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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,555 comments Add your comment
Lew
November 2nd, 2011
4:24 pm
raleighbraves – Not seeing it? If you mean a baseball field, neither is Derosa.
DS1
November 2nd, 2011
4:25 pm
nolie
It’s the “new” math………..
ZWacky
November 2nd, 2011
4:25 pm
wow there are some totally ignorant folks going on at length today just proving how little they know it seems. where did they all come from, I recognize no names. Dentz on a multi-personality gig again?
Efrim
November 2nd, 2011
4:27 pm
Probably still be writing such a thing when Vizcaino throws 200 IP. Best ignored, or, at least, dismissed.
Agreed. He probably heard it from one scout or one Braves person and is running with it.
ncscoots
November 2nd, 2011
4:27 pm
I think he will do better lower in the lineup.
Prado is still the best-qualified 2-hole hitter in this lineup, as it is now projected. Moving him lower only makes sense if somebody shows they can hit 3 and Chipper decides he doesn’t mind hitting 2.
raleighbravefan
November 2nd, 2011
4:27 pm
Monger – There is so much wrong with your post, it’s hard to begin…but…We didn’t pay McLouth $10mil last year, we won’t pay him $10mil this year, but we did pay him $1.25 mil this year, which comes out of 2012 budget. We ARE responsible for paying Bourn whatever he gets after arbitration/negotiations, so the McL buyout, and the Bourne Salary will likely be more than what we paid for CF last year.
nolie
November 2nd, 2011
4:27 pm
Enter your comments here
CB
November 2nd, 2011
4:28 pm
MLBTR is predicting Oswalt at 1yr-10 million.
nolie
November 2nd, 2011
4:29 pm
some better Soph. Thanx for askin’, though some of what I’m readin’ here might cause a relapse
nolie
November 2nd, 2011
4:30 pm
Monger – There is so much wrong with your post, it’s hard to begin….raleigh
ya think????
Arkansas Transplant
November 2nd, 2011
4:30 pm
CB, no I wouldn’t go that much.
Efrim
November 2nd, 2011
4:30 pm
Prado is gonna get 4.4 million in arbitration?? After the miserable excuse of a season he just had?? Really???
Secondly, in adding in all these arbitration increases and contract raises for some guys, you are forgetting to rid yourself of alot of salary room.
The Mongrel, yes, I think Prado is getting a 1.3 million increase. And it’s the money that is guaranteed for 2012, not what is coming off of the books for 2011. Never look at it like that.
raleighbravefan
November 2nd, 2011
4:31 pm
Vazquez might have had a great year for us (even though in reality, he sucked for the Yankees), and I mught win the lottery tonight.
None of that negates the fact that it turned out to be a great trade.
Snotboogie
November 2nd, 2011
4:31 pm
Cubs manager post is free but the Cards are the one interviewing Sandberg. Hmmm.
DS1
November 2nd, 2011
4:31 pm
scoots
If Prado does return to his norms, I can see him being a good 3 slot hitter. And Freeman did well there for a short while last year.
Utlimately, if Heyward gets his game back together, he’s the eventual 3 hitter.
Mac seems to be more suited for 5 or 6 (truthfully, not trying to suck up to McFann). Especially since he misses 1 game per week.
Ultimately, with this team, the lineup is going to be very fluid next season.
Arkansas Transplant
November 2nd, 2011
4:32 pm
I’m pretty fearful for our rotation next season.. 4 or the 5 spots are pretty questionable and/or unproven.
cabravesfan
November 2nd, 2011
4:32 pm
Snotboogie -
Theo has said he wants someone with major league coaching or managerial experience
DS1
November 2nd, 2011
4:33 pm
I will be sooooooooooooo surprised if the Braves show any real interest in a starting pitcher.
REALLY surprised.
nolie
November 2nd, 2011
4:33 pm
maybe ten mil including possible bonuses for time played
Efrim
November 2nd, 2011
4:33 pm
Moving him lower only makes sense if somebody shows they can hit 3 and Chipper decides he doesn’t mind hitting 2.
I hope Chipper wants to hit 2. I think he’s our best option, and a lineup of Bourn, Jones, McCann, Uggla, Freeman, Prado, Heyward, SS is the most “optimal” run scoring lineup.
raleighbravefan
November 2nd, 2011
4:33 pm
AT – I’m not saying Oswalt couldn’t potentially be an asset, I’m just saying that’s not how I would spend our limited resources. BTW, what would you be willing to spend?
ncscoots
November 2nd, 2011
4:34 pm
Ultimately, with this team, the lineup is going to be very fluid next season.
Wayne, geez, I hope not, LOL. I’d kinda like to see everybody banging and thumping to a reasonable degree of potential, so that Fredo doesn’t start drawing lineups out of a hat again.
nolie
November 2nd, 2011
4:35 pm
me too, extremely surprised unless it is involved in a mega-deal that also brought an OFer. which would also surprise me
Lew
November 2nd, 2011
4:35 pm
Transplant – No money, lots of young p[itching and the need for a shortstop, bench players and corner outfielder.
Not seeing the acquisition of veteran pitching in the equation, much less a pitcher who will get around $10 mil.
Snotboogie
November 2nd, 2011
4:35 pm
cab
I read about that. Just thought it’d give him a lot of incentive to stick it to the Cubs if he gets the StL job.
raleighbravefan
November 2nd, 2011
4:36 pm
AT – I totally understand your concern, but I believe both JJ and Hanson will be back. It seems we don’t need to start panicing unless ST goes badly.
DS1
November 2nd, 2011
4:37 pm
I think I can say with confidence that Oswalt will NOT pitch for the Braves in 2012.
Nothing in life is a certainty. But when you have such a stable of talented young pitchers, sometimes you just gotta roll the dice and see where they take you.
Medlen is the wild card………. in case one or both of Hanson/Jurrjens goes down for an extended time.
ncscoots
November 2nd, 2011
4:37 pm
the most “optimal” run scoring lineup.
Far be it from me to envision a sub-optimal lineup, LOL. Heyward raking at 3 would be about as optimal as I could imagine, though.
nolie
November 2nd, 2011
4:38 pm
Chipper almost led the team in OPS last year, why does everybody want him hitting second? Did y’all succumb to Shaun’s line-up reasoning on the best hitter at second?
raleighbravefan
November 2nd, 2011
4:39 pm
At this point, I just can’t see pitching as a major concern for this team…at any rate, I’m outta here.
DS1
November 2nd, 2011
4:40 pm
scoots
With Chipper’s age and McCann’s position (1 rest day per week) it almost makes it imperative to have a fluid lineup.
And we all know that Fredo is not tied to convention as strongly as BC was.
ncscoots
November 2nd, 2011
4:40 pm
Did y’all succumb to Shaun’s line-up reasoning on the best hitter at second?
Are you deliberately trying to insult me, or are you just fooling around?
raleighbravefan
November 2nd, 2011
4:40 pm
nolie – I thought Shaun wanted Heyward batting second…at least until he didn’t.
nolie
November 2nd, 2011
4:40 pm
believing in an “optimal” lineup is pretty naive IMO
ncscoots
November 2nd, 2011
4:41 pm
And we all know that Fredo is not tied to convention as strongly as BC was.
That’s one way of putting it, yes.
CB
November 2nd, 2011
4:41 pm
nolie,we have more than one Shaun on here. Just only one crazy one.
cabravesfan
November 2nd, 2011
4:41 pm
Snot-
Apparently Theo personally called him to explain the situation, which is kinda nice. But I can’t really blame Theo for wanting someone with some experience, no matter what their ties are to the Cubs
nolie
November 2nd, 2011
4:41 pm
that was because he claimed Jason was the best hitter on the team, which did not prove out, at least this season.
DS1
November 2nd, 2011
4:42 pm
nolie
The Shaun affect is very strong on the blog………..
And to be honest, I am buying it to a lesser degree.
ncscoots
November 2nd, 2011
4:42 pm
believing in an “optimal” lineup is pretty naive IMO
I might go so far as to call such a belief “sub-optimal”, LOL.
Snotboogie
November 2nd, 2011
4:43 pm
But I can’t really blame Theo for wanting someone with some experience, no matter what their ties are to the Cubs
With Zambrano in the mix, experience definitely helps.
nolie
November 2nd, 2011
4:43 pm
Much rather start the season with Prado second and Chipper third
DS1
November 2nd, 2011
4:44 pm
DAMN!! It’s going to be exciting to see how things shake out next spring! Makes it darned hard to wait for me……………
Arkansas Transplant
November 2nd, 2011
4:44 pm
raleighbravefan, I’d probably be willing to go around 7 if we have 15 to spend, otherwise I’d have to see what my plans were for our bench and how much it was going to take to construct. Odds are, we’ll probably have the exact same team on the field we had in the last game last year as we’ll have come the first game this year. I don’t really see us getting a LF unless we unload Prado which I’m not sure they will be willing to do and I don’t see them giving up on Heyward just yet either and I also believe we’ll see AGon over at SS. I can’t really see us having to spend that much to upgrade our bench so why not upgrade our rotation with the majority of the funds available. We’re talking about a 1 year contract with a team option year.. allowing us to let him walk or possibly acquiring draft spots if he signed elsewhere after next season. Plus, it allows us to move someone else if need be come mid season… Win, Win all around.
It seems we don’t need to start panicing unless ST goes badly.
by that time it’s usually too late and cost more then than if we were to do something now.
nolie
November 2nd, 2011
4:44 pm
With Zambrano in the mix, experience definitely helps.
or a black belt
Arkansas Transplant
November 2nd, 2011
4:45 pm
that probably doesn’t make much sense.. didn’t get a chance too proof read.. so excuse any errors.
nolie
November 2nd, 2011
4:46 pm
with the pitching we have, I gotta say that I fail to grasp why anyone could believe that the Braves would have any interest in another starter
DS1
November 2nd, 2011
4:46 pm
nolie
It just seemed to me that Prado wasn’t as comfortable hitting behind Bourn as he was behind a non base stealing leadoff hitter. Marteen likes to be aggressive on the first pitch, and I thought he might have lost the edge batting behind Bourn.
But if he could figure that out, I agree that Chipper needs to stay in the 3 slot.
nolie
November 2nd, 2011
4:48 pm
ok, GG. for my nap. see y’all later.TTFN
Efrim
November 2nd, 2011
4:48 pm
Chipper almost led the team in OPS last year, why does everybody want him hitting second
Sure, hitting Chipper 3rd and Prado 2nd works for me too.
ncscoots
November 2nd, 2011
4:49 pm
Sure, hitting Chipper 3rd and Prado 2nd works for me too.
Think I said that earlier, didn’t I, LOL? Around 4:27?
DS1
November 2nd, 2011
4:49 pm
later nolie
Hey, a nap sounds good right about now………….. but I gotta drive another hour to get to my hotel. And it’s only 2 here.
Later folks……..
DS1
November 2nd, 2011
4:50 pm
Did anybody else think Prado was pressing after Bourn got to ATL?
Efrim
November 2nd, 2011
4:52 pm
Braves have a deep lineup….if everyone hits to their expected slash lines, imo.
CB
November 2nd, 2011
4:53 pm
Todd Redmond is also being added to 40 man roster,he also might be looked at as a long reliever,spot starter. We have a lot of alternatives on our pitching staff,don’t need to worry yet about pitching.
Lew
November 2nd, 2011
4:54 pm
DS1 – Not really. What I saw was a player who’s stamina was shot to hell, who had goptten into bad mechanical habits compensating for his injured leg.
Efrim
November 2nd, 2011
4:55 pm
scoots, you did. I’d rather hit Chipper 2nd, but yours worked. Honestly, I don’t think there are a lot of poor lineups as long as Fredi isn’t hitting the SS 2….
Snotboogie
November 2nd, 2011
4:55 pm
with the pitching we have, I gotta say that I fail to grasp why anyone could believe that the Braves would have any interest in another starter
Unless Hanson’s shoulder is worse than what we are led to believe.
AT, do you know something?
TennesseePaul
November 2nd, 2011
4:56 pm
Heyward raking at 3 would be about as optimal as I could imagine, though
Heyward raking would be nice, no matter where he hits in that line up. Another season like 2011 and the future doesn’t look quite so bright.
richbrave
November 2nd, 2011
4:59 pm
richbrave
I expect Prado to have a serious bounce back year. I think he will do better lower in the lineup. I suspect the leg problem then coming back and having the pressure of hitting behind Bourn did him in last season.
I wouldn’t wait for that if i were WREN. I’d put some baited lines in the water [PRADO-DIAZ] and see what I catch. Keeping PRADO would be my second option.
I would expect the SS position to be addressed first though being as how GONZO and WILSON are both FA’s.
Lew
November 2nd, 2011
4:59 pm
SB – Even if Hanson is disabled, we have more than enough pitching to compensate with Teheran, Delgado, Medlen, Martinez and Vizcaino all quite capable 0f starting and in reserve.
TennesseePaul
November 2nd, 2011
4:59 pm
Todd Redmond is also being added to 40 man roster,he also might be looked at as a long reliever,spot starter.
Or trade candidate.
Arkansas Transplant
November 2nd, 2011
5:00 pm
Snotboogie, ssssshhhhh I can’t go on record just yet.
Daniel Bufoon
November 2nd, 2011
5:00 pm
Bethancourt: Catching prospect on rise
Signed by Braves when he was 16, Panamanian has soft hands, a strong right arm and athleticism most catchers can only dream of.
With Frank Wren publiccally stating his desire to sign players with “athleticism and speed” I take this headline as the first hint that McCann is not going to be signed again. !40 games and a run down player getting thrown out at second after smacking a ball off the 390 sign in right center has run it’s course. Poor catching and throwning skills, no matter how many excuseds are made don’t go welll with declining stats over the last 3 years.
richbrave
November 2nd, 2011
5:01 pm
10 P:
Another baited hook? Agreed. He’s not in the BRAVES lomg-term future I don’t think. And his shelf-life is pretty short age-wise.
Arkansas Transplant
November 2nd, 2011
5:02 pm
I can’t say what you’ll get from these guys? Teheran, Delgado, Medlen, Martinez and Vizcaino… none of them showed they were ready to me. I want more than just 5 innings from my starter. Plus, I want someone that’s a proven commodity.
Efrim
November 2nd, 2011
5:03 pm
With Frank Wren publiccally stating his desire to sign players with “athleticism and speed” I take this headline as the first hint that McCann is not going to be signed again.
I’d be shocked if Brian McCann isn’t our catcher through 2016. I think he gets a contract extension. He’s still really good, and a lot better than some will admit from a defense standpoint.
Snotboogie
November 2nd, 2011
5:03 pm
Sure Lew. Numbers, but not experience.And I am not talking about a mere 1 month layoff kinda thing. More like a season’s worth. Then someone else would make sense. Else, no way.
Efrim
November 2nd, 2011
5:05 pm
Another season like 2011 and the future doesn’t look quite so bright.
I’m trying to think what would be a bigger shock. I think Heyward will at least put together a .260/.350/.440 type year.
CB
November 2nd, 2011
5:05 pm
Well,free agency starts in 7 hours. Wren should have all our needs filled by 1:00AM. You might not want to go to bed early.
MFin04
November 2nd, 2011
5:07 pm
“Sure, hitting Chipper 3rd and Prado 2nd works for me too.”
If Prado is hitting 2nd…doesn’t that mean he will be pinch hitting for the 2-hole hitter?
Arkansas Transplant
November 2nd, 2011
5:11 pm
I’d take a Hudson, Oswalt, Hanson, JJ and Beachy rotation any day.. cause there’s no guarantees Beachy will continue to develop, that Hanson or JJ stays healthy or one is traded, that Delgado/Teheran/Medlen/Vizcaino are ready for a full season work load. Nothing says you can’t if everyone stays healthy that you can’t move JJ or Hanson or both to make room for any of these guys if you think they are ready. But I’d prefer a proven veteran that could help these kids develop and help us win games then to just throw these kids into the fire and hope for the best with no other options… Oswalt would give us options in my opinion.
CB
November 2nd, 2011
5:13 pm
I’m going with .290/.380/.470 on Heyward. He will perform next year back to what he should be.
Snotboogie
November 2nd, 2011
5:13 pm
Wren should have all our needs filled by 1:00AM. You might not want to go to bed early.
Oh no problems. McFann will be throwing a silver slugger party for all of us. Icees will be flowing freely – like glaciers.
MFin04
November 2nd, 2011
5:14 pm
We’re going to have no Silver Sluggers or Gold Glovers this year.
Efrim
November 2nd, 2011
5:18 pm
I’m going with .290/.380/.470 on Heyward. He will perform next year back to what he should be.
That would be awesome…
sri
November 2nd, 2011
5:18 pm
Kevin Orris at capitolavenueclub.com did a Q&A with the Pastor..
http://capitolavenueclub.com/?p=4979
MFin04
November 2nd, 2011
5:19 pm
“I’m going with .290/.380/.470 on Heyward. He will perform next year back to what he should be.”
Braves make the playoffs if that happens. Still want another LF.
Efrim
November 2nd, 2011
5:22 pm
It’s funny, I always post Heyward’s lines as OBP – 90 points more than his BA. Slugging – 180 points more than his BA. So .270/.360/.450 or .280/.370/.460. Kid posts good walk rates…
DAP
November 2nd, 2011
5:23 pm
i liked prado hitting leadoff, personally. when he was hitting like himself, it was a good spot for him. i like chipper hitting 2nd too, and i think thats a good spot for his skills.
IABrave
November 2nd, 2011
5:24 pm
“I’m going with .290/.380/.470 on Heyward. He will perform next year back to what he should be.”
Then he is batting in the 2- hole and the Braves will win the division!!!
I just don’t know if that will happen. I bet he is closer to .275
Juan
November 2nd, 2011
5:26 pm
MLB NET…IT show has Kimbrel live from bama….also they predict Beltran 3 yr 45 mil to the Braves
McFann O O o Get Well Soon, Nolie!!
November 2nd, 2011
5:28 pm
Snotboogie McFann will be throwing a silver slugger party for
allmost of us. Icees will be flowing freely – like glaciers.HECK yeah!!
CB
November 2nd, 2011
5:31 pm
Juan,who are they?
Juan
November 2nd, 2011
5:34 pm
Intentional Talk show inMLB Network…Kevin Millar & Rose…
CB
November 2nd, 2011
5:37 pm
Thanks,Juan, I just don’t where that money comes from.
Snotboogie
November 2nd, 2011
5:37 pm
Reyes.
Beltran.
Where are these experts getting this?
Efrim
November 2nd, 2011
5:39 pm
….also they predict Beltran 3 yr 45 mil to the Braves
Yikes. That’s a ton of money per year. I think Beltran will get three years 12-13 million per year, but it won’t be from the Braves. I think he ends up in RF with the Red Sox. He doesn’t cost a draft pick, and that jives with their strategy.
DAP
November 2nd, 2011
5:40 pm
snotboogie, alot of “experts” think of atlanta as a big market team and when we have a big need, and there is a big free agent, they will put them with us. i have heard those exact words “big market team” associated with the braves by these people.
they are either thinking its 15 years ago and ted turner owns the team, or they mistakenly think that just because we are in a big media market, that we have a big market payroll. we oughta, but we dont.
Juan
November 2nd, 2011
5:41 pm
CB,,,They was playing prediction with 6 player (Fielder,Papelbon,Beltran,Osward,CJ Wilson) They say that Fielder Posible end up in Wash. Papelbon to the Phillis.&Beltran to the Braves
detroitchris
November 2nd, 2011
5:42 pm
Does DOB still post in here, or is it all twitter now?
Efrim
November 2nd, 2011
5:43 pm
I think Wren would like to get a corner outfielder on a two year deal for around 8 million per year. I have no inside knowledge, just seems like the type of contract they would feel comfortable handing out. They may not get a thumper, but I think the Lowe trade leads them to something and not just a utility infielder and 4th outfielder. I didn’t believe that a week ago, but getting that extra 5 million off of the books puts them into a spot to potentially make a move.
CB
November 2nd, 2011
5:44 pm
It’s cool, Juan. Just not realistic for anybody with any real knowledge of the Braves.
Juan
November 2nd, 2011
5:48 pm
CB…The only realistic they say was that the Braves need some more Power from there Outfield.
Juan
November 2nd, 2011
5:48 pm
The Show has a re-run at 7:00…
Efrim
November 2nd, 2011
5:51 pm
Nationals close to a deal with Wang…
Strasburg, Zimmermann, Wang, Lannan, Peacock as currently set up. However I think they end up letting Lannan go and sign a pitcher. I think they end up going and trading for Upton and signing a pitcher. Not sure where Jose Reyes is going – perhaps Milwaukee. Fielder makes a ton of sense for Seattle.
CB
November 2nd, 2011
5:53 pm
Juan,then they didn’t say anything you and I and the Braves did not already know.
Jay Dubu
November 2nd, 2011
5:54 pm
Christian Bethancourt sounds a lot like Brayan Pena did.
Efrim
November 2nd, 2011
5:56 pm
C Thole, 1B Davis, 2B Turner/Murphy, SS Tejada, 3B Wright, LF Bay, CF, RF Duda.
SP: Santana, Dickey, Niese, Pelfrey, Gee.
Awful. The Mets are going to finish last next year.
Tomas
November 2nd, 2011
5:58 pm
Anybody knows if Marek is leaving the Braves?