The Big Gaping Hole

The biggest problem with the Braves is their corner production.  This is the VORP they've gotten from their position players, and their rank in the NL:

C - McCann (19.2) - 1st
1B - LaRoche (6.2), Jordan (-4.3) - 18th (LaRoche 15th)
2B - Giles (3.3) - 14th
SS - Renteria (14.9) - 1st
3B - Chipper (13.6) - 7th
LF - Diaz (10.3), Langerhans (-1.6) - 10th (Langerhans 19th)
CF - Andruw (16.2) - 2nd
RF - Francoeur (-7.5) - 19th
Bench - Pena (1.5), Pratt (-5.1), Prado (0.7), Orr (-4.1), Pena (-1.3), Betemit (7.1)

For those of you counting, that's 54.0 VORP from the up-the-middle-positions -- an outstanding figure considering Giles' struggles; -1.5 from the bench, which is acceptable for a bunch of glove guys;  And 16.7 VORP from the corners.  That's pathetic.  You will not win championships that way. And I've marked Diaz as LF, not bench, so the number could be even worse depending on how you look at it.

So what to do?

1B is barely at replacement level.  We have the worst 1B production in the National League by far -- the gap closes if you only include LaRoche and add in his defense.  It's time to end the Brian Jordan Experience and give someone -- anyone -- a chance.  I don't see how there is any harm in giving Thorman a chance or picking someone up from the waiver wire or trading for someone -- anyone -- to fill in the gap the Braves have had at 1B for [i]six years[/i].

LF - Diaz has been a shot in the arm in 100+ PA but I don't know that he can keep this up.  Still, we now have ample evidence that Langerhans is best cast as a fourth or fifth outfielder, not a regular player.  Langerhans on his own is the second worst LF in the NL.  Many of our problems could be solved if we moved Chipper to LF or 1B, but that's not happening.  I don't know what the solution is but giving Diaz a clear shot at the title can't hurt.

RF - Frenchy is worst RF in the league, even if you include his defense.  We're just going to have to grin and bear this.  Either Francoeur learns how to take a pitch or he flames out.  He's going to continue to suck for much of 2006.  But maybe he can learn enough to play well in 2007.

Just having average productiong at these three positions would be a swing of about five or six games in the standings.  RF we have to bear with but there's no reason we can't go bargain hunting to fill in 1B and LF.