Show #195: The Braves Make a Different Trade with the Cubs
The Maholm/Johnson trade. The starting rotation. Juan Francisco. The Dan Struggla Meter.
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August 5th, 2012 at 11:43 pm
I hadn’t seen this until after posting the show. Just to add to our Medlen conversation. It makes some sense, but I don’t like what it does to the bullpen. http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2012/08/05/medlen-should-give-braves-reason-to-consider-6-man-staff/
August 6th, 2012 at 6:42 am
Keep Medlen in the rotation. It was only a few weeks ago that we had three reliable starters, now we have six. Somebody will pick up an injury or another ailment over the next few weeks, making the six man rotation a mute point. We cannot keep messing Medlen around. He is a starter – let him start. The bullpen will be weaker, but with a better starting rotation it will take the reduce the workload on it.
August 6th, 2012 at 7:38 am
I agree that Medlen should remain in the rotation and I like Schultz’s idea of a 6-man. Maybe call up Delgado to pitch in the pen and send Rev to Gwinnett?
August 6th, 2012 at 9:35 am
Starting this Friday, our schedule looks pretty favorable for the next 6-7 days, especially compared with Washington’s.
This weekend, we play three at New York while Washington plays three in Arizona.
Next Monday thru Thursday, we host the Padres while the Nats play in San Fran.
Should be a very exciting couple of weeks.
August 6th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Hopefully Medlen’s spot in the 2013 rotation is secured by Tommy Hanson’s departure.
If I had to watch Juan Francisco’s fat, petulant mug at 3B for a year, I’d lose it. Just give me Escobar back before that.
If Dan breaks out of it, you could do a segment called Chancin’ with Hanson. I’ve never seen such luck. Not just the historically lucky 7 sb, 7 bb game. Since June, he has a 7-1 record with a 4.71 ERA, and his FIP is even higher. That isn’t gonna hold out. If he comes back from his DL with a couple new MPH on his FB, I’ll be encouraged. Otherwise, I’m expecting a 1-5 stretch from him where his four leaf clover finally turns brown.
I dunno about catching the Nats. But the postseason, one of the Wild Cards? I’m at a solid 8 there.
That said: 3-3 this week. Phils win the series.
Just cuz we’re due a bad series.
Great show, as always.
August 6th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
^ misuse of “petulant” above. I meant something else.
August 6th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Great show, guys.
I’m not too big a fan of 6-man rotations. It just seems to create too short a bullpen. Unfortunately I think Medlen has to be the odd man out. But perhaps they should use him more like an old-school relief ace, for 2-3 innings at a time, when necessary.
I like Juan Francisco as a pinch-hitter and backup corner-infielder. Even if the Braves have a shot at Bourn, I’d rather them go cheap in left and put Prado at third.
I think they should set things up to put Prado at third because that’s where he will fit in best, in my opinion, unless somehow a really good thirdbaseman falls in their lap for next to nothing.
August 6th, 2012 at 3:05 pm
Before Lowe, when was the last time Atlanta won a bidding war for a free agent? Just curious.
August 6th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Maddux?
Only other ones I could think of were BJ and Galarraga. I’m sure there has been someone since then, but the Braves seem to have done most of their work through trades.
August 6th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
great show guys. im a little torn on the medlen thing. my head says he is flexible so keep shuffling him between the bullpen and rotation as needed. not every pitcher can do that. my heart says thats an awfully challenging thing to continue to ask medlen to do. i think he is a serviceable starter, not outstanding. but dang…maybe he should be trade bait so we can move on from the conundrum of what role should medlen fill?
August 6th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
“It’s still not quite right yet but when I get hot, I can get as hot as anybody. It’s a click away.”
- 2B Dan Uggla on his hitting.
August 6th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Happy “Socks-Up Monday” everybody! Go Braves!!
August 6th, 2012 at 8:08 pm
I think the socks work.
August 6th, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Phillies’ sellout streak ended tonight. Love it.
And we just won. Way to start this road trip boys! A winning streak on Mondays!!
August 6th, 2012 at 10:04 pm
You have to give Wren and this organization credit. This team wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t the scouting and player development. O’Flaherty and Martinez were throwaways from their original teams. The development of Simmons, Freeman, Kimbrel, and Heyward has been amazing.Players like Prado and Medlen weren’t even considered top prospects. Bourn and Uggla(despite his current play) were practically acquired for free. All this franchise needs is a owner that cares. But until then what Wren & Company are doing is the only way a team like this can compete. Imagine how much work GM’s from Tampa, KC, and Pittsburg have to put in. It makes you realize how easy Brian Cashman’s job is.
August 6th, 2012 at 10:39 pm
Did I miss the explanation why the Braves pull up on the back of jerseys when the hit a homer??
I’ll take Sheets over a guy like Dempter any day
August 7th, 2012 at 11:03 am
#15, Walker I heard it knocked around last month that Wren had gotten the second most wins per dollar in baseball behind only the Rays GM. Maybe you or someone else can confirm that quote, but I saw it a couple different places.
It’s hard to argue with that, although some of his pick-ups have seemed like a waste of time. I guess you have to roll the dice on Ankiel, Farnsworth, and Linebrink if you want to win production from the likes of Sheets and Durbin. I suppose GM’s who plop down bagillions on Ryan Howard, K-Rod, Werth, etc are taking the same gambles. It might be interesting to see some figures on big time and small time gambles in big and small markets, respectively.
It’s worth noting that the NL East standings right now represent the reverse order of payroll, according to Cot’s Payroll figures for the beginning of the year. Nats with just a little less money than the Braves. Phils with more than anyone, but Marlins right up there. Mets in the middle. Funny, isn’t it?
August 7th, 2012 at 11:48 am
I do love when the HUGE spenders don’t do well. 172 mill for the Phillies to be 15 games out.
August 7th, 2012 at 11:55 am
I should reach out to all my friends in Philly on Twitter and get their perspective on last night’s non-sellout. An amazing run, no doubt, but it is a lot easier to support a winner. No excuse for some of these painfully small crowds in Atlanta recently, but the idea they presented that they would be there through thick and thin is as misguided as suggesting they are great fans because they boo when opposing players are hurt.
August 7th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
#19, human beings (roll your eyes now, cuz this will deserve it by the end of the sentence), by and large, especially modern American human beings gathered at professional sporting events, are not the place to look for any special virtue. There’s my misanthropic humbug for the day. Cubs fans being there because they have no jobs, Philly fans being there because they’re on the bandwagon, New Yorkers being there because … screw New York… all the not-so-flattering reasons a stadium is or isn’t filled are plenty logical to me.
Maybe I’m projecting my own inner nasties, but when I look around at Turner Field, I’m not seeing much in the way of Rah Rah American Pie. I see a bored, snotty, drunk, cell-phone-preoccupied, crowd of malcontents. There are exceptions. About one in five families or couples seem nice, out for a game, etc.
The point being, I don’t buy into any team’s fans being especially good or especially bad. People are pretty sucky, the writer of this post included. And I’d trade crowds with Philly in a heartbeat.
August 7th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
^ missing sleep. Disregard.
August 7th, 2012 at 5:59 pm
I just thought of something I haven’t heard anyone mention yet, something that could even us up a little bit in the ace department come playoff time.
What if we actually pull off the best record in the league and get to play the Wild Card winner minus their ace in the first games? We’re only three games behind the best record right now, and have the easiest remaining schedule.
The thing that bummed me out about the Maholm trade was that I felt it put us in a great position to finish out the regular season strong, but didn’t help us craft a better playoff rotation. But in this scenario, it actually could, but docking our first round opponent their own ace.
August 7th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
Minor looked rough early on, but he still gave us a quality start. I hope we can score so he doesn’t get the loss.
August 7th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
Heyward homer?
August 7th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Blech.
August 7th, 2012 at 9:39 pm
yesterday i sent my Philly friend an email that recounted the 7 straight losses to the Braves and that the home sellout stand was over and we were there and kindly said “welcome to Suckville”
I wonder what his reply is going to be today after Hamels blanks us…
August 7th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
I know this sounds wierd but these are the kind of games where I’m not upset we lost. Hamels may have shut out the 1927 Yanks tonight. We’ll win the series tomorrow.
Bub, i haven’t heard that about Wren but it would make sense.
August 7th, 2012 at 10:34 pm
@27, I agree. I’ll take these losses all day over ones like that Astros loss. It’s just frustrating b/c the Nats are playing a team that couldn’t win in the Hospice League.
August 7th, 2012 at 11:08 pm
If … and it’s a big IF … the Nats lose this game in extras, I think they might hit a slump finally. They’ve really struggled in these first copule games against an awful team.
August 8th, 2012 at 12:11 am
4 games back.
i hate the natinals.
i hate the astros.
i hate baseball.
i hate sports.
i hate tv.
i hate computers.
i hate insomnia.
and most of all, i hate generic, sugar-free antacids.
August 8th, 2012 at 8:52 am
28 – Hospice League — hilarious.
My brother referred me to an ESPN article written a few days ago about how the Braves are poised to pass the Nationals. It’s a very interesting article and worth reading. Here’s the link to the article, the text of which was copy-and-pasted into a thread on the Braves’ fan message board so those of us without an ESPN Insider account can read it: http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ml-braves&tid=163257
August 8th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2012/08/08/michael-bourn-a-phillie-or-a-nat-say-it-aint-so-scott-boras/?cxntfid=blogs_mark_bradley_blog
August 8th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
This looks terrible. Steve’ll love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdJPvXLemVs
August 8th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
Curt, Bourn is long gone. I look for a couple of Maholmesque signings/trades this offseason and a return to run-prevention Braves next year.
1. Skinny Maholmy hitter, CF
2. Prado
3. Heyward
4. McCann
5. Aging Maholmy hitter, LF
6. Freeman
7. Uggla
8. Simmons
August 8th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Replacing Bourn will be hard. But moneyball says theres got to be a guy out there that isn’t worth 18 million dollars that can play great defense in CF and has a decent OBP. Delgado will definitely be traded this winter to help us reload for next year.
August 8th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Leah,
http://memegenerator.net/instance/24642953
August 8th, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Wow…is that really what you look like? It’s been a wild summer settling in to a new home in N. GA. I DO have 3 kids ya know. I always READ the comments however I realize my general fabulousness is missed. I get it.
August 8th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
Okay, just checkin’.
And it’s a meme, mom. I don’t get to pick the pic.
August 8th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Suck it, Kendrick
August 8th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
This is more like it.
August 8th, 2012 at 8:51 pm
This is less like it.
August 8th, 2012 at 8:52 pm
What the heck?
August 8th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
I hate baseball.
August 8th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
Fredi…………
August 8th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
His name is…
August 8th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
UGGLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 8th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
I HATE THE PHILLIES! YEAH!
August 8th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Wow. Nats just loaded the bases against the Astros with no outs and the heart of the order up. Scored zero runs.
And the last at bat in it was Bryce Harper, who did this:
Ball one.
Ball two.
Ball three.
Strike one looking.
Strike two looking.
Strike three looking.
August 8th, 2012 at 10:25 pm
Great win. Braves should be able to boost the payroll about 170 million now that they own the Phillies.
August 9th, 2012 at 10:24 am
#49, pure awesomeness. Just caught up on the show and some laughs in the comments section. Keep it up everyone
August 9th, 2012 at 11:43 am
Headed to the Tes with the 7 year old on Monday an the 11 year old on Wednesday. Mother of the year in your “presence”.
ABT at the park for the first post season game! Steve, how can I help make it happen?
August 9th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
#48: someone posted a screenshot of the Gameday locations of those strikes. Angel Hernandez was very, very generous on that one.
And how annoying is it that the Nats scored their 4th run on another throwing error? Feels like the Braves need to go 6-1 (definitely no worse than 5-2) in their next 7 games, which are against -.500 teams Mets and Padres, while the Nats have one more against the Astros, then 6 on the road against +.500 teams (D-Backs and Giants).
August 9th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
@51 – Leah, (trying to be as un-jinxy as possible here), when the time comes and schedules are set and things are known, then I would make an announcement on the show, here and Twitter saying let’s all meet up at a certain place prior to the game and introduce ourselves, etc. Sound good?
August 9th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
@52 – I agree 100%. This coming week is huge for the Bravos to make up some ground.
August 9th, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Perfect! We’re going to the post season. Yep, I said it! Just don’t stop the hope meter…for the love of all that is good.
August 9th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Watching last nights game on SPS. Huddy’s about to fall apart and I dread it.
August 9th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
By the way, how great is it that Ross got his first stolen base and that he took the base with him after the game!
August 9th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Ross’ quotes are hilarious. He’s bummed when they give him the red light.
August 9th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Am I the only one who notices that on EPSN radio either on “Sportscenter update” or “Mike and Mike” that they omit the Braves score when they win, but will announce it when they lose?
August 9th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Note to Doc – the national media hates Atlanta pro sports.
August 9th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Oh the Phillies are so happy. They think they got this in the bag. Can’t wait…
August 9th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/08/09/financial-filing-shows-braves-bottom-line-improves/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_braves_blog
I’m sure this will translate to a higher payroll…………………
August 9th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Well, it can’t hurt. Maybe it’ll prompt a sale?
August 9th, 2012 at 8:35 pm
One day some billionaire will buy the Braves. But I don’t want that to mean that we turn into the Phillies and spend money stupidly. See Ryan Howard’s contract or Jayson Werth’s contract. If being a rich team means making reckless dumb decisions I want to stay mid market.
August 9th, 2012 at 9:14 pm
Walker, the Phillies have made some especially dumb ones, but there are similar risks at every level, and Atlanta’s wasted more than their share of money.
This year alone, about a quarter of our payroll goes to Dan Uggla and a DFA’d Cleveland pitcher.
August 9th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Everyone could foresee that giving Paplebon, Howard and Werth those contracts were stupid even before they signed. The Uggla and Lowe deals were reasonable when they signed but their performance made the contracts bad.
August 9th, 2012 at 10:36 pm
Well, that’s true.
August 9th, 2012 at 10:49 pm
Uggla’s still up for debate right? He’s turning it around!
August 10th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
Chippa Likes the twitta!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ttZNc0Nfxg
August 10th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
Struggla Meter juju to the rescue.
August 10th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
Holy hell, what a game by Maholm. 95 pitches! CG 3 hit shutout. Amazing.
August 10th, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Paul is Maholm boy
August 10th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
I think I will like this Maholm dude.
August 10th, 2012 at 10:06 pm
Did I mention he’s a Mississippi boy?
August 10th, 2012 at 10:17 pm
isnt that the 1st/only complete game this season?
August 10th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
i thought hudson had one
August 11th, 2012 at 10:35 am
Beachy had one back in May.
August 11th, 2012 at 1:19 pm
This is arguably the best pitched game by a starter this year, right? Wren has some amazing skill/luck.
August 11th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
#78, I’d call it skill more than luck because I assume he acquires all these Ankiels, Farnsworths, and Linebrinks knowing that you have to do that to end up with Sheetses, Durbins, and Maholms (though Maholm is more like the flipside of McLouth, since he’s a mid-level talent for whom we traded a good piece).
Vacay time. Keep the Bravos goin’ for me.
August 11th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
^ twas me.
August 11th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Did anybody else know about the Wren, Gonzalez telling Juan F to get the lead out? Chip and Joe talked about it before the game and it’s the first I hear of it.
August 11th, 2012 at 8:30 pm
Leah, I heard that too and no, I had not heard about it. I like it.
August 11th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
Me…too! It reminds me how he handled Ramirez.
August 11th, 2012 at 11:24 pm
It’s ridiculous how fast Usain Bolt is.
August 11th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
What a pleasure this game was. I was out for a jog in my neighborhood listening to the game and just embarrassing myself with every loud cheer and clap and whoop as the hits just kept coming in the first two innings.
August 11th, 2012 at 11:38 pm
Just saw the CC to the DL and the Yankees signing Lowe news. The twists and turns of a baseball season and unbelievable sometimes.
August 11th, 2012 at 11:39 pm
The more games we win and the longer the Nats stay ahead of us, the more this new Wild card irks me.
August 12th, 2012 at 8:52 am
The flipping Nats. Unbelievable.
August 12th, 2012 at 10:34 am
I’d like to hear a movie review of Bourne Legacy in the next podcast. I watched it today and it was absolute RUBBISH.
August 12th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@89 – And there it is! The first request for one of our movie reviews.
August 12th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
Watched DKR and loved it. Poor Bane. He just had no chance.
August 12th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
@89/90 – Pure – don’t encourage them!! Go BRAVES on prime time!
August 12th, 2012 at 7:02 pm
Nats lost. Let’s make up some ground tonight.
August 12th, 2012 at 7:09 pm
I’m glad the Arizona D-Bags finally helped a little. Bout time.
August 12th, 2012 at 8:24 pm
they are sitting on his curve…
August 12th, 2012 at 8:30 pm
Time to transfer the “Met’s killer” title from Chipper to Freddie?
August 12th, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Remember when the “track” on Freddie was “good glove, ok for average, not much power”?
August 12th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
This game is against us. Weird things are happening.
August 12th, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?
August 12th, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Is it just me or has Chipper been swinging at the first pitch almost every time for the past couple weeks.
August 12th, 2012 at 10:50 pm
We need a hit here J-Hey.
August 12th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
So close. Dammit.