Here’s a question, though I don’t know if it’s worth a poll: What sucks more, Peachtree TV or Francoeur?
Here’s a question, though I don’t know if it’s worth a poll: What sucks more, Peachtree TV or Francoeur?
PeachtreeTV
Jake,
I agree that Francoeur probably will get better and break out of this.
However, everytime he comes to bat he practically gets a standing ovation. I have heard very little booing of him durring the game.
True, some people on this board get carried away, but I am sure Jeffy Boy doesn’t read this and it has nothing to do with his performance
Peachtree TV is okay wieh Skip is on
I am sure the negative reaction on this board is partially driven by the unqualified praise Frenchy gets from the common fan base.
Depends completely on whether or not Chip Caray is involved.
I gotta say, the tagline still cracks me up every time I see it. It makes no sense and is totally unrelated to the Braves, and yet it’s perfect.
I would rather watch Frenchy struggle on TV, than to read about it on Gamecast. Therefore, I put Peachtree ahead of everything…
Prediction – with all the bashing today, Frenchy gets two hits tonight an RBI also
Okay, if anyone still wants to talk about
ScarfaceJimmy Johns, I’ve set up a Thomason Tracts post.It’s always fun when a member of the team turns out to be a cocaine dealer « Thomason Tracts
On another subject, Baseball Think Factory has a listing of players’ total values, offense plus defense, for the 2007 season.
Even though it counts injury time against the player, Chipper ranks third among all players in the NL, behind Utley and barely behind David Wright.
Further, Wright’s defense, measured in defensive runs saved, ranked 6th or 7th last year among regular third basemen in the NL. Chipper was 4th and Pedro Feliz was way ahead of everybody.
All that to say – “Chipper, get well soon.”
Love the Radiohead film festival. “High & Dry,” well-done, Stu.
And to all the UGA people out there—HBTD?
Despite making an effort to change the subject, I found this in a chat from Baseball Prospectus on Friday.
Jeff Francouer (Atlanta): Wasn’t I supposed to be really good this year?
Joe Sheehan: I think I might have written something like that. He’s stagnated so far–power’s about the same, and he’s making more contact. But the walks have gone backwards again, and he’s not hitting for average. It’s strange…I’m not ready to write this off, though. The raw talent is there and he’s shown capacity for development.
High and Dry is a lovely song. Puts me in a very peaceful mood.
Go Braves.
Undoubtedly Francoeur, because we have to put up with him more than we do Peachtree TV.
Although I admittedly live in Atlanta, so I don’t ever have problems with access to the game because of Peachtree TV. If that were the case, I’d probably hate it more.
I maintain that thanks to our above-average production from our C, 1B, 2B, 3B, and SS relative to their respective position…that Jeff’s struggles could easily be hidden if Bobby would simply bat him 7th or 8th instead of 5th or 6th. The same think happened with Andruw last season. Or at least platoon him vs. RHP or given him days off on a more routine basis.
I disagree that it time to totally give up on him, he still is only 24, although McCann’s development over the past 5 seasons makes him look even worse. Perhaps, getting hit in the face in Mrytle Beach really messed him up that badly. (g)
Truly, what we need it a leadoff hitter, in CF, perhaps that can get on base at least .360 of the time (Blanco—assuming his numbers stayed where they are) and we’d have lineup that would look like:
Blanco
Escobar
Jones
Teixiera
McCann
Johnson/LF
LF/Johnson
Francouer
The “problem” would be that our biggest weaknesses offensively would be at the traditionally offensive positions, LF/RF.
I realize this has been discussed ad nausem here, but its as “simple” as that. Like Mac has pointed on numerous occasions, this is the easiest position to fix.
Wow Parish… that’s an impressive listing (note that as “bad” as Frenchy was with a -3.3 he was still MILES ahead of Thorman at -21 something or Andruw at something in the negative teens.)
It’s really interesting how we can’t even agree on whether Frenchy was good or bad in ’07. Obviously, it depends on your point of reference and what weight you put on “counting” stats as opposed to “rate” stats. From a sabermetric point of view, Francouer is a lousy ballplayer.
BTW: http://tinyurl.com/6fcrsk is the listing on Baseball Think Factory… which has Frenchy being on the bad side of mediocre in 07 “all things considered”…
I forget who asked last thread, but Kimbrel signed for $391,000.
Oh… and he’s below Willy Harris and Salty on that list, even if he’s above Andruw and Thor
Now, now …
The Mighty Thor doth stir.
If you go by counting stats, Juan Pierre would be a great player. He gets 200 hits if you play him every day and usually is the top or right at the top in stolen bases and sacrifice hits.
#20…thanks, I googled it right after I asked the question.
Not beating a dead horse, but due to his popularity, Jeff has some value to this organization, which he wouldn’t to any other as a RF. (evidence by the stats)
Again, an upgrade in LF (or CF) coupled with moving down in the order (to 7th or 8th) and a more regular “off-day” and we can hide his weaknesses easier.
I’m on the side that his 2007 was lousy. But I guess we could be giving $100 million to Carlos Lee, who is apparently horrific in the field. Wow.
Wiffing Coach available – http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/mariners_fire_whiffing
Mark Teixeira looking for 8YRS/160M according to Rosenthal.
http://tinyurl.com/6nzeq5
Who here would give him that?
I certainly would not.
*Raises hand*
*(Expects to be in the small minority)*
Also from that piece, Dan:
Interesting. I sure would like both a bat and a starter.
I’d give him that, too, depending on who else was out there.
After years of cheap never-weres like Rico Brogna & cheap never-will-bes like Scott Thormans, I’d love to keep Tex.
But, like winning the lottery, it’s not something I much think about.
MGL, speaking of “The Onion,” did you see this about Chipper? http://www.theonion.com/content/infograph/chipper_jones
Tex plays almost every day. He’s at least close to gold glove quality defensively. He hasn’t sustained the incredible second half he had last year, but who has?
I’d give him 8/$144, maybe $160, but if and only if the Braves have a$110 million-plus payroll next year and going forward.
Fuentes and Nady would go a long way to helping us field a great team right now.
seriously though, who do we go after this offseason to replace Smoltz and Tex. I’m guessing Schafer would be ready. I wouldnt be against offering Kotsay something cheap and hopeing for the best next season either.
Jeez, I’d love to get Nady.
Written by a Met fan, no doubt.
I love The Onion, but there’s nothing more tired than Larry jokes.
Y’know what Larry jokes are? Not funny.
Ben,
Yes, that’s what got me started
#34 – I disagree. With our payroll restraints I dont give him that deal. I take the draft picks instead. With an $80-85 million dollar payroll, it’ll be real hard investing $20 per season into any player
Xavier Nady: The last guy (I believe) to skip the minor leagues completely and play in the major leagues. (He later spent some time in the minors.)
Also the guy most responsible, other than Bobby, for the Joey Devine-ing of Joey Devine.
csg,
It’s a great question. We have so much money to spend. I’m tempted to believe we’ll fill holes via trades, like we’ve done recently, but then again, we haven’t had this much FA money lately, either. No idea, honestly.
#34 – sorry misread your post there. I agree with a larger payroll we should try to keep him.
Liberty Media will probably decide to reduce our payroll by $20 mil so we wont be able to sign anyone this offseason
No problem, csg. I doubt we’ll have as much as I hoped for anyway; but with the bucks coming off the payroll this year, it looks like the Braves can be a player in the off-season meat market.
Pretty interesting read: http://tinyurl.com/6o3ba6
PeachtreeTv with Chip sucks.
Get ready for a scan around the league that has nothing to do with the game, as Chip is Mr Mlb on Tbs. How are the Twins Chip?
Also the Ozzy Ozbourne story is about every 3 games so tonight might be it. I don’t know how Joe stands it I would jump out the booth.
I agree PeachtreeTv with Skip is great.
Actually, I’m slightly relieved to hear that Tex wants 8 yr/$160 million. The way Boras negotiations work, he asks for something so impossibly high he’ll never get it — like asking for $500 million and a piece of Yankees ownership for A-Rod — and then grudgingly allows his client to slide back down to a merely outrageously exorbitant.
I would have expected him to start a lot higher than 8 years, $20 million, because that means he basically doesn’t think he can get that price.
Personally, I’d offer Tex 5 years, $100 mill. I’d be very hard pressed to go higher.
* to a merely outrageously exorbitant price.
Pretty interesting read: http://tinyurl.com/6o3ba6
Title IX, Title IX, Title IX. That’s the whole reason. And personally I think the new rule about evening out the money to all the players will drive the percentages lower.
And personally I think the new rule about evening out the money to all the players will drive the percentages lower.
I agree. It’s a terrible, poorly-conceived rule, IMO.
@44 Thanks.
And yes I do hate Title IX partially because it makes it nearly* impossible for a private school like USC to field a top flight baseball team. But there are plenty of other reasons as well.
* note I said nearly. I am aware Stanford did well this year.
I too sign Tex.
No Hampton, Smoltz and Glavine next year, Tex is 28 and a heck of an overall player.
Trade him or sign him, dont lose him to FA though.
I really hope the Braves can get one of Teixeira, Sabathia or Sheets this offseason. They have a lot of money coming off the books.
I think Title IX counts as ‘political,’ but I’d be happy to engage in this if it doesn’t.
I think Title IX counts as ‘political,’
It shouldn’t really, but you are right that it probably wouldn’t end well.
Fair enough.
Sabathia may cost more than Teixeira.
I don’t think Sheets is worth it. He’ll get stupid money from someone and he is always, always, always injured. Sabathia’s arm is a ticking time bomb, and because of his girth so are his knees and back. Tex, again, I’d sign, but only if the price is right.
I’m very curious about what Sheets gets, considering his health issues and his talent. He will probably get a ton of money, but it should be interesting.
Tex already turned down 5/140 from Texas didn’t he?
Of those 3, Sheets is the one I would pay.
Spike – I am pretty sure it was 7/140.
I am very concerned about the reports I am hearing on Chipper’s health. Makes it sound like he should already have been DL’ed.
I’d go, say, 6/110 for Tex. I’m a tiny bit concerned about him given what we’ve seen from Travis Hafner over the past couple years — but I’m not naive enough to suggest that Scott Boras would accept fewer than six years or fewer than nine figures.
Also, I don’t mind Peachtree TV unless Chip is prominently involved; down in Augusta, I’ve yet to have a blackout or any other trouble watching.
7/140. He should have taken that.
He should have taken that, yes, but Boras is a megalomaniacal idiot, and he encourages that in his clients.
Hmm, it seems that I may not be able to watch the game. The screen is black.
Mac,
I blame your poll. Peachtree TV nixed the game!
AAR, that is how I think Boras hurts his clients, though it works more often than not.
But, the player gambles an extra 10 million or so over multiple years against losing most of the potential contract or even all of it, in the event of an injury or a significant drop in production. That works over large numbers, but for the one guy who loses, the gamble won’t be worth it.
Game on, youre off the hook Mac
FRANCOEUR!
E9
How many more grounders can Frenchy bobble?
He did make a nice throw on the Fielder ball
Wowee Zowee! That is some Braves baseball guys.
Extra Innings currently not available for me. WTF? I hate Cablevision.
Joe was about to say that Hart can really run for a white guy, wasn’t he?
2 quick E’s by the Braves, maybe I will go paint my fence instead of paying attention to this.
Oh, and Francoeur sucks. The man can’t field ground balls!
I’ve seen Little League teams that fielded more competently.
This is pathetic defense. There are pony league teams that play better defensive innings than this.
Is the prevalence of the four base error the best thing about Little League baseball?
It is of course extremely bad training for a young pitcher to realize that he can’t count on any out he doesn’t get via strikeout.
In all fairness to Francoeur, the inning would have ended with the score still 0-0 if not for that Escobar error.
Three errors in the first inning.
Only 2 runs scored, thank goodness. I has half-expecting a 3-run bomb at the end there.
And, surprisingly, only 17 pitches thrown. Bad, but could’ve been way worse.
3 first inning errors!!
Any time Blanco hits a ball to that quarter of the infield, Pendleton should fine him.
is this a major league defense?
This is frightening.
No. This is amazing.
I don’t think Jones could have made the play… but this is embarrassing. I hate this team.
The Bad News Braves.
P7
P = Prado
Seems like a good night to practice putting.
The cure for Dave Bush’s streak of no road wins since August 2007: the Atlanta Braves!
I think some of the Braves need to start sleeping with their gloves under their pillows.
C’mon, boys—let’s make a game of it. After all, Ben Sheets can’t pitch tonight.
The third error has been charged to Francouer instead of Escobar.
honesty, francoeur just thought he walked on a ball right down the middle.
Skip: “And Jeff’s terrible problems continue. Tonight it’s with the glove and the bat.”
95 … the guys are doing their best to make all Milwaukee’s pitchers look like Sheets. This is pathetic.
Guess the contact lens isn’t working.
Thanks for the tip anyway, Diaz.
Do something about Francoeur. I don’t care what. Bench him, demote him, trade him, release him, hang him. But get him the hell off the field.
Poor Charlie Morton
Where the fuck was he throwing that ball?
AIR MAIL!!!
what happened?
To his dad in the stands?
Do something about Francoeur. I don’t care what. Bench him, demote him, trade him, release him, hang him. But get him the hell off the field.
Francoeur seems concerned:
http://jeffbfrancoeur.blogspot.com/2008/06/express-train-to-triple-richmond.html
(Yes, shameless)
Kendall tagged, and Francouer threw the ball over McCann’s head. Fortunately, Morton, who’s playing with a 100 degree fever, backed the play up.
Isn’t Brick Tamland the weather man from anchor man?
My Fresno State Bulldogs are in early trouble.
Georgia looks hungry.
109 — yes.
“I’m Brick Tamland. People seem to like me because I am polite and I am rarely late. I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks. Years later, a doctor will tell me that I have an I.Q. of 48 and am what some people call mentally retarded. “
Blanco still shouldn’t be pulling grounders.
Still brighter than Francoeur.
I’m not sure I believe that Jeff Francoeur deserves a spot on the 25-man roster. If he commits any more errors, I’m not sure I’ll believe he deserves a spot on the 40-man.
Speaking of mentally retarded …
Lillibridge to short?
Can we start this game over?
Go Dawgs
Strange Stat, 1992 Brewers had 92 wins, 82 homeruns and 256 Stolen Bases.
Wow, did you see how Bobby just turned around like, “screw you” to Escobar. If that were Chipper, Bobby would choke slam people. I think he is tired of this team’s bull shit
so what did Yunel do?
Lillibridge at short, Francoeur still in the lineup, Chipper Jones hurt and out of action. Why don’t we just put Corky in and get this overwith.
Amen. (I assume Fresno State’s players are Dogs, not Dawgs.)
I’d pull McCann out of the game now.
The way things are going he’ll get injured at some point.
Skip says Gotay’s at third and Infante at short. Did he get it wrong? Is Lillibridge in the game?
why did Yunel get yanked?
We should trade Hudson and Tex before the end of the night
So Yunel went and got himself ejected. Okay.
Lillibridge is going to do something great to win this game for the Braves and rebuild his value in “one shining moment.”
Yunel got ejected.
ha hahaa!
i think i am going crazy
Just stopping in to register my disgust. Carry on.
Infante’s at short. He just made an error.
csg, he bounced his helmet while arguing with the ump after his bonehead getting doubled off first.
I honestly was about to post: “WTF is Bobby thinking putting Infante at shortstop instead of Brent Lillibridge, who plays excellent SS defense…especially with tonight’s defense behind the young Charlie Morton”.
Before I could do it, Infante makes an error.
De-fense! De-fense! sucks.
Coop, thanks. Was Yunel ejected for throwing the helmet or did Bobby get him out of there first
Yunel slammed his helmet in protest for being called out on a double play at first (line drive caught by Fielder).
Yunel is a morron. He stupidly got picked off on a liner to Fileder. Then he threw a tempertantrum and got tossed. He was clearly out and his stupid base running has once again hurt the team
Good bobblehead line, Skip.
I’m watching Wipeout on ABC, watching contestants stumble around and fall on their faces. From what I gather, the Braves look like they’re playing it too.
csg,
Nope, Bobby was on his way to save Yuni, but once he was tossed, Bobby stoped and went back to the dugout with a pissed off look on his face
thanks Smitty, I’m glad I cant watch, but I’m getting more pissed that I cant follow anything on gamecast. Im going to the gym…
Lillibridge is the Stockman of backup infielders.
Francoeur is awesome.
McCann really should leave the game. I’m not worried about him getting hurt, I’m worried he’ll catch something from the rest of these clowns.
OK, this Braves game seems like some kind of nadir for all involved.
Although Skip is squeezing out some decent one-liners, I’m afraid my attention is pointed more toward Nebraska.
Go-o-o-o Dawgs!
Sic ’em!
This reminds me of when I was a Brooklyn Bums fan: Wait til next year!
5-0 ubetcha, ububba.
this team blows
Coop, we agree that they’re bums.
Celebrity Family Feud, hosted by Al Roker, is also on right now. I’m not sure if that’s a better choice than the game or worse. Probably a draw.
That ain’t Furillo in right or Duke in center, though.
And that ain’t Gil Hodges at first base.
Amen, AAR.
Well, the Braves seem to be doing a fine Daffiness Boys imitation.
I think this Morton kid has a future.
The college boys play hard, fundamentally sound baseball.
i’m 280 miles from turner field, but looking out the window at the river, i swear the suckage from the Atl is causing an extra hour of high tide. and it seems the trees are starting to lean to the north!!!
Why the hell is Blanco swinging at the first pitch? Does he actually think he can hit?
Looks like Morton pitched pretty well tonight. Too bad he didn’t get any help whatsoever from the rest of the team.
So Dave Bush has started 3 games against us. Here are his lines:
May 30, 2007, 7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
May 27, 2008, 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
June 24, 2008 (so far), 5 IP, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
An overall ERA of 1.42.
Here’s his line against every other opponent ever: 695 IP, 720 H, 360 ER, 158 BB, 470 K, 4.66 ERA.
Is there any way we could trade Diaz and Frenchy for Nady and Bay, straight up? I mean, they already took Huckleberry Hound off our hands……
Go Dawgs……….i might as well root for the Southern boys. i couldnt stand it if a sub.500 team won the damn thing. and besides, the California boys are the wrong FSU.
AAR, we make every pitcher look like Warren Spahn these days. Our lineup sucks w/o our regulars. Hell, it even sucks with some (Frenchy). But it wouldn’t be so noticeable if we had Chipper, Kotsay and Diaz in there.
Or Yunel.
or maybe the Brewers just have a better team?
Here comes the other FSU, barrycuda. Hunker down, Dawgs.
Acosta is dreadful.
Very Francoeuresque by the Hebrew Hammer.
Not all DPs are Frenchyesque. I’d say Braun’s are more Jim Riceesque — he amasses terrific counting stats and puts up gaudy numbers despite a terrible BB/K ratio and poor defense.
Hey, way to earn that paycheck, Tex!
Well, at least the Mariners are whoopin’ some Met ass. That takes some of the sting out of this effort by the Braves. For anyone who is watching on TV, how did Morton look?
Is is official that this team indeed sucks?
Side question
Who sucks at their job more:
Jeff Francoeur
Chip Caray
Chip Caray easy. Francouer is a least a AA baseball player, Chip is the equivalent of a 2A Alabama high school AM once a week home game announcer.
Frenchy!
AAR,
Well, Braun rolled over the top of a pitch way off the plate outside. That’s vintage Francoeur.
Francouer has half of the Braves’ hits tonight.
#7 – Im close
Half of their errors, too, no?
That’s now 10 K, 1 BB in 41 PA for BJones.
STFU, Joe.
Fresno State just did something- I can’t remember the term for it, it isn’t something you see very often watching the Braves play… I think it is sometimes termed a “comeback,” but really I’ve forgotten…
If anyone still cares, my man Ibanez is leading the way as the Mariners are beating the Mets 10-0.
comeback?? isn’t that an old old wooden ship used in the civil war?
Beckham looks about twelve.
Chipper’s OK to hit? Is this a good idea? I thought he was out for the series.
More first pitch swinging from Blanco.
Chipper can hit, he just can’t run.
Chipper! Up to .395… apparently pinch hitting is just the thing for him to break out of a slump.
i’ve seen some crazy stuff in this years CWS………at one point in the Florida State-Miami game, the Seminoles, batting over .350 as a team this season, had 16 hits and two (2 !!!) runs…………that would be hard to do with 6 Frenchys in the lineup.
What’s that thing Mac always says? Oh, yeah. I hate this team.
I hate the lineup, anyway. The starting pitching has been awfully good, even during the annual June Collapse. (“June Swoon” is overplayed.)
I don’t like anybody very much.
The heart of the order … ha! ha! ha!
Good one, Skip.
Gotta love those Brandon Jones stats. Sending him back to Richmond taught him some of that aggressiveness we prefer in our hitters.
It’s starting to look like the Braves really don’t like Radiohead.
I think Poor Charlie pitched very well again, but the Bad News Bears cost him with their ability to kick balls.
Look, the Braves evidently like Toby Keithian country music. I won’t post that crap.
Frenchy is going to win the game for us.
Poor Charlie is a great name for Morton, Smitty.
Are we ever going back to Phil Collins?
TEX!
ONE RUN LOSS!
Tex!
Great! Another one-run loss!
Life?
Life support, maybe.
McCann has got him read
Jurrjens to pinch-run?
Come on Francoeur. Be a hero.
Or at least, no double plays….
Yup. Hope his ankle is sound.
McCann can! Can Infante?
Or Infante. I forgot they got flipped around.
Wow, Bobby is going to bunt
This shit again. You’re going to bunt to set up the Out Machine?
I’d let him swing here
Wow, Bobby is going to bunt
I don’t blame him. No double plays.
“Bunt, Braves, bunt” has a familiar ring, eh Mac?
Frenchy is going to win it
“Now it’s up to Francoeur and Brandon Jones”
I don’t like our chances, Joe.
Now it’s clutch. Will the real Jeff Francouer please stand up?
….holding breath…
Well, not a completely unproductive AB
Yay! No DP!
I love you Jeffy!
God, he sucks. That was the best we could possibly have expected, but once again you had Infante, a decent hitter (especially for average) bunt to set up a bad hitter.
Oh no, CORKY!!!!
I forgot.
GAME OVER.
up to the hamster….
…fuck.
Corky’s OPS+:
-1
Corky?!?
Why did Bobby use Chipper already? SHIT!
Come on Corky!
Man, shouldn’t we be using Jo Jo or Hudson instead of Corky?
Hamster Time. Strikeout, or popup? Where’s Reyes?
Wow. What an ugly way to end a ballgame.
This is his pitch
Wild pitch please.
Take one for the team, you rodent.
Corky should have taken one for the team.
TAKE!!!!
The only hope we have is that he just stands there and does nothing.
Why don’t teams ever try pickoff plays in 3-2 2 out situations?
two bad managerial moves….
1. using Chipper to PH with no one on and no outs, then using Lilli to ru for him – let lilli bat there and save Chipper just in case there is a chance to tie later
2. bunting Infante – you had 3 straight guys reach base and then you give them an out in a 1 run game
Oh well…
The errors beat us
Oh, dammit.
The bunt was fine. YOu had to put the tieing run in scoring position
I hate this team.
There ain’t no cure for plain and simple sorriness.
Good night, ladies and gentlemen. We’ll give ’em heck tomorrow afternoon.
I’m watching Spider-Man right now, and I understand that with great power comes great responsibility.
What about for people with no power, like Jeff Francoeur?
you dont give closers an out, when the 1st three reach base
I’m not gonna criticize the bunt. We would’ve found a way to lose anyway. That’s what bad teams do.
Stupid Braves.
Looks like the Dawgs have been watching the Braves.