The Atlanta Braves (thread 1)

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#10,078
#10,078
Melky with a backwards throw leading to a 3 run double/error thing.

Should've lifted JJ when it got tied up
 
#10,079
#10,079
I wouldn't have traded Blanco for Ankiel straight up. I sure as hell don't see how it's an improvement.

Farnsworth's having a nice year, but man, he is just way too erratic for me to be happy about the idea of him pitching critical innings in October.

So basically, meh.
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#10,080
#10,080
Vercingetorix said:
I wouldn't have traded Blanco for Ankiel straight up.
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You really don't think that Ankiel's arm and just the threat of a little power isn't at least somewhat of an upgrade over Blanco?

Ankiel and Farnsworth definitely aren't difference makers, but I don't really see that the Braves gave much up either.
 
#10,081
#10,081
GAVol said:
You really don't think that Ankiel's arm and just the threat of a little power isn't at least somewhat of an upgrade over Blanco?.
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It's the thinnest possible upgrade, and even in a playoff-possible year, I don't see how it's worth giving up a useful cheap player for a an older guy who has a $7m option for next year. It increases the chance of a WS title by what, 0.5%? Ankiel can't even play everyday, because he can't hit lefties. It sure doesn't do anything to solidify the lineup.
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#10,082
#10,082
Vercingetorix said:
It's the thinnest possible upgrade, and even in a playoff-possible year, I don't see how it's worth giving up a useful cheap player for a an older guy who has a $7m option for next year. It increases the chance of a WS title by what, 0.5%? Ankiel can't even play everyday, because he can't hit lefties. It sure doesn't do anything to solidify the lineup.
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This obviously wasn't Plan A. In fact, it probably was about Plan G. I'm sure it all came down to Wren not being willing to part with Medlen, Tehran, Minor etc. But to me that's the beauty of the deal.
 
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#10,083
#10,083
I posted this in the other thread, but didn't Farnsworth leave the game a few weeks ago with an arm problem?

Or am I dreaming that?
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#10,084
#10,084
Ryan Zimmerman just hit an absolute bomb off Brad Lidge to keep the Braves from losing a game.
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#10,088
#10,088
Blanco is more useful than Ankiel. I think this trade was made just to make a trade. Farnsworth provides a little bit of depth in the bullpen, but overall, I think it's a net loser.
 
#10,091
#10,091
TBrown said:
I don't think it's hard to keep Infante out of the lineup at all, but that's just my opinion.
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i'm bringing this back up...

I think it's hard to keep him out of the lineup.

I think we need to give Chipper and Glaus as much rest as they need during the regular season, especially when we have guys like Infante and Hinske hitting the way they are right now.
 
#10,092
#10,092
I don't see how Cox is going to be able to go much longer without taking AB's away from Glaus. He looks pitiful out there hobbling around and hitting weak ground balls.
 
#10,093
#10,093
GAVol said:
I don't see how Cox is going to be able to go much longer without taking AB's away from Glaus. He looks pitiful out there hobbling around and hitting weak ground balls.
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I agree. I think he needs to start platooning Hinske at 1B
 
#10,094
#10,094
GAVol said:
Everybody keeps saying that and I just don't get it. If Blanco is really that useful, why was he playing in the International League yesterday?
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Blanco's a fourth outfielder; Ankiel's a fourth outfielder. Ankiel might be a little bit better of a fourth outfielder, but Blanco costs nothing and is arbitration-controlled for three more seasons after this one, while Ankiel has a "mutual option" for $7m-ish next year and is otherwise a free agent. Blanco's exactly the kind of cheap, useful spare part that a team on a budget needs to fill out a roster, and the Braves just gave three and a half years of that away for a very slight upgrade for three months. Because unless Ankiel goes on some kind of supernatural tear, there's no way the Braves will pick him up next year for $7m.

I get that you pull out all the stops when you have a shot to win, and if Ankiel were even a good player then I'd be fine with it, but the guy cannot hit left handed pitching. Which means he solves nothing.
 
#10,095
#10,095
And the fundamentally annoying thing is that it's a swap of fourth outfielders. This is the move that the Braves make, with a playoff berth on the line and Cox about to retire? That's it?

This is when you give up one of your putatively can't-miss AA pitching prospects to get somebody who can make a difference. (Because, after all, There Is No Such Thing As A Pitching Prospect.) This is when you take minor-leaguers who are off the table and put them back on the table. This is when you do something. And instead Wren did nothing of consequence.
 
#10,096
#10,096
It's not the trade I wanted, but I don't think it's a garbage move either if for no other reason than the upgrade in the bullpen. In the end, there just weren't very many difference makers available.
 
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#10,097
#10,097
Freakin Fox shut me out on the game today. Guess it is all for not.

Totally outta the loop today and have just got caught up.

Sad to see Blanco go.
 
#10,098
#10,098
VOLnVEGAS said:
Freakin Fox shut me out on the game today. Guess it is all for not.

Totally outta the loop today and have just got caught up.

Sad to see Blanco go.
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At least you didn't have to watch Melky Cabrerra make the worst throw in baseball history.
 
#10,099
#10,099
GAVol said:
It's not the trade I wanted, but I don't think it's a garbage move either if for no other reason than the upgrade in the bullpen.

And I think the money argument, though valid, is a little bit of a stretch. I'm pretty sure Blanco will be out of options next year which is part of what makes him valuable. I'm not sure he even sticks on the roster next year.
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I would believe in the upgrade in the bullpen a lot more if it weren't Farnsworth. I don't care what his line is this year; he hasn't been good at all since he left the Braves five years ago, and let's just say that he's never been somebody whom you would call consistent or steady or anything along those lines. Yes, the bullpen is better with Farnsworth in it, but there's no way around the fact that we're going to be holding our breath every time he comes in the game. Especially if it's in the playoffs. This is like trading for John Rocker without the xenophobia.

And as far as Blanco goes.....somebody has to be the fourth (or fifth) outfielder. and when you're a team on a budget, that guy needs to make as close to nothing as possible. Gregor Blanco could have been that guy for awhile. Cheap role players like him are what make the world go round for a baseball team. I am just annoyed to see a useful guy like Blanco tossed away for a three months of a relative stiff like Ankiel.

(I'm due to be violently wrong about one of these trades sooner or later, so let's hope it's this one.)
 
#10,100
#10,100
I don't think Wren wanted to trade away the future for 1 year (schuerholz). I would love for Cox to go out with a WS title but our team will be much better in 2 years by holding on to our prospects.
 
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