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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,528 comments Add your comment
DAP
December 23rd, 2010
12:33 pm
travis Baseball is what these guys do not who they are…Sorry, that didn’t even make sense to me and I wrote it.
makes sense to me. thought it was very wise.
it reminds me of what matt diaz told DOB. that his identity wasnt tied up in what team he plays for.
T for Texas
December 23rd, 2010
12:35 pm
In case any of you haven’t seen it–Jerry Crasnick has a story on Chipper at espn.com mlb page. Nothing new really, but a couple of good off season anecdotes.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove10/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=5946218
Glord1
December 23rd, 2010
12:35 pm
OJ I agree. I think the Braves could be really good. It would be human nature for some players to feel a little bit of “oh crap they got Lee”.
LJ
December 23rd, 2010
12:41 pm
it ain’t over til it’s over
YB
P-Town Brave ©
December 23rd, 2010
12:42 pm
LJ-
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
12:44 pm
David O’Brien
December 23rd, 2010
12:31 pm
Glord1: I think the article Carroll wrote, and one that Bowman wrote, reflect what the players and front office feel — the Phillies have a hell of a pitching staff, and the Braves already knew they’d be tough to beat. But they believe they have a team that can beat them, if they [Braves] do what they’re capable of doing. There is none of the doom/gloom that some fans — some, certainly not all fans — have expressed since the signing and continue to express daily.
Thank you DAVID for a little reality. These nervous nellie regulars on here are driving me nuts. It’s bad enough having to deal with the trolls who come around let alone the naysayers that call themselves BRAVES fans. Buck up folks. We got us a team again, and it’s only going to get better from here.
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
12:46 pm
P-Town Brave ©
December 23rd, 2010
12:42 pm
LJ-
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Ah-h-h, P-town you…………animal! Go in the house, you’re grounded son.
Glord1
December 23rd, 2010
12:51 pm
richbrave – I hear you. After the Phills I would put the Braves up against any other NL team going into the season. I love the pitching staff if everyone is healthy. Very underrated.
P-Town Brave ©
December 23rd, 2010
12:51 pm
Richbrave-
Christ…7 years of college down the drain…
Might as well go join the Peace Corps
abwright
December 23rd, 2010
12:52 pm
Short of signing a closer, who might be redundant and remove any payroll flexibility, Frank Wren has done the best thing that he could to shore up the bullpen…find some affordable, veteran arms.
I doubt that the 2011 bullpen will be as good as the 2010 bullpen; but it should be good enough.
I think there are four or five guys in the bullpen that have closed out the ninth inning … Kimbrel, Venters, Sherrill, Linebrink.
No Saito/Wagner combination … but not as bad as the “Dan Kolb Experience.”
I also disregard the “ruin Kimbrel” talk. He’s been trained and prepared to close. It would probably be a worse blow to his confidence to prepare him for a role and then deny him. He may flame out, but, if he does, who’s to say that he just didn’t have the make-up to be a closer?
DS1
December 23rd, 2010
12:53 pm
richbrave and DOB and anybody else on the blog
Not sure if I’ll get another chance to log in. Got a mexican feast to help with tomorrow, and a bird to cook on Christmas day. Going out to celebrate with some of my best customers now.
Here’s wishing all of you a Merry Christmas!
richbrave: your a gem, my friend. Appreciate all you do on the blog!
DOB: Dang brother, you put up with a lot of crap sometimes! Gotta be a labor of love, I guess.
Catch you folks on the flip side!
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
12:54 pm
I’ve been up for less then an hour and am already out of things to do…you people need to entertain me!
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
12:55 pm
Merry Christmas to you too, DS1! That Mexican feast sounds excellent…enjoy!
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
12:55 pm
David O’Brien
December 23rd, 2010
12:12 pm
“…….. Or the borderline obsession………”
Oh yeah, had to laugh out loud when I read that one.
And P-town, like you positive vibes. Keep it up my man.
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
12:59 pm
DS1:
You have a good holiday season, we’ll catch you later. Hope your MEX feast is a blast.
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
1:00 pm
The Braves staff is elite. If jair bounces back from a year where he was injured, they will be solid. They should be top 3 in the league. I think is it time to get excited about baseball in Atlanta. They have some great young talent. Heyward is a special talent. They have also added some power which will help them. They should be ready in a few years to take back the division.
LJ
December 23rd, 2010
1:01 pm
That made my day
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
1:02 pm
CAB:
How’s tricks? Is my main man VJ behaving himself? Us CAA bretheran gotta’ stick together.
Are you liking the BRAVES team that’s coming together for 2011 so far?
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
1:04 pm
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
1:00 pm
The Braves staff is elite. If jair bounces back from a year where he was injured, they will be solid. They should be top 3 in the league. I think is it time to get excited about baseball in Atlanta. They have some great young talent. Heyward is a special talent. They have also added some power which will help them. They should be ready in a few years to take back the division.
Won’t be a few, sonny boy. The time is at hand.
LJ
December 23rd, 2010
1:05 pm
good, young talent is more fun than superstars, and we can still win, they are that good.
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
1:05 pm
richbrave
how many games do you think the braves will win this year.
I think they will win 90 to 93 games with the additions.
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
1:07 pm
richbrave-
All is good
It finally stopped raining and it should be beautiful for Christmas (fingers crossed). VJ always behaves himself 
I am liking this team (of course, I always have confidence in my teams…even if they suck I still believe they will win every game they play)- if Chipper comes back healthy I think we will surprise a lot of people that have already given the division to the Phillies
DAP
December 23rd, 2010
1:07 pm
abwright, i totally agree with your thoughts on kimbrel and the bullpen.
it will be very tough to replace what wagner and saito gave us, but my honest opinion is that there wont be much drop off.
and kimbrel, like i told braveheart earlier, has been pitching in pro ball for three years, and has been groomed to close. closing at the MLB level is the next logical step.
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
1:07 pm
I apologize richbrave. You’re right of course. The PHILLIES are done.
abwright
December 23rd, 2010
1:10 pm
cabravesfan, December 23rd, 2010, 1:07 pm … “I am liking this team … “
You’re also a SF 49ers fan if memory serves …
(So says the Buffalo Bills fan)
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
1:10 pm
Don’t argue with me chadb1733. You know I’m right. Quit runnin’ scared, and come on over to our side.
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
1:10 pm
Nice post
I apologize richbrave. You’re right of course. The PHILLIES are done.
It would have been better if had posted it.
Glord1
December 23rd, 2010
1:12 pm
Five more things for Braves fans to be excited about.
1 Teheran
2 Minor
3 Delgado
4 Vizcaino
5 Beachy
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
1:12 pm
I am in a win/win situation. I am glad both teams are doing well. I just hate they are in the same division. I will be chearing for both. I love the Braves young talent. I hope one of these two teams Phillies or Braves make it to the ws. I was pulling for both last year. The Braves were actually more exciting to watch last year. The team came together so well.
abwright
December 23rd, 2010
1:12 pm
DAP … your remark that closing at the MLB level for Kimbrel is spot on.
I’m not sure how much pitching in a different role would help him. He would gain overall MLB experience … but not experience directed towards his future role.
If he ain’t got it, better to know now when you can fix it than later when it’s too late.
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
1:14 pm
Glord 1
The Braves farm system is always stacked. It is amazing the talent they produce.
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
1:14 pm
abwright-
At least we’ve got a few chamiponships in our past to look back on fondly. The Bills have…Wide Right?
(I can’t help it if I am wildly optimistic when it comes to my teams…I am loyal to the end, what esle can I say?)
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
1:15 pm
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
1:07 pm
richbrave-
All is good It finally stopped raining and it should be beautiful for Christmas (fingers crossed). VJ always behaves himself
I am liking this team (of course, I always have confidence in my teams…even if they suck I still believe they will win every game they play)- if Chipper comes back healthy I think we will surprise a lot of people that have already given the division to the Phillies
Thank you.
Calling for a dusting to 12 inches of snow here for CHRISTMAS night, and into Sunday and Monday.
abwright
December 23rd, 2010
1:16 pm
I’m pretty stoked about Teheran from the reports that have filtered to us on the blog.
I don’t know enough about Delgado to feel any warm fuzzy.
Vizcaino is going to be a long time from now due to his injury.
Beachy and Minor seemed to be OK. It will be interesting to see how they do at the start of a season when they’re fresh.
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
1:17 pm
richbrave-
Thank me for what?
By the way- is it just me or does “a dusting to 12 inches” leave a lot of leeway?
abwright
December 23rd, 2010
1:19 pm
cabravesfan, December 23rd, 2010, 1:14 pm … “The Bills have…Wide Right?”
Four superbowl losses.
The missed field goal against the Giants with time expiring (sort of reminds me of the Lonnie Smith fails to score against the Twins) still burns. I was on the road from NJ to CT and listening on the radio.
At least they aren’t the Vikings (five superbowl losses if memory serves) or any of the teams that have never gotten to the superbowl.
Snotboogie
December 23rd, 2010
1:21 pm
Terrelle Pryor and others suspended 5 games in 2011, which includes Miami and Michigan State. The new Big Ten is off to a glorious start.
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
1:22 pm
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
1:05 pm
richbrave
how many games do you think the braves will win this year.
I think they will win 90 to 93 games with the additions.
A net gain of four if all goes according to hoyle. Of course, if hoyle leaves town………..well, I don’t care much for that visionary prognostication crap. We’ve strengthened the team hopefully.
Rather get into the season, and make course corrections as it goes along striving for whatever it takes to beat out every other team in the N.L. east for the division crown. If we win it great. If we suck hind-tit, we use the off-season, and come back around again the next time. Same as every year.
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
1:23 pm
abwright-
I remember that game…man, Bills fans are a different breed…not only to you guys have to deal with those painful memories, you have to do it in Northwest (that’s correct, right? I almost said east, but hey, everything is east of me) New York in the winter…at least San Francisco has nice weather most of the time. You are a brave and loyal group- I kinda love that
Venice Jim
December 23rd, 2010
1:24 pm
I have much happier memories of that game, although I felt badly for the JMU guy…
Venice Jim
December 23rd, 2010
1:25 pm
But, as a result, he was replaced by a W&M guy for many years…
Wow – forgetting my boy Mark Kelso was also on that team…
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
1:27 pm
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
1:17 pm
richbrave-
Thank me for what?
By the way- is it just me or does “a dusting to 12 inches” leave a lot of leeway?
Thanx for being a positive fan.
Yup, lot’s of leeway. HOUSTON is 80 today and freezing rain tomorrow from the storn coming out of the southern Rockies. It’s supposed to regenerate strength from the GULF and swing up the east coast. The swing up determines what we get. If south of here, not much. If however it travels another two hundred miles north before it exits over the ATLANTIC we’re being told “KATY, bar the door,” and get ready for major blizzard conditions.
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
1:28 pm
Tyrelle Pryor and others suspended 5 games in 2011, which includes Miami and Michigan State. The new Big Ten is off to a glorious start.
The not-at-all hypocritical NCAA at it’s finest! Cam Newton knew nothing, but heaven forbid Pryor gets a free tattoo. Nope! That’ll cost him 5 games!
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
1:28 pm
I still think the Braves need to make a move to sure up third base after this year. Every year same old story Chipper is injured or cant play. Then prado steps in to play third, this makes the outfield even more week then it is now. They need to add an outfielder at some point a top outfielder. Werth would have made the Braves alot better.
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
1:33 pm
VJ:
‘Sup my man. We got us a SETON HALL match coming on SUNDAY, seven out of the last eight on the road before finally coming home against WAKE on the 29th. I can’t see us losing two games in a row to ACC teams this season.
Bigwheel
December 23rd, 2010
1:34 pm
DOB! I scored a majestic road navy blue chipper jones jersey at hibbett for $50!!! Said to the manager why so cheap, he said cause chip retired…. Suckers!!
Keepin it simple
December 23rd, 2010
1:34 pm
BRING BACK ANDRUW!!!!!!
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
1:35 pm
richbrave-
It’s because I always (to a fault probably) believe the best for my team (or my friends, or anything else really) that I get so annoyed at the super negative comments on the blog. But I don’t want to go through life being bitter and angry all the time (especially at something like baseball…there’s just no point
)
Major blizzard? Yuck! Stay safe and here’s hoping it misses you!
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
1:37 pm
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
1:28 pm
I still think the Braves need to make a move to sure up third base after this year. Every year same old story Chipper is injured or cant play. Then prado steps in to play third, this makes the outfield even more week then it is now. They need to add an outfielder at some point a top outfielder. Werth would have made the Braves alot better.
In an ideal world chad that would be true, but this ain’t it. That’s why I keep harping on the IBANEZ-RUIZ vs. JONES-McLOUTH match-ups. To me, that’s going to be the difference in the two teams. And conjecture doesn’t count for squat in the win-loss column. You got to play the games first, and see what’s up.
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
1:37 pm
I think Andrew Jones would help. But I was think more the Josh Hamilton, carl crawford, jason werth, ect.
DAP
December 23rd, 2010
1:38 pm
richbrave how many games do you think the braves will win this year.
I think they will win 90 to 93 games with the additions.
im not good with the pythagorean stuff, but based on what ive been saying i think the team’s run differential is going to be, i think the braves absolutely top out at 97 wins.
last year, the phillies beat their projected win total by 2 games, and the braves missed their projected win total by 2 games. if that had been switched, braves win the division 95 wins to 93 wins.
this year, i think the braves have improved their run differential while the phillies have maintained at best. a little luck swinging away from them and toward us would do alot for our chances.
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
1:40 pm
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
1:35 pm
richbrave-
It’s because I always (to a fault probably) believe the best for my team (or my friends, or anything else really) that I get so annoyed at the super negative comments on the blog. But I don’t want to go through life being bitter and angry all the time (especially at something like baseball…there’s just no point )
Major blizzard? Yuck! Stay safe and here’s hoping it misses you!
Agreed. I mean to just bitch and moan about baseball………….why bother? I can do that with my family.
Thanx again (for the snow deal). Me too.
Snotboogie
December 23rd, 2010
1:40 pm
cab
Supposedly they sold their championship rings, trophies and other special stuff. They should’ve just given it to their dads/moms and asked them to sell it and later claimed innocence. In a way this suspension is for being naive and stupid, I think.
Snotboogie
December 23rd, 2010
1:41 pm
I think Andrew Jones would help. But I was think more the Josh Hamilton, carl crawford, jason werth, ect.,
This is a bit like the “dusting to 12 inches” leeway here.
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
1:43 pm
DAP
December 23rd, 2010
1:38 pm
richbrave how many games do you think the braves will win this year.
I think they will win 90 to 93 games with the additions.
im not good with the pythagorean stuff, but based on what ive been saying i think the team’s run differential is going to be, i think the braves absolutely top out at 97 wins.
last year, the phillies beat their projected win total by 2 games, and the braves missed their projected win total by 2 games. if that had been switched, braves win the division 95 wins to 93 wins.
this year, i think the braves have improved their run differential while the phillies have maintained at best. a little luck swinging away from them and toward us would do alot for our chances.
Now that’s a prognostication I can live with. At least there’s some statistical data supporting that take. Looks like I made one anyway, despite my distaste for that sort of thing, 95.
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
1:43 pm
Snot-
The article I read mentioned that a couple of the kids had sold rings and other stiff (which, aren’t those things the kid’s anyways? Why can’t they sell them if they want to?) but the only thing I saw about Pryor was the tattoo…
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
1:44 pm
I think it depends on Mc louth too. I am never sold on these pittsburg players actually helping. Jason Bay and Mc louth had good numbers because they can hit triple A pitching. Most teams they played in pittsburg were ahead by 3 to 4 runs so they didnt see the best arms in bullpen. They moved to top teams and production quickly goes into the toilet.
Tony
December 23rd, 2010
1:45 pm
Nice list, DOB. Can’t say that I am too into some of these, maybe I just don’t “get” bands like Beach House or Deerhunter. But I was pleasantly surprised to see Crime In Stereo make your list. They unfortunately broke up this year, but have already started new bands.
I’ll check some of these out and maybe give Beach House, Deerhunter, etc another try.
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
1:46 pm
I agree it will be a fun year. The phillies and Braves should be in a tight race. This will make it all the more fun.
Mutts
December 23rd, 2010
1:49 pm
The Phils’ loss of Werth was not offset by the overpriced acquisition of Lee. Lee has only won 15 or more games twice in his career, hardly the stuff of “ace” status. Lee is a very good pitcher but not one of the greats. Roy Halladay is the best pitcher in baseball. Roy Oswalt has been a very good pitcher, but is past his prime. Cole Hamels has had a few decent years and may emerge as the number 2 starter. The Phils’ bull pen is fair to good on its better days. The Braves starters and bull pen will be more than a match for the Phils in 2011. The Braves were a play off team in 2010, and with the addition of Ugla, have truly improved. Just as in 2010, many are annointing the Phils a championship, and hype, as the Phils found out in 2010, is not what counts. GO BRAVES!
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
1:51 pm
chadb1733:
Now you’re talkin’ hoss. Win or lose those 18 contests should be great and enjoyable………if you like baseball. So all you fans that can………..buy some tickets and watch you team as they strive for #1.
LJ
December 23rd, 2010
1:56 pm
I don’t like guessing wins either, but I love poker, I’ll see your 95 wins and raise one-96
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
1:59 pm
Mutts
I think you have some valid points. However to say that Lee is not an ace is alittle out there. I guess the Yankees and Rangers feel the same about him. You know they were only going to give him 140 to 160 million. I guess they feel he doesnt have the stuff of an ace. Roy Oswalt is as good as they come and could still have a cy young in his back pocket as a number 3 starter in this rotation. Most pitchers of his type pitch well into there late 30’s. Hamels is young and only getting better. He is the best number 4 starter in baseball no arguement. The Phillis also have a young man named Vance Worley that pitched very well at the end of last year. 7 stong innings against Atlanta with 0 runs earned and 6 stikeouts. He could be one of the best fifth starter. He would have to beat out Kyle Kendrick who won 12 games last year. The Braves bullpen is better, but realize the average Phillis started with of 7 2/3 innings this year. The braves starters only last 6 innings last year. The Braves will need a stronger bullpen. I just wanted to make a few commits please feel free to reply
DAP
December 23rd, 2010
1:59 pm
Mutts Roy Oswalt has been a very good pitcher, but is past his prime.
ive seen lots of comments to this effect in the last few days, and im not sure where they are coming from. oswalt is younger than halladay, and less than a year older than lee. not to mentioned he out pitched lee in 2010, and has a career ERA about a whole run lower than lee.
i think oswalt might be the 2nd best pitcher in that rotation…
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
2:01 pm
DAP
awesome I am glad to find someone that agrees about oswalt. He is a great pitcher. He was been even more dependable than Holladay in his career.
Snotboogie
December 23rd, 2010
2:04 pm
Among the top names is Mr. Buckeye himself Terrelle Pryor, who allegedly sold his Big 10 title ring, a pair of gold pants that were given to him from the Ohio State University, and his 2009 Fiesta Bowl Sportsmanship award.
This was in addition to exchanging autographs for tattoos. I think they classify this as benefitting from their position as an NCAA athlete. The NCAA is one giant monopoly, I tell you.
But seriously, Gold pants!
DAP
December 23rd, 2010
2:05 pm
chad awesome I am glad to find someone that agrees about oswalt. He is a great pitcher.
dude has a career ERA of 3.18 in 10 seasons, including a 2.76 ERA last season. guy has one season with an ERA above 4 (2009), and people think hes done. i dont get that. id rather have him than lee, if i had my choice.
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
2:07 pm
Snot-
the article I saw didn’t mention any of that…still think it is beyond ridiculous that the NCAA makes hundreds of millions on these kids, but if they so much as accept a cheeseburger from the wrong person they lose their eligibility…but I will stop before I go into full Rant mode
jeffrey d
December 23rd, 2010
2:10 pm
We’re splitting hairs here…the Phillies’ rotation is very, very good
Efrim
December 23rd, 2010
2:12 pm
Hazeltine (Las Vegas)
Where is Freddie Freeman’s stock? A good defensive 1B, who has an potential above average bat w/ some pop. I’m thinking a Don Mattingly-type player.
Keith Law (1:32 PM)
Above-average plate discipline too, but average power at best. I’ve never been that high on him – nice player, not a star.
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
2:14 pm
I dont know if watched him hit a ball off Holliday last year that has not landed yet. I think he has 30 hr power in the next few years.
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
2:15 pm
Above-average plate discipline too, but average power at best. I’ve never been that high on him – nice player, not a star.
Sounds like something that could have been written about Mac based on his minor league numbers…good defensive player (he was considered a better defensive catcher than an offensive one if memory serves…I could be wrong), average bat…good player, probably not a star…
jeffrey d
December 23rd, 2010
2:15 pm
chad – It’s Halladay
jeffrey d
December 23rd, 2010
2:16 pm
Sounds like something that could have been written about Mac based on his minor league numbers
Except Freeman has a lot better minor league numbers than McCann
sri
December 23rd, 2010
2:18 pm
Efrim, any thoughts on the valuation system of prospects used in this article?
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/royals-farm-system-best-of-the-decade/
If a top 10 pitching prospect is worth only $16m (equivalent to a 50-75 position player), does that undervalue our farm system? I am guessing this is because of the higher attrition rate among pitchers. If all GM’s follow a similar evaluation scheme, then trading our pitching prospects for position players may not be that easy (or a trade without the feeling we gave up too much).
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
2:20 pm
jeffrey-
exactly…I know it’s never a sure thing, but I am not going to put much stock in someone’s thoughts based on minor league stats…that was what I was trying to say
P-Town Brave ©
December 23rd, 2010
2:21 pm
Richbrave-
Since you brought up the CAA, I think I will recall my Bradley Braves defeating the VCU Rams in the 2006 Bracketbuster in Richmond and then going on to the Sweet 16 that year…the next year I recall Eric Maynor putting on a show and ousting the Duke Blue Devils.
CA-
Well, no offense to Auburn fans that I know are on here…If Cam Newton were hit by a bus tomorrow, I don’t think I’d be all that sad…and maybe thats a bit over the top, but I call BS that he didn’t know what was going on, and karma is a b*tch! He’ll get whats coming to him sooner or later!
In other news, it looks like the winter storm (again) that was supposed to hit here is pushing south, so we won’t get that 18 inches that was originally predicted.
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
2:21 pm
sorry was typing to fast. I have never been that high on Mc Cann anyway. He is one of the best catchers, but would not put him up there with any elite players. However I think Freeman will have a chance to be a mattingly with power. He has alot more upside than McCann.
shinburger
December 23rd, 2010
2:22 pm
DOB and the rest of the blog, what is your opinion on the talk of adding another wild card in each league so more teams can make the playoffs? I for one dont like it myself because that gives another less deserving team a chance to win it all and a more deserving team less chance to win it all.You can make the argument that if a team really deserves to win than they will make the world series no matter how many teams they have to go through but we all know crazy things can happen in a short series (especially a 5 game) and the better team can get knocked out. Thats why i personally look at what team does more during the course of the 162 game season than what they do in a short series in the playoffs.Not saying their post season play isnt important cause it is but 162 is a lot more than 5-7
P-Town Brave ©
December 23rd, 2010
2:23 pm
Snot-
But really…selling your championship ring and a sportsmanship trophy…
Who the hell does he think he is, OJ Simpson?!
Yeah, obviously they picked the right guy to give the Sportsmanship Trophy to…goes off and sells it
Sadly, he’ll leave for the NFL so the suspension will mean squat!
P-Town Brave ©
December 23rd, 2010
2:25 pm
Chad-
Maybe you have missed the last 4 years or been away at sea…under a rock…
BMac has been THE best catcher in the majors over the last 4 seasons…Silver Sluggers are piling up as are All-Star game appearances…
Just thought I would catch you up to speed
Efrim
December 23rd, 2010
2:26 pm
I could see Freeman exceeding expectations in Atlanta. It’s hard to be a “star” at first base because there are so many big bats at the position. Maybe an offensive ceiling of Justin Morneau (.298/.372/.528 last five seasons) with better defense? That’s a big star, imo.
abwright
December 23rd, 2010
2:27 pm
cabravesfan … Bills fans are spread around the country. I was born in upstate New York and have been back for an extended period, but I live in Arkansas where the climate is much nicer. Anyone who can thrive in the upstate New York area is a hardy soul indeed.
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
2:29 pm
P-Town Brave-
I suspect a lot of Auburn fans don’t actually believe Cam didn’t knwo anything, but they don’t care
As for the NFL thing- Pryor has said he plans on staying (for what that’s worth…) but with the looming work stoppage, there may be a lot more guys that will choose to stay in school instead of leaving early for what might be no football…
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
2:30 pm
I have am not going to start the arguement again about McCann. He is a catcher that wins because of the league he is in. If he were in the American League, he would have maybe one silver slugger award and one allstar appearance. He means no more to the braves, than ruiz to phillies or melina to cardinals. I might add it is going to be harder now for McCann to win these awards. Posey and Buck are in the league now with melina. It will be tough for him to get these awards. He he will never win a gold glove.
P-Town Brave ©
December 23rd, 2010
2:30 pm
Efrim-
Given our lack of ability to hold down 1b w/ someone, I would take 285/20/90 if he can do that…
David O'Brien
December 23rd, 2010
2:30 pm
They need to add an outfielder at some point a top outfielder. Werth would have made the Braves alot better. — chadb1733
And to think, the Braves could have had him for a mere $18 million per season for the next seven years (average annual value of the $126 million contract he signed with the Nationals).
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
2:32 pm
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
2:15 pm
Above-average plate discipline too, but average power at best. I’ve never been that high on him – nice player, not a star.
“………Sounds like something that could have been written about Mac based on his minor league numbers…good defensive player (he was considered a better defensive catcher than an offensive one if memory serves…I could be wrong), average bat…good player, probably not a star…”
Oh yeah, CAB. Put the petal to the metal, and don’t get up off it. Gotta’ play ‘um to see if FREEMAN or BROWN will have any effect on their respective line-ups. That said, there were a couple of slow-mo shots of FREDDIES swing I didn’t like last season, but completely correctable, and typical for a rookie trying his best to show the org. that their faith in him was justified. Stuff that he could get away with on the AAA level, but almost never in the bigs.
I will say I think FF is more a doubles hitter than a big HR guy. But we’ve had a very small sample size so far. Let’s see what we’re saying next off-season about him.
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
2:32 pm
David O’Brien
December 23rd, 2010
2:30 pm
They need to add an outfielder at some point a top outfielder. Werth would have made the Braves alot better. — chadb1733
And to think, the Braves could have had him for a mere $18 million per season for the next seven years (average annual value of the $126 million contract he signed with the Nationals).
Chuckle.
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
2:33 pm
David O’Brien
I know that is what makes the world of baseball so frustrating. Teams way overpay players. This makes it harder and harder to bring in the top talent.
abwright
December 23rd, 2010
2:33 pm
shinburger … I think the talk of an extra wild card team would involve the two wild-cards playing a one-game playoff and the winner advances. This would make the path to the WS pennant more difficult for the wild card team than it currently is.
jeffrey d
December 23rd, 2010
2:35 pm
He means no more to the braves, than ruiz to phillies or melina to cardinals
Except that he’s led the Braves in homeruns and RBIs the past 3 seasons. Besides that, he’s pretty insignificant to the team.
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
2:36 pm
richbrave-
like you said, any technical flaws Freddie may have can be corrected, I think pretty easily…the kid is what, 21? He’s still a baby! You just never know based a what someone did in the minors…he could be the next Albert Pujols (just an example people! I am not claiming Freddie is going to be Pujols!!) or he could be out of the majors by the all-star break (I doubt that very much)…but we’ll never know until he gets his chance
jeffrey d
December 23rd, 2010
2:36 pm
Man, Chipper must’ve been out on ESPN’s picture re-take day
http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/mlb/players/65/3006.jpg
klaus
December 23rd, 2010
2:36 pm
The Brave’s farm system is stacked with arms. Now that FF is up its a giant air pocket re: offense.
That cannot continue if they expect to be competitive with a sub 90mm payroll especially in the NL East.
They will need a LF, a CF and a SS by Dec 2011. They have little to chose from in the minors in terms of credible/proven offense powerhouses.
Schafer is a wild card who has not played ball in 2 yrs. Hardly something you can hang your hat on.
They a few smallish/slap hitting SS prospects in the minors but that is about it.
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
2:38 pm
Jeffrey d
That is my point exactly. That is why the Braves now have uggla because McCann is not the type player that can take a team on his shoulders and carry them. He is no Chipper Jones in his prime and never will be. I am not sure uggla is either. However if Heyward and Freeman live up to their expectations along with uggla could make the braves lineup dangerous.
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
2:39 pm
They will need a LF, a CF and a SS by Dec 2011
Unless they have made drastic changes to the schedule, they don’t actually play baseball in December. How ’bout we get through this season before we start worrying about 2012?
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
2:40 pm
chadb1733
December 23rd, 2010
2:30 pm
I have am not going to start the arguement again about McCann. He is a catcher that wins because of the league he is in. If he were in the American League, he would have maybe one silver slugger award and one allstar appearance. He means no more to the braves, than ruiz to phillies or melina to cardinals. I might add it is going to be harder now for McCann to win these awards. Posey and Buck are in the league now with melina. It will be tough for him to get these awards. He he will never win a gold glove
chadb:
Just when we reach an accord you go and say McCANN means no more to the BRAVES than RUIZ does to the PHILLIES????
How many times did McCANN bat clean-up this past year? How many times did RUIZ for the PHILLIES? Do you think COX and his staff were just brain-dead, and that’s why BRIAN batted clean-up?
Now gold glove, I am with you.
But no more silver slugger or hitting awards because of POSEY et.al. That’s a stretch I think, possible but I wouldn’t put any faith in it, or money on it. ‘Course I’m not a gamblin’ man.
richbrave
December 23rd, 2010
2:41 pm
cabravesfan
December 23rd, 2010
2:39 pm
They will need a LF, a CF and a SS by Dec 2011
Unless they have made drastic changes to the schedule, they don’t actually play baseball in December. How ’bout we get through this season before we start worrying about 2012?
Ding,ding,ding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bring Me the Head of Deforest Kelley
December 23rd, 2010
2:41 pm
The argument about whether the Braves have improved more or less than the rest of the NL East is largely irrelevant unless all you care about is what order teams 2 thru 5 finish in the division. A more important question is whether the Phillies have now become so good as to deny the possibility of the NL wildcard coming from the East. The Braves finished only a game ahead of San Diego for the wildcard this year, and went 8-10 against the Phillies. Will the Braves be able to win 8 against PHL next year? Who else in the West will mount a serious challenge for the wildcard? This is what is more relevant to Braves fans.