Laroche Replacement?

rattrick · 12-10-2006, 12:42 AM

I know I am out of the loop, but am I missing something? Who is gonna replace Laroche since the Braves seem so intent on shopping him. He became one of my favorite Braves last year and I personally would rather see him stay.

Yogi44 · 12-10-2006, 09:49 AM

From reports, it seems that they would be staisfied with Scott Thorman. Also IF we get to next season without trading Salty and we do trade LaRoche, I feel certain Salty would be moved to 1B.

rattrick · 12-10-2006, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yogi44

From reports, it seems that they would be staisfied with Scott Thorman. Also IF we get to next season without trading Salty and we do trade LaRoche, I feel certain Salty would be moved to 1B.

Alright, thanks. I would much rather see Salty at first even though it's not his natural position. Thorman has never done anything to impress me. Does Laroche make a lot of money? Why are they so intent on getting rid of him?

Lenny · 12-10-2006, 02:41 PM

The only reason i can think of to trade LaRoche is because his value will probably never be higher than it is now. If we do shift Salty to first, and he blossoms as a good hitting major leaguer, then he could also be our third catcher for years.

BamaLizzy2718 · 12-10-2006, 05:28 PM

My question is this...why do we always seem to take a player whose value will probably not be higher than it is now and trade him away and seem to always get a player who sucks? I mean, wouldn't we be wise to finally KEEP a player who has high value to help our team win instead of throwing him away for a guy who we never get full potential out of?

renny · 12-10-2006, 08:05 PM

You mean, kinda like ..."bird in hand worth two in bush"...sorta thing? I've wondered myself, if we're truly not in rebuildilng mode, why are we dismissing Rochey's power so summarily? JS seems to feel we can take a small hit to our offense with a more potent starting rotation, but should we get offered a deal for AJ that we can't refuse (and one he'd OK)- what then? Getting a highly touted prospect at a time when Larache's value is at its peak is all fine and good (it's good to think about the future), but how does one replace that loss to our offense for '07?

I would feel better about Salty than Thorman too, but it's doubtful he'd produce consistently enough the first year or two to make up for Laroche's bat. I may be thinking more with heart than head, but the kid seems to deserve a chance to prove/disprove that playing full time last year was not a fluke.

Lenny · 12-10-2006, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BamaLizzy2718

My question is this...why do we always seem to take a player whose value will probably not be higher than it is now and trade him away and seem to always get a player who sucks? I mean, wouldn't we be wise to finally KEEP a player who has high value to help our team win instead of throwing him away for a guy who we never get full potential out of?

Well, I think trading a player at his peak value is only good if you have a replacement. I don't remember the Braves ever having so many ML players that they were interested in trading so I don't think we have seen this situation before.

I'm not sure that this is a good thing at all, but lets hope he gets top trades in return for them or doesn't trade them at all.

Lenny · 12-10-2006, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renny

You mean, kinda like ..."bird in hand worth two in bush"...sorta thing? I've wondered myself, if we're truly not in rebuildilng mode, why are we dismissing Rochey's power so summarily? JS seems to feel we can take a small hit to our offense with a more potent starting rotation, but should we get offered a deal for AJ that we can't refuse (and one he'd OK)- what then? Getting a highly touted prospect at a time when Larache's value is at its peak is all fine and good (it's good to think about the future), but how does one replace that loss to our offense for '07?

I would feel better about Salty than Thorman too, but it's doubtful he'd produce consistently enough the first year or two to make up for Laroche's bat. I may be thinking more with heart than head, but the kid seems to deserve a chance to prove/disprove that playing full time last year was not a fluke.

What is your opinion on him? Do you think it was a fluke, or do you think he is the real deal?

My opinion is I hate watching him bat, standing up right like he is not even ready. I still don't see how he can have much power like that, but apparently he does. Do you think he can keep it up?

BamaLizzy2718 · 12-11-2006, 12:15 AM

Adam has been talked about a lot as being as good as he was last year...I really do think that it was his ADD that wasnt being treated that was the problem the year before. I have it too and believe me...it is NOT easy concentrating on much of anything, even something you enjoy. Of course we don't know what he'll do next year, but I really think we should jsut keep him because we know what he can do and I want to believe that he'll continue to do what he started last year

renny · 12-11-2006, 09:36 AM

I believe it's been said by more than a few before, but it only takes two or a few members of a team to get hot at any one time in order to carry a team's offense. Adam goes through periods of blanks, as do many power hitters, but when he's on, he really gets in a groove. Yes, the lack of addressing his ADD may have been the key last year, but consistently playing, IMO, was an equal part of Laroche's emergence last year. He was embarrassed by his lapses last season and I believe he'll continue to work hard to earn the respect and maintain the confidence that fueled him.

His swing - I agree he looks like he's waiting for a bus before the pitch is thrown, but that's part of his success - the opposing pitcher gets deceived into thinking Adam's not ready and that one can get a fast one by him. Adam's stance is not pretty but his swing is and it's pretty darn quick. He can pick it with the best of them, too. I would take the chance and give him one more full season.

Snowman · 12-11-2006, 12:01 PM

I still believe his lack of consistency has been due to the hitch at the beginning of his swing, and I don't believe that inconsistency will go away... ever. I also believe that the "real" Rochey is the guy we saw in '05. In his rookie season of '04, he was godawful in the first half, then caught fire in the second half. Then in '05, he was somewhere in the middle of those two extremes all season. Then in '06, he was godawful in the first half again, before once again catching fire in the second half. He's a streaky player who's true ability is in that territory that lies in between his two extremes, and his perceived value will never again be as high as it is right now.

Lenny · 12-11-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renny

His swing - I agree he looks like he's waiting for a bus before the pitch is thrown

I never thought of it that way, but that is exactly what it looks like. Well put.

Honestly, you have to like the guy, but you also have to question who is the real player. I just think with his curent value, if Thorman is as good as some say, you really need to trade him now while his value is so high.

Now, if Thorman can't do the job next year, then I think you risk loosing his value and keep him. The problem is both guys are question marks.

bedir than average · 12-11-2006, 02:46 PM

Silly question, but would Chipper be a valid firstbase idea?

Snowman · 12-11-2006, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedir than average

Silly question, but would Chipper be a valid firstbase idea?

I've thought he should be over there for 3 years now, but apparently the Braves don't agree with me.

Lenny · 12-11-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowman

I've thought he should be over there for 3 years now, but apparently the Braves don't agree with me.

I think if he can learn the position, and I don't see why he can't, he should be at first. Should be less strain on his body than third or LF.

He is someone who should consider becoming a DH at the end of his current contract.

12-10-2006, 12:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
rattrick New Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3	Laroche Replacement? I know I am out of the loop, but am I missing something? Who is gonna replace Laroche since the Braves seem so intent on shopping him. He became one of my favorite Braves last year and I personally would rather see him stay.

12-10-2006, 08:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
renny Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: along side the veteran presents `) Posts: 2,000	You mean, kinda like ..."bird in hand worth two in bush"...sorta thing? I've wondered myself, if we're truly not in rebuildilng mode, why are we dismissing Rochey's power so summarily? JS seems to feel we can take a small hit to our offense with a more potent starting rotation, but should we get offered a deal for AJ that we can't refuse (and one he'd OK)- what then? Getting a highly touted prospect at a time when Larache's value is at its peak is all fine and good (it's good to think about the future), but how does one replace that loss to our offense for '07? I would feel better about Salty than Thorman too, but it's doubtful he'd produce consistently enough the first year or two to make up for Laroche's bat. I may be thinking more with heart than head, but the kid seems to deserve a chance to prove/disprove that playing full time last year was not a fluke. Last edited by renny; 12-10-2006 at 08:07 PM.

12-11-2006, 12:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
Snowman Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Topsail Beach, NC Posts: 1,311	I still believe his lack of consistency has been due to the hitch at the beginning of his swing, and I don't believe that inconsistency will go away... ever. I also believe that the "real" Rochey is the guy we saw in '05. In his rookie season of '04, he was godawful in the first half, then caught fire in the second half. Then in '05, he was somewhere in the middle of those two extremes all season. Then in '06, he was godawful in the first half again, before once again catching fire in the second half. He's a streaky player who's true ability is in that territory that lies in between his two extremes, and his perceived value will never again be as high as it is right now. __________________ That corpse you planted last year in your garden, Has it begun to sprout? Will it bloom this year? Or has the sudden frost disturbed its bed? If it wasn't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college.

12-11-2006, 02:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 8,256	Silly question, but would Chipper be a valid firstbase idea? __________________ US Men's National Team World Cup Qualifying \| Democracy in Sports Meets My First Campaign "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide

12-10-2006, 09:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Yogi44 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: McGee's Crossroads, NC Posts: 253	From reports, it seems that they would be staisfied with Scott Thorman. Also IF we get to next season without trading Salty and we do trade LaRoche, I feel certain Salty would be moved to 1B.

12-10-2006, 02:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lenny Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 240	The only reason i can think of to trade LaRoche is because his value will probably never be higher than it is now. If we do shift Salty to first, and he blossoms as a good hitting major leaguer, then he could also be our third catcher for years.

12-10-2006, 05:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
BamaLizzy2718 New Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4	My question is this...why do we always seem to take a player whose value will probably not be higher than it is now and trade him away and seem to always get a player who sucks? I mean, wouldn't we be wise to finally KEEP a player who has high value to help our team win instead of throwing him away for a guy who we never get full potential out of?

12-11-2006, 12:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
BamaLizzy2718 New Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4	Adam has been talked about a lot as being as good as he was last year...I really do think that it was his ADD that wasnt being treated that was the problem the year before. I have it too and believe me...it is NOT easy concentrating on much of anything, even something you enjoy. Of course we don't know what he'll do next year, but I really think we should jsut keep him because we know what he can do and I want to believe that he'll continue to do what he started last year

12-11-2006, 09:36 AM	#10 (permalink)
renny Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: along side the veteran presents `) Posts: 2,000	I believe it's been said by more than a few before, but it only takes two or a few members of a team to get hot at any one time in order to carry a team's offense. Adam goes through periods of blanks, as do many power hitters, but when he's on, he really gets in a groove. Yes, the lack of addressing his ADD may have been the key last year, but consistently playing, IMO, was an equal part of Laroche's emergence last year. He was embarrassed by his lapses last season and I believe he'll continue to work hard to earn the respect and maintain the confidence that fueled him. His swing - I agree he looks like he's waiting for a bus before the pitch is thrown, but that's part of his success - the opposing pitcher gets deceived into thinking Adam's not ready and that one can get a fast one by him. Adam's stance is not pretty but his swing is and it's pretty darn quick. He can pick it with the best of them, too. I would take the chance and give him one more full season.