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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,709 comments Add your comment
Efrim
November 30th, 2011
10:45 am
would your opinion change on 6 years $96mil if year 1 replaced his 2013 option? the contract would take him through age 34.
I want 2018(his age 34 year old season) to be an option. Whether it’s vesting or club, I don’t want that year to be guaranteed. And I also wouldn’t want to go more than 14ish million a year. If he has a .840-.850ish year in 2012, I’d go no further than a five deal covering 2013-2017 for 70 million. 2018 could be a club option for 14 million with a 2.5 million buyout.
Pcola Brave
November 30th, 2011
10:47 am
GIMPAH
Keep ignoring stats and talking out your ass. Makes you look real smart. I proved my point. Where’s yours?
Lew
November 30th, 2011
10:51 am
PCola – KInd of hard NOT to talk out your ass when the head is perpetually performing a colonoscopy.
Jimmy
November 30th, 2011
10:52 am
Thanks for the new bloggage DOB.
Well, here is a topic no one wanted brought up.
First base is out of the question.
Third…well, that is possible, I guess.
LF? Anyone remember Pete Incaviglia? A major defensive liability.
It reminds me of having an old dog that you love, whos health has started to decline. Eveyone knows you might have to put him down in a few years. No one want to discuss it.
I do like McCann, but I like the Braves more. Whatever decision is made, I hope it makes this team better. In the short and long term.
wreckbuzz
November 30th, 2011
10:53 am
DOB,
The Braves cannot and will not sign Brian McCann to a deal anything like Joe Mauer. First of all, Mauer is the face of the Twins franchise, hometown boy and they were heading into a brand new baseball stadium that they could not afford to have empty. Plus the Yankees and Red Sox would have overpaid to take Mauer away from them. Plus Mauer is more of an athlete than McCann so he could move positions or DH and they’d be fine. McCann does not project at other positions well since he’s the slowest man alive.
I don’t think the Braves are in the same boat. While McCann is a team leader, this team is not all about him. It is about pitching and the other young stars like Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward, with Dan Uggla. Plus we’re talking about a 28 year old catcher. You can’t give him more than 4 guaranteed years. Maybe some option years beyond that. And it can’t be for more than you’ve been paying Chipper Jones all these years because McCann won’t play but 140 games if he stays healthy, much less if he gets dinged up.
I say they sign him for 4 years at something like $58-$60 million with a club option for a 5th year at around $15 million.
Pcola Brave
November 30th, 2011
10:54 am
Lew
Good point.
McFann O O o
November 30th, 2011
10:54 am
Lew @ 10:44—
Spot on.
(Nice one at 10:51, too, heh heh…)
DAP
November 30th, 2011
10:55 am
veaserva As a fan and season ticket holder losing McCann would be unexceptionable .
i agree with the sentiment, but…unexceptionable? using that word makes it sound like losing mccann would be ok with you. it means its something you wouldnt criticize.
Rick
November 30th, 2011
10:56 am
“Yeah! Imagine not having to score the runs Mac gives up at catcher. Remember, the game is won or lost by one run and everything else is just padding your stats.”
So McCann directly causes opposing teams to score 80-100 runs each season?
Murph
November 30th, 2011
10:56 am
The Braves have much bigger fish to fry than BMac right now. Sign him to an extension and move on to the more important matters, like:
1. Who is going to play 3B in 2013?
2. Who is going to play CF in 2013?
3. Who is going to play SS in 2012?
4. Can Heyward be repaired?
To me those questions are way, way, way more important to the Braves’ future. BMac is a given, he has to get his extension eventually, but I look a year into the future and I see a lineup with huge, gaping holes in it.
This team has 100 problems but a BMac ain’t one of ‘em.
TnBrian
November 30th, 2011
10:59 am
I’m not interested in any of this McCann talk. Of course he’ll be resigned. By the time he needs to be resiged CJ will be close to retiring if he isn’t already.
McFann O O o
November 30th, 2011
10:59 am
Rick So McCann directly causes opposing teams to score 80-100 runs each season?
Of course he is. He’s also responsible for the bad economy and world hunger.
Jimmy
November 30th, 2011
11:00 am
P’Cola -
“While Hanson was on the mound 30 of 33 stolen base attempts were successful (safe 91%).”
That is an awful stat. 91% safe? I know he has a slow delivery and a “hitch”, but…wow.
Those numbers…are they all runners or are they only those with Brian behind the dish?
travis
November 30th, 2011
11:06 am
Braves ranked 2nd behind Philly in runs allowed for 2011 at 605 in NL. Let em take second. Just keep em there. I agree that Mac shouldn’t play his entire career behind the plate. If he continues to out perform Freeman then in 2 years trade Freeman and give Mac a shot at first. Let’s not put the cart before the horse. No one guns out runners better at third than Mac, so the arm and foot work seem to be there. Until Brian came along, the Braves made do with average backstops like Blanco and Estrada. A big hitting catcher in the National league is a rarity for a reason. No DH and no way to rest them from the rigors of the crouch.
B MONEY
November 30th, 2011
11:06 am
DOB- Freddie F started off as a 3rd baseman if I remember correctly. Has anyone ever mentioned putting him back there and moving B Mac to 1st?
billcanoe
November 30th, 2011
11:06 am
Pay McCann and keep him! He is the best player and most clutch hitter the Braves have.
Murph
November 30th, 2011
11:06 am
Of course he is. He’s also responsible for the bad economy and world hunger.
I don’t know about the economy part, but the world hunger part I’d believe. There’s a shortage of donuts and beef jerky in Africa that’s been directly linked to McCann’s over-consumption.
Gimpah & McError
November 30th, 2011
11:07 am
Keep ignoring stats and talking out your ass. Makes you look real smart. I proved my point. Where’s yours?
The only point you’ll ‘prove’ is if the Braves win a world series championship with Chipper & Mac on the team. Otherwise its just another loyalist crowing about underachieving Atlanta baseball players. And how they’re perfectly content with the status quo.
Arkansas Transplant
November 30th, 2011
11:08 am
You fix those issues by acquiring Myers for LF, Jackson for CF and Pastor at SS.
don
November 30th, 2011
11:08 am
Why doesn’t Wren just trade Teixeira for Andrus, Feliz, and Harrison? That would solve a load of problems for the Braves.
Pcola Brave
November 30th, 2011
11:09 am
Jimmy.
No Hanson and Lowe stats are specifically why they are on the mound.
Lemke's Knuckler
November 30th, 2011
11:10 am
“Freddie F started off as a 3rd baseman if I remember correctly”
Played 5 games in rookie ball, made 3 errors. But yes, he’s a pretty slick fielder and I also wonder about an eventual switch to third base. Don’t have to worry about this for a few years, but I’ll be interested to see if Freeman takes any practice reps at the hot corner
Efrim
November 30th, 2011
11:10 am
Baseball America
Colorado Rockies Top 10 prospects for 2012
1. Drew Pomeranz, rhp
2. Nolan Arenado, 3b
3. Chad Bettis, rhp
4. Wilin Rosario, c
5. Tim Wheeler, of
6. Trevor Story, ss/3b
7. Tyler Anderson, lhp
8. Kent Matthes, of
9. Kyle Parker, of
10. Josh Rutledge, ss
Tomahawkin
November 30th, 2011
11:10 am
Where is Herschel Talker at…?
Im Sure he is Licking his chops waiting to Rip B-Macc on here?
BB FAN
November 30th, 2011
11:10 am
As much as I like McCann (and he’s my son’s favorite player too), the Braves can’t go more than 5 years and $10-11 million a year . The fact that they rely on McCann so much on offense is why they struggle to score runs so often. He is always banged up, nursing some nagging injury…he’s a catcher and that’s what happens to them. I just hope McCann understands and accepts it. I mean if he got a 5 year, $50 million deal, he will have made about $80 million by age 33 or 34. I’d say that’s pretty good.
As far as this year goes, I’ve said this a lot and still believe it, the Braves should go after Andruw Jones. He’s right handed, kills left handed pitching, can play the corner outfield spots, can play center if needed and has been signing deals for less than $2,5 million a year for the last 3 years. They should trade Prado to Colorado or Detroit and where ever to get another OF to platoon with Jones and a centerfield prospect. This will free up a little money. Then sign Jerry Hairston to back up SS, 2B and 3B. He only made $2 million last year and didn’t have a spectacular season so he shouldn’t cost more than 2 years, $5-$6 million (of course, who knows). He can back up the infield next year as well. Maybe give Miguel Tejada, Orlando Cabrera, Omar Vizquel or Edgar Renteria a minor league deal with an invite to ST to see if they can hold up for a half season. I would be surprised if any of them got a major league deal. If so, maybe for between the league minimum and $1 million. If it doesn’t work out, let Pastornicky play SS. If he fails, make a trade in June.
The Braves need right handed power in the outfield. This is why it really boggles my mind why they have not gone after Andruw Jones. He’s exactly what they have been looking for… for 3 years.
Cecil34
November 30th, 2011
11:11 am
First off, McCann is a great guy and I have the utmost of respect for him and his accomplishments so far….
Having said that, the one glaring factor in MLB in regard to contracts and payrolls is that there are no guarantees.
I am formulating the doctrine that no player is worth the long contracts with ultra-high salaries because:
a. There is usually someone coming along behind them at some point that will be as good or better…that is what the minor-league system does…
b. There are no guarantees that high payrolls guarantee a WS victory (Yankees)…..
c. The player’s health and ability decline with age (moreso with catchers)….
My point is even Pujols, as great as he has been, is not going to guarantee success for the team, and you know someone is going to pay him a gazillion dollars when it is all said and done.
Now, could they have found a first baseman that cost less that delivered 3/4 of what Pujols does and have the same success? I say they can, because baseball is a team sport and the other players matter infinately in the equation.
Therefore, I think there needs to be a re-evaluation of paying humongus salaries with long multi-year contracts. Even moreso for players in their early 30’s.
This would mean that based upon Bethancourt’s progress the next couple of years, they should be wary of signing McCann long-term.
travis
November 30th, 2011
11:14 am
No lefties in the rotation and the slow delivery to the plate make it tough on catchers. If you think about it, why didn’t the Braves match up Ross with Hanson to cut down on the stolen bases if he has a better arm? Who is a t fault there?
Pcola Brave
November 30th, 2011
11:15 am
Gimpah
Same can be said about every other team in baseball. I guess if you don’t win a WS you should get rid of top talent. Especially a team who went to playoffs in 2010 and a team on pace to win over 90 games last year.
BB FAN
November 30th, 2011
11:15 am
The Braves would have to trade Matt Diaz as well, maybe include him in a Prado deal if possible.
Chris
November 30th, 2011
11:15 am
Really Dob? Because I believe Buster Posey was a 23 year old catcher last year when the Ginats won it all…
DAP
November 30th, 2011
11:16 am
gimpah & mcerror Otherwise its just another loyalist crowing about underachieving Atlanta baseball players.
your obviously not very smart, so there is probably no point in saying anything to you. but, neither mccann or chipper are underachievers. mccann is a 6 time all star at age 27, with 5 silver sluggers. chipper is batting champ, an MVP and a 1st ballot hall of famer. how could anybody be stupid enough to say they are under achievers?
Lew
November 30th, 2011
11:19 am
Bethancourt’s progress? Like Saltalamaccia’s and Flower’s progress.
For crying out loud. The kid has almost 1100 MInor league AB’s and hit half as many HR in the AFL as he has his entire Minor League carfeer. Talk about small sample sizes and much wishful thinking for a kid (albeit quite young) who has a .307 MInor League OBP and a .680 OPS.
travis
November 30th, 2011
11:22 am
Yeah, Tim Hudson is number 3 in active pitchers with best winning percentage behind Halladay and Lester for active pitchers. What an under achiever.
TennesseePaul
November 30th, 2011
11:25 am
I want 2018(his age 34 year old season) to be an option. Whether it’s vesting or club, I don’t want that year to be guaranteed. And I also wouldn’t want to go more than 14ish million a year. If he has a .840-.850ish year in 2012, I’d go no further than a five deal covering 2013-2017 for 70 million. 2018 could be a club option for 14 million with a 2.5 million buyout.
For all of this I’d rather wait and see how Heyward rebounds and Freeman handles the sophomore season. The projection of those two will impact the terms of other agreements. If Heyward starts returning to form and looking like the monster we all thought he’d be, extending McCann into his mid-30’s as a catcher at a high price becomes less imperative. If Freeman continues to grow, McCann has no “fall back” position on the field, making extending him more complex.
cdog
November 30th, 2011
11:27 am
mccan will get fat and lazy once he signs a big contract.ask yourself, is he worth it for the long term? he’s injured alot similiar to chipper jones also.
Lew
November 30th, 2011
11:29 am
He already signed a big contract and all he did was make the All Star terasm every year and won the Silver Slugger all but one – even in a season where he was injured for a couple of months.
Bill
November 30th, 2011
11:31 am
Thanks DOB..Braves have alot of “if”..Lets see how Wren handles them @ Winter Meetings. Go Braves!
Efrim
November 30th, 2011
11:36 am
TennessePaul, very good points at 11:25am. That will go into it as well. Also important to remember that the Braves have very little in terms of contractual obligations through 2015. Only Uggla’s contract is guaranteed salary 2013-2015. But you’re right, Heyward and Freeman’s 2012 seasons will hopefully make their decision to give Mac big dollars more complex. I’m okay with that.
TnBrian
November 30th, 2011
11:37 am
Doesn’t matter what any of us think about a Mac extension, the Braves will not be checking DOB’s blogs for fan opinions. It all boils down to that mean green in the end. Nice guys that are good players have been let go before. It could happen again, but it won’t with Brian. Some money is coming off the books next offseason. Jones should be retiring then too. Chubs will be here a long time.
TnBrian
November 30th, 2011
11:39 am
Lew, you’ve made your point. Very valid points at that. But we all know where you stand, sir. Lets move on to another topic, please.
Bravesnyer
November 30th, 2011
11:42 am
If he doesn’t accept a deal in the neighborhood of 5years 70 million-80 most, let him walk. We have betancourt in the near future. We can get 3 more seasons out of him and by that time Betancourt should be more than ready to come up. I’d trade McCan in the mid-season of 2013 and get some valuable prospects in return.
Guys don’t forget we are a small market team with a budget of 88-90 million, we are not the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Tigers, White Sox where we can throw around millions and have a payroll of 120-140 million.
Murph
November 30th, 2011
11:44 am
Lets move on to another topic, please.
Let’s talk about Bourn’s extension, or lack there of… who is going to play CF after next season? Nobody in the system, Braves don’t spend big on FA, so…. what will the team do about that?
I personally don’t think Bourn is going to be worth the money that he’s likely to be seeking.
Lew
November 30th, 2011
11:47 am
TnBrian -= Getting full of yourslef again are you? I’ll post what I damned well please when I weant to. Got that?
TnBrian
November 30th, 2011
11:48 am
While most fans aim high, I see where some are aiming Cody Ross territory. Hey if that’s all they can afford, or make it obvious to everybody that a platoon in left is all they’re doing than I’m in for Ross. Thing is nobody knows what Wren is aiming for yet. Until then I am all about a full time OF who could hit somewhere in the middle of the lineup. Would love to keep Martin in a super utility role, but realize getting a good OF probably means he will be in a trade. But nobody knows this yet.
Lew
November 30th, 2011
11:52 am
However, while I wil post what I damned well please when I want to post it, I will likely make numerous typos and stubbornly refuse to edit it for typos.
TnBrian
November 30th, 2011
11:52 am
Lew, I just see you getting a little worked up over some knuckleheads and was just holding you back. I will let you raise your blood pressure then. Just trying to help.
Jimmy
November 30th, 2011
11:54 am
10Paul – Well stated!
Lew
November 30th, 2011
11:54 am
TnBRian – If knuckleheads and idiots were actually a factor in my blood pressure’s elevation (they aren’t – it’s about 120/59), then I’d be concerned and would appreciate help. However………
Lew
November 30th, 2011
11:55 am
And while I’ve been responding to knuckleheads and idiots, I’ve also treadmilled a mile. BP’s doing just fine, thanks.
DAP
November 30th, 2011
11:58 am
bavesnyer Guys don’t forget we are a small market team with a budget of 88-90 million,
no, actually we are a big market team with a middle of the pack payroll.
Tomas
November 30th, 2011
11:58 am
Lew, but Bethancourt is the only one in that group that can really play defense.
What would you rather have, a gold glove catcher with 750 OPS, or a so-so defensive catcher making 18 million with an 850 OPS?
Not that I would let McCann leave, just saying Bethancourt has nice value
nolie
November 30th, 2011
11:59 am
between last night and this morning I’d be willing to bet that most of the unknown idiots saying the same ignorant drivel are the same person…either that or there was a major escape from some nut house
Lew
November 30th, 2011
12:01 pm
No, actually, we’re a mid market team with a mid market payroll. 15th of 30 teams in attendance and 15th out of 30 teams in payroll. Can’t get more mid market than exact middle of the pack all the way around.
Understandable how this confuses many. It’s called Fiscal Responsibility – something it’s been decades since even we older posters have seen.
Efrim
November 30th, 2011
12:03 pm
Bethancourt has a lot to prove with the bat, imo.
Lew
November 30th, 2011
12:07 pm
Tomas – First of all, it will be another four or so years before Betabcourt is even ready for the boigs, much less taking over for McCann. The Kid is 20 and has played no higher than A+ Ball. His minor league numbers are totally uninspiring (though, as I’ve said, he IS quite young) and based on a few games in the AFL, where he hit half as many HR as he has in 1060 minor league ABs, he’s all of a sudden Mac’s (one of the most successful hitting catchers we’ve seen in years) replacement?
Talk about extending expectations based on an extremely small sample size…..
Now about the $18 mil figure. Where in the world did you pull that numer from? What makes you think he’ll make that much even if he goes to another team? What I’m seeing is a five year, maybe $60 – 70 mil deal. That’s about what he’ll get considereing that they will factor his declining years into the equation. If they offer that, I’m betting that he’ll take it
Lew
November 30th, 2011
12:10 pm
Tomas – And I’m betting Betancourt is trade bait and never even plays for Atlanta – Just like Salty and Flowers, whowere traded when their value was at it’s highest. That may well be where Betancourt is right now. Max value.
Then again, maybe he will get much better. Just like almost all aspects of baseball – crap shoot city.
Tomas
November 30th, 2011
12:10 pm
Lew, Joe Mauer got 23 mill per year. If McCann really wanted he could match it in my opinion, but it won’t be from the Braves.
I do believe McCann would give a big hometown discount and take a 6 yr 90 million deal. But what would Boston, or Chicago give him if he was available?
DAP
November 30th, 2011
12:11 pm
tomas What would you rather have, a gold glove catcher with 750 OPS, or a so-so defensive catcher making 18 million with an 850 OPS?
not sure about the $18mil thing, but if my choice is benthancourt winning gold gloves and OPSing .750, or mccann winning silver sluggers and OPSing .850, ill take mccann every time.
Chris
November 30th, 2011
12:11 pm
this is the first year that bethancourt has showed some good signs with the bat. he’s no tyler flowers or saltalamacchia in the minors, but because of his age and someone who hasnt physically filled out, scouts do not know how much potential he has with the bat. and his defense is off the charts
BravePack
November 30th, 2011
12:12 pm
TnBrian
November 30th, 2011
10:59 am
I’m not interested in any of this McCann talk. Of course he’ll be resigned. By the time he needs to be resiged CJ will be close to retiring if he isn’t already.
THIS. It is rediculous that those of you who are arguing against signing Mac would even have that thought. Best hitting cather in baseball let alone the Braves team and you want to let him go? It’s so stupid to even argue about this. BMac will be an Atlanta Brave for a while and he should be…and in the famous words of Forrest Gump(Ward)…that’s all I got to say about that.
raleighbravefan
November 30th, 2011
12:13 pm
Just droped in for a minute, but there seems to be a lot of ignorance this morning…and a lot of hatred too. Why do some of you even come on here if all you want to do is criticize the team, ownership, management, players, and fans. …Could it be that you just crave attention? YHour mother didn’t breast feed you long enough? Your father ignored you too much?
And why in the hell do all the critics assume a new owner would increase the payroll? They could just as easily set it at…say…$70 mil.
Efrim
November 30th, 2011
12:14 pm
It’s not a sure thing that Christian Bethancourt will be OPS’n .750 at the big league level. He’s going to have to hit for plenty of power, because the kid never walks.
nolie
November 30th, 2011
12:15 pm
What I’m seeing is a five year, maybe $60 – 70 mil deal. …Lew
If you are talking about Mac, how is that gonna happen? He will make 11.5 this year and prolly at least 13 next season. 5 years and 90 mil is not out of the question
Lew
November 30th, 2011
12:15 pm
Tomas – Yeah, Mauer got that much and everyone with a quarter ounce of common sense realizes it was one of the dumbest contracts offered in recent years and it is highly doubtful that ANYONE would make a dumb move like that again.
In addition, the situation with Mauer/The Twins is cosiderably different than any scenario MCann might be faced with. New stadium, going for the guto and now paying the price for their stupidity. It won’t happen that way with Mac. If ever there was a player who would take a home town discount, Mac is t.
bravesfaninNashville
November 30th, 2011
12:16 pm
Love Brian McCann and what he’s meant to the Braves. With that being said baseball is a business and IMO the best baseball business decision is to field a team with balance within your payroll budget. Brian has a huge upside with his bat but even that is in question when his eyes take a turn for the worse which has happened to him twice already. He battles weight and general conditioning which will catch up to him as he is lifting a lot of extra weight out of the crouch hundreds of times a game. He’s already slower than slow and he’s primed to develop a knee injury. He’s not a very good defensive catcher and I think gives up a lot more passed balls and even allows more wild pitches. Anything in the dirt is a wild pitch if it gets by the catcher.. Think about all the errors Fredi Freeman saved our infield by scooping up hundreds of throws in the dirt at 1B. A better catcher would also prevent wild pitches by blocking a higher percentage than Brian. If I’m the Braves front office I don’t even think about giving McCann a contract even close to Joe Mauer’s. I think his best years are either behind him or will be by the time his contract runs out in 2013 (club option year). I say we sit still and don’t be afraid to lose him to free agency after that. If he proves to be healthy and still highly productive you make a decision then but locking him up now when there is no reason to do that other than fear of the future could come back to haunt us if his future includes declining play do to normal wear and tear on catchers above 30, injuries and or eyesight problems. His highest value is probably going to be to an American League team where he can DH and spell the starting catcher a day or two a week. I think the Braves also have to think about keeping some of this great pitching around as well as Fredi Freeman and possibly Heyward. McCann is the most expendable as great has he hits for his position. The catchers positions value IMO is 2/3 defense and calling a game and those are not his strong points. Unless we can sign him to a shorter (4yrs or less) extension I say the Braves should sit tight.
Lew
November 30th, 2011
12:16 pm
nolie – We’ll see, but I’m betting Mac gets nowhere near $16 mil per year.
skep
November 30th, 2011
12:17 pm
Here we are talking about McCann with two years left on his contract when the team has no power from the outfield unless Heyward changes his swing and starts hitting some homers instead of ground outs to second. Chipper is done after next year if not sooner. Hope Pastornicky is rookie of the year next year. I can’t take another slow start by Uggla.
Mixxo
November 30th, 2011
12:17 pm
Let. Him. GO!
….and take Heyward with him.
DAP
November 30th, 2011
12:18 pm
lew No, actually, we’re a mid market team with a mid market payroll.
atlanta is #9 or #8 depending on what list or year you are looking at. its a major market, lew. but, youre right about the mid market payroll.
CB
November 30th, 2011
12:20 pm
McCann might do a deal where he gives the Braves a discount but I can’t see less than 15 million a year on the low side. We are dreaming if we think less.
Tomas
November 30th, 2011
12:20 pm
DAP, me too, but money, health, age, etc, are things o consider. Because if you pay McCann say 16 million per year (which a severe discount IMO) and you have to deal with paying arbitration to Freeman, Heyward, Kimbrel, Venters, Hanson, etc then I must say how in the world are they gonna do that with a 90 million payroll if these guys continue to play like they should.
The answer is they can’t, they need a 110 million payroll to keep all of this guys including McCann
Rick
November 30th, 2011
12:20 pm
“What would you rather have, a gold glove catcher with 750 OPS, or a so-so defensive catcher making 18 million with an 850 OPS?”
I think the overall offensive production was more of a liability to the team this past season than defense. I would exercise McCann’s option in 2013, and wait at least until then to determine what to do with him. If Bethancourt can continue his rise in offensive production in the minors over the next two seasons, than I have high hopes for him. Likewise, if McCann’s numbers start to fall than it would be all the more reason to let him go and have Bethancourt as the catcher of the future. I can’t see McCann playing any other positions for the Braves that soon unless they trade Freeman, which in the long run would be arguably worse for the offensive production as McCann’s stats will inevitably eventually decline. In summary, I think what they do with McCann will both depend on his production and Bethancourt’s over the next two seasons.
Efrim
November 30th, 2011
12:20 pm
SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman
1 remarkable thing about winter is nonexistent pujols market. only bid is lowball bid from #marlins, who really seek reyes
I never thought Pujols was going to get 28-30 million a year like some did. The market is not there for him and the Cardinals have most of the leverage. His agents can point to ARod’s contract all they want, but that isn’t the way it works. Similar to how McCann’s people can point to Mauer all they want. Not. Gonna. Happen. Not even half the commitment in terms of dollars.
bball fan
November 30th, 2011
12:21 pm
The comment about moving Mac to left field sounds better than moving him to 1st base to me. My god, we have one of the best young 1st basemen in the league. He’s not that great a defensive catcher and even Yogi played left field.
Lew
November 30th, 2011
12:21 pm
DAP – I believe that just a week or two ago, Atlanta was listed as the Number 12 TV market. Population wise, they consider that South Carolina, Tennesseee, Alabama and Mississippi are in Metro Atlanta – which, of course, they aren’t – no way they are 8 or 9.
Jeff R
November 30th, 2011
12:21 pm
McFann O O o… your 9:09 am. I believe McCann was sidelined in 2010 with an injury, though I can’t recall what it was. None the less, I stand by my concern that catchers don’t age well and I’d be less inclined to give McCann another long term deal – one that takes him substantially into his 30s.
Lew’s right, the Braves can eventually move McCann elsewhere in the field. I suppose that’s what would happen longer term with McCann, but the Braves would be paying McCann premium dollars to catch… not sure that translates into a smart investment for an older, possibly defensive-challenged outfielder.
Efrim
November 30th, 2011
12:22 pm
5 years and 90 mil is not out of the question
For the Braves it is. It better be.
Efrim
November 30th, 2011
12:24 pm
15 million a year on the low side. We are dreaming if we think less.
You can’t hide him. He’s your catcher for the entire deal, imo. He isn’t atheltic enough to play LF and it remains to be seen on first base. No DH in this league. Ain’t no way Mauer gets near that money if the American League doesn’t have it’s DH rule.
abwright
November 30th, 2011
12:25 pm
nolie, November 30th, 2011, 2:30 am … “anybody watched GRIMM yet?”
I watched a few episodes last week.
Here’s my scale. When I watched one episode of Firefly, I immediately figured out when it would be on again the following week. When I watched “A Whole New Ballgame” (you’ve almost never heard of that stinker), I didn’t make it through a single episode before making sure I would never turn a TV on when it might be playing).
Grimm falls close to the Firefly end of the scale than the “Ballgame” end, but pretty much in the middle.
There’s a were-beast character that Grimm relies on for his contacts with the supernatural community that is pretty interesting, but all the other story elements have been done (recently) over-and-over-and-over.
Tomas
November 30th, 2011
12:25 pm
The biggest contract the Braves have ever given was to Chipper in 2000, 6 years 90 million.
ncscoots
November 30th, 2011
12:26 pm
scouts do not know how much potential he has with the bat. and his defense is off the charts
Go back a few years and read the scouting reports on Saltalamacchia. Same deal.
You don’t make your bones in the low minors and the AFL. Bethancourt shouldn’t even get a sniff from the blog until he proves he can hit AA pitching, at least.
Lew
November 30th, 2011
12:27 pm
DAP – Might want to check outthe populations from the 2010 Census.
They have Atlanta as the 41st largest population with the following cities listed ahead of Atlanta. NY (two teams), LA (two teams), Chicago (two teams), Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Dallas, SF, Detroit, Baltimore, Boston, Seattle, DC, Denver and Kansas City.
hmmmmmm
November 30th, 2011
12:28 pm
yet with all he has done I can’t help but feel Javier Lopez was a better catcher defensively and offensively….maybe its just nostalgia..idk
Tomas
November 30th, 2011
12:30 pm
Efrim, the market for Pujols is limited because the Yankees and Red Sox have Mark Texeira and Adrian Gonzalez. He is 32 years old, and nobody want’s to give him A-rod money.
Maybe the Cubs offer him a real deal, we’ll see.
Ease
November 30th, 2011
12:31 pm
U.S. TV Markets (2010-11 Season Estimates)
2010-11 Rank 2009-10 Rank Market
1 1 New York
2 2 Los Angeles
3 3 Chicago
4 4 Philadelphia
5 5 Dallas-Ft. Worth
6 6 San Francisco-Oak-San Jose
7 7 Boston (Manchester)
8 8 Atlanta
9 9 Washington, DC (Hagrstwn)
10 10 Houston
11 11 Detroit
12 12 Phoenix (Prescott)
13 13 Seattle-Tacoma
14 14 Tampa-St. Pete (Sarasota)
15 15 Minneapolis-St. Paul
16 17 Miami-Ft. Lauderdale
17 16 Denver
18 18 Cleveland-Akron (Canton)
19 19 Orlando-Daytona Bch-Melbrn
20 20 Sacramnto-Stkton-Modesto
Efrim
November 30th, 2011
12:32 pm
Tomas, of course. People were jumping to conclusions on Pujols, but he’ll sign for a little more than 200. I think the Cards will raise it ever so slightly. 207 million over 9 years, 23 million a year.
CB
November 30th, 2011
12:34 pm
Right now I would not consider any contract with Brian that goes past the 2016 season. No catcher in his prime should get more than 5 years. We could wait to the middle of next season to see how he is playing before making any long term decisions.
Efrim
November 30th, 2011
12:36 pm
I think it would help Brian a lot if he played in the AL, but him being an NL catcher hurts him at the bargaining table. Next winter, I wouldn’t offer anything more than five years for 70 million with a club or vesting option for 2018. 18 million a year is borderline insanity for a National League catcher into their mid-thirties for a team that has a payroll of 90-95 million. And I haven’t seen any reason to think it will be substantially larger within the next three to five years.
Ease
November 30th, 2011
12:36 pm
As Of August 30, 2011, Atlanta ranks #9 with 2,292,640 TV households.
Tomas
November 30th, 2011
12:37 pm
But Efrim, unlike Pujols who plays 1B and will be 32 years old, I think you can justify giving the best hitting catcher in baseball who will be 29 in his FA 20 mill per year. Most would argue he would be in his prime years.
RC
November 30th, 2011
12:38 pm
The new collective bargaining agreement calls for a competitive balance draft pick lottery beginning in 2013, and MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo has details. 13 teams will be eligible for the first lottery based on their market size and revenue: the Diamondbacks, Orioles, Indians, Royals, Athletics, Pirates, Padres, Rays, Reds, Rockies, Marlins, Brewers, and Cardinals. The lottery gives each of these teams the chance to win one of six extra picks in the 2013 draft, which will come after the compensation picks for free agents. The odds of winning a pick will be based on each team’s winning percentage in the previous season.
Glad we can have a draft pick lottery to help out those poor teams that can’t afford to compete like the Cardinals, Brewers, and Diamondbacks.
Efrim
November 30th, 2011
12:39 pm
I was always okay with giving a player 20% of the teams payroll if they were such an impactful ballplayer. As much as I love the guy as a Brave, I can’t justify giving an NL catcher 20% of the team’s payroll in his early-mid thirties.
RC
November 30th, 2011
12:40 pm
Ease,
Did Atlanta slide back to #9 because DC jumped them? That was the only city below them that I really expected to be above them.
DAP
November 30th, 2011
12:40 pm
have i been blocked?
Lew
November 30th, 2011
12:42 pm
Ease – TV market and city population are two entirely different creatures. Look at the success of the Rays and where they rank in TV market and then compare that to attendance.
If TV market is the overirding decider on how much revenue a team should have, then it’s based on TV contracts and NOT on attendance.
RC
November 30th, 2011
12:42 pm
have i been blocked? – DAP
Nope.
Ease
November 30th, 2011
12:42 pm
Probably RC, but it only a tally of half the year, but 8 or 9 has been consistant with the last several years.
Efrim
November 30th, 2011
12:43 pm
unlike Pujols who plays 1B and will be 32 years old, I think you can justify giving the best hitting catcher in baseball who will be 29 in his FA 20 mill per year.
Catchers age much faster than other position players and you are absolutely handcuffing this team by paying an NL catcher 18-20 million a year into his mid-thirties. He can’t DH. That’s huge here, imo.
DAP
November 30th, 2011
12:43 pm
RC, well that one went through, but everything im posting to lew about media markets is getting blocked.
N8
November 30th, 2011
12:44 pm
“Bethancourt shouldn’t even get a sniff from the blog until he proves he can hit AA pitching, at least.”
You mean like the 48 games Mac had at AA (age 21) before his callup, going: 265/.359/.476/.834 ??
There is ZERO reason to extend Mac now. None.
If the “market” isn’t going to bring half of the Mauer dollars for him, then who’s the competition if all things are equal when he hits free agency? If he really wants to stay in Atlanta, he’ll give the Braves the same deal then, as he’d be willing to give now (early).
Why not let it play out? See how he performs next year, see how healthy he stays along with keeping a close eye on Bethancourt. If Mac can’t stay healthy and Bethancourt progresses just like Mac did…. why on earth do you shell out 14-16 million dollars for him at that point?
Like I said. It might very well be worth every penny to lock Mac up long-term and keep him a Brave forever. At which point you could move Bethancourt to the outfield or trade him.
But why all the hurry and fuss to do it early?