The Nate McLouth trade gives the Atlanta Braves Fan Confidence Rating a boost

by gondeee on Jun 8, 2009 9:05 AM EDT

Just a week ago the confidence of Atlanta Braves fans was at the lowest point of the season -- a pitiful 53% confidence in the team. But the Braves' management knows when to make a move and they did that last week by acquiring Nate McLouth from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a collection of expendable minor leaguers. Despite the bad news about the release of Tom Glavine, the McLouth trade and the announcement that Tommy Hanson would finally make his first major league start has boosted the fan confidence to 70%.

The confidence rating has not been that high since the first week of the season, which shows the kind of renewed optimism Atlanta fans now have in their team. But moves alone will not keep that confidence level high. If the team cannot translate their good sqad on paper to wins on the field, then this confidence rating will once again work its way back down.

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The Atlanta Braves Fan Confidence Poll is posted every Friday right here on Talking Chop. Voting stays open for 48, and results are announced on Monday.

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time to give up on Jeff

I doubt I’m alone in feeling this is the week Wren needs to remove Jeff Francoeur from the major league roster whether it means a demotion to Gwinnett or a trade. If it doesn’t happen by Friday, mine and many others’ confidence ratings are going back down.

by redwards95 on Jun 8, 2009 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

I love what the Braves are doing, but there is still that huge black hold that is FYF. Management has been making moves but haven’t addressed RF.

I’m not saying that my rating goes down, just cause they’ve made some really solid moves lately. But it might if they continue to keep Francoeur in RF and batting 5th or 6th. All he has is that great arm, so maybe turn him into a reliever. Kinda the opposite of what the Cards have done with Ankiel.

by Sparhawk on Jun 8, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know how much longer I can watch the Braves on TV with Francoeur in the lineup. Makes me want to vomit every time he comes up. I’m going to sue him if I start going into convulsions and get taken to the hospital. I may just check the boxscore after the game and stop watching until he’s gone from the team.

"Concepcion Rodriguez is still one of my favorite players and has an outside shot to be the guy that mans left field for us in a few years." yondaime4

by BravesFan on Jun 8, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

LMAO

drastic, anyone? It is just one guy, but yeah 90% of the time he doesn’t deliver, and needs to go. The sooner the better. Kind of like David Ortiz, sort of, except I’m pretty sure Frenchy was never on the roids.

"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 Jun 8, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

hmmm roids you say? It would be great if FYF turned up positive for PEDs and gets suspended 50 games. Problem solved and Braves don’t pay his salary.

by BravesFan on Jun 8, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's something to chew on:

If the Braves are releasing players for “performance reasons,” then what the HELL is Jeff Francoeur still doing on this team?

Oh, Bobby.

by sdp on Jun 8, 2009 11:09 AM EDT reply actions

look for this....

when kotchman comes off of the dl, john francoeur, some way, some how, will be gone. diaz is hitting the ball well, and at least deserves a look if we cant acquire something for john francoeur. after seeing wren let loose of glavine, john francoeur’s time will come. i will be surprised if he is on the team by wednesday of next week. any lineup without john francoeur is an upgrade. personally, upon kotchman’s return, i would like to see this lineup:

mclouth
escobar (who has cut down on the gidp’s lately)
chipper
mccann
kotchman
diaz
kj
g. anderson (or any other corpse we can trot out to left)

some people might suggest mclouth at leadoff is a waste of his power. i will say this: escobar has never looked comfortable leading off. kj is way too streaky to bat leadoff. mclouth is a consistent bat with pop and speed that gives our lineup a chance to score first which is extremely vital in baseball. hopefully, there is someone out there that would be willing to trade us a decent outfielder for john francoeur and a prospect, but they would have to be on some form of hallucinogen.

by ryan c on Jun 8, 2009 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

Did I miss something?

I don’t get the John Francoeur thing

by Fischerking on Jun 8, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Me either. But I do agree that if Frank Wren had the balls to cut the icon Tom Glavine, then Jeff Francoeur’s days with the major league club are numbered. I honestly would like to see him demoted to the minors rather than released or traded, who knows, he could turn it around down there. The potential is there, we’ve seen it before… it just somehow magically disappeared.

by BigG1392 on Jun 8, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Escobar’s numbers are better in the leadoff spot (.309/.371/.428 over 358 PA) than the second spot (.293/.363/.413 over 591 PA). I’d say he’s plenty comfortable there.

by VictorW on Jun 8, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

You people with your facts.

Leave him to his opinions! : P

by McGriff the Crime Dog on Jun 8, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't go so far as to call McLouth consistent yet...

’08 OPS splits:
May: .920
June: .621
July: .931
August: .618
September: .885

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 8, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

what about Prado?

Can we platoon him with Diaz and KJ?? I think he has earned lots of playing time.

by typodemon on Jun 8, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I still can't believe we got him......totally out of "left field"........MAJOR plus

"The people are … hard to leave, but I lost a lot of games there and that’s hard to do as an athlete," he said. "When you talk about winning, the Atlanta Braves are one of the top organizations that come to mind. To be a part of it is something special."
- Nate McClouth

"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 Jun 8, 2009 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

my bad...

he’s so insignificant, his name slips my mind. his name is jeff? oh…i mistook him for a john….the kind you shit in.

sorry for not doing my research on escobar leading off. he has put up good numbers. my gut was wrong.

by ryan c on Jun 8, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions

but no, I agree

The “vibe” given off by Escobar is that he hits better with men already on. Batting Yunel lead-off is……….not the best approach, imo, regardless of numbers.

"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 Jun 8, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions