Braves Update

It's been a good couple weeks since my last post and I apologize to those who enjoy reading the blog. I really don't have a good excuse for the lack of posts. I plan on continuing here, however with college classes starting, my time might be limited. I'll try to keep updating as much as possible. It helps that there is only one more month of the season left, and I have a realistic belief that Braves won't be playing in October.

The Braves have been pretty much a huge disappointment. Many, especially me, expected the Braves to make a turnaround after the trade deadline and pass the Mets. The Braves did nothing except fall 7 games back of the NY Mets, and 4 back of the wild card. If you look at the teams ERA and runs scored since the all-star break, their record "should" be much better.

The lack of performance can be mainly blamed on the poor pitching staff, or just plain bad luck. With Chuck James on the DL, the rotation outside of John Smoltz and Tim Hudson is a complete joke. If the Braves want to compete at all next season, another ace starter should be signed or traded for. Yes, that is an ACE. We don't need Jon Garlands or journey men guys like Carlyle.

Smoltz, Hudson, ACE, James, Hampton would be solid (if Hampton ever pitches again).

The Braves could also somehow improve their bullpen as well. It is a relief to see Bob Wickman be removed from the team. Who would of thought that this guy would turn out that bad? Another Dan Kolb? Ok, not THAT bad.

Here is a list of free agents available during the off season.

The Braves offense should be plenty good enough for next season. We still have Chipper, Teixeira, Francoeur, McCann, Johnson, Renteria (could be traded), Diaz, Harris to play. My best bet is that Andruw is gone, and that someone in the minors like Brandon Jones will replace him. I would certainly like to see that rather than the Braves overpay for a scrub like Mike Cameron.

I do not want to see Chris Woodward, Tyler Yates or Scott Thorman next season.

If you want to get an idea of what some Braves fans are feeling about the team, check out the Braves official site forum.

Well, that's all I have for now. I'll try to give an update on the next couple of games vs. the Fish.

Braves Take 1st Game of Mets Series

The Braves continued to show their dominance over the pesky Mets after beating them 7-3 tonight. The Braves finally handled Oliver Perez and showed him hes nothing special after all.

-Buddy Carlyle, perhaps the least appreciated pitcher on the Braves, is now 7-3. He went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs. I would of liked it if he could have gone at least one more inning.

-Yunel Escobar has been doing a good job at filling in for the injured Renteria. Yunel contributed with an rbi and going 2-5.

-Jeff Francoeur is the hottest hitter on the team now. He has adjusted his batting stance and has thrived since. Francoeur went 4-5 with a home run and 3 rbi.

-The Braves bullpen deserves props for pitching 4 solid innings and allowing no runs. I would like to see them get a little more rest. Hopefully John Smoltz can go at least 7 innings tomorrow.

-Martin Prado was called up, I really can't figure out why. I don't think he is much of a contributor and rather a waste of a roster spot. Don't expect him to be hanging out with the big league club for very long.

I would also like to congratulate Tom Glavine on his 300th victory, although I would have liked to see him do it in a Braves uniform.

John Smoltz will be on the mound tomorrow vs Orlando Hernandez. Hernadez is due for a bad outing and Smoltz will look to rebound from his last start.

Braves Beat Rockies 6-4

Before I get to game news, I haven't mentioned Edgar Renteria going onto the DL. This isn't good considering the Braves are trying to play catch up. I am quite frustrated that he managed to really hurt his ankle on such a routine play. The ball wasn't hit THAT hard at him...

Tim Hudson threw another great game as the Braves take game 2 of the series.

-Mark Teixeira was quiet for the 1st time since joining the Braves. He went 0-4 with a walk.

-Chipper Jones joined Teixeira in the hit less department, going 0-5 with 3 strikeouts. Lets hope he just had a bad night, and that a slump isn't about to emerge. I heard that his hand has been bothering him...

-Andruw Jones did not start today due to injury, he should be back in a few days.

-With Escobar filling in for Renteria, Johnson can further prove that he SHOULD be playing everyday, and Escobar can prove (to me) that he is actually that good.

-Octavio Dotel gave up a grand slam, while Kyle Davies gave up a home run to Alex Rodriguez, his 500th.

The Braves barely got away with a win here. As a realist, I seriously don't think this team will be able to make the playoffs. They are too inconsistent. They can't put together a long winning streak. I hope I am wrong, and they make a late push here.

Chuck James will be pitching tomorrow vs Aaron Cook.

I also forgot to mention that Jo Jo Reyes was sent back to the minors, and Lance Cormier will be replacing him. Joey Devine was also promoted when Renteria went on the DL.

Braves Get Octavio Dotel

What a good start of the week it has been for Braves fans (who agree). After completing a trade for Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay, the Braves further improved by obtaining Dotel from the Royals for Kyle Davies. Dotel might not be as dominate as he used to be, but putting him on a winning team, good atmosphere, and in the NL might be very beneficial.

Either way, Dotel gives us further depth and reliable experience in the bullpen. Davies has continued to struggled, and maybe he can rebound in KC.

ATLANTA -- The Braves and Royals have completed a trade that brings right-handed reliever Octavio Dotel to Atlanta in exchange for right-handed starter Kyle Davies.

This deal was announced Tuesday afternoon, after the Braves officially completed their trade that brings Mark Teixeira and left-handed reliever Ron Mahay from Texas to Atlanta.

In 24 appearances with the Royals this year, Dotel has converted 11 of 14 save opportunities, posted a 3.91 ERA and seen opponents compile a .264 batting average. The 33-year-old right-hander, who had Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2005, missed the first six weeks of the 2007 season with an oblique strain.

Davies, once considered a can't-miss prospect, has battled inconsistencies since tearing his right groin last year. The 23-year-old right-hander was 4-8 with a 5.76 ERA in 17 starts with the Braves this year. After not retiring any of the five Reds he faced in his July 16 start, he was optioned to Triple-A Richmond.

Braves Aquire Teixeira, Mahay

ATLANTA -- There's no longer reason to speculate about Mark Teixeira's immediate future. The Braves have landed the switch-hitting first baseman from the Rangers, and he'll immediately bolster their lineup when he joins it Tuesday night.

A Major League source confirmed Monday afternoon that the Braves and Rangers have finalized a deal that sends Teixeira and left-handed reliever Ron Mahay to Atlanta in exchange for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Minor League shortstop Elvis Andrus, Minor League pitcher Neftali Feliz and a player to be named later.

An official announcement is expected later Monday afternoon.

There's a possibility that the player to be named will be 22-year-old left-handed pitcher Matt Harrison, who was scheduled to have his left shoulder examined by Braves doctors in Atlanta on Monday. Harrison experienced this soreness during a six-inning start for Double-A Mississippi on Tuesday.

With Saltalamacchia, Andrus and Harrison all being legitimate top prospects, the Braves showed a definite desire to acquire Teixeira, whose presence will significantly bolster their lineup and significantly improve their chances of returning to the postseason.

Teixeira, who averaged 38 homers over the past three seasons, is hitting .297 with a .397 on-base percentage and .524 slugging percentage this year. Paired with fellow switch-hitter Chipper Jones, he immediately strengthens the middle of the Braves' lineup, which has been hindered by Andruw Jones' .216 batting average this year.

With the addition of Teixeira, the Braves no longer have to worry about the lack of offensive production they've received at first base.Their first basemen have hit .211 with a .270 on-base percentage and .363 slugging percentage -- all of which rank as the lowest marks in the Majors.

While getting Teixeira, who has averaged 38 homers over the past three seasons, is the centerpiece of the deal, the Braves will also greatly benefit from the presence of Mahay, who will become their only left-handed reliever. The 36-year-old southpaw has limited opponents to a .236 batting average in 28 appearances this year. Left-handed hitters have batted .250 against him.

Teixeira, who has won two consecutive Gold Gloves, could earn around $12 million through arbitration next year and then become eligible to test the free agent market.

With Scott Boras serving as his agent, it seems unlikely that the Braves will be able to sign Teixeira to a long-term deal before the conclusion of the 2008 season.