Cycling around

It’s been a while since I’ve posted and I’m sorry about that, but I’ve been a tad busy with work and such. So I figured today was a good day to get back into the habit, especially since Mark Kotsay hit for the cycle, the first time a Braves player has done that in 21 years. Plus Tom Glavine took the mound for the first time since May. And that about wraps up the warm and fuzzy part of this post, because the harsh reality is that the Braves lost 11-7 and Tom Glavine was pounded. The Cubs wrapped up their first regular season sweep of Atlanta, who are once again left shaking their heads.

The game did get a bit more interesting after Cubs starter Ted Lilly plunked Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar. Benches cleared, Escobar looked to be yelling obscenities towards Lilly but no punches were thrown and no one was ejected. It was like a scene out of West Side Story. I was waiting for some to starting singing "when you're a jet".

Anyway, luckily for Atlanta, there’s only about seven weeks left in the 2008 season, one they’d happily forget. And then it’s free agent time and boy do the Braves have some money to burn. Somewhere in the $30-40 million range!! First off, Atlanta needs some pitching. The AJC threw out some names that could top the Braves list, but I’m thinking it’s CC Sabathia or bust! I know he’s going to be expensive, I could even see him hitting $20 million per, which is a lot of money, but he’s dependable and frankly that’s all I need. Since joining the Brewers he’s 7-0 and boy have they been using him up. But I get nervous when people start talking about adding Ben Sheets. Hasn’t he been on the DL a few times in the past couple of years? Yes, he did start the all-star game this season and yes, he’s having a great season, but I’m very injury scared.

With the addition of a strong number one starter, Jair Jurrjens and maybe Campillo, the Braves would need two more starters plus an outfielder with power. (Bare in mind Tim Hudson will be out for most of 2009) Then all of sudden $40 million doesn’t seem like that much, huh?

News&Notes: Francisley Bueno made quite a debut on Wednesday and now he’s paying the price. Shortly after being sent down to Triple-A, Bueno was suspended for three games by MLB for throwing in the direction of Alfonso Soriano’s head…Chipper Jones missed his second straight game with his nagging hamstring injury…Jeff Francoeur was penciled out of the Braves lineup for the second time in three games. Frenchy just can't seem to break out of this season long slump...Apparently, we Braves fans are very loyal, according to Forbes Magazine anyway...The Braves held a tribute for late broadcaster Skip Caray on Wednesday. I know I fall in line with many Braves fans in saying that this was a tough loss to swallow.
(Photo: John Bazemore/AP)

It's been fun blogging with you,
Kate