With the addition of Nate McLouth the Braves lineup trades drastically. McLouth not only brings power to a struggling offense but he will provide the Braves with much needed speed on the basepath. McLouth has swiped 20 bags the past two season, lead the NL in doubles and was sixth in the majors in the runs in '08.
Why wait until 6:30 PM tonight forthe lineups will to be released, when here is what the card read.
Nate McLouth, CF
Yunel Escobar, SS
Chipper Jones, 3B
Brian McCann, C
Garret Anderson, LF
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Kelly Johnson, 2B
Martin Prado, 1B
Jair Jurrjens, SP
So, what do y'all think? Are you pleased with this lineup?
The Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates have reached an agreement to trade for outfielder Nate McLouth. Nate McLouth is coming off a terrific 2008 season in which he tallied 26 HR's and 96 RBI's while maintaing a .276 batting average. In 2008 he lead the National League in doubles with 46, was sixth in the majors in runs scored and won a Gold Glove.
According to an MLB official the Braves are sending Charlie Morton, Gorkys Hernandez and Jeff Locke to Pittsburgh for All-Star Nate McLouth.
McLouth did sign a three-year extension with the Pirates in February. Here is the breakdown:
2009 - $3.5 million ($2 million base and $1.5 million bonus)
2010 - $4.5 million
2011 - $7.75 million ($6.5 million base with $1.25 million buyout in 2012)
2012 - $9.4 million club option
Frank Wren did suggest that he will be a leadoff hitter; my guess is Bobby will utilize him as leadoff when McCann is in the lineup and bat him cleanup when McCann has the day off.
As for Tommy Hanson; the Braves top pitching prospect is getting the call to the big-leagues. He will start Saturday vs. the Brewers. Hanson will move into the rotation as the 5th starter and his roommate will be Kris Medlen. Tommy has been fantastic pitching for Gwinnett posting a 1.49 ERA while striking out 90 batting and only issuing 17 walks in 66 1/3 innings.
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One of the most hyped players in fantasy baseball is set to make his debut Friday. While most who own him are probably filled with excitement, I think there is also hidden anxiety. A Matt Wieters owner in deep leagues secured him on draft day sacrificing a spot on his roster until this moment. This includes days where his other catcher may of been given days off. This, in my eyes, makes him a higher gamble then waiting for David Price or a Braun/Longoria in days past. In fantasy, stability at the catching position can go a long way. Wieters has much to prove for those that used a legit pick on him in the draft.
Still, Wieters has proven himself in AAA with 5 homers and a .305 average. The Orioles lineup is fantasy friendly so he will have plenty of chances to drive batters in and make owners look like future GMs.
The Wieters restless should also take comfort in team president Andy MacPhail saying, "The lineup is up to the manager, but we didn't bring him up here to sit. Matt Wieters isn't going to do a lot of sitting...He's here to be the catcher."
Let the season now officially begin for all you owners out there.
P.S. Are you hearing any trade offers for him ;-) Quickies David Wright. Homers. Please?
Carlos Zambrano is a bull dog. Suspension means 1 start instead of 2 next week.
Mark Teixeira on a tear. New York City glad to get past the awkward slow start first date.
Kerry Wood gets 8th save. As long as he stays healthy he will be finish as a great value. Indians are bound to get hot as well.
Aramis Ramirez injury situation gives me a bad feeling in my stomach. Plan accordingly. ANSWER TIME! How many wins will Zach Greinke finish with???
Bobby Cox hasn't always been a huge person on switching the Atlanta Braves lineup around, but, I guess things change, right? What a surprise! The Braves' skipper shuffled the lineup for the Braves, and since then the Braves have won every game, scoring many runs, rallying, and playing great baseball. So here's the question - Will he stick with this lineup? Some of you probably don't think so, but it looks like it's working! As long as it is working, it shouldn't be changed. Cox's notorious lineup changes could make the Braves serious contenders in the division! If their was one thing I would do different, it would be to put Schafer at leadoff. He is the only speed threat, and has a great OBP. It certainly must be better than KJ, and KJ hits better low in the lineup. Swap them, and the Braves could be near unbeatable! I will be taking a closer look to the moves Bobby make and I will be studying them. I hope to see more great decisions!
Hey kids. Every week I am bringing to the kitchen here at Atlanta Braves Nation a hosh posh of fantasy info, advice, and personal tips I hope can help you all reach the promise land in your fantasy leagues. Bascially, let's win you a stimulus package. To kick things off, I start respectively with a new brave.
They say pitching is contagious. Or was it swine flu? Lets hope the first is the case when talking about Kris Medlen. He gets the nod against the Rockies tomorrow night and sports a 5-0 record with a 1.96 ERA with AAA Gwinett. At first glance, Medlen appears more likely to hand Chipper a new bat than someone who should taking the mound but don't let the baby face fool you. He has a 44/10 K:BB ratio and should settle in nicely to the rotation. I believe you should take a chance on Medlen but dont expect a long term fix. Medlen is known to go after batters so alot is up to the defense behind him as well as his ability to shake off the Major League nerves. Also, the 5th spot for the braves seems destined to be a revolving door this season. Still, if Medlen can at least keep the Rockies in the park and have a decent outing, you'll be set up for great upside his next starts.
QUICKIES
David Ortiz has finally hit his first homer. Hurry up and buy low.
I'm not buying Raul Ibanez keeping up this pace. Citizen Bank Park in all its cupcake glory can be quite the mirage. Why do i sense a winter cool off in June?
David Wright has quietly regained form. Sit back and enjoy the homers.
Jimmy Rollins might have cement shoes the entire season when explaining his SBs but i still think he will turn things around...see if a owner has had enough.
In Detroit you should be riding the Rick Porcello train not the D Train.
ANSWER TIME! Which 3-4 hitter combo do you like better?
B-Man is back and hopefully so are the Bravos. Brian McCann entered Spring Training like a whole new guy. He lost the weight that had been slowing him down, worked on his batting in the off-season, and stepped up to the plate to become one of the new club house figures and essential power hitters. But his ealry spring training success ended abruptly with eye problems within the first few weeks of the regular season.
But he's back and already has proven that he is a key to the Bravos success.
So you might ask, why not to worry about the Braves. The Braves are only two and half games behind the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies. And the moment he put his new Oakley sunglasses on - magic happened. McCann went 3-for-4, giving him four hits and five RBIs in the two games since his return. And he know, as well as all Bravo fans should know that, “We haven’t played with our [full] starting lineup until the last two days, really,” said McCann.
Don't forget, B-Man hit .301 last year, with an on base percentage of .373, 23 HRs and 87 RBIs. He already blasted 3 HR's and 11 RBIs and is in the best shape of his career. Bravo fans - don't loose hope. I have a feeling the April showers are gone and the Braves are ready to get hot in HotLanta.
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