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1,264 comments Add your comment
NickB
August 29th, 2011
10:31 am
Bourn faces a problem tho. As already pointed out, it’s a rich crop of CF talent in 2013. Npw Granderson and Kemp will both set the bar very high. But, they have numbers immensely higher than Bourn’s are in both power and production. Now boras can try to sell the defense and SB’s… But I don’t think he can expect to get $15 mill a year. The big $$$ teams will chase the big 2 of course, but Boston has Ellsbury and idk if the Mets are going to be such free spenders after what all those bad FA deals have done to them… The Yankees will outbid everyone for Granderson probably which will leave the Phillies, Cubs and a few others to vie for Kemp, Victorino and Bourn. i can’t see Bourn getting much more than 5 $50 mill out there. If he was the only name (or was only against Byrd, Rowand and BJ Upton) i could see someone giving him 5 yr $60 mill +…. But not when the big $$$ teams have 2 choices better than he is.
DAP
August 29th, 2011
10:32 am
panama jack checked that list, can’t beleive my favorite all time 3B Brooks Robinson isn’t in the top 50, guess defense doesn’t count for much.
it depends on what stat you look at. he may not be top 50 in batting average, with a career .267, but he 3rd all time in hits with 2848.
you can click on each stat at the top and it will re-sort the rankings.
raleighbravefan
August 29th, 2011
10:32 am
reckingball – If you lisen to the “experts” on the blog, you would believe that it’s all about Boras, and his insatiable ego and lust for money. Actually, the guy is just representing his clients, and he does it very well. BTW, it’s the owners who agree to those “outrageous” contracts.
RC
August 29th, 2011
10:33 am
From Buster Onley’s blog:
1. This story will get some notice in rival front offices: The Royals are willing to deal prospects for starting pitching, Bob Dutton writes. They would appear to be a good match, on paper, with the Mariners, Braves, Diamondbacks and a few other teams. For example: The Braves could be looking for a long-term solution at third base, knowing that Chipper Jones is nearing the end of his career — Kansas City has Mike Moustakas and Atlanta has a nice core of pitching prospects.
I don’t know which of the 4 Horsemen of the Pitchocalype it would take to acquire Moose Tacos, but that’d be a really, interesting trade.
Chris Snow
August 29th, 2011
10:33 am
timthebrave
August 29th, 2011
10:30 am
Randy S, I just saw the Drive by Truckers there. The Ga Theatre looks and sounds better than it ever has. They also got a cool little bar on the roof to get drinks before the show.
I wish I could see the Widespread Panic show there in October.
raleighbravefan
August 29th, 2011
10:33 am
To everyone – If you were a baseball player, who would you want to represent you?
timthebrave
August 29th, 2011
10:35 am
DAP, Agree. Together average and on base percentage give us a better idea of what a player is than just OBP or AVG only. If you think about it wouldn’t you want a player that bats .300 with a .400 OBB compared to a .200 AVG and .400 OBP.
Murph
August 29th, 2011
10:35 am
Great blog DOB.
Personally, knowing what the Braves have in the system and also knowing what desperation has led them to do in the past (Kawakami, Lowe contracts) I think they need to try and sign Bourn as soon as possible.
Question is, why would he have any motivation to sign rather than test the free agent waters? I’m sure Boras would rather see Bourn play out his current deal and see what he could get on the open market.
Then again, if Constanza can hit over .275 and get on base at a decent pace, is spending over $10mil for Bourn absolutely necessary? Don’t forget too that Pastornicky looks to be on the fast-track to the majors and will likely be on the club in 2013. He seems to be making a case for himself to be the leadoff man of the future.
ncscoots
August 29th, 2011
10:35 am
I don’t know which of the 4 Horsemen of the Pitchocalype it would take to acquire Moose Tacos, but that’d be a really, interesting trade.
I’d have to stop drooling long enough to say “yes” and “pick one”, but other than that…
RC
August 29th, 2011
10:35 am
To everyone – If you were a baseball player, who would you want to represent you?
I don’t know what any of the agents are like in person, or what their “pitch” would be, but based on the limited knowledge I’ve got it’s hard to not say Boras. The guy knows the game inside and out, and does everything he can to not only get his clients the most money, but puts them in a position to have the most success possible professionally.
timthebrave
August 29th, 2011
10:36 am
Chris Snow, I saw but was sold out before I even knew it went on sale.
henry from TN
August 29th, 2011
10:38 am
I think the braves should offer Bourn 50 mil. for 5 yrs. no more than 55 mil for 5 yrs….
DAP
August 29th, 2011
10:38 am
some of the all time rankings for chipper are pretty interesting for 3rd basemen. 12th all time in games played. how about that for am injury prone vet?
7th in Batting average
6th all time in hits.
4th in homers, RBI, BB,
3rd all time in runs, doubles,
2nd all time in OBP, slg% and OPS.
nice.
Random
August 29th, 2011
10:39 am
Chris from the Rock (August 29th, 2011 7:26 am): “I agree with bringing Infante back. The Braves miss his presence and versatility. Lugo stinks.”
Infante thru 28 Aug 11 = .278/.321/.363/.684, which more or less represents an expected “regression to the mean” of his career line of .275/.319/.391/.710.
Let no one here ever expect to see again the .321/.359/.416/.775 Infante of last year, much less anything better.
The Braves have already gotten all they ever will from Infante.
Randy S
August 29th, 2011
10:40 am
Yeah, I it pains me to be missing all those great shows (I live in New Orleans now after living in Athens for a good while).
From all the reviews, the new Theatre looks and sounds great and the rooftop bar is a nice touch. I really like that the bar is open to the public during the day.
David O'Brien
August 29th, 2011
10:40 am
Nickb: Yankees have $13 mill option on Granderson for 2013. He’s there at least two more seasons, and will get huge contract after that. Kemp will get massive contract as free agent, and besides, as I said, Bourn fits Braves perfectly because he’s not just a Gold Glove center fielder but also a fine leadoff man.
NickB
August 29th, 2011
10:42 am
I am a little gunshy on Moustakas. If you look at his minor league numbers he has never walked much.. I’m just a little worried that he might end up being too much of a free swinger…. (ala Frenchy) But , he’s only 22 and this is hs first time in MLB . i wouldn’t want him for Teheran , Delgado or Minor. But I might, for Vizcaino , Hoover or Carlos Perez….. BTW, I think Salecedo is expected to be ready by 2014. Prado can fill the gap in 2014 just fine.
NickB
August 29th, 2011
10:44 am
Oh i agree with you DOB. (didn’t know about Granderson’s option) I was just saying that al the talk that he would get $12-$15 mill per on a 5 yr deal is a bit much as his value will be hurt by better options out there. I think that 5 yr $40-50 mill is what he will end up getting.
David O'Brien
August 29th, 2011
10:44 am
DOB, off topic, with Pastornicky tearing up AAA is it fair to assume that Gonzalez will not be re-upped? — El Bravo
No, I wouldn’t assume that, based on a month or two above Double-A. The kid is 21 (22 in Dec.) Braves have had relatively huge success with 21-year-old past couple seasons (though we’ve seen a young star, Heyward, struggle with the sometimes-difficult second season this year). But how many 22-or-under kids has any title team ever had in its regular lineup? I mean, seriously, if Pastornicky were in the opening day lineup you’d have THREE 22-year-olds in him, Freeman and Heyward. To me, that’s just expecting too much to have another kid that young in lineup with so little experience even at the high-level minor league level.
I don’t think Braves would go to spring training without an experienced every-day shortstop.
Batcork
August 29th, 2011
10:44 am
Outstanding analysis DoB. Bourn’s gonna cost an arm and a leg, but we can afford him thanks to the depth of pitching in the system. And we need him thanks to the lack of CF system depth. Looking 5 years from now, it’s unrealistic that we’ll still have all five of Jurrjens, Hanson, Medlen, Beachy, and Minor on board after they are FA eligible. But with Lowe and Hudson long gone by then, even after signing Bourn, we still should be able to afford two of that group of five, and fill out the rest of the rotation with pre-FA studs like Teheran. By the time those studs hit FA (~2017), Bourn’s contract would be up.
Chris Snow
August 29th, 2011
10:45 am
timthebrave
August 29th, 2011
10:36 am
Chris Snow, I saw but was sold out before I even knew it went on sale.
Yeah there were only a couple hundred tickets avail for the public. The “guest list” took about 75 % of them. Oh well, I’ll get my fix in Alpharetta and Savannah.
Efrim
August 29th, 2011
10:45 am
Kemp is a not a centerfielder long term. He’s pretty terrible there. Plus, the Braves aren’t going to give him what a team like the Yankees, Red Sox or Phillies will. All of which will have potential needs in the outfield when next season ends. Again, I wouldn’t view Kemp as a CF. He is about as bad as anyone out there.
raleighbravefan
August 29th, 2011
10:46 am
RC – Pretty much my point. People have a phobia of Boras, but a lot has to do with the fact that he represents some of the biggest stars in the game, so naturally they receive the best deals. The real villian for the Braves is the payroll limits, not Boras per se.
You are right that he puts his players in a favorable position to succeed.
richie_rich1986
August 29th, 2011
10:47 am
I was thinking along the lines of 6-8mil a year for 5 years. That will take him into the age of 33 which I think the Wheels might start falling off which is he key trait.
ncscoots
August 29th, 2011
10:47 am
NickB, I can understand your reticence on Moose. As a minor leaguer, he was more in the mode of a Freeman than a Heyward, say, in that he likes to swing at the first good strike. If the lack of walks were due to zone recognition or pitch recognition, I’d worry a little more, too. But I don’t get that from the kid.
Efrim
August 29th, 2011
10:47 am
I don’t think Braves would go to spring training without an experienced every-day shortstop.
Which is why I think they bring back Gonzo based on the lack of FA SS’s available…..(ones we’d actually chase after).
David O'Brien
August 29th, 2011
10:48 am
Rico, how are ya? Of course I remember you, man. That was a great show, and it’s cool they’re touring again. Isbell told me McMurtry is one of his favorite performers to tour with, really loves his stuff.
Can’t commit to tix for Oct. 27 yet for obvious reasons (if Braves advance to a certain big series that time of the year).
Random
August 29th, 2011
10:49 am
Michael (August 29th, 2011 9:07 am): “Why do baseball writers continue to list batting average first when on base percentage and slugging percentage are much better statistics for judging how good a player is? Peirre on base percentage has always been poor, as opposed to Bourne’s, that is why so many people said his contract was awful. A team only gets a maximum of 27 outs in a regulation game, so each out is precious.”
Totally agree.
And the “At Bat” (”AB”) stat should be eliminated. Calculate SLG same as OBP, based on Plate Appearances, not “At Bats”.
Efrim
August 29th, 2011
10:50 am
I’d rather Wil Myers and Cheslor Cuthbert than Mike Moustakas. I’m not sure why the Royals would want to trade their prospects. It made me laugh when I saw it. They should be showing ultra patience as an organization. Cleveland’s move for Ubaldo wasn’t in line with what the organization should be doing.
Efrim
August 29th, 2011
10:52 am
DOB, do you think the Braves will approach any of their current players about extentions(other than Bourn)? Like McCann or Prado? I understand they are both controlled through 2013, but I think it might be wise to lock them up longer.
TJ
August 29th, 2011
10:53 am
YES
NickB
August 29th, 2011
10:54 am
The Royals are probably hoping they could lure a “big 4″ away with Moustakas (or whomever)…. I don’t really think that the Braves need a middle infielder that bad. Lipka, Salcedo and pastronicky are all in the pipeline. (now ,sure odds are only 2 of those guys will end up as solid major leaguers but you can’t know which one it will be) All i’ve read seems to say that the franchise is very high on Salcedo as the 3b of the future. With Chipper coming back in 2012 at least and prado lurking, i see no reason to make any moves for 3b.
DAP
August 29th, 2011
10:54 am
random Calculate SLG same as OBP, based on Plate Appearances, not “At Bats”.
cant do that fairly without completely changing how the stat is calculated. youd have to give a player total bases for walks. being walked doesnt exactly mean slugging, does it? no, i think the slugging stat using ABs is fine.
BUT, maybe you could invent a new stat that adds walks and maybe SB to total bases. call it…total base %.
but, no reason to “eliminate” anything.
CrαZy
August 29th, 2011
10:55 am
Wait…. I thought Julio Lugo was the plan for SS next year?
ncscoots
August 29th, 2011
10:55 am
not sure why the Royals would want to trade their prospects.
Nor am I, considering that they have pitching on the way, also.
I know you love the Myers kid, but I’d still rather have Prado in LF and Moose at 3B, than Myers in LF and Prado at 3B. Can’t really put together a solid argument as to why, LOL, but there you go.
Shaun
August 29th, 2011
10:56 am
I think the issue with Bourn is that he’s probably not going to perform to the level that the next contract will pay him, at least not for the Braves (unless they somehow got a new owner that spent like the upper-echelon teams and didn’t worry about less-than-ideal contracts).
Bourn obviously doesn’t have much power and, while he’s solid at drawing walks, he’s not outstanding at it. So when his bat speed goes, he’s probably not going to be able to get on base at a very high rate. But he’ll still be plenty fast and have plenty of defensive value. I think Nate McLouth is a decent comparison, as far as offensive value. He’ll have more speed and less power and probably won’t walk quite as much. I just don’t think he’ll be worth what the Braves would have to pay him and offer him in terms of years. I think by the second or third year, he’ll just look okay.
CrαZy
August 29th, 2011
10:57 am
Efrim, I think thats a next off-season problem.
panamajack
August 29th, 2011
10:58 am
Braves should try and get Brett Lawrie as a future 3B from the Blue Jays, worth giving up a good prospect.
NickB
August 29th, 2011
10:59 am
@ DAP – that’s an interesting idea, but then again, you’d have to take a total base away for a caught stealing too…..
Shaun
August 29th, 2011
11:00 am
Anyone see this? http://capitolavenueclub.com/?p=4843
I think this is one of the best and most reasonable pieces I’ve read regarding what has been the hot topic over the last month or so.
Efrim
August 29th, 2011
11:01 am
I like Prado at third, for some reason. Don’t like him as much in LF. Honestly, I still think it’s foolish to trade Jurrjens if Hanson’s shoulder is a wreck.
I read CAC’s twitter and how he thought that it doesn’t make sense to exercise Hudson’s option in 2013. This is where things get a little ridiculous with the prospects. I completely understand that we have all of these kids down there, but you’re really asking for it if you have a bunch of 27 year old and unders in the rotation. Just my opinion there. I think Peter gets prospect/service time crazy once in a while…..not that I don’t, just it may be a little overboard in this example.
Shaun
August 29th, 2011
11:02 am
panamajack, Blue Jays aren’t trading Lawrie unless they get something like one of the stud young pitchers. He’s been up, what, 2-3 weeks, if that? So he’s cheap and under team control for a long time. He isn’t some veteran that the Blue Jays are going to trade to build for their future. He is a piece of their future.
extremus
August 29th, 2011
11:03 am
As the Braves had shown the past few seasons, you can have ample power throughout the lineup and still have an excruciating time trying to score runs without the element of speed. Since Bourn and Constanza came to the lineup the Braves’ offensive output (and general sense of excitement from a fan’s perspective) has been greatly helped. Bourn has helped the Braves is this regard more than Pence’s addition has so far helped the Phillies, I believe, simply from the standpoint that the Braves needed speed MUCH more.
That said, if it can be done then ABSOLUTELY extend Bourn’s contract; while he’ll most likely cool off, Constanza has also become a fan favorite and has the tools to stick around for awhile as well.
PMC
August 29th, 2011
11:05 am
Frank Wren has stated several times that they want to become a team going forward that is built around speed.
I’m not sure he even goes out and gets Bourn if he had no intention of keeping him around.
RC
August 29th, 2011
11:05 am
raleighbravefan,
I do find it funny that people get so upset when Boras gets a big deal for a client, yet have no problem with ownership keeping that money. As long as the Braves are able to stay competitive, I’d much rather Derek Lowe receive his $15 million a year than for it to go back to Liberty Media (who ironically, has been one of the better owners in baseball the past few years…much better than many “private” owners like Loria and the McCourts…or Drayton Lane….or the former Texas owner…).
DAP
August 29th, 2011
11:05 am
so shaun, based on the need the braves have, is signing bourn a good idea? what would be the cap on what the braves should pay bourn?
Shaun
August 29th, 2011
11:06 am
Efrim, I think it has as much to do with Hudson’s likely value in 2013 and that it probably won’t match what the contract is due to pay him as it does the Braves’ young pitching.
Also, 27 is not exactly young in baseball terms? If you have some 27-year-olds, as long as they are pretty good, that’s just fine.
Doug
August 29th, 2011
11:07 am
Ed Mathews was my child hood hero, I’ll take him over any third baseman ever. Chipper is super but Mathews was as good a fielder, maybe better and had more power than Jones. Both had the same leadership quality.
If we can afford Bourn ( it’s not our money gang) he makes sense, the Braves may not be a fan of Boros ( Furcal mess this spring) but renting players is a bad idea. You give up to many prospects/suspects, you can never have enough pitchers even in the lower minors.
Jaun Pierre… brutal glove, but probably helps win more than he cost the Sox defensively.
Efrim
August 29th, 2011
11:08 am
Efrim, I think thats a next off-season problem.
You’re probably right, but it may be more expensive at that time.
Tomas
August 29th, 2011
11:09 am
DOB, I think you might have underestimated Bourn. I think the Juan Pierre contract is a good comparison from the offense standpoint but not the defense, and that contract was bad in large part because Pierre became a LF. Bourn won’t turn into a LF because he has a much stronger arm than Pierre. Now you also have to consider the value of speed in todays game, Carl Crawford and Jose Reyes certainly have power, but what gets them the big bucks is their speed and defensive skills.
Bourn plays a premier position at a premier level. You’re talking about the 4th best CF in the national league behind Matt Kemp, Andrew McCutchen, and Shane Victorino. Add to the fact he is a great leadoff hitter, you’ve got yourself a very valuable player.
I say try fo an extension, even though I know Boras is tough to negotiate extensions with, offering something like 5 yrs 50 million. 7 million in 2012, 10 million in 2013, 11 million in 2014, 11 million in 2015, 11 million in 2016. And that would be a discount
Shaun
August 29th, 2011
11:09 am
DAP, well, Boras is probably going to want, not quite what an elite centerfielder would get, but what an all-star centerfielder would get, I’m guessing. But I don’t think Bourn is likely to perform like an legit all-start type centerfielder by the time the second or third year of his next contract rolls around. I think he’ll be something like a solid second-division type centerfielder at that point but he’ll be getting paid like a really good first-division type centerfielder.
DAP
August 29th, 2011
11:10 am
NickB but then again, you’d have to take a total base away for a caught stealing too…..
thats right. i could see tb% being a pretty useful summation of a player’s performance. of course, i would never want to do away with any of the current stats.
Murph
August 29th, 2011
11:10 am
Keep in mind that once Bourn hits 30 it’s all downhill from there. It’s a statistical fact (pay no attention to Uggla pushing towards his career high in HR… that is luck).
Efrim
August 29th, 2011
11:11 am
I think it has as much to do with Hudson’s likely value in 2013 and that it probably won’t match what the contract is due to pay him as it does the Braves’ young pitching.
He’s got a 9 million dollar option, and he’s been worth something like 14 mill according to fangraphs so far this year. He’d have to really tank in 2012 for that option not to be picked up.
timthebrave
August 29th, 2011
11:13 am
I have been away from the blog and sporting news recently….
ANY UPDATES ON HANSON?
I heard he had a torn rotator cuff and was out for a few weeks…Is this correct? If it is a torn rotator wouldn’t he be done for the season?
ncscoots
August 29th, 2011
11:14 am
but you’re really asking for it if you have a bunch of 27 year old and unders in the rotation.
More a matter of experience than age, but I get what you’re saying and I totally agree.
Doc Holliday
August 29th, 2011
11:14 am
I think Braves need to spend in the OF anyway, so why not sign a player that is already helping the team win?
I think 8.10M is reasonable.
Braves OF uncertainty demand monetary actions, specially in CF…………i would spend in bourn.
Constanza is not a proven player, but would be a great 4th OF. Id do that and get rid of conrad and keep hinske as a 1B back up and get a middle infielder ……….a little more solid that Conrad.
raleighbravefan
August 29th, 2011
11:16 am
It’s hard for “speed” guys to maintain high value as they age…Ricky Henderson not withstanding.
Tomas
August 29th, 2011
11:18 am
Signing Bourn until age 33 or 34 wouldn’t be bad at all
Bob the Blogger
August 29th, 2011
11:18 am
I think the Braves should make a serious effort to sign Bourn to a 4-5 year deal this winter, but also be willing to say “no” to a bad deal, which Boras will undoubtedly propose. Bourn is a game changer, and you have to count his defense into the equation. As DOB pointed out, not many players can compare to what he does. Wren has mentioned many times that speed is a key component of his design, so I think the Braves will try to sign him. I just hope they don’t get desperate like they did when signing Lowe. Too much money for a good player is not a good deal.
NickB
August 29th, 2011
11:20 am
@ DAP- let’s see how that workss I’m gonna compare a consistently good slugger like say Prince Fielder with a guy who gets on base a lot and steals a lot (Carl Crawford ) will use 2010 stats as they both had good seasons….. gimme a sec
Prince TB%- .542
Crawford TB%- .578
kinda surprising, heck I will compare Pujols and see how that looks too from 2010
Pujols TB% .661 wow
DAP
August 29th, 2011
11:22 am
doug Chipper is super but Mathews was as good a fielder, maybe better and had more power than Jones.
eddie matthews career slg% is .509.
chipper jones career slg% is .533
matthews hits more homers, but chipper has him beat in doubles by about 220, and counting. meanwhile, matthews only out homered chipper by about 60, and thats shrinking. also, chipper kills matthews in batting average. matthews is 52nd all time, chipper is 7th.
ncscoots
August 29th, 2011
11:22 am
It’s hard for “speed” guys to maintain high value as they age
The nature of all long-term contracts is that you pay a premium for the early years of the contract, that premium being a degradation of performance in the later years of the contract. You give more years for (hopefully) fewer annual dollars, making the value of the player higher during his (probably) higher-performing early years.
I think that, if you look at the value of players (with WAR, or the like) over all years of a contract, you would find they were underpaid is some years and overpaid in others. Just the nature of the beast.
DAP
August 29th, 2011
11:23 am
shaun, thanks for the response, but that didnt really an answer. what would it be worth to the braves? ignore for a moment what you think he WILL get. whats the highest frank wren should go. im not gonna hold you to it, just give me your thought.
Another Clueless Braves Blogger
August 29th, 2011
11:25 am
Bourn is a Gold Glove outfielder, excellent lead off hitter, and elite base stealer. Let him go and save the money for McClouth. But seriously folks, if the Braves can lock up Bourn for another 3-5 years, they should do it. He can only help their young pitchers gain confidence. We also will be jettisoning McClouth’s and Kawakami’s salaries after this year, and Lowe’s and Chipper’s after next year, so the big bucks are there for Bourn (and Greedo Boras).
Arkansas Transplant
August 29th, 2011
11:26 am
Just so everyone knows…I’m not going to point a finger and call them out but can anyone name this person?
An expert is a man who tells you a simple thing in a confusing way in such a fashion as to make you think the confusion is your own fault.
DAP
August 29th, 2011
11:27 am
but that didnt really an answer
wow. how about that engrish, hunh guys?
DAP
August 29th, 2011
11:27 am
NickB, i calculated a few tb% myself.
Chipper Jones (career) .605
Michael Bourn (2011) .495
Brian McCann (2011) .563
raleighbravefan
August 29th, 2011
11:28 am
Biggest problem with baseball, IMO (besides the fact that the commissioner and people running the sport are short-sighted morons) are the economics. 3-4 teams with “elite” payrolls are able to “buy” teams, and pay players overinflated salaries, which other teams cannot compete with. A mid-payroll team like the Braves stays competitive, only because they are an elite organization, in spite of payroll. (excellent scouting and player developement).True small market teams don’t have a prayer, except for the occational (or rare) year where a group of cheap young players may come together for a year or two, and then become too expensive to keep. Those teams are CONSTANTLY rebuilding.
DAP
August 29th, 2011
11:29 am
NickB, im sure crawford’s was so big because SBes were given some value.
NickB
August 29th, 2011
11:29 am
dang Chipper’s TB% seems elite……. Oh dear, two stat nerds have a new number to fdle with!! :-p
rico43
August 29th, 2011
11:29 am
I’ve come around. Bourn reminds me of Brett Butler at his peak, and that’s a man I would sign long-term. Five years — do it.
JRW
August 29th, 2011
11:30 am
I just don’t see Boras going with a long term deal before testing the open Free Agency market. Players sign with Boras for one reason. $$$. He gets it for them. I would have to believe Bourn takes Arb money this year and will hit Free Agency asking from $12-15 per year for 5 minimum. Boras clients historically just do not sign long term without testing the waters first.
ncscoots
August 29th, 2011
11:31 am
NickB, im sure crawford’s was so big because SBes were given some value.
Whereas I’m pretty sure that having a career power year had a lot more to do with it.
DAP
August 29th, 2011
11:34 am
raleighbravesfan .True small market teams don’t have a prayer, except for the occational (or rare) year where a group of cheap young players may come together for a year or two, and then become too expensive to keep. Those teams are CONSTANTLY rebuilding.
i think they have a prayer if they have decent owners and work smart. teams like the marlins and royals and pirates struggle because they have crappy owners who rake in revenue sharing money instead of putting it back into the team. remember the scandal with the marlins a couple of years ago? they arent the only ones. revenue sharing really helps, and the more money you spend, the more you give to other teams (luxury tax). i think the system is decent, and its not the yankees fault that the royals suck.
NickB
August 29th, 2011
11:36 am
DAP -
Babe Ruth- .740
Ted Williams- .706
Lou Gehrig- .680
Hank Aaron- .604
Stan Musial- .612
Hmmm, pretty interesting stuff
DAP
August 29th, 2011
11:37 am
scoots Whereas I’m pretty sure that having a career power year had a lot more to do with it.
no, probably not. had more to do with prince having a down year, power wise, along with crawford gaining nearly 40 extra bases with the SB.
timthebrave
August 29th, 2011
11:38 am
NickB , what is TB%?
ncscoots
August 29th, 2011
11:39 am
I must have misread something somewhere, DAP.
I’m think I responded to something totally off the track. Ignore me.
Kip
August 29th, 2011
11:39 am
He and Constanza are like a double-jab to the kidney batting two spots apart. I look for Constanza to stay a while and I hope Bourn does as well built
bfred
August 29th, 2011
11:39 am
In today’s game speed and defense are once again critical. There’s a reason he would have hit in with, for example, those 80s Cardinals teams – they excelled in the period before the steroid era. So we have a guy whith those tools at a critical position where we have no obvious minor league talent. Why is this even a question?
Plus remember that everything Bourn has done has been for the Astros. No lineup protection and fewer guys to drive him in. His numbers already seem to be improving in Atlanta.
NickB
August 29th, 2011
11:40 am
Barry Bonds – .707
and it’s interesting to note, that he edges out Ted Williams by a rounded up 5 including 373 stolen bases added. That’s how great a hitter Teddy Ballgame was!
Another Clueless Braves Blogger
August 29th, 2011
11:40 am
Arkansas Transplant August 29th, 2011 11:26 am
Just so everyone knows…I’m not going to point a finger and call them out but can anyone name this person?
An expert is a man who tells you a simple thing in a confusing way in such a fashion as to make you think the confusion is your own fault.
either Dick Cheney or Cartman.
Chris Snow
August 29th, 2011
11:42 am
The answer is yes. We certainly need the speed he gives us in the line up. My worry has been with Prado. The # 2 spot hasn’t been easy for him.
Chris Snow
August 29th, 2011
11:44 am
Also I wish there was a way for Prado to only play ONE position. Him moving from 3rd to LF is not exactly giving him to chance to master either position.
DAP
August 29th, 2011
11:45 am
timthebrave, TB% is a made up stat…made it up today. its TB+(SB-CS)+BB / PA
(Philly)Hater
August 29th, 2011
11:50 am
Shreeeek!!! Did someone mention Melky???? Please no, please!!
That dude couldn’t hit a tee ball when he was here
(Philly)Cheesesteak Lover
August 29th, 2011
11:51 am
Melky is awesome!
NickB
August 29th, 2011
11:52 am
DAP- all stats are made up!
I actually think it’s pretty good ….. maybe it overvaules SB’s…. but a single and a SB are the same as a double with the bases empty
Shaun
August 29th, 2011
11:57 am
shaun, thanks for the response, but that didnt really an answer. what would it be worth to the braves? ignore for a moment what you think he WILL get. whats the highest frank wren should go. im not gonna hold you to it, just give me your thought.
DAP, I think the highest Wren should go is the contract of a fairly solid second-division type centerfielder. Anything more than that, is not worth it for the Braves, in my view. Now if he’ll take 2 years, that changes things some. Then maybe you go whatever the going rate is for a decent first-division centerfielder. But I think Boras and Bourn are probably looking for 4-5 years.
Kat
August 29th, 2011
11:57 am
A dock w/ two boats attached just floated down the Hudson..and then broke in half when it hit the bridge. Irene may be over the the flooding up north of NYC hasn’t even hit it’s peak.
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/8559/384894466.jpg
Tomas
August 29th, 2011
11:57 am
Anybody saw the throw by Ankiel yesterday? That dude has the best OF arm in baseball by far
(Philly)Hater
August 29th, 2011
11:58 am
Dude, for real?? How could anyone like a player named “Melky”…even if he was good!!
Sopheee
August 29th, 2011
11:58 am
Not to mention he looked like a ballerina in the OF. So many pretty twirls.
reckingball
August 29th, 2011
11:58 am
Cheesesteak Lover@11:51……..I can see why a phillies fan would love Melky.
reckingball
August 29th, 2011
12:01 pm
Melky helped the Phillies win the division last year.
reckingball
August 29th, 2011
12:02 pm
Looked like a fat ballerina.
monty
August 29th, 2011
12:08 pm
Forget signing Bourne long-term, we can’t afford him. Just bring Schafer back in 2013. He’ll be alot cheaper and hit about like Bourne. He’s up to .280.357.757 with Houston. 3 steals in 7 games with them. That’s about a 70 steal pace over the course of a season.
DAP
August 29th, 2011
12:11 pm
shaun I think the highest Wren should go is the contract of a fairly solid second-division type centerfielder
which is…? i guess youre thinking that decided by the market so we cant know yet, but is there a ballpark figure?
kozysnacker
August 29th, 2011
12:13 pm
Bourn (28)
Career: .272/.338/.359, 89 OPS+
2011: .302/.359/.394, 111 OPS+
Player X (27):
Career: .268/.355/.371, 93 OPS+
2011: .269/.349/.380, 95 OPS+
Player X is Brett Gardner, who also possess plus-plus speed and great defensive range. Would you pay $40 million over five years for Gardner? With Uggla’s monster contract already in the books for another four years, it would likely be a mistake to lock up Bourn beyond 2012.