heard anything on that front since it mysteriously got better right after he and Cox mentioned the DL…

By P-Town Brave

July 9, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this

Ok…I know you generally aren’t supposed to do this, but a hypothetical…who would you be willing to give up for Bay?

Based on willingness, its either gonna be an OF they don’t need ala Brandon Jones or I have to send them KJ…and IF I’m sending them KJ, I’m expecting a lot more than Bay don’t you think?

So back to the point…if thats the case DOB, who would you be willing to part with as we really don’t have too much to work with there…as from what I have heard, they want position talent, not pitching…

By pfunkatl2

July 9, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

DOB

I PERSONALLY can find no reason at ALL for the Bravos to get Tavarez, save ONE. Maybe a BIG BRAWL on the field to kick some FIRE into our boys? You gave the heads-up that he might be coming…inside info or just conjecture?

By kirknga

July 9, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

Chuck James, Brent Lillibridge, Diory Hernandez, and James Parr..

You wouldn’t give up Morton, but you would give up Lillbridge and Hernandez? For Jason Bay? That’s way too much.

That’s the kind of package you offer to get a Sabathia, or a Harden maybe, but not Jason Bay, in my opinion.

Morton for Bay straight up, I make that trade in heartbeat. Again, you’re getting a known quantity in exchange for potential. Morton could turn out to be the next Roger Clemens or Kyle Davies for all we know.

By Chop Chop

July 9, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

Nobody here really talks about this, but if players around the league love Bobby Cox so much, why would they be willing to come to the Braves when it’s very likely that next season will be Bobby’s last? Bobby’s a great guy to play for, but if he’s heading out to pasture…yeah, the Braves aren’t quite as attractive.

So…if I’m Tex, I’m high-tailing it out of Atlanta in the offseason. Another team can offer me more money and a better chance to win. The Braves are undergoing a shift from the Cox/Schuerholz Era to the Wren/??? Era. The likelihood of consistent winning during this time is low.

(Then again, if I’m Tex and the Braves offer me $22 or $23 million…and, you know, throw in a 40 ft.-tall statue of myself next to the Almighty Cow…well, I might decide that Atlanta is a great place to raise a family and play ball.)

By ThisIsNotLouVales

July 9, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this

Hey, I heard on Lou Vales’ radio show today on that beacon of the South, WCCP (by the way, you should really give sweet Lou’s show a listen, the guy REALLY knows his stuff…goes by “Sweet Lou” in Greenville) that Phil Stockman is on the DL. Yeah, I know…who woulda guessed it?? Where else can you get that kind of information?? You can’t beat sweet Lou for getting the latest and greatest information.

By utanfan

July 9, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this

Matt Hairrson made his debut for the Rangers last night against the Angels. 7 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 er, 1 bb and 1 k and got the win. Andrus is hitting .295 with 31 sb 2 errors for Frisco in AA. Neftali Feliz just got promoted to AA after going 6-3, 252 era, 83 ip, 55 hits, 2 hr, 28 bb with 106 k’s in A(A) ball. Trey Hodges is also in AA, 7-6, 5.45 era, 79.1 innings, 86 hits, 9 hr’s 35 bb and 62 k’s. Beau Jones is at Bakersville, A(A), 1-3, 3.53, 35.2 innings, 35 hits, 1 hr, 13 bb and 35 k’s. He’s done even better in his last 10 games, 2.86 era, 22 innings, 22 hits 5 bb, 22 k’s and 1 save. I think we gave up too much for Tex and I hope we don’t do it again for another OF bat.

Phil Stockman maybe hurt now but he’s put up great numbers all year and should be in Atlanta. Bobby hardly used him when he was there. Tavares is a cancer in the clubhouse and besides that he’s washed up. Still can’t believe Wren signed him.

By RC

July 9, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this

FanNoMore, it sounds like you equate “trying” to “spending”. The Braves will sign Texieria if he is willing to sign at the price that they feel he is worth to them. If he doesn’t want to sign for that amount, then they will take those dollars and apply them elsewhere. If the team is smart, they will do whatever gives them the greatest value for their dollar. To say they need to “step up and sign Teixeria” is simplistic and shortsighted.

By flange1

July 9, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

Evening All,

It is interesting what players are worth these days isn’t it?

When Rich Harden got traded, I thought the Cubs stole him from the A’s. In reading the “experts” view, they see it as even or that the A’s made out.

When CC was traded, I thought the Indians could have received more. The “experts” again said the Indians did great.

When it comes to what it would take to get Jason Bay, I would think that the Pirates would want at least 1 of our young pitchers and a lower level pitcher. When you look at the Pirates needs, we really don’t match up that well with them.

They are well stocked with young CF talent and are looking for strong corner bats and pitching.

The only thing that we have that they might want is young pitching.

By bf54

July 9, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

It couldn’t have been much more than a month ago that I was high on this club. We were 6 games over .500, best pitching ERA, close second in hitting…but that was then. The stat on one-run losses, basically, the worse in 132 seasons and 2600 total team seasons, plus the mounting losses at home…gee, a feller has to make a judgment, don’t he? So, here’s mine: blow up the team, abandon the season! (I say this knowing dam full well what comebacks are all about; mine is a sober assessment balancing liklihood vs. possibility, and factors in the ages and salaries and current production of our staff.

What does the future look like to this observer? McCann is a no-brainer, and Chipper, of course, remains as King, Pope, and Professor Emeritus.

In my crystal ball there is room for Hampton, Glavine, Smoltz, but the expectations are very low - both individually and collectively - and no way do we pay non-incentive salaries, if that is even possible for these guys. My rebuilt team holds on to Escobar and KJ and pays them, at the very least, what the traffic will bear - we need both continuity and production from these players and positions. I would want Frenchie on this team, but he won’t get the kind of contract he turned down, and this means he won’t play for us - it will be a buyer’s market for young hitters with his pedigree and some team will make him an offer we can refuse. Sayonarra and go well into that good night Jeff!

All other positions are up for grabs: Infante, Prado, Diaz are role-playing likely keepers. We go online for a back-up catcher, and, obviously, say good riddance to Norton, Gotay and Corky. (Lillibridge is to be watched.)

This brings us to the “rest of the staff”. We pay whatever it takes to keep Huddy, period. Jurrgens, Campillo, Stockman, Gonzales, Moylan of course. I like Carlile and Stockman.

I count 18 keepers (without Frenchie, who will be overpaid by somebody else, and without ‘the ancients’ - Smoltz, Glavine, Hampton. So…oooo…., that leaves a lot room for trades, acquistions, etc…

oh, but you say…what about Kotsay? Yes, you have to keep him (or, do you have to keep an eye on him?)—-but you bloggers, don’t like existentialists, so I am through!

By Coach (Lets Go Braves IN 2009)

July 9, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this

RC, are you selling watermelons door to door too? Dude, I’m not buying it.

Jason Bay had an average season in 2007. .247 AVG/.327 OBP/ .418 SLG with 21 HR’s and 84 RBI.

And if anyone forgot, his 2006 season: .286 AVG/.396 OBP/.532 SLG with 35 HR’s and 109 RBI.

By jch

July 9, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

Before the Braves make any trades they need to make sure they’re trying to achieve the right goal - namely, building a better team for ‘09 and beyond. Not, winning the division or making the playoffs in ‘08.

They could trade for some offense who triggers a second half run and they just may win the division.

But, what does this really get them other than an extra 3-out-of-5 series at the end of the season?

There simply isn’t any single player in baseball, much less potentially available for trade, who could make this team competitive outside this division.

We’d be much better served trading for the future than trying to play in 1, maybe 2 extra series this year.

By Loni Anderson

July 9, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this

Lou Vales was great when he worked here on WKRP in Cincinatti.

By kirknga

July 9, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

utanfan

You may be correct in that we will one day look back and see that the players the Braves gave up developed into great players.

But at this point, Salty is a reserve player, and Harrison has had a grand total of 1 start at the major league level.

Minor league success does not equal major league success. Tex is at a minimum, a very good player, maybe elite at his position. Until one or more of the traded players become good or elite at the major league level, then none of us can say the Braves gave up “too much”.

By ernesto

July 9, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this

bf54 - so you’re saying blow up the team by getting rid of Corky, Gotay, Norton, and Frenchy?

Wow! The explosion from that mighty blow up could be seen from inches away.

By steve

July 9, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this

Holliday is a good hitter and a lousy fielder. It would be better to get some prospects in return for Tex. But we ought to go ahead and begin shopping him around. He is not going to resign with the Braves and let’s face it - the Braves are not going to the playoffs this year. Atlanta would be foolish not to try to get something in return for a guy who is going to leave anyway.

By Supes

July 9, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this

KC A whole lot of things have to go right even for the Braves to be right there at the end near the top. It hasn’t been the kind of season when you look at this Braves team, you say, yeah…the breaks, etc will go their way.

You could make a case for 2008 Braves being the most jinxed Braves team in a long long time.

Braveheart…OK, you found 1 team. The 95 Mariners. One team, you still want to take those odds and place a bet on the Braves winning the division having to pass 3 other teams with winning records? Plus if I recall, that team had an incredible hotstreak post all star game that year, and so far your 2008 Braves can barely win 3 in a row before reverting to losing again. The whole point I was making on the other blog is that the Braves are almost eliminated from playoff contention looking at statistics, what they have to do (win/loss) in the second half and the teams ahead of them. There is a less than 4 % chance according to Elias Sports, you want to take those odds?

This isn’t Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon here “Never tell me the odds” moment.

DOB Excellent blog on Holiday and why the Braves should not pursue him. I agree with all the bloggers that suggest Bay would be a good fit. Just wouldn’t want to give up too many prospects.

How about Chuck James and Jeff F. for Jason Bay? Will the Pirates go for that? They get an OF (granted who’s struggled terribly but has shown in the past full 2 seasons he’s serviceable) and they get a pitcher who they can use to shore up their pen, or maybe even as a 5th starter?

By rupert

July 9, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

a deal for bay is similar to the deal for tex in one respect (tex is obviously a better all around player and it required more to get him), aquring a bay would give you a guy who could lessen the blow of losing tex next year, it enables the braves not to pay tex to much and mortgage their future payroll, tex enabled the braves to feel comfortbale letting andruw jones go (of course his average and lack of power numbers towards the end did as well) a lineup like the one they currently have but without tex is VERY avg., add bay and they are probably above avg. to good if the young guys continue to progress

By Mos Def

July 9, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

Before the Braves make any trades they need to make sure they’re trying to achieve the right goal - namely, building a better team for ‘09 and beyond. Not, winning the division or making the playoffs in ‘08.

My Umi Says: Tomorrow may never come, For you and me, Life is not promised, Tomorrow may never appear, You better hold this very moment very close to you right now, Very close to you right now, So close to you, So- close to you, your moment in history is right now!, Don’t be afraid to let it shine

You win when you can because you may never win again.

By Bobby's Cox

July 9, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this

DOB

Would it be possible to dismantle the rally cow at the Ted and replace it with McFann’s Rally Turtle?

Perhaps Chick-Fil-A could agree to put a turtle shell around the cow’s body? I mean, if the cow does the “Chop” as slow as a turtle, then why not improvise? McFann’s idea, is obviously a much better ploy as the braves are 1-0 since, and these symbols: :Ô: =Ô= ;Ô; %Ô% <Ô> >Ô< “Ô” are already hitting it big with the fans.

Please tell Dereck Schiller, Braves VP of Sales/Marketing, to please consult with McFann before making any more marketing decisions and signing franchise sponsors.

Thanks.

By Chop Chop

July 9, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this

I kinda think Kelly Johnson would be a main part of any deal the Braves might make for a power-hitting outfielder. If the Braves dealt for Jason Bay, I think Kelly would fit in very nicely as a Pirate.

His career numbers at PNC aren’t great (hitting .200 in 32 PA), but his overall numbers against NL Central teams are great:

.338/.442/.508 against the Cubs

.370/.459/.644 against the Reds

.391/.440/.783 against the Astros

.313/.380/.500 against the Brewers

Against the Cards? Not very good:

.222/.317/.528 (he has 3 HRs in 41 PA against the Cards)

Anyway, just thought I’d throw this info out there. The sample sizes are small, but those stats (combined with Kelly’s age) would be pretty enticing to me if I were Pirates GM Neal Huntington.

By RedEyedAndBlue

July 9, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this

I’m still craving that Baja Fresh fish taco DOB.

I gotta think that a backup catcher is also on the Braves wish list.

If not, how long before the Braves designate Corky and bring up Jason Phillips?

By The Truth

July 9, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

The more and more I look at the trade Tex debate I am starting to see that the Braves will more than likely not make a move. If the Braves play like they did last night they will finish over .500 on this road trip meaning they should be within at least 5 games of 1st place…we’re still a good bit behind the Cardinals who would be leading the wild card by 7.5 games over us currently.

First is in shouting distance and trust me if the Braves are only 5 games back they will hold on to Tex and try to make a run at first. I would definitely hate to be in the position that Wren’s position when the time comes to either pull the trigger or hold off. That will probably be a week after the all-star break to see if they fall back or get even closer to first heading into August. So I’m like you on the Tex & Holliday trade DOB…I’m to a point to where I don’t see the Braves make a move by the deadline…if they don’t they MUST re-sign Tex.

By A-ville Ranger

July 9, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

Very good lead post DOB,I agree a trade for Holliday wouldn’t make sense.As for re-signing Tex I would applaud if Wren gave Boras a NY salute or perhaps a Braveheart pre-battle salute. IF he’s not traded though perhaps making a reasonable offer would be a more rational course.

Who can tell me what Tex would bring in draft picks as a class 1 (or is it class A ? ) free-agent if he’s not re-signed ?

By kirknga

July 9, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this

I think Buddy Carlyle has been outstanding so far. That said, he’s only pitched in 26 innings.

Could it be he has the freshest arm? Ohman has pitched in 37 innings, Boyer 48.2, Acosta 47 , Bennett 61.

I hope Buddy continues to be outstanding, but we shouldn’t be surprised if he turns out to be the guy with the 5.32 ERA last season.

By Ed Glennon

July 9, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this

My wife noticed that Andruw no longer smiles after he strikes out. Maybe he is in touch with reality.

Corky Miller and Dick Cheney have each made one public appearance this month.

What do Terry Pendleton and Tyrone Willingham have in common? Everyone wonders why they both have a job,

I think Joe and The Fat Guy will talk about the trivia question for five minutes tonight. Any bets over or under.

By Reid in EAV

July 9, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this

Hey, why did we sign Tavarez when Stockman’s at AAA and did well his first stint? Why not call up STOCKMAN? HUH?!?

Just kidding. I wanted to see if DOB’s head would a splode.

Also, “Chipper’s Quad” would be a great name for a Braves-themed Belgian-style Abbey Ale. You know, to go with those wines I ran across in the Kroger. (Seriously — “Chipper Chardonnay,” “McCann Merlot,” “Cabernet Glavignon.”)

Oh, and Rally Turtle!!! Excellent meme. I’m totally running with it.

By Chop Chop

July 9, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

Bobby’s Cox,

The Rally Turtle will be ten feet tall and toted along with the team on road trips. It will be placed on top of the Braves’ dugout before the game.

For the first seven innings, the turtle’s neck and head will be completely visible. However, when the Braves are behind late, it will gradually lower its head back inside of its shell because, well, the Braves always turtle on the road.

By McFann :Ô:

July 9, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this

Bobby’s Cox—

Not a bad idea!

:Ô:/` (The Tomahawking Rally Turtle)

By kirknga

July 9, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this

You win when you can because you may never win again.

That’s not a popular concept here Mos Def.

You see, what has happened in place such as Kansas City and Pittsburgh, and Milwaukee where they once where big winners and then began to “rebuild”, well that could never happen in Atlanta.

By Bob the Blogger

July 9, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this

This is my first post, but I’ve been a long time reader and a fan since ‘66.

DOB, thanks for the wonderful Haggard song. It’s always been one of my favorites. It was actually written by Dallas Frazier, but it is such an accurate account of Haggard’s life, it’s hard to believe he did not pen it himself.

Now, back to the Braves. It will be interesting to see how Cox uses Diaz when he returns. I don’t think he’ll see much action against RH pitching with Blanco’s recent success, but I think he’ll be a big plus to the team in his familiar platoon and PH role. I’m not so concerned about the Braves getting a power bat in for the outfield as someone who can just get some timely hits and help manufacture runs. That’s what miffed me so much about seeing Anderson sent down and later calling up Perry. Anderson had success last year and this year, and Wren has been stressing the importance of speed. Maybe I still miss Otis Nixon, but I’d sure like to see Anderson get a chance to be a part of this team.

By CaliChopper

July 9, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this

Dog, did you hit your head? Trade chipper?pffft. Cut ties with Hampton? Why? The Braves have to pay him no matter and if we get anything from him this year its a bonus, so why get rid of him while having to pay him?

By SaltyDawg

July 9, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this

I don’t know that there is a player out there that fits the bill, but what the Braves need is a Crime Dog caliber acquisition before the trade deadline. Remember what an impact he made? It isn’t necessarily the run production of the player, but the psychological impact of bringing in a stud swinger. The Braves have little chance of winning the division as long as they are worried about whether or not they can score runs. When a team plays with confidence the runs come with ease. As McCann recently stated, “offense is contagious.” We need to catch it and quick.

By McFann :Ô:

July 9, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop—

That’s hilarious!

Would I get a kick-back every time they won with the Turtle? (Just kidding!)

;Ô;

By Braveheart

July 9, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this

Braveheart…OK, you found 1 team. The 95 Mariners. One team, you still want to take those odds and place a bet on the Braves winning the division having to pass 3 other teams with winning records? Plus if I recall, that team had an incredible hotstreak post all star game that year, and so far your 2008 Braves can barely win 3 in a row before reverting to losing again. The whole point I was making on the other blog is that the Braves are almost eliminated from playoff contention looking at statistics, what they have to do (win/loss) in the second half and the teams ahead of them. There is a less than 4 % chance according to Elias Sports, you want to take those odds?

Dude, the Phillies were 7 games out with 17 games to play last year and won the division. The Braves are only 5 games out with 70- games left.

The Phillies have lost 15 of their last 22 games. The Marlins have lost 30 of their last 53 games. The Mets have lost 25 of their last 49. The Braves have lost 26 of their last 42.

These teams are not exactly trending anywhere great. . You keep saying that they will have to pass teams with winning records as if they will have to leapfrog teams who are playing significantly over .500 ball. Sorry, when the first place team is merely 48-43, I ain’t exactly crowning their a@@es as a legitimate winning team, especially not when they have lost 15 of their last 22 contests and especially not when they have a crappy starting rotation.

All it will take is for Escobar, Tex, Francoeur, KJ, Chipper, McCann, Kotsay, Diaz/Blanco to all go off at the same time on a 6 run a game binge for a month like they are fully capable of doing and the Braves will be up in first place by 5 games within a month.

It may never happen but ….. this is a team that should be on a pace to score 850 runs this season and not the 750 or so they are on pace to score. Maybe things even out in the second half and they start scoring like a 960 run team so that they can get to the 850 runs they were designed to score this season. Maybe, you never know.

We’ve seen many times over the years where the Braves flip a switch out of nowhere and go from 5 games out to 5 games up within a month’s time.

June 16, 2005 - Braves are in fourth place, 5 games out. 31 games later on July 22, they are in a tie for first place. 11 days later on August 2, they are in first place up by 5.5 games. So, within 42 days, they jumped four places in the standings and went from 5 out to 5.5 up.

Don’t let the past guide your present and future. Go ahead and give up.

By kirknga

July 9, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

Everyone wonders why they both have a job,

No “everyone” doesn’t as far as TP is concerned.

(why would you want to try and compare a college football coach with hitting coach in MLB anyway what would do they have in common?)

Can you tell us his record as hitting coach, do you even know?

By bf54

July 9, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this

It’s not as though anyone read my earlier post, but implicit, tho’ unstated’ is my view that the future of the Braves does not lie with Tex - conceding, as I must, that we could afford him. (Sorry, Tex, but it is the money, and the time to spend it on “your numbers” is not now.)

By NCBravesFan

July 9, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this

Supes No actually, if you check the previous blog post, you will find that the 78 Yankees came back from fourth place and 14 games out in mid-July to win the AL East.

But I’m pretty sure that there have to be other examples as well. Because a five game deficit in July in pretty meaningless no matter how many teams you have to leapfrog.

By Cooper

July 9, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this

I doubt the Braves would need to or even contemplate trading Tex to land Holliday. It makes no sense as a trade idea.

You would looking at Morton, BJones, Schafer + a lower level arm for Holliday and it would be worth it.

I think Gorkys has more upside so I would keep him over Schafer.

The Braves need both (or at least one) of these guys on the team to compete in 08 and beyond.

I also don’t believe Wren sweats the Boras factor and will avoid his clients like JS.

Holliday is not a FA until 2010 so get him for a 1.3 years before a new contract has to be written.

Unlike the Tex signing we should be into more regular/substantial payroll increases at that point (2010) than what we are seeing 07 into 08/09.

Tex may be gone come October 1st whereas Holliday will be a Brave and we will have the payroll to resign him.

Prospects are nice but as we have seen apart from Wainwright few Braves prospects have done diddly with their new teams. What magic beans are we trying to protect?

This team needs guys who are proven and add some fire/punch to the lineup. Matt is doing that in Colorado and he could be doing the same in Atlanta.

I understand the splits give people pause but the guy is a gamer and has reliable HR power. If you can get him you do it.

We have HR free AAAA OF with a injured guy in CF; that is not going to cut it.

The alternative is we pass on Holliday, pray the prospect amount to something, do nothing or sign a Wynn type 35 yo outfielder or the decoys that are Bay & Nady instead?

Then Tex walks, we don’t win the CC or Sheets derbys in the fall then what?

FA competition even with 45-50mm in free payroll could be brutal. We could walk away with nothing.

Trades are real and you know what you are getting and to some degree what you are giving up.

Bird in the hand needs to be Wren’s motto and let’s get over the Boras factor - time to learn a new tune.

By BossLady

July 9, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this

Congratulations, JJ

All of Scott Boras clients are listed at ScottBoras.com. I have looked at that listing many times. He has most of the HUGE players locked up anyway. I wish he did private duty could negotiate my contracts.

What the Braves need is a strong desire to win. All of our players seem to be waiting on their demise.

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this

Frenchy hitting sixth in tonight’s series-finale rubber match thing:

1. Gregor White (Blanco), 2. Escobar, 3. Chipper, 4. Tex, 5. Mac, 6. Francoeur, 7.KJ, 8. Kotsay, 9. Hudson.

Andruw hitting sixth for Los Dodgers, with a chap named Luis Maza playing second and hitting eighth.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves IN 2009)

July 9, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, I can appreciate your optimism. It’s just that I’m immune to it. The Mets have won 7 out of 10 and 12 out of the last 20. It’s realistic to expect one or maybe even two teams in front of the Braves to collapse, but not all three. Atlanta has dug itself into a very deep hole and nobody is going to help them out of it.

If it were just the team, I would have some hope that they could turn it around. However, I have no faith whatsoever in Bobby Cox, NONE. The man is his own worst enemy and he has defeated himself time and time again in the playoffs.

By SaltyDawg

July 9, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

We’ve seen many times over the years where the Braves flip a switch out of nowhere and go from 5 games out to 5 games up within a month’s time.

Agreed. I don’t know the numbers and I don’t know where you could even find out, but it does seem like the Braves tend to get hotter after the break. Granted they usually only suck through April or mid-May and they have far exceeded that norm, but it is not unreasonable to think they could go on a hot tear and leapfrog the other division teams, none of which is playing much better than us. If you look at this team on paper there is no reason in the world they should struggle to score runs once they get a little rest over the break. At the beginning of the season I was worried about our pitching and confident in our offense. Well, the pitching has somehow worked itself out in spite of the injury ravaged rotation and bullpen. But for whatever reason this offense has greatly underperformed. If the Braves get hot at the right time they can easily slide into first. They still have 3 series each against the Mets, Phils, and Marlins. Those games will make or break this season regardless of what has happened so far.

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, well said (again) at 8:05 p.m. Really don’t quite understand why it’s so difficult for some to see that it’s not going to take one of the all-time collapses or even a noteworthy run for any of the three teams behind the Phillies to win this division. It wouldn’t rate as one of the more significant such moves in the past decade, really.

By the way, Phillies were 7-1/2 games ahead of the Braves on June 13. As bad as the Braves have played since then, they’ve GAINED 2-1/2 games on the division leader in that stretch.

By NCBravesFan

July 9, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this

McFann So what’s the story on the rally turtle? I missed the game last night.

By Jeff R

July 9, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this

If you ask me, the Braves should increase the payroll to $120 million next season and tell Teixeira they can afford to give him a backloaded contract in the range of six or seven years at an average of about $20 mill per season.

Amen, DOB… If the ownership was willing to seriously increase the payroll, signing Super Tex would make a lot more sense.

By Braveheart

July 9, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

2005 Yankees, 39-39 in fourth place, 6 games out on July 1st. Went on to win the division.

2004 Braves, 42-42, 4th place on July 6th, 2.5 games out, July 15th in a tie for first. July 31st, in first by 4.5 games

2005 Braves, 2004 Braves, 2005 Yankees, 1978 Yankees, 1995 Mariners all went from fourth to first in the second half of the season. There are a helluva lot more examples Supes. Many teams have been in fourth at roughly the middle of the year mark and gone on the win the division.

By Scott S.

July 9, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this

Can I ask everyone who is playing first in any trade scenario with Tex??? We will trade for a hitter in the outfield and lose a hitter on the infield who will win more gold gloves!!

By Lew

July 9, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this

KC-Love your optimism, Dude. But Hampton making 15 starts this season? Would be nice, but you know Hampton-so many muscles-so little time.

By raindawg722

July 9, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

As of this date last year, the Rockies were 5.5 games out of first in the NL West with three teams in front of them. That’s .5 game worse than the Braves currently. The Rockies also had a -10 run differential while the Braves currently sport a +31 in that department. Rhetorical question alert: How did those Rockies do last year?

I am not saying that the Braves will win the division, but I am not ready to say that they won’t win the division either. Stranger things have happened, as recently as last year.

By ernesto

July 9, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

Don’t want to speak for DOB here but I think the headline writer and a few denizens have misread the intent of the article. It wasn’t lets swap Tex for Holliday. It was the parallels between Tex and the H-man that make the trade not such a good idea from the Braves’ standpoint. Even more so, if you were/are someone who thinks the Tex trade was a bad idea.

I dont’ see anywhere in there where it even implies Tex for Holliday.

By keylargo

July 9, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

If Tex signs with the Braves for an average salary of $25m a year and the Braves have a $100M payroll, Tex will command 25% of the Braves payroll.

Alex Rodriguez, as the highest paid player in baseball, makes an average salary of $27.5M. The Yankees payroll is $209,000,000 this year and is expected to rise 10% next year to $230,000,000. Alex Rodriquez will make 12% of the Yankees payroll.

I would think that no player in MLB would make as high of a percentage of a teams payroll if Tex signs with the Braves.

Remember that’s why the Rangers had to get rid of ARod. There was not enough money left to spend on the rest of the team.

By Scott S.

July 9, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

Blanco and Escobar will be some exciting do in the second half and when Tex really gets going they both may score 100 runs!!! Loving my Braves as always!!!!

By raindawg722

July 9, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

Just remembered that Rockies won the wild card and not the division last year. My little analysis doesn’t look that tidy anymore. Oh, well. I think it’s more likely that the Braves will win the division than the wild card, but I’ll stick with my general theme: the Braves still have a shot. Weirder things have happened.

By BRAVES WILL WIN (CODY)

July 9, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this

Attention all that want to tear this team apart. If the the Braves win tonight that would put the Braves 4 back. The Phillies will have to lose to the cards but hey their nect three are against the d-backs.

Although the Snakes have sucked they will send Johnson, Davis and Webb up in that series. Not hard for the Phillies to lose two of three. The Braves could be as many as two out by the break ir hell even one but Phillies would have to lose the rest and Mets and marlins would need to lose two. Not impossible.

These Braves are gonna shut the bandwagon fans up in the second half. This team is getting healthy and will be for the second half title wave that makes the surg.

Aftre the break our line-up will have Blanco, Esco, Chip, Tex, McCann, Frank, kelly, Kotsay and Diaz back, plus the trade that we make in right. Pitching will get Hampton back and Glavine will follow in late july. Soriano will be back and the braves will probably try to aquire another right hander arm for the pen.

All and all with the guys returning we have a better roster than anybody in the East. Get another right hander in the pen and a power bat for the outfield and we have a better line-up than the cubs. Face ut this team will be buyers and after we go all the way Tex will get his 20 mill salary cause liberty will want gold again.

KC…..for those about to rock, i salute you, for those talking SHIT, don’t get mad when I say told you so.

THE BRAVES WILL WIN

By Kyle

July 9, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this

DOB, What’s up with all the typo’s in the article? Been staying out too late writing articles about Phil Stockman I guess!

By McFann :Ô:

July 9, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this

NCBravesFan—

Kind of a long story, but here’s the gist of it:

I found a Box Turtle last night (a while before the game), and I posted a story about it on the last blog. It caught on…

The first four innings of the game were dull—the Braves were getting out left and right, just as they had done on Monday. Uga-Brave said that reading about my Turtle was much more entertaining than watching the Braves—meaning no disrespect. After that, the Braves scored three runs on a bases-loaded double by Escobar.

Then, McCann homered in the next inning. The Braves continued to score from that moment on. And McCann hit another homer in the ninth—right after Tex hit a solo shot.

So it was agreed that the Turtle sparked the rally, thus making it the Rally Turtle (aka, Rally McTurtle).

By kirknga

July 9, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this

Prospects are nice but as we have seen apart from Wainwright few Braves prospects have done diddly with their new teams. What magic beans are we trying to protect?

And it works both ways, getting only prospects in a Tex trade is no guarantee they will develop into anything close to the player he is.

By Braveheart

July 9, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

If Tex signs with the Braves for an average salary of $25m a year and the Braves have a $100M payroll, Tex will command 25% of the Braves payroll. Alex Rodriguez, as the highest paid player in baseball, makes an average salary of $27.5M. The Yankees payroll is $209,000,000 this year and is expected to rise 10% next year to $230,000,000. Alex Rodriquez will make 12% of the Yankees payroll. I would think that no player in MLB would make as high of a percentage of a teams payroll if Tex signs with the Braves. Remember that’s why the Rangers had to get rid of ARod. There was not enough money left to spend on the rest of the team.

But that’s why DOB is saying raise the payroll to $120 million and backload the contract. If Tex gets 7 years, $150 mil say but the Braves only pay $17 or $18 mil in the first two or three years of the contract, he will only be 14 to 15% of the payroll over the next year or two or three. And even if he got paid $21 mil a season from the git go, it would still only be about 17% to 18% of the team’s budget if they had a $120 mil budget…….

By NCBravesFan

July 9, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

raindawg Actually, it’s a great correlation … on August 20, Colorado was 63-61 and in sixth place in the wildcard chase … 3.5 games behind the Padres.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/games/standings.cgi?year=2007&month=8&day=20&submit=Submit+Date

By Cooper

July 9, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

I agree with DOB they need to resign Tex but I believe in having a credible plan A- which would be a Holliday trade at the deadline.

Worse case scenario you have a legitimate starting LF who can hit HRs and steps up in big spots for 1.3 yrs. You also have someone who will not garner a Tex size contract regardless of his agent’s last name.

Unless Liberty is blowing smoke they can afford both going into the 2010 season.

Best case you resign Tex and have Holliday as well for 2009. Yes there is a pickle at the end of 2009 if you have hefty contract with Tex on the books but it is not the end of the world.

With expanding payroll (Liberty has promised this) you have a good shot at resigning Holliday especially if he is on a winning team with a future.

My fear is we do nothing Holliday goes to another team and we sit n spin. Just like we are now as Aces are changing homes and we wait for Hampton to return and watch Taveraz suxxxk out loud.

A little depressing after all we have been through this year.

The fan base needs a boost and the team needs a AS caliber pickup not another reclamation project or 30 something OF.

The Braves need to give us a reason to care and to watch. Time to invest in the team and stop making excuses.

Does the Braves FO have hair on their peaches or what? Someone please ask them that soon.

By prattvillenolzfan

July 9, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

Hampton makes 15 starts….

Franceour gets hot…..

The Great pumpkin is coming….

Tech will beat UGA…

My Noles will beat Wake Forest…

Santa is coming….

and oh yeah…The Easter Bunny is coming…..

By McFann :Ô:

July 9, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

OK, sorry! That last link of mine didn’t work! (I forgot to paste in the address to my story from the last blog…stupid…)

OK, so here it is! (Sorry again!)

By sportsnut4

July 9, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

http://www.total-e-sports.blogspot.com

By prattvillenolzfan

July 9, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

BTW

Mark Mulder, making his first start in over a year, left after just 3 pitches tonight against the Phillies……….

Milwaukee and Chicago gains an ace; St. Louis loses one they had planned on returning…

By keylargo

July 9, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this

Braveheart

Tex turned down a seven year $140M offer from Texas. Texas then traded him to the Braves. I think Boras is the perfect agent for Tex as he seems to be a pure mercinary.

I heard Tex on the Jim Rome show about a week ago. He never indicated he would give the Braves any type of advantage. He never said he hoped that something would be worked out. Just absolutely no loyalty to the Braves at all.

I believe he let Boras sell his service to the absolute high bidder.

By woogidy

July 9, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this

Don’t know if it’s been mentioned, but the Braves will have a very good chance to keep Tex with all the $$$ going off the payroll next year. With Hampton’s $15 mil, Glavine’s $8 mil, Smoltzies $13 mil, Kotsay’s $2 mil, and Tex’s $13 mil, that’s about $50 mil off of the payroll for next season to apply to signing Tex to Let’s say 7yrs, $156 mil. That’s high dollar, but in 2-3 years probably won’t look that bad when Ryan Howard, Derrek Lee, Lance Berkman and Albert Pujols all have their contracts expire in 2010-11, depending on club options. Trading tex leaves a huge oranizational hole for power and a first baseman. Braves may even have the dough to go get a pitcher in the offseason. Tex, however, should stay and be re-signed, even if it takes 8yrs $180 mil.

By Im just sayin

July 9, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this

I kept seeing people calling for TP to be fired because he’s a poor hitting coach…I personally don’t think so. Just because the “golden boy” ain’t hitting worth anything I guess TP can get the blame. Anyway, I decided to checkout ESPN to see where exactly the Braves rank hitting wise with the rest of the NL. As bad as the Braves have played and struggled offensively they have the third highest batting average in the NL with a .265 average only behind the cubs and cardinals (imagine what the Braves would be if Frenchy is not hitting .233 or what if Chippers not hitting .379). We’re doing well in OBP too with a .341 obp. the mets are in fourth with a .336.

We do hit into a lot double plays, fourth in the NL when it comes to hitting into double plays with 83. They’re 12th in the NL when it comes to strike outs with only 578 that’s only 38 behind St. Louis who’s only struck out 54o times (that ain’t bad).

So what’s killing the Braves bats? I don’t believe in luck or anything but man the Braves will have a rally going and can kill it in a heart beat by either hitting a liner right at somebody or the ugly pop up or double play. Sometimes it’s discipline but can you blame that all on TP..it’s not like he’s playing a video game and press a button for these guys to swing the bat or hold off on pressing that button. In other words hitting is all up to the player..the batting coach has little to nothing to do with it other then telling guys what he see in their swing. It’s up to the player to hit what they see and try to make the right decisions at the plate. What else should TP be doing that I’m missing? Funny how the blame game works because last night or any night they score more than 6 you hardly hear people calling for his head. Same goes for McDowell…the guy for the past 2 season has had poor pitching rotations and for the Braves to have the second lowest era in the league behind the Cubs is saying something. You can’t blame McDowell for Bobby’s over usage of guys in the pen.

By NCBravesFan

July 9, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

McFann Good stuff! If it sparks the team, I’m all for it.

It sure seems to have had an impact on ya boy. ;)

By prattvillenolzfan

July 9, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this

Hey Woogidy

IF you read the blog, you’ll see that it was mentioned about 5/6 times……

By keylargo

July 9, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this

woogiddy

Why don’t we just give Tex the whole $50M? I mean, even the Yankees may not bid that high?

The point is that he does not deserve that much money!!!!! Not even close.

Would you trade Tex for Albert Puhols? Puhols has a 7/$100M contract.

Would you trade Tex for Derrick Lee? Derrick Lee has a 5/$65M contract.

Would you trade Tex for Lance Berkman? Berkman has a 6/$85 contract.

Tex is maybe the 6th best first baseman - in the National League.

You give Tex $25M next year and Chipper comes up for a contract in 2010. Are you saying Chipper deserves less than Tex? Be ready and hold your cheeks tight with both hands.

By kirknga

July 9, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this

I believe he let Boras sell his service to the absolute high bidder.

How ya doin keylargo?

Uh, isn’t that what an agent is supposed to do?

And loyalty, well it works both ways. I wonder what the Braves will do with Smotlz since his option will not vest?

Im just sayin, glad to see someone will at least look up the record before calling to take away a person’s paycheck.

The Braves scored the 3rd most runs in the NL in each of the past two seasons.”In 2006…The Braves led the National League in home runs (222) and slugging percentage (.455) and ranked second in the circuit in runs scored (849) and batting average (.270). “

“The Braves have compiled 300 doubles in a season five times in franchise history, including each of the last four seasons (2003-2006) under Pendleton’s supervision.”

“The 2005 Braves became the first team in history to reach the postseason with six rookies who had 100 or more at-bats (the previous record was four rookies by the 1983 Los Angeles Dodgers and the 1989 Chicago Cubs).”

“In 2003, the team established franchise bests in home runs (225), hits (1,608), doubles (321) and slugging percentage (.475) and had the highest team batting average in Atlanta history…Several individual players enjoyed career seasons as well, and much of the credit for those accomplishments went to Pendleton..”

You don’t fire a coach with that track record of success if you’re a serious organization.

By Perry White

July 9, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

DOB wrote yesterday: The Braves purchased the contract of the Cuban right-hander and infielder Brent Lillibridge from Class AAA

I didn’t know that in addition to being a right-hander and an infielder, that he was also Cuban!

Brent pequeñopuente!

By flange1

July 9, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

Interesting talk on Tex.

I HOPE we can resign him. I WISH we resign.

It would be nice for Liberty to get creative and FIND an way to sign him.

I don’t want to see a bidding war. I just don’t think the Braves will win it.

The problem I see is if we keep Tex, fail to resign him, get the draft choices and then lose the bidding war,

WHAT DO WE DO THEN????

Look at the FA list. There are no alot of guys out there worth spending big bucks on that play 1B or LF.

Then we have to trade.

How far will Lillibridge, B Jones, Prado and Chuckie get you in the trade market?

Maybe Jose Guillen?

Guillen and Taverez together would be entertaining….

I guess..

By 16 pieces of flare

July 9, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this

woogidy, How do you know Smoltz,Glavine and Kotsay won’t be back next season ? I’d want Kotsay at anywhere close to 2 million and Smoltz is just whether he’s ready and decides he wants to play.As for Glavine I don’t know what his plans are but I’d want him back if he’s healthy.

By Tomas

July 9, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

DOB, if the braves are unable to sign mark texeira who would you mthink they would sign to be their cleanup hitter? Matt Holliday(how many will he want), Jason Bay, Milton Bradley, Pat Burrell, Furcal( to play short, and move escobar to second, and kelly back to left), or vladimir guerrero. Those are the only players who could replace Tex as the cleanup hitter.

By Tomas

July 9, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this

source for the free agents in my post above mlb4u.com

By prattvillenolzfan

July 9, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

I left out a line

Here goes again..

Hampton makes 15 starts….

Franceour gets hot…..

The Great pumpkin is coming….

Tech will beat UGA…

My Noles will beat Wake Forest…

Santa is coming….

The Easter Bunny is coming…

And oh yeah…DOB is taking August 20th off to attend the Jonas Brothers Concert

By Xbox Automaton Manager

July 9, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

Hmmm…Automaton RF Francouer v.7 is not performing up to specs - terminate him immediately!

By KyleH

July 9, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this

im glad the “TRADE TEX” comments are fizzleing. As I pointed out (and others have), we have the cash. Main focus in offseason is to sign Tex then see whats left and go fromm there. Just sign Tex. Best Firstbaseman in the league, u know.

By woogidy

July 9, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this

keylargo Read what I said, I said it wouldn’t look too bad when all those guys are re-signed. Ala, when their current contracts expire in 2010-11. Pujols will get A-rod type money, and Howard will get $20+mil. Berkman, with a couple years like the one he’s having, will get $20+mil as well. I Good players aren’t cheap people. Get that in your thick skulls. prattvillenolzfan I would read all of the blog if so much crap wasn’t being said like saying Mulder left after 3 pitches, when in fact he left after 3 batters(16 pitches). Along with all of these moronic trade proposals with some people wanting Jason Bay for Braves rejects.

By FaninFaytown

July 9, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

Wow Perry, I guess I could be wrong but just looking at what you copied and pasted its pretty obvious to me that he was talking about the reliever … possibly in the sentence right before? An english class might be in order.

By flange1

July 9, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

Tomas,

Cross Holliday and Bay off the list, they both are signed through next year.

I think Vlad has an option to stay with the Angels.

By McFann :Ô:

July 9, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

NCBravesFan—

Thanks! I’m all for it, too! Let’s hope things go as well tonight!

Did seem to have had an impact on McCann. Course if ya think about it, he’s kinda like turtles: Slow on his feet…uh…heavy…

; )

(Maybe I’ll be back tonight, but if not, GO BRAVES!! ;Ô:)

By Jeff321

July 9, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

I hate to put a damper on the Tex lovers! But, has it ever once occurred that Tex wants to win? I mean he’s said as much along with turning down $140M from the Rangers. Now, do you honestly think he wants to sign long term with a team that’s finished third the last two years? Its not like we’re on an upward trend! And you should be able to figure out its not “really” about the money. So, put away those checkbooks, eh.

By woogidy

July 9, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

16 pieces of flare, Jordan Schaefer is cheaper than Kotsay, and will be here next season, I’m guessing. Smoltz may be here, but not for 13 or 14 million, same for Glavine, not for 8 mil. The bright side is that the rotaion looks good for years to come. FW Please sign Barry Bonds

By Xbox Automaton Manager

July 9, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this

THIS JUST IN - Automaton LHP Glavine v.47 needs a new elbow - immediately transplant bionic elbow from Automaton RHP Smoltz v.29! Will RH elbow fit in LH arm? Automaton Trainer Jeff Porter is analyzing…will report soon..

By Brent pequeñopuente

July 9, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this

Actually, the sentence was supposed to read:

The Braves purchased the contract of right-handed infielder Brent Lillibridge from Class AAA who was eating a Cuban sandwich.

By Efrim

July 9, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

Mets are winning again. Phillies might give up their lead in the 7th. Wouldn’t that be something if the Mets tied for first place(in the loss column) tonight?

By A-ville Ranger

July 9, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

Kyleh,I haven’t changed my opinion on whether Tex should be traded.I still think Wren should do the background work and see how things look later.

I’m giving a little ground on dealing with Scott ”the golden Dildo”Boras,but not to the point of letting the guy jerk the team around.If management wants to offer, put it on the table and tell Dildo to call if he accepts,if not spend the money on improving the young talent base.

By raindawg722

July 9, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this

NCBravesFan, thanks. Braveheart succinctly said in his 8:41 what I attempted to say. And he did a much better job of it too. However, if I unintentionally made another relevant point, I will gladly take credit for it.

By SaltyDawg

July 9, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

**By Xbox Automaton Manager

July 9, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this

THIS JUST IN - Automaton LHP Glavine v.47 needs a new elbow - immediately transplant bionic elbow from Automaton RHP Smoltz v.29! Will RH elbow fit in LH arm? Automaton Trainer Jeff Porter is analyzing…will report soon.**

I would rather have automoton LHP Glavine’s shoulder transplanted to automaton RHP Smoltz, if there is any way you can swing that. Thanks

By Angry and Clueless

July 9, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this

DOB…

WHY ON EARTH WAS TAVAREZ SIGNED WHEN THEY HAVE STOCKMAN AVAILABLE?!?!?!? THEY SHOULD’VE CALLED STOCKMAN BACK UP FOR THE BULLPEN!

By Xbox Automaton Manager

July 9, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this

Hmmm - after computing further have arrived at an alternate solution. Automaton Glavine v.47 needs new elbow but has healthy pecs - Automaton Hampton v.(unknown) has surgically repaired elbow but requires new pecs…Jeff Porter requires more overtime…

By Thrillhouse44

July 9, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this

I’ve been skimming the blog and it’s nice to actually read some of the optimism on here. Definitely a nice change of pace from the Braves bashing that’s been going on as of late. Glad to see a lot of people (especially KC) realize that the season is 162 games long. Here’s to a win tonight and a good series against San Diego. Going into the break playing well would be nice. Here’s to another win!

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this

OK, notebook filed, game underway.

Glavine threw again today, from a little greater distance, but still light tossing. No problems. Didn’t even head directly to the training room to ice afterward.

Instead, at Jo-Jo Reyes’ request, Glavine went to the bullpen and observed Reyes’ between-starts session. Reyes will start the series opener at San Diego on Friday against Jake Peavy.

“Got to bring my ‘A’ game,” Reyes said, when I mentioned to him that Peavy was going for the Padres.

Young Charlie will be facing ol’ Mad Dog on Saturday.

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

Tomas, it’s folly to speculate as to who the Braves would sign to replace Tex as cleanup hitter if they don’t re-sign him (Tex). For one thing, when’s the last time the Braves signed a big free agent, other than their own?

More likely they’d make a trade in the offseason to fill that potential need, unless the payroll’s going up significantly. Proven free agents who can bat cleanup are quite expensive, as you’re probably aware.

By McFann :Ô:

July 9, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

Brian, don’t do that!

Gotta put The Bird to bed.

Night, all!! “Ô”

By Moody

July 9, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

Forget Stockman. When are the Braves going to call up Dan Kolb and Bob Wickman? They should at least pitch up to the abilities of Tavares. Oh yeah, more has-beens who didn’t work out.

By Hit, Chipper, Hit!

July 9, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

Looks like Hoss needs my help this time. Maybe it will work as quickly as it did on Heap.

By adam

July 9, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

DOB

I was wondering what you thought about taking a chance on the Rangers minor leager Nelson Cruz? I know his numbers in the majors aren’t great, but he is smoking the minors, and has done so on a few different AAA stints. I would imagine he wouldn’t cost a ton for a trade since he’s pretty much blocked and it would be a risk, but not a huge one. Possibly big risk big reward situation. What do you think it would take to get him and what’s your opinion of the guy? It also might be nice to maybe try and put him and a reliever in a package together and send them a couple guys…what do ya think?

By Xbox Automaton Manager

July 9, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

Hvmmm - Automaton 3B Jones v.10 requires too much maintenance…move Automaton 1B Teixeira v.24 to 3B and move Automaton 2b Johnson v.2 to 1B immediately!

By J.D.

July 9, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this

DOB, I realize that Villareal pitched poorly for the Astros this season, but the ‘Stros have till Saturday to trade him or release him. He did a good job for the Bravos when he was here, any chance they give him a look?

By Thrillhouse44

July 9, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this

Angry and (obviously) Clueless, please read DOB’s 4:42 post. Never mind - Stockman is on the DL with a hamstring injury. The Kangaroo Nads Curse strikes again.

By ChipHoss

July 9, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this

As a lifelong Braves fan, I can remember quite a few first basemen here, but no “franchise” type guys. Maybe Gallaraga, but even then only for a few years. If this organization is not capable of scouting and developing a 1B, I think they should spend the appropriate market value to keep Tex. It seems that each contending team has a stud at the corners, and if Chip does have a few good years left, why not invest them at 1B. Chipper has played for less than market value for years, so spend the money that has been saved at Third for years now over at First Base.

Who is the best 1B Brave since ‘92 anyway?

By Xbox Automaton Manager

July 9, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

Hmmm - battery is low (no - not Automaton C v.16 McCann - he is only 1/2 of the battery)…must recharge..

By Brent pequeñopuente

July 9, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this

Actually, the sentence was supposed to read:

A Cuban purchased the contract of right-handed infielder Brent Lillibridge from Class AAA and the Braves.

The Cuban was later revealed to be Mark Cuban who is not really a Cuban. Cuban is attempting to acquire a major league team one contract at a time.

By ijonathan

July 9, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

Obviously, the braves are going to “burn the tapes” from the top halves of innings 1-3 from this entire series…

By Efrim

July 9, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

Howard just homered. Lidge will come on in the 9th for the save opp. Mets won 5-0. I’m not sure they have “turned the corner”, but they are definetly playing better baseball in July.

By Anders

July 9, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

Efrim

Mets did their job with another shut out. Unfortunately Ryan Howard just hit another HR in that ban box. How long before they move the little league WS from Williamsport to Philly to spice up the games a little?

I told you the Mets have the starting pitching. It’s just beginning to come around too. Plus the offense is in gear. Reyes is 2nd in the league in hits. Even Delgado is hitting now. Mets lead the league in steals now. Too bad about Church or they would be really set.

I just don’t see the Braves pitching keeping up. I’d trade Tex to the highest bidder although that ship might have sailed as both the Yanks and Red Sox are starting to roll.

Just when I was getting ready to send this post Feliz hits another ridiculous flair into the seats in left in Philly. That place is a disgrace.

By keylargo

July 9, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this

I will never get bored listening to Vin Scully. No color man. Just as smooth as silk. He is truly the best.

By woogidy

July 9, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this

A Cuban purchased the contract of right-handed infielder Brent Lillibridge from Class AAA and the Braves.

How will this affect Yunel Escobar’s performance?

By Shamus Thacker

July 9, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this

Once Tex gets the money, he might become average very quickly. He comes across as being very green, not environmentally but monetarily. He’s after cash. Team or loyalty are a joke to him. Remember when Jeff Blauser had the great year, signed the big deal, then went into sleepwalking mode? His noggin wasn’t in it after the winfall. I gotta feeling Hex could be that type. But, maybe not…

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

Apparently they’re trying to help us make East Coast deadlines.

That or we’ve entered a time warp and been transported to the pre-steroid era of fast, low-scoring games. Monday night, there was one hit between the teams in the first four innings. Tonight, no hits at all through 3-1/2.

By Matt

July 9, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

Who is the best 1B Brave since ‘92 anyway?

Dude, McGriff in 93. That’s easy.

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this

The Braves have not had a single hit through four innings in any of the three games in this series. Yikes.

By Chipper'sJonze

July 9, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this

I always missed Ryan Klesko. He has not had the best career, but he could have added some consistency.

DOB, are you familiar with My Morning Jacket? Seems like they might be in your wheelhouse.

By Teddy Jack Eddy

July 9, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

Woogidy, I don’t know about giving Tex 156 million over 7 years.That would be 22.28 million a season and 7 years is a long time in baseball.

I still think the money would be better spent on young pitching talent.

By Jeff321

July 9, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

Is Chipper playing hurt? He looks rather strange while swinging in the box.. And of course 4 strikeouts in two games is a quite rare. With that said, he seems to be running pretty good.

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

Wow — 4-1/2 innings in 49 minutes.

By lilman

July 9, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

We’re on the hook for a perfect game…who blinks first, the Dodgers or the Braves

By Anders

July 9, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

DOB

On the Mets telecast they were discussing how home teams are winning on a record pace this year and they were speculating wether the fact that MLB is testing for amphetamines might have something to do with this. Especially east coast teams playing on the west coast. Seems relevant based on the Braves sluggish offense early in these games.

Any thoughts on this? Do you here anything about this in your travels? For the record Ron Darling all but said it sure seems like it’s having an effect.

By TURTSNAP

July 9, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this

Hudson blinked first

By lilman

July 9, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this

I only have the gmae info via MLB.com…can someone tell me if Lowe is commanding his pitches so well, that it only took 6 pitches to get Tex, Mac, & Jeff out?

By Pepperidge Blogs Remembers

July 9, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this

Bottom of the 4th, 2 outs, grounder to Kelly Johnson who bobbles and recovers to get the out at first. Does anyone else remember?

Pepperidge Blogs Remembers:

By Arkansas Hillbilly

July 19, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

A random thought: Seems to me like the ball pops out of Kelly’s glove a lot: Whether it’s fielding a grounder, or transitioning to turn a double play, he has dropped a lot of balls this season, many of which he avoided getting an error on by quickly recovering to make an out (like early in yesterday’s game). I know infielders generally use smaller gloves, but KJ’s glove seems tiny to me— almost Mike Stanton-like. I wonder if this has anything to do with the dropped balls or is he just getting in a hurry. Thoughts anyone?

Where have you gone, Arkansas Hillbilly? We misses you.

By Greg O.

July 9, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

Vin Scully on all the ground balls tonight - “There isn’t a worm alive here at Dodger Stadium tonight.” … Priceless.

By JEB

July 9, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this

DOB Just interested. How hard would it be for Frank Wren to walk up to TEX (in the clubhouse, or on the field during BP) and say to him “TEX we would seriously like to keep you here next year, and build with you! What are your thoughts about staying in ATL. and playing with us? Can we work something out?”

Or is asking something like that off limits?? Does Boras have to be involved in that kind of conversation?

I personally think that would be the place to start with TEX. TEX’s answer would see where his thoughts and heart really is! If it’s not in ATL. - then trade him.

By Tomas

July 9, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this

what a game? Hope the braves are able to win it.

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this

Good thing the Braves only have to face Jake Peavy in their next game.

By Glenn

July 9, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

worst people in baseball: anyone with the last name of Steinbrenner, and Scott Boras.

By A-ville Ranger

July 9, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

Remember when the Braves beat some of the best pitchers in baseball back in the spring ? what happened ? They’re making every fairly good pitcher they face look like a young Greg Maddux.

By Rush

July 9, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

Fire Terry Pendelton tonight.

Send French back to AA for a few weeks, enough time to really make a difference.

Trade Tex for the best available offer to build for the future. Throw in Frenchy and Soriano if someone will take them.

This team might stay in it all year, thats the crazy thing about baseball, but this is painful. Lets see Wren figure out what can be done to make this team valuable and get a sale done to an owner who has some interest in baseball and wants to win.

Bring Ned Yost back to Atlanta. Please dont make Pendelton the head coach.

By keylargo

July 9, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

Scully on Escobar - The Cuban Vacumn Cleaner

By Chop Chop

July 9, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

Ahhh…Vin Scully…

That reminds me of that all-time classic YouTube clip of Game 6 from the 1986 World Series, RBI Baseball-style.

Here’s that clip again. I can’t get enough of it.

Mets-Red Sox RBI Baseball

By JEB

July 9, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

Watching the game on FSN - game keeps coming in and out & pixilating.

Anyone else having these same problems?

Joe & Boog apologized earlier for tecnical difficulties.

By remembrant

July 9, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

Speaking of remembering - on July 11, 2007 DOB wrote:

So I’m sticking with my preseason prediction, the one several of you mocked me for when the Braves were hitting .150 and scoring one run during an 0-5 skid vs. Boston and Detroit. Yes, I’m still picking the Braves to win the division…

Andruw’s hitting better now and he’s going to have a big second half.

By adam

July 9, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this

Any way that someone here in the ATL can hear Scully without mlb.com’s coverage…or am I just SOL?

By TURTSNAP

July 9, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this

Hudson blinked again, and this one hurt.

By Anders

July 9, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this

Glenn

worst people in baseball: anyone with the last name of Steinbrenner, and Scott Boras.

You forgot Rocker.

By Carolina Matt

July 9, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

Ah man, gotta love the 3-1 belt-high fastball…geez

By geauxbraves2000

July 9, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

Well, let’s look at the positive side, the Braves haven’t left anyone on base tonight. :)

Geaux Braves!!

By cabravesfan

July 9, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

Adam- i think you are SOL my friend- which is unfortunate- Scully is one of the all time greats

By keylargo

July 9, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this

Those d@mn 230 lb. leadoff men.

By kirknga

July 9, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this

Wow! Gregor!! Got to love speed. Wish we had a bit more.

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this

Whew.

These games are getting to be ridiculous, from where I sit.

Anyway … the speedy Blanco making things happen.

By ijonathan

July 9, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this

Nah, why would you want Gregor Blanco leading off? Guy has no natural leadoff hitter instincts. Only took Cox about 60 games and a bunch of injuries to “figure it out”.

By lilman

July 9, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this

What’s happened to Hoss? He looks like a regular Brave, instead of Super Brave.

By TURTSNAP

July 9, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this

Good jinx Geauxbraves :O)

By geauxbraves2000

July 9, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this

Well, now they have.

Geaux Braves!!

By ijonathan

July 9, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

Chipper’s rolling over and pulling everything, he isn’t making productive outs, he isn’t driving runners in and he’s striking out too much.

Obviously time to send him to AA.

By Jeff321

July 9, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

Ya gotta love how Blanco takes third on that play.. Too bad no one could bring him home.

By Greg O.

July 9, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

It’s the Braves’ continued inability to score runners from third with less than two outs that makes it absolutely inconceivable that they could possibly get to the playoffs this year. Great, heads-up play by Blanco, but it’s wasted by the guy who couldn’t do wrong for the first three months of the season.

By uga-brave

July 9, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this

another great start about to go down the drain.

By Ned

July 9, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this

Runner at 3rd less then two outs can’t get him in…Thats Braves Baseball at EFFING BEST!!!….Yeah, WHy drive him In….There goes the Game…that WILL Be the Play that defined the friggin Game…Thanks a lot OFFENSE!!…6.5 GB we go!

By ArkyTech

July 9, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this

The reason this teams practically NEVER wins close games is the inability to score when runners reach 3rd base with less then 2 outs - or reach 2nd with no outs.

Those are situations when a base hit isn’t needed in order to score, yet I cannot recall an MLB team that executes so poorly in those situations. And it’s bit us in the behind again tonight.

By JEB

July 9, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this

O’ Man! Chipper grounds out to the pitcher with a man on 3rd and one out! Fire TP! Fire BC! You know they are to blame for that kind of play! LOL!

LOL!

LOL!

Just had to say that! I could hear some of you bloggers already!

By Mark

July 9, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this

DOB, I’m curious as to why we all have this optimism. The Braves…although injury riddled…are not very good. I mean for crying out loud, they nearly have had a perfect game thrown on them twice in two days. Tonight Blanco makes an incredible heads up decision and gets to third on a hit and run…what do your best to hitters do after that? Chipper grounds out to pitcher, Tex lazy fly to left. No excuse. I don’t want to hear about how Lowe is on his game either. I guess AJ Burnett was also and the Japanese guy the other night. Sell, sell,sell!!!! I’ve havent been this frustrated with the Braves since the 80’s.

By Deep Throat

July 9, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this

This act by the Atlanta Braves of flirting with perfect games and making average pitchers look like Bob Gibson is growing old and fast.

By TURTSNAP

July 9, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this

I have noticed in this series that Andruw has changed his stance.

By TURTSNAP

July 9, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

FUNNY, when he was with the Braves and facing an 0-2 or 1-2 count, the opposing pitchers would throw a curve ball outside in the dirt and get AJ to wail….. not Huddy though…. WAY TO GO

By Anders

July 9, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

Possibly the Braves kept the wrong Jones?

Just throwing it out there.

By Robert S

July 9, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

We can’t score again with less than two outs.

And then the ultimate insult - a .160 hitter driving in a run. And it’s Andruw Jones, at that.

2-0 looks like about 6-0 the way Lowe is pitching (or the way the Braves aren’t hitting, depending on your point of view).

By Jake

July 9, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

This is getting a little pathetic. Can anyone tell me what exactly is the braves approach to hitting or do we just happen to get the pitchers who somehow find a way to be perfect every time they face us???

By keylargo

July 9, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

Maybe AJ could try out for UCLA as a pulling guard on the football team. He sure took Kelly out.

By Jeff321

July 9, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

Cox calls for the int’l walk to Martin and then Andruw Jones slaps a single and drives in a run.. How is that working out for ya, Bobby? We’ll get ‘em next time, eh? Pathetic.

By Tomas

July 9, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this

Wow a standing ovation for andruw because he got a base hit. Thats plain embarasing.

By A-ville Ranger

July 9, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this

I know DOB and others are fans of ‘My morning Jacket’.If you didn’t see it download their Conan O’Brien appearance from last month.

Two things really stood out,it was the highest energy jam I can remember on a program like that (light years better than their SNL gig) and their drummer is FAT,how is that even possible ?

By JEB

July 9, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this

How about that!! In the same inning - Chipper can’t come through and bring the runner in and AJones comes to bat and brings in the run! Now that’s basball luck for you!

By Stephen

July 9, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

FRENCHHY GO BOOM!!

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

I could be mistaken, but I don’t think Perry would have done that.

By ijonathan

July 9, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

I think three Vegas sportsbooks just went belly-up. Both Andruw and Frenchy with an RBI in the same game.

By Murphy

July 9, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

way 2 go Frenchy!!

By rally turtle

July 9, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

Soups on!

By brian

July 9, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

there you go Frenchy - best swing I have seen in months.

2 weeks ago he pops that pitch up.

Keep it up Frenchy

By ugaman

July 9, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

Frenchy’s back! Two games in a row with a hit! Maybe the 3 days were enough.

By Gamecock Brave

July 9, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

there ya go JEFF!

By Anders

July 9, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

Andrew Jones and Frenchy with an RBI in the same game.

What do you think that would have paid in Vegas?

By J.D.

July 9, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

yeah Jeff321, it was stupid to walk an All-Star catcher to get to a .166 hitter who nine times out of ten is going to either K or roll over a grounder to short…terrible strategy right…its baseball, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt

By lilman

July 9, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this

Way to go FRENCHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By gtg821x

July 9, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

Jeff321, you are an idiot. why would you face a .300 hitter when you can face a .170 hitter? It is what any manager in his right mind does. Things don’t always go as planned. Martin might have hit a two run homer.

By brian

July 9, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

sorry state of affairs that with the game on the line our big bat off the bench in the top of the 8th trailing by 1 run is Gotay

By ugaman

July 9, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

Anybody but Gotay! This guy is barely a hair better that Corky. In fact, with him hitting, Bobby just pulled the cork out of the sink and this game is going down the drain!

By woogidy

July 9, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this

Exceptional move by Torre there. His pitcher was rattled. He noticed, and without hesitation, pulled his man.

By Tomas

July 9, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this

Way to go Frenchy. Just play the game have fun and things will come to you. Good move by sending him to the minors.

By Chop Chop

July 9, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

Ol’ Frenchy with a bomb. I’m sure that feels really good to him.

(Anybody that thinks that Francoeur didn’t need a reality check doesn’t care about winning baseball games. He may not have gone down long enough for my liking, but he certainly looks a little better at the plate.)

How “pathetic” is it for Andruw Jones, a man who has hit 370 HRs and driven in 1126 runs in his career, to drive in a run with a single up the middle? Not that pathetic. Andruw’s not as bad as last year or his average through a little over 150 ABs this year. He’ll be alright. I’d just rather see him get some hits against someone other than the Braves.

By David O'Brien

July 9, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

Kotsay, why?

By ijonathan

July 9, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

Nice, caught stealing, inning over, lose the PH.

By brian

July 9, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this

aside from trying to take the bat out of Gotay’s hands, can anyone explain the steal attempt when down by one run in the 8th?

By ugaman

July 10, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this

oh well, at least Kotsay was being aggressive. Go-strikeout-tay was wailing at air anyway.

By Mike in LA

July 10, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

Am I in the twilight zone why is Gotay pinch hitting instead of Prado and Norton? And why is Kotsay running because at the very least if Gotay gets out the top order comes up in the ninth? Sad

By ijonathan

July 10, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

Oh yeah, and that caught stealing also means that there is no guarantee that Chipper comes to the plate in the 9th.

By Interested Observer

July 10, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

Hudson left that slider to Andruw over the corner of the plate. Two inches more outside and Andruw would have K’d.

I was going to say why pinch hit Gotay instead of Norton. Seems to me 8th inning with a runner on is when you would use the guy you brought in to be an experienced pinch hitter. Of course, if you’re just going to burn the pinch hitter with a caught stealing than it really doesn’t matter. Geez!

By Mark

July 10, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

My god Bobby Cox…what are you doing? He just tried to steal second with Kotsay of all people and he gets thrown out for the third out. If he doesnt do that then worst cas situation is top of the order for the ninth…now it is possible he just took the bat out of Chipper’s hands in the ninth if the 9-1-2 hitters go 1-2-3. Enjoy watching the game end on deck Chipper…kick your manager in the a* for that one!!!

By MBPelican

July 10, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this

takes the bat out of chippers hands potentially. Chipper was guaranteed an AB in the 9th, now he’s not. I’d rather have Chipper AB in the 9th, then a chance of Gotay getting a hit with Kotsay on 2nd in the 8th.

By Chop Chop

July 10, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this

Matt Kemp attempting to steal and worrying about his helmet staying on his head…

Idiot.

I guess the Dodgers can run themselves out of an inning, too.

By Robert S

July 10, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this

DOB, my point exactly.

Once again, some mind boggling plays by these guys.

Mind boggling in a bad way, mind you. It’s getting epidemic in these parts, folks.

Well, at least Kemp returned the favor when he was caught stealing. Good play by McCann.

By Dan in NJ

July 10, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this

couple questions….Why did Hudson throw a pitch anywhere near the strike zone to AJ with an 0-2 count?

2…How many times has Boyer pitched in the past 7 days? then ya wonder why they end up on the DL./ out for the season.

3… why did kotsay try stealing??? now Chipper might not get an at bat in the 9th.

By Anders

July 10, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this

DOB

Kotsay, why?

What are the odds of the Braves getting two hits in a row these days? With Gotay up at the plate that’s what it would take. Trying to steal second doesn’t seem that far fetched to me knowing that.

By ijonathan

July 10, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this

Wait a minute, did I miss something? Why wasn’t Chipper up in the 9th to try to tie it up? DOB, can you ask Bobby about that in the post game? Thanks dude.

By Shamus Thacker

July 10, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this

Mark, I don’t think DOB is all that optimistic about the Braves prowess, he’s just more impressed by the lack of prowess of our divisionmates. Anybody in our division could go on a 10-game losing streak. I think we’re less likely to do that than the other teams because Jair is a stopper. Hudson can be a stopper when he’s not being a goer. Hell, even ole Hammy [I question whether I’ve become delusional] make take a run at it. We definitely still got a shot. We were 13.5 games behind the Giants at the break years ago. We were like 9.95 or 10.5 behind the Dodgers at one point. Remember the banner in the outfield that said, “Lasorda Lost 91/2-games In 12-days On The Braves Plan.” [during the time of Lasorda’s Slimfast commercials]

We got as good a shot as anybody in the Division we’re in. We suck no worse, maybe even a little bit less, than the rest. We’ve floundered around lately and made up ground. That should tell Y’all sumpthin.

By Dan in NJ

July 10, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this

IF…BC was a real manager. big IF. You NEVER EVER let Kotsay steal. Knowing Chipper would be up 3rd the following inning. but what do i know. BC da man. Hope they sign him till he’s 99 years old.

By uga-brave

July 10, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this

braves bench,

.154, .234, .093, .204, .269 that being prado.

congads mr. prado you are at the head of the delata tau chi pledge class.

on the bright side the braves doubled their hits from monday.

on to dairy queen, bannana splits for the whole team.

By Chipper'sJonze

July 10, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this

weak

By Lers

July 10, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this

This team is pathetic. They continue to find a way to lose. For the second time in three days, Sportscenter had a live update of a pitcher taking a perfect game deep into a game against the Braves.

Unreal how this team cannot get hits in key situations. Just laid down in the ninth.

By MBPelican

July 10, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this

another masterful job by Bobby Cox in a close game, i’ve defended him all season, but what the hell was he thinking? Well back to 6 games back!!!!!

By Mark

July 10, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this

Announcer just said after the game…”Wow L.A. pitchers on full display in this series” he can’t be serious???? the Braves lineup is a joke right now. Take away innings 6-9 last night and they had 4 hits in 23 innings with 1 run(Frenchy HR tonight) in the entire series…maqybe the Dodgers pitching is that good and maybe Vandy will win the national championship in football this year

By Greg O.

July 10, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this

What better way to commemorate 11 full months since the Braves’ last one-run road win than to lose by one on the road?

By Greg O.

July 10, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this

What better way to commemorate 11 full months since the Braves’ last one-run road win than to lose by one on the road?

By Robert S

July 10, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this

Like I said, epidemic.

They naturally go down meekly in the ninth.

You think Frank Wren’s starting to think this is a hopeless case? A great win the night before, and then they revert right back to form tonight.

Two measly hits. And some dum-dum baserunning in the midst of a rally in the 8th.

Is this yet another way the Braves have found to kill a rally? And a ball game?

By brian

July 10, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this

Kotsay getting caught stealing in the 8th took the bat out of Chipper’s hands in the 9th.

By lilman

July 10, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this

Just be glad that the Braves are in the same division as the Nats!

By Deep Throat

July 10, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this

Hey lookie, a one-run loss on the road. I have never seen that before.

By eman

July 10, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this

poor braves, lose by another 1 run

haha

how bad do you have to be to not be able to score one run …. over and over and over and over and over — and over again

lol

By kirknga

July 10, 2008 12:19 AM | Link to this

So what Chipper didn’t get a bat? He didn’t get a hit all series long did he? He had a chance earlier in the game and didn’t get it done.

By BravesFanChris23

July 10, 2008 12:19 AM | Link to this

Bright side is that maybe its a turn around for Francoeur. We’ll definitely need to sweep the Padres to make the road trip even and not a bust. I think its plausible to sweep Padres, even with going against Peavy/Maddux, just need to get the offense going steadily.

By Cooch

July 10, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this

I would have pinch hit for Chipper in the 9th. Prado is smoking hot.

By Random

July 10, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this

Chipper’sJonze: “DOB, are you familiar with My Morning Jacket? Seems like they might be in your wheelhouse.”

Drag up a stool, newbie, an’ we’ll clue youse in:

*DOB 23 Apr 08: *”Really good story on Replacements in latest issue of Spin, with fine cover story on My Morning Jacket. Anyone heard any advance stuff of their forthcoming (at least I don’t think it’s out yet) CD? Can’t wait to get that. MMJ’s a stellar unit.”

DOB 14 May 08: “OK, tunes. Just stopped at a Philly record store and got the great new CD by British songstress Duffy, a blonde who’s better looking and, believe it or not, more talented and soulful than Amy Winehouse. Also got the just-released one by Philly’s own The Roots, a remastered edition of Roberta Flack’s “First Take,” and a My Morning Jacket early CD, The Tennessee Fire, which I’d only owned on a burned copy. Had to have the real thing.”

DOB 3 Jun 08: “OK, out of time: Wanted to get into some more home-road stats and Chippers’ recent power outage and such, but I’ve got to get to the ballpark. Anyone got the soon-to-be-released new CD from My Morning Jacket yet? I’m reading great reviews, including four stars from Rolling Stone. For those fans of The Roots, if you haven’t bought their new CD, run, don’t walk, to the store and get it. I seriously think it’s as good as anything they’ve ever done.”

*DOB 10 Jun 08: *”OK, diversions: Got the new My Morning Jacket album Evil Urges, and it’s brilliant. A mesh of styles, even a couple of songs that sound like Prince, right down to the falsetto. But it’s another masterful album from the boys from Kentucky.”

DOB 14 Jun 06: “Hey, been listening to the My Morning Jacket album a lot. Love it. Wonder if anyone’s played Song 3 for Prince. That song (I forget title) could’ve been recorded by Prince. Dude sounds like him so much on that one….”

DOB 30 Jun 05: “Best CD’s of 2008 (a working list): We’re about halfway through the year, so here’s my working-toward-a-top-25 CDs list for 2008. Not that they’ll all make the year-end list, but many will. Some terrific new music in the first half of this rich year (the economy sucks, but the music output certainly does not). In no particular order, here’s the best of what I’ve bought (there are obviously other great ones I’ve not purchased):

“Drive-By Truckers Brighter Than Creation’s Dark; My Morning Jacket Evil Urges; Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds Dig, Lazarus, Dig!; The Roots Rising Down; James McMurtry Just Us Kids; R.E.M. Accelerate; Aimee Mann @#%&! Smilers; The Black Angels Directions To See a Ghost; Santogold (self-titled CD); The Raconteurs Consolers of the Lonely; [etc]”*

Yeah, yeah, yeah, DOB (Sam) — save the snide & sarcastic remarks; you can thank me later.

/s/ Boswell

By A-ville Ranger

July 10, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this

There is just something seriously wrong with this bunch.Lowe didn’t pitch a gem,these guys just can’t play when it gets tough.

We always end up at the same place,I’d be thrilled if I got up to the news of Bobby Cox retiring tomorrow.Anything else is pretty meaningless I think.Adding a hitter or pitcher would only make a very small difference if any.

By RAR

July 10, 2008 12:24 AM | Link to this

If there is anyone out there who still thinks this team has a chance at winning the division, you must not be watching the games. What a deplorable exhibition again tonight. Chipper 0 for LA amd the rest of the team must be sleep walking..

I stand behind my earlier prediction of 74-88 and at least 14 games behind the division winner.

GO TAMPA RAYS !!!

By MBPelican

July 10, 2008 12:24 AM | Link to this

you gotta think that the Braves can break out of this offensive slump soon, If Frenchy can bat like he can….but tonight we can say what we always say. “We have to tip our caps tonigiht”

By name

July 10, 2008 12:24 AM | Link to this

“Bright side is that maybe its a turn around for Francoeur”

not a chance, even soft hitting Jeff can get lucky and hit a mistake pitch.

By Mark T.

July 10, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this

Wow…hitters 2 - 4, 0 for 13…unbelieveable. There is no way any team wins a game that way. The sad part is we outscored them in this series 10-8, and could’ve taken 2 of 3 from them. Again, unfortunately the same story. Very Good Pitching and poor offense.

By BravesDave

July 10, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this

Braves offense = FEEBLE

By Anders

July 10, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this

Come on guys, you can’t pin all your hopes on Chipper coming up with two out in the 9th. Have you lost that much faith in all the rest of your players? If so, what’s the point of even watching these games?

IMO thet odds were better that Kotsay would steal second and Gotay would single him home than Chipper catching lightning in the bottle with two out in the bottom of the 9th. That’s by no means meant as a knock on Chipper, just my thoughts on the odds of a last second game tying homer. How many actually happen? - without Wagner on the mound at least.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 10, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this

Tonight could have been the turning point. But noooooo, they just had to gag down another one run loss.

UN-FREAKING BELIEVABLE !

Cox ran his team right out of the eighth inning and people wonder why I have given up on the man.

Another quality start gone to waste.

It’s disgraceful ! truly putrid ! Chipper Jones never even showed up.

I’ll sum up this teams performance to date with one word: C-H-O-K-E !

By Robert S

July 10, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this

I was looking at all these factors - the one run losses, the lack of clutch hitting, the Braves making mediocre pitchers look good, the mindless plays, the lack of focus, two near-perfect games in three nights.

I found this little tidbit - the last position player to get a win in a major league game was catcher Brett Mayne of Colorado. He pitched one inning in an extra inning game in 2000, which the Rockies won. He allowed no runs and one hit.

He beat the Braves. This ain’t the first year that the Braves have done some embarrassing things on the field and at the bat. They just managed to turn it into an art form this year.

By Jake

July 10, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this

Well at least we are in a weak division and can still have hope when there should be none. Someone please explain to me the optimism this team had at the beginning of the year about their lineup. We lost Andruw, Edgar, and Diaz(for a while). Yunel has not been bad for his first year, Kotsay was good before he got hurt, but Diaz was struggling a little.

A lot of braves hitters can not do the basics at the plate. Look at a pitch to hit, then swing at a bad pitch. The least they can do is when you get the pitch to hit HIT IT. Pitcher makes a mistake take advantage of it. How many times have other teams did it to us. I mean even as bad as Andruw has struggled he did it. Hudson made a mistake and he got a hit.

By BravesFanChris23

July 10, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this

I know everything seems bleak right now, but truth be told, Braves still have a realistic chance. I believe the All Star break is going to do everyone on the team some good. I don’t think anyone can legitimately say we’re out of it until we’re actually mathematically out of it. Reason being like DOB has said, NL East sucks major right now. The winner of the division will be the team who sucks the less. Each team has gone on a tear and then went on a sucky streak. So, basically Braves have just as good shot as Phillies/Mets/Marlins. The only reason we’re not close as in 1 to 2 or 3 games back is because we’ve had more injuries than the other teams. Yet, Braves are still very much floating around even during the abysmal way they’ve been playing when they have stunk the joint up.

My point is, the complaining and calling it over when Braves have just as realistic chance as others do is ridiculous. Now I am by no means saying Braves are a lock to make it or anything, but the truth of the matter, the way its actually happening, the NL East is up for grabs for all teams except the Nationals. By some odd reason or miracle, they could even come back the way the main four have been playing, but I doubt it, but you get the point. I’m not overly optimistic and I know if Braves don’t make it, it won’t be surprising. However, all of the SSDD moaning and groaning is just as sad the way Braves are playing when they are sucking.

I’m not trying to make it sound like look at the glass half full, but be real for a second, Braves DO have a realistic shot at making a surge and come back, I know it may not seem like they can or will, but the fact is there is a good chance/possibility it can happen. IF by chance they continue the bad play after All Star break and beyond towards August/September, then by all means claim its over, because it definitely would be. However, until that happens, for all sanity please be rational. Because there is seriously a huge gaping lack of it going on.

I for one hope they do turn it around, because I’ll be supporting them win lose or yea, you get the idea.

By LUCAS Land

July 10, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this

This team is weak at the plate. Too many quality pitching performances have been wasted by the Braves this season. Very painful to watch and know what could have been. If the team is 6 out by the all-star break it is time to consider making a move or two for the future.

By BravesFanChris23

July 10, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this

name

Your 12:24am post….

not a chance, even soft hitting Jeff can get lucky and hit a mistake pitch.

You never know. It could definitely be a turn around for Francoeur. Just because you may have lost faith (I’m just saying it by the tone of how it came off when you said it) in him, doesn’t mean it can’t happen. I am by no means saying it will be a turn around either, but you have to admit, while he still has some of the flaws of his slump, past few at bats (yesterday’s game included), he has changed a bit and he’s not as overly wild aggressive as he was prior to the send down.

By Robert S

July 10, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this

“Well at least we are in a weak division and can still have hope when there should be none.”

You know, as horrifying as they have been, that’s a very maddening truth. They can play as badly as they have, and yet, they’re a four game winning streak away from being right in the thick of it.

I’m just not real sure they have the ability to win two in a row right now…….

By Ned

July 10, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this

YESSS…….70 GAMES LEFT UNTIL THIS PIECE OF $#@# 2008 Braves Season END!..This year has to be one of the BIGGEST WASTE of TALENT EVER in the History of the Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves…

By uga-brave

July 10, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this

this team was done after the back to back sweeps by the phillies and the cubs.

i think a lot of you are expecting the braves to go into a phone booth and come out a different team, not going to happen. this is what they are.

scary part is they really have not missed smoltz or glavine.

our inept outfield is the culprit.

By LT-AA Blogger

July 10, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this

A strong bat in left field would do wonders for this team.

Get rid of Corky. I’m sure he’s a nice guy but he sucks.

Norton is relied on way too much. Dude just isn’t very good.

The Braves need a power bat in left field starting the second half. Not at the trade deadline- the first game after the All Star break.

(Providing they don’t get swept by the Padres which could very easily happen. If they’re 7 back going into the All Star break, FW needs to start asking who wants Tex and tell then offer Tex 150 mil for 7 yrs to Tex in the off season.)

By Chop Chop

July 10, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this

Voiceover: I just hope that the Braves hold onto Tex even if they’re likely out of it at the end of July.

You know why?

He makes Braves fans smile.

The Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

Next on Spotlight: Otis Nixon

Otis: “So I said to the dealer, I need me a key, man! Don’t make me tell you again, mutha (expletive deleted) !!!!!! I got my key, man. I Tony Montana’d that (expletive deleted) like that (expletive deleted) was going out of style. I miss those days. Oh, the ‘91 Braves? Yeah. That was fun.”

By kirknga

July 10, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this

With all the gloom and doom, the Braves could very well take 2 of 3 from the Padres and be right where Cox said he and Wren wanted to be at the break.

By brian

July 10, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this

when do you start holding the hitting coach accountable?

By J.D. Phillips

July 10, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this

I made a comment before the season, the Central was the strongest division in the N.L. and got attacked verbally by several punks on this blog. Well punks….. you’ve made my season.

By repo man

July 10, 2008 1:02 AM | Link to this

Mets get a New MGR. Jerry Manuel and Team starts winning. Now only 1 1/2 out. 3 teams all 1 1/2 apart, Braves 6 out…Maybe time for Braves to get New Mgr., maybe past time to get new Mgr.

Hudson pitched great game. 2 bad pitches no run support. Same old story.

DOB great Post on Tex and Boras.I agree 20 million thats it..or trade. If I was GM I would never sign a player with Boras as agent, well if player does like A-Rod and makes his own deal.

Tomorrow is another day—“Hang in there.”

By FaninFaytown

July 10, 2008 1:07 AM | Link to this

we scored a ton yesterday. stop blaming pendleton for inconsistency thats not his fault

By kirknga

July 10, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this

when do you start holding the hitting coach accountable?

You always hold him accountable.

I hold him accountable for the record setting numbers the team has produced since he became the hitting coach.

Do you hold him accountable for the previous seasons or just the past couple of months?

Was it his fault tonight that Chipper couldn’t get a man in from 3rd with less than 2 outs?

By Daybed Wagmoe

July 10, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this

Although there’s still a little over a month before the Braves get to the one-year mark of their last one-run road win, I think it’s very possible they could make it a full calendar year — and more — between one-run road wins.

I keep reading and hearing about the importance of the Braves to trade for an outfield bat, but is Wren going to continue to sit on his hands to make a trade? Will he just wait until Diaz (who hasn’t done much offensively this year anyway) to return and then make a call on whether or not to try a trade? I’d hate to think so, because then it might be too late. DOB, you’ve told us that Randy Winn most likely isn’t an option, but Ryan Freel could be had. When? For what? What is keeping Wren from making a deal?

This year is shaping up to be a big tease for us Braves fans. We’re playing in an inconsistent and weak division which is keeping us in the race, yet we can’t make the steps towards gaining significant ground on the leaders. Our starting pitching looks good for a stretch and our bats do just enough to keep us at .500, then it goes into a dry spell and we lose ballgames early. We play big games against division teams, but can’t capitalize.

Several years ago, when the Braves were still winning division titles yet not drawing any fans for games, I heard people saying that what the Braves need is to have some mediocre years where they fade out for a bit, then return do regain the fans’ interest. Maybe that’s the period we’re going through? Who knows.

By Roman Gal

July 10, 2008 1:13 AM | Link to this

Games like this are just confirmations that the Braves need to be buyers at the deadline. For the most part they get great pitching and defense. It’s not as if they have too many glaring holes to stay competitive. They just need some power. They have a good OBP as a team, they’re just not driving those guys in.

However, finding that player could be difficult and/or costly…

By Chop Chop

July 10, 2008 1:13 AM | Link to this

kirknga,

The Mets, Marlins, and Phils could all win the rest of their games before the break (they each have four left) while the Braves win two out of three from San Diego.

That would put the Braves 7.5 games behind the Phils and 6 games behind both the Mets and Marlins.

We can make numbers do anything.

It’s amazing, ain’t it?

By Shamus Thacker

July 10, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this

If all things even out in the long-run, ain’t it about time our long-run begin?

If Hex doesn’t care if he’s with the Bravos next year, or not, does he care if they win this year, or not? He’s a wonderful role model for young players. His lone passion is greenery in the form of buckskins..

I think Scott Boras [nekkid and super-glued] would be a dandy replacement for heat tiles on the space shuttle. Seeing his complete vaporization on reentry would be most spectacular.

Aloha, from the Hell Hole Formerly Known As Cedartown.

By uga-brave

July 10, 2008 1:19 AM | Link to this

it will take 20 out of 25 run to get them in it and that aint gonna happen.

braves continue to waste quality starts.

there are a lot of players on this team that are just happy being in the show.

oh by the way, in the latest sporting news bobby cox was rated the best manager in the national league. he had double the votes of la russa and pinella who tied for second.

By Roman Gal

July 10, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this

You always hold him accountable. kirknga

Remember, though…baseball is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ sport.

By David O'Brien

July 10, 2008 1:23 AM | Link to this

Well, on a bright note, Tim Hudson said it’s the best his shoulder has felt in five years,the strongest it’s felt.

(Honestly, I didn’t even know he’d had any kind of shoulder discomfort or weakness on any kind of regular basis.)

Two pitchers with sub-.500 records took perfect games into the seventh and eighth innings against the Braves in the same series. Granted, Kuroda is better than his record indicates, and Lowe can be dominant on any given night.

That being said, that’s really rough and rare, twice in three nights not getting a hit or walk through that many innings.

Pass the smelling salts.

By Jake

July 10, 2008 1:25 AM | Link to this

• When do you start holding the hitting coach accountable? *

Well I guess when he picks up a bat and hits himself or when it is proven that he is the one telling them to swing at pitches that are not strikes i.e., balls in their eyes or in the dirt, not to work the count, and never ever make an adjustment. I mean come on people, when do we just start holding these million dollar players accountable for their own shortcomings.

By David O'Brien

July 10, 2008 1:31 AM | Link to this

Random: Thanks, bro. I do appreciate that thorough response to the My Morning Jacket query. Damn, I need you around to help out more often…

Hey, could someone explain to Anders, who obviously isn’t familiar with Braves health issues, that Kotsay had back surgery 16 months ago and just spent five weeks on the DL with a different herniated disc?

Thanks, I’d appreciate it. (See, he didn’t seem to understand why I was questioning the Kotsay failed stolen base, beyond the fact that Kotsay isn’t exactly a big basestealing threat these days).

By Chop Chop

July 10, 2008 1:33 AM | Link to this

uga-brave,

Can you settle a bet for me?

You see, my buddy and I put a couple of gallons of gas on who would be voted “best NL pitcher” in the next Sporting News. I had Maddux; he had Glavine. Which one was it?

(I really can’t afford to lose a couple of bucks to this guy. Gas prices just keep on risin’, you know. I never thought I’d see gas over $1.20, but it is 1995. I guess I have to realize that things are just getting more expensive.)

By David O'Brien

July 10, 2008 1:36 AM | Link to this

DOB, I’m curious as to why we all have this optimismMark

Mark, I don’t know. Give me a moment to peer into your soul and I’ll try to answer that.

(Or was this a rhetorical question?)

By kirknga

July 10, 2008 1:37 AM | Link to this

ChopChop

It’s amazing, but the Braves aren’t 15 games out.

Get to .500 and then take it from there. You’ve got some arms coming back to the rotation and pen. Maybe you pick up a bat.

Remember this is essentially the same team that scored over 800 runs last year and the year before(without Tex).

People act as if the teams ahead of the Braves have played better than they have. I think DOB provided us with the information.

So why we can make the numbers do anything the fact still remains that the Braves haveGAINED ground.

If they have gained ground playing as poorly as they have, it is not impossible that they can play better when they get people healthy and/or make a move.

Either way, we’re going to have to take one game at a time. Too early for predictions.

By David O'Brien

July 10, 2008 1:39 AM | Link to this

FRANCOEUR quotes: “Huddy’s pitched so many games like that, and we haven’t been able to do crap for him. What’s he, 9-7 now? And he could be 11-5, 12-4 easily. For us that’s the frustrating part, he’s pitched so well this year and we can’t give him crap.”

When I asked him about whether it at least felt good personally to get back out there and do a couple of productive things, make the nice throw last night and hit the bomb tonight, he said:

“Yeah, it felt good, felt relaxed to get back in here with my teammates that I’ve been with for so long now. It did feel good, felt good to put a good swing on it like that and give me some confidence.

“More than anything, in these five games I wanted to get back to being myself and getting some confidence, so I could enjoy the All-Star break a little more and then come back for the second half.

“But it just stinks because you see before the game that everyone in the division won except us. You hate when that happens because you know you’ve got to keep up, and we’re not doing a good job.”

By My 2 Cents

July 10, 2008 1:59 AM | Link to this

Shamus - that was funny! LOL! NICE IDEA.

By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)

July 10, 2008 2:00 AM | Link to this

WEELLL — I just got home and have to say that LA’s pitching staff has done a great job this series. Give credit were it’s due.

I also am still laughing about our local “court jester” or “coach” jester, who had the bright idea to post his latest news item about Resop a full day after DOB had already posted that news item.

Excuse me Coach - but no one was talking about it b/c we were DONE talking about it. Maybe you could be useful and tell us where Stockman is?

You are a DE—DE-DEE !!!!

By rupert

July 10, 2008 2:01 AM | Link to this

should we go ahead and tip the hats to peavy in advance? i allready feel bad for jojo and the game is two days away…

By Bops

July 10, 2008 2:11 AM | Link to this

The truth is, that if the Braves are going to compete at all, it wont be with their current roster. The Braves have seemingly done everything possible to make this season over, but the teams ahead of them want to make this a very interesting second half. Yes, 6 games back for most teams would seem like they were very much in the thick of it. But if Frank Wren doesnt do something now, they will continue to fall further back. Its not like they need a total reloading either. They lack another big bat and more consistancy from Francouer and some cluth hitting by other guys. Guys like Norton are being asked way too much right now. He is the type of guy you keep on the bench. The young guys are trying way too hard to contribute and that pressure takes away from their maturing process. Its shouldnt even be a question of whether the Braves are buyers/sellers. They have a good mix of players but that one big bat added to this lineup I truly believe would give this team the jolt they need.

By NO MORE BOBBY

July 10, 2008 2:12 AM | Link to this

How does Terry Pendleton still have a job as our batting coach? Oh I forgot! Its because the Braves front office are a bunch of cowards!!!!!! Until Cox and the other losers are gone it doesnt matter if you bring Babe Ruth back from the dead.

They will screw it up!!!!!

By Coach (I'm a moron 2008)

July 10, 2008 2:22 AM | Link to this

Braves have signed veteran reliever Julian Tavarez. Also reportedley have interest in trading Willy Aybar.

I’m A MORON!

clap-clap, clap-clap-clap

By Steven Hawking

July 10, 2008 2:24 AM | Link to this

Dear Phi Beta Kappas, The Atlanta Braves are 43-49. The New York Mets are 47-44. As much as I DESPISE the Mets and their fan base, if required to make a wager I would say the Mets are going to be better rest of the year BUT even if that being better only translates to them going 37-34 in last 71 that gives them a record of 84-78. NOW I’m sure you all realize that to get to 84-78 OUR 2008 version of the Hitless Wonders must go 41-29 over last 70.

Now personally, I would rather attend Philip Fulmer’s Seminar “Carbohydrates -A Misunderstood Food Group” then be required to place a bet saying Mets are only going 37-34 and I would have similiar feelings about the need to place a bet requiring our “59 Go Go Sox” to go 41-29.

it’s over people—Crunch the numbers, do the math, look at the personnel, the trends, the intangibles—and tell me in your HEAD, not in your silly Heart, that you think the American Legion Post 0/2/0 Braves have a chance in that yawning inferno of winning the East—And REMEMBER— AIN’T NO Wild Card coming out of the East. Ist or Home.

By mets fan in atlanta

July 10, 2008 2:26 AM | Link to this

Carlos Delgado is batting .429 for the month of July now, with a .487 OBP, 5 2B, and 2 HR, and 10 runs scored. And oh yeah, that 2 HR, 9 RBI game was in the last week of June, so don’t think that is skewing the stats.

Point is, if he can keep this up, the Mets are a much different team. I still think they need a corner outfield bat (doesn’t everyone?) because Church and Alou may never come back, and even though Endy Chavez and Fernando Tatis are doing good right now, I don’t think it can last forever.

And yall will be happy to know, Johan Santana is now 8-7, so he is back to being a winning pitcher. So many here declared him a bust a week ago, because he was 7-7. He is known for being a strong second half pitcher, and if he gets any kind of run support like he did tonight…he’ll be really good. I’m sure you heard he had only received 12 runs in his previous 6 starts. I sound like Franceour talking about Tim Hudson.

I said it the other night, and i’ll say it again, the Mets look like a totally different team than they did a few short weeks ago. I don’t know if its the manager or not, but they are playing with a swagger and confidence that they haven’t had in a while. I was at all four games at Turner when the Braves smacked the Mets, and they were just starting to have that black cloud hanging over them. They had no life and no attitude…..I can’t wait to see them come back now, and I have a feeling that when they do, they will be in first.

By uga-brave

July 10, 2008 2:32 AM | Link to this

chop chop,

so if it is 1995 again, why not settle a bet for me.

justice, grissom, and klesko vs. kotsay diaz, and francoeur.

see there are a few on here that were convinced the latter was championship quality.

chop chop it has got to be bobby’s fault that he has to manage that garbage and i mean garbage that frank wren put together.

By Chop Chop

July 10, 2008 2:35 AM | Link to this

With all due respect to the ladies…

Against Kuroda and Lowe, the Braves hit Just Like a Woman.

By uga-brave

July 10, 2008 2:41 AM | Link to this

steven hawking,

best post of the night. i said last night pretty much the same thing. in order to win 88 games and i think that will be the magic number the braves would have to go 45-25.

better light that press box on fire.

By Why do Mutt's fans post here?

July 10, 2008 2:46 AM | Link to this

Carlos Delgado is an elderly, lazy old man who has roughly the same range as Ken Caminiti at first base. He can’t get around on a 90+ fastball. He is the gutless “leader” of a Mutts team that has already proven that, under the pressure of a pennant race, they will fold like a group of distraught little girls. Santana is officially in decline. Reyes is an oversized latin infant. We know what the Mutts are.

By uga-brave

July 10, 2008 2:55 AM | Link to this

coach,

you must be referencing your career or lack of one.

By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)

July 10, 2008 2:58 AM | Link to this

Spoken like a true Ga Tech fan — Coach.

Now THAT explains a lot about you.

hahahahahaha

By Chop Chop

July 10, 2008 3:05 AM | Link to this

uga-brave,

This is the first pro sports team I’m a fan of that is going through a decline from its “glory days”. The Falcons, Hawks, and Thrashers haven’t really had true “glory days” where world titles seemed possible for several seasons. However, Lord knows I’ve watched enough sports in my life to know what it must be like. The replacements get hyped up by the organization and the fans eat it up. When the players don’t pan out (or win) like the guys who got it done on a consistent basis, it’s a damn hard pill for a lot of fans to swallow. The expectations are still high among most Braves fans. We’ve been spoiled, but this is the third straight year where we’re being let down. Therefore, I expect Wren to try to make all kinds of big splashes this offseason in a desperate attempt to get this team back in the postseason, especially if it is truly going to be Bobby’s last year. He has to do something to try to keep putting butts in the seats next year. Otherwise, fickle Atlanta fans will show up even less in ‘09.

As for settling your bet…

The Braves spent $10.34 million on the ones from ‘95.

They’re spending, uh, not so much on the ones from ‘08.

In this case, money talks.

By Coach (I'm a moron 2008)

July 10, 2008 3:05 AM | Link to this

In 1985, Bobby Cox passed on a trade for George Brett. In 1981, Bobby Cox failed to trade for Robin Yount. In 1990, Bobby Cox turned down a trade for Manny Ramirez.

This just in, Mike Hampton is on a rehab assignment for a strained pectoral muscle. Bobby’s fault.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 10, 2008 3:07 AM | Link to this

Speaking of crunching numbers, the Braves are 43-49 with 44 quality starts. THAT IS MIND BLOWING ! How the the hell does any baseball team end up with more quality starts than wins? Especially considering the current team ERA of 3.74

Even more horrific, the current rotation is 25-24 with an ERA of 3.64 and 36 quality starts. Yes Sir, you heard me right, 25 wins and 36 quality starts !

Don’t go blaming the bullpen, they are 11-15 with an ERA of 3.28. However, the Braves have a major league worst 13 saves to their credit.

Is it the injury bug ? NO, it’s the offense or more specifically the manager who doesn’t know how to create any. I have said it over and over, Cox lives for the three run bomb. The man simply does not know how to play small ball, the Braves 5-22 record in one run games is ample evidence of that fact.

The Braves could trade for a Jason Bay or some other slugger and it would not make one hill of beans difference because Cox does not know how to manage aggressively with runners on base.

Small ball staples such as the double steal, hit and run, sac fly, suicide squeeze, bunting the runner to third with less than two outs. all these little things that the Braves don’t use nearly enough and it adds up to 5-22 in one run games.

Cox is the problem, the man cannot win without lights out Hall of Fame pitching, superior defense, the long ball and a slam the door shut closer. HE CAN’T. The Man is the most O-V-E-R-R-A-T-E-D manager in Major League History and until upper management wakes up to the reality of it, this team has no chance.

By mets fan in atlanta

July 10, 2008 3:13 AM | Link to this

So you must think David Wright is actually a good player, and Carlos Beltran is awesome, since you didn’t tear them down. Here’s my question:

If that’s what you have to say about the Mets, can you describe the current state of the Braves to me?

And since i live here and i like reading the newspaper online, i wandered over here one day last season and have been here ever since. Is that okay with you?

By Quack Quack

July 10, 2008 3:16 AM | Link to this

Bay would be my pick as well, but heard the Pirates insisted on Charlie Morton being part of any deal involving themP-Town

why would that bother anybody? the odds are with his history that he’s not going to be all that special. I’d include him in a heartbeat, we have other prospects.

By Bravo Nam

July 10, 2008 3:34 AM | Link to this

Some perspective

I’ve praised and criticised my beloved Bravos over the course of the year, but I need to keep reminding myself (and most bloggers on this site) that the Bravos have done a remarkable job only being 6 games back from Philly given all their injuries and lack of continuity in team line-up…none of the other teams in our division would’ve coped as well as the Bravos have if faced with similar injury woes.

The other thing to note is that apart from Chipper, not one of our hitters has gone on a tear for an extended period of time, unlike our division rivals…in the second half of the season that WILL balance out.

We’re soon to get back a number of players…and with a trade for one good bat…we’re right in there…the Braves have a history of hot second halves, and if this second half slows on the injury front, we could see the Braves back in this thing quicker than we think…put a fork in BC and the Bravos at your peril.

By Quack Quack

July 10, 2008 3:47 AM | Link to this

which would be a Holliday trade at the deadline.

Worse case scenario you have a legitimate starting LF who can hit HRs and steps up in big spots for 1.3 yrs. Cooper

away from Coors Holliday is not worth anywhere near 13.5 million dollars. NO!

By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)

July 10, 2008 3:49 AM | Link to this

That’s hilarious, I haven’t posted anything other than the 2-3 with my name on them.

The only person calling names is you Coach. The only person who is infantile is you Coach. The only person who waits till 3 in the morning to post his diatribe of insults and show his total absence of “cooth” is you Coach.

If you really think I have made post under other names than contact the ajc and make a complaint citing the specific post and they will see that the ip address is not mine.

You just have a whole lot of people that don’t like you dude, that’s all. What do you expect with the way you act (or post).

By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)

July 10, 2008 4:10 AM | Link to this

SERIOUSLY

Coach — are you on some type of medication?? It would explain the wild shifts in your logic.

I’m just at a loss to understand how you think that you can post here with basically nothing but insults for the teams and the other bloggers and expect to be LIKED.

By insulting the manager,the front office, anybody who points out your obvious flaws in logic, and then to start attacking the Dawgs — here in the heart of Dawg country — and think that it somehow makes you a big man or something is just downright funny !!! SAD but FUNNY !!!

By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)

July 10, 2008 4:10 AM | Link to this

SERIOUSLY

Coach — are you on some type of medication?? It would explain the wild shifts in your logic.

I’m just at a loss to understand how you think that you can post here with basically nothing but insults for the teams and the other bloggers and expect to be LIKED.

By insulting the manager,the front office, anybody who points out your obvious flaws in logic, and then to start attacking the Dawgs — here in the heart of Dawg country — and think that it somehow makes you a big man or something is just downright funny !!! SAD but FUNNY !!!

By bravos2249

July 10, 2008 4:14 AM | Link to this

**Coach”“

the Major League worst in saves is kinda irrelevant because the Braves have only had 23 save opp.

ATL only has 10 BS which is T-3rd in the league…T-5th in Majors…so though they don’t have that many they haven’t blown that many either.

Yes 13 and 10 don’t sound good but the last blown save for us was June 19th…and really is giving up a run in the 6th a blown save…and only 4 of those are after leading after 8 innings

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 10, 2008 4:53 AM | Link to this

Hey captain punk, eat me already. I really don’t give a damn what you think, you can go straight to hell for all I care.

Bulldog =LOSER !

Bouncer , can’t hold down a real job !

No life whatsoever !

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 10, 2008 5:06 AM | Link to this

Bravos2249, I disagree. The 13 saves is relevant because the Braves can’t get to the eighth and ninth inning with a lead. The reason being, they cannot score enough runs. It really is that simple.

In 2006 the Braves averaged 5.24 runs per game.Last season they averaged 5.00. So far in 2008 it’s down to 4.45 per game. When the Braves don’t score, they don’t win, much less pick up the save.

By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)

July 10, 2008 5:12 AM | Link to this

Funny stuff from a DE — DE DEEE !!

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 10, 2008 5:18 AM | Link to this

Hey Bulldog boy, think quick ! how many championships has Mark Richt won in Athens?

That would be Z-E-R-O. O sure, he’s a real nice guy and all. But, we all know how nice guys finish. Second best !

By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)

July 10, 2008 5:18 AM | Link to this

Holy STATS — Batman !!!

When the Braves don’t “score” -they don’t WIN !!

Amazing, but isn’t that true for every team??

This just in, Chris Resop likes SUSHI !! Did you know that too Coach??

By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)

July 10, 2008 5:32 AM | Link to this

Oh really ?? Richt has never won an SEC title??

Are you sure about that? I bet you your collection of little Dairy Queen batting helmets that your wrong.

You know you got’em too, gotta take those kids to DQ whether they win or not.

So basically you just have a problem with anybody who also has the title Coach…. I bet you even hate Hayden Fox !!!! Although I do see you as being the spitting image of Luther.Van Dam.

That would explain more of your lack of “smarts”.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 10, 2008 5:41 AM | Link to this

Question: how do you bait a bulldog fan?

Answer: Tie a doggy bone to the bumper and drive away !

By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)

July 10, 2008 5:45 AM | Link to this

And while your trying to ignore the truth, UGA is about more than football, for instance:

Gymdogs — FOUR straight National Titles Mens Tennis — TWO straight National Titles Mens BB — Won the SEC tournament (that was a good one) Mens Baseball — 2 WS trips in last 3 yrs and just played in the Championship Game, which was won by — The Bulldogs ( Fresno State - but still Dawgs !!)

Oh yeah - and al the SEC titles and Bowl game victories that Mark and the football team have brought since he came to the school.

Here’s an excerpt from Wiki: The University of Georgia varsity athletic teams participate in the NCAA’s Division I-A as a member of the Southeastern Conference. Since the 1997-1998 season, UGA has seven top ten rankings in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Director’s Cup, a numerical ranking based on the success of universities in all varsity sports.[3] The University has won national championships in football, women’s gymnastics, baseball, tennis (men’s and women’s), golf (men’s and women’s), women’s swimming and diving, and women’s equestrian. The Gym Dogs, the University’s women’s gymnastics team, are the current defending NCAA champions (having placed first in the 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 seasons).

I know that this is a huge blow to your ego — you know, the fact that your just plain wrong — but then again not everyone can be as smart as a Fifth Grader.

We now resume your regular scheduled program - Laughing at Coach !!!

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 10, 2008 5:49 AM | Link to this

Hey, are we gonna trade stupid insults all night or what?

It’s getting boooooorrrrrrrriiinnnnnggggggg !

By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)

July 10, 2008 6:00 AM | Link to this

Go back and read the blog Coach — your the only one who is using moronic and stupid insults.

I’m just laughing my a$$ off over here at the stuff you call knowledge. And learn some better jokes - that last one didn’t even make sense.

Maybe Dauber could help you out.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 10, 2008 6:03 AM | Link to this

Yea, I know all about the quality of athletes at the University of Georgia. The kind that can’t stay out of jail, finish school, stay sober or even go to class. The football team resembles a criminal gang due to all the arrests, DUI’s, drugs, fights and overall lawlessness that has enveloped the team under the watchful eye of Mark Richt.

Yes sir, thats a real classy football team for sure !

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 10, 2008 6:25 AM | Link to this

Did I mention Jim Harrick? who is probably the worst crook who ever coached at Georgia. Hell, nobody can even keep up with all the thugs who attend school at Georgia anymore. That football program is headed for more scandal and probation is only a matter of time.

By SNIPER-69

July 10, 2008 6:51 AM | Link to this

I said about a month ago that the keys to the Mets were Delgado and Heilman. Don’t look now but both are playing better and what a surprise, The Mets are 7-3 in their last 10 games. They’re 1.5 games out of first. Meanwhile the Dodgers take perfect games against the braves into the 7th inning in two of the last three games.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 10, 2008 7:08 AM | Link to this

Speaking of crunching numbers, the Braves are 43-49 with 44 quality starts. THAT IS MIND BLOWING ! How the the hell does any baseball team end up with more quality starts than wins? Especially considering the current team ERA of 3.74

Even more horrific, the current rotation is 25-24 with an ERA of 3.64 and 36 quality starts. Yes Sir, you heard me right, 25 wins and 36 quality starts !

Don’t go blaming the bullpen, they are 11-15 with an ERA of 3.28. However, the Braves have a major league worst 13 saves to their credit.

Is it the injury bug ? NO, it’s the offense or more specifically the manager who doesn’t know how to create any. I have said it over and over, Cox lives for the three run bomb. The man simply does not know how to play small ball, the Braves 5-22 record in one run games is ample evidence of that fact.

The Braves could trade for a Jason Bay or some other slugger and it would not make one hill of beans difference because Cox does not know how to manage aggressively with runners on base.

Small ball staples such as the double steal, hit and run, sac fly, suicide squeeze, bunting the runner to third with less than two outs. all these little things that the Braves don’t use nearly enough and it adds up to 5-22 in one run games.

Cox is the problem, the man cannot win without lights out Hall of Fame pitching, superior defense, the long ball and a slam the door shut closer. HE CAN’T. The Man is the most O-V-E-R-R-A-T-E-D manager in Major League History and until upper management wakes up to the reality of it, this team has no chance.

By Efrim

July 10, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this

Anders

Mets are playing better, but I still don’t think they have “turned the corner” like Keith Hernandez does. They obviously play the Phillies well though, and that will help them in the second half, obviously. It’ll be a tight race, but I think the Phillies will get it going once they end this brutal stretch(ends against Arizona this weekend).

As for the Braves, a very talented team that has just been the most unfortunate bunch in baseball this season. Worst one run record, most DL days, etc. Sometimes it just isn’t your year.

By Bill

July 10, 2008 7:14 AM | Link to this

One day they can score 10 runs, next day, it’s one and done. This is one of the worst hitting teams I have ever seen. The pitching has been good all season. I like TP but I’m beginning to question him. If we think this team has chance to get to playoff’s, we are kidding ourself. I think it’s time to shake this team up. If they are worried about the fans, I think they would be stunned about the thinking of the fans. This team is dull. I would like to see an exciting team that can grow. I had rather suffer with younger team than put up with this crap. If the Ray’s can create excitement with a young team, why can’t the Braves?

By Efrim

July 10, 2008 7:15 AM | Link to this

The Braves have lost by one run in seven of Hudson’s starts.

By Random

July 10, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this

You’re welcome, [DOB}(http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/braves/entries/2008/07/09/texandhollida.html#comment-91226003), it’s the least I could do.

See, I’m affable, easy-going and I mean well (usually).

By Will

July 10, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this

This team is so frustrating. I cant remember the last time i saw a team having a perfect game thrown at them in the late innings twice in 3 days! Every time they have a offensive breakout in a game all the clubhouse BS starts up again about how that is gonna get them going blah blah blah. I think its time for me to quit calling this team a .500 team and change it to sub-.500 team! Please Frank Wren get what you can for Tex and do not make any “we are a contender” trades.

By Slackers

July 10, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this

The Braves have lost by one run in seven of Hudson’s starts.Efrim

we that sumb1tch is just a choke artist ain’t he? Iffen he’d dun justa lil’ bit better, we’d be in first. Combine that with Chipper not scoring enough runs all year for the number of times he’s been on base and theres the problems right there. If we can just get them two slackers to put out some effort we’ll be all set!

By Al Franken

July 10, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

See, I’m affable, easy-going and I mean well (usually).

Random is playing Stuart Smalley now?

By Stephen Frazier

July 10, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

OK, call me crazy, but $20 mil for Teixeira? Is this guy REALLY worth 80% of A-Rod? No way! I love Tex, but he’s a good 90% chipper Jones at best. What’s Chipper getting? The Braves should trade Mark for Kevin Youkilis of Boston. Straight up.

What the Braves REALLY need is a new offensive plan. More speed on the basepaths, more patience and bat control in the top three in the batting order, and more play action guidance from the dugout.

I have really been in denial on the batting coach, but the way Braves hitters seem to make the same mistakes day after day, especially in the clutch leads me to believe either Terry Pendelton is not doing good job or these guys, like David Justice, Andrew Jone and Ron Gant before, just don’t want to listen. In either case, TP shoud go. Maybe then it wouldn’t be so many guys striking out on pitches that bounce a foot in front of the plate.

Finally, is it just me, or does it appear that Gregor Blanco is afraid of hitting the centerfield wall? So many balls that Andruw Jones would have caught around his knees are bouncing on the track or the base of the wall. Blanco seems to do much better in left, but would do better in center if he played ten feet deeper. I love him at leadoff, but he needs a lot of work as a centerfielder.

I know no one can adequately imitate Andruw Jones in center, but one thing the Braves DON’T need is a platoon in center. Either teach Blanco how to do it right or platoon him in left. I’d prefer he played everyday and leadoff, but Matt Diaz is a hitting fool and can play left well enough to get lots of playing time.

I wonder if Kevin Youkilis can play outfield?

By GaBassDawg

July 10, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

Forget about trades and just reassign Terry Pendleton and get a real hitting coach. No hits in the first four innings of each game in an entire series, with only 3 combined hits in two of those. Having to send one of your better young kids down to AA to get help with hitting…isn’t that what a hitting coach is supposed to do??? When the whole team is in a slump and stays in a slump, something needs to change!!

By Ben

July 10, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this

I fully expected to see an article this morning from Bradley or Moore that Francouer’s homer could be the moment this whole season turned around.

By Will

July 10, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Ben, Its early in the day. Bradley usually posts his propaganda a few hours fron now.

By Acorn(Jeff Francoeur is the worst Right Fielder in the National League)

July 10, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

“Francoeur’s homer not enough” is the headline. Why is that important? Who gives a s** about him, this offense is scoring like 4.3 runs per game. Fire Terry Pendelton.

By Random

July 10, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

Ha, ha, Al Franken.

You know, I remember when you used to actually be funny. (Or was that Davis?)

Those were the days, huh?

By Mark

July 10, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

Dave,

I usually don't read the posts, just your blog, so not sure if this has been brought up by anyone else, but here is some food for thought.  Braves need outfield power badly.  There is one guy, the *homerun king* available in Barry "my head is the biggest in the world" Bonds.  Personality and Hateability aside, plug him in the 3 hole in front of Chipper, Tex, and McCann, and suddenly those guys are batting with a guy on base A LOT more.  I know a righty is preferable, but beggers can't be choosers.  Ultimately, I don't think I like it b/c it is equivalent to lying in bed with the devil.  Karma would rear it's ugly head eventually. With that said, would the Braves ever consider such a move?

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

To those who think Pendleton is the culprit for the team’s offensive issues: Besides Francoeur, is any player having a significantly worse year offensively than we would have expected? Maybe Diaz, but he was a risk as an everyday player against righties to begin with. Teixeira is a little off but not by all that much.

And if Pendleton was the problem, why wouldn’t it show up in their approach? They are third in on-base, third in average, third in walks, third in hits. This is not an undisciplined team overall.

By Random

July 10, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

I’m sorry to tell you this Acorn, but they ain’t no mighty oak gonna grow from you.

Shaun — I totally agree with you (and others) about TP.

By Random

July 10, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

Is Kyle Busch the new Tiger Woods???????

By Lew

July 10, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

All I know is that a double steal is virtually impossible when you only have one base runner in a game. Yep, the failure to play small ball is killing us. Can’t move up runners if they aren’t on base to begin with.

By the Goob

July 10, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this

This Braves team is absolutely pathetic. If you’re a pitcher that throws a sinker, you can no-hit this sorry lineup. We combine for 3 hits in two games? That’s inexcusable!

When we starte dtrimming payroll a few years back, everyone thought, “man, we’re going to become a middle-tier team…” Well, guess what folks? We’re a middle tier team! It would not surprise me one bit to finish 4th in the East this year. We SUCK and it’s painful to watch.

By Jeff321

July 10, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

yeah Jeff321, it was stupid to walk an All-Star catcher to get to a .166 hitter who nine times out of ten is going to either K or roll over a grounder to short…terrible strategy right…its baseball, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt

Agreed. However, it looks like that decision is the difference in the game. How many games we back now? Ah.

Jeff321, you are an idiot. why would you face a .300 hitter when you can face a .170 hitter? It is what any manager in his right mind does. Things don’t always go as planned. Martin might have hit a two run homer.

Oh right, HOF managers like to play the percentages, eh? Well, looks to me like we’re 6GB. So, how’s that working out?

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009), the problem is clearly a lack of “big ball.” (A lack of power, particularly from the outfield.)

By TURTSNAP

July 10, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

I see more “Mets Happy Juice” has been passed around the blog during the morning hours. Just love those Mets fans, getting all psyched again, only to be let down in September. When will they ever learn?

By Will

July 10, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

At this point i dont think there is really one particular person to blame. When teams have these kind of injuries, an absolute lack of clutch hitting up and down the lineup, an inability to win close games and a manager who needs to hang it up you are going to be a bad baseball team.

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

All I know is that a double steal is virtually impossible when you only have one base runner in a game. Yep, the failure to play small ball is killing us. Can’t move up runners if they aren’t on base to begin with.

Again, they are third in on-base, third in average, third in hits. It’s power that’s hurting this team.

You can talk about small ball all you want, but bunts, etc. only moves runners up one base at a time and often costs the team outs in the process. I’m not against small ball if it’s used in appropriate situations but you can’t do enough advancement of runners without some power from more than two or three players, particularly without power from corner outfielders.

By gayle

July 10, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

DOB, just in case you’re back from riding yoru Harley on the PCH, here is today’s math reality check.

The NL East stinks - only surpassed by the NL West. As bad as it is, it will still take at least 85 wins to take the division - forget about the wild card, that is going to the Brewers or Cubs.

At 43-49, the Braves will have to go 42-28 for the balance of the season - that is .600 baseball.

For a team that can’t even stay above .500 that is a pretty tall order.

The only teams with .600 or better records are the Cubs, Angels and Rays. The Braves are not even close to any of those teams.

Now back to your hog, DOB.

By Supes

July 10, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

Being a Braves fan in 2008 = Beyond frustrating!

The one run jinx continues = I know people give reasons, etc but in the end of the day how much of it is luck? Baseball is a game of inches, so an inch there, here, and let’s say 1/3 of those one run loses are “bad luck”, or “breaks go against you”…Braves would be in 1st place right now if they had won those 1/3 one run “luck games” that they seem to lose.

Huddy pitched awesome…except for the pitch to Kemp (that one just dropped nicely right in his wheelhouse) and 0-2 pitch to A.Jones. It’s too bad, all he had to do was throw it in the dirt low and away, and K-Druw would have just swung anyways.

Braves weren’t nearly as patient with D.Lowe last night, but he also made some really good pitches to the middle of the lineup.

Chipper’s had 3 uncharacteristically bad games in a row, with a lot of K’s but if anyone Braves player has earned a free pass for a few bad games it’s Chipper. Still, I think it’s fair to say the run scoring opportunity with 1 out was huge at that time, b/c TEX nearly hit one out that would have surely scored Blanco from 3B.

Small sign of progress, Jeff actually has an RBI. I can’t even remember the last time he had an RBI in a big league game…over 2 weeks?

When this trip started I posted that the Braves will have a 3-3 record, but need to go 5-1…wll they may actually have a hard time going 3-3 unless they can pick it up against the Pads.

Jake Peavy awaits on friday!

By Daybed Wagmoe

July 10, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

Bill Shanks stopped by Athens’ radio station 960 The Ref for a phone interview this morning, and it’s available on a podcast. You can listen to it by clicking here.

By Don

July 10, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

Anyone want to explain this situation?

Is it a bad lineup performing badly or a good lineup performing badly?

Are some of the young cornerstones of the team (McCann, Francouer, Johnson, Escobar) overrated or are they good players not playing well?

By brent a.

July 10, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

Last night: Another example of how good a team we are.

7 innings w/out a baseruunner

2 baserunners for the game

stranding a runner on 3rd with one out, and our 3 & 4 hitters up.

another 1 run loss.

Bobby Cox must be very proud.

By McFann Ô

July 10, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

Well, at least Kemp returned the favor when he was caught stealing. Good play by McCann.

Huh…How did ol’ “Noodle Arm” pull that off?

Wow. Another almost-no-hitter. Nice.

Guess what? We go out this morning, and low and behold! My Turtle’s sitting there in the garden, all cleaned up from the rain.

By brent a.

July 10, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

Last night: Another example of how good a team we are.

7 innings w/out a baseruunner

3 baserunners for the game

stranding a runner on 3rd with one out, and our 3 & 4 hitters up.

another 1 run loss.

Bobby Cox must be very proud.

By Lew

July 10, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

Shaun-Dude, you missed my point. I was referencing a certain overnight poster who swears we lose because of our inability to play small ball and double steal.

I agree, we need hitting-power and otherwise. All the small ball is a moot point if no one is on base.

Sarcasm Dude, sarcasm. I was being a smart @$$.

By JOHNNY HARRIS

July 10, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

MR. OBRIEN…PLS INCLUDE TEX’S BATTING AVG. WHEN HITTING RIGHT HANDED..YOU GAVE ALL THE OTHER STATS ON HIM…DID YOU FORGET OR DID YOU DO IT ON PURPOSE TO MAKE HIM LOOK BETTER????

By Coach (Lets Go Braves IN 2009)

July 10, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

Bill James Pythagorean winning percentage based on runs scored versus runs given up suggests that the Braves record should be 49-43.

Instead, the Braves are 43-49. Those six little games of disparity are due to the direct struggles of the offense.

Example:

The Braves have the worst road record in the major leagues at 13-31.

they are 5-22 in one run games. That is a winning percentage of .185 which is historically the worst in baseball since the 1935 Boston Braves.

Atlanta is dead last in saves at 13, out of all 30 major league teams.

The Braves are 2-7 in extra innings.

Every time the Braves lose another one run game on the road they set a new major league record for futility which is currently at 17. Atlanta has not won a one run game on the road this season.

The Braves 31 stolen bases rank 27th out of all 30 teams.

They have 43 wins and 44 quality starts which is truly astounding when taking into account all of the percentages involved. The relationship between quality starts and wins suggests that any given team should win the same amount as the number of quality starts and then some. Ergo , more wins than quality starts.

By HAL 9000

July 10, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

Sarcasm Dude, sarcasm. I was being a smart @$$.

Is sarcasm one of those human things? That doesn’t compute for Shaun and HAL 9000.

By geauxbraves2000

July 10, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

At the begginning of the year we all knew that Tampa Bay would have the best record in the majors a few days before the break, & the NL Central would be the strongest division in the NL didn’t we? No?

Man I love this game!

Geaux Braves!!

By PMC

July 10, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

I’m inclined to agree DOB.

Tex hasn’t been brilliant this year yet but he is good on defense and a solid everyday player in the lineup. They need outfielders but they are all too expensive at this point the ones worth having anyway. Make Tex a fair offer and if you lose him you end up with two first rounders in compensation. Wren hit it out of the park with the Renteria trade. The Braves just aren’t hitting well enough at all this year and with so many players out they aren’t going anywhere. I’m not upset if they don’t make big moves in by the trading deadline, but given the propensity of Mike Gonzalez and Soriano to be on the DL If they find a good trading partner for them to get maybe a healthy prospect that can be molded into a closer or a solid outfielder with some pop even a prospective starter…. I think they have to make that move. They made a run at it and it didn’t work out. I love the Tex/Mahay trade because they wen’t for it. If they can manage to afford Tex. They have to keep him. He’s a big reason Chipper is seeing the pitches he is.

By Lew

July 10, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

JOHNNY HARRIS-Did you forget to disengage the caps lock or did you think it looks better like that?

Shaun-That’s more sarcasm.

By Efrim

July 10, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

Braves are 17-28 over their last 45 games.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves IN 2009)

July 10, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Hey Shaun, why don’t you and Lew explain to me in graphic mathematic detail how the hell the Minnesota Twins have hit 27 fewer HR’s than the Braves (62 to 89) and yet they have scored 41 more runs and driven in 39 more RBI. The Twins have 255 extra base hits compared to the Braves 268. Atlanta is slugging .411, the Twins .408 And of course, the Twins are 50-41, the Braves 43-49

Their team era is 4.35 compared to the Braves 3.74.

And yes, I already know the answer to my own question. I’ll just let the two of you stew over it in confusion.

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

Those six little games of disparity are due to the direct struggles of the offense.

Their actual record may be better with a better offense. But also if their offense was better, they would have scored more runs so their Pythagorean record would be better as well.

That disparity may not be directly due to offense. That disparity is due to one-run losses.

In 11 of their 27 one-run games, they’ve actually scored 4 or more runs. In 7 of their 27 one-run games they scored more than five or more runs.

They are 4-7 in one-run games in which they score 4 or more runs. So, while an ordinary offense certainly seems to be a factor in the one-run losses, it’s not the only factor.

By McFann Ô

July 10, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

Don Are some of the young cornerstones of the team (McCann, Francouer, Johnson, Escobar) overrated or are they good players not playing well?

Dude, I think McCann (3x All-Star), Johnson, and Escobar are playing pretty well.

By ncscoots

July 10, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Shaun, it’s true that missing corner OF production would be the logical place to put blame. But I’m guessing the team was willing to go into the season with a question mark in LF (though KC promised that Diaz would hit 20 dingers playing every day, and I took him at his word, LOL), because they expected 60+ HR and .450+ SLG from the middle of the field (C, SS, 2B). But Escobar has been banged up, and hasn’t really shown the power of which he is capable.

Braves might have been able to withstand that had Francoeur produced at norms and/or Teixeira slugged more RH, but pile the power underperformance of all three together as righties? Just nowhere left to go for more power production.

On the other hand, if all three start hangin’ and bangin’ in the second half, nobody will need to cry about whatever scrub is in LF or want to give up first-borns for the likes of Xavier Nady.

Lots of people here speak up about the OF production (though only a few were cautionary in March), but plus offense from 2B, SS, and C would (or should) make up for a lot of that.

By Rush

July 10, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

The level of frustration is certainly high around here.

Can anyone speak to the ownership of the team? I remember reading that this years budget was going to increase by several million dollars, but I dont think I have seen any players signed to reflect that.

I am ready to go back to the days of Ted. Is someone out there looking at the team who will spend the money needed to build a winner? Blank maybe?

Seriously, wouldnt it be more fun to be able to talk about resigning Tex AND going out and getting Holiday.

I know, wish in one hand, poop in the other, see which one gets full first.

Its fun to think about the Glory days though.

By Lew

July 10, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

That’s all right Coach (I’m A DBag and Don’t Realize It)-I’ll just leave you to Captain Caveman. No sense in two Dawgs making you look like the moron you are. If you don’t realize you can’t double steal when you have one baserunner in an entire game, then nothing I say to you will make a damn bit of sense to you.

Seems to me we did a hit and run last night moving a runner to third. Without a hit to drive him in, that small ball didn’t amount to sh!t, did it?

By Bravissimo

July 10, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

On the Braves chances of signing Texeira. We know he wants to play for a solid organization since he would not sign a long term contract with Texas. The Braves are OK on that count. But we also know he expects to make mega-bucks since he selected Scott Boras as his agent. There the Braves don’t have a prayer. He’ll be playing next season in New York, Boston or Los Angeles. If by the off chance the Braves did sign him no need to worry about him making more than Chipper. Chipper plays for the Braves because he chooses to. He said it himself, “I’ve made my money.” He and Smoltz could have made more money elsewhere but they can afford to play where they want to and they choose to remain loyal to the team that nurtured them. You gotta respect that.

By Efrim

July 10, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

Are some of the young cornerstones of the team (McCann, Francouer, Johnson, Escobar) overrated or are they good players not playing well?

If anything, McCann is underrated. Francoeur is overrated. Escobar has been what I have expected, although I thought he would hit for more power. Same with Johnson. I believe Kelly has 4 home runs in the last 10 weeks. I was expecting 420 SLG from Escobar and 470 SLG from Johnson.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves IN 2009)

July 10, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

Shuan, you cannot pick and choose which games you wish to exhibit whether it be games where four runs are scored or one run is scored. Cherry picking solves nothing. A run loss is a one run loss no matter the score and the Braves are 5-22 in that department.

Of course, I could use the same nonsense and say that the Braves are 0-11 in one run games where they scored 4 or fewer runs.

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

Coach, easy. The Twins are hitting very well with runners in scoring position (best OPS in the league with RISP). Let’s see what they do through 162 games. My guess is they won’t finish the season at 8th in overall OPS and third in runs. Those rankings will become closer as the season progresses.

By brian

July 10, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

from the farm….

Rohrbaugh pitched 5 innings last night for Rome with the only damage being a 2 run HR by Marlin #1 pick of 2007. Freeman hit a homerun as did Cody Johnson (who went 3-4). Bullpen blew the game. Heyward did play and DH’d going 1 for 4

By David O'Brien

July 10, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

“Francoeur’s homer not enough” is the headline. Why is that important?Acorn

Umm, because it wasn’t enough for the Braves to win? That’d be my guess.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves IN 2009)

July 10, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

Shaun and Lew, read it and weep.

http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/210476

I’m right and I know I’m right.

By Hit, Chipper, Hit!

July 10, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

Yikes. Another appearance by Cy Young for the Dodgers. Funny how we got him 3 nights in a row.

Good on Frenchy for saving the shut out, at least.

DOB, if you happen to see Mr. Kotsay anywhere near Petco Park could you please have him arrested or something?

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

ncscoots, I agree with you about Diaz. I too thought he could handle playing everyday against righties and lefties. And maybe he can. It wouldn’t be the first time a good hitter looked bad over 42 games.

Escobar has never really been a power hitter.

I think you are right. They were counting on Diaz to obviously be healthy and productive and for Francoeur to be much better than he has. The Braves get what they were expecting from just those two, maybe the season looks dramatically different.

By LT-AA Blogger

July 10, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

To me, it’s this season is so frustrating because it seems that one single hole (mainly left field) has kept the team from being in the race. Though, Franceour’s epic slump hasn’t helped the situation as well. I still think Franceour will turn it around and have at least an average 2nd half.

Last year, it was the clean up spot. The year before, it was the closer spot.

I keep thinking if we would have any production from left field- anything. The disparity in 1 run losses wouldn’t be nearly as great.

Unfortunately, I think it might be too late to salvage the season. To have any chance at all, the Braves would have to have a new left fielder going into the stretch immediately after the All Star break. Gotta get Norton out of the line up so much- let him do what he can do and pinch hit.

Also, I’m still convinced that Corky Miller is an anti-rabbits foot (more of a chicken claw). Call me superstitous- I think he’s a total jinx. Call up Sammons- what are they trying to develop anyways in him- they’ve got McCann. Sammons gonna take McCann’s position- I think not.

By Lew

July 10, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

Coach ( I’m an incredible Blowhard With Little Clue To The True State of Anything)-You act as if our record this year is a direct result of a lack of stolen bases, missed bunts and failure to hit and run. What you seem to forget is

1. that we have more blown saves than saves (probably because our primary set up man and our closers have been out the ENTIRE season).

2.We have a third baseman who missed considerable time due to injuries (not to denigrate You Kno Who-who gives it his all and plays in pain).

3.We have missed our offensive juggernaut of a shortstop due to injuries.

4.Our .330 hitting left fielder laid an egg and then got hurt.

5.Our right fielder who the last three years was the best two out RISP run producer in baseball (including Pujols) has been mired in a slump of Bibilical proportions.

6.Due to injuries, we have made regular players of Greg Norton, Omar Infante and Ruben Gotay.

7.We have been not only damn near no hit twice this week, but almost had perfect games thrown against us.

8.Etc., etc.

It surprises me not in the least that you would have such a simplistic view of our problems - I.E.-Bobby Cox sucks and we can’t bunt or run- but then again, simple minds tend to think simplistically. That’s you in a nutshell-Simple Mind.

By David O'Brien

July 10, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

JOHNNY HARRIS, I DIDN’T INCLUDE HIS RIGHTY-LEFTY STATS, OR HIS LATE-AND-CLOSE NUMBERS, OR RISP NUMBERS, ETC., BECAUSE I WAS ONLY MAKING A POINT ABOUT HOME/ROAD VIS-A-VIS TEX VS. HOLLIDAY. ALSO, TRYING TO KEEP IT BASIC FOR THOSE WHO USE ALL CAPS.

By Suggested Hed

July 10, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

“Braves batters Lowe’s b!tches” would have been the most accurate headline.

By Crazy Stats Katz

July 10, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Reading this morning’s posts, I’m guessing Cooch didn’t have much luck finding the woman he needs at the dude ranch he visited on the Fourth.

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

Coach, the point was the offense is not the only reason the Braves have lost so many one-run games. They’ve still lost a lot of one-run games when they’ve scored a decent amount of runs, that was my point. Yes, the offense is a factor in those one-run losses but not the only factor. That’s why I “cherry picked.” To show you that when the Braves offense scored a fair amount of runs, they’ve still lost some one-run games.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves IN 2009)

July 10, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

Ya know, the fun thing about having MLB.com is that I get to watch many more games including teams other than the Braves. I’m just gonna be brutally honest. The Braves are putrid, horrific and quit possibly the worst offensive baseball team this season. Bar none. I can compare them to the Twins, Red Sox, Angels, Tampa Bay Rays, Cubs and even the White Sox. You folks have no earthly idea just how awful this Braves team really is. you really don’t.

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Coach, that blogger says “They play fundamental baseball…which seems to have been completely lost in this decade. They get on base, they bunt to get runners over, they steal bases, they put the hit and run on, they manufacture their runs.They get on base, they bunt to get runners over, they steal bases, they put the hit and run on, they manufacture their runs.”

Is he aware the Twins are 7th in their league in getting on base? Is he aware they are 8th the AL in steals? Is he aware they are 3rd from last in steal percentage?

Maybe you should rely on facts to make your points rather than relying on some blogger who isn’t aware of the facts about the Twins.

Again, they are winning because they get on base and slug well with runners on. But they are 8th in overall OPS, so I seriously doubt they can finish the season at 8th in OPS and rank as high as they currently rank in runs scored.

By Doc Holliday

July 10, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

Braves lose…………

4th place………

No hitting………..Braves batting with toothpicks

Great pitching performance down the drain………

Lots of moaning……

No new bat ………..

Lots of injuries……….

5+ games out of 1st………..

No light at the end of the tunnel………

So, whats new for this morning? It is the same sad old story, 2008 is a waste of time for braves fans.

By Lew

July 10, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Gee, Coach (I Don’t Know When To STFU Because I’m Really Stupid)- You mean that the 175 games I’ve watched so far this season on Extra Innings gives me no insight?

Dude, I and many others on the blog watch just as many games as you do. How come that when called upon to state opinions, though, you always quote someone else? Is it because you don’t have any insight of your own? Could be. Insight is intelligence driven though-that may explain your lack thereof.

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Coach, have you watched many Washington Nationals games? How about the Dodgers or Giants? How about the Mariners or Royals?

You seriously think the Braves are worse offensively than those teams? Seriously?

By macdwolfpack

July 10, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

DOB, I have asked you this question before and haven’t seen your response so I will try again. To what do you attribute the Braves problem with hitting consistancies, timely hitting, and inability to score runs? Is it the makeup of the players on this team. Is it the fact that there are quite a few young players who haven’t learned how to adjust on the road? Is it that this team is just not made up of the right mix of players to consistantly put runs on the board for more than 50% of the season? Is it the hitting instruction they are getting? Is it the leadershp at the top? Or are these just a bunch of weak hitters and the Braves need to shake up this lineup? I don’t know the answer and am asking you because you are virgin at this and I am sure you have some constructed explanations or theories, which I and others would love to hear.

By Drew

July 10, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

Amen, DOB…..

Man you have the life….

By Coach (Lets Go Braves IN 2009)

July 10, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

Lew, your a damn f-n fool and an ignorant one at that. I meet idiots like you all the time in little league. People who bring their kids to learn the game and try to tell me how to do my job.

I just smile and reply, sir/ma’m, I’ve been doing this for more than twenty-five years. How long have you been doing your job? Invariably, I get a lot of dumb looks and apology’s.

But every once in a while I get some creep of a dad who thinks the world revolves around himself and I steer him toward one of the other teams with the promise(lie) that his kid will really fit in better since he is so advanced at the game already.

You remind of those creeps every single time I chat with you. It continually reminds me not to waste my time with clueless people. Lew, please don’t ever talk to me again. PLEASE !

By g

July 10, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

Fear not about losing another series, another 1 run loss, another near perfect game. If the Braves win tomorrow the paper will be flooded with articles about how a win against the mighty Padres surely signals a 2nd half run to the World Series.

Wake me when/if the Braves ever get back to .500. Please, please no more talk about making the postseason (que Jim Mora Sr.). It’s far more likely that the 2008 Braves will set a record for perfect games pitched against.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves IN 2009)

July 10, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

Shaun, the Twins play fundamentally sound small ball and they are winning because of it. The Braves do not and it’s part of the reason they are losing.

And yes, the Braves really are quite possibly the worst offensive team in the major leagues.

And since you SHAUN CANNOT READ SIMPLE TEXT. I’LL PUT IT UP LARGER =Q-U-I-T-E P-O-S-S-I-B-L-Y and don’t take my comments out of context !

By Crazy Stats Katz

July 10, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

I just smile and reply, sir/ma’m, I’ve been doing this for more than twenty-five years. How long have you been doing your job? Invariably, I get a lot of dumb looks and apology’s. But every once in a while I get some creep of a dad who thinks the world revolves around himself and I steer him toward one of the other teams with the promise(lie) that his kid will really fit in better since he is so advanced at the game already.

25 years? Unless your own kid is playing, you should be nowhere near that field. A grown man hanging out for 25 years with children that are not his own children is just about the creepiest thing I have ever heard of.

By Johnny Knoxville

July 10, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

Wow “coach” you are an inspiration to us all. Must be a good feeling to be right all the time you self-righteous gas bag.

By Lew

July 10, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Coach (If Only I Realized, Like Everyone Else, What a Completely Flipping Idiot I Am) -Well, that was good for a laugh, anyway. Rant on you incredibly ignorant person (and I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt concerning your species heritage). You wouldn’t know insight if it bit you on the ankle. Go back to throwing beer cans at your TV-it will be infinitely more rewarding to someone of your limited intellectual resources than you attempting to carry on a meaningful debate.

Believe me-If I want insight from a Coach, I’ll place a phone call to a real one like Ruben Amaro, Sr. or Bobby Dews. You keep checking out and quoting MLB Trade Rumors.

Over and Out Moron. I’ll leave you to the Cave Dude. It’s too much of a Dumbing Down situation trying to converse with someone of such non existent intellect. Maybe you’ll understand that some day, but I ain’t putting my life savings it’s occurrence.

By Steve from OH

July 10, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Coach:

But every once in a while I get some creep of a dad who thinks the world revolves around himself…

You weren’t talking about yourself, were you?

By dorothy davis

July 10, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

The Braves will have a lot of money for next year when the anchor around their neck (Hampton) is off the payroll, thank god. So I say sign Tex again as I can’t count the games he has saved us, not to mention his bat. He is worth every penny and don’t even think of trading him for Holliday, whose HR’s are a result of the thin air at Denver. Since when has a fielder been worth more than a first baseman? Remember Andrew? I think the new BOSS has beter sense than that. And as for Bobby…How’s that working for you? Time for a change!

By David O'Brien

July 10, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

I’ve transcribing a Q&A I did with Chipper yesterday that’s going to be on the website a little later today. He was very candid. I think you guys will find it interesting, for sure.

Here’s a couple of questions and answers I just typed into my machine:

ME: Regarding the culture of the organization: How much has it changed, and what are your thoughts on that — by that I mean if it has changed, do you understand why? Compared to five years ago, or 10 years ago, how different does it feel playing for this team?

CHIPPER: “Well, we’re kind of caught in the middle because our offense is not what it was eight or 10 years ago, and our pitching staff is not what it was eight or 10 years ago. We’ve always been able to get by. If we were lacking in offense, we’d shut people down with our pitching and defense. And vice-versa — if our pitching wasn’t that good we pounded people. Now we’re at a stage where we’re at that transition, having to deal with a lot of young pitchers coming up and going through their growing pains, and we’ve got a lot of young hitters in the lineup who haven’t, umm, grasped what it’s like to be a hitter every day in this league. And we’re struggling as a team because of it.”

HE: Do you look at it and say to yourself, “Hey, I wasn’t going to live a charmed baseball life my entire career, get to play for a team that wins every year and get to stay with the same team my whole career?” Do you take that into account and go, “Hey, things ain’t so bad for me overall?”

CHIPPER: “Yeah, I mean overall, how can you complain? With the career that I’ve had up until this point, I consider myself very lucky to be such a big part of 14 straight division championships and a World Series and numerous pennant and whatnot. So I’m not going to complain, but I’m not going to be satisfied with this club toiling at .500 for going on three years now.”

By McFann Ô

July 10, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

Efrim If anything, McCann is underrated. Francoeur is overrated.

How true…

I’d also like to see a little more power from the other two (Escobar and Johnson). But Johnson is second on the team in doubles (22, three behind the leader, and I’m sure you know who the leader in 2B is on this team).

I fed the Turtle an earthworm this morning. Mom noticed that his back left foot is gimpy—it has no claws!

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Coach, is it fundamentally sound to get on base at an average rate? Is it fundamentally sound to have one of the worst stolen base percentages in baseball? If so, you are right about the Twins.

And how could the Braves “quite possibly” have the worst offense in baseball? They aren’t even close to as bad as the Mariners who are under 4 runs a game or the Nationals who are at 3.6 runs a game.

By StingerSplash

July 10, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

Wow — 4-1/2 innings in 49 minutes.

You got away with committing a cardinal sin, Mr. O’Brien. You never, ever talk about how fast a game is going - ever. Fortunately for you, Lowe continued to mow down the Braves like shots in a bar. The baseball gods will let you slide this one time. Do not anger us again, or we will put you in a clubhouse with Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent, Erik Bedard and Eddie Murray after a doubleheader.

By SeaAtl

July 10, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

I’m just now noticing how condescending “Coach” is when he posts on this blog. I’m also just now realizing that being little league coach makes one an MLB expert.

By STRETCH

July 10, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

I put the blame solely on management. Why? A few things to look at:

1. With all the free agents out there to play center field, they go with the guy with back problems. (he has missed over a month already), Jim Edmonds is doing a pretty good job with the Cubs right now. There were plenty of other choices out there.

2. Pitching rotation; things looked pretty good in the spring and NOBODY could have predicted what would have happened to date. Management gambled and look at what happened:

Glavine and Smoltz - 40 somethings(gotta have a backup plan) Hampton - after 2 years, you would expect him to be ready, Geeezzz! Soriano, Moylan and Gonzo - Moylan(out for the season, Soriaon and Gonzo havent been factors and probably won’t) The young guys(the back up plan) are filling in and doing a decent job, they really are. And im dumbfounded at how Bobby Cox continued to run the same guys out there that constantly blew games. 5 or 6 games maybe that would have turned that 5-24 record into something more respectable.

1. Once again..NO leadoff hitter this season. Some of those 1 run games could have been won if they had a guy like a Rollins or a Reyes getting on base and making things happen.

2. The lineup: these guys have not done what they are paid to do. Another 1 run loss; Folks…that lineup is not good at all. These guys are embarrassing right now. Chipper, Tex and McCann cant do it all, they need another bat SOON. The other guys are going to have to step it up!

3. Why….Why….WHY!

Why, after some NL teams got better pitching does this organization continue to bring in other teams dirty laundry. This organization has been doing this for years.

Why, is Bobby Cox coming back next year. Someone else wrote earlier that Bobby Cox does not have the great pitching success he’s had in the past, and this is true. The man simply cant manage and gets out managed consistantly. Now we all see what happens when he cant hide behind those great pitchers from the glory days.

Why is Corky Miller on this team over Pena?!

Why did management say they were going to spend more money in the off-season and didnt?

Why dont they go ahead and get rid of Tex and stop trying to delay the inevitable? He’s leaving next season anyway. Just get what you can for him and put this disasterous season behind them/us and get ready for next season which im going to once again be optimistic about.

By Realist

July 10, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

Dear BravoNam, You spoke of “coping”, what of a young team getting ZERO starts from its #1,#2, And #3—Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez and Sergio Mitre, losing two counted on set-up men, Missing their only productive corner outfielder for 2 months, having projected CF out entire year, having a true DH as the 1b, a 2b playing 3b, a corner Outfielder playing CF, the WORST catching Duo in modern baseball history and having a payroll of 18.6 Million and playing in front of MAYBE 6,000 REAL people each night—-This team is 1 1/2 games out. Is that coping??

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Steve, yeah, I was going to say Coach’s 11:24 may be the most arrogant I’ve seen. Guess that’s why he only coaches little league.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves IN 2009)

July 10, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Shaun, the Braves are the worst because they have more talent and produce worse results than teams with lesser talent and players. I’ll say it again in case you missed it. The Braves 5-22 record in one run games (.185 winning percentage) is the most putrid in more than 73 years. That my friend is a truly jaw dropping statistic and David O’Brien can attest to it.

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

STRETCH, 1) Jim Edmonds is not really doing any better than Kotsay if we take his whole season into account. Plus he’s making a million dollars more.

2) Are you aware where the Braves rank in ERA and runs allowed?

3) Last year the offense was very good. Should management have suspected that Diaz would be unproductive and hurt? Should they have suspected that Francoeur was going to be this bad?

I’m not trying to give Braves management a pass for the season they’ve had, but come on.

By STRETCH

July 10, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

REALIST….wow! I didnt realize this. Boy these Braves should be better off than they are, so that would lead one to think that these guys are going through the motions are they just dont care.

By David O'Brien

July 10, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

Stinger, I actually WANTED the game to slow down. Which is the same reason I also why I turned to Bowman in the sixth inning, just as I had on Monday in about the sixth inning, and starting talking at length about the fact that there was a perfect game being thrown, and how we were going to see two perfect games in five years, etc.

Because I wanted it to stop. Needed the game to slow down a bit so I could have time to finish what I was writing and get to a game story. And didn’t really want to cover a West Coast no-hitter on getaway day, a no-no that probably wouldn’t make many papers anyway.

By Samuel Gompers

July 10, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Mr O’Brien, First time poster. Have read a lot here about Mike Hampton. You seem to offer a valid defense of him. I’d like to go at it from a different angle. Let’s say you signed a deal to write for the AJC, as a result of a mentally certifiable writer’s block you had not been able to produce a column for 3 years. Also let’s stipulate that contract paid you even if you were not able to write—Don’t ask me why because that probably applies to NO other contract in America besides pro sports—Also let’s assume you are a TREMENDOUS writer who readers of AJC were really looking forward to reading.

At some point in last 3 years would you have had the integrity to sit down and written a well thought out apology for the disappointment your non-performance had caused so many people? I say you would have and under similiar circumstances I’m willing to bet 95percent of Americans—or other citizens of the World—would have stepped up and demonstrated some courage.

Has Mike Hampton stepped up and offered even that little token while receiving a King’s ransom for doing NOTHING??

By ncscoots

July 10, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

I too thought he could handle playing everyday against righties and lefties

You can’t include me in the “too”, LOL. I was one of those who scoffed.

Escobar has never really been a power hitter.

You’re looking at his minor league numbers, I’m guessing. But he showed flashes of power last year and early this year. He’s certainly capable of 15 HR year and .450 SLG. It was that to which I alluded, his potential to provide plus power at SS, relative to most SS.

By Interested Observer

July 10, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Sal Fasano went 3 for 4 for Cleveland last night. He’s now 5 for 10 in 3 games with the Indians.

By DirtyDawg

July 10, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

You gotta give the Braves credit..they stick together. They’re all in a sympathy slump with their buddy Jeff Francoeur.

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Coach, why don’t you ask Cleveland Indians fans where they thought there team would be?

I’d say they’ve played below their talent more so than the Braves.

Again, what’s your point about one-run games? We all know the Braves record in one-run games. Does that make them the worst offense in baseball?

The Red Sox had one of the worst one-run records in baseball last year. The Phillies were the second worst team in baseball in one-run games last year. Does that say anything about their offense?

I’m just not seeing your point. Not trying to be rude or sarcastic, but I honestly just want to know what point you are trying to make.

By Samuel Gompers

July 10, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

Dear Stretch, I wouldn’t go that far, BUT even as a Braves fan I have a lot of respect for what the Marlins are doing under those circumstances and I certainly don’t want to hear any excuses about the Braves’injuries when you compare it to what I posted.

I really don’t see how the Mets don’t run off and hide the rest of the year. It will get ugly in here.

Who would you pull for in a Mets-Cubs series. I wouild hope for a 6 month rainout.

By Steve from OH

July 10, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

Samuel Gompers:

Why would Hampton (or your hypothetical DOB) apologize for circumstances beyond their control? It’s not as though Hampton tore his UCL by doing something he wasn’t supposed to do, or pulled his hamstring playing basketball-he was injured DOING HIS JOB. That’s the key point. If you were injured doing your job, would you apologize for it? And, come to think of it, wouldn’t you also (in all likelihood) recieve some form of disability insurance or workman’s compensation? Sure, he’s getting a heck of a lot more money than the rest of us would, but that’s a product of his profession. He didn’t create the guaranteed contract, he is simply a beneficary of it. If you were in his situation, would you refuse the cash? I don’t think so. People often complain about how much ballplayers are paid without realizing how much money that they bring in to their respective organizations. Millions-even billions-of dollars are made by essentially the 25 guys on the field.

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

DOB, excellent questions for Chipper, especially that last one. Gives us an interesting perspective. It’s difficult for any team to win consistently for several years (much less over a decade). There are going to be transitions, and so many lose sight of that.

Can you imagine if the Red Sox had done what a few of their passionately emotional fans had wanted them to do after they were beaten in the first round in 2005 or after they finished third in 2006?

We all want our teams to win every year. But you have to give a management group time and don’t panic if the team has one or two sub par seasons, particularly if a sub par season or two is still around .500 (as the Braves have been the past few seasons).

If the Braves are at or under .500 for 5-10 years, then let’s start to complain. And I’m not saying we should never criticize anything. But some on here act as if we are watching the Royals or Pirates for the past 15 years or they act as if the Braves have the worst players and worst management they’ve ever known. None of these Braves fans must be older than 17-20 or they would know there was once a team like that here.

By Crazy Stats Katz

July 10, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

I always wondered why so few ballplayers come out of the Dakotas. But then I found out today that a certain somebody has been coaching Little League for 25 years in the Dakotas and it all made sense to me.

By geauxbraves2000

July 10, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

The one thing that bugs me the most about this offense is their over agressiveness. I sure would like them see make the opposing pitcher work.

I think this offense can be one of the best in the NL. Maybe BC and the rest of the gang need to pull a Costanza and start doing the opposite of their instincts.

A 3-3 road trip wouldn’t be the end of world. Sure would like to see a sweep in SD though, maybe give this team some conidence.

Geaux Braves!!

By geauxbraves2000

July 10, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

1985, 66/96 29GB

1986, 72/89 23.5GB

1987, 69/92 20.5GB

1988, 54/106 23.5GB

1989, 63/97, 28GB

1990, 65/97 26GB

Now those were some tough years.

By Steve from OH

July 10, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Shaun, excellent points at 12:46. I think alot of people also forget that these last three seasons have also been compromised by ownership uncertainty and change. The front office was probably a bit restricted with what they could and could not do for the last few seasons because of a decreasing payroll and ownership uncertainty. Hopefully now with a new owner seemingly entrenched here and payroll (perhaps) on the rise we can crank out another few playoff appearances in the near future.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves IN 2009)

July 10, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I”m going to paraphrase what David O’ Brien has already written and if you can’t believe him. You young man, are the very epitome of arrogance.

As of today, the Braves 5-22 record in one run games (.185 winning percentage) is the worst statistical fact in more than seventy-three years. Not since the 1935 Boston Braves who went 7-31 (.184) in one run games has baseball seen such historically awful numbers.

Should the Braves lose even one more game by one run without winning a game by the same margin, it will be the most brutal stretch of one run losses since 1901. Thats 107 years of recorded baseball history. It’s enough to take your breath away.

Atlanta has already set a modern day record by losing 17 consecutive one run games on the road. They have yet to win a one run game on the road this season. It’s unbelievable, I know. but there it is in black and white.

And if Shaun still cannot grasp why this team is so truly abominable, he never will.

By Crazy Stats Katz

July 10, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

Why would Hampton (or your hypothetical DOB) apologize for circumstances beyond their control? It’s not as though Hampton tore his UCL by doing something he wasn’t supposed to do, or pulled his hamstring playing basketball-he was injured DOING HIS JOB. That’s the key point. If you were injured doing your job, would you apologize for it?

Hampton could get away with that if he had shown up looking like he was in shape. Hampton looked chubby in that Mexican game. There is no excuse for that.

Structural damage to his joints, ligaments, bones is one thing. Can’t do anything about that. But muscle pulls, strains and tears because you are out fat and out of shape is completely unacceptable.

The man had three years off. What was he doing while not pitching? Running a few poles would have been advisable instead of just sitting around letting the rest of his body deteriorate..

Because he showed up looking portly in Mexico, he messed up his hamstring, which got the whole ball rolling.

I won’t even get into the fact that Hampton is also showing himself to be a post steroids physical disaster like Nomar and Bagwell.

By Hit, Chipper, Hit!

July 10, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Yay for a Chipper Q&A. He always tells it like it is.

I read Yunel’s SN cover story over lunch. I almost got a lump in my throat. I won’t name any names but SOME people need to read that article every day before they even get out of bed.

By TURTSNAP

July 10, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

To go along with GeauxBraves comment about over agressiveness, I have noticed lately that a lot of the hitters find themselves in 0-2 and 1-2 holes quite often.

By Bravesedandconfused

July 10, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

this blog is getting nasty enough to make any Mets fan proud.

By Patterson Hood

July 10, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

DOB,

I noticed a denizen recently suggested trading Tex for Kotchmann, Figgins, and a prospect. The thing that tickles me about all these July trade fantasies is that folks need to stop and consider: Why would the other team want to do it? Why would the Angels upgrade at 1B only to hurt themselves elsewhere? When you’re dumping a high-salary player to a contender, you’ve got to take prospects! The contender wants to make his team clearly better now and for the post-season! You typically don’t do that by trading away multiple starting position players. Think: why would the other guy want to make this move? How does it help him? That said, I do wonder whether the Bravos could get Kotchmann and a prospect or 2 for Tex. The Angels wouldn’t need Casey if they had Tex, who would be a pretty substantial upgrade to an LA lineup that needs a boost. Kotchmann’s a decent hitter and might be a keeper for us if we upgraded our OF (in the off season). And maybe we’d get a pitching prospect or two rather than nothing for Tex when he most assuredly walks after the season. What do you think?

By GT

July 10, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

So when does Bradley put out his next column about how blessed we are to have the steady leadership of Bobby Cox, or how the Braves are at the verge of turning around this season?

What a joke this organization has become. We’re forced to sign a reliever with an ERA over 7, who’s already been released this year because Cox has managed to wear out the entire bullpen before the allstar break.

Wanted: New Blood.

By Will

July 10, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Steve from OH, Uncertainty in the front office is no excuse at all for the last couple seasons. The Braves have taken the field the last 3 seasons with playoff caliber talent. Now who is to blame for this is still uncertain, but even with restrictions playoff talent has continued to take the field in Atlanta. And oh yeah one more thing, Braves will never play another playoff game with Bobby Cox in the dugout.

By TURTSNAP

July 10, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Loved the two Q&A’s published so far from Chipper, looking forward to reading more.

Last night during the game, Boog and Joe were talking about McCann’s relationship with Chipper and how McCann goes to Chipper to help him with his hitting. McCann commented that Chipper can tell what he is doing wrong within three plate appearances (or something like that). I wonder, when Chipper hangs it up if he’d consider being a batting coach?

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Coach, how does the fact that they’ve been historically bad in one-run games equate to them having “possibly” the worst offense in baseball? I just don’t get that.

Their offense is not even close to the worst in baseball, “possibly” or definitely .

Also, you criticize me for “cherry picking.” The Braves have one of the best records in the game when the margin is by 2 or more runs. They have a historically bad record in one-run games. So how does it follow they are “abominable”? I just don’t get your logic.

Lots of good teams, even great teams, have lost a lot of one-run games. Last year’s Red Sox were bad in one-run games but they may have been the best team this decade.

You can’t just judge a team only on the basis of one-run games. The Braves are what they are: 43-49, 6 out in their division. There are quite a few teams more abominable than this one and quite a few with worse offenses than this one.

By Efrim

July 10, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Jacob (Amherst): Good thing the Braves sent Jeff Francouer down. Those 4 days in the minor leagues really straightened him out.

Keith Law: (1:28 PM ET ) That was unreal. How about his comments about feeling a little betrayed? Gee, Jeff, don’t be afraid to look in the mirror at how completely useless you’ve been at the plate this year. By the way, I thought the AJC’s removal of his comments from their site was … interesting, to say the least.

By Hit, Chipper, Hit!

July 10, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

I agree Bravesandconfused. My friends back on the west coast laugh at me when I say anything about the Braves not ruling the NL East. We really are the most spoiled fans in baseball. Nothing wrong with being a winner I say.

By Grits

July 10, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

What dimension was somebody in when Julián Tavarez was put into a Braves uniform? He is not a sportsman; he is not a gentleman; he is an antipático who will cause much trouble. But primarily, he is not a pitcher.

Suggestion: Send another 25-foot boat to Cuba and bring back more like Escobar.

By Hit, Chipper, Hit!

July 10, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

Maybe that’s one of the questions DOB asked him, TURTSNAP. I think he’d be a great one but I don’t think he’d do it.

By Steve from OH

July 10, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

Crazy Stats Katz:

Certainly all valid points. My only issue is that Hampton’s conditioning has never (to my knowledge, I’m feeling too lazy to research it right now, please correct me if I’m wrong) been questioned, and he’s never been implicated as a past steroid user. Also, did you notice how he strained the hammy in Mexico? That (to me) looked like an “eccentric contration,” i.e. the external force on the muscle was greater than the force the muscle was capable of generating, thus forcing the muscle to lengthen, which skeletal muscles are not keen to do. The result? A hamstring tear (commonly referred to as a pull). Now, it is important to note, as you already have, that eccentric contractions can be prevented (somewhat) by strengthening and stretching, but that only aids in preventing them; it cannot (and does not) fully prevent them. For instance, even if the force that the muscle can generate is increased, and the amount it can lengthen is increased, there is always an amount of external force that is greater than that to be found, only the probability of finding it is smaller. The kicker here is that the mechanics of the”eccentric contraction” are still being debated in the literature, but this is a simplified and slightly more accurate representation of the process.

The UCL tear? Common amongst pitchers, and an injury that Smoltz, Moylan, and Gonzalez have all had, so to bash Hammy about it is a bit hypocritical. The pec tear? Have no idea how it happened, so it could have been due to lack of conditioning, or bad luck, or other factors. If it was due to lack of conditioning, you point is valid and you’ll get no argument from me.

I’m sorry to be so long-winded, but (obviously) there’s holes in everyone’s arguments, and I’m just trying to aid the discussion. Like I said, if he truly hasn’t been conditioning, then all of this goes out the window. If he has, then you really can’t bash him for unlucky injuries sustained on the job.

By Random

July 10, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

Lemme clarify — I’m affable (usually), easy-going (usually) and generally mean well (always).

Well,fellas, we might as well face the facts that these west coast trips are just gonna be hit-and-miss (so to speak), seein’ as how McFann goes to bed at 2200 EDT and cannot bring out the Rally Turtle when needed.

We’re on our own, buckos.

By Barrington Garland

July 10, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

Coach is the only guy with brains posting here. Cox is the problem! 25 straight one run losses on the road because of not being able to generate offense. You Cox homers are all IDIOTS! I repeat, you Cox homers are ALL IDIOTS. This guy should retire, he’s indefensible. IDIOTS!

By Steve from OH

July 10, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

Will:

Correct! I never said it was an excuse for the play of the 25 guys on the field, I said it was (possibly) a barrier for JS and FW to add the few remaining pieces to those 25 guys to put an all-around better product on the field. They still had lots of talent, but didn’t win. Never made the claim that it affected the play of the guys on the field.

Was the team good enough to win? Yes.

Was JS able to but the best possible product on the field? No.

That’s the point I was trying to make. Sorry for the ambiguity.

By David O'Brien

July 10, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Patterson Hood: Agree on your 1:19 post. As I pointed out yesterday, Angels would never make that trade.

By the way, I finally got your 2001 solo CD, “Killers and Stars.” Found a used copy at Amoeba Records here in Hollywood on Sunday. Good album. Not Truckers-classic good, but very good nonetheless.

By Robert S

July 10, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

Just heard the Mariners released 1B Richie Sexson. Hey, if the Braves could pick up Julian Tavarez off the scrap heap…….

What’s to stop them from picking up “Dave Kingman 2.0,” as I like to refer to Sexson? He could do no worse than our current crop of bench warmers……..

By SeaAtl

July 10, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

DOB - I recently read in Paste that Amoeba Records is one of the coolest record stores in America.

By A-ville Ranger

July 10, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

I’ve got the AJC commemorative issue frounpage from oct 30 1995 on the wall next to my desk.

It reads WORLD CHAMPS

       IT'S    OURS

Between the word world and champs there’s a baseball diamond with the words Atlanta Braves and a tomohawk in it.

Between the world champs words at the top and it’s ours below there is a very nicely composed photo of the trophy,bat,ball,Braves cap and jersey.

At the bottom of the page the article begins ”Our cup runneth over,What more joy can there be for us ?What did we do to deserve such wonderous things in our lives ?”

It goes on to mention the Olimpics of the following year and the days from reconstruction to Jim Crow.

I know it’s a bit dramatic but I’m sure glad I decided to have it professionally framed.It’s one of the best 100 or so bucks I’ve ever spent and it’ll stay in the family after I’m gone

Do and of you have this ? I’d be interested to get an idea of how many original copies remain in pristine condition.

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

Efrim, I think I missed Francoeur’s comment fiasco. Must have been in a hole somewhere when that was going on. Do you have details of what happened?

By monty

July 10, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

You just can’t be THAT unlucky to lose more one run games than anybody in recent history,consecutively . Sorry! You can say it’s a lack of talent, you can say it’s a lack of determination, you can call it being poorly coached in those games,a lack of confidence in close games, you can even add a heaping measure of bad luck, but what you can’t say is that it is ALL bad luck. If that many losses is just luck, then it doesn’t matter what talent you have, what coaching you have, the determined mindset of the players, etc.etc. If it’s just ALL luck then basesball is nothing but a crap shoot, and not a game of skill. But even in a crapshoot you couldn’t possibly be lucky or unlucky enough to roll the same number that many times in a row. No! There are other factors involved.

By Crazy Stats Katz

July 10, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

Steve from Ohio, that was a really good counterpoint post from you at 1:45

It’s just that when his problems were structural issues, I was very understanding because there is little any of us can do about what happens to bones, ligaments and tendons - especially in the pitching arm.

However, when the Hampton health problems became muscle strains, tears and pulls after a three year layoff, I became much less compassionate.

But that was a very fine post from you. You make alot of sense. Rickey Henderson and Jose Reyes were/are two of the most physically fit athletes around and have always had bad hammy issues - probably because of the amount of force they exert on their legs while running. Remember when the Mets tried to teach Reyes a new way of running in the hopes they could alleviate the force he exerted on his hammys?

But, anyways, nice response.

By Robert S

July 10, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Could someone fetch Barrington Garland a Mydol?

My, you’re grumpy.

By Doc Holliday

July 10, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Coach, have you watched many Washington Nationals games? How about the Dodgers or Giants? How about the Mariners or Royals?

You seriously think the Braves are worse offensively than those teams? Seriously?

I dont think they are worse, but they certainly play like if they were equal or worse than those teams you mention Shaun

Its a shame how such a good team, with this many weapons, can play sooooooo poorly.

By Steve from OH

July 10, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

Crazy Stats Katz: Thanks, buddy.

By Steve from OH

July 10, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

Crazy Stats Katz: Thanks, buddy.

By David O'Brien

July 10, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I just ran that post by our AJC.com editor and by my own boss. Apparently the comment got edited out in some online version of the story, though no one is sure why. But it ran in all print versions.

Rest assured if I can find the quote, I’ll be more than glad to run it back here. Folks, if anyone out there believes we’re protecting someone, you’re simply misinformed and looking for a conspiracy where there is none.

Francoeur said it, it was not a smart thing to say, and it’s been beaten to death since. But I’ll be more than happy to run back the quote if that’ll reinforce what I’m telling you.

By Chop Chop

July 10, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

I’m glad Chipper has perspective on all of this. He views this team the way that I do. The only difference is that he’s a very likely Hall of Famer winding down his playing days on a team that doesn’t know what it’s doing. I’m just a fan who can focus a little more attention on my other teams if the Braves look to be continuing in to a decline.

For anyone that rips on people who tend to view this team as half-empty (as opposed to half-full), just remember that the best player on the team, the guy that just gave you the best half-season of hitting by a Braves player that you may ever see, the only currently active player on this team that has actually won a ring with the Braves…well, he doesn’t seem like he’s supremely optimistic. That doesn’t mean he’s not going to do his damnedest to change it, but Chipper’s realistic.

DOB,

You mentioned this “$120-$130 million range” for the payroll in your Q & A with Chipper. I don’t know if you’re just pulling a number out of your butt, but could you ever see Liberty raising payroll that much? I don’t see it. $100 million would probably be a more realistic bump. That would allow the team to add to the bench this offseason, get a power-hitting left fielder, re-sign Tex…and maybe even get a higher-priced veteran starter.

By Efrim

July 10, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

Shaun

No idea what he is talking about. I was just on the chat and saw the comment.

By Efrim

July 10, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

Lee (Dallas, TX): Keith- The Braves are top 10 in hitting and pitching VORP as well as run differential. They are third in defensive efficiency. Can we expect the luck to turn, or are the injuries going to be too much?

Keith Law: (2:13 PM ET ) They’re not exactly out of it - the issue is more leaping two teams (no, I’m not a believer in Florida) than it is the sheer size of the deficit in the loss column. But I am assuming they’ll be sellers rather than buyers, due to the injuries and their W-L record.

By David O'Brien

July 10, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

By the way, regardless of what you may be reading elsewhere, Maddux is pitching Saturday against Charlie Morton.

It’s Peavy vs. Reyes, Maddux vs. Charlie, Wolf vs. Campillo on Sunday.

By McFann Ô

July 10, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Random seein’ as how McFann goes to bed at 2200 EDT and cannot bring out the Rally Turtle when needed. We’re on our own, buckos.

Sorry…Believe me, I don’t enjoy it, either. But I can’t keep myself awake that late.

Rally McTurtle has disappeared again. He couldn’t be too far away, though. Seein’ as how he’s got a gimpy left foot. He limps a little bit, and that really slows him down.

By BravesFanInRockies

July 10, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

DOB,

That was a nice interview with Chipper. Good questions, interesting answers.

Last night, Joe and Boog talked about how Chipper worked with McCann in the cage, and how Chipper is a rarity among players — an elite and accomplished athlete who not only understands the game but can impart his knowledge to others.

He may be one of the unusual ones who could (if he wants to) be an outstanding hitting coach or manager after he hangs it up. There aren’t many in any sport who both have HOF credentials and can teach.

By Efrim

July 10, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

Braves fans: Tex is awesome, but do we trade him?

Keith Law: (2:06 PM ET ) If you can get an impact prospect back, yes. How about the Angels? Teixeira is, well, exactly what they need? Better hitter than Kotchman, at least comparable defensively. Probably a 2-3 win upgrade for this year.

Tim (ATL): What in the world could the Angels offer the Braves that is “impact”. Certainly you don’t mean Brandon Wood or Nick Adenhart. Their stocks have dropped big time.

Keith Law: (2:19 PM ET ) Adenhart is what, 21? And in a hitters’ park with a lot of hitters’ parks on the road schedule. If the Angels are as down on him as you are, it’s time for someone else to come take him off their hands.

Tim (ATL): Adenhart’s K rate has declined every year since he entered pro ball. He isn’t enough “impact”. I’d rather Jordan Walden and Casey Kotchman.

Keith Law: (2:23 PM ET ) That’s a good package too, but Adenhart’s stuff is very good, he’s been young for almost every level, and there’s some merit to buying low, even on a prospect.

Sorry for the Keith Law posts.

By BravesFanInRockies

July 10, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

TURTSNAP,

Just saw your earlier comment about Chipper and Mac. Sorry I missed it first time around.

By Scott from Fairburn

July 10, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

I guess we can expect to see Richie Sexson in Atlanta since Seattle released him today.

By David O'Brien

July 10, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

Someone can tell Mr. Conspiracy Theory that the quote in question is still contained online in Tom Stinson’s Sunday story.

Here it is:

“My question is, what if I had hit a home run or had two hits [Thursday night]? Does it delay it one day, until I was 0-for-4? I was left standing outside in the dark on that. You almost felt like they had made [their minds] up before the game. That’s where I felt frustrated, where I felt a little betrayed.”

And here’s the link:

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/05/francoeur_0706.html

By Chop Chop

July 10, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

Damn, DOB.

Efrim said he didn’t know what Keith Law was talking about:

By Efrim

July 10, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

Shaun

No idea what he is talking about. I was just on the chat and saw the comment.

(Sure doesn’t seem like he was agitating or anything. He was just wondering what the hell that was all about.)

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

monty, you are right. Baseball and one-run games are not all about luck. Luck is a factor, as is the ability and skill to do things like hit the ball hard, strike hitters out, etc. Absolutely no one is denying that.

The thing about luck is that it is a factor in every game, much like ability and skill is a factor in every game. So if you have team winning or losing a bunch of close games, you can’t necessarily say they are significantly more or less talented than other teams.

If a team is great in every run margin except one-run games, we probably have to assume luck is a huge factor—not the only factor but a huge one.

If a team wins 38 of 65 games decided by 2 or more runs, if a team wins lots of games by a wider margin, I think we have to assume they are good. They’ve took advantage of good luck and overcome bad luck and have played well and overcome bad plays, if they win that often by a decent margin.

If they lose that many one-run games, it probably means that the bad luck and bad plays have made the difference. Even the most talented teams have bad luck and bad plays. But they overcome them so they’re not a factor when the game is not close. They may or may not be able to when the game is extremely close.

By Chop Chop

July 10, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

Well, looks the M’s aren’t going to wait around to overhaul that team:

Mariners release Richie Sexson

Dude’s getting $14 million in the last year of his contract. Ouch.

By David O'Brien

July 10, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

Well, Braves fans, there is reason for optimism this weekend, at least. Just doing my scout box for the series, and here’s a few notes:

The Padres have lost 10 of their past 11 home games, posting a 4.45 ERA while hitting .238 and averaging three runs per game in that stretch at Petco Park. They are 5-17 overall since June 15, including 3-5 in July despite a 3.39 ERA for the month. They scored two runs or fewer in five of nine July games… T

he Braves have won 16 of 20 games against the Padres, including eight of the past nine and a three-game sweep May 6-8 in Atlanta….

Chipper Jones has a .396 average and six homers in 13 games (48 at-bats) at Petco Park, and Brian McCann has hit .360 with three homers and 11 RBIs in seven games at the park….

Padres CF Scott Hairston is torrid amidst a chilly lineup. He’s 11-for-20 with three doubles, five home runs and eight RBIs in his past six games, with a 1.450 slugging percentaqe in that stretch since July 4. The rest of the team has four homers and 16 RBIs for the month of July.

By RC

July 10, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

Saw that Richie Sexson has been released….not saying I’m for or against it, but any chance the Braves try to sign him as a bat off the bench? The ONLY reason it would make sense is that he’s pretty much killed left-handed pitching this year, although he’s been less than terrible against right handers. Worth mentioning, but I doubt he fits with this team.

By ncscoots

July 10, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

Some of those 1 run games could have been won if they had a guy like a Rollins or a Reyes getting on base and making things happen.

Rollins OBP: about .330

Reyes OBP: about .360 (just in the last few days; below that all season)

In other words, they don’t get on base that much, period, let alone “making things happen”.

It’s not so much I mind the blind obsession with speed as an offensive weapon (OK, who am I kidding, that obsession makes me cross-eyed); it’s the pure denial of actual facts that often goes along with it that tends to make me nutso.

By BravesFanInRockies

July 10, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

Shaun,

What role do you think luck plays in a team’s extra innings record? I think it may be a bigger factor than in one-runs because teams never plan to play what Skip Caray calls free baseball.

On one hand, you might argue that a team with power at many spots in the lineup should play well in extras because they can score with one swing. On another, you might prefer a team that bunts or uses other small-ball strategies because they’re well suited to play for just one run.

Just curious.

By Chop Chop

July 10, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Didn’t see your post about Sexson, Scott from Fairburn. Sorry about that.

By Shaun

July 10, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

DOB, oh, that’s what Law was talking about? I was thinking a comment Francoeur actually posted on a blog or something.

It wasn’t a wise thing for Francoeur to say, but I wouldn’t say it’s a quote worth making an issue over either for Keith Law or for the AJC; so I’m not sure what the motive would be for the AJC to remove it. That’s not the worst comment a frustrated player ever made.

I think Keith Law is an intelligent baseball guy but he also spews out a lot of strange things that leave you wondering where he’s coming from.

By McFann Ô

July 10, 2008 3:27 PM |