A few random Braves notes for today...
↵It was sad to see the Braves bring their road woes home to Turner Field Friday night. The Braves' current four-game losing streak is the longest losing streak the team has endured since a nine-game skid back in April. How about we go ahead and end that today, does that work? The Braves have 34 games left, including 19 home games and six games against the second place Phillies. With the Braves only up two games over the Phillies, the NL East looks like it will be a tight race through the end of the season.
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Derrek Lee
The Bad: Lee has only 4 hits in 28 at bats since becoming a Brave.
↵The Good: Three out of his four hits have been doubles and he's on a three-game hitting streak!
↵Jordan Schafer
↵The possibility of Jordan Schafer returning to the promised land anytime soon took a turn for the worse yesterday as Schafer was placed on the disabled list, effectively ending his 2010 season. Jordan had been dealing with issues with his left hand and trying to play through the pain (the same excuse was used to address his major league numbers from 2009). Schafer was 6 for 46 since being demoted to Double-A on July 23rd. While in Gwinnett, he hit .201 with 1 home-run in 198 at bats. Remember all the expectations everyone had for Jordan at the start of last season? Me neither, I've written him out of my mind too.
↵Freddie Freeman
↵Bobby Cox hopes that Freeman will be promoted to the big league club when MLB rosters expand this Wednesday, though Frank Wren manages fans expectations by saying "we haven't decided yet." Freeman's manager in Gwinnett, Dave Brundage, noted the 20 year old's heightened sense of smell, stating that "he can smell the Major Leagues." In 448 at bats in the Atlanta suburbs this season, Freeman is batting .324/.383/.531 with 18 home runs.
↵Melky Cabrera
Mlbtraderumors.com discusses the possibility of the Braves tendering Cabrera a contract for 2011 (poll included!). They note that the Braves might not be interested in Cabrera due to the $6.5 million McClouth is owed next season. I wonder if there is a Triple-A team with a higher total salary than the current Gwinnett roster?