Braves non-tender Moylan and Conrad (updated)
Relief pitcher Peter Moylan and infielder Brooks Conrad became non-tendered free agents after not being offered contracts by the Braves, a move that doesn’t preclude returning to the team.
General manager Frank Wren said at last week’s Winter Meetings that the Braves could non-tender Moylan and re-sign him as a free agent later this winter if he continued to progress in recovery from late-September shoulder surgery.
“I was expecting the move,” Moylan said Tuesday. “Hoping we can work out something to stay a Brave.”
Moylan is scheduled to begin throwing in January and said his goal was to be ready to pitch at the beginning of the season.
The Braves offered contracts to all of their other remaining arbitration-eligible players — center fielder Michael Bourn, left fielder Martin Prado, starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens and reliever Eric O’Flaherty.
Major league teams had a midnight deadline to tender contracts to unsigned players who were under team control. Non-tendered players became free agents.
Moylan, 33, had arthroscopic surgery for rotator-cuff and labrum tears, and the Braves are unsure when he’ll be ready to pitch. Typical recovery for the surgery is about six months, which would be right at the beginning of the season.
The Aussie sidearmer made $2 million in 2011 and was limited to 13 appearances, missing most of the season while recovering from May back surgery followed by the shoulder issue that flared up just three weeks after he returned from the disabled list.
Moylan pitched in 80 or more games in three of the previous four seasons for the Braves, coming back strong in 2009 after missing most of ’08 recovering from ligament-transplant elbow surgery, aka “Tommy John” surgery.
If he’d been tendered a contract, he might have commanded a salary of around $2 million again in his third year of arbitration eligibility. In that scenario, the maximum amount that his salary could have been cut would be 20 percent, to $1.6 million.
The Braves did not want to make that level of commitment without being more certain of his recovery.
Conrad was an unusual case of a player non-tendered despite being short of arbitration eligibility. The utility infielder and pinch-hitter made $427,500 in 2011 and could have been brought back at the major league minimum salary, which is $480,000 for 2012.
The Braves didn’t see Conrad as a good fit any longer, primarily because they needed someone in his utility role who could play well at shortstop. That’s not a strong position for Conrad.
Conrad hit .223 with a .325 on-base percentage, nine extra-base hits (four homers) and 13 RBIs in 103 at-bats in 2011, down from 20 extra-base hits (eight homers) and 33 RBIs in 156 at-bats in 2010.
As a pinch-hitter, he was 13-for-62 (.210) with 29 strikeouts in 2011. He had the most pinch-hit appearances among the Braves, whose pinch-hitters were 15th in the NL in average (.175) and 16th (last) in OBP (.239).
The Braves told Conrad to explore the free-agent market, and that they’d be open to discussing a minor-league contract later if he’s interested.
Bourn made $4.4 million in 2011 and is projected to make about $7 million in 2012, his third arbitration-eligible year. The three-time National League stolen base leader can become a free agent after the season.
Wren has said the Braves are interested in discussing an extension for Bourn, who hit .278 with 22 steals in 53 games after coming from Houston in a July 31 trade. Bourn, a 2009 All-Star and client of agent Scott Boras, hit a combined .291 with 61 steals and a .349 OBP.
The Braves know that Boras typically takes his players to free agency, unless a team makes an overwhelming contract-extension offer or a client is adamant about staying put. The Braves have sought a young center fielder in trade discussions this winter, in case Bourn isn’t retained beyond 2012.
Prado and Jurrjens have had trade rumors swirl around them for two months. The Braves insist they don’t need to move either for payroll reasons and would only make a deal if it improved the team.
After making $3.1 million in a 2011 season interrupted by a lower-leg staph infection, Prado might command about $4.5 million in his second year of arbitration.
Jurrjens was a 2011 All-Star, then was sidelined in September for the second year in a row by a right-knee injury. He made $3.25 million in his first season of arbitration eligibility and could see a raise to about $5 million for 2012.
Left-hander O’Flaherty is part of a formidable bullpen trio with closer Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters. He could get a substantial raise in his second year of arbitration, from $895,000 last season to perhaps $2.5 million.
Because Moylan was non-tendered, the Braves — or any team — could negotiate a new salary with him as a free agent. At the November general managers meetings in Milwaukee, Wren spoke with Moylan’s representative, Adam Katz, about the possibility of signing him later this winter after seeing how rehab goes.
Katz said Monday that he had recently been given a positive update from the doctor who did Moylan’s shoulder surgery, Braves orthopedist Xavier Duralde.
Moylan had a 3.24 ERA with 10 strikeouts and three walks in 8-1/3 innings in 2011. He had a bulging disc repaired May 17, his third back surgery in a decade.
He returned Sept. 3 and made six appearances before the shoulder forced him out again. Moylan was diagnosed with an incomplete tear of the rotator cuff in 2010, but had been able to manage the condition with cortisone injections.
Moylan was a workhorse before and after his previous major arm injury. He had elbow surgery one month into the 2008 season and missed the rest of the year, after posting a 1.80 ERA in 80 games as a 28-year-old rookie in 2007.
After returning to post a 2.84 ERA in a franchise-record 87 appearances in 2009, he finished the 2010 season with a 2.97 ERA in 85 appearances.
He’s been an improbable success story in the major leagues. He was out of American professional baseball for eight years and working as a pharmaceutical salesman at home in Australia, playing for a club team on weekends, when he was invited to pitch for his country in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
When he switched to a sidearm delivery in deference to a previous back injury, Moylan almost immediately gained 10 miles per hour on his fastball, drawing notice in Australia, then from scouts during the World Baseball Classic in 2006.
The Braves signed him to a minor-league contract that March, and he made his major league debut a month later.
The heavily-tattooed pitcher, with his gregarious personality and dry humor, has become one of the most popular Braves among teammates and fans.
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215 comments Add your comment
Skipper
December 12th, 2011
7:54 pm
First
Bill
December 12th, 2011
8:02 pm
Thanks DOB for new report.
AussieBrave
December 12th, 2011
8:02 pm
Would love to see Bourn remain a Brave. Love the speed at the top of the lineup. Also would like to see another good full-time bat in the outfield and let Prado split time with Chipper at 3B. In my opinion he’s a good player but really just a high-performing utility guy. We’ll see… As an aside, those that constantly bag out Chipper for playing as long as he can for money he is really owed from years of not taking what he was worth should let it go. He is a HoF whose bat is only a plus and rarely a negative (look at his lifetime stats) and his defence at 40 is still better than most. Enjoy what will probably be his last year. Also, how about giving Heyward a bit of support. He’s a young man who may well end up being a star. I’m disappointed to read how some almost seem to be hoping he does not do well just so they can say “I told you so”. Go Braves!
Bye Bye Petey
December 12th, 2011
8:04 pm
Moylan won’t be back.
The Braves are notoriously frugal at contract time and won’t be the high bidder for Moylan. Not saying they should be all in on the Moylan. Just saying if anyone thinks Moylan is lock to remain a Brave simply because he loves the uniform better think again!
AussieBrave
December 12th, 2011
8:04 pm
Oh, apologies, should have written something relative to the article! GO MOYLAN!!!!!! Good luck, mate!
Steve
December 12th, 2011
8:08 pm
Skipper, nobody cares if you are “first.” Grow up.
ray
December 12th, 2011
8:21 pm
thanks for the new blog, Dave.
Braves don’t need to chase Moylan. he’s injured much too often. he may be funny, but we need more than comedy.
As far as Bourn is concerned, it is highly unlikely he’ll stay with the Braves after 2012. trading for a Boras client is a bad gamble for a team that always has lack of payroll flexibility.
we only traded 4 guys for him so, compared to the Teixeira fiasco, it was a steal. let’s hope Clemens and Oberholzer don’t develop better than our supposed top 4 young pitching prospects that we refused to deal.
AussieBrave
December 12th, 2011
8:22 pm
I care Skipper! :0) Steve just has no Joie de vivre. Relax Stevo… it’s all in fun.
Nerdbucket Moylan
December 12th, 2011
8:33 pm
Bring me back!!!
Brave New World
December 12th, 2011
8:46 pm
AussieBrave December 12th, 2011 8:02 pm
AussieBrave: I agree with everything you said. I am no longer dissapointed in the negative comments of some on these Brave blogs – everyone is free to express their opinions, and to some, being negative is the way they express themselves. You used the negative comments directed at Heyward as your example, and I also think it’s way too early to bail on Jason. GO BRAVES!
benchwarmer
December 12th, 2011
8:50 pm
Moylan has been a stellar performer in the Braves pen. If he can still do it I would welcome him back.
David O'Brien
December 12th, 2011
9:01 pm
Alright, Wu-Tang just announced they are playing a show in my city (New Orleans) in January. Time for a crash course. DOB album suggestions? — Randy S
The must-have classic is Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). That is seriously strong hip-hop, better by a good measure over anything out today.
David O'Brien
December 12th, 2011
9:02 pm
Beltran is not playing center field anymore. Not with his knees. — cabravesfan
Agreed. Those who watched him in the S.F. outfield after the trade said it was painful to witness.
Bill
December 12th, 2011
9:08 pm
Furcal resigned with Cards
Aramis to Brewers for 3 yrs 37 million
Braves have increased interest in JJ from NYY, Rangers, Rockies, Reds, Cubs, and Red Sox plus Fish. The longer Wren waits the higher the price gets. Also the Blue Jays have a pelthora of outfielders which could be targets. MLB.
Still couple teams interested in Prado.
Maybe Wren will pull off a super deal…. I hope.
Mark (another one)
December 12th, 2011
9:12 pm
Some people complain because the Braves won’t pay the price of their favorite free agent or make an unreasonable trade. When they believe its the right deal for the Braves, the Braves management has shown they will pay a high price. For proof, see what they paid for KK. The Braves had to out bid other teams for KK’s services, and they projected him as a rotation regular. GM decisions are not always easy.
Rick
December 12th, 2011
9:24 pm
Dave…. Rangers are looking for pitching after losing CJ Wilson…Braves need a corner outfielder..What about Jari for Nelson Cruz.. Both guys spent alot of time on DL in 2011
reagan
December 12th, 2011
9:25 pm
Steve….your 8:08 post may be the best post I’ve seen in a long time!!!!!!!!!
Craig
December 12th, 2011
9:32 pm
Nice story but if the Braves fans loved him so much why was there no Moylan shirts in the Braves shop at Turner Field this year?
This Aussie fan was desparate for an authentic Moylan shirt when I visited this year!
Michael
December 12th, 2011
9:38 pm
Good luck, Moylan. Thanks for all your HARD work which put you in this situation. I wish you are rewarded with a larger contract. Even if it is not from Braves, I will still be happy for you!
Chop Chop
December 12th, 2011
9:43 pm
We don’t need Moylan. I don’t see why he would be back.
Bill
December 12th, 2011
9:44 pm
Moylan made over 2 million last year for 11 innings. Thats might good pay. I like Moylan but Braves don’t need anymore if’s in my opinion.
DOB does Braves have insurance to cover players hurt like Moylan was last year?
AussieBrave
December 12th, 2011
9:45 pm
Uh-hum – had a ‘glitch’ and lost my post. I was waxing lyrical about how every time I read about our unbelievably deep pitching staff I get nervous. Is it just me? Hanson: Young but a wonky delivery and maybe prone to injury year after year. Jurrjens: (See “Hanson”, sans the wonky delivery bit). And then there’s Hudson… great pitcher, but not really a superstud and really in the twilight. Then all the youngters… Well, that’s just it, they’re youngsters; unproven talent just as likely to disappoint as, let’s say, the blog’s beat-up boy Heyward (who, by the way, I still believe deserves a fair crack at it this year). I’d like to see a big move like anyone else, but maybe we should hang on to our future… proven or otherwise it’s there if we need it. Just a thought… but then, whadda I know?
phil
December 12th, 2011
9:59 pm
Please.
No more Moylan…
And fire FG!
phil
December 12th, 2011
10:00 pm
24th…
David O'Brien
December 12th, 2011
10:12 pm
Dave…. Rangers are looking for pitching after losing CJ Wilson…Braves need a corner outfielder..What about Jari for Nelson Cruz.. Both guys spent alot of time on DL in 2011 — Rick
You watched Nelson Cruz in the postseason and still believe the Rangers would trade him?
Rick
December 12th, 2011
10:29 pm
Dave, I live in Dallas and know that Nelson runs hot and cold. Compare the stats in each round of the 2011 playoffs. The Ranger will score 10 runs a game with him or without him. They need pitching. Coby Lewis,Matt Harrisson,Holland and Feliz as a starter scares the local brass
wayn-o
December 12th, 2011
10:53 pm
Hey Fredi, notice how 80+ appearances tends to breakdown a pitcher. *cough* O’flaherty, Venters & Kimbrel.
Rafael
December 12th, 2011
11:13 pm
“The Braves have sought a young center fielder in trade discussions this winter.”
The profound previous statement TRANSLATES into Michael Bourn is HISTORY in the ATL!!!!
With Liberty CHEAPIA as our owners, Frank Wren CANNOT even play “Money Ball.” Wren has to resort to “PENNY Ball.”
It’s ashame that John Schuerholz’ legacy will be FOREVER tainted and remembered for “THE LETTER” he sent to the fans after the playoff COLLASPE!!!!!! You know, the words like “working hard to explore every avenue to IMPROVE the team.” BALONEY!!!! BLATANT LIES!!!!! “Smoke and Mirrors, a Carnival Show, “Bait & Switch.”
With Liberty CHEAPIA, Mr. Wren cannot even sign “second-tier” free agents like Josh Willingham. No, we’re talking the likes of Cody Ross (.240 BA, 6 HRs… a clone of Matt Diaz (TWIN SONS OF DIFFERENT MOTHERS).
Instead of ending up with Eduardo Nunez as SS, Wren is soliciting the likes of washed-up STIFFS like Nick Punto and his 1 HR and NO UPSIDE!!!!
Yes, I’ve become BITTER and FRUSTRATED, but that’s what Liberty CHEAPIA and “PENNY BALL” has done to me.
NekiEcko
December 12th, 2011
11:24 pm
DOB,
You also have to remember that they might have to pay a hefty fee to talk to Yu Davish, and if they don’t have that money or get out-bid (Yankees, Red Sox and Angels), then JJ because the hot guy on the block.
David O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
12:34 am
NekiEcko: Yu Darvish could cost around $100 million in posting fee and contract, possibly more. That only works for large-payroll teams.
David O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
12:35 am
IF the Braves check Luke Scott’s medicals and are satisfied, and IF they don’t mind another LH bat, I could see that being a potential fit. When healthy, that’s a big bat, for sure.
David O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
1:08 am
Dave, I live in Dallas and know that Nelson runs hot and cold. …The Ranger will score 10 runs a game with him or without him. They need pitching. Coby Lewis,Matt Harrisson,Holland and Feliz as a starter scares the local brass — Rick
Not meaning to dismiss the trade speculation, Rick, but since you live in Dallas, perhaps you can link us to one single credible trade rumor about Cruz since the end of the season. In this day and age of rampant trade rumors about half the players in baseball, that shouldn’t be difficult if he’s actually available. Just one rumor from a credible source.
P B Orr
December 13th, 2011
1:45 am
Don’t want Moylan back – he’s too fat to stay healthy. Nice guy, not much of an athlete.
reckingball
December 13th, 2011
2:52 am
I like Moylan, I hope that the Braves can get him back.
J-Man
December 13th, 2011
4:02 am
What about the Cuban outfielder. Maybe we could be in on him. But the problem that gets overlooked on this team is the Bullpen, granted record setting numbers from O’Ventbrel but after that were now a little suspect. We need George Sherrill back, and maybe 2 more proven arms. I just don’t want to see our young relievers getting burned out again or getting arm problems. But f we score more runs maybe the Starters can pitch more innings.
WE WANT THE TRUTH!!!!!!!
Stinger2
December 13th, 2011
4:23 am
Those people who like to post “first” have never understood that only Mark Bradley recognizes them.
So why do they continue this nonsense on the other AJC blogs?
David O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
6:49 am
Moylan acknowledged on Twitter this morning that he’d be become a free agent (non-tendered, in other words).
The Real Brave
December 13th, 2011
6:54 am
Love all that activity at the winter meetins we were promised.
Ray
December 13th, 2011
7:38 am
DOB, many of the fans on here demanding trades and making suggestions for players like Cruz seem to forget it takes two to make a trade. My nephew lives near Dallas and apparently the Rangers have made it clear Cruz or any of their core players are not going anywhere unless someone just went over the top and over pay in a trade.
War Eagle
December 13th, 2011
7:50 am
Why would you want to sign a 33 year old, injury prone (severe side arm action), non-effective reliever, who has not played or not played well over the last two seasons. He has come in many times and blown leads, yes he has done his job many times prior to that but that was more than 3 years ago. Let him go, he is washed up. No more signing old, worn out, has beens at any position!
now what
December 13th, 2011
7:52 am
smart move to not offer him because of his medical but the braves sure do need someone to eat up some innings out of the bullpen.
Cecil34
December 13th, 2011
8:02 am
Let Moylan go on down the road – Braves have plenty of healthy pitchers to spend money on.
Moylan has entered that zone known as the “Mike Hampton zone”.
Big Irish Mike
December 13th, 2011
8:09 am
I would like to see Moylan stay if he could regain most of his past form. The Braves used him to much one of the reasons he went on the DL. Much like a RB in the NFL you use him too much you cut their years of playing time down ! More choices in the bullpen would prevent the closer from having a dead arm down the stretch. Just for laughs to the bloggers out there did you hear if the Braves are interested in the best pitcher in Japan, who wants to come to the states and pitch? Or have they learned a lesson.
Homo the Brave
December 13th, 2011
8:09 am
Ryan Theriot was non-tendered by the Cards. He might be a good pickup for SS.
Enrique Romo
December 13th, 2011
8:16 am
Its sad reading DOB’s blog about Fish,Moylan,etc. All while you see the mainstream stories are about Pujols,Reyes,H.Bell,C.J. Wilson,A.Ramirez,P.fielder you know actually good players not scrubs like the Braves covet.
Enrique Romo
December 13th, 2011
8:19 am
The Braves are the dollar store of the business world. They pick up Fish for $7 dollars and want to re-sign Moylan for $12 dollars. Very sad to know your team has 2 holes (LF & SS) and Braves only news is about sucky relievers.
Enrique Romo
December 13th, 2011
8:21 am
Braves thinking is Moylan is a great clubhouse guy. Doesn’t matter to them that he’s ineffective with a 3+ era. If Chipper likes him he stays on the team. If Chipper hates him (Escobar) he gets the boot !
Enrique Romo
December 13th, 2011
8:24 am
Where did Rick go ? He was supposed to provide Dave with trade info. on Nelson Cruz. That’s right, he’s the guy with 10,000 fake names that lives in a trailer in S.W. Georgia…
PapaDawg
December 13th, 2011
8:27 am
I was wondering if D. Wright of the Mets would be available for trade. We need a everyday player at third not a fan favorite at a fragile 40.
since 1966
December 13th, 2011
8:29 am
Tired of all the critical comments about Liberty, Wren and FG. They know what they are doing! It’s what they do every day and they have a lot of very gifted advisors. There was a time when bloggers like yourself knew more than “the establishment” (Turner, Tanner, etc) but that time is NOT now. Feel free to exercise your 1st amendment right but don’t get too worked up. YOU are a fan. THEY are professionals. The FANS demanded Kneikro and scoffed over the Sherholtz hire! I still have the AJC articles to prove it.
BravesFanSince1982
December 13th, 2011
8:48 am
If I were a betting man, I would say that the Braves will offer Ryan Theriot or Nick Punto (whiochever the Cards part with) a contract sometime in the next few days and close shop until Spring Training.
Prado will stay and play third when Chipper can’t go, with Constanza or Diaz moving to LF
Pastornicky will be given a chance in ST to earn the starting SS job. If he’s not ready, it will go to Theriot or Punto, with either Hicks or Drew Sutton as the backup
Jurrjens will stay as insurance for Huddy and Hanson, in case they are slow to recover from their injuries
Braves should be competetive, but the level of offensive firepower rests on Prado and Heyward hitting like they did in 2010, and Uggla picking up where he left off
However, the main key in success, in my opinion, will be with the starting rotation and its ability to go deep into games. If the starters can consistently go 6-7 innings, the solid bullpen will not be gassed by September 1st
Go Bravos!
J-Man
December 13th, 2011
8:53 am
@Since 1966 your just being a lazy fan. In case you don’t remember we choked a 10.5 game lead with a month to go. All season we didn’t score enough runs, our Bull-pen got burned out in September and we basically made no moves. I’m sorry but it just seems like the Braves are afraid or too cheap to make a move. And when I mean move I mean something more that a rule 5 draft pick that has been waived 3 times already. IMO the 1st move that should have been done in fact the move that shouldv’e been done the day after the season shouldv’e been to fire Fredi Gonzalez. Now getting rid of D. Lowe and Parrish was a step in the right directionmore should have been done. Now we have those 4 top prospects to go along with Hudson, Hanson, Beechy and Medlin. So Jurrjens is very much expendable also to go with his health problems over the last 3 seasons and with him being a Boras client it seems almost crazy to keep him when we have other needs at LF, SS and bullpen depth. But WE FANS KNOW NOTHING and Liberty Media knows more than all of us………….and you actually typed this. My question to you is what are you smoking?
Henry Aaron's Ghost
December 13th, 2011
8:55 am
Everything out of the Braves mouth is “young” or “youth”. Hello Oakland A’s east. Get use to it. Braves are going down fast. Old at the top and young at the bottom till Chipper and Hudson’s contracts come off then they will be a $50 million a year team like the old Florida team.
DHD
December 13th, 2011
8:56 am
Sign Luke Scott please.
Robert
December 13th, 2011
9:00 am
How about Ryan (the riot) Theriot for a one year gap at SS now that he’s been released by St. Louis?
He’s always been a hitter!
Dent
December 13th, 2011
9:04 am
Ryan Theriot will become a Brave. Solid backup and would come at a low price. Don’t think the Yankees would go after JJ because the Yanks have been burned in the past by signing ex-Brave pitchers. Seems the Bravos know when to get rid of a guy.
Bill
December 13th, 2011
9:07 am
Luke Scott’s #’s for 2011..9 hrs and 220 ab but not healthy.
Luke Scott’s #’s for 2010..27 hrs and 284 ba when ok health wise.
Luke had tore labrum in his right shoulder. He had surgery during off season..like DOB said he might fit for Braves if he pass physical. He is LH hitter. He made 6 million last year.
Bill
December 13th, 2011
9:10 am
I don’t care for Punto like it matters.
Rob
December 13th, 2011
9:10 am
Does it annoy anyone else to read DOB’s blog and then have to read all the stupid comments below? Maybe my comment will be reguarded as stupid for other people. Someone wants George Sherrill back? Why? So the Braves can have FOUR lefties in the bullpen. I doubt they go the Rule 5 route to get a lefty if they had any intentions of bringing Sherrill back. The Braves pen is full they don’t need a couple more arms. Check out the roster.. if Medlen goes into the bullpen he replaces Linebrink. Asencio probably takes the last spot if Moylan isn’t signed later. Hudson not a superstud pitcher? Check his career numbers compared to Halladay. If Schuerholz’ legacy was tainted, it was by the Texiera trade, and not a letter he sent to fans. Nelson Cruz isn’t being traded.. no way! Ryan Theriot is NOT a good player. Maybe people should try watching a guy play before they say he’s good we should get him. The Cardinals traded for Furcal to get Theriot out of the everyday lineup. Theriot hits like Alex Gonzalez, and is nowhere near the caliber defender that Gonzo is. David Wright is a free agent after next season if his option isn’t picked up and if he’s traded the club option is voided. Why would the Braves give up anything for a guy they don’t have a position for next year and becomes a free agent after that? Chipper isn’t riding the pine next year if healthy… and he wasn’t bad in 2011. Hopefully their are logical Braves fans that don’t waste their time posting on the blog, because save for a few people that consistently make good comments everyone on here needs to get a grip. If Brian McCann strains an oblique in the middle of next season again then I’ll be worried, but with Lowe being out of the rotation and Teheran, Delgado and Minor all having more big league experience next season the Braves can weather rotation injuries a little better and there will be no collapse at the end of the season. This was a top 5 team in baseball for 3/4 of the season last year. Some of you should remember that.
Bill
December 13th, 2011
9:12 am
torn labrum.sp
Enrique Romo
December 13th, 2011
9:16 am
Yep they know exactly how to finish 2nd in the division every year. Great leadership !
Enrique Romo
December 13th, 2011
9:18 am
Constanza is a minor leaguer & Diaz couldn’t stick with the lowly Pirates. That’s the kind of players the Braves love. Scrubs.
bvillebaron
December 13th, 2011
9:31 am
Enrique Romo:
Apparently a significant number of Braves fans also love career minor leagues given the number of posts I have seen which act like Constanza is the next great thing.
Heathcliff Slocum
December 13th, 2011
9:32 am
Comforting to hear the Braves at least are keeping open the option of bringing Moylan back. But at the same time, they are taking a chance with the non-tender. His work over the years with the Braves has not been lost on pitching hungry teams.
MJ
December 13th, 2011
9:32 am
Sorry to see Moylan go, but it is hard to justify spending money on an injured player, who may or may not return to form. If he is unclaimed and demonstrates that he can still pitch effectively, then picking him up again would be great. Prado is a solid infield “position” player, and a very good utility player. Hard to believe the Braves would not want to hang on to him. Bourn is an excellent player, who give the braves a dimension they are always fall short in, which is team speed. He is an excellent defensive player, and it would be great, after giving away Furcal and Andrus and getting nothing in return, if they signed him to a contract extension before the 2012 season starts and kept that speed in the line-up. It would be a shame to stock the Rangers with talent and get nothing in return (the Texeira trade), and then do the same for the Astros in trading for Bourn last year. If the Braves can sign Uggla, they sure as heck can sign Bourn to a long term deal. If they don’t get it done before the season starts, he will not be back in 2012. Wrenn already knows that. The Braves never negogiate with Boros, in part because his demands are so unrealistic, and in part because he gets inside his players head and really poisons the water. The other potential free agent names are nice to think about, but all have greater star power than Bourn, and all will want money money, which the Braves won’t do. A real owner, like an Arthur Blank, Mark Cuban, or even a Jerry Jones, would never let an asset to their team like Bourn leave, which is exactly what is going to happen with the Braves. I’ll trade Uggla and his contract in a minute to an American League team, as in the Lowe deal, and pay the salary diferential if need be. Use that cash to sign Bourn, who will be alot more valuable to the Braves than Uggla. Uggla is just another Dave Kingman, who played for the Cubbies years ago. Hits a lot of HR’s with no one on base, but always had a terrible batting average, and struck out like crazy. His defense is nothing to get excited about either. Prado is a much better 2nd baseman. Coe on Wrenn, do the right thing and lock Bourn up. You know he is the real deal, and fit in with the team after the trade was made last year. It’s time to “man up”.
ragnar danneskjold
December 13th, 2011
9:35 am
I am a Moylan fan, hope he does well wherever. As to the Bourn reality:
Name G SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS
McLouth 81 50 4 2 .344 .333 .377
Bourn 53 52 22 7 .321 .352 .373
Bill
December 13th, 2011
9:46 am
DOB, December 11 has come and gone.Any winds blowing about Liberty Media wanting to sell the Braves?
Mister Frisky
December 13th, 2011
9:49 am
Now that wanker Moylan can spend more time tweeting with Nickelback.
godoggo
December 13th, 2011
9:59 am
-
I like Moyl……he adds a dimension to the Team they havn’t had before in being an Aussie, and in attitude. He has a relaxed approach on the mound….not to compare, but remember when Avery would get on the mound ?…..he Sweated like a Catholic girl after she snuck in from a Rave Party : )
He’ll be a success wherever he lands….and then come back after he spends 3 years somewhere else and command 5 mil a year…..btw, i do love Avery and what he brought.
Plus, whose gonna be SSteve’s New “Manfriend” ? ? ? I’ll miss there banter in the morning with Wach’s gettin way to jealous…….haha
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Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ & Shrimp
December 13th, 2011
10:00 am
agree with Bravesfansince1982’s posts. we are fine. a few tweaks here and there.
what we really need is cheaper beer prices at the TED.
David O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
10:02 am
Brooks Conrad is somewhat of a rarity — a guy not tendered even before reaching arbitration eligibility.
But sometimes team might non-tender a player such as Conrad, who was out of minor-league options, in order to get them off 40-man without clearing waivers, then re-sign to minor league deal w/ ST invite.
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
10:03 am
The Braves are like a race car. They’ve got a great engine (Chipper,McCann,Uggla,Bourn,Freeman,Hudson,Teheran,Venters,Kimbrel) and nice paint job (Prado,Minor,Beachy,Heyward,O’Flaherty) but bad tires (LF & SS). Its a shame to have such a nice car (team) but not to complete it (LF & SS). Those tires by the way are (Quentin LF & J.Rollins SS).
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
10:04 am
That’s why this car (team) will not win the race (NL East).
MatthewH
December 13th, 2011
10:06 am
If you are on Twitter, you need to follow Moylan (@PeterMoylan). He does have a dry sense of humor. His comment from last night was simple-”Oh and I guess I’m a free agent. . ”
I’ll be a Braves fan first, but I will always root for him no matter where he goes.
Lemke's Knuckler
December 13th, 2011
10:26 am
The human body isn’t supposed to be able to do what Moylan does over and over. Poor guy, 3 back surgeries, elbow ligament replacement and now a shoulder surgery. He’s probably going to have to live with a lot of pain for the rest of his life. But you know what, he got his shot at being and ML pitcher and he wouldn’t have gotten that shot without that crazy delivery. We love you Pete and hope you come back and pitch a few more years before you retire. With that personality, I’m sure he’ll have plenty of opportunities when his pitching days are over.
Fols
December 13th, 2011
10:26 am
Agreed, his Twitter account has made him a favorite of mine.
DAMM THIS! We need his tattoo’s in the bullpen. This Atlanta team is too clean cut.
Bill
December 13th, 2011
10:28 am
Clean cut? lol
Banned Poster
December 13th, 2011
10:32 am
I love Pete and would hope he could resign with the Braves. However, I sadly believe this will end up like the whole Smoltz situation several years ago where we told him we would check on his health before making a decision and then the Red Sox outbid us and sign him. Buster Onley (Red Sox homer esquire) already tweeted Peter this morning with that exact hint. So good luck to Pete; hope he’s back in Atlanta, but I seriously have my doubts now.
Terry Dunlap
December 13th, 2011
10:34 am
Why wasn’t anything mentioned on the Brave’s web site, about Alex Gonzalez, signing with the Brewer’s on a one year deal???
Robert
December 13th, 2011
10:38 am
Rob I have watched Theriot play a lot for the Cubs! Your right he’s no comparison to Gonzalez defensively, but he is a hell of a lot better hitter! Plus he can also play second. Would be a good utility guy if the Braves would try and land a real SS, but we all know they are NOT gonna go get a H. Rameriz, or even a JJ Hardy to upgrade that position. They are hoping to keep it warm for a year or two for one of they’re cheaper “can’t miss” propects!
nelson
December 13th, 2011
10:46 am
moylan mister DL no more and conrad ” mister errors ” bye bye … see you later..
Hammond
December 13th, 2011
10:51 am
Hey Rafael why don’t you suit up grab a bat if you are such an expert and you want to fire everyone,
I doubt if you know which end of the bat to hold we have a team be proud of what you got you idiot
David O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
11:03 am
As pinch-hitter Conrad was 13-for-62 (.210) with 29 K in ‘11, the most pinch-hit appearances on the team. Braves pinch-hitters were 15th in NL in avg (.175) and 16th in OBP (.239).
Piedmont Blues
December 13th, 2011
11:06 am
Thanks for the blog, DOB.
I hope the Braves can work out a deal with Moylan. But if I recall, his fastball lost a lot of velocity in 2010 and 2011. He was in the 80s almost all the time. Maybe the shoulder was preventing him from throwing as hard as he had earlier, but the difference was noticeable. And because his control was erratic, the lower speeds made the strikes he threw more hittable. Perhaps a return to health will bring him back to being the old flamethowing sidearmer.
Braves20
December 13th, 2011
11:12 am
Why wasn’t anything mentioned on the Brave’s web site, about Alex Gonzalez, signing with the Brewer’s on a one year deal???
What? Didn’t you hear a great number of us shouting Hallelujah?
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
11:20 am
Moylan who gets paid to get a DOUBLE PLAY IN LATE INNINGS GETS A BLOG ?
Give the Turner Field stadium custodians a blog too DOB. Moylan’s like teets on a boar hog. Useless.
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
11:22 am
If I had a team Moylan nor Conrad would be good enough to be on it. Neither would Fish.
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
11:23 am
After Conrad single handedly cost us a shot at the World Series against the Giants he gets brought back last year. Braves management sucks !
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
11:25 am
Who is Kneikro ?
Brave New World
December 13th, 2011
11:29 am
Brooks Conrad seems like a great guy, and I wish him luck.
David O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
11:53 am
Actually, I’m told now that Conrad had a minor league option. He just didn’t fit Braves now because his spot needed to be able to play SS.
Stuart
December 13th, 2011
11:53 am
I hope both come back. Brooks has been huge in the clutch and Moylan has been really solid when healthy. He was our 7th inning guy at the beginning of last year. So, I hope we get both back.
hmmmmmmmm
December 13th, 2011
11:58 am
Dave, who pays for a player’s surgery and rehab? And if he was hurt playing for them does he get some compensation?
Ozzie
December 13th, 2011
11:59 am
Both guys were great in the club house but it is probably time to move on. To what is the question.
SS, LF and a backup RF who can play FT if Heyward face plants is a tall order when you have 3-5mm to spend after arb and other raises. They may also need one pen vet arm as well.
See Ya Fredi
December 13th, 2011
12:10 pm
The Braves didn’t see Conrad as a good fit any longer. We all know who really doesn’t fit. J-MAN the truth will set them free. But they can’t speak the truth. Fredi needs to go.
Sherrill
December 13th, 2011
12:12 pm
I won’t miss Moylan. Chipper needs to retire. Trade Jurgens and Prado while they still have some value.
The Barves
December 13th, 2011
12:14 pm
Hope we can sign them back. Great guys with fans, always cool and friendly. Moylan will be useful when healthy for the right price. I just hope someone doesn’t sign him out from under us.
and to TB, I hope you don’t become a GM. Really? Bringing in J-Roll now? with our budget? That’s how you sink a team. I like Quentin but the price is high and you can’t be certain who you are getting. And Conrad was not solely responsible for loosing in the playoffs. We keep some guys healthy, or our healthy guys hit (excluding McCann) and maybe we win. but it is ignorant to think that Brooks was the main reason the Giants beat us.
Dwayne
December 13th, 2011
12:16 pm
kniekro is the guy who threw the kanuckle ball.
Skipper, congrats on being first, everyone else is jealous
David O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
12:20 pm
Braves didn’t want Conrad at Triple-A on a major league contract. They could always re-sign him to minor league deal — if they want to and if he doesn’t get any big-league offers or doesn’t like another situation better.
Bubba
December 13th, 2011
12:28 pm
Atlanta sports are getting very BORING!! We can’t make any moves because we are cashed strapped.. are you kidding me.. We used to spend just under what the Yankees are spending for top talent!! We need to get this back… Liberty media!!! Please FREE US from your non-caring ways!! Tax Frauds!!
old timer
December 13th, 2011
12:29 pm
Absolutely gotta bring back Conrad. You just can’t replace a guy who strikes out half the time he pinch hits and can play all infield positions better than I can. I mean better than I can now, not better than when I played for the Bird Cage bar in Hayward, Calif. back in the ’70s.
Mitchell
December 13th, 2011
12:31 pm
Great. So the guy who didn’t give up a home run for all of 2009 is likely gone.
What more does one team need to win games?
We’ve only had Rafael Soriano, Mike Gonzalez, Billy Wagner, Saito, Medlen, Venters, O’Flaherty and now Kimbrel setting up or closing out games, not to mention Moylan, over the past four to five years and we’ve made the playoffs how many times?
Slim pickin’s, I know. It’s tough to win with names like that.
And if it wasn’t for that fing retard of a manager, who chose to leave in a defensive liability at second base in the 9th inning of Game 3 against the Giants, after stealing the momentum on one swing of the bat and possibly a win, Brooks Conrad would be better known for his game winning grand slam in May of 2010 that capped a seven run comeback.
Or any number of his post 7th inning home runs.
There’s a reason guys spend nine years in the minor leagues. Maybe he’ll have a chance to play somewhere but it’s safe to say he made the most of his one chance with the Braves, except for his much publicized defensive failures at the end of Bobby Cox’s final season.
At least he never lost a ground ball in the gd lights for f’s sake.
Steve
December 13th, 2011
12:39 pm
“the Braves, whose pinch-hitters were 15th in the NL in average (.175) and 16th (last) in OBP (.239).”
Are you kidding me? Pinch-hitters are typically in for one of two reasons .. to replace a pitcher, or for the left/right matchup. I don’t have time to look at the stats, but it seems to me we need to just let our starters stay in longer and nix this whole left/right matchup thing. Do the AL thing and leave your BEST players int he game longer.
Santa
December 13th, 2011
12:44 pm
I know what you Braves fans want for Christmas and I would fly to Atlanta and get rid of Frank Wren for you, but there is a shortage of reindeer and so I am stuck at the North Pole.
See Ya Fredi
December 13th, 2011
1:04 pm
Santa, take Fredi first~!!!
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
1:09 pm
Screw the tigh-waded budget. You need a shortstop to round out the team so go get a good one like Rollins. stop searching the dumpsters and pool halls for a shortstop !
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
1:12 pm
Simply trade Jurkoffjens & Prado for draft picks or minor league prospects and use their money saved to sign Jimmy Rollins. Being a GM is overrated.
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
1:14 pm
Okay i’ll do the math fer ya. Prado likely gets 4.5 million in 2012,Jurrjens likely gets $5 million in 2012. That’s $9.5 million combined. Trade the two for zero salary in return (prospects). Just sign Jimmy Rollins for $9.5 million. Boom !
bvillebaron
December 13th, 2011
1:29 pm
Taliban Blows:
The Braves rightfully have no interest in Rollins whose skills are in steady decline. By the way, are you one of the guys who continually criticize Wren for sigining Lowe and Kawakami to bad deals?
JIM BRADY
December 13th, 2011
1:34 pm
Enter your comments here
Occupy Frank Wren
December 13th, 2011
1:39 pm
I’m sure you’ve heard that Johnny Rocker admitted to roids? Apparently pressure to succeed made him do it (along with the fact that “everyone else” was too). Although when asked if roids made him a better pitcher, he said…
“No. Can I throw 3 or 4 mph harder because of it? Yes. Was my breaking ball better because of it? No. The reason was (for taking it) with my teammates and their confidence laying on my shoulders, with the coaching staff and their confidence on my shoulders, with the millions of Atlanta Braves fans, I am not going to step on that mound with that kind of responsibility with my gun half loaded. Knowing the people I am going to be facing, I know what they’re doing; I am not coming to the mound halfcocked.”
OklahomaBrave
December 13th, 2011
1:49 pm
Luke Scott was non tendered. Would be a good 4th outfielder and platoon partner with Diaz when chipper needs a rest. I know it’s not sexy but it is realistic. Also keppinger and theriot were also non tendered.
David O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
1:50 pm
The Braves told Conrad to explore the free-agent market, and that they’d be open to discussing a minor-league contract later if he’s interested.
Occupy Frank Wren
December 13th, 2011
1:56 pm
I’m thinking there won’t be much (or any) interest in Conrad. Unless you are around him all year and perhaps can appreciate any “intangibles” or “clubhouse” attributes he may have, his hitting of late and especially his fielding aren’t suggestive of anything worth exploring.
David O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
2:03 pm
DOB, December 11 has come and gone.Any winds blowing about Liberty Media wanting to sell the Braves? — Bill
So far, still haven’t heard anything at all about them putting team on market.
David O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
2:07 pm
Luke Scott’s #’s for 2011..9 hrs and 220 ab but not healthy.
Luke Scott’s #’s for 2010..27 hrs and 284 ba when ok health wise.
Luke had tore labrum in his right shoulder. He had surgery during off season..like DOB said he might fit for Braves if he pass physical. He is LH hitter. He made 6 million last year. — Bill
The more I talk to people, the more it seems Scott is viewed as a DH at this point.
bobbyc
December 13th, 2011
2:09 pm
Why aren’t the Braves making a deal for Hanley Ramirez, yea I know him and FG had problems so what so did Reggie and Billy Martin never got along and they won Championships so why not ask how much or have Wren off this
Miami gets
Jair Prado Hoover and Alteron Simmons
Braves get
Bonifacio,
Brett hayes
Hanley Rameriz
OklahomaBrave
December 13th, 2011
2:11 pm
What about Nelson cruz DOB? Haha
coach joe
December 13th, 2011
2:11 pm
Braun on PEDS… Is anyone clean in baseball …very disappointing…,
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
2:13 pm
They should take Braun’s MVP away and give it to Matt Kemp. Will Braun be suspended now ? MLB and drug use go hand-in-hand.
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
2:13 pm
Braves dumpster digging again…
Jeff Passan on Roger Cedeno : 72. Ronny Cedeno(notes), SS: Hasn’t figured out how to hit and may never, but his glove should keep him employed.
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
2:14 pm
If your gonna just have a glove and no bat at SS then go with Pastornicky. Jimmy Rollins can hit & field Mr. Wren.
OklahomaBrave
December 13th, 2011
2:14 pm
Why would we want to go ahead a put the marlins ahead of us with that trade? There’s no way hanleys coming to the atl and no way we’re giving up that much in our own division.
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
2:17 pm
Jimmy rollins is in decline but Cedeno is a better option ? Cedeno should be an insurance salesman. Baseball is about hitting and fielding not just one or the other. Players who can’t do both don’t belong in MLB.
OklahomaBrave
December 13th, 2011
2:18 pm
Taliban, I would love to have j roll for two maybe three years but it’s not gonna happen. P Nicky will be our ss next year.
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
2:19 pm
Huge MLB cover up. Every MLB player from 1992 to 2009 used steroids. The Shame-Game continues. Bug Selig should be fired.
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
2:20 pm
Braves might dig deeper in the dumpster and find Rafael Belliard in there…
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
2:21 pm
Braves owners on a everday Romin Noodles diet…
josh
December 13th, 2011
2:26 pm
Moylan will come back.
Frosty
December 13th, 2011
2:31 pm
So shortstop is not a strong position for Conrad. What is a good position for him?
Stinger2
December 13th, 2011
2:33 pm
I realize many Braves fans have said this over and over many times. So I will say it again. They need a quality power hitting LF who is not from the dumpster. It has been a problem for several years. Does anyone know why Wren will not address it?
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
2:34 pm
Bartender at Ruby Tuesday’s is a perfect position for Conrad…
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
2:36 pm
I think they have hard-ons for platooning Diaz like Bobby did with Diaz,Gerald Williams/Klesko and Lemke/Lockhart. See, Bobby still runs the Braves. That’s why they don’t get a LF.
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
2:38 pm
When they said Fredi was like Bobby they meant 1 World Series in 16 years. And I wanted a younger and different thinking manager not a Booby Cox clone.
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
2:42 pm
Conrad really has high expectations. He might be an occassional pinch hitter or a minor leaguer next year. Oh the joy !
hmmmmmmmm
December 13th, 2011
2:42 pm
DOB, I think that a Michael Young for JJ deal could benefit both clubs…..In theory Young can replace Chipper next year as well.
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
2:45 pm
Fan in bar : “So Brooks, I see you get paid $3 million a year to pinch hit 40 times per year ? Does the bench leave many splinters in your behind sitting so much” ?
Conrad : “Well I’m just glad to be here. Are you crazy ? I make $3 million doing basically nothing all year. I’m gonna ride this horse until it dies.”
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
2:47 pm
Braves could just let Tim Hudson pinch hit all year and save the $3 million…
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
2:50 pm
DOB, remember this blog you wrote ? “Winter Meetings could be busy for Braves”
Braves sign a Fish. Yeah, so busy !
Taliban Blows
December 13th, 2011
2:54 pm
Mark Bradley : “The Atlanta Braves: They went to the Winter Meetings and came home without making a trade. The only thing I can think is that some impostor must have gone in Frank Wren’s stead. Heat Index: Is the Tyler Pastornicky Era indeed upon us?”
At least Mark tells it like it really is.
The Barves
December 13th, 2011
3:04 pm
TB sucks, man. Bad troll, sir. Go Braves.
David O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
3:04 pm
Moylan said surgically repaired shoulder feels strong, no restrictions now except no throwing yet. Scheduled to begin throwing in January. Said his goal is be ready for start of season, which would be six months — the typical recovery for this particular arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
The Barves
December 13th, 2011
3:09 pm
Hope Moylan comes back strong. Love that guy.
DOB, right now you are sensing Punto over Keppinger? Neither one is stellar, but Kepp’s OPB looks pretty good. Punto is more of a free swinger if i remember right.
Percy Helton
December 13th, 2011
3:11 pm
I heard that Constanza batted only lefty because he has a knot on his hand and that he is normally a switch hitter. The talk was he would get it operated on now because he got some successful face time in Atlanta. Leaving aside the idea that the Braves might actually view a players’ health like that, does anyone know if Stanz had his operation?
BB FAN
December 13th, 2011
3:13 pm
The Braves still have not picked up a right handed outfielder who can hit lefties or a backup shortstop but there’s still plenty of time left. I like the reports of the Braves being interested in Nick Punto as the back up SS. I think he could be solid in limited playing time.
The OF situation could be simple by (yes, I’ll say it again) signing Andruw Jones to platoon in LF and be a backup in CF and RF. The guy kills lefties and plays adequate defense. He hasn’t signed for more than like $2 million a year the last 3 years so he would be affordable. However, I’ve seen reports that he wants to go back to the Yankees. But I would think it would interest him if Atlanta called.
The other OFers are too expensive and not worth it in my opinion. Carlos Beltran and Cody Ross are rumored to be looking for 3 years. Cuddyer and Willingham are likely to get the 3 years they seek. I think trading Prado might be a mistake unless the Rockies give up Smith and Wheeler. Even then, it’s questionable. He is so valuable at 3B when Chipper needs a rest (~40-50 games).
I wouldn’t mind trading Jurrjens even though he is one of my favorites (my son’s too). He is a Boras client and I really believe Boras hurts the game. I can see Jurrjens having a decent year next year and a great year in 2013 and then leaving for more money (I think he’s a free agent after 2013). Of course, the pitching would be a little thin if they trade him but it might worth the risk if they can get back some real value. Just hope Hudson and Hanson are healthy at the start of the year. Minor, Beachy, Delgado and Teheran look real good. And Medlen could fill in if needed as well.
Enus Stokesberry
December 13th, 2011
3:23 pm
ahh non-tender, i had one in the 2nd grade…i was a beast at duck hunt
Santa
December 13th, 2011
3:41 pm
See Ya Fredi: Okay—I’ll add Fredi to the list.
David O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
3:43 pm
Barves: Punto is far superior to Keppinger defensively, and Braves put lot of emphasis on that from their backup shortstop.
David O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
3:44 pm
DOB, remember this blog you wrote ? “Winter Meetings could be busy for Braves”
Braves sign a Fish. Yeah, so busy ! — Taliban Blows
Guess you don’t attach any meaning to the word “could.”
ole richie
December 13th, 2011
3:46 pm
if there is someone better than moylo, a better option then it doest hurt me. But the thing is their isn’t. Bottom line. we need someone who can eat some innings and take some weight off eof, venters and kimbrell. @DOB, still surprised the braves haven’t made a run at quienton? any thoughts
Ken Stallings
December 13th, 2011
3:54 pm
Conrad I fully understand. Despite his popularity, in truth he was a marginal PH and his defense is at time game-killing.
Moylan is another story. Unless the Braves have doubts he will recover (and that seems unfounded if such doubts are present), Moylan is an excellent middle-relief pitcher. Failing to resign him appears as just another cost-factored personnel move.
Has anyone received any indications where the Braves’ cost structure is at for next season? Is the money they saved on Lowe’s contract being ear market as pocket money for Liberty Media?
David O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
4:19 pm
Taliban Blows, I owe you an apology. I just went back and saw the long, long series string of comments you’ve made under various names. My bad. I thought you had just come on board for a day or two and bombarded us. You’ve been at it for a long time. Carry on.
Bill
December 13th, 2011
4:34 pm
The White Sox are discussing trade with Blue Jays for Carlos Quentin..the WS said they had to get a young hitter in return.
J-Man
December 13th, 2011
4:36 pm
If were gonna do retreads or dumpster diving, then trade for Omar Infante. We love him and he can play every position except pitcher and catcher, but maybe he can play those positions also.
Bama Mike
December 13th, 2011
4:39 pm
What! No Boots Conrad? Now that is the final straw.
Bama Mike
December 13th, 2011
4:43 pm
Next time Frank Wren goes on sports talk we should have 24 hours notice and place bets on the over/under of the number of times he says the word “if”. I won an office pool $25.00 by betting that Fredi would use the phrase “you know” no less than 30 time during an interview. Final talley 41. Make the best out of every situation I say.
Mark (another one)
December 13th, 2011
4:52 pm
Both moves are understandable. I hope Moylan fully recovers but paying him $2 million to recover is an awful lot to ask of any team. He was our fourth best reliever when he went down, and would still be fourth if he was healthy. The Braves would love to have a healthy Moylan for that role but they need someone to help carry the inning load and Moylan is not that option, yet.
I also love hearing people try to compare the Braves budget to the Yankees. The Yankee’s gross revenue was $105 million more than the Braves (Forbes). Either buy more tickets and jerseys or accept that the Yankees are a large market team and the Braves are in a mid-market like San Franciso, Houston and Philadelphia.
J-Man
December 13th, 2011
4:55 pm
We want the truth!!!!!!!!!!!!
J-Man
December 13th, 2011
4:59 pm
Wow D.O.B. they Wren should have told you he wasn’t gonna do anything. You could be fishing in Montana or chilling on a hammock in a Jamacian beach hotel. But the only fishing you got to do is reporting on a rule 5 draft pick. Remember thats 2 weeks you will never get back sigh
J-Man
December 13th, 2011
4:59 pm
Wow D.O.B. they (Wren) should have told you he wasn’t gonna do anything. You could be fishing in Montana or chilling on a hammock in a Jamacian beach hotel. But the only fishing you got to do is reporting on a rule 5 draft pick. Remember thats 2 weeks you will never get back sigh
Nova Scotia Steve
December 13th, 2011
5:07 pm
We are pinching pennies even more than usual this off-season.
NickB
December 13th, 2011
5:12 pm
I’m not surprised about either non-tender…. Moylan can’t stay healthy (and we have a cheaper /better option in Vizcaino) and Brooks has limited value due to his inability to backup SS. (something I think any teams backup middle infielder should be able to do, even in limited play)
Theriot or Keppinger are better options than Conrad and won’t cost much more than a couple mill at most.
Mister Frisky
December 13th, 2011
5:29 pm
Holy crap Conrad gets let go.What will we do without this 230 minor league hitter on our team?Don’t panic Brave fans got several more lousy hitters to fill the void.
Bo
December 13th, 2011
5:39 pm
If money in Braves budget, would be nice to see DeRosa back in Brave Uniform. He can play all infield positions and can still swing good bat. He could be a mentor to Tyler.
Mister Frisky
December 13th, 2011
5:42 pm
Can someone tell me why Conrad was brought back for 2011?
J-Man
December 13th, 2011
5:51 pm
@ Mister Frisky. It was a pity spot because the Braves didn’t want Conrads last MLB moment bbe him giving up all those errors in the divisional series.
N8
December 13th, 2011
6:41 pm
“Moylan acknowledged on Twitter this morning that he’d be become a free agent (non-tendered, in other words).”
Maybe Nickelback could sign him to run security for them.
benchwarmer
December 13th, 2011
7:11 pm
Omar Infante would be nice to have again as a Brave, but I do believe he is set to be a starting position player for a few years and deservedly so. SS is not his best position.
yogi1
December 13th, 2011
7:27 pm
I agree Frisky. Conrad is not even a triple A player. he may be a lower A ball sub. he has always been BUSH league at best
Mister Frisky
December 13th, 2011
7:41 pm
J-Man that’s what I thought.Wren didn’t want Conrad aka E-4 to go Donnie Moore on their watch.
J-Man
December 13th, 2011
7:47 pm
I just saw that the Rockies moved for Tyler Colvin and might try to use him in a trade to the Braves for Prado…….any truth to that rumor????
Mister Frisky
December 13th, 2011
7:58 pm
J-Man latest Rockies rumors is Beltran.
TeheranTime
December 13th, 2011
8:24 pm
YES! The Braves FINALLY did something. Now that non-tendered players are available, expect the Braves to be active. It’s sad. Sad.
Bill
December 13th, 2011
8:35 pm
Nothing sad if Braves can improve.
Art
December 13th, 2011
8:42 pm
Do the Braves really intend on handing the 21 year old Pastornicky the shortstop job.
The Lumber
December 13th, 2011
8:48 pm
Are the Dodgers a team that is looking at JJ or Prado? If so is Jerry Sands a player they would look to move? Bats R, LF,Power, Young and Cheap 24.
phil
December 13th, 2011
9:24 pm
Conman was dumped, finally, to make way for the return of Joe Mather!
Woohoo!
Next year will be many times less painful since it looks fairly clear we won’t have any kind of lead to blow.
phil
December 13th, 2011
9:25 pm
Fire FG!
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ & Shrimp
December 13th, 2011
9:53 pm
cheap beer.
J-Man
December 13th, 2011
10:13 pm
When people on this blog say “Have Faith” and talk about the fans that critize the team ans say that they are not real fans. Well to all of you fans I say that you are lazy and accept mediocrity. Infact even most of the writers in the area have “Drank the Kool-Aid” that Liberty Media has put out. They never call out and question “idiotic” moves. Wren is not a bad GM but when it comes to FA he is suspect at best. But you look at Liberty Media they always go with the cheapest solution and when they do spend money they play that player no matter what (ex. D.Lowe, McClouth, and Kawakami 1st 2 seasons). Look at the dumpster deals they have gone with Greg Norton, Joe Mather, Brooks Conrad, Troy Glaus (excluding May-June 10), Jesse Chavez, Melky Cabera, and Scott Proctor. And the “Blue Light Special” players that ate up payroll without contributing anything but playing them in spite of performance Derek Lowe, Kenshin Kawakami, Nate McClouth, Alex Gongalez, Uggla for the 1st half of the season and Derek Lee. But they kept running out those Payroll fatcats inspite of performance and not letting young talent have a chance. So this is exactly why the TRUE Brave fans are angry and QUESTION Liberty Media. Real fans need to complain more and to ask questions and not feel bad for doing so. Remember we choked up a 10.5 game lead with a month to go and NOTHING was done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE WANT THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
J-Man
December 13th, 2011
10:16 pm
When people on this blog say “Have Faith” and talk about the fans that critize the team and say that they are not real fans. Well to all of you fans I say that you are lazy and accept mediocrity. Infact even most of the writers in the area have “Drank the Kool-Aid” that Liberty Media has put out. They never call out and question “idiotic” moves. Wren is not a bad GM but when it comes to FA he is suspect at best. But you look at Liberty Media they always go with the cheapest solution and when they do spend money they play that player no matter what (ex. D.Lowe, McClouth, and Kawakami 1st 2 seasons). Look at the dumpster deals they have gone with Greg Norton, Joe Mather, Brooks Conrad, Troy Glaus (excluding May-June 10), Jesse Chavez, Melky Cabera, and Scott Proctor. And the “Blue Light Special” players that ate up payroll without contributing anything but playing them in spite of performance Derek Lowe, Kenshin Kawakami, Nate McClouth, Alex Gongalez, Uggla for the 1st half of the season and Derek Lee. But they kept running out those Payroll fatcats inspite of performance and not letting young talent have a chance. So this is exactly why the TRUE Brave fans are angry and QUESTION Liberty Media. Real fans need to complain more and to ask questions and not feel bad for doing so. Remember we choked up a 10.5 game lead with a month to go and NOTHING was done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE WANT THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
J-Man
December 13th, 2011
10:17 pm
Oh yeah I almost forgot,
WE WANT THE F’N TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When Do The Meetings Start?
December 13th, 2011
10:25 pm
Bubba
How can you say the Atlanta sports scene is boring? What about the one Super Bowl appearance by the Falcons since 1966, and don’t forget the Hawks getting ‘close’ to p[aying for an NBA Championship, and the Thrashers and Nordiques drawing those rabid crowds at the Omni and Phillips and the Braves actually closing the deal that one time. We are baically a very attractive and desirable Cleveland without the bad ass lake and the nasty weather. They have the Rock and Roll Hallof Fame but we have the Acquarium and the Olympic site. It’s close as to the professional sports futility but I’m giving it to us based upon Pittypat’s Porch.
Santa
December 13th, 2011
10:26 pm
Enter your comments here
AnOldViolin
December 13th, 2011
10:27 pm
Until we start to pay players for what they do, and not for what we’d like for them to do, we will travel this road year after year (or see baseball fall even lower) and we’ll see families staying at home, watching games on television because it’s too expensive to see a game at a stadium. I wish someone would stand up (someone with clout) and say what we’re all thinking. The “America’s Favorite Pasttime”, has become one of America’s worst nightmares….we can’t keep paying these salaries for men to play baseball, football or Basketball, while raising ticket prices so high that the majority of Americans can’t afford to attend a game……please ! Let’s stop this madness !
Tom
December 13th, 2011
10:28 pm
think back when the braves tried to sign furcal, after that fiasco i believe wren said he would never pursue a play represented by his agents. Moylan is represented by the same firm.
Tech 73
December 13th, 2011
10:30 pm
Actually is 46 years with 4!!!!! pro franchises and only 1 title in 46 years some kind of a record? Cleveland only had a WHA hockey team for a few years, so it’s not like 4 for nearly 46. We must be approaching some kind of a record. Fortunately Tech won that mythical football championship so I guess that can compare somewhat to Ohio State
J-Man
December 13th, 2011
10:32 pm
@ Tom I think that was Schulholtz that said he would never work with Furcal’s agency group
Lee Blanking Corso
December 13th, 2011
10:34 pm
Surely you are not going to compare Tech to Ohio State. That would be like comparing Georgia to LSU, Alabama or Florida. Wasn’t Lester Maddox still making chicken when Georgia last won a Championship?
Bernie
December 13th, 2011
10:42 pm
Moylan has been good for the Braves. Would be nice if he could get back and help the bull pen.
Don’t look for the hitting to improve because Mr. Wrenn is going to sit on his duffs and do nothing except hope the hitting improves. There is no way it is going to improve because the Braves signed now can’t hit. As far as Chipper goes he has been a Brave a long time but he should move on and retire because he is part of the problem because of not knowing whether he can play consistently this year.
Felix
December 13th, 2011
10:44 pm
Another day and no surprise—still zip from Braves management.
Here is the script for 2012: Spring training will be hailed as a huge success, but we fans will have the same concerns. Before long it will be April and we will be stuck with the same weak offense we saw all last year. Wren will still be telling us not to worry and repeat his BS about how great the team was for most of last year. Then May,June,July the Braves will whiff away at pitches, strike out, pop up, hit dribblers,blow bunt attempts, struggle to score and finally FW will trade (and overpay) for something we don’t need …and/or some washed up 38 year old one time power hitter. The Braves will fall further behind in the standings and finally they will bring in someone who can really help the offense- but sign him for only the rest of the season. It is all too little, too late, and too much like a movie we have seen many times before.
J-Man
December 13th, 2011
10:47 pm
Heres my guess (and this is just a guess) when Chipper Retires next year expect the to trade for David Wright………..Oh wait thats what a normal team would try to do well heres what will really happen we will sign another bargan basement platoon player
Felix
December 13th, 2011
10:47 pm
And that low down, double dealing, Furcal should never ever wear a braves uniform again.
J-Man
December 13th, 2011
10:51 pm
@ Felix how can you get upset with Furcal lying to Schulholtz in 2008. Didn’t he lie about his agen in the early 2000’s by 3adding 3 years to hi age.
1995 was 16 years ago
December 13th, 2011
11:02 pm
The Braves need to go get Jeff Keppinger. He’s got a quality stick (.281 career hitter, OPS right around league-average) and is the type of hitter who always battles at the plate. Even though he’s not a great OBP guy, he’s walked for his career more than he’s struck out, which tells you how hard he is to whiff. Wren said, correctly, that the Braves gave away too many at-bats last year. If he wants to remedy the problem, Keppinger would be a modest start.
Additionally, he would provide an insurance policy for Pastornicky and could slide to 3B when Chipper needs a day off.
Bravesfan54
December 13th, 2011
11:07 pm
David – start of season “which would be six months” – well, not exactly, isn’t April 1st the start of the season? – ok, so you are off by 2 and 1/2 months big deal. Well, maybe, when you are talking about the value of a free agent who is not going to be ready until six months later – June 1, not April 1.
Bravesfan54
December 13th, 2011
11:12 pm
I understand Brooks Conrad has his cheering section – “workin’ class hero” and all that – and, as a long-term Braves fan, I can remember virtually hundreds…but, sentiment aside, Brooks really doesn’t offer this team a doggone thing – and that is the hard truth of the matter, no matter his ‘grit’, ‘work ethic’,'likeability’ – yes, these “locker room/team chemistry” values matter – but, geesh, David – you gotta admit, the numbers are really pretty sad.
BravesfaninWis
December 13th, 2011
11:24 pm
About par for the course with the Braves. Collapsed miserably last Sept, told the fans that they would address that problem and fix it (they lied) did absolutely nothing at the Winter Meetings, and now are going to go rummaging through other teams junk (aka, the waiver wire) to get the players that they need.
So if these guys weren’t good enough for other teams, how exactly are they supposed to be the missing pieces to the puzzle that the Braves need? With cheap owners, non aggressive front office, and a lack of needing to compete, I am just about done with this team. I as a fan that spends a lot of money every year demands that the team that I support uses that money to field a competitive team. The Braves aren’t doing that, so to hell with them.
AussieBrave
December 13th, 2011
11:54 pm
Unaware of the unwritten rules of commenting on blogs, I will attempt to resist the urge to comment wantonly and limit myself to only the occasional – albeit enormously insightful and occasionally witty – words of wisdom to those that wish to read. I have to admit a bit of shame and fear at Dave’s implied reprimand! :0)
Bill
December 14th, 2011
12:01 am
Josh Willingham to Twins…
Cuddyer to Rockies ? will tell them in next day are two. They also talking to Beltran.
NYY also has interest in Beltran and if he signs with NY, Swisher will be on the market.
Rockies still interested in Prado..
SmyrnaBob
December 14th, 2011
12:14 am
HGH Testing will revamp all of MLB in 2012. Remember it is not those who get caught, but those who can no longer perform.
J-Man
December 14th, 2011
8:52 am
Good morning everyone.
We want the truth!!!!!!!!!
Tom(Independent)
December 14th, 2011
11:55 am
Since we need a back-up INF, perhaps the Braves should consider Jeff Keppinger(Free Agent now that SF decided not to resign). I believe he can play both 2nd and SS? He is a very solid hitter, around .280 type I think? Hometown boy from Parkview HS and UGA star, would attract local fans like McCann?
Charles
December 14th, 2011
3:14 pm
thanks for the report. DOB – since there doesn’t seem to be a decent stopgap bridge player at shortstop on the horizon can we have a real discussion of whether Pastornicky won’t be a year long Brooks Conrad bust in the field. While his bat has great potential, Pastornricky had 7 errors in 27 games in his short AAA Gwinnett stint and not much better fielding avg. in his prior minor league career (19 errors in 90 games during 2011 AA). By contrast, Alex Gonzalez committed 12 errors in 149 games. If we extrapolate Pastornicky’s AAA performance over 150 games we are looking at at 36 errors at the shortstop position, an increase of 24 from this year where close games were the rule rather than the exception! Does management really think he can play defense at a level that is demanded of a playoff team who finds itself in a lot of close games? It doesn’t really look like Tyler’s even close to being ready for a starting role at SS, which calls into question the strategy of not re-signing Gonzo to 2 yrs or another proven SS. Seems like wishful thinking to believe Tyler will be able to provide the level of defense that is required at that position, and, If the statistics are any guide, he will be a Brooks Conrad fielding disaster.
cowdogit
December 14th, 2011
4:26 pm
Predictions for 2012* Chipper will injury himself and spend most of season on the bench. The pitching staff will break down in august with some of the new arms facing major surgery. Leo could solve that problem! The same hitters will continue to strike out with runners on second and third. If Jason is luckly enough to hit that outside pitch he’ll roll it over hit into a double play.
Agents Free
December 14th, 2011
4:28 pm
Gonzalez bat committed 400 errors or outs…
Tom
December 14th, 2011
8:42 pm
@ J-Man the furcal fiasco happened wrens second year as GM. maybe they made nice, what do you say DOB?
Art
December 15th, 2011
8:38 am
You know it is going to be interesting with the hitters in 12. In 11 the Braves did not have a hitting coach that could help the players that were in a slump. This years coach will have a relationship and understand each hitter and can be able them as the season goes along. Yes 2012 will be better for the hitters.
Done
December 15th, 2011
6:25 pm
Lets not bring Frank Wren back!
monty
December 16th, 2011
4:23 pm
You stay with Prado unless some GM goes bonkers for him, he’ll bounce back and hit .300 with 15 HR’s and good situational hitting. In 2013 he moves to 3rd. Definitely trade JJ, maybe throw in a minor league pitcher, and get a promising AAA guy to fill LF or CF in 2013. Get a stop gap guy to platoon in LF this year when Prado subs for Chipper.
BBart
December 19th, 2011
11:05 am
Moylan had his arm ruined because he led the league in appearances under Cox. Remember Clontz?
Look at last year’s stats. What will management say in a few years when this is Venters, O’Flaherty, and Kimbrel?
The Braves have developed into a horrible organization. It starts with upper management, and works its way down…
David O'Brien
December 19th, 2011
11:25 am
Braves caravan stops (more specifics to come, including times, places, participants)
Friday, January 27 – Spartanburg, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina
Saturday, January 28 – Lilburn and Snellville, Georgia
Sunday, January 29 – Montgomery and Auburn, Alabama
Monday, January 30 –– Atlanta and McDonough, Georgia
Tuesday, January 31 – Macon, Georgia
Wednesday, February 1 – Augusta, Georgia and Columbia, South Carolina
Thursday, February 2 – Birmingham, Alabama
Friday, February 3 – Athens, Georgia
Saturday, February 4 – Nashville, Tennessee
Monday, February 6 – Rome and Cumming, Georgia
Tuesday, February 7 – Greenville, South Carolina
Wednesday, February 8 – Atlanta, Georgia
Thursday, February 9 – Knoxville and Chattanooga, Tennessee
DS1
December 20th, 2011
12:08 pm
Slow blog morning?
74bravesjersey
December 21st, 2011
9:03 am
Ok, mabey I’ve been down on our boys too much as well lately, I guess we can’t grabble so much about moves not being made for right reasons & just go on hope. Everybody & there families have a very merry christmas & a wonderful safe new year. Especially our #1 Braves beat writer DOB(still undefeated!).
ryan
December 24th, 2011
3:54 pm
So much for the Braves making any moves for SS or an OF Wren waited to long Phillie’s , Nats , Marlins all made improvements Braves are standing pat way to go Wren .