Show #157: The Braves Pitching Struggles on the Road
Trade deadline talk. The starting rotation. Chipper’s return. And the Wayward Heyward Meter
505 Responses to “Show #157: The Braves Pitching Struggles on the Road”
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July 29th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Eric, good post. I do think the evidence of Heyward’s immaturity/attitude problem is mounting, however it only qualifies as disappointing compared to the reputation he had for being a level headed, extra mature player. Until Heyward becomes a Bradley/Manny/Yunel degree problem, which he never will, I don’t see a big problem. But I sympathize with those who are disappointed that he seems immature. Not a personality I can see myself getting behind as a favorite player or anything.
But whatever. His potential as a baseball-cracking beast is still there in my opinion. Injuries and sophomore slumping can easily account for what we’re seeing now. My patience with Heyward is still plenty.
(But I’d still trade him for Mike Stanton.
)
July 29th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
I’LL KILL YOU
July 29th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
Could this be the case where Heyward is Frency and Freeman is McCann. Not to hate on Heyward, as I am apt to do, and not giving up on him as I did Frenchy. Maybe all the hype being on one guy hampers his development while allowing his good friend to prosper in his shadow to become a great player.
Let’s see if the Braves offer early extensions to Heyward and Freeman and see if it plays out in a similar fashion.
I’m going over to the DOB blog to post Eric’s address
Fried lobster tails at Chops. The truth
July 29th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
If we get Upton, I ain’t watching.
July 29th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
Can we not label Heyward with the “immature with an attitude problem” please. Because it’s just not true. His attitude has been just as good as anyone on the team.
July 29th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
#329: Why Bub? I think he’s a classic change of scenery guy and he could be huge.
For the record, I don’t hate Heyward. I have my opinions about what a terrible person he is (just kidding), but my frustration with him is only in relation to the sublime stretches he had last year and my corresponding expectations for this year.
July 29th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Walker, I said there’s mounting evidence for a fairly innocuous brand of immaturity from Heyward. That’s as mild as I can make it.
Steve, Yunel was a change of scenery guy, too. I don’t dig on ballplayers who punk out until they can get somewhere else and catch fire to validate the chip on their shoulder. I watched Upton a lot during my Rays Fan rebellion. No thanks.
But I’m not worried. Wren won’t do it. It’s posturing.
July 29th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
btw, the cancer patient singing the anthem was awesome. She was nervous (who wouldn’t be?) but her vocal approach was so relaxed. I loved it.
July 29th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
#330: Ditto to that Steve……
July 29th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
“Agreed, can’t see ATL signing both JJ, Hanson long-term RT @fjrabon: @ajcbraves @lfcfanatic87 I think at best we can resign one of those two”
DOB agrees it’ll be one of Hanson & JJ at the most.
I would augment the “Braves will spend money on pitching” argument to say Braves will spend money on pitching if they have to.
July 29th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
That might be a good point. They will also have to sign O’venbrel at some point
July 29th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Another thing we have in our pockets, which I don’t see mentioned much, is the return in prospects for Hanson or JJ if we keep enough pieces to replenish the rotation on the cheap.
A year and a half to two years of JJ or Hanson on the trade market could bring us a big time hitter from somebody’s farm. Of course, that’s a good ways off. But it’s worth salivating over in bored moments.
July 29th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
My next band is going to be called “boredly salivating”
July 29th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
The Braves are setting up as buyers this Trade Deadline season. They have talked to the White Sox about Carlos Quentin and continued to evaluate the possibility of adding Rays’ outfielder B.J. Upton. But early Thursday evening, a Major League scout said Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick is at the top of the Braves’ wish list. Ludwick would fill the club’s desire to add someone who could play each of the outfield positions and provide some offense. Ludwick has hit just .238 with 11 homers and a .675 OPS through his first 99 games with the Padres this year. The 33-year-old outfielder will be a free agent at the end of the season, and the Braves could acquire him now without having to part ways with the kind of prospects needed to land Quentin or Hunter Pence from the Astros.
Read more: http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/mlb?eref=sihp#ixzz1TWl3PSs8
July 29th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
Curt, I like it. Sort of captures the last three years of my most recent long term relationship.
July 29th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
Good grief. McLouth to the DL. Cantstandya will lead off tonight. The hits just keep on comin’.
Michael Bourn, please.
July 29th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Lol, McLouth to the DL. Really? It’s just a comical at this point. Wren shold just put out an add for a centerfielder. “Needs to be able to hit 8th, bat .200, steal a base every once in a while, and hit the cut off man”
Constanza. Anybody know anything about this guy? I can’t recall having seen him play.
July 29th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
#340, “Cantstandya”, well played, sir.
July 29th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
Is George Sherrill our conditioning coach?
July 29th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
He’s 5 feet, 9 inches. 27 years old. Minor league OPS in the mid 700′s or so.
I’m not even boredly salivating over this guy. And in the lead off? Come the **** on, Fredi.
Bourn, please. Michael Bourn, Jason Bourne, Natural Born Killers, give us SOMETHING.
July 29th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
He did steal 49 bases in AA a few years back. Still…
July 29th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
The Braves, according to sources, offered a package that included prospects they weren’t willing to dangle in front of the Mets on Carlos Beltran — but got shut down. One source who spoke with the Braves’ brass Friday came away convinced they were out of it and moving on.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/rumblings110729/ranking-mlb-trade-chips
July 29th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Looks like Diory Hernandez is bricks. Braves have designated him for assignment.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/atlanta_braves/
July 29th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
“the Braves’ brass Friday came away convinced they were out of it and moving on.”
I’ve always appreciated Wren’s lack of game playing (the anti-Towers), but in this case he should hang in there till Sunday just to keep the Phils’ price high.
July 29th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
DOB tweet on Diory:
SS Diory Hernandez was designated for assignment to make room on 40-man for Constanza
http://twitter.com/#!/ajcbraves/status/97039078721208320