Chop Chick

By Why

May 2, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Can you please tell me what is the deal with Diaz. Why does Bobby simply refuse to give this guy an everyday opportunity even though he seems solid. He gives every one else ( Langerhans, Redman, Johnson) a chance but not Diaz. what’s going on there can somebody tell me?

By Lee

May 2, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Chop Chick - I agree and think James is going to be a really good pitcher. I think the 4th and 5th starter positions are so bad until that is adding more focus by people on James’s spot.

I know you were / are a Davies supporter. I say give Villerial a chance to be the 4th starter and move Davies to the 5th starter position for now. As for Redman - he’s done.

By Chop Chick

May 2, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

I still think Davies will right himself, Lee, but Chuck James is in the NOW. Davies in the five-spot sounds fine to me. And why not try Villareal in four? Unless they bring Lerew up from AAA, what’s left to be done? It’s too bad for Redman but he’s had four starts to work things out. That’s plenty. This is MLB and he’s been around the league. Boy, has he been around.

By gotigers72

May 2, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

In the minor leagues, Chuck had excellent control. He still has a fair srikeout to walk ratio, but is walking too many. Not only walking a lot, but falling behind in the count too much and throwing too many pitches. Don’t believe he has made it past the 6th inning yet.

He also, IMO, needs to pitch inside more. He is giving up a lot of homers this year. His stuff is not overpowering, and the hitters are leaning over the plate because he stays on the outside corner for the most part. He needs to bust one inside occasionally and then that leaning stuff will cease. Also needs to get the ball down more IMO. I know, that’s a lot of criticism for a pitcher that’s had such a good start in the big leagues, but his ERA is well over 4 and he has been lit up the past couple of games.

By LarryA

May 2, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

A half season is not enough to judge a starting pitcher. But James has been strong often enough to avoid a “Day of CUSSIN” stigma. He throws strikes and seems to do a credible job avoiding the big innings which plague young pitchers.

Definitely serviceable, a lot of teams would love to have him in their rotation right now. Can’t say the same for the rest of the backside of the rotation. Both Davies and Redman need to throw strikes, neither seem to be able to do it reliably.

I am guessing Redman will be offered a trip to Richmond where he can try to find the strike zone again a la McBride. If he declines, I imagine he will be released. He is breaking the basic rules of the Braves philosophy of pitching - work rapidly and throw strikes. 54 pitches and 26 strikes is not going to cut it. 62/35, 68/40 are borderline (nearly 60% strikes - to be “in control”, he should be around 63 - 67% strikes so he can pick his pitches)

112/71 in his one good outing. 112/68 against the Mets where he lasted to the 6th before he gave up 4 runs.

But let us not forget how long the Braves hung on with Hampton a few years back, he had a dreadful first half and an awesome second half. Of course, Redman is not Hampton.

By BamaBrave

May 2, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

Pay no attention to the swine on radio. They get paid to stir up controversy, and they all want to be the second coming of Howard Stern. Of course Chuck James is a bonafide third starter. As you mentioned, he’s just going to get smarter, and his style is a nice diversion from Smoltz and Hudson. The only thing he hasn’t shown yet is big game or playoff prowess…and hopefully that will come later this year…

By Chop Chick

May 2, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

And Larry, lest we forget: Another up-and-coming Bravo who started off not so hot in 1991 and ended up brilliantly. His name? John Smoltz. Not that James is Smoltzie Jr. but the fact that someone starts off slowly shouldn’t keep us from thinking they’ll improve.

So how come aren’t we putting such faith in Redman, then? Because the stats aren’t on his side. Look at his MLB career numbers. They’re telling. That extra something guys like Smoltz and James have isn’t there. Who knows why?

By Steve

May 2, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Everyone I’ve heard has it backwards. The question is not whether to move Saltalamacchia to first base. The solution is to move Brian McCann to first base now and not wait five years. The Braves should start saving his career now.

By dssd

May 2, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

Steve, because Brian calls a great game, that is very important as a catcher. Pitchers love pitching to him.

By LarryA

May 2, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

Difference between Smoltz in 91 and Redman today? 10 years of age and 10 mph on a fastball.

if we look at the numbers, the reason Redman should be treated differently is pretty clear: in a 8 year MLB career, Redman has 3 winning seasons, only once an ERA under 4.2, only 3 season under 4.76. Last year, even though he had a winning record, he had an ERA (gasp) of 5.71. His last season with a good team (the A’s), he was 11-12 with a 4.71 ERA, with a BAA of .292. We are talking the A’s in the Oakland Coliseum with foul territory the size of Rhode Island.

By Bo

May 2, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Maybe we should learn to run the bases. We ran out of two rallies last night.

By Truckstop

May 2, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

Chuck is good. Redman is BBBAAADDDD!!! Davies, whatever he had before the injury - he ain’t got no more!

By Alex

May 2, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

What about Harden from Oakland…??? We could get him healthy…and have a great pitcher….he is being offered to Boston…why not do another alia. Hudson deal… I also heard Bryan Lawrence is a FA. What about him? I am not sure Cormier will be healthy any time soon…

By Oddibe McDowell

May 2, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

Any update at all on Willy Aybar? I haven’t been able to find anything, and was wondering if he ever made contact with the Braves or MLB.

Also, I think putting McCann at first in a few years would be sweet. Only he could fill Bob Horner’s shoes.

By MizzouGuru

May 2, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

I pretty much agree with what you say Chop Chick but I think I would put Davies in the four spot and Villareal in the five spot. That way Villareal can be the guy that may get his turned skipped. He could help out in the pen at times and I think he probably is more apt to succeed in a less consistent format than Davies. I would give Davies a little more time. He looks like a real major league pitcher albeit one that can’t throw strikes. On the other hand, Redman looks like a batting practice pitcher and he is a journeyman while Davies has upside that may pay dividends at some point.

By MizzouGuru

May 2, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

I agree that Diaz would probably do well in a full-time role. He has shown throughout his minor and major league career that he can hit and his defense has improved. For a righty like Diaz, facing either lefties or righties is no big deal so I don’t see much benefit to it. I also believe that platooning (doing the lefty, righty thing) can be negatively offset by not allowing players to have consistency in their at bats.

At some point if Wilson continues to look like he has, I would like to see Thorman get a chance to play everyday. Wilson had done a little better lately but he just doesn’t look good at all at the plate - strikes out too much and his outs are bad outs in that he doesn’t make good contact.

By murph

May 2, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Chuck James will be one of all-time pitchers. He just wins. When in Rome he was stellar and has been ever since.

By Chop Chop

May 2, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately, Chuck is hurting the team if he only pitches between 5 and 6 innings in his starts. Your top three starters have to protect the bullpen as much as they can. Smoltz and Hudson can do that. James is good enough to learn how to go deeper in games and be more economical with his pitches, but he’s not a legit third starter right now. The Braves have him there by necessity (can’t trust Davies or Redman) and not by choice.

By Chop Chick

May 2, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

Well, here’s the thing, Chop2 — if the Braves rush James into posting too many innings too fast, what are the chances the team will have a Kerry Wood debacle of epic proportions on its hands? Last season was the guy’s first full MLB campaign. Let’s not force the issue. I think he’s got the grit and determination to get there.

Also, while I too lament the fact that modern MLB starters appear conditioned for six-inning stretches at a go, why have a bullpen if they need “protecting”? To me, that means your bullpen has issues that your team better address. During the Yankees’ WS streak of the late ’90s, their world-beating bullpen was a regular part of the winning strategy.

Balancing starters and relievers is a tricky business but I’d rather see the Braves err on the side of not overpitching a young horse a la the Cubs. Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.

By joebrave

May 2, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

I for one will be glad to see Deadman gone from the clubhouse period!!! and now please somebody shoot C.Woodward and put me out of his misery

By joebrave

May 2, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

I never thought Id say this:but if Bobby sterts Deadman again He should be FIRED!!!!

By joebrave

May 2, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

Chop Chick any thoughts on M.Harrison getting a call up? He couldn’t be any worse!and maybe we could get a good trade working for Salty and Davies man Rios would look good in left!

By SlimG

May 2, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

Chuckie will be fine. It’s the other two. Bobby please let Roger makes some decisions.

By Peter

May 2, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this

I’m not trying to trash Chuck but he needs to work on some areas of his game. He doesn’t field his position well and that has cost him.

And he has to be better at the plate. Move runners over. Those kind of things are what made our good pitchers great.

Yeah, he’s won everywhere but this isn’t Rome. You have to do a lot of things well at this level. Same goes for Kyle. If you can’t locate the fastball you’re gonna get killed.

As far as Redman goes the logo on the chewing tobacco could pitch better than him. Last two starts he’s given up a 6-0 and 3-0 lead can’t have that.

I think that by late July Brandon Jones might be able to contribute out in LF. I wouldn’t play Diaz every day because his weaknessess are exposed. With the starters going as they are (minus Smoltz and Hudson) now defensively we have to be at our best out there.

By bruce

May 2, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

I’m on that wagon Chop Chick… great first inning tonight… I am impressed with him… maybe he should just not start day games… Thanks, Bruce

By Chop Chick

May 2, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

Agreed that James and heck, almost ALL major league pitchers for that matter, definitely need to work on fielding the position. Don’t know if y’all caught CR’s Braves-Nats blog a while back but I loved her anecdote about Greg Maddux and how much he cared about all aspects of his game. Did some research and here it is, from “Has there ever been a windout?” — verbatim:

“It wasn’t NL pitcher of the week for Hudson, it’s NL PLAYER of the week. Maddux would not approve of my mistake. He used to walk by, back in the day in the Braves clubhouse, and go ‘Hi writers.’ If you said ‘Hi pitcher’ back, you got a frown. ‘I’m a player,’ he’d say. ‘I hit, I field, I throw.’”

MLB should install Doggie’s quote inside the lockers of every AL and NL pitcher — excuse me, PLAYER — who takes the mound. Wish they all had that attitude. It’s why Maddux is a genius. And a winner.

By Apaul404

May 2, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

Looks like Chuck pitched one too many innings. It’s too bad, he was doing alright tonight. Let’s get some more runs.

By GT

May 2, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

James might be “serviceable” but the Braves biggest question mark is the same problem now as it was going into spring training - starting pitching. You have two solid starters at the top, but as good as they have been to this point, the back two have been worse. James is okay, but mediocrity isn’t going to cut it from the #3 rotation spot if the Braves want to contend. He may have won 11 games in half a season last year, but that its questionable whether he’ll be able to match that total this year. James is still far from proven. How many batters did he throw first pitch strikes to tonight? Exactly.

By Dan Vazz

May 2, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

what are the chances of the braves pulling a deal to get Crawford from tampa bay? he brings speed to the line up thats something that the braves dont have

By gotigers72

May 2, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

Once again, throwing too many pitches jumped up and bit Chuck. Once he gets over or around 90 pitches, he starts losing it. That pitch to Howard was awful. Don’t know if he meant to throw that pitch there or not, but he had made him look bad all night with low outside breaking balls [as did Gonzalez later], and he throws a fastball letter high with “hit me” written all over it.

By Lee

May 3, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

James is still a reliable starting pitcher. Don’t think a lot of teams would not go after this kid if available.

Harris is looking like a keeper. If another leftfielder is obatained via trade I say keep Harris over Orr.

Salty looks good - hope the Braves keep him - but teams will come calling about him and there is your trade bait for whatever the Braves need around mid-season.

By bclontz

May 3, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

I’m at a loss to explain why the Braves throwers are at the top of the list when it comes to throwing balls! Pitch count? The reason the pitch count goes so high is because they’re balls! Get rid of pitching coaches because that’s not working. Have a shuttle bus running daily to and from Richmond that brings new pitchers that have been able to throw strikes, and plug them in. A walk is free, a strike gives everyone a chance to make a play on the ball….stop calling guys who throw balls pitchers, they’re ballers….you either pitch or you PACK!