Braves 7, Marlins 1
Atlanta Braves vs. Florida Marlins – July 25, 2012
Imagine, hypothetically, that you hate Tommy Hanson. Now imagine that Tommy Hanson knocked up your daughter, ran over your dog, and designed Whatizit, the mascot for the 1996 Olympics. That is how much you would hate Ricky Nolasco if Frank Wren were to acquire him and put him in the rotation.
The thing about Nolasco is that he does not suck because he has crappy peripherals. Rather, he miraculously sucks despite great peripherals. He literally has the worst ERA in baseball history of any pitcher with a K/BB above 3.5; in second place is Jon Lieber, but it frankly isn’t close. Lieber has an ERA+ of 103. Nolasco’s is 93.
Scientists remain mystified by how Nolasco contrives to suck despite an above-average strikeout rate and below-average walk rate. Sidelined by the irrelevant discovery of the Higgs boson, they still have no answer.
Don’t get me wrong: I understand why you hate Tommy Hanson. In his last three starts, he has gone 14 1/3 innings and given up 20 hits, 13 walks, and 15 earned runs. Today he got bailed out by Kris Medlen, who came in and pitched three hitless innings getting five strikeouts and should be in the rotation already for heaven’s sake. Tommy walked 7 men in 5 innings, and at that point it just isn’t worth even using the phrase “effectively wild.”
On the other hand, the reason the Braves won is simple: longballs. The Braves historically have built offenses that relied on home runs, and today they got three: one from Bourn, who I’m beginning to think we should maybe think just a little bit about extending; one from Heyward, who I think Wren should EXTEND RIGHT NOW AS FAST AS IF HIS HAIR WAS ON FIRE; and one from Juan Francisco, who has reached the point where literally any time he gets on base feels like a pleasant surprise.
Today, the Marlins just got rid of their most iconic and highest-paid player, essentially acknowledged that their season is over, and dropped a series to the Braves. And things could continue to be fun in South Florida. After a year’s worth of losing, people in Miami may even start to remember that Ozzie Guillen admires Fidel Castro.
Excellent recap, Alex. Also AHHHHHHHHHH
@karlravehcespn Just thought I’d pass this news along.. the Milwaukee Brewers are in serious talks with a team about trading P Zack Greinke. More TBA.
July 25th, 2012 at 9:18 pmAlex,
I don’t think you expressed the level of speed that Heyward should be extended properly.
Something like – Should extend so fast that the vortex created would suck the Phillies into another dimension.
July 25th, 2012 at 9:21 pmWhen I first read the recap I thought it meant that we were targetting Nolasco in a trade. Now that I’ve calmed down, hopefully I can sleep tonight – not a happy thought!
July 25th, 2012 at 9:38 pmWatching the replay, Venters looked more like his old self. Lots of movement, not quite hitting his spots but I’d call it a confidence-inspiring appearance.
July 25th, 2012 at 9:43 pmWhile in Atlanta for the 96′ games, an 8 year old me received unsolicited tickling from Whatizit.
After the tickling he raised his hand as if to ask for a high five. I still regret that high five to this day.
July 25th, 2012 at 9:44 pmA classic recap. Thank you for it.
I wouldn’t say, however, that the Higgs is irrelevant as it explains why Juan Francisco has mass and moves at less than the speed of light.
July 25th, 2012 at 9:48 pmJuan Fatcisco is like the perfect anti-Brave. Maybe that’s why I kinda like him. Ok ‘kinda like’ is too strong…more like I don’t ‘completely hate’ him. There’s a little part of me that doesn’t mind our guy hitting a second-deck bomb and watching it for a bit too long.
I think I’d like him better if he did it a little more often.
July 25th, 2012 at 9:54 pmFrancisco has not outperformed expectations, to put it politely, but when he gets a hold of one, whew, it is a thing of beauty.
July 25th, 2012 at 9:54 pm1,
It’s a parody account; it says so in the description. Read his tweets; he just broke the news of Billy Butler being traded to the Giants and Josh Johnson to the Red Sox. Also, apparently Stanton has been dealt to the Reds.
July 25th, 2012 at 10:24 pmEvan Gattis starts a rehab assignment with Mississippi tomorrow. Hopefully he picks up right where he left off.
July 25th, 2012 at 10:31 pm@6: Now that we know mass isn’t an illusion, I may have to finally lose some weight myself. It is not well known, but when in Atlanta Melky carried an unusually dense Higgs field…. and played an unusually dense center field.
July 25th, 2012 at 10:34 pmSo, the thing about Fransisco is that he usually does okay when he starts. I mean, he still doesn’t walk, but he hits HRs and gets occasional base hits. But I think he’s 0 for the season pinch hitting. It’s a weird situation, since I really don’t think he’d be worthwhile as an every-day player, and if he’s useless as a pinch hitter….
I dunno. Maybe someone will give him regular starts at 3B one day, and we’ll see that he can be a semi-useful starter. But as a bench player, he’s useless if he can’t pinch hit.
July 25th, 2012 at 10:35 pm“It’s a parody account; it says so in the description.”
Yes it does.
What’s with all the posers on Twitter? Why would someone want to pretend to be Chipper or Ravech?
July 25th, 2012 at 10:46 pmThat must have been the guy that hacked Chip Caray’s account too.
July 25th, 2012 at 10:51 pmWith the right team, Francisco could have Tony Batista’s career. Here’s to the Braves not being the right team.
July 25th, 2012 at 10:55 pmOut of all the people to parody…Karl Ravech? Was Chris Fowler already taken?
July 25th, 2012 at 10:59 pmI would understand the purpose behind an actual parody account. Such as @FauxFrankWren, which is clearly for humor. @ChipCaraysGrayMatter would be an excellent read, also.
What I don’t understand is parody accounts specifically created to resemble actual people and to divulge information that could be taken realistically. It should probably be classified as a mental disorder; being so attention needy as to impersonate someone else and actually try to do his or her job. What, is the rest of life not entertaining enough for you?
July 25th, 2012 at 11:08 pmI don’t see any parody at all. A parody denotes humor and satire. Tweeting fake trades, where’s the satire?
July 25th, 2012 at 11:54 pmI’m fine with targeting James Shields, but I want no part of David Price. I’m never trusting another Vanderbilt pitcher.
July 26th, 2012 at 12:07 amSpeaking of twitter:
https://twitter.com/RandallDelgado
July 26th, 2012 at 12:12 amI’m confused, AAR. Are you out on Minor? ‘Cause I’ve been impressed by what he’s done lately. All he really needs to do is become more consistent. I still think he’s got #3 upside.
Then again, maybe you were joking.
July 26th, 2012 at 12:34 am@20-
What the hell is that twitter account? And what does “nombe” mean???
July 26th, 2012 at 12:36 amHe’s got a blue checkmark, so apparently it’s legit.
I’m not the kind of person who would tease a person because English is their second language, but when you take the whole thing in to account, getting demoted, then getting traded, then NOT being traded, and staying with a team that just tried to trade you, and knowing you could be traded again any minute now… and you add that picture he uses as his avatar… I don’t think there’s anything that sums it up more eloquently than: “They don’t did a trade.”
July 26th, 2012 at 12:49 amMinor has looked good this month. But, like David Price, he went to Vanderbilt. So I can’t trust him.
July 26th, 2012 at 12:57 amJay Cutler, Pedro Alvarez, and Skip Bayless all went to Vanderbilt. Alex, I think you’re on to something significant here.
July 26th, 2012 at 2:14 amFrancisco sucks way too much for him to stand around admiring an occasional collision between his bat and a ball. Act like you belong there, man.
July 26th, 2012 at 6:49 amLOL, Randall Delgado.
July 26th, 2012 at 7:11 amChipper and Fatty Francisco have combined for 17 hrs and 63 RBIs from 3rd this year.
I know those are traditional numbers, but that is not bad production from a platoon at 3B this year.
July 26th, 2012 at 7:12 amAww, bummer about the account. I saw it retweeted by someone so I didn’t check into the validity of the original source.
July 26th, 2012 at 7:50 amThis recap is really good. You’re getting the hang of this daily blogging thing.
July 26th, 2012 at 8:07 amI didn’t know Skip Bayless went to Vandy. Any school that gave him a degree should really reconsider its standards.
July 26th, 2012 at 8:13 am“Out of all the people to parody…Karl Ravech? Was Chris Fowler already taken?”
I got a chuckle out of that.
July 26th, 2012 at 8:14 amFrancisco sucks way too much for him to stand around admiring an occasional collision between his bat and a ball. Act like you belong there, man.
Normally I would be in 100% agreement. However, after watching that douche Reyes celebrate after every base hit/SB or standing there admiring his HR off of Hudson I really wish Fransisco had watched it a little bit longer. The Marlins are annoying so I kind of enjoyed watching it.
July 26th, 2012 at 8:38 amIf there is any truth to these Greinke rumors, he’s going to cost a ton.
July 26th, 2012 at 8:40 amIs it Stu’s birthday, or are y’all fishing for a rant?
July 26th, 2012 at 8:45 amJonathan F at 11,
Gattis played last night / yesterday in GCL and went 2 for 2, both singles. Long term, with the wrist injury, I don’t fear loss of power for him. And, it is very important for him to be able to make contact and draw walks to be a potential complete offensive force.
He played left field. Per Talking Chop, it may be a few days before they move him up again (but you may have the official word later than theirs).
July 26th, 2012 at 8:49 am@35
Stu isn’t much of a ranter. His blows will be precise and deadly, much like Tyler Bray passes to Da’ Rick Rodgers.
July 26th, 2012 at 8:57 amI like a Vol player’s explanation for The’Rick’s will-I-stay-or-will-I-go antics this spring- that he just needs attention.
July 26th, 2012 at 9:27 amHe is a head case.
July 26th, 2012 at 9:29 amDid you guys see that Chipper is now on twitter? His tweet yesterday about yesterday’s game was (quoting here): “Mike b and jhey go yicketty! The roadrunner went mammo! And the Bravos have a winning road trip. My kind of day off, no action!!!”
‘Roadrunner’ for Francisco, to me, is funny beyond words
July 26th, 2012 at 9:32 amMy baber says the following deal is in the works:
CHI (NL) gets: Delgatto and Terd
MIL gets: Tehran, JJ and Minor
ATL gets: Demspter, Reed Johnson, Mike Fiers and Greinke
DOB and Bowman will CONFIRM it by the end of the day
July 26th, 2012 at 9:41 am@33 – Granted there are few bigger douches than Reyes, but Francisco is a douche that sucks. Can’t stand him.
He’s now officially Roadrunner to me.
July 26th, 2012 at 9:43 amMuch like being a mom, daily blogging is a source of pride, but it is also generally a thankless task with no ostensible reward for the first 18 years.
But seriously, thanks, guys. I’m enjoying writing these.
July 26th, 2012 at 9:48 amI guess it takes a longer memory than even Chipper has, but there’s only one Roadrunner in Atlanta Braves lore, and it sure as hell ain’t Juan Francisco.
July 26th, 2012 at 9:53 amhttp://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garrra01.shtml
July 26th, 2012 at 9:54 am@36: I guess, but http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4022&position=OF#fielding he started 49 games in center and 45 games in right, if we’re talking about Melky and not Gattis (and since my comment didn’t have anything to with Gattis I assume that’s what you were referring to.)
Plus, I don’t fact check my humor.
July 26th, 2012 at 9:56 amRalph Garr was really fun to watch.
Whenever he’d come to bat in the old stadium, he’d get announced & then the PA would play a loud “Beep-beep!”
July 26th, 2012 at 10:03 am…just like the cartoon.
July 26th, 2012 at 10:04 am@46 – the comment above your 11 (by joecraigmcmurty) mentioned Gattis beginning his rehab Friday at Miss. Cliff at 36 was telling him it actually began Thurs in Gulf Coast League, and that it may be a few days before he’s back in Miss.
He just mis-attributed his reply.
Of course, you might already know that and were teasing him. In which case, you have an extremely dry sense of humor…
July 26th, 2012 at 10:14 amSmitty’s barber always has the best trades. Can we hire him to be the Braves GM?
BTW Smitty, did he also say that Greinke wants to play for the Braves so much that he would sign a below-market extension?
July 26th, 2012 at 10:19 amGattis, our non-prospect, is the guy Im pulling for the hardest. With Chipper and probably Bourn leaving, we really need a big bat to fall in our lap.
July 26th, 2012 at 10:25 am@50
My barber says that Greinke will sign the following deal with the Braves
-6 years, $6 million (he doesn’t feel anyone should make more than a million a year)
-Life time passes to the World of Coke
-Four MARTA swift passes
-15 foam tomahawks
-An autographed baseball by the entire 1995 team.
-He will also fill in for CHip on the days he isn’t pitching.
July 26th, 2012 at 10:39 amIronically, the only thing the real Roadrunner and Juan Francisco have in common is walk rate.
July 26th, 2012 at 10:48 am@51 Agreed. I was crushed when he got hurt this year.
July 26th, 2012 at 10:53 amHmm, I was 3 when Garr last played for the Braves, so that lore wasn’t in my thinking. Chipper was about the same age. But, since we can’t have two Roadrunners, Francisco reverts back to “Frankfurter Fingers” for me.
July 26th, 2012 at 11:09 am35—Alex is always fishing, and I ain’t biting.
Apologies for Skip Bayless, though. If it helps, VU people all hate him, too.
37—More like a beer bottle thrown by Tyler onto a parked car.
July 26th, 2012 at 11:14 amTrying to do work, but keep getting distracted. Spontaneous poll? Least favorite current Brave?
Mine: Frankfurter Fingers
July 26th, 2012 at 11:18 am@56
Well, he was on target.
July 26th, 2012 at 11:25 amI saw Bayless when I was at ESPN. Yes, his face always looks like that.
July 26th, 2012 at 11:34 am“Noc-A-Homa,” the latest song/video from the Atlanta indie-rock band, the Black Lips.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuAY6rErYJ4&feature=youtu.be
From their press release:
“The video for the Black Lips’ raucous two-minute homage to Chief Noc-A-Homa, the famed former mascot of the Atlanta Braves from the 1960s until 1986.
“Chief Noc-A-Homa is one of baseball’s most beloved mascots who was best known for emerging from a tepee in the bleachers to rally the hometown crowd into a frenzy. In their song, ‘Noc-A-Homa,’ the Black Lips, Atlanta natives and diehard Braves fans, tell the story from Chief Noc-A-Homa’s point of view, a proud Native American who has been humiliated and made into a caricature of his ancestors for the amusement of drunken fans who pelt him with boiled peanuts.
“In the music video, the Black Lips partner up with director Sandy Kim to produce a telling of this tragic story. In the Black Lips’ version, Chief Noc-A-Homa enacts revenge on all those who humiliated him, donning his old costume and handing out sweet justice. This time it’s the Chief who comes out on top.”
July 26th, 2012 at 12:23 pmWell then.
July 26th, 2012 at 12:31 pmJust throwing it out there.
July 26th, 2012 at 1:22 pmDoes being on the DL prevent you from being named least favorite? If not, then Jack Wilson. Fatcisco does at least one thing at an elite level – and that is hitting long bombs when he connects. Wilson? – ehh…he…umm…he can put down a decent sac bunt?
July 26th, 2012 at 1:24 pmAs time passes, the whole Chief Noc-A-Homa schtick gets more surreal to think about. Kids really would keep an eye on the teepee during the game, and we’d cheer wildly when he emerged. Now I think how weird it was that he spent as much time as he did alone in the teepee during the games. I don’t mean that to sound creepy, but really, what an odd thing to have to do. I wonder if he was asleep.
Fun video — anything featuring the Krog Street bridge gets a thumbs-up from me.
July 26th, 2012 at 1:35 pmI always wondered what type of smoke might have been coming out of that teepee.
July 26th, 2012 at 1:37 pmI’ll second Jack Wilson as least favorite. Francisco’s hot doggery doesn’t bother me. So we’ve got a little mustard on the bench, so what?
July 26th, 2012 at 1:37 pmI’m told that in his latter years, Noc-a-Homa had gotten so fat he couldn’t make it all the way and would stop to catch his breath.
True? And what was the Princess’s name?
——————
When does Andrellton return? (Although Janish has played pretty well.)
July 26th, 2012 at 1:38 pmDon’t forget, sansho1, IIRC he had a TV in there.
July 26th, 2012 at 1:42 pm@67: There were two different princesses: Win-A-Lotta and Poc-A-Homa
July 26th, 2012 at 1:47 pmI liked the Black Lips before; now I really, really like them.
July 26th, 2012 at 2:07 pm@69
July 26th, 2012 at 2:07 pmNot to be confused with Biff Poc-A-Roba!
Bethany, sorry to read that your fellow Aurburn graphic artist, Phil Neel has dies. He created Aubie. My brother has 3 degrees from there.
July 26th, 2012 at 2:19 pm“DIED”
July 26th, 2012 at 2:20 pmHey, yeah. Isn’t Andrelton supposed to be back some time in August? That’s exciting!!
July 26th, 2012 at 2:25 pm@72 It’s sad news, but I’m glad he got to have a good long life. I was thinking a lot yesterday about the various Aubie encounters I had growing up and how special they were to me.
July 26th, 2012 at 2:28 pmWow, the Cubs might pay Dempster to come to Atlanta so that they can get Delgado. What a weird situation.
July 26th, 2012 at 2:48 pmIt should tell Frank Wren something about the relative value of the players involved in any event.
July 26th, 2012 at 2:54 pm@75 who is better sub TP or Janish?
July 26th, 2012 at 2:55 pm@76 No way Atlanta lets that happen, unless they are getting some cash in exchange.
July 26th, 2012 at 2:57 pmMy barber says that we are going to make the following trade:
Lebanon gets: “The Road Runner” and some broken shot guns from Chipper Jones’ house
Doc Brown gets: A pardon (Jimmy Carter put in a call to Obama)and Jack Wilson
ATL gets: Delorian and five boxes of plutonium so they can go back to 1995 and get John Smoltz, 1991 for Glavine and 1994 to get Maddux.
July 26th, 2012 at 2:58 pm@68
I had forgotten that, thanks.
July 26th, 2012 at 3:22 pmAt this point, I’m clinging to the possibility that Braves evaluators are sure that Delgado will never be more than a mid-rotation starter.
July 26th, 2012 at 3:30 pm“Braves GM Frank Wren said on 680-AM The Fan in Atlanta that he’s “moving on” from Dempster. “I think it’s very highly unlikely,” Wren said (via ESPNChicago.com). Once the Braves heard Dempster would prefer to play for the Dodgers, they moved on. Wren said the Braves continue pursuing starting pitchers.”
July 26th, 2012 at 4:02 pmIf a player needs extra incentive to come to Atlanta then move on. There’s zero chance of resigning the guy and Delgado is too much to pay for him. I wanted Dempster when he said he preferred Atl. It would be really hard pulling for the guy at this point after this debacle.
July 26th, 2012 at 5:00 pmLA will overpay.
July 26th, 2012 at 5:21 pmYeah, I don’t imagine Wren wants any part of it anyway. It’s just funny, the lengths Theo is going to in order to salvage his coup of a trade, or at least some leverage against the Dodgers.
July 26th, 2012 at 5:30 pmDumpster is really screwing over the Cubs. Their fans can’t be happy. They got a good deal for them ruined by Dumpster, and are now left with either Dodger scrap or a sandwich draft pick.
July 26th, 2012 at 6:39 pmI don’t think a clubhouse would be very receptive to a guy who was paid $1MM to go to a club he didn’t really want to go to.
July 26th, 2012 at 6:47 pmNo chance they offer Dempster a qualifying contract.
July 26th, 2012 at 6:51 pm@60, the video was shot about a quarter mile from my house, in Cabbagetown/kirkwood.
July 26th, 2012 at 6:59 pmDon’t look now, but here come the Cards . . .
July 26th, 2012 at 8:36 pmIs there any chance we could still get stuck with that Dempster deal? I thought Wren used the word “expired.”
July 26th, 2012 at 8:45 pm@92 The Cubs lost all of their leverage, so I doubt it.
July 26th, 2012 at 8:56 pmHopefully Wren can do better. Cubs have no leverage and its clear that Dempster didnt really want to come to Atl. I dont see why Wren would offer as much the second time around.
July 26th, 2012 at 9:26 pmAnyone here annoyed by fraternization in-game? I don’t have any problem with it before the game starts.
Just noticed it tonight in the Nationals–Brewers game. Mike Morse hit a single to run the score up to 8-0 in favor of the Nationals. He and Cory Hart were holding a casual conversation at first base–while your team is getting its ass kicked, Cory.
Maybe I’m just a grouch.
July 26th, 2012 at 10:14 pmMatt Harvey is pitching the way our young phenoms were supposed to…
July 26th, 2012 at 10:29 pmWhatever happens, I hope the Braves don’t deal Teheran. Unless they trade for and sign Grienke. Anything short of that, Teheran needs to stay a Brave.
July 26th, 2012 at 11:07 pmTeheran keeps pitching as he is now, he won’t be much of a prospect this time next year.
July 26th, 2012 at 11:25 pmI’m pretty convinced he’s trying to re-work his delivery. He was tipping pitches before, which is why he was getting lit when the pitched in the bigs. Re-working a delivery takes time, and I remain pretty optimistic about his chances at being a front-line starter in the majors. (Or maybe this is just me rationalizing his incredibly poor outings; I haven’t actually read or heard any scouting reports since there was talk of him tipping his pitches.)
I mean, he’s like 21. There are 21 year-olds getting ooos and ahhs blowing away kids in High-A, and no one’s questioning their prospect status.
July 26th, 2012 at 11:32 pmYou can’t trade Teheran for Zack Greinke. If you do decide that you’re willing to part with Teheran, you absolutely have to shop him to the rest of baseball.
And offering Teheran will open up at least one option that’s better than 2 months of Zack Greinke.
July 27th, 2012 at 12:10 amWell so far in Gulf Coast League action, Evan Gattis is hitting .800.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:31 amDon’t look now, but here come the Cards . . .
And the Phillies. They are not out of it by any means, and I still have a very strong feeling that they will finish ahead of us in the division. They certainly have a much better team, and a lead of ten games is nothing with more than two month to play.
With Greinke, however, we’d have a shot.
July 27th, 2012 at 5:23 am“And the Phillies. They are not out of it by any means, and I still have a very strong feeling that they will finish ahead of us in the division. They certainly have a much better team, and a lead of ten games is nothing with more than two month to play.”
Huh?
Re Greinke: I wonder if the Brewers would rather trade Greinke to the American League, especially if Rangers are willing to pay a big price. Shields might be more realistic but I’m not sure the Braves have what the Rays want.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:05 amTom @ 102,
“A lead of ten games is nothgin with more than two months to play.”
Really?
95% likely lead team holds that lead, all other things equal. I would think that the 10 game lead is something, but not absolutely insurmountble.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:06 amHow do the Phillies have a much better team? They have better starting pitching (when healthy). Braves have much better lineup and bullpen. Ruiz is the only member of their lineup outperforming ours at his position and I wonder if that will even last as McCann is heating up.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:10 amYeah, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley are not the same guys they were in 2009. I’m not anticipating a .700 finish to the season from the Phils.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:17 amThe Phillies have a four-game winning streak and some act as if they’re red-hot. People are living in the past; no one would call, say, the Rockies “hot” over a four-game win streak. They’re nine under .500 and 14 games out of first place.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:18 am@105
Their starting rotation is better, if they are healthy.
I think our lineup is better.
Their bullpen sucks.
With those three pitchers, I wouldn’t count the Phillies out yet. But they appear to be looking to move guys.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:25 amMy guess is the Rangers get Greinke, and the Braves get stuck with Dumpster after he finally agrees to the trade upon realizing the Dodgers won’t give up anything good for him.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:29 amThe Phillies starting rotation is better than ours, regardless of who is healthy in it.
Everybody’s starting rotation is better than ours.
We are 14th in a 16 team league.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:37 am@109,
I agree. And Dempster might actually be the best realistic option for the Braves. Everyone is chasing pitching and, other than Delgado and Teheran, the Braves really don’t have many chips. I don’t think Wren made the Dempster deal lightly; he must have known that it would be very difficult to get Greinke, at least at a reasonable cost.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:47 amI wonder if the Brewers would let us discuss an extension w/ Grenkie first? That could change things
July 27th, 2012 at 8:48 amI think the Rangers get Greinke also. I really dont want to see Dempster in Atlanta at this point. Hopefully Wren can get Shields, Johnson, or someone under team control for 2013.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:48 amThe Rays reportedly won’t give up Shields, and he’s not that good anyway. The Marlins want a “Teixeira-type package” for Johnson, and he always seem a start away from the DL. Dempster doesn’t want to be here, and the Rangers have good prospects to burn for Greinke.
Curious what Wren ends up doing for a front of the rotation starter.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:53 amDooooooooooooomed.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:57 amRays are saying Shields will be available after Greinke gets moved.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:00 amShields isn’t “that good,” but he’s 30 and has accumulated the 14th-most fWAR among MLB SPs since 2007, his first full year in the majors.
OK.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:01 amI think Wren may have made a mistake by using the term “top of the rotation” starter. Certainly, Dempster isn’t what I would consider that. I think he is more likely to get a middle of the rotation guy at this point, like Liriano. In any event, Wren will probably have to overpay for anyone he gets.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:02 amKen Rosenthal@Ken_Rosenthal
#Braves have promoted their first-round pick in 2011, LHP Sean Gilmartin, to Triple A. Gilmartin was 5-8 with a 3.54 ERA at Double A.
Whose spot is he taking in the AAA rotation?
July 27th, 2012 at 9:02 amFrankly, it might be the Braves, not the Cubs, that lack leverage. Maybe the Cubs are bluffing but they seem prepared to keep Dempster and take a draft pick next year. If they can persuade Dempster to go to Atlanta for a couple of months-which I think is not unlikely if he sees the Dodgers really don’t want him-Theo could tell Wren, we want Delgado or we just keep Dempster. It seems to me that Wren might not have any better alternative than to proceed with the original deal.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:23 am@120, The talk about the Cubs paying Dempster $1 million to take the Atlanta deal suggests to me that they’re a little more desperate.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:25 am@119: probably Todd Redmond
July 27th, 2012 at 9:28 am@121,
Good point. But it’s just talk. Would it even be legal for them to do that?
July 27th, 2012 at 9:28 am#120 – Theo cant tell Wren much when his player is blocking deals to come here. Reports from DOB was Wren was willing to offer Delgado because they thought they could get him to sign next year. I highly doubt Wren still has that same feeling.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:29 amShields is having a bad year (4.52 ERA; 82 ERA+ and most hits allowed by any pitcher in the AL), an abysmal year in 2010 and has a career ERA+ of 104.
Not saying he’s bad, but he is not a “front of the rotation” starter, which is what Wren is supposedly looking for.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:31 amI just don’t see a front of the rotation starter in the picture for the Braves. Other than Greinke, everyone else has issues and/or are not pitching well this year. Maybe they hope that Delgado and Minor are getting it and hope for the best? The real issues are that Tommy Hanson is unreliable and Tim Hudson is hurt. (I’m not even talking about JJ because he seems clearly done.)
July 27th, 2012 at 9:37 amprobably Todd Redmond
BRaves released Eric Junge
July 27th, 2012 at 9:37 amShields would most likely fare better here than in the AL East. But yeah, I think of him as a solid #3, and I’m not sure how much better that makes us.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:38 amFWIW, I’d imagine Shields would be at least a tick better in the NL, not having to face AL East DHs all year.
He was terrific last year (2.82 ERA), but, in light of this year’s performance, those 249 IP in 2011 can certainly be viewed 2 ways.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:38 amI don’t know that we would be in on him, but the Phillies are probably going to move Cliff Lee. It may happen in the winter though.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:40 amId like to take a chance with Shields replacing JJ in our rotation. However, his career numbers vs NL teams is pretty uggly.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:44 amAccepting that the Braves probably don’t and won’t have a true ace this year, what’s wrong with adding a solid number 3? (Assuming that’s what, say, Shields, Is.) Replacing JJ with someone better, even if he is not great, has got to help. If he can just keep the team in the game, that would be an improvement. Whether or not it would be enough in October is irrelevant; let’s get there first and then worry about it.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:51 amLet’s just go all in on Greinke and start him on Sunday.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:52 amWait. Has anyone else heard about this? Clint Eastwood, Justin Timberlake and Amy Adams are making the greatest baseball movie ever!!!
http://afterthecut.com/2012/07/27/first-look-trouble-with-the-curve/
July 27th, 2012 at 9:54 am@125- But counting stats love him because he throws TONS of (league average) innings!
July 27th, 2012 at 9:58 amGiven how many innings he gives you, he’s more valuable than a solid #3. He’s providing at least #2-starter value.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:59 amYes, imagine that, getting credit for throwing innings. How insane.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:01 amI think Fredi’s head would explode-well it might anyway-if he had a pitcher that could actually get past the 6th inning.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:05 amAn added bonus!
July 27th, 2012 at 10:06 amLivan Hernandez can give you 230 innings, too.
The problem is all the guys who score in the process.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:14 amLivan can’t give you 230 innings that are better than the innings a lot of guys in the bullpen would be giving you.
This is really basic stuff.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:19 amSheilds could be a solid pick up for us, but not the ace we need
July 27th, 2012 at 10:28 amHe’s not Greinke or Johnson, but he’d be the best starter on the staff, second-best, at worst. And he’s signed to a very good contract through 2014.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:33 amShields is a great guy to HAVE. He’s not a guy worth ACQUIRING. It’s pretty simple.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:40 amWell, I’d say it depends totally on what it costs to acquire him.
He’s worth more than he’s being paid, and he’s a marked upgrade over what we have. Saying he’s not worth acquiring, period, is laughable.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:42 amBraves Journal: Needs more Stu posts.
This all may not matter if the Rays are (being smart as usual and) waiting for the true aces to be dealt, to increase Shields’ value. They certainly don’t have to trade Shields now, and they’re apparently using the deadline to drive up his price as much as possible.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:43 amThe White Sox won the World Series with, really, a bunch of 2s and 3s. If you have 5 solid pitchers (or 3 in the playoffs), you can do ok. Sometimes, guys come out of nowhere to dominate in the playoffs. I think Shields is the kind of pitcher that could potentially do that. He certainly has more ability, at this point, than Hanson, who is really nothing more than a soft-tosser now.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:45 amDo people really think that a guy who will go out there and throw 7 better-than-league-average each time out wouldn’t MASSIVELY improve this team? The starting rotation is awful. We’re relying on Ben Frickin Sheets to be our savior.
I’m not saying I’d sell the farm for him, but you’d have him for two more years after this at reasonable prices ($9M for 2013, $12M for 2014), and his ERA looks way worse than his peripherals. Plus, he’d be going from the AL East to the NL. That’s a big step down in terms of “degree of difficulty”. I would trade Delgado for him straight up.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:49 amDo people really think that a guy who will go out there and throw 7 better-than-league-average each time out wouldn’t MASSIVELY improve this team?
JJ cant go 4IP in a start at this point. So yes, thats a massive improvement.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:54 amHow familiar is Shields with NL hitters? To what extent does his familiarity work for or against him?
July 27th, 2012 at 10:56 amShields would be a big disappointment. Dumpster and his NL-best ERA is more appealing.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:59 amThey aren’t going to give him away for two single a relievers, Stu. He’s going to cost more than Dempster, that’s for sure.
He throws tons of innings, but doesn’t do any better than average at preventing runs.
Innings are inevitable. Somebody is going to throw 9 of them. The question is how many runs score. And Shields doesn’t prevent runs any better than, for example, Randall Delgado.
League average innings have plenty of value. But they aren’t a thing you pay a leveraged deadline price for. There is no reason to rush to go get your league average innings at a 9 mill a year.
Get him in the offseason when all those innings belong to you, and when you can negotiate without a time clock.
But he doesn’t improve the Braves rotation for this season. Our rotation has pitched a 4.29 era this season. Shields has pitched a 4.52.
Sure, he gives you innings. But he’s only going to make 10 or 12 more starts this year. The difference for THIS YEAR, over Randall Delgado is not worth what you have to give up to get him.
And that’s why you deal at the deadline. For the difference a guy will make to THIS YEARS club.
If its the rest of his contract that makes him valuable, well, in the offseason, a lot of guys will be available who aren’t available now.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:59 amHe hasnt pitched well against the NL in his career.
July 27th, 2012 at 11:03 amIt’s 2012. If you a judge a pitcher by ERA in a small sample, that’s really your problem.
July 27th, 2012 at 11:08 amAdam, his career ERA+ is 104. And ERA may not be the ideal predictor of future performance, it’s a pretty simple shorthand for, ya know, preventing runs.
July 27th, 2012 at 11:11 amAnd he puts up that ERA in front of a defense that traditionally excels in defensive efficiency
July 27th, 2012 at 11:12 amShields’ career BABIP: .303
In 2012: .340
Tells you nothing by itself, but with a 53.7 GB%, you might get the picture that you’ve got a good buy-low target on your hands…if only the Rays weren’t already thinking what we should be thinking.
Let Shields pitch with Janish and Andrelton behind him, rather than Elliot Johnson and Sean Rodriguez.
July 27th, 2012 at 11:16 amAnd he puts up that ERA in front of a defense that traditionally excels in defensive efficiency
When Longoria is on the field, that may be true. It’s not now.
July 27th, 2012 at 11:20 amThat’s a fair point, but his career numbers aren’t outstanding, either.
And Janish/Andrelton aside, we’ve got three statues of our own in the infield.
July 27th, 2012 at 11:27 amI wouldn’t call Freeman a statue. His range isn’t great, but he saves a ton of errors.
Uggla is very underrated with the glove, as is Chipper.
Chipper doesn’t have the range he once did, but with Janish and Simmons he doesn’t need it.
The only starter that worries me with the glove is McCann
July 27th, 2012 at 11:42 am#160 – Pretty much everyone in the infield has a good glove, but Freeman/Chipper/Uggla have awful range.
July 27th, 2012 at 11:48 amHas anyone glanced at our remaining schedule? Bunch of cupcakes except for games against the Dodgers and Giant in ATL. I refuse to acknowledge Montreal or the Pittstain Pirates as formidable foes, but they’re also there.
July 27th, 2012 at 12:00 pmBut, by that time the Dodgers will have a rotation of Dempster, Grienke, Garza, Shields, and Johnson. With Tehran out of the ‘pen.
July 27th, 2012 at 12:02 pmYeah I wouldn’t call our infield error-prone. But defensive efficiency treats the ball you got to and dropped exactly the same as the ball you didn’t even get to.
July 27th, 2012 at 12:02 pmMLBTR saying Garza isnt going to be traded now because he’s unavailable for his next start. MRI showed fluid build up in his elbow.
July 27th, 2012 at 12:06 pmI think Uggla has pretty decent range. Though 2B really isn’t a big range possition.
Early on, Uggla was terrbile. I think he has worked hard to get better. I even think he is a little above average. I have seen him get to some balls this year that KJ would have never gotten to
July 27th, 2012 at 12:07 pm“I refuse to acknowledge Montreal or the Pittstain Pirates as formidable foes, but they’re also there.”
You better because “Montreal” has a pitching staff that the Braves would kill for. If you want to be delusional, go ahead.
July 27th, 2012 at 12:09 pm@165
So the price of pitching just went up some more
July 27th, 2012 at 12:09 pmIt may just be cheaper adding two RH’d relievers and moving Medlen into the rotation. Id rather do that than revisit that Dempster deal.
July 27th, 2012 at 12:20 pm“I refuse to acknowledge Montreal or the Pittstain Pirates as formidable foes, but they’re also there.”
You better because “Montreal” has a pitching staff that the Braves would kill for. If you want to be delusional, go ahead.
Same with Pittsburgh
July 27th, 2012 at 12:22 pm- Huh?
- Really? 95% likely lead team holds that lead, all other things equal.
- The Phillies have a four-game winning streak and some act as if they’re red-hot. People are living in the past;
I was basically just trying to jinx a Phillies comeback. Thinking about it, I dont’t really believe it WILL happen, but it certainly COULD happen. After the 2011 experience, and given the current situation of our team and theirs, it wouldn’t surprise me at all. The Braves were 82-58 on September 5th (!), the Cards were 74-67, and guess who won the World Series…
BTW, my vote for line of the day goes to:
Ruiz is the only member of their lineup outperforming ours at his position
Yeah, sure. Uggla is better than Utley and Janish better than Rollins right now.
July 27th, 2012 at 12:27 pmI agree with Stu: Shields would be a major addition/upgrade to the Braves. He’d be replacing Jurrjens, basically. If you can’t get Greinke then he’s the next best possible target.
July 27th, 2012 at 12:33 pmThe Braves have agreed to sign Miguel Batista, David Lennon of Newsday reports (on Twitter). The Mets released the 41-year-old right-hander yesterday after designating him for assignment.
AAA hopefully
July 27th, 2012 at 12:54 pmReady for good news?
Stark-Jayson Stark: The Braves may not have announced on anybody’s radio show that they’ve moved on with Zack Greinke, the way they did for Ryan Dempster, but they are telling teams that they’re turning their focus away from the rotation and are shopping more for bullpen and bench pieces. That would be an indication they have no interest in dealing Julio Teheran for a rental player.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:02 pmJust to be clear:
Are we discussing “Big Game James” Shields, current leader in hits allowed (156 in 137+ innings) and leader in Batters Faced?
Maybe it’s true that you have to be a pretty good pitcher to get to face that many batters (much like you have to be pretty good to get the opportunity to lose 20 games) but I can’t tell if the Rays just don’t have better options than leaving him out there.
For me… not so much
July 27th, 2012 at 1:04 pmLast piece
It’s also an indication that they will have a tough time convincing themselves they can re-sign Greinke in the wake of the Cole Hamels contract.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:06 pm@175, I want to scream BABIP at the top of my lungs but 1) I don’t think it’d make any difference and 2) Have you ever said “BABIP” out loud? It sounds ridiculous.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:07 pmKind of brain cramped on Rollins but utley is having a pretty bad year. Once Andrelton returns, I’ll stand by what I said.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:13 pm@176
That means one of two things. They are trying to lower the price on pitching or they are ready to move Medlin to the rotation.
This team isn’t going to make/ go far in October with this rotation.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:16 pmBraves Journal: Needs more Stu posts.
I agree with Stu
From now on, I’m only ready comments by guys named Adam.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:18 pmTo clarify, there’s no doubt Shields would help our chances to get to the playoffs. I’m just not sure how much he helps our chances at a ring once we get there. He’s a good guy to have all year long.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:19 pmShields pitched 250 innings last year in the regular season. With all the doubts about our rotation, he may be the only guy left standing by the time we get to the playoffs! He might have to give us another 250 starting in October, with our luck.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:27 pmYeah, if thats the case our postseason rotation looks like Hudson, Hanson, Minor if Sheets doesnt hold up.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:28 pmWhether or not this is actually true, it makes some sense. There are only so many significant pitching upgrades out there and the Braves are unlikely to get any of them for a price they are willing to pay. It might make sense to concentrate on areas where they can actually make moves. The Greinke thing never made much sense to me because did they really expect him to take some significant discount to sign with the Braves?
Re Teheran: As Capt. Miller said to Private Ryan on the bridge: “Earn this.”
July 27th, 2012 at 1:36 pmThis reminds me of the time we needed pitching, but there was no pitching, so we traded for Mark Teixeira.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:38 pmUpgrades over Hinkse/Diaz should not be tough to land, and will help quite a bit, as Prado can spell Uggla more and more if he doesn’t get it turned around, if only we had someone worth starting in LF in his stead.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:47 pmFrom now on, I’m only ready comments by guys named Adam.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:56 pmI would give up a legitimately large prospect haul for Greinke–and pay him like an ace. At some point you’re going to have to pay a couple elite players at market rates. It’s nearly impossible to win the WS without doing so. And Greinke is the type of player for whom you do that.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:04 pmIf we went out and got 2-3 studs for our bullpen, I could live with this rotation.
We would only nee 5 innings out of a starter and just ask them to keep it close.
Pestano, Broxton, Street w/ a healthy O’Venterble would mean we would just need a lead in the 4th inning.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:08 pmAt some point you’re going to have to pay a couple elite players at market rates.
I couldn’t disagree more. Almost all elite teams manage to get by precisely by not paying elite players at elite rates, usually because they developed those players themselves. Elite talent costs so much on the open market that it is usually inefficient to try to obtain it, unless you have a payroll so high that it doesn’t matter, because the justifiable price you have to pay that talent requires you to shortchange the rest of your roster.
Think about the most recent World Series winners. The Yankees and Red Sox are really the only exceptions — and of course they’re the Yankees and Red Sox, so their situation doesn’t really apply to us.
2011 Cardinals
Best position players: Albert Pujols (homegrown, on a below-market extension), Matt Holliday (market rate), Lance Berkman (low price for a 1-year contract)
Best pitcher: Chris Carpenter (signed to a below-market extension)
2010 Giants
Best position players: Aubrey Huff (low price for a 1-year contract), Andres Torres (team-controlled), Buster Posey (homegrown, team-controlled)
Best pitchers: Matt Cain (homegrown, below-market extension), Tim Lincecum (homegrown, below-market extension)
2009 New York Yankees
Best position players: Derek Jeter (homegrown, above-market extension), Mark Teixeira, (above-market contract), Robinson Cano (homegrown, below-market contract), Alex Rodriguez (above-market contract)
Best pitchers: C.C. Sabathia (market-rate contract), A.J. Burnett (above-market contract), Mariano Rivera (homegrown, market-rate contract)
2008 Philadelphia Phillies
Best position players: Chase Utley (homegrown, below-market contract), Jimmy Rollins (homegrown, below-market contract), Shane Victorino (homegrown, below-market contract)
Best pitchers: Cole Hamels (homegrown, below-market contract)
2007 Boston Red Sox
July 27th, 2012 at 2:20 pmBest position players: David Ortiz (below-market extension), Mike Lowell (market-rate extension), Kevin Youkilis (homegrown, below-market contract), Dustin Pedroia (homegrown, below-market contract)
Best pitchers: Josh Beckett (below-market extension), Curt Schilling (market-rate contract), Daisuke Matsuzaka (above-market contract)
On a scale of insane to brilliant, where would you rate the Braves trading for Josh Beckett?
He has worn out his welcome in Boston. I know his contract may have caused a spit-take from people while reading this, but that guy has pitched some damn impressive games.
Just outside the box (or cage, in my case).
July 27th, 2012 at 2:25 pmI agree with Alex but even if I didn’t, we have no guarantee that the Braves could even resign Greinke. The assumption, I think, was that he would take somewhat of a discount because he wanted to play for the Braves but we sure don’t know that. Unless the Braves were ready to pay whatever it takes to sign Greinke-and, obviously, they aren’t-it would be a big risk to trade Teheran and Delgado for two months of Greinke. Even the Yankees can’t be guaranteed of getting their man; everyone assumed Cliff Lee would resign with them but he didn’t.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:29 pmI don’t think it will take Teheran and Delgado to get Greinke.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:30 pmThere is absolutely no question that the AL East is the hardest division in baseball to pitch in, and Fenway Park is one of the most extreme hitters’ parks, as well. In addition, Boston can frequently turn poisonous. Beckett seems like he can be both an idiot and a jerk and his skills have clearly degraded from where they were a few years ago; he’s overpaid, even taking park and division effects into consideration.
But if Boston was literally just looking to salary-dump him, like the Yankees did with A.J. Burnett or we did with Derek Lowe, we’d be fools not to consider it. He’s still only 32, and he can still pitch.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:31 pmMarc, Id rather target Lester instead of Beckett.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:34 pm@193
I agree. I think it would take both of them and AT LEAST a mid level prospect.
If they gave us a window to sign him to a multi year contact and he took it, then I might pull the trigger on that deal.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:40 pmWhy do I feel like whatever deal we make will be total surprise?
July 27th, 2012 at 2:45 pmA good surprise, I hope. Not a Miguel Bautista surprise.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:47 pmOur new “Livan Hernandez”?
July 27th, 2012 at 2:57 pmDon’t ask me why, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Braves got Blanton from the Phillies.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:58 pm•Dempster will consider trades to a number of teams, including the Braves and Dodgers, if the Cubs approach him with a deal in place, Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com reports. “He has not said that he wouldn’t go to Atlanta or anywhere else for that matter,” a person familiar with the situation told Levine.
This should be interesting.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:58 pmSurprise! Kenshin Kawakami.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:58 pm@197,
Yes, it will be a big surprise when the Braves announce that John Smoltz is coming down from the announcing booth to make a comeback and will be starting on Tuesday.
July 27th, 2012 at 3:00 pmI think I need to stop listening to the rumor mill. Wren seems to keep his cards close to his chest and has no problem lying to throw people off the scent. I just rediscovered this article about the Bourn trade and it’s pretty awesome:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/anatomy-of-a-baseball-trade-10202011.html
July 27th, 2012 at 3:02 pmMark Bowman @mlbbowman
Braves are continuing to search for a starting pitcher. Little has changed. Greinke and others still in play.
These next few days should be fun.
July 27th, 2012 at 3:03 pmLittle has changed? We’re dumping Fredi to get Grady Little? (hey… this rumor starting thing is easy!)
July 27th, 2012 at 3:07 pmThe buyers walked away from the sellers en masse until the price came down. OK, Wren, let’s make a deal.
July 27th, 2012 at 3:12 pmWren acquires Zach Greinke for Chad Durbin after obtaining pictures of Milwaukee’s GM with John Sandusky.
July 27th, 2012 at 3:18 pmIts awful that Im asking this question, but what can Bautista provide that Buddy Carlyle cant?
July 27th, 2012 at 3:29 pmFor some reason I think the Braves’ scouts did not like what they saw from Medlin as a starting pitcher in AAA. Of all the options out there, making a trade for a solid reliever and sending Medlin to the rotation seems to make a lot of sense and is a very low cost option. It just seems like the Braves are not considering that idea.
July 27th, 2012 at 4:16 pmWell, if what they want looks like Miguel Batista, then it’s no wonder that they didn’t like what they saw from Medlen.
July 27th, 2012 at 4:34 pmI have no clue why the Braves got Batista. I would almost rather have Livan Hernandez. As noted, hopefully this is just to bolster their AAA bullpen.
July 27th, 2012 at 4:38 pmProbably AAA roster filler.
July 27th, 2012 at 5:08 pmBullpen pieces and bench help? Parnell and Hairston from the Mets probably wouldn’t cost us much.
If pitching is going to cost too much, I’d explore either Upton.
July 27th, 2012 at 5:49 pmI just spent an extra 2 hours stuck on a broken down train with no AC outside of Boston. Why do people live in cities? Why do I live in a city?
I can say that Boston is totally over Beckett and Lester.
July 27th, 2012 at 6:03 pmBoston is a little late to the tea party. That clubhouse should have been blown up. Instead they threw a valentine on the fire.
JJ Putz anybody? Corey Hart?
July 27th, 2012 at 6:10 pmAre there any non-National fans against putting Medlen in the rotation? Feels like Gonzalez is the only one in the world who doesn’t think that is a good idea.
July 27th, 2012 at 6:20 pmGreinke traded to the Angels, per Rosenthal.
July 27th, 2012 at 6:26 pm@203, I just read Smoltzies book. An interesting read.
July 27th, 2012 at 6:29 pmNow I turned to the RA Dickey book. I can highly recommend that one. Dickey is my favorite non-Braves player. He’s had quite a life so far.
“Greinke traded to the Angels, per Rosenthal.”
Damn.
July 27th, 2012 at 6:31 pmNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *sobs*
July 27th, 2012 at 6:44 pmOn the bright side, there haven’t been any rumors about the Braves being interested in Shane Victorino. I just don’t think I could stomach that.
July 27th, 2012 at 6:47 pmHamel’s working fast I hope the Braves step out on him, slow him down.
July 27th, 2012 at 6:50 pmSheets doesn’t seem to be throwing as hard tonight.
July 27th, 2012 at 6:53 pmWell that should make things interesting.
July 27th, 2012 at 6:58 pmWay to go, Chipper!
July 27th, 2012 at 6:59 pmJohn Hellweg and Ariel Pena are the guys the Angels gave up. Do you guys see something special in their stats that I’m not getting? They seem solid but not overly special, but I am probably overlooking something.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:00 pmIdiot….
July 27th, 2012 at 7:00 pmFreaking hell, Chipper.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:00 pmDamn, he was sloooow getting back to the bag
July 27th, 2012 at 7:01 pmGah, McCann crushed that ball, but it was just in the wrong spot.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:02 pmAt least we are hitting Hamels well this inning. Maybe that bodes well going forward.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:03 pmChipper killed the whole inning. What the hell was that?
July 27th, 2012 at 7:03 pm@232 Hitting Hamels well this inning, but here comes Janish and the hitting will come to a stop
July 27th, 2012 at 7:04 pmIt’d be 1-1, bases loaded and one out if not for the pick-off.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:06 pmlol, way to go, Janish! Chipper’s screwup looms large.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:06 pmTaking walks is more like it–which is good.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:06 pmHa ha..,Phillies
July 27th, 2012 at 7:07 pmFaillies
July 27th, 2012 at 7:07 pmOH MY GOODNESS
July 27th, 2012 at 7:07 pmYES!!!!!! GREAT JOB BOURN!
July 27th, 2012 at 7:08 pmPay the man
July 27th, 2012 at 7:08 pmJanish doesn’t run on the epic arm of Juan Pierre and the Prado gets carved up for the 3rd out. 2 runs is nice but it feels like a bit of a failure still
July 27th, 2012 at 7:11 pmPierre was practically in the infield when he got to that ball. I don’t mind the fact that they held Janish (though hindsight is 20/20).
July 27th, 2012 at 7:13 pm243 — Usually, but Pierre was playing shallow and had the ball in on that play when Janish was rounding 3rd.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:13 pm@244 & 245 Good points
July 27th, 2012 at 7:17 pmIt seems like Snitker has been better this year.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:19 pmGreat ABs by Freddie today.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:25 pmAgreed about Snitker.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:36 pmLooks like we are going to get into the Phillies bullpen fairly early. Hamels is at 80 pitches.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:44 pm@227, Hellweg throws in the high 90s. They also gave up their top position player prospect (a SS I think).
July 27th, 2012 at 7:45 pm@251 Ah, well, that’s quite a haul then.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:49 pmThis sucks for the Braves though, since now the Rangers will be much more likely to grab whatever’s left in the pitching department. More and more I think we’re gonna have to settle for a non-flashy bullpen acquisition and hope what we’ve got is enough to get us in.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:51 pmAnd FWIW I’m ok with standing pat if we couldn’t get a reasonable deal for a top starter. I would not have traded Simmons, and it looks like it would have taken something like that…no thanks.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:55 pmChipper, please drive him in.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:57 pmGaaaaah, blast. Hope that doesn’t come back to bite us.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:58 pmTough call on Freddie
July 27th, 2012 at 8:00 pmGAHHHHHH
July 27th, 2012 at 8:01 pmSo now it’s a ball again, ump?
July 27th, 2012 at 8:01 pmBMAC
July 27th, 2012 at 8:01 pmAtta boy Mac…the new bat making a difference
July 27th, 2012 at 8:02 pmHamels is not pitching like $144,000,000.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:02 pmGET OUT!!!!
July 27th, 2012 at 8:02 pmBourn and McCann = all the moneys.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:04 pm@264 Yep
July 27th, 2012 at 8:05 pmSounds like Medlen might be the option to start on Tuesday, which is a good thing.
Oh yeah, did I mention pay Bourn the money?
July 27th, 2012 at 8:11 pmMan, Ruiz can hit.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:11 pmI can’t believe we went so long without a real CFer. Michael Bourn is a natural out there.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:15 pmJuan Pierre is my favorite Phillie.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:19 pmAnd God bless Ben Sheets. Where would we be without him?
July 27th, 2012 at 8:20 pmSheets ERA soars to 0.50
July 27th, 2012 at 8:20 pmSheets doesn’t have the speed he had but he still has great command and a hammer curveball.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:21 pmAt the game tonight. Sheets gave us another good 6. 1 run every 18 innings is damn well worth it.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:21 pmWith 8-9-1 coming up, would have loved to see Sheets go another inning.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:25 pmLOL Phailies.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:25 pmWOOOO BOURN!
July 27th, 2012 at 8:26 pmBraves showing some interest in Scott Hairston.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:27 pmMartin!!!!
July 27th, 2012 at 8:28 pmWay to go Nitram
July 27th, 2012 at 8:28 pmThere goes our Greinke dream….
July 27th, 2012 at 8:33 pmDamn…come on Venters. Throwing the ball well for the most part but still in a jam
July 27th, 2012 at 8:45 pmSON OF A BISCUIT, VENTERS.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:45 pmWhew…struck Howard out at least twice
July 27th, 2012 at 8:47 pmThank goodness.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:47 pmPhew. That was painful to watch.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:48 pmStrike 4!
July 27th, 2012 at 8:49 pmHas Freddie gone to a full count in all of his ABs today?
July 27th, 2012 at 8:53 pmonly 5th and 7th innings
July 27th, 2012 at 9:16 pm2-2 in 1st
1-2 in 3rd
@288 Thanks Paul!
July 27th, 2012 at 9:17 pmGreat win! Sheets has been a gift, and it’s awesome to see McCann and Chipper hitting so well.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:20 pmThey call me Easy for some reason
July 27th, 2012 at 9:22 pmIf Twitter had a “beat-the-hell-out-of-someone” function, I’d use it on Bill Shanks.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:38 pmIm tired of this Sheets guy. Giving up a run is not acceptable.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:48 pmBen Sheets, what a find.
That is all.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:50 pmRecapped.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:53 pm