Front Office Decisions

[ChapelHillMatt]

You know Wren, FG, and JS have to be talking about this team in their meetings and having similar discussions as we have here. Everyone looks at this team and see what our weaknesses are. Offensively we are without a leadoff hitter and have too many key offensive player underperforming. Injuries have hurt the pen and although the SP has been good they still lack a true ace. They have to hope Beachy can come back and fill that void because trading for a starter isn't an option.

I think we can fix the leadoff hitter internally but some hard decisions are going to have to be made with BJ. Do you bench him in favor of Schafer and admit you made a mistake? We know Fredi isn't opposed to doing that, he even hinted at sending BJ to the minors earlier in the year. We also know how he handled Uggla last year. Hopefully for the good of the team they put him on the bench and make Schafer the everyday CF'er when he comes off the DL. I think it would do wonders for this offense.

I'm sure they'll get an arm for the pen so I'm not as worried about that. This team will go as far as the offense takes them. They aren't going to be able to win in the playoffs by sitting back and waiting for the 3 run homer. They are going to have to manufacture some runs and play small ball.

[skidlee]

I think Fredi was giving Schafer at lot of PT before he got hurt actually. I did work out that we were in KC and he played both games in the field due to the DH of course.

I can see more of a platoon for BJ and Schafer for the rest of the year. (On a side note I don't see Reed or Schafer being traded for this very reason)

I hope we don't just give up on BJ. Its not unheard of for a guy coming for the the other league to have trouble his first year.

I kinda hope Wren does something unexpected at the deadline. But what that is I wouldn't know. My best guess would be trade for a good starting pitcher.

[bravesnumberone]

Maybe we could trade our manager...

In all seriousness, I would love to see us get a bonafide ace. That's much easier said than done.

[NinersSBChamps]

I have been clamoring for Schafer since day one. When he plays he is a spark at the top of the lineup and almost always gives the team a tough at bat. I agree with Matt that our lead off hitter is already on the roster. I don't expect Wren to make any rash decisions regarding the lineup because the talent is there and they just need to collectively start hitting more consistent. I think we explore options for relief help and I hope that answer comes from the Twins in the form of Glenn Perkins.

[cajunrevenge]

Maybe we could trade our manager...



And what makes you think the next manager would be better other than the grass always being greener on the other side?

[bravesnumberone]

Note I said "in all seriousness." I don't bow down to Fredi like some on here do, but he's far down the list of biggest concerns. He's a concern but axing him isn't going to fix our problems.


And what makes you think the next manager would be better other than the grass always being greener on the other side?

[jsebe10]

Yes it will. He's an idiot. Theres no telling how many games we would have won if he had switched to Schafer much sooner rather than let that whinny little b*tch Upton keeping attempting to blow ass. Also, how many games we would have won if it werent for his COUNTLESS stupid managerial decisions during games. Also, no telling how many we would have won if it weren't for that ridiculous line up construction of his.

We will never win a world series or even a playoff series with this guy at the helms. Why can't people see that?!?!?

[skidlee]

So when do you know he makes a good managerial decision vs a bad one?

Last night for example.

Chris is batting. Runners at 1st and 3rd with 1 out. It was not a full count but he sent the runner from 1st. Chris hit a grounder to 2b but since the runner was going it wasn't a double play and the run scored.

That was a great decision on sending the runner IMO.

[ChapelHillMatt]

I'd rather not have this thread turn into a discussion on our manager. Everyone has an opinion on him and nobody is going to change their mind. He's not going to be fired anytime soon. You don't fire managers that win as much as he does.

[Carp]

I doubt we bench BJ. Nor should we, IMO. You have to let players play through their slumps. As frustrating as Uggla and BJ have been, it's pretty much guaranteed that they are going to turn it on eventually. In Uggla's case, he already has started turning it around. BJ won't hit under .200 all season. He'l get hot just like Uggla did back 2011 and we'll be praising his name again.

[ChapelHillMatt]

I'll never praise him, you know how some players are on your hate list? Well he's on mine and always has been. If he hustled I'd like him better. As much as Uggla frustrates me I never question his effort.

[Carp]

As far as, what we will trade for, I think we'll be pretty low key at the deadline. Probably acquiring a player like Conor Gillaspie or Jeff Keppenger from Chi-town. And I'm pretty certain we'll acquire a reliever or 2.

[CrimsonCowboy]

I think pitching is going to be the priority at the deadline. I don't know if the Braves are going to seek a starter. Bullpen I'm just about certain they will. I have a feeling a big run at Crain will be coming for the Braves.

[weso1]

Yeah, I too have been thinking the Braves might make a play for an ace, but at the same time I wonder if they want to wait and see what Beachy can give them. I don't see them making a play for offense. I think they pretty much have what they have and will stick with it.

[Carp]

I don't see the "need" to acquire an ace. Our pitching has been off the last week or so, but we still have a great staff. Four pitchers with an ERA under 4.00 and Hudson was a 4.22 ERA. nd even Hudson has looked much better recently with a 2.29 ERA since June 1.

[Julio3000]

Crain got DL'd with a shoulder injury. That may take him out of play.

[skidlee]

I just read where he (cain) will start his rehab this week so he should be back before the deadline.

[VirginiaBrave]

Some of you just haven't gotten over Coxitis. Freddi is fine as manager. Excution is much more the problem. Thats on the players. That and the fact the rotation is full of number 3s and 4s. Medlen is overrated, Hudson is old, Maholm is a great number 4 and JT and Minor are still wet behind the ears. Should have sold high on Meds.

[Julio3000]

I just read where he (cain) will start his rehab this week so he should be back before the deadline.

Yeah, I just wondered if a shoulder injury would either scare off trade partners or else make it so the Sox didn't get enough offered to make dealing him worthwhile.

[Carp]

Some of you just haven't gotten over Coxitis. Freddi is fine as manager. Excution is much more the problem. Thats on the players. That and the fact the rotation is full of number 3s and 4s. Medlen is overrated, Hudson is old, Maholm is a great number 4 and JT and Minor are still wet behind the ears. Should have sold high on Meds.

Coming into today, Medlen had a 3.11 ERA and the lowest ERA on the staff. But b/c he got lit up today he's overrated?

[ChapelHillMatt]

Some of you just haven't gotten over Coxitis. Freddi is fine as manager. Excution is much more the problem. Thats on the players. That and the fact the rotation is full of number 3s and 4s. Medlen is overrated, Hudson is old, Maholm is a great number 4 and JT and Minor are still wet behind the ears. Should have sold high on Meds.

Funny thing is he's almost exactly like Bobby in everything that he does. I don't see much difference honestly other than the fact that Fredi isn't as patient with players as Bobby was and he doesn't have as bad a temper. Bobby made a lot of moves that made you scratch your head (all managers do because it's a hard job) but at the end of the day players respected him and played hard. Being a good manager is more about being a leader of men then it is being a good x and o guy.

[VirginiaBrave]

I just think he caught lightning in a bottle last year, hes nothing special imo.

[Carp]

Well he's obviously not going to repeat a sub 2.00 ERA performance. But he is every bit a top of the rotation caliber starter, imo. Between Minor, Beachy, Meds, and Julio our rotation looks pretty stacked (and cheap) for the foreseeable future.

[ChapelHillMatt]

We have the 2nd best ERA in the majors FWIW

I do think we lack a true ace but I think we make up for it in depth. Maholm is the weak link I'd love to see replaced.

[Carp]

We have the 2nd best ERA in the majors FWIW

I do think we lack a true ace but I think we make up for it in depth. Maholm is the weak link I'd love to see replaced.


Even Maholm has been better than I thought he would be. 3.81 ERA with lots of innings. Honestly the weak link is Huddy, but he's old, been here a long time, and simply not going anywhere. I think with the marktet for pitching, we could get a couple of decent prospects for Paul. At least 1 top 10 prospect you'd think. He's every bit as good as Ricky Nolasco and cheaper as well.

[VirginiaBrave]

All thats true and the numbers look good but I think they lie a bit. I mean we can cut out a 20 of 21 stretch and this team is way under .500. That said I still think we'll win this division. Get JS and EG back we'll take off.

[zitothebrave]

Maholm will be gone to make way for Beachy. Beachy will hopefully pitch like he did before TJ and it will be like trading for an ace.

[VirginiaBrave]

I'd be surprised if Beachy makes a significant contribution. Maybe a spot start here and there, but Malhom's going nowhere until offseason.

[ChapelHillMatt]

I think Hudson problem has been injury related, Maholm just isn't a good pitcher. He should be the one replaced. He started off well and pitched well last year but he's come crashing back down to earth.

[stpeteirish]

I doubt we bench BJ. Nor should we, IMO. You have to let players play through their slumps. As frustrating as Uggla and BJ have been, it's pretty much guaranteed that they are going to turn it on eventually. In Uggla's case, he already has started turning it around. BJ won't hit under .200 all season. He'l get hot just like Uggla did back 2011 and we'll be praising his name again.

"pretty much guarenteed that they will turn it around" are you serious? If you mean will they hit .200 than, yeah but .250 looks lofty for both of those guys, certainly not guarenteed.

[elmonthc]

This isnt bjs 2nd or 3rd year with the braves. You cant bench hin a couple months in. Especially considering the second half he had last year. He still plays great d. His ceiling is also much higher than js. Not to mention 75 million other reasons. The largest contract ever given out by the braves isnt being benched.

[ChapelHillMatt]

This isnt bjs 2nd or 3rd year with the braves. You cant bench hin a couple months in. Especially considering the second half he had last year. He still plays great d. His ceiling is also much higher than js. Not to mention 75 million other reasons. The largest contract ever given out by the braves isnt being benched.

How is his ceiling higher? People have to stop talking about his potential. He is who he is, he's in the prime of his career and is the same player he's always been. In fact this year he's worse. You have to hope he hits 300 the rest of the way to get to his career numbers and that's not likely. I agree he won't be benched because of his salary but that's a mistake and the team will suffer because of it.

[nsacpi]

I think if you want to predict future performance you have to look at past performance over a 3 year period rather than 3 month period. That's a better predictor. Nothing is a 100% sure thing, but most likely BJ will be a better player than Schafer in the second half and over the next few years. But the longer the slump goes on, the more you want to even out playing time between that two. And that's what Fredi was doing before Schafer got hurt.

[Hulavol]

I know it's impossible- and we couldn't afford it- but I'd love to see Wren back up the Brinks truck for David Wright...or Tulo...

[Dunit24]

Yeah BJ sucks right now, but he WILL go on a tear. Both Upton brothers have been quiet all year long besides Justins hot streak in April, yet we are still 4 games up. Ive been a negative nancy lately and im getting tired of myself. Positives are that we are still 4 games up and this team has a ton of room to grow.

[Julio3000]

Yeah BJ sucks right now, but he WILL go on a tear. Both Upton brothers have been quiet all year long besides Justins hot streak in April, yet we are still 4 games up. Ive been a negative nancy lately and im getting tired of myself. Positives are that we are still 4 games up and this team has a ton of room to grow.

That is true in every area except maybe Gerald Laird's compression layers.

[Carp]

"pretty much guarenteed that they will turn it around" are you serious? If you mean will they hit .200 than, yeah but .250 looks lofty for both of those guys, certainly not guarenteed.



I don't mean get back to career levels. Just that at some point, they will come out of their funk (again, seems to happening with Uggla) and they will start hitting again.

[Carp]

That is true in every area except maybe Gerald Laird's compression layers.


Even as well as Posey and Molina have been, I've pretty sure our catchers combined are having a legendary season for a catcher. Combines 25 homers and 78 RBI before the break.

[Bj1133]

Even as well as Posey and Molina have been, I've pretty sure our catchers combined are having a legendary season for a catcher. Combines 25 homers and 78 RBI before the break.

Braves have gotten an .835 OPS from the catcher position this year - 2nd best in baseball

[nsacpi]

Maholm will be gone to make way for Beachy. Beachy will hopefully pitch like he did before TJ and it will be like trading for an ace.


I don't see this scenario playing out. Beachy is going to make two or three rehab starts. He probably won't pitch a major league game until after the All-Star break. There will be little time to evaluate him before the trade deadline. We have little starting pitching depth in AAA. So most likely we will send the odd man out to the bullpen and keep him there in case a starter gets hurt or starts to under-perform.

I'd hate to trade Maholm and then have one of our starters go down after the trade deadline.

[Julio3000]

The crazy Cerberus creature we've used at C this year has been terrific. As much fun as it is to pick on Gerald, he's been a positive contributor to the club. Healthy Mac is a joy to watch, and I'll bet everyone is on pins and needles waiting for Gattis to return.

[Dunit24]

Yeah our bench is pretty dang good. I wasnt sure about Laird at first bc I was a big fan of David Ross, but Laird is a good guy to have off the bench. If Mac bolts next year, im comfy with Gattis/Laird catching combo.