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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,219 comments Add your comment
Pcola Brave
November 5th, 2011
12:29 am
VA
If you look at his minor league stats he’s hit at every level.
Brave New World
November 5th, 2011
12:34 am
Thome to play for Phillies in 2012 – just the spark a team with aging players needs.
P'cola Brave
November 5th, 2011
12:51 am
According to MLBTradeRumors the Phillies are in hot pursuit of Michael Cuddyer. Plan to use him in left, to fill in at 1B while Ryan Howard, and spell Polanco at 3B on occasion.
Doug Wiley
November 5th, 2011
1:03 am
How much would it take to get Jose Reyes? I believe defense up the middle is highly underated and our second baseman had a good year with the glove. I think Reyes for around $8 million, might be a good deal. I do not know about the corner outfielders. Dang if we did not go sour on Prado and Heyward, plus the fact we know Prado is going to be at his natural third base position for most of the season. Until the hall famer retires and frees up big bucks, it is going to be hard to fill up all of the positions. Chipper is an inspiration and a life long brave, but his salary is killing us for a part time player. Having said that, it is his choice. I sure as heck would not turn it down. Play parts of 100 games a year, be idolized, get away from the wife and kids some and make 13-15 million. Cannot blame him, but I do wish he would retire. Sure would be nice to have another power bat in left field and give Prado and Heyward another chance. Heck sign Jose for $35 million over 3 years. Then hopefully some of these young buck coming up will be ready. I hate to trade Jurens right now, because you will not get value. Then again, if he gets hurt again this year, there may be no value. I would hate to trade Hanson, but he does seem to have Kerry Wood written all over him. Personally, I like the 6′-1 to 6′-4 guys that are in shape. Remember we just shipped off a guy that ate up alot of innings whether you like him or not. I do not mind keeping 6 starters around given what goes on with pitchers. Hanson, Jurrens, Hudson, Beachy, Medling and the 3 youngsters. I believe I would placate the 2 that don’t make it out of camp knowing you are going to need them. An old man, which I am now, once told me, you can never have enough starting pitching. Get Jose or Rollins for SS and then see how the season plays out. You can use one of those gold nuggets at that time to fill your spots.
P'cola Brave
November 5th, 2011
1:09 am
Doug Wiley
You won’t get Reyes for 8 mil. Hes looking around 18 mil a year. Reyes ain’t happening.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
November 5th, 2011
1:09 am
The next idiot on this blog that suggests that Prado can play shortstop gets a metaphorical pie in the face.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
November 5th, 2011
1:10 am
Reyes and Furcal are hurt all the time………we need a SS that can stay healthy…….
Yunel's Frosted Tips
November 5th, 2011
1:12 am
Uga………..are we starting a caucasian at tailback tomorrow……..probably ain’t happened since “Gliding” Glenn Harrison back in the 70’s with the cut-off jersey number 25…..and Jimmy Poulis……
P'cola Brave
November 5th, 2011
1:16 am
I personally like Ryan Theriot to be our stopgap SS if he is non-tendered by the Cardinals in the coming weeks.
Rafael
November 5th, 2011
1:19 am
I knew the “Apology Letter” sent out to the fans after the monumental COLLASPE was just lipservice and a JOKE.
Looking for “ways to improve the team” does NOT mean DUMPING SALARY for LITTLE or NOTHING in return, OR hinting that the NO TALENT BUM Matt Diaz might get 300 ABs next year.
This is Liberty CHEAPIA’s way… bargain-basement team payroll and expect to come to Turner Field for the “AMBIENCE”, not winning baseball. Liberty CHEAPIA, a gutless, faceless, OUT-OF-STATE, PENNY-PINCHING ownership group has got to GO!!!
Liberty CHEAPIA is one of the wealthiest companies in the USA (one of their assets is QVC), yet they act like Ebeniezer SCROOGE is the CEO of the company. The ONLY way to change the Penny-pinching culture of Liberty CHEAPIA is to NOT go to the games at Turner Field. FORCE these cheap jerks to sell the team to a LOCAL owner who WANTS TO WIN and NOT use our Braves as a “tax writeoff.”
Frank Wren’s (firefrankwren.com) “big” upgrades this offseason will be bringing in the likes of a mediocre, garage sale, pig-in-a-poke BUM like Josh Willingham… a CLANK with the glove who’ll bat .240 with 15 HRs. Wow. Willingham and “Double Play” Matt Diaz starting in the same OF in 2012, now there’s TALENT. NOT!!! Nowadays, a CAREER year for Matt Diaz (”he rakes Lefthanders you know”) is a .230 batting average with 6 HRs.
The dirty little secret I’ve known all along. The reason Wren is trying to acquire a prospect CF is because their is NO WAY the Braves will sign Michael Bourn to an extension. I know Bourn was a “short-term” rental. The Braves FINALLY had an exciting leadoff hitter and now Liberty CHEAPIA and Frank Wren (the good soldier in the company) won’t “pony up” the cake to keep Bourn in ATL. Yeah, let’s get Lorenzo Cain instead, now there’s a great ballplayer… NOT!!!!
As long as they’re going to start Matt Diaz in the OF, why not resign Scott “Proctor” Linebrink. Afterall, you PROMISED you would “exhaust every possible resource to improve the team” in your “HONEST” letter apology to the fans.
Just be HONEST with me. I’d feel better if you ADMITTED that as long as LIBERTY CHEAPIA owns the team, you are going to continue to have one of the LOWEST payrolls in baseball and acquire “talent” based on COST. Being honest with me is BETTER than LYING in a letter saying you’re going to improve the team.
LIBERTY CHEAPIA and Frank Wren, you STINK!!!!
N8
November 5th, 2011
1:21 am
The idiocy of some people never fails to surprise me. I’m almost embarrassed to be a Braves fan reading some of the nonsense on here today.
I”m surprised some of these morons can manage to log on to the internet, much less put a thought from their brains through their fingers to the blog.
Sad.
N8
November 5th, 2011
1:23 am
Wow.
Jbailz
November 5th, 2011
1:24 am
Am I the only one that doesn’t want to trade JJ for prospects? Seriously? Prospects? Let’s get someone that is a proven MLB everyday player. I don’t want to trade JJ and wait for two years to see if the prospect(s) prove to be any good in the MAJOR LEAGUE system..
P'cola Brave
November 5th, 2011
1:31 am
Okay tired of reading the crap about Liberty being cheap. The Braves aren’t individually owned so your not going to get that personal affection from them. But with that said the Braves were 15th in the league in salary. I believe number 11 and 13 played in the WS. This years top spending team didn’t even crack the playoffs. Money doesn’t guarantee you a championship. Its been proven time and time again lately. Right now isn’t the Braves time but its coming with the young talent we have coming up. Sometimes you hav to move talent and take a gamble on prospects. Thats essentially what we did with the Vazquez trade. We traded talent for Melky Cabrera (Yea he sucked while with us), Mike Dunn(Flipped for Uggla), and Vizcaino (I don’t think anyone is complaining about him). Its the way the game works when your a mid market team like the Braves. We can’t afford to throw out the lengthy expensive contracts because if they don’t work your screwed. See Derek Lowe because if that contract was any longer people would have been raising more hell. A mid market team has to move guys whose contracts become more expensive for younger talent to stay competitive in the league. If they don’t everyone will continue to complain about not signing a top FA even though there will be no money. Its time people come to grip with how the Braves organization works. Quit blaming Liberty and Wren because we aren’t the Yankees. If you want them to be like that well then come up with the money and purchase the team yourself. For now the Braves fit in as a mid market team and have to rely on player development, trades and economical moves on the FA market. Wren has brought this team back with a rebuilt rotation and a stable of arms in the minors that most teams would kill for. The guy has done a good job with what he has to work with and I personally look forward to what he will do in the coming months and years.
N8
November 5th, 2011
1:32 am
You mean the same Liberty Chepia that allowed Wren to give Lowe 60 million, KK 23 million and trade for Uggla and pony up that money?
Yeah. What a bunch of cheap asses. It cracks me up when fans type posts saying stuff like:
“…. The ONLY way to change the Penny-pinching culture of Liberty CHEAPIA is to NOT go to the games at Turner Field. FORCE these cheap jerks to sell the team to a LOCAL owner who WANTS TO WIN and NOT use our Braves as a “tax writeoff.”
Has it ever occured to you that the lack of attandance while “school is on” and with all of the other issues the locals state is wrong with going to Braves games (traffic, unsafe location, suburbs too spread out, no public transit, etc….) is the reason that payroll isn’t allowed to go up?
You state that people should boycott and “show them”. Perhaps, Liberty Media is “showing” the locals in Atlanta that if people don’t start showing up, they’re not going to bother raising payroll?
“Liberty CHEAPIA is one of the wealthiest companies in the USA….”
Yup. They are. My guess is they didn’t get to that status by just giving money away.
N8
November 5th, 2011
1:33 am
Thank you P’Cola. Glad to see I’m not the only one annoyed as hell with all the whining about Liberty Media.
uga-brave
November 5th, 2011
1:35 am
YNE, since brent millican in 2000 @ south cackalacki.
that was the quincy carter 5 pick “i have never scene a zone blitz game.”
YNE, actually was there that day with a couple of fine GATA dawgs.
P'cola Brave
November 5th, 2011
1:38 am
N8
It makes no sense to me. We’ve seen year in and year out that the mid level teams can compete. People get all bent out of shape every year because the Braves don’t go after the Jose Reyes, Pujols, and Fielders. It blows my mind to think how these people come to the conclusions they do.
uga-brave
November 5th, 2011
1:48 am
p’cola, certain mid level teams can, but the braves have quit spending money on scouting, developing and drafting.
we do have curb appeal though.
P'cola Brave
November 5th, 2011
1:55 am
uga
We don’t spend what we should on the minor league development but we do have one of the higher ranked farm systems in the league. Right now we have been strapped with a few bad contracts but should come off in a year or two. Its hard to say if a trade with KC would be bad or not until we see what the actual trade is. KC has some intriguing prospects and quite frankly we are going to have to move JJ and maybe Prado at some time. But its what the Braves have to do.
P'cola Brave
November 5th, 2011
1:56 am
I don’t mean that they have to trade one of them with KC but at some point we have to move guys who may not be in the long term plans for prospects.
John Leonard
November 5th, 2011
2:05 am
Trade B Mac,
Frumpy
November 5th, 2011
2:06 am
DOB, if you did have to choose the NL rookie of the year, would you go Kimbrel or Freeman? I would go freeman as his numbers were fantastic, played basically every day and defense was superb, hence why gonzalex was able to make so many great plays because he knew freeman would scoop everything thrown at him.
Kimbrel obviously was remarkable and broke the record saves by a rookie but had 2 different meltdowns during the year. One warly when people doubted if he was best option for closer and obviously late. But again he had that remarkable scoreless streak where he was the best in the business.
Very hard choice but for me freeman
uga-brave
November 5th, 2011
2:13 am
p’cola. we have done a 180 from what we have done in the past.
we never drafted college, close to ready, below slot players in the past.
they have slowly blown up a great scouting and minor league devo program.
uga-brave
November 5th, 2011
2:19 am
so why do we need both terry mcquirk and john schurholz?
pretty sure they are both drawing a pretty decent salary.
so mcquirk does what?
and then again john gets his advice from marteen.
Braveone
November 5th, 2011
2:24 am
From the previous blog which had 2,554 comments, Efrim led the way with 179 posts. There were 199 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 Efrim 179
2 nolie 145
3 McFann O O o Get Well Soon, Nolie!! 136
4 cabravesfan 119
5 P-Town Brave © 113
6 DS1 110
7 Ward 104
8 richbrave 92
9 Lew 90
10 Arkansas Transplant 84
11 Snotboogie 84
12 CB 68
13 TennesseePaul 62
14 Murph 60
15 Ease 51
16 haggard 50
17 ncscoots 50
18 raleighbravefan 44
19 N8 41
20 Bat Masterson 38
21 RC 37
22 jeffrey d 36
23 Soph 33
24 TnBrian 28
25 Trey 27
uga-brave
November 5th, 2011
2:24 am
someone at liberty media needs to take away terry mcquirks parking card.
What does he do? other then say “full speed ahead.”
well he does sign the back of your ticket.
he does what, well he got Ted’s ear early on.
uga-brave
November 5th, 2011
2:48 am
what do you think the salary that mcquirk draws? what does john s. draw?
why the need for both of them.
Ward
November 5th, 2011
2:57 am
Hello everyone! Wren is doing the right thing,and a smart thing if the trade happens?
1. Prado is just a solid player,and no more than that.
2.J.J. Is not always healthy.
3. this trade would clear money for a LF bat with power,and clear more room to sign Bourn next year.
4. We would get two pretty good prospects.
I think Wren should do the trade,before Prado,and Jar’s value go down.It would be a smart trade.
Ward
November 5th, 2011
2:58 am
Wren, has already made the offer now,and is waiting on the Royals call………
Ward
November 5th, 2011
3:03 am
N8: It is what it is,and Wren has to go with what sources he has…..
Ward
November 5th, 2011
3:06 am
Talks have stalled,but it’s up to the Royals ,as of now……
Ward
November 5th, 2011
3:14 am
I can see why most everybody want’s Prado.I like Prado ,but Prado is just an average player,and no better than average player.If we can get some one better? I’m all for trading him.
Keylargo
November 5th, 2011
3:21 am
Doug WileyHow much would it take to get Jose Reyes? I believe defense up the middle is highly underated and our second baseman had a good year with the glove. I think Reyes for around $8 million
The homeless in Atlanta could eat steak and Lobster every night for a year with the extra money it would take to get Reyes over $8M. Plus on top of that Reyes can’t carry Gonzalez’s jock defensively. Hitting, yes Reyes had a carear, contract year but as Lloyd Benson told Dan Quail, ” Sir, you’re no John Kenedy” as in Reyes is no Gonzalez, Reyes is no Gonzo at SS.
Ward
November 5th, 2011
3:25 am
Keylargo-Like Reyes,but now I know he’s not The Right Stuff……..
Ward
November 5th, 2011
3:28 am
We don’t need a SS if we have prospects in the waiting? LF is more important in my view,and a bench guy who can get on base……
Keylargo
November 5th, 2011
3:35 am
Through months of thinking, a SS in the $2.5 – $3 Million range, I can not think of a better one than the Sea Bass. We have two good ones coming, but both would be eaten alive by life as an everyday MLB SS.
Ward
November 5th, 2011
3:35 am
I don’t know too much about Liberty Media,and Wren,but Liberty media has given Wren more room for him to be a GM. An owner would limit Gm’s to certain things,and you would have to do it the owners way. Keep things where they are,and give it some time….
Ward
November 5th, 2011
3:37 am
Not sold on Sea Bass,but it isn’t my call,and will suck it up if Sea Bass stays. I’ll be Happy to get a LF with power…….
Lee in S GA
November 5th, 2011
3:38 am
any thoughts on bama vs. lsu?
———————————
yeah – The winner will be national champ …SEC rules in college football.
Keylargo
November 5th, 2011
3:48 am
any thoughts on bama vs. lsu?
Yeah, I;m real happy I was buzzed enough to call up the front dest, demanding to know why I couldn’t get the Bama/LSU game on TV last week. I’ll probably enjoy better this week while I’m a little less “under the weather”.+
Lee in S GA
November 5th, 2011
3:48 am
I’m with you Ward….I want Sea Bass outta here like Lowe and noodle arm.
Ward
November 5th, 2011
3:54 am
I’m watching MLB Net Work,and it’s still calm…….No news on the Braves….
Ward
November 5th, 2011
4:48 am
All have a good one,and I’m letting Wren do his work…..Peace out!!!!!!
Trey
November 5th, 2011
5:39 am
Just checking the blog before work and it’s nice to see Nolie’s name back on the blog posts from the last blog.
haggard
November 5th, 2011
6:18 am
Trey
Scouting Report On A Scout
Yeah, nolie seems to be finding his sea legs in a steady way and his OBP–On Blog Percentage–is continually on the rise. Plus, his clubhouse leadership presence is irreplaceable, especially as a mentor.and counselor to those wayward bloggers who sometimes swing from the heels without thinking. Definite managerial material whenever he decides to hang ‘em up, much in the mold of returning Nationals manager Davey Johnson, of whom Washington GM Mike Rizzo says, ““He has an uncanny ability to jump players without them taking it wrong. It’s like, ‘Dad just yelled at me and I think he’s right.’ ”
richbrave
November 5th, 2011
7:58 am
FALL BALL
VENEZUELA
ZULIA EAGLES
1B ERNESTO MEJIA [.279 BA] 1-4, 1 2B [7], 2 SO. Update
Jeff R
November 5th, 2011
8:08 am
Well, not impressed if the report is correct that Wren is trying to move Jurrjens and Prado to the Royals for an outfield prospect (highly regarded) and another outfielder. If so, Wren’s attempt seems to be what Mark Bradley states in his column: a salary dump.
I have no problem with the Braves trading Jurrjens – for the right return. I can’t believe that Jurrjens couldn’t fetch more than what Wren wants in return for him. Granted, two straight years of injuries have diminished Jurrjens’ value, but that much?
And Prado? Really? Prado who’s versatile, has a strong work ethic, and produces when healthy – and who didn’t gripe when switched from the second base to left?
By dumping Prado – IF Wren can dump Prado – who then credibly takes up the slack at third base when Chipper Jones is out of the line up (and there’s a good chance Chipper’s out a lot, despite the fantasy cookies some bloggers eat)?
The deal with the Royals seems to have fallen through, hung up on the Royals’ parting with Meyers. So, now that Wren’s intention is known and the value he’s willing to receive in return for Jurrjens and Prado is less than what the market would seem to bear, is Wren likely to get better offers from other GMs?
I want to give Wren the benefit of the doubt, but I think the proposed deal with the Royals is poor.
stinger
November 5th, 2011
8:17 am
Trade Prado?? Are you kidding me? The most clutch hitter in the Braves lineup….Please…You gotta be crazy!! Now that you mention it..sounds like something Wren might do…while your at Wren, go ahead an extend Chippers contract 3 more years….crazy!
Efrim
November 5th, 2011
8:35 am
Buster Olney on twitter: Some rival executives thought in July ATL had its best window to get the highest possible value for Jair Jurrjens. Probably too late now.
JRW
November 5th, 2011
8:36 am
Doug Wiley – “I think Reyes for around $8 million, might be a good deal.”
************************************************************************************
Quite funny considering Reyes wants better than Tulowitzki money ($157 Mil for 10 years)
Phillies already strengthened a weak spot… Power left handed bat off of the bench. and now MLB is reporting that they’re heavily courting Cuddyer and Heath Bell. The Braves can’t afford to sit back and watch top free agents sign with division foes.
fred
November 5th, 2011
8:36 am
_say_
Lew
November 5th, 2011
8:38 am
Liberty Cheapia? I sincerely hope you didn’t take hours coming up with that one.
Powerball
November 5th, 2011
8:40 am
Power hitters??? Who needs power hitters . . . . just get some hitters period! Then, copy the Mets–move in the fences and everybody can hit homers!!! Everyone seems hellbent on home runs. I just want runs anyway we can get them and that means hitting the ball with runners on base–not necessary hitting it our of the park–just base hits!!! FORGET about POWER and just hit the little round ball!!!
Efrim
November 5th, 2011
8:43 am
Why in the world would Wren trade Jurrjens when they were in the middle of a playoff race? I get that his value was at it’s highest, but at this point, most GM’s know what Jair Jurrjens is.
Braves20
November 5th, 2011
8:59 am
Guess Minor has too much MLB experience to be considered a “prospect” by Baseball America but would be curious to see if he even cracked the Top 10. His biggest asset seems to be that he’s left handed – little else to recommend him.
As for JJ, vote here is hold. We seem to be putting a little too much stock in four unproven guys and the questionable health of Hanson.
McFann O O o Get Well Soon, Nolie!!
November 5th, 2011
9:00 am
cabravesfan That’s part of the allure of the USC Song Girls- the idea of what is under the sweater without actually showing what is there…
I like it. Can’t stand those cheerleaders that, even in the freezing-cold, have to show us everything…
John L. Trade B Mac
No, don’t.
CB
November 5th, 2011
9:11 am
Anybody have Insider with ESPN? Jim Bowden has salary predictions for free agents posted. Thanks if you provide a link.
Efrim
November 5th, 2011
9:15 am
Guess Minor has too much MLB experience to be considered a “prospect” by Baseball America but would be curious to see if he even cracked the Top 10.
I think Minor would of been ranked ahead of Delgado but behind Vizcaino and Teheran.
dap01
November 5th, 2011
9:25 am
I have more faith in the 4 unproven guys and their ability than on Hanson’s prospects of being healthy again. The issue that I see is if we go with a talented but young staff, we had better over spend on a deepER bullpen. The 5 and 1/3 innings killed our whole team last year and we wore out the best bullpen in MLB.
Patrick
November 5th, 2011
9:29 am
After I have had the night to think about Wren willingness to deal away two of the Braves fans favorite players and most productive players over the past few seasons….
I really have to ask to anyone that can give me a sincere answer.
What sense does it make to trade Jurrjens and/or Prado after coming off an epic nightmare of a season where all Wren should be doing is concentrated on making the fan base happy to keep them around??
What I can gather so far is: the Braves are coming off the worst choke job in franchise history and one of the worst in NL history. And his response to it is!…Let’s trade away two of our most popular players for prospects (which is a gamble when you trade proven talent for unproven). And also allow the media to summize that the Braves are trying to dump payroll and shed salary because they can’t even keep the arbitration eligible players.
That’s not exactly a great way to restore faith in a pissed off fan base.
Am I interpreting this wrong?
If so, please let me know that logic behind letting it get out that Jurrjens and Prado are on the block and that the Braves need to shed payroll.
Travis
November 5th, 2011
9:29 am
The Phillies have some big holes to fill with Howard down for the first half of the year. You would expect these kinds of moves. Remember, as of right now they don’t have a shortstop either. Their second baseman is just one phone call away from the doctor telling him your done and the replacement for Werth isn’t exactly the wonderkid they thought he would be. The Braves are in a much better place for the future than the Phillies are. I give them one more year as a contender before the Nats and Marlins start to take back all those lopsided win/loss seasons they suffered against Philly.
Lew
November 5th, 2011
9:31 am
We have a deep bullpen with Kimbrel, Venters, O’Flaherty, Varvaro, Martinez, and Medlen and a couple more waiting in the wings in the minors. All we need is a situational LHRP.. In fact, we likely have one of the deepest bullpens in baseball.
Lew
November 5th, 2011
9:39 am
I think there’s way too much concern about the number of innings that Teheran, Delgado and Minor can pitch this year.
If yoiu believe in the Verducci Effect, a pitcher under age 25 should only boost their IP from one year to the next by about 25 IP.
If you add 25 IP to Teheran for 2012, he could pitch 190 innings. Delgado could pitch 200 and Minor could pitch around 210 innings. Such was NOT the case last year, but I’d be comfortable with them going that far this year with no appreciable concern about injuring them long term.
Add to that the fact we now have Martinez, Medlen and Varvaro capable of pitching multiple innings and I’d say that not only are the Kids in the rotation going to be fine, but we have enough bullpen options to avoid overuse with the Big Three relievers, too.
Lexbrave
November 5th, 2011
9:44 am
The only difference between the braves and phils is that they will spend whatever it costs to fill their holes.
Lew
November 5th, 2011
9:46 am
Lexbrave – Can’t really argue there. Might just be the additional 1.3 million fans the Phillies pulled in – maybe a bit of ownership overspending, too.
25-man roster 11/5/2011
November 5th, 2011
9:46 am
C McCann
1B Freeman
2B Uggla
SS
3B Jones
LF
CF Bourn
RF Heyward
UTL Ross
UTL Hinske
UTL Diaz
UTL
UTL
SP Hudson
SP Hanson
SP Beachy
SP Minor
SP Delgado/Teheran
RP Kimbrel
RP Venters
RP O’Flaherty
RP Medlen
RP Varvaro
RP
RP Martinez
McFann O O o Get Well Soon, Nolie!!
November 5th, 2011
9:46 am
The only difference between the braves and phils is that they will spend whatever it costs to fill their holes.
That wording sounds like you mean the Braves will spend whatever it takes…
JasonInFL
November 5th, 2011
9:47 am
If it were both Prado AND JJ being discussed for Myers and Cain without the Royals jumping on it, I am a little worried at what type of return we will get.
I understand why the Braves didn’t trade JJ in July, but it is too bad FW did have a crystal ball to see the injuries and collapse. He could have gotten a huge return then.
Efrim
November 5th, 2011
9:48 am
Another tweet from Buster Olney: Does Jair Jurrjens have trade value? Well, if he was a free agent, he’d probably be among the top three most coveted starting pitchers.
Lew
November 5th, 2011
9:53 am
Buster Olney is having a Charity Auction to benefit the flooded farmers in Vermont (he;’s from here i n Central VT). One of the items is an A’s jersey signed by both Billy Beane and Brad Pitt.
monty
November 5th, 2011
9:55 am
We have a weak offense, not hitting HR’s mind you, but just no real stud in the 3 hole. If everyone has a really good year then we’re OK, but what are the chances of that? Too much, “hack and jack” mentality. Not enough battling every AB. A real pull happy team. How many Cardinal hitters did you see RH batters going to RF? Several times. They went with the pitch instead of trying to pull it. That’s why they are tough outs. A pitcher has less options to get a hitter out if he knows he’ll just shoot it to RF. Of course in the Braves line-up that would be shoot it to LF alot.
Efrim
November 5th, 2011
9:58 am
That’s a good roster, even with five holes at SS, LF, 2 utility spots, and 1 relief spot.
Would be awesome if we knew Hanson was healthy.
GaryinBham
November 5th, 2011
9:59 am
Sometimes moving players to fix problems is a mistake, sometimes it works out. But there is long list of players who had a pretty fine career beginning the year after they were traded. You don’t know if the person you trade will put it together the next year. Nor the one you get. Dang, Melky did good after leaving. I’d as soon take chances that these two will bounce back. I love Prado, he’s a winner, and he had a freak injury and STILL had a better BA than half the team. Keep ‘em.
Patrick
November 5th, 2011
10:02 am
Usually if you have to wonder if someone is hurt, they are. I hate to say that because the last thing I want to see is Hanson hurt but I’ve seen it more often then not turn out to something serious.
I remember Smoltz, Blain Boyer, Hampton,(though he’s not the best case cause he was always hurt) Mike Gonzalez, Rafael Soriano, Moylan, etc… but I’ve never seen a player get slightly injured with their elbow or shoulder and be able to come back 100% without have to go through surgery.
So, I just can’t help but be very skeptical about Hanson, I do believe he’ll have to go through shoulder surgery before next season is over.
Mr. October
November 5th, 2011
10:05 am
When the team was purchased as a tax write off for Liberty, what do you expect? Once that waiting period for the IRS ends, these guys are going to run this team on the cheap until they can unload it.
Efrim
November 5th, 2011
10:05 am
Lew, I saw that. He has been posting stuff on twitter constantly for the charity. Some good stuff.
JerseyGil
November 5th, 2011
10:08 am
richbrave….The only Braves player in the Puerto Rico Winter league so far is a Infilder Name Chris Garcia , think he play in Rome this yr.
Efrim
November 5th, 2011
10:13 am
C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle and Jair Jurrjens. That makes sense.
Lew
November 5th, 2011
10:16 am
Efrim – They’re hhaving a round table discussion with Theo Epstein, Brian Cashman and Peter Gammons next Saturday about two miles up the road from me. I might head over if there’s any room left If I do, I’ll try to get a Theo autograph for you.
Some pretty cool stuff in the auction – wish I had more cash right now. Even a Pujols Jersey and a golf outing with John Kruk. Who could refuse? Of course, I’ve never golfed…….and won’t start now.
Bat Masterson
November 5th, 2011
10:19 am
R I P Andy Rooney
CB
November 5th, 2011
10:21 am
Lew,when I met Bill James I was just so surprised I didn’t even think to ask for an autograph. Might have been inappropriate at a wedding anyhow. Ha!
Efrim
November 5th, 2011
10:24 am
Thanks, Lew. Yeah, that’d be a pretty cool round table discussion to attend. Lots of great baseball minds there.
nolie
November 5th, 2011
10:25 am
I can’t rule out PED’s. I don’t know what happened to him but he reverted to the played he was in 2006 and 2007….KL
you are kidding right? In 2006 AND 2007 he had a total of 130 ABs. Meaningless amount for a young player
Lew
November 5th, 2011
10:29 am
CB – Yeah, that might be pushing it a bit – especially if it was James getting married.
I ate dinner right next to Whitey Herzog in ST. Pete. Wouldn’t have even considered asking him right then. Sometimes forebearance is the better part of wisdom.
Efrim
November 5th, 2011
10:29 am
Wow, Andy Rooney passed? Used to live down the street from me in Rowayton, CT.
nolie
November 5th, 2011
10:31 am
Some rival executives thought in July ATL had its best window to get the highest possible value for Jair Jurrjens. Probably too late now
probably true, but it woulda taken balls of brass to do such a trade in the middle of a pennant run. .
wjones
November 5th, 2011
10:31 am
Alex Gonzalez had some interesting splits. He will be 35 when next season starts, but it seems that he hasn’t lost much range in the field. But, from looking at him on a month-to-month basis, it seems that age has cought up to him in the fact he can’t be relied upon to play every day, especially in the hot Atlanta sun:
April—-he had 111 pa’s during the month, posting a .273 obp. Pretty much what his number was for the year.
May–he had 108 pa’s, posting a .324. Not great, but with his d, you could live with that at the bottom of the order, plus the occasional pop he gives.
June, July, Aug—he flat out sucked. These were the hottest months, and he was playing pretty much every inning, maybe hiding an injury, and it showed. June—97 pa’s with a .219 obp; July–109 pa’s with a .229 obp; Aug–101 pa’s with a .228 obp.
September–he missed some time with injuries, plus had Jack Wilson to give him rest, and the weather got cooler. Whatever the reason, it was by far his best month. 67 pa’s, with a .385 obp. .385!!!! Wow. I know, it is a small sample during the season, but my point is that if we could offer him arb, mix him up with either a younger ss or a dependable vet, if we could get somewhere in the .320-.330 range out of him with his d, it would be worth it, I think. Don’t think we need to have him in 150 games anymore, though. Maybe get him in 125-130 tops, spot him, get him his rest, have someone we can count on on his off days, and he can be a plus for us, plus have him fresh for a post season run.
schmuck
November 5th, 2011
10:33 am
I hope Martin Prado does get traded to a team that needs a second baseman and can appreciate his hustle, ability, and desire. He would become their all star player for the next several years.
The only thing that caused his problems this year was a staph infection, which he has recovered from.
CB
November 5th, 2011
10:35 am
Lew, it was his daughter marrying my sister’s grandson. The funny part was her last name on the wedding invitation and it never hit me that she came from his family. They met while she attended Hollins College in Roanoke,Va and he attended Roanoke College. I thought about asking my sister to see if she could some autographed pictures. He was very nice.
Efrim
November 5th, 2011
10:36 am
Royals have Luke Hochevar, Danny Duffy and Felipe Paulino penciled in for next years rotation. They certainly do need another 2 starters if they expect to compete, even if the AL Central is pretty terrible, which it is.
Lew
November 5th, 2011
10:37 am
CB – Yeah, that would be a good addition to a memorabilia collection.
Mako
November 5th, 2011
10:39 am
Yes Sir, the Braves are becoming the new Marlins……why pay ‘em, trade ‘em….get a minor leaguer for a proven vet…yes sir the Marlin way…..Wren you are going to bottom out this team and organization….Wren ain’t got the baseballs to tell Chipper that he’s killing the team with his oversized contract with diminishing returns….no he’d rather gut the team and keep diminishing returns for what 2 more seasons…is that a Conga line I see forming one row 2 aisle 101…Yikes the Braves are becoming just like the Men of Teal !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lew
November 5th, 2011
10:42 am
That’s just total frustration (or something) talking. The Braves are nothing like the Marlins. Not even close.
Efrim
November 5th, 2011
10:43 am
Yes Sir, the Braves are becoming the new Marlins……why pay ‘em, trade ‘em….get a minor leaguer for a proven vet…yes sir the Marlin way…..
You have to at least see why he’d be trading them away. Just thinking that we are cutting 10 million from our payroll and sitting around with a 75 million dollar payroll isn’t going to happen. Whatever salary relief we get from trading Jurrjens or Prado, they will use that in free agency to upgrade SS and LF.
TnBrian
November 5th, 2011
10:46 am
Mako, if more people would go out to Turner Field and support their team than Wren might have the cash to keep one of Prado or JJ and sign a FAlike Cuddyer. He has to work within a budget. Can’t blame him. Thank Liberty Media and not so great attendance for the slashing of players salary. Sounds to me Wren is trying to get as creative as he can with a trade, all the while staying within the payroll given to him.
Lew
November 5th, 2011
10:50 am
In these days of rampant overspending and buy it at all costs mentality that just tanked our economy, I think the Braves having the 15th best attendance and 15th best payroll is nothing but Fiscal Responsibility – something most of us should pay attention to. And – all things considered – they’ve been very successful doing so.
MLB needs to level the playing field salary wise, but I just don’t see them passing a cap anytime soon – or making teams spend a mandatory amount.
nolie
November 5th, 2011
10:51 am
What happened today? Did the Government make them release another buncha mental inmates out on the street again?
Lew
November 5th, 2011
10:52 am
And all of that being said, I think Wren does a damned fine job working with the constraints he has. I’d really hate to see Prado go and would rather we could retain Jurrjens, but if that’s what it takes to beat the Phillies out and head deep into the playoffs, then more power to Frank.
CB
November 5th, 2011
10:53 am
Our government could learn from the Braves fiscal responsibility,as could the citizens.