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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,933 comments Add your comment
DS1
December 20th, 2011
8:40 pm
Brava
While I’d never propose to take away your right to look like a worry wart, just stating that to constantly pound the same old drum over and over again (worrying about a Seth Smith trade) won’t make a bit of difference in the grand scheme of things.
Just sayin………
CTB
Thank goodness Brava has you to come to her rescue….
J-MAN
December 20th, 2011
8:42 pm
I’m gonna put this as simple as possible……… Liberty Media SUCKS!!!!!!!!!
DS1
December 20th, 2011
8:45 pm
……and if that deal ever does happen, which I highly doubt, it won’t be a straight up trade of Prado for Seth Smith.
DS1
December 20th, 2011
8:46 pm
JMAN
Actually, I made a few bucks off Liberty Media a couple of years ago in the market on some option trades.
But please feel free to complain about a company that is paying over 90 million in payroll for your favorite team.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
December 20th, 2011
8:46 pm
DS1, you’re basically just trying to calm the worry of fans. That’s right, no need to worry. Frustration and impatience by now is normal in my book. We have a good GM, so that’s where fans need to realize worrying is unnecessary.
Brava
December 20th, 2011
8:50 pm
Wayne, if what I write bothers you, don’t read it.
BTW, nothing anyone writes on this blog changes anything, but thanks for singling me out for your criticism.
Seth Smith sucks!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
December 20th, 2011
8:51 pm
“Liberty Media SUCKS”
Yes they do. Obviously could give a rats ass about that baseball team they own in ATL. What are ya gonna do though. Be glad Wren is a smart guy. Perfect type of GM to run a team that, say, has owners that don’t care.
Carnac the Magnicent
December 20th, 2011
8:54 pm
Prado and JJ will both be gone by mid-season next season. These late season chokers are in for an overhaul by 2013. Phillies, Nats and Marlins will all finish ahead of this present team. At least the Mets are still around. I have 0 confident in Freddie. Maybe he should consider a career change (bowling …perhaps). No problem there; he’s finish after this season with the Braves organization. Carry on ………….
tiger297
December 20th, 2011
9:01 pm
looking at numbers earlier today and the fans that should be bitc#ing are the cardinals…over 1M in annual attendance above the braves for the last 10 years or so and only $8M over in payroll (in 2011).
Guess they must sell a bunch of cheap seats
Someone needs to tell them to spend some more money so they can be competitive…
DS1
December 20th, 2011
9:06 pm
Enter your comments hereBrava
I logged on and one of the first posts I saw was your comment about Seth Smith’s arm. Not singling anybody out. Just commenting.
If you noticed, I also commented on J-MAN’s highly intellectual post about Liberty Media s…king.
What is it about a team working on a payroll budget that lowers the IQ of so many bloggers? The Braves are just an investment for LM. Nothing more, nothing less.
DS1
December 20th, 2011
9:07 pm
whassupp tiger?
tiger297
December 20th, 2011
9:13 pm
the Braves payroll?…maybe not
Trey
December 20th, 2011
9:15 pm
Still beating the same decaying dead horse, aren’t we, DS1?
DS1
December 20th, 2011
9:17 pm
Marlins: Added Reyes, Buehrle, and Bell. Subtracted Vazquez. Also tweeked the Hanley ego.
How many games will this be worth?
Phillies: Added Papelbon and Thome. Lesser adds of Willis, Nix and Wigginton. Subtracted Oswalt, Madsen, Lidge, Ibanez and Gload.
Probably a push. Maybe.
Nationals: Adds of Cameron and Tracy??? Subtracts Nix.
Really, have they done anything but get more experience for their young crew??
Braves: Added nothing yet. Subtracted Gonzo’s defense, and a lot of salary. (for other player increases)
While the Marlins have made 3 significant additions, I really don’t see that the Phillies or the Nationals have really improved much if any.
I like where we sit today. Primed and ready for a couple of roster tweeks to make this team better for next year. The biggest worry is SS defense and some pitching health. The biggest upside is how many of our guys had off years in 2011.
DS1
December 20th, 2011
9:18 pm
Trey
No mercy for the damned horse!!
Skeezix
December 20th, 2011
9:19 pm
The Davidson/Kansas game was great! Davidson is a really good, well coached team and maybe Kansas made the critical mistake of thinking all they had to do was show up. Davidson was really hot from the 3 point line which, for the mid-tier teams, often is the great equalizer that helps smaller programs slay the giants.
MENSA
December 20th, 2011
9:19 pm
It would be nice if all bloggers had to pass an IQ test before being allowed to post here.
Of course it would cut the number of peeps in half at least if say an average IQ of around 100 was required to pass.
Lew
December 20th, 2011
9:19 pm
Just saw a post from Bobby Dews – signed his 53rd annual MLB contract as a Major League Instructor for the Braves (38th with them). An amazing man. In his mid 70’s and still going strong – even after heart surgery a few years back.
Craig
December 20th, 2011
9:21 pm
With Casey Blake going to the Rockies does this set up a Seth Smith and Nolan Arenado deal for Prado.
Also if Brandon Hicks is not next years back up at SS/ 3rd baseman I dont know why he is on the 40 man roster
Brava
December 20th, 2011
9:23 pm
Nats, will have Strasburg in their rotation all season. Also, Harper will likely be up at the AS break, if he doesn’t make the team out of ST. They will be a better team.
Sam
December 20th, 2011
9:23 pm
Just sign Andruw Jones for crying out loud.
1-When Prado has to fill in for Chipper for 50 games, Jones can play left.
2-If Heyward slumps again, he can play right.
Brava
December 20th, 2011
9:26 pm
Sam, for whatever reason, DOB tells us the Braves aren’t interested in bringing Andruw back.
Trey
December 20th, 2011
9:26 pm
No mercy, at all.
If we keep beating the dead horses, there won’t be any left for the maggot infestation.
Brava
December 20th, 2011
9:27 pm
What are you talking about, Trey?
Trey
December 20th, 2011
9:27 pm
Okay, that was too much.
Trey
December 20th, 2011
9:28 pm
Brava, just the forum.
Farnsworthy
December 20th, 2011
9:30 pm
Well another month will soon past by and FW will still have not done squat to improve the Braves. That’s right; it is looking more and more like the team that completely collapsed in Sept. is what we will still be stuck with in April. They give us no hope for a brighter 2012. Right now, with their pathetic offense, I have the Braves finishing third or fourth in the NL East. As a long time fan I am disgusted with the Braves ownership/management. All they have done is write us a letter (which I trashed recently).
Merry Christmas Braves fans!
Brava
December 20th, 2011
9:30 pm
Most here are just bored to tears, Trey.
tiger297
December 20th, 2011
9:32 pm
if everybody is bored lets discuss honeymoon locale’s
or is a cruise a better choice?
mccann is fat and old and he sucks (not really but I want to get Mcfann on here)
Trey
December 20th, 2011
9:34 pm
Brava, it’s always boring during the off season.
cabravesfan
December 20th, 2011
9:37 pm
tiger-
St. John. Beautiful
tiger297
December 20th, 2011
9:40 pm
where is it?
Sam
December 20th, 2011
9:40 pm
If the past two years are any indication I am sure Andruw would hit 30+ homers if he played the full scedule.
McFann O O o
December 20th, 2011
9:42 pm
tiger297 …I want to get Mcfann on here
For heaven’s sake, why?…
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
December 20th, 2011
9:43 pm
I think Cody Ross could get a 3 year deal somewhere. His coming down to two years could be to make himself more appealing to the Braves.
DS1
December 20th, 2011
9:43 pm
Sam
But if he hit against all righties and lefties, he’d end up batting around .200.
He rakes against lefties, and sucks against righties.
Young Braves Fans Everywhere
December 20th, 2011
9:43 pm
Dear Santa: We have all been good boys and girls this past year. We have gone to bed on time and did what our mommies and daddies asked us to do. But we had a very sad time in September. So our wish is for a better offense next year. Please get us some more offense, Santa! Please!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
December 20th, 2011
9:44 pm
Ross could be a Brave by ends week is my guess.
Brava
December 20th, 2011
9:44 pm
God, they’re showing our meltdown on MLB Network.
MENSA
December 20th, 2011
9:45 pm
If the past two years are any indication I am sure Andruw would hit 30+ homers if he played the full scedule.
yeah well there is a reason that he isn’t playing the full schedule
McFann O O o
December 20th, 2011
9:45 pm
Brava they’re showing our meltdown on MLB Network.
Why the crud would they do that…?
cabravesfan
December 20th, 2011
9:46 pm
tiger-
US Virgin Islands- about 2/3rds of it is protected rainforest type land so it is not nearly as crowded as St. Thomas, but not as remote as St. Croix. And there are a couple of luxury resorts and houses you can rent
DS1
December 20th, 2011
9:46 pm
Mark DeRosa. Might he come to ATL on a minor league contract with a tryout? He’s had a hand injury (hard to recover from), but if he is healthy, he might be a good addition.
But I’d only expect that if Prado were dealt.
cabravesfan
December 20th, 2011
9:47 pm
http://www.usvi.net/usvi/stjohn/index.htm
Brava
December 20th, 2011
9:47 pm
I don’t know, McFann. To rub it in because the vaunted Phillies put the final nail in our coffin?
tiger297
December 20th, 2011
9:48 pm
regardless of the reason it worked didn’t it? I want a copy of the program she uses to get notified of mccan mentions
cab – looks gorgeous not sure if there are enough activities for the other 1/2
cabravesfan
December 20th, 2011
9:49 pm
tiger-
what does she like to do? It’s also a 20 minute ferry ride from St. Thomas, which has a lot of options…
tiger297
December 20th, 2011
9:53 pm
beats me…
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
December 20th, 2011
9:54 pm
I like Derosa, but he even said he’d be weary of signing him too. Remember reading that a few weeks back. But, like a minor league deal? Thing is I bet he’d get a major league contract somewhere.
cabravesfan
December 20th, 2011
9:55 pm
Snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, hiking, shopping, eating, drinking, laying in the sun drinking…what else is there??
VaBravesFan
December 20th, 2011
9:58 pm
Cody Ross for 2 years would be ok. The yearly salary would have to be around 3 mil IMO. Numbers have declined past 2 seasons.
McFann O O o
December 20th, 2011
9:59 pm
Brava—
Yeah…not very Christmasy, is it?…
tiger I want a copy of the program she uses to get notified of mccan mentions
It’s engraved in my mind—can’t give any of that away, I need to hold on to what’s left up there!…
tiger297
December 20th, 2011
9:59 pm
snorkeling, sailing maybe…truth is she likely won’t spend a week away from the baby so we will have a 4 year old with us which really limits our options
tiger297
December 20th, 2011
10:01 pm
she has already informed me that I’m not scuba diving on this trip…so that eliminates a number of locations.
If we go to the caymans/curacao and she won’t let me dive its gonna be a short marriage
VaBravesFan
December 20th, 2011
10:04 pm
Wren should sign 1 of Cody Ross/Andruw Jones/Wilson Betemit. My favorite free agent Shortstop would be Ryan Theriot.
DS1
December 20th, 2011
10:10 pm
VA
Theriot’s main issue is a lack of range. He’s always been pretty good with the stick.
cabravesfan
December 20th, 2011
10:11 pm
tiger-
Lots of romantic places in the Virgin Islands too…and lots of kid friendly things to do too
richbrave
December 20th, 2011
10:17 pm
FALL BALL
AUSTRALIA
On break for the CHRISTMAS Holiday. Play resumes December 29. An all-star game will be played on December 21 between a World Team and AUSSIE League All-Stars.
DOMINICA
EASTERN BULLS
Lead-off JOSE ‘George’ CONSTANZA [.256 BA] 0-4.
RHRP JAIRO ASENCIO [0.38 ERA] 1.0 IP, 2 H, zeros, 4 BF, 1 GO/ 0 AO.
ESCOGIDO LIONS
No BRAVES plyed.
LICEY TIGERS
No BRAVES played.
ORIENTE STARS
1B DONEL LINARES [.333 BA] 0-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SO.
PUERTO RICO
CAROLINA TIGERS
No BRAVES played.
PONCE LIONS
No BRAVES played.
VENEZUELA
ANTOATEGUI INDIANS
RF STEFAN GARTRELL [.222 BA] 1-2, 1 BB.
LARA CARDINALS
No BRAVES played.
ZULIA EAGLES
1B ERNESTO MEJIA [.291 BA] 1-2, 1 RBI [46], 1 SF.
DS1
December 20th, 2011
10:25 pm
I’m fairly convinced that FW won’t be announcing any deals tonight, so I am off.
Later Braves fans.
Sweating Bullets
December 20th, 2011
10:29 pm
Just checking in and see the Braves still haven’t made a move. They are like the do nothing congress.
I guess Wren has already started hitting the holiday eggnog by now. Probably steeling his nerves for that big Ronny Cedeno bidding war that will surely take place!
tiger297
December 20th, 2011
10:29 pm
well left with an awaiting moderation comment
cabravesfan
December 20th, 2011
10:31 pm
well left with an awaiting moderation comment
Dude. If you didn’t like my suggestion, all you had to do was say so. Cursing me was not necessary!
tiger297
December 20th, 2011
10:39 pm
my comment was related to going to discuss the topic with the other 1/2…who had no such desire for conversation this evening
bravesfaninNashville
December 20th, 2011
10:49 pm
Cody Ross is a step backwards. He gives us no clear advantage offensively to Prado in fact Martin is the guy I’d rather have at the plate if the game were on the line. If Martin is healthy I would expect him to be much more like the All Star he was in 2009 than last years injured version. Also Ross doesn’t give us the defensive versatility of Prado. I say unless we get a premium outfield prospect that’s a future CF for the Braves we stay with Martin and just trade JJ for either a stud OF or position player prospects that can help in Atlanta soon. I still like trading JJ and Prado to Baltimore for JJ Hardy and Adam Jones. I believe it’s posturing for FW to position Pastornicky as ready to handle the job at SS next year. He hasn’t had near the rankings by anyone including Baseball America or Sporting News that Heyward and Freeman had before they came up. Not to say he couldn’t surprise us but why count on being surprised as a solution on a team that could win now. The only way it makes sense to have Tyler play SS next year is if we’ve traded for a significant bat in LF and we really only need a defensive SS to hold down the middle of the infield
David O'Brien
December 20th, 2011
11:01 pm
Lew, here’s a top 25 right up your metalhead alley. This guy linked to his top 25 metal albums of 2011 in a Twitter message to me:
http://www.skullsnbones.com/profiles/blogs/top-25-metal-albums-by-shawn-evans
cabravesfan
December 20th, 2011
11:23 pm
tiger-
I’m sure you have plenty of time to discuss.
Mexico is a nice option too- lots of family friendly places that are also good for alone time with the other half…
tiger297
December 20th, 2011
11:28 pm
yeah but its twice as far for us (and an extra hour on an airplane is huge when you have a 3 year old with you)
cabravesfan
December 20th, 2011
11:29 pm
tiger-
this is true. Umm…St. Thomas is like a 3 hour flight (St. John doesn’t have an airport. You have to fly into St. Thomas and take the ferry…)
– I have no more suggestions
Mitchell
December 20th, 2011
11:29 pm
Who the hell listens to 50 new albums in a year.
I pretty much listen to the same five albums twenty times a year and 680 the fan the rest of the time.
Cause I’m a tool.
I hate 680 and yet I listen it. Same with NPR but you actually get relevant information pertaining to events occuring around the world outside of Conference USA.
STRETCH
December 20th, 2011
11:34 pm
Im thinking they will bring in Cody Ross and Theriot and keep Prado. Ross/Diaz platooning wouldnt be that bad. Theriot/Prado is a nice fit in the infield too.
tiger297
December 20th, 2011
11:34 pm
I hope I don’t seem dismissive…I am looking at all the options you mentioned
tiger297
December 20th, 2011
11:36 pm
the flight length is the reason I don’t go visit DS1 or Ward…gimme a few years though
cabravesfan
December 20th, 2011
11:45 pm
tiger-
A Mediterranean cruise is always an option too
cabravesfan
December 20th, 2011
11:45 pm
And no- not dismissive at all!
Kat
December 20th, 2011
11:47 pm
cab and tiger ..
Speaking of scuba/snorkeling I just came across this article with some cool photos. http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/world-s-most-unique-snorkeling-sites.html?page=all
cabravesfan
December 20th, 2011
11:50 pm
Anyways- time for bed. Good night all!
tiger297
December 20th, 2011
11:53 pm
yeah we might have to start a fund folks can donate for a med cruise
cabravesfan
December 20th, 2011
11:54 pm
Well, a more local cruise would work too
tiger297
December 21st, 2011
12:01 am
thats a thought when do they play in miami…catch a game then a cruise
GOP Cannon
December 21st, 2011
12:05 am
DOB, great article as always!
Here is my 2 cents: I started watching the Braves in 1990, and since that I time, I have seen a lot of ups and downs with this team. As a fan, it has been hard watching the Braves struggle in the playoffs year after year, but I have always come back looking forward to the next season.
The September collapse this past season is somehow different to me… to watch the Braves completely fold with an 8 1/2 game lead at the end of August is probably the most despicable thing that I have ever witnessed in professional sports. I will always love the Braves, however, I think that I speak for a lot of fans when I say that something has to change.
DOB, I agree that this is a good team with great talent that just fell a little bit short; however, given the magnitude of last year’s failure, I say that Wren MUST make a move to ensure that next season will be different. The Braves faithful can only take so much abuse…
tiger297
December 21st, 2011
12:11 am
We can talk about how wren has to do something or else but to act like it is anything more than venting is quite ridiculous.
The MLB (players & owners) quit on us as fans and cost us what a seasons worth of games? If that didn’t get us to quit this sport I don’t think 30 games of poor performance will
tiger297
December 21st, 2011
12:17 am
when its sleepy time down south
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
December 21st, 2011
12:22 am
The Braves’ approach is obviously hush, hush during offseason to not risk another Peavy,Furcal, Griffey drama thing again. I get that. I am a little surprised though after fans sat through watching that horrible collapse that they aren’t a little more open as to what they might be up to. Not spill your guts and tell the world everything, just a reassurance type thing to maybe help ease some fans nerves.
Absolutely. 100 percent. Nothing. Zero being reported other than some speculations from a few Braves writers.
Brava
December 21st, 2011
12:27 am
Nada. Zilch.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
December 21st, 2011
12:30 am
And we’re all spoiled with this intenet thing too. No doubt about it. It’s to the point where blogging with fans about our team during the offseason isn’t enough. We want immediate results. We’re all guilty of this.
Man alive, imagine the next generation and how spoiled they’ll be with this ……
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
December 21st, 2011
12:33 am
The internet is awesome for so many reasons. Just like most anything else though – it has its downs.
Pretty soon we’ll be having floating TV’s.
nolie
December 21st, 2011
12:40 am
Theriot is an 83 career OPS+ hitter Wayne. not sure I can call that pretty good with the stick
VaBravesFan
December 21st, 2011
12:48 am
Theriot would be much better than Cedeno and Wilson with the bat. But there better in the field. Regardless all of the options are complete crap. Still dont understand why it takes months to sign someone like Jack Wilson.
VaBravesFan
December 21st, 2011
12:53 am
Theriot 284./344. Cedeno 246./286. Wilson 266./307. Izturis 255./295. Cabrera 272./317.
nolie
December 21st, 2011
1:02 am
or another way…….
Cedeno——68
Wilson——-77
Theriot——–83
Izturis——–95
but Izty costs us a trade chip and @ 3.8mil is way more than they say they are interested in paying
Ward
December 21st, 2011
2:39 am
Hello everyone! Moylan,could be back at a lower cost,and Moylan could still sign with the Braves? Just thought I would let you know.
Trey
December 21st, 2011
2:50 am
Hey Ward!
Ward
December 21st, 2011
3:10 am
Trey-Slow night tonight,and still not much happening on the rumors sight.Read through some articles,and there is a possiblity Braves could sign Ross for LF,and it’s still a possiblity that Rockies are still interested in a trade,but that is a bout it.
Ward
December 21st, 2011
3:12 am
I’m cool with it all. It’s sounds to me like Wren, is checking every possiblity,and then when he’s ready he could make a trade,or some minor tweaks.Thats the way I gather it.
Ward
December 21st, 2011
3:13 am
Trey-I would like Wren to check out Raul Ibanez LF,and maybe even checking out Johnny Damon still . They are within payroll too.
Ward
December 21st, 2011
3:18 am
I would also like Ronnie Cedeno to back up Pastornicky at SS.These are still my ideas,as well as DeRosa,or Betemit too. Just a little tweak,and the Braves will be back.
Ward
December 21st, 2011
3:26 am
If Wren, trades J.J.,and Braves need a pitcher. Edwin Jackson would be as good idea to replace J.J. at a reasonable cost.All have a good one! peace…………………..
braveshoo
December 21st, 2011
5:52 am
This is a trade we have not discussed in a while and I would like your thoughts. I would concider trading both JJ and Prado to the Yankees( a high price in my opinion) for Brett Gardner and Edward Nunez. Gardner is a LF with speed. He can play CF if Bourn leaves. Last year he hit.259, with.345 obp,.369 slg, and.713 ops. He had 44 stolen bases in 57 attempts.He bats LH and hits .233 against LH pitching and .262 against RH pitching. He made 0.5 m and is arbitration elegible for the ist time.
Nunez plays SS and 3rd base. Last year in 112 games he hit .267, .314obp,.382slg, and .696 ops. He stole 27 bases in 33 attenpts. He bats RH and hit .259 against RH and .277 LH. He made $419,000 in his ist year. Nunez is 24, and Gardner is 27.
The Yankees get a very good starting pitcher in JJ that they can afford to resign. We cant because JJ is represented by Boras. The Yankees also get an allstar utility guy in Prado who can play LF, and sub at 2b or 3b when needed.
We get a fast young infielder who can play SS or 3b, and is under control for 5 more years. We also get a fast young outfielder, who can play both LF and CF, and is under control for 3 more years. Although arbitration elegible, he wont command a big salary.
JJ and Prado probably cost 10 million this year, and the key is we wont be able to afford them in the future. Gardner and Nunez probably cost us a total of 1 million this year, and we can afford them in the future.
We give up a lot, but we pick up a lot of speed and youth that should be good and affordable for a long time. We also get flexibility because Nunez can play 3rd as well as SS, and Gardner can play CF as well as LF.
What are your thoughts?
braveshoo
December 21st, 2011
6:03 am
Potential starting lineups after the trade I suggested above: Bourn, Gardner, Chipper, Uggla, Mac, Freeman, Heyward, and Nunez. Lots of speed at 3 spots in the order which in my opinion is the new face of baseball in the post steroid era.
If Chipper needs a rest, Nunez goes to 3rd, and pastornicky starts at SS. If Bourn needs a rest, Gardner goes to CF, and either Diaz, Constanza, or Hinske plays LF.
GaryinBham
December 21st, 2011
6:29 am
A lot of proposals here, but in truth, do the Braves shift to a youth movement or not? If you keep trading away the parts for some one or two year hope, you get the same results we had for the years after the pennants stopped. There is always a question of whether the big trades work that well. Some do, some don’t. Prado to Colo. for Seth Smith is a bad move, in my opinion. Prado fills too many gaps on this team. NO MORE LEFT HANDED HITTERS!
For crying out loud, we ARE adding. We add Medlin, a healthy Prado, the young new pitchers with some experience, a healthy Heyward, As for Florida, Ozzie’s personality is kerosene looking for a lighted match. Yeah, maybe they win it all. Or maybe they fill up the DL. Or the local psych ward. Ozzie won one WS, that’s all. We’ll see. In Birmingham we have the Chicago AA team and the Sox had a pipeline of great talent coming up when Ozzie got there. But he also stayed in the papers all the time with his lunacy.
Tampa Bay has the model that makes sense to me. Throwing money away doesn’t win pennants. Crafty, long-term thinking does. And so does good leadership and youthful talent with some solid veterans. The collapse was as much about injuries, inexperience and exhaustion as anything. You only get experience by getting. Write last year off and move on. These young pieces have been gathering for a long time. Let’s see what they can do. I for one have had fun watching Kimbrell, Venters, Freeman, Heyward and the rest make the journey to the majors.