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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,489 comments Add your comment
hawaiibravefan
December 6th, 2010
11:16 am
talkingchop suggested a kk for mike gonzalez trade. one bad contract for another.
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
11:18 am
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
11:06 am
I’ve never truly said anything negative about the kid. Besides pulling him when he was struggling mightly.
Snotboogie
December 6th, 2010
11:18 am
Good piece on Schafer DOB.
Pretty eye-opening on the fact that Porter estimated the one year rest required and it has taken him exactly that much time to recover. Yet he tried something before that and it cost him in terms on rep. Lets hope that’s all it cost him and he has a good ST.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:18 am
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
10:53 am
Matt Young should get a spot in the MLB roster as a bench player,
Wouldn’t you like to see him take at least a couple of pitches in ST before signing off on that, LOL?
Of course, but he deserves a legitimate shot in ST at the fourth OF’ers job. At 24, JORDAN has time on his side. At 28, YOUNG doesn’t, and that’s why I say it’s now or never for MATT with the BRAVES. He has the goods, but needs to prove it against ML pitching, not just in ST.
And don’t forget 26 year-old JOSE CONSTANZA, and 27 year-old ANTOAN RICHARDSON for that matter, although I don’t think CONSTANZA or RICHARDSON have the goods for ML ball at this point.
Nope, SCHAFER’s got plenty of competition within the organization.
hawaiibravefan
December 6th, 2010
11:18 am
disregard that last comment, that trade would be straight up stupid.
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
11:20 am
There’s talks of a Colby Rasmus for Grienke trade, that would definitely give the Cards the best rotation in the majors, Wainwright, Carpenter and Grienke as their top 3.
hawaiibravefan
December 6th, 2010
11:20 am
DOB, any idea on who the bench players frank wren may spot?
Lew
December 6th, 2010
11:20 am
Hawaii – It doesn’t matter if wr have LH prospects in the minors or not. The bullpen is a major strength for the Braves. You don’t trade your strength (especially after already trading our available LHRP, MIke Dunn) for a “Hope he’s all right” player like Ellsbury, who you might not even need because of players already in your organization.
The Kid just missed an entire season with broken ribs -0 twice – with underlying, undiagnosed and ignored soft tissue damage. You would have to hope he could come back and do what he did for one whole season (no track record).
I live in the middle of the Red Sox Natiopn and they’re concerned about his health in Boston. Why would someone trade for what could end up a serious problem and trade their strengths to do it?
They wouldn’t.
And besides, a healthy Schafer would totally negate needing another CF like Ellsbury (injuries aside).
Supes
December 6th, 2010
11:20 am
Great read on Schafer…I really think if given a chance he can show he’s not “finished”…but we’ve gotta see him tear up spring training again like he did 2 years ago.
I do think the Braves should have interest in Greinke…or at least be in the “hunt” b/c you never know when a “match” with trade pieces fits…if the leading team (whoever that is) and the Royals can’t agree maybe the Braves can come in and make a deal…Wren is an aggressive GM who won’t miss a chance to pick up a guy like that (guy is a proven ace)…and the Royals / Braves are familiar with each other due to Dayton Moore’s past.
I’m still shocked that the Nats way overpaid for Werth…
RC
December 6th, 2010
11:22 am
Astros have put Jeff Keppinger on the market. Atlanta area native, can play 2b/SS/3b, good batting average guy, set to make about $2 million in arbitration. Seems like a nice fit if the Braves have room in the payroll for him (which could depend on moving KK).
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
11:23 am
Just added a Schafer poll to the blog
Tomas
December 6th, 2010
11:24 am
I saw Lorenzo Cain play, good player was the impression I got. Right handed, has pop, good defensive CF, and great speed.
Now what I saw was a limited sample I don’t know how pitchers are going to adjust. And I don’t the Brewers trading him, because Chris Dickerson and Carlos Gomez both suck big time, but if they do it needs to be a valuable pitching prospect.
Bawlmer Brave
December 6th, 2010
11:24 am
Hmmm . . . Mike Gonzalez for KK, straight up?? Has potential. I’d have to think about it more, but first glance makes me want to ponder instead of laughing Andy MacPhail out of the building. (I’m not suggesting that Andy brought it up).
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:27 am
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
11:06 am
One thing is for sure: it only takes a blog entry from O’Brien to turn the Schafer blog mojo around, LOL. I’ve seen more positive comments on the kid today than I have in the previous 18 months.
Right as rain. I’m with MikeFl: Seein’ is belivin’.
TexasBrave
December 6th, 2010
11:27 am
DOB do you see any circumstance(besides injury or trade) in which Schafer is the starting CF and not McLouth? Let’s say Schafer wows everyone again in ST and McLouth is so so. Does McLouth’s millions guarantee him the starting spot no matter how he performs?
Bawlmer Brave
December 6th, 2010
11:27 am
DOB, how about another option for the poll, “When Chipper goes down and Prado is needed FT at 3B”?
Cosmos
December 6th, 2010
11:27 am
Good story on Schafer, I was wondering what happend to him. He is working hard and seems to have a more humble attitude now. I’m pulling hard for him to come through in a big way. Braves could certainly use a center fielder.
RC
December 6th, 2010
11:28 am
Wow, just did a comparison on Keppinger and Infante…they are REALLY similar. If the asking price isn’t too high and we can afford the salary he’s definitely worth looking into.
http://www.fangraphs.com/comparison.aspx?playerid=3856&playerid2=1609&playerid3=&position=2B/SS&page=8&type=full
LoveBraves-n-Clash
December 6th, 2010
11:28 am
Played the Clash song and got confused about the lyrics. That song is actually titled “Complete Control” and comes right after “Remote Control” on the album. Apparently they referred to putting Remote Control on the record, don’t know the whole story, but Complete Control is great!
Biff Pocaroba
December 6th, 2010
11:28 am
I would take Blanco over all three of them!
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
11:29 am
if the leading team (whoever that is) and the Royals can’t agree maybe the Braves can come in and make a deal
The reason some unspecified leading team wouldn’t be able to consummate a deal is the huge ask that the Royals are bound to make. Greinke is under club control for two years at a more-than-reasonable price for performance. Word is that the Royals want two pitchers back, and they surely would ask for Hanson and Teheran from the Braves. Taking less than that wouldn’t make sense for the Royals, regardless of what Braves’ fans would think of it.:-)
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
11:30 am
Pretty easy to call him up if Nate gets off to a slow start. If Nate can play and Schafer proves to be ready it would be a lot easier to trade Schafer. _ DawgDad
If Schafer is healthy and proves he can play I’m sure he would be easy to trade. A young guy with speed, power and a good arm, making the major league minimum v a leprechaun with no arm making several million. See what Schafer can do, if he proves himself play out the string with Nate one way or the other,playing or sitting. If Nate plays okay you can trade him later in the season or keep him, buy out his option and say, hasta la vista baby.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
11:30 am
I agree having Schafer in center would be an improvement. He covers a lot more ground than McLouth and being a lefty should be able to cover the left-center gap better than Nate also, which could be very important as Prado gets used to playing left. And for those that don’t remember spring training games in 2009, Schafer has an absolute cannon attached to his left side.
My ideal situation would be for him to win the starting job and hit leadoff, putting Prado back in his more natural 2-spot and Heyward in the 3 hole before Uggla, McCann and Chipper.
We’ll see, but I think centerfield will turn out better than most think.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:31 am
Thanx for the ‘no idea’ option in the poll, DOB. That’s where I stand.
jmart
December 6th, 2010
11:33 am
DOB:
You are the best. Thanks for giving us regular updates through the off season. I doubt any other mid market team has a reporter feeding fans information like you do.
Blogs like this give us more insight into what is really going on behind the scenes. CF options of McClouth, Young and now Schafer help me understand that CF may not be the problem I had thought.
In reality McCloth could come back to his 2008 form, Matt Young could prove to be a good major leaguer or Schafer could be the comeback player of the year. Between the three of them I’ll take the odds that one of them performs well in CF this year.
TexasBrave
December 6th, 2010
11:36 am
“I agree having Schafer in center would be an improvement. He covers a lot more ground than McLouth” dpelfrey
Not to mention that Schafer will at least attempt a throw home where McLouth just eats the ball every time.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:36 am
TexasBrave
December 6th, 2010
11:27 am
DOB do you see any circumstance(besides injury or trade) in which Schafer is the starting CF and not McLouth? Let’s say Schafer wows everyone again in ST and McLouth is so so. Does McLouth’s millions guarantee him the starting spot no matter how he performs?
For what it’s worth TEX (and that’s a lot- 7 millions) I think so. How long a rope McLOUTH gets is the question unless he has a career year of course. In which case, we have a stay of execution.
beachcomber
December 6th, 2010
11:37 am
Lew – Good to see your posts and, as usual right on. AJC can hire typists for 8-10 bucks an hour,
justin1
December 6th, 2010
11:40 am
Yep, Ill believe it when I see it. At this point in time id rather see the Braves trade for Lorenzo Cain now that hes been made available. Talk about a player with a HUGE upside!
Jordan Schafer is undoubtably a very good baseball player, but at some point, we just have to move forward. Keep him in AA until he proves he can handle the next level. Just like any other minor leaguer.
If it works out, great. If not, we’ll have Cain as our potential leadoff man CF’er.
I do believe, however, that Frank is just about done this offseason.
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
11:40 am
How about that Berkman signing, guess I can’t talk about the Braves signing this offseason. You think we could work out a trade with St. Louis for him?
LongtimeBravesfan
December 6th, 2010
11:40 am
So far this offseason Wren has made 3 deals for players that other teams were willing to unload for nothing (Mather) or cheap (Uggla and Linebrink). Perhaps Keppinger will be the 4th. He has played 2nd, 3rd, SS and even a little OF in the majors, but I wonder how good a fielder he is. He has a good bat for a untility guy.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
11:41 am
LoveBraves-n-Clash: Thanks, I didn’t even realize I’d typed “Remote Control.”
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
11:42 am
Lorenzo Cain isn’t any huge upgrade, basically just a filler for our minors.
McFann O O
December 6th, 2010
11:43 am
Bobby!
That’s fun, DOB!
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:43 am
braveslifer
December 6th, 2010
10:17 am
I’m hoping that KK is traded by the conclusion of the Winter Meetings.
I’m sure EVERYBODY within the BRAVES org hopes so as well. And I do mean everybody. BTW, has KK bothered to work on his delivery problems this fall, or is he stuck in that hot car with a heavy date? America……..gotta’ love it.
some sense
December 6th, 2010
11:44 am
Someone please show this guy how to weart a ball cap.
Hal J
December 6th, 2010
11:44 am
Trading for Zack Grienke could be compared to trading for a young Greg Maddux. The guy can pitch, and he thinks… maybe a little too much, but he’s learning and he’s young. He improves any pitching staff he’s on, a lot, for a lot of years to come.
Talk of Heyward, Prado, McLouth and Schafer as fourth outfielder — where’s Joe Mather? Fifth outfielder? And Eric Hinske is an infielder? Matt Young has to work hard to beat out somebody. And does the kid from NC who did well in Arizona get a taste this spring?
Outfield depth may be coming along, but who backs up Alex Gonzalez, Dan Uggla, and Chipper Jones?
Boonie
December 6th, 2010
11:46 am
RC I also think Keppinger would be the perfect choice to step in and fill the void left by the departure of Infante. He’s from the Atlanta area so I’m sure he would welcome the idea as well. DOB have you heard anything about Wren being interested in him?
Tyler
December 6th, 2010
11:46 am
DOB,
After speaking with Shafer and writing this great blog…where would YOU vote Shafer at on your poll?
I saw him last year (live close to Gwinnett Stadium) at Moe’s and didn’t think he was too big. Was really suprised on how small he was. Good to hear he’s added some weight and sounds focused.
I hope he live up to the 09 hype that surrounded him. We would certainly have a home grown dynamic OF if he surpasses Nate on the depth chart in CF.
Things are looking good.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:47 am
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
11:40 am
How about that Berkman signing, guess I can’t talk about the Braves signing this offseason. You think we could work out a trade with St. Louis for him?
NO!
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
11:48 am
Ark. Trans.
Cain seems to be an up and coming player with good upside. Everyone keeps raving to get a good, young, controllable OF. This guy fits the bill. Listed to have a career OBP in the minors over .400. In 30+ games in the MLB last year he posted a batting avg. over .300 and an OBP near .350. Plus an OPS of .750+ which is good for a young speedster. Wouldn’t be a bad pickup depending on the asking price. Plus hes RH and only 24. We don’t have a lot of guys like that in farm system.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
11:51 am
Someone please show this guy how to weart a ball cap. — some sense
OK. If you’ll first show us how to weart one.
(smile)
Poorbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:52 am
Agree with richbraves on giving Young a chance. “No idea” in poll also got my vote.
Thanks P”Cola for link on Lorenze Cain. The kids from Valdosta, Ga and a very good player. Yes, I would like to see him in Atlanta like Justin 1 said @ 11:40.
Still would love to have Bill Hall.
TommyP
December 6th, 2010
11:54 am
I would imagine Milwaukee would want Minor for Cain. They are desperate for pitching and need pitching that is ML ready.
I read a lot of favorable stuff about Cain last year.
wide right
December 6th, 2010
11:55 am
DOB. I really appreciate anfd enjoyed the update on Schafer. I am pulling for this kid. “Remote Control” is also my favorite Clash song, despite the fact that i had only understood about half the lyrics until now. Its the opening track on an underrated live Clash album – From Here to Eternity – great version of the song.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:56 am
And does the kid from NC who did well in Arizona get a taste this spring?
CORY HARRILCHAK? He’s a comin’.
NATE McLOUTH
BILL MATHER
JORDAN SCHAFER
MATT YOUNG
JOSE CONSTANZA
Gott’a believe one of those four gets the job after NATE-dog, rather than a trade for a OF if nothing shows at the meetings going on right now. Of course, ‘THE BEAV’ is the vet probably with the best chance of filling in due to his versatility and ML experience.
And we probably can’t go with five OF’ers due to the SS back-up situation. But there might be a trade of CANIZARES, and YOUNG to a AL team for another IF rather than relying on HERNANDEZ or TIMMONS.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
11:56 am
30+ games in the MLB last year he posted a batting avg. over .300 and an OBP near .350. Plus an OPS of .750+ which is good for a young speedster.
Wait. Are you saying he slugged .300 in those 30+?
DAP
December 6th, 2010
11:56 am
tomas I saw Lorenzo Cain play, good player was the impression I got. Right handed, has pop, good defensive CF, and great speed.
maybe you saw him hit a homer or a double, he doesnt really have pop. hes hit 31 homers in 6 minor league seasons. looks like a high average, high OBP, nominal power guy with good speed to me.
collegeballfan
December 6th, 2010
11:57 am
The Schafer report was a damn fine piece of reporting Dave.
If, if, if, he could get back to his former ability it would add so much to the Braves.
Snotboogie
December 6th, 2010
11:57 am
I have seen a couple of comments about Keppinger being from the Atl area and wonder what that has to do with acquiring him. Its really not up to him where he gets traded. He is in his arb years and so Houston has to decided where they get the best return and Keppinger will have to pack his bags and go there. No choice.
steve
December 6th, 2010
11:58 am
I hope Jordan and Nate both have good come-backs as it would be a big boost to the team, Jordan is young enough and with the hard work he is putting in I would not bet against him .
Poorbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:59 am
Dodger interested in Diaz..good luck matt.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
12:00 pm
Scoots
Slugged .415. Your math is a little off. I didn’t post the exact numbers but his slug was what I listed above and OBP of .348. Hes a speed guy. 7/8 in SB. Hear is his career minor league numbers.
.291/ .366/ .416/ .781
DAP
December 6th, 2010
12:01 pm
scoots, cain minor league slg% is .416. good enough if you are a high OBP good defensive CF.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
12:01 pm
Keppinger is a U of Georgia boy, isn’t he? He’d be great as the back-up infielder and can play about every position on IF. Don’t know his salary, but he could be a bit expensive for Braves as b-u???
J-Man
December 6th, 2010
12:06 pm
Hope he hits the juice…….. But seriously, He made McOut look like jackie Robinson. He ain’t got what it takes for the big leagues , hell he didn’t have what it takes for Double A. Have you see his minor league stats. Explain to me how you can ignore that?
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
12:06 pm
lollygagger
Hes a arb guy in his 2nd year. His salary expected to be just over 2 mil
Murph
December 6th, 2010
12:06 pm
McLouth starting should be a last resort type thing. The kind of last resort where half the team dies in a tragic blimp accident and you have to choose between fielding a team and just forfeiting the game… and even then you pause and wonder if it’s better to just forfeit than to run McLouth out there knowing full well he will do something retarded and embarrass the entire city. In the end you give him a start because forfeiting means you have to go home and watch Friends reruns on TBS all night and, we all know, a bad night at the ballpark beats a good night watching TBS 100% of the time.
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
12:12 pm
J-Man, who are you referring to?
MWK
December 6th, 2010
12:13 pm
Dave, I’m taking my family to disney this thursday thru sunday and are staying at the dolphin. Will everyone be gone thursday, or will ya’ll still be around?
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
12:17 pm
$2 million for Keppinger… Braves could do that couldn’t they? He’d be even more insurance for Chipper at 3B, and in fact could probably fill that spot if needed and let Prado stay in LF when Chips needs rest/gets hurt. If they trade KK and save $1 or $2 million, there’s the money for Keps right there. Sounds like Schafer could be option for CF b-u, so all Braves have left to do is find b-u IF. I’m really coming around on Keppinger (well, assuming the trade chips required wouldn’t be more than middle-tier prospects.)
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
12:19 pm
Keppinger would be nice option for BU INF. All depends on asking price
wow
December 6th, 2010
12:20 pm
I’ve a chance to see schafer the last few years in ST and has surprised me with his skills. In 09 i believe he was the best player the grapefruit league granted it was just 25 games but this kid had game breaking abilities and showed them everyday during camp. Last year i had a chance to watch him and something was just not there—not sure what it was but i always root for the guy that shows up early to work-works and then locks the doors when he leaves.
The Grinch
December 6th, 2010
12:25 pm
Murph, your 12:06 is spot on. I’m as big a Frank Wren supporter as anyone on this blog but I think Nate McLouth may well be the worst CF I’ve ever seen in my life. He is just spectacularly awful. For those of you saying it’s the blog that rekindled interest in Schafer, think again. It was barely missing the playoffs last year and having to watch that poor, miserable man (Nate) be the Braves equivalent of Charlie Brown at the plate and in the field. We’re all desperate for ANY sign that there might be an alternative of ANY kind.
Someone knew something that Lew didn’t? I hope that moment was recorded for posterity, as was David’s using a smile at the bottom of an insult (something he used to chastise me for).
59bulldawg
December 6th, 2010
12:25 pm
Great news regarding Jordan. I’m pulling for the young man and bet he makes it back to the bigs! Good luck son!
Piedmont Blues
December 6th, 2010
12:28 pm
I see an open audition for CF next year. McLouth may have the inside track, but with a new manager in the dugout, Fredi has the luxury of giving everyone in the organization a fresh look. The best case might be if Nate plays decently while some combination of Schaefer/Young/Constanza is lights out. Under those circumstances, the Braves might be able to move Nate to another club during the season (even if they have to eat some of the money owed him).
As for the speculation on Lorenzo Cain, he sounds to me like a RH version of Gregor Blanco. Serviceable 4th OF, maybe an OK starter. And the pitcher the Braves could dangle is Beachy.
Still, I’d prefer to see a deal like that happen in the spring, after the Braves have taken a good look at the CF prospects inside the organization.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
12:28 pm
Can’t picture Matt Diaz in Dodger blue… just doesn’t seem fitting. However, better to get him out of division rather than go to Phillies or Nats. Speaking of Nats- with signing of Werth- would that make Mike Morse available? He could be a decent project- seems to have good power potential. 15 homers in about 250 at-bats.
AdirondackDave
December 6th, 2010
12:28 pm
Great piece, DOB. Schafer just might be that player that put the Braves in the world series. The kid can be so good, it’s just amazing. I remember seeing him 2 years ago at a couple spring training games in Jupiter against the Cards and Marlins. Crushed the ball, ran like a deer, and was the best defensive player on the field. He made a catch right in front of me, came out of nowhere, that is still burned in my brain. What an asset he may become.
MikeInFl
December 6th, 2010
12:29 pm
Keppinger seems like a good option. Don’t know if Wren has $2 mil in the budget, of course.
His defensive stats aren’t great. I took the time to the read the “UZR Primer” at fangraphs (there’s 15 minutes of life I’ll never see again), and even the authors conclude that UZR is practically meaningless. Here’s an excerpt:
. . . a player’s UZR, be it one year, one month or 5 years, is not necessarily what happened on the field and is not necessarily that player’s true talent level over that period of time either.
So, I figure Keppinger’s been good enough in the field that he’s been trusted to play there for 3700 major league innings, including 1400 at shortstop; and while his bat is acceptable, it’s not so good that he’d get P.T. if he was kicking the ball all over the field.
Go get him, Frank.
Choppinmama
December 6th, 2010
12:29 pm
I remember the day late in spring training 2009 when the news that Schafer had been named the starting centerfielder buzzed through the crowd. In the late innings, he was standing up on the fence during the game, so I started saying “Hey, starting outfield.” It took me about 3 times before he turned around with a big smile and waved.
Poor guy, that’s about as good as it got for him that season. Gotta hand it to him (yuk, yuk), he’s persevered through some awfully disappointing setbacks. Good luck to him at ST this year. It would be great for us and for him to fulfill his potential, and to have a productive 2011 season out on the field with Heyward and Hanson.
It’s a hard tightrope to walk – keep your injury hidden ’cause you want to play, or report the injury and take yourself out of play. Too bad it cost him 2 years, but sounds like he’s healthy and raring to go now. Thanks for the in-depth report, DOB.
SF Braves Fan
December 6th, 2010
12:30 pm
I wish Schafer the best, not least because I have 0 confidence in Nate McLouth, and I think the more options we have in center field the better. That said, I have NEVER understood why players try and hide their injuries when they are hurting, and it seems to be the hight of stupidity to me. No matter how macho you are, common sense should tell you that when you keep playing while injured, you are probably going to aggravate your injury and/or play very badly, putting up poor numbers and lowering your own value as a player in the eyes of your coaches and fans (and Rookie of the Year voters– I’m looking at you, Heyward). The fact that Heyward and Schafer both did it in the space of 2 years might be a coincidence, but the Braves organization should really try and drum this idea into the heads of their prospects.
MObravesfan
December 6th, 2010
12:32 pm
Good article DOB. I think Schafer is the real deal. He has made some mistakes, but I think we all will be happy with the Braves organizations patience with him. Hamilton made mistakes too, but given second chances is now the MVP of the American League. I am not saying that Schafer can match that, but it is obvious he has a lot of talent.
Choppinmama
December 6th, 2010
12:37 pm
Schafer and Prado rehabbing together should get them comfortable with each other, kinda into mental sync, a good thing to have when roaming the outfield together.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
12:38 pm
Co-sign on with all the Schafer love in posts above. I really like the kid- seems to WANT to play all the time, even when hurt. And he wouldn’t rat out his friends in the HGH probe… shows me he’s loyal and is not just looking out for himself- cares about friends (and teammates). Best case scenario for me would be McLouth rebounds as everyday starter, and Schafer earns 4th OF spot in spring and has good enough year where he’ll be penciled into CF spot for 2012 season and many more beyond. Yeah, he’s a crap shoot right now… but I like the kid and think he’ll regain his form.
jimmymack
December 6th, 2010
12:39 pm
good luck we need all your tool’s
Melky
December 6th, 2010
12:41 pm
Honestly, Schafer hadn’t crossed my mind as competing for the 4th OF spot, or potentially the CF spot. That is crazy how he has slipped out of my mind. Hopefully he can regain some form and be what he was projected to be, we could certainly use it.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
12:42 pm
A Grinch sighting. Damn.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
12:48 pm
Your math is a little off.
Yeah, I can drop a hundred points off a slash stat in a heartbeat, LOL. Too much complex math killed the synapses that handle simple addition.
BravePack
December 6th, 2010
12:50 pm
DOB
I read on your buddy Bowman’s last 2 blogs that Wren’s two issues going to the winter meetings were obviously trying to trade Kawakami and he says extending Uggla. Haven’t really read anything about the Uggla extension from you as far as on the Winter meetings agenda. Any insight?
MattyRoss
December 6th, 2010
12:51 pm
DOB, what’s Bobby’s reception like in the lobby? Lot of reporters coming up with well wishes and backslaps or is it more hushed reverence? Just curious.
Bartman n Orl
December 6th, 2010
12:51 pm
I don’t think Chipper needs to keep his 3rd spot in the order anymore. This is how I’d like to see the order pan out. I do like McClouth still but he will one of those guys who will need a change of scenery to get better. The thing is, the only way somebody trades for him is if he starts playing like did before ATL. Then you’d like to keep him to play left while Chipper is DLed…wow Vicious cycle.
Schafer
Prado
Heyward
Uggla
McCann
Jones
Freeman
Gonzalez
DAP
December 6th, 2010
12:52 pm
MikeFL Don’t know if Wren has $2 mil in the budget, of course.
he probably does, since he got $3.5mil back with linebrink. still dont know for sure, though. might could aim for going with what theyve got now with a chance to improve at the all-star break if its needed. never a bad idea to keep a few mil on hand for that.
John OTC
December 6th, 2010
12:52 pm
Nice article.
I’m still very worried about our lack of viable CF options. We have too many “if’s” for my taste. IF Chipper is healthy then MP can play LF. IF JS can play CF we have a little depth (with one game ML time while healthy).
IF John OTC can learn to throw a ball at 100 MPH with movement I wouldn’t be typing this from my desk at work…
N8
December 6th, 2010
12:53 pm
As a Braves fan, how can you NOT root for Schafer to return to form and eventually take CF over?
I understand if you don’t have confidence that he can. It’s a mystery. But no harm whatsoever can come out of letting him fight for that job in ST, regardless of Nate’s contract.
Combined (Nate and Schafer) they will barely clear 7 million dollars. So does it really matter who is the starter or the 4th outfielder? I hope that if Schafer is the best man for the job with a good spring showing, Fredi will start the guy that gives the team the best chance to win, not the guy with the biggest contract.
On a side note… could the Braves have hand-picked a better workout partner to be around Schafer for the next few weeks until ST starts? Having Prado around the kid on a daily basis is huge.
Who knows? When all is said and done, maybe Schafer being around Prado with some one on one time will be the best thing for his career. Meaning that Prado’s injury while devistating to the playoffs last year, might reep years of benefit for the team moving forward.
Only other guy that I could think of that I’d rather have hanging with him is Chipper. And I think if given the choice I might still choose Prado, because Prado had to fight and claw to earn a starting job in the big leagues. With what Schafer has gone through, I think Prado is the perfect mentor for him until full squad workouts begin. Not to mention, Schafer can probably return the favor and help Prado on his outfield work.
Like I said. Match made in heaven as far as I’m concerned if Schafer is still a part of the future for the Braves.
Ted M
December 6th, 2010
12:55 pm
I like Schafer and I’m glad the Braves didn’t give up on him. I think we’ll start out pretty slow though. It will be 2 years since he hit live pitching while 100% healthly. It will take some time getting back (most of the bloggers here will right him off). Hopefully all we’ll need is 5 or 6 weeks at Gwinnett then he replace McLouth after he flunks out.
N8
December 6th, 2010
12:55 pm
I forgot to add that a healthy Schafer is also really good for Nate to have around as well. I’m a firm believer in competition when a guy isn’t the “given” choice at a position (like Heyward in RF for example).
Even if Schafer doesn’t win the job, if he’s playing well, it should push Nate a bit. Which is nothing but good.
If they both suck….. well. We’ve got a problem then.
stachemoney22
December 6th, 2010
12:57 pm
At least schafer will throw the ball in CF (mcOUT) . In fact, schafer has a cannon arm. Hopefully, fredi has a shorter leash with mcOUT than bobby would have.
bring back blauser
December 6th, 2010
12:58 pm
remember when everyone was saying get rasmus get ellsbury they all said i was crazy when i said the answer was here all along
jordan schafer
Murph
December 6th, 2010
1:01 pm
If they both suck we’ve got Young who is showing he wants to a part of any OF position battle… I’m honestly not all that worried about CF for some reason. I guess it’s because after McLouth/Ankiel/Melky I view pretty much anything as an upgrade.
With so many candidates I have to believe that someone will earn the position rather than getting it by default. We’ll see come March.
P-Town Brave ©
December 6th, 2010
1:02 pm
N8-
I don’t want Chipper hanging w/ anyone that needs to stay focused during the offseason…
If Jordan were hanging w/ Chipper, all he’d be doing is eating a whole lot of deer and shooting a whole lot of deer…
He’d learn more about climbing into deer stands than a batters box…
And more about timing bow shots than timing pitchers deliveries to home plate…
Ted M
December 6th, 2010
1:02 pm
If Schafer is not the starting CF on opening day he needs to be at Gwinnett not sitting on the bench.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
1:04 pm
I need your address bring back blauser, so I can send you this gold star. I mean, you went way out on a limb with that one. Nobody had ever heard of Schafer before a few days ago. LOL. Mostly just kidding with ya man… but for the record, I have been a Schafer supporter/promoter for 3 years- and there have been at least a handful of bloggers still on the Schafer love train. They just get drowned out by all the haters- the same haters who are now probably primed to hop aboard any minute now and act like they’ve always been there.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
1:06 pm
He’d learn more about climbing into deer stands than a batters box…
Hey, if getting involved with Buck Commander can get Schafer to hit .330, I’d buy his rifle my own self, LOL.
BravoMan
December 6th, 2010
1:10 pm
Lorenzo Cain. Brewers CF being looked into by Wren. Could provide much needed insurance for McLouth in CF
Bobby Hill
December 6th, 2010
1:10 pm
The Braves have so much money invested in McLouth that they almost have to give him every opportunity to produced, hoping they can get some kind of return on their investment. It would really help the Braves out if Schafer was ready to produce at teh big league level, but Schafer has played so little baseball over the past three years that there is simply no way to predict what this kid could do over the course of a full season. Has Schafer ever had more than 300 AB’s in any year? Has he ever hit well for more than a few weeks at a time? We saw six solid weeks from Troy Glaus last year, and we saw KJ hit well for a few weeks at a time.
Still, its hard to picture a player contributing less than McLouth did for most of last year. If Schafer is healthy and playing solid defense in CF that could be an improvement.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
1:11 pm
It will just be a matter of time before Prado will be the full-time third baseman if that’s the way the Braves want to go. Might be smarter to bring in a younger guy that will eventually be your left fielder. Is Prado good enough defensively to handle the job at third or should someone like Kepplinger be brought in to take over for Chipper for the future? No chance that McLouth is with the Braves beyond 2011. Braves will have two outfield spots to fill if Chipper goes down and Prado takes his place.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
1:12 pm
The thing I look at in this situation is upside. If Nate comes back and plays well, he can be a decent player. If Jordan taps into that potential he flashed at the beginning of 2009, he could be a dynamic player…and handle the leadoff spot.
Murph
December 6th, 2010
1:15 pm
Instead of hanging with Schafer I’d rather see Chipper hanging with McLouth. Take him out deer hunting… cover him in some deer scent… put some antlers on top of his head and tell him it’s camouflage… then leave him in a field and let the deer take care of the rest.
No more McLouth problems, and the team can focus on moving forward with Schafer or Young.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
1:15 pm
Travis, I’m all for bringing in Ludwig Kepplinger, but it might be a bad PR move.
chris
December 6th, 2010
1:18 pm
brewers want a starting pitcher for lorenzo cain…thats crazy