Braves Record and Roster Moves
September 21, 2009 at 3:21 pm by Capitol Avenue Club under Atlanta Braves, Transaction Analysis, Transactions
The Braves have made 4 rather significant playing time decisions throughout the course of the season. First, they optioned Schafer to AAA and acquired Nate McLouth. Second, they benched Kelly Johnson in favor of Martin Prado. Third, they traded Jeff Francoeur for Ryan Church. Lastly, they traded Casey Kotchman for Adam LaRoche.
For the first 50 games, the 50 games preceding the first major roster change, the Braves were typically using a line-up that looked like this:
1. Kelly Johnson – 2B
2. Yunel Escobar – SS
3. Chipper Jones – 3B
4. Brian McCann – C
5. Garret Anderson – LF
6. Jeff Francoeur – RF
7. Casey Kotchman – 1B
8. Jordan Schafer – CF
They went 25-25 in those 50 games, a .500 winning percentage. After McLouth was acquired, the line-up typically looked like this:
1. Nate McLouth – CF
2. Yunel Escobar – SS
3. Chipper Jones – 3B
4. Brian McCann – C
5. Garret Anderson – LF
6. Casey Kotchman – 1B
7. Jeff Francoeur – RF
8. Kelly Johnson – 2B
The Braves went 11-15 over their next 26 games, a .423 winning percentage. The Braves then benched Kelly Johnson in favor of Martin Prado. The line-up then typically looked like this:
1. Nate McLouth – CF
2. Martin Prado – 2B
3. Chipper Jones – 3B
4. Brian McCann – C
5. Garret Anderson – LF
6. Yunel Escobar – SS
7. Casey Kotchman – 1B
8. Jeff Francoeur – RF
9 games later, the Braves had gone 5-4, a .566 winning percentage, when they traded Jeff Francoeur for Ryan Church. The line-up then typically looked like this:
1. Nate McLouth – CF
2. Martin Prado – 2B
3. Chipper Jones – 3B
4. Brian McCann – C
5. Garret Anderson – LF
6. Yunel Escobar – SS
7. Mayan Diurch – RF
8. Casey Kotchman – 1B
After 18 more games, and going 11-7 (.611 W%) in those 18 games, the Braves pulled the deadline deal swapping LaRoche for Kotchman. The line-up has since typically looked like this:
1. Nate McLouth – CF
2. Martin Prado – 2B
3. Chipper Jones – 3B
4. Brian McCann – C
5. Garret Anderson – LF
6. Yunel Escobar – SS
7. Adam LaRoche – 1B
8. Mayan Diurch – RF
The Braves have gone 27-19 with this line-up, a .587 winning percentage.
Overall, the Braves have gone 54-45 (.545) since they got rid of Schafer, 43-30 (.589) since they benched KJ, 38-26 (.594) since they got rid of Francoeur, and 27-19 (.587) since they acquired LaRoche.
I only mention this because I wanted to see if Chipper was really right and trading for LaRoche completely turned this team around. LaRoche has been very good since he’s come back to the Braves, but there’s not much evidence to suggest LaRoche is the sole reason for the Braves’ better play. If anything, getting rid of Francoeur was what helped the most. But I think it’s everything. Getting rid of one out machine at a time. All together, they’re in good shape now. Alas, it was assymbled too late.
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Over the off-season, I’ve decided I’m going to preach for The Braves to sign Russell Branyan…
He is perfect.
And trade for Aaron Hill, at any cost…
Ha. Do you want me to take the Knoble crap off? Is that your spam filter? Hehe. Ok Whatever…
Summary was: Sign Russell Branyan, and trade for Aaron Hill at the 2010 deadline…
It should work now. I would bet $1,000 at any odds that Branyan signs an extension and stays in Seattle. Plus he’s hit .193/.274/.414 in the 2nd half.
I’m not a fan of Hill, his walk rate sucks and there’s no way he continues the power surge.
why is there no way Hill will continue his power surge. he’s been healthy unlike last year.
He’s been so good this year because he’s hit 32 home runs. Most of this is due to his abnormally high 11.2% HR/FB ratio. In his last healthy year, that same number was 6.3%, which is more reasonable and sustainable. Plus, scouts don’t think he’s capable of hitting more than 15-20 HR.
and besides the last thing, i would feel the last thing the braves need is another middle infielder, how bout just a big push to get Derrek Lee? great defense, and hits for power, and just might make prado better at second base if he is still starting next year.
side note:so, is milton bradley’s next team the Mets?? would seem to fit in nicely there!
Bradley hates the Chicago media, think of NY?