Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
898 comments Add your comment
I Miss Ted Turner
November 17th, 2010
1:30 am
I like this deal.
RichieRich86
November 17th, 2010
1:30 am
In Wren We Trust,
Thank you so much for posting that. I feel like I’m talking to women that think they know about baseball.
Edgar
November 17th, 2010
1:31 am
Wait, so we’re supposed to be excited about the 1-year rental of a career .260 hitter who averages 160 strikeouts per season? And we gave up a younger, better-fielding middle infielder (who was also an All-Star last year) who barely ever strikes out, along with a potential bullpen ace? And we still have a glaring hole in the outfield and we’ve split up the Venezuelan connection? And we’re moving our All-Star second baseman to left to fill one of two outfield holes?
What am I missing? I mean, 30 homers is nice and all, but a .260 hitter who has been 10th, 6th, 3rd, 2nd in the National League in strikeouts over the past four seasons? Hey Frank Wren, was Adam LaRouche unavailable? Jeff Francouer too costly? Because Uggla is essentially a right handed LaRouche.
oldandntheway
November 17th, 2010
1:38 am
And the president of the company that owns the Braves, makes more per year than the total salary for the team. Great job if you can get it.
GloryDays
November 17th, 2010
1:39 am
If you know so much how come you can’t spell LaRoche
carlchamblee
November 17th, 2010
1:39 am
“No, but if the manager believed it was as big a problem as you do, I’d expect him to tell the GM when the GM called him today to ask Gonzalez whether he’d do the deal. Or do you think the manager doesn’t want to have as good a team as possible, or doesn’t know the personnel involved as well as you do?”
Maybe he did mention his less than stellar defense but it wasn’t a deal breaker. Do you know everything that was said even though you have far more access than I do? Do they tell you everything DOB?
I would assume the manager and GM on every team ALWAYS wants the best team possible. Doesn’t mean every move they make is above questioning and turns out perfectly does it?
Myke Hawk
November 17th, 2010
1:41 am
edgar,
potential bullpen ace based off of a 19 inning sample size???
Najeh Davenpoop
November 17th, 2010
1:42 am
“You don’t see many trades with a more clear-cut winner than this one.”
If Dan Uggla walks in 2011 and Omar Infante hits .300 for the Marlins in 2011, will you still consider the Braves winners?
I can see how the Braves are considered winners if Uggla is locked up to a long term deal; it’s easy to overlook poor defense and 150 strikeouts when you have a reliable power bat like that in the middle of the lineup. In the absence of a long term deal, though, he’s just JD Drew all over again.
GloryDays
November 17th, 2010
1:42 am
I do think it ironic that Kelly Johnson put up similar numbers last year with the D’s. Regarding Uggla, I would like it better if he could play left field. The Braves became good when they got a good infield to go with their pitchers, I thought this is what were still after. I guess not.
Myke Hawk
November 17th, 2010
1:43 am
if mike dunn is that good, then why’d the yankees trade him in the first place?
Myke Hawk
November 17th, 2010
1:44 am
Najeh Davenpoop
omar’s a FA too after next season
Najeh Davenpoop
November 17th, 2010
1:47 am
I just have a hard time seeing how a defensively poor team with strikeout machines from 5 through 8 in the order, one of whom was supposedly acquired to provide power, is a clear-cut winner when they trade for a defensively poor strikeout machine who was acquired to provide power. Are you really improving overall if, in the process of alleviating one weakness, you make your other weaknesses even weaker?
robert
November 17th, 2010
1:48 am
the people saying dunn will be something special
what about charlie morton?
kyle davies, jorge sosa, oscar villareal, chuck james..?
Najeh Davenpoop
November 17th, 2010
1:50 am
“omar’s a FA too after next season”
And he’ll get paid a fraction of what Uggla gets paid, assuming the Braves don’t extend him.
Let me make myself clear — I can see how this deal might benefit the Braves, assuming Uggla stays long term. I don’t think it’s a certainty by any means, but it makes sense that it might. But until that extension happens, I can’t see how DOB and most of the rest of you see this as an automatic win. Infante was one of the most valuable players the Braves had last season. All of a sudden I’m supposed to believe last season was a fluke and he’s expendable just because Uggla can hit homers? I don’t buy that.
In Wren We Trust
November 17th, 2010
1:50 am
“In the absence of a long term deal, though, he’s just JD Drew all over again.” – Najeh Davenpoop
And who is Adam Wainwright in this deal? Dunn? You can’t be serious. One-year rental idea, fine. But this isn’t one-year rental for future staff ace whose arbitration clock hasn’t started yet like the JD Drew for Adam Wainwright deal. It’s a guy with one year left on his contract for yet another guy with one year left on his contract and a converted outfielder who’s always struggled with control and walked nearly a batter an inning this year.
carlchamblee
November 17th, 2010
1:51 am
GloryDays I agree with you on defense. It’s very important especially up the middle. That couldn’t have been more evident this past season. We just downgraded defensively at second. That’s important no matter how many sluggers you put in the order.
I’m glad the Braves got more punch, but would have preferred it be found at a position where we didn’t already have an allstar and better fielder.
David O'Brien
November 17th, 2010
2:00 am
If Dan Uggla walks in 2011 and Omar Infante hits .300 for the Marlins in 2011, will you still consider the Braves winners?
I can see how the Braves are considered winners if Uggla is locked up to a long term deal; it’s easy to overlook poor defense and 150 strikeouts when you have a reliable power bat like that in the middle of the lineup. In the absence of a long term deal, though, he’s just JD Drew all over again — Najeh Davenpoop
No, actually it’s not in any way like the J.D. Drew trade. You and others are trying hard to compare this to that trade or to the Teixeira trade, but you’re missing one crucial point: Those deals backfired on the Braves because the player the Braves got didn’t put them over the top and help them win a pennant or World Series, AND the young players they traded for them — Adam Wainwright in the Drew trade, Feliz and Andrus in the Teixeira trade — have gone on to develop into standouts with their new teams. A standout starting pitcher (Wainwright), shortstop (Andrus) and closer (Feliz).
In this deal, the Braves aren’t trading any top prospects, no young players that are projected to possibly develop into aces or top closers or Gold Glove shortstops, etc. They are trading a standout veteran utility man who has spent most of his career as a backup, and who will be A FREE AGENT after 2011. He has the same amount of time left under contractual control as Uggla — one year.
Which leaves only Mike Dunn with any possibility of developing into a player who comes back to haunt the Braves for years, ala Wainwright. Problem is, Dunn’s not one of their top pitching prospects. He’s a converted outfielder with a great arm, a raw pitcher who may or may not turn out to be a good relief pitcher. Now, unless you’re saying that 25-year-old rookie Mike Dunn should have been untouchable, just like Kimbrel, Venters, Teheran, Delgado, Minor, Vizcaino, et al, I don’t see how this is at all comparable to the J.D. Drew trade. Dunn is not akin to trading a young Wainwright.
You asked: If Infante hits .300 in 2011 and Uggla leaves as a free agent after 2011, will I still consider the Braves winners in this trade? Think about what you’re saying. Infante, too, is a free agent after 2011. So if he hits .300, with his usual limited power and run production totals, and Uggla produces like he’s produced every season he’s been in the majors — if he hits about .270 with 30-31 homers and 90-95 RBIs — and both are free agents after the season, then how did the Braves not fare better for having Uggla than Infante? I mean, where is the logic in your point?
Again, unless you think Mike Dunn is the crucial factor here, that he might come back and haunt the Braves for years like Wainwright, how is this like the J.D. Drew trade? How is it at all like that one?
Bobby's Cox
November 17th, 2010
2:01 am
If Dan Uggla walks in 2011 and Omar Infante hits .300 for the Marlins in 2011, will you still consider the Braves winners?
Yes, because the Braves will get two draft picks. It’s no secret they’re trying to revamp their strength in position player depth in the minors. This should help should Uggla walks. Either way, it’s a win-win and a low-risk, no-brainer trade for Wren & the Braves.
robert
November 17th, 2010
2:06 am
infante hit .321
but in reality, did it really matter..
i mean…. his runs scored total was low..(65) and RBI total (47)
infante could go 5-5 in a game… if no runs are scored as a result of those 5 hits… then whats the point???
jwdavis88
November 17th, 2010
2:08 am
DOB do you think that this trade possibly means the braves will trade prado in a deal to st louis for rasmus.i just dont buy that the braves are going to move an allstar second baseman to leftfield especially given the fact that so many teams are in need of a middle infielder like prado.it is well known that the cards were interested in uggla before he was dealt to atlanta.in prado the cards would get the second baseman they need who will give them about the same production as rasmuss for about the same salary
summer of 91
November 17th, 2010
2:12 am
good trade, I hate to lose omar, and what looks like a non tender to matty baseball if chipper is really coming back. I think if anyone ever gave matty baseball 140 games in a year he would hit 270/25hrs/90 rbis. he just aint sexy enough i guess. I like this trade all things considered.
JASon
November 17th, 2010
2:12 am
“Atlanta sends Infrante, Dunn to Marlins”
Great job, guys.
Bobby's Cox
November 17th, 2010
2:14 am
I love Infante, but for what it’s worth, Uggla has a tremendous OBP, even higher than Infante’s. I think we, or those who are questioning the trade, are overlooking that stat here. Infante got on base by a bunch of singles. We have Martin and Heyward and Chipper that do that pretty well, and now Uggla to drive them all in.
Look at the OBP’s of the players hitting in front of Uggla, and all of the RBI situations that Uggla will be in, and then try to discount this trade…
David O'Brien
November 17th, 2010
2:17 am
If Dan Uggla walks in 2011 and Omar Infante hits .300 for the Marlins in 2011, will you still consider the Braves winners? — Najeh Davenpoop
Yes, of course, if Uggla performs like he has in all five of his previous major league seasons. If he hit 30-32 homers, 30 doubles, scores about 100 runs, drives in 90-95 runs — pretty much his typical production — then yes, I’d take that over a .300 average from Infante, who in eight seasons has driven in 50 runs once, never hit 30 doubles, never scored as many as 70 runs, and hit as many as 10 homers once.
At the end of the year, both are eligible for free agents, so why wouldn’t the Braves be winners in the deal? Unless you think Mike Dunn is the big difference-maker and should have been treated like Braves pitchers or pitching prospects including Teheran, Hanson, Minor, Kimbrel, Venters, Delgado, et al? You worried that Dunn’s going to come back and haunt the Braves like Wainwright, or become a standout closer like Feliz? Because otherwise, how is the trade at all like the Drew trade? Both key pieces in this deal are free agents at the end of the season.
There are no top young prospects involved. So unless Dunn is the difference-maker for you, or you’d rather have Infante’s versatility and .300 average over Uggla’s higher OBP, and immensely superior OPS, power and run production, then yes, the Braves are winners in the deal — whether or not Uggla walks after the season. If the Braves had kept Infante, he’d be at the end of his contract after his 2011 option year, too.
summer of 91
November 17th, 2010
2:19 am
i like the trade, we need that bat and that’s another great move by wren, and freddi g made the decision an easy one, i just hate losing true braves. but that’s life, that’s baseball.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 17th, 2010
2:24 am
“They are trading a standout veteran utility man who has spent most of his career as a backup, and who will be A FREE AGENT after 2011. He has the same amount of time left under contractual control as Uggla — one year.”
At the time I posted that, I didn’t know that Infante’s contract is also expiring, which changes my opinion about this deal to a significant extent. In my mind, the Braves were trading multiple years of Infante and Dunn for one year of Uggla, but apparently that’s not the case. I like Dunn, but with the Braves’ pitching depth I don’t have a problem including him in a trade.
But having said that, based on what you know, who do you think the Braves would have had a better chance of re-signing in 2011, Uggla or Infante? And for that matter, how likely do you think it is that Uggla stays a Brave beyond this season?
And considering that Lowe and Hudson rely so heavily on ground balls, is it really a good idea to weaken the Braves’ already weak infield defense further by playing Uggla at 2nd? Why not, if anything, stick him in left and keep Prado at 2nd?
summer of 91
November 17th, 2010
2:25 am
that’s also my idiotic perception- as if there were any loyalty in today’s game. but tip of the cap to omar, played his but off for us and did it with all the class in the world.
Bobby's Cox
November 17th, 2010
2:39 am
I just have a hard time seeing how a defensively poor team with strikeout machines from 5 through 8 in the order, one of whom was supposedly acquired to provide power, is a clear-cut winner when they trade for a defensively poor strikeout machine who was acquired to provide power.
Just to set the record straight, the Braves, even with their poor defense, arguably played the World Champs better than any other team in the playoffs. Even with their strikeout prone team, they were 1 bat from away from taking the Giants series.
Enter Uggla, who is better defensively than Conrad. Exit Infante who made 1 huge mistake by not knocking a ball down in Game 1 of the NLDS that led to a loss.
Then look at the lineup: Prado, Heyward, Chipper, Uggla, McCann at the top. Your #5 is not strike out prone like you say he is. He’s a 5-time All-Star and 4-time Silver Slugger winner. Batting 6th is a strike out prone veteran SS who will hit 20+ HR and drive in 70+ runs. Batting 7th is one of the best prospects in all of baseball, and an A+ fielder who will help with Uggla on the left side of the infield. And if Uggla is so bad at 2nd, they could move him to LF and put a GG caliber fielder in Martin Prado at 2B.
For every single one of your arguments, there is a clear rebuttal. Keep them coming….
Bobby's Cox
November 17th, 2010
2:42 am
Najeh Davenpoop,
If the trade never happens, and Infate is signed by another team after 2011, the Braves likely do not get any draft compensation.
Now if Uggla walks, like you’re so concerned about, the Braves not only get the signing team’s 1st round pick, they also get a supplemental 1st round pick. That’s 2 1st round draft picks that they would not get if they never make this trade, and it’s 2 draft picks at the expense of a questionable reliever in a department the Braves have depth, and at the expense of a Infante whom the Braves could possibly resign.
Dude, why are you so worried about this deal?
Bobby's Cox
November 17th, 2010
2:47 am
This deal is the equivalent of the Phillies stealing Oswalt from Houston.
Bob the Blogger
November 17th, 2010
2:48 am
I’m having trouble imagining how the Marlin’s thought this was a good deal for them.
Bravos0516
November 17th, 2010
3:06 am
This trade is great in my opinion. Even before this move Infante would have been a utility player for the Braves. If Uggla performs close to his average so far we would receive two draft picks if he doesn’t sign which is great value considering what we gave up. Dunn is basically a wash because we are plentiful in good lefties. To those who said we need a new lefty in the pen, shut up, O’flaherty is the lefty specialist plus you have Venters in the set-up role so we’re good for now. Lefty pinch hitter, defensive 4th OF, and a veteran righty reliever are what we need now.
Manny
November 17th, 2010
3:45 am
I’d like to see Chuck Norris hitting clean up but since the Yankees will always out-bid the entire league.. Uggla will due. I always worried when he came to the plate. He was never cheated with a half-hearted swing like we saw from Melky on more than too many occasions. Uggla will also help everyone else in the lineup with his 30+HRs. I think Diaz had an off yr because of the hand injury but I love his playing style and heart… resign him and Henskie and we’ll improve by 6 games over last yr… Diaz can play relief in left and right…Henskie can play relief for 3rd and 1st…
the don of realism
November 17th, 2010
3:55 am
Uggla is slow & on the the way down. He won’t hit higher than .250 nor more than 15 hrs. Gimper Jones doesn’t have the skill to play AAA ball anymore. Bravos don’t win more than 80 games next year…if they are lucky.
loafer
November 17th, 2010
4:57 am
You had me until you mentioned brooks conrad would be a backup in the infield. r u crazy????? did u not see what i saw in the playoffs. r u crazy????
Not Sure About Losing Infante
November 17th, 2010
5:08 am
Ok so he has hit homers but for some reason Wren thought Ankiel and Farnsworth were going to be productive—lateral move?
GOP Cannon
November 17th, 2010
5:43 am
VERY good move!
Notso Fast
November 17th, 2010
6:07 am
IF I THOUGHT HE WAS THE ONE PLAYER MISSING TO GET US TO THE TOP, I WOULD BE DELIGHTED. WE HAVE IN THE PAST TRADED FOR GREAT PLAYERS AND NOT GONE TO THE TOP, THEN TO SEE THAT GREAT PLAYER LEAVE AND THOSE PLAYERS WE TRADED AWAY COME BACK TO BITE US. I WISH WE COULD SIGN HIM LONG TERM, THEN IT WOULD BE A GOOD DEAL.
Obee
November 17th, 2010
6:11 am
Ah, DOB, some people just aren’t happy unless they got something to complain about.
Elmer
November 17th, 2010
6:16 am
Too high a price; we need both U. and Infante.
TommyP
November 17th, 2010
6:25 am
At least 75% of the bloggers love the deal. Why are we focusing on the ignorant 25%?
Frank Wren: You, sir, have made me a believer. I was on the fence with you for awhile but you’ve made more good trades than bad. Now your FA signings haven’t been some of my favorites but I can no longer complain about the job you’re doing after this heist.
Uggla for a utility guy and a wild, situational lefty. Are you friggin’ kidding me?
VERY similar deal to the deal Schuerholz made for McGriff. I’m shocked but ecstatic.
wally pip
November 17th, 2010
6:31 am
This is a potentially great deal. I will miss Infante, and Dunn has a great future. But if the Braves had had Uggla this season, they might have won it all. He’s the missing piece. And the Braves didn’t have to trade Jair to get him. Obviously, the new manager knows and loves this guy, and we Braves fans have good reason to celebrate. I always hated when Uggla came to bat against the Braves. Seems like he always did some damage. Kudos to Wren et al. With Uggla in he lineup, Chipper will drive in 100. If Chip can’t he ought to hang it up and let the Braves use that salary for productive youngsters. We could still use a legit leadoff hitter. That way Prado could hit second and Hayward could move down. Jacoby Elsbury sounds like the perfect fit to me.
wally pip
November 17th, 2010
6:36 am
Ellsbury
Prado
Chipper
Uggla
McCann
Heyward
Gonzales
Freeman
That would be a very troublesome lineup for anyone to face.
GMCK
November 17th, 2010
6:39 am
I WAS REALLY HOPING BROOKS CONRAD WOULD BE OUR STARTING 2B NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!! DANG YOU BRAVES!!!!
steveP
November 17th, 2010
6:43 am
I am with you DOB….so of these people just cannot be pleased. I wonder how they are outside of this blog?
Mary
November 17th, 2010
6:44 am
I hope Uggla is not another McClouth! I think they should have kept Omar Infante…he will be missed. We still need a center fielder or left fielder. If Arthur Blank or Ted Turner owned the Braves, we could get Werth or Crawford…the sky would be the limit if L wasn’t the owner.
steveP
November 17th, 2010
6:59 am
so if Chipper can’t go, and Prado goes to 3rd, who plays LF?
GaryinBham
November 17th, 2010
7:01 am
I just woke up to the good news. I LOVE Omar Infante, and I will miss him. Dunn has a good arm, but I just keep remembering straight fastballs getting hammered in some crucial situations late and in playoffs. I LIKE getting someone I always hated to see coming to bat. Good trade, FW!
justin1
November 17th, 2010
7:07 am
DOB,
Of course from a power standpoint I love the deal. But if you look at how much getting another 2nd baseman has changed the defense, Im not so sure Wren made the right move for this team. We just replaced arguably our team MVP with a guy who makes a ton of errors. We also replaced our “leadoff hitter” I dont like the idea of our only viable leadoff man not having a true position. Really, Prado is the perfect 2 hole hitter. So that said, Im hoping Wren can move Gonz for a true leadoff shortstop. Do you think thats possible? I also think we could have found 30 hrs from the outfield market had we waited this out a little bit. Im sure everyone on the Braves is happy to have some power again, but at the cost of poor infield defense? Im not so sure how Huddy and Lowe feel about it.
Chipper's ACL
November 17th, 2010
7:12 am
This trade doesn’t address the teams defensive troubles but does inject a little fear to the order. A good trade for both teams. Fla needed a year rental from someone until their 3B phenom is ready and the money freed them up to sign Buck. I’m not sold on Dunn. Can’t get too excited over a pitcher that walks as many as IP. He won’t repeate this years numbers. The big question is how this trade looks at the end of ‘11. Is Uggla wrapped up to a multi year deal? If not then the Braves will no doubt receive 2 draft picks if he walks. Infante wouldn’t have stayed because he would be looking for a starting position and a raise. No need to have a bench player making over 3m, which he would ask for, when the team is strapped for funds. So a power hitter is found. The OF situation still has not been addressed. At least not yet. Sure Prado can play left. He was also an All Star at second. So an OF of Heyward, McLouth, and Prado will rank in top 5 outfields in the league? CF still must be addressed. McLouth will be the fourth OF so I cannot see Diaz nor Hinske returning. Prado is now the utility player so Hinske’s value has been reduced. I think the return of Hinske won’t be determined until more is known about Chipper’s health, which won’t be for a few months. Can’t see him waiting around. So the focus is now on CF. Maybe the target can now be on Upton, not BJ but Justin. Rumor is he’s available and the DBacks need pitching. JJ for Upton? Could happen. Heyward in CF, Upton in right. More power to the lineup.
London Calling
November 17th, 2010
7:16 am
I can’t claim to be a huge Uggla fan, mostly due to his defence, and I wasn’t that thrilled when people started talking about trading for him. But, good grief, we got him for nothing! We gave up a versatile (ie moderate at a lot of positions) singles hitting utility player and our 3rd best lefty reliever (most teams don’t even HAVE 3 lefty relievers!). Could this be a belated retirement present from the Marlins for Bobby? I can’t think why else they did it.
Chipper's ACL
November 17th, 2010
7:18 am
justin1 I agree with your comment about SS. I’ve said for weeks Bartlett would be a good fit for this team. This past season is the first Gonzo has had injury free. To assume he can duplicate it next season is a big risk. I’m sure TB would swap SS’s straight up just to reduce payroll. Bartlett is a good defender and has speed. I’d love to see the deal but………..
CJ
November 17th, 2010
7:19 am
I did not feel like reading all 7 pages of comments. I like the trade a lot, and I think the roster is getting close to being set. I think Ankiel will have a comparable numbers year to BJ Upton, so why spend more money on a negligible upgrade. Ankiel’s speed and defense, plus he will have the chance to get his bat going will be a productive piece in center field.
Arkie
November 17th, 2010
7:22 am
Great Deal – Sorta – Defense and speed also win games. Chipper has been a GREAT player and still can help the Braves – not on an every day basis. Chipper is a # 2 or 5, 6 hitter. The power appears to be gone. If he stops swinging for homers and hits the ball to all fields, he can set up a lot of runs. McLouth needs a good hitting coach to tell him to stop trying to hit homers – hit line drives – use his speed, probably will not happen. We still need another OF. Pitching, Defense, Power, Speed and team chemistry, do we have enough?? Wren get it done.
Bill M.
November 17th, 2010
7:32 am
If the Braves can sign Uggla, why not explore a trade involving Prado. The Braves need two OF’s with some speed and power. Reguardless this trade for Uggla is great,
Lotimus Pyle
November 17th, 2010
7:34 am
Uggla is Jeff Francouer at the plate. Unfortunately, he’s not Frenchy in the field. Yeah, he’s topped 30 HRs 4 times, but he doesn’t care about striking out, working the count, moving runners over, or simply getting on base. If you give Francouer the same freedom to hit .240, he would likely deliver 30 bombs a year too. After watching how much defense matters in the NLDS, why would we DOWNGRADE that aspect of the team.
We also keep hearing about how the Braves are going to solve their power problem with the bats of McClouth (DOB, you were really pumped about him batting 3rd in the lineup), Glaus, Cabrerea, Lee, and Gonzalez. How have any of those panned out? Why is Wren suddenly a genius with this deal when those 5 acquisitions all failed? We just subtracted defense and consistency from a playoff team and added an erratic player who has never played under any pressure, unless you count his 3 errors and 3 K’s in the All Star Game. The only thing Uggla has ever done with any consistency is lose. We didn’t need a 2nd baseman, but if we really wanted to move Prado to LF, Orlando Hudson would have been cheaper, a better fielder, and more consistent producer. Save this blog and revisit it in July when Uggla is getting booed for leaving runners on base.
Sid
November 17th, 2010
7:35 am
Great trade. Hate to see Infante leave but this was a no brainer. Now, can they sign him. Let’s hope so.
rainman376toothpicks
November 17th, 2010
7:39 am
Uggla knows big money from the Yankees,Red Sox,Angels,Mets,or Dodgers is out there in free agency. Lock him up now before he hits .290 35 100 and is unsignable for the Braves.
DOB, does Chipper himself believe he will be playing 3rd base for the Braves next year ? We want to know. If he can’t, then all they’ve done is replaced Chipper’s bat with Uggla’s bat and haven’t accomplished anything really. But with Chipper’s bat Uggla rocks !
dap01
November 17th, 2010
7:43 am
DOB: As presently constructed, is Mather the backup CF now? If no big piece is added, who would be the alternative if McLouth does not bounce back?
Do you see us going after a RH relief pitcher? Would Diory be the backup IF?
Thanks for the updates. Wren is a great GM.
rainman376toothpicks
November 17th, 2010
7:43 am
Bill, you are retarded. Trade Prado ? Prado is making peanuts in money compared to what others with his production makes. Braves would be insane to trade him.
Ray
November 17th, 2010
7:44 am
Those complaining about the trade… are you Kidding me? 1) we gave up as DOB said no top prospects,, not Prado. We gave up someone that had a career YEAR. Uggla has done it for several years. Its not like he has only had one good year. Look at the prospects that everyone was posting they would give up to get Uggla. The Braves still have ALL of them. Had any of us said we would give up INfante and Dunn for Uggla,, every one of us would have said NOOOO way would the Marlins do that. This is an awesome trade. For some of you, the only way you would be happy with this trade is if the braves gave up Conrad and Diaz. You have to be realistic. We replaced Uggla’s bat for Infante. What if Infante hits 300 and walks after this year? Did the Marlins win in the trade? The braves prospects and bullpen are all in tact. Good move Wren. Maybe its true, some people are not happy unless they have something to complain about.
dap01
November 17th, 2010
7:45 am
If I am the Braves, I dont COUNT on Chipper being the #3 hitter that we expect. He would be better served being lower in the lineup.
farmerjoe
November 17th, 2010
7:46 am
you people putting chippy third in the lineup are DREAMING as he was a drain the last two years at the plate and in the field–he needs to retire so we can use that money for crawford or werth and then they would challenge the phillies
rainman376toothpicks
November 17th, 2010
7:47 am
They traded Uggla because he turned down their contract offer. Its hard to play with a player that has rejected you.
farmerjoe
November 17th, 2010
7:50 am
Lotimus–you lost credibility when you brought up Francouer–JF NEVER listened to anyone and was the WORST at plate patience
David O'Brien
November 17th, 2010
7:53 am
dap01: Good question at 7:43, about backup CF. I asked Wren yesterday about Mather in CF, and he said that’s not really ideal. So I don’t know that they can go into the season without a Plan B in case McLouth flops or gets hurt, and that’s probably going to be addressed. He said bullpen and bench depth were the remaining needs, so I’d think that would have to include someone with more CF experience.
I’ll try to find out today, to get him to clarify. I sure didn’t get impression earlier this offseason that they’d be relying on, say, Schafer to fill that role.
David O'Brien
November 17th, 2010
7:56 am
DOB, does Chipper himself believe he will be playing 3rd base for the Braves next year ? — rainman
Yes, he does. Has never given any indication that he’s thinking anything but that. And says he’s had no setbacks in recovery and is still intending to be ready for spring training.
feartheBraves
November 17th, 2010
7:57 am
This trade should definitely help the Braves – but I hate to see them let Infante go – great bat to have coming off the bench and can fill in anywhere in the field when needed. The good thing for him at least – he might be a starter in FL.
David O'Brien
November 17th, 2010
7:58 am
So that said, Im hoping Wren can move Gonz for a true leadoff shortstop. Do you think thats possible? — Justin1
No, I don’t. Because Braves don’t view it that way and have no desire to replace Gonzalez.
DoninTococca/78
November 17th, 2010
8:01 am
Okay, okay, okay!! Like C Storm has it down just right! Now, I am excited about our chances, however, don’t mess with our pitching staff and we really WANT Chipper back with his hitting skills.
Randal Patrick McMurphy
November 17th, 2010
8:06 am
When Uggla sends the first (of many) balls into the left field seats next season, nobody will be thinking about Omar Infante… this was a HUGE trade and it’ll prove itself out over time. This Uggla kid can PLAY with a lotta heart!!!
Cecil34
November 17th, 2010
8:10 am
This is a good move and a needed one.
Reason is because number one, he hits. With power.
Two is Chipper is going to be a shell of himself. Even if he comes back, the odds are not in his favor. The main focus with him will be what his next injury is.
So counting on Chipper would be foolish.
What we gave up won’t matter in the long run.
The question now is can we sign Ug for an extension?
Ug always murdered Braves pitching so at least we won’t have to face him anymore!
stew
November 17th, 2010
8:12 am
What a steal! Infante was a punch and judy with decent but not great defense and no real position that he was accomplished at. Ok at ss and second and definately not an everyday player at third. Dunn walked 17 in19 innings. Now we need either Braun, Rasmus, or Upton and we’ll be better than the Phils assuming Werth walks and they fill his spot with an unproven Domonic Brown. With Ibanez on his way to being over the hill, there could be a big void in the outfield with the Flying Hawaiian as the only proven commodity. So they’ll have Howard, Utley, Shane, Rollins, and a bunch of scrubinos. They should be much weaker than this year.
richham
November 17th, 2010
8:13 am
Steal for the Braves. They need to sign this guy to an extension. Solid deal, especially since we got the hitter we needed. This is almost the best of both worlds. Left field now looks a lot stronger offensively and I know Prado will do a good job and now we have an all-star second baseman to replace the all-star we moved to left. I like it!
Bama Brave
November 17th, 2010
8:14 am
Alot of PEOPLE on here will Never be happy. How in the world could you not love this trade???
Braves Fan #10
November 17th, 2010
8:17 am
Great move Wren. But…. We still need Dunn or Werth or Crawford to push us over the top !
mowreck
November 17th, 2010
8:17 am
Uhhhhh, thought we needed an outfielder.
jason
November 17th, 2010
8:21 am
Najeh, if we were to make this trade a year ago, u would have loved it. This is our first 30+ hr guy since chipper. cmon now. if u didnt forget this hit .287 which is pretty close to a .300 hitter. I agree we need a utility man, and some RHPing.
David O'Brien
November 17th, 2010
8:21 am
Uhhhhh, thought we needed an outfielder. — mowreck
What the Braves said they needed all along was right-handed power. Which they got. And with Prado moving to left field (unless Chipper doesn’t make it back), then they effectively added an outfielder, since he’ll be playing one of the three outfield positions. At least that’s the current plan.
Dan Uggla is “blue collar?” | HardballTalk
November 17th, 2010
8:24 am
[...] Spencer called him “the blue-collar slugger” in the paper’s the main story. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez called him “as blue-collar as they come” yesterday. Those quotes have been re-tweeted, [...]
They asked for Martin hahaha
November 17th, 2010
8:28 am
•Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick says Florida originally asked Atlanta for Martin Prado in exchange for their second baseman, but later settled on Omar Infante.
Can’t believe they thought we would part with Martin. Not sure how I would feel if Wren went with that deal!!!!
JoeFan
November 17th, 2010
8:29 am
Good trade, not great unless the Braves can lock Uggla up for a several years. Still this is a team full of holes. Chipper is a big question mark, which means LF again becomes a vacancy if Prado has to take over for him at 3B. CF needs an upgrade for sure and SS isn’t far behind. Hopefully the Braves will begin to find some of the answers through the fram system and draft.
TMAC
November 17th, 2010
8:30 am
2011 Lineup:
1. Martin Prado 2B
2. Jason Heyward RF
3. Chipper Jones 3B
4. Brian McCann C
5. Dan Uggla LF
6. Freddie Freeman 1B
7. Alex Gonzalez SS
8. Nate McClouth CF <——-Unfortunately
9. Pitcher P
JoJo the Godfather
November 17th, 2010
8:32 am
What will the bench will look like now?…Question marks have to surround Conrad’s ability to rebound after the playoffs?…Do you bring back Matt Diaz, who’s not very versatile, when we now have a RH hitting LF’er in Prado?…You can’t count on McLouth in center, so we need an OF’er that has that ability?…Who’s the backup SS?…I assume Prado helps at 1B, but what if Chipper is injured, Freeman doesn’t get a day off?…There’s 4 spots on that bench along with Ross, and I’m interested as to what type players we go after to fill them?
They asked for Martin hahaha
November 17th, 2010
8:32 am
2011 Lineup:
1. Martin Prado 2B
2. Jason Heyward RF
3. Chipper Jones 3B
4. Brian McCann C
5. Dan Uggla LF
6. Freddie Freeman 1B
7. Alex Gonzalez SS
8. Andruw Jones CF <——-fortunately
9. Pitcher P
GwinnettDad
November 17th, 2010
8:34 am
Can anybody remember “Teixeira”? In one year, Uggla will be a Yankee or a Dodger. And the Braves will end up with nothing.
Churchy
November 17th, 2010
8:34 am
If the Braves don’t acquire an OF this offseason that would upgrade our lineup, chances are pretty good they would get someone before/around the trade deadline that would help them in the post-season.
doggylikeshisbrekky
November 17th, 2010
8:37 am
If I am a Bravos GB pitcher like I dunno, Lowe, Hudson, JJ, Venters, Moylan etc I would be thrilled having perhaps the worst IF defenders in Bravos history behind me (assuming HOSS is at 3B)… with all apologies to Fab 5 Freddie… this could be ugiler than late 2010..
but we will be a hitting a few more hr in 2011
darrin
November 17th, 2010
8:41 am
now all we need to do is sign andruw jones, matt diaz, eric hinske and a bullpen vet what do yall think
Walker, Texas Ranger
November 17th, 2010
8:41 am
Braves will lead the league in errors in 2011. Plus we gave up a lefty with a sub 2.00 era though unproven to go along with our best infielder with a .321 average. This was anything but a steal for the Braves.
buntcrazy
November 17th, 2010
8:41 am
Glad Mr Cox is gone so we won’t have to watch Uggla bunt!
doggylikeshisbrekky
November 17th, 2010
8:43 am
Sign Hinske, Capt Caveman yes, Andruw… hmm not sure we will go down that path again, imagine
Uggla
Andruw
AGONZ
Freddie all in a row K, K, K and K and then imagine the meltdown on this board…. nope
doggylikeshisbrekky
November 17th, 2010
8:45 am
DOBI – was looking at Uggla’s nos and they are much better OPS wise against RHP, but could that just be a small sample size from 2010 based on facing excellent LHSP (Hamels etc)
Submariner
November 17th, 2010
8:46 am
FRANK WREN’S NEW SONG TO MLB GENERAL MANAGERS:
he’s climbin in your windows
he’s snatchin your people up
tryna rape em so y’all need to
hide your kids, hide your wife
hide your kids, hide your wife
hide your kids, hide your wife
and hide your husband
cuz they’re rapin errbody out here
you don’t have to come and confess
we’re lookin for you
we gon find you
we gon find you
so you can run and tell that,
run and tell that
run and tell that, homeboy
home, home, homeboy
we got your t-shirt
you done left fingerprints and all
you are so dumb
you are really dumb–for real
the man got away leaving behind evidence
i was attacked by some idiot in the projects
so dumb, so dumb, so dumb, so
Mikey
November 17th, 2010
8:49 am
Brilliant trade getting a true 30 hr. and 100 rbi r/h hitter to protect McCann. Now if we can just fill the void in center we can put some scare in the Phillies.
gtjackets
November 17th, 2010
8:51 am
would so of you please for gods sake quit bring up the damn Teixeira deal its over done we got screwed move on please he has nothing to do with and never will have anything to do with this team anymore let talk about the current team
dpelfrey
November 17th, 2010
8:51 am
Submariner…I like the overall point, but those lyrics are a little distasteful.
Walker, Texas Ranger
November 17th, 2010
8:51 am
I didn’t hear, who won the AL rookie of the year award?
gtjackets
November 17th, 2010
8:52 am
some instead of so
Spud Webb
November 17th, 2010
8:53 am
wait, wait…….where is everyone that bashes wren??? come on!!?? where I say??
The guy makes solid moves all the time w/ a tight budget. Great job frank.
Now Chipper, retire, lets use that money and go get another big bat.