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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,489 comments Add your comment
RC
December 6th, 2010
2:51 pm
DAP,
The Nationals have had a good offense in past years, but I don’t know for sure how this year’s team will look. Rumor is that they are shopping Willingham fairly agressively, which is odd considering how good his numbers have been over the past few years (basically Jayson Werth in a different ballpark). If that’s the case, I guess it would give Morse an everyday job in LF, and if they get a good hitting 1b they could be a formidable lineup again. But I am not sure they will be quite as good as they were last year (offensively anyway).
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
2:52 pm
I’m surprised there’s not more interest in Kawakami if the Braves are willing to pay 80% of his salary. You’d think a few teams would be okay spending a few million to have a back end rotation guy to eat some innings or provide some insurance.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
2:53 pm
Matt-
okay, you’re right- I didn’t realize Cain had played in MLB last year. But I offer this: 17R 1HR 13 RBI in 147 games… if that’s what you call “pretty productive,” then damn, you’re impressed pretty easily. Even McLouth “produced” better than that.
.
December 6th, 2010
2:55 pm
flat bill cap curse..= Kris Medlen
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
2:55 pm
Correction on my stats: Cain was in 147 at-bats… not games.
Mozelle's
December 6th, 2010
2:55 pm
The National’s might think that they can afford to overpay for Werth because they really project Harper to turn into a super-mega-star in a few years while making 500k. Plus they might as well not make a deal if it won’t help them in 3 or 4+ years when Harper is ready. Not that I think its a smart move to count on Werth for that long, but maybe they want to/need to take a gamble at some point and saw a good chance with Werth and jumped on it.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
2:56 pm
Nationals are shooting themselves in the foot. With the talent they have in their system, there’s no reason to give a player like Werth that much money over 7 years. They might get a few good years out of him, but at some point during those 7 years, Werth’s contract will handcuff some other aspect of the team. This has been a pitching starved franchise anyway, so if they’re going to hand out that kind of moeny, it should be to Cliff Lee and not Jayson Werth.
ward
December 6th, 2010
2:56 pm
Mclouth chokes, and Schafer wins center field, and Mclouth ends up the 4th out fielder….I’d rather have Schafer. Piss on Mclouth…..How is every one?
ward
December 6th, 2010
2:57 pm
Schafer is going to have a big year……….
DAP
December 6th, 2010
2:59 pm
RC, yeah, obviously its too soon to tell, but even if they trade willingham…if they decide to play morse full time in left and get a player like carlos pena or adam laroche to play 1st, they have taken a huge leap forward defensively, and id argue the offense is just as strong if not better. and in that scenario, they have probably traded willingham for pitching. just saying, you cant over look them. by 2012, i think they are going to be a pretty good team.
Flat Bill Cap Curse
December 6th, 2010
2:59 pm
Medlin!!! Yes…. the curse continues!
Yeah I heard Willingham is on the block to help pay for Werth. Even if they keep Willingham… he ,Zimmerman, Morse and company ain’t Utley, Howard, Rollins and crew. Not even close! Werth may perform brilliantly with the Nats, but no one can say he won’t have far more pressure on him to carry the load than he had in Philly.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
3:00 pm
Anyway, the Nats won’t get anymore production out of Werth than they got out of Dunn this past year. And they still don’t have any starting pitching, especially with Strasburg on the shelf for most of the year. They’ll still win 10 games against the Braves, but will lose 90 games yet again.
Murph
December 6th, 2010
3:00 pm
ward’s in the house.
ward, what do you make of the Beltran rumors? Where’s he going?
poorbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:01 pm
I like Lorenzo Cain for the long run and cheap.
DAP
December 6th, 2010
3:01 pm
dpelfry the Nats won’t get anymore production out of Werth than they got out of Dunn this past year.
could be pretty even, considering werth’s speed and defense.
ryan c
December 6th, 2010
3:02 pm
well, a fluff piece from DOB and all of a sudden schafer’s going to be Pujols…
jordan hasnt been good in 2 years and he wasnt even “great” then. come on guys, dont drink the koolaid that quickly. there wont be any leftover when the Beachy fluff piece comes out.
Nick
December 6th, 2010
3:03 pm
Braves are gonna suck next season.
Mutts
December 6th, 2010
3:03 pm
$18 million per season for Werth reminds me of the Red Sox overpaying JD Drew. Ask any Red Sox fan how that has worked out for them.
Murph
December 6th, 2010
3:05 pm
ryan c. has spoken. Shame on all of you for having hope. Hope is for the weak. A man confronts you he is the enemy. An enemy deserves no mercy!
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:05 pm
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
2:52 pm
I’m surprised there’s not more interest in Kawakami if the Braves are willing to pay 80% of his salary. You’d think a few teams would be okay spending a few million to have a back end rotation guy to eat some innings or provide some insurance.
I’m afraid the entire ML universe saw just what KK can do for a rotation. They spoke loud and clear….. he cleared waivers …..which to my mind might have happened if he had a $440,000 contract rather than a 6.67 million one. And with his ‘tude about a return to NIPPON, I don’t see many, if any takers at any price. I think the probability of him toiling away his contract in the Southern League in 2011 to be about equal to a ML club taking him off our hands. Good luck FRANK…….sell,sell,sell.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:07 pm
Nick
December 6th, 2010
3:03 pm
Braves are gonna suck next season.
Hey, welcome back NICKSTER, the BRAVES love you too.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:08 pm
OMG, if the PHILLIES took KK, they would be truly WERTH-less.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:09 pm
Murph: Haven’t heard any thing on Beltran! Wouldn’t mind seeing him in center. Any thing,but Mclouth?
stone
December 6th, 2010
3:09 pm
Lets hope this kid really becomes what he has potential to become. When he does he can play center, move mcclouth to left, Prado will play third when chipper goes down for the season. That makes for a pretty solid outfield and some good hitting if mcclouth comes around. I hope the sophomore slump doesn’t bite heyward and we should be fine.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
3:10 pm
I would have to believe that Braves would give Schafer another crack at CF before they acquire Cain and put him out there instead. Schafer could give us speed AND power with good defense from CF. Cain hits for good average, but doesn’t appear to have any power to speak of.
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
3:10 pm
I seriously hope Dan Uggla doesnt look at the contract Werth just signed and says to himself “Hmmmm, if a player like Werth, one who hits an average of 25 homers a year can get 18 million, surely I can get more than that.”
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
3:10 pm
richbrave…
He cleared waivers because no one in their right mind would assume the 6.7 million he’s owed. You put him through waivers at $1-2 million, and I bet there would be a few bites. That’s effectively what Wren is doing now.
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:10 pm
murph, this blog is for opinions. ryan c has his. it don’t need smart a@@ to correct others with their on.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:10 pm
I realized hope is for the weak, in thinking Mclouth will come back……
Murph
December 6th, 2010
3:11 pm
ward, do you work tonight or did you take this week off knowing that the Winter Meetings are going on?
ryan c
December 6th, 2010
3:11 pm
Murph,
I’m just saying that you should be a little realistic when thinking about Schafer. His .742 career minor league OPS is just not good. You think it’s only coincidence that DOB writes up Schafer right when the biggest MLB trading frenzy of the offseason is about to begin? I don’t.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:12 pm
O.J.: I don’t think Uggla is greedy like Werth…….
JS Superstar!
December 6th, 2010
3:12 pm
“well, a fluff piece from DOB and all of a sudden schafer’s going to be Pujols…”
I wouldn’t call it a fluff piece. DOB did a story about someone people have been clamoring to hear about. I have absolutely ZERO problems with the article and reporting. I read nothing there that made me think anyone was taking it easy on anyone.
That being said, you were right about one thing. All it takes is an article that says JS is feeling healthy and suddenly its, “I always liked that kid… he’s gonna have a big year!”
Where the hell does that come from? Because Schafer said so? Because he feels good? He said he felt good when he was striking out at a record pace then we found out he was lying and hurt.
I suppose I’m one of the “non-believers” that Schafer has to deal with. Show me you’re big league material for more than a month and I’ll give you some credit. Until then, you’re just another propect with potential. Don’t understand anyone getting excited about this kid until he produces.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
3:12 pm
ryanc-
But I really, really like kool-aid. Schafer is the best flavor, my friend.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:13 pm
McLOUTH’s entering the last year of his contract. Expect serious improvement because all he got after 2011 is that 1.25 mill option out. If he doesn’t come through, he’ll never sniff a million dollar deal again. I mean, “you hit the ball, you catch the ball, you throw the ball.” (BULL DURHAM). How’s that going NATE?
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:13 pm
Shcafer is 23 years of age! ryan c: did you for get that!
Puma
December 6th, 2010
3:14 pm
Good read DOB, thanks for the offseason articles.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
3:14 pm
His .742 career minor league OPS is just not good.
Nor is the concept of using career minor league numbers as a measuring stick.
Necromancer
December 6th, 2010
3:14 pm
Well, I believe in the saying, “Good attitude yields good results.” Schafer seems to have his mind made up to redeem himself.
I admire that. I just hope and pray that he does indeed come through on what he’s said!
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
3:14 pm
ward, I seriously hope you are right. I think he may take a discount to stay in Atlanta, say 5 years at 14 million a year, maybe 14.5? make it backloaded so it doesnt cost more than 10 million the first 2 years until Chippers and Lowes contract comes off.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
3:14 pm
I realized hope is for the weak, in thinking Mclouth will come back…… — Ward
Ward’s having an identity crisis. Should make for an interesting evening!
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:14 pm
Piss on Mclouth….. Mclouth Who???? Oh never mind……
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:15 pm
drink up Lolly !!!!
ryan c
December 6th, 2010
3:15 pm
I love the piece and I love the insight, and I’m rooting for Schafer to be an impact ballplayer. I’m just saying it is what it is…
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
3:15 pm
ryan c, you are and idiot
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:16 pm
Whats up Lollygagger?
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
3:17 pm
LOL. Just ask the Marlins if they think Uggla is greedy… It’s all a matter of perspective.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:17 pm
I have to go to wrk in 15 minutes…..
rick p
December 6th, 2010
3:17 pm
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
10:53 am
LWells2000
December 6th, 2010
10:50 am
You do realize Schafer is just 24 and well ahead of Werth at this point in his career. I’m pretty sure the Phillies are glad they didn’t give up on him at 24.
——-
That would have been tough since he was with the Jays then and the injury didnt happen till two years later (with the Dodgers).
IT helps to know what you are talking about when acting all condescending towrd another poster
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
3:17 pm
Lollygagger, Uggla did that because he knew it would be out of their price range and that they would trade him.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:18 pm
I believe Uggla will stay!
BravePack
December 6th, 2010
3:18 pm
Great sign fellow bloggers it appears the Braves and Uggla have talked a bit about an extension per Heyman. I hope this gets done quickly and soon and the way Wren is handling things this offseason it should.
J-Man
December 6th, 2010
3:19 pm
D.O.B. we need a blog about the Winter Meetings, maybe an interview with some Braves brass. I want to know if we are gonna make anymore moves………like a new CF or Zach Grienke I hope.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:19 pm
In Wren we Trust!
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:19 pm
Lolly the Marlins are not the Braves and Uggla wanted out. he has said he would like to finish his carer in Atlanta….LOL get real.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
3:19 pm
Whats up Lollygagger?
Not much, Ward. My blood pressure shot up a bit when we were talking about trading for a Cain and I realized it wasn’t the one that plays for San Francisco. But I’m good now.
abwright
December 6th, 2010
3:19 pm
After Schafer’s meteoric rise through the minors, followed by his equally meteoric plummet, I would say that anything is possible.
If he’s healthy, though, he should be able to hit better than .200 in the majors. Isn’t that what it took to play CF in 2010?
Best case scenario for the Braves is that both McLouth and Schafer have very good Springs. In that case, Braves would probably go with McLouth for CF and Schafer to AAA. Braves could (potentially) trade McLouth at mid-season and bring up Schafer if both continue to perform.
The only way I see Schafer starting in ATL at the beginning of 2011 is if Schafer is lights out and McLouth can’t hit, throw, run, or anything else throughout ST.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:20 pm
Let Wren work his magic!
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
3:21 pm
buddy-
I was only kidding on Uggla. That’s why I added it was matter of perspective… I know he strongarmed them b/c he wanted out. But really… who’s to say he won’t do the same to ATL if they don’t compete for a few years?
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
3:21 pm
J-Man, are you new or something? Braves are not making anymore significant moves, we already made our big moves, and the very Blog you are on now is a new blog.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:22 pm
Lollygagger: I’m buying into Wrens’ plan. Be patient my friend….
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
3:22 pm
Wren has worked his magic already this season. He left his wand at home for these meetings, I’m thinking. A KK trade could dispell that thought, however.
Necromancer
December 6th, 2010
3:22 pm
I have a good feeling that Uggla will stick around Atlanta for a few years. His family’s close by and he’ll be managed by Gonzalez again.
Lots of positives here…
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:23 pm
ricky p. Schafer is not Werth and you can’t judge that he will be. we can only hope.
GPB
December 6th, 2010
3:23 pm
Dave, typo regarding McLouth being untradeable due to his 2011 performance.
I don’t particularly care for Schafer. I tried to defend Frenchy but he killed himself through stubbornness. Jordan’s going to have to do it without my support. I won’t boo him away though. McLouth’s performance was abysmal last year so anything is like to be better.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:23 pm
It’s obvious SCHAFER is a driven man. Associated with but not necessarily guilty of involvement with banned substances. Yet, banned for 50 games. Hurt, and not disclosing the fact.
Is SCHAFER going to continue to do whatever it takes to get to the majors? ‘Cause if so I don’t want him on the team. For his sake and ours, I hope not.
I wish him the best, and pray his thinking has become better balanced. It appears JORDAN’s impediments to a great career are somewhat self-inflicted.
JS Superstar!
December 6th, 2010
3:24 pm
“Great sign fellow bloggers it appears the Braves and Uggla have talked a bit about an extension per Heyman. I hope this gets done quickly and soon and the way Wren is handling things this offseason it should.”
Maybe Wren saw the Werth contract and RAN to get Uggla on the phone! He probably thought he should do something before Uggla saw what Carl Crawford is gonna get! lmao
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:24 pm
Talk to you guy’s later. Off to work I go……
Mozelle's
December 6th, 2010
3:24 pm
Ryan C.
Since the Braves haven’t made any transactions today all you get is either a “fluff piece,” or nothing. Plus if you actually read the article you criticized you’d see that everyone is hoping he can get healthy and that’s what his “career minor league OPS” was not that great. Also what are you implying? DOB is pimping him to drum up trade interest in other teams? Really? That’s your first guess? Gimme a break
PureEvil
December 6th, 2010
3:25 pm
Where do you work ward???
ryan c
December 6th, 2010
3:25 pm
“ryan c, you are and idiot”
classic…yes, i am AND idiot.
bvillebaron
December 6th, 2010
3:25 pm
Good luck, Jordan. I for one will be rooting for you. For all you critics out there, I didn’t see anywhere in the article that Jordan doesn’t fully understand (1) how many doubters are out there; and (2) why they feel that way. Certainly, that is understandable and a justified position to take. My only criticism is that far too many people have already written off a still only 24 year old kid who had to deal with a major and long lasting injury to a key component to his swing–his wrist. As far as I am concerned I am rooting hard for a kid who took some of his bonus money and bought a batting cage and works as hard as Schafer does. I hope he proves all of you critics wrong and preferably while he is still wearing a Braves’ uniform.
P.S. Schafer didn’t fail a drug test because there were no drug tests for HGH. Consequently, his suspension could have only been based on circumstantial evidence.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:25 pm
The decision in 2009 between Josh Anderson and Jordan Schaefer was by my memory a close one. The Braves let Anderson go because he wasn’t quite good enough but he had the tools. Where is he now? Some guys just don’t make the adjustment from the minors shorter season and the fact that the best pitching you will see in the minors is usually the worst you see in the bigs. Mlb is one of the few sports that has minor leagues. Basketball and football have colleges that will pay the bill for 4 years to see just how good these guys will be in game day situations. If you look at the success rate for college to pros basketball/football players the success rate is much much higher. Not easy to judge talent in baseball either when kids use aluminum bats that make their stats much harder to judge.
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:27 pm
Lolly I respect your perspective.
on another note I too like L Cain.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
3:28 pm
I wish him the best, and pray his thinking has become better balanced. It appears JORDAN’s impediments to a great career are somewhat self-inflicted.
Admittedly, he isn’t as smart as we are, rich, LOL, because he doesn’t have the benefit of our years.
“Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.”
Just have to hope that any young man can get through the pitfalls that make that saying true.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
3:28 pm
Hearing from a Brewers source that earlier Braves-Cain rumor was just speculation more than anything else, that the teams haven’t been discussing it.
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:30 pm
Travis .where has schafer been? Josh played with Tigers and got traded I believe and now back in aaa. But you right. can’t judge that early.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:30 pm
Never understood the aluminum bats in college. Why?
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:31 pm
thanks DOB for that info on Cain.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
3:33 pm
GPB: Thanks for the heads-up on 2011 typo.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:33 pm
buddy…I guess my point was that Anderson has been healthy and if the Braves had kept him, we still wouldn’t have a lock down/ I’m gonna be here in center forever type player. Gregor Blanco was better than all these guys and he is gone.
Fredi's Fu Manchu
December 6th, 2010
3:34 pm
Don’t care if Schafer hits much. His D in CF is legit. Don’t forget how awful McLouth was in CF. On top of that, w/ Prado in LF need to be as strong as we can be in CF.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
3:34 pm
The decision in 2009 between Josh Anderson and Jordan Schaefer was by my memory a close one.
…whereas I remember it not being close at all. Anderson was out of options and Schafer wasn’t even on the 40-man, so a “close” decision likely would have gone to Anderson.
I do, however, remember the incessant whining from some here about the trading of the guy, LOL. You’d have thought the Braves had traded away the pennant.
jeffrey d
December 6th, 2010
3:34 pm
Never understood the aluminum bats in college. Why?
I dunno…cheaper than constantly replacing a bunch of wooden ones. Plus they’re less dangerous because they won’t shatter
I still believe
December 6th, 2010
3:35 pm
I hope Schafer comes back and kicks Nate’s butt in Spring Training. I still think this kid has what it takes to be a very good Center Fielder and MLB player. I think him working with Prado is awesome and I hope they feed off of each other and come out next year swining (pun intended).
SHA
December 6th, 2010
3:35 pm
I for one look forward to seeing Jordan back in spring training. I think the Braves did him a dis-service when they ignored his pain and simply sent him down. A player who is not hurt does not need surgery to fix whats not broken. Now that hes healthy and has worked himself back to his strength, I cant wait to see him take off. Jordan might be the key player that puts the Braves back into the series. He is a 5 tool player just like Heyward and with both them and Prado in the outfield, we might have one of the best young outfields in the Majors. (I did say best young)
This team is going to be hot if Wren does not get trade happy. We need no pitching. We need to ditch KK.
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:36 pm
agree TRAVIS 7 ncsoots. You both right.
Fredi's Fu Manchu
December 6th, 2010
3:37 pm
Blanco still w/ our KC affiliate?
Snotboogie
December 6th, 2010
3:37 pm
This is the offseason people. What do you expect to read about?
A blog about Chipper and his offseason – people complain about him hunting and notb eing in shape.
A piece about the recovery of Schafer – people complain about it and say its a fluff piece.
You want an offseason blog talking about what Heyward is doing? Sitting on a recliner watching college football and munching on Cheetos. And I am sure people will complain that Cheetos arent the best choice and he should eat pretzels instead.
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:38 pm
sorry about the caps and 7. should be “&” …time for me to quit.
NC State Nate
December 6th, 2010
3:39 pm
Call me Kawa-crazy but I think KK could be productive in the MLB. But I know why the Braves have decided to move on, they really didn’t have a choice.
DOB, the way Bobby reacted to KK towards the second half of the season, do you think it had something to do with his attitude?
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
3:39 pm
And I am sure people will complain that Cheetos arent the best choice and he should eat pretzels instead.
…and those people would be the anti-Cheetos wing of the Communist Party, I’m guessing. Only logical explanation.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:39 pm
whereas I remember it not being close at all. Anderson was out of options and Schafer wasn’t even on the 40-man, so a “close” decision likely would have gone to Anderson.
ncscoots…I forgot about him being out of options but I do remember all the complaining about the trade. When you can’t watch all the ST games, I guess you only only look at stats and don’t appreciate the fact that some of these ST invitees get most of their playing time against second tier pitching.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:39 pm
TRAVIS:
I’m rooting for SCHAFER IF he has a proper perspective on life, and the reality of himself within baseball. Otherwise, not so much. His talent is equal to the task, I do believe. It’s his approach to life that concerns me a bit. Of course, if he hitting .325 with an 1.000 OPS, I really won’t care. I just don’t think that will happen until he changes the way he perceives things that happen to him in life. I really hope he has, or that he will if he hasn’t.
As to aluminum bats, “…….Not easy to judge talent in baseball either when kids use aluminum bats that make their stats much harder to judge……..”.
And that’s why my grandson plays all summer and fall with wooden rather than aluminum bats. Most serious young baseball players do.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
3:41 pm
Nate has done something in the majors. Schafer has not. Having Schafer start the season in CF everyday for the Braves would be insane. Dude has done NOTHING at the major league level, and sucked in the minors last year. Wrist injuries are no joke. He needs another full year in the minors. McClouth was really bad last year, but he has had major league success in the recent past. He’s also making $7,5M, so he’s going to get every chance to win the starting job. Schafer needs to play as much as possible, and he won’t get that time in the majors. Some of you really need to understand how baseball works.
jeffrey d
December 6th, 2010
3:41 pm
I just hope McCann’s not eating Cheeto’s and pretzels
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
3:41 pm
nscoots…amen to the 3:28.
Everyone fails. Learning to deal with failure is the important part.
jeffrey d
December 6th, 2010
3:42 pm
(sorry McFann…I’ll stop)
Hillbilly
December 6th, 2010
3:42 pm
Hearing from a Brewers source that earlier Braves-Cain rumor was just speculation more than anything else, that the teams haven’t been discussing it.
Man that’s good to hear. Everybody knows you can’t raise a Cain back up when he’s in defeat.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:42 pm
And that’s why my grandson plays all summer and fall with wooden rather than aluminum bats. Most serious young baseball players do.
Is that at the college level or equal?