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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
407 comments Add your comment
Mike
December 14th, 2010
2:45 pm
Wren is dillusional if he thinks this roster can compete with the Phillis….we couldnt compete last year and I don’t think Uggla will make that huge of addition…we must get Grienke if we want to give the Phils a run
ppaddy123
December 14th, 2010
2:48 pm
Grienke’s a head case! We’re fine without him.
K with a K
December 14th, 2010
2:48 pm
Hoping to counter the Phillies free agent signing of Cliff Lee, the Atlanta Braves have made a major offseason splash of their own. The Braves are part of a 3 team trade with the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees. The trade will send 2009 Cy Young award winner Zack Grienke to the Braves in return for prospects Randall Delgado, Matt Lipka, and Brandon Beachy and Yankee infield prospect Eduardo Nunez. The Braves will be sending Derek Lowe to the Yankees who missed out on the Lee sweepstakes and are looking to bolster a staff that has seen the departure of Javier Vazquez and Andy Pettittet.
Smoking Tire
December 14th, 2010
2:50 pm
This is why the NFL will always be better than MLB. You can’t buy the playoffs or a championship in the NFL. In baseball you have the opportunity to purchase the playoffs and championships. I don’t even know why I bother watching the Braves every year.
Granted, there are teams that do middle of the road spending or less and do well each year. I just hate the fact that you can buy your way into contention year after year. There is something inherently wrong with that in competitive sports. I wish MLB could get capped.
I know. Enough whining. Go Braves.
NORRIS
December 14th, 2010
2:52 pm
The phillies have exactly the kind of team that is built for the playoffs. when you have two dominant starters you can pitch them on just a couple days rest and rotate thru the playoffs.
The braves have good pitching but not dominant.
I really hated saying that cause I am a true braves fan for 30 years
Carroll Rogers
December 14th, 2010
2:53 pm
bascogcjs, I think he lost his confidence throwing the ball, and I wrote in a blog with Chipper talking about that. It just didn’t come up in a game situation where it was magnified enough to where you’re going to walk right up to a guy and ask him about that. Maybe you’d handle it differently. You could be my guest on that.
timthebrave
December 14th, 2010
2:56 pm
I like Greinke but I wouldn’t count on him for playoffs or pressure situations. I like our pitching staff as it is. The Braves are going to wait to see what Chipper can do and add another piece during the season would be my guess
Otis Nixon
December 14th, 2010
3:00 pm
Frank Wren, I hope you get this message. The perfect time to pounce is now. The Yankees are desperate for a starting pitcher and Grienke is too much of a head case to make it in the media blitz of NYC. Offer Derek Lowe for Nick Swisher. Lose $15M in salary, pick up $10M. Move Heyward to center, Swisher in right. Braves get a switch hitting power hitter and we have plenty of good young arms to replace Lowe. The Braves will pound the Phillies out of the park.
feartheBraves
December 14th, 2010
3:03 pm
The Braves pitching rotation and bullpen are in good shape – good enough to match up with the Phillies. But the Braves should definitely look for a utility guy. I like Jacoby Ellsbury and the Red Sox would probably be more than willing to trade him at this point, but he’s an outfielder. He could work though as long as Chipper stays healthy (and Prado can fill in for him or Uggla on days off).
Freddie G
December 14th, 2010
3:13 pm
Our Atlanta/Georgia sports teams must be cursed, or is it the penny pinching of the Falcons prior to Arthur Blank, and now by the Braves, Hawks,and Thrashers. It could also be that management knows that our fan base settles easily for mediocrity that more effort is not made to field better teams. We make excuses whenever we like the coaches, i.e. Mark Richt, Bobby Cox,despite their inabilities to get us over the top.
The Hawks had two of the worst GM’s in NBA history and the ownership kept them on, despite their poor draft history. The Phillies have just made a move which should help them to dominate the NL for years to come. It is incumbent that Braves ownership loosen the purse string in order that Frank Wren can upgrade the club in order to compete.
steve brown
December 14th, 2010
3:15 pm
Relax-we have 2 pitchers in their 30’s(Hudson & Lowe) the Phils 3(Lee,Halladay & Oswalt). Odds favor one of theirs breaking down. Hamels has around a .500 record the past 3 years. I will take our young arms over theirs (including minors). Let’s play some ball!
gainer
December 14th, 2010
3:20 pm
I know a lot of people want to go out and trade 5 prospects for mccutchen or greinke or upton but if we do that we’re losing out on an opportunity to have a great starting rotation in a few yrs. If teheran, delgado, minor, beachy, maybe vizcaino are added to hansen and jurrjens(if he’s still around) then we have 7 starters who potentially can be stars or at worst maybe #3 startes (if they live up to expectations). As people have been saying, the phillies rotation, minus hamels is all at least 32 and chances are they aren’t gonna be great for the whole life of their contracts. It sucks we can’t get top free agents but I’d rather build through a strong farm system then be considered the yankees or red sox of the NL.
Mikey
December 14th, 2010
3:20 pm
Braves fans please take a deep breath and relax. We match up very well in starting 4 and probably better at 5 with Beachy/Medlen/Minor in the mix. Phillies have Joe Blanton. The Braves have THE BEST bullpen in the Major Leagues, even w/o Wagner. Who can match Kimbrel/Venters/Dunn/O’FlahertyMoylan plus the new guys? Phillies B/P is a big problem. The Phillies just lost Werth who hit 27 hr. & 85 rbi’s and hit behind Ryan Howard. Barring injuries let the games begin and we will decide on the field!!
Heisenberg
December 14th, 2010
3:23 pm
Freddie G,
Braves in playoffs in 2010, Falcons heading towards clinching HF advantage throughout playoffs, Hawks & Thrashers virtual locks to make playoffs with perhaps 1st round home court in 2011. How many other cities would take the curse of all 4 pro sports teams making playoffs? So none of them may win the grand prize. Mediocrity seems a bit harsh. Especially considering attendance and their games and how it affects revenues and those purse strings. I guess everyone is too busy paying attention to middle of the pack ACC/SEC college football programs to notice Atlanta has some decent pro teams.
229Brave
December 14th, 2010
3:24 pm
Until Liberty Media sells the Braves after next season, they will be no spending a lot of money for good players. Unless Arthur Blank buys the Braves(which would be AUsome). The owner of the Braves doesn’t even want to help the Braves, he just waiting until 2011.
jim
December 14th, 2010
3:29 pm
Mikey,
Dunn is now a Marlin. Venters has had 1 good year and Kimbrel is still an unproven rookie. Venters and Kimbrell have the potential to be dominant at the end of the game, but it is still potential.
the Philly bullpen is not as bad as you suggest. Lidge was dominant during the last two months of the season laswt year, and Madson is a proven setup man.
BigTimeTECHFan
December 14th, 2010
3:36 pm
90% of GM would take Tommy Hanson over Lee because Hansons still young for starting pitcher, I’ll take Giants staff in playoffs over Philly’s, just need 3 starters.
observer
December 14th, 2010
3:37 pm
Based on your inside knowledge from various contacts around the game, how much longer do you honestly believe Liberty Media will hold on to the Braves. Do you think that there’s a good chance that they look to sell this team within the next couple of years or so?
This team desperately needs ownership that is willing to spend whatever it takes to seriously contend for championships year in and year out, and Liberty is simply never going to do that.
I find it sad that the payroll for the braves was higher 10 – 12 years ago then it is now.
smalltownbravesfan
December 14th, 2010
3:37 pm
Braves will have some money to spend but unfortunately not until next year. 1) Chipper retires +14M, 2) KK gone +7m, 3) McClouth gone +6m, Gonzalez gone +2m. (hopefully Uggla signs long term contract and stays). thats approx 29 mil to replace LF (Prado moves to 3B), SS and CF (10 mil per position).
keef
December 14th, 2010
3:44 pm
isn’t cool having the same $84 million dollar payroll…we had in 1990….???
as McGuirk the Liar states: we think $84 mill is where our “sweet spot is..and that Liberty Media doesn’t set payroll….he does….”
I wonder how much of a bonus he gets for taking the rap…LOL…
and yet LM CEO made more than our entire payroll… SO WHY DON’T YOU FREAKIN’ SELL US : A.H.
ryan c
December 14th, 2010
3:48 pm
If anyone on this blog says they’ll take any teams rotation over the Phils, they’re being delusional. Last year, according to Fangraphs, the Halladay was the best pitcher in the game with Lee coming in 2nd. Oswalt and Hamels were in the top 30, making them “ace-worthy”. So, to make a long story short the Phils have the
1. the best pitcher in the majors
2. the 2nd best pitcher in the majors
3. two fringe aces
4. a #3-4 starter
be real…
Mikey
December 14th, 2010
3:51 pm
Jim, Would you trade our B/P for theirs? Phillies lost .296/27/85/.353 and a great defensive R/F protecting their best hitter Ryan. We gained .287/33/105/.369 in Uggla who will protect the best hitting catcher in the NL. Phillies lineup looked pretty vunerable vs Giants. I like our chances!
The truth
December 14th, 2010
3:54 pm
No chance to beat the phillies, when the pressure is on heyward is a no-show and chipper is always hurt so unless we get greinke or felix hernandez we will be going for the wildcard
Steven
December 14th, 2010
3:58 pm
Dereck Lowe would look really good in a Ranger Uni— or perhaps as a Yankee– this might be a great time to free up some bucks! You only play them 3-4 games at a time. Huddie-Hanson-JJ is as good or better than Lowe in the mix. We need a lefty starter anyway. Let’s go Frank–make it happen!
bascogcjs
December 14th, 2010
4:00 pm
Carroll, thanks for responding about Nate.
So, that means Nate lost his confidence throwing a baseball?
So, how could the Braves keep sending someone out there in CF or LF
that lost their confidence in throwing a simple baseball to a base.
Not only that he obviously lost confidence in his hitting.
Sounds like Nate’s a complete mental case and we still kept counting on
him.
Thanks a lot Braves.
JEB
December 14th, 2010
4:08 pm
The “lite hitting” Giants beat the Phillies to advance to the WS.
One Hitter alone was the undoing of Halliday (Cody Ross)
Lee is eratic at times and CAN be beaten (once again – ask the Giants)!
Oswalt is getting older and will have good days and bad days.
We had Beachy go toe to toe w/ Doc – and our lack of a line-up was our undoing.
The Yankees had the line-up last year, and the low budget Rays beat them for the division.
You just have to play the games – you have to!
Also, cheer for the Braves!
Mikey
December 14th, 2010
4:09 pm
The truth is: Ryan, the Phillies most productive hitter will not see a fastball over the plate all season.
Victorino doesn’t scare any pitcher!
hop
December 14th, 2010
4:16 pm
this ownership is as cheap as they come and will not ever make the necessary investment to win, so braves fans you are playing for just second place
Nittany Lion
December 14th, 2010
4:16 pm
What about a trade for Matt Garza from Tampa Bay?
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 14th, 2010
4:27 pm
Nittany – Lowe to Yanks for Swisher or Gardner and use the extra spon for Garza may be an idea, well if Yanks go for it, or we get Garza, Tampa gets Joba, Yanks get Lowe
Smiling Jack
December 14th, 2010
4:31 pm
Where does Philly get all that money???? Answer: The fans buy tickets out the games and attend! Look at their record for sell outs last season. There is nothing magical about it…more paying fans…more money in the coffers to pay players…..Unlike in Atlanta where you have a bunch of bloggers who want owners to spend more money (money Liberty mutual has made from other enterprises) on Braves whose fans will not pay and buy out the games like they do in Philly!
Smiling Jack
December 14th, 2010
4:32 pm
Correction: The fans buy tickets
seminoles
December 14th, 2010
4:34 pm
Why is everyone rushing to add more pitching? We have a great starting staff with many young studs ready to arrive soon. We do not need to tie up our payroll with more pitching. We have glaring holes in CF and potentially 3B. Use your payroll and resources to fill those needs and let your existing pitching staff do its job.
Navigator
December 14th, 2010
4:34 pm
Now don’t ask this silly question again, the Braves management kept McClouth in center field. If you need any more information, take a sports course in your community college. This franchise is an investment only, there is no passion or desire to win championships, just feed the sports monster so it don’t die. It’s the original Braves owners that we had for 30 years before Turner stepped up and bought the franchise. We are the southern version of the Minnesota Twins.
bry22
December 14th, 2010
4:36 pm
It can’t have anything to do with what the Braves do. We have no money to spend no matter what any other team does. We are screwed!! I do not hope that one of there starters gets hurt, but I hope one or more of there starters have a very OFF year. That or injury will be our only hope.
Nittany Lion
December 14th, 2010
4:40 pm
Seminoles have you not noticed that it takes pitching and defense to win. That’s how we won in the 90’s and how Philly is set to win now (minus the defense). You can never have enough pitching. Pitchers go down due to injury all the time and you need the younger ones for back up roles.
I know we need a good center fielder and left fielder but when you have a chance for starting pitcher you go for them. IMO.
jim
December 14th, 2010
4:41 pm
Would I trade our pen for theirs. If I were in it for just next year, I might. For the longer haul, no (just talking about the young pitchers). But whether I would trade pens or not, does not obscure the fact that the Philly pen with a healthy Lidge is better than you give it credit for being, and with their top starters going 7-9 innings eaach start, there is a lot less need for depth beyond the top 3 or 4.
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 14th, 2010
4:45 pm
jim – exactly, they need 2 good RP, we need 5
Smiling Jack
December 14th, 2010
4:48 pm
“The Braves must do this..The Braves must do that” to ever compete for the WS…We bloggers know it all and are such final authorities on what the Braves must do…. Thank God the Braves management never heeds blogger’s advice. The Braves just go about doing their jobs to the best of their abilities. We get to go to exciting games and watch competive Braves play! Enjoyable! Thank you Braves! We’re pulling for you!!!
seminoles
December 14th, 2010
4:50 pm
Nittany
Pitching is not why we didn’t win last year and will not be the reason if we do not win this year. I will grant you that defense did and will play a big part of it. We obviously haven’t addressed that to this point and I am not sure that we can. My point is that unless we plan to trade Lowe, we cannot afford to pick up a high profile starter like Greinke who is making 13.5 million. We would have over half of our payroll tied up in 4 of our pitchers (Lowe, Greinke, Hudson and JJ).
vermont 39
December 14th, 2010
4:52 pm
What the Philies do has no bearing on OUR team.
We beat them last year when we were healthy…we’ll beat them again!!!!
GO BRAVES
ramblingman
December 14th, 2010
4:54 pm
I believe Wren
Mike McDonald
December 14th, 2010
5:03 pm
The Phillies’ coupe de gras would be to lure Wagner for a grand finale WS ring in nearby Philadelphia. They could rub it in further by acquiring Moylan after contentious negotiations with Borras.
Notwithstanding all of this wild speculation, the Braves are in the pitching catbird seat overall with their starters, bullpen and up and comers. Yes, even Kawakami, who is a quality starter despite wretched support.
Chipper is a keystone as they say in Pennsylvania. His performance can make or break the 2011 offense. I say play the hand we have. If Hayward and Freeman come through along with Chipper, I like our chances to contend for the WS this year, especially with Freddi in and Bobby out.
The future has never looked better. When Arthur and Ted step in, in 2012, the treasury of talent and money will be well stocked for a new dynasty in Atlanta, GA..
The truth
December 14th, 2010
5:04 pm
ramblingman
Wren will not make anymore moves, just wait and see
Erik
December 14th, 2010
5:05 pm
Look now doubt the phillies will have the most talented team in baseball next year but Health will be a HUGE HUGE factor for them.
Halladay will be 34 in may
Lee will be 33 in august
Oswalt will be 35 in august
Howard is 31
Utley is 32(in 3 days)
Rollins is 32
and Lidge is 34(10 days)
They are paying all of these guys over 12 million a year.
Those guys are all on the wrong side of their prime and not only does their health become a question but they also have worries of a slipping performance.
Meanwhile the braves have JJ, Hanson, Prado, B Mac, Heyward and Freeman not to mention or young arms still young and cheap.
In 3 years I expect the Nationals and Braves to sit atop the NL East.
With regards to the upcoming season you have to like that our lineup is much more prepared to face some one like lee this year than we were 2 seasons ago.
With the emergence of Prado, the trade for Uggla, and the addition right handed power in gonzalez we will have a much better lineup vs. lefties than G. Anderson, Jeff Franceour, and Matt Diaz.
ramblingman
December 14th, 2010
5:08 pm
This is exactly the same type of whining we endured last winter. People hated that the Braves signed Glaus and he carried the team for 6 weeks. People hated that the Braves did not trade Lowe and eat 100% of his salary and he looked like the Lowe of old during the last few weeks. People hated that the Braves were handing RF over to a rookie and Heyward showed he is a star. People hated signing over the hill relievers like Wags and Saito and they solidified the pen.
It’s been said many times before. If we traded a bag of balls for Pujols plus $20M, people would complain.
Te'
December 14th, 2010
5:09 pm
When will the Brave finally find an adequate 3rd baseman? You know Chipper isn’t going to make through the entire year, and the possibility of his return after this next season is highly doubtful.
Braves 2011
December 14th, 2010
5:09 pm
OK..We fire Wren,now you the ones with all the answers ,make your deals within 30 days.Just remember it takes two teams or more to make a trade and you have very,very limited money,you are on the clock.
ramblingman
December 14th, 2010
5:09 pm
the tooth – if he chooses to not make any more moves, I am okay with that. He’s built a pretty good team
In Fredi I Trust
December 14th, 2010
5:11 pm
Frank Wren has done a very good job in adding some nice pieces to this team, but I hope he enjoys finishing no better then 2nd place in this division.
When you have a Cole Hamels as your 4th starter, you have a dangerous starting staff. The Braves will not be able to contend with the Phillies when they have a shut down pitching staff and a high octane offensive attack as well.
ramblingman
December 14th, 2010
5:11 pm
Te, you need to run right out and buy a lottery ticket with your abilities
Bama Brave
December 14th, 2010
5:16 pm
I think if we lock up Uggla we will be fine.
rainman34
December 14th, 2010
5:25 pm
Lee replaces kendrick who went 11-10. Lets say lee wins 17 games. Thats a plus six. How many games did werth win for them with his bat, base running and glove. The rotation is great but the lineup took a huge hit unless utly rebounds and brown is the real deal.
The truth
December 14th, 2010
5:36 pm
ramblingman
December 14th, 2010
5:11 pm
Te, you need to run right out and buy a lottery ticket with your abilities
idoits like ramblingman should be banned from the blog, idiotic statements like this leave no doubt that you are a complete douchebag
Barry
December 14th, 2010
5:48 pm
Trade KK to the Phillies so he will become their 5th man in the rotation.
justin1
December 14th, 2010
5:57 pm
Of course we all want to see a huge trade or free agent signing. Its only natural for true fans to scour baseballreference.com and all the other sources to put together our dream team. But we have to remember that its just that. A dream. If you look at what we already have then you should be pretty happy with it. Our only real ? is CF. You can nitpick all you want but weve got a hell of a team going into next year. And theres always a midseason trade looming if need be so just be patient Braves fans. 2011 will be a great year.
hbcuclassics
December 14th, 2010
6:03 pm
HBCU Classic Sports
Post-Season Recap
D2 – Rd. 1 Wingate 63 Morehouse 41
Shepherd 40 Shaw 6
D2- Rd. 2 Albany St. 30 Wingate 28
D2 – QF Delta St. 28 Albany St. 7
FCS – Rd. 1 Ga. Southern 41 SC State 16
FCS – Rd. 2 NHampshire 49 Bethune 29
Turkey Day Classic
Tuskegee 17 Alabama St. 10
Pioneer Bowl
St. Augustine 20 Ft. Valley St. 9
SWAC Championship
Tx Southern 11 Alabama St. 6
hbcuclassics.com
BravesFanChris26
December 14th, 2010
6:08 pm
While Lee improves Phillies rotation and gives them a better chance, it’s not a guarantee they’ll win it all. I am not scared by any means. Braves competed with Phillies all year this year and even over took them in first place. Had it not been for injuries to Braves later in the season, they could have easily won the east.
NORRIS
December 14th, 2010
6:11 pm
the problem is that the braves actually did have some outfielders last year. This year if prado plays third then we have two minor leaguers in our outfield.
balla1881
December 14th, 2010
6:17 pm
Matt Kemp for Beachy, Oflaherty, and Vizcaino. We can find another major league ready reliever- maybe another venters from within our system. And Minor makes the Beachy loss null.
Or we just sit back and watch it all come together as Hamels is due for an injury and Lee somehow looses 4 mph
berigan
December 14th, 2010
6:21 pm
Phils are really going to miss Jason Werth. He hit .186 with runners in scoring position, and with runners in scoring position and 2 out??? A robust .139! No wonder Frenchy didn’t look so bad to them…
Braves 2011
December 14th, 2010
6:24 pm
Nambie-Pambie land is waiting for all of you doubters,Wren made some good moves and spring training will tell us if we have a viable product. So shut up and wait until spring,unless wrens job is giving to you!
tc33
December 14th, 2010
6:35 pm
All these people calling for upton to be traded to atl i hope they are talking about justin and not that no hitting bust in tb
ramblingman
December 14th, 2010
6:57 pm
toothbluenotbluewhateverkid – It’s truly hilarious that you keep on attacking and your main point is how wrong it is for me to comment on the posts of others. Sorry, but I have the power, the ability, and the knowledge to decide which posts I think are good and which aren’t. If I had the time, I would explain the words irony and hypocrisy to you.
The truth hurts
December 14th, 2010
7:01 pm
Ramblingman @ 5:11..man that was a worthy opinion. How stupid smart mouth.
ramblingman
December 14th, 2010
7:08 pm
Okay kid, flame away if it makes you feel better. You are truly not worth it.
RJB in DC
December 14th, 2010
7:37 pm
Forget Liberty Media opening it’s pockets. While they may own the Atlanta Braves as a tax write-off, they probably have a pretty large corporate box at Coors Field.
bravesfaninNashville
December 14th, 2010
7:42 pm
It seems to me that every signing of over $100 million in the last two years will prove to be baggage for their teams besides Carl Crawford in Boston. CC Sabathia will not stay in shape long enough to be worth the back end of that contract. The last 2 or 3 years will be very interesting for the Yankees on that one. Texiera proved this year he is not injury proof. That hamstring could be a big deal as he has a big frame to move around. I think he’ll be worth most of his money and New York can pay contracts that perform at better than 50% and be o.k. No way is Jason Werth going to be good for 7 more years at $20 million per year. The Nationals are going to eat at least some of that contract. Cliff Lee will give the Phillies a chance to win now but won’t be worth $120 Million plus a vesting year. Remember Mike Hampton and Kevin Brown the first two pitching contracts ever over $100 million at $105 Million (Brown) and $121 Million (Hampton) look what a bust both of those contracts were. I’m glad the Phillies are so invested in Lee, Halladay and Ryan Howard and Utley. I believe we’ll see them paying the price in 3 years when they are paying players who are not on the field. Insurance won’t cover contracts of over 3 yrs so they’ll be paying the tab themselves. The Twins had to pay Mauer as he is the face of the franchise but he’s not worth the money he got. He’s a catcher and shown signs of wear and he won’t be even close to a plus defender if he moves to 1B. These big contracts are crazy IMHO and I’m actually glad the Braves don’t have the money to engage in the insanity. The last big one we were part of we watched Mike Hampton collect a lot of money while he rode the bench. Personally the more I see these big contracts handed out to these players who can’t guarantee performance the more the sport I love the most loses some it it’s charm. It’s tough in an economy that many people are struggling to keep jobs, houses and cars to watch these insane risks be taken by teams because the players have so much power. I wouldn’t mind seeing the balance of power shift a little for these players like it has for the rest of the world.
Len Barker
December 14th, 2010
8:08 pm
From today’s Philadelphia Inquirer:
“The story for this day is that Clifton Phifer Lee loved Philadelphia so much he decided there was no other place, including Yankee Stadium, where he wanted to play.”
It appears as though the Braves are headed for another “kiss your sister” kind of season. If they all stay healthy and have career years, and if the Phillies all get injured…………….
Who wants to go into a 5-game series against that rotation? – or a 7-game series for that matter.
Face it Braves fans, as long as your team’s primary purpose to ownership is a great tax writeoff, you’re not going to win.
Braves Blow
December 14th, 2010
8:23 pm
of course it doesnt influence us because we are oblivious to what it takes to win consistently.
Jim
December 14th, 2010
8:28 pm
Grow-up!!!! It has to change your approach. It makes it IMPERATIVE that the Braves add more offense and PRAY that Freeman comes through. Otherwise, they have NO CHANCE!!!!!
braveshoo
December 14th, 2010
8:29 pm
I really like Jason’s proposed 3 team trade with the Yanks and Royals, as long as the prospects dont include Teheran or Delgado. We have to keep a long term perspective. These guys will be in our rotation for years to come.
Braves Fan Since "80
December 14th, 2010
8:32 pm
If this were internet baseball Phillies would look unbeatable….. the game is played on the field…. do we think they will win 115 games. The fact of the matter is when the Braves had great pitching it pressured the bull pen……. will they over pitch the starters, will the bull pen hold up, will the hitters hit…..The Phillies look great and they look super for the playoffs but the games are played on grass by people….. you never know when a Conrad will show up
True Braves Fan
December 14th, 2010
8:41 pm
FIRE FRANK WREN
Braves rule
December 14th, 2010
8:51 pm
Donovan, the reason the braves ended up in 2nd place us because Chipper went down, Medlin went down, Prado went down, Glaus and Lee stopped hitting. Our center fielder stunk. What more needs to be said.
PUREFAN
December 14th, 2010
8:53 pm
If the Braves trade Kawakami and eat 5 mil of his salary, they basically get $1.67mil. Could they get a better back-up pitcher as insurance for that kind of money. He pitched well in some very tough match-ups and gto very poor run support over two years.
ryan
December 14th, 2010
9:08 pm
I hear that KK is close to being dealt i guess its for more minors .
NORRIS
December 14th, 2010
9:24 pm
Podsednik could be our back up in outfield for prado. Cause we all know prado is going to play third the majority of the time.
Podsednik is available and reasonable. Make it happen.
coach smith
December 14th, 2010
9:30 pm
To all of you clammering for a Grienke trade…ARE YOU CRAZY?
The Braves are fine pitching-wise and unlike the Phillies, the Braves’ pitching is 95% young
Besides Lowe, and Hudson the Braves have
Jair Jurrjens
Tommy Hanson
Kris Medlin
Minor
Beachy
Delgado
Tehren
What they need to do is come off with a million bucks to bring Andruw Jones back and another 2 million for Scott Podsednik
OR (what I’d like to see)
Contact the Red Sox about a trade for Jacoby Ellsbury from their now overstocked outfield
OR (best yet)
Give up some of those young pitchers and get Upton from the D-Backs
Curse of the Flat Billed Cap
December 14th, 2010
9:30 pm
Maybe the Phils need to get a couple of those flat billed cap guys. That would bring ‘em back to earth!
Philly
December 14th, 2010
9:37 pm
Braves Rule, The only reason your team was in the race last year was the 25 last at bat wins. Plus we had as many if not more injuries than the Braves. Just face it you are playing for the wild card.
nathanbuford
December 14th, 2010
9:41 pm
Phils being handed WS, or NL East is BS. yes on paper they look unbeatable, but games are played on grass. Braves starters are equal to Phils for 5-7 innings, BP is dominant, and like someone said, they will miss Werth. so let’s start season now, cuz I AM READY!!!! GO BRAVES
Philly
December 14th, 2010
9:42 pm
“I think it can be as good as anybody’s rotation in the history of the game,” said longtime Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone.
Philly
December 14th, 2010
9:43 pm
“That’s scary,” said Davey Johnson, a man who once played behind the legendary Orioles rotation of the ’60s and managed the great Mets rotation in the ’80s.
Philly
December 14th, 2010
9:46 pm
“There’s not a better staff in major-league baseball than that staff,” said Mazzone. “I know the Giants can run three guys at you that are pretty damned good, and the No. 4 (Madison Bumgarner) is going to be real good, too … But I really feel like, ability-wise, these four guys in Philly could match up with anybody in the history of the game.”
Philly
December 14th, 2010
9:46 pm
All from an ESPN article
Bravefaninok
December 14th, 2010
9:46 pm
Philly
December 14th, 2010
9:37 pm
Braves Rule, The only reason your team was in the race last year was the 25 last at bat wins. Plus we had as many if not more injuries than the Braves. Just face it you are playing for the wild card.
Just face it Anything can happen in the playoffs(see 2010 giants)……oh yeah ask H2O about the giants.
ChattaVol
December 14th, 2010
9:48 pm
I don’t see the D’Backs trading Upton unless you start the conversation with Delgado AND Tehren. Their hanging onto him unless they get overwhelmed. As much as I wish McLouth & KK would overwhelm them, it ain’t happening.
Francona (sp?) came out last week and said their best lineup was when Ellsbury was leading off. Again, think they would have to be overwhelmed to make a trade there.
Would like to see the Bravos go after Counsell or Ojeda as a solid backup up the middle and clutch hitting.
Jerry
December 14th, 2010
9:49 pm
Holy Jesus, you have to go far and wide to find a larger group of whiny-azzed crybabies. Who gives a flying crap about who the Phillies sign? At the end of the day, they don’t have Werth and I hear they are actively trying to trade Ibanez. That is two big pieces to their puzzles. And last I remember, the Giants pitching staff sliced right through all 4 of those supposed aces that the Phillies have. You all might wanna worry equally about the Giants. They look like us way back in the 90s.
ChattaVol
December 14th, 2010
9:49 pm
Oh, and as long as Lidge is closing for the Phils, everyone has a chance to come back in the 9th against them. Going to be fun winning against them next year!
klaus
December 14th, 2010
9:50 pm
The Braves have AA and A pitching depth and NO offensive depth whatsoever. AA shortstop is the only hot story in the minors.
If Chipper wets the bed the OF will be worse than 2010 and 2009. Apart from Heyward it will be an airpocket.
Chipper hasn’t played more than 130-140 games in ten years. What are the odds he plays more than 140 in 2011, none.
At best if he doesn’t retire in ST he will play 100-120 games. That is 40-60 games where Prado us at 3B and a steeping pile of platoon partners in LF. All at the same time Nate is hitting .150 in CF.
Wren is blowing so much smoke up people’s behinds half of ATL is floating at 10K feet.
Uggla is the big piece just like Glaus was the big piece. Sure Uggla has a history of hitting 30 HR a season but he also strikes out a ton and is poor defensively.
He is not enough.
If the Braves had some brass ones (which the absolutely do not) they would trade for Justin Upton and make it interesting. Instead they will stumble along until they are almost out of it then bring up Schafer and Teheran over the summer and start taking about 2012.
They backed into the playoffs this year and had to rely on the Pads and Giants beating each other up down to the last day.
They face a semi spent Giants team who made it look closer than anyone expected. The Giants proceed to get re-energized and march through the playoffs.
The Braves did not just miss getting anywhere this past Oct.
Sorry to be a debbie downer but how much longer can Selig watch Liberty ignore the Braves.
The NL East is going to be like the AL East during the Yankee dynasty years unless something changes.
Philly
December 14th, 2010
9:51 pm
I agree anything can happen in the playoffs but we win the division you have to fight just for the wildcard which means our chances of WS are much better
Captain Lou Albano
December 14th, 2010
10:09 pm
Dear Everybody on here that has suggested that Liberty Media sell the Braves to someone who cares about the fans and winning…
I agree. That’s all.
NO MORE BOBBY
December 14th, 2010
10:47 pm
The Phillies are pulling a 90’s Braves move. Don’t they know that spending a ton of money on starting pitching does not mean World Series champs? Ask Glavine, Maddux and Smoltz about that.
Matt
December 14th, 2010
10:52 pm
Bobby Cox, John Schurholtz, Stan Kasten John Smoltz and Tom Glavine need to go in together and Buy the Braves out. Three Billionaire Braves fans other than Mr. Blank that could buy the Braves are Jeff Foxworthy and Elton John or perhaps UNCLE TED. Or the Truett Cathy family should buy the Braves but they couldnt play on sunday’s. I would love for Mr Blank or Mark Cuban buy the Braves but they are focused on other teams. We need Blanks money for the falcons only owning two major teams is a distraction for both teams. IE the HAWKS and Thrashers owners.
The Sham
December 14th, 2010
11:15 pm
@ The Truth – if I’m an idiot and you later agree with me, then doesn’t that make you an idiot too? I mean I’m cool with other people calling me an idiot (I’m married, so I’m used to it), but it’s not often calls me an idiot and then later agrees with me… Thanks!
I guess your ability to criticize and insult is a result of your lack of critical thinking ability. Good luck with that… btw – I have trench that needs digging – you busy? I’ll even pay you cash so you won’t mess up your unemployment benefits…
kelly
December 14th, 2010
11:41 pm
If everyone who disses Liberty Media went to the games like the Phillie fans do then we wouldn’t be talking about them not spending money.
Phillies, Red Sox & Yankees (ugggh) spend money cause they make money. It’s simple. If we sold out all of our games or close to it. We could “buy” championship teams.
I love this Braves team and think we will do just fine.
MK
reckingball
December 15th, 2010
12:23 am
I really doubt that the budget would be expanded if attendance was 100%. That would just be more profit for the shareholders, and execs.
The Braves are going to win the NL EAST in 2011 anyway.
reckingball
December 15th, 2010
12:25 am
I believe that it was proven in 2010, that the Phillies are not invincible.
They do have a good chance of winning the WC though.
reckingball
December 15th, 2010
12:31 am
Oh yeah, it is getting a little boring, seeing all of the Phillie fans whining about injuries, and using them as excuses, for their teams poor performance during most of the regular season.
Do they think that they are the only team in MLB, that had injuries to their players.