Braves Talk: The WTF Edition

There's been a lot of blogging, Braves styley, happening lately. I would like to think I have all of the answers, but chances are, I don't. When things are good, ala the 90's, you don't hear much sour talk. Things aren't good in Bravestown right now, and everyone has their own solution.

A wise man once said, "Keep it simple, stupid." Pitching is just fine, but those guys can score runs too. Find some guys that swing a strikes, and make contact 27% of the time or greater. Easier said than done. When looking at their roster, there's a few things that should jump out at ya. Francoeur is garbage. They miss Omar Infante, and Nate McLouth may prove to be more valuable than I thought.

There is no hope for this guy. Our friends over at BMBS suggested that Terry Pendleton was to blame for poor Frenchy's misfortune. In order for for a hitting coach's teachings to be effective, the hitter has to actually make the adjustments. Francoeur was a new hitter for about the first 10 minutes of the 2009 season. And as far a Andruw Jones goes, he's batting .240 and on pace to strike out about 130 times. So with those staggering numbers, I'd say that maybe he isn't any better.

Back to Francoeur. Ahh, what to do? You certainly can't cut Atlanta's "golden boy", and there's no market for a guy that can't hit. Enter in JJH's model of building for the future. It's possible to lure a team like the Rays or the Marlins into trading away a good young player...maybe, but it looks like the Braves are going to have to eat the shit.

As far as the rest of the team goes, I'd say there a few guys that the Braves seriously need to think about dealing or at least see what is out there. Javier Vazquez has been very good so far, with very little offense help, but the Braves have a ton of starting pitching (plus Hudson will be back in August). Yunel Escobar is a great player, but he's got to be one of biggest idiots in the game. His blunders have cost Atlanta a couple of games. Lastly, Mike Gonzalez is a head case. He's a free agent after the season, and Soriano is more effective anyway.

Frank Wren has got to make something happen. The next few months are really going to define him as the Braves GM. Everything is cyclical, but Atlanta's front office and some retard fans haven't received that memo. We have to cut some losses and prepare for a run in a few years.