My Problem with "The Braves Way"
I want to start off by congratulating both KC and SF for making it to the World Series starting tomorrow. While I'll personally be rooting for the Royals, I will not be completely disappointed if the Giants pull it off. Especially, because Tim Hudson has a chance at a ring. And let's be honest, Huddy deserves one.
With that being said, the continuing search for a new GM for the Atlanta Braves "supposedly" continues. The most constant phrase this off season I have been hearing is the front office wanting to return to "The Braves Way." I have a problem with this notion for two reasons:
1. The fact that Fredi Gonzalez remains the skipper is enough for me to believe that the so-called "Braves Way" may contain some elements of cronyism. If the good old boys are wanting so much to stick together, they should just register at the same country club and be done with it. The click currently in charge is obviously not working, but no real effort is being made to address this particular concern of fans.
2. As has been pointed out to me a few times, there appears to be a sign in the clubhouse that reads "Pitching and Defense Wins Championships." Here's the problem with that: If your players are having trouble with and cannot swing the bat and put the ball in play to score runs, not only will you never succeed in making a championship, you will never succeed in obtaining a record of .500 or more. The only way you can win championships, and regular season games for that matter, is to score runs. On the whole, that was the very problem with the Braves this year: the lack of offense.
In closing, I will leave you readers with simply this: If the Braves have any hopes of making it to a championship, or much less the playoffs, the offense needs to improve. Which means, you must keep the important offensive elements you already have and build the team around that. Like it or not, Evan Gattis is definitely one of those need-to-keep elements. If the Braves don't make more of an effort to keep him, and as history has proven, end up getting a poor trade return in the process, this club will suffer tremendously. I don't wish it to happen, but without El Oso Blanco, this team will not carry the offensive potency it most certainly needs right now.
With that being said, the continuing search for a new GM for the Atlanta Braves "supposedly" continues. The most constant phrase this off season I have been hearing is the front office wanting to return to "The Braves Way." I have a problem with this notion for two reasons:
1. The fact that Fredi Gonzalez remains the skipper is enough for me to believe that the so-called "Braves Way" may contain some elements of cronyism. If the good old boys are wanting so much to stick together, they should just register at the same country club and be done with it. The click currently in charge is obviously not working, but no real effort is being made to address this particular concern of fans.
2. As has been pointed out to me a few times, there appears to be a sign in the clubhouse that reads "Pitching and Defense Wins Championships." Here's the problem with that: If your players are having trouble with and cannot swing the bat and put the ball in play to score runs, not only will you never succeed in making a championship, you will never succeed in obtaining a record of .500 or more. The only way you can win championships, and regular season games for that matter, is to score runs. On the whole, that was the very problem with the Braves this year: the lack of offense.
In closing, I will leave you readers with simply this: If the Braves have any hopes of making it to a championship, or much less the playoffs, the offense needs to improve. Which means, you must keep the important offensive elements you already have and build the team around that. Like it or not, Evan Gattis is definitely one of those need-to-keep elements. If the Braves don't make more of an effort to keep him, and as history has proven, end up getting a poor trade return in the process, this club will suffer tremendously. I don't wish it to happen, but without El Oso Blanco, this team will not carry the offensive potency it most certainly needs right now.
Comments
Post a Comment