If you haven’t realized it, the Braves have basically overturned their entire bullpen since the start of the season. The setup man is now the closer, the closer is now a co-setup man, and everyone else is gone. Martin was defenestrated in mid-April, Sosa was moved into the rotation, Colon was demoted, then made a starter, Bernero was axed last week, and now Gryboski is gone. In their place are Foster, Brower, Boyer, Powell, and now McBride. It’s not necessarily a great bullpen, but it’s better than what they had.
Still, if the Braves make a trade it will probably be for a reliever. They don’t really need a starting pitcher, and the best on the market aren’t likely to be upgrades anyway. And the lineup is pretty set. They’re in a situation where they don’t have many great players — Andruw is the only guy who’s having a really good year — but there’s nobody who screams out to be replaced. They’re getting ordinary offense from first, second, short, catcher, and right. If Chipper stays reasonably ambulatory they should get good offense from third from here on in.
Left is the biggest trouble point, but I think Johnson will come around and getting a clear upgrade on him will cost more money than they’re in a mood to spend. They don’t even really need a bench bat, because the guys they have there — McCann, Orr, Betemit, whoever isn’t playing first, and whoever isn’t playing right — have been excellent.

The speculation from the beat writer on the Braves’ official website suggests that if another bullpen move in-system is made, it may well involve Joey Devine. He hasn’t given up a run in 13 innings between A & AA, small sample size limitations certainly applicable. Either him or Colon, but it appears the Braves want Colon to aim for the rotation.
I do think that if a trade is made, however, it’ll be for a reliever. Just not Kent Mercker, please.
Aww, first place. Back where we belong.
I think it’s too early to say we’ll be getting ordinary offense from right when half the platoon hasn’t had too many plate appearances above AA. It would be nice to have a veteran with some sort of track record in that spot. I actually think, with most of the problem children out, the bullpen is less of a question than right field.
The problem with left is that you really can’t do anything else than play KJ and hope for the best. It’s not like he needs to be sent down; he’s shown he can destroy AAA. He needs to learn to hit major league pitchers who know how to pitch to him. The only way to do that is to give him a lot of work.
The Braves can’t unseat KJ at this point, but trading for another OF would be my best guess. Francouer can go down for some work at AAA without too much fuss, and Langerhans can go to a 4th OF off the bench role, which is probably what he’ll end up doing most of his career.
We haven’t seen the lefty just called up, but an established major league lefty (Embree) in the pen wouldn’t hurt.
Langerhans hasn’t been very good in July, though Francoeur has made up for that. He’s basically been adequate overall since he started playing more regularly, and I think he’ll put up approximately .800 OPS ball here on in.
From the AP:
The Nats are playing exactly like the team that had a “strong” first half. They just aren’t getting as lucky. When the Nats go under .500 after the all-star break, people are going to say they collapse, when, really, they just play to their ability, not above it.
Thoughts on logical trade prospects – besides relievers:
Jonny Gomes, criminally underused in Tampa (blocked by their various track stars), mashes lefties and hence good platoon partner for KJ/ Langerhans.
Damian Jackson (SD), all-purpose utility IF/OF, having a career season, now blocked from playing time with return of Loretta.
Maicer Izturis (Angels of Anaheim), SS/2b/3b, already hits better than his brother and blocked by Cabrera, with several other SS in their system. Could be Furcal’s replacement next year.
Jackson reeks: .277/.346/.391 is a pretty lame career year. Gomes is interesting but you can’t trade with the Rays.
Good research their Keith. I wish I had the time to look up more good possibilities. Those are more realistic than the Griffey garbage rumors all over the place.
On another topic we discussed earlier:
Once he calmed down, Livan Hernandez wanted to make a few things clear Thursday: He won’t have knee surgery until after the season, he will keep taking the mound every five days, even in pain, and he would never quit on his club.” (yahoo)
Looks like Mr. Hernandez will, in fact, continue on. Maybe he’ll be dealt?
If we want sub-par, expendable middle infielders, look no further than Bill E. Hall. Dirt cheap, power, speed, and the .270 BA we’ve come to expect from our SS. Then again, why are we looking for middle infielders again? I thought we traded Groundball-Gryboskie. Brilliant summattion of Gybo’s habit of letting inherited runners score, before retiring the side. I like to call that, the Dirty Ray King method to being a statistical anomaly.
The Nats have only scored more than 4 runs 4 times in the past 25 days. Can’t win a lot of games that way, so it doesn’t matter much to me what Livan does.
Why are we suddenly talking about middle infielders? Furcal and Giles are not going anywhere, and they will continue to play.
The trade market is so bad this year that I don’t think there will be any activities. Perhaps this is the reason why we bring up McBride because we have trouble trading for one, which means we are not interested in Embree. Perhaps Bobby and Leo don’t like him much when he played for us.
Congrats!!! Braves are in first place (tied). Could that be the Mets I hear coming up the standings? NATS will finish 10 games out of first. Glad to see the Bravos where they belong. Francoeur is Dale reincarnated BTW.
If I’m JS I’m on the phone every day trying to get Brian Fuentes from Colorado.
In my mind, there are several selections of trade bait: Estrada, LaRoche, Langerhans, Betemit, and HoHum. However, there isn’t much point in dangling the bait if all you’ll get in return is sardines. Our situation is horribly confusing right now because we have so many good rookies and thus so many options. What it all comes down to, at least in my opinion, is the post-season. I’m assuming we’ll make it, because we always seem to find a way. I’m quite frankly not comfortable going into an NLDS against St. Louis with this rookie lineup. Yes, they are doing just fine for us in the regular season, but as we’re painfully aware, the post-season has little bearing on the regular season. So, let me once again state the horribly obvious that everyone else has been repeating: we need a veteran outfielder and a solid, proven reliever. By proven, I mean, “someone whose name I don’t have to Google.” Our 5 pieces of trade bait (not that we should trade all 5–that would be suicide; trade 2 at most) and some less-known, less promising prospects should be enough to get what we want. It’s a pity that Chuck LaMar is such an idiot, because the D-Rays have several guys, like Gomes, that might be appealing.
I don’t see what’s so bad about Danys Baez. Am I looking at the wrong numbers? 2.40 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP and an opponent BA of .213? His K/BB ratio is a little off, but not Kolbish. Maybe JS should see if he can kick some intelligence into Chuck LaMar.
Thanks to the Nats for losing, though they did make it interesting with a 2-run bomb off Brad Lidge. When is Preston Wilson going to return to being Preston Wilson? No matter. We are now tied for first!
Back in first, it was only a matter of time.I have a feeling a Weathers/Mercker package is on the way. Mcbride is on a trial, and if he fails it’s Mercker’s spot. I also don’t understand the acquiring another infielder talk. We’re double-booked at every infield spot.The only spot besides the pen I could see a trade is a right handed platoon player for left field. Somebody like Eric Byrnes or Jason Ellison.
Rosenthal said on Cold Pizza this morning we are interested in Kevin Millwood. He has no clue!! How many starters do we need Rosenthal??
Just like Jenny said, I wouldn’t be happy going into the playoffs with the current (rookie-dominated) bench/ OF starters. I think the limitations of Langerhans/ KJ/ Francoeur might cost us yet another shot at a world series, and Orr is a substandard utility infielder. Assuming Jackson would come relatively cheap, .277/.346/.391 (with some SB ability) doesn’t reek in comparison to what Orr will do (and ditto for B. Hall, as suggested), and if Furcal really is history come year end, then finding a currently undervalued M. Izturis *this season* seems worthwhile. The key is Schuerholz doing his usual in identifying which Braves’ minor-league pitching prospect is highly enough regarded by others to bring a needed piece, but who really isn’t gonna be all that in the long run. With a few exceptions (Schmidt, perhaps Wainwright) he’s been a master of such assessment. The problem, IMO, in the last several playoff runs has been the bench, and I simply hope it’s addressed forthwith.
Why the Orr hate? I’m not a big fan of his, but he’s hit .315/.351/.417, his defense has been acceptable, he’s got great tactical value as a pinch-runner, and he’s the team’s second UIF anyway. He’s not going to do anything in postseason but pinch-run anyway unless there’s some sort of disaster.
Anyone who questions moves by the Braves front office is likely on crack. They are by far the best at assesing talent in the entire league.
The tossing away of Gryboski might seem obscure to some, but you know they are setting themselves up for something. I believe Macay will get some work, but will be sent down soon. I am sticking to my original prediction that they will deal for a veteran middle reliever. Someone that no one has mentioned yet.
Hate’s a strong word… way too strong. Mac, the disaster I fear is an injury to either Furcal or (more likely) Giles, and I simply think that Jackson (or Hall, or Izturis, or… any number of players) would be a better backup and playoff pinch hitter than Orr. Do you really think that .315/.351/.417 will last? Actually, Gomes would be my first priority above the IF, but as you said, that may be a lot to ask for with non-trader Chuck. But Schuerholz did get him to cough up Sosa for Green – I wonder if he could pawn off Orr + pitching prospect for Gomes….
2 relievers off the market..
Rangers claim James Baldwin off waivers from Baltimore.
Phillies trade Tim Worrell to Dbacks for Matt Kata.
Betemit should be the first option in an injury, though. I don’t know how good he really is, but I’m fairly certain he’s a better hitter than Jackson.
I don’t think Orr is really that good of a hitter, though it’s not out of line with what he did in AAA last year, so maybe he made the leap to adequacy. But I don’t think Jackson’s that good either, and he’s 33 and isn’t going to get any better. Izturis, maybe, but I’ve a feeling the price there might be pretty high.
Pete Orr is a young, solid player. I don’t see him getting dealt. I would trust him pinch hitting in the postseason, as well. As for injuries, they can happen to anyone at anytime. We could get Jackson and Andruw could go down. The Braves have no need to worry about that. This system, as we have seen, has alot of depth. What they need to do, in order to win the world series, is turn some of the depth into some more strengths. Problem with that is the payroll restraints. If we arent going to get a stud, I say keep the system of youth in place. Maybe we will make a quick exit in October, but we have one helluva future.
Don’t even get me started on how dumb it was for the O’s to DFA Baldwin. The Braves should have snatched him. JS must have his reasons, but letting him go to keep Steve Kline was the worst decision in a long history of bad decisions by the Orioles FO.
Orr has been an excellent backup this year. As long as we keep expectations low, he’s fine. Every team needs a utility guy like him. I have no complaints. I’m waiting, though, for Marcus to get hurt running either into the RF wall or the dugout. It’s the only major collision he hasn’t had yet and given the way he tears around, it’s only a matter of time.
Mike, I hear you on our rookies, but is it wrong of me to want to win NOW? We’ve had 13 years of early playoff exit. No, 12, sorry. Forgot 1995. But I want a World Series. I don’t want a future mentality, I want a NOW mentality. This team is good enough that we shouldn’t be worrying about next year until we’ve taken care of this year first, because we are very much a contending team. That doesn’t mean we should totally spoil our future, of course, but can’t we just get a championship NOW?
I agree Jenny, but if they aren’t going to step up and get an impact player, then we might as well keep our youth in place. Why trade Orr and Colon for a pointless rental infielder, when we can keep the two younger guys in place for 2006 and beyond. The current team is sold, but i cannot see them knocking off a St. Louis.
I wasnt a WS as well, but they have to be smart. Get a stud, impact player or let the youth mature into a top moneyball club.
Betemit is our backup SS and 3B, and Orr is our backup 2B. Then, Betemit is our starting SS next season. I don’t see the reason why we need Hall or Jackson or anybody. Our infield is rock solid as long as Chipper is healthy. I am just a bit concerned about KJ and Langerhans.
Jenny, I agree with you that Estrada, LaRoche, Langerhans, and HoHum are our trade bait, but not during the mid-season. The Braves have not traded away starting position players during mid-season (at least I can’t remember any example in the last 16 years) since Dale Murphy in 1990. Therefore, I do not see JS trading away Estrada, LaRoche and Langerhans during mid-season. In addition, Betemit is our starting SS next year, so we can’t trade him away. I can imagine we can trade away Horacio or Sosa or Colon.
I agree Jenny. How many shots do we have left? I feel we are a right handed bat and a closer away from winning it all. Dont get me wrong, I love the rooks, they bring a great shot of youth and enthusiasim to the club, but they playoffs are a different story. I dont think Bobby has too many years left, and I am sure he would like one more WS win as well. I’m not even going to suggest who we should trade for, thats JS’s job. The core is there, we just need a piece or two.
I don’t know that Wilson is the SS next year. It won’t be Raffy, but I’m not buying Wilson. He struggled at third full-time when Chipper was out and I don’t think they will put the everyday SS role in his hands. Maybe he will split time with a vet FA or maybe they will get someone talented. Maybe Tony Jr. gets a shot?
Now attitudes are dumb, because a future attitude can usually accomplish both the now and the future.
I don’t understand all this talk of position players. We don’t need them, period. All we need is relief. And knowing JS, that’s all we’re going to get.
I also with Mike that Wilson at SS next year is not at all carved in stone. I think management is pleased they have that option if nothing else comes along, but I’m sure they are looking at other options as well.
If Betemit could handle SS or 2b, I’d be pleased – but the way he’s been used by the Braves indicates they don’t think so. So I simply suggest that we identify second-tier prospects to give up for a righty-hitting corner OF and better backup 2b/ss to try to enhance the chance of a WS title this year, without sacrificing the future. Arguably the Red Sox don’t win the title without Dave Roberts or Mark Bellhorn – those are the kinds of moves I’m talking about. A bench of Lockharts and Belliards and Eddie Perezs has cost us in the past, and I’m afraid it will again this season. (But isn’t it nice to assume the playoffs, and that the Nats will be in the rearview mirror? A luxury fans of few other teams regularly enjoy. Ok, unless you live in St Louis or New York.)
What do you mean Wilson struggled at third when Chipper was out? I thought he did great.
We don’t need them, period.
For the future I would agree with this. For now, if we truly aspire to a championship caliber team, our corner outfielders are not going to cut it. When their on their game they are adequate, when they aren’t they are out machines.
That being said, there is really nothing to be done about it since we have no budget to play with.
Even though the Braves are tied for the division lead, IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY ….
The Braves would have the Wild Card. A playoff game is only played if there’s a playoff berth at stake. Since both teams make the playoffs anyway, the Division title goes to the one with the better head-to-head record.
At least, that’s how it is in the American League. I’m assuming it’s the same in the National League, as these rules couldn’t be older than the Wild Card.
And how do I know this? Because it came close enough to happening with the YANKEES and RED SOX in 2003 that the national media talked about it.
Did anyone else notice that the Braves miss both Vazquez and Webb this weekend. I know the Marlins got to both of them, but they’re still really good pitchers, and it’s pretty good luck that the rotation aligned this way.
“The Braves have not traded away starting position players during mid-season (at least I can’t remember any example in the last 16 years) since Dale Murphy in 1990.”
Please tell me you havent forgot the Deion Sanders/ Roberto Kelley blockbuster.
As for misreading the potential of Schmidt, we got Neagle for that trade. He pitched good in the ’96 post-seaon, had a career year in ’97, and decent in ’98. Schmidt didn’t have a quality year until, when???, 2002. I guess JS’s crystal ball was set for 5 year window. Much like the lamented prosepects currently in SF, OAK, CIN, minor league systems, Schmidt took a long time to mature, time the Braves didnt have. Unless we want to follow the Marlins model, and resurface from the sesspool every 5-6 years. I’ll take the 13 division titles over the 2 WS. Sorry to be a constant and vigurous JS apologist, but im lazy, and its a pretty easy job.
Gomes should be expendable, since Delmon Young is so damn good, i finally stopped hearing about BJ Upton making wine from water.
doubledawg, I did forget about that, but was that done in May I think when JS can’t stand Deion’s behavior anymore? I can’t recall the details on that transaction…must be getting old…
I don’t get it. For the past few years, it was complaining about how the studs the Braves brought in weren’t getting it done in the postseason, so we need to do something else. Right now, that something else looks like Rookies, and now that’s not good enough.
Let’s let everyone else waste their money and farm system like last year. The only team we really have to beat is the Cards.
i don’t get the love for Tony Pena. He has a .282 OBP in Richmond. He has stolen 13 bases and been caught 10 times (in Richmond). I don’t know how that all equates to MLB equivalents, but Pena is a huge step down from Furcal-huge. I think the guy we drafted 2nd this year, who is now at myrtle beach, would be a better choice next year.
And if Rafi is going to walk, we had better offer him arbitration, to at least get a draft choice for him.
Tony Pena Jr. is a 1970’s-style backup middle infielder. Unfortunately for him, in the 2000’s, teams carry 12 pitchers, so the defense-only guys like him have no role in the majors any more.
He might actually be a useful player to add to the postseason roster, when you could do with a ten man staff.
The only problem with offering him arbitration is that they have to pay him if he accepts it and they can’t afford it. Maybe they will work something out to make room for him, but i doubt it.
As for Betemit, he was awesome as a spot starter, but he does not cut it as an everyday player right now. Hes hitting just .253 over the past month and is not providing RBIs, steals, longballs, etc. Sure hes hitting .295, but we need more production at short and third (see Furcal, Rafael & Jones, Chipper).
Hes a good pinch hitter and still has potential to get better, but I dont like him playing everyday.
This may be the best bench we’ve had in years so I don’t get the desire for some to get somebody elses crappy second string infielders. Mike Clay I don’t know which team you were watching but the one I was watching had a pretty good 3b named Wilson Betemit while our star was on the bench.
I think that McBride is coming up so they can try him at being the LOOGY. Grabowski is a salary dump. I guess its gotten to that point boys and girl that our team now dumps a couple of hundred thousand to offset eating ole Raoul and Tom Martin’s contracts.
I also think that, God forbid, that the Braves did some statisical analysis and came to the conclusion that Francouer, McCann, Boyer, and McBride would perform at a level equilivent to some experienced veteran platoon player for far fewer dollars. Either that or they called Bill Shanks to see if all those boys had their makeup on.
I listened to BP radio’s interview with John Schuerholz (which is harder to spell Schuerholz or Francouer?) He said that the one thing that he thought the team needed was a right handed bat. So much for Griffey, Huff or any of the other stupid rumors out there.
Am I the only one or is anyone else confused by the Braves lack of desire to give Marte a longer look. History says that he is a better player now than Francouer is now. He can’t hurt us too much by playing LF or RF defensively so I’m just a little confused. Maybe he doesn’t put his makeup on correctly. Hey John there’s your right handed bat.
The Braves as currently constituted are the second best team in the NL, but the gap between the Braves and Cards is substantial (particularly on offense). It may be possible to make a trade that improves the team marginally, but this will only make it somewhat more likely that the Braves make the postseason. I don’t see anything out there (like getting McGriff for suspects ala ’93) that would forseeably alter the team’s prospects for a World Series title this year.
One thing I didn’t touch on that we need to recall is that the Braves wouldn’t go to postseason with a twelve-man pitching staff. They will cut to eleven, or even ten, so they’re going to add at least one bench player. Now, it might be internal (Jordan, Marte, Pena) but it could be a veteran outfielder, which is what I’d prefer.
I’m just enjoying the novelty of the Braves not having anyone on the bench who obviously sucks.
Mac, me too. No Belliard, no Lockhart, no Jesse Garcia. Nice.
I too am convinced that we need a veteran outfielder but do you think he should be a starter quality player, a strong platoon type lefty masher or do we sell high on some of our rookies and try to obtain an impact bat?
IMHO I would like us to get a lefty masher platoon type becuase I’m not convinced that Jeff Francoeur can fill that role for the rest of the season and I also think that Langerhans and KJ will adjust and start producing again.
If there’s only room for one more player, it will probably be either Eddie Perez or some other “catch and throw” guy. If we don’t have one in the minors (how could we not?), then maybe one will get picked up. Maybe Brayan Pena, if he’s still around, but defense seems to be key to Cox when it comes to emergency situations. I don’t think we’ve ever gone into post-season with fewer than three catchers – and I’d count Fick and Marrerro as catchers.
I don’t hate the bench, but I would still rather have someone a little more reliable than Francoeur. There may not be anybody who’s worth the cost, though.
Ok I am not saying Wilson is bad, but he is not putting up the production we need. Its not like we have a spectacular offense to make up for a loss of Raffy or Chipper. Yes, we won without Chipper, but thats not going to happen come October. Replacing Furcal with Betemit is not the answer. This is the first time Wilson has managed to hit in the majors so don’t jump to far on the bandwagon. He has potential to get better, but has been in a bust for the most part over the years and needs to do better than .295-4-13 (1 SB) to replace Raffy. The average is exceptional, but RBIs or runs & steals are something he will need to provide.
Personally, I’d like to see him get better and take the job, but in that case, we will need a speedy lead off man…and i dont think Onil or Gregor are ready for that role.
BTW, What do you people think of Kerry Robinson? His avg. for Portland was good before he came here. Its down a bit @ Richmon, but he has 32 steals in AAA ball.
http://minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Kerry%20Robinson&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&did=milb&pid=137005
I saw this on ‘Hardball Times’thought it was funny how the Road from Bristol keeps popping up all over the place.
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The Greatest Thing Ever
Looking for the most brilliant thing ever created? Here it is. Seriously, if you can’t see the genius in that, I don’t think we can be friends. For those of you interested in an NCAA tournament-style office pool, here’s the complete “The Road From Bristol” bracket in PDF form.
I like three of the #1 seeds (Chris Berman, Stephen A. Smith, and Stuart Scott) to advance to the Final Four, although Scott has a tough second-round matchup with John Kruk, who someone managed only a #8 seed (his RPI rating was much higher). I think the other #1 seed, Dick Vitale, is going to have a tough time getting past the winner of the Jay Mariotti/Buster Olney 5/12 matchup in the third round.
You shouldn’t judge Betemit on runs and RBI because he has hit out of the 8th spot most of the time. That’s not an easy place to score and drive in runs from. He hasn’t done great with runners in scoring position, but he’s only had 36 at-bats (and only 59 total with runners on).
Steals are fine and fun, but I’m in no way convinced that they are necessary for a Furcal replacement. If you put a premium on steals you end up looking at someone like, well, Kerry Robinson (or Essix Snead) and thinking he is a potentialy useful player (neither plays shortstop, but you get the idea). I love the running game, I really and truly do. But if you can’t get a hig percentage guy with other useful skills (getting on base, first and foremost) then it’s just not worth it. One day the running game will come back into fashion and there will be more guys like that. There just aren’t a lot right now.
Robinson before Snead, but preferably not either. I like the idea of having a pinch-runner in postseason, but I don’t think we need two, and Orr is just dandy in that role.
I’d love to get a difference-maker in a corner outfield, or even a solid regular like Lawton or Ibanez (two names I’ve seen bandied about). But I don’t see it happening. I’m basically hoping for a Mike Deveraux type.
Pena can’t throw, but I think he can hit, and would fit the Jerry Willard/Frankie Cabrera mold of a third catcher from the early nineties, when the Braves’ bench was sometimes a strength in postseason. Actually, I think he’s basically a more athletic version of Willard.
Most of us agree that it would be nice to have a solid veteran bat in the outfield. The problem is who is out there that would actually be a significant upgrade while not costing an arm and a leg.
Also, I just wanted to say that I woke up this morning with the sun shining brightly and Grybo on a plane to Texas. 🙂
Dayn Perry at Fox Sports suggests these guys as possible pickups for the Braves: LaTroy Hawkins, Kent Mercker, Jose Mesa, David Weathers. Of those, I like Hawkins best. He’s struggled some this year, but has usually been good.
I like Betemit – it is tobe expected that he would cool down after the way he hit earlier in the year.
Here’s a name for you: J.C. Romero. The Red Sox, supposedly, have offered a Mueller/Millar package for him and Joe Mays. Surely we can beat that. Mays wouldn’t be of much use, but could probably be flipped for something else.
If the Braves pick up LaTroy Hawkins, unless it is to run the pitching machine, I will have to think about being a Nats fan. LaTroy Hawkins is one of the worst pitchers in baseball and he is a clubhoue cancer.
In Chicago he told reporters “I can do your job, but you can’t do mine.” A reporter retorted, “How hard could it be to give up a home run?”
I would take a run at J.C. Romero. A solid lefty who isn’t overly expensive and who we have the available pieces to get.
I also like Hawkins, but he is making around 5 mil this year with an option for next year and JS wouldn’t go after him because of that ever tight budget.
Hawkins has been doing well as of late.
As for Romero, I just think they will swing someone who is under the radar. Thats generally how they’ve done it and i expect nothing more or less.
Going to Reading Phils again tonite for like the 6th time this summer. Triple crown candidate and steriod using Randy Ruiz will be at it again. I’d be nice if Mississippi played a damn game up here >:O
LaTroy Hawkins Sucks! He makes Kolb look like Trevor Hoffman!
Natspos are getting frustrated at their park (PETCO-type frustration). Some reporters with the Washington Post measured the left-center alley at 394′, it’s marked as 380′. The club wouldn’t let them measure any others, but agreed to have a surveyor come in with lasers. Apparently what happened is that the two signs that say 380′ were hung in the wrong place. Also, the center field fence says 410′, and it’s actuallly like 407′ or so. Anyway, Guillen among others are quoted in that article as being unhappy about the park effects, same kind of whining that Klesko and Nevin were doing.
I do not understand the park complaints. Does it really matter where you play? The best team is supposed to win the majority of games no matter what park it is in.
True, but the players get paid based on what they do in said park. Jose Guillen strikes me as the kind of guy who’d get pissed about losing some homers.
Guillen strikes me as the kind of guy who’d get pissed about pretty much anything.
Certainly does seem that way based on his tenure in Anaheim.
Guillen is your typical guy who could have been great had he not spent half his energy bitching and moaning.
Romero is walking 6 batters per 9 this year. Last year, over 4.5 per 9. He’s already 29, his K rate is good but not amazing. Pass. The Twins have loads of other good pitching, and I’m sure they are anxious to ditch Romero so they can replace him with Francisco Liriano.
When Furcal was still hurting, I think I wrote once about trading Furcal and Kolb for Romero and Law Ford. Don’t want to trade Furcal now. Perhaps we can package Horacio/Sosa and Kolb for Romero and Ford. This will solve the bullpen and right-hand bat issues all in one transaction. Of course, not sure the Twins will do the deal, the Twins is just as smart as the Braves.
KC, I am in the “welcom back Kolb” club. I think we need this guy and he is going to be big for us in the second half.
Smitty, I think I am half-way onto the “welcome back Kolb” bandwagon, but I am not sure how well he will response to the playoff pressure. Considering he is being paid like a closer and still one year away from his first free agent year, we should trade him once he is showing signs of recovery. Just like Gryboski, he will become too expensive for us next year.
I’m with bwarrend, we’ve tried the veteran players. In fact, we’ve beat that theory to death over the past 14 years. We constantly bring in these veterans who have proven themselves and play them over younger players.
I say go to the playoffs with the OF we have, the rooks may be just young and oblivious enough to do something (like hit the ball).
For me, I know Furcal is leaving after this year… and I know we have a very able SS now in Betemit, and a leadoff hitter in K Johnson. I’d love to trade Furcal now while we can get something for him, rather than get nothing in a few months when he walks.
From my standpoint, even if we got a really good prospect it would be worth it. There’s a lot of clubs who need a SS right now.
I’d like to see Orr play some short
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I would completely understand if we just stood pat and played the youngsters. In the past we have always picked up the vets in hopes of world series glory. I know that once you get to the postseason, you can have a couple guys get hot and carry your offense. I think we have plenty of candidates on this team who could step up already.
Nothing for Furcal if he walks? Again, help me understand this, but I believe he will be a type “A” free agent and if we offer him arbitration (which he would be crazy to take, because he can get a multi-year deal), and he declines it, we get a first round draft choice. BTW-if he accepts arbitration, we have only committed to him for one year, and it makes it more likely that the cuban-guy now at Myrtle Beach will be able to fill in, in 2007 (instead of 2006), assuming we all agree that the light-hitting, no walking Tona Pena is not going to be a SS on a championship-quality team.
Played the arbitration game with Maddux and lost (hence the Millwood trade that probably still stings even though it worked out ok). That seems to have made the organization gunshy. I’d tend to agree with you, but I suppose I can understand the reluctance. Maybe someone will get all anxious and sign him before the deadline like the Yanks did with Wright last year.
Furcal is a crucial piece to a contending team. Offensively he is that much better than Orr and defensively that much better than Betemit with much longer history of success than either. Since we know that we won’t get an impact bat or a lights out reliever for him we are better off leveraging his talent in a run to the post season. Letting him walk for nothing is the wrong way to put it. We will let him walk (that is if Renteria/Cabrerra prices are still in force) but what we got, hopefully, is championship caliber play at a crucial position.
Johnnny I agree with you. I would hate to see Furcal go because at this point in time we would lose offensively and defensively replacing him. He did well in the play offs last year and his arm is the best in both leagues. Betemit is not the answer.
I could not have put it any better fjensen.
Re: Furcal & arbitration – I’d think they would offer him arbitration. I know it ‘bit’ them with Millwood/Estrada, but if you earmark the dollars in the budget, then you’re ready if/when he accepts. And if he doesn’t, and leaves as a FA, you have the $$ available for other needs (and have to come up with the player to take his place). In that event, I’d say find a stop-gap (give Betemit a chance, see who else may come available) until the young guys are ready.
And Betemit will improve as he gets experience. It’s all part of the process (obviously some need less of a learning curve than other, but not everyone can be Albert Pujols). I think you’ll see further improvement from Laroche, as well as the other young guys.
Basically, if they make the playoffs again this year (which is obviously not a ‘given’, but they’re in a very strong position to do so), they have a chance to make some noise. And next year they’re reloaded, with guys with an additional year experience under their belt.
Maybe not defensively, but there are only two SS in the NL with a higher OPS than Wilson in more than 150 ABs. Clint Barmes and Felipe Lopez.
Keep in mind that Betemit has been hyped up for years and was talked about as the future of the Braves back before Giles was even in the picture. He has disappointed over the years until now and who knows if he will keep up a year like this down the road. I wouldn’t rely on him to be the every day SS. Granted he is only 24, but he has not lived up to the hype thus far in his career. Lets hope he grows into a solid player, but lets not expect too much.
He was the next Nomar wasn’t he?
He looks an awful lot like Vijay Singh doesn’t he?
(no real relation to your question, Smitty. Just something I finally figured out after months of “he looks like somebody, but I can’t figure out who.”)
He can hit that pitch that is low and about a foot away from him like he was Vijay hitting a 3-iron.
Evidence to chew on –
Last month?s stats:
H/AB R HR RBI SB BA OBP SLG
D. Jackson (SD – 2B,3B,SS,OF)
27/85 15 4 10 5 .318 .370 .494
M. Izturis (LAA – 2B,3B,SS)
24/80 6 0 10 4 .300 .349 .438
J. Gomes (TB – OF)
18/72 11 4 9 1 .250 .304 .486
Whereas it looks like the league is rapidly catching up to the ATL rookies:
K. Johnson (Atl – OF)
26/103 20 3 14 0 .252 .328 .398
R. Langerhans (Atl – OF)
14/58 8 0 4 0 .241 .348 .310
P. Orr (Atl – 2B)
8/29 9 0 0 1 .276 .300 .310
W. Betemit (Atl – 3B,SS)
19/75 7 0 5 1 .253 .269 .307
So if we want a good bench in October, look past the initial success of the rookies before the league scouted them and adjusted, and find players who can help win this October. On that note, try one more on for size ? he?s slumping, and the Reds just called up Kearns, so they may deal him ? but I expect him to rebound:
W. Pe?a (Cin – OF)
22/91 12 3 12 1 .242 .274 .374
Kearns and Griffey will stay put. Count on that.
Sorry – I meant the Reds might deal Pe?a, not Kearns. And the Braves should be interested.
Ok, we need to pull for the Nats to win the wild card. I think they have a good shot.
I think that the Phils will catch them within a month.
I think the Mets will catch them within this month.
Why pull for the Nats to win the wild card? That just means the Cardinals have an easy ride into the second round.
We want Braves v. Padres (as opposed to Cubs or Astros), so we’re rooting for an NL East team to make it, but let’s at least make it the Mets or Marlins.