Terence Moore

By Herschel Talker

August 27, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

They are done until 2011 at the earliest

By alex

August 27, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

Absolutely. Yes, the Braves have a slew of issues but any team, especially one with Bobby at the helm, can bounce back in the free agent era. I just hope the Braves don’t continue with this “address from within the organization” strategy. They’ve done that for the past four years to obvious results. Free agents are a gamble but sometimes (right now) you need that instant injection of new blood and talent to change the face of things.

And perhaps the brightest note is: things can’t get any worse. We’ll never again endure the slew of injuries we did this year. Frenchy will never look this bad for an entire season again. We’ll never inexplicably lose every one run road game.

These things are so negative they’re a positive - because we can rest easy we’ll never have to endure them again.

By bill

August 27, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

I’m sorry,as long as this pathetic owenership group still has control,expect more of the same as this year.

By tdawg

August 27, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

it all depends on off=season decisions. we have to rebuild the starting pitching for the future cause the glory days are over… we have to add some pop to the lineup. chipper is great, but is gonna be in and out of the lineup til he decides to hang it up. yunel & b-mac are solid and i would try to keep infante and prado as role players…after that, we are below average.

By The Dust

August 27, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

The Braves will have a huge opportunity this off season. The problem is, I’m not sure Liberty Media will allow them to do anything about it. The reason the Braves became a contender for so long, is because of Ted Turner. The days of one owner (the quickest way to a title) are long gone. If only Arthur Blank would swap with Liberty Media, I think everything would be much better. After all, there is no salary cap in baseball.

By Big Al

August 27, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

This team is fundamentally flawed, irregardless of the injuries. Glavine knows this but is simply trying to shine the best light he can. He knows that to be a true contender will require a lot more than the acquisition of a couple players and better luck with injuries. Position players like Franceour, Johnson, and Kotchman and pitchers like Reyes and Morton have to really step it up or the Braves will be fortunate to finish third in the Division next year.

By shane

August 27, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

Yeah whatever, thank Ted Turner for selling his soul to the devil (Time Warner). I pray that they rebound, trade that rightfielder.

By Macon Countyline

August 27, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

I agree with you and Glavine. I think it won’t take a lot to bring this team back to contention. And, bad as they may hate to hear it, Glavine and Smoltz can contribute to that turnaround by retiring, accepting our undying gratitude for all they’ve done and let Wren spend that money on adding younger pieces.

By me

August 27, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

The Braves are done, because the new ownership will not do what it take to win.

By PMC

August 27, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

Well lets see, shopping list. Starting Pitching, Starting Pitching, Starting Pitching. Left Fielder with great power and average. Center Fielder with the same Sports Psycologist for Right Field…. Dr. James Andrews on permanent retainer….

Bottling Chipper Jones Fountain of Youth.. oh and a ton of luck to go along with young players.

Oh sure, a couple of bonified Studs at the top of the rotation and they are right there… all they have to do is spend a boatload of money to get them or pull needles out of a haystack.

By NCBravesFan

August 27, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Terence: I agree that it’s a big bump - I would never doubt Frank Wren’s ability to engineer some roster magic this offseason, but more likely this process is going to take longer.

For one thing, the current roster has too many holes to plug in my book to make it that simple. And it’s not like a lot of their major league players have lots of trade value at the moment.

Cox’s status as manager through 2009 may make it harder to recruit free agents - especially the top flight ones - to Atlanta this offseason. Unless there’s a clear succession plan in place by November, whatever small chance the Braves might have to attract a CC Sabathia type pitcher would seem to be diminished.

I think 2010 is more realistically our year - when some of those younger A-AA players are coming up and some of our young pitchers have a few more inings under their belts.

Until then, I’m not too optimistic.

By ATL Native

August 27, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

well, it makes sense to me because if you look at how many people we’ve lost whether its pitchers or everyday players. We have lost an entire starting rotation of pitchers this year and half of the bullpen. Then when you take into account the other players that have been out for a while it is obvious that if we had everyone that we imagined we would then we would be fighting the mets and not the nationals, if you see what I mean. And obviously it does not help that our outfield can’t do anything lately. I hope Glavine is right, all we can hope for is for the majority of the team to stay healthy and fight back next year.

GO BRAVES, next season at least.

By cityofdecatur

August 27, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

i’m waffling to! tommy’s not my favorite after bolting for the mets, but ….. but i am a fan of the braves do or die and hope springs eternal. i hate to say it but ‘wait till next year ’ it could be the year! oh that hurt sounds like the 80’s to me.

By R-Braves Fan

August 27, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

I hope the Braves’ brass don’t underestimate the significance of this “bump.” Aggressive front office moves must be made any time a team wants to overtake 2 or 3 teams ahead of it in a year or so.

By T-Bone

August 27, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Agree, but the key is making those moves, via free agency or trades. Can you find the right guys? Can you afford the right guys? With our salary situation, can we get enough guys? The cupboard certainly seems bare. I think we are 2 or 3 years away from getting past this gigantic bump.

By Titothebear

August 27, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

What do you expect Glavine to say? He’s toeing the company line because he wants to come back and pitch next year. If he said they were crappy and heading toward oblivion the Braves would tell him to take a hike.

My opinion is that the Braves are toast. They are only fooling themselves if they think that a few injury solutions will bring them back. McCann, Jurrjens, and Escobar are the only real young keepers on this present team. Chipper is good but is getting old quick and he’s breaking down more often than not. Smoltz and Glavine are DONE. Hampton will be gone and is still very injury prone. The bullpen is a complete mess. Frenchy, who knows what to make of him? There is ZERO power, a bunch of slap hitters having career years (Prado, Infante), Campillo isn’t as good as he’s been this year, and to top it all off, Hudson, the best pitcher, is out for the majority of 2009. Add it all up and next year won’t be much prettier than this one.

I say they need to go all young, bring up the kids and let them gel into something similar to the 1990-1991 teams. Take a few lumps, but let them learn at the top level. I just don’t think Wren and Cox will do that. They think they’ll catch lightning in a bottle next year for one last run with the veterans. Bad move!

By kirknga

August 27, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

It doesn’t matter so much what we think as it does Liberty Media. Do they agree with Glavine’s assesement, or do they say it is a complete build project?

We’ll know the answer by the payroll. Do they go after the high-priced starters or not? Do they try to sell us on someone else’s 3rd starter as our #1 and fill in with rookies while waiting for Smoltz and Glavine to heal and return?

The farm system is only so deep and will yield only so many trades(my guess 1-2 big one only) and so trades alone are not going to be enough to fill all the holes. Big money needs to spent as well, and that includes on relievers as well as starters.

So let’s look at the number of $$ spent this offseason and then well know if this season is just a “bump” and we move on to a smoother path, or to a series of more “bumps” as we rebuild.

By Braves Fan Pat

August 27, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

I would like it to be positive, but it seems like it will be awhile for them Bravos to come back. The basically need more than half a team to replace. Most teams that aren’t in New York or Boston build their teams through their farms systems and add a piece here and there through free agency. Doesn’t seem like they have many prospects are ready now, as in opening day 2009. If Liberty Media is a spender they might be in the hunt next year, but I don’t see it happening.

By Jersey Gil

August 27, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

I agree with Glavine, I think Liberty Media, when they going to see the Seat enty like last night they will react and expense in the Free agency Next year. You have to put a good product in the field to bring Fan to the stand, and Liberty Media is a Business to make Money.Next Year with a few couple of acquisition and better luck and health we are coming back to compete.

By Jim H.

August 27, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

A lot of folks tend to forget that they were right in the thick of things, just a few games out of first place up until the injury situation just got totally ridiculous. Even with the all the injuries the first 1/3 of the season we were still hanging in there. But no team could survive loosing almost their entire starting rotation, their top two relief pitchers, and several key position players and other key pitchers for long stretches and expect to survive it. You can’t play very well with half your team on the DL. Injuries have sunk a lot of good teams (in all sports) in the past…..it just sometimes ain’t your year. The bad play now is just the effect of the “towel being thrown in”.

With all the money coming off the payroll they certainly have the potential to come back next year. Just have to spend that money properly and reload.

By pjc

August 27, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

Um just for the record Big Al, there is no such word as irregardless

By Braves blow now for sure

August 27, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

I Don’t want to see Glav back year ,Time for him call it a career .You can’t depend on over the hill pitchers that break down .The Braves going suck again next year too.

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

August 27, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

The Braves are worse than last year. Last year they were worse than the previous year. The glory days are gone and even in those days there was not as much glory as there should have been. Too many good players were traded away foolishly. The talent they did have was not managed to full advantage by Cox, the most over rated manager in the history of baseball. Next season the Braves will be worse than they are this year. It’s back to being a punching bag and that’s about all this over-hyped cowtown deserves!

By What

August 27, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

Why did the Braves trade for a young outfield prospect when they have no young pitching prospects

By Dick in L'vlle

August 27, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

In baseball, dynasties come and go and the Braves have GONE. Braves history would indicate that they will be division winners again in 2014 or 2018, and only then if they have ownership willing to pay the salaries to have top notch players.

I have been a MLB fan since 1952 and a Braves fan since 1957 and teams have cycles and this team is in a down cycle No amount of money is going to change this cycle any time soon. Sorry kids, but these are the truths.

It is hard to accept, but the Braves of your youth are GONE, live with it.

By Doug

August 27, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

It is time for Bobby to retire. Most nights, they are just a very bad and flat team. No imagination or movement on the bases. Very boring. They look bored. Let Bobby retire and see if TP can bring new life to the Braves. We have a good core, great prospects and money to spend in the off season. GO BRAVES!

By Terence Moore

August 27, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

You know, this will be the most important off-season for the Braves in 18 years.

Let’s see if Frank Wren can pull of his version of Terry Pendleton and Sid Bream. That will be a huge key.

By Richard

August 27, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

Until the Braves have a real owner,we should expect long days ahead.

By What

August 27, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Hey everybody, you can get the current stats on all of the Braves minor league teams on the internet. The Braves have only one true (starting) pitching prospect. That guy is Scott Diamond and he play for Myrtle Beach. If he doesn’t hurt his arm, he will not be ready for at least two more years. Try www.rbraves.com it contains links to all the other farm teams

By Mike Hartzell

August 27, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

I think this will be the most exciting and eagerly anticipated off season in recent (or not so recent!) memory. The Braves have allot of room for improvement but they also have allot of room to do so, financially. in the last 2 years they have lowered payroll by moving AJones, Tex and now Kotsay. They may save even more if Hampton isn’t resigned. They have a decent nucleous and the if button will be pushed repeatidly,,,Smoltzie, Huddy, Tommy, Moylan, Soriano, Hampton, Reyes, Mortin James,,,,and oh yea,,,thats just the pitching question marks. There are doubts about Casey Kotchman, KJohnson, Frenchy, Escabar and Blanco. We could use a seasoned back up catcher. So, the bottom line seems to be,,,the Braves brass HAS to make a splash via free agency as well as the trade market to simply stabalize the direction the franchise is headed. I believe they will. They have the financial room to do. Lets just hope the decisions are wise. Just personally, I do not want to see them dumb big monies after Sabathia or Ben Sheets. I would rather see them go for the likes of AJ Burnett, Ryan Dempster and the like. Also, please, no Adan Dunn. Go Braves

By braves70

August 27, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Gotta agree with Doug. Bobby retire and let’s give Pendleton his shot at running things. TP played for those great Cardinal speed teams of the 80s and they always scored runs by manufacturing them. TP would also chew out a few rear ends that need chewing. He cannot do that as long as he is a coach under Bobby’s direction.

By Alan

August 27, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

The talent well has dried up. Free agency, particularly in signing pitching, is not the answer. How many times have you seen a high-priced free agent pitcher flop or develop arm problems after signing the big contract. I think Wren should seek a premier free agent for the outfield, but the pitching is going to have be developed from the minors. More emphasis on scouting needs to be implemented, domestically and internationally. Other teams are finding good, young, strong arms. The Braves must do the same.

By leland

August 27, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

All Bobby Cox and the Braves have to do is have the entire team charge the home plate area for a spontaneous, unplanned celebration the first time they score in each game. Boy howdy, what a sight that would be!

By Max Sizemore

August 27, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

The Braves are toast for the foreseeable future. Precious few young players in the farm system, except for the OF from Henry County. Save McCann, Jurrjens and maybe Escobar, no young players to build a team around. No good young pitching. With the trade of Kotsay, not a single decent outfielder. Not one. Look at the other teams: Red Sox bring up a Jed Lowrie, White Sox an Alexei Ramirez. What do the Braves have? Sure, they have some money to spend, but not enough to put a decent team on the field; you can’t sign five position players and 2-3 starters, which is what they would need. Tommy’s a great guy, but what do you expect him to say?

By TheCutMan

August 27, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

I was all set to huff, puff and blow some hot air into this forum but the guy just ahead of me, Max Sizemore, said it very well.

No need to add anything additional. Well said, Max.

By Brian

August 27, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

We will get a power bat,mabey two, that’s a given. Cox will push for that. Pat Burrell stands out. Bobby is gonna have to start letting his guys steal some bases,play small ball. Trade for an ace,get a another arm for the bullpen and go from there. I know it’s not that easy but,really, it’s has to get done for us to compete. This division is getting tougher.

By RC35

August 27, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

Trading Mark Kotsay was like knocking an extra hole in the Titanic so that the water could drain out the other side. Take a proven veteran, one who has played solid defense and hit for the cycle(!) for one of our few highlights this season, and dump him for a Class “A” prospect? In the words of Granny from “The Beverly Hillbillies”, “Pitiful. PIT-EE-FULL!”

Our starting rotation is in shambles, we have one proven day-to-day player (McCann), we have two HOF’s with more heart than body (Smoltz and Chipper), and more question marks than a week’s worth of “Jeopardy.” The rest of the team would have been subs between 1991 and 2005.

I’m not saying the Braves should throw in the towel—if they did, they’d miss the cutoff man—but we look like the last line of defense in a crumbling war zone— wounded veterans and untrained youth—and they rarely hold off a trained army—or baseball team.

I’d like to be wrong, and hope I am, but it looks like it will be two or three off-seasons before there’s any reason for hope.

By GT

August 27, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

Terrence, actually the past two years were the most important off-seasons in recent times for the Braves. There are too many holes for the Braves to plug this winter with their limited payroll. Wren showed last year one case of shrewdness (Renteria for Jurjjens), and one case of nostalgia overtaking rational thought (Glavine). Which Wren will show up this winter?

By NO MORE BOBBY

August 27, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this

Love what Glavine did for the Braves back in the 90’s but honestly he is part of the “bump in the road”. Time to let go of the past and start over with hungry young players like he was 20 years ago.

By Angel Warning

August 27, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

Terrence Moore, the problem is Bobby Cox. He doesn’t understand baseball. Remember during our first world series in 1990, when the Minnesota Twins beat on on that running error? The shortstop “deked” the runner? Why was the runner looking at the shortstop. Why wasnt’ he trained to look at the 3rd base coach who would have signaled him to go home. Instead we dont score that run, and we lose.

I hate Bobby Cox. He broke my heart with his insufferable incompetence. We had THE greatest team dynasty since the ‘27 yankees and this idiot brings us one world series ring?

Fire Bobby Cox. He’s not baseball, he’s boobball.

BTW: I love your writing style, Terrence Moore.

By Hillbilly Deluxe

August 27, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this

It’s not a bump it’s Brasstown Bald. The difference in then and now is the farm system. The current system is depleted and that can’t be corrected overnight. Especially with owners who don’t care to spend the money for development. That’s always the first place baseball teams try to save money is development. It always bites them.

By Drixie

August 27, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

Braves will need significant retooling, but they are also in a weak division. If they they make a few key free agent signings and have a few young players emerge there is no powerhouse in the division that is likely to run away with things. I’d like to see a good leadoff man with 30+ stolen base capabilities, a 25+ homer outfielder, and at least one or two solid starters.

By Robert

August 27, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

To my way of thinking, a should-be World Series championship team that loses in the first round of the playoffs is uglier than a 60 win team that wins 60 games

By Robert

August 27, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this

Achievement and pride in accomplishment are much more about your performance in relation to your potential than about your level of success in raw terms

By DHD

August 27, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this

Anyone who thinks we should have kept Kotsay, who wouldn’t start next year and who we would have lost to free agency anyway, has no clue. We got a player. I don’t care who he is or how good he is, he’s a body.

By jch

August 27, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately, no, I don’t see them contending without a MAJOR overhaul of the team. Just too many questions…

Kochman - can he provide any offense?

Chipper - how many games will he play?

Franceour - can he produce as in the past?

Blanco - can he handle everyday CF?

Diaz - can he get back his hitting ways?

Where is power gonna come from?

Jurrjens - can he repeat his rookie year?

Campillo - ditto

Hampton - do we dare keep him?

Rotation - who else is there?

Do we risk running a couple 40+ guys out there? Didn’t pan out too good this year

Bullpen

Can/Should we keep Ohman?

Will Moylan be the same?

Do we trust Soriano with anything?

As I said, wayyyyyyy too many questions.

If all of these have positive solutions than we’re a good team - not great - but good.

By jch

August 27, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this

One more thing - it’s time for Cox to step down.

The game seems to have passed him. There’s doesn’t seem to any fire in him anymore. When was the last time he was ejected??? After the got the record he claimed he didn’t care about he doesn’t argue anything…

Another reason is Pendleton isn’t going to wait forever. Somebody’s gonna come along and offer him the right job and he’s gonna take it - and I hope he does.

He would bring a HUGE attitude change in the clubhouse and wouldn’t stand by watching players under-perform game-after-game….

By JMP

August 27, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this

Reminds me of the Orioles at the end of Weaver’s career. I see no hope.

By neilmarlowe

August 27, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

Its going to be a hellava bump! Its going to be a long hard road back. First, its time for Bobby Cox to call it quits. Bring in some new blood as manager. Then, forget about Glavine and Smoltz. Thank them for their service and move on. Then, do the following:1)see if Francouer can come back next year;2)build around Escobar,Kotchman and McCann;3)hope Diaz can come back;4)install one or two of our best prospects and tell them the jobs are theirs;5)see if we can find one good free agent pitcher and one position player. I don’t see the Braves contending again for some time. Just trying to be realistic.

By rk

August 27, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this

the proud franchise will be back..unless they want to move to Hartford, CT. I live in CT. Hartford is the crime capital of the world and a dump… In any event, if Liberty Media gets the payroll to 175 mill we will win. I fthey keep having us buy old, broken down players at a discount then we will again have ostrich races prior to the game like the 1970’s . If payroll doesn’t double, then we will be back to RED PIN STRIPRD UNIFORMS..

By Robert

August 27, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

“And perhaps the brightest note is: things can’t get any worse. We’ll never again endure the slew of injuries we did this year. Frenchy will never look this bad for an entire season again. We’ll never inexplicably lose every one run road game”

Maybe. But the flip side of the coin is that things cant get better as long as the donkey manages the team