BUY THE HYPE: Bryce Harper

Yes, I said it...BUY THE HYPE ON BRYCE HARPER!!!

Here's my explanation on why 19 year old phenom Bryce Harper is as sure a bet as there is:

Here are some Bryce Harper Highlights you need to check out!  Just watch the hustle plays and the pitches he's hitting HARD...


Video 1:  Here's a hustle double on a softly hit ball to left.  Kind of hard to see once the fans stand up, but you can see the whole replay on the video board.

Video 2:  Look at where this pitch is-it it 8 inches off the inside corner!  He gets his hands through and barrels it off the wall, only a few feet shy of a home run.

Videos 3 and 4:  Here's his first big league homer.  On a curveball that may not even be a strike, it was pretty low.  The second clip is another bomb on a breaking ball against the Braves

Video 5:  Here is Harper's first career walk off hit, in the 12th inning against the Mets.  The video quality isn't outstanding, but it shows his two-strike approach, going to the opposite field on a pitch off the plate.  In other words a PROFESSIONAL HITTER.

Should Ryan Braun Give Back His MVP Award?

In light of the recent report that 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun tested positive for a banned substance, should he have to give back his MVP award?  Should the Baseball Writers of America hold a re-vote and take the trophy away?

I am still a bit shocked that Braun possibly is dirty.  He certainly doesn't look the part.  However, the "I didn't know" excuse just won't fly in the court of public opinion.

Is It Time To Hit The Panic Button Braves Fans? YES!

Braves Fans have a lot to worry about!

I thought about writing a column about the Braves yesterday, and it was going to be about how the Braves would still make the playoffs and that fans shouldn't worry about the lead they've almost squandered to the Cardinals.  After watching last night's game, my outlook has changed.

I realize there are 162 games in a season and I often caution baseball fans on not making too much about one game (check out my Red Sox column from April), but last night's final out collapse against the Marlins has me wondering if the Braves will even make it to October.  When you're up 5-4 with 2 outs and no one on in the bottom of the 9th, with one of the best pitchers in baseball on the mound, you expect to win 100% of the time.  When Chipper Jones loses a chopper in the lights (really?) and ex-Brave Omar Infante hits a walk-off homer, it might be time to pack it up and take it to the house.

Even if the Braves do hold on and make the playoffs, is there any confidence that they can advance?  Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson are still on the DL.  Derek Lowe sucks so bad that Braves fans wish he was ON the DL.  Brian McCann is hitting .167 since coming off the disabled list.  Freddie Freeman is in a funk.  The bullpen is taxed.  None of the rookies brought up to replace the injured starting pitchers have made a strong impact.  These are all valid concerns regarding the Braves chances.

The bottom line is this season looks an awful lot like last year's.  The Braves limped in to the playoffs, couldn't score runs and were sent packing in four games.  If the Braves draw Milwaukee in the first round, this may be the case again.  I don't think even the most optimistic Braves fans could say the team on the field now can beat the Brewers or Phillies in a series.  The only way the Braves advance to the NLCS is if they can draw Arizona in the first round.  The Diamondbacks are young and inexperienced in October, something the Braves could exploit.

Let me say this: I am one of those optimistic Braves fans.  I do think the Braves will make the playoffs, but I'm realistic at the same time.  I don't see them advancing unless some key pieces get healthy and other right the ship in time for the postseason.

Braves Make A Deal For Michael Bourn, Frank Wren Wins Again

Today's non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone, and Frank Wren and the Braves made a trade this morning, nabbing Michael Bourn from the Houston Astros for Jordan Schafer and minor league pitchers Brett Oberholser, Paul Clemens and Juan Abreu.  My opinion, which is also held by many experts, is that this is a major win for the Braves.

Bourn fills the Braves' need for a leadoff hitter and center fielder, and will help produce runs, as he is currently the NL leader in steals as well.  Bourn also is an upgrade defensively, as he has won the last two Gold Gloves in center field.  He is also under contract for next year for only $4.4 million and at the age of 28, could be a fixture in center for the Braves if they choose to resign him after 2012.  His high on-base percentage, at .363, means the hitters in the middle of the lineup should get more RBI opportunities.

In nabbing Bourn, who fills a pressing need, Wren actually paid a lower price than what would've been required for the likes of Carlos Beltran or Hunter Pence.  The Phillies gave up their top pitching and hitting prospect for Pence, but the Braves got Bourn and didn't have to part with any of their top four pitching prospects. Filling the lineup's biggest need without trading top prospects is a definite win for Frank Wren and the Braves.

Will this move push the Braves over the top and into the World Series?  That remains to be seen, but the Braves are a better team today than they were yesterday, and when Brian McCann and Chipper Jones get healthy, the Braves have a pretty formidable lineup to go with their elite pitching staff.

Picture this lineup:
1. Michael Bourn CF
2. Martin Prado LF
3. Chipper Jones 3B
4. Brian McCann C
5. Freddie Freeman 1B
6. Dan Uggla 2B
7. Jason Heyward RF
8. Alex Gonzalez SS


Frank Wren and the front office have done their job.  Now it's up to Fredi Gonzalez and the players to deliver in October.

Less Than 48 Hours Until The Deadline, Frank Wren Needs To Step Up To The Plate

Time to go to work, Frank!

We now have less than 48 hours until the MLB trade deadline and the Braves and GM Frank Wren have yet to make a move to bolster a pennant run.  In the last two weeks, this season has taken a turn that reminds many Braves fans of last season.  Brian McCann, Jordan Schafer and now Nate McLouth have all made their way to Disabled List and Chipper Jones is battling a leg injury while trying toworking his way back in to the lineup.  

Today, the Braves called up Jose Constanza from Triple-A, and the 27 year old outfielder will make his Major League debut tonight.  A career minor leaguer, Constanza is certainly not the answer to any of the Braves looming lineup issues.

About a month ago, I wrote this column cautioning Wren and the Braves not to give up the future for a rental player.  The fluidity of the injury situation has me thinking that the Braves may need to make a move to avoid a playoff fate similar to 2010.

It's very obvious the Braves aren't going to trade top pitching prospects Julio Teheran, Randall Delgado or Arodys Vizcaino.  Why they are reluctant to trade Mike Minor is surprising to me, however.  In my opinion Minor projects as a 3rd starter and the Braves just drafted and signed college lefty Sean Gilmartin, a similar pitcher to Minor, maybe with a little less velocity.  Rumor has it the Braves turned down a Minor for Beltran straight-up trade from the Mets, which if true, is crazy to me.  I know the Braves don't want to face Minor inside the division each year, but that would have been a great deal for the Braves, given its stable of other pitching prospects.

It looks as though Wren's hand may be forced given the recent rash of injuries.  Braves' eyes and ears are now turning to the likes of Hunter Pence, Carlos Quentin, B.J. Upton and Ryan Ludwick.  Of these, Ludwick would be the cheapest and Pence the most costly.  Houston is looking for multiple MLB-ready prospects and have already turned down a huge offer from the Phillies for Pence.  The White Sox are in contention in the AL Central and won't be looking to dump Quentin for cheap.  Tampa Bay is certainly willing to move Upton, and he could fill the need for a center fielder.  The Braves may be able to pry Ludwick from San Diego for less than one of the prime pitching prospects.

 

Will Frank Wren step up and make a big move?  My guess is yes, but how big all depends on whether or not he will move Mike Minor.  If so, the Braves could get Quentin or Upton.  If not, it could be Ludwick.  It's safe to say that the next 48 hours will hold the key to the Braves' World Series potential.

Will The Braves Make The Move For Carlos Beltran?

Is Carlos Beltran the "big bat" the Braves are looking for?

Now that the Astros are saying they are not going to trade Hunter Pence next week, all eyes turn to New York and Carlos Beltran, as he is now the biggest impact player openly on the trade market.  There is no doubt the Braves have interest in Beltran, but will they make the move?

If the Braves do make the trade for Beltran, he will strictly be a rental player, as his contract is up at the end of the season.  I think the Braves wanted Pence more, as he is under contract past this season, but the Astros wanted a multi-player package of top prospects, which the Braves were smart in declining.  Concerning Beltran, the asking price is lower than Pence, but is he worth a top prospect for 2+ months of service?

That's the question the Braves must answer.  The Mets were in town to watch Mike Minor's start for the Gwinnett Braves last night, and it appears that he would be the centerpiece of a deal.  If the Mets are willing to swap Beltran for Minor straight up, I think that's a good deal for Atlanta, as there is plenty of starting pitching depth in the minors.  I hear the Mets are willing to help by picking up most to all of the money left on Beltran's contract this year, so this could be a good deal for the Braves if Minor is deemed expendable.

Do the Mets want more than just one top level prospect?  Here is where a possible trade could reach an impasse.  If the Mets are looking for another MLB ready prospect, is it worth it to the Braves for two months of Beltran?

In my opinion, making a trade for Beltran is a risky proposition under any circumstance due to his penchant for the disabled list.  He has spent tons of time on the DL in the last five years, and an injury could make the trade a complete bust.

If it's Beltran for Minor with the Mets picking up Beltran's contract, I'd make the deal.  My gut feeling is the Mets want more that just Minor, and the Braves are hesitant to give up too much for a rental player.  Another player rumored to be a target for the Braves is Jonny Gomes of the Reds.  He would be a much cheaper target and wouldn't be forced to be an everyday player.  He could fit in a platoon against lefties, as outfielders Nate McLouth, Jordan Schafer and Jason Heyward are all left-handed hitters.  As reluctant as the Braves are to trade coveted prospects sometimes, Jonny Gomes appears to be a more likely addition to the Braves roster.

Derek Lowe On The Move?

Will the Braves trade Derek Lowe to help bolster the lineup?

For a couple of weeks, I've been hearing that Derek Lowe's name has been  floating around as trade bait in the Braves quest to secure another bat for the lineup.  I love the idea!

Derek Lowe is making $15 million this year, but teams that are on the verge of contention are always looking to grab starting pitching at the trade deadline (July 31).  Lowe would be one of the most proven veterans on the market, making him a commodity, despite having a below par season to date (5-7, 4.30 ERA).  It would be huge if the Braves could find a suitor that would pick up the rest of his contract, but the Braves will probably have to pick up some of the remainder to get another team to bite on the trade.

Who will make a move to pick up Lowe and what will they offer the Braves in return? Where will the newest addition play in the field?  If he's an outfielder, who is the odd-man out when Chipper returns and Prado moves back to left?

While I would love to see Lowe dealt to the Cardinals for Colby Rasmus, it's highly unlikely the Cards will part with Rasmus.  Detroit is said to have the most interest in Lowe, but looking at their lineup, it's hard to find a good fit for the Braves to receive in return.  If the Braves did trade Lowe, would it be for a minor league package to clear salary to make ANOTHER move with another team for a big bat?  Remember, the Braves did get John Smoltz and Jair Jurrjens from the Tigers!

In my opinion, if Lowe is dealt to Detroit, it would be for the scenario listed above.  The Braves will never get Miguel Cabrera and Lowe for Magglio Ordonez would be a loss for Atlanta.  There are no other big bats in Detroit, and I don't see the Braves wanting Brennan Boesch (left-handed) and the Tigers don't have any MLB ready hitters in AAA.

Lowe has recognized the possibility of a trade, even making light of it in this AJC article.  Moving him may be necessary if the Braves are serious about acquiring a thumper to add to the lineup.

Do you think the Braves will move Derek Lowe?  If so, where will his destination be?

Atlanta Braves First Half Report Card

The "Second Half" of the Braves season begins tonight at home with a weekend series against the Washington Nationals.  The Braves currently stand at 54-38 and are 3.5 games behind the Phillies in the NL East.  On my first half report card, I predicted the Braves to be 52-40 at the break, so they did me two games better.  Will the second half be as good as the first for the Braves?  First, let's recap what we've seen so far:

Offense:  B
This is a minor improvement over the B- I gave them after the first half, as it does appear the lineup is coming together, despite some key injuries.  Chipper Jones is out until August and Martin Prado could be activated for the DL this weekend, but the emergence of Jordan Schafer in the leadoff spot and the re-emergence of the real Dan Uggla has given Braves fans a little more confidence in the offense.  Brian McCann is a legitimate MVP candidate and Nate McLouth (don't hate Nate!) has been getting on base at a high clip from the eighth spot.

By the numbers: The Braves are 26th in MLB in batting average (.237) and 27th in on-base percentage (.305).  They are still getting a lot of bang for their buck at the plate, as they are 9th with 97 HRs and 18th in runs with 365.

The story seems the same from earlier in the year.  The Braves are living by the long ball on offense, and having trouble applying pressure to opposing teams in their lack of ability to manufacture runs.  Will Frank Wren make a move for a big bat before the trade deadline?

Studs:  Brian McCann, Chipper Jones (when healthy), Freddie Freeman
Duds:  Alex Gonzalez, Jason Heyward
Heating Up:  Dan Uggla


Pitching: A+
It would be hard to imagine or expect the Braves pitching to staff to be any better than they have been in the first half.  Jair Jurrjens is leading the NL in wins and ERA and is a bona fide Cy Young contender.  The "O'Ventbrel" (Eric O'Flaherty, Jonny Venters, Craig Kimbrel) combination at the back of the bullpen is the best in baseball.  Venters, Jurrjens and Kimbrel all made the All-Star team and Tommy Hanson should have been there as well.

There are very few negatives on the staff and you have to search far to find them.  Derek Lowe hasn't been very good since April (5-7, 4.30 ERA) and Scott Proctor's best days appear to be long gone.  Tim Hudson has been a bit inconsistent this season as well, as his 8-6 record shows.  Hudson has 11 starts where he's given up two earned runs or less, but 4 starts where he's given up at least five runs.

By the numbers:  The Braves are 2nd in MLB in ERA (3.11), 2nd in saves (34), 2nd in strikeouts (736) and 4th in shutouts (10).

Just like the first quarter, the Braves have arguably the best staff in baseball and may have the best chance of matching up with the Phillies staff in the playoffs.  Here's to an injury-free second half!

Studs:  Jonny Venters, Craig Kimbrel, Eric O'Flaherty, Tommy Hanson
Duds:  Scott Proctor, Derek Lowe
Heating Up:  Peter Moylan (getting ready to come back from injury)


Fielding:  A-
Prior to the season, this was thought to be a worry for the Braves, but they've become a very good fielding team, to the surprise of many.  McLouth, Schafer, Prado and Heyward are all excellent outfielders and the infield defense has been stellar as well.  Freddie Freeman's slick glove work has saved a number of errors so far this season.

By the numbers:  Tied for 9th in fielding percentage (.985), 13th in errors (54)

Studs:  Freddie Freeman, Jordan Schafer, Nate McLouth, Alex Gonzalez
Duds:  None


Coaching:  B+
While I believe Fredi Gonzalez has done an excellent job of creating an atmosphere of comfortable performance this season, I have one reason for question: his (over)use of O'Ventbrel.  Will the back end of the bullpen hold up for the rest of the season?  There's been a lot of O'Flaherty (7th), Venters (8th), Kimbrel (9th) games this season, which could affect the team in September and October.

Overall:  A-
At the All-Star Break, the Braves are where most fans and experts expected, the second best team in the NL, behind the Phillies.  Right now the Braves hold a five game lead over Arizona in the wild card race.  The Braves are in a great position despite some tough injuries to some key players.  Will Frank Wren make a trade in the next two weeks before the deadline? Could it be a blockbuster that will alter the NL East race? 

Right Now: 54-38
3rd Quarter Prediction (August 15):  69-52 

Has The Home Run Derby Lost It's Luster?

Did you stay up long enough to see Robinson Cano bring home the title?

Not terribly long ago, the Home Run Derby was one of the sports highlights of my summer.  Watching the best MLB sluggers take aim at the upper decks of stadiums was must-see television.  After watching the last few years, with the exception of Josh Hamilton at Yankee Stadium, the Derby has become a bore to me.  Here's why:

It takes too long.  Last night's derby lasted a whole three hours.  On the East Coast, it wrapped up after 11 p.m.  The new format of having three rounds is just too much.  In the 80's and 90's, each of the eight sluggers got 10 outs and the winner took all.  Then, they changed it so that the top two hitters faced each other in a winner-take-all swingoff.  This added maybe 15 or 20 minutes to the competition, which was manageable.  Now, there are a total of 140 outs to be made!  Eighty, 40, 20 in each of the three rounds.  I love watching the long ball, but that's a little much.
Easy fix: Let's go back to the first round and then top 2 hitters get 10 outs to decide the champion.

Chris Berman says "Back, back, back, back, back..." way too much.  If there's anything that would be an almost universal agreement among Derby watchers, it's that Berman needs to go.  I know this will never happen because he's been doing the Derby as long as I can remember, but really, can't you come up with anything better than saying "back" 624 times in three hours?  I thought Berman was the king of nicknames and catch phrases?  Maybe he should work a little bit harder to come up with more material than just "back" and "ohhhh".
Easy Fix:  MLB Network decides to cover the Home Run Derby live as well.  Any of their hosts, like Matt Vasgergian or Greg Amsinger, would be refreshing to our ears.

The best hitters don't hit anymore.   Gone are the days when the Derby had sure-fire Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr., and Frank Thomas and other bombers like Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire were regulars as well.  Now, those guys have been replaced with the likes of Corey Hart, Rickie Weeks and Nick Swisher.   I do like MLB's move to allow captains to pick their own teams and allowing the captains to pick non-All-Stars to participate.
Quick Fix:  Again, let the captains continue to pick their teams.  The captains need to pick guys who will put on a show, like Adam Dunn or even Bryce Harper next year.

What did you think of last night's Home Run Derby?  Did you stay up late enough to see the ending?  I used to enjoy watching the Celebrity Softball Game afterwards, but it probably didn't start until after midnight last night.

Do The Braves Need To Trade For Another Big Bat?

Should the Braves trade for a guy like Matt Kemp?

 

If you keep up with the Atlanta Braves, you know by now that the offense has been very streaky all season, and hasn't been hitting well as of late.  Whenever a team is in a playoff race, as the Braves are and should continue to be, people always want to add pieces to bolster a run for the World Series.  The idea of adding a right handed bat to the lineup, presumably a guy like Hunter Pence or Matt Kemp, does excite me.  However, at what cost does it become counterproductive to the progress of the organization?

Understand, to get a guy like Pence or Kemp, the cost will not be cheap.  Houston or the Dodgers will want MLB-ready players and prospects for their franchise guys.  To get one of these, the Braves would be asked to trade Craig Kimbrel or Jonny Venters or both.  Young stars like Martin Prado or Freddie Freeman would be hot commodities as well.  Also, a potential trade partner would want a top-level prospect or two, which could play in the Braves favor, as they do have tons of young starters.  Guys like Brandon Beachy, Mike Minor, Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado fit this bill.

If you were in Frank Wren's position would you do the following:
Hunter Pence for Craig Kimbrel/Martin Prado/Brandon Beachy or Venters/Kimbrel/Minor
or
Matt Kemp for Kimbrel/Venters/Prado or Kimbrel/Prado/Teheran


Realize, this is what these teams would be asking for their respective franchise players.  These types of players are hard to come by, and don't come cheap.  To think that the Dodgers or Astros would trade trade for only two Braves prospects is not going to happen.

If I'm Wren, there is no way I would mortgage the future of the franchise for one guy.  Remember, Prado will be coming back soon and with Jordan Schafer playing like a bona fide big leaguer, where would the extra outfielder go?  Going Prado/Schafer/Heyward with McLouth off the bench is a solid outfield, especially when Heyward gets back to full strength.  In the era of the pitcher, the Braves have the best bullpen in the majors, with young guys, no less.  There is no need to create a crowded outfield and lose two key arms in the pen.

It is possible that Wren will try to make a move to bolster the lineup, but don't expect it to be a franchise stick.  The cost is just too high.

Do you think the Braves need another bat?  If so, propose your trade in the comment section.  Don't buy the hype!

Jack McKeon To The Rescue? The Marlins Are A Mess!

Can he right the Marlins' ship?



Jack McKeon has been brought in to the lead the Florida Marlins again, after the forced resignation of manager Edwin  Rodriguez.  McKeon brought the magic back in 2003, leading the Fish to their second World Series, and was the obvious choice to take over in the interim, despite being 80 years old.

I'm sure McKeon has heard the jokes about his age and ability to lead the super-young Marlins, but the problems in Florida go way beyond anything even he can fix.  The product on the field should get better, though, under his watch.

The short of it is this:  Marlins upper management stinks.  Owner Jeffrey Loria and staff may be good at trading veterans and rebuilding with prospects, but its ability to adorn themselves to the fan base is lacking.  Jeff Passan's latest article from Yahoo Sports writes a great article that lends credence to this assertion. 

During Bobby Cox's farewell tour last season, every team but one honored him for his outstanding career.  Who didn't?  You guessed it, the Marlins.  Why?  When the Marlins fired Fredi Gonzalez in the middle of last season, Cox spoke out against the move and it hurt Loria's feelings.  By the way Mr. Loria, Braves Nation, myself included, would like to take this moment to thank you for firing Gonzalez.  He's doing a fine job now that he has some resources at his disposal (Braves are 10 games over .500 now.)  Keep in mind Loria backed shortstop Hanley Ramirez over Gonzalez when Gonzalez benched him last summer for loafing after he kicked a ball down the left field line while the other team circled the bases.

Loria also fired Joe Girardi after one season in 2006, when Girardi took issue with Loria's personnel decisions and overall management of the franchise.  Girardi has since won a World Series as manager of the New York Yankees, and is in position to win more titles there.  Not bad for a "Marlins castoff."

Not only has Loria and stepson/president Dave Samson had issues with managers, but players as well.  Recently, Loria tried to place a gag order on outfielder Logan Morrison after some of his tweets were deemed too blunt.  According to Passan's article, president Samson has been keen on threatening slumping players with a trip back to the minors if they didn't start producing.  That will make them want to play hard for you!

Amidst all this controversy, the Marlins are set to open a brand new, retractable roof stadium next season.  According to Deadspin, the Marlins brass hosed Miami-Dade commissioners into paying the majority of the cost of the stadium with taxpayer dollars, while Loria continues to line his pockets with revenue-shared dollars, MLB's version of welfare.  Bud Selig had to issue an edict a couple years back to revenue sharing recipients that said they needed to spend their monies on their teams, not pocket the checks.  It was obvious that Loria was one of the owners in the cross hairs of Selig's ire, as soon after, he signed Josh Johnson and Hanley Ramirez to long-term deals.

As Jack McKeon returns to Miami, the Marlins have many more problems than their 2-19 record in June.  I have little doubt that McKeon will motivate the players and will lead them to plenty of victories.  Luckily for "Trader Jack," this is most likely a one year gig.  Then, Loria and crew will christen the new park and hire "their guy" as the new manager.  I wonder how long he will last.

Texas Rangers Draft Johnathan Taylor In The 33rd Round!

In the 33rd round, the Texas Rangers select...



Johnathan Taylor, OF, University of Georgia!

As many readers know, I am a baseball fanatic, to a fault.  I was tracking the MLB Draft online today and in the 33rd round, I did a double take.  I had been watching to see which local high school players and Diamond Dawgs players had been taken when I saw JT's name pop up.  It made my day, to say the least.

For the Rangers to draft JT is a remarkable, and has to be a huge lift to his spirits, as he fights hard to overcome paralysis.  The Rangers have immediately become my 2nd favorite team behind the Braves.  What a classy organization!

You can read the full ESPN article complete with Texas Rangers and David Perno quotes HERE!

Congratulations to JT and the Texas Rangers!  I'm off to buy myself a Rangers hat.

He Ain't As Good As He Once Was...

Jorge Don't Bat Ninth...



Listen, I am by no means a Yankees fan or apologist, but I do respect their level of success over the last 15 years, especially guys like Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada, who have been along for the entire ride.  That said, I have an issue with Jorge Posada and his refusal to bat 9th on Saturday against the Red Sox.  Here is my open letter to the once great Yankee catcher:

Dear Jorge:

The fit you pitched by not playing Saturday was selfish and inexcusable.  Listen, the Yankees pay you to play baseball.  Get out there and play and quit getting your ego hurt by hitting last.  At least you're still getting paid to play a kid's game. 

Jorge, if you haven't noticed:  YOU'RE NOT GOOD ANYMORE!  As a matter of fact, you're downright terrible.  You're defense/arm is so bad that you don't catch regularly anymore and you're hitting .164 as a designated hitter.  They pay you just to hit and that's all the production you can muster?  I realize you're 39 and are one of the greatest catchers to wear the Yankees pinstripes but get over yourself.  You should be thankful you're in the lineup at all.  I guess Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi don't want a $13 million man riding the pine. 

Just maybe, they're doing you a favor and trying not to completely destroy your ego by sitting you down permanently.  You say you want out of New York?  No other team want a 39 year old DH that can't hit his own weight!  Batting 9th for the Yankees doesn't seem like such a bad idea anymore, huh?

Sincerely,

 A Fan Whose Respect You've Lost

While I respect the fact that Yankees brass has left Posada in the lineup every day, I respect guys like Braves GM Frank Wren even more.  When a similar situation to this occurred with the Braves and Tom Glavine a couple years ago, Wren realized Glavine had nothing left and pulled the plug, instead of letting ego negatively affect results on the field by running a has-been out there every fifth day. 

These guys play a game and make inordinate amounts of money doing it.  If they can't get the job done, do us all a favor and retire, or better yet, go join the rival and let us pound you, like the Braves did to Glavine when he played for the Mets.  Jorge Posada to the Rays, anyone?

Taking a Leake, Or Should I Say Leake-A-Taking?

You may have already heard the news story regarding Cincinnati Reds' pitcher Mike Leake's arrest after stealing from a Cincy department store.  It's made the national news.  If not, you can read about it HERE.

I have a few questions regarding this story:
If you make $425,000 a year, as Leake will this season, do you really need to steal shirts from Macy's?  Couldn't you just save yourself the trouble of being arrested and just PAY FOR THEM?  Novel idea there.  Even if he didn't have cash, just swipe the plastic and crisis averted, it less than $60!

Here's my most pressing question, though:
At which Macy's can you get 6 shirts for $59.88?  According to the police report, the six shirts stolen by Leake had a value of $59.88.  I have a hard time finding 2 shirts at Macy's for $59.88!  Heck, it is hard to find 6 shirts at Wal-Mart for less than $60.  Did he use a coupon before he took off with them?  Maybe it would be worth my while to head up to Cincinnati and check out their local Macy's.  It's certainly much cheaper than the Macy's here in Athens.  That's the reason I shop at Belk.

All kidding aside, it should be interesting how this case turns out.  Leake and his legal team feel pretty confident that he will be exonerated once he tells his side of the story.  It could be that an employee at the store recognized him and told him to just have the stuff, who knows.  I doubt he ever serves more than probation, even if he gets that.  I just think it's funny that a pro baseball player making $425,000 has stolen shirts worth less than $60. 

I wonder if has a thing for Lindsay Lohan?  They could make a good couple. 

Why Is Everybody Hating Nate McLouth?

This guy's not as bad as you think.

I don't understand the hate for Nate!  McLouth that is.  Now that he's off to a slow start, hitting .237 after 11 games, many fans and sports writers are ready to ship him off to Gwinnett or Mississippi or Timbuktu.  To say that he doesn't help the Braves is ridiculous.  

Few will argue his defensive ability.  His glove is above average and his ability to run down balls in the gap is better than average, due to his good speed.  His .237 average is misleading as well.  So far in 2011, McLouth has a 1.56 ground ball to fly ball ratio, which had led to fewer wasted AB's.  His strikeout percentage is down as well this year, and 23.3% line drive rate, which is among the top 40 of all hitters in baseball.  This shows that he's consistently hitting the ball hard, just hitting them right at somebody.   McLouth has also been productive in moving runners along, which is important for a number 2 hitter. 

His .293 on-base percentage and reputation for not drawing walks doesn't help his case to hit second, but McLouth is still an asset for the Braves, and should probably move down in the lineup to 7 or 8.  McLouth has proven in years past that he is capable of being a 25-25 guy, but I think those days are in the rearview.  I think a .285 average with 15-18 homers and 70-75 RBI is within reach.  That's solid production, and certainly greater than any other option short of a trade can do. 

I've said it before and will continue to say it:  don't give up on a guy/team because they get off to a slow start in the first two weeks of the season!  Nate's .237 average is 37 points higher than Albert Pujols', but we're not throwing him under the bus are we?  Give McLouth a chance!   

   

Step Back From the Ledge Red Sox Fan!

Boston-Area bridges should be closed today due to the high probability of jumpers!

Listening to ESPN and Boston television and radio stations, you would think the Red Sox season is already over.  Red Sox fans are saying it's time to fire Terry Francona, send Carl Crawford back to Tampa, Adrian Gonzalez back to San Diego, Jarrod Saltalamacchia back to Texas and beg the Tigers to trade back Victor Martinez. 

Does anyone understand how Major League Baseball works? THERE'S 156 MORE GAMES LEFT IN THE SEASON!  Fans make waaaaaaaaaaaayy to big of a deal about the first few games of a season.  There's a saying that pennants can't be won, but can be lost in April.  That's true if you are 20 games below .500 at the end of the month, but blowing the team up after six games?  Come on.  A team as talented as Boston is not dead because they are 5 games behind the Orioles on April 8.  Ridiculous!  There have been numerous times where teams have been 8-10 games back in July and come back to win the pennant.  For example, the Phillies overtook the Mets after being 6 games down in late September a four years ago, and the Braves were 10 games back of the Giants in late July during the miracle 1993 pennant run.  It can happen! 

Keep in mind that the first six games have all been on the road, and the Sox begin a 10 game homestand today, all against teams from the AL East.  If they start hitting soon, which they will eventually, they could be in first or second by the end of next week.  Please Red Sox fans, don't jump!  The Sox talent will take hold and the team will be just fine. 

DON'T BUY THE HYPE:  The Red Sox are NOT in major trouble and their season is not over, despite the opinions of the talking heads.

Now, if they go winless on this homestand and are 0-16 next week, then...

EDIT:  I'm watching the home opener against the Yankees right now and Robinson Cano hits a 2 run double in the top of the first.  The boobirds are already out!