Dollar Menu Gets a New Addition: Will Nieves
The Atlanta Braves were active yesterday on the trade front. They just didn’t get one of the outfielders that they had been rumored to have talked with the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals about. The Braves made a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers for catcher, Will Nieves, for “cash.” It sounds so much better than the reality. (more…)
Please, Don’t Panic! Losing McCann Hurts, but Losing Trades Hurt Worse and for Longer
It was inevitable that the Atlanta Braves rumors would intensify after the grueling “win” that they had last night..er…this morning over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 19 inning marathon in which Jerry Meals saved his worst call of the night for last. It was unbelievable, to be honest. All the heat that Meals will undoubtedly take because of that call will no doubt cover up all of the bad calls he had made prior to that huge gaffe. Let’s not forget that his strike zone was incredibly inefficient and he put hitters, specifically Braves’ hitters, in situations that were extremely difficult to overcome. From the strikes at the ankles of the Nate McLouth to the strike that he called on Jason Heyward that was a good six inches off the plate. He had one of the worst all-around games as an umpire I have ever seen.
The one thing that over-shadows Meals’ terrible callings, is Brian McCann’s injury. This is a big blow to the Atlanta Braves’ already fragile offense. McCann has been their most consistent hitter for at least 3 years now. Just a few weeks ago, we were talking about McCann potentially being in the MVP race. Now, the Braves have to make due without their best hitter and most valuable player.
No matter how this might make the Braves’ fans, players and management feel, they need to take some deep breaths and realize that panicking is never good when deciding whether or not to make a trade. It looks like Carlos Beltran almost certainly is heading to San Francisco Giants and Colby Rasmus is headed to the Toronto Blue Jays. Both players would have been a huge help to the Braves, especially without McCann in the lineup. However, the Braves have learned what desperation can lead you to do. (See the Mark Teixeira trade that has stocked the Texas Rangers). (more…)
Brian McCann Headed to DL with Strained Oblique
The bad news came quickly for the Atlanta Braves. Their stalwart and MVP, Brian McCann will be placed on the disabled list tomorrow after suffering a strained oblique muscle in the 10th inning. (more…)
Brian McCann Leaves Game Late with Injury
If there was news that came out of Atlanta that no one needed or wanted to hear, it is that All-Star Brian McCann had to be removed because of an injury in the 10th inning when he threw to 2nd base to try to catch a stealing Pittsburgh player in Neil Walker. (more…)
Braves Will Make Mistake if they Send Heyward to the Minors.
I’ll be completely honest. The trade rumors that are swirling around are making my head hurt. It seems like every day there is a new name or new angle on an old rumor about what the Atlanta Braves may or may not trade away to acquire a hitter, reliever or bat-boy, or whatever you can wrap your mind around. One thing that came out a few days ago that baffled me was something that Mark Bowman from atlantabraves.com wrote about a week ago. He said, rather nonchalantly, that the Braves may be interested in acquiring Carlos Beltran from the New York Mets which would reduce the playing time of Jason Heyward in right field. (more…)
