bravesnumberone
Well-known member
Listening to Billy Shanks radio on the Internet. He says yes we need to be worried lol.
Should We Be Worried?
- Thread starter jcc03004
- Start date
Teheran_49
Danville Rookie
Finding a great lead-off man isn't the easiest thing either and people seem to think "Oh we just need a true lead-off man and were fine". The problem is finding a guy who can hit .280-.300 with an OBP over .350 just isn't there for the picking. The game isn't what it was 20 years ago. I do think La Stella should get the shot at 2b. He may not steal the bases you would like at lead-off but he can get on base and rarely strikes out.
bravesnumberone
Well-known member
Elliot leading off tonight AND playing short. OOOOOOO boy.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
Fredi couldn't rest Simmons against the Padres or anyone else. He had to wait to rest him in the biggest series this Sept. It's the way he rolls, ya know?
That said, I agree Simmons needs a rest but so do others (and they could've been rested coming into this series). Oh well.
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
Simmons has played 30 more games than he ever has, he looks worn down a bit.
bravesnumberone
Well-known member
You don't rest him in a game this big. Had Miami and San Diego to do that.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
No kidding, but you clearly missed my point. Simmons and others should've gotten days off previous series to this one. Then they'd not came into this series so worn out.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
Exactly, a number of us have been calling for him and others to get some days off. I was afraid Fredi would wait till this series to do it because he usually does it that way. That's just bad planning, same as his in-game managing to be honest.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
Bill is probably just worried about Heyward coming back...
We would be pissed that we overspent for a 30 year old whose production has declined significantly this season, continuing a trend that began in the second half of 2012, and who is still owed 53 million over the next four years.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
That might be true for you and/or others, but not for me. Bourn is so great defensively he'd be worth it. He can have an off year and still be better than BJ Upton on defense (and offense for that matter apparently). A lot of fans overreacted to his second half on offense not considering enough how his great first half offensively and full season of great defense helped a lot.
If watching BJ Upton and co. this year doesn't make you appreciate Bourn, then I doubt you ever will.
Bourn has not been particularly good defensively this season, though. He is hitting .261/.315/.352 which is better than BJ, no doubt. And really, when you look at it, he never actually has been a great offensive player--good, some years, but he's not a 5 year 60 million player from age 30-34.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
Actually, Bourn has been good defensively this year, he's been very solid but not elite like last year. He was among the best of the best gold glove elite last year. Of course Bourn has still been better than BJ Upton defensively this year too. It's nothing new for Bourn to go from elite defense to good back to elite again. He seems to have an every other year thing going in that regard. Further, I agree that he's never been a great offensive player. But given Bourn's abilities on the bases. He can have a lower OPS and still score a lot of runs. While he's not done that as much this year, I'd also point out that he's missed time with injury and is learning a new league too. If he'd stayed in the NL East he'd done a lot better this year IMO (especially when you consider how weak the NL East has been this year overall).
That said, I disagree that he's not worth the contract he signed with Cleveland. I'd say given the current market that Cleveland got a very good deal. I also don't expect as much decline due to age as you do apparently.
NYCBrave
Well-known member
Don't forget to point out he only has 22 SB this year, and 11 CS. That's a far cry from the 42 with us last year, or 61 the year before. Decline seems to be setting in.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
Nah, he just missed time with injury and is learning a new league, etc. Plus last year Bourn had as many bad calls as anyone go against him regarding stolen bases.
NYCBrave
Well-known member
I'm not buying the "Learning the new league". He's got over 500 plate appearances already this year. I guess BJ gets a free pass, he's learning the new league guys.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
I didn't list that as the only or main factor, but it's true both have been learning a new league. BJ Upton has been terrible so it's not fair to even compare the two IMO. It seems some of y'all are wishing a decline on Bourn. If not then you sure are jumping the gun along with ignoring other factors, etc.
What is big about this game?
Honestly, we could lose out and probably still make the playoffs at this point.
bravesnumberone
Well-known member
Chance to get the magic number down. Knock Washington a game further back from the playoffs more than anything. I don't see what's so complicated. They're a red-hot team, and red-hot teams tend to do very well in the postseason. You don't want to face them in the playoffs.
yeezus
It's OVER 5,000!
Why exactly would we bat Heyward 5th?