Blogger Beat: Talking Chop
….with a long, and hopefully fruitful day of baseball ahead with the division-rival Braves, I did a quick Q & A with Martin Gandy, who blogs about the Braves for Talking Chop…
D.J. Short:
How concerned are you about John Smoltz at this point?
Martin Gandy:
Pretty concerned. His age, plus his history of arm problems, plus the constant setbacks he’s suffered this year; it all concerns me. But, at some point the Braves are going to have to move on without John Smoltz on the pitching staff. Most of us were hoping that time wouldn’t come this year or even next year, but perhaps Smoltz’ body has something else in store. As a fan, I’d like to see him pitch again, because I know if he’s healthy he still has some of the filthiest stuff in the game.
D.J. Short:
Do you think Mark Teixeira is feeling the pressure of a contract year or will we see a different player when the weather heats up?
Martin Gandy:
Tex has historically been a slow starter, though I did think he would have somewhat broken out of it by now, but still I don’t think it’s contract pressure. He’s been injured lately, so that accounts for some of his struggles, but it seems like his swing is somehow not right. He’s rolling over too many pitches and not getting under them like his swing is designed to do. Hey, at least we don’t have Andruw Jones in that spot this year… gosh, he’s continued his struggles. And as bad as Tex is looking right now, he’s been at least as good or better than Delgado or Beltran this year. Tex is a second half player, so at least Braves fans can hope that the best is yet to come.
D.J. Short:
Where do you think Chipper Jones ranks among the all-time best switch hitters? I mean, coming into today’s game, he is a perfectly-balanced .309 career hitter from both the right and left side.
Martin Gandy:
He’s closing in on 400 homeruns (odds are he’ll get them in the next few days verses his favorite team to hit against) and his career batting average is certainly hall of fame caliber. He’s got a ways to go to reach Murray and Mantle at the top of the switch hitting homerun leaders, and he probably won’t get there, but he’s earned his spot in Cooperstown as probably one of the top-five switch hitters of all time — I don’t think that’s too ambitious.
D.J. Short:
The Braves front office hasn’t been shy to look elsewhere for bullpen help the last few seasons. Do you think they will show restraint this time and hope the internal options get healthy and/or come together?
Martin Gandy:
We may get Mike Gonzalez back in a few months which will be like a trade in itself. And Soriano should come back soon. If Smoltz returns he could hold down a top stop in the pen. If all those things come together then I think we’re much more likely to see the Braves try to get a starting pitcher at or near the deadline (or well before the deadline, depending on the need of the team). This is the “lay it all on the line to win this year” year, so I’m guessing more trades are in the cards. It will be interesting to see if and how the Mets react to any big move the Braves make.
D.J. Short:
The Braves are dangerous at home (15-5), but have struggled mightily on the road (6-16). Long-term concern for you?
Martin Gandy:
It was just the opposite at times last year, so I really can’t explain it. I think when it’s this pronounced it does become a cause for concern, and you have to hope the players aren’t thinking about it when they take the diamond.
…good stuff, Martin…thanks again…
