Hampton Returns (and doesn't get injured!)
Mike Hampton finally made his long-awaited return to the mound after almost a three year absence. Despite my prediction that he'd still find a way to miss the start by pulling a pectoral muscle or breaking a nail during warm-up, he managed to avoid injury long enough to give up six earned runs in just 4 innings of work. Even with loads of 
run support (9 runs scored in the 4th inning), the Braves bullpen also did their part in blowing the 6-run lead in the 5th frame.
After the disastrous 5th, the only thing that could make me smile now was just thinking about how much Mike Hampton looks like George Michael (it's only fitting that he's coming to the Philips Arena in a few days). I hate to give up on my Braves, but it's obvious that this season isn't going to be the year they win a World Series title. Mark Teixeira is picking up his game as he always does in the second half of the season, so it's time to trade him before the Braves won't get anything but a few meaningless homers each week for a team that isn't healthy enough to win the division. Let's be real here: With an agent like Scott Boras, there's no way Tex is going to give Atlanta a discount and there's no way GM Frank Wren will pay that kind of money to keep him.
There are just lots of needs that need to be filled. Our outfield is dreadful. Our pitching is old. We need to build for the future and a good way for the Braves to do it is to make a splash before the trade deadline and get some solid prospects or high draft picks. I doubt very seriously that a team is going to give up a solid pitcher for Teixeira since pitching is at such a premium nowadays, but we need to take what we can get. Once Hampton's $15 million is off the books at the end of the season, the Bravos will have some money to play with to pick up a big time pitcher or outfielder in the free agent market. So let's get it done Frank. I give you my blessing.
run support (9 runs scored in the 4th inning), the Braves bullpen also did their part in blowing the 6-run lead in the 5th frame.After the disastrous 5th, the only thing that could make me smile now was just thinking about how much Mike Hampton looks like George Michael (it's only fitting that he's coming to the Philips Arena in a few days). I hate to give up on my Braves, but it's obvious that this season isn't going to be the year they win a World Series title. Mark Teixeira is picking up his game as he always does in the second half of the season, so it's time to trade him before the Braves won't get anything but a few meaningless homers each week for a team that isn't healthy enough to win the division. Let's be real here: With an agent like Scott Boras, there's no way Tex is going to give Atlanta a discount and there's no way GM Frank Wren will pay that kind of money to keep him.
There are just lots of needs that need to be filled. Our outfield is dreadful. Our pitching is old. We need to build for the future and a good way for the Braves to do it is to make a splash before the trade deadline and get some solid prospects or high draft picks. I doubt very seriously that a team is going to give up a solid pitcher for Teixeira since pitching is at such a premium nowadays, but we need to take what we can get. Once Hampton's $15 million is off the books at the end of the season, the Bravos will have some money to play with to pick up a big time pitcher or outfielder in the free agent market. So let's get it done Frank. I give you my blessing.