Major Website Changes

Hey y'all hope everyone is having a spectacular offseason.

Here's a quick run-down as to the transactions the Braves have made:

• Signed: free-agent RP Billy Wagner 1 year/$7M (2010), plus 2011 option
• Signed: free-agent RP Takashi Saito 1 year/$3.2M (2010)
• Signed: free-agent RP Juan Abreu 1 year/$400K (2010)
• Offered Arbitration: RP Mike Gonzalez
• Not-Offered Arbitration: OF Garret Anderson, 1B Adam LaRoche, 1B Greg Norton
• DFA: OF Ryan Church
• Non tendered: 2B Kelly Johnson
• Traded RP Rafael Soriano to Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for RP Jesse Chavez

Anyway, we are making major changes to AtlantaBravesNation.com for the 2010 season. We are open for suggestions and always love feedback (good or bad, hopefully good). Feel free to add us as a friend on Facebook or send us an email. Also follow us on Twitter.

Remember, Atlanta Braves Nation's got YOU covered for all Braves rumors and news this off-season.

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Braves welcome back LaRoche...Bid farewell to Kotchman...

Today marked the last day Major League teams could make a trade. The MLB trade deadline was at 4:00 PM EST. It has come and gone. Former Cy Younger Jake Peavy was dealt to the White Sox again, the Red Sox landed C/1B Victor Martinez and the Braves brought back former 1B Adam LaRoche.

The Braves dealt 1B Casey Kotchman in exchange for Adam LaRoche and cash considerations. Kotchman was acquired at last years deadline in a trade that sent Mark Teixeira to the Angels.

Many Braves fans were caught off guard by the trade because Kotchman has been swinging a hot bat lately. The bottom line is that the Braves acquired a power bat in exchange for a player who hits for average. Adam LaRoche was fantastic his final year in Atlanta. He hit 32 long balls while knocking in 90 runs with a .285 average.

Wren landed one of the best second half hitters in baseball since 2006 in LaRoche. In '06 LaRoche hit 19 HR's, 48 RBI's and a .323 average post All-Star break; last year Adam hit 14 HR's, 42 RBI's and a .304 average. Kotchman's best second half came in 2005 when he launched 7 long-balls, with 22 RBI's and a .302 average. Although LaRoche has a much better bat, Kotchman plays better defense.

Kotchman is under team control for an additional 2 years and LaRoche becomes a free-agent after this season. But maybe the Braves will be able to reach a deal with the player they drafted in the 29th round of the 2000 draft. Tit-for-tat the Braves dealt a good fielder for a power bat which the lineup is lacking.

My projections have a healthy Braves lineup as follow:

1. McLouth CF
2. Prado 2B
3. Jones 3B
4. McCann C
5. LaRoche 1B
6. Escobar SS
7. Anderson LF
8. Church/Diaz RF
9. SP

Has Escobar taken his last at-bat as a Brave?

Tonight Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar may have made his final plate appearance in a Braves uniform. Yunel drove in an RBI single in the bottom of the 8th to put the Braves ahead 10-1.

The Havanian middle-infielder has a career batting average of .300 and has been one the best best leadoff hitters for the Braves the past few years tallying a .309 average, 6 HR's, 34 RBI's and an astonishing 54 runs in 320 at-bats from the #1 spot in the order.

Although Yunel's offensive numbers are quit impressive for a shortstop his mental errors in the field are not impressing anyone; including Bobby Cox who has sat Escobar for 5 straight games. Yunel has been one of the worst everyday shortstops in the NL this year. He has committed 11 errors while maintaining a .961 fielders percentage in the diamond. Ironic how things have shifted from last year. The most ironic thing is the fact that Jake Peavy apparently would have rejected a trade to the Braves because he did not want to loose the good defense of Yunel Escobar (who was a player that was going to be involved in the Peavy-Atl. trade).

So fans, the rumor mill is brewing that GM Frank Wren is willing to trade Yunel for a "good hitter." What is a "good hitter?" I consider Yunel to be a good hitter, and would it hurt the Braves more to start a guy like Diory or Infante at shortstop everyday so they can get a power bat in the lineup? What do y'all think? Is Adrian Gonzalez still a reasonable trading piece?

Strikeouts do not trasnlate into Wins!

For years I have been saying one of the most overrated stats in baseball are strikeouts.

Most baseball fans tend to disagree. Strikeouts are definitely one of the most entertaining things in the game. I think we can all agree that there is nothing better late in a close-game than a 3-2 strikeout with runners in scoring position to end the inning/game.

Although strikeouts are certainly exciting they don't necessarily translate into wins for the starting pitcher or the team. Point and reasoning is our beloved Javy Vazquez.

Javy is first in the majors with 125 K's, 8th in the NL in ERA, averaging 1.94 BB/9 and 5.43 K/BB. His stats are fantastic and batters are only hitting a measly .230 against him. The main issue with Vazquez is lack of run support with the Braves.

However what makes Javy the perfect candidate for the reasoning is the fact that he has a career loosing record and is one of baseball best strikeout pitchers the past decade. Javy's years as a Expo were wasted with a bad team but he has played for contending teams since leaving Montreal. Strikeouts only excite the fans but do not translate into wins for the pitcher or team. Other pitchers in the past few years that have faced similar dilemma are Zach Greinke, Gil Meche, Matt Cain, Erik Bedard and Ian Snell. That's why a hitter who is capable of blasting 40 HR's and 110 RBI's is more effective than pitcher who tallies 200 K's a year. Yet again a prime-time hitter is more effective and useful to a team in modern-day MLB than a ace-starter.

Change is Coming...

It's time for change for the Atlanta Braves organization...

Whether that involves sitting or trading a local outfielder who was the Sports Illustrated coverboy, Jeff Francoeur; or making another major move such as asking a future Hall-of-Fame coach to step down because he cannot get the message across to his players.

Simply put this team is not cutting it. The Braves playoff drought has been 3 long and miserable years. Fan support is the lowest it has been in five years (based on attendance numbers at The Ted and television viewers). The only way this team is going to regain the pride and prestige they had in the 90's is by making a key change NOW! The Braves have to make the playoffs this year if they want to retain an above-average fan base, make an attempt at luring key free-agents this off-season and most importantly bring some hope back into players that have not had the opportunity to reach the playoffs.

The Braves clearly have the pitching to get it done but their hitting is questionable. The addition of Nate McLouth brought necessary speed and power to the top of the lineup, but their 6-8 spots of the lineup are killing the team. Casey Kotchman is a pathetic excuse for a 1B from an offensive point-of-view, he not only lacks power but he is also slow around the bases. Jeff Francoeur the Braves usual #7 hitter is batting a measly .245 and Kelly Johnson the Braves #8 hitter is hitting a devastating .224. On top of that Frenchy has the 10th lowest OBP in the majors! But to put the icing on the cake, Kelly Johnson is not far behind him at 16. In order to be a successful team in the major these days you have to receive input from all your hitters. Whether the top of the lineup is providing power and bottom is playing small ball you can not rely on 3-4 hitters to win you ball games consistently.

Since the Braves lost that devastating Game 7 in Houston off a Chris Burke walk-off HR (irony) Bobby Cox and company have posted a 267-286 record. That won't get it done in Boston, that sure as heck won't cut it in New York, so why is this record acceptable in Atlanta?

Fantasy Stew with Chef TK

WHEN THE INJURY BUG ATTACKS

Webb. Kazmir. Hamilton. Sizemore. Putz. Lidge. Reyes. Quentin.

These are just a few names that have not been in your lineup due to the always lingering stress of fantasy baseball - INJURY. At the start, you probably looked over your lineup after draft day and felt like the future was full of hope. Then the future happened. The season is a long one and we are all likely to experience a week or more when the guys we count on go on the shelve. What can we do?

The waiver fire is an ocean full of hope. But can we find the Gold Fish instead of pulling seaweed. By golly...we can try!

Here are some names that could be waiting to play fill in as our starters on the DL rest their boo boos.

Manny Parra SP Brewers - I know. First thing you see is his 3-7 record. But Manny plays on a good offensive team and provides a better chance to get run support then alot of the pitchers on the waiver wire. His history shows he is bound to climb back to a more reasonable win/loss line.

Kenshin Kawakami SP Braves - Kenshin is a lost value on the braves pitching rotation. He scared off alot of owners with early fatigue and inconsistency. Still, he hasn't allowed more then 3 runs in his last 7 starts and the Braves offense has just gotten a major face lift in Nate McLouth. He has also showed the ability to rack up some Ks.

Chris Duncan OF Cardinals - Chris hasn't put up the pop that usually comes with his name but he has seen 177 at bats and has 73 total bases. He has the upside to give you a homer here, homer there while someone like Josh Hamilton recovers. Yet, if you are in a league that penalizes strikeouts, stay away.

Jack Wilson SS Pirates - Captain Jack is a very underrated player. He is also someone who has been involved in trade rumors and could soar in stock if dealt to a contender. Don't expect a ton of runs but he can spray the hits and give you Average.

Andrew Bailey RP Athletics - Bailey has been sneaking around the closers spot the last few days. He has 3 saves in the month of June and may quietly become the man as many forget there is still baseball in Oakland. If Bailey can get you some saves while your closer recovers, then its like striking gold all over again on the west coast.

QUICKIES

The MLB Draft happened today. If your in a keeper league, keep your eyes open on how they progress but don't hold your breath for this season value.

Nate McLouth has the ability to make every player in the Braves lineup better. Sparkplug effect.

With Boston looking for a shortstop I can see Nick Green posting some numbers to state his case to stay put.

Jose Contreras (SP) has been called up to the White Sox. He is worth a chance on your team.

It feels like the Red Sox pitching staff (besides Beckett) will either throw no hitters or get shelled. Hopefully the Russian..err...Boston Roulette ends soon.

ANSWER THIS!!!

AL CY YOUNG...Halladay or Greinke?

Medlen's PINK Backpack...

For those who missed it Kris Medlen has been spotted numerous times sporting a pink backup while making his way to the bullpen prior to the ballgame. Being as Medlen is a rookie, he is required to carry the backpack to the bullpen every game. 

The pack is filled with goodies such as candy, sunflower seeds and gum.