Chop Chick

By Greg

May 7, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

Agreed, it shouldn’t be for a quick fix. But we have depth at catcher and we’re shallow in starting pitching. But will another franchise trade a promising young pitcher for a promising young catcher? Would Salty land Jon Lester or Andrew Miller?

By Lee

May 7, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

Speaking as a Braves fan, I hope Salty is not traded. With that said, I eventually believe he will become trade bait. Can it be possible the Braves jumped to quickly to sign McCann - Chop Chick??? Salty has a better arm and the power numbers should be equal to or better than McCann. The batting average would be the major question.

I cannot see McCann as a first baseman and where else would he play.

The remaining option is to find Salty a position or a trade will occur. I do not think the Braves will move him to another position this year-perhaps next year. Playing time at that position this season being an issue and it would lower Salty’s trade value at catcher also.

By Chop Chick

May 7, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

I say we keep McCann at catcher and move Salty to first base. Then again, who knows how he — or Thorman — will pan out? But McCann is a fine catcher. I hate the idea of Salty as trade bait.

What’s happened to our ability to scout and draft quality young arms? Not that the minor leaguers we have aren’t capable but with the exception of Will Startup, nobody appears to have that future MLB rotation guy look. Check out the names we’ve shipped off in recent years: Marquis, Perez, Wainwright, Millwood. None are aces but all can hang tough in a game. Did we get any lasting returns for them? I don’t have the stats in front of me but it seems like STL benefited most. Wainwright could be starting for us now instead of for them.

By Chris

May 7, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

What did we get in return?!?

Oliver Perez - we got Gary Sheffield Kevin Millwood - we got Estrada Marquis and Wainwright - JD Drew, Marrero…

Perez was descent for a couple years in LA and Shef had one season plagued by injuries and a couple MVP type seasons before he fell in love with NY and didn’t even negotiate with us.

Millwood was terrible in Philly before having one good year in Cleveland and Estrada was an All Star and Silver Slugger here before we turned him into a Major League starter and a solid reliever

Marquis had one ok year and two terrible years in St. Louis before his ERA over 6 earned him 21 mil, Wainwright hurts the most because he had a solid season last year and looks to be solid for his career but we don’t know yet, but JD Drew put up .300/30/95 his year here and Marrero had a career year too and we were in the playoffs. They knew they were getting the guys for maybe one year, but had to do it. We had no right fielder.

By TennBrent

May 7, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

Is it at all possible that we are jumping the gun, just a tad, with Salty here?

For whatever reason, y’all are reading McCann his last rites, but the fact of the matter is, he may be one of the best signal callers in the Show.

Salty is very good. Has all the upside in the world. However, can we just let him get a tad more seasoning before we annoint him? Plus, let’s have a little faith here. As Frenchy said: “if you can hit, they’ll make a place for you.” That is probably going to be the case here. Besides, should Salty’s promise continue, that means other folks on this squad will become expendable. He won’t become trade bait, but other players who just aren’t cutting it right now (or who are barely cutting it)will be put on the trade block.

By stynes

May 7, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this

Whoa, whoa, Chop Chick. Marquis, Perez, Wainwright, and Millwood?

Marquis has looked good for the Cubs this year but did sport a 6.00+ ERA last year for the Cards. His 2 years prior were better (3.71 and 4.13) and he did eat some innings (32+ starts each year but it’s not like we’ve lost Cy Young.

Perez hasn’t pitched in more than 20 games since 2004. He had 2 good seasons in LA (‘02 and ‘04). Every other year he’s been, well, bad. ERAs of over 4.50, twice over 5.50 including 6.83 last year and currently sports a 6.75 ERA.

Wainwright had a good year last year for the Cards but has returned to earth a little bit this year and is currently 2-2 with a 5.60 ERA.

Millwood’s posted a 4.00+ ERA every year since being traded except for the oustanding ‘05 season where he had a losing record but a sub 3.00 ERA. He’s currently 2-3 with an era higher than Wainwright’s.

We lost some inning eaters in Millwood and Marquis. Wainwright is still young so we’ll have to see how that plays out. We haven’t been losing star talent, though. These are, without a doubt, middle of the road big leaguers. I think the Braves farm system has a number of potential middle of the road big leauge arms.

By Jason

May 7, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

How can you say that Startup is the only player with “that future MLB rotation guy look”?????

Have you not heard of Matt Harrison or Jo Jo Reyes?

BOTH of them will be in the rotation sooner and are higher rated prospects than Will Startup.

Do a little research please!

By brandon

May 7, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this

I agree we shouldnt trade Salty of a quick fix but I believe we might need to look at moving him to 1st or 3rd base so we can keep McCann and have great 3-4-5 combo that is young in our lineup.

By Chop Chop

May 7, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

Jason,

Will Startup is a reliever and hasn’t started a game since high school. He’ll never be in the Braves rotation because he’s not a starter.

That’s a more obvious point to make.

By Oldtimer

May 7, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

Salty at first base would be a waste of a great throwing arm. He needs to be used where his arm can be a plus. Lobbing the ball back to the pitcher and underhand tosses to the pitcher covering first is not my idea of taking advantage of a players asset. Great arms are hard to come by.

By Chris

May 7, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

Wow. How do you ever find the time to keep up with this blog? It must be such a drain coming up with such thought-provoking topics day after day. Your insight and trememdous baseball acumen are on full display. Keep up the great work!

By Chop Chick

May 7, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this

Yes, I know that Startup is a reliever. My sentence above is improperly written, so mea culpa and thanks for pointing it out.

OK, so Harrison and Reyes are the future. When will we see them? Because our current arms in the low spots are sketchy — Redman and Davies, I mean. Exactly how much do Braves fans want another WS ring? Enough to bring up a young arm right away? I’m just asking.

By deewill23

May 7, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this

I would only trade Salty for a young pitcher who has ace potential like Dan Haren, Andrew Miller, Rich Hill, or maybe Rich Harden. I would move Salty to fist base after the trading deadline (if we didn’t trade him). Next I would move Scott Thorman to Left Field. And keep McCann as catcher. Then when McCann needs a break in would put Salty as catcher. In the farm system we have so quality young arms. Jamie Richmond, Matt Harrison, Jo Jo Reyes, Timothy Gustafson, Dan smith, Anthony Lerew, and finally the best of the crop is Tommy Hanson. Last time I checked he was second in the whole minors in strikeouts to tim linececum. He also is third in the updated baseball america scouting reports. The bad part him is that he is still in low A (for now).

By Chris

May 7, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this

Ironic that my post was followed within 1 minute by Chop Chick. Weird…

Just messing with you, by the way. It seems like the last 6 days in Braves town have been filled with nothing but Salty talk. Dude will be very good, but the premature praise is already getting old.

By Paul Hamilton

May 7, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

Ummm noone is reading McCann his last rites, he will be the starting catcher for the Braves until his contract expires. He not only calls a great game, but he is one of the best offensive catchers to come out in the last 10 years. He may be the best hitter on the team, especially with the game on the line. He is the real deal, I knew that ever since he smashed that homerun off Clemens in the playoffs. Salty will either move positions or get traded, and he has a lot of value as a catcher.

By Rodney Derrick

May 7, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this

On the question of lost starting pitchers, Matt Belisle now with the Reds may be the biggest loss. We got Kent Mercker for a few months for him several years ago.

By Chop Chick

May 7, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this

Actually, Chris, I saw your post after I hit the “go” button on this one. No offense taken, anyway. It’s sports talk and some days there’s not much on the docket. Is there really that much to debate about the Braves so far? They’ve been going along pretty well. I’m definitely rooted in the McCann Is Our Catcher camp, though. When Smoltz makes you his personal catcher during your rookie half-season, you’re GOOD.

Salty just looked impressive, considering he was called up quickly and saw action right away in tough big league situations. That’s a good thing, IMO. Certainly it’s better than what happened with Joey Devine way back when. That’s still painful to think about.

By Eric from MO

May 7, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

Lee- McCann is one of the 2 best hitting catchers in baseball. What do you mean the Braves jumped to quickly? They signed him for only 26 million over the next 6 seasons. That is a bargain.

I really dont see what the big deal is with Salty. He has played 2 games and has 2 hits and everyone is going crazy. I’d hate see what happens if he hits a homerun. Has anyone checked out his stats from last season, not pretty and that was at AA. Im not saying that Salty is or is going to be a bum. I hope he is a great player. However lets not get carried away.

By Chris

May 7, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this

Agreed, it’s much better to be discussing what to do with Salty than what we were talking about this time last year. The problems we have this season are much better than the ones of last.

I’m big on Salty, and he has looked impressive thus far, but I just feel there’s quite a bit of hyperbole being thrown around in regards to Salty. I’d like to give the kid a chance to succeed before crowning him the next “great.”

By gotigers72

May 7, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

Amen Chop Chick - Do not trade Salty and that cannon arm. McCann has 5 errors and several passed balls already this year. [5 errors in 30 games projects to 25 in 150. OUCH!] He also doea not have a good percentage throwing out runners, although some of that has to rest on the pitchers heads. But a switch hitter with power and a cannon arm. The Braves need to keep him or be overwhelmed by an offer of SEVERAL players.

By keephim

May 7, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

Keep Salty and Harris…they both add excitement to the team.

By Taylor

May 7, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

there is no way we can trade a player like Salty… he needs to move to 1st and Thorman to the OF.

By Chris

May 7, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

Lame blog. Just another AJC attempt to get women into a man’s sport. AJC is liberal POS.

By MOTDawg

May 7, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

Just a quick note on Startup. He started four games his last year at UGA because of the awful state of the rotation that year. One week, he threw on Friday and then a complete game on Sunday. That said, he’s not a SP in the big leagues, but we’ll probably see him in September, maybe earlier if injuries occur.

By GoWarriors

May 7, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

I just wanted to comment on the Rainbow/PUSH meeting with John Schuerholz. What makes Jesse Jackson and his agency think they have the right to tell Schuerholz how to run his organization? This is so frustrating to me. Rainbow says Schuerholz should have black players on the starting roster, even if a more talented white player is available. That is such a ludicrous idea, how can Schuerholz be expected to build a winning team if he’s worrying about filling Jesse Jackson’s quotas?

I realize the problem exists that only 10% of MLB players are black, but that’s not the responsibility of the Braves or our GM. The league should be doing more in the way of advertising and public awareness. Recruiting less talented players based solely on the color of their skin will accomplish nothing. Obviously if Schuerholz finds a talented black player, he will recruit him and give him a chance. Look at Willie Harris - Harris was called up recently and has been excellent so far. But he was called up to fill a need in left field, not because Schuerholz was under pressure from a group like Rainbow. When Jesse Jackson becomes a GM in baseball, then he can make decisions about who’s on his team. Are there not more important issues for a civil rights group like his than a baseball roster?

The spokesman simply said, “There are talented black players in Atlanta” without any specifics. Schuerholz should tell them to feel free to hand in a scouting report and if a player meets the talent standards of the Braves then he should by all means be recruited. But, I highly doubt they had any scouting reports on hand with them. I wholeheartedly support blacks in baseball, but only if they make it based on their talent just like everyone else, and not on some artificial quota system.

Also, I hope these same people are investigating the small proportion of white players in the NBA. If not, these people are racists and are perpetuating a blatant double standard in American society.

By Joel

May 8, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this

I have a feeling that Salty is not only up in the major league, because of injuries, but to show off to other teams, that he can play at the pro level. I like him so far, but who knows what the future looks like. i wouldn’t mind getting dontrelle willis in a trade for him, but i’d rather keep him. we could also use him to get a left fielder. because we will need an extra outfielder next year, jones is not staying. harris looks good so far also.

By Coach

May 8, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this

Salty to 1B ? I must digress Chop Chick. Thorman is 25 , he makes the league minimum and has nothing but upside. McCann is 23 , ditto. KJ is 25 , ditto. Francoeur is 23 , ditto. Chipper is 35 , has bad wheels(not his fault) and he has a date with the DL sometime this season. Chippers contract is up after the 2008 season , he will always be a huge injury risk , when in the line up , he is as good a 3rd sacker as there is in the majors. So where should Salty move to if the Braves choose not to trade him ? We have a 35 year old switch hitting , power hitting 3rd baseman with creaky wheels and a young switch hitting , power hitting catcher with no position…… is anybody following my train of thought ?

By Scott

May 8, 2007 1:44 AM | Link to this

Don’t trade Salty. The guy is WAY too good to be traded. Plus he’s a really nice guy. Got his autograph last year in Montgomery when the Braves were in town to play the Biscuits. Great kid and he even played with my 4 month old.

By Najeh Davenpoop

May 8, 2007 1:44 AM | Link to this

Thorman’s not bad, but Salty’s ceiling is clearly higher than Thorman’s. Brian McCann is a mainstay on this team; he’s already proven he can be an elite major league hitter, and it would be foolish to trade him now that we have him signed for six years at what is probably less than market value. Between the three, Thorman should be the odd man out in the long run. But in the event the Braves do decide to trade Salty, Chop Chick is right — they should get an elite player in return, not a three month Band Aid rental. Personally, I’d rather see Salty be the first-baseman of the future and Thorman traded for a reliable 3rd starter.

By Mike

May 8, 2007 7:40 AM | Link to this

Why not put Salty in the outfield somewhere (LF) sorta like a previous catcher brought up in the late 70’s? As I recall, that guy was pretty damn good.

By Mike

May 8, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this

Have to agree with GoWarriors. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton only hurt the black community with their outrageous comments and double standards.

By Chop Chick

May 8, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

Not the Chris who makes sense on this blog wrote:

“Lame blog. Just another AJC attempt to get women into a man’s sport.”

Saying it’s a lame blog is fine by me. I’m just a fan, not an expert, and some days there isn’t much to stir my blood.

But the second part of that comment frankly doesn’t even make sense. Women aren’t supposed to be baseball fans because it’s a “man’s sport”? Or women shouldn’t talk baseball? I guess we’re not supposed to care about the Braves or fork out cash at the ballpark to support the team. But Lame Chris (not Sensible Chris, who offers fair criticism and plays nicely on the blog) probably thinks we shouldn’t be working.

Back to baseball and real issues: This Rainbow/PUSH meeting. So… Edgar Renteria and Andruw Jones suddenly aren’t non-white/minorities? Yes, they are from Colombia and Curacao, respectively, so I guess they possibly don’t fit this group’s particular definition of African-American — if there is such a definition that Rainbow/PUSH uses to measure guys on MLB clubs. But nobody had any issue when Andruw donned No. 42 to honor Jackie Robinson, which is as it should have been.

Listen, Rainbow/PUSH, we want the finest fellows out there on the field — the guys who can win games for us, pull together as a team, make us proud. Willie Harris is doing that and I think this town is loving the speedster from Cairo. I’ve loved him since his days with the ChiSox. The Braves have had a well-rounded group of guys on the field over the years; just because this year, so far, things have been different doesn’t mean Atlanta isn’t committed to fairness in bringing certain players along. Just my opinion.

By jg

May 8, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

1. McCann is the top hitting catcher in the NL and will continue to rank near or at the top for the next 10 years.
2. Salty is a player. Don’t let last year fool you. He tore it up in ‘05 in the worst hitting park in professional baseball… he tore it up in ‘06 AFTER his wrist was healed… he was tearing it up this year prior to being called up. These 2 big league games DON’T prove he can play, but the past 2 1/2 years DO. I’d love to keep him and hope we do. But he is without a doubt the top-catching prospect in the Minors and will be a top-5 MLB catcher (plus he switch-hits) so his value is extremely high.
3. Harrison (only 21) will have a shot to make our rotation in ‘08 and should eventually be a #1 or #2 for several years. Reyes needs a bit more seasoning (cut down on BB) and it’s not a definite that he’ll be a successfull big leaguer. But he’ll get a shot in Spring Training.
4. Davies will most likely keep the #4 this season. The #5 is up for grabs and could go to Lerew, Cormier, Villareal, Barry, or Redman. Personally, I think Lerew can take it over… or Cormier if he ever heals.

By Savannah Guy

May 8, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Chop Chick, you are always right…therefore I almost always agree with you. Your blog is respectful and seems to bring out the “gentlemen fans”. good job.

My two cents: keep Salty as a backup catch, platoon at first and pinch hitter. That way he gets more AB’s than a bench guy-third catcher. Otherwise, we’ll have to trade our #2 catcher (can’t remember his name at this moment) and make Salty our #2…or he’ll have to go back to Richmond to stay in tune.

By Chop Chick

May 8, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

That’s kind of you to say, Savannah Guy, but I’m not always right. In fact, I think I’m incorrect more often than not. Like everyone else on here, I’m just a fan and I don’t have the inside scoop. (Hey, I have to beg DOB and CR for scraps myself. From DOB, I get the standard “You really need to check out this band” reply and from CR, the reply is “STOP TELLING PEOPLE THAT I’M CHOP CHICK!”)

We’ve got a blog up now on the Rainbow/PUSH issue. If you haven’t weighed in on this, please take a moment to read the original story and then voice an opinion that’s well-thought out and rational. Because it would be nice to see more American kids in general playing the sport we continue calling our “national pastime,” which has been steadily losing the love of young fans over the years to faster-paced sports like soccer and basketball. Nothing wrong with those sports at all, but we’ve got to get these kids loving baseball again.

By Lee

May 8, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy - You are right about this blog being a little more respectable to each other. DOB’s blog reminds me of a college frat. If you are in the click you are good to go but if you are not beware of the consequences - if you are fortunate enough to even get a response that is. Chop Chip maybe this one will continue to grow with more response.

By bclontz

May 8, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand why the” Rainboo Causoffriction ” has to come in and complain about not enough minorities in baseball. Have they gone to see the NBA or NFL to get more minorities in the game? What’s the precentage of players in these leagues? How many Angelo saxon players are in the NBA? I hope we are still playing the best players, and I hope we’re still getting the players that we can afford to have on our rosters. I gotta figure that somewhere along the line, Talent might be the motive, just as in the NBA! How many of the Rainbow leaders have had a working mans job lately? They don’t need one, because they live off the minorities that they are supposed to be helping…..Shame on you guys….when I think of Rainbows I wonder what’s behind it! Put the best on your team, and if they are 90-10 either way, win or change the status….

By joebrave

May 8, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this

KEEP SALTY!KEEP SALTY!

By bobbymahlon

May 10, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this

From what I have seen so far Salty is a better catcher than McCann. But I would move Salty to left because of Thorman’s good work at first. He could also fill in as the backup catcher but please don’t trade him for a pitcher that might pull up lame after a half season. Lets get our pitchers through the farm system where they won’t break the bank. Our luck with trading for pitchers has not been good (Hampton,Byrd, Redman etc.).

By chipdip

May 10, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

put salty in the rotation.

By beki

May 12, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

Why not trade Bryan P,the backup catcher who’s on the DL? Then make Salty the backup catcher;then,the Braves worry should be who’s gonna backup Renteria when he’s out. It is obvious to me that Woodward is not the ideal sub for Renteria.

By Randall H.

May 14, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this

Brian McCan would make a great first baseman and he would stay healthier longer. I agree Salty has a canon for an arm and behind the plate he maybe could offer a better deal, but if you haven’t noticed B.M. was hitting .350 until a slight dip last week and he’s still hitting .320 and he is a better selection at clean-up. B.M. could be an annual figure at the All-Star game. He is an RBI machine waiting to happen. About Andruw being a good choice at clean-up he’s a joke. The thing about him is he could hit .110 and he’ll still get his 25 Mill at the end of the year.

By Pete

May 18, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

I just checked on MLB.com. On Thursday [17th] the Braves released 1B/of Craig Wilson & activated c Branyan Pena. On Friday [18th] the Braves sent c Branyan Pena to AAA; & activated p Mark Redman.

It seems like the Braves are going to use Saltalamacchia as backup c & at 1B now instead of later. I like that arrangement.

By stew

May 21, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this

Left Field. My mother can play left field and so can Salty.