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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,545 comments Add your comment
keylargo
July 29th, 2011
3:58 pm
* The Rays’ asking price for Upton is more reasonable than the Astros’ asking price for Pence, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
Lew
July 29th, 2011
3:58 pm
carzy – No doubt.
Patrick
July 29th, 2011
3:59 pm
who cares if we get Ludwick AND Heath bell for instance. Ludwick is going to add NOTHING, ZERO PERCENT IMPROVEMENT to this already anemic offense, so what good is getting another reliever to protect leads you’re not going to have because your offense still cannot score any runs.
Thus, getting Ludwick is POINTLESS no matter what the situation.
MFin04
July 29th, 2011
4:00 pm
“Only bet I’m putting any money on is that no matter what happens they’ll be…”
That’s true with almost anything, but as long as they get…
EITHER
1) a right handed bat to platoon in the outfield AND upgrade CF
OR
2) A bat like Pence or Quentin
There won’t be anything to complain about.
Lew
July 29th, 2011
4:00 pm
Well, duh their asking price is more reasonable. Upton has issues and sucks. Pence doesn’t. Heyman is SO perceptive.
Bobby
July 29th, 2011
4:00 pm
Why not trade Delgado to Houston for Dominic Brown? I know this allows Pence to go to Phillies, but Braves net best player in the deal over the long run.
Frankie Wren
July 29th, 2011
4:00 pm
I’m sure he’s had a couple of opportunities but would be nice to have a couple guys on base when Freeman is up to drive in. 7 straight games without a RBI and 1 in the last 10 games. Guy has 3 straight 3 hit games. He’s doing his part.
Lew
July 29th, 2011
4:01 pm
MFin04 – No matter which happens it won’t stop the incessant griping.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2011
4:01 pm
You know how they normally have the winners and losers of each trade deadline.
Who’d like to wager a guess where the Braves will fall. There’s a valid argument for both sides.
AlabamaBrave
July 29th, 2011
4:01 pm
New bloggage!
Patrick
July 29th, 2011
4:02 pm
3:59 pm
who cares if we get Ludwick AND Heath bell for instance. Ludwick is going to add NOTHING, ZERO PERCENT IMPROVEMENT to this already anemic offense, so what good is getting another reliever to protect leads you’re not going to have because your offense still cannot score any runs.
Thus, getting Ludwick is POINTLESS no matter what the situation.
Andrew in PA
July 29th, 2011
4:02 pm
Afan, yeah with alot more RBI’s and right handed. Bum average.
CrαZy
July 29th, 2011
4:02 pm
This blog is about to explode
No this blog is about to end!
N8
July 29th, 2011
4:02 pm
The way I look at it, and I realize that it’s a new season so you can’t predict this post-season based on last year’s playoffs….
We held our own against the Giants without Chipper. Without Prado. Without Freddie Freeman in the lineup and probably would have won game 3 had Wagner not been out.
This year? We might have all three of those guys and our bullpen is arguably better than it was last year, even WITH Wagner.
Anything can happen. Just gotta get there and be healthy. But some guys currently on the 25 man roster have to go (Lugo, Proctor) and a guy like Conrad needs to be the last resort off the bench. Wren can do better.
If he fixes those 3 things and gets us one more platoon bat that can play CF? And we are remotely healthy? I’ll take our chances. Even if the Phillies get Pence.
It might be a dogfight to make it to October, and clearly we’re not going to catch the Phillies in the East. But even as our roster currently stands, we can play with ALL of the playoff teams head to head.
Will we win? Hard to say. But we’re not as bad overall as some on the blog make it seem like we are.
Bobby Hill
July 29th, 2011
4:03 pm
Early last winter when it became clear that Wren wasn’t going to acquire a CF I was disappointed but the more I thought about it the more I like Wren’s wait and see approach. There was at least a chance that McLouth would have a productive year or that the lineup would hit enough that McLouth simply didn’t matter. In either of those scenario it would have been a waste of resources to acquire a CF.
But Wren had to know way back in December that there was a pretty good chance he would have to acquire an impact outfielder during the season. Its not like we didn’t see this coming. So now its time to pay the piper and Wren is unwilling to fork over the prospects to get the bat we need.
Was he expecting to add an impact bat by trading B prospects?
raleighbravefan
July 29th, 2011
4:03 pm
Let’s see… In addition to the usual blog ignorance and crap, I now see that…
Wren is an ignorant moron who should be fired if he doesn’t go out and trade for (insert name) at any price. Otherwise, the Braves miss the playoffs and suck forever.
You can believe every rumor and tweet as the gospel truth, and we don’t like any of them.
Heyward is a washed up stubborn selfish hasbeen/pretender who is overrated and overhyped and should be traded (I assume to some other GM who is a moron) at age 21.
Now I find out that even Teheran isn’t really any good.
This isn’t a blog. It’s “Bizzaro-Blog”. I will be glad when Sunday at 4:00 rolls around.
AtlYnkHtr
July 29th, 2011
4:03 pm
tony austin, I agree teams can rally around and “up” their game for a short time, but over the course of 20 or 30 Ross starts I think it becomes less likely. Basketball and Football it happens more because maybe the star player being out forces a philosphy change that better suits the surrounding players, but in baseball that is not the case.
Shaun
July 29th, 2011
4:03 pm
I saw nothing wrong with my explanation. If a player is more likely to score a run because of his speed and ability to steal bases, all while causing havoc with the opposing team and pitcher, than another player who may have a better OBP, who do you go with? I guess we’ll know the answer soon.
Is that a serious question? You are aware that a team has a limited number of outs with which to work. If a player isn’t getting on base, he’s making outs. So you don’t send a guy to the plate more often than all the rest if he makes outs more often just because he has speed and causes havoc when he does get on base. It seems you are underestimating the importance of outs and you aren’t relating OBP with outs.
Jerry Blooger
July 29th, 2011
4:04 pm
dominic brown is no heyward much less Pence. Heyward will have best overall career. Right now its Pence
Doc Holliday
July 29th, 2011
4:05 pm
So with all the young stellar pitching (both SP and BP) and the young very good core we have and will have for the next 5 years (mc, jason, prado, uggla, freeman), how in hell can this team not bring at least 1 WS trophy home.
We could even try hicks at SS, sign some good glove 3B and some respectable and we are set.
If schafer was to hit for an OBP of .350, we would only be in need of a SS for next season. I think we could go with HICKS and get a very good 3B in case Chipper is gone.
Schafer could leadoff and Hicks bat 8th.
The 3B should only have a good glove, no need for a superstar……….we already have lots of superstarts.
tony austin
July 29th, 2011
4:06 pm
AtlYnkHtr – Touché. – Nice discussing with you.
Fols
July 29th, 2011
4:06 pm
Are there any rumors about what tonights score will be?
Cause i’m hoping for a win.
Frankie Wren
July 29th, 2011
4:07 pm
Freeman already has 25 doubles. He could be a doubles machine. J Hey 29 doubles last season. Pray #5 doesn’t have a sophomore season like his buddy.
nolie
July 29th, 2011
4:08 pm
.we already have lots of superstarts….Doc
name a position player that you consider a superstar please
Fols
July 29th, 2011
4:08 pm
Why….do you think Freeman is going to start standing 5 ft off the plate?
tony austin
July 29th, 2011
4:10 pm
I agree with someone who compared JHey and Freeman to Francoeur and McCann. If Freeman is like McCann, he should just keep getting better each year.
Shaun
July 29th, 2011
4:11 pm
Afan, yeah with alot more RBI’s and right handed. Bum average.
Ludwick has a 92 OPS+ and he’s a corner-outfielder. If the Braves can get him for the value of a platoon player, I’m all for it. Ignore his and every other player’s RBI total. Ludwick leads the Padres in RBI because he’s second on their team in PA’s and he always hits in the middle of their order.
abeeeewright
July 29th, 2011
4:12 pm
Just wanted to interject to all the would-be GMs … “Good advice costs nothing, and it’s worth the price.”
David O'Brien
July 29th, 2011
4:13 pm
NEW BLOGGAGE
Shaun
July 29th, 2011
4:15 pm
I agree with someone who compared JHey and Freeman to Francoeur and McCann. If Freeman is like McCann, he should just keep getting better each year.
Do you think anyone else within the game views Heyward the same way? Do you think if the Braves put Heyward on the trade block, do you really think they would get someone no better than Ryan Church? If you were running the team and someone offered you a player like the 2009 version of Ryan Church for Heyward, would you make that trade? My guess is that you wouldn’t even consider it. Neither would anyone employed by a MLB team, including hot dog vendors.
nolie
July 29th, 2011
4:15 pm
Ludwick has a 92 OPS+ and he’s a corner-outfielder. If the Braves can get him for the value of a platoon player, I’m all for it. Ignore his and every other player’s RBI total. ….Shaun
agree on the RBI totals comment but Ludwick does not hit lefties well at all. I’l pass.
VaBravesFan
July 29th, 2011
4:17 pm
If the Braves are unwilling to trade any young top pitching prospects we should expect to get a small upgrade. Ludwick and a Reliever I guess would be the best I can see.
Robert
July 29th, 2011
4:17 pm
Shaun – that arguement about giving up outs gets complicated quickly
You can give up outs and thus be less likely to score lots of runs in any inning. But at the same time, giving up outs might make it more likely to score ONE run in that inning (as in a sacrifice)
Get the first guy up in every inning on base at a .400 clip. Steal a base at an 85 percent clip. Score him with two sacrifices. That’s three runs a game and you have one out left in every inning. Hack away with two outs and get one run out of the nine tries and you’re at four runs a game –
Put that with solid pitching and you could win lotsa rings
Blankster
July 29th, 2011
4:18 pm
Why doesnt everyone realise that the braves arent the phillies or the yankees. We cant just go around throwing prospects about to get overpaid slightly above average outfielders. We have to be smarter than that. Wake up people. Unless, of course, any of you would like to donate $25m to the braves to cover pences contract for two years?
Blankster
July 29th, 2011
4:20 pm
Maybe those of you who want a big spash at all costs should go and support the yankees. They have more money than sense and will just pay the maximum for anyone with a pulse.
Capt. Obvious
July 29th, 2011
4:38 pm
I have said from day one, Wren will dissapoint and sign Willingham. But at least (in my most sarcastic voice) we’ll have an 8 man rotation next year. BLAH!
30-something days til kickoff. Thank God.
Capt. Obvious
July 29th, 2011
4:40 pm
Does everyone realize if the #1 Hooters fan making $15 million a year on the bench was RETIRED we would not have a problem. We would have money for a big bat. Retire Chipper…NOW! How many more years will he cost the Braves?
Slugger
July 29th, 2011
5:28 pm
Coach Smith -
You are on point. I continue to voice the same opinion.
Trade every player we have in the minors for Matt Kemp. Let them pick ‘Any two’ people not named Julio Teheran. ANY TWO!
Slugger
July 29th, 2011
5:35 pm
bravesgrl4lifeeee -
I can tell you that a Kemp deal would more than likely be disclosed to DOB in one of two ways:
1) We’re telling you about this DOB – say a word and you get nothing from us ever again.
2) It wouldn’t be disclosed to DOB.
Slugger
July 29th, 2011
5:39 pm
OR if DOB knew, he’ll stay completely clear of any Dodgers/Braves discussions? Why?
The whole d*mn world threw him under the bus for NO REASON other than an agent manipulating DOB (the other guys – braves- press) to spike up the offer from the Dodgers to Furcal.
There’s no doubt it forced DOB into the corner because of a GREEDY, FVCKING agent. I felt so damn bad for DOB because someone blatantly leaked misinformation to him and COMPLETELY UNDERCUT HOURS OF DEDICATION AND COMPASSION FOR HIS PROFESSION.
That’s why DOB can’t mention anything about a ‘Kemp’ deal.
Blame it on Furcal’s stupid agent.
DOB – you the man, and we read you for your style and care, man. Don’t worry about leaking anything to us!
Slugger
July 29th, 2011
5:42 pm
PS, I’d rather die by Schafer than live by Bourn.
Any man that can earn the respect of Chipper is a ‘lifer’ in my book.
Jordan Schafer showed us how much of a man he has become during the 19 inning game a few nights back.
He’ll be completely different, and I expect dominant results from him as soon as he’s healthy.
Count it.
Jefferson
July 29th, 2011
6:34 pm
Braves need make two moves here. Plain and simple. Cant score runs if no one gets on base. Leadoff hitter is not Prado. Sorry, he is best as a #2. Bourn needs to be gotten, give away Mclouth (nevermind now since he was just put on DL) and high prospect(s) for bourn(just not any of “BIG 4″), sign him up long term and there we go. Leadoff hitter & speed threat we been missing since Furcal left has now been filled.
Next, go after a right handed power hitter, I dont care how its done, trade one of big 4.
Seriously Jurrgens is here, Hanson is here, Beachy is here, wheres the other 4 gonna fit? Get rid of atleast one top pitching prospect, if not two, depending on what comes back to make this happen.
All Braves really need is 2 prospects to come up after Lowe and Hudson leave, and Hudson might be around after 2012 contract expires so as long as they keep the BIG 3 (Jurrgens, Hanson, Beachy) could even argue Medlen then really why do we need 4 top prospects? To keep in AAA? to take whos place? to trade? duh! trade atleast 1 if not 2 and lets try to win this year!
alexcox
July 30th, 2011
10:40 pm
wiligham no hase farta poder y el no quitin seria un arma moltar para los contrarios. opton no es indiciplinado y no es bueno por los roockis bourn si un lideroff .nate comercio o los weivers. shafer o heward para las menores
Peace29
July 31st, 2011
7:22 am
fredo – wow, could not agree more. Heyward refuses to play through minor aches and pains and then uses them as excuses for his “bad habits” at the plate. He might be the “perfect baseball prototype”, but if Lebron couldn’t hit a jump shot anymore, his prototype butt would sit the bench. Step it up J-Hey.
Top 5 Players who could be Dealt | Sports News. By Bums Like You.
July 31st, 2011
1:51 pm
[...] DLed. Would be a perfect fit for their already potent line-up. And while got Bourn, they might still be interested in a power-hitter like Quentin. The Phillies were interested too until dealing for [...]