Sports Columnists

By Marc

September 4, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this

I like Tex, but agree that a new first baseman wasn’t the answer. A Thorman/Franco platoon, while not great, would have sufficed if we had another reliable starter. Cormier has looked good his last two times out, James kept us in the game too, he just had no run support. If those two could have been in there pitching like that all year, we’d be in a different position.

It’s like we took the Yankee style of play; just bash the crap out of’em. But the Yankees have vets and we have primarily rooks still, who shine beautifully now and then, but just aren’t consistant enough for an offensive-plowing team.

We also lost Renteria at he worst possible time of the year.

I think our misfortunes are puzzling considering the raw ability of this team is possibly the greatest in the majors - we just haven’t found a groove as a team yet. Maybe a fresh face on the starting rotation could have helped us to find it. Nonetheless, I do like the goosebumps I get when Tex hits.

By bruce

September 4, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this

Mr. Bisher, Maybe I am discouraged enough or frustrated enough with the Mets series capping off the most recent road trip that your article seems balanced to me.

By TY ROBINSON

September 4, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this

PPL WE HAVE TO HAVE FAITH IN THESE BRAVES. MAYBE THEY SHOULDNT MADE THOSE TRADES OR LET THOSE PLAYERS GO BUT THEY DID. SO WE HAVE TO WORK WIT WHAT THEY HAVE. THE GAMES IS ABOUT ADJUSTMENTS, AND WE THE BRAVES WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY ONES. IM SURE THE BRAVES DONT WANT TO LOSE JUST LIKE WE DONT. TEX HAS BEEN GREAT SO WHY BLAME HIM FOR THE LOSIN. I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO PULL IT OUT. ALSO I HOPE ANDRUW STAYS IN ATL, BECAUSE IT WONT BE THE SAME WITHOUT HIM. BUT THEY DO NEED TO GO GET A CONSISTANT PITCHER ALSO. THESE BRAVES NEED TO STEP IT OUT RIGHT NOW.

TY FROM WAGENER SC

By Chris

September 4, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

Although, you may be right about the rationale behind getting a firstbaseman when the real need lies with a starting pitcher, there’s just no way that Big Tex was a bad aquisition. John Smoltz has made 22 quality starts with only 12 wins. Now, had Renteria never been injured who knows how many more runs we would have been able to score for #29. I also would like to see what P. Moylan has to offer in the starting role or even just in a more contibutive role being that he’s shown to be one of the most effective pitchers in the few innings that he’s allowed.

By Bubba

September 4, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this

Leave it to the esteemed Furman Bisher to speak the obvious. This team was keel hauled right out of spring training by the loss of Hampton and Cormier ( who has finally rejoined the rotation) followed by the loss of Mike Gonzalez. That was simply to much for Bobby Cox to overcome. Is it to disrespectful for us fans to criticise Bobby Cox because he cannot win without an overpowering rotation ? Is our Hall of Fame manager overrated or has he simply outlived his usefulness.

By Niekro35

September 4, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this

The problem is that we didn’t have any starting pitching to begin with. You can’t win if your 3,4, and 5 pitchers can’t get past the fifth inning. And that’s when they had their good games. They wore out the bullpen, put more pressure on the 1 and 2 spots, and often put the games out of reach by the 2nd and 3rd inning.

It’s worth wondering whether the Tex trade was a mistake. There wasn’t any starting pitching available at the trading deadline, so Schuerholz went for Tex. Whether he was going to get a better deal in pitching for Salty in the offseason is worthy for debate. But with Smoltz’s days numbered, they tried to win this season.

By Swingruber

September 4, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

Yes, a starting pitcher was what we needed most at the trade deadline but, let’s be honest, there just weren’t many on the market at the time. One of the only marquis names out there was Zambrano and look what he’s done for the Cubs after getting the big contract. Teixiera was the only move to make and it was the right one. He will continue to play huge through next season, as he has since day one when he got here, while our other needs are addressed.

As much as it hurts me to say, because I had been waiting and waiting for the long stretch of winning baseball that would put us in the post-season, it’s not going to happen this year. We haven’t been able to sustain any sort of hot streak since starting the season 7-1 and it’s not going to miraculously happen now in September. We all know by now the reasons why (I type this as Carlye is pulled after 1 2/3 innings. Are you effing kidding me?!)

However, we have quite a 2008 season to look forward to with Teixiera returning and AJ’s lack of clutch leaving. The lineup will be one of the most potent in all of baseball with Frenchy, Mac, and Chipper still swining big bats for us. Smoltz and Huddy will still be one of the strongest 1-2 punches in the bigs. And although we shouldn’t rely on it, guys coming back from injuries have potential to make huge contributions. We’re just a couple of off-season acquisitions away from being that post-season team that plays deep into October which we as Braves fans are so used to. So as this season continues to disappoint, we will be a powerhouse team next year primed for a long October run that, hopefully, takes us back to the Fall Classic… I’ll be looking forward to it.

By Howard

September 4, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

Furman…Bobby cox is one of the most over-rated MLB managers out there and I cannot believe that Atlanta has put up with his crap for 12 years…since he won his one and onlyh World Series title. Forget all that BS about those meanibgless divisional titles…how many World Series should the Braves under the tuteledge of Mr. Cox have won since 1991??? Too many to mention. Oh, and just watch…John Schuerholz is doing for the Braves what he did with the Royals back in the 1980s…look where KC is today!

By Howard

September 4, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

Furman…Bobby cox is one of the most over-rated MLB managers out there and I cannot believe that Atlanta has put up with his crap for 12 years…since he won his one and onlyh World Series title. Forget all that BS about those meanibgless divisional titles…how many World Series should the Braves under the tuteledge of Mr. Cox have won since 1991??? Too many to mention. Oh, and just watch…John Schuerholz is doing for the Braves what he did with the Royals back in the 1980s…look where KC is today!

By southbeachdietfreak

September 4, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

I keep hearing about how the Royals are who they are because of JS… please explain how this is so considering JS hasn’t been part of that organization for nearly 2 decades

By southbeachdietfreak

September 4, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

The bottom line is pitching. The Braves don’t have it, whether it’s due to injuries, underperforming, both, whatever. When you give up 6 runs a game, it puts tons of undue pressure on the offense. And then we get mad when the offense doesn’t score 6 runs a game.

Yes, the situational hitting is terrible, bunting needs work, and now baserunning seems to be an issue. These are BASIC THINGS! But we need reliable starters in our rotation, and until that happens, we’ll continue to put pressure on our offense to score 7 runs a game, and overuse our bullpen…

By southbeachdietfreak

September 4, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

The fact is, too many AA and AAA players have been forced to perform at the major league level before they’re ready. I remember this being a constant theme in the ’80s, but the difference is that those teams were in last place all year, this one’s still above .500… maybe we shouldn’t be so doom and gloom.

By MovieTall1

September 4, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

This team has a bunch of holes.

By don

September 4, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

Well, old “KTex” is player of the month. He did have good numbers. However, he still has not been the difference in a game- not one. He sure isn’t “ClutchTex”.

He was real impressive again tonight when the marbles were on the table.

Big numbers at meaningless times translates to early trip home in October.

By daxxed

September 4, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this

Time to look forward to next year. So why have we not loaded up and utilize the full 40 man rooster. Where are all the future guns, and fielders. Why are they not up getting a taste of the Bigs. There is no chance now, and if you recall I even stated back prior to the All Star break that even if the Braves got Tex, which they did, there was not enough pitching or games left to over come the 6 games they were behind.

So bring up the young guys, let them get their dues.

All I can say in closing is, Thank goodness College Football is here.

By Bill Heller

September 4, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this

The Braves have talent but they are a passionless, tired team right now.

By G LYNN

September 5, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this

YOU ARE LOOKING AT A TEAM LADENED WITH YOUTH. YOUTH MIND YOU. THEY ARE PLAYING IN THE BIGS.IT TAKES TIME FOR THEM TO MATURE.(THAT’S WHY BOBBY PREFERS VETS IN CRUCIAL SITUATIONS). REMEMBER GLAVINE IN HIS EARLY YEARS? TOOK A LOT OF PATIENCE BEFORE HE CAME AROUND. THESE GUYS WILL BE GREAT. IF THEY DON’T BURN OUT IN UNDER THE FIRE THEY ARE GOING THRU NOW. LET’S CHEER THEM ON, ONE DAY THEY WILL MAKE US PROUD.

By G LYNN

September 5, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this

OH, AND BY THE WAY, IS ANYONE BEGINING TO SEE JUST HOW SPECIAL A CERTAIN 14 YR STRETCH WAS. WE WERE SPOILED BEYOND OUR WILDEST IMAGINATIONS. WE ALL THOUGHT AND STILL DO THAT THE PLAYOFFS WERE A PIECE OF CAKE. WELL GUESS WHAT? IT’S TOUGH TO GET THERE AND EVEN TOUGHER TO REPEAT WHEN YOU’VE BECOME THE TARGET OF THE ENTIRE LEAGUE. THE BRAVES ARE THE ONLY TEAM TO EVER ACCOMPLISH THAT FEAT. THAT’S STILL TRUE EVEN THOUGH WE’VE GROWN TIRED OF HEARING IT. I’M STILL A BRAVES FAN!!

By Raj

September 5, 2007 1:27 AM | Link to this

All great things come to an end. More appreciation to what the teams of the 90’s did. I say sign Rowand to play CF and trade Edgar to free up money for some starting pitching.

Yuniel,Diaz,Chipper,Tex,McCann,Frenchy,Rowand and KJ doesn’t look like a weak line up. With the remaining money please get some pitching in here.

Is it me or does Roger McDowell need to go back to Las Vegas?

By FIRE BOBBY

September 5, 2007 1:27 AM | Link to this

This will be my last post on the 2007 Braves as Im over it. BIG TIME OVER IT!!

Bobby Cox - you have done great things for Atlanta baseball the past 15 years but I ask you (beg you) to walk away and not come back next year. Im tired of hearing you cheer from the dugout instead of manage the team. Im tired of seeing you rob the players of having fun (you will never see a Braves player having fun in the dugout like Pedro was the other day for the Mets - its not traditional baseball like Cox wants things). Im tired of seeing the team look like they don’t even know why they are out there (because you can’t motivate them anymore). Your boring and it is contagious. I went to my first game in two years and could not believe how no one there was really watching the game. It was second to the giant screen entertainment and that horrible toonland (can we lose that for 2008?). A new manager would bring back excitement to this team and to the fans just like Cox did in the early 90’s. All the greats have to walk away at some point and I think this year is that point Bobby.

Am I the only person that thinks the Braves could turn things around again with a new manager? Its as if people are scared to even think about Cox not being the manager but lets face it. 1995 was a long time ago. The Astros got fed up with their skipper after just being in the series a few years ago. How long are we going to wait? I guess as long as the people keep coming out to the ballpark then its not about winning.

I$ IT?

By Raj

September 5, 2007 1:47 AM | Link to this

Bobby Cox is the best thing in Atlanta since Coca Cola. Are you kidding me that you want Bobby to leave? He has no resources. Mike “hasn’t thrown a pitch in years” Hampton was expexted to be a solid #3? Did you think Mark “Get Painted” Redman would actually throw solid innings? Time Warner left and that is a huge plus. Let’s get some pitching in here. It’s amazing that Omar Minaya has built a team on the Braves philosophy and is winning, but the Braves feel they need more lumber. Also, the farm system is very overrated. When was the last time you saw a solid pitcher come up? Where is our Joba Chamberlain and Clay Buckholz? Why does the organization always need to import pitching? There’s no solid leadoff hitter that can steal a base properly. The truth is that JS is being outsmarted by the other GM’s. By the way, Betemit played 1st for the Yanks tonight. Did Aybar report for duty yet?

By Ralph

September 5, 2007 4:40 AM | Link to this

I saw the game last night and Chipper is 100% correct the umpiring stinks, but it’s being like that all year long. They seem to look down on the Braves organization, I said this before. They want Bobby to argue a call, so they can throw him out. Chipper point about the umpires qualities of calls against Atlanta is notorious, all season long. The Braves are a team with no voice of reason, when it come to the umpiring. The umpiring has being awful all year long and the Braves should have made a bigger stink earlier, as neurotic as it sounds, the umpires have never to my recollection given the Braves much of a break on any calls, and some say it’s because they have a vendetta against Bobby. Which if that the case the umpires are acting like a bunch of spoil brats. They know they can make or break a team spirit and drive very easy. When it come to the Braves batters don’t have the patients it takes, Harris and Johnson had an opportunity, to bring runners in and they try to kill the ball, fly out. they look like a team in panic and with that attitude they won’t make it. They lack the confidents it takes to win, let along come back from behind. It seems like the commissioners office, does very little to grade these umpire and see how they preformed, against a particular team.

By Paul In Richmond

September 5, 2007 7:00 AM | Link to this

No Leadership….plain and simple.

We have seen over the years that we cannot ride the shoulders of the Jones boys to a WS and nobody has stepped up as the leader of this team.

In the Mets series we didn’t score runs. The trade stuff and second guessing the pitching is silly. We didn’t score runs. Despite Bobby’s voodoo religion of leftie rightie lineups.

In the first game we scored our only run on a wild pitch. In the second game our only run came on a sac fly. In the third game Franco grounds into a double play and Wright throws instead to first so we get a run. Then in the late innings a lefthanded Mccann hits a double and a left handed Kelly Johnson drives him in AGAINST A LEFT HANDED CLOSER. Something Bobby’s weird lineups would not allow if he had his way.

Result: 4 feeble runs in three games. When it counted. When the series and the division was on the line. We choked.

That is not the fault of management.

By Charlie

September 5, 2007 7:17 AM | Link to this

Ah, the 2007 Braves are still in form. A winning streak of one in a row. The real Buddy C. showed up (again) to night. There is a reason for the career major league record he holds. And the hitters from Atlanta did tonight what they usually do…spit it out with runners in scoring position…11 runs in 5 games… classy bunch…CHOKE, ChOKE,CHOKE. Such is the makeup of this team. Edgar won’t be back. Hopefully we can get some pitching in a trade over the winter.

By John

September 5, 2007 7:42 AM | Link to this

Am I the only one who is tired of hearing Chipper whine about the umpiring? Yes, I understand the frustration, but It’s so embarrassing as a Braves fan to hear Chipper and the Braves announcers constantly whine about the umpiring. Every team gets bad calls. It’s a part of baseball. every team thinks they are the most picked on by the umpires. The only problem with Chipper and Bobby (and the announcers) is that they never seem to remember when the Braves get the calls during the game. Like when Julio clearly swung the other night against the Mutts and it was called a no swing, then Alou doesnt go as far as Franco did and was called out in a big spot in the game. All these jokes they call announcers could do was laugh at how he was thrown out twice! how about being fair and admitting that the Braves got a call? No, that would go against the pity and the excuses we are trying to make for this year.

By h_charles

September 5, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this

G Lynn —

First turn your caps off. That is equivalent to shouting.

Second, youth CAN win. The Diamondbacks are younger than these Braves, and look where they are.

Need more proof? Check out last years Tigers. One bad series a way from a World Series title.

The bottom line is that you need your players all thorugh the roster to come up with those pivotal plays when close games are in the balance.

This team flat out can’t do it. There have been at least 25 games this year that swung on a few key plays. A hit here, moving a runner over there, making a play in the field, etc. This team ALWAYS finds a way not to make that play. It isn’t so much about talent as it is about approach. This team just doesn’t know how to approach clutch situations the right way. They always fold. While youth can play a role, there are plenty of young players who are oblivious to that pressure. We just don’t have them.

By Phil

September 5, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this

Good points Mr. Bisher. Putting Pete Orr in left field instead of Kelly Johnson is just another example of that moron Cox. Pete Orr was lost out there on that fly ball and didn’t know what his role was. I have been hoping for the last 12 years that this will be the year Cox finally retires. I’m still hoping!

As for Chipper, I agree the strike zone was bad last night and has been for most of the year. But you have to adjust! If you know they are going to call a high strike, then make the adjustments! Don’t stand there and roll your eyes, that’s not going to do anything.

But please don’t follow Andruw and Francoeur and swing at pitches 3 feet outside and in the dirt. The strike zone hasn’t gotten that bad yet. Somebody needs to explain that to them.

By Alf

September 5, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

Furman: your idea of putting Johnson in LF sounds great, but the Braves would have just found some other way to blow it.

By jeff willis

September 5, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

I believe the team we had envisioned coming into the season had potential to be very good. i thought the braves addressed their most important problem in the offseason, which was the bullpen. last year thorman showed promise at the end of the year and signing craig wilson may have seemed like good protection for the time being. the starting rotation was supposed to be top heavy with smoltz, hudson, and hampton. chuck james was the four and cormier was to be the fifth starter which all they had to do was win 10 games. remember chucky won 11 or more last year as a rookie. the questions were to be on the right side of the infield and left field. other than that, we had what it took to compete offensively and with our revamped bullpen. that being said, hampton’s injury was crushing. there was no starting pitching on the market and won’t be any time soon. teams realize you cannot win without pitching and are reluctant to give it up (texiera trade). we tried redman (allstar last year) but, he just sucked. cormier went down after having an awesome spring and then kyle davies was hit or miss. the pitching staff is the biggest problem for this team and the reason we won’t make the playoffs. even if we do, which i hope not, we will be one and done because we cannot compete with the upper echelon pitching staffs. the tex trade was great. he has produced and will through next year. he also gives us insurance at cleanup next year when andruw leaves. boras is going to demand top money for andruw and the braves won’t pay it. he will be in the 20 million range. look at soriano’s deal, that set the bar. even if andruw leaves, no big deal. we could go after torii hunter. we could get him for around 15- 20 million and he will be about the same as andruw but more balanced productivity. renteria could be moved next year, leading into his final year of his contract, for some pitching somewhere. matt diaz could be a starter everyday in left and thus we could keep willie or whatever. bottom line, it is not going to happen this year. we have the ability to better the team next year. maybe hampton comes back next year and produces, who knows? wait til next year braves.

By jimmartincpa

September 5, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this

Chipper is a crybaby! What no one is mentioning in his fifth inning at bat was that he got a ball 4 call (with the bases laoded = rbi without having to tweak anything on his way to first) that could easily have been strike 3 if the umps were really out to get the Braves. What a loser!

By Matthew

September 5, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

Even with the starting pitching being what it is, I disagree. I don’t think this season was lost from the beginning. James and Cormier may still find it. Their young and we must not forget Glavine’s first few years on the mound.

The trouble is Andruw Jones. He’s batting .227 for the season. I can think off the top of my head at least 5 games where he was in the position to give the Braves the lead or win the game while at the plate with runners in scoring position. But he would strike out.

Everyone else in the line up have made their contributions and in most cases, are hitting above average… but not Andruw Jones.

With him gone next year, the Braves should be able to secure another strong arm.

By ATLbravo

September 5, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

What they did wrong was sign Cox to another year. Players win regular seasons and manager win playoff series - something Cox can’t do. They wonder why they keep leaving the bases loaded? Look no further than the end of the dugout. He’s just pathetic and its time for him to go rather than keep waiting for the home run like he always does.

By WNC Bravo Fan

September 5, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

I understand a budget, really I do. But will somebody explain to me why again we couldn’t pay for Glavine? And Maddux for that matter? You’re telling me we were better off with Chuck “Where do I pour the gasoline” James and Buddy “Somebody give me a lghter please” Carlyle? We even started with some stiff with a left handed delivery this season for goodness sake. All you guys can jump on that if you want, but we would have the best record in the NL East if we had Tom and Greg right now, which would put us in the drivers seat. Andruw was great for a long time: he isn’t anymore. It is curious that the players we SHOULD have stuck with (Glavine / Maddux) and paid, took the place and money of the players we SHOULD NOT have stuck with (Andruw / Wickman). Hindsight, yada yada, I know. But I’m so sick of this underachieving talented team not maximizing it’s potential. I’ll still be a fan, but I’ve lost faith that the Braves will ever do the right thing, or be able to win in this era.

By Nelson

September 5, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

In my opinion there is nobody else to blame other than Bobby Cox (please retire!). For example yesterday’s game after Escobar reached segond base starting the bottom of the four. I can’t find an explanation why he was trying to bunt, JoJo Reyes is not a bad hitter at all and there was no chance to double paly , let the man hit and see what happens! My God!. He killed the momentum and the inning that could be a good one. Since the begining of the season he decided not to include Escobar in the team, he prefered Woodward and Wilson, What a pair of players! still has automatic out woodward! WHY? He had chances to rest the players, now Francouer is tired! He had a lot of choices to give a break to everybody, when Andruw was in that ugly slump, Harry was hot, he could bench Andruw and play Harris, now Harris is in slump ( he has Furcal’s desease! swinging for the fences instead to try to get on base any wa possible way!) and Matt Diaz is in the bench, looks like under Bobby rules the one who is hot go to the bench! Kelly Johnson could play outfield occasionally like that day when Francouer was ejected and he placed Pete Orr instead in the laft field, that cost the game! This team needs another manager!

By bookace10

September 5, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

Just curious, how long til we get Hampton off the payroll - his wasted salary could be useful in getting some good pitching, and I’m tired of seeing him on the bench in his Braves outfit when he hasn’t pitched in several years.

By BlackBelt

September 5, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

I hear a lot of people saying how potent an offense we will have next season. I beg to differ.

The most telling sign is what we have done in recent weeks with RISP and no outs. I can count three times, against the Mets alone, that we loaded the bases with no one out and failed to get a hit. In the third opportunity, the Braves did get a gift with a wild pitch…but still failed to actually drive in a run.

I can also remember another game in which we had two runners on base with no one out in two consecutive innings and failed to plate a run. Once we actually had 1st and 2nd and no one out and did not even advance the runners.

The Braves do have an issue with starting pitching…and if they do not address it in the off season, next season will be another exercise in frustration. However, if the Braves cannot get better at driving in runners on base in close games…getting the best starter in the world won’t fix anything.

By clueless Bob

September 5, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

*FIRE BOBBY COX and TP. Let ANDRUW(Big waste this year of 15 million) GO! *

By southbeachdietfreak

September 5, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

while we’re on the subject of starting pitching, does anybody know who’s going to be available in the offseason?

By southbeachdietfreak

September 5, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

I like Bobby Cox, but I would love to see someone in there willing to call his team out when they’re underperforming, say like Jim Leyland. that guy has been successful wherever he’s gone.

By southbeachdietfreak

September 5, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

And lay off Chipper…

I’m sorry, but I can’t blame him for being upset at the ump… That was some of the worst Ball/strike calling I’ve ever seen, and it would have been ok if he had been consistent, but he wasn’t.

Chipper was responsible for both Braves’ runs last night (solo shot, walked in run), so it’s not like he’s not out there playing through bad umpiring.

Say what you want about his attitude, but at least it hasn’t affected his production!

By southbeachdietfreak

September 5, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Blackbelt…

I can see where you’re coming from on the hitting… again, the Braves are averaging a run/game better since Tex came along, but in the clutch, they can’t come through…

I can’t help but think, though, that they feel the pressure of having to score 7 runs a game just to HAVE A CHANCE!!

By southbeachdietfreak

September 5, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

clueless,

Do you REALLY want to fire TP? The Bravos have one of the best BA’s in the league,do they not?

By southbeachdietfreak

September 5, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

jimmartincpa,

In fairness to you, I did not actually SEE that at bat where Chipper got walked.

By ChampDawg

September 5, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

I have done my share of bad-mouthing these Braves this season……… but, last night I actually had a dose of sympathy for someone like Jo Jo Reyes. The guys’s a 22yo kid that just isn’t ready yet but has been forced into action by the weaknesses of the pitching staff.

The Braves will not make the playoffs this year….. but I really like this team with the addition of Teixeria. I wouldn’t even mind keeping Andruw if he doesn’t try to break the bacnk so we can also get some pitching.

This offense with some better pitching next year would be a great team.

By Steve

September 5, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Vote for Tim Hudson, MLB Man of the Year

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/mlb/fanforum/moy07award/ballot.jsp

By southbeachdietfreak

September 5, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

Steve,

I tried the link you sent, and it said that page no longer exists.

By D.Ellis

September 5, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

THE PROBLEM IS THE BRAVES HAVE HUNG THEIR HAT ON THE FOLLOWING:

RF-Frenchy-MOST OVERRATED PLAYER IN THE GAME. NIck MARKAKIS THE RF FOR THE ORIOLES HAS BETTER NUMBERS THAN HIM.AND RIGHT NOW YOU ARE ASKING YOUR SELF WHO IN THE HE## IS NICK MARKAKIS. MY POINT EXACTLY. GO CHECK FOR YOUR SELF..HIS NUMBERS ARE BETTER THAN “FRENCHY”. BUT YET WE HANG OUR HAT ON HIM EVERY NIGHT. CF-JONES CAN”T HIT HIS BODT WEIGHT. NUFF SAID LF-WIILE-GOOD SUB…NOT AN EVERYDAY PLAYER. DIAZ-DECENT, BUT STILL NEITHER IS THAT GOOD. 3B-Chipper is Chipper and he seems to still be able to hit. We keep him I say.

SS. Renteria we keep…we need him.

2B-KJ is good…he strikes out so much though. Move him to LF and let Escobar play 2B. BUT STILL….IS ESCOBAR REALLY THAT GOOD????? HOW COME WE HEAR OF NO ONE TALKING TO JS ABOUT OUR YOUNG TALENT?????IT”S BECAUSE WE HAVE HYPED IT UP TO MUCH. THEY ARE NOT REALLY THAT GOOD…IF THEY WHERE THEY WOULD BE PLAYING EVERYDAY.

1B.TEX-We ain’t got no body else. If we even want to stay above the Marlins we better keep him. C-Mcann-Good ball player and good hitter…though he could use a break…do we even have a freakin back up?

PITCHING-WHAT EVER!!!!!! You can’t hang your hat for a whole season on a 41/42 YEAR OLD GUY THAT ONLY WINS 13-14 games. YOU NEED 2 DEADLY PITCHERS. THe pitching staff needs a whole new makeover. We have no closer…STILL….we only really have 2 starters…but only 1 ACE…and he has not pitched like an ace since he came. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FARM LEAGUE PRODUCING STARTES???? THE ONLY GUYS OUR FARM SYSTEM HAS PRODUCED IS MEAT BALL ARMS. JAMES IS AVERAGE AT BEST, WE ARE RELYING ON B. Carlyle????? Thats when I knew it was over. REYES???? WHO IN THE HE## IS THAT??? DAVIES…GONE AND NOW SENT DOWN TO THE MINORS WITH THE ROYALS….WE TURN SORIANO INTO A HR THROWING MACHINE….WE FIRE OUR ONLY CLOSER….WELL BECAUSE HE COULDN”T DO THE ONE THING WE BROGUHT HIM INTO DO…CLOSE OUT GAMES…WHOSE FAULT IS THAT?????? HAMPTON…..WE SHOULD HAVE PARTED WAYS WITH HIM LAST YEAR!!!!! SMOLTZ IS NO LONGER A NUMBER 1 STARTER….I REPEAT…ANYONE WHO THINKS JON SMOLTZ IS A NUMBER 1 STARTER NEEDS TO SMOKE ANOTHER PLEASE.WE HAVE ONE AND THAT IS HUDSON. EVEN HE IS SHAKY TIME TO TIME. SMOLTZ…IT”S TIME TO HANG IT UP OR GO BACK TO THE PIN. WHO IN THE HE$$ IS LANCE CORMIER????

LOOK THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS TEAM WOULD NOT EVEN BE IN THE HUNT IF THEY WERE IN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE. NO WHERE NEAR THE HUNT FOR THE WILD CARD. THIS TEAM IS A 500 TEAM AT BEST…IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE…a 400 BALL CLUB IN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE WE ARE FULL OF OVERRATED HOMETOWN BOYS, A CF THAT COULDN”T HIT SAND IF HE FELL OFF A CAMEL, A PLATOONING LF GROUP THAT IS AVERAGE…AT BEST, NO TRUE LEADOFF MAN SINCE WE LOST FURCAL, A DISMALL BULLPEN SINCE WE BROUGHT SMOLTZ BACK TO SP. AND A CLUBHOUSE THAT NEEDS NEW BLOOD.BOBBY ITS BEEN A FUN RIDE BUT YOU GOTTA GO.THANKS FOR YOUR BEST SIR.WE LOVE YOU…BUT YOU AND JS NEED TO RETIRE…OR STEP INTO MY OFFICE CAUSE YOUR FIRED.

By Deb

September 5, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

Kind of funny how nobody has mentioned that the Phillies & the Mets might have just finally put together a better team then the Braves?

By GE

September 5, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

If there are no cash limits and Andruw is leaving, why can’t they go out a sign a good pitcher or two. Smoltz is too old to be the ace and Hudson has lost it. We need to start from scratch with the pitching and hope that we do not have to give up too much to get it.

By Elmer

September 5, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Salty has too much of a future to lose him. In a year he will be the equal of Tex.

By Jeffrey

September 5, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

It seems to me that we are now paying for poor decisions made 3-4 years ago. The Braves have 46% of their entire payroll locked up in three players: Hampton who has not pitched for 2 years, Andruw who is a shell of the player he once was, and Chipper who is aging poorly with numerous injuries and a sour attitude to match. Of course those deals were stuck before the Time Warner goons cut our total payroll. The Braves have built around Chipper and Andruw for the past 10 years. It is time to say goodbye to both and turn to Francoeur,McCann,Johnson, and Escobar.The old saying “I had rather trade a player a year too early than a year too late” seems very appropriate for many on this team.

By Jeremiah

September 5, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

Tex was a great trade. Saltalalmacchia may well develop in to a middle-of-the-order slugger. But Tex is a definite MVP-caliber gold-glove player, right now. Who were the starting pitchers that Schuerholz could have gotten? Bronson Arroyo? Schuerholz did what he could. If there was a starter available for the right price, I believe he would have gotten one.

By southbeachdietfreak

September 5, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Again I say leave Chipper alone.

We can do better with an average offense and much improved pitching, however, Chipper is the backbone of the Braves’ offense IMO. Lose him, you have a huge hole to fill.

Yes, I think Andruw must go. And I think Hampton must go just for the sake of freeing up cash. No one who’s been on the shelf for 2 1/2 years is going to come right out and blow hitters away.

I know it seems like Chipper doesn’t care, but I point to last night… yes, he called out the umps, but he also contributed to the Braves’ only two runs. if he complains and hits .227, that’s one thing. But he’s played through all the crap.

We need to remember that this team is chocked full of kids who have been forced to grow up early. This team will be fine in a couple of years. No way we go 14 years without a playoff team as someone suggested… but wallow in your negativity if you must…

By justBS

September 5, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

Cox’s forte is keeping his players happy, and preparing a team for the long haul across the whole season - but NOT the day-to-day on-the-field strategy. We need to keep Bobby as a sort of “head manager”, but hire another subordinate manager to run the team on the field. This would certainly not be “traditional” ML baseball, but it makes sense. It would keep Bobby in the game doing what he does better than most managers in the game today, while relieving him of the duties that would be better handled by a “field strategist”.

By Dan

September 5, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

Everyone whines about not trading for a starting pitcher, but if there is no good starting pitchers to trade for or if the other team wants all your prospects, how can you trade? The trades that might be questionable are the ones in the past that sent pitchers they could now use. The trade for Texiera should be good because Salty was not going to play much behind McCann. Some year the Braves won’t have so many pitching injuries. All teams go through it

By the original John

September 5, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

Well, here we go again, bashin bobby cox. Because it is absolutely his fault we only have 2 good pitchers. It’s also his fault that mike gonzalez got hurt, that wickman sucked badly, that andruw is having a terrible year. Yup, all BC fault. I mean, all those division title, they’re all meaningless. If the braves are going to win again, they need to have fun like pedro. Dance around in the dugout, that will help them hit, pitch, field and run better. F* you guys man

I’m not going to lie, BC frustrates me too. Sometimes he makes stupid choices and is a little bit too loyal. But bottom line is, he’s one of the best managers around. which other managers can win a division title, while playing 18 rookies in 1 year??????

And salatalamachia, was BLOCKED BY BRIAN MCCANN. There was no place to put this guy. I would’ve like to keep him, because he may end up being a fantastic catcher, but Mccann is the man right now.

and frenchy and eascobar are NOT overrated. just because someone is having a better year doens’t make another player overrated. A-rod is having a better year the chipper, does that make chipper overrated. And the fact that no one knows about Nick markakis, is because he plays for the o’s. Nobody knows anything about that team, so thats a not a good argument.

Anyway, ATL just came from 8-2 deficit, to beat the phils 9-8!!!!!1

By UglyPicsScareMe

September 5, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this

I agree with Dan. All teams go through this type of crap….law of averages, I guess.

The only thing we can do is hope the JS does for the starting pitching what he did for the bullpen ala last year’s off-seaon.

Can someone tell me why Thurman and/or Woodward are still even on this team? I thought for sure that both or at least one of them would’ve been gone after Tex came onboard. Maybe we can find a sucker out there for one or both of them for a 5th starting pitcher…I’d even give them up for a (decent) reliever.

Let’s just hope that this season, as well as last year, was just a bump on the log. The Red Sox went through this. So did the Yankees. Poor Baltimore….they haven’t been good since the late 80s or early 90s.

If we do let AJ go…I hope we can pick up quality in return…not crap such as Redman or whomever. Carlyle’s good for maybe a 5th starter…but we DEF. need someone other than Smoltz and/or Hudson to depend on.

By Darrell

September 5, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this

dude..if u don’t like the Braves..then move. Why criticize what u have no Idea about. The Orr play in left field was Andrew’s fault. He was calling for the ball and Orr gave him the room to play the ball…It was Andrew’s mistake to think that he is superman.

By Bobby's Cox

September 6, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this

Furman Bisher is a joke. I would’ve given laroche away. Sad to say that thorman is just as bad. But what pitching was available at the trade deadline? Tex was essential cuz we’re losing andruw. <—-Period.

Well atlanta, you got your magic I cried out for over the weekend. The baseball gods heard our prayers. Let’s see what’s in store for us now.