Video: Braves wait as NL East foes make moves
CineSport’s Noah Coslov sits down with David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution to discuss Braves news from the MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas.
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154 comments Add your comment
Bill
December 7th, 2011
1:29 pm
couldn’t be first..make the deal!
Bill
December 7th, 2011
1:35 pm
Good job DOB..can’t stand pat!
charles
December 7th, 2011
1:48 pm
got to get more than just smith.
Brownie
December 7th, 2011
1:49 pm
That was basically a Seinfeld episode…..a show about nothing! DOB, almost feel a little sorry for you, that there is literally nothing new to write about.
Every team takes risk in making assumptions. Assuming that the new expensive free agent or trade will play up to (or above) potential – witness Uggla last year (tale of 2 seasons). Assuming that previously injured players will return to form (hoping for Heyward, Prado, McCann, JJ, Hanson, Huddy…wow, a long list). Assuming that the other players will play the same or better (Chipper? Freeman, all of the young pitchers, bullpen – another long list).
I don’t see any affordable (re: Liberty Media’s constraints) players out there to make this team measurably better at the cost of getting rid of up and coming players. As DOB stated, just having Mac, Prado and JH back in form will make the Braves much better – probably 3 ot 5 more wins?
nelson
December 7th, 2011
2:05 pm
same o f last year .. nothing !! .. wren : Braves don’t have sense of urgency at winter meetings. lmaoo .. no urgency !! hello !! marlins sign reyes , possibly pujols and buerhle .. and wren said : no urgency !!
nelson
December 7th, 2011
2:06 pm
jaajjajja
dap01
December 7th, 2011
2:07 pm
The silence is deafening!
Bill
December 7th, 2011
2:09 pm
4th place in the East here we come.
Steve
December 7th, 2011
2:13 pm
Bill = Moron.
Mister Frisky
December 7th, 2011
2:13 pm
That picture says it all.Fat Frank and Fat Fredi sitting on their keesters without a clue.A offense that probably has questions at every position especially LF,RF,and SS and they stand pat.
nelson
December 7th, 2011
2:15 pm
and then they went to the meetings ..? haha to eat anything else?
Mister Frisky
December 7th, 2011
2:15 pm
Bill = Prophet
nelson
December 7th, 2011
2:16 pm
my predictions 2012 :
NL EAST =
1 MARLINS / 2 PHILLIES / 3 BRAVES / 4 NATS / 5 : METS
maybe , maybe braves WC .. maybe ………
4th Place Guaranteed !
December 7th, 2011
2:18 pm
Good work Dave. I hope Mr. Wren will work a deal to improve the Braves in left field. Carlos Quentin would be a great move. Jurrgens for Quentin sounds fair. Starting OF for a starting P.
4th Place Guaranteed !
December 7th, 2011
2:20 pm
What about SS Pastornicky & SP/RP Vizcaino for White Sox SS Gordon Beckham ? Hmm…
Prognosticator
December 7th, 2011
2:21 pm
Last season the Braves struggled against the Marlins, Mets, Nats and the Phils. The ownership/management of the Marlins, Nats, and Phils are all improving their teams for next year. Meanwhile Liberty Media, JS, and Frank Wren sit on their hands. Only news since Oct.– the Braves fired last year’s hitting coach and we know Uggla likes prostitutes.
Braves fans: You are doomed for 2012.
4th Place Guaranteed !
December 7th, 2011
2:24 pm
Bobby Cox must be in on the winter meetings since all the Braves want is a second rate back-up SS and platoon LF ??? LMAO. Typical band aid approach to try to cover a mortal wound (LF)…
Mister Frisky
December 7th, 2011
2:25 pm
This thing is pretty simple.The strength of this team is starting pitching.Yet,not one Brave starter could start for Philly.Only 1 or 2 of the Braves starting 8 could start for Marlins,Phils,or Nats.And that my friends is the bottom line.4th place for years to come.
Bill
December 7th, 2011
2:26 pm
Love you to steve!
Braves Oldie
December 7th, 2011
2:27 pm
The Braves need to send Chipper to the scrap heap. The problem with the Braves organization is they tink the minor leaguers are the way to go. Frank didnt even need to go to the winter meetings. I dont understand while you trade JJ anyway, he is the best pitcher on the staff. Seth Smith? Give me a break, what a laugher. Talked with the wife and we are not going to mess with a season ticket renewal this year, we will find something better to do. Being at the ball park last year it was half empty, and it will be worse this season. The Braves will not spend the money to become contenders, so why pay to see a subpar team on the field. Talked to several who sat around us last year and they are feeling the same…
4th Place Guaranteed !
December 7th, 2011
2:27 pm
The Braves are counting on more wins with a healthy Heyward & Prado but don’t think about the added wins for the Marlins getting Josh Johnson back and the Nationals getting Strasburg back. Plus the Phillies with 3 aces ain’t going anywhere. 4th place looks bout rite !
Cracked Bats
December 7th, 2011
2:28 pm
I would hate for Wren to come up with Andruw Jones as the “power hitting left fielder” that we so desperately need….
urban redneck
December 7th, 2011
2:29 pm
pastornicky and vizcaino for beckham is hysterical. thanks, i needed that. beckham will never live up to the hype, and pastornicky is our primary 2012 SS (if all goes according to plan).
not DOB’s fault the braves haven’t done anything. no need to make a trade that doesn’t help us. our team is purty dang good for this year, just a few offensive if’s i.e. j-hey, prado, b-mac, chipper’s knees.
honestly, i’d wouldn’t mind at all if they stay put now and deal JJ at the trade deadline, hoping his stock improves. please don’t trade prado.
Platooning Is Dumb
December 7th, 2011
2:31 pm
If the Braves platoon in LF then I’ll know that Bobby Cox is still running the Braves. Only the dumazz Braves like to platoon infielders and outfielders (other than catcher which all teams use the back-ups).
While most teams have a star in LF hitting .300 30 100 the Braves will have a platoon that hits combined .260 14 56.
benchwarmer
December 7th, 2011
2:33 pm
Just having Heyward back in good form will = 10 more wins, at least. I think some more pop in the lineup is needed probably an outfielder.
Platooning Is Dumb
December 7th, 2011
2:34 pm
Diaz is a pinch hitter period.
benchwarmer
December 7th, 2011
2:35 pm
Pujols getting a ten year 200million contract seems to me to be totally stupid. Why would any team tie that kind of an anchor to their future?
Bill
December 7th, 2011
2:35 pm
Bill @ 2:09 is not same Bill…more than one.
Bill
December 7th, 2011
2:36 pm
Diaz is a zero.
Enough with the song lyrics, this isn't Rolling Stone
December 7th, 2011
2:45 pm
Your recent article about Brian McCann was a bit over the top in its assessment of where he ranks over the last decade. I think of at least two catchers you didn’t mention–Piazza and Posada–who put up better numbers than McCann. Don’t get me wrong, I love B-MAc, but he’s not in Mauer’s class, and his career numbers are tracking more along the lines of Posada/Javy Lopez (which is still very good) vs. an all-time great like Piazza.
nelson
December 7th, 2011
2:47 pm
BRAVES ZZZZZZZZZZ
Tdavis
December 7th, 2011
2:49 pm
We should b tired of finishing second. Everyone n the nl east improving and wren says we’re gonna wait. We will finish 4th unless we add some pop to the lineup. To sum up wren and liberty media….CHEAP!!!!!
Anon
December 7th, 2011
2:51 pm
Analyzing the Marlins moves, the Braves has nothing to worry about.
- Heath Bell was pitching in the NL West where there’s no good hitting teams. The Phillies, Braves, and even the Nats have average hitting that will cause Bell to have fits.
- If Jose Reyes couldn’t get the Mets to .500, then certainly not the Marlins
- Pujols was dangerous last year because you couldn’t walk him being sandwiched between Holliday and Berkman. But with the Marlins, pitchers will pitch him inside and won’t care if they walk him.
Personally, I only worry about the players the Marlins ALREADY HAVE. Josh Johnson has Cy Young years every year and its only time until Mike Stanton bombs 50 homers a year.
jimmya
December 7th, 2011
3:00 pm
wren doing good so far wait on a good leftfeilder dont give up anything
El Bravo
December 7th, 2011
3:06 pm
Hey DOB, I don’t know if that shirt will pass the new dress code. You better hide from the fasion police…
El Bravo
December 7th, 2011
3:07 pm
fashion…
Remarkable
December 7th, 2011
3:11 pm
Get rid of Chipper? Where do these nuts come from? Chipper is a power hitting third baseman, who consistently hits well, gets on base and knows what to do in most any situation. No one on the Braves was more consistent, no one draws more fans, no one else does what he does. Those of you who blame him for being injured, forget that he didn’t get injured off the field (Like Ron Gant), he plays hard and gives it his all and even plays hurt. We don’t have anyone else in the wings to take his place. And don’t say Prado, he didn’t hit as well and made more errors. Chipper will know when it’s time to go. Pray that that day is several years down the road. I for one think we NEED Chipper Jones.
Thanks #10 for a lot of great memories and great years.
Braves Fan
December 7th, 2011
3:16 pm
Braves Oldie: The Braves are glad you won’t be back. They won’t miss that negativity one bit.
ATL Insider
December 7th, 2011
3:16 pm
I think trading JJ makes more sense than trading Prado. We need Prado to play 3B when Chipper needs time off. I love Chipper, but he can’t play 150 games a year any more. I would be surprised if he could play 125.
If FW can trim a little more payroll, I think signing Carlos Beltran to a 3/30 deal with an option to play LF would make a lot of sense. He is not the player he used to be, but he would be better than most of the other options.
BL
December 7th, 2011
3:26 pm
First thing I saw from the main sports page to get to this article, “While there is no sense of urgency….” That mentality has been organization wide problem/issue here for the last 10 years.
When you always think “We’ll get em tomorrow, just gotta tip your cap” ….you wake up and there is no tomorrow.
Bill
December 7th, 2011
3:27 pm
agree on Beltran..Atl Insider
NORRIS
December 7th, 2011
3:31 pm
I just dont understand. We had 30 million come off the books and also was told that payroll could possibly be expanded.
Do we have that much money going out in arbitration (pay raises) that we cant do anything to better this team?
NORRIS
December 7th, 2011
3:33 pm
I honestly dont know of anyone on our team from last year that deserves millions of dollars in pay raises. most of our hitters had lousy years.
STRETCH
December 7th, 2011
3:38 pm
Platooning,
So the way Wren is talking, Prado is still gonna be the LF? Even if he is healthy all season, he is NOT going to give you 300 30 100. And yep, they are gonna still run Prado/Diaz out there and let Chipper pull off his Brett Favre like way of holding the payroll hostage.
farmer
December 7th, 2011
3:46 pm
go get Cody Ross.. he wouldn’t be that expensive and he is a good clutch hitter and clubhouse guy plus he can play in outfield, and possibly sign Punto or Betemit for the “backup SS” spot. I like Jurrjens a lot but with Boras his agent, the time to trade him for a big return is now.
Falcons4Eva
December 7th, 2011
3:48 pm
The Good: I doubt very serious that Jason Heywood have another awful year back-to-back, doubt Dan Ugla starts off again batting near .150 the first half of the season and I serisouly doubt Brian McCann will have the kind of slump he did this past year. So given the odds of those disasters happening again this year are slim. So there is hope there.
The Bad: The Braves will be better just by the fact alone that they got rid of Derek Lowe. That’s at least 5 extra victories. Call it Addition by subtraction.
The Ugly: The Phillies are still the class of the division and they are not going anywhere. Also the Marlins are/have gotten better. And don’t sleep on the Washington Nationals – Always give us troubles.
Kb Shaggs
December 7th, 2011
3:48 pm
What about bringing Kelly Johnson back to play left?
Stanley
December 7th, 2011
4:00 pm
My wife dumped me for an older guy who uses viagra.
o-my
December 7th, 2011
4:03 pm
good for her
nelson
December 7th, 2011
4:04 pm
kelly johnson ? no way /// braves sign carlos beltran ???
BravesfaninWis
December 7th, 2011
4:05 pm
DOB,
I appreciate your honesty here in this video. The Braves absolutely need to make a serious move for 2 reasons.
1. John Scheurholtz sent out a letter to Braves season ticket holders stating that they will do anything necessary to improve this team after the epic collapse. If he doesn’t do that, he will be deemed a liar.
2. If Frank Wren really believes this team is a 95 game winning team, he is smoking some good stuff. They didn’t get to that mark last season and this team has many more question marks on it this year. Sorry, but what else is he supposed to say?
The next few days and weeks will show all the Braves fans what direction this team intends to go in. If they continue to sit on their hands and do nothing, it will tell us that they are not committed to winning. Teams that want to win and know they need help, they go out and address those needs. The Braves haven’t done that to this point, and it doesn’t look like they have any intentions on doing anything.
Bill
December 7th, 2011
4:06 pm
No to Punto, Kelly and Cody.
Mister Frisky
December 7th, 2011
4:10 pm
Let’s bring back Johnson,Furcal,Betemit and every other former Brave stiff.That should plug all the holes.
ryan
December 7th, 2011
4:12 pm
What about David Wright good solid hitter when healthy looks like Mets are willing to trade him could he be the outfielder we looking for .
MitchC
December 7th, 2011
4:15 pm
Thanks, Dave. Great interview.
I saw at the bottom of the screen as you were giving your interview, that Wren feels like the Braves “Have a 95 win team”. I’m sorry, but is this man delusional? Our collapse this past season, combined with the Phillies always being great, and the Marlins potential for major improvement. We have to play those teams 36 to 38 times a year. That spells potential for disaster.
I think we need to do something: Psychologically, to get the fans excited again. If we stand pat, we will finish no better than 3rd. The Mets probably got worse, unless they do something, by losing Reyes, and one never knows how the Nationals will be. They are so young.. that one has to figure.. one of these years.
If the Braves dont do something, and they dont win the wild card in 2012, I think it will be time for both Wren and Gonzalez to lose their jobs.
If Wren really is that delusional to believe we have a 95 win team, after what happened, then let him stand pat, and be jolted into reality if we dont make a playoff spot, by losing his job.
athdog...brave
December 7th, 2011
4:15 pm
Having Prado, Mac back will be huge. Having JJ and Hanson for the season would be even more huge…JHey resembling ‘09 would be large, as well. This, along with a season of Bourn, would/should more than makeup for the couple of games we needed to make the playoffs. Don’t forget, with everyone playing last season, we were among the four best records in all of baseball after April for the entire season, right up until the collapse…which coincided with the injuries.
NORRIS
December 7th, 2011
4:18 pm
that collapse also coincided with a pitching slump. The pitching was dynamic most of the year.
You cant expect those guys to win for you every night. You got to have a few hitters.
most of the season the majority of our hitters were batting 250 and below. you cant win with that.
Kb Shaggs
December 7th, 2011
4:19 pm
Josh WIllingham will be available.
PMC
December 7th, 2011
4:22 pm
Hey at least they didn’t make a move to ruin the uniforms like the Marlins did.
Looks like Ronald Mcdonald got nothing but pastel crayons in his box.
glorydays (from SF)
December 7th, 2011
4:22 pm
Glad most of you guys are not calling the shots. Be patient. Last year Wren was criticized for making too many moves. The bargains come out later. What is the use of developing great talent, every GM in baseball will agree that is the key, if you are not willing to wait for them because of a win now dammit attititude. I prefer a long-term strategy that will pay benefits for many years.
glorydays (from SF)
December 7th, 2011
4:29 pm
DOB, what time can you start enjoying a cold brew or three with this type of gig?
bobbymahlon
December 7th, 2011
4:35 pm
Are you people nuts wanting Kelly Johnson back, another left hand hitter who bats around .220 and strikes out 100 or more times a season and is a lozy fielder.
We need more right handed hitters at least one that can hit for average and power and can catch a fly ball.
farmer
December 7th, 2011
4:37 pm
saw where the Pirates resigned Nate McLouth. good riddance to a worthles guy going back tot he same worthless team we got him from.
spike
December 7th, 2011
4:43 pm
through age 27 –
Posada – .252 .345 .426 35HR 100 OPS+
Lopez – .287 .333 .499 108 HR 113 OPS+
McCann .286 .358 .486 122HR 126 OPS+
One thing is not like the others.
bobbymahlon
December 7th, 2011
4:43 pm
Josh Willingham is not the answer he might hit 20 home runs but will not hit for average and is a poor fielder. You people will be calling for his head on the chopping block after a few games.
If Prado makes a comeback after a injury plaqued season and Heyward hits like predicted along with one or two of the kid pitchers making it we will be right in the thick of it.
charles
December 7th, 2011
4:46 pm
I have no idea why wren thinks 95 wins for braves when he makes no moves and everyone elsedoes
Mister Frisky
December 7th, 2011
4:57 pm
Fish get Buehrle.
nelson
December 7th, 2011
4:57 pm
live : MARK BUERHLE AGREES TO 4 YEAR / 58 M / DEAL WITH MARLINS !!
BRAVES 911 !!!!
Largo
December 7th, 2011
4:57 pm
“while wrens wish is to add a power-hitting outfielder” (how long have we been hearing this) “his only definite roster need is to find a veteran infielder. . .” He is looking at Nick Punto (Lord, help us) who has 14 home runs and somewhere around 20 RBIs in ten years. Unbelievable!
nelson
December 7th, 2011
4:58 pm
SOMEBODY CALL 911 !!
nelson
December 7th, 2011
4:59 pm
SOMEONE CALL 911
nelson
December 7th, 2011
5:00 pm
NICK PUNTO NICK CANT HIT 1 HR !! LMAOOO
jimmya
December 7th, 2011
5:00 pm
when wren makes a move its backwards
nelson
December 7th, 2011
5:03 pm
MARLINS NL EAST CHAMPS 2012 / BRAVES 3R PLACE OR LAST PLACE
nelson
December 7th, 2011
5:04 pm
WREN THEORY : WAIT !! PATIENCE !! NOT WORRY ! WAIT !! PATIENCE !! NOT WORRY !
LMAO THIS GM
ray
December 7th, 2011
5:05 pm
95 wins is pure rhetoric. it can’t happen unless everyone plays above realistic expectations. I read 1/2 the teams asked about Prado and 8-10 about JJ. Wren can’t get 1 good deal for either ? this is a sellers marekt for the two and he can’t auction them off for a decent return ?
3rd place is the best we can do. in a year or so, Nats will pass us. Mets may pass us in 2 yrs.
what happens this year when we play the Phils and marlins head to head ? nothing good I can
guarantee you.
jimmya
December 7th, 2011
5:06 pm
folks they have to play the games
ryan
December 7th, 2011
5:08 pm
Sky is falling the sky is falling .
nelson
December 7th, 2011
5:16 pm
someone call 911 …. marlins sign bell . reyes . mark buerhle ,
marlins are said out of the race to Albert Pujols but he will fall back to Prince Fielder
and the braves? well and you
jimmya
December 7th, 2011
5:20 pm
good now we have the florida yankees
jimmya
December 7th, 2011
5:24 pm
i want to know just who do you think we could get for jj or prado
jimmya
December 7th, 2011
5:25 pm
raining cold here bored
ohhhhYEAH
December 7th, 2011
5:29 pm
Only news since Oct.– the Braves fired last year’s hitting coach and we know Uggla likes prostitutes. ”
Correction…Prognosticator, She was a porn star, not a prostitute. lol
jimmya
December 7th, 2011
5:31 pm
how many braves waiting on spring training for surgery this year
alanfalcon
December 7th, 2011
5:33 pm
Frank needs to realize that other teams are not seeing the value in our players for trades as we do, maybe thats why Frank hasn’t been able to do anything. I worked for a man with the same mindset and he could never understand why we couldn’t move forward.
ohhhhYEAH
December 7th, 2011
5:41 pm
a few assessments ive made:
1- Nelson, youre a tool. Marlins wont be winning any division jsut because they signed ONE pitcher, and ONE SS, Buehrle will be in a new division, in a new league, and he’s not Halliday. Reyes was already in the division with the mets, couldnt make a difference with them, wont make one in South Beach. Braves still favorite for 2nd in the division even as everything stands right now.
2- Chipper needs to retire bc he cant play 100 games anymore? Uh….dude played 127 last year, and finsihed in the top 6 of every major offensive category among third basemen, get real people.
3- Prado is not the Chipper replacement. Hes just not a third baseman. Sure he plays there when Chip sits, but i believe he also made a good bit of mistakes there last season. Hes a second baseman by nature, thats where he needs to be. Not third, not left. Simple as that. So if we can trade jhim to a team that needs a solid 2B and we get good return on it, pull the trigger.
thats just a few things ive seen so far. stay tuned
soon to be Winter of George
December 7th, 2011
5:41 pm
We’re still waiting for things to heat up on the Braves roster. What’s it gonna take?
And after signing Reyes, the Marlins will NEVER get Pujols. They will regret that Reyes contract, and may not ever be able to dump it after he’s toast.
Typical Marlins, try to buy a championship every 10 years and then dump it all after winning.
Be nice if the Braves could hurry up and get a good owner.
What’s the latest on that DOB?
MitchC
December 7th, 2011
5:46 pm
Just read that the Marlins signed pitcher Mark Burhele, and made a big offer to Albert Pujols.
If Florida signs all their intended players, and both the Marlins and Phillies are healthy, those teams should finish 1-2 in the NL East, with one as the NL East champ, and the other the wild card.
The Braves? They should just fire Frank Wren. Its apparent this yutz isnt looking to do anything to compete with what has become a very tough division.
ohhhhYEAH
December 7th, 2011
5:48 pm
@MitchC
MLBTrade Rumors said Marlins have moved on from Pujols, then went after Burhele. Im thinkin that offer from the Cards’ got Pujols thinkin he wants to stay put in STL. He wont be playing in Miami, except when STL plays down there
charles
December 7th, 2011
5:50 pm
PITCHING pitching thats all wren thinks about. If you dont score runs; you dont win. Braves finish last.
nelson
December 7th, 2011
5:51 pm
hey loser ohhhh yeahhh , mow marlins have josh johson and now mark buerhle … try to sign c.j. wilson …
Stuck in Wichita
December 7th, 2011
5:51 pm
4th place would be one higher than I was thinking. Chipper’s line at year end: BA 215; HR 2; RBI 11; Runs 8; Injuries 10.
“Dang, Shudda retired last year. Oh well, may as well go another year”
ohhhhYEAH
December 7th, 2011
5:53 pm
uh….theyve had josh johnson moron. and TWO pitchers dont make a division championship bud. “trying” to acquire CJ is much different than actually acquiring him. but thanks for trying
David
December 7th, 2011
5:55 pm
The Braves is a cheap team they never have 1 cent to spend in off season . I have NEVER heard of any team that has had 14 titles in 20 years and a world series and yet never get a big name . they need to go after Albert and sign him to a 160 million dollar 10 year deal with free rides and free food and also give him a new car . If the braves do not start spending money they will be known as the cheap boys of the MLB
David
December 7th, 2011
6:04 pm
Also I think its dumb to write stories about nothing ? The last time the braves has a good headline it was about not making the playoffs . Until something BIG happens do we even need a story ?
ohhhhYEAH
December 7th, 2011
6:06 pm
David
i guess Smoltz, Glavine, Maddux, Lopez, JD Drew, Sheffield, David Justice, McGriff, and oh yeah….CHIPPER JONES, arent big enough names for you? do you know how many teams would STILL love to have Chipper in their line up?
Andrew
December 7th, 2011
6:27 pm
I guess Wren is waiting on the Rule 5 draft tomorrow and the reject list that comes out on Monday. Geez….
BERNIE
December 7th, 2011
6:29 pm
My predictions for 2012
1.PHILLIES 2.MARLINS 3.NATS 4.BRAVES 5.METS
Remember Mr. WRENN all that wonderful and clutch hitting that was done by the Braves in 2011. Stand Pat and do nothing and you will be passed by the Mets also.I just don’t see how you can be happy with what’s coming back with the bats we have seen for the past two years. Hitting is just awful and you know it.
Steve
December 7th, 2011
6:32 pm
Will there have to be a second John Scheurholtz letter explaining why the Braves do nothing?
dogman
December 7th, 2011
6:39 pm
The Marlins have gone plum crazy handing out all the outrageous contracts. They paid Reyes much more than he was worth and they say they are not finished yet. Why don’t all the high price free agents just go on down there and see what they will pay them. They are nuts! They may not have but 8000-10000 fans in that new stadium each night or they could have smaller crowds like they had in the old stadium and dishing out all these lavish contracts. Somebody must have some money down there. They have in my opinion overpaid all 3 free agents they have signed . They claim they are still after Pujols too. Why don’t they sign Prince Fielder and use him as their pinch hitter.I thought the Yankees and the Red Sox were stupid but the Marlins have them beat. Unreal!
J-MAN
December 7th, 2011
6:41 pm
How about Wilson Betemit coming back to play SS?
longtimefan
December 7th, 2011
6:47 pm
What a bunch of inane, ill-informed comments. What is it about Chipper that gets some of you so upset? The guy is a future HOFer who has played his whole career in ATL, could have gotten more money elsewhere, continues to be clutch by metrics(look it up), still has some power and plays 3/4 of the games. Envy. Jealousy.
Seattle Braves
December 7th, 2011
6:49 pm
How about this:
Mets are looking to rebuild. And trading within the same division is usually taboo. But it has been done many of times, recently with Uggla!
Mets are also looking to move players at eat some of the salary.
Why not pick up Jason Bay for LF for JJ. He is a power RH and will bring balance to the lineup. Prado needs to stay on with the Braves if possible. But I can see him being trade for another great bullpen help in Qualls. I also like Jack Wilson has a backup and tutor for Pastornicky.
I do think the braves either make a move for a power hitter or just make Prado the LF and try to win again on pitching.
BravesWin
December 7th, 2011
6:52 pm
With the tightwad ownership of Liberty, standing pat is the safest thing to do. All they’ll allow us to do is get another band-aid retread (think Garret Anderson, Nate McClouth, Rick Ankiel, etc., while giving away a Prado and a great prospect or two.
jimmya
December 7th, 2011
6:55 pm
really folks braves were snakebite last year they a little better than that wren just needs to sign a freeagent left feilder turn them loose
jimmya
December 7th, 2011
6:59 pm
wren listen no trades
Mister Frisky
December 7th, 2011
7:06 pm
J-Man put down that J.Betamit wasn’t good enough to start for Braves 5 years and 50 pounds ago.
Ronald Millsaps
December 7th, 2011
7:22 pm
Albert Pujols is a free agent, and yet only two teams are making him offers. New York and Boston aren’t offering him anything. These facts are almost astonishing.
Ronald Millsaps
December 7th, 2011
7:24 pm
By the way, why would the Marlins back out of the equation now? Why would they concede the point after signing Mark Buehrle, a move that would increase their odds?
Make an offer for Hanley Ramirez, Frank.
Liberty Media, sell the team. You’re incompetent, corrupt, worthless.
Tomy Fournier
December 7th, 2011
7:28 pm
FOURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
not going to a game
December 7th, 2011
7:38 pm
If we dont make moves this is sad
J-MAN
December 7th, 2011
7:44 pm
@ Mister Frisky, have you had a look at Betimit’s stats .285, 8 HR, 46 RBI in 323 ABs. A heck of a lot better than Alex Gonzalez. Also Betimit never got a chance in Atlanta because we always had Furcal, and Chipper blocking him from coming up here.
Largo
December 7th, 2011
7:44 pm
HIRE HANLEY AND FIRE FREDI.
Seattle Braves
December 7th, 2011
7:50 pm
3 guys that would make us instantly better
BJ Upton
Jason Bay
Martin Prado
J-MAN
December 7th, 2011
7:59 pm
I’m a little weary of Bay because he has been injured since getting that contract and hasn’t put up the numbers he did in Boston. I like BJ Upton good 4 tool player just lacking on the batting Avg. I also don’t think we should trade Prado.
Ozzie
December 7th, 2011
8:15 pm
Bay sucks, next.
Mister Frisky
December 7th, 2011
8:16 pm
Just havin fun J-Man I always liked Wilson.
Crickets
December 7th, 2011
8:18 pm
How long do we have to keep up this chirping?
Ronald Millsaps
December 7th, 2011
8:23 pm
“ohhhhyeahhh”— We don’t need that commentary.
“stuck”– You don’t watch baseball too closely, apparently. Chipper’s fluent swing produced another strong season for him last year, and the fact that he, at 39, outplayed Heyward, 22, is both a compliment to the former and a calling-out to the latter.
So, the Braves are shopping for a power-hitting outfielder, huh? I wouldn’t be so quick to do so. First of all, they’re ready to indict arguably the MVP of the team, Martin Prado, for having a slightly-down 2011. Actually, it was more than slight, but it had a lot to do with injuries and the distraction of playing an uncomfortable position, which is exactly what Ken Caminiti endured in 2001 when asked to play first base. For pete’s sake, we keep hearing about who would replace Chipper at third if he retires. Is there a more-obvious fit anywhere in baseball than Prado? NO! Therefore, why be so quick to trade the man?
By the way, yeah, you usually get more homers from your outfielders than your infielders, but no need exists to buck the status quo when it’s working pretty well and when the aforementioned Heyward very well could break out with 30-35 homers this year.
Hanley Ramirez would be a nice acquisition, to put it mildly, and with Michael Bourn at leadoff, Ramirez would be free to unload his power swing of 2007 and 2008. Lest we forget, he did hit 33 homers in ‘08. Since then, he seems like he has an identity crisis as a player, leading to his egregious statistics.
We hear a lot about the Mark Teixeira trade. How about the Javier Vazquez trade? A former professor who thinks he knows everything about baseball thought I was crazy three years ago when saying Brent Lillibridge could hit 20 homers in a season and said the guy would never hit more than ten in a season. Well, last year he hit 13 in 97 games. Tyler Yates, who also was in that regrettable trade, hit five in highly-limited time last year. (The same professor said that Dale Murphy’s hitting 398 homers, not 400, should be a real consideration in his Hall of Fame vote. No wonder our educational system’s shot.)
Liberty Media needs to sell the team ASAP. Everything it touches turns to ruins: the Braves, TBS, etc.. Okay, the Braves haven’t turned to ruins, but this fact is in spite of them, not because of it. Incompetent ownership’s working against Wren and co., not with them, is certainly not good.
By the way, this team just fired its hitting coach not long ago, and I firmly believe he was a large reason behind the offense’s woes at times, so why make wholesale changes now, when they might not even be needed? I recommend hiring Jeff Treadway and being done with it.
Ramirez’s history with Gonzalez shouldn’t be a brick wall to his potentially coming here. Alex Gonzalez is gone. Regrettably, the team didn’t make the slightest move to acquire Jose Reyes, and now Ramirez is out there: a five-tool player at age 28 who can be a real difference-maker. If Atlanta doesn’t at least consider this move, I’m going to be beyond disgusted, and quit considering trading Prado; the man needs to stay where he is.
Michael
December 7th, 2011
8:26 pm
Typical Braves fashion in last 10 years or so. Lack of fire in the organization.
Seattle Braves
December 7th, 2011
8:40 pm
we might aswell just ask Brain Jordan or Ron Gant to play LF.
ohhhhYEAH
December 7th, 2011
8:45 pm
@ Ronald
You mean….factual commentary? The only thing you say thats agreeable was the part about chipper still getting it done, and that Liberty Media are crap owners.
Lillibridge is gone, no use tryin to worry about what he is or will do. And we wont make a move for Hanley for the exact same reason we didnt make a play for Reyes (who by the way stays hurt almost more than heyward and Chipper combined), and that reason is because Wren and Co. believe that Pastornicky is also a 5-tool caliber short stop. So why on Gods green Earth would you make a move for someone so pricey when you have someone you believe will be ready this year?
Prado……is simply not the answer. He looked almost as uncomfortable at 3rd last year as he did in LF. And also, Hes just not a power guy. The Braves feel they can trade him to a team in need of a 2B and get good return for him, and i think thats in the best interest for all parties involved, INCLUDING Prado, its where he belongs, NOT 3rd, NOT LF. Simple as that.
As far as signing Treadway, i dont know if you looked at many articles after the firing of Larry Parrish, but we have since signed Greg Walker, for better or for worse. Dont think theyre gonna fire him before his first day.
Seattle Braves
December 7th, 2011
8:55 pm
Honestly! who cares what other teams do. As long as the team we have is good enough to win aswell. Currently we have a team that cannot meet the quota. We need a RH power hitting LF. who will or who should it be. Once again I think it should be BJ Upton. Im sure his name has came across the Brves front office. So, Who will it be guys? no platooning, no Diaz, no Seth Smith, and im ok with Prado. WHAT ARE THE BRAVES GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS OFFENSE!!!
farmer
December 7th, 2011
8:57 pm
How about since the White Sox are getting rid of everyone, why don’t the Braves get Brent Lillibridge back? he can play everywhere and can hit when given the chance. but Wren won’t do it or do anything significant because he is a Grade A number 1 douchebag for a GM
ohhhhYEAH
December 7th, 2011
8:58 pm
Wont be Upton. Too expensive, and too hot-tempered. Not saying those are reasons we SHOULDNT go after him, but im saying, based on the way we pick out players, its why we WONT go after him. And i really doubt itll be Prado. Prolly gonna send JJ somewhere for like a Brett Gardner type player.
rainman34
December 7th, 2011
9:11 pm
Beltran has a thin market. How anout two years 20 million with option for third if he avgs 140 games first two years. Him hitting second in front of Freeman is the perfect fit. Trade jj and prado for prospects and get the cash we need.
Bourn
Beltran
freeman
Ugla
Mac
Chipper
Heyward
Tyler Pat – Lowre who I would love to get with Kalish in a red sox trade
jb
December 7th, 2011
9:12 pm
Would love to see BJ in Atlanta!!!!
jb
December 7th, 2011
9:13 pm
Bowman thanks it will be Beltan..
GLE
December 7th, 2011
9:25 pm
I HAVE LEARNED BETTER THAN TO QUESTION WREN. CAN’T COMPLAIN AT THIS POINT.
Captain Obvious
December 7th, 2011
9:28 pm
Hey Frank Wren, they’re having this really neat thing in Dallas this week called “The Winter Meetings”. You should probably check it out. They have players there and everything.
brave4lf
December 7th, 2011
9:29 pm
Come on people!!!!!!!! Braves do not have budget to buy pennant like the marlin’s are trying to do for second time. Our strength is pitching and farm system. Intelligent trades and youth are our vehicle for improvement this year and for many years to come!!!!! Ask the Rays how well it works. Seems to me they hang with the Yankees, red sox, rangers, tigers every year for fraction of the price. Frank is brilliant to watch our rival teams load up on expensive, injury prone, relics while we get younger and stronger at every position. Those of you screaming Chippers pulling us down, will be the first too stand and cheer during his 20 TO 30 ringers and 80+ RBIs. Chipped will retire after we capture the world series in 2012!!!!!
Frank, you have my support for waiting for the best deals for the team and not reacting to fans who can’t see the wisdom in not making deals just to make headlines without improving the team!!!!!
Captain Obvious
December 7th, 2011
9:34 pm
@brave4lf… are you drinking the blue koolaid or the red?
The Dude
December 7th, 2011
9:34 pm
How about Adam Jones from Baltimore…if you could extend him..he’s due about 5 or 6 mil in arbitration…couldn’t we trade and try to extend his contract…say 7 or 8 mil…4 years. That OF would be sick for this year then he can take CF when Bourn leaves. Baltimore needs SP..looks like a good fit to me.
With that said, if that’s a no go..I’d hate to see Prado leave. What I don’t want to see is us trade him for a .240 20HR guy…I’d rather have the .300 15HR guy we got.
jb
December 7th, 2011
9:39 pm
Its not koolaid bro, what you smoking 4lf
The Dude
December 7th, 2011
9:40 pm
Another thing..Braves would be smart not to add payroll…Losing McClouth, Lowe, Kawikami….next year Chipper….they could be players for once in the free agent market. McCann is the tough one. I can’t see them signing him to a long term deal again…catchers don’t age well and he’s a defensive liability…also, the Braves already have his replacement in the minors. It will be tough to see him go though.
Captain Obvious
December 7th, 2011
9:41 pm
@The Dude:
Sweeeet. I’m a big Adam Jones fan, and I think that is a good match for a trade with both teams.
Gavin
December 7th, 2011
9:43 pm
I don’t even know why I read the comments section on these articles anymore. You guys on here are, for the most part, a bunch of ignorant fans. If the marlins add 20 wins (which is a little ridiculous to think of even after adding who they have), they would barely be better than the braves were last year. the braves almost have no check of being anything but better. My main concern is the young pitching and the low number of innings they’ll eat up, and with frediot ruining our bullpen arms by July, that may be a problem
Bt to those of you who predict marlins, phillies, nationals, Braves, mets. You’re just ignorant. Gosh, it would be one thing if you contained and then offered a SENSIBLE opinion as to how we could be better, but just to complain for the sake of it makes you a terrible fan that makes real fans cringe.
ncbravesfan
December 7th, 2011
9:45 pm
YOUR 2012 Atlanta Braves
CF Bourn
LF C. Ross
3B Jones
2B Uggla
C McCann
1B Freeman
RF Heyward
SS Punto
Now, go get those Phillies and Marlins!
Fool Me Once--You Know The Rest Of It
December 7th, 2011
9:46 pm
Hanley Ramirez is NOT playing for Freddi Gonzalez and I suspect sometime during this season the Braves closer and 7th and 8th inning men will be in Birmingham, Alabama. Now if Freddi decides to quit utilizing his bullpen as if he is a college coach in a super regional, at that point these kids may have a chance to see an arbitration hearing in the future.
Do you really not see the plan to turn this into tream to appeal to Latin americans. Watch the future deals to come and check out the make-up. They never had a domed stadium and much of the problem was related to getting the Hispanics in Dade County to warm to the product. It’s now their neighborhood, their county and soon to be a majority of their countrymen
It has long been a DESTINATION, but when it becomes a destination for Columbians, Venezuelans, Dominicans , Puerto Ricans et al to make some excursions to watch baseball and also buy merchandise for a team that will be associated with that area–and whose owners did not buy into Bernie Madoff–Well, I ain’t seeing this as the precurson to a selloff. Hell, they got a stadium financed through taking advantage of dade County politicos. This owner is a smart dude who never spent mone, he is still smart and now he is spending monry. He could have kept playing his Luxury Tax game and bankrolled millions, however, he changed—WHY??
Captain Obvious
December 7th, 2011
9:48 pm
@Gavin the cringing real fan:
Ironically, you just complained and didn’t offer a sensible solution.
jb
December 7th, 2011
9:58 pm
Cody Ross is 2 years to late…
Agree Captain Obvious on Jones and Gavin…
David O'Brien
December 7th, 2011
10:20 pm
Be nice if the Braves could hurry up and get a good owner.
What’s the latest on that DOB? — soon to be Winter of George
There is no latest. Team’s not for sale yet, and I don’t know when it will be.
Ronald Millsaps
December 8th, 2011
12:06 am
“ohhhhyeahhh”— I was referring to your unnecessary commentary about a topic to be avoided.
Leave off the “God’s green earth” reference while you’re at it.
Hanley Ramirez is one of the best in the game, even with a down year. Acquiring him would be an outstanding move.
Not surprised that the Braves have filled the position in question; I just hadn’t heard about it. I still prefer the Treadway option.
Martin Prado has done very well at third before; he was pretty fatigued and bruised last season. You can throw last season’s examples out the window.
On a separate note, baseball’s sorry commissioner needs to get the first round to be best-of-seven. A best-of-five series in an albatross. The Cardinals did indeed win it all, but the Phillies were clearly the best team in baseball last season. Honestly, you just can’t overlook what the Phillies did because they (barely) lost a five-game series. In short, why should we overlook a 162-case sample for a five-game one? More later.
Matt Ryan really does need to put aside the playbook a touch and go through daily target drills, not just him but every other quarterback. Also, the Falcons’ offense relies so much on ball control that turnovers can be backbreaking.
Ronald Millsaps
December 8th, 2011
12:07 am
I’d prefer the Mets’ ownership over this bunch.
I’m serious.
benchwarmer
December 8th, 2011
12:19 am
crazy
Donovan
December 8th, 2011
9:43 am
That interview with FG says it all. This team has no hitting, no manager, and the over rated pitching is suspect.
Wren is comfortable with this scenario and sits on his hands while our division aggressively improves itself. The owner of this team is an anchor around the Braves neck. The handwriting is on the wall and DOB knows it. All of these “if he remains healthy, if he improves his batting skills, and if he has a good spring training” are meaningless quotes.
As it stands right now this Braves team is standing at the train station watching the train pull away from them. Good luck. How do you say, 4th place?
double
December 8th, 2011
12:31 pm
I quit the Braves last season,they are mediocre at best.
too late
December 8th, 2011
1:21 pm
Of course, they will wait until all the good players are gone and go after the mediocre ones! Aweescome
bobbyc
December 8th, 2011
1:47 pm
NO i would call up Mr Cashman and offer this for Swisher Nunez and Gardner.
Prado
Marcus Lemon
J.J Hoover
Brandon Beachy
Braves get
Nunez
Swisher
Zoilo Almonte
Ronnie Robinson
December 10th, 2011
12:29 am
THE BRAVES ARE GOING TO BEIN LAST PLACE IF THEYDONT MAKE SOMEMOVES SOON.WE SS LF THAT CAN HIT THE BALL.NOT DIAZ AND NOT MAKE LOTS OF ERRORS.JJ ISPART OF THE PROBLEM NOT THE SOLUTION.GET RID OF WREN THEN GET SOMEONE THATCAN DO THEJOB.
bobbyc
December 10th, 2011
11:53 am
Give up on him playing at SS but what bout trading Prado along with some other prospects to the Angels for either Kendry Morales or Mark Trumbo for L.F and when Chipper finally calls it quits make one of them the future at 3rd. But I don’t see them giving up Trumbo but I wonder if they can give up on Morales.
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12:20 am
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