AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > July > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWild-card thinking could hurt Braves
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
The Braves came off the All-Star break thinking they have a realistic chance to win the wild card, and in professional sports it’s almost always better to win than to lose. A playoff berth for this substandard team would count among the exceptions.
Over the last 15 seasons, the Braves have fallen into the trap that snares all winning teams: They have lost the knack of seeing themselves as they really are. They didn’t come north from spring training thinking, “You know, we’re a substandard team with no leadoff man and no first baseman and a wretched bullpen.” They thought this instead: “We’re the Braves and we always win our division, and because we’re the Braves we’ll win again.”
Good as they’ve been, the Braves haven’t been quite as good lately. Over the seven full seasons from 1992 through 2000 — ‘94 and ‘95 were shortened due to the strike — the Braves averaged 100 wins. Over the last five seasons they’ve averaged 95. They’ve won one playoff series since the 22-year-old Andruw Jones drew the bases-loaded walk off Kenny Rogers in 1999.
Yes, much of this has to do with Time Warner’s payroll limitations. Remember those giddy days in the late ’90s when the Braves and Yankees matched one another dollar for dollar? Well, the Yankees’ outlay climbed above $200 million last year; the Braves’ is now less than half that. It isn’t always true that you get what you pay for — the Yankees, remember, haven’t won any of the last five World Series — but being able to spend is the difference between having a real closer and hoping (against hope) Chris Reitsma pans out.
The Braves’ master plan has been reduced to praying Bobby Cox thinks of something. He did in 2003, when he didn’t have a real No. 1 starter, and in 2004, when he didn’t have much of a team at all, and again last year, when he had a slew of rookies. But this time even he couldn’t override an absolute dearth of capable relievers, and it’s a credit to his managerial acumen that this team reached the break only nine games under .500.
A 7-3 homestand put the Braves within mathematical reach of the wild card — they’re now 5 1/2 back — but it’s hard to imagine any scenario in which these Braves could finish ahead of the Astros or the Dodgers over 162 games. OK, you’re saying, but these are the Braves, and they’ve become experts at flouting logical scenarios. And that, folks, is the point.
Somewhere along the line the Braves have to start viewing themselves not as the division winners they’ve been since 1991 but as what they’ve become — a team that needed a big homestand to pull within nine games of .500. They’re no longer equipped with All-Stars at every position, no longer the owners of a rotation featuring three or four No. 1 starters. They’re a substandard team without a leadoff man, a first baseman, a closer and a true ace. (Tim Hudson’s record as a Brave is 20-17.)
They have as many weaknesses as strengths. They don’t need to be propping up this rickety roster with a deadline deal that will cost prospects; they need to be making deals with an eye toward shoring up a future that, for all the gifted rookies who delivered a division championship in 2005, isn’t anything near a certainty.
The Braves stopped being what we’d come to consider the Braves the first three months of the 2006 season, but in truth they haven’t been those Braves for more than three years. They’ve been getting by, mixing and matching, winning not because they had the most talent but because nobody else in the NL East could figure out how winning worked. The Mets finally got it right, and the Mets aren’t going to be bad again anytime soon.
In a weird way, an improbable wild-card run would be long-term counterproductive. If the Braves could make the playoffs with this middling crew, it would only deepen their conviction that they can win no matter what kind of team they run out there. They need to disabuse themselves of that notion posthaste. They need to stop making do. They need to start getting good again.
Permalink | Comments (125) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Mark Bradley
Comments
By dfree
July 15, 2006 03:28 AM | Link to this
you are an idiot
By Sir Stealth
July 15, 2006 03:39 AM | Link to this
I disagree with every line written in this article. What real fan of a team would actually cheer for the team to lose? I also disagree that this is a “substandard” team. The bullpen is obviously terrible, but does that mean the team has to be blown up? The starting rotation has been bad due to injury and Hudson underachieving, but is far from a hopeless situation. The lineup has recently shown what it’s capable of. The right moves here or there, and the Braves can become an elite team again very soon. Until they do, they have the kind of competitors to do all they can to win every single game. They are not so substandard as to be incapable of taking the wild card among weak National League competition. Once in the playoffs, it’s a crapshoot, with momentum playing a large role.
To make a long story short, this would be one of those articles to display as evidence as to why I’m not a Mark Bradley fan, or really of most sportswriters in general, given the fact that they’d rather write something controversial to generate a response than to make a well-founded point. Actually, I feel like a sucker for continuing to read the stuff and for falling for the trick and writing out this response. Oh well, what’s done is done.
By Thinkin'91
July 15, 2006 03:52 AM | Link to this
Damn dfree, you stole my line.
Here, I’ll say it a little differently, “**MARK BRADLEY, YOU ARE AN IDIOT!”
If the Braves continue to play as they have in the past three weeks, and the rest of the league plays like it has, we could be looking at the same kind of exciting baseball - and finish - as we saw in ‘91 (coming back from 9 1/2 games behind L.A.) or ‘93 (a tense, neck-and-neck battle with the Giants), and here you are begging for them to lose. What kind of pathetic jerk gets paid to cough up that kind of reasoning? I hope you wind up in Paducah, KY (sorry Paducah) after this!
Where’s DOB?
By Chop Chop
July 15, 2006 04:00 AM | Link to this
Mark,
If the Braves were a veteran-laden team stocked with older players, you might have some validity to your argument. However, the Braves are mostly a young team. There are very few teams in baseball history that have gone 6-21 in a month, but this team has. They’re going through adversity and fighting all the while. That is specifically why the Braves wouldn’t be better off not making the playoffs. This has nothing to do with Schuerholz or Bobby Cox or the 14 division titles. This is about players trying to establish themselves as good, hardworking major league ballplayers who will not quit. These young guys want to taste hard-earned success and, if they keep fighting as hard as they possibly can, they will.
By Suds
July 15, 2006 04:15 AM | Link to this
MB - Granted I get the ability to post this after the Bravos beat the Pads 15 - 12 cutting their WC deficit to 5 1/2 games with 72 to play, but I have to say that as soon as I saw your by-line I almost decided to clean out some navel lint rather than spend any time reading your drivel. I’m not sure how you’ve kept your job so long because you’ve been more off the mark than any other sports writer I can remember. But this just takes the cake, man.
Yes, the game tonight underlines our two - or three - biggest shortcomings this year.
1) Huddy pitched like he has all year which is not up to par, and; 2) The bullpen coughed up the lead, what, four times. But it also highlights what I think is one of the obvious strengths of this team: we went on the road, scored 15 runs, knocked out SD’s ‘closer’, but most importantly, NEVER GAVE UP! Chipper’s hot (2 HR’s), LaRoche comes through in the clutch (2 HR’s), Andruw gets a huge hit when we needed it most, and the list goes on and on.
If there is a third weakness, it’s Bobby’s reluctance at times to admit one of his players just isn’t up to the task. Why is he still putting Sosa in as a closer? And after giving up a run in the ninth, why didn’t he pull him then?
But Bradley, while the Braves problems can be fixed - we’ve got JS on our side - your lack of intelligence is irreversible.
By Andy
July 15, 2006 04:19 AM | Link to this
Mark—god bless you for trying to say something that MIGHT be good for the Braves in the long term. However I repectfuly disagree with you 100%—-what if next year Hudson stops droping down in his delevery and becomes Hudson again—-Hampton is back and pitches like he did before he got hurt—Thats Smotlz/Hudson/Hampton 3 #1’s and then between HoRam and Davis and Chuck James to fight out for the last two spots—-its not that big of a jump to say they could pitch very very well—-The everyday lineup will have a lead off type player at second next year—not giles—and that player will come from with-in the organization(cheap)—the line up is smokin’(will get to 1st base in a second)—-the pen well, EVERYONE needs pen help—next year who knows(same as every year). However we do have some incouraging pitchers would could very well be okay. “We don’t have a 1st baseman”—-you mean the gold glove quality 7th batter that we have that is projected out to 27 hrs and 90 or so rbi’s. I am not a Laroache fan—would rather have a few others but what we got is still something. If the Braves trade Giles(walk year anyway)—get a better lead off hitter(almost anyone) and get any “okay” closer(wickman)we could easly beat the Mets—-Glavine will get worse as he wears down the rest of the year—Pedro the same(hopefuly)—the Mets don’t have alot of pieces to trade from their farm system(did that already in the off season) to get any real good pitcher. So yeah I think we can win the wild card—even the division(I remember 93 well—10 out on Aug 2nd or so—-it was a mircale that will probaly never be repeated but but still)And if we do face the Mets we could win. But you might be right—thanks for sticking your neck out to maybe shed some light on us hopeful fools. But if your wrong(ie we beat the Mets) re-run this article and the responces—if you are right—do the same thing. I’ll look for it in 70 something games.
By TonyG
July 15, 2006 04:27 AM | Link to this
Anything can happen in the playoffs. and a true fan never gives up. You deserve to be on some weird blog on the internet instead of writing for a major paper. Screw you Bradley. You’re getting pretty close to “Belkin” status in my book.
By Steven Loube
July 15, 2006 06:03 AM | Link to this
I used to buy the AJC, but the Sports writers made me stop buying it since I went to the sports page first. They are so bad…
By Larry
July 15, 2006 06:08 AM | Link to this
Of the 30 major league rosters, the Braves’ players, at over 90 million, are paid the 9th highest payroll in baseball. This same group of ballplayers, including this modest recent success, are sporting have a better record than only 8 other major league teams—9th highest paid producing the major’s 21st worst record!
Is Bobby Cox, who’s been given elite talent by our GM, scouting department and player development system for 15 consecutive years, now managing the regular season like we’re used to watching him manage the post season where he’s lost 14 of the 15 final post season series he’s managed?
1-14—that’s a .066 winning percentage for you statistical buffs that like to reference ole’ Bobby’s regular season trophies beating out 4-5 other teams. Talent wins out over 162 games, managers make the difference in must win games and series where a little strategy and decisiveness must be employed.
Can anyone think of a single critical postseason game where Bobby made a move or decision to win that game?
Likewise, can anyone think of a single critical postseason game where Bobby made a move or decision—or did nothing—that resulted in the loss of game.
I rest my case.
By TONY HARMON
July 15, 2006 07:55 AM | Link to this
I AGREE WITH MR. BRADLEY. EVEN WHEN THE BRAVES HAD AN ALL STAR AT EVERY POSITION, THE RESULTS WERE THE SAME. LOSE IN THE FIRST ROUND AND GO HOME. THEY NEED TO UNLOAD TIM HUDSON. THIS GUY SIMPLY CANNOT PITCH. THE BULLPEN IS YOUNG AND PRONE FOR MISTAKES. I REMEMBER WHEN SMOLTZ,GLAVINE,AND AVERY FIRST CAME UP WITH THE BRAVES. THEY WERE AWFUL! BUT, THE BRAVES STUCK IT OUT WITH THEM.
MOREOVER, GILES IS SIMPLY NOT A LEAD-OFF MAN. THEY NEED TO TRADE GILES AND LANGERHANS TO GET A LEAD-OFF MAN AND PUT BETEMIT AT SECOND. BUT BOBBY COX IS A VERY STUBBORN MAN. HE LOVES TO PUT NON PRODUCTIVE PLAYERS IN GAMES AT CRUCIAL TIMES.
HOWEVER, I DO FEEL IN DUE TIME, THE BULLPEN WILL GET BETTER. BOBBY COX HAS TO LEARN HOW TO BEST USE EACH PLAYER. WHAT HAPPEN TO ROGER”THE DODGER” MCDOWELL.THEY MISS KING LEO.
IN ADDITION, I HAVE TO AGREE THAT THE WILD CARD MIGHT NOT BE A BAD IDEAL. IT WILL GIVE THE TEAM AND THE YOUNGER GUYS THE FEEL OF A PLAY-OFF ATSMOSPHERE. LOOK AT THE 91,92,93, AND 99 TEAMS. THEY FOUGHT UNTIL THE VERY END. SOMRTHING TELL ME THE METS WILL THINK THEY HAVE THIS THING ALL WRAP UP AND WILL REST PLAYERS. JUST LIKE THE PAST BRAVES TEAMS. WHEN THE PLAY-OFFS ROLE AROUND, ALL THE MOMENTUM WILL SHIFT. WILL SOMEBODY HAVE THE GUTS TO TELL MCBRIDE TO STOP EATING THE DOUBLE WHOPPERS. THIS GUY IS GROSSLY OVER-WEIGHT!
By Matt
July 15, 2006 08:28 AM | Link to this
I would like to clear up one thing !!! We do NOT NEED A NEW FIRST BASEMAN !!! Check Laroches stats Mr.Mark Bradley and just tell me how many teams would LOVE to have a first baseman that puts up numbers like he has so far this season!!!
By batrol
July 15, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this
Put me in the column that agrees with Mark Bradley 100%.
By Eddie
July 15, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this
One thing about Bradley we Atlanta sports fans have learned to live with is his consistency at being WRONG! Consider the source: a sports writer wannabee who must have the proverbial pictures of management and a goat. Wait until DOB returns to write some meaningful (and accurate) stuff.
By Native Son
July 15, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this
Your name should be Milton,instead of Mark. With all the games you try to play with peoples heads.Your thoughts on paper should be compelling,not insulting.But,however you get a pay check.I’m a every team Atlanta guy,and while i’m not the biggest baseball fan,everbody knows the Braves are a second half team,and all the would be’s,fall flat on their butts.Yes,even the new,” we’re for real this time Mets”.Glavine,while he had to change his whole pitching style,just to get a win against the Braves,has benefited league wide,because all the teams have to figure him out now.The Braves surely will,and even you know it.Don’t tell me the national league does’nt hear the Braves coming.And their coming for Number 15.All-rightt,all-righttt,all-rightt!!
By Chris
July 15, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this
Another reason why I read this paper online, rather than coughing up $.50 for this nonsense.
By R1U
July 15, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this
One game at a time is all you can win…Braves 15 Padres 12 We start the second half 1-0
By Dale R.
July 15, 2006 09:53 AM | Link to this
Mark is wrong, especially about the Mets. The Mets have a team with pitching that will soon be done or gray and old. The Mets are not going to win a world series with their starting pitching.
The Braves can turn it around and maybe make it to the NLCS. I think Bobby and John S. know about this bullpen. They will fix it in the offseason.
By Native Son
July 15, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this
Looks like they ‘re going to do it with out help from the bullpen,sheesh,what a team.
By conyers
July 15, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this
I don’t even understand the premise of this column…trying to get to the playoffs via division title or wild card could hurt the Braves? How does getting to the playoffs hurt a team when it’s the only chance a team has to make it to the World Series, which is, after all the point of this whole 162 game exercise. Who knows what will happen at the trade deadline? Something? Nothing? I guarantee this: Mark Bradley doesn’t have any idea. Hell, John Schuerholz probably doesn’t have any idea. Too many teams have plummeted in the last two months of the season for anyone, including the august Mark Bradley, to make pronouncements of the Braves demise. I’m not naive; it hurts to watch this team, even when they pull out a win (like last night.) But the long season creates variables we don’t even know exist yet. Hang on for the ride.
By Patrick
July 15, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
Sosa was ugly..almost lost last night. He looked a high school pitcher. He can do the job..just not sure why he is looking so meek lately. The Braves have a good chance to go to the playoffs, but they need the bullpen to to save a couple in row to have something to build from. Until them..we will be up till the wee hours of the night, saying not so nice things at the TV, at the players, and Bobby Cox.
I don’t want another night like last night..we won but how many more can we pull out like that?
By Patrick
July 15, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this
Sosa was ugly..almost lost last night. He looked a high school pitcher. He can do the job..just not sure why he is looking so meek lately. The Braves have a good chance to go to the playoffs, but they need the bullpen to to save a couple in row to have something to build from. Until them..we will be up till the wee hours of the night, saying not so nice things at the TV, at the players, and Bobby Cox.
I don’t want another night like last night..we won but how many more can we pull out like that?
By Metropolitan Man
July 15, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this
Wow, great article. Complete honesty from a braves reporter not afraid to speak the truth. Go ahead MB, put on the METS hat and take away that old braves face. I want to thank sosa, reitsma, cox, langerhans, and a few others that will remained unmentioned for giving up so soon. We in NY and anti-braves land salute you!!!
By ColumbusBuckeye
July 15, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this
Wow, I appreciate your optimism MB. What will be even more fulfilling this season is at the end…..when Atlanta makes an inprobable comeback, you’ll be writing in this same column how this team won against the odds. Hopefully you’ll at least admit that you were wrong.
By the way, you state that this team is not what they used to be, how is that so? What is the average age on the roster? There is a solid nucleus of young players coming up, you cannot dump your veterans. This team is rebuilding as we speak, they have been over the past few years. That is evident by the amount of young players they trot out every evening (Langerhans, Laroche, Francoeur, McCann, Betemit, James, Ramirez…ect).
I consider myself a fan, I don’t come on a blog to dog the Braves like some others do on this site. I’m a fan, I stick with my team through it all, and I don’t jump off the bandwagon. You have to have optimism, I’m a firm beliver that this team can make one of the greatest turnarounds in NL history. The biggest reason for this is because their players are starting to belive, which speaks a lot more than some columnist who is trying to indirectly send a message to management (like they read this column…..), and is comparing the squad to others who have bought their success.
FWIW, there are many more believers this week than 3 weeks ago……and in 3 weeks, there will be many more. There is room to hop on Bradley, take off your Met’s hat and come aboard.
By bob in sf
July 15, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this
Hey Mark, Remember when the Hawks were suffering through 50 win seasons and first round play-off losses? You said then,”They’ve plateaued! Blow it up!” Now just getting over twenty wins is an accomplishment years later. I believe truly successful organizations always try to win and more importantly, show their fans they truly care about winning. Look at the Steelers, the Lakers, the Yankees and for the last 15 years the Braves; losing is never acceptable, even in a down year. Winning the division every year is an anomaly but a team should be going into every season saying “We want a championship or our season is not a complete success”. After years of mismanagement the Braves got to that point and have been there for a long time now. Arthur Blank has bought that mentality to the Falcons. Now if we could just get the Atlanta Stupidity LLC to find a way to bring that to the Hawks and Thrashers…
By Robert(Justice Is the Best)
July 15, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley, you are a moron. In some case what you said has some relevance. But, not in this one. What exactly should the Braves do? Start trading people. Like who? The only current star on the team that you could even entertain the idea of would be Hudson. Perhaps Andruw, but a whole lot would have to be given in return. This team has two concerns: closer and leadoff. 1B is not that big of a concern. Chipper has shown he is nowhere near the scrap heap yet. Andruw is barely 30 for the love of God. Francoeur and McCann are only second year players. Giles is hitting the prime of his career. Renteria is barely 30 and far from unproductive. We have young pitchers who are still learning how to pitch.
Why they just say “heck with it” and start losing. I think we could acquire Williamson or Wickman and have to give up very little in return.
I’m just interested. What would be your master plan, pal? If you were GM what would you do?
By Lewis
July 15, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this
First of all , the Mets rely on 2 “OLD” arms as their aces So they are going to be good for a long time??? We have one and I would take him over either of the met’s anyday. Oh yeah, did you ever play sports? The mental aspect is 90 % of it. Let the Braves get within 6 games of the Mets and the Mets are going to fold like a shirt in a chinese laundry
By Native Son
July 15, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this
Well said,Lewis.Ask Mark,does he want fries with that Crow.
By hk
July 15, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this
… you portray faith, belief that you can still do it, courage, steadfastness, fighting to the very end no matter what, as weaknesses …
By Chris
July 15, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
Hey Mark, what’s this about Hudson being our “ace”? Have you actually looked at Smoltz’s numbers this year? Ignore the wins; the bullpen screwed him in that category. Do you actually watch baseball, or do you just listen to people talk about the Braves and repeat what you’ve heard? I know you’re trying to prove a point or whatever with this article, but I’m not sure what point you’re trying to prove.
By Metropolitan Man
July 15, 2006 01:27 PM | Link to this
Yeah, close the gap on the METS to 6 games, play them in a 3 game series and go home (or stay home) 9 games back when its all said and done. Different times, differnet N.L. east bullies!!!!!!
By Steven Godfrey
July 15, 2006 01:33 PM | Link to this
Mark, Genius article, man. And you didn’t even touch on the well-fed fanbase that failed to take a novelty of enthusiasm in 1991 and turn Atlanta into a true baseball town.
Everyone - the players, fans, the rest of baseball - needs a break from Atlanta in the playoffs. It’s been reduced to a punch line. I’d trade the last six seasons for one actual run at a world title, not a tape-and-bandage approach towards crashing through August and September, only to collapse in a five game series.
www.snydernews.net/godfrey
By Don
July 15, 2006 01:39 PM | Link to this
Larry, you, and anybody else who pulls out that 1-14 last game statistic on Cox, are an idiot.
There will be 8 teams in the playoffs this year, and the combined records of those teams in their last game will be 1-7. I guess 7 of the 8 managers will suck.
The combined last game record of the teams in this year’s NCAA tournament was 1-64. Mike Krzyzewski, who has won more games in the NCAA tournament than any coach and made 10 Final Fours, has a last game record of something like 3-22 in the NCAA tournament. Dean Smith, the second winningest coach in the history of the NCAA tournament, had a record of something like 2-30 in the last game of the NCAA tournament. I guess they both suck like Bobby Cox. You suck if you get there and don’t win the whole thing more than if you don’t get there I guess.
Bobby Cox didn’t cause Lonnie Smith to get decoyed at second base in 1991 or Mark Wohlers to throw a hanging slider to Leyritz in 1996. Bobby Cox isn’t the reason this year’s Braves don’t have anything to work with in the bullpen. Ask other big league managers and players, ask the broadcasters and sportswriters in other cities who have 20+ years in baseball what they think of Bobby Cox, future Hall of Famer.
Like I said Larry, you’re an idiot.
By Brad
July 15, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this
This article has to be the single worst article I’ve ever read by the biggest idiot ever. What kind of idiot thinks that making the playoffs can be bad for a team?
By Joe
July 15, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this
The Mets aren’t going to be losing again anytime soon? Hogwash, try the second half of this season! Yes, aiming for the wildcard isn’t a great idea, especially when the Braves are going to be winning the division after the Mets return to form.
By bfred
July 15, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this
What exactly about a successful run past eight teams into the playoffs would be bad for the team? Mark, when you’re not bashing the team (and that leaves very little time for anything else) you’re trashing Atlanta fans. Might a run like this not get the fans back to where we were in 1991 or 1993? And in case you haven’t noticed, this team has been doing the impossible over the last couple of years - rebuilding AND winning at the same time. This is not Tom Glavine’s “no emotion allowed” clubhouse anymore. The young guys are bringing real energy and enthusiam to the team, which will only be enhanced by an unlikely playoff appearance. Finally, I will stack up our guys (including the pitching) any day against the Mets over the next five years, when half of their team will be retired or finishing out their careers as DHs.
Oh yeah, and Mark Bradley is an idiot.
By Ron Roberts
July 15, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this
Oh my God… Larry, really, dude… you STILL wanna float that 1-14 crap???
Get over it, man; Bobby Cox has done a damn fine job with what he’s worked with, especially since the payroll limitations were set in place. Bradley’s right about one thing, we’ve been replacing players with rental pieces and tossing out potential long-term prospects in the process. Adam Wainright would be a damn good piece in our bullpen right now, but the Cardinals now have him. Great.
I’m just sick an’ tired of the simplistic “blame Bobby Cox” drivel… it’s nothing more than an indication that the person spewing it hasn’t a clue about the goings-on of this franchise and major league baseball in general. Find me any other manager who’d have taken last year’s team to any playoff spot. Find me another manager who’d have Russ FREAKING Ortiz as the rotatin’s ace and ride that to another division title.
LaRussa? He’s “1-something” his damned self. Torre? Please. His record ain’t all that great, either, and he has the never-ending payroll to aid him.
Mark Bradley, dude, what is up with the “no first baseman” crap? Are you aware that LaRoche is on pace to hit .262 with 27 HR and 86 RBI over the course of this 162-game season?
Really. Is that a weakness on this roster? Hardly. Bullpen Bullpen Bullpen. Where would this year’s team be with a middle-of-the-pack bullpen? I’d say closer to 49-41 than 41-49. Tha’d be 5 games back of the Mets and very much in the race.
It’s the bullpen, stupid. (no offense)
By Ron Roberts
July 15, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this
And while I’m fuming about short-sightedness…
This team’s future is fine. Andruw’s gonna re-sign with us, probably for a hometown discount. he loves Bobby Cox and Atlanta; Anthony LeRew’s gonna be a rotation staple sooner than later; Chuck James is here to stay, Kyle Davies has what it takes, already, Horacio looks like he’s back on track (and those are three good pieces for a rotation, frankly); Joey Devine will be a fantastic bullpen arm when he works his way back, and Will Startup is moving up the ladder nicely, too, come to think of it. Tyler Yates, Ken Ray, Blaine Boyer are all very promising for the ‘pen for years to come; Francouer’s gonna be a star, Yunel Escobar is the heir-apparent at shortstop, Jarrod Saltalamacchia wasn’t a top 20 prospect for nothing, and the Braves expect him to get it together (and who cares if he doesn’t? Brian McCann’s young and looks LEGIT, too); Thorman and LaRoche are both young and look just fine at 1B, thankyou.
And that’s just in our organization. Of course there are intangibles like Betemit (do we keep him and groom him for permanant spot(s) at 3B or 2B? What free agent(s) will we be adding to replace aging vets (when the time comes) like Chipper, Renteria (who’s with us for what, 2 more seasons by the Red Sox contract, right?), Giles (if he’s not moved this season).
Any discussion about the Mets being good for a long time should consider that Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine are that team’s only rotation stalwarts, and really, do you expect them to be good for much longer?
So who’s that leave? The Nats? The Marlins? The Phillies? C’mon, Mark.
By Adam (Atlanta)
July 15, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this
Mark:
I couldn’t agree with you more. A coule of smart trades could bring in the young talent to start another division winning streak.
By Robert(Justice Is the Best)
July 15, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this
To all Mets fans. Yes, you have a terrific team. But, don’t let THIS
By Ron Roberts
July 15, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this
Lemme throw another organizational prospect to keep your eye on…
Matt Wright just got promoted to AAA Richmond, after going 7-3 with a 2.22 ERA in 89 innings pitched for Mississippi. He’s given up 3 home runs in 14 games/89 innings pitched!!! Only 28 walks in 89 innings pitched!!! 74 hits, 84 Ks. Looks like a winner to me for the future.
By Robert(Justice Is the Best)
July 15, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this
I don’t know what happened it cutoff the rest of my statement.
What I was saying was that this team was bought for a steep price. Some good young players were given up to get the players you currently have. Your GM took his endless supply of money and bought all the free agents he could get, but what about the future?
Pedro and Glavine aren’t getting younger. LoDuca is up there in age. Delgado has a couple of good years left. David Wright and Jose Reyes are the only young stars you have. And they will be demanding a lot of money real soon. And don’t think that your cross town rivals won’t snatch both of them up in a New York minute.
You do have Milledge and Pelphrey but I have a feeling they won’t be around much longer. Your GM is trying to get all the talent away from eveyone but you need pitching badly. No team will make a deal without Pelphrey and/or Milledge being a part of the package. And your GM will make a deal because he is money spending crazy.
The Braves have youth. Francoeur, McCann, Giles (if not traded), Andruw (who will most likely re-sign), Davies, James, Horacio, Renteria, Thorman, Jurries, and Larew are all still either young enough to just be hitting their prime or young enough where they are not even close to being as good as they can be. This team has the base for success for years to come.
Mets fans, your base is old and will be nothing more than unproducing hired guns in two years.
You think having all of those high priced hired guns is a good investment? Well, why don’t you ask your beloved New York Knicks how its working out for them.
By Jamie
July 15, 2006 05:41 PM | Link to this
I will go out on the old limb and pick the Braves to win their division!! If the bullpen improves any at all watch OUT!
By Train Wreck Bystander
July 15, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this
As if we needed any more proof, the glaring need on this team is pitching.
This team needs a top-notch closer. With that spot filled, the rest of the bullpen can settle down.
This team actually has one of the best proven closers in the game. Unfortunately, he would rather be a starter than a closer.
Smoltzie should be closing. If he doesn’t want to close, then the Braves should trade him for someone who does.
I heard the Betemit trade rumor last night and I hope that doesn’t come to pass. He’s a keeper; he can play well at several MI positions.
The better move may be to just lay back and let our prospects develop. Let the Mets fans gloat for a year or two.
But don’t trade the future for a wild card shot.
By TennesseePaul
July 15, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this
They need to get good by making a good trade. A trade that can get them to the post season. Because, this is sports and it’s about winning. Also because, even after they are through winning this season, JS will still know what to look for in the offseason. Hopefully he’ll be able to find it at an affordable price.
By Ben
July 15, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this
Or maybe a wild card berth would push you to think that maybe you’re wrong and the Braves will continue to get by with what they’ve got in this time of limited payroll, which is all you can ask.
By Ben
July 15, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this
Or maybe a wild card berth would push you to think that maybe you’re wrong and the Braves will continue to get by with what they’ve got in this time of limited payroll, which is all you can ask.
By Don
July 15, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this
On the Smoltz should be closer argument, let’s not forget that he never wanted to be a closer but made the sacrifice for the team. And then he gave the Braves a hometown discount to re-sign. He says being a closer was harder on his arm than starting and I have no reason to doubt him. And who do the Braves have around to replace the 200+ innings as a starter if Smoltz went to the bullpen? The Braves don’t even know who’s going to be starting Tuesday, they’re going to have to call somebody up from the minors. Thomson has barely pitched, Davies has been out for months, Ramirez missed a long stretch. Sosa was finally pulled from the starting rotation after going 1-9 but unfortunately wasn’t released. Hudson has been lousy. Who would have been starting in Smoltz’s spot in the rotation this year?
The rest of this undermanned pitching staff isn’t going to get many leads to Smoltz in the 9th. We lost a couple of 5 game playoff series with Smoltz sitting down in the bullpen rotting. I’d rather have him starting where he can possibly take you a long way toward winning 2 games in a 5 or 7 game series. Not that I think this team is going to be in the playoffs this year.
Mark Bradley is right. This is not a playoff team. A winning record with this pitching staff is a pipe dream. We have applied too many bandaids the last few years and pitching, which was always the strength until the last 3 years or so, now stinks. If the Braves can trade some veterans for young live arms, I say do it.
By PJM
July 15, 2006 08:34 PM | Link to this
Mark, you are right on cue. I think most of your dissenters are probably Georgia fans with a little displaced agression. The Braves still have a solid foundation of talent and excellent leadership, but this year they are victims of the injury bug and the inevitable ascent of NY Mets (it took them 6 years, but with cash and the NYC market, its about time). Let’s keep the young nucleus together, maybe trade Hudson or Giles for more pitching, and give it another run next year. Maybe Liberty Media will satisfy their tax bill and sell the team to a local owner within the next couple of years.
By Insane Brave
July 15, 2006 08:52 PM | Link to this
Atlanta has some of the worse fans… When a team loses, or better yet, doesn’t go far in the playoffs, everyone wants to ship out the manager, gm, and all star players. However, how often do the fans look at themselves. David Justice called out the Atl fans and everyone got pissed at him (and the only thing he did was hit the home run that secured Atlanta’s first world series title). Well, if this team wins the wildcard, Turner Field better be sold out, each and every game. If not, damn all of you fair weather fans. As a matter fact, if this team finishes better than 500 on the current roadtrip, the stadium needs to be sold out.
By Ken Stallings
July 15, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this
The only thing the Atlanta Braves need is a new ownership group that’s willing to spend about 20 million dollars per year more on payroll.
That would have been enough to purchase the services of three solid bullpen pitchers and one good quality closer.
The Braves lineup is filled with young hitters with a lot of potential talent. The only two older players are Chipper Jones and Andrew Jones, and neither is old in the tooth.
You put Mercker, Maddux, and Glavine back in this rotation, and have a bullpen that knows how to get the job done, and this current lineup could win a World Series.
By Insane Brave
July 15, 2006 09:37 PM | Link to this
The success of this team is going to fall on the shoulders of two players - - Chipper and Andruw. We all know each can carry a team (Chipper has done it over the years and Pillsbury demonstrated that he could last year). This team is going to have to score runs, plain and simple. If we don’t, the wildcard will be out of reach.
As for the bullpen woes, I believe it will settle down as soon as Bobby names Ken Ray as the closer (then everyone will know their roles). Remember, the bullpen acted like a major league bullpen right before the all star break.
By Tomas
July 15, 2006 10:03 PM | Link to this
What the braves need to worry about is not the wild card, is not the division, is winning series, and at the end of the year they’ll probally be in the playoff’s.
By Tomas
July 15, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this
With the trade deadline coming up the braves need to take care of some serious pitching problems.My trades would be: Lineup: LF Carl Crawford SS Edgar Renteria 3B Chipper Jones CF Andruw Jones C Brian Mccan RF Jeff Franceour 1B Adam Laroche 2B Marcus Giles P Pitcher
Bench: LF/1B Scott Thorman c Todd Pratt 2B/Util Pete Orr LF/OF Matt Diaz SS Tony Peña
Pitchers: SP John Smoltz SP Ervin Santana SP Horacio Ramirez SP Kyle Davies SP Chuck James RHP Jorge Sosa RHP John Thomson RHP Oscar Villareal RHP Kevin Barry LHP McCay Mcbride RHP Ken Ray RHP Scott Schields(closer)
Trade Wilson Beitemet, and Ryan Langerthans for Carl Crawford, Tim Hudson, and Travis Smith for Ervin Santana and Scott Schields
By Tomas
July 15, 2006 10:15 PM | Link to this
Lineup:——————————————————- LF Carl Crawford—————————————— SS Edgar Renteria—————————————- 3B Chipper Jones—————————————— CF Andruw Jones——————————————- C Brian Mccan——————————————— RF Jeff Franceour—————————————- 1B Adam Laroche——————————————- 2B Marcus Giles——————————————-
P Pitcher—————————————————Bench:——————————————————— LF/1B Scott Thorman————————————- c Todd Pratt———————————————- 2B/Util Pete Orr—————————————— LF/OF Matt Diaz——————————————-
SS Tony Peña————————————————Pitchers:—————————————————- SP John Smoltz——————————————— SP Ervin Santana——————————————SP Horacio Ramirez————————————— SP Kyle Davies——————————————— SP Chuck James—————————————————————————————————————RHP Jorge Sosa——————————————— RHP John Thomson—————————————— RHP Oscar Villareal————————————- RHP Kevin Barry——————————————- LHP McCay Mcbride—————————————- RHP Ken Ray————————————————-
RHP Scott Schields(closer)—————————Trade Wilson Beitemet, and Ryan Langerthans for Carl Crawford, Tim Hudson, and Travis Smith for Ervin Santana and Scott Schields
By Tomas
July 15, 2006 10:22 PM | Link to this
With the trade deadline coming up the braves need to take care of some serious pitching problems.My trades would be: Lineup: 1. LF Carl Crawford 2. SS Edgar Renteria 3. 3B Chipper Jones 4. CF Andruw Jones 5. C Brian Mccan 6. RF Jeff Franceour 7. 1B Adam Laroche 8. 2B Marcus Giles 9. P Pitcher Bench: 1. LF/1B Scott Thorman 2. C Todd Pratt 3. 2B/Util Pete Orr 4. LF/OF Matt Diaz 5. SS Tony Peña Pitchers: 1. SP John Smoltz 2. SP Ervin Santana 3. SP Horacio Ramirez 4. SP Kyle Davies 5. SP Chuck James 6. RHP Jorge Sosa 7. RHP John Thomson 8. RHP Oscar Villareal 9. RHP Kevin Barry 10. LHP McCay Mcbride 11. RHP Ken Ray RHP 12. Scott Schields(closer) Trade Wilson Beitemet, and Ryan Langerthans for Carl Crawford, Tim Hudson, and Travis Smith for Ervin Santana and Scott Schields
By tj
July 15, 2006 10:26 PM | Link to this
TO Don I just want to say great reply to Larry DA.I read all the message boards, blogs and vents and don’t usually reply, just read. This guy goes to all of them posting those same stupid numbers. Must be something he heard somebody say. I can assure you, anybody in baseball would take those numbers, rather than not get there at all. Phil Garner proved last year the best manager is not always the winning manager in a short series.Iv’e been a Braves fan since they’ve been in Atlanta and even followed them before that, and I can tell you I hate to see the day ( probably soon ) that Bobby Cox retires, but I do feel better knowing ole Larry will be at the top of the list to replace him. Again, great reply to Larry!
By Paul Hamilton
July 15, 2006 11:12 PM | Link to this
How are you going to trade a struggling Hudson to maybe the deepest pitching staff in the majors? The Angels are overloaded with capable pitchers and you think they will trade for Hudson and his bigtime salary?? I think Scot Shields would be a great trade, but I don’t see Hudson being involved in that deal. I don’t think we should blow up the team, but EVERYONE is looking for quality relievers. I agree with MB for a change. We shouldnt overpay for an average reliever, if we can’t get it done with what we have then we need to wait til the offseason to address our needs. I think it would be good for the team to miss the playoffs and hopefully regain a hunger for winning. Lets be realistic, the Braves need a CLOSER and a few more bullpen arms. They are not minor trades away from contending for the wild card. Tom Gordon would also be a great pickup but I don’t see the Phillies pulling a marlin and trading one of their best players in the same division. I keep hearing how the Braves problems rest solely on the bullpen, so how is trading for carl crawford addressing that need??? Yes I think he would be a great pickup but then that would signal that our offense has more problems than many want to admit.
By Surfrider
July 15, 2006 11:13 PM | Link to this
Why even suit up Mark? Why not ask for the players to return their overpaid paychecks? Instead of packing it up this bunch should play like they are paid too. If they were to say win it all then it would truly be a legend in sport. That’s what makes sports so exciting at times, anything is possible as long as the mindset is there. I say Braves play every game to win and only focus on the game of that day not tomorrow or yesterday’s game. If they do that then the impossible could be possible.
By Surfrider
July 15, 2006 11:15 PM | Link to this
Why even suit up Mark? Why not ask for the players to return their overpaid paychecks? Instead of packing it up this bunch should play like they are paid too. If they were to say win it all then it would truly be a legend in sport. That’s what makes sports so exciting at times, anything is possible as long as the mindset is there. I say Braves play every game to win and only focus on the game of that day not tomorrow or yesterday’s game. If they do that then the impossible could be possible.
By JIMBO
July 15, 2006 11:30 PM | Link to this
If JS don’t come up with a good trade by July 31st we will know the future of this team or wait to next year.
By Truth Hurts
July 15, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this
Mark, great article.
When you win like the Braves have over the years by cobbling together a bullpen with at least a couple of retreads, it will eventually come home to roost.
There ain’t no miracles left. This team is a little better than where they are in the standings, but they ain’t no playoff team.
By matt
July 16, 2006 01:02 AM | Link to this
I don’t know if somebody has already pointed this out, I HOPE SOMEBODY HAS, but Mark Bradley writes the following:
“Over the seven full seasons from 1992 through 2000 — ‘94 and ‘95 were shortened due to the strike —”
I stopped reading at that point. Why?! BECAUSE THIS MORON WROTE THAT THE ‘95 SEASON WAS SHORTENED DUE TO STRIKE.
HEY, IDIOT, WE WON THE WORLD SERIES IN ‘95. REMEMBER THAT? BECAUSE I DO, AND I ALSO REMEMBER WHEN THE BRAVES WERE DOWN 3 GAMES TO 1 IN THE ‘96 NLCS AND OUTSCORED THE CARDINALS 32-1. DO YOU REMEMBER THAT, OR WERE YOU TOO BUSY WRITING COLUMNS ABOUT HOW THE BRAVES SEASON WAS OVER?
By TennesseePaul
July 16, 2006 01:18 AM | Link to this
Matt: 1995 was a strike shortened season. The short part came at the start of the season resulting in fewer than 162 games played.
By steve
July 16, 2006 01:23 AM | Link to this
OK, so this Braves team may not be the best they’ve run out during their run. And the teams of the past few years may not have been talent-filled either. Still, Schuerholz owes it to the guys who have made the run possible to go make a few trades and chase the wild card. He owes that to Chipper. He owes that to Smoltz. He owes that to Andruw. And most importantly, he owes that to his manager. Oh, he owes that to the fans, too.
By MetsWin
July 16, 2006 01:44 AM | Link to this
The reaction to this article proves, more than anything else, that most of the Braves fans on these blogs are idiots. So, you’d all rather see the Braves struggle to reach the Wild Card and lose in the first round of the playoffs—AGAIN—instead of making some tough decisions now and retooling for next year. Why? So you might actually have a legitimate shot at winning the World Series, instead of being the laughingstock of post-season baseball, as usual.
Excellent article, Mr. Bradley.
By curveball-in
July 16, 2006 01:55 AM | Link to this
Journalistic integrity could hurt Mark Bradley. All these years he has enjoyed a wonderful profession and the awesome responsibilty of reporting in a distinguished way for a reputable established publication. Unfortunately, this has all gone to his head and his success should not continue. Instead his supervisors, his compatriots, his readers, his nay-sayers, and the public in general should admonish him, downgrade him, hope for his demise, and conspire to have him understand that no one likes him and he should go out in the backyard now and eat dirt. It was nice when things went well and his thoughts on paper had merit and were received with enthusiasm. That time is gone and has been relinquished for quite awhile now. Such a pity. Mr. Darling Bardley has completed his goals and for him to strive more would be futile. It would be heartless for us, his readers, to support him and wish him well. This would be to his detriment. He is not and has never been a Pulitzer Award Winner and to give him the tiniest glimmer of success or enjoyment at passing on information regarding the sports’ world would only serve to give him false hope that things are well in his corner of the world and would falsely bolster his self image that he can manifest in a balanced way with the rest of us normal humans here in the SouthEast. I just don’t think there is a place for him to agreeably co-exist here or in the US or anywhere in the proximity that has levels of oxygen and h2o available in the necessary quantities for his maintenance. It would be completely unfair of me or others to lend a hand or in the smallest way, compliment or endorse his right to existence, much less his inclination to provide or contribute to society. He is beyond that capacity and has been for entirely too long. Way back in his student days he showed promise; but he has obscured that talent and dashed all hope of belonging. It is with a heavy heart and sadness beyond words that I implore Mr. Brokely to give me any excuse for the above article…….April Fools is not acceptable. Clearly and truly his intentions have been louder and more pronounced than the Shot heard round the World. Regretfully, in my opinion, Mr. Brutely, you’re fired and you have caused me to be fired up and I’m not going to take it anymore. Let’s Go Braves!
By Tom
July 16, 2006 02:40 AM | Link to this
Wow. Mark you overwhelm me. Today was the first day I have ever read your writing. Probably the last too.
Life is too short and precious to spend any time reading your claptrap. I have been a Braves fan for a lot of years… even back in the days when you can count the attendance on two hands. I have seen the Braves give up and wash their hands of a poor season.
I remember those days.
These are not those days. Bobby may have made do with several teams in the last couple of years that have had problems. To not give him proper credit is a travesty. I guess those that can…do, and those that can’t…write about it. Clearly you are in your element then.
I will always root for the Braves. My dad got to see them when in 1991 before passing away in December. I cherish that and if my dad has anything to do about it, the Braves will be in the post-season again this year.
I will chear them on regardless of the outcome of this season cause that is what oldschool fans do.
By Dirty Dawg
July 16, 2006 03:18 AM | Link to this
Bradley, you’re remarkable…you never miss a chance to miss the point. Or, more likely, never miss a chance to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Just when the Braves are giving us something to be proud of and to look forward to, you decide to ‘take a dump’ all over them and us.
Why don’t you just go back to Kentucky where they relish losing attitudes…and bigotry directed at ‘coaches of color’ I might add…we don’t need your obvious attempts to play radio talk-show host (saying something just to get a rise out of the audience) in your columns.
By ed
July 16, 2006 04:33 AM | Link to this
Dirty Dawg,
Where did that “bigotry directed at ‘coaches of color’” comment come from? That’s a pretty poor reference and just seems to be “something just to get a rise out of the audience.”
Hmmmmm….
By Andy
July 16, 2006 05:56 AM | Link to this
How about we trade giles, betemit, thompson, sosa and a pitcher from AA to SD for linbrick(sp. i know)Castilla(to back up chipper) and Kelsco—-it would be fun to have them back for 1 more year/run for the gold. I know this would never happen—just fun to dream. SD needs a #2 hitter and a third baseman for the now and future and a starter(shhh we’ll say sosa is a starter…and we’ll say thompson is one as well)it could help both teams.
By Kevin
July 16, 2006 07:23 AM | Link to this
More silly bradley words Hurt us what hurt was cox chokin in 96 thru 2004 playoffs///lets see if we make wild card we could win world series like marlins did in 97 n 2003. U remember bradley u said fish has no chance n beat us on Turner field 4-2…where was u excuse also in 99 when we lost 4-0 to Yankees no ask for cox head….then i beat u oh scoop after this season bobby cox will be washington new mamanger so u can go ape again……
By Larry
July 16, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this
My dearest little Donnie & Ronnie,
Poor comparisons! In the NCAA you’re competing against 63 other teams and it is single elimination. Mike Krzyzewski is the best modern day coach in the game, and I can assure you this, had he been given a “series” to win his record would be incredible as he, unlike Cox, has the wits and coaching ability to beat your team once learning the reasons he lost the first game.
Now back to baseball. Give Torre, Leyland, Herzog, Lasorda—darn, just about anyone—the talent supplied to Cox the past 15 years and what would their final series record be. Bobby Cox is the perfect player development, cheerleader, stick-with-them, type manager that bodes will for the minor leagues or over the course of 162 games. On the contrary, his sit back and wait for the big homer, hope for a dominant pitching performance, stick with the same lineup, aw shucks approach in a critical must win game is also well known throughout baseball and is the single greatest reason the Braves can’t sell out playoffs games. Only you two, Donnie & Ronnie, and a few thousand scattered fans will actually attend a Braves’ playoff game believing Bobby Cox will make the big call or adjustment to turn the tide of a series or big game. Only Bobby Cox would still have Marcus Giles batting leadoff after a 6-21 June!
We can argue forever but this one fact is indisputable: Had Tom Glavine not pitched a one hitter and David Justice not hot hit a solo homerun, Mr. Cox’s record would be 0-15. That’s a .000 percentage, Donnie & Ronnie, just to help you understand. What Bobby needs is a Offensive Coordinator!
You two are so cute by the way.
By UGA 72
July 16, 2006 08:49 AM | Link to this
Mark
While I disagree with the folks calling you names and suggesting your pet poodle actually writes your column, I have to say this could easily be confused with a Terrance Moore column. Trust me when I say that is much worse than being call an illegitimate child, for you or your dog. At least your pooch produced something new.
You and your poodle should concentrate on subjects you know something about and leave the Braves to Dave Obrien.
By Larry
July 16, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this
Little Donnie,
What is the final playoff records of Chuck Noll? Vince Lombardi? Bill Walsh? Bill Belichick? John Woooten?
Cito Gaston? Ha ha!
By Matt
July 16, 2006 08:53 AM | Link to this
Shame on you and anyone who believes the Braves still don’t have a chance at winning the division. The Mets, in no way, have it locked up. Certainly, twelve games is a huge deficit to overcome, but not insurmountable. Not when there are 9 games left to play against the NL East leaders.
And for the Mets, well expensive perfume can only cover up their stink for so long.
By H-Charles
July 16, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this
Finally, a voice of reason. Good job, Mr. Bradley.
At least someone in this city has the guts to call a spade a spade. This team just isn’t that good. Too many pieces missing. As to the whoever said “so many teams would kill for Adam LaRoce”, I wish you were GM for one of these squads. Yeah, I bet the Mets wish they had him instead of Delgado. Just think how good the Redbirds would be with LaRoche instead of Pujols! Derek Lee, Lance Berkman, Nomar Garciapara — none of these guys can hold a candle our big time slugger!
By todd
July 16, 2006 09:09 AM | Link to this
make trades with an eye to the future? there are so many young players on this team it looks they are ready for the future. What they need is money spent on pitching.
By Scott
July 16, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this
Bradley,
You hit it on the head! The bullpen has always ben a crap-shoot, so I’ll leave that alone. First base is wretched - maybe LaRoche could be the left-hander out of the pen we’ve been needing - couldn’t do any worse. Giles and Andrew are approaching free agency. Didn’t we learn anything from the Murphy trade? Trade Andrew and get top dollar now! Re-stock and be ready for the next ten years. Remember Alexander for the hard throwing right hander from Detroit?
By Jeff
July 16, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this
Right on target, Mark. It’s about making the moves that transitions this club for 2007 and beyond. That can be done by 1) holding onto blue chip prospects; 2)trading vets for other teams’ top prospects; 3)seeing if the new ownership is willing to up the team’s payoll to allow management to fill holes when necessary.
By CITYofdecatur
July 16, 2006 09:21 AM | Link to this
Bradley buries Braves post season chances Time to budget in playoff tickets still got your “better than the 27 Yanks” article. You just get it wrong toooo often
By Will Shelton
July 16, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this
Even if you’re flirting with some good ideas here, I don’t understand how you can write “If the Braves could make the playoffs with this middling crew, it would only deepen their conviction that they can win no matter what kind of team they run out there.” Why would a team ever want to lose that conviction? If it’s a fact that the Braves aren’t as talented as they used to be, it’s also a fact that the payroll isn’t going to climb towards 200 mil. anytime soon either. I do not believe you can separate “getting good again” and the conviction to win that has carried this ballclub for the last 15 years.
By David
July 16, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this
Finnally, a AJC writer that has a clue about the Braves. I was beginning to think the AJC just didn’t have any talent. I can’t remember the last time I read something in the AJC that was so accurate.
By Mark
July 16, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this
Concur, this guy is a total idiot!!! Does he actually get paid to write this garbage?
By 7 inch vick
July 16, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this
are you kidding me??? who let liam neeson write for the AJC. we need darth maul to finish him for good. dfree is right, you’re an idiot. Help clean up the south, buy mark bradley a bus ticket.
By Jamie
July 16, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this
You know the interesting thing about this blog? DOB usually reply to the bloggers and no reply this time so far!!
By Claudette
July 16, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
We need people to support the braves where they win or lose. Be a fan all of the time.
By Woogidy
July 16, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this
Andruw is not overpaid!
By tom
July 16, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this
What exactly is your definition of rebuilding? Dumping all the Vets they can, and lose 95 games for about 4 or 5 years and then slowly start to build back to a .500 season 3 or 4 years after that? the team started rebuilding last year, and i guess you would think its bobbys fault the team kept winning, instead of playing to lose to teach some sense of humility to these new players. your logic escapes me you want them to play hard, to try to win every game? but you don’t want them to win more then they lose? what ever
As far as no ace? Despite his protests Smoltz has been the team ace despite what he says about hudson.
By Claudell Washington
July 16, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this
Bradley - are you a closet Met’s fan, or just a clown?
By The Big S
July 16, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this
Come on man, no real ace? Look at John Smoltz, no first baseman? Laroche is looking very good of late. I do agree with you about the leadoff spot, but I think that the Bravos will manage. Have some faith.
By George E.
July 16, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this
* yep, it’s mid-season … let’s just quit and throw in the towel
By The Big S
July 16, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this
Laroche is hitting .260 with 15 home runs and 48 rbi and getting better as the season goes on. I will take a .270 25-30 homerun 90 RBI guy anyday, you people that are hating are real idiots and bunch of winy babies and you have become spoiled!
By leftcoastrob
July 16, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this
citizens of atlanta: wake up and smell the era: bullpen, starting rotations.. all of it. explain how we could win a series with any team over .500. the offense is surging, yes, but unless there is a real turn around from the pitchers, (pay attention here) THE BRAVES WILL LOSE TO THE TOP 5 NL CLUBS IN A PLAYOFF SERIES.
By leftcoastrob
July 16, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this
citizens of atlanta: wake up and smell the era: bullpen, starting rotations.. all of it. explain how we could win a series with any team over .500. the offense is surging, yes, but unless there is a real turn around from the pitchers, (pay attention here) THE BRAVES WILL LOSE TO THE TOP 5 NL CLUBS IN A PLAYOFF SERIES (IF they make it that far.)
By David
July 16, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this
MB, you are an idiot. You should work for ESPN. They support idiots. Look at Jay Mariotti. You could be the doom and gloom southern sports reporter. Jackass. Just leave the sports reporting to DOB a true columnist.
By David
July 16, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this
MB, you are an idiot. You should work for ESPN. They support idiots. Look at Jay Mariotti. You could be the doom and gloom southern sports reporter. Jackass. Just leave the sports reporting to DOB a true columnist.
By rob
July 16, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this
dfree:
I thought wow he’s such an idiot. Then I looked and that’s what you posted.
You kick a*s dude. Perfect first post!
By Steve
July 16, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this
MARK BRADLEY IS A PATHETIC AND RIDICULOUS FOOL WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF BASEBALL. PLEASE STOP WRITING THESE TERRIBLE NONSENSE RIDDEN COLUMNS FOOL!!!!
By Jake
July 16, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this
Man every time you post something it sounds ignorant,why would they just give up and start being sellers when their only 5 1/2 games out you make no sense..now from here to the trading deadline if their really a longshot then start posting stuff like you written but for now thier only 5 1/2 games out so they make trades to get better..sure up they bullpen and get a leadoff hitter..and then if they dont mak the playoffs then thats what the offseason is for,soo you just need to do your job and make a better article then what this was becouse you make no sense you really made me mad with this one..Root for the hometeam bradley..
By Miller
July 16, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
Mark, I understand what you are trying to say, but what you are trying to say makes no sense. The Braves need to lose (“disabuse”?) so they can start becoming the Braves. It makes no sense. You offer no suggestions on what you think needs to be done. I really am surprised you actually got this vapid blog by your editors. I remember when sports writers actually wrote interesting articles with insight. You need to disabuse your thoughts that you are presently a good writer so that you can become the Mark Bradley you should be.
By jbone
July 16, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
Larry, you are probably the smartest person in the world. You are exactly right. “Ole Bobby” is a terrible manager. I really liked your quote that stated “managers make the difference in must win games.” Wow! that was a phenomenal point. Let’s look at some of the extraordinary mistakes “ole Bobby” has made to screw the Braves in the postseason. How dare he tell Mark Wohlers to hang that slider to Jim Leyritz in the fourth game of the ‘96 World Series. “Ole Bobby” also screwed us in the seventh game of the ‘91 Series when he told Lonnie Smith to make his infamous base-running blunder. If those two were not enough, in the ‘97 NLCS, he told Eric Gregg to call pitches that were thrown within at least two feet of the strike zone strikes instead of balls. If it hadn’t been for “ole Bobby” in those must win games, we could’ve pushed our World Series championship total to 4 as opposed to only 1.
Larry, I hope you’re picking up the sarcasm in the post, but, as evidenced by your post, you are not very smart. I think one of the worst quotes I have ever seen in sports came from your post. “Managers make the difference in must win games.” You are telling me that Ozzie Guillen, Terry Francona, and Bob Brenly made the difference when they were in must win games??? The game is played on a diamond, not in a dugout. While the manager does make a difference, it is always the players that decide games.
By Metsfanforlife
July 16, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this
Go Mets! We rock!
By drixie
July 16, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley, thinking you are a sportwriter could hurt your career in some other field where you may actually know what you are talking about.
By drixie
July 16, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley, thinking you are a sportswriter could hurt your career in some other field where you may actually know what you are talking about.
By scope
July 16, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this
Mark,
Yes and no. I’d agree that the Braves think more of themselves than they are or have been for the last few years. Is that such a bad thing? Isn’t that supposed to happen after you establish a tradition of winning like they have?
Frankly, I think we’ve been lucky to win the one series, much less any more of them. We were unlucky against NY, but they paid for top rent-a-players and we didn’t.
All along during this run, we’ve been a good team, but never the type of team where I would say we ‘should’ win the series. The fact that we’ve been there several times and in the playoffs consistently should be looked at in much more positive light than it has been getting press for lack of series wins.
Yes, we don’t have the team that I think will win the series, much less any title division or otherwise, but do you want to stand pat and wait for more rookies to come up to see if they turn into Clemens or Pujols?
IMO - you make some moves so that this current band of newbies isn’t doing all the work, then maybe, you’ll have a team that will build on the winning tradition begun in the Smoltz era. I’d hate it if I’d seen the last of Smoltzie in the playoffs.
By Jimbo
July 16, 2006 01:27 PM | Link to this
Larry I agree with you and managers do make a difference in how players play. Good mgrs. learn from their mistates and BC keeps making the same ones over and over. Hell if you love BC great, if you hate him great. There’s nothing we can do about it, but I for one would love to see a new Mgr. MARK Bradley I also see your point. If Braves make play-off its one series and out. WHAT A JOKE.
By Keith
July 16, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this
Please elaborate on how the Mets finally figured it out? What did they learn? Because it seems to me they (the Mets) simply have added superstars over the last couple of seasons, and the Braves had a long losing streak…isn’t THAT the difference to this point?
By RRR
July 16, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this
By Ron Mexico
July 16, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this
HOW CAN MARK BRADLEY HAVE HIS JOB AT THE AJC? WHY NOT HIRE PRETTY GIRLS LIKE ERIN ANDREWS. HE KNOWS ABSOULUTELY NOTHING ABOUT BASEBALL.
By RRR
July 16, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this
Asked if he was referring to the Braves’ bullpen, which has been shaky, he said: “Any area that we need strengthened. It is what it is. That’s why Andruw and Chipper are so vital.
“It just would help,” Smoltz said. “Hopefully we can play our way into a position where maybe that move can be made, but certainly we could shore up a couple of things.”
By michael
July 16, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this
Bradley you should go somewhere and shut the hell up. The Braves gm and manager has more that 50 years experience in there respected fields. They are not perfect. They have forgotten more baseball that you will ever know.
Michael
By Garrick
July 16, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this
Mark, I have to say this was an interesting approach. The foundation of your belief grasps the concept that the Braves are up against an opponent that can’t be beat. Therefore, focus upon rebuilding. The New York Mets lead the NL East. I repeat…the NY Mets are leading. If we were talking about a franchise that actually wins something, I could attempt to digest your madness. However, trailing the Mets makes me believe that anything is possible. How many times have the Mets been on the verge of greatness in the past five or six seasons? Give me a break. Pedro is already hurt. Glavine is not going to win 18 games. Get real, Mark. The Braves need to improve (we all agree on that). However, the goal is simple: win the division! Dumb writers like you are talking wild-card. Conventional wisdom assures me that we are entrenched in the race for the NL East title. It is only the Mets (who, I guess hold a shining playoff resume). Mark, did you write that the Dodgers are something special? Wow! That is interesting…very interesting. Most people in LA expect the Dodgers to choke every year…as do NY Met fans…as do Padre fans…as do Philly fans…as do Red fans…as do Rockie fans…as do Brewer fans…shall I continue. They believe this because it happens every year, Mark. I feel pretty good right now.
By Johnny
July 16, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this
Why don’t you do all of us Braves fans a favor and send your resume to a New York newspaper and get a job covering the Mets. Have you not seen the offensive explosion as of late. The team was just down and you want to count them out. But even with our bullpen we our still one of the best teams in the N.L. and I am fully convinced that should they make the playoffs they could beat the Mets or any other N.L. team in a best of 7 series. Do Atlanta a favor get your bags, put them on the Mets Bandwagon, and bounce on out of the ATL.
By michael
July 16, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this
Bradley you should go somewhere and shut the hell up. The Braves gm and manager has more that 50 years experience in there respected fields. They are not perfect. They have forgotten more baseball that you will ever know.
Michael
By craig miller
July 16, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this
Mark, I usually agree with ya. But saying that Smoltz is not a “true ace” is just plain wrong. I’m sure the Yankees, Astros, Dodgers, et al would love to have him leading their rotation.
Craig
By Brent
July 16, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this
Bradley would have had a point had he bothered to actually make one.
I understand the premise of his article; however, what he needed to do was present a legitimate option of what move they could actually make that would keep them from falling off the face of the earth this season (even if they missed the play-offs), while simultaneously positioning themselves to be a better team in the future.
Show me that, Mr. Bradley, and I might listen to you.
Until then, saying, “The Braves should lose so that they’ll know that they are really losers,” borderlines on ridiculous.
By Wes
July 16, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this
You have to be the worst writer of all-time. Who actually thinks missing the playoff’s is bad for a team? Go start writing in pet section, because all you write about is stupid $h!t!!!!!!!!!
By Tomas
July 16, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this
Last night when Mcbride couldnt finish the inning and allowed a three run homer. Bobby didnt go ou there to make the change instead it was the pitching coach Roger Mcdowell, theyre a silent message being sent, and you can see Bobby’s frusturation, even John SMoltz urged JS for a veteran reliever. my option would trade Wilson Beitemet fo Scott Schields of the angels.
By Kent
July 16, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this
I’m afraid I’m going to have to join in and pile on Mark Bradley for this blog. Mark, I’m kind of wondering where your head was at when you made some of the above comments.
NO 1st BASEMAN???
If you project Adam LaRoche’s numbers out over 550 AB’s, you will have the following:
31 HR / 104 RBI / 44 doubles.
Among all starting 1st baseman in major league baseball (per 500 at-bats), LaRoche ranks 5th in RBI. And he plays a gold-glove caliber 1st base.
NO ACE?
Yes, I’m fully aware that Huddy was awarded the “Ace” title by Bobby Cox back in the spring. Obviously, Hudson hasn’t been the ace of this staff. But we still have a guy named John Smoltz. Maybe you’ve heard of him?
“They’re no longer equipped with All-Stars at every position”
The Braves have 5 all-stars at the top of this lineup. (Obviously 2 of them, C.Jones & Giles, didn’t make this years all-star roster, but they are obviously still all-star caliber players.
Once you get past the all-stars, you hit Francoeur and LaRoche, a tandem that will hit a combined 50-60 homers and drive in close to 200 runs this season. Not bad. Then, you run into Scott Thorman. Looks like this guy is going to be yet another potential 30-home run a year guy in this lineup.
The Braves have holes this season… no doubt about it. If Hudson doesn’t start coming through, the Braves are going no where. And even if Huddy does come through, Atlanta could still use 1 more starter. Although the bullpen is greatly improved, it’s still not an area you could call a strength of this club.
I agree that we should mortgage the future of this team by giving away promising young talent in exchange for rent-a-players. However, if we can pull off a trade for a reliever who’s contract doesn’t expire at the end of this season, it would be well worth our while.
Mark, I don’t ordinarily say this kind of thing to talented writers, but your blog seems exaggerated, factually off base, and even slightly uninformed.* Atlanta’s lineup is as strong as it’s been in years, and there *is an ace at the top of this rotation. Why you would state otherwise is beyond me. Are you watching the same team?
By Kent
July 16, 2006 07:43 PM | Link to this
correction: meant to say “I agree that we should NOT mortage the future of this team by giving away promising young talent in exchange for rent-a-players.”
I would like to add that Shuerholz has never carelessly dealt away young talent in exchange for players he expects to be short-term additions. He expected that we would in fact be able to retain Farnsworth’s services when he traded for him last season. The Braves made him a fair offer (compmirable to that of the Yankees) to stay here as our closer. For some reason no one understands, he chose instead to be a set-up man in New York. But Shuerholz was not trying to go the rent-a-player route when he acquired Farnsworth.
By Dennis
July 16, 2006 07:47 PM | Link to this
Every fan that says “It would be better not to make the playoffs….” suffers from short memory or no memory syndrome and never lived through the horrible late 70s and late 80s Braves. Every playoff appearance is a gift we should cherish. Because just “breaking up the team” doesn’t always make you better. Look at the Hawks after 99.
By chris
July 16, 2006 08:52 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley is a pompus, self-righteous, chest beating, arrogant, New York Times writing wanna be p******k. He must not even be watching the braves play as of late. I say the next time he writes something no one read it or even post anything about it.
By #1 Reitsma Fan
July 16, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this
MB, you sir, are an idiot. I can speak for Chris Reitsma when I say, you’re about on target with this article as one of my fastballs.
By Todd A
July 17, 2006 01:21 AM | Link to this
Mark,I know you’re taking alot of grief on this column,but,I don’t think you’re too far off base.However,I still think Smoltz has some gas left in the tank as a quality #1 starter.LaRoche isn’t a bad first baseman either.
But lets face it,June was such a catastrophe that there is just no way this team recovers over the next 3 months….too deep of a hole to climb out of.This horrid bullpen is going to rear it’s ugly head again and again over the next three months.
Mark,you came up with the nickname of the Ghastly Boys for that terrible 1990 Braves pen that consisted of such stalwarts as Joe Boever,Joe Hesketh,Paul Marak,and Charlie Kerfeld.This pen may actually be worse than that one,if you can imagine that.You need to come up with a nickname for this wretched edition.
By Braves Realist
July 17, 2006 02:49 AM | Link to this
As Spock would say “thats a logical assesment” and it is. Logic and brains dictated Mr. Bradley’s above statement , not blind hope. They are 43-49 with 70 games left to play and must go a combined 47-23 to get to 90 wins and a shot at the wildcard. If they trade for a couple of pitchers and add them to the bullpen and rotation , then continue playing at the same torrid pace of the past 20 games for the next 70 games then they might have a chance. So , does anyone see how logic dictates and says , its just not happening ?