Kevin C. Cox - Getty Images
Troy Glaus was carrying the Braves in May and early June. Now, not so much.
Everyone knows about the Braves and their history of 1st basemen who don't stay for more than one season. With the way Troy Glaus, and now Eric Hinske, have been hitting while manning 1B, I'd say there's a very good -- if not certain -- chance this streak will continue in 2011. On June 13th, Troy Glaus hit 2 HRs against the Twins. Since then, here are the combined stats from Glaus and Hinske (H/T to SportsLoaf):
21-for-138 (.152 BA), 1HR, 14RBI, 29K/24BB
Ouch. I know that slumps are a part of the game and they always will be, and the Braves tend to be very patient with their veteran players, but this simply cannot continue. The 5th slot in the lineup is currently a black hole, and the Braves can't have that while making a push for the playoffs.
I'm not sure if Freddie Freeman is the answer to our problems, but it might not hurt to give him a shot. If you don't feel comfortable with a 21-year old Freeman being moved into the lineup during a pennant race, perhaps the Braves could try Martin Prado at 1st once he comes off the DL? Maybe even Barbaro Canizares gets a chance at 1st? I'm not sure what will happen, but unless Troy picks it up, I think it's pretty certain that a move will be made.
0 recs | 57 comments
Freddie is still 20
Mr. Sanchez - August 5, 2010
But is he ready?
We already have one existence proof of a guy who’s 20 that clearly IS ready. The question is whether or not Freddie is.
blwfish - August 5, 2010
Only one way to find out
Mr. Sanchez - August 5, 2010
remember....
some guy named Scott Thorman…???
Hektor DiPaula - August 5, 2010
You’re seriously comparing Freeman to Thorman? As I look at their stats, Thorman didn’t make it to AAA until he was 23 years old (he got a promotion mid-season). I think if you want to compare a hitter to Thorman that would be Mitch Jones, whom the Braves just traded away.
I think Freeman is a more advanced hitter/player than Thorman who was just considered a power hitter. Then again, that’s just me.
Dave_D - August 5, 2010
Troy Glaus’ BABIP
Before June 13: .329
After June 13: .194
I don’t know what is causing this. He isn’t really striking out any more now than he did before, and he is walking about the same.
I think he just needs some time off to regroup.
justincredubil02 - August 5, 2010
Liners to the gap and beyond are a lot easier to get down that weak rollers on the infield grass…
Richard R - August 5, 2010
+1 This!
Dave_D - August 5, 2010
But the skill didn’t just disappear. I realize that he isn’t hitting the ball very hard right now. That isn’t the question. The question is “Why?” and “Can it be fixed?”
justincredubil02 - August 5, 2010
Because his legs are dead and weak...
and with rest, hopefully.
Mr. Sanchez - August 5, 2010
I agree.
justincredubil02 - August 5, 2010
Let’s not forget what both Glaus and Hinske HAVE contributed. But yeah, .152 / 1 HR / 14 RBI won’t cut it down the stretch.
blwfish - August 5, 2010
Putting Prado at 1b makes a hole at 2b
Freeman would be super 2 anyways, so bringing him up now is a risk worth taking.
If you do this, waive Glaus, someone will take him since he’s cheap. Maybe do a trade for a C-grade prospect. If Freeman fails, HInske goes to 1B full time.
It’s a gamble, but at this point, the goal of the organization should be to win the WS this year while contending in the following years. You don’t give up a shot at the playoffs for any reason though.
Broccoman - August 5, 2010
Given the situation, you don't waive Glaus.
You stash him on the DL. You don’t even really have to make up an injury other than fatigue or all the body parts he has hurt previously.
cavebird - August 5, 2010
no, it would create a hole if we didn’t have Prado’s clone (with perhaps a bit less power), Mr. Omar Infante, to play there. calling up Freeman adds yet another left-handed hitter to a lineup full of them. placing Prado at first and Infante at second puts arguably our two best and most consistent right-handed hitters in the lineup every day. there’s no point in platooning either one because Prado has demonstrated the ability to play every day and Infante hits righties better than lefties.
of course, i really hope Glaus just starts to hit again. that would be the simple solution.
sanctarian - August 5, 2010
Nothing requires Bobby to put the 1st baseman in the 5th slot if he isn’t producing. Even if the Braves don’t make a roster change to fix first base, Bobby could easily adjust the line up to minimize the damage by moving Glaus/Hinske lower.
redwards95 - August 5, 2010
That’s not the point however… 1st base is the closest thing the NL has to a DH, and you can’t waste that spot with someone who can’t hit consistently.
JRod1229 - August 5, 2010
i think Heyward should take that spot… i really don’t like him in 2nd slot in the order.. he[s obviously not a #2 hitter.. then it would be 3-chip 4-mac 5-heyward, let diaz or melky bat second…
Hektor DiPaula - August 5, 2010
How the hell is Heyward “obviously” not a #2 hitter?
justincredubil02 - August 5, 2010
On stubbornly sticking a vet in the 5 spot..
see Anderson, Garrett.
Mr. Sanchez - August 5, 2010
ugh
I refuse to remember that Garrrett Anderson ever happened!
redwards95 - August 5, 2010
Did somebody say...
Garret Anderson?
RichmondBraves - August 5, 2010
Some have speculated that Glaus is hurt
So put him on the DL, give him a couple of weeks to recuperate and call up Freeman. Wait until Prado’s back to make the move, though, that way you can still use Infante against lefties.
Tokyokie - August 5, 2010
Canizares
A pennant race is a tough thing to throw a young kid like FF into, and expect him to produce. Plus, let’s not get the arb clock ticking until next year. You don’t want to throw him in too early and take the chance on wrecking his confidence.
Barbaro did pretty well last year if I remember, and this is the perfect spot for him if we DL the Glausosaur.
blairblink - August 5, 2010
As much as I like Barbaro, I don’t think he would do much to help the big club. Freeman brings a lot more to the table in the form of Defense as well as the ability to actually run the bases. Plus, Freeman has a bit more pop and will run into a few home runs whereas the most you’ll get out of Barbaro are a few singles and maybe a Double if the outfielders lose the ball at the fence or something to give him time to make it to 2nd. The dude is SLOW!
Dave_D - August 5, 2010
I guess
I view Glaus’ issues as mainly physical, and am really looking for a very short-term solution b/c I think he can come back strong. I don’t want to toss FF in there just for a few weeks b/c you know Bobby will bench him in favor of the veteran once TG is healthy. We all know what we get with Barbaro, it’s just we need a stopgap now.
blairblink - August 5, 2010
What's wrong with Freddie as a short-term solution?
It would give Freeman a taste of big league pitching and probably help his development. And while Bobby is likely to bench him in favor of Glaus when Glaus returns, Bobby is not afraid to play kids and if Freeman takes the job and runs with it, Bobby will keep him in.
We do not have to worry about starting Freeman’s arbitration clock. The plan appears to be that we will call Freeman up at the start of next year. Since we are well past Super 2 stage, bringing him up now is the same as bringing him up at the start of next season—either way he won’t be eligible for arbitration until after the 2013 season.
cavebird - August 5, 2010
That is assuming he comes up hot...
if he struggles, does that set him back mentally next year? Does it cange the offseason plan to let him take over 1B?
Mr. Sanchez - August 5, 2010
Right, that's my point.
I think the combination of his age and the fact that he’s doing well but not dominating at Gwinnett gives me pause. J Hey was just a special case and Minor is 1) older, and 2) dominating since his promotion.
Thanks for the clarification re: arb clock. That crap always confuses me.
blairblink - August 5, 2010
What gives me pause is his inconsistency...
he’s been more so in Gwinnett, but in Mississippi, it seemed like he’d either be shutting the opponent down, or really getting hit around.
Mr. Sanchez - August 5, 2010
You have a good point. However, I wonder if the plan all along has been to bring up Freeman late in May next year just to squeeze 1 more year out of the arbitration clock. If that is the overriding concern with Freeman, he won’t be brought up. Heyward was a rather exceptional case and the team needed him to try to “win one for Bobby”. Next year there will be no such pressure since Cox will be gone and financial considerations may take precedence. I could easily be proven wrong about all of this with a Freeman call up any day now.
Bobby has been a bit ambiguous about playing young position players in the past. If Bobby has no other options (ie. the vet playing the position was sent packing) or the kid gets hot early and keeps it up (ie. Francouer), he’ll play. But Cox in his heart of hearts would really rather play a veteran if he could. See the Ray Sanchez-Mark DeRosa saga of some years ago.
One of the problems with the current organization is that I feel that Wren is too differential to Cox and lets Cox have too much influence on personnel decisions. This makes me not fully confident that a called up Freeman would play regularly.
Zontar - August 5, 2010
i know he has a no trade clause but what about derrick lee if hes put on waivers?
traderchris - August 5, 2010
While I wouldn't mind seeing Derrek Lee in our lineup...
His price tag is likely too hefty for the Bravos, although he is a FA after this season…But some how I have a feeling we’re sticking with Glaus for good or for bad…
Jman781 - August 5, 2010
plus glaus and chipper are buddies so it would be that much harder to replace him.
but i think if we have some money derrek lee would be a good fit.
traderchris - August 5, 2010
This argument didn’t hold up for LaRoche – either time.
justincredubil02 - August 5, 2010
ha, very true.
traderchris - August 5, 2010
prado works for me
martin prado can play 1st when he returns from DL. let infante play 2nd. he deserves a chance to play everyday. let glaus rest a bit and find his swing again.
williejay1 - August 5, 2010
derrek lee would be perfect
hes hot since the all star break and we could slot him in the 4 spot and move mccann to his more natural 5th spot in the lineup and keep them there .
traderchris - August 5, 2010
he's already vetoed a trade once this year
his daughter has some health-related issues, and he’s said he isn’t going anywhere to be away from his family
leedawg - August 5, 2010
so
Troy Sux is what your telling me
Erihury - August 5, 2010
uh yeah right now he does, sorry
traderchris - August 5, 2010
Troy's contract incentives...
I’m not sure of the exact number but if Troy gets about 30 more AB’s then part/if not all of his imcentives kick in. This makes me wonder if Troy is fighting the DL move or even Bobby is being uber loyal to the vet. If Freeman gets the call up I hope there’s no platooning going on. He needs as many AB’s as he can get. I think its time to see what the kid can do.
Chesterhighwater - August 5, 2010 via mobile
Troy has already recieved some incentive pay.
$250,000 for 100 days on the 25 man roster
$350,000 for 400 PA
He hets another $350,000 for 450 PA and 500PA, then $400,000 for 550 PA and 4550,000 for 600. If it comes down to money, Freeman is the option. If it comes down to mobility, Freeman is the option. If it comes down to…..
bighop - August 5, 2010
This! ^
Chesterhighwater - August 5, 2010 via mobile
He won't get to 600 PAs
So basically we are talking about an extra $350,000 – $1,000,000 dollars.
That’s not chump change, but it shouldn’t be a prohibitive amount either. If this is an overriding factor, then the Braves really do have financial problems (see deals for cash) and we might need to brace ourselves for a disappointing offseason (unless you’re a Liberty Media shareholder).
DCP916 - August 5, 2010
Wow
gets not “hets” and $550,000 not “4500,000”….eyes are not working real well today.
bighop - August 5, 2010
And of course
reply fail
bighop - August 5, 2010
Bring em back...
Robert Fick!!!!
heyward4prez - August 5, 2010
Seriously...
Or Rico Brogna…Or…Goodness…I hope that Freeman can end the firstbaseman curse if and when he arrives to join the big-league club…
Jman781 - August 5, 2010
Carlos Delgado!
I still can’t figure out whether I’m joking or not about this one
was385 - August 5, 2010
Lmaoo
How about ryan klesko!
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - August 5, 2010
Anyone know how many option years Barbaro Canizares has left?
leedawg - August 5, 2010
1 or 2 maybe...
not that it really matters.
Mr. Sanchez - August 5, 2010
That total isn’t right. Hinske and Glaus are a combined 43 for 229 (.188) since June 13.
Hinske: 22 for 100 (.220), 4 HR, 16 RBI, 10 BB, 30 K
Glaus: 21 for 129 (.163), 1 HR, 12 RBI, 26 BB, 26 K
TonyAlmeyda - August 5, 2010
I do believe the total mentioned is while the two have been at 1st base…Hinske has also played left field. Those stats don’t count. The issue is that we haven’t gotten any production from our first base position.
BGBravesFan - August 5, 2010
I got the part about the lack of production at first base. I just automatically assumed the stats were altogether regardless of position. My mistake.
TonyAlmeyda - August 5, 2010
+1
This is a good article that bodes well for what we need most in our lineup, someone to drive in runners left on base. I think freeman is ready, and he could be that shot in the arm we need to make the final push into the playoffs for this last 2 month stretch. I know they have a clause for glaus plate apperiences. So like the bowman article stated, he will most likley get released if he continues to struggle and should, it isnt worth the money for having the worst batting average in the last 100 plate apperances in the league. So give him maybe a week more or soo and if he is not progressing release him.
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - August 5, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.