Scouts Honor

[CubDad4Ever]

Point of clarification. According to the Braves model . Pitching paramount, everything else can be aquired after you are strong there. I think that lends strength to the "right track argument" You dont have to buy the Braves way and they started out as an offensive organization that realized pitching wins.

I dont deny the offensive arguments , many want to come back to . Im addressing the book, the braves plan and the fact Hendry has done some good. That is a fact. Whats open to debate is how it shakes out . None of you or i are all knowing enough to answer that one utill it plays out.

 

God Bless and thanks again for the insight Coach L.

[stitchface]

Point of clarification. According to the Braves model . Pitching paramount, everything else can be aquired after you are strong there. I think that lends strength to the "right track argument" You dont have to buy the Braves way and they started out as an offensive organization that realized pitching wins.

I dont deny the offensive arguments , many want to come back to . Im addressing the book, the braves plan and the fact Hendry has done some good. That is a fact. Whats open to debate is how it shakes out . None of you or i are all knowing enough to answer that one utill it plays out.

 

God Bless and thanks again for the insight Coach L.

 

the braves have produced far more position players than the cubs. the myth that they only focus on pitching is far-fetched.

[goonys evil twin]

From where we were in 2003 to where we are now, I see a substantial decrease in my optimism that the management team that is currently in place can create a winning atmosphere for a significant amount of time. And that is something that should be expected from an organization that has the capabilities to spend what they spend each year on annual salaries.

 

My feeling is that the 2003/2004 "success" was expected. People felt they arrived early with that series win over Atlanta, but really it was still just an 88 win team, followed by an 89 win team. They should have been that good, if not better. The problem in my mind is not just that they've taken a step back (which people are debating), but that they've failed to take a significant step forward. This team is no better than they were 3 years ago, when they were good but not great.

 

This management group seems satisfied with being better than most. And when they go through a season where they aren't better than most, 2005, even though they talk big about sub .500 being "unacceptable" they do very little to ensure it won't happen again. This team is relying nearly exclusively on the return to health of oft-injured pitchers AND that those pitchers will dominate. You have to build a team to withstand setbacks, even from your better players. Small market teams don't really have that option, but GMs with a budget that Hendry has have no excuse.

 

The philosophy that says known quantity always beats unknown quantity, even if the known quantity is a proven failure, also influences the team to strive for consistent mediocrity instead of risking big failure in the pursuit of greatness.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

While the Cubs and Braves may have a similar draft philosophy, it appears either the Braves have better scouts and have a better clue in recognzing talent or the Braves have better player development people who help players realize that talent.

 

The Braves have had better success infusing young talent into the game. The list of all-star or solid players who broke into the major leagues through the Braves system litter rosters throughout the major leagues. The Cubs can't make that claim.

 

I do think that Hendry has tried to emulate the Braves way. But the way he fills in the pieces leaves a whole lot to be desired.

[BigbadB]

Don't get me wrong. I only said that I was optimistic about the future in 2003. Strong farm system, good players on the roster, excellent pitching staff, coming off a playoff appearance, available cash to spend to improve the club, etc...

 

It's been a lot of downhill action from there.

[goonys evil twin]

I do think that Hendry has tried to emulate the Braves way. But the way he fills in the pieces leaves a whole lot to be desired.

 

Andy and his boys have talked about emulating the Braves way for years, going back to the mid 90's. That's when the whole, develop pitching, then acquire hitters thing really took hold. The problem is they haven't developed enough pitchers, and they haven't acquired enough hitters. You can't just acquire 2 good bats when the rest of your lineup is weak. And even if you do develop all pitchers, and acquire other hitters, you still have to produce some of your own hitters, like Atlanta. The Cubs have failed there. Furthermore, when you have the chance to acquire difference making bats, you have to make the most of the opportunity and not settle on pieces of trash like Jones.

[CubDad4Ever]

Goony and Vance great points. Goony the point of yours i agree most with and i have said it before, is the lack of positional talent procured and develouped since 1991. Vance your point made me wonder how many scouts , how they are trained and the level of instruction and process in our minors. I am still reading so i will add as the Braves approach unfolds in the book. Gods Peace and thanks for the input Coach L

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

food for thought on the scouting front:

 

Wilken is new scouting director

[CubDad4Ever]

Thanks M and P. Interesting read. It mirrors the Braves thoughts on makeup and building relationships with young players to check on makeup. I like the thought of getting after in the international talent channel . That is another area i think the cubs have not pushed enough. Gods Peace and Thanks for the link. Coach L

[Soul]

But for all the Braves success, they can't close the deal.

 

Meanwhile, the Marlins win no division titles but two World Series :lol:

 

I'd rather be the Marlins.

[Magnetic Curses]

But for all the Braves success, they can't close the deal.

 

Meanwhile, the Marlins win no division titles but two World Series :lol:

 

I'd rather be the Marlins.

 

which further proves that the playoffs are a crapshoot.

[bmkhawk]

A look at how depleted the farm is now due to poor trades and management of the 40 man roster doesn't provide a whole lot of hope for trades to improve the team next offseason.

 

Which poor trades?

 

Let's also not forget to add that one of the trades brought in pretty good prospect/rookie in the form of Matt Murton.

[Bgbird68]

Hendrys is totally using the Braves model .

 

then he's totally not good at it.

 

Hendry is like the 12-year old kid who spends all his waking hours reading about fighter jets. He knows a whole lot of info on them, but when he builds that model, no matter how much time and energy he put into it, the thing still doesn't compare to the real thing made by General Dynamics.

 

yep, for one, the mouth decal is upside down, there's glue coming out of the nose propeller, the wing is crooked, the bottom turret is coming off and the kid seems more and more enamoured with the tube of glue than the actual plane.

 

Good stuff, Sully.

[treebird]

Hendrys is totally using the Braves model .

 

then he's totally not good at it.

 

Hendry is like the 12-year old kid who spends all his waking hours reading about fighter jets. He knows a whole lot of info on them, but when he builds that model, no matter how much time and energy he put into it, the thing still doesn't compare to the real thing made by General Dynamics.

 

yep, for one, the mouth decal is upside down, there's glue coming out of the nose propeller, the wing is crooked, the bottom turret is coming off and the kid seems more and more enamoured with the tube of glue than the actual plane.

 

Good stuff, Sully.

 

if theres such thing as a bad post implying that jim hendry sits in his office sniffing glue all day, i havent seen it.

[UK1679666180]

The Braves have a model of building from within and filling pieces around that core from FA. The Cubs are almost the opposite as far as position players, Cedeno and Murton are complimentary players to players that have been acq'd from other organizations (Lee, Ramirez, Barrett, Jones, Pierre, & Walker).