IntenseDebate - daniel_a

14 years ago @ BravesBlast.com :: Atl... - Braves Offense Now One... · 3 replies · +1 points

around.300 (Schafer, Johnson, Francoeur), the Braves now have 8 batters every single night that will work counts, get on base and create trouble for opposing pitchers. While no one Brave is considered an excellent hitter, there are no holes in this lineup.

You noted the difference in the offense when Yunel Escobar was out last week versus Florida and Los Angeles. With Omar Infante coming back from injury, that is great news for the Braves. Now if any of the infielders need a day off or get injured, there is a quality replacement waiting. Kelly Johnson also remains a quality bat in my opinion, having a down season. He has shown flashes of his former self this week, making the bench just that much better.

Yes, the Braves are contenders now. The pitching has been there all season and the offense is real. I am going to say it now, after an impressive three games following heat-wrenching defeat on Thursday night in Los Angeles, this team is showing me that they will be there in October. It's time to believe.

14 years ago @ BravesBlast.com :: Atl... - Braves Offense Now One... · 4 replies · +1 points

I greatly appreciate this insightful post. I wish to add a bit more to it. The recent surge of power has been a surprise to me, the whole team has started to show power that I did not expect to see this season. I am not convinced that the Braves offense will continue to knock homers to the sum that they have in July/August, however they should continue to have increased output over their April-June totals thanks to the lineup additions of Nate McClouth, Adam LaRoche, Ryan Church and Martin Prado.

I personally believe that the spark that has caused this offense to take flight has been addition by subtraction. In removing Kelly Johnson and Jeff Francoeur from the everyday lineup, the team took its two worst regular hitters. Thanks to an average under .230, Kelly Johnson's OBP remains under .300 and Francoeur's was .282 at the time of the Ryan Church trade. Replaced by Ryan Church's .348 (.417 as a Brave) and Martin Prado's .365, that makes a huge difference in offensive opportunities to score runs. Further to my point, instead of a lineup that held three batters with OBP's

15 years ago @ BravesBlast.com :: Atl... - Griffey Saga Coming To... · 0 replies · +1 points

Here's my crazy solution for a leadoff bat and additional outfield depth.

Sign Orlando Hudson (Type-A Free Agent)
Move Kelly Johnson to LF platoon.

While you lose a first-round pick, and his non-guarenteed success. There are now two gold glove caliber defenders on the right side of the infield, and have a better hitting option in the outfield. You also have a strong lead-off candidate in Hudson. Johnson is not a starting player in my opinion. .280, 10,60 does not do much for me when he can't steal a base. I do like his bat enough to take time away from Diaz and Francoeur. Prado becomes the backup 2B/SS.

It won't happen, but it's something I would explore if I were calling the shots.

15 years ago @ BravesBlast.com :: Atl... - Teixeira Dealt to Ange... · 1 reply · +2 points

I'd say that this trade was probably the best that was out there if the Diamondbacks weren't biting on Connor Jackson. Perhaps, it would have been better to wait it out until 3:55 on the 31st, but I will argue that Kotchman and Marek are at least at the value of the two prospects they would have received in the draft in 2008. Unfortunately, this package will not equate to that of what was sent to Texas last year for Teixeira.

15 years ago @ BravesBlast.com :: Atl... - The Defining Series · 0 replies · +1 points

From Major League (kinda): Let's go out there and win one today (Check); win one tomorrow that's two in a row (Check); one more after that, that's called a winning streak! Go team go!

15 years ago @ BravesBlast.com :: Atl... - Braves Trade Rumor Upd... · 1 reply · +1 points

Jim Duquette executed the Zambrano trade for the Mets

15 years ago @ BravesBlast.com :: Atl... - 7/23 vs. Marlins · 0 replies · +1 points

Hudson and Jones injured in one game. Hampton and Diaz coming back... I like this end of the scale.

15 years ago @ BravesBlast.com :: Atl... - The Final Countdown: 1... · 0 replies · +1 points

This is what blogging is all about...good arguments man. I will agree to disagree in this one.

15 years ago @ BravesBlast.com :: Atl... - 7/23 vs. Marlins · 0 replies · +1 points

haha...very true

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