fyp, imo.

I really don't get this deal unless 1) something else is happening in the next 8 minutes or 2) Wren thinks LaRoche will revert back to his old self with the scenery change.

They get a similar woba in different ways. LaRoche has been a "second half player" in the past as well. Hopefully the sox eat some salary.

MBP, I think this move opens up a spot for freeman next year.

Yeah, I would think the Sox are throwing some cash in. Although from listening to MLB Network they aren't.

I don't see how this opens up 1b for Freeman though. Both LaRoche and Kotch are FA after this year.

Frank Wrens dumbest move YTD IMO. We get worse defense and a guy hitting for a worse average like he usually sits at year after year and only 7 more homeruns. I don't get it. Wrens coming up at 5:30 on 680 to explain. I can't wait to hear his reasoning on this move and how the Braves are any better from it. They already traded him because he's not the answer at 1st base. I was hoping I'd never have watch him as a Brave ever again.

Sox to throw in $1mil?

Also, am I wrong about Kotchs FA status? I posted earlier that he would be a FA after this season but after reading some comments on MLBtraderumors I am not sure, even though Cots has him as a 1 year deal.

Braves contracts

So what do you guys estimate our chances of winning the WC? Who is the likely fav?

We were 35/1 last I checked before this. This is the most insignificant trade of the whole trade deadline IMO so it shouldn't change the odds much at all, unless my personal dislike for Laroche blinds me to how much he could help us.

I'd say Yanks, Phillies, Dodgers, Red Sox still the front runners, and if they make the playoffs the combo of Tiny Tim and Cain could have the Giants surprise everybody

Trade favors the Braves obv. I don't see Freeman being ready next season so I wouldn't be surprised if LaRoche signs a 1 year deal. He's a good second half player but this isn't enough for the Braves to win the WC.

Sad to see Kotchman go.

I guess I'm the only one who likes this deal.

I agree that from a WAR perspective, it's basically a wash, with LaRoche having more power and Kotchman having better defense and slightly better average.

I think it's a good thing that we're acknowledging "We have no long term plan at 1B (besides Freeman)," rather than "Maybe Casey can be our long-term plan at 1B, or maybe not b/c he sucks."

By all accounts LaRoche was well-liked in the clubhouse and by Bobby when he was here, he's a notorious 2nd-half guy. I think there's a real chance he can exceed expectations of mediocrity, and Kotchman was on the low end of mediocre anyway.

I think this move improves our team for this year and increases whatever WC hopes we have for this season.

My bad luck strikes again. Another game with MBP in attendance, another loss.

We were playing with fire all night with so many guys from LA getting on base. It was bound to blow up at some point. The ball Kemp hit was a bomb.

Very well said. LaRoche has a .900 OPS following the All Star break in his career (.773 before) and is a notorious second half hitter. I think the Braves plan is to have LaRoche for the rest of the year (ldo) and then try to re-sign him to a 1 or 2 year deal while letting Freeman get ready for the show. I think this was a really nice move tbh.

braves have a better chance of winning the division than winning the wild card.

Braves 53 52 .530 83.9 78.1 12.88895 (div) 3.33507 (wc) 16.22402 (total) -2.88176 -11.04016 (7 day change )

As much as it pains me to say...

I think Philly is about to go into beast Juggernaut mode and rock through the rest of the league, and our only hope is the WC at this point.

They blew us away last year, but we're 7-2 on them this year so that's encouraging

Not lookin good. 8 back in the loss column to Philly..5.5 back of the WC with 5 teams in front..

It's gonna take one hell of a run to get us in. But if we do somehow play ourselves in it'd give us the kind of momentum that carries teams to the WS.

If we couldn't make it to the WC, I'd most want to root for the Giants.

Lincecum + Cain + Sanchez in a short series would have to be a nightmare for any team to face.

LaRoche has been tearing it up since he got here. If Yunel and Chipper can stay healthy(what a freak injury to Prado that was but he's ok) we got a good shot at a WC. Have to stay consistent and beat freaking Washington in a series for once. Phillys probably just going to be too tough to catch now after that trade.

AHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA

Kill me now

Smoltz got designated for assignment today.

My favorite memory of Smoltz is non-game related. Back when he was having control problems and seeing that sports psychologist, it was a big point of discussion on the sports talk radio shows. Beau Bock said something like Smoltz was "missing a chormosone" and Smoltz heard it and called in and laid into Bock on and off air. Bock was taken aback and was stumbling over his words. It was awesomely funny(better live than I tell of course).

dhkaldfnhanuiebadbfeu home plate umpire assclown

can we please take 3 of 4 from the Dodgers on the road....

the next 2 weeks could really help us make a move in the division

If you guys check up on blogs and don't read Braves and Birds, you really ought to.

Jason Heyward's plate discipline so far:

http://bravesandbirds.blogspot.com/2...mannywood.html

Yeah, Heyward is ready to move up to the bigs asap.

4.5 games back in the East
4 games back in the Wild Card

12 of the next 15 games at home

with 3 against the Phils and Marlins and a few against the Nationals, D-Backs, and San Diego

with the right run, which isnt a crazy idea, we could make a big move or be stuck for the rest of the season.....

rest of August is just HUGE, CMON BRAVES!