Offseason Band-Aid Effect
by royhobbs on May 6, 2009 12:28 PM EDT
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PrintSure, it's easy to be pissed about the way the Braves have been playing, but what's the point? If anything, they're doing me a favor with all this poor play to remind me that every loss is not the end of the world, and to perhaps relax my expectations. World Series? No? How about the playoffs? Too lofty still? .500 by All-Star Break? Hmm, how about a .500 homestand? Pujols, talk about a hard bargain. How about just giving me some entertaining baseball with some good hits, a few impressive pitches, and a glimmer of hope that my team might actually have a chance to win this game? Ah, eff it. I'm just glad you're here, baseball.
Every year there's always some team that makes some mad dash into a playoff push, and I'm not saying that it could be the Braves, but the Braves certainly almost have the right parts to be one. After all, it's not as much how you start the season as it how you finish it. It pains me to say it, but look at the Philadelphia Phillies. I associate them as the defining epitome of "finishing strong," because they win so many games from behind, and always, always close out September strong, with the last two years resulting in playoff berths, and last year culminating in a World Series title. (grumble)
Bottom line, anything's possible. Relax and enjoy the ride; it's no longer "early," but there are still a lot of games to play. Anything can happen in that time; Hanley Ramirez is out with his broken wrist, Cole Hamels can't seem to get adequately healthy, and the Mets, well, have to prove that they can last in September. I can commiserate with your frustration after a loss, but just remember, it's just a game, and until October rolls around, there's always potential redemption a day away.
One thing I like about the Atlanta Braves is how fervently they address their biggest problems each off-season. I like to call this, putting band-aids on the wounds.
Post-2006 - bullpen, bullpen, bullpen. Braves re-sign late-effective closer Bob Wickman, trade ineffective Horacio Ramirez for Rafael Soriano, trade Adam LaRoche (and Romak) for Mike Gonzalez.
Mid-2007 - offense. THE TRADE is made, and Mark Teixeira is acquired for Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison, Neftali Feliz, and Beau Jones while Ron Mahay weeps softly in the corner.
Post-2007 - starting pitching. Should've been addressed, but wasn't. Too much faith was put into Smoltz, Hudson, Jurrjens and Hampton, and a mish-mash crop of starters ranging from Chuck James, Charlie Morton, Jorge Campillo, Jo-Jo Reyes, etc. At least Jurrjens emerged and shined for the most part.
Post-2008 - starting pitching and left field. Braves sign Javier Vazquez, Derek Lowe, and import Kenshin Kawakami from the Chunichi Dragons. And despite the fact that most of us agree that he is ineffective, Garret Anderson was a move made, to address the need in left field.
One thing I do not like about the Atlanta Braves is that it often seems like as they fervently attack one problem, another one emerges, or I should rather say RE-emerges, and the team's fly-by-patchworking is oft-rendered ineffective, and often leaves the Braves with a gaping weakness. Right about now, it's about two parts offense, and one part bullpen.
In a perfect world, the Braves status would look like the following:
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Starting Pitching
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Offense
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Bullpen
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But it's not. Right now, the starting pitching is for the most part, doing well, while the offense is sputtering badly, no thanks to the professional (lack of) hitting of GA, and the bullpen is (again) pitching way too inconsistently right now. It resembles more like this:
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Starting Pitching
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Offense
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Bullpen
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The offensive wound has re-opened, and due to the unexpected (to some) ineffectiveness of Blaine Boyer, Peter Moylan, and Jorge Campillo, the bullpen band-aid is falling off.
The good news is that I believe that one will help fix the other. Meaning that in my opinion, the Braves are primarly one good power bat away from being a far better team. And it really wouldn't hurt to have one effective middle-reliever, but my hopes are that one good bat provides more competent run-support to where the relievers don't constantly have to keep coming into games where the team is behind, and feel the pressure to keep the game within reason, which may or may not, depending on whom you ask, might be a more pressure situation than preserving a lead, since a tie-score doesn't exactly make you lose (yet).
Or maybe the answer is already here, but it just hasn't clicked yet. We certainly know that this team is capable of stringing some hits together and making some runs (at times). Maybe Schafer leading off will allow for some stolen bases to prevent Escobar from GIDPing too much, which would lead to some base-runners for Chipper to drive in, with McCann protecting him in the lineup with his awesomeness. Francoeur can continue to focus on chipping away to help his OBP, while Kelly with the decreased pressure of the 6-7 hole can utilize his patience and rediscover the pop that his bat does have. And then the Braves will starting scoring 5-6 scattered throughout seven innings of timely hitting and hits with RISP, while the starters all go 7.0 IP, allowing economical bullpen usage, making everyone better in the long haul. Who knows - as I stated earlier, anything can happen.
But that's just this season. I can already see the front office preparing to address the team's need for more offense, and some bullpen help as both Soriano and Gonzalez are in their walk years, but who's to say that next season won't be marred with Vazquez's big innings, Lowe's aging, and Kawakami's culture struggles? There's no guarantee Tim Hudson's option will be picked up, and there could be a lot of pressure put onto young starters in Jurrjens, Reyes and Hanson.
What I would like to see in the future, is the Braves not getting so tunnel-vision on their needs, and actually assessing the whole field of available acquisitions, and picking and choosing the best players for the long-term visions of the organization, instead of just one aspect for the next season. Afterall, the Braves do have the luxury of being able to fill certain holes internally or via trades.
Many believe the rigors of a season is for the most part a crap shoot, but I think with smart acquisitions and luck of health and the emergence of breakout talent, the Braves could have a season with good qualities and not as severe weaknesses.
Agree or disagree? Commense discussion.
This FanPost does not express the views or opinions of Talking Chop.
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Rec'd
Unfortunately for us…Hanley’s fine and Hamels finally pitched an outing where he didn’t give up a run (Natinals, I know), but for the most part you’re right. I’m getting really tired of people posting the same negative dreck in every single thread. Most of the time it’s pretty much verbatim, the same exact statements they’ve echoed a hundred times before…people just talking out of their ass with little actual evidence to back it up.
A well thought out post like this, while still negative, is a welcome read. This blog is almost unreadable lately.
RE: Frenchy working on his OBP
From ESPN.com yesterday:
For Atlanta outfielder Jeff Francoeur, the search for a more disciplined approach is elusive and the source of occasional torment. Francoeur began this season with loose goals of 80 strikeouts and 50 to 60 walks. But he’s always been an aggressive player, and he’s wary of becoming too passive in the quest for a higher OBP.
COLLECTIVE HEAD SLAP
by Sid Bream's Moustache on May 6, 2009 12:55 PM EDT reply actions
Rec'd for content and impressive visual aids.
I was looking for an good picture of an open wound to express my feelings on TP and Cox, but the ones on photobucket are just friggin gross.
I read somewhere back in the spring where Wren said they would defintitely pick up Hudson’s option. Then again, he also said they were gonna go with internal outfield options just a day or so before signing GA (which we now know was Cox’s idea).
"Ohhhh Shit."-Bobby Cox, 3/28/09
I don’t think our offense has really clicked yet. Left field hasn’t really sorted itself out yet, Kelly hasn’t found his groove, McCann and Chipper have rarely been in the same lineup, and it just seems like people aren’t playing up to their full potential yet. If things continued the way they are, we’re a .500 team but I have a hard time imagining all these players are still going to hurt or inconsistent throughout the year. I would also assume we’re on target to be buyers at the trading deadline. Maybe a clubhouse rejuvenation of a Kris Medlen or Tommy Hanson can jump start some things.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
I agree they haven’t clicked yet, but the question is, if they do click, is it going to be when the Braves are 3 games below .500 or 15 games below? Some outside intervention (trade for a bat) isn’t exactly a bad idea, if the price isn’t too steep.
I know they’re not going to be this inept for this long, but when the “streakiness” peaks upwards, is it going to last long enough to dig us out of a hole, or have us fall short before it starts to go south again?
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
I guess that is the million dollar question, when will they start clicking. I have faith that like many other past Braves teams, they’ll pick things up as the summer goes on. I’m hoping if they do make a move, and I think they should, that it would be in early June like Beltran to the Astros a few years ago. But a part of me thinks the Braves are going to wait until the last possible minute to bring in someone or will have to wait until the deadline because of the economy, the amount of potential sellers at the deadline, and the unknown of who will be available in trade.
I have faith in the baseball gods that things will even out for us. We’ve had a lot of bad luck this year and ridiculous things happen to us. I would play the waiting game one more month before heavily looking into another bat. Our bullpen is a little sketchy, but I think that issue can probably be solved within.
Another thing, no team is really head above anyone else in the NL East right now. Other teams have huge holes that cannot be fixed within while ours is arguably just inconsistencies. The division is still wide open and if we can stay around .500 until we make some moves, I think we’ll be in a fine position.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
+ 1
for the band-aid images. I’m 100% with you in desiring the organization to pick the players who fit the best long-term interest of the franchise, at least at this point in time. If and when Heyward, Hanson, Freeman etc establish themselves, I can understand pursuing more short term goals to win big. However, we haven’t been that close in quite some time. The Tex acquisition was somewhat of a pipe-dream for contention, we clearly didn’t have the starting pitching to fuel a title run. In my mind, Escobar, McCann, and Jurrjens are the only sure-fire keepers we have to fuel annual title contention. If Heyward, Hanson, Schafer, and possibly Freeman, Locke, or Rohrbough can live up to the hype, then we would have an elite core and should consider going all in to win it. Take all this money we spend on so so “talent” and pump it into Latin America, the far East, and the draft. Our cup will runneth over.
"for my little nephew: in my second drawer where i keep my weed, under the handgun is a stack of pornos that will put callouses on your hands"
"Fundamentals are a crutch for the talentless"
"You wanna know about relationships, I know all there is to know – just ask my second wife Tina – yea she was a stripper and if Montel Williams wants to talk some shit some more then he can go f**k himself cause those charges were dropped."
-Kenny Powers
Rec'd. Still 83% of the season left
Check out this weird dolphin
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 6, 2009 1:38 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
He looks like pacman
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
I agree for the most part
I differ though in how you address your team’s needs. Needs obviously have to be addressed – especially if you have an impatient fan base (yes, I am looking at YOU, Braves fans) who demands success today (and yesterday, and tomorrow).
I think that you satisfy those needs through Free Agency and trades. Free agency is an offseason tool used to fill holes. Some teams use this effectively (the Marlins, the Phillies, the A’s) while others use it ineffectively (the Yanks, the Mets, the Cubs, etc).
Trading is when you are making a commitment. Free Agency meets needs during the offseason (and to an extent, trading can as well), but trading is when a team decides "hey, we have a legit shot…we seem to only be missing one piece right now). I view Free Agency as a more permanent temporary fix while I view trades as an immediate fix for a gaping problem.
So, if Free Agency and trades are done to address the needs and fill the holes, where does a team fix more permanant problems? I say the Draft. The draft is where you stockpile for the future. Providing that you draft the best available players out there, regardless of the current situation of your franchise. In other words, the Braves are absolutely stocked at SP right now. But, if the best available player on Atlanta’s draft board is a SP, they should not hesitate to gobble him up.
Drafting BAP (Best available player) fills depth while Free agency fills holes and trades provide immediate impact.
*Disclaimer: I understand that a team can fill depth in a trade by getting a ton of prospects in return. However, in the scenario listed above, we are buyers, not sellers, so odds are that we would be giving away those players for an immediate impact (in our case, a Bopper) player.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 6, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions
Anyone familiar with Draft rules? Can we trade future picks to move up and get Strasburg this year?
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.
Examples
1. Free Agency – Atlanta had a huge need for SP after last season. They went out and spent big money on some guy named Derek Lowe and another named Kawakami. One has worked out quite nicely, the other, not so much yet (give him time, be patient!).
2. Trades – the year is 2007. Atlanta is right in the middle of a tight division race. They have the worst production in the majors from the 1B position. Enter Mark Teixiera.
3. Draft – Guys like Chipper, FYF, McCann, Hanson, etc…
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 6, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Phillies and Marlins had good free agent signings while the Yankees had a bad one? Whaaaa? When’s the last time the Marlins even signed a free agent who made 7 figures? How is letting Burrell walk and singing a downgrade named Ibanez for more money than Burrell a good move? Signing Teixeira and CC are bad?
IBANEZ ALREADY HAS 2 ASSISTS THIS YEAR, WITH 1.000 FIELDING % AND A 1.000+ OPS YOU NOOB
by Smoltz's Beard on May 6, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions
that throw against Atlanta
was money. His offense has been great so far, and he hasn’t really cost them anything on D.
Let’s put it this way – how many of us would trade G Anderson straight up for Ibanez right now?
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 6, 2009 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Not my point. You’re talking in small sample sizes and specific instances. By the end of the year I’d bet money on him having a .840 OPS with horrible defense. The fact that he’s better than GA also doesn’t matter…the point Victor is making is that the Phils signed him to a horrible contract before almost any other OF was signed when they had an in house option that was probably going to be just as good for the next two years and would have cost less money.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 6, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with that
but so far, (yes, small sample size) Ibanez is making the Phills front office look very smart. I was completely baffled by that move, but he is delivering at the moment. Will he keep it up? who knows?
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 7, 2009 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions
We seem to forget that Ibanez was not interested in the Braves. At his age, he wanted to go with a surefire contender and who better than the champs. The only way we get him was to seriously overpay and that may not have got the job done.
You misunderstand
Nobody is arguing that the Braves should have gotten Ibanez.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 8, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
I am way late to this thread but I can answer your question.
He won’t keep it up. If you think he’s going to keep his production up, then you must think Brandon Inge is going to keep OPSing 1.000 as well. I also have a Nigerian prince who you may be interested in talking to.
You cannot support that statement
you may be correct. I am not disputing that I personally think Ibanez’ numbers will fall. But how dramatically, if at all?
I will say this: I think he will continue to outperform Burrell all season.
Like I said before, I thought the move was retarded on Philly’s part, but they have proven me wrong (so far).
But, we cannot dogmatically say that a player will do better or worse over the course of the rest of the season. To think that Ibanez can keep this production up is not as far-fetched of an idea as you are making it out to be.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 15, 2009 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Without park adjustments, I think he can outperform Burrell since Tampa is a pitcher’s park and Citizen’s Bank is a hitter’s park.
Of course I can’t say it dogmatically, but it’s far more likely for Ibanez to OPS around .850 than OPS around 1.000 (or even over .900) for the remainder of the season.
I am not disagreeing with anything
but I am playing devil’s advocate here. It was also very unlikely that Ibanez would produce like he has thus far.
6 weeks is beginning to leave the “fluke” and “hot start” phase and slowly enter the “trend” phase.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 15, 2009 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions
not measuring contracts here, but i would rather pay ibanez his $8M(?) for what he has done in Philly than I would G Anderson’s $2.5M for his production in Atl so far.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 15, 2009 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Ibanez ain’t making 8 million…
"If on-base percentage is so important, then why don't they put it up on the scoreboard?"
President, CEO, and chairman of the Brandon Jones fan club. PLEASE COME BACK! PLEASE COME BACK! PLEASE COME BACK!
Yeah, add GA’s contract on top of that $8 million
by Smoltz's Beard on May 15, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Actually, Justin was right. He’s making 6.5 this year with a signing bonus of 2. It starts getting out of control in 10 & 11
"If on-base percentage is so important, then why don't they put it up on the scoreboard?"
President, CEO, and chairman of the Brandon Jones fan club. PLEASE COME BACK! PLEASE COME BACK! PLEASE COME BACK!
Hmm…should have gone to Rotoworld. A thousand apologies Justin!
by Smoltz's Beard on May 15, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
What is this?
All of a sudden we are all apologizing to each other and being civil???
WTF? I want some degrading posts full of swearing and name-calling!
:)
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 15, 2009 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Go to hell you dumb bastard, I take it all back!
by Smoltz's Beard on May 16, 2009 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions
that's my boy!
"Actually, Justin was right."
by bigjoe on May 15, 2009 9:04 AM PDT
by justincredubil02 on May 16, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions
You're an A-Hole
And your mom/wife is a whore!
Is that too over-the-top?
"…aren’t worthy enough to hold his (Pujols) ass cheeks apart while Playboy models wipe him with thousand dollar bills after he craps out the cure to whatever previously-incurable disease." by royhobbs 1/7/09
Over the Top?
No.
late? Yes.
"Actually, Justin was right."
by bigjoe on May 15, 2009 9:04 AM PDT
by justincredubil02 on May 18, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Dammit!
Well, in my defense, I don’t have the internets at home, and they make me work sometimes when I’m at work. I can’t always be there with a timely insult. Cut me some slack, will ya?
"…aren’t worthy enough to hold his (Pujols) ass cheeks apart while Playboy models wipe him with thousand dollar bills after he craps out the cure to whatever previously-incurable disease." by royhobbs 1/7/09
by buzzdeadwax on May 19, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I can't take credit
I was guessing on the contract. I thought it was somewhere in the $8M range but wasnt sure.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 15, 2009 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions
you just gave me a new signature.
"Actually, Justin was right."
by bigjoe on May 15, 2009 9:04 AM PDT
by justincredubil02 on May 15, 2009 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions
If you told me Raul Ibanez was going to OPS over 1.000 for 1 season at $8M and Garret Anderson would OPS .600 for 1 season at $2.5M, I would take Raul Ibanez. If you asked me if I’d have rather signed Ibanez in the off season to $30M over 3 years vs GAnderson at $2.5M over 1 year, I would take GAnderson. No, just kidding, I would have taken Blanco!
There have been more offseasons than just this past one...
I don’t believe I ever mentioned Ibanez or Burrell in my post.
The Yankees big-money free agents have been busts over the years for the most part. Look at what they have done in the past few years: bring in guys like Giambi, Matsui, Damon, A-roid, Kevin Brown, etc and they have not really benefited from this at all. The Yankees have ignored their farm system (the same one that brought them Jeter, Soriano, Bernie Williams, Posada, etc) in recent history and have suffered for it. Sure, some of the players that they have brought in have put up decent numbers, but overall, their team has suffered for it. The same can be said of the Mets, although, they have tended to use their farm players a little bit more.
The Phillies however, use their system fairly well. They bring up key players and don’t go out and try to outbid for players. The Marlins also fit into this category. They fill holes with free agents, but dont ignore their system. How many above average players have the Marlins produced in the last 6 (ironic, eh?) years?
The fact that the Marlins have NOT signed big-dollar free agents only goes to prove my point, so I am not sure why you included that factoid in your post.
I am not sure why you came out with your sarcastic guns blazing and being a smartass, but the point remains. Teams who bank on free agency get burned. Teams who draft well, develop depth in their systems and sign key role players without giving up the farm tend to do well.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 6, 2009 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
The Yankees have ignored their farm system
This is absolutely true and why I think it’s so funny when the guys on their AAA team act like jerks. It’s like, dude, do you actually think you’re gonna play for them? Their gonna sign somebody for a billion dollars and your gonna rot in Scranton, get over yourself.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
The Marlins have six players on their 25 man roster from their system. The Braves start that many from their system. The Marlins have traded established vets for prospects and have done well. They’ve also been fantastically lucky in signing low end FAs who seem to play well.
so you agree with me then
yet I feel like you think you are disagreeing…
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 8, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
I just like picking on you
The Phillies have two bad contracts in Eaton and Ibanez and one pretty questionable, borderline bad one in Moyer. The Ibanez signing was especially bad since it cost the team their first round draft pick. I just don’t think the Phillies have recently used free agency too well, though the Feliz signing was good and Werth was a great pickup as well.
The Yankees have the luxury of being able to pay players at full value so they get burned on some of signings. You can add Igawa to the list of bad contracts as well. Damon signing isn’t too bad, and the A-Rod one is okay just because they can recoup some of the cost through his superstardom. Their problem, ultimately, like you said is ignoring the farm system.
Anyway, overall I agree that it’s better to build a team from the inside first than from free agency, which should be used to patch holes. I just like picking on you.
no team is perfect
of course there are going to be bad signings and bad contracts made by everyone. But I was simply using those teams (philly, Fla) as examples of the type of good balance of patching through F/A and trades (don’t forget about Lidge) and the System.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 15, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
royhobbs, good show my friend. I find myself posting less and less with the increase in negativity around here.
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
Whew, glad to know you’re okay. I thought your igloo might’ve caved in and crushed you/your computer or something, seeing as how it’s not -40C in NorCal.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
hahahahaha…the igloo is still hanging in there, although its just a little melty!
Tell you the truth, I get a really tired of the “OMFG, the sky is falling” posts/comments/etc. Everyday there are a couple “bench so and so, call up so and so, we should have traded for so and so” fanposts. Right now we have the team we have, and I believe that the team can be competitive. We have seen glimpses, all we need to do is put it together, which of course is more easily said than done. I know that I love the Braves, just like many of you, and nobody likes to watch them lose, but honestly it is early. Furthermore, even if we don’t do well this season the future is bright for the organization, so we have that to look forward to.
I also echo your sentiments that regardless if the Braves are good or bad at least it is BASEBALL season, and not the abyss that is November-March. I am looking forward to summer, my trip to watch baseball, and I just found out I probably need a new car, so over the next couple of weeks I might try and avoid the negativity around here a little bit.
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
My sympathies are with you. I hate car shopping. Actually I hate most any kind of shopping, but anyway…
yeah the other 96 is that I am too good for everyone else.
A female who hates shopping?? Inconceivable!!
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
I know, right?! :) But hold on to your shorts -
I also don’t like chocolate, I don’t carry a purse, and I change the brake pads and rotors on my car myself (I would also change the oil like I did on my last car, but this one is heavier and despite being small, I’m still scared of it falling and crushing me).
Sigh, I guess it’s this strange blue present-looking growth on my face that keeps me single. But I have keys, people; I still have keys.
yeah the other 96 is that I am too good for everyone else.
Feel free to come and change my brake pads and oil.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
You and Lizziebeth are unique!
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
Damn! Do you also work on radiators and transmissions?? That is why my car is jacked up! I will fly you out to sunny California if you fix it for me!
Sigh, I guess it’s this strange blue present-looking growth on my face that keeps me single.
LOL!!
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
Thanks for the sympathy though, stupid Dodge!!
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
Ah…it wasn’t long ago that I finished up my own car shopping. Thankfully it wasn’t a lengthy process. Good luck.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 6, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
You got a Mazda 3, right??
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
Yes sir. Carmax was great, other than the fact that the dude who I went on my test drive with told me it can with a 5-disc changer when it really only had a single disc.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 6, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I looked at carmax, the local one didn’t seem to have many cars for some reason. How do you like it so far?
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
I’ve never done a deal with carmax, but it’s interesting what comes up when you Google “carmax complaints”. I recommend people do that type of search when they’re about to do business with any company they’ve never done business with before. You can also try RipoffReport.com and Epinions.com.
yeah the other 96 is that I am too good for everyone else.
They were actually really good, aside from the issue I explained above.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 6, 2009 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, no worries, I am definitely a researcher. Now if I could only finish my damn thesis.
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
They had a pretty wide selection to be honest. And if you didn’t like the selection they had at that location, they would transport a car from another location if you saw one online or something (depending on how far it was they would charge a fee).
by Smoltz's Beard on May 6, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Good info! Thanks man! How do you like the car?
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
Running great. I would highly recommend.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 6, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll check it out. What year?
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
2004…some people don’t buy into the magazine, but Consumer Reports rates it one of their best buys.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 6, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
CR’s a great resource – it’s where I always start.
yeah the other 96 is that I am too good for everyone else.
I’m so glad this post was rec’d. Now i can come here for any automotive question that might come up in the next several days!
Speaking of, anybody wanna buy a 1998 Mailbu with $148,000 miles?
"Ohhhh Shit."-Bobby Cox, 3/28/09
Are you trying to sell a Malibu for $148K? Or does it have 148K miles??
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
CR is money.
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
My parents act like it’s the gospel…and always use it as a deciding factor when it comes to many of their big electronic purchases. I personally havn’t used it for anything other than my car.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 6, 2009 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Got it!
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
Carmax sucks. They take all the fun out of car shopping with their no-haggle policy, and my brother-in-law works for them, and he hates the shit out of them too. Their prices are far from “fair and reasonable.”
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Don’t be hating because you probably got hosed
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
I didn’t get hosed at all. And not everyone likes to ride the bus, like you.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 7, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Don’t be hating on the bus because you had to ride the short one growing up.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
I was trying to find a picture of a short bus crash, but some of the pics are depressing so I’m going to stop…
by Smoltz's Beard on May 7, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
royhobbs goes to games with Travis the Moonstar.
"If on-base percentage is so important, then why don't they put it up on the scoreboard?"
President, CEO, and chairman of the Brandon Jones fan club. PLEASE COME BACK! PLEASE COME BACK! PLEASE COME BACK!
Missed you!
Although I haven’t posted too much myself…I’m like you, I hate to be the only Pollyanna.
Awwww!! Thanks!!
See, I love TC because a lot of posters are cool people and there are lots of things we talk about besides baseball (which I thoroughly enjoy), but I have a habit of going through every thread, reading all of the new comments, and lately things have been too negative for me.
Perhaps I need to be more selective in my thread reading.
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
This
Right now we have the team we have, and I believe that the team can be competitive. We have seen glimpses, all we need to do is put it together, which of course is more easily said than done. I know that I love the Braves, just like many of you, and nobody likes to watch them lose, but honestly it is early. Furthermore, even if we don’t do well this season the future is bright for the organization, so we have that to look forward to.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 6, 2009 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions
It is depressing when people start becoming very negative about their team. For example I have been a Dallas Cowboy fan since I was born. I have been with them through 1-15 season, 3 Super Bowls, and then some more bad seasons but I was always a fan.
My biggest worry is that if we don’t get the ship turned around quickly we will be far out of contention by June. Then there’s the possibility of another fear of mine coming up and that’s selling the farm for one player. While I think we should be exploring possible trades I don’t think we should sell to much to get one player. But lets face it we’re in a strong division. The Nationals suck but the Marlins will be there all year, the Mets will be above .500, and the Phillies will catch fire sooner or later.
Depressing, but useful. Weeds out the fair-weather fans from the real ones. Not that die-hard Braves fans are the best ones out there, but the ones that for all intents and purposes, keep me entertained and mentally stimulated the most sufficiently.
A bad Braves team isn’t such a negative thing for me thought – here are the benefits:
• FREE Ticket vouchers from people who don’t want to bother going to see a crap team
• Low-attendance crowds where I can stretch my legs out, have a cold beer, and watch some live baseball
• I feel no anxiety to catch every single baseball game, because there is no impact on the division race, so I can explore other hobbies or play an entertaining video game
• We’re not going to be as bad the Natinals, no matter how hard we try to tank
Sure, I’d trade all of that in for an expensive, hard to get tickets, .570 winning playoff-bound Braves club, but when the day is over, there are lots of things more important than even baseball, especially to get mad over. Whenever I get frustrated, all I have to do is open the blog, and I’ll realize that there are more pissed people with enough anger to cover me as well.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Cowboys suck
Get ready for Albert PAINsworth in DC this year.
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.
Did you see the guys on NFL tonight (last night) say that the Redskins had the worst off season out of any team in the NFL?
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
What was the rationale? I mean, Campbell and the O-Line still suck. But Haynesworth and Orakpo will turn an already-good defense into an elite squad.
My prediction: 16-0.
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.
They were saying they overpaid for Haynesworth by a bunch, they have thrown their QB under the bus twice this off season, and some other stuff after that. I kind of stopped listening after the first two, turned to my roommate and simply said, “The Raiders.” We laughed.
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
Money is nothing to Dan Snyder, he’ll just raise ticket prices another 100% and us idiots will pay it. I can’t wait until the no-cap year, I think it’s next season. The man is determined to buy a championship.
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.
Haynesworth
is a great player for those 7 or 8 games a year that he is on the field.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 6, 2009 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate the Redskins, Giants, and Eagles. I do think that they had a good offseason though. Haynesworth got overpaid but team him Orakpo and thats not bad. I still don’t get why they wanted to get rid of Campbell though he’s not that bad.
Campbell
is a good QB. I have always liked him. He is making rookie mistakes 3 years in now, but his talent and his athletic ability cannot be questioned. I think if he were to have a good mentor or a summer workout coach, he would be one of the best QBs in the league, much less the NFCE
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 6, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice Positive Read!
These things needed to be said and you did it perfectly!
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
I actually think the bullpen is an area of strength. The team literally has 2 closers, another bullpen ace in Moylan, and then incredibly awesome depth with guys like Bennett and Carlyle. Have had some really bad outings, but generally the bullpen has been good.
I think in hindsight that the Kawakami signing ended up being a little superfluous. Not because he’s pitching bad right now, because I think he can still be a low 4, high 3 ERA pitcher with a ton of innings (like last night), but because the money prevented the team from getting the big bat.
Go figure that I was going to talk about how “ehh” I am with some of the middle relief, and Buddy Carlyle has to go turn in a solid 6th inning yesterday, getting out of that 1st and 3rd, zero outs scenario.
In the long run, I think the bullpen is good as well, sad to say, especially with the departure of Boyer, but at the time of the writing, I was mostly addressing the now-factor of the time. But it is a concern that both Soriano and Gonzalez are in their walk years, as I don’t think it’s going to be possible for the Braves to actually re-sign both of them. Maybe Gonzalez, but for some reason, I think someone out there is going to be willing to pay top dollar for a fireball RHP reliever in Soriano. So even if the bullpen is looking okay now, in the long run, there’s going to be some adventure in keeping as much of it together as possible without shooting ourselves in the feet.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
What is our farm system best at
Making SPs or RPs…everyone knows that answer. It seems this (SP) is what we draft the most of. The role of a RP is a thankless job. Just recently that gave them the “Hold” catagory so they would have a Stat when arbitration came around! This also seems to be what we offer up lately as trade bait. I should hope that we can pull this thing together before too long. I do agree that in another month we need to bring up fresh blook…Hanson would be the logical starter…sometimes bringing in new (very good) talent can have a ripple effect…ie “other people being Manny”. We have had players like this in the past be the spark that started the fire…think of a few and write um down
did you just assign us homework?
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 7, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
haha, I’m still trying to figure out how fresh blood turns into “fresh blook”
by Smoltz's Beard on May 7, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
hahaha
i didnt even catch that one. good find!
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 7, 2009 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I disagree
I really think the braves have done a terrible job fixing their issues. Last year’s Glavine signing cost us a first round pick, as did this years lowe signing. The vazquez trade and the tex trade have thinned what would have been the best farm system in baseball. If the braves are going to trade prospects, they have to trade them at their highest value, not when they are still several years away. The farm system is good, but should be much better. Why stick a finger in the damn when there are 75 holes to plug? The team shouldn’t be trading top prospects now when they aren’t in a realistic position to compete for a playoff spot.
Let me clarify that
I like the Lowe and Vazquez additions, I think they were excellent additions and both were worth what we gave up, but If the team wasn’t going to get a power bat, I don’t understand the moves. The team now has a good enough rotation to compete, and coupled with the fact that middle relief is a crapshoot the pen is strong enough. The pitching should still look good next year with hudson and Hanson, as long as the team can retain Gonzalez and Soriano (both free agents). Garrett was a terrible addition, why did the team not go after dunn, ibanez, or abreau? If signing kawakami took them out of the running for dunn or ibanez, the move was ridiculous. I’ll never understand why they backed off of peavy, the guy is a horse. There was no pattern to the way they went about their business.
Your posts contradict each other quite a bit
by Smoltz's Beard on May 9, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
How so?
My point is that the team is making moves that are designed to make them competitive now, but they probably will not be competitive now. If you’re rebuilding, don’t sign and trade for aging pitchers. If you’re trying to be competitive now, why the heck did they get garrett anderson when there were options available that would have fixed needs? The braves got good enough value for lowe and vazquez, but they don’t make sense to me. I like the players, but they’re a half hearted attempt to fix the problems.
Well, for starters…
The team shouldn’t be trading top prospects now when they aren’t in a realistic position to compete for a playoff spot.
The team now has a good enough rotation to compete, and coupled with the fact that middle relief is a crapshoot the pen is strong enough.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 9, 2009 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
We didn't give up a 1st round pick for Lowe
Our first round pick was in the top 10, so it was protected. We gave up a 2nd rounder.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
if you are arguing against trading top prospects
and in the same breath saying that we should have sold the farm for Peavy (who isnt as good as Lowe/JJ/Vasquez right now), you are losing credibility fast.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2009 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions
1st base
1st base is the easiest position on the field to fill, and you trade a haul for a decent 1st basement, not a great on, on a 1 and 1/2 year rental. Quality starting pitching is almost impossible to find, and peavy is a great pitcher. He’s also under team control for quite a while, so not a rental. It’s a pretty stupid argument to say he’s not as good as lowe, jair, or javy after a few starts. These stupid trade for a rental players things never work out.
A stupid argument would be one that was made without facts
so here, let me take 20 seconds to enlighten you:
Derek Lowe career ERA – 3.98 (13 seasons)
Jake Peavy career ERA – 3.28 (8 seasons)
Derek Lowe career ERA+ – 121
Jake Peavy career ERA+ – 119
Derek Lowe career WHIP – 1.271
Jake Peavy career WHIP – 1.187
Derek Lowe career Home/Away splits –
ERA – 3.28 / 4.24
WHIP – 1.190 / 1.352
K:BB – 2.70 / 2.02
Jake Peavy career Home/Away splits –
ERA – 2.83 / 3.81
WHIP – 1.093 / 1.297
K:BB – 3.69 / 2.93
As you can see, D Lowe is surprisingly close to Mr. Peavy’s numbers. Throw in the fact that Lowe didnt cost us Heyward, Freeman, Escobar, Schafer, Morton, Jo-Jo or others and you have yourself a better bargain.
Also throw in the fact that Lowe has been pitching against American League hitters for a good portion of his career and Peavy has been pitching against the offensively challenged NLW.
One more thing to consider: Peavy has been having some arm/shoulder discomfort this season. Many experts and scouts say that he is on borrowed time in regards to having TJ surgery or some other major arm/shoulder surgery due to his violent delivery.
Meanwhile, Lowe has been one of the most consistent starters logging over 200 IPs in just about every season for the last 6 or 7 years.
And yes, trading for “rental” players does work out. Like when we had JD Drew for one season, or Gary Sheffield for a couple. Those guys were keys to our success during the seasons in which they were here.
1B is NOT the easiest position to play and it can be a difficult adjustment for players to make – especially players who don’t normally field ground balls (ie, catchers).
And you are correct, quality SP is hard to find – yet Atlanta seems to have a plethora of it right now, so something tells me that somebody somewhere (FW maybe???) is doing something right.
And finally, let’s play a game. Back in school, we called this the “matching” game. I am going to post stats on one side, and players on the other…your job is to match the players with their correct stats (from the 2009 season)
A. Jake Peavy 1. _ 4-1, 3.98 ERA, 2 HR, 17 BB, 33 Ks, 1.271 WHIP, 108 ERA+
B. Javier Vasquez 2. _ 2-3, 4.19 ERA, 4 HR, 11 BB, 50 Ks, 1.267 WHIP, 102 ERA+
C. Derek Lowe 3. _ 3-2, 2.01 ERA, 3 HR, 16 BB, 20 Ks, 1.190 WHIP, 213 ERA+
D. Jair Jurrjens 4. _ 2-4, 4.27 ERA, 5 HR, 17 BB, 52 Ks, 1.209 WHIP, 090 ERA+
(Answers: 1 – C, 2 – B, 3 – D, 4 -A)
Any of our top 3 starters are as good or comparable to the great Jake Peavy right now. And we didn’t have to sell the farm to acquire them.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I didn't say easiest to play...
I said easiest to fill. Look at the number of quality 1st basemen in the majors. It is probably the deepest position in the major as far as quality.
So what does this have to do
with having your own players slide into the position and fill it?
Also, if it were so easy to fill with quality players, why do 1B make a ton of money?
Why did the Yanks pay Tex over $20M per? That contradicts the laws of supply and demand.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions
You obviously think it was a smart trade
I look at the trade and still see us drafting in the top ten. When we aren’t a top team, I don’t see the point to signing and trading for pitchers in the latter stages of their careers. Trading for rentals was stupid. If we were gonna spend 34 million this season on free agent starting pitching, why not go get CC? He, Jair, and Tommy would be a great 1, 2, 3 for the next few years. I’d rather have CC for the next 7 years and keep our prospects than have Vazquez, Lowe, and KK in their 30’s who won’t help when we’re competitive again.
Which statement do you stand by:
This one:
I like the Lowe and Vazquez additions, I think they were excellent additions and both were worth what we gave up, but If the team wasn’t going to get a power bat, I don’t understand the moves. The team now has a good enough rotation to compete, and coupled with the fact that middle relief is a crapshoot the pen is strong enough.
Or this one:
I don’t see the point to signing and trading for pitchers in the latter stages of their careers. Trading for rentals was stupid. If we were gonna spend 34 million this season on free agent starting pitching, why not go get CC? He, Jair, and Tommy would be a great 1, 2, 3 for the next few years. I’d rather have CC for the next 7 years and keep our prospects than have Vazquez, Lowe, and KK in their 30’s who won’t help when we’re competitive again.
You once again have contradicted yourself.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2009 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I like the pickup...BUT...
If we were going to stand pat after those moves, they were stupid! If we were going to go all in for this season, I think they were solid moves. We shored up the pitching enough to be competitive now, and didn’t do anything for the offense. It’s not a contradiction, you can like something as a step to fixing the problems the team has but not believe that it’s enough. If a half-hearted band aid was what we were getting, I’d rather see a guy like CC that will still be here and in his prime when our farm graduates to the bigs than to see us sign a guy who will be near 40 and trade for a guy that will be gone. If the moves were complimented by moves to solidify the offense, they’d be great moves. If the big fix for the offense is Garrett Anderson, why spend the money??? We might as well spend it on the draft and on international prospects that may help put a winning team out there someday. We aren’t a good enough team to make the playoffs, and we’re not a mid-season rental away, so why get pitchers on the downside of their career. If Frank brings in a few big bats at the deadline, then the pickups make sense, but if not, they are just a patch on a much bigger problem. They were good moves individually, but don’t make any sense in the context of the off-season as a whole.
You act as if our entire pitching staff is on a 1 year contract.
Go here and read the post by Messenger. He breaks down how long each of these guys are signed for.
FW built this team to be competitive now AND in the future. The trade and signings were not a “We must win NOW” action, but rather a “how can we be competitive now AND in the future?” one. We are only a couple of games back after 5 weeks, so I wouldnt be so quick as you to dismiss this season as a complete loss. This team will come around.
Call me crazy, but I am not so sure that we need that “Big Bat” that everyone is talking about. Think about it. Chipper is playing slightly below his ability right now, McCann was out for a long time, Yunel and KJ are both playing pretty sucky compared to what they have historically done. Our offense is there (look at the last few games and the first few). It just needs to wake up and be more consistent.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2009 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions
"Now and in the future"
I don’t see thes moves as helping us now and in the future. Lowe is 36, and is making 15 million a year for the next four years. Do you honestly think this will be a good investment 3 years from now? Vazquez is making 11.5 million this season and next, following which he will be a free agent. He’s a mid-30’s power pitcher, is it worth keeping him past that? KK is a mid 30’s pitcher who’s best attribute is the fact that MLB batters haven’t seen him. Garrett Anderson is terrible…plain and simple. This was our big off-season. These guys are players that can take a team with a good core like the cubs or mets over the top. Adding these players to a bunch of nice complimentary pieces doesn’t give you a much better team. Vazquez and Lowe have been very good, yet we are still a sub -.500 team. Why? The only guy who isn’t a complimentary piece at this point in his career is McCann, and it’s pretty hard to build a team around a catcher. It would be great if the offense just woke up and started playing at all-star levels, but how realistic is that. Besides Chipper, who is definately in the latter stages of his career, who has shown you in the past that they are a top MLB contributor and just playing poorly? Everyone has shown spurts, but who has shown steady, consistant production at the MLB level? This isn’t a team built to compete now, so why get pitchers meant to fix the rotation now and not touch the lineup?
What you are not realizing is that Lowe has shown no, absolutely NO, regression with age. If anything, he has gotten better!
Vasquez is more than just a power pitcher. He has great stuff.
Yes, we are a sub-.500 team – by a whopping 2 games…in MAY…while our best hitter was out…
We are also only 2.5 games out of the division right now, meaning that we are contenders.
Our team is one full of young players – KJ, Yunel, Kotchman, FYF, Schafer, McCann are all very very young and have yet to reach their peaks. What about this team tells you that they CANT compete?
You are basically saying that standings and results be damned, this team will not compete and is not built to compete now….I fail to see the logic in that statement.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2009 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
This team isn't built to compete now...
What have you ever seen in the lineup this team has that makes you think it’s a legitimate competitor in the NL east? Chipper used to be great, and he is still very good. McCann is a top catcher in the majors. Yunel has alot of upside, but he’s average to above-average at best. KJ is probably below average at second. Kotch is a nice defensive piece, but he’s average at best. Frenchie is a nice story since he’s home grown, but again…average at best. Schafer has a ton of potential, but is well below average at the MLB level at this point. Garrett Anderson might as well stay in the dugout, I don’t know if there is a worse left fielder in all of baseball.
I just don’t understand what you have ever seen from any of these guys that makes you think there is major improvement coming. Sure they could all have career years beginning now. Ryan Howard and Chase Utley could also homer 100 times each. Neither is likely, and niether should be counted on. We’re a sub-.500 ballclub right now, and our pitching has been about as good as we could have hoped. How much better can we hope to perform??? Sure, KJ could wake up and hit .400 beginning tommorow. I could win the lottery too. I wouldn’t coun’t on either.
jeez…i’ll let someone else tear you a new one on this
"When life gives you lemons, just say 'F*ck the lemons,' and bail."
by Bravely going forward on May 10, 2009 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Good god, you and Justin arguing is like 2 retards headbutting each other with their helmets on
"If on-base percentage is so important, then why don't they put it up on the scoreboard?"
President, CEO, and chairman of the Brandon Jones fan club. PLEASE COME BACK! PLEASE COME BACK! PLEASE COME BACK!
hey now
just because i am not letting lose with a string of “fucks” and “nail my penis” phrases and trying to make this guy run home crying doesnt mean it is not a good argument that i am presenting.
last time i checked, stats and facts tend to be winners around here…
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 10, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
+ Infinity
"…aren’t worthy enough to hold his (Pujols) ass cheeks apart while Playboy models wipe him with thousand dollar bills after he craps out the cure to whatever previously-incurable disease." by royhobbs 1/7/09
by buzzdeadwax on May 10, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Yunel, Chipper, KJ and GAnderson are all playing below their career averages right now. The law of averages indicates that this will improve.
We are in a competitive position in the NLE right now, so how can you keep saying we are not in contention???
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 10, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
It's still early
But I watch this team play, and I just don’t see enough to make me think they can compete with the rest of the division.Chipper and Garrett are both probably on the decline of their career’s, I think it’s unrealistic to expect them to perform at their career averages. Yunel and KJ haven’t been around long enough to say for sure that their career averages are legitimate. Jordan has looked terrible, I don’t understand why he’s not in AAA getting some more experience. This team just doesn’t scream contender to me, espescailly since the mets and phills have generally played below expectations for us to still be close.
This team just doesn’t scream contender to me, espescailly since the mets and phills have generally played below expectations for us to still be close.
as have we.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 10, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
The only way we've played below expectations is because some fans have ridiculous expectations
You brought up guys performances versus their career norms, so look at these…
Kotchman career – 271/338/416
Kotchman 2009 – 298/360/462
Kotchman is having a better year than his career numbers by a fair amount…so better than can be reasonably expected
Chipper career – 310/408/547
Chipper 2009 – 294/423/471
Chippers power numbers are the only thing way off of career norms, and that is very reasonable to expect from an aging ballplayer. Performing as expected.
Frenchie career – 269/311/434
Frenchie 2009 – 283/302/425
Pretty close to career average, about what should have been expected
McCann career – 296/359/501
McCann 2009 – 250/373/500
BA is all that is way off of career norms, and you have to think that will revert to being close. Off of what we expected, but david ross has almost cancelled out the loss of production with his 298/411/574 line that is better than Brians career averages
Escobar career – 301/370/420
Escobar 2009 – 286/370/420
About career average, but such a small sample size that it’s hard to say. Very fair to expect this
KJ career – 271/353/437
KJ 2009 – 230/316/402
Below expectations, it’s reasonable to expect more
GA career – 296/327/467
GA 2009 – 191/250/277
Absolutely pathetic numbers so far, but it was ridiculous to expect anything close to career norms from the aging Anderson, espescially in the power dept. I’d expect to see a few more hits from him, but it wasn’t reasonable to expect anything above replacement level out of him in the first place.
I’m going to skip Jordan, as he is a rookie, but he doesn’t look ready to be in a major league lineup. Did anyone really expect him to be a star yet though?
I don’t think anyone’s complained about the pitching not living up to expectations, I’d say they’ve actually surpassed them. So how exactly have the braves failed to play up to expectations?
by kj, yunel, fyf, chipper, mccann and GA playing not only below our expectations of them, but also below the expectations of most scouts, baseball analysts and projectionists.
KJ is a good example. His is having a horrid year at the plate, but he is hitting the ball really well. Those hits will start falling soon
Chipper is looking like FYF circa 2008. I have got to believe that he will pull his head out of his ass and play the way that he has (or at least a lot closer) the past 3 seasons (leading MLB in BA, a great OBP, etc).
McCann is the best hitting catcher in the game. David Ross batting in the 7 hole does NOT replace McCann batting in the 4 and 5 hole (no disrespect to Ross intended).
GA will hit about 14-16 HRs this year and bat around .300 just like he has for the past 4 or 5 seasons. He isnt just going to go from those numbers to .250 and 5 HRs in one season. Sure he is old, but 15 HRs and a .300 BA are his numbers for an old guy…he has regressed to this. This isnt his career norm. This is his regression.
FYF – take away his 2008 season and his career averages go up. it was obvious that something was wrong, very very wrong with him at the plate this past season. and now, he seems to be back at that 2007 level. It is not unreasonable to think that he can keep this type of production up for this entire season.
We have left double-digit men on base in how many games this year?
But go ahead, keep doubting and being a negative nancy. The phills and mets have room for you on their bandwagons.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 10, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
'bout time!
does this mean we are friends now?
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 15, 2009 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I always thought it was a love/hate thing.
Oh and thanks for the link to Centsports, because it pretty much kicks ass.
you are making me money
so the more people I get to sign up the better!
(if you get someone to sign up, you get 5% of their winnings – not subtracted from their total, but rather a bonus paid to me. You get me at least a penny or two every day. :)
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 15, 2009 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Let me ask these questions
Amongst the prospects that we traded away for Tex, who do you see that could be helping Atlanta this year? Which one fills a hole that we currently have?
Andrus? No, I think Yunel has SS on lockdown.
Harrison/Feliz? Nope, I think Medlen, Hanson, Morton, Campillo, and company are enough to contend for the 5th spot in our rotation. Not to mention the likes of Roghborough (SP?) and his friends at the lower level.
Perhaps maybe, Salty? I think McCann has the C spot wrapped up and we have a pretty good backup in Ross. And don’t assume that Salty could just “move to 1B” just like that. We have a very good 1B in Kotchman who is currently (and historically has always) hit better than Salty.
Now what about the Vasquez trade? Is having yet another outstanding catching prospect buried in our system worth not having JV? I think Flowers was a little over-rated to begin with. He had one great fall-ball season and not much else to hang his hat on. I think it was a typical “sell high” for Atlanta. Besides, we still have that McCann guy and that Ross guy to be the receiving half of our batteries.
What’s more, Vasquez has been one of the most dominating (yes, I said dominating) pitchers in the MLB for the past few seasons. He has that “one inning curse” that we like to talk about, but outside of those innings, he is lights out and electric with his ridiculous stuff.
10 out of 10 times, I would make that trade for Tex. Of course, hind-sight is 20/20, but being in that situation, you make that trade every time. What Tex produced for us in the season and a half he was here is greater than what any of those prospects we traded away have done for Texas COMBINED. Not to mention that we got a pretty dang good 1B and P for Tex from the Halos.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
How is depth in the farm system a bad thing?
Do you think SD would say no to that package for Adrian Gonzalez? He’s better than tex, cheap, and not a rental. What other players do you think you could get for that package? Like I said, on it’s own I like the Vazquez trade, but trading for older pitchers doesn’t make any sense if the team isn’t putting it’s offense in a position where it can be competitive. By the time the help comes from the minors to make this team adequate offensively, vazquez will be gone. Trading flowers wasn’t worth a half hearted band-aid. And it’s pretty stupid to say javy has been one of the best pitchers in MLB for the last few years except for that one inning…did he have that inning or not? Was it a fluke, or does he keep having them?
I'd have never made the trade in the first place...
We were 7 games back when the trade was made…I wouldn’t have gone with a trade for a rental. Do you think that package was better than what the mets gave up for johan?
we were 4.5 games back
20 seconds…
Also, you shouldnt call it a “rental”. We had Tex under control for 2 years and had every intention of resigning him (as evidenced by the $18M offer we made).
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2009 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions
We had him fot 1.5 years...
and kept him for 1
Texas offered 8/140 prior to trading him
Why would FW think that would get it done after tex said no to texas?
When did I ever say that depth is a bad thing?
You are the one saying we should deplete our farm completely (as well as some of our MLB roster) for Peavy.
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 9, 2009 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Have you seen them Play??????
If Gonzalez was playing anywhere other than san diego, he’d be one of the biggest names in baseball. He hit .279/36/119 last year in the worst hitters park in the major’s, with the worst lineup in the major’s. Tex hit .308/33/121 with 2 much better lineup in two much better hitter’s parks. Gonzo is younger and cheaper, and is under team control for the next 4 years.
Yeah, well, you’ve been completely wrong on everything else on this post, so way to not break your streak.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
Dude, WTF?!?!
Let me break this down for you…RBI = most important stat in baseball. End of story.
"…aren’t worthy enough to hold his (Pujols) ass cheeks apart while Playboy models wipe him with thousand dollar bills after he craps out the cure to whatever previously-incurable disease." by royhobbs 1/7/09
by buzzdeadwax on May 10, 2009 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions
For whatever it's worth...
Seems like a bunch of complaining. I didn’t read all the posts so forgive me if I’m repeating things.
I’ve been down lately too. I admit that. But when I’m in an “average” mood, I can see this team for what it’s worth.
They are clearly underperforming.Yeah, yeah, whatever about the hitting up to norms. What is a norm anyway? You can’t throw in a person’s career year and their worst year and average out the rest and come up with what is expected. How a player should hit and how they should throw is based on what you EXPECT them do do according to their age, what they have done lately, and a few environmental factors (new team, new league, new position, whatever).
I think it can get really complicated doing an analysis player-by-player so I’m not going to do it, but I’ll throw out a few highlights.
I think Jeff Francouer can do a bit better. He has had a better approach this season so I think he’ll do better as the season goes along. He won’t hit like a RF is supposed to but if he does better than last season, then the Braves will definitely benefit.
I believe Kotchman is capable of a lot more. I think he will have a break out season: Most homers and best average he has ever had. No, he’s not the best first baseman the Braves could ever have or had, but given the entire make up of the team, he isn’t bad.
Not sure about centerfield. It may turn out that Schafer is sent down eventually. With that many strikeouts and with him seemingly swinging for the fences every time up there, he needs some “conditioning” at another level. I’ve seen Chipper take plenty of easy swings to get on base so why can’t Schafer? I have yet to see him EVER put bat on ball. He has been getting walks though but that could be because he is hitting 8th and pitchers aren’t giving him anything to hit. At least he is smart enough to take pitches. I’ll give him that.
Garret Anderson is not horrible. I don’t think he’s that great either but hey, we didn’t get this guy to push this team over the top and into the World Series. Clearly, he is a stop gap, and a guy that fills a position to keep our team from looking like complete FOOLs this season. He’ll come around. .290-.300 with 12-15 homers is not terrible. Look at what he is doing now. No way that he finishes the season like this.
As far as the rest of the team, just continue to perform as expected.
The Braves offense wasn’t bad last year. Didn’t hit many homers but they did finish pretty well in run scored—which isn’t bad playing in Turner Field. So with the additions and if Frenchy can do better than last year, the offense should be okay. Lack of team speed is a serious issue and I’m really not sure why we don’t bring in someone like Tim Raines or Joe Morgan (or whoever was a good base stealer) and teach this team how to get good leads and steal. Virtually anyone can steal a few bases—even the slowest of the slow if they simply learn how to do it.
I can name several lumbering oafs have a few stolen bases in their careers. Adam Dunn has 59 stolen bases and has only been caught 20 times. That’s a 75% career stolen base %. Not bad. By the way, he is batting .310 so far this season. Career year perhaps?
Bunting runners over to me is dumb. That’s an out and a team that relies on hitting singles needs every out because eventually someone is going to make contact. I’d rather try to hit and run every single time someone is on. This team has a lot of guys who can make contact so why not run and swing away??
The only two players in the line up who strike out too much are Franceour and Johnson—which is one big reason why he should be batting 8th not 1st or 2nd!! Despite this, Frenchy can put the bat on the ball with runners on—where it counts. You know it, I know it. Yunel, Chipper, Kotchman, McCann, and Garret Anderson don’t strike out an extraordinary amount. So why not hit and run?
Anyway, I think the team is going to do fine with the offense in the end.
I’m really not worried about making the playoffs. As others have said, this team ain’t built for winning it all. But hey, it’s possible that the team could be playing in October. Why not? Everyone else in the National League has glaring holes and the Braves have a pretty decent starting staff and they tend to finish well with replacements.
That’s the key. Last year they had NO ONE to bring up. This year this team has more weapons. I’m betting Glavine puts in a decent season—not the Glavine of old but good enough for #5. Which would be better: Reyes at 0-8 or Glavine at 4-4? I think he could do it with a 4.50 ERA. Of course we also have Hanson and Medlen just waitin’ to come up as well. Anyone with a sub-2.00 ERA in AAA generally does well in the majors.
Then we have Hudson coming back in August, but even if he doesn’t come back until 2010, that’s okay with me. At least we will have 8 starters to pick from. We can trade whomever we don’t need for some power in the line up.
As far as the bullpen, at least Soriano is doing very well, Gonzales seems to be getting better, and Moylan is coming around. The rest are so-so, but frankly every team has a bullpen at least 2-3 guys who may not belong in the majors. Man, look at the Phillies pitching staff. Yikes. That’s why I think they aren’t going to win squat this year. They just do not have any pitching at all.
We could bring up a pitcher or two to make up for whoever is going to bomb—like Bennett. I’m just waiting for the bottom to drop out. You can’t have a 2+ WHIP and maintain a 2.20 ERA for long. Anyway, how would it look with Soriano, Gonzales, Moylan, and Medlen? Pretty sweet huh?
AT LEAST WE NO LONGER HAVE BOYER ANYMORE! THANK GOD! What the hell was Bobby thinking in ST this year???
Now with all that… I haven’t even gotten to the defense. This team does not seem to have any serious liabilities in the field. Not many spectacular players but plenty of guys who don’t make big mistakes. Man, look at the Mets. What is with David Wright?
So all in all, I think this team COULD win the division. I’m not counting on it, but if everything works out well, if we even get average seasons from everyone, the team could do it. 85-90 wins perhaps? Remember: Do not look at this team now and think 85-90 wins—look at the team we could have in a month or two (see above).
Who knows, maybe this team will end up making a trade or two to shore up some positions. Potentially, the Braves could trade Johnson since he is wearing out his welcome since we have Prado. Yeah, whatever about the supersub designation. We need hitting in the line up and this guy is so impressive, I just can’t see him being out of the line up. He can hit! Could potentially trade Franceour but I doubt it will happen—but you never know. We have a few AAA pitchers combined with Johnson & Frenchy, could make for an interesting trade or two. We really need a guy in the middle of this line up to shore things up. If that happened, I would put Escobar at #1 then Kotchman or Prado at #2.
Escobar
Prado/Kotchman
Chipper
(Trade)
G Anderson
McCann
Kotchman/Prado
Schafer
Pitcher
Then what do we do about Chipper when he goes out? Eh… Don’t know… ;-)
-----
Braves Fan Since 1982. Go Braves!
"All opinions welcome..."
Too much. I didn’t even read it all…
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
I got to the "sorry if this was already said" part
and skipped the rest…
Penis
by justincredubil02 on May 15, 2009 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions
and you know… I don’t really care… I stick to the “if a tree falls in the forest…” thing…
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Braves Fan Since 1982. Go Braves!
"All opinions welcome..."
you dont care so much
that you decided to tell us all how much you just dont care. In fact, you dont care so much that you decided to take the time to respond about how little you care by posting a reply about how much you dont care.
"Actually, Justin was right."
by bigjoe on May 15, 2009 9:04 AM PDT
by justincredubil02 on May 16, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
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