Atlanta Braves' President John Hart said in an interview this past weekend that the next two weeks would dictate whether the team tweaks its roster to go for a playoff run or becomes a full-fledged seller.
If the Cubs series is any indication, the team is open for business.
The most frustrating aspect of the Braves of late is, while it's already a given the team has no power, it also apparently can't even put the ball in play in crucial situations. If you aren't going to hit the ball over the wall on occasion then at least be able to advance a runner to third with no one out.
Sunday's 4-1 loss to a good pitcher, Jake Arrieta, was honestly one of the team's worst efforts of the season and it should give Hart all the information he needs in moving forward.
Until Andrelton Simmons' ended the team's 17-inning scoreless drought with a two-out RBI hit in the ninth, Braves' batters had gone 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, with six strikeouts.
As the Braves currently exist - and at this point Freddie Freeman's return is getting iffy - there are three things you an say about the lineup: it has no power, it has no speed and it struggles to make contact in key situations.
It also has few options. It's obvious leadoff man Jace Peterson has hit the wall. Pitchers have adjusted to him and it appears he now wants to yank everything out of the park instead of letting his natural batting stroke snap line drives all over the field as he did earlier in the season. He's hitting .161 over the last month with 28 strikeouts and just 14 hits.
Cameron Maybin has also leveled off, as most expected. What's worse is that his shortcomings in center field are becoming an issue. Twice this weekend he got late starts on line drives hit at him, then let up when it appeared he still had a play on the ball.
Nick Markakis is still the highest-paid singles hitter in the game and his strikeout rate is rising. Kelly Johnson, while a nice story, is still Kelly Johnson. He has struck out 20 of hist last 67 at bats, though he does lead the team in RBIs (13) over the last 30 days.
Here's how bad it's gotten. Maybin, with 11, is the only other Brave with double-digit RBIs over that span. Juan Uribe has five homers in that span but only seven RBIs (something we call "Luis Salazar Syndrome").
For the season the Braves have hit 57 homers, less than half the total of the Dodgers. While they have struck out fewer times than any other team, the on-base percentage is in the middle of the pack. They also rank next-to-last in slugging percentage.
For this lineup to produce runs the top of the order is the key and right now it's not clicking.
Atlanta Braves' Eury Perez watches a two-run single the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Atlanta.Fredi's back (not the one you want, though)
Fredi Gonzalez will return next season after receiving a one-year extension. Are you excited about this?
Honestly, he's been decent. There's very little to work with. However, my biggest criticism of Gonzalez is that, like his mentor Bobby Cox, he stays with guys too long.
Peterson either needs to sit for a bit or move down in the lineup. There's no point putting him out there every day when his head is probably spinning. He's a big part of the future and logic suggests he will come around, but sometimes a little bench time and extra work in the batting cage is just what a player needs.
Let's see what Eury Perez can do atop the lineup. He has the best speed on the team and there's no better time than now to see what he's got. Move Markakis to No. 2, hopefully slide Freeman back to the third hole soon and let Juan Uribe swing away at cleanup (yikes).
Maybin would provide some production at No. 5, with A.J. Pierzynski sixth, Peterson seventh and Simmons eighth. Just a thought.
On Gonzalez and his future, it's obvious results won't get him fired this year and locking him up for next season at least would give Hart and company a clean slate heading into 2017 and the new stadium. With the new digs, a slew of young pitching and influx of international talent, the job should attract some nice names.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) is tackled by New Orleans Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis (28) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Bill Haber) Julio Jones: pay the man
Roddy White has never been shy about expressing his feelings, and though he sometimes goes off the wall, the veteran receiver was spot on this week when he implored the Falcons to get Julio Jones signed. Soon.
The deals for Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas have set the market and the $70 million over five years isn't bad. Jones is already making $10 million a year, so the bump to $14 million to lock him up for what should be his most productive seasons is not only justifiable, it also might be a bargain.
The holdup seems to be concern over Jones' injury history. NFL receivers get hurt. Sure, any huge contract is a risk, but if you're going to pay Matt Ryan $103 million over five years then you have to pay his top target.