Braves Dugout: Blogging on the Atlanta Braves
and the world of Major League Baseball

Friday, September 29, 2006

Astros & Braves: The Final Series

We've come down to the final series this year for our beloved Braves. A three game sweep would make us 80-82 for the year. Regardless of a win this weekend the Braves will have fallen below .500 for '06. This series has some significance. Houston is fighting for a divisional pennant. As of today they are .5 GB of the falling off the face of the earth Cardinals. Houston has won nine straight games and with a couple of wins in this series added to a couple of losses for St. Louis they would have clinched the NL Central.

It's time for a little bittersweet revenge for Atlanta. Houston knocked us out the last two years and now it's the our turn to keep them out of the postseason. I don't think the Braves will just lay down so I expect a really competitive series ahead. Here are your probables:

Fri: Clemens (7-5 2.35) vs. James (10-4 3.94)

Sat: TBA vs. Cormier (4-5 5.00)

Sun: Pettitte (14-13 4.30) vs. Smoltz (15-9 3.58)

I'm sure your aware but Pedro Martinez will not be appearing in the postseason for the Mets. Pedro's has a torn tendon in his left calf muscle. Will this ruin the Mets championship hopes? Also, the Nats will not be bringing back Frank Robinson next year. Florida will also not be retaining Joe Girardi. Let the manager carousel begin.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Peeking Towards 2007 pt. 4

My final post looking to next year has to do with the Braves managers/coaches. And off we go...

John Schuerholz: The man behind the streak. Schuerholz is acknowledged as one of the best GM's in baseball and this hold's true. He's already made two moves towards next year by picking up Wickman and Smoltz. What else is up his sleeve?

Bobby Cox: Bobby has been the manager that all managers aspire to have the success of. A freind once put it, "You would love to have him for a marathon, but not for a short track". These days the lifespan of a manager is not long at all as the demand to win now is in high gear. The Marlins have had 8 different managers in only 13 years of existence. Bobby will continue to be manager as long as he is willing. One thing though, please keep Yates off the mound.

Roger McDowell: When Roger McDowell was hired I was suprised and puzzled. The last thing I remember on him was from the infamous "second spitter" episode from Seinfeld. For the most part since Spring Training, the pitching staff seemed to enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere with Roger in town. We'll see if he can turn around Hudson next year.

Terry Pendleton: Can you believe he's been here 5 years already? Terry has had his work cut out since 2003 when the power numbers began to drop. As the saying goes, just like a pitching coach; you can't go out and do the job for the guy. McDowell and Pendleton are both judged by their instruction and statistics. Obviously, if your team has the worst BA or ERA in the league then you'll have some answers to fill. Anyway, this year Pendelton went to work with Mr. Francoeur. His main objective was plate discipline. A tough task to tackle epspecially for an eager kid. Francoeur posted 1/3 of his AB's from this year, last year. Here's a stat showing his number of at bats per BB or K. Not really much improvement on both parts, but it takes time and remember he's only 22.

2005: 23AB/BB : 4AB/K
2006: 29AB/BB : 5AB/K

The offense left Atlanta in late May and didn't return for another month. You can't blame Pendelton for that, but most of the time the hitting coaches are the scapegoats. Pendelton has interviewed for a couple of different managerial jobs over the last couple of year and I think will become one, one day. Will it be in Atlanta?

Fredi Gonzalez: Fredi was promoted a couple of years ago from the minors and has since served as the third base coach for Atlanta. His roots as a manager come through the Marlins farm system before serving as third base coach '99-'01 with the big club. I think Gonzalez will probably land a job either in Florida or Chicago this winter. He seems to be well liked by the team and he's got the Fla. connection.

Glenn Hubbard: Hubbard was a superior fielder and a scrappy hitter in his time. Hubbard has been credited as the one that turned around Marcus Giles during the '03 season. Now, if Giles could only stay healthy. Hubbard may get another opportunity to mold the next 2B in Atlanta if Giles was to move on.

Pat Corrales: He's the guy that takes over when Bobby gets ejected. Corrales is the team's bench coach and his experience goes back about a half a century managing numerous teams.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Peeking Towards 2007 pt. 3

At the start of 2006 the Braves had to fill a vacancy they hadn't dealt with since 2000. Rafael Furcal left the team and signed with the L.A. Dodgers. Furcal was not only a really good SS, but was also the team's leadoff hitter. Over the winter, the Braves traded for Edgar Renteria who was coming off a below par season in Boston. Marcus Giles would then take over leadoff duties. As this season has gone on, Giles didn't work out at leadoff but Renteria bounced back and had an All-Star year. The injuries to Giles and Chipper Jones did knock the team down a notch. Wilson Betemit did a great job filling in for the wounded, but was later dealt to none other than the Dodgers. For '07, the infield might look like this.

3B Chipper Jones
SS Edgar Renteria
2B Marcus Giles?
1B Adam LaRoche
C Brian McCann

It's sad, but Chipper Jones isn't the young kid we once knew anymore. Chipper is older, and has become very prone to injury. Some people would like him to move to 1B, especially when Marte was still with the club. Chipper's injuries have come from hitting and running, not fielding. I'm not so sure he'll be able to play a whole season without injury for the remainder of his career. As it looks now, Willy Aybar will be the backup unless someone else is picked up. More about Aybar in a minute.

Edgar should retain the SS workload next year. Renteria is getting $3M from Atlanta over the next two seasons and after that a buyout is in place but hopefully by then Escobar or Andrus will be ready. Renteria has been good thus far, and if we could get two more seasons like this one out of him, it would be well worth it.

I have a question mark next to Marcus Giles's name. I'm not sure if he'll be back or not. Giles hasn't worked out at leadoff and his numbers have dropped over the last couple of years. Giles would be worth about $5M next year so, what do you do? I'm leaning more that he'll be traded so be sure keep an eye out this winter. For all we know the Braves could have already used the money to resign Wickman. What would happen if he does leave? If we don't get a 2B in return from a deal then Martin Prado or Willy Aybar would battle it out for the position.

Adam LaRoche started out the on a sour note but after the all star break he found his swing. I was starting to get frustrated with LaRoche as you could almost predict what would happen when he came to bat. If he would keep an average of .280 or higher and knock about 25HR a year he would be doing fine by me. Here's a look at his splits thus far:

Before the break:

263AB .251/.325/.479 13HR 42RBI

After the break:

207AB .333/.397/.676 18HR 47RBI

Brian McCann has bolted a place behind the plate for many many many years to come. McCann exploded this year after kinda taking the back seat to Francoeur last year as the baby Braves hit the field. Will McCann continue this success into '07? I sure hope so. Brayan Pena should be the backup next season unless we go after the "veteran" backup. Yes, Eddie Perez is still in the organization. For pt. 4 of this series of posts I'll be taking a look at some of the coaches on the Braves staff.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Wickman & Smoltz back in Atlanta for '07

Bob Wickman will return in a Braves uniform. Atlanta gave Wickman a 1/$6.5M deal to remain the closer through next year. Wickman has been stellar since coming over from Cleveland. There was speculation that Wickman would retire at seasons end but after his success in Atlanta that changed his views. I'm glad he's coming back and this will finnally solidify a vacancy the Braves have had for two years. You might think that $6.5M is a bit too much for this guy, but if you've seen the number of blown saves over the last two years you would understand our situation. Overall, a good move by Atlanta.

Schuerholz finnally picked up John Smoltz's $8M option for next season. JS claimed that there was never any hesitation on not picking up the option. I was a little concerned about it after the "meetings" this summer, but all is well. That makes for two signings in two days; who's next, Andruw?

Monday, September 18, 2006

Peeking towards 2007 pt. 2

With part 2 let's look at the OF's in Atlanta for '07. At the start of this year center and right were already taken while leftfield was up for grabs. Matt Diaz/Ryan Langerhans/Scott Thorman all played LF for the Braves this year, heck maybe even Brian Jordan played a game. Langerhans started the year in left, but Diaz has since taken it over. I honestly don't know what to expect in '07. I think Langerhans is gone, but not sure about Diaz. Diaz has had a good season but he's only played half the year.

2006 comparison

Ryan Langerhans: 297AB 69H 7HR 27RBI 86K/46BB .232/.340/.370

Matt Diaz: 265AB 88H 6HR 30RBI 43K/11BB .332/.373/.479


Will these numbers justify Matt a starting job next year? One OF who will be avaliable this winter will be Phillies RF/LF David Dellucci. His numbers are simlilar to Diaz, and having both on your team would allow you to basically use the same person each night, right? I think Dellucci would fit in the Braves pocketbook, but do the Braves really need him?

David Dellucci: 243AB 71H 13HR 37RBI 54K/28BB .292/.371/.547

Francoeur has planted his spot in right for years to come, while Andruw Jones as of today will be playing CF in '07. Next year is the last year in Andruw's contract. Andruw's glove is the best among any OF in baseball while his bat shines in moments. Here's a look at his numbers over the last three years.

2004: 570AB 149H 29HR 91RBI 147K/71BB .261/.345/.488
2005: 586AB 154H 51HR 128RBI 112K/64BB .263/.347/.575
2006: 524AB 134H 34HR 112RBI 120K/71BB .256/.353/.502

Andruw certainly has a few more years of 30/100 plus season's ahead. Will this be in a Braves uniform remains the question. If the Braves aren't going to resign him, they'll trade him and should receive a significant return. JS could have already composed a wishlist of players he would like to get in return for Andruw. This one will be an interesting story to follow. Next up is part three, where I'll move to the infield.

Friday, September 15, 2006

Peeking towards 2007 pt. 1

Just a tad over two weeks remain in the regular MLB season and the Braves continue to decline in the wild card chase. As of today they stand or slump 6.5GB as tonight they'll being a series against the Marlins. With the season coming to an end with just 15 games left I want to begin to peek ahead towards next year. I'm trying to decide on the best way to approach this so, I'll attempt to break it down based on position and contract status. Here's a look at the active roster for the remainder of 2006.



Catchers
Brian McCann
Brayan Pena
Todd Pratt

Infielders
Adam LaRoche
Brian Jordan
Daryle Ward
Scott Thorman
Marcus Giles
Martin Prado
Wily Aybar
Edgar Renteria
Tony Pena, Jr.
Pete Orr

Outfielders
Jeff Francoeur
Matt Diaz
Andruw Jones
Ryan Langerhans

Pitchers
Tim Hudson
John Smoltz
Kyle Davies
Chuck James
Oscar Villareal
Lance Cormier
Joey Devine
Ken Ray
Tyler Yates
Kevin Barry
Peter Moylan
Macay McBride
Chad Paronto
Wayne Franklin
Bob Wickman

DL
Chipper Jones
Blaine Boyer
John Foster
Chris Reitsma
John Thomson
Horacio Ramirez
Phil Stockman
Danys Baez
Mike Hampton
Kelly Johnson


Whew...there is the list. Coming into this offseason what do you think priority number is for the Atlanta Braves? If I heard getting a closer signed, that is correct. I think Atlanta if they can bring back the Wick. Bob Wickman has done everything the team could since arriving in July. So, here's what I'm looking for this offseason.

Priority #1
Sign a closer- I think Atlanta should bring back the Wick. Bob Wickman has superb since arriving in July. Just think maybe we wouldn't have been in this funk if something was done last March. Wickman has thought about retirement at season's end but after recent success might come back in '07.

Priority #2
John Smoltz's $8M option. Smoltz is up for a team option next year and should without hesitation be granted it. Smoltz has been pretty vocal during the year criticizing mgmt. which I don't blame him, and then there was that "trade" comment. I don't know how JS really feels, but not resigning Smoltz will not get Atlanta into the playoffs in 2007.

Priority #3
Get your bullpen together. I guess this can be blended with number 1, but the Braves really need some reliable pen hands. At the start of this year, I knew Reets wasn't going to finish as closer, too fragile. I liked the Remilinger signing, but I had my doubts. We know Reets is gone, but here some other I don't want to see next year...Yates, Moylan, Ray, Foster. Cormier and Villareal have shown promise and aren't too bad "spot" starters. Cormier could even be a darkhorse for the starting rotation next year depending on alot of variables. I'll get to that later. Baez would be a good 8th inning guy, but I'm afraid he'll want more money than were even paying our closer for next year. That's where Joey Devine should follow suit. The pen could resemble the following:

-Oscar Villarreal
* "Stole" some victories this year, but should return for atleast another round
-Blaine Boyer
* Returning from injury
-Macay McBride
* He'll return unless traded
-Kevin Barry
* Possibly a return
-Chad Paronto
* Not too big on Paronto, but somehow I think Bobby will bring him back.
-FA
** JS needs to sign/trade for atleast 2 veteran relievers
-FA
** Same as above
-Joey Devine
* 8th inning specialist before developing into closer for '08.
-Bob Wickman
* I'm going to assume Wick comes back

Priority #4
I'm sticking it to the pitching staff. Establish the 5 man. Injuries and bad outings have resulted in alot of starts from a number of pitchers. I think Atlanta should go after a top notch starter. It's a must of Smoltz isn't returning. Whom, I can't answer that. Here's who we've so far.

-Tim Hudson
*He's shown glimpses of the Oakland version, but has yet to put up the #1 stats most Braves fans expected. Hudson is under contract for next year but after that his contract becomes back loaded, resulting in Hampton like money per season. I think the Braves really need to consider a possible trade by next July if his struggles continue. I like Hudson, but if your paying a guy $13M when he's 12-11 4.95 ERA, are you really getting your money's worth??

-Chuck James
*As I've said before a bright spot for the '06 season. Chuck James has been on fire as the year comes to a close. Those expectations will soon get even higher when 2007 comes around. James could be the third starter on the staff but will probably start out as number 4.

-Kyle Davies
*Coming off a serious injury is never easy. Kyle has struggled since his return but as in another post, don't give up on the guy. Kyle hasn't thrown many balls so just think of this time as ST. I believe Davies will make a solid return for '07.

-Mike Hampton
*Man oh man. Hampton is a guy most Braves fan wish weren't on the team. When your paying someone $13.5M to ride a training bike all year, it stings a bit. Hampton is coming off TJ surgery and as reports have stated expected to be back for '07. If he can return healthy it will defintely help stabilize this rotation.

-Horacio Ramirez
*Staying on the course of injured players, HoRam has had his share. I don't think Ramirez will return, but he very well could. That doesn't make much sense does it. I personally have given this guy many chances, but he's just too injury prone. With James, Davies, and possibly Hampton in 2007, Ramirez looks like to be the odd man out. If he's back next year, I will be suprised and it won't be the first time.

-John Smoltz
*Includes a 2007 option worth $8M. I said it earlier, he must be resigned for run towards a division, playoff whatever. If this happens, I look for it sometime after the world series before the cutoff date which is sometime in Nov. I think.

-Lance Cormier
* A long shot darkhorse for the 2007 rotation. He's been a good starter at the triple A level and has shown promise while starting in Atlanta. I think the only way he'll be starting is if Smoltz, Hampton, or Ramirez doesn't return. He very well could be traded. He's proven to pitch in the minors and is major league ready, but will there be enough room and can he continue to pitch well.

After all that here's my predicted 2007 rotation: Hudson, Smoltz, Hampton, James, Davies. This maybe the longest post I've ever had here at the Dugout. Well, it will be a few days before I write part 2 followed by 3 and 4. So look for those sometime next week. In the meantime let's enjoy some Braves baseball while it's still around.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

The end of a reign

By the end of the week the Mets should have clinched the division unless they have a severe meltdown. Regardless, the Braves are just 1 game away from eliminating themselves from any divisional title hope. Well all good things must come to end, right? To me personally, I can't recall the Braves not winning the division. I know the year was 1990, but can't remember how I felt about it. Then again, at that time I was a little squirt who probably cared more about climbing trees and playing Nintendo. In these last 14 years the Braves have given me many memories in my life that I've had the pleasure of watching and experiencing at both the Ted and Fulton County. I've seen the bandwagon fans come go, which most of them are now either Yankee or Red Sox fans. There are so many things I could point out as my favorite Brave moments over the last fourteen years. I'm sure I'll be missing some other moments but, here's a few that stick out.

5. Titled as "the catch". This was Otis Nixon's clame to fame. Nixon robbed a definite home run by Pirates slugger Andy Van Slyke. This was one amazing catch that has stood in my mind as a pivotal Braves moment. The catch allowed the Braves winning streak of 12 games to continue and later helped take over the NL West from the Reds in '92.

4. The signing of Greg Maddux. Without Maddux the Braves might not have had the streak as long as they did. Atlanta picked up a pitcher that not only was reaching his prime but would become one of the premiere pitchers in baseball. What were the Cubs thinking?

3. The Jones Bros. Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones have been huge pieces during the run. Without them the Braves wouldn't have made it. We've seen both players develop from top prospects to major league stars.

2. Francisco Cabrera & Sid Bream. Cabrera's hit and Sid racing to home. One of the top classic moments in Braves history. I can never get tired of that play.

1. What else, the 1995 World Series. Atlanta finnally won baseball's most prestigous award. The Braves had been there two times already and was beaten by last minute heroics, Leibrandt, base running blunders, whatever you want to call it. For once, the 1995 season belonged to the Braves.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Kyle Davies: What the?

Coming back from injury especially a groin injury is rough stuff. Kyle Davies missed over three months of baseball in this case. He made his rehab starts and returned to Atlanta this past Saturday to take the mound. His outing was less than stellar. He returned to the mound yesterday against the Mets. Kyle continued his struggles going 5 innings giving up 6 runs on 7 hits with 4 walks and 5 K's. Davies threw 103 pitches and only 58 were strikes. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt right now. One thing I have noticed is that when he gets down he tends to lose control and not make smart pitches. You can get in alot of trouble that way but this is all apart of "growing" up as a pitcher, learning how to pitch out of jams. After last year's amazing debut some Braves fans expected the success to pick right up. Most of the time that isn't the case. So, give this guy some time he'll bounce back.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

September Callups

Here's the list:

Joey Devine- Not a big suprise and it's good to see Joey make it back to Atlanta

Lance Cormier- Cormier pitched pretty well in the minors and will continue to be a "spot" starter just like Oscar Villarreal.

Pete Moylan- Struggled for the Braves early in the year and was sent down, now he's back.

Kyle Davies- Davies has been hurt most of the year but was able to make some rehab starts and get back to Atlanta in time. Davies had his first start against Philly last weekend and was roughed up, hopefully he'll bounce back next outing.

Brian Jordan- You all should know his story by now. Hopefully this will be his last hoorah.

Martin Prado- Well, not really a callup. Prado has been playing for the injured Giles. Prado might continue to see a little time even with Giles returning. He's an upgrade over Pete Orr.

Tony Pena, Jr.- Pena probably won't see much playing time if any, but he's there in case someone else gets hurt.

Scott Thorman- Called up when Jordan went down and has seen quality time, but hasn't produced like his minor league numbers had shown. He's also available for use in the OF.

The Lingering Continues...

My posting has been few and far between as of late. My only explanation for this would have to be that football season is getting underway. Oh, but I certainly haven't forgotten about the Braves. As my titles explains it all, the team continues to linger on and remain 5.5 GB of the wild card. Today, the Braves could make up ground by defeating the Mets in a double header. Tommorrow is an off day before Atlanta returns for a 10 game homestand starting against the Cubs.

What else has been happening? Chipper Jones's season may be over. Jones who once again has strained his left oblique muscle will take the rest of the week off and then will determine if he's able to come back. Chipper basically explained it that if the team is on a roll and making a run he could return but if not, he'll probably sit the remainder of the year. I hope Chipper can get over this setback and return to full form for 2007. I do hate it that the injuries are starting to wear him down but I guess it's expected at this time of his career. Marcus Giles will not need the heart surgery as initially planned. Giles just has a bad case of acid reflux. Giles thought he had a heart valve that needed to be closed, but he and the Braves decided for a second opinion. Geez, talk about one extreme to the other. Giles should be cleared to play, possibly today. Chuck James has certainly been a highlight this year and continues to woo the opposition. James is coming off a one hitter versus the Mets on Monday. I watched most of Sunday's game against the Phillies and just sat in amazement of Ryan Howard's HR's off of Hudson. Is Howard going to pass the Roger Maris record? We shall see. We'll see the Phillies for the last time next week, and this Hudson shouldn't give him anything to swing at. I'm going to try to post about twice a week until the season wraps up unless the Braves start to climb towards the top of the wild card.

Friday, September 01, 2006

Braves acquire Daryle Ward from Nationals

And the annual Greg Colburn award goes to Daryle Ward. Ward was traded to Atlanta from Washington in exchange for Luis Atilano, a RHP coming off Tommy John surgery. Ward brings a left handed bat off the bench and may see some time in LF. I call it the Greg Colburnn award because Colburnn was picked up in '97 and '98 for the playoff runs. Last year's winner was Todd Hollansworth. Anyway here are Ward's stats for the year:

2006: 78G 104AB 6HR 19RBI .308/.390/.567