Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Jordan Schaffer Suspended

The MLB has just announced that Jordan Schaffer will be suspended for 50 games for violating its substance abuse policy by using HGH. Although the details are still uncertain, as there is no current approved test for HGH, the MLB must have gathered sugnificant evidence through talking with sources. Schaffer was one of the Braves top prospects and was expected to be the starting CF by next year, with a possible call-up coming as early as this summer.

The news comes just one day after Richmond Brave Scott Spiezio pleaded guilty to drunk driving and hit and run charges. Hopefully the Braves will be able to avoid any more off field issues for the rest of the year.

Yesterday the Braves dropped a one run game to the Rockies when Blaine Boyer allowed a 2-run HR to Matt Holliday in the 8th inning. Tom Glavine had his second start in which he held the opponent scoreless, although the bullpen couldn't hold the lead this time. So far, the Braves are 3-4. The starting rotation is 3-0, while the bullpen is 0-4. Tonight Jair Jurrjens (1-0) will make his second start of the year against the Rockies Ubaldo Jimenez, in a matchup that features two of the games young talent. In order for the Braves to win their bats will need to wake up, as the bullpen isn't going to hold too many close leads unless it begins improving rapidly. Jimenez struggles with walking batters, so with timely hits the Braves could put the game out of reach before their pen even has to get in the game.

As I have stated before, I think that Atlanta should trade one of its top OF prospects (Brandon Jones, Jordan Schaffer or Jason Heyward) for another RP as the season goes on. Up until this point I thought that Jones should be the one to go, as Heyward will still need more development, and I see no reason why the Braves couldn't lock Matt Diaz up and let him stay in Atlanta for a couple more years. After todays events my first thought was "Lets unload Schaffer ASAP." Although his value takes a significant hit, I still would rather not see a player who cheated staying in the Braves organization (Yes, we can get read of Jurries while we are at it). The Braves still have two other young CF in Gregor Blanco and Jordan Anderson that could both be solid Major Leaguers and provide good speed at the top of the lineup in the future.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Braves Sweep Mets, Back In First

Yesterday the Braves completed a 2-game sweep of the New York Mets to get back into first place in the NL East. Some things that I have noticed over the past couple of days that I would like to get out.

1) The Braves should be able to take the division is Smoltz and Hudson can beat Santana and Maine.

2) Smoltz really needs to stay healthy this year, I think he is still one of the best pitchers in the game, and the Braves can't replace him with their depth the way they can Glavine, Hampton and James.

3) The Braves three top prospects are OF, they have a young Jeff Francoeur and an underrated Matt Diaz. Brent Lillibridge can also play OF with a little more work. By mid-July one of these better be gone so that we can have another proven releiver (although trades for relievers don't always work out: Baez and Dotel)

4) The rotation looks really good so far

5) Mike Hampton got injured, just in case you didn't hear it again

6) Besides Tex (who hopefully isn't taking the A. Jones route to free agency), the lineup is looking great, who knows maybe Mark Kotsay can have a season hitting for a good average if he stays healthy

7) I really wish we would call up Phil Stockman

Thoughts about the rest of baseball
-The Tigers are looking awful, I knew their pitching was that bad, but not the hitting
-Oh well, the local teams (which I hate) the Orioles and Nats were both in first, but now the Nats have lost 4 in a row and fallen, which I expect the Orioles will follow.
-The Reds might make a run at the post season with all of the young talent that they have
Votto, Phillips, Encarnacion, Bruce (who should be starting in the Majors), Cueto and Volquez (maybe one day Homer Bailey). Throw in Harang, Arroyo, Cordero, Dunn, Griffey and Keppinger (who should start the rest of the year) and the Reds have a really good collection of players on a team not expected to do much. It all comes down to whether Cueto and Volquez can continue to do well