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898 comments Add your comment
In Fredi I Trust
November 16th, 2010
8:41 pm
Also, the Braves will find a way to only have Uggla for 1 year. They are to cheap to give him 5 years and 60+ million that he will get from other teams.
John Wayne, Johnny Cash, John Deere
November 16th, 2010
8:41 pm
Damn, rc35, you are stupid or a kid
JD
November 16th, 2010
8:41 pm
rc35 you the man. but I must say…beware…the Koolaid drinkers are about to cascade their words upon you
jonathan Simeone
November 16th, 2010
8:42 pm
This is a good trade! I really don’t think the Braves gave up much, because I think Omar had a career year in 2010. Having said that, I’m not sure Uggla should be offered a huge deal. He is one of the worst defensive second baseman in the game and his fielding will only get worse as he ages. When he has to move to the outfield or third base his bat will be much less of a luxury it currently is. Because of his bad defense our excitement over this trade must be tempered. The Braves were one of the worst fielding teams in the game and this will make that problem even worse.
Kerry
November 16th, 2010
8:43 pm
Wth?? Let’s get Uggla then trade him.. That is a stupid post!! Frank Wren worked this trade to perfection.. He saw that signing an outfielder like Werth or Crawford was beyond the Braves payroll and after that their was no other outfielders that would put up better number than Prado if he moved out to LF!! Prado has been playing LF in winter ball the past 2 years an obviously the Braves were confident with what they saw. So Wren went and got an 2nd baseman with better numbers than Werth!! And let me Remind you all that Werth only hit 9 homers away from Citizens Bank park last year!! This is a huge trade and Frank keeps amazes us.. Yeah all u haters let’s go get Pat Burrell who is a huge liability in the field and went like 0-13 in the WS with 11 strikeouts!!
shmoe
November 16th, 2010
8:43 pm
we now have two silver slugger all stars on the diamond. woohooo!!!
Ralph
November 16th, 2010
8:44 pm
All we need now is a center fielder, McOut must go.
JD
November 16th, 2010
8:44 pm
the two silver sluggers are fools gold fielders
bob
November 16th, 2010
8:44 pm
Chipper please go away now!
Ken Stallings
November 16th, 2010
8:46 pm
This is probably the least cost the Braves could have possibly paid to get a bonafide power hitter. Moving Prado to left field is a rational move. Of course, the trade really becomes focused when we learn if we can sign Uggla to a multi-year deal.
If he bolts after 2011, then the trade can still be seen as a best possible move.
Obviously I hate losing Omar Infante. He may be an excellent second baseman for Florida. But, he won’t be the power hitter that Uggla was. Wren was able to pull this trade off because Florida knew Uggla would leave them after 2011. This way they get two good players long term for him.
But the Braves get the hitter they need right now by giving up the best utility man in the National League (maybe MLB) and a average at best relief pitcher. Again, if we sign Uggla to an extension, it may well end up being Wren’s best trade so far.
rc35
November 16th, 2010
8:46 pm
Triple John, I’ve been a Braves’ fan since 1965, so I’m a long way from a kid, and I don’t consider myself stupid, either, but I don’t see the benefit to the team. If we’d unloaded McLouth or some AAA guy who had never proved himself, OK, but to send off one of the two guys (watch out, Prado!) who could actually be counted on to reach base with regularity and a hard-throwing pitcher who had shown signs of real promise…
It may not be Brett Butler for Len Barker, but I don’t see a reason to stand up and cheer when we traded more than we got.
BTW, Triple John, I hope I’m wrong, but in the words of Han Solo, “I got a bad feeling about this.”
Jim
November 16th, 2010
8:47 pm
Love the trade.
I have a feeling we are going to see Dunn a lot in the late innings coming in to face Heyward and McCann.
Lebowski
November 16th, 2010
8:47 pm
All you haters of this deal will shut up after Uggla hits a homer in his first game. Mike Dunn was terrible you guys are just looking at his ERA but if you watched EVERY game last year like I did, you would think he throws a straight fastball and melts in pressure situations.
As for Infante, BEAST! but we needed Uggla more.
Frumpy
November 16th, 2010
8:48 pm
CF Mclouth
LF Prado
RF Heyward
C McCann
2B Uggla
3B Jones
1B Freeman
SS Gonzalez
Liking it alot!!!
Techmate
November 16th, 2010
8:48 pm
My guess is that Chipper may play one more year. If that is the case, the Braves would then have Chippers’ salary available for Uggla.
Jesse Stone
November 16th, 2010
8:48 pm
By ridding themselves of Uggla’s salary, the Marlins plan to spen 6M per year on FA catcher John Buck.
JD
November 16th, 2010
8:48 pm
rc35…well said…get out your umbrella for the KoolAid gang
bob leblah
November 16th, 2010
8:49 pm
I like the trade but… what does Chipper Jones own the 3rd spot in the batting order ?? I thought Fredi would have some balls and either bench Chipper if necessary or move him down in the order. How can you decide before preseason that Chipper is 3rd?
Pat my Lemke
November 16th, 2010
8:50 pm
Overall a nice trade for power and solid back up plan for Chipper. We still need a few more pieces in the outfield and maybe someone to relieve Freeman like Hinske or Cantu if he struggles. How much is the team salary at this point? Any ideas of how much they are going to be spending this year?
TydeFan
November 16th, 2010
8:51 pm
Uggla and Josh Willingham are close buds. I know Willingham was out part of last year with a bad back, but imagine those two sluggers being added to the Braves’ lineup.
cheshire
November 16th, 2010
8:52 pm
I think you have to love this trade. To the people who are complaining about only having him for 1 year, i can promise you that if he’s a great offensive piece, they will find a way to keep him… you have to remember how much salary we have coming off the books in the next couple of years. Chipper likely retires next year (if not this year), Kawakami’s salary will be gone, Nate’s will be gone, and Lowe’s will be gone shortly thereafter. That’s more than enough $$ to either sign Uggla long term or get a replacement free agent in the future.
I really only have 2 concerns now:
1 – what are you going to do at 3rd if Chipper can’t return? My honest hope was that he’d just go ahead and retire so we could have the salary to spend on another player… what’s going to suck is if we are paying $14M to a player next year who can barely play half the season. but if he gets hurt again, you’re going move Prado back to 3rd, and if you don’t make a move for an outfielder, you’re going to be stuck with the same miserable outfield situation you had this past year.
2 – you CAN NOT start McLouth next year. i don’t care if he’s batting 8th. PLEASE go find another centerfielder… just someone who is semi-competent against major league pitching and doesn’t do the worst imaginable thing with every at-bat. If he just bats .240 with a decent OBP, that’s a massive improvement. Just someone who isn’t an automatic out.
So i guess both of those lead to the same conclusion… you really need to get a decent outfielder. Just plugging Prado in left and hoping Chipper makes it through the year is way too risky.
Lebowski
November 16th, 2010
8:52 pm
i think the Braves payroll will raise from 84 mil to 87-90 mil this season.
Jesse Stone
November 16th, 2010
8:52 pm
rc35
November 16th, 2010
8:46 pm
we traded more than we got
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You may have been a Braves fan since 65 (or 66), but you can’t judge talent. Infante is a lifetime utility player who had one outstanding year. We would never get a higher return for him than now.
Jimmy G
November 16th, 2010
8:53 pm
I’m not too sure about this. Getting a great guy but giving up an amazing young player and an amazing young pitching prospect. Seems like status quo for the Braves in recent years. LET’S NOT THINK ABOUT BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE…LET’S SEE HOW WE CAN WIN NEXT YEAR. We don’t have the money from our wonderful media company bosses….if I remember correctly, our media boss makes more than the combined Braves roster.
Build from within.
We’ll regret the two trades down the line. For sure.
Lefty
November 16th, 2010
8:53 pm
Oh boy, we get a guy who averages 160 strikeouts a year and a .259 batting average the last 4 years. If we’re that desperate, Jeff Francouer could hit 30 home runs if nobody cared about HIS batting average and strikeouts. It’ll get old watching him do a u-turn back to the dugout with runners in scoring position (100 RBIs only once). This smells like a younger version of Troy Glaus.
Prado and Chipper are injury prone (at least Uggla is not), Alex Gonzalez lost his Toronto power and has a way overrated glove. Freddie Freeman has proven nothing. Our center fielders have proven they can’t play. I miss Infante already!!
Kerry
November 16th, 2010
8:53 pm
Andruw Jones for CF!!
EDDIE
November 16th, 2010
8:54 pm
Chipper is done. He needs to retire and let the Braves put a good healthy team together.
Lebowski
November 16th, 2010
8:55 pm
I agree with Kerry, Andruw for CF. He showed tremendous power in his limited time in Chicago.
Jesse Stone
November 16th, 2010
8:55 pm
Lefty, if you miss infante that badly, there are PLENTY seats available at SunLife Stadium for you.
John Wayne, Johnny Cash, John Deere
November 16th, 2010
8:56 pm
Infante wsn’t even going to start
What don’t people understand?
TDub
November 16th, 2010
8:56 pm
Wren: “I’ll give you Infante and Dunn for Uggla.”
Bienfest: “Gosh, I don’t know, that sounds a little light…”
Wren: “Ok, ok. I understand. But here’s what I’ll do for you to sweeten the deal. I’ll give you these special magic beans, too!”
Bienfest: “…Magic… Wait, what?”
Wren: “Yes! Magic beans! You know what they do?!?”
Bienfest (breathless): “What! What!”
Wren: “If you plant them at night, they grow into a shiny new stadium with luxury boxes and everything. And, if you plant them during a full moon… They might even grow into real human fans!”
Bienfest: “Oh! Oh! Ok!!! Let’s do it!”
Wren: “Splendid…” (rubs hands together)
(end scene)
Kerry
November 16th, 2010
8:56 pm
Come back home Andruw!! Call Frank Wren yourself!!
ChattaVol
November 16th, 2010
8:57 pm
Sign Jeter, trade Jones for D Wright, give up on Heyward for J Rivera, Manny to CF, Barry Bonds out of retirement to play LF. Would that make you morons happy?!?!?!?!?!
Just Wanna Say
November 16th, 2010
8:57 pm
like most have said, I love Omar, but we needed a guy like this. We still have our players of the future as well. Great move Frank! Also, think about it this way, we should be able to resign him, and if Chipper retires resigning shouldnt be a problem, financially at least, and we have his replacement. Love it!
Just Wanna Say
November 16th, 2010
8:59 pm
P.S. Omar is not that young anymore people.
cheshire
November 16th, 2010
9:00 pm
rc35, i couldn’t disagree with you more.
A good offense needs two types of hitters – guys who can get on base and guys who can drive them in. The problem is that this team was filled with guys who could get on base… for much of the season we had one of the highest OBPs in the league. Those are great players to have toward the top of your lineup, but in the middle of your lineup you need high SLG % guys to drive them in. That’s what we were lacking. We had tons of the first type and hardly any of the second type.
You’re correct about Infante – he was great at getting on base. But that wasn’t a commodity we were lacking. You basically just traded two things we had plenty of – a high OBP batter and a left handed reliever – for something we desperately needed, a power hitting batter with a good SLG % and high RBIs. That’s what you have to do to build a team.
The other thing you have to remember about Infante is that he’s never done what he just did for a full season. Could he be a great every day player? It’s possible, but it’s more likely that he had an above average year (especially considering his age), which means that we just traded him at the height of his marketability. That’s a good thing.
Mitchell
November 16th, 2010
9:00 pm
Omar, don’t go!
I miss Omar already. I might very well have a man crush on Omar.
I can’t help it, he’s awesome. That being said, he’s no Dan Uggla.
Mike Dunn, you can get the hell up out of here for all I care.
I’ll take this trade any day of the week.
But still, Omar… parting is such sweet sorrow.
Okay, that’s kind of gay. Pretend I didn’t say that.
DHD
November 16th, 2010
9:00 pm
If you want to see what a great trade this is for the Braves, go to a Marlins discussion board. I haven’t heard so much cussin’ since I listened to a Rap station.
jack bauer
November 16th, 2010
9:01 pm
Please retire Chipper! We need your salary you haven’t ben earning.
Jesse Stone
November 16th, 2010
9:02 pm
Marlins ownership popularity is at an all-time low. They traded Cabrera for a bunch of prospects and now they are all gone. They LIED to get funding for a new stadium and got caught. They GIVE fan favorite Cody Ross to the WS Champs, and now they trade Uggla for a utility man and a LH reliever. Did I mention that the Dolphins top 2 QB were injured Sunday? oh well, at least they have LeBron.
Lebowski
November 16th, 2010
9:03 pm
Chipper is earning his salary. He gave up millions so we could get other players.
Kerry
November 16th, 2010
9:03 pm
David O’Brien please tell Frank Wren to take a look at Andruw Jones..
Omar Infante
November 16th, 2010
9:04 pm
I’m taking my utility talents to South Beach
Gary O
November 16th, 2010
9:05 pm
Great trade for Wren and the Braves. Even if we have Uggla for only 1 year, we can get 2 draft picks for him next year.
This is different than the Tex trade, because for Tex, we gave up blue chip prospects (including a future ROY closer).
This is different than the McLouth trade because Uggla has a 5 year track record. Nate only had one or 2 good years.
Optimism in November Doesn't Win Championships
November 16th, 2010
9:06 pm
Here we go again. “Frank Wren is the greatest GM!” until the season starts and you unrealistic Braves fans realize you still have the weakest hitting outfield in the majors. Daniel Cooley Uggla will hit homeruns but who will be on base? And when (not if) Chipper goes down and Prado has to move to the infield, the defense will be even worse. You gained a few HR but lost OBP at the top of the lineup and weakend your bench. Who will close? Venters was good in his role last year but he is no Billy Wagner. Stop daydreaming, you still need an outfielder that can drive in runs and Freddie Freeman is no guarantee at 1B. S.O.S. 85-90 wins and looking up at Philadelphia and maybe Florida.
Kerry
November 16th, 2010
9:06 pm
Everyone access MLB Network facebook, twitter, etc and tell Frank Wren to sign Andruw!! Let’s get the rumor swirling so it might get his attention!!
AlabamaRamblinwreck
November 16th, 2010
9:06 pm
Strikeout Machine…Big Mistake….Omar should have stayed
Quincy
November 16th, 2010
9:06 pm
“Uggla made on average ONE error every NINE GAMES — not 9 errors in 1 game like Conrad did.
He made 18 errors the entire season. He averages 30 hr’s a year and 100+ rbi’s (more hr’s and rbis than Prado and Infante combined)
2 years ago David Wright won a gold glove with only TWO less errors.”
=================================
Hey Einstein, David Wright plays 3B!! Ryne Sandberg went a whole season at 2B without making ANY errors. An error every 9 games at 2B is TERRIBLE. After watching Uggla kick the ball around the infield and strikeout more than Rick Ankiel, get back to us, okay? Uggla also has a terrible habit of not hustling. Glavine ripped on him last year for walking back to home plate after a foul ball. “He couldn’t play for Bobby Cox” were his exact words.
shmoe
November 16th, 2010
9:07 pm
hell yeah lets win now, and later. the future has been coming for the pirates for the last 20 years
Gary O
November 16th, 2010
9:08 pm
From DOB’s article.
“Much will depend on whether Jones is back and ready to assume his No. 3 spot in the order.”
Why should Chipper be penciled in as the #3 hitter? Wouldnt he be better off at second in the lineup, since his biggest asset is hs OBP (and not power)?
Isnt Heyward ready to assume the #3 spot?
What do you guys think?
shmoe
November 16th, 2010
9:09 pm
quincy,
that’s the thing. uggla ain’t playin for bobby cox
Mitchell
November 16th, 2010
9:09 pm
Couldn’t we have traded Brooks?
I’d have given up Beachy instead of Omar.
I’m amazed they didn’t want JJ or Minor or somebody. You’d think they would want young pitching.
Mike Dunn, I’m not losing any sleep over that.
Good trade. Damn good trade.
braint
November 16th, 2010
9:09 pm
Can’t believe I’m reading where people think it was a mistake to trade Infante….Huh? Infante had a career year for the Braves this year and I liked him a lot and he was huge for us but, his career year was 8 HR 47 RBI in over 500 ABs….Uggla has averaged almost 31 HR and 88 RBI the last 5 years. Get a clue.
K. Sam
November 16th, 2010
9:10 pm
LF Prado
3B Jones
RF Heyward
2B Uggla
C McCann
CF McLouth
SS Gonzalez
1B Freeman
Optimism in November Doesn't Win Championships
November 16th, 2010
9:11 pm
@Gary O – agree wholeheartedly. The only thing you can count on Chipper doing is gettin hurt and missing time. Over under on first injury 18 games.
shmoe
November 16th, 2010
9:12 pm
1. prado
2. chipper
3. heyward
4. uggla
5. mccann
6. gonzalez
7. freeman
8. mclouth
a
November 16th, 2010
9:13 pm
i know it may be asking a lot, but can you guys imagine how good this team will be if freeman has a season like heyward’s rookie year AND mclouth returns to even 75% of his old self? that’s a great team.
Lebowski
November 16th, 2010
9:13 pm
Chipper will come back to form, just watch. Just when you count Chipper out, he’s not. Plus he hasnt had a true 30 homer guy hitting behind him since Andruw and you know how he faired in the 07 season.
Evian
November 16th, 2010
9:14 pm
Wow, just wow! I’ve watched a lot of Marlins games (unfortunately) and Dan Uggla is the streakiest player I’ve ever seen. He is the master of the meaningless home run and he saves his errors for the most important game-losing moments. This guy strikes out an obscene amount, and his lifetime batting average is right on par with Alex Gonzalez. What we have now is Rico Brogna with a stone glove (at least Rico could pick it at first). If Uggla is the savior, our goal must be mediocrity.
Michael Altamura
November 16th, 2010
9:14 pm
Fix the damn article, will you? It’s “excited”, not “exited”. I HATE when people do that.
chyna doll
November 16th, 2010
9:15 pm
@Derrick
dang, i didn’t know the Uggla trade was a prophecy!
cheshire
November 16th, 2010
9:15 pm
Optimism – what are you talking about?? You act like every year Braves fans get delusional about their team and are then brought down to earth. Wren is constantly attacked by this fanbase, not worshipped.
Additionally, you don’t seem to understand much about how our team was structured… we have plenty of high OBP players. We were sorely lacking SLG % and power. Gaining HRs and losing an OBP player is exactly what we needed to do… We just gave up what we have tons of to get what we are sorely lacking. How exactly is that a bad thing??
I do think you’re right in saying we need a good outfielder, but we don’t have to have a power hitting outfielder. We just needed one more power bat, which Uggla gives us. It doesn’t matter which position it’s from. What we need in the outfield (specifically centerfield) is just a competent bat, not a silver slugger.
And who will close? Seriously?? Go look up Venters and Kimbrels numbers and get back to me on that one. The bullpen is the part of this team that’s in great shape.
Just Wanna Say
November 16th, 2010
9:17 pm
We still need an outfielder in my opinion. Rasmus might be worth some prospects. He is young and talented. I know he is a lefty, but replacing Mclousy with Rasmus would be awesome. I think we have enough in our farm system to not get hurt.
Fred's Barney
November 16th, 2010
9:18 pm
Evian, I agree that Uggla hits meaningless home runs…unless he’s playing the Braves. When the other team gets a big lead and their pitchers start throwing all fastballs, Uggla will pad his stats! In clutch moments, he can’t hold his water, so to speak.
cheshire
November 16th, 2010
9:19 pm
braint, totally agree… Infante was a well liked player so i think anytime you get rid of someone like that, people are understandably going to freak out and act like the sky is falling.
But if you understand what this lineups strengths and weaknesses are, this trade makes perfect sense. And like you said, it’s not as if Infante is some 22 year old rookie who just came up this past year and blew everyone away. He’s a utility man in the middle of his career and had a great year, which happens sometimes… it doesn’t mean he’s now an untouchable commodity. Given where he is, it makes perfect sense to trade him at the height of his value to get something you need, especially when Infante represents something you have a lot of (high OBP).
jerry
November 16th, 2010
9:19 pm
Uggla’s strikeout ratio to homers is about 5 to 1. That’s why he is a .250 hitter. No big deal here. At best a treading water trade.
count_schemula
November 16th, 2010
9:21 pm
People, we owe Chipper every bit of this comeback opportunity. No way in heck, we let his last play be Chipper crumpled up on the grass. That said, Chipper is 39 and no stranger to injury the last several years. He also owes it to us to know if he is done, or if he gets injured again, to take a Bobby Bonilla type deal to ease the Braves payroll the next 2 years. I’m rooting for Chipper to hit .290 with 22HR and 80RBIs. I don’t see how any Braves fan can’t be rooting for the same.
cheshire
November 16th, 2010
9:21 pm
ugh, seeing these suggested lineups with McLouth still in them makes me cringe.
Wren HAS to go get another outfielder. doesn’t have to be an all-star, but just someone who can play at the major league level and not strike out or hit into a DP every at bat. Preferrably a centerfielder. If Nate is doing anything other than sitting on the bench, pinch running, or hanging out in Gwinnet until we can unload him, that is a VERY bad thing.
Delmar
November 16th, 2010
9:22 pm
Prado
Heyward
Jones
Uggla
McCann
Freeman
Gonzales
McLouth
P
David O'Brien
November 16th, 2010
9:22 pm
DOB
happy with the trade is this it as far as big news this season or do you think they are still loking for a center fielder and have something up their sleeve like upton or rasmus since they didnt give up some prospects in the uggla deal what you think
also now wren please bring back hinske and diaz
I think this is it for big news, but re-signing Hinske is a good possibility, if they can agree to terms. Diaz also, though not sure if quite as likely. But definitely possible.
Fan since 1977
November 16th, 2010
9:22 pm
Great move. Dunn sucks. We finally have a cleanup hitter.
Query: Why can’t the cripple play LF? He did for 3 years. Prado’s natural position is 3B.
ChattaVol
November 16th, 2010
9:23 pm
So all the “experts” are calling this a steal for the Braves, that they got exactly what they needed. BUT the blog “experts” are poo-pooing this trade. You all should replace Olney, Rosenthal, Gammons…hell, even FW. Quit your day jobs and go run the Braves. You obviously are way over qualified for the position. Hacks.
old brave, retired
November 16th, 2010
9:25 pm
Good trade, Frank. We still have Diory Hernandez for Jack of all Trade utility man. All he did was hit .300 last year. Give him a chance to be your bench guy that plays all the positions. And we are not finished in the trade dept. Go Bravos!
Optimism in November Doesn't Win Championships
November 16th, 2010
9:25 pm
h@Cheshire – pitching in the 7th and 8th innings is not closing. Venters and Kimbrels were great in their “setup roles” but there is a big difference in seeing the man and being the man. The Braves need another bat, Dan Uggla is not going to put fear in the hearts of pitchers (other than the Braves).
cheshire
November 16th, 2010
9:26 pm
count_schemula, i think any Braves fan would love that, but at this point in his career, it’s just not realisitic.
It’s got nothing to do with liking or not liking Chipper… it’s just that seeing as how my team is on a very strict budget, the notion of giving about 1/6th of our payroll to a guy whose numbers are declining at a rapid pace that can’t stay on the field for even half the season just seems incredibly unwise.
Yes, the ideal scenario is that he comes back and has a great year. But seeing as how all indicators make that incredibly unlikely, it would just be better for the team if he’d go ahead and retire to free up some salary and not make the front office scramble in the middle of the summer when he has a season ending injury. The worst case scenario is that we both spend $14M on him and get nothing in return.
Lebowski
November 16th, 2010
9:27 pm
DOB, can you ask Wren if he’s still looking for a center fielder? A cheap one like Andruw?
E-6
November 16th, 2010
9:28 pm
Great first strike by the Braves. Like others hate to lose Infante but when you get 30 homers, your trading partner isn’t going to be asking for Melky and KK. Now perhaps a veteran reliever and, please God, an upgrade at shortstop and we’re set.
count_schemula
November 16th, 2010
9:28 pm
Which is why I said Chipper owes it to the Braves to take a Bonilla type deal if he is truly done. He has to know he’s right on that edge right now.
Don't touch my JUNK!
November 16th, 2010
9:29 pm
Fredi told Uggla he couldn’t wear 6 because it belong to a guy that won 2500 games..per Jeff S.
gcs
November 16th, 2010
9:29 pm
FINALLY!
.
cheshire
November 16th, 2010
9:29 pm
Optimism, you are aware that many closers (Rivera included) start as set up men? And that Kimbrel is being groomed to be the set up man? And that Wagner himself has stated numerous times that he thinks Kimbrel is an astonishing talent who will make an amazing closer? Either of them should be able to step into that role… it’s not THAT big a stretch, and each of them actually did it a few times during the season.
Fan since 1977
November 16th, 2010
9:31 pm
Lebowski –
I’ll answer that. Because of $$ our CF will be McLouth. Sad but true.
DOB –
Will Washington take JJ in exchange for Adam Dunn?
Lebowski
November 16th, 2010
9:31 pm
If anybody watched Craig Kimbrel they would know he is a right-handed Billy Wagner. Venters stuff is just absolutely filthy for the set up role.
Don't touch my JUNK!
November 16th, 2010
9:31 pm
What about asking Wren if any interest in Bill Hall?
Thanks DOB.
Lebowski
November 16th, 2010
9:32 pm
@Fan since 1977
Adam Dunn is a Free Agent.
count_schemula
November 16th, 2010
9:32 pm
This Chipper contract is a reward for him basically deferring a lot of money when he was an MVP candidate. He got paid plenty and is getting paid plenty, but it’s not 100% fair to look at his current salary and numbers and ask is he worth it. The Liberty CEO makes more than the whole Braves team. I’m just saying give him his due, don’t just sweep him out like he’s fantasy baseball. He is Atlanta Braves baseball.
glove51
November 16th, 2010
9:32 pm
Hate to see Infante go, but probably a good time to trade him, at a possible peak value. I’m kkind of surprised the Braves would throw in Dunn. I’m not super enthusaistic about Uggla, but he may have been the best power bat that was readily avilable. He strkes oiut an awful lot for his level of power, and my be entering his delcine phase.
Lebowski
November 16th, 2010
9:32 pm
Ill answer that.
collegeballfan
November 16th, 2010
9:33 pm
“In 45 career games at Turner Field, Uggla has a .354 average with 12 homers, 36 RBIs and a 1.051 OPS.”
Uggla is gonna love playing 81 games at The Ted.
Really nice trade. Now if the owners will fork over some cash so we can keep him for 5 to 6 years.
It is November and I am already saying “we”.
jch
November 16th, 2010
9:34 pm
Infante for Uggla – works for me!!!
I know we lose Dunn as well but we were dealing from surplus stock, very, very good surplus, but still he’s no great loss considering the stock of quality pitchers we have.
Great move! If Freeman pans out we have a pretty potent line up and top notch pitching
Fan since 1977
November 16th, 2010
9:35 pm
Lebowski -
Thanks. Since he’ll want $60 million over 4 years minimum I guess we won’t get him.
Cheap bastards.
Bill
November 16th, 2010
9:38 pm
I had rather have Billy Hall than Diaz. Hall has more to offer. Henski and Hall would make a great Left & right utilty bench.
count_schemula
November 16th, 2010
9:39 pm
My love affair with Diaz has waned… he was fun for a while, but I’m over it.
Fan since 1977
November 16th, 2010
9:40 pm
Weird watching college football on a Tuesday night. Even weirder listening to a chick announcer. Shouldn’t she be ironing a shirt somewhere?
David O'Brien
November 16th, 2010
9:42 pm
From ESPN stats guru Mark Simon:
In obtaining Uggla, the Braves not only acquire the premier middle infielder in terms of home run hitting, but also, next to Albert Pujols, one of the best right-handed power hitters in the National League.
Uggla’s 154 home runs are the most by a middle infielder in his first five seasons, in major league history (18 more than Ernie Banks). They also trail only Pujols for most home runs by an NL right-handed hitter in these last five seasons.
Uggla is a .354 career hitter at Turner Field. His batting average is the third-best of anyone there since the ballpark opened in 1997. His .652 slugging percentage there trails only a pair of immortals — Barry Bonds and Pujols.
Those concerns that the Braves dealt with in the postseason regarding their defense may not go away though. Baseball Info Solutions rates Uggla tied for the worst among second basemen in baseball in terms of defensive runs saved (a metric that measures ability to turn batted balls into outs and turn double plays) and he’s rated among the worst in three of the last four seasons.
Historically, Uggla’s biggest issue is fielding balls hit to the left of where the second basemen typically plays (the first base/second base hole), though he did improve from a minus-12 to a minus-6 in BIS’s plus-minus rating (the batted balls into outs component of Runs Saved) on balls hit that way from 2009 to 2010, meaning that new first baseman Freddie Freeman may have some extra ground to cover.
Trading their top home run hitter is nothing new for the Marlins. Each of the top four players on the Marlins all-time home run list (Uggla, Mike Lowell, Miguel Cabrera, and Derrek Lee) have been traded away by the franchise during the prime of their careers. With 124 home runs, Hanley Ramirez is 30 behind Uggla’s mark and can take aim in 2011.
collegeballfan
November 16th, 2010
9:42 pm
Some put up this:
Prado
Heyward
Jones
Uggla
McCann
Freeman
Gonzales
McLouth
P
Facing a lefty on the mound I would prefer Uggla between McCann and Freeman; and with a righty as written.
Hinske needs to be a priority for Wren. That is one guy who earned his $$ last season.
kirkinga
November 16th, 2010
9:43 pm
On paper this appears to be a very good deal for the Braves. But in my gut, I can’t help but wonder how you replace an Omar Infante?
You have to give up something to get something and Infante was more than just a spare part. I ask myself if the Braves make the playoffs last season without Infante and clearly the answer is “no”.
One of the team’s strengths last season was it’s bench and now the cornerstone of that strength is gone. The pen was also a strength and losing the leftie Dunn weakens the pen. The offense has been improved without inflicting a severe price, but we are fooling ourselves if we think the trade doesn’t create holes that must be filled if the Braves are to contend again.
So yea for the offense. Boo for the defense, and a big “I” for incomplete for the bench and pen. I hope the Braves can sign this guy to an extension or we’ll be talking about this trade along side the ones that brought us Tex and Drew.
darrin
November 16th, 2010
9:44 pm
DOB
thank for replying what do you think about andruw jones for cf and is it a possibility ive seen his name brought up here some have you heard anything about him
Optimism in November Doesn't Win Championships
November 16th, 2010
9:44 pm
@Cheshire – they are great talents but Wagner’s SO/BB was 4.73; Kimbrel 2.53; and Venters 2.38; Until they cut down on the walks it will be dicey. We will talk again in June, July, August. LOL!
Braves325
November 16th, 2010
9:45 pm
Dave,
Second sentence: ‘The’ should be ‘They.’