AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > May > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves must fix flaws without big checkbook
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
The Braves awoke Thursday as close to fourth place as to first. A bright April has been shaded by a .500 May. Worst of all, they’re losing manpower.
At such a time, a big-spending organization would be tempted to spend bigger. We shouldn’t expect the Braves, who have just been bought by Liberty Media, to try the checkbook fix. So proclaims Terry McGuirk, still the team’s president after the transfer of ownership.
“Everyone feels like we’re going to be a playoff team,” McGuirk says. But here’s a discouraging word: If the postseason commenced today, the Braves wouldn’t qualify.
The doings of May had an ominous feel: The holes in the rotation grew deeper, and the bullpen lost a key man. The trading deadline is two months away, but if the Braves keep treading water it to matter. The question, then: Is Liberty Media ready to step up to the figurative plate?
McGuirk believes that’s the wrong question to ask. He says the deadline dealing hasn’t gotten going: “If somebody handed us a lot of money, there’s nothing we could do right now.” Besides, he sees nothing unduly ominous about the doings of May: “If not for two injuries [Mike Hampton and Lance Cormier], we’d probably be in first place by a couple of games.”
Hampton won’t be back this season. Cormier should be soon. But is a pitcher who has won 12 big-league games apt to make a difference in a difficult division? Will the absence of Mike Gonzalez erode the Braves’ capacity to close out games? Is another position player — Ryan Langerhans and Craig Wilson have flunked out, and Willy Aybar is indisposed — required immediately?
Says McGuirk: “Our first inclination is to fix [a problem] internally. Look at the Yankees. They’ve got more money than anybody, but there’s no fixing that unless they play better. … If it takes dollars to get a deal done that we think might be for a missing piece, we can do it. But more times than not it’s not dollars [involved in a midseason trade] — it’s giving up young talent.”
The Braves used to dangle young talent as deadline bait. (Think Melvin Nieves, Donnie Elliott and Vince Moore for Fred McGriff. Think Jason Schmidt for Denny Neagle.) That’s no longer standard procedure. Says McGuirk: “Four or five years ago we changed our approach to go with youth and hustle. … We’re very loath to give up the kids who are the whole future of the franchise.”
So don’t expect Jarrod Saltalamacchia to be sent to Chicago for Carlos Zambrano (who, coincidentally, will start against the Braves today). Zambrano is scheduled to be a free agent, and the Braves’ new world doesn’t have space for pricey imports.
“Free agency is so inefficient,” McGuirk says. “It’s the easiest way to waste a franchise’s money. … Anything that’s happened from 2000 on is tough to justify, and we learned that ourselves. Our payroll was going up like a rocket ship, and the fans stopped coming. That seemed a major statement as to what this franchise should be about.”
Where once the Braves would sign a Greg Maddux or a Gary Sheffield over the winter, they now prefer to see what a Chuck James or a Jeff Francoeur can do. That said, the biggest test of this new stance will come five months hence, when a homegrown All-Star (Andruw Jones) files for free agency.
“We want to keep him,” McGuirk says. “But he’s got a very strong agent [Scott Boras]. So we’ll see.”
And we will. We’ll see if the Braves under Liberty Media are any different from the Braves under Time Warner. The guess is that they won’t be. They might spend a little more, but only a little. If you liked that cost-efficient mind-set then, you’ll like it now. If you, on the other hand, had a yearning burning to see Zambrano in the same rotation as Smoltz and Hudson … well, you’ll be disappointed.
Permalink | Comments (88) | Post your comment | Categories: Mark Bradley
Comments
By Eric from MO
May 31, 2007 7:59 PM | Link to this
Other than last year the Braves have been a second half team. The Braves normally dont play this good at the start of the season. So dont worry, we will make the playoffs.
By ATLplayer
May 31, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this
The Braves will be fine. It’s too early to panic. Andrew Jones has found his swing and Chipper should be back soon. The young guys are playing well also. Question, can Seriano become a starter? If so look for another setup man and start him.
By gobirds42
May 31, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this
i have changed my mind of late. i think we are a play off team as set right now. but i think we must make a trade or two for a starter. nothing to big, but we need a 3rd or 4th type of starter, and maybe a lefty reliever. prado, pena, or another one of those youngsters may have to go to get it donne. go braves…..
By Chief Nokahoma
May 31, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this
Good comments. However, if there were a top line pitcher available, wouldn’t George gooble him up for NY?
By Don Imus
May 31, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this
whatever the Braves do, lets just try and get more white guys.
By poops mcgee
May 31, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this
that stinks don
By RC35
May 31, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this
I don’t think Hampton and Cormier would have had the Braves in first place. No pitcher can win without run support, and since Chipper’s disappearance from the lineup, we are playing without power or average at first base, third base, and center field. It’s hard to win with a third of the lineup missing.
By Eric from MO
May 31, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
Wow Andruw coming around now that June is here. Seems like someone kept saying AJ would heat up once June got here. As I remember that person kept getting ridiculed when he said it. Who was that person? Oh yeah, that was me! Damn Im good!
By Matthew At The SLC
May 31, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this
Trade Andruw Jones to the ChiSox straight up for Mark Buhrle. To the guy who said Andruw finally found his swing, I ask: you mean he’s finally found it after 10 years in the league? Andruw Jones will never be a complete ballplayer. He’s going to strike out 190 times this year, but will hit 25 to 30 homers with 80 RBI a terrible OPB and even worse OPS. Those are terrible numbers, and anyone who says otherwise is a homer. And as Jason Stark has already proven, his defense is overrated, not even as good as half of baseball’s current centerfielders. Numbers don’t lie. Y’all can spin it anyway you want, but Stark’s numbers are damning.
So trade Andruw Jones for Burhle. We get the starting pitcher we need to make a run at the postseason. We unload a guy who’s going to kill our offense all year and whom we have no chance of resigning. We move Frenchy to center where his defense will be just as good as the present Andruw Jones (who’s nowhere near as good as past Andruw Jones). We move Harris to RF and keep Diaz in LF. We have more patience in the lineup, more guys willing to do the little things it takes to win. We all know that Andruw refuses to do the little things it takes to win, so get rid of him now and get what we need most (starting pitching) in return.
Andruw Jones to the ChiSox for Mark Burhle. This is the one trade that makes the most sense.
By D-Cider
May 31, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
The worst thing the Braves could probably do would be resign Andruw. He will cost too much money, his numbers will continue to decline, as will his defense. Mathew is right, the Jason Stark article was an eye opener. The trade for Hampton turned out to be a really dumb move by JS, who continues to get a free pass for trades that do not work out. First base is a joke. Although a wild card would be nice,I think the Braves still have an excellent chance of finishing 3rd or lower, in the division.
By Bob
May 31, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
Matthew,
I cannot believe you can buy Jason Stark’s statistics. They are bogus big time as hundreds of different bloggers demonstrated on the ESPN site. That stupid zone put out crap is a stat in a total vacuum. It does not take into account who is playing left or right field. During the period that Andruw was having monster years of 450 plus put outs, he had no one in left field with any range…Ryan Klesko ring a bell? Even right field had decent but not great defensive outfielders…an aging Brian Jordan, Gary Sheffield and an oft injured J.D. Drew. In the two years that Andruw dropped into the mid-300s in put outs, he was flanked by Ryan Langerhans and Jeff Francoeur, by far the two best defensive outfielders we have had in years.
However if you insist on using these dumb stats, go ahead. But if you do, then you must use this years zone put out stats too dude. Andruw currently has 150 in 52 games or a pace that will give him 450 plus put outs. Has he suddenly become much better than last year using Stark’s much maligned stats?? Don’t think so.
Did you see the Mets lose to the Giants last night? Bonds drove in the first Giants run off Glavine with a soft line drive to center which all star centerfielder Carlos Beltran pulled up on. Andruw makes that catch EVERY day. Then in the third, the Giants hit a double over Beltran’s head. This was not only a ball Andruw gets but it is one he makes look easy. Beltran doesn’t get the jump Andruw does and thus had the ball fly over his head.
You are right about his hitting. On defense he has slowed down a bit and I don’t think his arm is as strong as it used to be. Then again he has played most every game for 10 plus years now and is also 11 years older. But please, neither Carlos Beltran or Jim Edmunds can carry Andruw’s jock. In fact, Andruw’s homerun and rbi production is much better career wise than either of these other two star centerfielders.
There is plenty of room to criticize Andruw, but if you believe in Stark’s bogus stats then you believe in the flat earth theory too.
By chopper
May 31, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this
Play Salty at first. even if he is a defensive liability, his bat will make up for it. Thorman is nothing more than a beer league over swinging softball player.
By IlliniBrave
May 31, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
DOB: Great point about bad bets on position players - Ryan no-Langer-hit-hans, Willie (ever get out of rehab) Aybar, deadWoodward, and Wilson. Our call-ups Orr and Prado aren’t any better, and Thorman just looks more and more like he’s not ready. But do you know whether there’s any help down on the farm? Anybody?
Matt in SLC - I would love that trade! But what makes you think that the ChiSox would go for that? Burhle is a young stud and I can’t see them letting him go for AJ.
D-Cider - actually, I think the Hampton trade was typical JS genius. The guy was awesome for two years. And we gave up nothing. You can’t judge a trade by injuries, except perhaps in a case like Gonzalez, who had a suspicious elbow.
By Jibo
May 31, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
McGuirk said,*If not for two injuries Hampton and Cormier we’d probably be in first place by couple games…. * What a stupid statement and that’s the nut running the Braves. What about all the other injuries? If the Braves don’t get help they will miss play-off again.
By JeffS
May 31, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this
As Chipper Jones goes, so goes our offense. If Chipper continues to miss substantial time with these lingering injuries I don’t see us being able to hang with the Padres and D-backs (not to mention the Mets). There is no way we can continue to play even .500 ball with Prado and Woodward in the lineup.
By Jay
June 1, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this
We traded for Gary Sheffield, he wasnt signed as a free agent. If your job depends on knowing knowledge about the local teams, you would think you might actually check your facts.
By A-ville Ranger
June 1, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this
I wonder if the team would have gone after Gonzo if Leo was still here ? It seemed like most all the guys signed in his years were solid mechanics types.
By Rain Delay
June 1, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this
I love how everyone comes out and says TRADE ANDRUW. It ain’t gonna happen, why you ask? He’s a 10&5 guy and has the right to VETO any trade. And he stated that he would, and remain a Brave for the entire season.
So would the trade Andruw peeps, just shut up. Andruw isn’t going to be traded anytime in the near future.
Deal with it.
By Rain Delay
June 1, 2007 1:01 AM | Link to this
Ugh..Doesn’t anyone pay attention? There’s now way that Andruw will be traded. Why? Because he’s 10&5 and can/will veto any trade. He’s said so publicly. He will remain a Brave for the rest of the season.
So please, stop with the trade Andruw because it isn’t going to happen.
By Matthew At The SLC
June 1, 2007 1:09 AM | Link to this
It’s not just the zone stats, dude. Obviously, you didn’t read the article. MLB Scouts, with eyes on Andruw have found that he hasn’t been getting to many balls he used to. Balls that drop in for hits, not being caught by Frenchy. And this is years, not just year. So in Chipper’s last two years in left (a guy with limited range) Andruw was letting more drop. These are balls he would get to without having to dive. Now they drop. Look, he’s not the defensive guy he used to be, and hasn’t been for about four to five years. He’s coasting by on his reputation and on Cox’s word to the other managers who keep on unexplicably giving this guy Golden Gloves he no longer deserves. Because Cox would never lie to prop up his players, would he? Seriously, are you telling me that if we traded Andruw and put Frenchy in his place that you don’t think the defense would at least be just as good as current Andruw? Out of shape Andruw? We need to get rid of him now, before he continues to play himself out of tradability, if he hasn’t already. Look, Andruw is a gigantic black hole in the lineup. And Cox won’t put him at 6 or 7 and just leave him there. So he needs to go. Once again, if you hit 30 homers and have 80 RBI, but your OBP, BA, and OPS suck, then you’re not helping the team, you’re hurting it. We need pitching. We can trade Andruw for pitching. We need to trade him for pitching so we can get something for him. The last time we traded someone because we had to Schurholtz was able to get Estrada, whom a remember was an All-Star catcher for us who’d still be here if we didn’t discover we had the best young catcher in MLB down in the minors. So trade Andruw.
By Eugene
June 1, 2007 1:21 AM | Link to this
I think the Braves as they currently stand are a good team. However I think they will be a great team when they begin turning more double plays. I am pretty sure that will happen after the All Star Break.
By Chris
June 1, 2007 1:53 AM | Link to this
What about the $$ the Braves will get back from insurance on Hampton? Couldn’t that be used to pay for an acquisition?
By Salty Dawg
June 1, 2007 1:54 AM | Link to this
This is such a none story. The reason the Braves are 4.5 game back is because they have played the toughest schedule of anyone in the NL and the Mets the 12th. Head to head, the Braves are winning .667. And, oh by the way, Brad, the season ends after 182, not 60 games.
What a dickhead.
By Braves Fan 79
June 1, 2007 2:09 AM | Link to this
Illini Brave: are you kidding me??? u think the Hampton trade was WHAT!….GENIOUS??? are u KIDDING ME! Us getting hampton basicially guarnteed we couldnt afford maddux or glavine anymore. Yea GREAT deal…we gave up 2 hall of famers who are great in the postseason for….Hampton…who even when hes not hurt is a good 2nd half of the season pitcher but SUCKS in big games in the playoffs!
Was i really the only one calling for Bobby to start Smoltz out of the bullpen 3 or so years ago in game 5 against the astros instead of starting hampton?? No…bobby went with convention and started hampton…and the game was over by the 5th inning. No true Braves fan can say there glad we got hampton. We basicially traded the mets best pitcher for our best pitcher…and we ALL know whos gotten the best of that deal.
By DAD
June 1, 2007 2:13 AM | Link to this
You Braves fans can forget about winning the NL East this year. The Mets have no holes in their lineup. They have a poweful lineup and quality starting pitching and an awesome bullpen. I predicted a month ago that the Braves, with all their weaknesses, would start fading, and the Mets would take off and lead the Braves by 15 games by the all star break. Am I ever right. You Braves fans can start looking forward to watching the Mets win the NL East by a wide margin. Then, this is the year the Mets win the World Series.
By Salty Dawg
June 1, 2007 2:16 AM | Link to this
To Matthew At The SLC
No one is going to pick up Andruw in a trade becasue of the reasons you argue for trading him. And, he is a 10&5 guy who can nix it. We are stuck witht the guy.
I would, howver, bench his lard a*. I would also keep Frenchy in Right becasue of his arm. I would put Willie Harris in Center because of his speed and because of his somewhat average arm. Diaz can be my everyday left fielder.
I grew up following Bambi’s Bombers and Harvey’s Wallbangers. If you did not hit .300, you sucked. The Braves need guys who hit for high average and get on base or drive runs in. This BS about the 3 and 4 run homer explains why the Braves have suffered in post season. It is easier to shut down guys who hit .250 and ding out 30 HRs in a year, than guys who hit .333 but have half the homers. I would rather be able to play small ball if I have to than play long ball or nothing.
Of course, my childhood teams also hit ridiculous HR totals. Their achilles heal was pitching. Starting. Set up. Closing.
By jed
June 1, 2007 2:27 AM | Link to this
yes, i was pretty much figuring the same thing. plus, really, i’d rather watch salty for the next several years than bring in zambrano for 4 months. still, if liberty can cough up 10 mil for the payroll, mista schuerholz could figure out something to make it interesting. they owe us that much, dont they?
By serbok
June 1, 2007 2:47 AM | Link to this
RainDelay love how everyone comes out and says TRADE ANDRUW. It ain’t gonna happen, why you ask? He’s a 10&5 guy and has the right to VETO any trade. And he stated that he would, and remain a Brave for the entire season. correctomundo! AJ cannot be traded
Salty Dawg AJ cannot be benched! do not cut off your nose to spite your face!
By Scott
June 1, 2007 3:28 AM | Link to this
The Mets can’t win the world series because they can’t beat Atlanta. These two teams will meet in the NLCS and the Braves will win, once again.
By Jamie
June 1, 2007 4:14 AM | Link to this
Actually, there is a way that AJ could be traded…
Andruw is looking to put up big numbers this year in order to get the big payday. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been performing. This is perfect justification of a possible platoon and/or moving him down in the batting order (which has been the case as of late). If told that he is going to spend the rest of the year splitting time between the bench and the 6/7/8th spot in the lineup, AJ may agree to a trade. Without playing time and a low spot in the lineup, the opportunity for a big season goes down the tubes. Without that big season, AJ will not make the money he is looking to make…he’d be lucky to make what he’s already making.
By Coach
June 1, 2007 4:27 AM | Link to this
Mark Bradley , you have touched a very raw nerve and it has this team in pain at the moment. The injuries are piling up and I think we left our best team in the planning room. At the beginning of spring training we had a very deep and talented squad capable of winning the division but that has been blown right out of the water by the old injury bug. Hampton , Gonzalez , Aybar , Wilson , Redman , Langerhans are all gone. Chipper is about to hit the D.L. as many of us have been expecting he would. Orr , Prado and Woodward have drove in exactly zero runs in his place. Bobby simply can’t put his best team on the field , the bench is a mess and the fifth spot in the rotation is still a question mark two months into the season. Diaz should be in the lineup everyday but Cox wants Willies defense in LF. Changes obviously need to be made , drastic ones at that. If they don’t start scoring like they did in April it won’t matter how good the pitching is and it has actually been better in May than it was in April(Check the team ERA , its a fact). I think the Braves still have a legitimate shot at the wildcard but Cox needs to fix his lineup , his bench and watch the way Willie Randolph maximizes the Mets offense , they play both longball and littleball equally well , which makes them the best offense in the Major Leagues in my book. At any rate , June is pretty much do or die month for the Braves , .500 ball ain’t gonna get it done if they are to have any hope as a playoff team.
By Mike
June 1, 2007 4:35 AM | Link to this
First of all, anyone with knowledge of how trading someone works would know that the thought of trading AJ isn’t going to work. As other posts have stated, the 10&5 rule applies here. AJ will more than likely go somewhere else but not until seasons end. The Hampton deal was a bust, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Getting rid of Jason Schmidt was stupid as was the Glavine and Maddux exodus.
Those of you that say that AJ needs to go or be benched and that he hasn’t played up to his abilities for the past four or five years, you weren’t saying that two years ago when he carried the team to their last division title. There was nothing but praise for him then. Make up your mind, which is it? AJ isn’t going anywhere this year. If you knew anything about him you would know that he does start slow and picks up as it gets warmer.
What is really sad about this is how hypocritical everyone is. You want players to be loyal to their teams and not leave. Here you have a guy that still produces and wants to stay with the same team throughout his career and as soon as their is a dent in his armour you want to get rid of him. Where is your loyalty towards him?
By RA
June 1, 2007 5:57 AM | Link to this
Good article Bradley,
No really. Anyway, I think what’s gone on with the Yankees the last few years, and this year, has proven beyond a shadow of doubt that you can’t simply pour money on a franchise and think that it’s going to produce a title. I mean, the Braves didn’t win 16 straight divisional titles or whatever it was by lavishing money. However, in the 90’s they were able to go deep into the post season year after year by going out and getting what they needed when they needed to. I’ve gotten the feeling over the last few years that that simply hasn’t been an option for the Braves. (It also doesn’t help that teams like the Mets and the Yankees, who have a seemingly unlimited payroll, can just go out and get whoever seems to be the missing piece of their world championship puzzle. That may not be the answer, but it makes them a lot harder to beat!) Anyway, I think that the Braves have it right. The base of the franchise should be homegrown players, but they have got to have the flexibility to go out and get what they need! The key to getting the fans back isn’t a ton of high priced free agents. The key to higher attendance at the games is quality product on the field and an obvious committment on the part of ownership to winning, not just to the bottom line.
By Bill Clifton
June 1, 2007 6:13 AM | Link to this
The time has passed for trading Andrew Jones. That should have been done before be became a 10/5 player. I disagree with those stating that he wants to remain a Brave’s player. If that were his true feeling, he would hever have signed with Scott Boras. He would have negotated with the Braves by himself. Andrew knew he would be leaving and that is why he signed with Boras.
By Mike
June 1, 2007 7:01 AM | Link to this
Bill you are completely wrong. AJ has said he wants to be with the Braves for his entire career. As a matter of FACT he even went behind Boras’ back during his last contract negotiation and completed a deal that kept him in ATL. This is FACT!!! What other player has done that? None, they strictly rely on their agent. If that doesn’t speak volumes about wanting to remain with the same team, I don’t know what does. So before you go spouting off about him not wanting to be with the Braves, ponder this FACT: AJ even stated last year that he would veto any trade because he didn’t want to leave the organization. So get your FACTS straight before you spring a leak.
By Mike Sanders
June 1, 2007 7:05 AM | Link to this
Are some of you crazy or just stupid. I agree Andruw is off to a slow start. But calling him a lard a s s, this is the best shape he has been in 5 or 6 years. Maybe he needs to chunk back up. And as for his signing with Boras he was Andruw’s agent when he signed his last contract.
By bill
June 1, 2007 7:27 AM | Link to this
I have a suggestion…learn something about baseball and watch a few games before pronouncing yourself general manager of our team. It is obvious that several of you have not watched much baseball or you would know that Andruw Jones has been, and still is in my opinion, the best center fielder in baseball for the past 10 years. His skills have diminished so much that he will soon have a number of teams offering obscene amounts of money to have him become their gold glove center fielder for the next 5-6 years. I can’t believe anyone with any baseball sense would buy the stats in Stark’s article…using putouts to prove a player’s diminished skill is the stupidest thing I ever heard of. I have not missed too many Braves games over the past 20+ years and have seen the majority of games in which Andruw has played - he is hard headed at the plate (but still productive) but his defensive skills are so far above average that there is no debate. Ask MLB players and managers who is the best center fielder and I guarantee that his name will be at the top of the list. I also recommend that you read up on the rules regarding MLB trades before showing your ignorance here.
By TheCutMan
June 1, 2007 7:54 AM | Link to this
re: Comments by The Coach Well said and I could not agree more. You play the guys that give you the best chance to win, not the ones that you particularly like or match up lefty/righty on the starting pitcher.
I think it’s time to say it: Bobby Cox has got to go.
By DH
June 1, 2007 8:02 AM | Link to this
Braves need some help at the bottom of the rotation, the bench/of, and in the pen. Answer - Toronto Blue Jays - they’ve got, in my mind, the short-term, cheap options the Braves need to make a run. Tomo Ohka for the number five spot in the rotation, Matt Stairs to split time on the bench and in LF, and Jason Frasor to add to the pen. None of them are stars by any means but they’d add the depth the Braves need to compete. Best of all they wouldn’t come with too hefty of a price tag. Though certainly Ricciardi would ask for Yunel Escobar or Lillibridge.
By h_charles
June 1, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this
“Look at the Yankees” — what a load of bunk. How about looking at the Red Sox or Mets? That is the formula for success. Build from within and then add to that with the right free agents or trades.
The core foundation of those teams are homegrown, but whenever a need arises, it is met by adding a quality piece from the outside (Beltran, Delgado, Glavine for the Mets, Schilling, Dice-K, Lowell for the Sox).
That is how you win — use trades and free agency to make your flaws strengths, so you have a margin for error.
When the MEts lose Pedro, Valentin, and Green, they still win. When the Braves lose Hampton and Gonzalez and Chipper, they stumble mightily.
By DNice
June 1, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this
Matthew At The SLC
You obviously dont have a clue. First of all you and these 80 RBI 20-30 HR stats have not watched Andruw play a ful year cause those are not numbers that he will fall to. I was at the game last Sunday and Andruw had to be playing an inch from second base when he ran straight back slowed down timed hsi jump and made the play of the year. No other player maybe Torri makes that play. Name a CF in the league that is better? Exactly you cant. Go to Shea and watch Beltran it aint happening and my friend who works at Shea will tell you that. Also everyone wants to call him fat but look at him up close he is not fat. Babe Ruth, Tony Gwynn, Bob Wickman, Paronto, etc.. are fat but Andruw is fine. Think of all the weight he lost when Redman and Reitsma were pitching. That is the best diet plan int he nation (LOL).
Andruw will get no less than 42 HR’s this yuear along with 110-125 RBI’s and a 270+ BA. Count on it plus no more than 4 errors.
By Corey
June 1, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this
Now I think Salty is trade bait to get a young pitcher.
Braves get: Dan Haren
A’s get: Salty and Jo-Jo Reyes
By quint
June 1, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
Salty Dawg,
the season is 162 games.
When Andruw listens to his hitting coach he is a great hitter. He needs to crowd the plate like Bonds and wear that armor on his elbow. Then he could pull that outside fastball he keeps missing.
By STRETCH
June 1, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
I AGREE WITH Matthew At The SLC… ANDRUW NEEDS TO BE LET GO. SPEND THAT MONEY ON ANOTHER PITCHER, SOMEONE THATS PROVEN.
THE METS ARE GONNA GET PEDRO BACK AND THEY ARE GONNA BE EVEN TOUGHER TO BEAT. MOVE FRENCHY TO CENTER AND LET SALTY AND HARRIS AND DIAZ PLATOON. THORMAN NEEDS TO FIND HIS SWING WHILE PLAYING EVERYDAY.
LETS HOPE CHIPPER CAN GET HEALTHY AND I SAY THATS A PRETTY POTENT LINE-UP.
By VaBravesfan
June 1, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
Who the hell is Jason Stark and why do we care?
By STRETCH
June 1, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this
AND ALSO, WHAT ABOUT THE MONEY THEY THREW AWAY WITH HAMPTON? THE NEXT TIME THIS ORGANIZATION PICK UP A FREE AGENT, PREPARE A CLAUSE….”NO PLAY, NO PAY” I MEAN I FEEL FOR THE GUY BUT, I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION IF YOU WORK YOU GET PAID. OR ATLEAST GIVE SOME OF THE MOMEY BACK, THAT MONEY COULD BE GOING TO A PICTHER WITH A GOOD ARM!!!
By Bob
June 1, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this
DNice and Bill,
You guys are both right on. Andruw is too hard headed when it comes hitting but he is still by far the best defensive centerfielder in baseball. Andruw is bigger than he was when he was 19 years old, but he is hardly fat. Most athletes get bigger during that time frame, without becoming Bonds type big. Stark quotes one or two scouts who don’t wish to have their names mentioned. Well, this is not a criminal case or a release of secret government documents so why the secrecy? Matthew in SLC chooses to buy Stark’s zone put out crap when it suits his desire to blast AJ, but then when those bogus stats show a major improvement this year he ignores them. Be consistent guy!!
I don’t think anyone would argue that AJ has lost a step and that his arm is not what it was. That being said, he remains peerless as a defensive centerfielder.
Even as badly as Andruw has played so far, his key numbers are as good or close to Carlos Beltran’s. They are tied with 8 home runs and Andruw actually has one more RBI (36). AJs batting average, slugging pct and on base percentages are well behind Beltran at this stage of the season. Still, taken out through the rest of the season AJ would have 110 plus RBIs, not 80. And by the way, last time I checked the bottom line is runs.
Is AJ frustrating and an enigma? Yeah he is because so much was expected. Is he hard headed and stubborn? Yeah that too. But is there consistently a better centerfielder in the game? Of course not and that is why someone is still going to pay him the big bucks at the end of the season.
Jason Stark wanted publicity to get attention for his book. That is one area in which he succeeded.
By Chris
June 1, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
I don’t want Andruw or his inflated salary
By Headlines
June 1, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
Just trade the entire roster for a used jock strap and let’s just start over from scratch. Change needs to start at the top and flow down hill. Just run the whole bunch out of town and make a parking lot out of that hell-hole we call a stadium. Good Luck, Losers …
By BamaBrave
June 1, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this
Headlines must not have gotten any in a long, long time…
By Amber
June 1, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
I simply don’t understand the Zambrano love and I’d be furious if the Braves gave up Salty for the likes of him. Who needs a pitcher with an ERA of 5.24 and who makes $12 million this year?? He might have had two good seasons previously, but I’m fed up with acquiring guys based solely on past performance.
By C from Marietta
June 1, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this
Typical Mark Bradley reporting. They are ONLY ONE GAME from the Wildcard and 4.5 behind the Mets. They play 182 games NOT 60 games. 4.5 games in June is hardly time to panic. He writes the article like it was last year. Him and Terrance Moore are quite a pair aren’t they?
By Johnny Evans
June 1, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
Again==WHO IS JASON STARK==MUST BE A LEFT WING REPORTER==HONESTLY==I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF HIM UNTIL VERY RECENTLT=APPEARS TO ME==HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT BASEBALL==TEAM HIM UP WITH ANNOUNCER JOE SIMPSON=WHO JUST KEEPS ON AND ON CONDEMNING ANDRUW==FOR ALL THE CRY BABIES=I HOPE ANDRUW CHOOSES TO LEAVE ATLANTA= THEN YOU WILL BE JUMPING ON MC-CANN ON FGRENCHY==BY THE WAY MC-CANN LOOKS LIKE HE HAS BEEFED UP SOME=AND LOKS SLOWER THAN ESTRRADA=WHO I THINKK IN IS THE SLOWEST RUNNERE IN BASEBALL= JOHNNY L. EVANS
By Johnny Evans
June 1, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
tHORMAN=ON THE ALL0STAR BALLOT=WOW=A ROOKIE WITH NO STATS=WHO IS KIDDING WHO==IF YOU WANT ANSWERS ASK JOE SIMPSON HE HAS ALL THE ANSWERS TO SOVE BASEBALL’S ISSUE’S ANOTHER STEVE STONE== JOHNNY
By jh
June 1, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this
Hey Bill,
I was going to post on the same subject you did concerning Andruw, but heck…you said just what I was thinking. That “Matthew at the SLC” dude ain’t near as smart as he thinks he is.
By Donald Gunter
June 1, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
The Braves were stupid to mortgage their future to get Mike Hampton. He has done absolutely nothing to justify the millions that were wasted on him. I think the problem is with the General Manager who is not as amart as he would have us believe.
By Jimbo
June 1, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
Hey McGuirk…That was some of the finest tap dancing I’ve seen since the original Bo Jangles.
By Marc
June 1, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
Anyone who thinks AJ isn’t the best center fielder in the NL (defensivly) is retarded. He has the best glove, arm (lost some power maybe, but still the most accurate), anticipation, and leadership in CF that position. He’s worth his money even if he doesn’t perform at the plate, the only issue is Bobby keeps wanting to put him in the clean-up spot instead of 7th or so.
As some of you seem to forget, he can’t be traded if he doesn’t want to be.
By Steve
June 1, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
When the Braves won 15 straight divison titles, they always had a slow start from April through May. Now is the time for the Braves to kick it up to the next level and go on a great winning streak. This winning streak will start today as the Braves sweep the lowly Cubs this weekend. THE TIME IS NOW FOR THE BRAVES TO PLAY GREAT BASEBALL AND WIN THEIR 16TH DIVISION TILE IN THE LAST 17 YEARS.
By Cafaro is an Idiot.
June 1, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
Once again I would like to announce that “Matthew At The SLC” is indeed MATTHEW CAFARO, Idiot Extraordinaire!
Who exactly is Matthew Cafaro? For a best of, go here:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22matthew+cafaro%22&btnG=Google+Search
By Fed Up
June 1, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
We’re screwed. There’s no way a team can compete in this day and age without acquiring quality free agents.
By Fed Up
June 1, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
We’re screwed. There’s no way a team can compete in this day and age without acquiring quality free agents. Hey, Steve, when the Braves won 14 titles, they rarely faced competition as good as the current Mets team. Now, ask yourself this: How good will the Mets be when Pedro returns?
By Cafaro is an Idiot.
June 1, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
Once again I would like to announce that “Matthew At The SLC” is indeed MATTHEW CAFARO, Idiot Extraordinaire!
Who exactly is Matthew Cafaro? For a best of, go here:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22matthew+cafaro%22&btnG=Google+Search
By Josh
June 1, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
When did the season change to 182 games. I am pretty sure it is still at 162.
By Rick
June 1, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this
The flaws on the team are fixable. Andruw Jones needs to start hitting. Chipper Jones needs to get healthly and get back in the lineup. If those two guys can get hot, the Braves will make a run. It is not going to be easy to beat out the Mets for the division but it can be done.
By Marc
June 1, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
Fed Up: How good will the Mets be when Pedro returns? They’ll be worse most likely. He’s not the ace he used to be and will be coming off injury late in the season. If anything Pedro will be their downfall.
By Rick Roberts
June 1, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
Forget the emotions on AJ—baseball is a business! AJ and his agent would accept a trade to an organization with money and, contending. The Red Sox, Dodgers, and Angels would be perfect teams for AJ and would give the Braves some young talent for him. AJ should know that the Braves will not sign him next year—he is gone anyway! There is no way the Braves should tie up money in a long term contract for him. We have enjoyed his best years and wish him well. AJ wants to stay, but he is just too expensive—the Braves can use the money elsewhere.
By nippersmom
June 1, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
Matthew at the SLC: How many times, and on how many blogs, go you have to be told that Andrew, as a 5/10 player cannot be traded without his consent?
By Mets Fan
June 1, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this
McQuirk’s argument about Cormier and Hampton is full of so many wholes, he could use them to play a round of golf, because dealing with injuries is part of the game. The Mets do not have Pedro either, and they are surviving. It the Mets had Pedro and the Braves, Hampton and Cormier, the Mets would still have the upper hand on the Braves.
Andruw could still be traded, in what would in effect be psuedo free agency. He could still get signed to a long term high dollar contract as part of the deal. The Yankees want to unload Johnny Damon, a low rent version of Andruw who could be plugged in the short term as Francour and Willy Harris develop and they are desperate to catch the Red Sox. They also got some good young arms that may benefit from a lower key environment that Atlanta provides. If the Yankees do not act now and Andruw goes into free agency, he will end up with the Bosox next year and the Babe Ruth curse will be permanently finished.
Salty is a luxury that the Braves cannot afford. How many times does a team have two all star calliber young catchers at the same time, never. One of the two needs to go to fill some needs in the rotation. Plugging Salty at first is a waste of his market value. A prospect for prospect Shuerholtz manuever (not a Zambrano Yankee deal) would stay in step with the Braves checkbook balancing philosophy that Newt would be proud of.
By D-Cider
June 1, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
Yes, the Braves got Hampton basically free for a couple of years but JS new the huge balloon payment was coming at the end of the contract, now the team is stuck with that, injury or not.
As far as Jason Stark goes, the dude has written for the Philly Inquirer and Baseball America, so he knows less than a blogger? some of you people crack me up. and what kind of idiotic comment was that he is a “left wing” reporter? Also, the Braves won 14 division titles, not 15 and go back and look at their records - april through may - it was not “always” a slow start.
As far as AJ goes, I think some team will overpay him on a 5-7 year contract, so why not let them.
By Kentavo
June 1, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
Andruw and his .230 avg. would get run out of Beantown in a hurry.
By Bravo
June 1, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
That was a bad statement by McGuirk saying that if Hampton and Lance were not injured that we would be in first place. It was too much to ask of Hampton to come back from surgery were he hasn’t pitched in ages to become a quality pitcher again. He’s no Smoltz, and Lance will be much better option for some stability in the back end rotation but we STILL need a quality 3rd starter to complement Smoltz and Hudson. This is why you need a owner who loves and knows things about baseball to get things done. Mets have done everything possible to make sure to get to the playoffs and world series. Theres too much emphasis on our team being home grown and not about winning world series.
By Kentavo
June 1, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
Last time I checked, Salty had not made the All Star team, nor has he played more than 20-something MLB games.
By DonCoburleone
June 1, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
If we go .500 in June of course we will still be in the wild card race. Lets say on July 1 the Braves are 45-37 after a 15-14 June. Does anyone here honestly think that by that time that either the Phillies, Padres, D-Backs or Giants will be more than 1 or 2 games better than that? I sure as heck don’t think so. And make no mistake about it, those are our main competitors for the Wild Card; The central is done and will only have 1 rep. in the playoffs. And of those 4 teams, really only the Padres (right now) have the better team in my opinion… KNOW THIS BRAVES NATION: WE WILL BE IN THE WILD CARD RACE UNTIL LATE SEPTEMBER, GUARANTEED!!!
By john
June 1, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
poor article…will everyone quit b***? we have a good team and we’ve had a good team for a long time. 14 years spoils people. we’re not allowed to have a few down years to let our young talent develop? i’ve have never seen so much complaining all over bs. how about we support our team no matter what and quit wining about not having the highest payroll. all our money is in player development which is why we have our frenchy, our mccann, our salty, our andruw, our chipper, our davies, our kelly and all those soon to come and contribute right away! You people p** me off b*** because we didn’t win our division 1 year!!!!
By Headlines
June 1, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Braves just need to go ahead and throw in the towel. The season was over before it even got started. What a sorry bunch of Loser ….. Led by the King Cocks …
By Headlines
June 1, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Braves just need to go ahead and throw in the towel. The season was over before it even got started. What a sorry bunch of Losers ….. Led by the King Cocks …
By Navigator
June 1, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
Terry is like so many in our world, denial. To say that if Hampton was healthy he would be winning. That’s like saying, if Hank Aaron were younger, he’d still be hitting home runs. Wake up Braves, you don’t have enough good starting, healthy or otherwise, to be in first. Also, by the Allstar break, they’ll be lucky not to be 10 games behind the Mets. They’re getting old, and they’re starting some players that aren’t good enough to be on the benchs of most good teams. Years of neglect is taking hold, and they are not in touch with reality. They’re minor league system is no longer producing, and they’re free agents should stay free agents. This is the same crap we heard in the 1980’s. It’s hard to see what’s happening, and not get frustrated.
By dewan Lee
June 1, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
And the Great Mets won exactly how many WS games since 86. Exactly. Yes the Cardinals represented and won and so have most of the widl cards while the Braves were winning. Pedro is not guaranteed to be helathy just ask Mike Hampton.
By BC
June 1, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Hope that Andruw stays!He has won as many games with his glove, as he has with his bat. I think he will have a good second half. Plus, my personal belief has always been that no pitcher (big name or otherwise) is worth an established everyday player.Besides, any pitcher is just an injury away from missing a full season or even from a career ending injury. The Braves have enough good young players in the minors that they can use for trade bait (if necessary). One of the Braves strengths over the years is building their franchise through one of the farm systems in all of baseball. I also miss watching Chipper play. He is my favorite player (played his H.S. ball in my hometown of Jacksonille). Try to stay positive & keep the faith.
By El Caganer
June 1, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
Trading Andruw is stupid. You are basically creating one hole trying to fill another. It would also weaken the depth of the bench and the team as a whole more than anyone they could recieve in return. Plus with him being a 10 & 5 player he can’t be traded anyway so b*** about trading him is a moot point and wasted time.
As far as Jason Stark’s statistics, they just sound like skewerd logic manipulated to fit his agenda yet totally baseless. Kind of like how that idiot Neil Boortz does with politics.
Andruw is still one of the best center fielders in basball. To even think that two part time players like Willy Harris or Matt Diaz could come close to filling the shoes of an all-star full time player is asinine.
By scorehouse
June 1, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this
trade a. jones and salty to the astros for oswalt, lidge, scott and ensberg.
By Jason barber
June 1, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this
you cant say with any degree of certaity that the payroll wont be raised since the team has been sold. as well as the fact you cant say it will but if im a betting man i have to believe liberty media will spend infinitely more money than time warner ever dared to do since arthur blank owns part of liberty media given the fact he owns 4 percent of time warner
By El Caganer
June 1, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this
You would think with all the money they make from distributing porn that Liberty Media could afford to raise payroll and shore up the team. The Braves are already a good team and with the right player or two they could be champions.
By El Caganer
June 1, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this
You would think with all the money they make from distributing porn that Liberty Media could afford to raise payroll and shore up the team. The Braves are already a good team and with the right player or two added they could be champions.
By bravefansince54
June 1, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this
I couldn’t agree more with ownership’s philosphy. Sure there have been players with high single or double digit million dollar contracts. But there are too many Mo Vaughn, Sean Green, Mike Hampton, Kenny Neagle (with Colorado) (sorry)contracts. A year or so after we wisely passed on one of those obscene contracts with Millwood, he was turning down -yes, rejecting - a 3/$30m contract from Philadelphia. Maddox, Glavine in their prime were worth it, and more, but no way Kevin Millwood. There are probably a dozen of example of these deals not paying off, for every one that pans out.
What does Willie Harris cost us, what did Giles cost before we wisely opted not to pay his likely 5+ million dollar arbitration award. Even guys that weren’t all-stars contributed to pennant winning clubs (think Blauser, Bream,Lonnie Smith).
The smart money goes to scouts, subsidizing the farm teams, development programs in other countries. No more big money deals, keep the new blood coming. We got Glavine and Avery and Millwood, and a host of others that way - and they contributed for multiple years for reasonable contract figures.
Someone should contribute a statistical analysis of this, as my anecdotal views may find more or less support when the stats come out.
By George "Boston Brave". Spitz
June 1, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
I think Atlanta fans should be more appreciative of Willie C.. Harris. It seems whenever a rally is going on, Willie C. is in the middle of it. I remember 1933 when the Boston Braves made a run for first place in late August. They had not been in the first division since 1920 and were playing their 1914 only 20th-Century Pennant and World Series winning team shortstop, Rabbit Maranville, at second base. The Boston Braves lost five out of six for the New York Giants and barely finished in fourth place, due to a last day home run by their star player Wally Berger. If the Boston Braves had a Willie C.Harris to play second base that year, the team would have likely won the Pennant and World Series. Unfortunately, the Boston media that time lacked aTerrence Moore.
By Salty Dawg
June 2, 2007 2:20 AM | Link to this
Look, I was posting at 1:54 AM and simply hit 182 instead of 162. A typo that I did not catch.
But, benching Andruw is not cutting off the nose to spite your face. He is hitting .230 after a 7 game hitting streak. He was 0-5 with 5 strikeouts in game three in Boston. He killed two rallies with bases loaded by striking out to make the third out. He killed a rally in the 3rd inning today. Both Diaz and Harris are hitting comfortably in the .300 range. Harris I believe is hitting .382 or something ridiculous. I will let the guys who are hitting hit.
Andruw is fat. He is not in the best shape of his career. That was two years ago. Oh yeah, and that was his best year for hitting homers. If you think Andruw is in good shape, you might take a harder look at yourself in the mirror, maybe get a scale that calculates body fat, calculate your BMI and maybe mix in a salad every now and then.
The Hampton trade was a good gamble. The Rockies paid half his salary for his first couple of years in Atlanta. Now, insurance is paying.
If you want to talk about bad acquisitions, I have one name for you - Russ Ortiz.
Glavine and Maddux chose to leave because they would not stay for what the Braves wanted to pay or for the years the Braves were willing to commit to. Look at their ages. It made sense. Moreover, with the new strike zone, Glavine suffered horribly. His first couple of years with the Mets made it look like he would never reach 300 wins. But, the strike zone has slid back to what it was and Glavine and Maddux are getting the calls, not making the pitches. Hindsight is always 20/20.