Gary Sheffield Comments On Current Braves
- Thread starter CrimsonCowboy
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NinersSBChamps
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br> 2015 (Co-Winner)</BR>20
Does Sheffield have any desire to get into coaching?
Considering Heyward was supposed to be a LHed version of Stanton with a bit less power and better defense, he kinda is.
Maybe the word "disappointing" is more accurate?
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
I caught that too. Gary certainly didn't mince words.
CyYoung31
Shift Leader
Power is the only thing about him that's been disappointing, and that's only been since he got hit in the face last year. He's the best player on the team. Hardly a bust.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
Yea, Sheffield took more shots at Heyward than BJ, but it is really unfair to Heyward to even compare the two or speak of both as if they're the problem. Heyward is one of our best players and it isn't his fault BJ Upton stinks, etc.
I didn't take Sheff's comments about Heyward as "shots at him", simply calling him out as one of the players the team needed more from if it expected to be relevant. And if he's going to ever come remotely close to reaching the expectations most had for him, he's simply GOT to hit for more power. If there's any chance of a quick fix for the lineup, it likely comes from Jason becoming that 25+ HR guy EVERYONE expected he'd be (much like Freddie).
If you had 2 .350 OBP guys hitting in front of Freddie, Justin, Jason, and Gattis, this team should score plenty of runs. Could that be solved with Peraza leading off followed by a La Stella/Gosselin platoon at 2B or 3B? Maybe.
I think Sheffield's comments were more about the fact that this organization couldn't reasonably expect any more from a pitching staff than what it's gotten over the last two years - the ONLY reason it hasn't been successful is the lack of consistent offense. He's saying pretty much the same thing I heard DeRosa say this afternoon - "there are several guys in that clubhouse that need to take a long look at themselves in the mirror this offseason, and none of them are Pitchers".
If you had 2 .350 OBP guys hitting in front of Freddie, Justin, Jason, and Gattis, this team should score plenty of runs. Could that be solved with Peraza leading off followed by a La Stella/Gosselin platoon at 2B or 3B? Maybe.
I think Sheffield's comments were more about the fact that this organization couldn't reasonably expect any more from a pitching staff than what it's gotten over the last two years - the ONLY reason it hasn't been successful is the lack of consistent offense. He's saying pretty much the same thing I heard DeRosa say this afternoon - "there are several guys in that clubhouse that need to take a long look at themselves in the mirror this offseason, and none of them are Pitchers".
Outside of being an elite defensive OF, I find it hard not to label Heyward a bust. He's a massive disappointment offensively and there's no debating it.
jpx7
Very Flirtatious, but Doubts What Love Is.
False.
Outside of a better OBP....please tell me the big difference between Heyward and a guy like Gerardo Parra? It amazes me how people fail to accept the fact that heyward's been a MASSIVE bust. It doesn't mean he's not a somewhat useful player and can't get better. He's an elite defensive OF no question. He's also just about the only player on the team that plays the game the right way. Always hustles and plays hard. But offensively he's been incredibly mediocre.
I love Heyward's personality and the way he plays the game. I'd love nothing more then to have him break out into a start and it's certainly possible. Just at this point he's closer to a 4th OF then a star.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
So if y'all are keeping score at home. There's no debating that Heyward has been a massive disappointment offensively. And it's a fact that Heyward has been a MASSIVE bust!
Now that's one way to try to control a discussion!
Now that's one way to try to control a discussion!
BremanFan88
Playing the Waiting Game
The rest of our players must be garbage then because Heyward is the best player on the team. And Gerardo Parra? Seriously? If you can't tell the massive difference between the two then I'm not sure baseball is a game you should be following. Good lord.
Heyward destroys Parra in everything.
wOBA: .345 - .314
wRC+: 117 - 91
ISO: 168 - 122
BB%: 11.1 - 6.7
WAR: 21.5 - 10
Not to mention Jason is an elite base runner. I will take an entire team of Jason Heywards and we would win a lot of championships.
When did an above average offensive player who is elite at base running and defense get labeled a bust? Maybe he should take a little something extra like Mr. Sheffield did...
Sorry, but those are some pretty empty numbers when you're trying to piece together a lineup to win baseball games. The vast number of those numbers have come with Jason hitting at the top of the lineup. The offense has been more successful when he's been hitting leadoff, and that's been pretty obvious to statheads as well as scoutheads.
"An above average offensive player who is elite at base running and defense" is great as long as you don't build your offense around him. Heyward has as many tools as anyone not named Trout or McCutchen, and projects as that kind of player. The problem is that the organization hasn't defined his role - if he's really that good, put him in the #3 hole and leave him alone. Tough to pitch around him if J-Up and Freddie are hitting behind him.
Problem is Freddie refuses to be moved from the #3 spot. Heyward should be that guy, we all talked about this when he was called up that he was going to replace Chipper as the #3 hitter.
Freddie should be hitting cleanup. Plain and simple. He is the classic cleanup hitter, whereas J-Hey is the classic #3 hitter.
Freddie should be hitting cleanup. Plain and simple. He is the classic cleanup hitter, whereas J-Hey is the classic #3 hitter.