What to do with CF?

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09-11-2013, 11:56 AM
stpeteirish

What to do with CF?

Last few weeks have wreaked my hope that either Schafer or BJ is the answer, at least for this year. Neither can hit; Schafer's last few weeks have been particularly disappointing to the belief that he wouldn't return to the form he showed in Houston. He's striking out a ton and isn't even close to the ball when he does swing. So what do we do? I'm not coming up with anything good.

1. Play BJ, he's got the big salary.

No, salary shouldn't matter, we're stuck with his contract but that doesn't mean we have to play him. He's .083 with RISP aftet 5+ months of the season. You can't just keep sending him out there and watch him fail. Maybe in the offseason he can get himself "fixed" so we get something out of that contract but right now I can't see playing him everyday.

2. Play Schafer, at least he's a leadoff man.

No. He's not doing anything worthwhile at the plate, can't even get a bunt down any more. 35% strikeout rate. We can't keep playing him everyday either.

3. Terdoslavich? Not a CF. Move one of the other guys there and play Terdo in LF/RF? Who? Gattis? that would be comical. Justin? Can't really play LF or RF very well so no.

4. Costanza? ugh, no.

5. Ellliot Johnson? Not any better than Schafer offensively and probably worse defensively. No.

6. Reed Johnson. Activated but they said just to pinch hit, he's only able to run at 75%. So no.

7 Cunningham? Didn't even get called up.

help me out guys.
09-11-2013, 12:01 PM
nsacpi

1. For the next couple weeks, split PT about evenly between BJ and Schafer

2. Once Heyward gets back, play him in center.

3. For next season and beyond, give BJ most of the playing time. I think he'll bounce back. If not, there are other alternatives. Heyward back to center. Schafer. Cunningham. And Lipka and Wren have a chance of developing, but need a year or two to do so.
09-11-2013, 12:22 PM
cajunrevenge

I would play Heyward in center when he gets back. We need both Gattis and McCann in the lineup. Until then I would play BJ every day, I still have not given up hope that he will break out of his slump.
09-11-2013, 01:33 PM
gilesfan

Play Heyward in center when he comes back. Until then, stick with the guy that has actually been somewhat productive in Schafer.
09-11-2013, 02:59 PM
bravesnumberone

I think the answer until the playoffs is to play Schafer in center and BJ at second. I know Elliot is a pumpkin (albeit a very humorous one) and his moderate productivity won't continue, but it doesn't feel like a Braves team without major suckage at second.
09-11-2013, 03:00 PM
JCarbo76

Quote:

Originally Posted by gilesfan

Play Heyward in center when he comes back. Until then, stick with the guy that has actually been somewhat productive in Schafer.

Since the All-star break

BJ: .234/.288/.309 (Gosh-awful horrible)
JS: .182/.241/.221 (worse)
09-11-2013, 03:35 PM
gilesfan

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCarbo76

Since the All-star break

BJ: .234/.288/.309 (Gosh-awful horrible)
JS: .182/.241/.221 (worse)

Schafer has been better for the year (obviously worse with bat in recent timeframe) in hitting, fielding, and base running.
09-11-2013, 03:38 PM
Enscheff

Considering the relative certainty that the Braves are going to win the division, playing to win now is a bit less important than it it usually would be in September. So the smart thing to do would be to play Schafer and BJ equally in CF until Heyward comes back just in case one of them magically figures it out.

As unlikely as it may seem, BJ is still a supremely gifted player who should be much, much, much better than he is. You have to give him a chance to flip the switch and become that player, even if the chances are extremely remote.

When Heyward comes back the OF should consist of Heyward and JUpton, plus whichever one of Gattis, Schafer or BJ is actually hitting. Heyward can certainly handle CF, especially if he gets a week or so out there at the very end of the season.
09-11-2013, 03:59 PM
stpeteirish

time off should help Jason's legs, which is supposedly the reason they don't want in CF everyday over the course of a long season. But getting your jaw broken on a beanball is going to be a difficult thing to rebound from at the plate.
09-11-2013, 05:44 PM
nsacpi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enscheff

Considering the relative certainty that the Braves are going to win the division, playing to win now is a bit less important than it it usually would be in September. So the smart thing to do would be to play Schafer and BJ equally in CF until Heyward comes back just in case one of them magically figures it out.

Logical
09-11-2013, 05:52 PM
Dalyn

Rest Justin more. Give both a chance to get going.
09-11-2013, 07:45 PM
Bj1133

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalyn

Rest Justin more. Give both a chance to get going.

I would agree with this if the Braves didn't have such a terrible home/road split this year. Homefield advantage would be a big positive for the Braves.
09-11-2013, 08:40 PM
yeezus

Quote:

Originally Posted by gilesfan

Schafer has been better for the year (obviously worse with bat in recent timeframe) in hitting, fielding, and base running.

Schafer hitting well 3 months ago means nothing now. He's more lost than BJ at the plate.
09-11-2013, 08:56 PM
cajunrevenge

Well if we make it to the world series we could always DH for BJ instead of the pitcher.
09-11-2013, 09:17 PM
Dalyn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bj1133

I would agree with this if the Braves didn't have such a terrible home/road split this year. Homefield advantage would be a big positive for the Braves.

And yet in the other thread you are arguing that Garcia and Loe pitching in September is a good thing. That, I assure you, is not conducive to winning home field advantage.