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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,933 comments Add your comment
Raah
December 20th, 2011
11:54 am
If Prado is still here, he’ll play every day either at short or third…Just sayin’
abwright
December 20th, 2011
11:55 am
Yikes on the Don pitching rant.
How many major league pitchers haven’t had injuries?
It was remarked that Glavine had made it through most of his career without injury (right before the career ending injury, which I think he sustained in New York, but aggravated in Atlanta).
I cannot think of any significant MLB player that hasn’t had at least one season shortened/compromised by injury.
JRW
December 20th, 2011
11:55 am
I didn’t think the Ivy League Schools gave paid scholarships. I thought them and the Military academies were the only ones who didn’t. I could be wrong.
Lollygagger
December 20th, 2011
11:55 am
Raah-
I’m with you in that J-Terd needs to play above high-A ball… but… he did tear the cover off the ball in the Arizona Fall League against some of the best pitching prospects in baseball. The 2012 season in minors is huge for him, to say the least.
Brava
December 20th, 2011
11:59 am
Raah, Prado does not play short.
MFin04
December 20th, 2011
12:00 pm
“Beltran = Costs too much & able to play too little”
False and false. He won’t cost that much (3/$30 million) and he played in 142 games last year, mostly as a RF. Move him to left field, have Prado give both Chipper and Beltran ample rest, and we’re good to go.
JaxFlaBravesFan
December 20th, 2011
12:00 pm
Hey! DOB,
What are the chances that the Braves are looking into bringing Mark DeRosa back, and if so, where would you see hin fitting in on the 2012 roster??
CrαZy
December 20th, 2011
12:01 pm
Versiroth…
Terdo has 39 minor league games at 3rd… and his F% is in the 800’s… he’s got a good bat, but right now he’s still a 1B maybe he can make the move over to 3B, but he’s done nothing to show that he’ll be able to do it yet!! I’m pulling for him and hopefully well get to see him work at 3B in Gwinnett this year.
raleighbravefan
December 20th, 2011
12:03 pm
Raah – Once again…for the umpteenth time…Prado is not a SS…Will not play SS…Cannot be expected to play SS except extreme “emergency” short term (as in …during a game emergency, until someone can be flown in). What’s so hard to understand about that?
Raah
December 20th, 2011
12:03 pm
“Prado does not play short.”
He could probably play it better than most of our options…
raleighbravefan
December 20th, 2011
12:05 pm
MF – $10M/yr probably is too much for our budget…unless we are able to trade JJ…and then, it uses up most or all of our reserve without signing a SS. He MAY be able to play enough to be worth while, but it’s a gamble. I stand by my statement.
raleighbravefan
December 20th, 2011
12:06 pm
Raah @12:03 – Based on what?
abwright
December 20th, 2011
12:07 pm
Beltran or Ross would give insurance for Prado or Heyward having a down season. They can play LF or RF.
All they cost is money (no draft picks or prospects).
Of course, Braves might have to over-pay, especially for Ross, if it looks to the FA like the Braves might put him in a back-up position if Heyward and Prado bounce back.
CrαZy
December 20th, 2011
12:07 pm
Raah…
Prado CAN NOT be a starting SS on a MLB team.
DOB
Can you please put on the top of the page….
******ATTENTION*******
Prado is not capable of being the starting SS
raleighbravefan
December 20th, 2011
12:08 pm
Raah @12:03 – That is why we need to go out and sign a SS. Wren has said that Prado will not be asked to play SS.
raleighbravefan
December 20th, 2011
12:10 pm
abwright – “All they cost is money” – Great, because the Braves have PLENTY of that to throw around.
MFin04
December 20th, 2011
12:11 pm
“$10M/yr probably is too much for our budget…unless we are able to trade JJ…and then, it uses up most or all of our reserve without signing a SS. He MAY be able to play enough to be worth while, but it’s a gamble.”
First of all, if a team that had an EPIC collapse last season can’t find a way to add $10 million to the payroll after clearing about $24 million off the books this off-season, then they don’t deserve to own and operate a franchise.
At some point you have to be willing to take calculated risks to try and win. Lance Berkman is a find example of that…and led to a World Series Ring.
Raah
December 20th, 2011
12:11 pm
You just made my point for me. Hicks is our only SS that has played in the bigs.
Henry Aaron's Ghost
December 20th, 2011
12:12 pm
A former bankrupt Texas Rangers team BIDS $50 million for a pitcher while the stinking penny pinching Braves sit on their collective butts and do NOTHING! Those teams mentioned for JJ in a trade are making trades for pitchers with other teams. That blockbluster trade of Prado to the Mariners for 2 class A minor leaguers to be named later will be their BIG DEAL of the off season.
CrαZy
December 20th, 2011
12:13 pm
raleighbravefan
I guess the 2 games played at SS in his career the 5 chances 2 put outs and the 1 error make people think he could be the starter!!
Brava
December 20th, 2011
12:13 pm
What MF said.
Bat Masterson
December 20th, 2011
12:15 pm
I guess the 2 games played at SS in his career the 5 chances 2 put outs and the 1 error make people think he could be the starter!!
Prado can play third and second, split the difference and you get a shortstop.
Brava
December 20th, 2011
12:18 pm
OK, I’m out to find some socks and underwear. Make sure y’all give Beltran a standing ovation once he’s signed with us.
BK Brave
December 20th, 2011
12:21 pm
Jon Morosi last night on Twitter:
“That’s how I try to look at off-season moves. Question isn’t whether they make you “better.” Question is whether they make you a champion.”
Ease
December 20th, 2011
12:22 pm
ajcbraves David O’Brien
54444444444444444444444444444444444444l,54.]
CrαZy
December 20th, 2011
12:22 pm
Prado can play third and second, split the difference and you get a shortstop.
Right same skill set at all three positions
…. Hell, lets move McCann to 1B and Freeman to 3B after Chipper retires 3B = 1B both corner INF positions same skill set 
that’ll make room for Bethancourt at C.
2013
1B McCann
2B Uggla
3B Freeman
SS Prado
C Bethancourt
P Heyward (he’s got a cannon and he can’t play a lick in RF so he should transition nicely to pitcher)
Bat Masterson
December 20th, 2011
12:26 pm
Thats the spirit, Crazy.
Hillbilly
December 20th, 2011
12:29 pm
he’s got a cannon and he can’t play a lick in RF…
Or he could just be a pirate.
VolBrave
December 20th, 2011
12:30 pm
DOB!
I look forward to the Top 50 every year. Such a thorough list. While I certainly don’t agree on all (which I think makes the list even better and more compelling, honestly), I very much enjoy your take. Like for instance, leaving out The Kooks- Junk of the Heart …ouch!
Thanks again for such an amazing blog this year! I read it everyday.
P.S. I’d keep an eye out for Wolf Gang…
CrαZy
December 20th, 2011
12:31 pm
Or he could just be a pirate.
A really big ass pirate!!!
Efrim
December 20th, 2011
12:36 pm
Hillbilly, not sure what happened to Snider. They seemed to have rushed the kid. He definitely needs a change of scenery and I could see Toronto trading him for a starter.
Efrim
December 20th, 2011
12:37 pm
If I’m Anthonopolous, I’d be after Garza or Gonzalez before turning my attention to Jurrjens.
Versiroth
December 20th, 2011
12:41 pm
“Beltran = Costs too much & able to play too little”
He played more than Prado last year.
Prado @ SS
December 20th, 2011
12:42 pm
Think we could use Prado to play short?
brian
December 20th, 2011
12:42 pm
what MF said at 12:04 – well said!
Versiroth
December 20th, 2011
12:42 pm
“If Prado is still here, he’ll play every day either at short or third…Just sayin’”
Uh.. Prado play SS? uh.. no.
Hillbilly
December 20th, 2011
12:44 pm
A really big ass pirate!!! -Crazy
Not to be all “grammar-police” on you, but there’s a hyphen that belongs in this sentence, and its location is extremely crucial.
Versiroth
December 20th, 2011
12:44 pm
CrαZy… I heard a while back that he’ll be playing third base exclusively this year. Which leads me to believe that they’re grooming him to take over for Chipper.
raleighbravefan
December 20th, 2011
12:46 pm
MF and Brava – Yeah, they cleared a lot…and we have to…
Replace those players & pay for contractual and arb pay increases. Doesn’t leave much. Depends on how you want to spend the meager remaining resouces. Even if we can squeek out enough to pay Beltran, he is a significan injury risk. I vote no, unless Liberty is increasing payroll significantly, which is unlikely.
MFin04
December 20th, 2011
12:46 pm
If everyone else is getting better and we are staying pat, aren’t the Braves essentially getting worse?
Look at the Phillies? They’ve made additions that clearly make their team better. Not to mention the Marlins will be better next year.
At some point you have to make your team better than last years team, and you can’t solely rely on the logic that everyone is going to be healthy and perform better. Yes, some may perform better, but some may decline. Got to look to drastically make your team better.
reason
December 20th, 2011
12:48 pm
I’m not real big on moving JJ or Prado, but the more I think about it I would prefer moving JJ and keeping Prado. 1) Trade from our surplus and strength (pitching). 2) Upgrading outfield and keeping Prado as super utility guy that plays 130 games somewhere would would be improvement.
Think about if Prado was Jones and Uggla backup – not same power, but not a huge dropoff and Getting alot of pt in left. Plus if you trade him for a right handed bat…maybe you get a better bat but still doesn’t balance the lineup. I beginning to think a right handed bat with a little more pop to split time in left with prado when in his not filling in for chipper (scheduled once a week) and uggla. Someone who could also play center and right. And get a solid back up for ss and we’ll be set.
Prado may just be too valueable to trade.
raleighbravefan
December 20th, 2011
12:48 pm
Prado had freak injuries and is much younger.
Beltran has really bad knees and is getting old.
Apples to oranges, people. (not to mention cost difference).
Fols
December 20th, 2011
12:49 pm
Now that I look back, on the purchases and the downloads……….I believe 2011 was the worst single year for music i’ve ever lived through. Thanks for the list D.O.B. always enjoy someone else’s thoughts. Not enough people out there take that much care into that many genres of tunes.
raleighbravefan
December 20th, 2011
12:49 pm
Many of us believe a healthy Braves team, with the additions ,will be better…and very competitive.
MFin04
December 20th, 2011
12:51 pm
If you’re logic is we only have $10 million to spend (and I think that is a fair number) what should we do with it?
Well I don’t think the best way to go is a platoon player in LF and a backup SS. You have to find some way to get an impact bat in LF and someone that can play a decent SS as a backup.
If the Braves only have $5 million left to spend, then lets close down the blog until Spring Training, because there is nothing left to discuss…the rotation and lineup is pretty much set.
Jimi James
December 20th, 2011
12:53 pm
Thanks DOB for the music up-dates..great list!
Puma
December 20th, 2011
12:54 pm
I agree that the more I think about trading Prado and what some of the returns we are talking about for him, it just doesn’t sound worth it…where are you going to find such a great team player who can play LF and 3B (not to mention 1B) very capably. Even with as bad a year he had last year, he still hit 260 which was better than a lot of other guys occupying our lineup.
As for JJ – would he be worth more now or closer to trade deadline (assuming decent numbers).
Lets just hold on to both I say, unless Wren gets a Latos-like prospect package for JJ.
flange1
December 20th, 2011
12:55 pm
I just can’t see how trading Prado for Seth Smith and Wheeler improves the 2012 Braves team.
Braves would have to find backups for 3B and 2B and then sign or trade for another player.
And that means that Matt Diaz will start every game started by a LH pitcher.
What am I missing here?
MFin04
December 20th, 2011
12:55 pm
“Prado had freak injuries and is much younger.
Beltran has really bad knees and is getting old.
Apples to oranges, people.”
Of course their stats last year, and over their careers are apples to oranges as well.
Career
Prado .293 .341 .434 .775
Beltran .283 .361 .496 .857
2010/2011
Prado 2010 .307 .350 .459 .809
Beltran 2011 .300 .385 .525 .910
CrαZy
December 20th, 2011
12:58 pm
I heard a while back that he’ll be playing third base exclusively this year. Which leads me to believe that they’re grooming him to take over for Chipper.
Yes I think that is the plan… all I’m saying is he is a LONG way from being a ML third baseman he has a bunch of improving to do if he wants’ to be Chippers replacement in 2013 that is if Chipper doesn’t play 2013.
CrαZy
December 20th, 2011
12:59 pm
Hillbilly
LOL
nique
December 20th, 2011
1:00 pm
Bon Iver’s my #1. M83 is way up there as well.
Lollygagger
December 20th, 2011
1:00 pm
Many of us believe a healthy Braves team, with the additions ,will be better…and very competitive.
I agree 100% with this… and let’s also not forget that there are no rules that state the Braves cannot make trades during spring training or during the 2012 season. But to some here it’s all about quantity, not quality. The team that makes the most offseason moves doesn’t always win the most games the next season. Sure, it would be encouraging to see Braves make a move soon, but I think this team could be very competitive as constructed- and then make a significant move in July or August to “put them over the top” as they say.
MFin04
December 20th, 2011
1:01 pm
What is the deal with overpaying Asian pitchers? Do teams not learn!?!
Zing
December 20th, 2011
1:01 pm
DOB (or Efrim, since you seem to be a good source for this info as well): What does Toronto have available to trade that might match up with the Braves’ needs?
Puma
December 20th, 2011
1:03 pm
And add to all of this, how awful was Uggs for the first half of the season…surely he cannot be that bad again.
TeheranTime
December 20th, 2011
1:03 pm
Dear Frank Wren: Make a move!
Efrim
December 20th, 2011
1:04 pm
Eric Thames, Travis Snider, two outfield prospects in Anthony Gose and Jake Marisnick, something like eleventy-billion pitching prospects.
Murph
December 20th, 2011
1:04 pm
2010: Heyward
2011: Freeman
2012: Pastornicky
2013: The Terd
2014: Simmons
2015: Bethancourt
Works for me.
Bat Masterson
December 20th, 2011
1:05 pm
Hillbilly
Maybe I missed it, but what happen with the squirrel showdown?
MFin04
December 20th, 2011
1:05 pm
“Then make a significant move in July or August to “put them over the top” as they say.”
I hate this logic. The season is like 60% over by that point in time. Why not identify your needs and address them early. That way you can benefit from that player for longer during the season, and therefore win more games.
Example…last year with McLouth/Schafer in CF was asburd. Both were beyond terrible…Braves end up getting Michael Bourn and everything is better for the Braves in the CF/lead-off department.
This year the Braves get the benefit of Bourn for a full season, which should help tremendously. Why not apply the same logic, and get a LF who can play 162 games for the Braves, not 62 games.
Zing
December 20th, 2011
1:06 pm
Pitching prospects… sounds like we might need to involve a third team as a trading partner.
Efrim
December 20th, 2011
1:08 pm
Works for me.
Something tells me those last four aren’t going to work out as well as the first two.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
December 20th, 2011
1:08 pm
MFin04, how many Asian pitchers have come over here and done terrible? Kawakami and …… who else? Dice-K had some nice years. I mean there hasn’t been that many Japanese SP come over anyways to my knowledge.
brian
December 20th, 2011
1:09 pm
if the Braves do not pull of a significant deal for someone like Adam Jones, this is what I would do:
I would keep Prado and Jurrjens, sign Cody Ross, and sign a back up SS. Let Ross and Constanza platoon in LF with Prado backing up 3B/2B/LF. Against tough lefties let that be Heyward’s day off and then have Ross and Prado at the corner OF. By mid-season, assuming that Jurrjens is pitching to form there is our trade chip assuming Hudson and Hanson are healthy.
brian
December 20th, 2011
1:09 pm
Ross/Constanza platoon could bat second behind Bourn. We would have to have big time rebound season by Heyward
Efrim
December 20th, 2011
1:11 pm
sounds like we might need to involve a third team as a trading partner.
Perhaps. They have another bat in Moises Sierra too. Deep in catching prospects as well, and also have a SS prospect in Adeiny Hechavarria. I could see them trading Adam Lind too, but he’s regressed the last two seasons. Not sure what would work with them, but they have a lot of talent. Three team trade could work, although it’s rare.
Murph
December 20th, 2011
1:12 pm
Something tells me those last four aren’t going to work out as well as the first two.
Maybe not in their rookie years, no, but I’d hope at least one of them is capable of besting Heyward’s sophomore numbers… if not, then we’re in big big trouble.
unbelievable
December 20th, 2011
1:12 pm
Ross and Constanza arent better than Prado, so why would you have him sitting?
Murph
December 20th, 2011
1:13 pm
Ross/Constanza platoon
I just blacked out for a second… did you say Ross/Constanza platoon?
Good lord, have we completely thrown in the towel on 2012 already?
Puma
December 20th, 2011
1:13 pm
Heyward, like last year, is key. If he starts hitting again, we are fine, if he sucks again, then we do need a bat.
BTW – some others have mentioned it, but nice blog DOB – I am sure it sucks when nothing happens and you know you have to “create” some material.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
December 20th, 2011
1:13 pm
Forgot Nomo … he was successful here. And there have been many more after I look closer. Never heard of more than half of them which is a sign they weren’t very good in the states.
Efrim
December 20th, 2011
1:14 pm
TroyRenck Troy Renck, Rockies
Rox also continue to talk w Mets about Niese. Would Seth/Hammel get it done? Unlikely but mets are listening on the LHP
This guy kinda keeps throwing out a bunch of scenarios where absolutely none of them involve prospects of any significance from the Rockies. Unfortunately, no one wants crap(Seth Smith and Jason Hammel) for their players of value. I suppose their front office has put out a list of 16 untouchable prospects, however their system isn’t really that good aside from Pomeranz and Arenado.
Zing
December 20th, 2011
1:15 pm
Interesting, isn’t it, that a 3-team trade is rare in baseball, when you see that sort of thing happen all the time in the NBA.
sad
December 20th, 2011
1:15 pm
nobody wants the braves to make an abundance of moves. We just want Wren to do something to make this team better. We were not good enough last year to win. What makes it different this year? We still dont have a team that can hit. We are going into the season with a bunch of hyped up young pitchers. Everyone keeps saying that we were so great last year. Well if we were then we would have won. Not fallen apart.
We had not one person hit over .300. The pitching wore down at the end of the season and exposed the hitters even more. Game after game we would score about 3 runs and hope the pitchers could hold them. If the other team scored more than that we usually lost.
The fans have been given nothing to be excited about. bottom line.
what makes this year different?
DS1
December 20th, 2011
1:15 pm
As some here have stated, it seems the Braves have cleared 24-25 million from their payroll this past off season with the loss of Lowe, McLouth, Kawakami, Gonzalez, Sherrill and Linebrink. I could be off a couple of million, but that would be close.
Increases to Uggla, Mac, Bourn, Prado, Jurrjens, O’Flaherty and some others probably will account for a 15-18 million increase.
So I see a 5-7 million war chest, with 10 million being the tops.
And we still don’t have a backup SS.
For those of you folks bemoaning the Braves lack of interest in improving the team, I would ask you to please realize that Frank Wren and the Braves do NOT work to fulfill your requirements.
So, let’s throw a mini temper tantrum and see if that helps.
You folks remind me of a 5 year old at K-Mart that’s mom won’t buy him a bag of M&M’s.
sad
December 20th, 2011
1:17 pm
and why would we trade Prado for Seth smith?
no logic behind this but money. Prado is more diverse and hits just as good.
RC
December 20th, 2011
1:17 pm
Here’s a schedule that can allow Prado to be a true “super-utility” man and give the Braves a chance to rest just about everybody.
Mondays: Left Field
Tuesdays: Third Base
Wednsdays: SS
Thursdays: Manage
Fridays: Pressbox announcer
Saturdays: Organ player
Sundays: Off-day….until the 7th inning stretch, where he will join the Atlanta Opera’s Timothy Miller for a stirring duet of “God Bless America”. After the game he will run the line for “Kids Run the Bases” day.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
December 20th, 2011
1:18 pm
Well you guys can just erase Beltran from your minds. Something that should be pretty obvious considering they’d have to move a guy or two just to make room in their budget for him. Plus we’ve fallen on our faces two years in a row due to late season key injuries and Beltran in one big injury risk.
Efrim
December 20th, 2011
1:19 pm
Ken_Rosenthal Ken Rosenthal
For luxury tax, Rollins deal with #Phillies will count as $9.5M per, not $11M. His actual guarantee with player option is $38M/4 yrs. #MLB
This seems wrong to me, as it’s not a guarantee that Rollins exercises the player option. If it was a buyout, then I get it, but a player option isn’t a lock to be picked up. Should still be viewed as 11 million by MLB, imo.
sad
December 20th, 2011
1:20 pm
yep. we know.
These players dont care about the team. All they care about is their own salary increases. And yes we know that management doesnt do anything to appease the fans. its all about money. Working within a budget. The game has become ridiculous. What has our money system come to when a team can offer 250 million for one player?
it just shows that the value of the dollar is worthless.
MFin04
December 20th, 2011
1:21 pm
“For those of you folks bemoaning the Braves lack of interest in improving the team, I would ask you to please realize that Frank Wren and the Braves do NOT work to fulfill your requirements.”
Disagree. Fans actually drive an organization. Without fans there is no baseball team. People stop showing up, they lose revenue, the team goes under. So yes management does work for the fans. And after last years EPIC collapse, they might want to consider buying back a little bit of the fans loyalty by spending some money ($2-3 million extra) to make this team a playoff contender.
And if the team does make the playoffs and wins a series the team is probably going to make back that $2-3 million anyways.
I’m not asking the Braves to be the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, or Rangers (who are spending $50 million to TALK to a pitcher), but I am asking the Braves to stop being so dang cheap and actually look to improve their ball club from DAY 1 of the season.
Efrim
December 20th, 2011
1:21 pm
and why would we trade Prado for Seth smith?
Because needing a CF prospect that has a chance to start in April of 2013 is imperative to Wren………
what?
Murph
December 20th, 2011
1:21 pm
Saturdays: Organ player
Have you heard Prado play?
He’s awful. At least Seth Smith is an accomplished accordion player.
Lollygagger
December 20th, 2011
1:22 pm
Aw c’mon now ChattTown, we do not use logic around here. Take that somewhere else.
Bernie
December 20th, 2011
1:22 pm
Same old thing next year Braves fans with no offensive fire power. It hurts to see the organization to just sit pat and do nothing.
RC
December 20th, 2011
1:23 pm
Murph,
His “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in the Spring Training commercial from last year was pretty good….
TennesseePaul
December 20th, 2011
1:23 pm
Thanks for the work DOB.
But… 22. F***ed Up “David O’Brien Comes to Life” Couldn’t be more of a corporate plug if I’ve seen one.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
December 20th, 2011
1:24 pm
DS1, they either don’t understand, or they refuse to face reality. Time to face it fans because as you can see plain as day with lack of movement on Wren’s part, it seems clear he’s trying to move some parts to afford even a Ross and backup IF. It is taking forever because the guy(s) he’s trying to move are either of llittle appeal due to injury risk, or he values them more than teams he’s talked to. I’d say it’s a mixture of both.
But oh I could be so wrong. Really, not a one of us has even a clue what’s going on behind the scenes.
Patrick
December 20th, 2011
1:26 pm
I just can’t see how trading Prado for Seth Smith and Wheeler improves the 2012 Braves team.
Braves would have to find backups for 3B and 2B and then sign or trade for another player.
And that means that Matt Diaz will start every game started by a LH pitcher.
What am I missing here?
Flange1:
You are correct IMO, a trade like that makes no sense when you think of it in the context of: “Does this make our 2012 braves team better?” The answer is a resounding-NO!
What it does do is this:
1. Let’s everyone know (mlb teams/trade partners/GM’s and the fans) that you’re cheap because you don’t want to pay Prado and would rather have a platoon. AND if they did get Wheeler in the trade, it means that they have ZERO intention in paying to extend Bourn-a PROVEN MLB Centerfielder, .300 hitter and gold glover. He alone covers 2 needs that the braves have seemingly been desperatly searching for since 1. Furcal and 2. Andruw left (and they both left because the braves were too cheap to re-sign their homegrown talent-though to the braves credit, letting andruw go was the right move) and that’s a Leadoff hitter and Gold glove CF. So, after years and years of searching, you FINALLY get the perfect fit that covers 2 huge needs of your and you decide to let him go because you’re cheap-there is no other way to put it.
2. Seth Smith if left handed-that’s seriously the last thing this team needs is another left handed hitter. Since they SUCKED at hitting LHP last season and smith’s numbers show that he doesn’t hit lefties well, which brings us to….
3. Smith will cause the need for a platoon in LF with Diaz. I believe that platoon’s are a bad play that usually has more negative results for a team than positive. And I love Matt but he didn’t hit well at all after the braves got him back.
So a trade for Seth Smith and whomever else comes with him, says to me, that the braves care more about money then they do about winning.
That’s a damn shame for the thousands of braves fans that have to suffer because of the owner, or ceo’s or gm are too cheap to put a serious contender on the field.
Now, one can argue that braves fans in atlanta are spoiled and do not show up to go to games…but I really do believe-if at some point in the future-if the Braves were to make a big splash and sign a high profile player, like a Pujols or Arod, that that would bring more fans to the park immediately and if they start winning, making the playoffs and getting past the 1st round, that the fans would keep coming.
But I seriously doubt that we’ll ever find that out…
4. You lose your backup for Chipper
DS1
December 20th, 2011
1:27 pm
Here are your improvements for 2012:
Jason Heyward (recovers from nagging injuries to hit closer to his 2010 numbers)
Dan Uggla (starts hitting before June)
Brian McCann (avoids the oblique that limited him down the stretch)
Martin Prado (no staph infection, and a return to his career norms.)
Michael Bourn (hits like the 2011 Astro player and not the 2011 Brave)
Jair Jurrjens (stays healthy most of the year)
Tommy Hanson (ditto)
Minor/Beachy/Teheran/Delgado (some improvement overall for these 4 arms)
Kris Medlen (return to his pre-injury form)
Now the decreases:
Chipper Jones (probably plays a bit less effectively than in 2011)
SS (a bit of a drop in defense at this slot)
O’Ventrell (no way can they perform to that level 2 years in a row)
Minor/Beachy/Teheran/Delgado (some disappointment in 1-2 of these pitchers)
OK folks, that’s your improvement over last year.
Bill
December 20th, 2011
1:27 pm
The Braves limited funds. That is all that needed to be said.My Christmas wish is for a new owner.
nels0wn
December 20th, 2011
1:27 pm
immensely boring top 50. reads like a list from paste magazine. much like the braves lack a left fielder, your list is void of anything from the fringe that could separate it from the pack of snooze-worthy year end lists. props on giving it a try.
chuck
December 20th, 2011
1:29 pm
Jessica Lea Mayfield….pet project of Dan Auerbach (Black Keys)….
Check it out. It’ll replace somebody on your top 50….
MFin04
December 20th, 2011
1:30 pm
“So, after years and years of searching, you FINALLY get the perfect fit that covers 2 huge needs of your and you decide to let him go because you’re cheap-there is no other way to put it.”
Yeh, the finally getting Michael Bourn and letting him go better not happen. At least he adds some excitement to this team that has consistently been one of the slowest and worst base running teams in MLB.
DS1
December 20th, 2011
1:31 pm
MFin04
You disagreeing with me is kinda like a badge of honor. I feel special now.
And you are wrong. They do NOT cater to the needs of you impatient bloggers. But you are right (in an accidental sort of way) that they do work for us. They just don’t care that we are impatient.
MFin04
December 20th, 2011
1:32 pm
DS1 – Those speculations are well and good, add to that another bat and a backup SS and we are good to go. But relying on just those assumptions which could be correct or WAY OFF…is way too risky.
RC
December 20th, 2011
1:32 pm
DS1,
I like your list of improvements, but I don’t think I’d count on the Bourn or necessarily Jurrjens improvements. Bourn’s 2011 Braves version was much closer to career norms than his 2011 Houston version. And as for JJ, it’s great to say he avoids injury, but considering that he’s been hurt 2 of the past 3 years I’m not sure there is evidence to suggest he will stay healthy.
Efrim
December 20th, 2011
1:33 pm
Roy Oswalt now only looking for a one year deal, according to Jerry Crasnick.
tmc
December 20th, 2011
1:34 pm
“They’re still trying to find help in both areas, but the Braves’ limited funds,”
WHY?
They are a top 5 market spending like a mid-level market.
Why not start asking and digging for why they think they have limited funds!
p.s. don’t trade Prado!