The Atlanta Braves

[utfantilidie]

SI.com - MLB - Braves deal LaRoche to Pirates for Gonzalez - Wednesday January 17, 2007 6:37PM

[vol_freak]

I saw that earlier on Sports Center. Interesting.

[Bennett4UT]

I like LaRoche. Who is going to play 1st base?

[tidwell]

Mike Gonzalez!

[gobravesvols16]

Originally Posted by Bennett4UT

I like LaRoche. Who is going to play 1st base?

Scott Thorman?

[Vercingetorix]

It's difficult to continue supporting the Braves these days. It's one thing for the team to decline in the natural order of things; it's another to watch the team get rid of anybody that gets a raise, just to meet some arbitrary budget levels that theoretically facilitate the sale of the team. And oh yeah, Time Warner didn't want to sell the team to an actual owner, who might want to spend money on the team because he cares about winning; they'd rather sell it to another anonymous media group because they can avoid paying taxes since it's just a "stock transfer." It's hard to be a fan when it's so obvious that the entire organization views itself as part of a business portfolio. (I know that's the way all pro teams are, but with the Braves it's become impossible to maintain the willing suspension of disbelief a fan needs.)

I knew the Braves were in trouble when Ted Turner merged his company into the Time Warner empire. I had no idea just bad it was going to get, though. It's not even that LaRoche, et al. are particularly great players; it's just that you know the only reason these moves are being made are for payroll. They have nothing to do with baseball.

[corona1898]

Originally Posted by Bennett4UT

I like LaRoche. Who is going to play 1st base?

I just hope they don't platoon. Braves seem to always platoon at first base. Last first baseman they had that I can think of that hit left and right handed pitching all season was Fred McGriff.

[Bennett4UT]

After last season I don't have much of an expectation for the one coming up

[smokeyman15]

Bad trade. Dont agree at all. Wow, my braves are falling apart. But I guess thats why Im not the GM.

[OrangePappy]

I never was a LaRoche fan and the Braves definately needed to upgrade the bullpen. Thorman has a good glove and can hit but I bet the replace is in the minors. I remember the Braves of the 70's and 80's so this is nothing.

[Bennett4UT]

The Bullpen looks like one of the best in the majors at the moment but somebody has to put runs on the board

[GAVol]

Great move by the Braves. LaRoche had a hot second half of last year and Shurholtz sold high on him. Thorman will be a very serviceable bat at First Base and the back of the bullpen has gone from being the worst in baseball to now one of the best.

[cd12]

Chipper could be moved to 1st!

[GAVol]

That would seem like a logical move at some point, but everything I read indicates that they aren't going to do that.

[allvol123]

If the braves got more than a can of corn for Laroche, they made out like gangbusters.