Chop Chick

By geekboy

April 22, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

Blanco should be taking Kotsay’s ABs! Diaz would hit 270 against righties if given a chance. He is lethal against lefties of course.

The problem with the OF is that the Braves have one legit MLB athlete out there. Kotsay cannot go every day and his defense is questionable. Diaz is no gazelle, and Blanco lacks the power I would require as a GM. If the Braves don’t trade for another outfielder (or give J. Anderson a shot at full-time CF) at some point this year I will be stunned.

By TheDunderChief

April 22, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

geekboy,

Kotsay has been hitting the ball hard all season and has gunning people down with his great arm out in center. Plus, are you actually suggesting the Braves trade for another outfielder? They have a surplus of good outfielders that may be used as trade bait later in the season if anything.

By richbrave

April 22, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

CHOP CHICK:

Your inference to a platoon situation in left and Diaz’s emotional relief is well taken. A platoon or whatever Bobby’s set in stone for left field play has been great for Matt Diaz’s mental approach to the game. It’s too soon to tell, but yesterday was the first time this year Matt seemed relaxed at the plate. I thought Matty was back to his old self.

When you’re a WORRIER(which he is) having back-up lets you relax, and maybe that’s all he needs. It’s in his head. Mine was diagnosed as “panic disorder” a variant of OCD. Diaz reminds me of myself when he’s not in a comfort zone. You press, you’re frustrated and no matter what you’re told, or how hard you try, it doesn’t change anything. But find the key to relieve the “panic” and you just sail along, everything suddenly becomes easy again.

His ability to hit out of the strike zone pitches is uncanny. Throw him one in the strike zone and away and he’s as like to miss it as not. But inside or outside WHEN HE’S RELAXED AND NOT PRESSING. Whew! He will wear you out. You know I can’t recall seeing any Brave with the ability to hit bad balls any better than Diaz since TBS came to Atlanta. A perfect man for the 7 or 8 spot in the order with an occasional platoon. No pressure, no “panic”.

By JT

April 22, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

I reall like Blanco, but who’s to say he’s not going to cool off soon. I think Diaz should stay the starter, and when he gets cold sit him for a couple of days, let him get that fire again and put him back in!

By Lee U

April 22, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Geek you have NO CLUE what you are talking about. Kotsay has been playing great defense! You must have missed all the talk and writeups about him doing so well. He has been smoking the ball but hitting right at people. Sorry bud but there’s not much you can do about that. You just have to wait and keep hitting it hard. Trading for another outfielder would be stupid!!! If anything, we need pitching but I guess you didn’t notice that with your sole focus being anti-Kotsay rants on these blogs. Just shut up because you are making yourself sound foolish.

By DerekZ

April 22, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

Geek,

Kotsay is an stud in CF. He’s been hitting the ball, getting to most fly balls in Center, has a gun to rival Frenchy. I’m more than happy with Kotsay out there. You obviously don’t watch any games, so I’ll let this slip.

And Blanco looks great. I’d be happy with a platoon with Diaz. Matty had two nice ABs against Chico last night, but once the right hander came in, struck out on a horrible looking pitch.

I think the bigger question we should be asking is: How do we get PRADO in this line-up? I’m not suggesting a platoon with Kelly or anything, but just curious. Can Prado play LF?

By J-Dubb

April 22, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

I like the platoon. I love Diaz’s grit and style of play, but with his struggles, it is good to have backup that can also get the job done. I agree that Kotsay has done a super job in center. Also, I like Matty hitting 8th. You know the spot in front of the pither won’t see many strikes, so it is perfect for him! Go Smoltzie….we’ll all be watching for # 3000 tonight!

By bruce

April 22, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

I am a Diaz fan, even have a t-shirt, glad to see him play so well last night. If he is out/platooning because of his starting out batting average so far this year, then how does that rationale apply to all the other players who have lower averages? As of today Matty is 6th on the team behind Chipper (so is the world), Blanco, Escobar McCann, Fancoeur. Lower averages belong (in order) to Prado, Kotsay, Gotay,Pena, Teixeira, Johnson, Miller, then followed by all the pitchers who have no hits at all. Great problem to have with players getting hot. I hope Blanco can keep it up, but it can be painful when hot goes cold (remember Willy Harris last year) and Bobby stays with them too long hoping for a reversal. So my thought is platooning is good as long as both are hot in their roles.

By bruce

April 22, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

just checked out the stats for last seven days:

Blanco and Chipper .538, then Pena .500 (1 for 2), then Matty 412, Prado 333, Kotsay 318 Francoeur and Teixeira 300, Escobar and McCann 250.

Awesome, hopefully keep it going at least through homestand to get over that past road trip and make it forgettable.

By GP

April 22, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Kotsay & A.Jones as of today: Kotsay Avg-.273 Slg-.424 HR-1 RBI-5 Errors-0 A. Jones Avg-.159 Slg-.286 HR-1 RBI-3 Errors-0

By GP

April 22, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

Anyone still think we should have given Andrew the farm instead of going after Kotsay?

By ChampDawg

April 22, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

Booby Cox plays his favorites. He didn’t sit Andruw out last year when he was struggling and kept him batting cleanup or 5th most of the season despite his poor hitting. This cost us many, many games. Platoon LF and CF. Go with the hot bat.

By Bravesfan79

April 22, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

I like the idea of a platoon, it keeps more bats fresh for when we need who evers not starting to pinch hit.
That being said i perfer to see Diaz out there.

Lets hope we can blow it out in the first 5 innings so Smoltz and Chipper can come out early!

Smoltz…Mr. 3000!! (wasnt that a movie?)

By pavard

April 22, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

Geekboy

Have you lost your mind? Kotsay is the real deal! Look at his numbers. Defense Questionable? He leads the majors in outfield assists since 1998. He rarely strikes out, puts the ball in play, moves runners…way better than precious Andruw.

I think you need to reevaluate your opinion on the Braves outfield. Maybe you are just clueless….

By FJR

April 22, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

Platoons in left are fine as long as the other guy is producing. The problem I had the last couple of years with platooning Diaz is that his platoon partners never produced.

I like Blanco, he has decent gap power (which Josh Anderson doesn’t have) and a good eye at the plate (which Josh Anderson doesn’t have).

Geekboy, if you were saying Blanco doesn’t have enough pop, you really want to play Josh Anderson in center? That guy makes Willie Harris look like Prince Fielder.

By FJR

April 22, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

Bruce, problem with Matty is not just the average, but his K/walk ratio. He’s looked lost at times and like he was pressing. Maybe if he gets back to a role he’s more comfortable with he’ll stop pressing as much. Its looked like eh’s been trying to prove he should be the everyday LF instead of just going out and doing his thing. He’s been so aggressive that he’s made Francouer look like Tony Gwynn up there.

By David

April 22, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

WOW - beating a dead horse here, since the rest of you have commented, but I can’t help myself - geekboy is insane. Kotsay is performing better than we had any right to hope, and though I’m an Andruw Jones fan, he’s performing better than AJ did last year (not to mention this year).

By dack jerrick

April 22, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

Diaz/Blanco platoon is a sound idea along with a Johnson/Prado platoon at second. Kelly looks sad against lefties and Prado is strokin’ the ball and ready to play now. It’s the best of both worlds.

By bcshorts

April 22, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

I’m not too sure what Cox should or will do with Diaz. I love the way he plays the game, but he has been pressing and struggling at the plate. His strikeout rate is up to around once every 3.5 at bats from his career mark of about once per 5.5.

Meanwhile Blanco has looked very good in his limited playing time, and certainly deserves a shot to play more.

Kotsay, of course, has been terrific for the Braves. His defense is very solid, and his hitting is well above average for a 7th or 8th hitter.

I think I would like to see Diaz get the starts against LHP, while he and Blanco split the starts against RHP. Blanco can also give Kotsay an occassional day off in center. That way, all three can get consistent at bats as the season progresses.

By Chris

April 22, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

What I really like is the attitude Diaz has about all this! Very much a team player.

By richbrave

April 22, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this

bcshorts:

Yes. Give all three work and time off. Great idea.

By poorbrave

April 22, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

FJR don’t have a clue! You said Blanco had decent gap power that Josh Anderson doesn’t have? You said, Blanco had good eye at plate that Josh doesn’t have? Where did you get you information? Blanco 1st year in majors-13 games 18 AB 444 BA 7 k’s in 18 ab’s 1 rbi. This year. Anderson 21 games 67ab 358 BA slg 403 OBP 413 11 RBI 6 k’s in67 ab Had a 5 hit game against Pirates. After his call with Astros in Sept. he hit 358 with minimum of 50 plate appearanes, it was the fifth highest mark after Sept call up debut for a National League Player since 1957. He had over 40 SB in each of last two years. The one main thing that separates them is the fact Anderson is undoutedly the better stolen base threat. He was caught only 8 times in 48 attempts. FJR Think before you speak. Willie Harris for a couple months last summer was big spark for Braves and right now has Wash. up 1-0 on Braves. Everyone has a place do you know yours.* Go Smoltz and Braves.*

By poorbrave

April 22, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this

Richbrave, whats your take on Blanco and Anderson? I always respect your blog. Both are good players, wish they could both be in Atlanta.

By Steve

April 23, 2008 3:38 AM | Link to this

I think everyone has bashed geekboy enough, so I won’t pile on except to say I am glad he is not our GM or Manager. Very, very glad.

Kotsay is fine in CF, though an occasional rest wouldn’t hurt his chances of going all year without an injury. The thing is, most of his injuries have been caused by him diving all over the place making great catches. I just hope he doesn’t try a circus catch and risk an injury for a single out. It’s just not worth it in the big picture of things.

Frenchy is fine, but platoon him out against a righty every now and then. Maybe one game out of 20 or so, which still puts him in there for 154 games. Everyone needs a breather.

As for Blanco, he looks great. I could care less about his power as long as he stays over .300, fields well, and annoys the opponents when on the bases. Power is soooo overrated in baseball anyway. Andruw Jones had power, but he was an absolute rally-killer 95% of the time. I will take a solid hitter over a free-swinging power hitter who either strikes out or ground into countless double plays.

Speaking of defense, does anyone remember the last time Andruw Jones ever threw someone out on the basepaths? I sure don’t. I saw him try to get a couple of assists against the Braves last weekend, and his arm is pathetic. He can still cover alot of ground, but I think Bobby Cox might have a better arm than Andruw these days. He never was accurate or had a cannon, but he wasn’t horrible either. Now, he is horrible. I am so glad we didn’t give him a big contract and tie up money we can use on Free Agents or extensions.

By Brian

April 24, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this

This is geared to the person who was asking about Andrew Jones. Personally I think it was a good switch.. Kotsay has become a leader quick on the field and in the clubhouse… I agree he needs the occational rest and other players need the playing time… His hitting has been good, he can cover ground out there in cf, and he also has a strong arm.. As for Jones i still like him and I always will he is a great player who helped the Braves in many ways over the years but in the last few years he hasent been producing… He can run the ball down no doubt but his hitting has just fell off in my opinion. But you never know he could get hot and just stroke the ball…. But all in all I think it was a good choice.

By Don

April 25, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

Kotsay does not appear to be a winner with the bat. Past history indicates he is not. Out of spring training, the Braves had at least two hot hitters who are center fielders. Why not use them unti they show that cannot produce. You basically know that Kotsay is not going to produce significantly. Blanco has been hot, play him. At least play him in center when he is not platooning in left. Of course, we all know that Cox is going to play the veteran no matter what.

By jim

April 25, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

Why is everyone in love with idea of platooning Matt Diaz? Is this based upon anything? Yes, he has struggled this year, but - a) as was pointed out in this paper, Matt always starts slow and b) if you look at his splits (ave v rightys and leftys) the last two years, he hit over .300 against both of them.