Talking Chop

I APPROVE OF THE MET STINK

MBL1 - May 18, 2010 via mobile reply

"The Melk-Man Cometh"

jeez louise. it’s a W. lol. Go Braves

Chief Noc-A-Homa - May 18, 2010 reply

Another chance to get back to .500 tomorrow, need to get KK some runs.

Medlen making a statement like he wants in the 5 man rotation. Might not be the worst thing that ever happened. Since his nervous start this time last year, he’s been impressive.

bighop - May 18, 2010 reply

very impressive.

he could put up 2009 Jair Jurrjens numbers. i also like how he’s basically said to KK (and maybe Lowe, but unlikely) that if he has some bad starts from here on out, he could take his spot in the rotation when JJ comes back. I like KK, and I think he’ll turn it around, but Medlen deserves a spot in the rotation, and is better than most teams’ #3s and maybe #2s.

atl192485 - May 18, 2010 reply

Teams are batting

.300 against KK…combine that with high pitch countS a 5.70 ERA and his inability to pitch past the 5th that has the bullpen getting loose in the 4th…oh and 2 QS in 7 starts….I hardly call that effective. But anyway…

Nova Scotia Steve - May 19, 2010 via mobile reply

2 out of 7 starts are QSes from the 5th guy in the rotation? Sounds effective to me….

Getting $6.6 Million???

I don’t think so

WHy do people constantly bring up his contract as a factor? It’s a non-issue. He is getting paid that much money whether we like it or not.

You complain that we are paying a 5th starter that much money, but you would rather pay it to a long reliever?

It's an issue of talent and who more importantly who give the team a better chance to win.

Our salary is our salary so where they pitch is a non-issue to me.

True. It seems that whenever KK pitches the offense does not show up, thus making our chances of winning less. So, since he somehow affects how the offense performs, send KK to the pen.

+1

Cubs

Cubs moved Zambrano and his 18 million dollar salary to the bullpen. Nobody told the Braves to pay KK 6.6 mill, but they wanted to.

Pavy848 - May 19, 2010 reply

Bringing the Zambrano debacle up doesn’t exactly support your argument…it was basically universally panned. The Cubs aren’t exactly a well run organization.

I disagree with this

I think the Zambrano debacle is a prim example of what we’re debating right now – he wasn’t helping the team as a starter. He recognized it – and embraced the move to the bullpen. Salary was a non-issue here and it should be in Atlanta.

They’ll end up paying for it though. No way Gorzelanny keeps this up.

FWIW, it’s not that I mind that idea of KK going to the bullpen in favor of Medlen, it’s the manner in which most people who support the decision are unwilling to give Kawakami the benefit of the doubt even after he proved last season that he could rebound after a rough start. Not to mention the fact that the defense and offense have done nothing to help him out.

The thing is, Medlen is better right now, younger and could improve. I’ts that simple. It shouldn’t be a debate.

Maybe Kawakami can improve, maybe he doesn’t. He is 35 going to 36, that’s an age when players decline.

You think I don’t know that?

If you know it, what’s the problem?

Did you even read what I said? I’m not saying there is a problem with switching KK and Medlen…I’m saying the problem is that people crucify KK like he’s going out there pitching like absolute shit, when the losses that are hung on his head are nowhere near his fault alone. I shouldn’t have to spell it out for you.

Kawakami is not absolute shit, but he isn’t any good either.

A 4.50 xFIP and FIP is mediocre

And a 5.60 tRA is indicative of being a below replacement starter.

Kawakami is not absolute shit

Thank you, the rest of your post is unnecessary.

Do you think being below replacement is an indication of something unnecessary? Because that’s what numbers show.

I don’t know why people defend the mediocre.

Until you learn to fucking read I’m done talking to you.

+1

I’ll respond to your exact quote with a fanpost.

Why not just bracket the two like minor leaguers?

Pair the two together every 5th day, and they can be used as spot relievers in between.

Mr. Sanchez - May 19, 2010 reply

Kawakami is not absolute shit, but he isn’t any good either.

This post made my day…

The Cubs are a mess

I know, but I was simply bringing up a huge salary shift to the bullpen and why money wasn’t involved in the decision.

Pavy848 - May 19, 2010 reply

Cubs salary is also close to twice what ours is so it’s less of an issue, but I know what you’re trying to say.

“Inability to pitch past the 5th”

Yeah….He has pitched 5+ innings in 5 of his 7 starts – and would have gone 6+ in another if Bobby had not lifted him for a PH early.

Seriously people. Stop making crap up about KK.

Okay more specific

Unable to pitch out the 5th inning…

Ok, more specific – he has pitched into the 6th inning 2 or 3 times and could have done it again, had Bobby not lifted him early for a PH.

EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 18, 2010 reply

I thought there was an agreement that David Wright was supposed to be MVP - not Melky.

He gets screwed over again!

First by Rollins, now by Melky.

Bronn - May 18, 2010 reply

It's Simple

Our f**kup was better than their f**kup

MarvelGoose - May 18, 2010 reply

JKowalek - May 18, 2010 reply

Question

How long do I wait until I pick up Kris Medlen for my fantasy team, it’s taking a lot to not pull this trigger yet, 10 team mixed h2h…your thoughts are appreciated but not necessary…also glad to see Glaus’ power is back, love it

foxrobe - May 18, 2010 reply

Pick him up. Now.
He’s going to get a spot in the rotation and KK will be moved to the bullpen. Medlen is awesome. Who knew a 9 year old pitcher could do so much?

MBL1 - May 18, 2010 via mobile reply

Thats based more on who you have to drop.

McCann and McWill - May 19, 2010 reply

Trying to trade CJ Wilson and Kerry Wood to make space, either that or I may end up just dropping CJ, or Kerry if I don’t need the saves, I just really want Medlen, and Cueto’s coming on so I feel comfortable letting loose guys like CJ

foxrobe - May 19, 2010 reply

CJ Wilson is a good pitcher

I’ve been spot starting him. Unless you’re in a Braves league most other managers probably have no idea who he is.

tonight almost made me hate Melky even more

JKowalek - May 18, 2010 reply

Tonight made me realize how much I like a player hustling down the 1st base line on an infield grounder/chopper. Melky hasn’t done much, but at least he hustles. He’s beat out a few, pressured the D on others and broke up the throw that got us a much needed win.

bighop - May 18, 2010 reply

Great win. I love the pitching’s performance, especially. They allowed the offense to hang in there long enough to squeak out another run. Now let’s get the offense back in gear against the Reds and Aaron Harang-ry.

Jacob Peterson - May 18, 2010 reply

I mentioned this in the GT, but I'll say it again

I was totally wrong on the Takashi Saito signing. I loved the Glaus signing and I understood the Javy deal after taking a step back and thinking about it, but I never liked the Saito deal and said he would be done a month or two into the season.

I’m glad I was wrong.

Scott Coleman - May 18, 2010 reply

I only saw it on the recap at the end of the game, but a friend of mine

said he looked like he was blowing the crowd a kiss.

Erin6 - May 19, 2010 reply

Maybe then

I didn’t see the recap. Sounds like something he would do. lol

“They love me! They really love me! I’m the greatest hitter in the world!” – Failcoeur

Haha!

Glaus MVP

His 2 run homer got us to the ninth with a chance to win. Melky was just ~~fat~~ wide enough to get hit by Wright’s throw to first. lol

HEYJUDE - May 18, 2010 reply

Or

should I say just wide enough to block Wright’s vision as he threw the ball to first. :)

HEYJUDE - May 18, 2010 reply

WALKOFFS

Heyward
McLouth
Prado
Melk-man

atl192485 - May 18, 2010 reply

lol

Good night to be a Bravos fan!

Medlen was awesome tonight. He kept the Mets off guard (except for those two solo shots) the whole night. I’m glad Glaus hit that monster HR off of Santana. Good to see the Powah! I wonder how long these good vibes will last. Anyway, tonight is one of the many reasons why you have to like the Braves team as it is.

romone_braves91 - May 19, 2010 reply

I agree

This was an awesome birthday present.

TonyAlmeyda - May 19, 2010 reply

haha

it wasnt a HR but it was something

Erihury - May 19, 2010 reply

LET'S DESTROY THE REDS!!!!

i’m going to the next to games with a friend of mine who is a die hard Cincinnati sports fan. The braves haven’t faired to well against the Reds the past few seasons, but I’m feeling a turn around starting tomorrow. Let’s destroy them so i will no longer have to hear him talk about the Reds beating the braves.

BravesFanScout - May 19, 2010 reply

Time to give Medlen Some Props

I’ve been advocating this guy to take Kawakami’s spot in the rotation and have got ripped. Well i’m here to do it again. Meds deserves another shot…he’s been excellent all year and the only thing that should keep KK in the rotation is Jurrjens’ injury. Meds has been pitching solid in big spots allseason – There’s a new giant-killer in Atlanta. He pitched incredible tonight and great against the Phillies…I thinks he’s earned a shot and his next start will mean a lot – it may win him a spot. I see KK got some new gold cleated ball shoes for tomorrow, someone should tell him new cleats don’t make a better ballplayer like a new golf club doesn’t make a better golfer and new skates don’t make a better hockey player. New shoes same results.

Nova Scotia Steve - May 19, 2010 via mobile reply

We heard you the first time.

SSDD

Rhyno18 - May 19, 2010 reply

Good win.

Looks like both New York teams lost to errors in the 9th inning.

Im not going to say that Medlen should immediately be in the rotation however i will say he deserves consideration when JJ is back if he has out pitched Lowe and KK. Whoever has done worse between Lowe and KK at that point should go to the pen.

However the downside to that is that Medlen hasnt really been stretched out and starting too much in his career and probably wouldnt be able to give us too many innings towards the end of the season. After the team shuts him down then what?

drumzalicious - May 19, 2010 reply

It can't produce worse results

From our current 5th starter and i think we can all agree KK hasn’t really stretched it out this season…Medlen has always been a starter…won’t take him long to build arm strength…hey 6 or 7 innings is a solid outing and you know Bobby – he’d be careful with him

Nova Scotia Steve - May 19, 2010 via mobile reply

“Medlen has always been a starter.”

Yeah, about that…

Wasn’t he only a starter for half a season last year in the minors? He started the year with Tommy as a starter and the year before he was a reliever. Am I correct?

Pavy848 - May 19, 2010 reply

Yes. I believe that is correct. He also pitched the majority of last season as a RP. He only started a handful of games at AAA before being called up, and then pitched 4 games as a SP before going to the BP in favor to Hanson.

Ummmm

okay…since 2008 then

Try last season and the majority of this season…

Didn't he start 17 games in 08

in AA and part of ’09 in AAA before being called up?

Yeah. But that doesn’t mean that he has “always been a starter.”

I was wrong about that comment for sure

I guess I was trying to say he’s done it in the past and don’t think he would have trouble ad"justin"ing to the role…but certainly not always a starter – I was wrong

Just watching some of the game again from last night

John Smotlz “Gotta give him (Medlen) some time to get adjusted to throwing more innings and this is all going to help him once and if he does go back to the pen,”

Atta boy John

Actually, he has never had even one full season as a starter

not a single one where he didn’t spend a significant chunk of it in the pen.

Mr. Sanchez - May 19, 2010 reply

That was, literally

…the first time I’ve seen a play involving a collision, of any kid, at first base not go against the Braves. Time after time I’ve seen opposing runners get hit by throws while outside that stupid box and still be called safe while Braves runners are called out even if they are inside it. If there is a way for that play to go wrong, it has, more times than I could count. This was a very refreshing change.

Sam Jethroe - May 19, 2010 reply

Who knew Melky’s propensity to hit weak grounders would win us the game.

Who Doesn't Enjoy

Watching Troy Glaus hit monster home runs – I love it. And normally watch the replay’s off his bombs at least a half-dozen times.

I had a sense that was coming too. Very fulfilling to watch it happen.

Sweet Swing!

Pretty to watch really

You shouldn't put Melky Cabrera in the GOOD about the Braves

Players shouldn’t be rewarded for being LUCKY. He hit horribly in his 4 AB, not getting the ball out of the infield. He looks worse than Neifi Perez when swinging.

I know I’ve defended Melky before in this forum, but I can’t anymore. The guy looks off.

I don’t understand how the guy hits any line drives with a swing like that. He’s constantly off balance.