AGRI Biz

The 2010 Atlanta Braves could best be characterized as a crying shame thus far. Floundering leadoff men, poor batting averages, atrocious RISP numbers, and a lack of fundamentals. But they can sure take those walks, huh? It's really been a downer in A-town since late-inning dramatics last Tuesday against the NL East-leading Phillies, and a large part of the time, it's been painful to watch. Errors, untimely Ks, passiveness, and a sense of apathy ...

Ubaldo Jimenez's no-hit bid was pretty impressive last night. After walking six through the first five innings, the Rockies' young right-hander went on to retire the remainder of Braves opposition without a hitch to seal up his place on Colorado history as their first hurler to boast a no-no. From a Braves' fans perspective, it's okay to be frustrated. It's okay to be coy in your reaction to last night's transgressions (as in: ...

Hey Jo-Jo, Long time, no see. You may recall that about this time last year, I wrote you this letter  as the Braves' apparent infatuation with you was the only obstacle between Tommy Hanson and his Major League debut. Let me tell you, I'm over that aspect of your tenure in Atlanta. I am, however, not over the fact that you are not a MLB-caliber pitcher. This isn't over just tonight's 17-2 debacle at the hands ...

I am not trying to be a buzz kill. I am not anti-Heyward. I am not doubting the Braves' decision to start the McDonough Manchild out in right field. I am, however, saying what I think needs to be said. Jason Heyward is a rookie . Not so dramatic there, was it? There is zero doubt that Jason Heyward earned his spot on the Opening Day roster with his more-than-solid Spring Training. How could you deny an ...

Here we are. Just one week until the Atlanta Braves open the season against the Chicago Cubs at Turner Field. Most of the roster has already shaken itself out. You're looking at an outfield of Cabrera/Diaz, McLouth, and Heyward, and an infield that boasts Jones, Escobar, Prado, and Glaus with Brian McCann behind the dish. The rotation has been set since Vazquez was dealt, with Jurrjens, Hudson, Hanson, Lowe, and Kawakami leading the charge. Out ...

Let's cut to the chase... Bleacher Report and CBS Sports are offering a unique shot at a learning and competitive experience through Fantasy Baseball Commissioner and its 50 percent discount for Bleacher Creatures like you and me. I am currently setting up one of these leagues... As it stands today, the league is in a six-by-six format and uses a head-to-head scoring system that takes base hits, all forms of extra-base hits, ...

Through about three weeks of Spring Training games, what have we learned about the Atlanta Braves? Here are a few things... Jason Heyward is the man. Nate McLouth...not so much. Craig Kimbrel can throw really well. Jesse Chavez...not so much. Derek Lowe has a new delivery. Brian McCann and Troy Glaus' deliveries of balls to the outfield have not. Joe Thurston and Brooks Conrad are both more than qualified to be the back-up, back-up infielders. Jo-Jo Reyes...well, he's still ...

It's becoming more and more obvious with each passing batting practice 450 foot, car-demolishing blast and Spring Training walk and slash, that Jason Heyward is becoming, and will likely remain such for the next decade or two, the apple of Braves Nations' eye. The big-boned Atlanta prospect looks to be, even at a mere 20 years of age, the real deal. And, with that, is looking more and more like one of ...

This past season was rough, to say the least, for Chipper Jones. The venerable Braves third baseman posted the lowest batting average (.264) and slugging percentage (.430) that his 16-year (including the eight games in '93) has ever seen. The now-37-year-old Jones also saw his first sub-20 homer season as a full-time player. In fact, '09 was so bad for the face of the franchise (at least until J-Word starts tearing it up), ...

This is my favorite time of year. Pitchers are throwing to real catchers for the first time in months. Rookies are gearing up for their first shots. Aging vets are getting ready to fight to prove that they can still do what they've been doing since they were five years old. And news is actually readily available without having to BS a ton. This is the first musing that I've put out in some time, ...