re: .

Nate has been really productive in the 8 hole this year. .426 OBP

I like Nate a lot more than most, but he isn't worth $6.5 million

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I would think that McLouth would be the starting centerfielder once Chipper gets back, so Schafer is only a shitty temp. Therefore, I do not think that the issue is cf is not as big of a deal with Nate out there.

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That's actually doubtful. Schafer is most likely going to remain in CF. That is until the Braves acquire someone to fill in center which is most certainly going to happen.

Even so, McLouth is terrible at the top of the lineup as well.. There is an issue at CF with Jordan or Nate out there.

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If Fredi plays Schafer over McLouth, then that is idiotic.

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Fredi is idiotic.

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Also, the centerfielder (unless it is Bourn) should not be hitting leadoff on this team.

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Well obviously it depends on who it is, and you don't want to put someone who isn't going to get on base at the top. But ideally, you want Prado hitting two hole, where his skill set fits perfectly.

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If no trades are made and the lineup is healthy, then my ideal Braves lineup would be:
Prado
Heyward
McCann
Jones
Uggla
Freeman
Gonzalez
McLouth

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I won't disagree with you about Prado needing to hit leadoff if no trades are made. As the team stands, Prado should be at the top just for the fact that the other two options are terrible.

J Hey needs to get his shite together before he is anywhere near the top right now, but ideally, he needs to be there after Prado if no trades are moved. His approach right now is flat out terrible, and he has a bunch of things to work out before he can get things figured out.

I don't believe these starting 8 will be staying the same though. We'll have to see what move is made.

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I think Adams will be SD's future closer

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He's in his 30s and injury prone.

He's getting shipped and the Pads will rob someone.

Nate is so bad on D in CF that it basically saps any of his meager offensive ability. That's why Schafer plays.

The Rays handling of young players is really puzzling. Hellickson was reportedly ready a year or two ago... but they just kept holding him off.

Appears they are doing the same with Desmond Jennings.

But what I've read is they are more interested in Colby Rasmus than anything... and could do a Upton + Pitcher for Rasmus deal.

I don't think they are in a rush to deal a guy like Hellickson who has superstar potential and is cheap and under control for the next 3 years.

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If Fredi plays Schafer over McLouth, then that is idiotic.

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I always see people say this, and I just don't understand the reasoning. Nate has a decent OBP this year, but that's only because he has been batting 8th and he gets pitched around frequently. He was batting leadoff for a while last year and his OBP was even worse than Schafer's. Schafer can at least steal bases when he gets on, and Nate isn't a terrible defensive CF, but he is about the least aggressive one I have ever seen.

All in all, both of them are 4th outfielders, but if someone held a gun to my head and told me I had to start one of them in center and let him bat leadoff, I would have to pick Schafer.

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now, if the Rays are dumb enough to include Hellickson in that deal with BJ I say do it. kid has a ton of potential. and Carpenter is getting old.

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Upton would not be in the deal. We would move Jon Jay to CF where he belongs. It would be Rasmus for Hellickson pretty much straight up, aside from maybe a couple minor leaguers.

Rasmus for a starter like Hellickson would be a good trade for both team, The Cards would have a young promising starter, and the Rays would have their future CF for after Upton signs elsewhere after this year. The Rays would control Rasmus until 2015.

And yea, Carp is getting up there, 36 now I believe. He can still pitch though, not his old self, but still good enough to have a .500 or a little better record.

Man, I wish we had Wainwright right now.