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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
5,033 comments Add your comment
Lew
November 27th, 2011
11:24 am
I would certainly hope for a better return on Jurrjens than a .252, low OBP Shortstop with very little power.
George
November 27th, 2011
11:24 am
can’t see*
Lew
November 27th, 2011
11:25 am
Bat – Maybe we need to take up the slack for them?
Bat Masterson
November 27th, 2011
11:27 am
Ha, yeah Lew.
George
November 27th, 2011
11:28 am
repost because it was at bottom of page.
George
November 27th, 2011
11:23 am
Good morning Yall
I still have no idea what the heck we are going to do for a SS with A-GON gone. I can’t see PASTORNICKY being ready to play as a regular there.
Steve from OH
November 27th, 2011
11:30 am
I would certainly hope for a better return on Jurrjens than a .252, low OBP Shortstop with very little power
Me too. I’d certainly be more apt to deal JJ than Prado, but I’d want, um, good players back in return. And maybe a prospect or something. I like prospects.
Webster
November 27th, 2011
11:32 am
Lew– I’m saying Loweie plus something else, of course. I just don’t know what prospects the Sox have. Would you deal for Lowrie at a lesser cost?
TnBrian
November 27th, 2011
11:34 am
Well damn Lowrie can’t hit shi* either. At least Gonzo could run into one every now and then. I know he can’t be any upgrade defensively at SS from Alex and I sure as hell wouldn’t trade JJ for him. I think Webster just wants a trade of any kind.
Venice Jim
November 27th, 2011
11:36 am
That was quite a nail-biter we witnessed last night – still feel the adrenaline rushing through me…
Lew
November 27th, 2011
11:37 am
Webster- I don’t know. I’d hope that there was abetter option out there than Lowrie, but I GUESS if we could get him for some monor league talent, then maybe, kind of, I suppose so.
Jurrjens has much more worth than Lowire and a prospect, though – even with his injuries the past couple of years. When healthy, he’s a stud. Lowrie? Not so much – healthy or otherwise.
Efrim
November 27th, 2011
11:38 am
Sort of an org. pitching depth chart…..
MLB: Hudson, Hanson, Jurrjens, Beachy, Minor
Triple-A: Teheran, Delgado, Redmond, Avilan, Flande
Double-A: Gilmartin, Spruill, Hale, D. Delgado, Masters
High-A: Northcraft, Perez, Pacheco, Brewer, Kempf
Low-A: Graham, La Point, Filak, G. Ross, Silva
Lew
November 27th, 2011
11:40 am
TnBrian – Nah, WEbster is just thinking out loud. There ARE some who want something – anything – done, whehter or not it actually helps the Braves. Luckily, Wren isn’t that shortsighted.
Webster
November 27th, 2011
11:41 am
Just trying to think of a SS bridge. I do realise JJ is worth more. I don’t know, I was thinking Boston May have a couplw quality prospect to come our way as well.
Lew
November 27th, 2011
11:41 am
Efrim – How fast do you think they move Gilmartin along?
George
November 27th, 2011
11:42 am
It is a shame USC can not play for league title or in a bowl. Why should this team have to suffer for something PETE CARROLL did?
Lew
November 27th, 2011
11:45 am
Webster – Thing is that I don’t see Wren wanting prospects (unless it’s a near ready stud) as much as MLB ready players who can help now.
Of course, I’m also thinking that Jurrjens gets up to $7 mil in arbitration and not the $5 mil so many think he will. Even with the injuries, he still woin 13 games, should have started the All Sar game and had a sub 3 ERA. That will count much more than the season ending injury to the arbiters, IMO.
Webster
November 27th, 2011
11:46 am
You’re right Lew. Like you said, thinking out loud. Bad idea. How about Jeff Keppinger?
Webster
November 27th, 2011
11:47 am
not for JJ but for a lower level prospect
Lew
November 27th, 2011
11:51 am
Should have added that if he DOES command that much $$$$$, it could be spoent for someone MLB ready and if that were the case, prospects might be all right – maybe even used for another deal.
Webster
November 27th, 2011
11:52 am
Ok I guess I better stop
Lew
November 27th, 2011
11:55 am
Not so sure about Keppinger. Another low OBP player. Pretty sparse pickins is what I’m seeing, so we may have to go with who’s available.
However, Keppinger made $2.3 mil last year and they just refused arbitration because Gonzo might have made $3mil. Honestly, I have no idea of what Wren is thinking to take care of Short.
Efrim
November 27th, 2011
11:55 am
How fast do you think they move Gilmartin along?
He’ll start the season in Mississippi and finish in Gwinnett. I don’t think he’ll be a September callup, but he’ll be in the mix for a rotation spot in 2013, imo.
Webster
November 27th, 2011
11:58 am
I guess give Pastronicke a shot and hope he’ll do the job. There is always Brandon Hicks. We know he has the glove and has some pop.
Lew
November 27th, 2011
12:03 pm
Webster – It might just come to that, but I hope not.
Efrim
November 27th, 2011
12:03 pm
Braves also have some relievers to keep an eye on, all 2011 draftees:
Cody Martin, rhp
Navery Moore, rhp
Mark Lamm, rhp
Matt Chaffee, lhp
John Cornely, rhp
Adam Holland, rhp
Webster
November 27th, 2011
12:11 pm
Although a left handed hitter, i would love Alex Gordon.
interested bystanderss
November 27th, 2011
12:33 pm
Prado is a MVP type player and other teams know it but we have fans that don’t know or give him credit ::
TnBrian
November 27th, 2011
12:36 pm
“Pretty sparse pickins”
You ain’t kiddin Lew. I really can’t think of anybody either that fits within the budget, plays high caliber defense at SS and can handle the bat. Course there are guys I can think of, but we cannot either a) afford them and/or b) they wouldn’t be available in any trade.
Here to say it now that I’ll be bit*** if or when they say Pastornicky is opening day SS. Hell no. I trust certain people here as far as my tea
TnBrian
November 27th, 2011
12:39 pm
I hit submit on accident. Like I was saying I trust what certain people here have to say and they say Pastornicky isn’t a good defender and his arm isn’t really SS material. I am worried because you know Braves would LOVE to start him opening day and only pay him pennies. Hopefully they don’t overlook his defense at this position though.
McFann O O o
November 27th, 2011
12:39 pm
Keylargo don’t forget to put your neck brace on so your head doesn’t spin around.
I try to keep it under control…
Sopheeee Losing it’s effect, it took McFann 16 whole minutes to respond. You are now the boy who cried wolf.
Yep…he should really come up with a new line…
tiger I don’t think she has an alert I’m positive of it…I’m just curious how she does it
It’s my womanly intuition hard at work…
Trey—
Yeah, every once in a while one slides by…I try not to let that happen too much…
nolie
November 27th, 2011
12:47 pm
and they just refused arbitration because Gonzo might have made $3mil….Lew
Gonzo would likely have made closer to 4 mil than 3,
nolie
November 27th, 2011
12:49 pm
but he’ll be in the mix for a rotation spot in 2013, imo….Efrim
hmmm. I’m kinda surprised you think that. who does he replace?
IVAN ...
November 27th, 2011
12:54 pm
nolie………..
good job.
Trey
November 27th, 2011
12:58 pm
McFann, I’ve noticed.
nolie
November 27th, 2011
1:07 pm
With the Florida win the Criminoles should get invited to another bowl, extending their own NCAA record to 30 in a row.
Efrim
November 27th, 2011
1:09 pm
hmmm. I’m kinda surprised you think that. who does he replace?
He’ll be ready to do so. I think he could be a valuable trade chip….., or he just stays in Gwinnett.
nolie
November 27th, 2011
1:11 pm
I know I’m biased but there are 50+ year old alumni who have never lived through a bowl-less season since graduation
IVAN ...
November 27th, 2011
1:12 pm
nolie……
nothing better than seeing a gaytur lose…….
or a yellow yacket……….
or a lamecock watching the SEC Championship game on a black and white tv……
Thanks for sending us Mark Richt our way. He may be coach of the year……
IVAN ...
November 27th, 2011
1:14 pm
what’s your take on Clemson? Hard to believe they are the same team…
nolie
November 27th, 2011
1:22 pm
not sure what happened to them, but them I’m not sure what happened to FSU in those Wake and Virginia games. Hard game to figure sometimes
kenhotlanta
November 27th, 2011
1:26 pm
IVAN,
Are they really expecting snow tomorrow up your way? It’s still in the 80s in South Georgia. I can’t wait to get out of here and back to N, Ga. where I belong.
IVAN ...
November 27th, 2011
1:30 pm
Looking back, Clemson dodged other loses( FSU, Maryland, Wake)…
Next game vs Va.Tech will be different I think.
Team is lost , especially on defense . Qb all of a sudden has “happy feet”.
Many will say “Same ol Clemson”. They may be right. When Tommy was there, just when you thought they had it going, they imploded……
Josh
November 27th, 2011
1:31 pm
Pastornicky will be the opening starter at ss. He is so affordable. Prado isn’t going anywhere you dummies. Jurjens will be traded for prospects. Braves will finish third in their own division. Bank on that! Jason Heyward stinks because he is always hurt and trying to pull every pitch like a dumb ass. Chipper needs to freaking retire already as he reminds me one of those players who stayed around too long while he eroded. I mean he still can hit but his power is diminished and injuries follow him on the baseball field like diseases follow a prostitute. Why does he want to put himself and the team through another season of nagging and frustrating injuries? Our team is full of platoon payers……Heyward and Prado are and they’re opening day starters for a team looking to contend with the powerhouse Phillies and what will be improved Florida and Washington teams. We need a big spending owner since we can’t sell out consistently like the Phillies do. That is why they have so much money is they sell out every game.
IVAN ...
November 27th, 2011
1:33 pm
kenhotlanta….
my wife was saying that earlier… Don’t know, wonder if we need to go get 3 bloaves of bread and 4 gallons of milk…
Ground is still warm. Don’t think it can be much of anything.
What part of N. Ga. you live in?
Josh
November 27th, 2011
1:41 pm
Wreckless spending or not I would be afraid of what the Marlins can do next year. If the Braves think that bullpen will save their asses another season than they are mistaken. Pen guys fluctuate almost yearly as far as effectiveness anyways. Venters and O’Flaherty could easily flop as both Cox and Fredi have put some serious mileage on those left arms of theirs and Kimmy might not be as dominant his second full season as closer. These are not negative comments, these are things the front office had better address and to do this they need to get more offense and focus attention on these starters who cannot complete 5 or 6 innings. It completely gasses the pen by mid/late summer. I would fire McDowell and bring somebody in who preaches economical pitching. He could be preaching this, but it is not sinking in these pitchers brains.
Josh
November 27th, 2011
1:47 pm
Fire McDowell before he turns a very promising prospect in Teheran into a Beachy type that tries to blow hitters away all the time and is up to 100 pitches by the 5th inning. Beachy will be the next to suffer the dreaded Tommy John surgery if they don’t teach him how to pitch.
CB
November 27th, 2011
2:15 pm
Fire Cox!
kenhotlanta
November 27th, 2011
2:29 pm
IVAN,
I was born in Clarkesville, lots of relatives around there. I grew up in Marietta and consider that home, but lived in Fayette Co. the past 20 years. I moved to South Georgia between Tifton and Valdosta after I reconnected with my childhood sweetheart, but she got sick (lung cancer) right after I moved here and passed very quickly…a complete shock. I’m hoping to get back to Cobb County in a couple of months. I love the North Georgia mountains, there is a place right outside of Helen on the way to Clarkesville called Nacoochee Valley that takes my breath away every time I’m there. My grandfather had a farm a few miles from there on the other side of the Chattahoochee and I spent some the best times of my childhood on that farm…it was a magical world to a little kid.
Efrim
November 27th, 2011
2:32 pm
Teams in need of starting pitching: LAA, Minnesota, Boston, Toronto, Colorado, Arizona, Cincy, Chicago, Florida, and Washington.
Teams that could use starting pitching: Texas, Kansas City and New York
Teams that need starting pitching but don’t want to pay big for it: New York, Baltimore, and San Diego.
Big Free agents: C.J. Wilson, Mark Buerhle, Roy Oswalt, Edwin Jackson
Big Trade candidates: Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill, John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann, Wandy Rodriguez, Francisco Liriano, and Jair Jurrjens.
Lesser free agents: Erik Bedard, Bartolo Colon, Aaron Harang, Paul Maholm, Jeff Francis, Chris Capuano.
International free agents: Yu Darvish, Wei-Yin Chen, Kyuji Fujikawa, Hisashi Iwakuma.
ncgary
November 27th, 2011
2:35 pm
fire the bloggers its all there fault
interested bystanderss
November 27th, 2011
2:37 pm
Omg Ken I’m sorry that happened so sorry
ryan
November 27th, 2011
2:40 pm
Sure has been been real quiet with Braves hot stove nothing going on with trades or FA i have been in hot stove withdraw i am just excited about UGA in SEC championship .
Couch Tater
November 27th, 2011
2:42 pm
Fire the turkey. We need some beef.
kenhotlanta
November 27th, 2011
2:51 pm
interested bystanderss,
Thank you.
VaBravesFan
November 27th, 2011
3:16 pm
Braves should just sign Jack Wilson.. With limited funds we have to think defense first. I think he can be signed for around 1 mil. Braves would be attractive to him cause he would be in line for tons of playing time. Hold down the fort for awhile, maybe trade options arise as the season goes or the Pastor pushes for a call up.
Really dont think any team is gonna match Wren’s asking price on Jurrjens. But I do think he would pull the trigger on a near MLB ready top prospect that we really want. (Ex. Wil Myers)
VaBravesFan
November 27th, 2011
3:47 pm
Dang I get home and everyone has left the blog lol
Jeff R
November 27th, 2011
3:57 pm
Jack Wilson isn’t a bad back up plan, though he doesn’t really help boost the offense
VaBravesFan
November 27th, 2011
4:07 pm
Jeff
True, but when you look at all of the options out there, none of them are far apart with the bat. Then throw in we dont have much money to spend, we didnt want to risk paying SeaBass 4 million when he provides the best defense out of the affordable bunch, plus 15 homer power. The Braves are counting pennies this offseason while the non contending Nats and Fish are opening up the check book.
Jay212033
November 27th, 2011
4:13 pm
Efrim, I think that Sutton’s defense would be good enough in a backup role. Plus he can play all the IF/OF spots which we’d need especially if we trade Prado.
Cody Martin, I saw him pitch in Rome and I think we have a steal in this guy. He was hitting 96-97, with a wipeout slider and a really good change. I think he may get a chance to start next season.
McFann O O o
November 27th, 2011
4:16 pm
Trey—
Lew
November 27th, 2011
4:19 pm
Seems from what I’ve heard that the Marlins’ sales pitch is “Here’s a laughable offer, but you get to play in this really cool stadium.”
VaBravesFan
November 27th, 2011
4:21 pm
Lew
They are offering low so far, but they are increasing payroll by 27 million this season.
Lew
November 27th, 2011
4:23 pm
VaBraves – They also made offers to Reyes, Pujols and Buehrle. That $27 mil will get them one of them.
cabravesfan
November 27th, 2011
4:23 pm
I’ve won 94 out of a possible 95 points so far in our weekly household NFL pool
Lew
November 27th, 2011
4:23 pm
Maybe.
Lew
November 27th, 2011
4:24 pm
And the extra money won’t guarantee them that Josh Johson is healthy and ready to go for a full season. They have lots of needs to fill withthat $27 mil and the lowest payroll in MLB going in.
VaBravesFan
November 27th, 2011
4:27 pm
Lew
Correct, but 27 mil increase is pretty huge, while the Braves float around the same. Our biggest headline is not offering SeaBass arbritration cause he might have gotten around 4 million…
VaBravesFan
November 27th, 2011
4:32 pm
Lew- Actually there were 6 teams with a lower payroll to start the year in 2011, which surprised me. I thought the Fish had the lowest as well. But now the Fish will be around 83 million.
Lew
November 27th, 2011
4:33 pm
VaBraves – Thqat $27 mil would put them aboiut where the Braves are (IF they actually spend that much). They finished 17 games behind the Braves and 30 games behind the Phillies. That’s one hell of a lot of ground they need to make up.
Lew
November 27th, 2011
4:36 pm
Besides – Do y’all seriously believe that with all the minor league pitching depth that doesn’t include the Big Three and Gilmartin, and Jurrjens, that the Braves wil not be able to improve themselves?
First of all, we really have no idea of what money they really ave to spend or what deals Frank Wren is REALLY looking at. I’m absolutely certain he has something on the table that none of us has a vague clue about involving players none of us have even speculated on.
nolie
November 27th, 2011
4:39 pm
hope so Lew, but I’m skeptical that anything big gets doe
VaBravesFan
November 27th, 2011
4:42 pm
Lew- Your right. Just losing my patience lol
Efrim
November 27th, 2011
4:43 pm
Kind of random, but I have a hard time believing the Yankees are going to settle with a rotation of Sabathia, Nova, Burnett, Hughes and Garcia. Although I could be wrong, as they do have Banuelos, Betances and Warren at the minor league level not too far away.
VaBravesFan
November 27th, 2011
4:48 pm
Lew/Nolie
When Wren doesnt want to risk paying SeaBass around 4 million that has to make you scratch your head. Out of all the affordable free agent options for shortstop he would provide the best defense and power of the bunch. So i’m sure the DLowe trade provided around 80% of our spending money.
TnBrian
November 27th, 2011
4:58 pm
VaBravesFan, had to be about the years with Alex, don’t ya think? I mean damn, $4-5 mill a year for a gold glove at a position like SS along with some power is a real bargain imo. Has to be the years they are certain he’ll demand. That and it is obvious the penny on the dollar Pastornicky is on his way. Nevermind he sucks at defense.
TnBrian
November 27th, 2011
5:01 pm
I’m tellin y’all, TnBrian might make some enemies around here because of the anger with them letting Gonzo go. Some of you might start hating me more than you already do. I can get annoying sometimes. I’ll hold off the real anger until we all find out who is our starting SS though.
TnBrian
November 27th, 2011
5:04 pm
Who cares what Gonzo’s OBP and all that is anyways. He makes up for that with his damn glove. He did more for the team than a lot of the other guys did. Hell, you hide those type hitters 8th in the lineup anyways.
VaBravesFan
November 27th, 2011
5:12 pm
TnBrian
No we could have offered arbritration, which would have been a 1 year around 4 mil deal. If he declinded it we would have got a draft choice.
Couch Tater
November 27th, 2011
5:12 pm
‘92 Braves/Pirates on MLB Network. Discussion of the game by Bob Costas, Andy Van Slyke, Sid and Lemmer.
Jay212033
November 27th, 2011
5:13 pm
Trade JJ to the Red Sox for Jed Lowrie, Xander Bogaerts and Jose Vinicio.
VaBravesFan
November 27th, 2011
5:14 pm
We should have offered arbritration. When Clint Barmes gets 2 years at 5.5 a year, SeaBass for 1 yr 4ish mil is a good deal.
Efrim
November 27th, 2011
5:24 pm
Trade JJ to the Red Sox for Jed Lowrie, Xander Bogaerts and Jose Vinicio.
Pretty sure Xander is untouchable, Jay. Much like Heyward, Hanson, Teheran and Freeman were for us.
ccrider
November 27th, 2011
5:58 pm
I REALLY can’t believe the wailing and moaning about Alex G. not getting offered Arbitration.
We just got thru hearing daily game accounts of how bad Alex G. was as a hitter, what a bad attitudehe had, how he couldn’t hit in the clutch, how he couldn’t bunt, make contact to move runners over, etc. etc.
I think the Braves will survive the lost of the HOFer Alex Gonzalez!
Let’s wait and see what Frank Wren does to improve the team.
DID anyone see the Dan Uggla trade coming last off season?
How about the trade for Michael Bourn for Schafer(a disapointment) Oberholtzer( a 5th starter at best) and Paul Clemens( who would be the #13 minor league SP prospect on the Braves)!
Gees Louise!
TeheranTime
November 27th, 2011
6:19 pm
If you have to trade JJJ to get Lowrie, then I sign Jack Wilson and go with Tyler Pastornicky at short. He’s as much a known quantity as Lowrie. If I trade JJJ, I get a .300 hitter who hits for power or steals bases. I believe Pastornicky would do an more than adequate job and then move on to getting a bat with some thump in left field. Martin Prado moves back to the bench where he excels and is available if- or when- Chipper Jones hits the DL.
TnBrian
November 27th, 2011
6:21 pm
ccrider, I noticed in all your wailing and moaning you couldn’t say one thing about Alex’s glove work. Outstanding stuff, how many innings he could shorten for his pitchers with his glove alone. But you’re right, let’s wait to get all nasty until we see what Wren has up his sleeve. Pretty sure Pastornicky is up that sleeve, but we’ll see.
AJ
November 27th, 2011
6:22 pm
DOB
It’s been awfully quite on the Braves Rumor mill over the last ten days, are you hearing anything? Would you expect anything by the end of the Winter Meetings next week?
Bryn
November 27th, 2011
6:26 pm
No reason for Frank Wren to be in a hurry. He has pitching which most everyone else needs. The longer he waits, the valuable his pitching becomes. He may not do anything until late in Spring training or into the season.
jed
November 27th, 2011
6:31 pm
i like the idea of jack wilson as a bridge as well. he’s better defensively than a-gon. and although you lose his power, i wont miss the endless awful at-bats, strike outs, and inability to bunt or move a runner over. wilson can at least bunt, and with more at-bats, should put up a better average than his last few years, where he was a bench player. of course, if wren can swing a deal for a better option, that’s fine too. but i’d much rather have wilson for a year than rush pastornicky or give multiple years to a-gon.
Efrim
November 27th, 2011
6:32 pm
It’s been awfully quite on the Braves Rumor mill over the last ten days
It’s been pretty quiet on the Rumor mill across the entire landscape of MLB….
But it’s still November 27th and I think things will start to heat up this week and definitely into the Winter Meetings. Last couple offseasons, all of the big deals/trades take place in December prior to Christmas.
jed
November 27th, 2011
6:39 pm
prediction: prado hits .300/20/80 next year. actually, i wouldnt be surprised if he did better than that. he’s certainly not just a bench player.
interested bystanderss
November 27th, 2011
6:43 pm
Of course he’s not just a bench Guy
nolie
November 27th, 2011
6:47 pm
i like the idea of jack wilson as a bridge as well. he’s better defensively than a-gon….jed
better than Gonzo? nah I don’t think so
nolie
November 27th, 2011
6:49 pm
pretty unlikely for Prado to hit 20 or more homers IMO.
I’ll be fine with 290/15 and RBIs are totally unpredictable since they are a team stat as much as a player stat
jed
November 27th, 2011
6:51 pm
a-gon’s great, no doubt, so i wouldnt characterize the difference as significant, but i do think wilson’s a little better.
Efrim
November 27th, 2011
6:53 pm
I’ll take .290/.345/.435 for Prado….which is pretty much his career line.
jed
November 27th, 2011
6:55 pm
eventually prado’s gonna hit 20 home runs i think. he’s got tremendous upside as a hitter. i’m very optimistic about his next 5 years.
nolie
November 27th, 2011
6:58 pm
yeah if he can regress to the mean I’ll be ok with it
keyLargo
November 27th, 2011
6:59 pm
i like the idea of jack wilson as a bridge as well. he’s better defensively than a-gon.
Nope. Not even a chance.
prediction: prado hits .300/20/80 next year. actually, i wouldnt be surprised if he did better than that. he’s certainly not just a bench player.
Yeah, right – Prado hits 50% more HR’s, ups his batting average 40 points and has 35% more RBI’s. And you wouldn’t be surprised if he exceeds all of those?
Can you believe there are 29 GM’s stupid enough not to trade for a talent like that?
Efrim
November 27th, 2011
7:00 pm
he’s got tremendous upside as a hitter. i’m very optimistic about his next 5 years.
He just turned 28 years old. Pretty sure they know what he is at this point. Pretty sure Martin knows what he is at this point.
nolie
November 27th, 2011
7:04 pm
what I’d like to see is him getting back to hitting a lot of doubles again