Atlanta Braves Fan Confidence Poll
by gondeee on May 22, 2009 8:00 AM EDT
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PrintIf it's Friday, then it's the Atlanta Braves fan confidence poll. This poll and therefore your confidence level should encompasses several areas of the team. These areas include, but are not limited to, the team’s ownership, current management, talent, minor-league system, and general playing ability on the field. The poll will stay open for 48 hours, and then the results will be posted and graphed against the previous weeks.
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I’m going to have to go down to a 6 since Wren continues to do nothing about the outfield, Infante is out for a month, Chipper looks likely to miss a few games, and Medlen was not as impressive as I had expected. It doesn’t help that John Smoltz is making rehab starts for the Red Sox while the washed up Tom Glavine still hasn’t pitched for the Braves and the overrated Kawakami has been mostly ineffective. The money spent on those 2 should have been used to sign Abreu or Dunn with some combination of Campillo, Parr, Morton, Reyes, and Hanson rounding out the rotation. I’m also wondering if the Braves made a mistake by passing on giving Andruw Jones an inexpensive contract and handing CF over to Jordan Schafer who doesn’t look ready, although AJ probably would have sucked if he had come back under Pendleton (shouldn’t he be fired by now?). And then of course there is the fact that Jeff Francoeur remains the everyday RF.
I too gave a 6, and probably would have been SUPER POSITIVE had Medlen not displayed a Francoerian-level of mental toughness last night, ie: zero.
Sure, it was his first game, I don’t fault him, but I would have felt better had he gone out there and thrown pitches in a way that we might question if or if not he has cybernetic components or is even at all human.
Just saying.
I’m still at a 7 like I’ve been for the whole season, but I’m wavering towards a 6.
I’ll jump up all the way tot a 10 if Wren figures out a way to move Failcoeur for a power OF bat while not giving up great minor league talent.
We shall see how the next few weeks unfold. I was at the game last night. Kris looked like a rookie, what can you say. He pitched well for his first game in the bigs, but you can tell he was really tired by the 4th inning. I just don’t see how he’ll be a starter though if he tires that early. Looked like we was only throwing fastballs and changeups to me without much movement. I was also in the upper deck so it wasn’t easy telling what pitches he was throwing. Wasn’t really impressed though. The Braves had chances early to get a few runs, but the offense only seems to be able to hit singles.
Maybe he’s trade bait with Frenchy. Who knows, but something really needs to happen. The starting pitching is too damn good to have that bad an offense supporting them.
Watching from the comfort of my recliner it looked like the only pitch he had command of was his curveball.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Medlen did okay, all things considered. He was obviously real nervous, and had some command issues, but a few pitches looked like the borderline rookie strike zone that didn’t get the calls. From what I heard, he had a blister issue, which is why he lost control so drastically in the 4th, and as usual, Bobby waited one batter too late to pull him. I know the pitcher is supposed to be a gimme, but that’s a case of Bobby taking it for granted. Medlen was incapable of pitching anything over the plate at that point, and you can’t get a pitcher to swing unless it looks hittable.
Call me crazy, but I’m a little relieved he lost his first start. It gives him a goal to want to reach out and attain as opposed to always looking in the rear-view mirror.
One thing I was very pleased about was the warm reception he still got coming out of the game from those in attendance. That kind of support is crucial to get as a young rookie, and hopefully he knows that people still want to see him succeed.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Call me crazy, but I’m a little relieved he lost his first start. It gives him a goal to want to reach out and attain as opposed to always looking in the rear-view mirror.
Hopefully it also shows some of the more crazed people on the board that bringing up Hanson isn’t going to give us an automatic victory.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, I just kept clapping for Medlen and cheering him on.
I wanted to get closer seats but hot damn, I didn’t realize tickets were so damn expensive to sit closer. I don’t make that much money to blow $120 along the third base side for one game out of 162 games. That’s straight up ridiculous. I could get some pretty good seats at a Colts game for around that price when I still lived in Indiana 3 years ago. I guess I’ll stick with the upper deck.
The AJC said...
less blister, more freaking out about being in trouble in a major league ballgame.
by MichaelProcton on May 24, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
This is the first shot I took at this poll. I gave me a 7. It is entirely based on pitching.This is the best staff we have had in quite a few years now.I cannot remember too many games that Lowe, Vasquez or Jurjjens didnt keep us in.I am guessing they have some bad outings coming , but every time they go to the mound i expect they will pitch well and am confident.I think this board is too busy trashing Kawakami, who has been better than I expected.He has the most diverse stuff on the staff and has at times looked pretty good. The thing is it has only been 8 or so starts in a new league and a new country, so he needs at least 10-15 more starts to fully evaluate. I was dissappointed in Medlen from the get go last night. His stuff is pretty basic,except for the changeup which appeared to have some unusual movement, and he did move the ball around a bit in the first few innings, before he lost total command of his pitches. He did not appear to have any movement on his fastball at all.I am really rooting for Glavine to gives us the fill in the 5 spot as a last dose of the past (BTW I would have posted a 10 in this poll for about 15 straight years starting in the early 90s). If not Glavine, it appears Hansons time is getting close, and like all of you, I think he is gonna be real good. Maybe not right out of the gates, but this guy has a ball that moves, especially upstairs.Oh well, The 7 is gonna stay for the rest of the year because the pitching still has upside with Hanson and maybe Hudson or Glavine.So why only a 7…the offense is streaky at best and they need a big bat. Chipper has 4 homers,not a good sign. Looks like he is sacraficing power to stay in the game. A hard swing seems to cause pain (Oblique?).On the days McCain is out this lineup simply is one of the worst in baseball at times.The time has come for the Braves to stop drafting pitchers out of the South and start looking for some Horners, Murphys, Justices,C Jones and McCains. In the meantime, Trade for Adrian Gonzalez…..
by mikie baseball on May 22, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions
You called him “McCain” twice. And an Adrian Gonzalez trade would gut the farm system.
If Dunn walks 30 fewer times, he'll drive in 15 more runs. This is thanks to the scientifically proven formula: RBI = (this is nonsense) (I made it all up).
Here's a stat: Wins as manager: Dusty Baker, 1,162; Bill James, 0.
by TradeAndruw on May 22, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Man I am sorry. I tend to butcher names and words inadvertently. My son hates when I do that. I think glutting the system, ex Hanson and Heyward, might not be that bad to get a bat this year. If Chipper or Mc Cann go down for any extended period we better throw shutouts every night.
by mikie baseball on May 22, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Couple things.
1. You seem happy to give Hanson the benefit of the doubt when he starts in the majors, but you appear to have zero faith in Medlen. You mean to tell me this is because of the movement on their pitches?
2. It’s hard for Chipper to crush HRs when he is getting absolutely nothing to hit with Garret Anderson hitting behind him. Think about it.
3. Trading for Adrian Gonzalez is not a priority. Kotchman is a spectacular defender and has been pretty damn good offensively. The real issue is upgrading at the OF corners.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Couple of things reply....
I am not an expert and I do have my doubts about Hanson, because command seems to be an issue with 8 of 10 prospects. That said, this is the second time i have seen Medlen throw and just dont see that extra late movement that Hanson has.
As far as Chipper is concerned, I have a sixth sense about him. He is up there with Aaron (who I did not see nearly as much as) as my favorite players of all time. In my view he is such a great hitter that he is one of the few that can get hot even withour a stud behind him in the lineup. True he gets pitched around, but wacth how he seems just to be serving the ball and just turning his wrists over at other times. Almost every time he has to swing hard there seems to be a grimmace. I am waiting to be proven wrong, and would love to see he crush a few pitches.
I am not knocking Kotchman at all. I like him, but I do not understand how most folks do not see that Gonzalez is a power hitter who could bolster this lineup big time. He is a far better hitter than Dunn, and a better hitter than Abreau with more power. He is young, and as far as I know not a problem type player(cross my fingers on steriods). Sure the Braves need a big power right handed corner outfielder, that is obvious. When the Braves got Mc Griff werent Justice and Chipper the primary bats?
by mikie baseball on May 22, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I am not an expert and I do have my doubts about Hanson, because command seems to be an issue with 8 of 10 prospects. That said, this is the second time i have seen Medlen throw and just dont see that extra late movement that Hanson has.
Fair enough.
As far as Chipper is concerned, I have a sixth sense about him. He is up there with Aaron (who I did not see nearly as much as) as my favorite players of all time. In my view he is such a great hitter that he is one of the few that can get hot even withour a stud behind him in the lineup. True he gets pitched around, but wacth how he seems just to be serving the ball and just turning his wrists over at other times. Almost every time he has to swing hard there seems to be a grimmace. I am waiting to be proven wrong, and would love to see he crush a few pitches.
The guy has a .491 SLG to go along with a .444 OBP. He’s the last person on the team we need to be criticizing. I agree that he’s had some awkward swings, but seriously…he has 26 walks already this season. He’s not getting pitches to hit. It’s that simple.
I am not knocking Kotchman at all. I like him, but I do not understand how most folks do not see that Gonzalez is a power hitter who could bolster this lineup big time. He is a far better hitter than Dunn, and a better hitter than Abreau with more power. He is young, and as far as I know not a problem type player(cross my fingers on steriods). Sure the Braves need a big power right handed corner outfielder, that is obvious. When the Braves got Mc Griff werent Justice and Chipper the primary bats?
In reference to the part I bolded…not one person on this blog is arguing that. Everyone who continues with the Gonzalez trade rumors is missing the point. Upgrading Kotchman with Gonzalez is less effective than upgrading FYF and Leon with pretty much anyone. It’s that simple.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
My last word on this...
Where do you see in my awful verbage me critcizing the Chipster?Yes , he is being pitched around. So is Adrian Gonzalez pitched around in that lineup. Gonzalez has 15 homers. I just think Chipper is hurt. I could be wrong, but I would make a bet this is by far his lowest Home Run total to May 21 ever.
I agree that the outfield needs upgrades more than a firstbaseman.That said, I am looking at a team that might be looking to start from scratch with some young potential arms (The Pads) and has one of the top hitters in baseball on their team and going no where. Ask Chipper if he wouldnt mind having Gonzalez bat behind him instead of Kotchman. You dont always get exactly what you want, but give me a name which fits what they need more and has your criteria, and might be available.Austin Kearns??If we are to stay in this race, we need to be BIG and BOLD.
by mikie baseball on May 22, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Chipper has 4 homers,not a good sign. Looks like he is sacraficing power to stay in the game.
That’s a criticism.
You’re way too focused on strictly HRs. Yes, they’re nice. But doubles ain’t bad either. Gonzalez has 18 XBH. Chipper has 11 XBH. Gonzalez also has 30 more PAs. Gonzalez is also supporting a GB/FB rate of 33.3%…no way in hell he keeps that up. Highest he ever had was last season at 20.7%. On the other hand, Chipper is sitting at 12.5%…much lower than the 17.5% he has had the last two seasons. Injuries? Age? Who knows. And no, we don’t need to be big and bold…a simple trade for someone like Hawpe (just because he has been mentioned previously) to start instead of FYF would be a tremendous improvement.
And why are you getting so upset? Don’t bother posting anything on here if you’re going to get your panties in a bunch anytime someone disagrees with you.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Chipper has 4 homers,not a good sign. Looks like he is sacraficing power to stay in the game.
That’s a criticism.
Merely pointing out that last year Chipper who had 14 homers last year at this time and I think around 11 in 2007 by this date. So, the truth is, its not a good sign.The comment about taking simple strokes at times this season is an observation that may show he is hurting, but trying to stay within himself to stay in the game. If you think this is criticism, You have a problem.
I was not upset until the panties in a bunch comment and telling me whether I can or cannot post here.Not sure who you are or how old you are, but I have been a Brave fan for 51 years now. I am unsure of Aaron’s or Carty’s GB/FB % was, but they could flat out hit. Gonzalez can flat out hit. We disagree that big and bold is necessary. That said, not sure Hawpe is available. He is another lefty bat, who has had some trouble hitting lefties in the past. I would feel much better if Chipper went down for an extended period of time with Gonzalez in the lineup, than Brad Hawpe.
by mikie baseball on May 22, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Not sure who you are or how old you are,
Comments like these are ridiculous. Age has nothing to do with anything. I’ve met 10 year olds with more common sense than adults. Age means nothing to logic and argument.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
Again…you’re using dates as an arbitrary measure. Did you bother to even check the amount of plate appearances Chipper has had on this date each of the past three seasons? I’m guessing no.
I don’t care how long you’ve been a Braves fan…just because you’re older than I am doesn’t make you right. The fact that you completely ignore statistics like GB/FB is all I need to know. “He can flat out hit…”. Give me a fucking break.
You’ve missed the point so many times during this discussion that it’s not even worth my time continuing. Enjoy living in your box.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 23, 2009 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow, I wasnt aware of the fact that i am conversing with a real baseball expert here,who can actually use curse words and quote GB/FB % !!!! You should be a Met fan!!!
I mentioned how long I have been a Brave fan hoping you might realize you were not speaking with someone who just watched his first game last week.
Yes, I did check the number of plaste appearances over the past two seasons.
Nope, I am not right because of my age.Nor are you right because you take GB/FB % into consideration.
Your last remark shows what a condescending little twirp you appear to be, with zero respect for other opinions. Yes, please ignore me as a waste of your time and check out the situational stats for the last six years to find support for your arguments. My box indeed!!!
Finally, last night, Gonzalez hit his 16th Home Run. I was impressed by Kotchman’s 345 foot sacrafice fly and a previous fly ball that nearly went to the warning track in centerfield in a 0-0 game. Further, I found it interesting in checking stats this morning that Casey has exactly 1 hit more than Frenchy, 2 RBIs less and 1 Home Run less. Oh, and I did check the PAs which were 16 fewer.
by mikie baseball on May 23, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions
So, while you were checking those stats, you also noticed that Kotchman has 6 more walks than Francoeur, 4 fewer strikeouts, 11 more doubles, 8 more extra base hits, a .038 point higher average, a .070 point higher OBP, a .079 point higher slugging percentage, combining for a .149 point higher OPS, and that he’s grounded into 3 fewer (or half as many) double plays, right?
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
Frankly I did not need to see those numbers to know that he is a better hitter than Frenchy, but thanks. The issue is one of magnitude in my mind. BTW, did you notice that Kotchman’s LIP avg is .092 ,or .108 less than Francouer’s?
My point in this whole thread was that i am confident to the degree of 7 in the Braves this year. It will not change until the Braves get a strong bat like Mc Griff or Texeria.A minor upgrade, in my view, will not alter the course of that because Chipper is a great player, but cannot carry this team on his back anymore. A big bat, (like Gonzalez, who is a significant upgrade over Casey, who i like) would greatly increase my confidenece in the Braves this year, and even allow Chipper to take an extra day off to soothe a minor injury.
The good news is that, because of the Brave pitching depth in the starting rotation (including Kawakami) my degree of confidence of 7 will not go down, because as they proved last night, they have a chance to win a low scoring affair every night.
by mikie baseball on May 23, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
See…I do value other people’s opinions when it’s obvious that they know what they’re talking about. You said you did checked the number of PAs Chipper had at this point in the season the past two years, but it doesn’t surprise me to find exactly what I was looking for when I finally checked the info myself:
2009: 142 PAs, 4 HR, 26 BB
2008: 199 PAs, 12 HR, 25 BB
2007: 186 PAs, 12 HR, 25 BB
The information speaks for itself. At this point the last two seasons Chipper had more plate appearance, which obviously means that he had more chances to hit the ball out of the park. Who’s to say Chipper doesn’t hit 8 HRs in his next 40-50 PAs? It’s been known to happen. Furthermore, the fact that he already has more walks than the last two seasons despite the discrepancy in PAs tell me that he’s simply getting less to hit. I already brought this possibility up to you, but you dismissed it without even bothering to understand simply because some guy in SD is hiting bombs at an unsustainable pace in a weak lineup. Facts be damned.
Would I like Gonzalez on the team? Of course. Is he an upgrade over Kotchman? Of course. Would he look great in the middle of the lineup? Of course. I never debated any of these things, I merely said that we have more pressing needs than upgrading at 1B. I also said that Gonzalez will in no way shape or form keeps this up, which you also dismissed because he “can flat out hit”.
SD would be wise to trade him now as this is as good as his value is going to get. You’ve simply falling into the trap of believeing he can hit 55 home runs a year which is exactly what SD wants everyone to do. But I just can’t imagine it’s ever going to happen. You don’t go from a .220 ISO to a .231 ISO to a .325 ISO. You don’t go from a 13.5% HR/FB (I meant this instead of GB/FB in my last few posts, not sure how I botched that) to a 20.7% HR/FB to a 34.8% HR/FB. The chances of him keeping that up all season are minuscule, let alone for the next few years.
Your welcome to your opinion, but if you’re going to post it on the internet you can’t get mad when someone disagrees with you…why post in the first place? I’m backing it up with statistical evidence that certainly isn’t some passing trend like you make it out to be. These stats are real, and if you want to ignore them in the comfort of your own home that’s fine, but they’re out here on the internet and they hold alot more weight than your preconceived notions from years past. If you can’t accept that…then well…I don’t know what to tell you. That’s the last thing I’ll say about this topic. Hope you have a fine rest of the day.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 23, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
The fact that you completely ignore statistics like GB/FB is all I need to know. "He can flat out hit…". Give me a fucking break.
You’ve missed the point so many times during this discussion that it’s not even worth my time continuing. Enjoy living in your box.
Don’t bother posting anything on here if you’re going to get your panties in a bunch anytime someone disagrees with you.
Not angry for your disagreement with me at all. Your comments do not advance the discussion at hand. Do you have any statisical evidence to support your future projections about the 27 year old, might be available Adrian Gonzalez, or do they merely support past performance. I do not think of Adrian Gonzalez as a 55 home run guy, but a 30 -35 Hr 110 rbi and 290 plus major leaguer for the next 10 years or so.
One more small item while you are projecting 40-50 PAs for Chipper at this point of his career. He hit 2 homers in July of 2008, 2 Hrs in August of 2008 and 2 more Homers in September of 2008. So I guess it is possible that he could hit 8 to 10 homers in his next 40-50 Pas
by mikie baseball on May 23, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey now...
Between Kotchman and Gonzalez, they have exactly one non-1B/DH appearance. Guess who and where? Gonzalez…in RF!
by MichaelProcton on May 24, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I voted 7 and most other people did too...
But i wonder how much of that 7 is due to our stacked farm system. I think the Atlanta Braves, the MLB team only (no minors) are truly a 5. Why? Because one night, this team can look like a World Series contender. The next night, they’ll lose 12-0 to the dbacks or 9-0 to the rockies. Just my thoughts…
"Jason Heyward might be the best offensive prospect i've seen in fifteen years. His game is solid. I would trade any of the current players we have on our 25 man roster for Heyward. He's that good." - NL Scout.
The Atlanta Braves are Jekyll and Hyde right now
"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews ~ RIP Roi
(self-appointed President of Yunel's Cartel~~~)
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on May 22, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions
5
I think this is a .500 ball club this year. I could be wrong. I hope I am. I thought this back when our pitcher ‘transition’ happened those few days in the off season. I’m fine with it, and still love watching. I dont understand why TP is still employed…
split the series with the Rox
= 6 ! If the Braves are going to contend this year they will have to take a series against sub .500 teams…in fact in would be good to sweep them. Every team now knows…against the Braves throw a sinker baller against them…if they have to call up someone from AA so be it! It would be great to have another bat with some pop….If Medlin was being showcased to be trade bait then I would say that performance has him trading on the Penny stock exchange…I say send him back out again…and see if he makes the NASDK…How about a Grand trade (just dreaming) something taking two Padres for a our farm system…(joking of course) but I bet if Hanson was included in that with a couple of others they may take the bait…sorry Hanson…oh yea if we did that we would have to make some money room on our roster…hmmmmmm
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