2009 Atlanta Braves

[Speedy]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

I've said from day 1 that Schafer should be playing in AAA this year as he didn't even play above AA ball last year and even so struggled, barely hitting about .250 in 80+ games...

If there's any minor leaguer I'd like to have a shot, it's Gorkys Hernandez - awesome defense (better than Schafer - Jordan still hasn't learned how to play the ball off the wall), he's raking in AA ball and has good speed. Plus, he's a RH bat which Atlanta needs.

[p_rushing]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Jordan still hasn't learned how to play the ball off the wall

I cringe whenever he goes toward the wall. He thinks he can catch everything before it hits the wall. Then he just watches it bounce off the wall as it goes right past him or he crashes into the wall.

[Kohlstar20]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

As much as I hate to say this we should have taken a gamble on Andruw Jones. He is playing very well in Texas and his numbers look ten times better than Schafer's at this point.

[crques]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

As much as I hate to say this we should have taken a gamble on Andruw Jones. He is playing very well in Texas and his numbers look ten times better than Schafer's at this point.

I was thinking the same thing. I was pretty disappointed when we didn't. I thought for sure we were going to see him back in an Atlanta uniform this season. I think he would have been really productive in the Braves lineup, despite the dismal season he had last year. He never wanted to leave Atlanta in the first place and I think that being back home would have energized him. I'm not saying he was going to bat .300 and hit 30 homeruns, but he certainly couldn't be any worse than what we're putting out there in CF these days and he at least he can play balls off the wall. We never should have gotten rid of Anderson and I've said that since day one. That was a mistake.

[crques]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Article from MLBtraderumors.com

Free Agent Matchmaker: Braves Need An OF
By Joe Pawlikowski [May 28, 2009 at 1:46pm CST]

A look at the remaining 2009 free agents reveals a number of household names still without a job. True, most of these are over the hill veterans, but in many cases they can help contending teams fill roster gaps. Over the next few weeks we'll look at which team/player combinations make sense. Since we're right around the 1/3 mark of the season, now is the time for teams to take chances on these guys. Since they'll probably need at least a few weeks to get into game-playing condition, acting soon would mean having them around the halfway mark.

The 23-23 Braves are lacking in the outfield. Of their Opening Day starters, Jordan Schafer holds the highest OBP at .322. His .301 SLG and .209 BA make his low OBP look even worse. After a hot start Jeff Francoeur has stumbled, and now posts a paltry .629 OPS. Garrett Anderson and his .300 OBP and .322 SLG have been sitting more in favor of Matt Diaz, whose numbers have been more than acceptable in his 93 plate appearances. Still, the Braves could use someone else to shore up the outfield. They could look to a trade, but they might as well scour the free agent market first.

The crop of free agent outfielders have a common problem: lack of mobility. The Braves already have Anderson, so adding another no-glove outfielder who is also a gamble with the bat makes little sense. Maybe Jay Payton could help, but he didn't exactly post sterling statistics as a 35-year-old in 2008. In fact, the Braves would probably be better off just sticking with Diaz-Schafer-Francoeur than signing someone like Payton.

One name on the list sticks out: Jim Edmonds. Yes, he's 39, so his range is going to be limited. In fact, he posted a -14.1 UZR (-23.3 UZR/150) last year as a CF for the Padres and Cubs, so he might only be a help defensively at a corner. But if he can put up even 85 percent of his OPS with the Cubs last year, he'd be a definite upgrade over Francoeur at this point. He could make sense as a replacement if the Braves decide to bench or trade Frenchy.

Yet there is a name which does not appear on the official MLBTR list, and who might not only be willing to play, but would be a mobile outfielder who still has some skills left, even at 42 years old. Yes, that's Kenny Lofton. He's an outside the box pick, mainly because of his age and that he hasn't played in a game since 2007. Way back when the off-season started, Lofton expressed a desire to play in 2009. The downside is that Lofton doesn't just want to play: he wants to get paid. It's doubtful even the desperate Braves will pay Lofton the $6 million he made in '07, even if prorated.

Still, Lofton put up good defensive numbers in 2007 and had a .781 OPS to boot. But if we're talking about the 85 percent production as we did with Edmonds, it doesn't seem as attractive. Even so, he could represent an upgrade over Schafer in center, given his defense and what we'll assume will be league-average offense for a center fielder.

The question facing the Braves right now is of whether checking out these two free agents is more attractive than dealing prospects for outfield replacements. They're in a decent spot with their pitching, and that could become even stronger if Tommy Hanson jumps out of the gate and/or Tim Hudson comes back. With the Mets battling injuries and pitching issues of their own, and with the Phillies doing much the same (more on the pitching front than injuries), the Braves are certainly in the NL East race. They'll certainly look to upgrade in the outfield. Will it be through some gambles on free agents? Or will they reach into their bag o' prospects and try to acquire a younger player?

[Speedy]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

One name on the list sticks out: Jim Edmonds. Yes, he's 39, so his range is going to be limited. In fact, he posted a -14.1 UZR (-23.3 UZR/150) last year as a CF for the Padres and Cubs, so he might only be a help defensively at a corner. But if he can put up even 85 percent of his OPS with the Cubs last year, he'd be a definite upgrade over Francoeur at this point. He could make sense as a replacement if the Braves decide to bench or trade Frenchy.

If Wren signs Edmonds he should (and probably will) be fired. With regard to Frenchy and w/what was said about Andruw - both of their successes is only because of Texas' hitting coach Jaramillo. Andruw would be horrible again if he was here this year and Frenchy was good when he was doing what Jaramillo but he's fallen back into this old stance from last year.

Btw, I'm curious how Pendleton felt learning Frenchy was going to an opposing team's hitting coach for advice last off-season...

[VTPack919]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

This is the most frustrating team known to man.

[crques]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

This is the most frustrating team known to man.

I second that thought. How do you go from sweeping the AL East Division Leader (at that time at least) to losing 4 in a row to mediocre NL West teams? I can't figure this team out.

[jt45]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Good to see that the offense woke up tonight.

[p_rushing]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Good to see that the offense woke up tonight.

its the normal score 0-0-10 that the Braves have become masters of that last few years

[VTPack919]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

its the normal score 0-0-10 that the Braves have become masters of that last few years

If we ever put two games like that together I would be shocked.

Jordan is just embarassing himself at the plate. I have never seen someone, aside from maybe Frenchy last year, swing at such absolute junk. You give him a breaking ball and it just ties him up in knots. I feel for the kid because he is nowhere near ready to be playing in the majors.

[jt45]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Another strong offensive game today, coupled with a strong outing from Medlen. If only we could consistently hit like we did today and Friday.

[p_rushing]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Another strong offensive game today, coupled with a strong outing from Medlen. If only we could consistently hit like we did today and Friday.

Medlen just may have what it takes.

[crques]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Anyone heard any new information on Glavine's return? I saw that he might start tomorrow against the Cubs but it looks like Kawakami will get the start.

[SqueakyD]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Anyone heard any new information on Glavine's return? I saw that he might start tomorrow against the Cubs but it looks like Kawakami will get the start.

He's got one more rehab start with Rome on Tuesday.