My Braves Franchise

[mwalker1155]

I just found this board, and it seems alot more active then the other one I was looking at. Im just looking for a little input...But Im in the first year of my Franchise...I am 32-19 (2 games ahead of the Nats), my usual starting lineup is
Yunel Escobar
Martin Prado
Chipper Jones
Brian McCann
Jason Heyward
Troy Glaus
Matt Diaz
Nate Mclouth
Pitching Spot

Also my rotation is
Derek Lowe
Tim Hudson
Jair Jurrjens
Tommy Hanson
Kris Medlen (I put Kenshin Kawakami in the bullpen)


I really do not like Melky Cabrera or Troy Glaus, I am going to try and trade them, along with Kawakami, but what should I try to get...someone to start at 1B (I really like Hinske even though he is having an off year for me) or should I try and get a Left Handed SP and put Medlen back in the BP? I have a guy coming up in AA baseball that I am looking to replace Chipper with when he retires, probably after the 2011 season. But any input is greatly appreciated!!

[RohrboughCop]

I don't know how much you value Billy Wagner, but I was able to get Adam Dunn for Glaus/Wagner. He would give you some flexibility as he can play 1B and LF.

[DevilsEve666]

GLAUS has been SICK this month in real life, give him a chance, i've been trying w/ him also, but he's sucking for me as well batting .189 and only 2 homers through 12 or so games...but i really don't have any advice as i like to just follow the real life transactions in my franchise

[Braves Fan]

In my franchise Glaus is hitting .248 with 12 homers.

I wouldn't make trades just because you don't like a player, let the season play out and then decide what you need.

[lmlannie]

I agree on kawakami. I struggled really badly with Glaus through spring training and the first half of the first month, then all the sudden he really started hitting. I have one game left in my second month and Glaus has 19 HR's 50 RBI's and is somehow hitting .416, and i am playing on allstar btw, he by far has the best batting avg. on the team McCann is second at like .356. Glaus went through a strech for me where he hit 8 HR's in 10 games and just hit a huge grand slam for me in a tight ball game vs. the marlins.

As far as trade advice, what i did was try to pick up a solid reliever because i struggle with Saito and a little bit of speed. I am really trying to find a left handed starter. those are 2 areas i felt i was weak at.

[swag_shortstop621]

Ya i also haven't had much success with glaus.. Even there was a franchise or two i started where Chipper was batting in mid .200's midway through the season.

But a player i had success with was prado.. At the halfway mark i was batting .390 with him.. he is a very underrated player on the game

[HARTSTOPPER]

You don't really need a first baseman if you are trying to trade Glaus. The Braves have a very good first baseman in Freeman in the minors. You will still have Hinske to play first on days that Freeman needs a rest.

You also don't need to go trade for a LHP for starter. Johnny Venters is capable of filling that billet. kawakami can be traded, and as far as what you should be looking for is OF, and 3B. Chipper is great and Omar Infante is good at spot starts when Chipper needs the rest, but having a solid 3B will go a long way in shoring up the middle of your line-up.

I like to keep things realistic as possible, but if you are not the type, you might look into trading Derek Lowe as well. He has a huge salary and is up there in age. It would free up a spot for Venters to become a starter and it would take alot of payroll off your hands.