Talking Chop

Its hard to post first when you’re banned.

10-4 - September 2, 2010 reply

I may be missing the the Marlins series, too...

Maybe I can get my sentence reduced…Or pay a fine like being forced to read only the Amazin’ Avenue blog for a week…

You should, it’s a really funny site. I like their MS Paint pictures.

TradeAndruw - September 2, 2010 reply

+1

MikeTrain - September 2, 2010 reply

We traded for Derek Lee because

we need a dependable, veteran presence at 1B in late September and the postseason. Lee is one of the best defensive first basemen in the game, not to mention a great presence in the clubhouse. Freeman will possibly have a great career but do we really want him to have his first siginficant swings in a pennant race where we’re depending on him?

If he plays better?

yes.

Doghnut - September 2, 2010 reply

But because he's a 20-year-old kid...

With almost no exposure to Major League pitching and a swing that remains a work progress, he probably will not play better.

So that’s why we signed Lee.

SS451 - September 2, 2010 reply

sigh

work IN progress.

SS451 - September 2, 2010 reply

BTW

I seem to remember a certain young outfielder in 1996 becoming the youngest ever to hit a homerun in a WS game…iirc, that player was a late season call-up…

Doghnut - September 2, 2010 reply

And just for good measure...

He did it again.

Andruw Jones was one of the best prospects of the past 20 years, not to mention one of the best players of the past 20 years. Freeman ain’t there yet.

alexwithclass - September 2, 2010 reply

agree with point #1

but not point #2… definitely not one of the best players of the past 20 years… what’re you talking, top 200?

MikeTrain - September 2, 2010 reply

Point 2 is a little easier to swallow

if you factor in some of the best CF defense of all time by any player. Watching Andruw in CF was spectacular.

Bobby Cox

Said on the radio this morning (interviewed after the game last night) that Lee would be the primary starter and Freeman would spell him and come in off the bench to pinch hit/relieve Derrek if needed.

We can’t expect Derrek to play every game, so I have no problem with Freeman playing, especially if (as Doghnut says) he is playing well.

The real question is not what do we do with Lee and Freeman, but what do we do with Glaus? I would not mind testing him out at 3rd. Why not?

Because

Glaus’ range would be terrible, and what do we do with Infante and Prado? I don’t like taking one of the top 4 guys in the batting average race out of the line-up if we don’t have too

For a game?

Why not? Especially if we bench Gonzo (like last night) instead of Infante or Prado. Another option is to have Infante in LF; he can’t be any worse than Hinske. Like I said, I am not advocating wholesale changes, but I would not mind seeing how Glaus plays. Maybe put him out there against Pittsburgh…

Yes, his range might not be that good, but if he is swinging the bat like was in AAA (yes…I know…it was the minors), then I’ll take it.

At this point in his career and the season

Troy Glaus is to the Braves what Giambi is to the Rockies. His defense is a def. minus but he still scares you as a pinch-hit, DH option. Glaus’s best value to the Braves at this point is as a possible DH in a World Series game provided they make it that far. I’m just concerned that in a pennant race this close he cost us a game because of his defense and that is huge at this point in time.

It's tough...

Unfortunately, I feel to keep his swing going (if it is in fact back), he’ll need more than an at bat every few games. Not everyone can be David Ross or Brooks Conrad!

You’re right. How bad would it be to lose a game due to a costly error by Glaus (or just lack of getting near a reachable ball)? It will interesting to see what Bobby does, for we have a logjam at first…

I wonder the motivation for keeping Glaus on at this point

While no it doesn’t really hurt the Braves since he’s a great pinch-hit option, it doesn’t exactly help either. This feels like another case of Bobby staying loyal to a player who busted his butt for him. While yes I love seeing that, I question how much value he actually brings and what his actual chances are for the postseason roster.

Yes, tonight would be good...

can he come off the DL to provide a righty bat against (carlos) Santana?

Sorry, just waking up….that would not be “easing” him in…that would be “throwing” him in….The Marlins bats are raking right now…I think we save Glaus’s start for Andrew Miller’s …..with one that looks like this

1—omar (in the batting title race) Infante LF
2—Jay (in the ROY race…and coming on strong) Hey RF
3—Marteen (our MVP) Prado 2nd
4—Derrek (I will get my single/RBIs that are like nails in your coffin) Lee 1st
5—Troy (The return of the Saur) Glaus
6— Brian (was that really his 1st walk off the other night) McCann
7—Alex (really can’t think of something to say…plz no E’s?) Gonz’ales
8—Rick (recently hot…did he run through a stop sign last night?) Ankeil
9—Kenshin (OMG ….did you you know his last half of his name “Kama” means devine/like in God?….breakout comeback for our little Budda?) Kawakami
7

bravestatoo - September 2, 2010 reply

I'd say give Lee another day to rest his back...

and go with…
Infante
Heyward
Prado
Diaz
Glaus
Gonzalez
Ross
Melky
Hudson

(and if McCann starts over Ross, slide him in the 5 spot behind Diaz, with Glaus and Gonzo going down to 6 and 7)

Mr. Sanchez - September 2, 2010 reply

Nyjer Morgan

Like you said, it appears Sanchez and Volstad should not be available (Volstad would have missed the series anyway). Sanchez has had a fine rookie season, and has given the Bravos fits. Goodness what a clothesline. Did you see Listach in there swinging away? Coaches should have a little more restraint, especially when it was a Nats player that started the fracas.

Back to the Bravos. I like how we have clearly erased that horrid loss in Colorado from our memories. This team is good. Exciting times, folks. Exciting times.

I didn't see Listach throw any swings.

I saw him wrap up Volstad and hold him down, protecting his player. I never saw him raise a fist.

Yeah...

You’re right. It’s tough to tell. Listach will get suspended regardless.

gondeee is finally coming around

i’d much rather still have robinson lopez too

kbertling353 - September 2, 2010 reply

Let's go Rox!

The good news is that Colorado is very much in the playoff hunt so I would look for them to pull out all the stops to beat the Phillies tonight. But I’m hoping it’s the Giants that catch up to the Phils instead. I don’t want to see Colorado again this year. Do you? I’m all about maybe getting revenge for the last series but I would rather wait til next year. I want the road to the World Series to be a nice easy one. We already know we can handle the other playoff contenders. But Colorado worries me a bit.

jayjaxon - September 2, 2010 reply

After sweeping us, the least they can do is to take one from the Fillies… Oh, and wear out their bullpen, too. Blanton’s starting so there’s a good chance that the Rox can beat him up and use up their bullpen.

blwfish - September 2, 2010 reply

I'm hoping your last question was for dramatic effect.

Freeman goes 0 for 3 with a good defensive showing, and you ask why we traded for Derrek Lee? I feel like that’s almost trollbait.

KoKo the Monkey (T-Bone) - September 2, 2010 reply

I hope the same. The "Derrek Lee trade was a bust" meme is already tired.

Look. When we are this close to making it to the postseason for the first time in a while, I love having a guy like Derrek Lee on our team. The risk that all three of the arms we traded turn out to be Adam Wainwrights and Derrek Lee turns out to be a negative WAR player as a Brave is a risk I’m glad we took to make a better team for a World Series push. For what we gave up and the arms we still have in the minors, I’m totally at peace with it all.

I think Freeman's going to be a great player,

but at the very least, even if Derrek Lee doesn’t blow the roof off the place, he’s still a big-time power threat. His reputation alone forces other teams to make better pitches to the batters before him. Freeman couldn’t do that right now.

EricGreggWasPaidOff - September 2, 2010 reply

Someone actually thinks the trade

was a bust? For real?

UMDBHIK - September 2, 2010 reply

Pretty sure it was a rhetorical question...

simply meant to imply Freeman was impressive in his debut.

And with Santana on the hill, o/u on hits from Diaz? I’m thinking 3.

Mr. Sanchez - September 2, 2010 reply

3 HRs? I’ll go with over.

I was ecstatic about the trade.

We gave up nothing for a proven guy. Although, he hasn’t been superb in his limited time with the Braves, the trade definitely favors us. Lopez is years away and nothing is ever for-sure with kids in the minors.

RufRider - September 2, 2010 reply

Nothing?

I’m not sure you know what that word means. So…

noth·ing /ˈnʌθɪŋ/ Show Spelled[nuhth-ing]

–noun

something or someone of no importance or significance

Lopez is a high-ceiling young pitcher. The other two have actual MLB potential. While they were not going to help the team this year, they certainly are not nothing. GI Joe.

buzzdeadwax - September 2, 2010 reply

Really interested to see the line up today...

I think this late, starting september, it’s time for bobby to retire the get-away-day style lineup and put the A squad out there even though the series is already won.

SuperNewb - September 2, 2010 reply

Our B squad plays better then other teams a squads.

This is something I like very much!

TCfromDubVee - September 2, 2010 reply

Count me as one more puzzled by the last line. Hope it wasn’t just to get a rise out of people.

Sir Stealth - September 2, 2010 reply

Don't forget

D-Lee is still more of a power threat than Freeman at this point.

Not to mention

I would much rather have him in than Glaus right now.

jayjaxon - September 2, 2010 reply

Tonight!

Doesn’t Matty own a near .500 batting average against Johan? I’m pumped the game will be on MLB network.

joshmaurer - September 2, 2010 reply

On an unrelated note...

I saw that Rob Dibble was fired because of comments he made on a radio show (not a Nats broadcast) regarding Strasburg.

Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 2, 2010 reply

now I can watch when we play the Nats

without bleeding from the ears

nuftjedi - September 2, 2010 reply

Volstad is out for the season? From the crap last night?

Hopefully Nyjer’s dumbass has to sit out the rest of the season. That Lil Man is a freaking powder keg. And it would be nice to not have to worry about his ass on-base.

You don’t throw at a guy twice. I can’t defend Morgan’s actions, but they made their point throwing at him the first time. If you don’t want him to steal bases, don’t throw at him. If you don’t want a mentally unstable guy charge the mound, don’t throw at him twice.

Weldon - September 2, 2010 reply

I agree.

On MLB.com, they have the clip of him charging the mound with both team’s announcers (Marlins first half, Nats second half). Listening to the Marlins announcers is awful. They’re such homers, they’re acting as if Nyjer Morgan just up and charged the mound completely unprovoked, or that he’s some serial killer. Sure, he has trouble controlling his temper, but when you throw at a guy twice, he’s going to get angry.

Morgan needs to calm his temper a bit…he was at the forefront of that mess in St. Louis last week as well. Taking out two catchers (and separating the shoulder of one two nights ago) isn’t okay. I agree with you on the stolen bases too. If you plunk someone who’s a base stealer, why shouldn’t he steal bases? What’s he supposed to do, stand on first and do nothing?

No, he’s supposed to charge the mound and get his ass handed to him.

I do really, really hate the Marlins announcers. Every year, they have to mention every night how their rookie deserves ROY. This year, they won’t shut up about Sanchez’s RBI total, as if that is the best stat to decide. Do they really think baseball fans and the voters are that stupid?

Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 2, 2010 reply

Not only do they think that,

that’s the reality. Most baseball fans believe the shit sandwich spewed at them from dumbass ex-jocks and never-were media types.

UMDBHIK - September 2, 2010 reply

They make the Nats announcers sound like geniuses...

THAT’S impressive

SuperNewb - September 2, 2010 reply

I can’t believe that the Fish were upset that he was stealing bases. It’s not as if the Nats were WINNING 14-3. It was only the 4th inning. If the Fish can score 14 runs in 4+ innings, I don’t know why the Nats (or any other team) shouldn’t try to score 12 in the remaining 5.

If the score had been the other way around, I could see that.

And regardless of how one feels about throwing at a guy in the first place, geez, TWICE?

blwfish - September 2, 2010 reply

lol

the second one did miss him. he could have man’ed up and just smiled. oh, no wait; he couldn’t have done that. he’s nyjer morgan.

They had already hit him,

as well as hitting two other Nats batters. There’s no need to throw at him again. Sure, he blew his top, but it’s not as if the Marlins were innocent in this whole thing.

yeah, that didn’t make sense to me when ESPN reported it. Then again, ESPN is run by idiots.

Nyjer also separated Brett Hayes’ shoulder in a collision for no reason.

TradeAndruw - September 2, 2010 reply

It wasn't his intent to separate his shoulder.

He should’ve slid, but it’s not like he’s the only person who’s ever taken out a catcher in a bang-bang play at home.

Was that the play in which Nyjer led with his left elbow while veering toward the catcher who wasn’t really blocking the plate?

carpengui - September 2, 2010 reply

No,

that was last week against the Cardinals. This play was two nights ago against the Marlins, where it really was a bang-bang play and the Hayes was actually blocking the plate.

Gotcha — it’s that prior play that he should have outright been suspended for. That was uncalled for.

carpengui - September 2, 2010 reply

Yeah, I agree.

He’s definitely not the classiest guy, but it just annoys me how he’s being painted like the villain in this situation because of who he is. Put anyone else in that position and there’s a good chance they do the same exact thing. They hit him, they hit two of his teammates, and then they threw at him again. If that’s not a time to charge the mound, I don’t know when is.

At least it gave us a pretty good baseball fight. Not quite a Ryan-Ventura or Martinez-Zimmer fight, but Gaby came with the fury.

This is why we traded for Derrek Lee

Wren traded for Lee for the playoffs. We need right handed bats, especially some with power, and it will be nice to play either Glaus or Lee and have the other come off of the bench for pinch hit situations. The trade gave us a deeper offense.

Also, let’s say we make it to the World Series; Lee can play first and Glaus would be a perfect DH. Take Lee out of the mix, and who is our DH? Rick Ankiel? Claudell Washington?

Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 2, 2010 reply

Glaus would be a perfect DH if it’s “May Glaus” we’re talking about. otherwise…..

supposedly there are some American League teams interested in using Glaus for the DH. maybe Wrenners can pull of one of his usual moves and deal Glaus and McOut.

I hope he doesn’t deal Glaus. He was a huge reason why we are now in first place, and I’d like to see him stay on the team.

I also like the guys on our team who have won a WS, like Glaus, Lee, and Hinske. Even though it probably means nothing, it’s nice to have some guys on the team who have been there before.

With the ability to rest from time to time...

I think both Glaus and Lee will produce big at the plate.

Mr. Sanchez - September 2, 2010 reply

It's too late.

They can’t trade Glaus, because he’s only eligible for our postseason roster. Pretty much kills any value he might have had on the trade market.

-C

cthabeerman - September 2, 2010 reply

Why in the world would anyone trade for Glaus after the Sept 1 deadline?

To make the playoffs?

Okay, who in the AL is borderline for making the playoffs, would be put over the top by a DH, and would be willing to give up anything of value?

Tampa is the only team that might be looking for a DH, but they’re up by 7 or 8 in the Wild Card race.

You should know the answer as to why we got Lee—Because we need him. Also- Check your schedule as Philly is at home this weekend not on the road as posted. I really like this daily posting by the way. Good Job!!

SBURROUGHS - September 2, 2010 reply

Is Dan Uggla out for the year?

If so, great news for Braves fans. No more Cantu, Nolasco, Ross, or Uggla to kill us.

Undocorkscrew - September 2, 2010 reply

boom.

MikeTrain - September 2, 2010 reply

Who was that targeted to?

The state of Texas

Old Braves' Fan - September 2, 2010 reply

I saw this on AA.

They said it was a texting poll during the Mets’ broadcast the other night. Most of the AA crowd couldn’t believe that the viewers voted that way either. They now sound just like TC did after they took him from us.

You almost have to admire Frenchy’s ability to convince the masses that he’s not a horrible baseball player.

He does field his position extremely well, that’s worth something in the league.

Plus

He’s real purty.

Sam Jethroe - September 2, 2010 reply

No, he really doesn’t field his position well. He’s got a great arm, that’s about it.