Official Atlanta Braves Thread

[Mesmer]

He'll get it going, come on. Don't hate on Escobar!

[Jackson 5]

Mets shut us out today, dang Derek Lowe!

[faultlessjoint]

Mets shut us out today, dang Derek Lowe!

I'm going to tip my cap to Johan and forget about this one. A very short time ago he was the undisputed best pitcher in baseball and held that title for a solid three years.

[JakeFlake]

Braves make a trade:

The Braves acquired shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who has 17 home runs at the All-Star break, on Wednesday in a five-player trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Atlanta sent shortstop Yunel Escobar and left-handed pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes to Toronto and received Gonzalez and two minor leaguers (shortstop Tyler Pastornicky and pitcher Tim Collins).

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5379421

[BF91]

I'm torn on that one. Yunel is a great talent and even with his struggles, still posted a decent OBP. Alex Gonzalez is a wiz at SS, but once his power leaves him, and it will, we'll be left with only defense considering his sub-.300 OBP.

[SCPantherFan90]

Well, we got an okay replacement (short-term) at SS. I've heard good things about Collins. And we won't have to worry about Escobar's volatile attitude polluting the great atmosphere the team has right now. I'm not super-angry with the trade, but I bet we could've got a lot more than we did for him.

[Scrumtrilescent]

CF next, kthanxbye.

[Joscott]

Alex Gonzalez is no where near the player Yunel is capable of being, but capable would be the key word. It's one of those things that if he learns a little professionalism, yes, this is a bad trade for us. But he's 27 and acts 21.

Pretty sure Yunel was not a favorite in the club house and I don't think his heart was in Atlanta either. Clubs knew we were trying to move him but also knew it was a risk. Wren wants more power so he got a guy having a career year, we just better hope he can continue on that pace. He's already the team leader in HR's.

So yeah, Yunel has better talent, but I think Gonzalez makes the team better right now.

The best part of this trade is clearly no more Jo-Jo.

Wren is still looking for a OF'er right now too, so the lineup will have even more power.

[Mesmer]

I think the deal is good for both sides. I heard we got a pitching prospect that's worth talking about?

Won't Infante play SS a bit now? He can play that can't he? Maybe a platoon type deal with Gonzalez?

Yunel is a really good defensive SS, but seriously I don't think I saw one piece of good hitting out of him this year. I haven't watched all the games (probably 70% of them) and his AB's this year have been pretty pitiful to watch. I don't know if it's a lack of patience, or a poor attitude or what.. but he just hasn't played up to his potential this year at all.

The platoon in CF is working for now but we could use a true CF with good speed. McClouth is that guy defensively but holy poo Tim Hudson outdoes him at the bat.

[Jackson 5]

I have been a #1 Esco fan but what a deal, we def. won this trade, Esco almost got Glaus hurt with his lackadaisical play, Alex Gonzalez and his 17 Homers, 50 RBI and professional attitude are greatly welcome!

[Mesmer]

Good to see the Braves come back and win right after the break. Really happy to see Wagner continuing to pitch so well when we need him most.

[faultlessjoint]

Alright, let's say playoffs start today. What three pitchers do we throw out there?

1. Hudson (This is obvious.)

2. Medlen (I know it seems ridiculous to have our 5th starter start the second came in the playoffs. But as of today, I think he is our best bet. Hanson has been shaky lately. JJ looks good coming off the injury, but needs more starts before I would trust him to take the mound in the playoffs. And Lowe just doesn't have the stuff anymore. Also, I think Medlen has the right composure for playing in high pressure situations. I like his attitude.)

3. Hanson

Now, that is if the playoffs started today. Hopefully if everything goes the way I want it to, by the end of the season, JJ will be back to last years form and Hanson will be more consistent and it will be:

1. Hudson

2. JJ

3. Hanson

And if Medlen can keep it up, I really think we should use a four man playoff rotation.

[Jackson 5]

The last two nights have been far from fun, the Phils have jumped the Mets into second place.

[Mesmer]

Tonight was good