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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,373 comments Add your comment
Bravefaninok
November 22nd, 2010
9:50 pm
TnBrian
November 22nd, 2010
9:27 pm
Nice to see Chipper focusing most of his energy on rehabbing his knee and getting into shape for the upcoming season instead of all that silly buck huntin’. I mean, that is what he doing, or did I just misread the blog title?
Unless I misread the blog story,He is doing both.I don’t see the problem
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 22nd, 2010
9:50 pm
brave4life how old are ya how did u become a fan?
Efrim
November 22nd, 2010
9:52 pm
I think David said he thought it was a split minors/majors contract Efrim though i don’t remember hearing anything else about it.
Ah, yes. You’re right, nolie. Forgot about that. I sure hope it’s split. Be a little bizarre to guarantee a spot in the pen to someone who wasn’t even that great at his peak with the Yanks…
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
9:52 pm
leftyPO
Brave4life
November 22nd, 2010
9:52 pm
Eric
ahh man you are lucky. Most of buddies are all Mets or Yankees fans. They would never fly down to Atlanta to watch a Braves game. They think there is nothing else to do there I kinda agree
willy
November 22nd, 2010
9:54 pm
The Red Sox signed former Reds outfielder Drew Sutton, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America (on Twitter). The 27-year old has a .229/.302/.381 line in 118 major league plate appearances, but he did hit 20 homers at Double-A two seasons ago.
The Braves have signed four players, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America (Twitter links). Outfielder Jose Constanza, 27, batted .319/.373/.394 at Triple-A for the Indians; 28-year-old infielder Ed Lucas hit .307/.398/.480 at Triple-A for the Royals; utilityman Wilkin Castillo can catch and play in the infield and outfield, but hasn’t hit Triple-A pitching and Shawn Bowman, 25, hit 22 homers at Double-A.
Frank Wren has something in Monday as all those played positions are holes on the big league club. Go Braves
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 22nd, 2010
9:56 pm
there really isnt much to do down there if u dont have friends there… i made friends with some guys from the atlanta area when i was in spring training about 6 yrs ago… we go down there same time every yr since… its a great time in orlando we tend to have more fun there than in atlanta itself… ive been down to the ATL 3 times to see games every time was better than the last! my buddy gets great seats!
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
9:58 pm
thanx willy , possible IF backups, which we have been kicking around
Buckeye Brave
November 22nd, 2010
9:59 pm
Everyone forgets that while Chipper is on the team he is helping to educate our young guns on the finer points of hitting in the bigs. It’s like having two hitting coaches. Just ask Mac. I’m sure Wren will pick up some good relievers and back ups. I still think he’s hoping that Schafer will come around and he doesn’t want to blockhis path with an Upton or Ellsbery. It’s the cheapest solution and requires us not to lose some of our pitching prosects. Schafer is at best a year away from returning to form. If Wrens right the lastyear of McLouth buys him that time.
Playoffs!!!!
November 22nd, 2010
10:00 pm
Ok, guys, thank you! Too bad, though, it would be better for us if he were a right-handed hitter.
From what I’ve heard of him, I have more confidence in him than Nate McClouth.
Brave4life
November 22nd, 2010
10:00 pm
Eric In Albany N.Y.
I am 19, and its a sad story of how I became a braves fan and never really shared it. I guess i will tell you. My brother who was 20 was a huge Braves fan and I hated baseball. He then was diagnosed with cancer. Istarted to get into Braves just to talk to him about baseball cause it made him really happy and kept his mind off of “other” things. Unfortunately he passed away in 2005. I have been a fan since. Its a sad but true story. I honestly couldnt stand a baseball game, but now i am addicted. I even played all throughout high school and alot of football too for Guilderland high school team
Brave4life
November 22nd, 2010
10:00 pm
Eric
How did you become a fan
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
10:01 pm
I think the one who interests me the most is the 28 yr old infielder from Royals. He almost had a .900 OPS.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 22nd, 2010
10:02 pm
Everyone forgets that while Chipper is on the team he is helping to educate our young guns on the finer points of hitting in the bigs. It’s like having two hitting coaches. Just ask Mac. I’m sure Wren will pick up some good relievers and back ups. I still think he’s hoping that Schafer will come around and he doesn’t want to blockhis path with an Upton or Ellsbery. It’s the cheapest solution and requires us not to lose some of our pitching prosects. Schafer is at best a year away from returning to form. If Wrens right the lastyear of McLouth buys him that time.
Everyone also forgets that even though chipper isnt hitting he is also walking a lot… and with Uggla and Mccann behind him it gives him a chance to score a lot… ill take a poor BA. from a guy whos on twice a ballgame from a walk than a guy who K’s if he isnt hitting
glord1
November 22nd, 2010
10:03 pm
“We’re used to playing ourselves into shape throughout the course of a six-week spring training. The new-age managers like for guys to come into camp ready to play nine innings and 162 games first day of spring training, and that’s just not the way it’s been done here.”
If no one else is concerned about that coming from a soon to be 39 year old position player with the highest salary I will be surprised.
McFann O O
November 22nd, 2010
10:04 pm
Brave4life—
Wow…that’s quite a story. So sorry your brother passed away…that was a very sweet thing you did for him.
Brave4life
November 22nd, 2010
10:05 pm
Mcfann
thanks, I have never talked about it. I try not to but the truth is thats how i really became a braves fan.
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
10:05 pm
That Ed Lucas guy is intriguing. 36 gms at SS, 23 at 3B and 26 at 2B this year. Seems to always have a good OBP. If we don’t add another MIF seems like he could compete with Diory.
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
10:06 pm
gotta be sumthang rong for a team as pathetic as the Royals to let a 900 hitter go.
gee he plays just about every position on the field and it looks like he is at least average at most all of them
Scott Anderson
November 22nd, 2010
10:07 pm
Chipper approach
If it feels ok to play today
Take another month off.
Taking chances playing golf and hunting. Sounds about right for Larry dumb arrss
Skeeterleg
November 22nd, 2010
10:07 pm
Arthur Rhodes…make it happen.
Carroll Rogers
November 22nd, 2010
10:08 pm
Braves made another under-the-radar move to add some depth in the middle infield, at least on the minor league level. They’ve signed minor league free agent SS Ed Lucas, a former eighth round pick of the Royals who hit .307 with 20 doubles, 13 HRs and 50 RBIs in 99 games last year for Triple-A Omaha. He’s 28 and a Dartmouth grad. Haven’t had one of those around the Braves clubhouse since Mike Remlinger.
Brave4life
November 22nd, 2010
10:09 pm
Skeeterleg
old guy, high risk
I just dont see it happening. He had a “career” year, and will try his best to get a multi year deal. Thats the last thing the Braves want.
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
10:10 pm
one of the ESPN guys was ripping Rhodes as a pickup the other day I think
Carroll Rogers
November 22nd, 2010
10:10 pm
Matt Young bats lefty
Brave4life
November 22nd, 2010
10:10 pm
The Royals have a stacked farm considering they let go of Ed Lucas
Playoffs!!!!
November 22nd, 2010
10:11 pm
Just some thoughts–I’d like to see Chipper bat second in the lineup with his high OBP. But, then who would bat third? Prado is probably our best pure hitter. But then, who would lead off? McClouth, no I don’t think so. I don’t see him making a major comeback.
It would be nice if Heyward stepped it up a little, and could bat third, and then we could go Prado, Chipper, Heyward, Uggla, McCann..
What do you think…?
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
10:12 pm
Nolie
Its weird the Royals would let this guy walk. Seems to be a consistent guy. Maybe to old for their youth movement but from his stats he seems to be very solid. Actually plays a little OF to.
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
10:12 pm
not sure I’d call that his career year, he has had some very very good seasons over his career, but he is getting long in the tooth no doubt
Brave4life
November 22nd, 2010
10:13 pm
Playoffs\
I would like to see Heyward bat 3rd
Prado
Chipper
Heyward
Uggla
McCann
Gonzalez
Freeman
Mclouth
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
10:13 pm
PO
Thats the way I’d like to see it. Prado, Chip, Heyward, Uggla and McCann 1-5. Not many lineups that can boast a top 5 like that.
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
10:13 pm
yup kinda intriguing P’C, I’m interested in seeing how he does.
Carroll Rogers
November 22nd, 2010
10:15 pm
BravePack, think you were taking me too literally on what Chipper said about trying to convince Uggla all year. That’s not to say the Braves would wait all year to do it.
Bravissimo, I’m old school. If i use primer, I prime. Then paint.
Skeeterleg
November 22nd, 2010
10:15 pm
Brave4Life….Surely hes not that delusional…or cant find a GM that stupid. He would fit in great for a year and under 2m though.
Brave4life
November 22nd, 2010
10:16 pm
Carroll Rogers
When do you believe extension talks will begin with uggla??? before or after the season
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
10:17 pm
Well I guess throw Lucas in the ring for potential backup INF.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 22nd, 2010
10:17 pm
My story wasnt as impressive… mine is barely cute… in 1991 in 5th grade i used to draw all the teams logos and my teacher let me put them on the board in the front of the class room.. i put up all the the standings in cut out sheets of paper…
mind you i wore an a’s cap cus they had jose and marc mac… i wasnt a fan i just liked the hat and they were popular and playing well at the time… as a small child my mother was a huge mets fan and i still remember going to shea for the first time and seeing how green the grass was and being very excited at only about 8 or 9 years old… the mets were the team i grew up on… strawman and HoJo and mooky were all my guys.. still to this day i find myself liking those guys…. even though i hate the current mets more than anything today…
anyway when i was doing the standings in 5th grade my teacher asked me… who is your fav team? i told her well im not sure i really have one… i dont like the yankees i dont like the mets cus my mom likes the mets and a kid in 5th grade shouldnt like the team his mom loves… i told her i wear the A’s cap but im not a fan and never watch any games… so ms Scott told me to go home and turn on TBS and watch the braves … she said they are on tv and you can watch all the games… she said they are a good team too… so i went home turned them on and never turned them off…
on a side note… a guy who lived up the road from me who was friends with my parents saw me change my hat to a braves hat and asked me if thats my team… i said yes… he asked me every time he saw the hat… i always said yes… he told me your team will win and they will lose but stick with them no matter what… and that was a big lesson for a kid who loved baseball all his life and who chose his own team. im glad he got it into my head and it stuck!
now that i bored you with that… ill talk about the 2011 braves…
Playoffs!!!!
November 22nd, 2010
10:20 pm
Brave4Life/P’Cola Brave—Great minds think alike.
And Brave4Life–What you did for your brother is probably the most wonderful thing I’ve heard in a long, long time. Thank you for sharing that.
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
10:20 pm
I hope you send Ms Scott a card every year Eric
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 22nd, 2010
10:23 pm
Ms scott sent me the paper when the braves won the series… i was in a different school and she tracked down one of my teachers and gave me the paper!
Kat
November 22nd, 2010
10:24 pm
Brave4life and Eric In Albany, NY … yep it’s nice to see a third Capital Region person on here. This season we made it out to 2 games in Atlanta (first home games we’ve been to), 2 games in Pittsburgh and 1 game at Citi Field. For 2011 thinking Chicago and some Atlanta games….
There are Braves fans here…just not a ton.
Carroll Rogers
November 22nd, 2010
10:24 pm
Brave4life, not sure how I’m supposed to know that, but I’m just saying if the Braves decide they want him, which I bet they will, they won’t wait until he can shop around in free agency after next season to do it.
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
10:24 pm
kewl
Poorbrave
November 22nd, 2010
10:25 pm
P”Cola I agree 6″ 10″ 290 lbs of Jon Rauch would be ok…Whats his price?
Royal’s farm team is rated one of the Best in Baseball per Insider.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 22nd, 2010
10:26 pm
Kat U married?
Hummon
November 22nd, 2010
10:26 pm
This may be apocryphal, but I understand that Winston Churchill said of the preposition restriction, “That is a rule up with which we should not put.”
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 22nd, 2010
10:29 pm
i got to go to lakeland fla orlando fla san fran city field and atlanta to see the braves this yr… and went with cousins to see the yankees like we do every yr blah
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
10:29 pm
Poorbrave
Haven’t heard anyone linked to Rauch. I would imagine he will be around 3 mil. Had a good year. Could fit well in our pen. The guy has experience closing, setting up and straight relief. Fits the bill.
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
10:30 pm
if it was apocryphal how do we even know about it?
McFann O O
November 22nd, 2010
10:31 pm
Brave4life—
Oh, I understand—that would be a very hard thing to talk about. I’ve been blessed to never have been through anything like that, but I know it must be extremely hard. Take care! I’ll remember you and your brother and family in my prayers tonight!
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
10:32 pm
Carroll
Do the minor league guys acquired today have to be placed on the 40 man to be protected from the Rule 5 or are they safe as new acquisations?
Brave4life
November 22nd, 2010
10:32 pm
Mcfann/Playoffs
Thanks
Buckeye Brave
November 22nd, 2010
10:32 pm
The last Royals minor league cast off we got was Matt Diaz. Gee I guess they missed on his potential too.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 22nd, 2010
10:32 pm
braves went from having 3 closers in the early 2000’s to a righty and lefty closer to none =)
Brave4life
November 22nd, 2010
10:34 pm
I wonder who becomes our fulltime closer next year Kimbrel or Venters
Venters has nasty stuff and experience
KImbrel has nasty stuff but very limited experience
Kat
November 22nd, 2010
10:35 pm
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 22nd, 2010
10:26 pm
Kat U married?
—————————-
Haha. In a relationship, but no not married.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 22nd, 2010
10:35 pm
Mcfann Agreed!
Braves4life truly great story… thanks for sharing… youre in for many memories with the braves that will always remind you of your bro… pluss the braves are a class act as im sure ur brother was too!
Brave4life
November 22nd, 2010
10:36 pm
Thanks everyone
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 22nd, 2010
10:36 pm
KAT well whats taking him so long? how old are ya if u dont mind me askin hehe
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
10:36 pm
Brave4life
Venters has ML experience. Kimbrel has experience in closer situations. I believe Venters was a SP before this year. I think the job is Kimbrel’s to lose w/ Venters setting up.
Poorbrave
November 22nd, 2010
10:36 pm
P’Cola, I agree..Thanks to you and Nolie for your in-put..got to work awhile. Catch ya’ll later.
McFann O O
November 22nd, 2010
10:37 pm
Brave4life—
You’re welcome!
Jim
November 22nd, 2010
10:37 pm
Lucas is very interesting. Has played seven positions in minors. Big guy. Perhaps more potential and flexibility than Diory – although I still remember the HR Diory hit last year, and my saying, “where did that come from.” It was bombed. Dartmouth alums are good. I’m married to a distaff one.
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
10:37 pm
I think whomever exhibits the best control early gets the job,
willy
November 22nd, 2010
10:39 pm
I want Venters to start…
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
10:40 pm
Jim
I had the same reaction. When Diory hit it I had to double check it was him. Caught me off guard.
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
10:43 pm
Diory has hot pretty well in the high minors the last few years. Not sure why he has has as much problem hitting in Atlanta as he has had
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
10:44 pm
Venters likely ain’t gonna start unless there is an injury to someone
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
10:44 pm
Some guys are just have trouble with the transition. Been tons of top prospects who endure the same problem.
Andrew in PA
November 22nd, 2010
10:45 pm
What about CF Carlos Gomez of the brew crew. Not much of a hitter so far but he is righty and his defense is outstanding with great speed. Seems like a good platoon with Nate.
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
10:46 pm
Bringing in Fuentes would be nice. I’d be ok with Venters and Kimbrel setting up. Having a LH as closer was nice last year. Especially with the big LH bats in Philly.
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
10:47 pm
Andrew
Don’t think Gomez makes much sense. Young probably brings you more hes just not RH.
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
10:48 pm
Nevermind. Just looked at Fuentes last contract. Not going to happen.
Andrew in PA
November 22nd, 2010
10:56 pm
We can’t afford Fuentes
Andrew in PA
November 22nd, 2010
10:57 pm
My bad Pcola didn’t see ur last post, it rough using the iPod on here sometimes
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
10:58 pm
no I doubt Fuentes is in the cards.
Putz got 3mil and had a decent year
Kat
November 22nd, 2010
10:58 pm
26
AdirondackDave
November 22nd, 2010
10:59 pm
Braves4Life — Have to say, you are quite a young man. To be that sensitive at 14 and go through your brother’s experience with him was wonderful of you. I’m glad you shared that story with us.
Speaking of Braves baseball, the strong consensus is that Frank Wren is done with “impact” acquisitions with just a bit of fine tuning here and there. I’m not sure I agree with that.
FW sold “high” when he let Infante and Dunn go, they were at their peak value. A smart move to put it mildly. Well, it seems to me that Lowe is now at his peak value since joining the Braves. The guy has won 31 games in the first two years of his 4 year contract with a significantly lower e.r.a. this year and a superb season/post-season finish. What contender without serious budget restrictions (Yanks, Red Sox, and a few others) wouldn’t want a very likely 15 game winner on a 2-year contract? Who has won more games than Lowe in the last 9 years? I don’t know the answer but it can’t be many.
So I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Lowe get traded for a quality CF that gets on base, runs well, and plays good defense. I know FW has said “that’s it” for impact players, and I would say that too if I were him, but that could just be a good “we’re not desperate” strategy. And, in fact, the Braves are by no means desperate. I’d be satisfied with a couple cheap “fine tuning” acquisitions going into spring training.
What still amazes me is that with a single brilliant move (Uggla), the Braves only essential need, power, has been met without giving up a single every-day player or premium prospect… just amazing.
‘Night, all.
jmart
November 22nd, 2010
11:00 pm
It sounds like FW has given the CF job to McClouth. Sometimes it is hard to give a player that is an older Minor Leaguer a chance in the Majors but sometimes players are late to mature. I believe that M Young will give McClouth more than a run for his money in ST. Young is faster, makes better contact, is better defensively and has a better arm (how could it be worse). Someone hitting in the 8th spot needs to be a contact hitter that can hit for average in order to turn the lineup over.
It would be a waste for FW to trade away good minor league talent for a CF without giving both McClouth and Young a shot in ST. I hope that one difference in Gonzales and Cox is that if Young hits .330 in ST and McClouth hits .215 that Gonzales will start Young. Cox would always start the veteran. If Young is a defensive upgrade and hits for average he should start over McClouth.
fred
November 22nd, 2010
11:01 pm
What about Arthur Rhodes are Scoot Downs both LH.
Andrew in PA
November 22nd, 2010
11:02 pm
Maybe the rangers will take a flyer on d Lowe
Andrew in PA
November 22nd, 2010
11:04 pm
Fred, Rhodes seems like a great fit, nice call.
Russell Bell
November 22nd, 2010
11:05 pm
I don’t see Young beating out Nate for the starting gig in CF unless Nate basically goes 0 for ST. If Young makes the team, he’s coming off the bench (ast least to begin the season).
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
11:06 pm
Nolie
Did Putz sign somewhere or was that his previous contract?
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
11:07 pm
I don’t see Rhodes as a fit. We already have the situational lefty in EOF and then we have Venters. Don’t really see where Rhodes fits in there.
Russell Bell
November 22nd, 2010
11:07 pm
Andrew – why would the Braves trade Lowe? Who replaces him in the rotation? Would they get enough back to make it worthwhile? Or do you want them to trade him to make budget space to sign a different, over-priced FA?
AdirondackDave
November 22nd, 2010
11:09 pm
Jmart — I agree with you on that. Cox was loyal to a fault with his vets, literally. If Matt Young earns the CF job in spring training, start the season with him in center and let McLouth ride the pine until/unless Young falters.
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
11:09 pm
I thought that was his 2010 contract with CWS P’C, but I might be misremembering.
jmart
November 22nd, 2010
11:10 pm
One reason not to trade any of the Braves young pitching right now. Teams that are short on pitching tend to get even shorter on pitching in ST and April. Waiting until those teams have the reality of pitching problems rather than the perception of pitching problems makes them a little more willing to trade decent talent in return.
Optimism runs rampant during the Winter, even for GMs and Managers. Let reality set in for them and at the same time gauge what the Braves really have in CF in ST and April.
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
11:10 pm
I don’t see Rhodes as a fit either
RichieRich86
November 22nd, 2010
11:12 pm
Guys yal are taking Chippers comment on not coming to spring training in shape the wrong way. They are in shape. Believe me I’m there a few times a week. It’s funny their spring traning is just the same as the Phillies. They do a few things different but nothing like bootcamp wise. I live 10mins from the Phillies Complex and their camp is pretty boring if you ask me. The Braves work a lot harder I think than the Phillies do. All he’s saying is that in spring training they don’t do a lot of like running I guess you would say. Example like a football work out. A lot of managers run their players to death.
Russell Bell
November 22nd, 2010
11:14 pm
Yeah, Rhodes is likely too expensive. I think Wren should ‘bargain shop’ to fix up the bullpen. Braves seem to have a good track record of finding decent RPs on the cheap.
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
11:16 pm
Nates been productive in the past. And was productive when he first arrived. Hes not going to carry this team if thats what everyone is expecting. Nate is in his prime years, his issue is probably just in his swing. New hitting coach with new take on hitting could certainly help. Not unrealistic for him to bounce back.
Andrew in PA
November 22nd, 2010
11:18 pm
Mr bell, it could be there only chance to get out of the contract. They could sign javy for less then ten.
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
11:18 pm
I don’t know that I’d bargain shop. Rhodes problem isn’t his price its that he just doesn’t fit in the bullpen spot we need. I don’t think we need one of the expensive top guys just a guy with a good track record.
glord1
November 22nd, 2010
11:19 pm
I think the Braves are pretty much done this offseason. Chipper and Nate make to much money to replace so you have to see how they come back from injury(Chipper) and a poor year(Nate). Need a back up Corner infielder and another back up outfielder.
Rotation set -
Lowe
Hudson
Jurrjens
Hanson
Minor/Beachy
Bullpen
Kimbrel
Venters
Moylan
OFlarety
Baachy/Minor
?
I would save any money for another OF next summer to Repace Chipper(moving Matin to third) or Nate in CF.
nolie
November 22nd, 2010
11:19 pm
they lost some real payroll in the pen, I would like to see them get one proven reliever. I think the pen could be more trouble than most here apparently do, with all the younguns in important slots.
Russell Bell
November 22nd, 2010
11:20 pm
Andrew, I just don’t see it happening. Not sure the Braves would get enough back for Lowe to make it worth their while.
P'cola Brave
November 22nd, 2010
11:21 pm
Nolie
Who do you like in the reliever department?
Russell Bell
November 22nd, 2010
11:23 pm
No doubt Nolie, the bullpen is the area of the team that needs the most fixing up before the season starts. While I’m advocating a ‘bargin shopping’ approach to filling RP spots, this approach includes signing proven guys for 1.5 – 2.5 mill on 1 year deals. No multi-year contracts or high-priced guys is what I should have emphasized.