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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > July > 22
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Should Braves go after Bonds?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A guy asked me something the other day that I decided to run by the masses. I shrugged it off, by the way. That’s because this particular thing would rank somewhere between ludicrous and outrageous if it happened.
Barry Bonds.
That’s the name the guy mentioned to me while nodding. To paraphrase what the guy proceeded to say: “With the Braves struggling in the clutch at the plate along the way to a slew of one-run losses [or losses, period], why not grab the biggest free agent out there that nobody wants?”
Well, here’s why: It would be absolutely insane. The primary reason Bonds hasn’t signed with anybody to date is because nobody wishes to have the circus that would come with such a move.
In case you haven’t heard, Bonds is slated to have a federal trial next year on perjury charges involving his (ahem) alleged dabbling in performance-enhancing drugs. Not only that, he hasn’t been the most accommodating athlete regarding teammates, reporters and fans.
None of that mattered to this guy, though, because he said the positives involving Bonds on the Braves would override the negatives. He is baseball’s all-time leader in home runs, and he even slammed 28 last season. He turns 44 on Thursday, but he still is younger than former Braves first baseman Julio Franco.
He could show the Braves’ young hitters how to remain disciplined in the batter’s box no matter what. He could give the Braves much needed pop off the bench. Despite his fading defensive skills, he could play occasionally in left field. He could help the Braves’ attendance that has slide below the major-league average.
And don’t forget: Braves executive John Schuerholz mentioned in his book two years ago that he once tried to trade for Bonds and almost had him.
I’m sorry, but I’m back to visions of a Bonds-induced circus at Turner Field, and remember: The Braves traditionally haven’t been into sideshows.
Then again, what do you think? And if you agree with this guy who wants Bonds in Atlanta, would you prefer elephants or giraffes to go with the clowns?
Permalink | Comments (209) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves/MLB
Braves still have a chance
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Since the Braves were scheduled to play their 100th game Tuesday night in Miami, this is the optimum time to explain why those choppers and chanters should stop exchanging their foam-rubber tomahawks for ones shaped like white flags.
It’s not over.
For one, the fourth-place Braves have 62 games left to discover ways to become the first-place Braves. Then again, they could slump so badly this summer that they could eliminate themselves by Labor Day from snatching the National League East or a wild-card berth. “I don’t know if I’d say we have a good shot [at the playoffs],” said Braves general manager Frank Wren. “I think we’ve got a shot. We’ve put ourselves in a position where I don’t know if you can describe it as good. We have to play better to have a good shot.”
That’s true. Still, despite their various issues, the Braves have an easier shot at the playoffs than you think.
For instance:
• The Division: These are the same New York Mets who blew that seven-game lead last year with 17 games left to play. These also are the same Mets who exposed their lack of character earlier this season by playing just sorry enough to get the clubhouse-unpopular Willie Randolph fired as their manager.
The Philadelphia Phillies?
Not impressed. Courtesy of an offense that is home run or bust, the Phillies haven’t scored much in a month. They also could use another starting pitcher.
The Mets and the Phillies are ahead of the Braves, along with the Florida Marlins, among just two teams in the majors with 80 or more errors. The Florida offense also is flimsy since it depends on the power game, and it gets worse: The Marlins rank among baseball’s bottom four in team ERA.
• The wounded: Many of the Braves’ injured will become the Braves’ healthy down the stretch. That means they could become the Braves’ catalysts.
Just look at the impressive ways of reliever Mike Gonzalez since his return from the disabled list. So, in the coming days and weeks, the Braves should receive jolts of goodness from a combination that involves Rafael Soriano, Yunel Escobar, Matt Diaz, Tom Glavine, (dare we say it?) Mike Hampton and others.
• The odds: No way the Braves will continue to play this badly on the road and during one-run games. They began Tuesday night’s game against the Marlins tied for the third-worst record in the majors on the road at 16-32. They were a wretched 5-22 in one-run games, including 24 consecutive losses in a row on the road to top baseball’s old record by three and counting.
“It’s been our lack of run production, and everybody needs to step up just a bit,” said Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira. “It’s like one hit here, moving a runner over there, and those one-run losses turn into one-run wins.”
• The schedule: Let’s say the Braves get that road thing and that one-run thing together sooner than later. Let’s say they stay within striking distance of the division leaders. Let’s say the Marlins fade as expected and the Mets and the Phillies are NL East contenders by default.
The Braves would control their own destiny with six games each against the Mets and the Phillies in September.
• The manager: Bobby Cox, a future Hall of Famer, with 15 division titles, five pennants and a world championship.
Permalink | Comments (19) | Categories: Braves/MLB
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