This team is average at best. Currently, they are less than average with a losing record.
Yea, sure, but look at the injuries. This team has done one heck of a job with injuries. Nobody -- and I repeat nobody -- ever thought that this rotation would be anchored at this moment by Jo-Jo Reyes, Charlie Morton, and Jorge Campillo. Tim Hudson and Jair Jurrjens were locks from the beginning of the year. Rafael Soriano, John Smoltz, Peter Moylan, Tom Glavine, Mike Hampton....those are all huge names lost. This pitching staff has done a good job considering.
If you think Glavine is a big signing, then you are a fool.
At the time, Glavine was one of the best free agent starting pitchers. Sure, there were players who signed that have done much better (like Kyle Lohse). But at that time, I don't think any Braves fan really doubted this signing. They only needed one guy for their rotation -- a middle of the rotation guy. Glavine fit the bill perfectly. The trade for Jurrjens and Gorkys Hernandez also solidified that.
They actually traded for a big name last year, but will only lose him in the offseason because the current ownership refuses to spend any money. Texeira is gone. Bank on it!
Actually, Liberty Media has allowed much more flexibility in the payroll because of the large profits the team has generated. That's not a problem. Mark Teixeira may or may not be gone, but if he does leave, there are two draft picks added to our name. That would pay dividends in the future. Two of the best young players that could turn out to be another Teixeira or Chipper Jones for the next decade? Probably.
They have a head coach that is highly overrated. One WS championship during the string of division championships? That's pathetic. Cox continuously gets outcoached and outsmarted. The evidence is the Braves' record in 1 run games.
There are some people on this board that believe that this is Bobby's time to go. However, keep this in mind. He is the 4th most winningest manager in the history of baseball. Which would you rather take -- 14 straight divisional titles that may not be matched ever in any sport, or a few more championships? Honestly, I take the 14 straight. It puts Atlanta in the history books for a very long time.
For the one run games, there have been some questionable moves out of the bullpen. But for now, with Mike Gonzalez back healthy, I'm not overly concerned with this statistic any longer.
It looks like it's going to be another long rest of the season and no playoffs again. This team is built to be nothing but average for years to come. I love this team, but they bore me to death and the future isn't very bright.
There are plenty of players in the farm system that will be great once they develop -- Jeff Locke is my primary example. This team has one of the best young rotations to build upon. All they need is more timely offense. The future is bright -- with a ton of money coming off the books for next season, the Braves can hit the free agent market again for whomever they choose to go after. This team may be average now, but they won't be forever.
So, therefore, I'm not with ya jigga023. I still have lots of pride in this team. I still follow them through their rough stretches. I still believe.
