Kotsay Traded For Luis Sumoza

Mark Kotsay was traded to the Boston Red Sox for outfield prospect Luis Sumoza today.  Sumoza is a five-tool player likely at least two years away from the big leagues, but he shows promise.

Kotsay was not likely to be resigned by the Braves at the end of the year, as they have a bevy of outfielders ready for the big leagues.  Kotsay feels he can continue to be a staring outfielder but was not likely to get that chance with the Braves.

The Red Sox needed additional power in the outfield after the recent injury of JD Drew.  Kotsay fills their offensive hole somewhat while the Braves appear to have received a great player in return.

Sumoza strikes out a bit - once every three or four at bats, but he has a .915 OPS and 38 RBIs in low-A ball.  He joins a slew of young outfield talent in the Braves system, with Gorkys Hernandez, Jason Heyward, and Jordan Schafer already making their way toward the majors.

I like this trade, even though I liked Kotsay. I’ll be sad to see him gone, but I look forward to our future and hope we see Josh Anderson in the majors here soon.

Who Are These Guys?

The Braves came from behind to win last night, scoring six runs in the last two innings. This of course begs the question - who are these guys?

Did we really just come from behind to win a game after the 8th inning? For the record, that makes the second come from behind win this season after being down after the 8th inning.

Of course, we’re still 15 games back, and sucking more wind than an upside down Hoover. Oh, and Mark Kotsay is rumored to be headed towards Boston, but that’s entirely speculation as nothing has actually been announced - he was just a late scratch from the lineup last night.

How’s everyone holding up out there?  You guys doing ok?  For all the crew here at BravesBlast, join me in hoping for more games like last night.  Actually, we’d take games where we’re in front the whole game, too.

Center Field Options

When the Braves consider next year’s starting outfield, they have a bevy of players from which to choose.  It’s just the first year the Braves will be plagued with this problem as they have tons of promising young outfielders in their farm system.  Today we’ll look at some of the options in center field.

Mark Kotsay - The Incumbant CF

Kotsay’s contract expires at the end of the 2008 season and he may or may not be resigned.  Kotsay has been effective in Atlanta, batting .299 with 37 RBIs, 6 HRs, and a .346 on-base percentage in 83 games.  He’s been on the DL with back issues (he had back surgery in Oakland that knocked him out for most of last season) but for the most part has been healthy.

Gregor Blanco - The Rookie

Gregor Blanco has played the most time of the young Braves’ outfield prospects, batting .258 with 27 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and a .371 on base percentage.  Blanco is speedy - he’s currently ranked second in the NL in bunt hits with 14.  Blanco has been slowed recently by a bone spur in his ankle, which is growing worse as the season progresses.  He’s doing a pretty good job batting leadoff and has impressed with his time in Atlanta.

Josh Anderson - Rising Star

Anderson has played most of the year in Richmond, but is absolutely tearing up the baseball there. He’s batting .316 with 37 RBIs, a .361 on base percentage, and a whopping 40 stolen bases.  He’s cutting down on strikeouts when compared to years past, and and should definitely be considered when the Braves look at their outfield after the season.  It’d be great to see some speed come back to Atlanta, where we have a history of speedy outfielders.

Jordan Schafer - Once The Future King

Schafer was once heralded as a sure lock for the Braves’ starting center field spot in 2009, but a run in with an HGH suspension (he says there’s a side to the story that hasn’t been told) has limited his playing time and knocked him back a step or two.  He’s batting .269  with 46 RBIs and 9 HRs in just 71 games and has an OBP of .371.  I’d be surprised to see him make the jump from AA ball to the big leagues, but it’s not impossible.  He still has a future with the Braves organization, I’m just not sure it involves a role in center field in 2009.

Who do you think the center fielder should be next year?  Kotsay or one of the youngsters?  I’m excited about Josh Anderson and want to see him in the bigs next year for the Braves, be it in Center or Left.  But with potentially Kotsay, Anderson, Blanco, Brandon Jones, and Matt Diaz competing for three outfield slots, it’s going to be competitive - and fun to watch.

It’s Not Pretty, But Keep Watching

Open your eyes for a little bit.  It’s not pretty, but do it anyways.  Last night the Braves got shut out by Barry Zito - who has been attempting to follow in Mike Hampton’s footsteps as the most overpaid player EVER.  Speaking of Mike Hampton, he wasn’t altogether that bad in Saturday’s win.  His stuff didn’t seem THAT great, but it wasn’t bad either.

The bright side is that there are bright sides.  Charlie Morton had another quality start in his last appearance but was once again supported by offense that rivaled a little league team.  Yunel Escobar and Casey Kotchman teamed up for SportsCenter’s #1 play.  Mike Hampton hasn’t had a major injury in an unexpectedly long time.  And that’s about it for the bright sides.

But we’re still here, mid August, 12 games back.  Count ‘em, twelve.  A dozen.  Sucking it up. Glavine likely is done for his career.  Gregor Blanco has a bone spur in his foot slowing him down.  Casey Kotchman isn’t impressing anybody.  But the team is still playing, they are soldiering on, and they need encouragement.  Keep on watching.  Keep on going to the games.

These are the days that tie us Braves fans together.  Losing bonds more than winning does.  Hang in there, folks.

Kotsay Hits For The Cycle

In a season where finding a highlight is hard at times, last night, Mark Kotsay made it easy to find one despite the Braves falling to the Cubs 11-7.  With his double in the bottom of the 7th inning, Kotsay became the first Braves batter to hit for the cycle since Albert Hall did so on September 23rd, 1987.  In fact, Kotsay and Hall are the only two batters in Atlanta Braves history to accomplish the feat.

Kotsay started with a triple in the second, then a fourth-inning homer, a single in the sixth and then the double in the seventh.  The double that gave him the cycle was also his 1500th career hit.  Kotsay went on to tack on another single to go 5-5 on the night.

In other Braves news, Francisley Bueno has been issued a 3-game suspension for throwing a first-pitch fastball behind the Cubs’ Alfonso Soriano’s head Wednesday night.  Bueno has also been optioned back to Richmond, so the suspension will not take effect until he returns to the majors.  He has since filed an appeal.

Let’s celebrate the little things right now.  Congratulations go out to Mark Kotsay and a big thanks for providing some much needed excitement to the Braves right now.

Rainy Week Ahead

Today’s doubleheader against the Cubs after yesterday’s rain-out gets underway in just a couple of minutes. I’ll refrain from discussing my lack of enjoyment of a day/night doubleheader as I have in the past, but instead I’ll discuss the general apathy of Braves fans it seems.

I’ve always known that Braves fans were generally fair-weather fans and this season has really helped show that.  I don’t think many people that come across BravesBlast are like that, since I can’t see them seeking out information on the web about a team they don’t really care much about.

Anyways, I think we’re well aware that, at this point, this season just hasn’t lived up to our high preseason expectations.  Whether it be the number of injuries, both on the pitching staff and in the field, or the streaky nature of our offense, things just haven’t clicked to produce the season we were expecting.  Here we are, 6 weeks left in the season, 8 games under .500 and 8.5 games back in the division.

But the thing I’ve noticed most as we work through the last couple months of the season is that the fans really just don’t seem to care.  It’s as if they’ve already grown to expect mediocrity or just don’t care in general any more.  There’s no passion to the cheering at the ballpark, if many people come at all.  Noone seems to get upset over the critical misplays that, at the beginning of the season, were all people would talk about for days.  Why is that?  Where are the real fans?

Just my little rant for the day.  I’m sure the true fans can relate to where I’m coming from, even at the times where we feel strained to go watch another defeat at the park or feel that slight urge to turn channels.  There’s always hope, but it’s looking a little dim that there’s hope for this year.  I’m still hoping the front office makes the needed moves in the offseason to recreate a competitive team.  In the meantime, I’ll see you at Turner.  Go Braves.

Two In A Row, Let’s Celebrate

The Braves have provided me a few opportunities to stand up and cheer, but not nearly as many in years past.  Between the seemingly endless strings of injuries and the inability to win a one-run game, or even a game in general at times, it’s been a downer kind of year.  But nevertheless, I will always consider myself a true fan that will support the team even in a 1-161 season (0-162 might just be too much for me to handle).  So today, I find reason to celebrate in the fact that the Braves have played well offensively in 4 straight games.

The only loss in the last four games was against Tim Lincecum and the Giants and even then, the Braves looked decent at fighting through at-bats against a great pitcher.  Outside of that, the team has done well producing runs at giving our pitchers a chance to get on the board with a win.  If nothing else, it’s reassuring to see that after we have struggled so much with it all season.

In team news, Tim Hudson had his Tommy John surgery yesterday and now sets off of the road to recovery that will keep him grounded for at least the next 12 months.  I just hope that they let him take his time and if the team’s not in contention late next season, to just let Tim sit out until 2o1o to make sure that recovery is full.  Rafael Soriano went to see Dr. Andrews with Hudson to have his own elbow checked out.  For the third time in 8 months, examinations of Soriano’s elbow came back inconclusive in what has been a frustrating season for Rafael.

Let’s just try to keep up the offense and getting some confidence back in the team.  If nothing else, it’s always nice to play the role of spoiler late in the season.  Two more against the Diamondbacks this weekend and then back to town to face the Cubs.

Jurrjens Impresses In 2008

When Edgar Renteria was traded last year, nobody thought that the young pitcher we got in return would be the Ace of our staff in August.  But here we sit on August 5 - John Smoltz done for the season, Tom Glavine hoping to be able to return this weekend, Mike Hampton having only made two starts, and Tim Hudson out for at least a year after falling victim to torn ligaments in his elbow.  That leaves 22 year old Jair Jurrjens - who had only pitched in 7 big league games before the 2008 season - the ace of the Braves.  The only original starting pitcher who has limited his injuries to falling down dugout stairs is Jurrjens.  He’s the only one who’s stayed off the disabled list.

And he’s one heck of a young pitcher!  At 22 years old, Jurrjens shows impressive command of his changeup and fastball, and the patience and confidence of a much older pitcher.  Jurrjens’ changeup was dubbed “invisible” by Adam LaRoche earlier this year.  So far in the 2008 campaign, Jurrjens is 10-7, pitched 138 innings, and has struck out 97 batters and only walked 49.  Oh, and his ERA is 3.12.  Anybody would take this as a third season in the majors, let alone their rookie year.  He’s quickly become a fan favorite.

Jurrjens is humble too - he regularly gives the credit for winning to others and takes the credit for a loss when defensive or offensive issues could easily be blamed.  Not only is he playing on his and his father’s favorite team, he’s quickly becoming the hero of his home island of Curacao - also home of Andruw Jones (who’s hitting .161 for the Dodgers, by the way).  Jurrjens said of Jones earlier this year “It’s going to be fun to face him - it’s going to be even more fun to strike him out.”  Note that Jurrjens struck Jones out all three times that day - though that can hardly be considered much of a feat.

We’ll see where Jurrjens goes as the years go on - but he is considered one of the bright young pitching stars in the Braves’ system.  From a fan’s perspective, it’s refreshing to see some young pitching talent ready to take the spotlight for years to come.  Welcome to Atlanta, Jair.  We’re glad you like it here.  Stick around - not all of us are going to dress up in scrubs and join Jurrjens’ Surgeons, but we’re all pulling for you.

Skip Caray Dead At Age 68

Braves’ announcer Skip Caray died in his sleep during a nap early Sunday afternoon.  He was 68.

Caray had been announcing for the Braves for 33 years.  His son, Chip, also broadcasts for the Braves.  Skip had serious health issues at the end of last season, and has been battling health issues for a few years. Chip said Sunday, “I knew he wasn’t feeling good, but this was unexpected… the last thing I got to say to him was ‘I love you.’”

Skip said on April 2 “I’m 68.  If I go tonight, I’ve had a hell of a life.”

We agree.  We’ll miss your sarcastic and witty commentary, Skip.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family.

Soriano Back On DL

When the Braves signed Rafael Soriano to a two-year, $9 million contract in January, they didn’t expect he’d on the DL nearly as much as Mike Hampton was last season.  They expected him to be an integral part of the bullpen and be the closer for the club.

Instead, he’s had continuing elbow problems and is back on the Disabled List for a third time this season.  He’s only pitched in 14 games, and has compiled a 2.57 ERA, nine walks, and 16 strikeouts.  Despite not losing much of his effectiveness, his arm continues to bother him.  Elbow tendonitis has bothered him most of the year, and inflammation of the same elbow has sidelined him this time.

Hindsight is 20/20, but it’s not looking like a $9 million contract was a smart idea for Soriano.  We’ll hope he can come back from the DL soon.

Braves Updates

Well we’ve seen a bunch of Braves news lately, so we’ll hit it real fast for ya:

• Morton pitched well yesterday - one hit through seven innings, but he gave up a home run to Prince Fielder, and the Braves fell 4-2.
• C.C. Sabathia showed us yesterday why we need to sign him in the offseason.  8 1/3 innings of four-hit ball.  He’s insane.
• Tim Hudson is going ahead with Tommy John surgery - Dr. James Andrews (the recognized expert in this area) will perform the surgery.  Hudson will have a 12 month rehab time before he is expected back with the team.
• Chipper is expecting to be back in the lineup Friday, the first day he’s eligible off the DL.  He says that “everything feels great” and he’s no longer having trouble with either his hamstring or his quad.
• Brian McCann should be expected back in the starting lineup Monday - he’s nearly done recovering from his concussion.  He may pinch hit today.
• Casey Kotchman is off to a slow start in the NL - only 2 for 16 - with 1 RBI.  Yes, it’s only been four games, but he’s not on fire.
• Royce Ring has been designated for assignment after a really ugly stretch where his ERA jumped 5 runs.  That’s not big league ball stuff.  Vladimir Nunez is expected to replace him.  Ring, according to the AJC, has the “distinction of the worst statistical season of any reliever in the history of the franchise since the 1870s, among those who appeared in as many games as he did.”  That didn’t work out well - he’s a specialist and shouldn’t be pitching as much as he did.

Well there ya have it - maybe we’ll see you at the Stadium today.  Ben Sheets is going against Jorge Campillo.  Go Braves!

Sammons Sticking Around

Brian McCann was cleared to pinch-hit or catch in emergency situations for this weekend’s series and the Braves didn’t waste any time making some changes in their catching situation.  Clint Sammons, who has made a strong impression on the hometown crowd, was kept as the backup catcher and Corky Miller was designated for assignment.  Miller’s now on the clock to clear waivers, then giving the Braves ten days to trade, release, or send him to the minors.

Miller has had a disappointing season offensively for the Braves, batting .093 in 54 at-bats.  Conversely, Clint Sammons matched Miller’s HR and RBI numbers for the season in just Friday night’s game, including his first career major league home run.

As far as I’m concerned, this was absolutely the right decision for a backup catcher and I’m glad to see Clint sticking around in Atlanta, especially with his hot bat hitting over .500 right now.  What do you think?  Is Sammons the right choice for our backup catcher behind McCann?  I think there is little question on that one.