Talking Chop: FanShots

Minor league moves.

2009-07-05T04:43:22Z

Minor league moves.

Highlights:

Isaiah Ka'aihue released.

Kevin Gunderson to AAA Gwinnett

Rudy Darrow activated, replaces Gunderson at AA Mississippi.

Deunte Heath Demoted to AA Mississippi.

Buster Olney muses wildly about the Braves and potential trade partners

2009-07-04T17:04:07Z

Buster Olney muses wildly about the Braves and potential trade partners

If I did this kind of thing I would get lambasted for rosterbating. Most of it is far-fetched. MLBTR has a bullet point recap here.

The Braves "might be inclined to take a look at" Jose Guillen. The Royals would love to discuss...

2009-07-04T15:56:49Z

The Braves "might be inclined to take a look at" Jose Guillen. The Royals would love to discuss Yunel Escobar.

Why? He's not good and is owed a fortune!

DOB says something is afoot

2009-07-03T20:47:56Z

DOB says something is afoot

An hour long meeting between Bobby and Frank, eh? I don't think it would have taken then an hour to decide to DL KJ and call up Conrad.

DOB's speculation is that Vazquez could be dealt(for an impact bat we would control for longer than just this year), or that Yunel is close to being moved.

Jayson Stark says we're stuck with FYF

2009-07-03T18:57:04Z

Jayson Stark says we're stuck with FYF

From Jayson Stark's latest Rumblings and Grumblings post:

• Frenchy toast: Here's how one front-office man describes the Braves' efforts to export Jeff Francoeur: "They're trying to peddle him everywhere. They're calling people all over baseball. But nobody's biting. Right now, he's about as ugly as he can get offensively. He's the kind of guy we'd think about taking a gamble on over the winter -- if he gets non-tendered and you could take him for a very low base. But right now, I think they're stuck with him."

/facepalm

A year ago today, July 3rd, 2008, Jeff Francoeur was sent to AA Mississippi. "I do not agree with...

2009-07-03T18:14:19Z

A year ago today, July 3rd, 2008, Jeff Francoeur was sent to AA Mississippi. "I do not agree with this, but I have to do what I have to do," Francoeur told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in a text message that morning. "This has really put a damper on my relationship with the Atlanta Braves."

At the time of his demotion, Francoeur had an OPS of .662. Today, July 3rd, 2009, Francoeur has an OPS of .628.

Send him back, Frank!

Kelly Johnson to the DL

2009-07-03T17:10:44Z

Kelly Johnson to the DL

I knew last night Brooks Conrad was going up to Atlanta. Now we know who's spot he's taking.

Heyward, Freeman, Palica Promoted to Mississippi!

2009-07-03T05:13:10Z

Heyward, Freeman, Palica Promoted to Mississippi!

The Sun News has confirmed rumors surrounding the blogosphere that Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman have been promoted to Double-A Mississippi:

Stat of the Game | 3 That's the number of Pelicans who were informed following the game they have been promoted to the Atlanta Braves double-A affiliate in Pearl, Miss. First baseman Freddie Freeman, outfielder Jason Heyward and lefthanded pitcher Tommy Palica are all moving up to the Mississippi Braves. They are being replaced today by three players from low-A Rome.

Hanson named top NL rookie for June

2009-07-03T05:00:45Z

Hanson named top NL rookie for June

First month in the majors? Best rookie in the league.

25% OF SURVEYED NON-BRAVES SAID THEY WOULD LIKE TO PLAY FOR BOBBY COX, MAKING HIM THE MOST POPULAR...

2009-07-02T17:43:25Z

25% OF SURVEYED NON-BRAVES SAID THEY WOULD LIKE TO PLAY FOR BOBBY COX, MAKING HIM THE MOST POPULAR MANAGER.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0907/mlb.most.popular.managers/content.1.html

Aroldis (Albertin) Chapman Defects from Cuba

2009-07-02T16:06:06Z

Aroldis (Albertin) Chapman Defects from Cuba

21 year old LHP Aroldis Chapman defects from Cuba. Not exactly a Braves' story but its news.

The annual Ultimate Sports Teams list, which ranks teams based on how well they "give back to the...

2009-07-02T15:03:45Z

The annual Ultimate Sports Teams list, which ranks teams based on how well they "give back to the fans in exchange for all the time, money and emotion the fans invest in them," ranked the Braves 27th overall. The Atlanta Falcons came in at 43rd, The Atlanta Hawks landed at 80th and the Atlanta Thrashers placed 108th.

ESPN: Braves are Atlanta’s best (Atlanta Business Chronicle)
Neat. I'm surprised we're higher than the Falcons, what with the South being retarded for football. I mean, jeez, I've gotten two fantasy football invites already -- is football starting up again already?

ST. LOUIS — A new billboard debuting in St. Louis asks for "dietary disaster" warning labels to be p...

2009-07-02T00:23:21Z

ST. LOUIS — A new billboard debuting in St. Louis asks for "dietary disaster" warning labels to be put on hot dogs served at Busch Stadium and other Major League Baseball stadiums.

Non profit to sponsor billboard condemning hotdogs

I wonder if this kid thinks this about Frenchy now. Picture caption: Back in October 2005, Camp...

2009-07-01T22:14:16Z

I wonder if this kid thinks this about Frenchy now.

Picture caption:
Back in October 2005, Camp Creek Elementary teacher Sarah Swingle asked her class to write something about Jeff Francoeur, who attended the school as a boy, and here's what student Archie Clark had to say about his future presidential hopeful, Frenchy.

Cole Rohrbough- Next chapter in life probably not baseball?

2009-07-01T22:00:49Z

Cole Rohrbough- Next chapter in life probably not baseball?

According to sources who are friends with Cole Rohrbough on facebook this afternoon, Rohrbough's facebook status updates this afternoon following a rough outing today read:

Cole Rohrbough is ready for the next chapter in his life, probly not including baseball, FML!!!

Cole Rohrbough at 1:58pm July 1It's cuz I can't pitch good to save my life right now and I'm over it

This comes following giving up 5 runs in 5.2 IP today.

I kind of don't like posting this, because it's sort of a private thing, but it's the sort of thing that is going to get around anyways if there's any truth to it.

The Braves love lefthanded pitching, and word in Latin America is that they like Dominican power...

2009-07-01T18:02:30Z

The Braves love lefthanded pitching, and word in Latin America is that they like Dominican power lefty Edgar Ferreira this year. Scouts have called Ferreira's asking price exorbitant, but he has a chance to push seven figures with his bonus. The Braves are active in Panama again after signing Panamanian catcher Christian Bethancourt last year for $600,000. They have also been connected to Venezuelan shortstop Humberto Valor, though there's no clear leader for his services.

Baseball America previews the international free agent signing period
We should know by the end of the day or tomorrow who the Braves signed. There seem to be a lot more team in the mix this year than there normally are.

Esco packing his bags???

2009-07-01T14:17:47Z

Esco packing his bags???

Buster Olney had this to say in his blog today:

"1. Yunel Escobar started on the bench for the fourth straight game, largely because of injury and perhaps also because of the team's frustration with him, as David O'Brien writes. Heard this: The Braves are willing to trade Escobar for a good hitter right now."

Wow. If they move Escobar, they are almost guaranteed to be getting a BIG bat in return. Esco is no slouch with the bat, and his skill with the glove is incredible. It is his immaturity that makes him available. He has a great contract (for a team) and is locked up for about 4 or 5 more years....yes, this could bring back quite a haul! (If, of course, it is true...)

Afterward, Braves manager Bobby Cox said Prado would be the starting second baseman over slumping...

2009-07-01T04:16:36Z

Afterward, Braves manager Bobby Cox said Prado would be the starting second baseman over slumping Kelly Johnson

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/06/30/phillies_braves.html

Ok, you little girls got what you wanted. Stop complaining.

Q&A with Tyler Flowers

2009-06-30T20:49:54Z

Q&A with Tyler Flowers

Our old buddy T-Flow talks with Baseball Digest. He discusses leaving Atlanta, among other things. He was a tough guy to give up, but Javier Vazquez has been worth every penny (and should have about 5 more wins than he currently does if not for our inept offense).

Braves Minor League Manager Flipping Out

2009-06-30T19:20:36Z

Braves Minor League Manager Flipping Out

This has been going around the web today. It is our own Randy Ingle wilin' out on this ump. I think somewhere along the line our minor league managers got the idea that this is how you get to the show. I personally will do nothing to disabuse them of this idea, because I am not more in favor of anything in the world then a good manager flip out.

And just for nostalgia sakes, the day Phillip Wellman changed the face of manager tirades. The rosin bag grenade remains the greatest move ever.