Atlanta Braves Fan Confidence Poll

by gondeee on May 23, 2011 1:00 PM EDT

If it's Monday, then it's the Atlanta Braves Fan Confidence Poll. As always, 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, but mainly the team's general playing ability on the field. The poll will close in 24 hours, so get your vote in now!

Poll

On a scale of 1-to-10, with 10 being "100 percent confident," and 1 being "no confidence at all," how confident are you in the Atlanta Braves organization?

10

28 votes

9

43 votes

8

149 votes

7

338 votes

6

287 votes

5

133 votes

4

81 votes

3

34 votes

2

13 votes

1

46 votes

1152 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 88 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

8

The only thing that worries me is Fredi. Our depth is proving to be very good with both our bench and our minor league system. The stars are the stars and even though some are struggling, they will bounce back.

Fredi is a big concern though.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on May 23, 2011 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with score and reasons.

Their is no justifying his in game decision making at a few points already. I won’t say he’s terrible, as he probably needs a full season to prove himself, but so far I’m not impressed.

"One thing I’ve learned as a Phillies fan is that a lot of people hate our team and its fans."-commenter on The Good Phight

by Chipper Pwns on May 23, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah he still does the opposite of what I think is the right decision… sometimes it costs us, sometimes it works out… but they’re going to add up eventually. Also Uggla should not start this week… OR at least bat 7th or 8th

by SuperHeyward on May 23, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

8

We’re hitting like absolute dogshit and we’re still above .500…

That being said, losing 2/3 of our outfield and our best all-around offensive player is worrisome. Having Mather and Hinske as fulltime position players in important OF positions like CF and RF is scary.

The lack of team speed is starting to weigh us down like an anchor. Too many LOBsters. Nobody that can take an extra base on a base hit, requiring us to have 3 hits in a row just to score. Our team is just like last year’s team without the 9th inning comebacks.

by TBuzz on May 23, 2011 1:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I voted 8, but was tempted to vote 7 because I’m still irritated about Gearrin being sent back down.

Chicks dig the long ball.

DOB: Did you ever hit balls as hard as Jason Heyward does?
Chipper: Is that possible?

by kimrob1 on May 23, 2011 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

Gearrin needs to be back as soon as possible, he was pretty good.

"Bunting's my favorite." Fredi G

by bighop on May 23, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, that made no sense to me.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on May 23, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Did you have another BP guy with options available in mind??

-C

It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?

by cthabeerman on May 23, 2011 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

No, but I have one in mind that should be cut entirely.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on May 23, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

hear hear

by Santaklose11 on May 23, 2011 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s not going to happen less than two months into the season, so you’re just going to have to be patient.

-C

It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?

by cthabeerman on May 23, 2011 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Holding at a 7

after being an 8 since before last week’s poll.

CEO and Founder of the Hire Bill Cowher for 2012 Bandwagon.
Pack your bags, TS and JI.

by DolphinNation on May 23, 2011 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

8

Fredi sucks. Heyward, McLouth, Chipper, Hudson, Beachy and Moylan are out or questionable. But we have good pitching and hanging close. I expect Wren will bring in whatever help we really need. He doesn’t sit on his hands too long when a move is needed.

"Bunting's my favorite." Fredi G

by bighop on May 23, 2011 1:46 PM EDT reply actions

A short-term fix…or a Justin Upton-caliber move?

OK…maybe that’s just a wish…

by TBuzz on May 23, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

No clue

I’m just remembering how he surprised everybody with D Lee last year. And McLouth the year before.

"Bunting's my favorite." Fredi G

by bighop on May 23, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Unless its a super-utility player, the only positions where a trade would play would be 3B, SS, and CF…

by TBuzz on May 23, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Julio Lugo

was not what I had in mind!

"Bunting's my favorite." Fredi G

by bighop on May 23, 2011 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I dropped from 8 to 7 purely because Cory Gearrin didn’t deserve to be sent down while certain other relievers I won’t name aren’t pulling their own weight.

"I should have followed Rhyno's advice..." Mr. Sanchez 06/18/2010

by Rhyno18 on May 23, 2011 1:48 PM EDT reply actions

+90

Chicks dig the long ball.

DOB: Did you ever hit balls as hard as Jason Heyward does?
Chipper: Is that possible?

by kimrob1 on May 23, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Where the heck have you been???

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on May 23, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Twitter

All the cool kids are doing it

"I should have followed Rhyno's advice..." Mr. Sanchez 06/18/2010

by Rhyno18 on May 23, 2011 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions

bleh.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on May 23, 2011 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions

lol, I should clarify that I’m on Twitter instead of game threads mostly these days. Other than that, my job has been really intense this year and I just don’t have a lot of time for internet browsing and message board arguing :)

"I should have followed Rhyno's advice..." Mr. Sanchez 06/18/2010

by Rhyno18 on May 24, 2011 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions

The suckage of the Braves’ minor league depth is about to make its presence felt. 7 this week, down one.

by CharlotteChop on May 23, 2011 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

position players – not pitchers.

by CharlotteChop on May 23, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Joe Mather

is likely going to stick. I’m hoping Wilkin Ramirez follows suit…

by TBuzz on May 23, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Mather so far, but I meant Young, Shafer, etc (whoever is filling the bench roles with Heyward and McLouth on the mend). Hopefully Ramirez pans out.

by CharlotteChop on May 23, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

9

Where are all the Mather bashers, now? Have faith, the Braves will be fine.

by TomahawkGuy on May 23, 2011 2:06 PM EDT reply actions

Still a 9.

The Braves have performed better than the Phillies this month despite the offense’s suckage: 13-8 compared to the Phillies’ 10-10 record.

Also, the real Dan Uggla can stand up any day now! 49 games in and he’s still hitting <.200.

Reds, please trash the Phillies this week.

I'm a former CTU agent, so don't f--k with me!

by TonyAlmeyda on May 23, 2011 2:19 PM EDT reply actions

I think our success will be directly tied to Dan Uggla’s bat. Once he gets going, i think we’ll really take off. So, whenever you’re ready Dan…..

Coming soon: winningugly visits Atlanta, takes dump in royhobbs’ Braves hat.

by 10-4 on May 23, 2011 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions

7 down from an 8

These injury woes scare me. We need to be winning while the Phils are struggling. We aren’t doing a very good job of that.

DON'T GO TO SLEEP EARLY OR JEFF FRANCOEUR WILL HAUNT YOUR DREAMS AND LOWER YOUR OBP. - Scott

by BullManUGA on May 23, 2011 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed on 7.

Our lack of solid hitting depth and struggling batters are really not helping our solid pitching. Uggla will break out of it eventually, but he is one game from having an OPS below .600. That’s just not something we can absorb with injuries mounting. Maybe he should take a small break. Luckily we are off today.

by BBJ on May 23, 2011 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I went with a 6

I’m starting to face reality a little bit. Guys just aren’t hitting, and who knows when they will turn it around. Dan Uggla has been a bigger disappointment then I imagined. I expect a big slump, but this is just incredible. How can you go from hitting like .287 to like .185? He’s lost .100 points on his average and has shown no signs of getting it together, just a few HRs here and there. I can only hope he gets it together at some point. Luckily we didn’t give this guy a huge contract…oh wait

So many guys are hurt now. Heyward literally just lays hurt the whole time anymore. Now McLouth is out to go along with Moylan and Beachy, not to mention Hudson who will miss his next start and Chipper who could be on the DL at any time.

The only thing the Braves have going for them right now is that the only team hitting worse then the Braves is the Phillies.

by shaneslone on May 23, 2011 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

Dude, I’m sure I’ve probably taken you out of context…but please explain. Yes, Uggla had struggled so far at the plate, but he’s more than earned his keep in the field. To judge a 5 year contract by the first 2 months is kind of silly.

As for Heyward, “laying hurt the whole time” is borderline calling him a primadonna. The fact that he tries to play thru everything is why he’s where he’s at on the DL. Give me that kind of player instead of a Hanley Ramirez/BJ Upton type any day of the year…

by TBuzz on May 23, 2011 3:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Is Heyward really playing though it though? I mean they’ve said time and again nothing major is wrong with his shoulder. I’m not in his body, so I don’t know what kind of pain he’s in, but playing hurt is part of sports. Also I was also just more pointing out his general inability to stay healthy. I know he’s a young guy but he’s already had so many little injuries. He was hurt last year, and then this year first it was his back that was hurting, now his shoulder. It’s just really frustrating.

Also I while I hope Uggla is going to turn it around, a lot of time guys get big money and then sudden they end up being not nearly worth it. Just today I believe it came out that the Mets owner was openly regretting the big money they gave Carlos Beltran. Now Beltran has had injury issues, but again there are dozens of guys out there who where given big contracts and never lived up to them. I just hope Uggla doesn’t turn out that way, because you don’t sign a guy to a 5 year $62 million dollar contract (the highest in major league history for a 2nd baseman) for their glove, I don’t care how good it is.

by shaneslone on May 23, 2011 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Inflammation isn’t just some little thing. I had labrum surgery last year and while I recovered from the surgery itself, the inflammation is what caused me to stop playing. Inflammation is extremely painful and takes some time to go down, it doesn’t just happen over night.

by GreatestEver on May 23, 2011 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe he is too hurt to play, again like I said I’m not in his body. My larger point though is he is a really young guy but he has already had several nagging injuries. I just hope he can either A)Get healthy and stay that way or B)Learn to manage the pain and play though it. The guys has limitless potential but he doesn’t do the Braves any good if he’s on the bench or the DL for long stretches.

by shaneslone on May 23, 2011 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Solid 7

Pitching better than I thought, hitting worse than I thought.
Defense better than I thought, coaching worse than I thought.

Injuries are definitely starting to concern me. I’ll get really worried when Conrad starts showing up in the starting lineup.

Hope we can keep it together and stay in this thing leading up to the all-star break.

by jacket15 on May 23, 2011 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

sitting at 7

Tempted to go 6, but after Wilpon’s comments almost jumped up to 10

by Texastriplecrown on May 23, 2011 4:30 PM EDT reply actions

4

only bc we hired Fredi Gonzalez…

He wasnt good enough for the Marlins, why would we think he could handle the Braves?

by Bravos02 on May 23, 2011 4:53 PM EDT reply actions

You think that, on the whole, this is a below-average organization?

That is, between our front office, minor league system, on-field talent, scouting department, and everything else—we’re somehow worse than half of the teams in the majors?

by Ivan the Great on May 23, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

no

it was sarcasm and suppose to be a huge knock on how awful Fredi is…

by Bravos02 on May 23, 2011 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Please stop making stupid comments

and then when you are questioned about them, you say it was sarcasm.

Moderator on Talking Chop=Best Birth Control Ever~HeyJude

by HEYJUDE on May 23, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

it was sarcasm

and I would love to read something interesting that you have written (that wasnt sarcasm)

by Bravos02 on May 23, 2011 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Not cool.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on May 23, 2011 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Sarcasm is saying things that are obviously not true, for humor value.

For example, “Joe Morgan is full of insight,” or “That Victorino guy sure is swell and totally did not kick that puppy.”

If your statement is sarcastic, which part isn’t true? I could see it being sarcastic in that you were making fun of everyone who dislikes Fredi by saying, again, humorously, “Oh boy, I totally voted as low as a four solely due to Fredi’s existence near my favorite baseball team.” But, given that you meant it to be a “huge knock” on Fredi, I don’t think that’s the case. So, I’m confused—if it’s sarcasm, do you hate Fredi, or don’t you?

by Ivan the Great on May 23, 2011 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

the part that isnt true...

I think the Braves are one of the finer organizations in baseball, maybe in all major sports. The sarcasm was they would go down to a 4 because of a bad hire. Things like this happen to every type of organization…

That was the sarcastic part.

by Bravos02 on May 23, 2011 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess that’s why we have the sarcasm font. I apologize for any negative reactions I had to your post, I did not realize that it was meant to be mocking of those whose hate for Fredi knows no bounds. Carry on.

by Ivan the Great on May 23, 2011 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Or “Posey was safe.”

by jacket15 on May 23, 2011 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions

this is why

the poll is pointless. sure those of us who comment are the ones that take the time to weigh the entire formula, but for the most part we get people coming on here who are freaking out that we lost 4 of 5 on this road trip, so the overall score will simply go up after winning weeks, and down after losing weeks, when in reality the past week of W/L should have little effect on the confidence of the fans.

"Welcome to the show, Brandon Beachy. I think you’re going to stay a while." - Dave Cameron

by abraves257 on May 23, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

for some it’s; “What have you done lately” mentality. So darn frustrating…..

Moderator on Talking Chop=Best Birth Control Ever~HeyJude

by HEYJUDE on May 23, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Once again,

the lunatic fringe has demoted Uggla, released Linebrink and Sherrill (again), and fired Fredi.

by TBuzz on May 23, 2011 5:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yep

Why I haven’t voted in one yet this season. And won’t.

I do come and read the comments though. :-)

"In the happy moments, praise God. In the difficult moments, seek God. In the quiet moments, trust God. In every moment, thank God." - Robert A. Wood

by NCChopper on May 24, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

“Wasn’t good enough for the Marlins”

?????

by TBuzz on May 23, 2011 4:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

yea?

why are you questioning that?

by Bravos02 on May 23, 2011 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Had nothing to do with performance...

by TBuzz on May 23, 2011 5:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Except it was performance. Fredi never sniffed the playoffs. Keeping a team at .500 isn’t a accomplishment (don’t give me payroll, plenty of teams with low payroll have overachieved before). The most damning thing is how the Marlins were better after Fredi got fired and are even better this year. If Edwin Rodriguez can out manage you…..

by Ultada on May 23, 2011 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

The marlins

strength has always been their farm system. the team is successful when those prospects get to the big leagues and shine for a year or two before being dumped for more prospects. Edwin got lucky that he takes over a team that has all these young stars finally having breakout years.

"Welcome to the show, Brandon Beachy. I think you’re going to stay a while." - Dave Cameron

by abraves257 on May 23, 2011 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Except Edwin also managed those prospects better last year than Fredi.

by Ultada on May 23, 2011 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Fredi won morenames in 2009 than Bobby did.

Now, since people here are reluctant to admit that Jeff Loria circumvented his GM and fired Fredi over the benching of Hanley Ramirez for loafing after a kicked ball…just to fit their own agendas on who we should hire/fire…

Until the next 5 game losing streak, at qhich point we’ll fire the next guy. THAT’S EXACTLY how teams attract top talent!!

by TBuzz on May 23, 2011 5:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Fredi won more games in 2009 than Bobby did.

Until the next 5 game losing streak, at qhich point we’ll fire the next guy. THAT’S EXACTLY how teams attract top talent!!

by TBuzz on May 23, 2011 5:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

So? Will you be satisfied if he manages a good Sept. after our team is already out of it?

by Ultada on May 23, 2011 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Look, I’m not arguing against your crystal ball…

I choose not to be one of those people who think our guys can’t play up to their talent, including the manager, because they haven’t in their last 50 games. Their track records would suggest otherwise…

by TBuzz on May 23, 2011 6:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

LMAO

Your right Super Fredi, taking down the wizardry of Bobby Cox in 2009…

Super Fredi finishing 6 games behind the Phillies: Super Job
Super Fredi finishing 5 games behind in the Wild Card: Super Job

But what really make Fredi a super manager in 2009? Is amazing accomplishment of having a better season the Bobby Cox, how many games did he out manage Bobby by; 10, 5, 4, 3? No, Super Fredi finished one game ahead of Bobby Cox that year…

Im still looking into how Super Fredi didnt mean the manager of the year award (could you feel the sarcasm on that) or do I still need to boarder it by “@?”

by Bravos02 on May 23, 2011 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions

nothing to do with his performance?

Sure a major league organization fired their leader because he benched a player that acted like a child. You would have a better argument if he was fired for not benching Hanley.

He was fired because he lost the club house, no player would listen to him. That and he had a below .500 record in sunny so fla. in three years.

by Bravos02 on May 23, 2011 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't care who is managing the Braves

if you can’t score runs you’re going to lose. The fact of the mater is the team isn’t hitting, and they damn sure aren’t hitting with RISP. How many times have the Braves had RISP with less then 2 outs and not score a single run?

This team is 21st in the majors in batting average, 23rd in OBP, and 19th in slugging, and only 5 teams have struck out more then the Braves. That’s not going to get the job done. Fredi isn’t the one going 0/4 or striking out with the bases loaded, it’s on the player right now.

by shaneslone on May 23, 2011 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com

by duwanis on May 23, 2011 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions

So every time a team isn't hitting

they should just fire the coach? Fredi is just an easy scapegoat so people don’t have to deal with the fact that this team isn’t hitting anywhere near expectations. If they where scoring 5 runs a game and losing on bone head manger moves that’s one thing, but when you are losing 9-0, 2-1, 4-1 and can only muster 5 or 6 hits you’ve got bigger problems. Hell even when they get like 17 hits or whatever they still only scored 5 runs. Outside of about 2 weeks at the end of April beginning of May the team hasn’t hit well. They’ve been getting by on excellent pitching.

If people want to call for anyone to get fired it should be the hitting coach, because as much as many liked to trash TP the braves hit quite a bit better season with mostly the same teams as this year. Personally I don’t think anyone needs to be fired I just think guys need to start hitting somewhere near expectations.

by shaneslone on May 23, 2011 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Wait wait wat, what?

I was just making a playful image-based reference to this:

The fact of the mater is the team isn’t hitting, and they damn sure aren’t hitting with RISP.

Most people use statistics the way a drunk would use a lamppost—for support, and not for illumination.
www.duwanis.com

by duwanis on May 24, 2011 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Love the anonymous 1s...

Not new I know, but funny how it screws up the Normal distribution…

by TBuzz on May 23, 2011 4:55 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Thus, my comment above ^ ^ ^ ^

"In the happy moments, praise God. In the difficult moments, seek God. In the quiet moments, trust God. In every moment, thank God." - Robert A. Wood

by NCChopper on May 24, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

6 because our offense sucks atm

We need our bats to get going badly!

by TCfromDubVee on May 23, 2011 5:22 PM EDT reply actions

10 because it makes me feel better.

by BeatTehMets on May 23, 2011 5:28 PM EDT reply actions

This

I love it!

Moderator on Talking Chop=Best Birth Control Ever~HeyJude

by HEYJUDE on May 23, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

7

just because

by Erihury on May 23, 2011 5:55 PM EDT reply actions

Nate to the DL

Jordan Schafer meeting the team in Pittsburg

"Bunting's my favorite." Fredi G

by bighop on May 23, 2011 6:03 PM EDT reply actions

I'm down to a 6 from 7. Would like to give 6.5.

Fredi’s boneheaded moves and Uggla’s atrociousness not withstanding, there are three organizational concerns:

1. Heyward’s been in the majors for just over a year and he’s already succumbed to numerous nagging injuries which seem to debilitate him for an extended period of time. If our replacement for Chipper and organizational backbone can’t stay healthy we’re in trouble. I know it’s early in his career and he may very well grow out of it, though so far it is a bit disturbing.

2. There is an utter paucity of even average major league prospects (except Pastornicky) at the higher levels.

3. Organizational baserunning (all the minor league teams combined) is probably just about the worst in the major leagues (from baseball referece) we are last in SB% and 25th in overall SB. These totals combined with the atrocious baserunning performance of the major league team leads me to take away the possibility that baserunning, particulalry SB is being neglected entirely throughout the organization.

by fylr71 on May 23, 2011 6:48 PM EDT reply actions

This is nitpicky since your post is otherwise well-thought-out and intelligent, but you do mean major league position player prospects, right? Or are you very low on Delgado, Minor, et al?

by Ivan the Great on May 23, 2011 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Oops should’ve put in hitting prospects! I think the minor league pitching depth is excellent.

by fylr71 on May 23, 2011 6:56 PM EDT reply actions

8

Same as always, same as spring training.

We have the best pitching staff in baseball and our hitting will come around. Only question mark is our manager…. Man, I wish Bobby would have stayed around for a few more years.

by Fatvirus on May 23, 2011 7:38 PM EDT reply actions