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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,717 comments Add your comment
Mitchie-sand
January 2nd, 2012
7:07 pm
Enter your comments hereThere once was a man named Bourn
Him leaving has got me torn
Our offense is bad
It makes me sad
This season Ill have to mourn
Mitchie-sand
January 2nd, 2012
7:08 pm
Damn.
nolie
January 2nd, 2012
7:10 pm
If Bourn caint do any better than a 321 OBP, I don’t even want him back.and if he has any kind of year at all he is gone
hold back the rushing minutes
Make the wind lie still
Don’t let the moonlight shine
Across the lonely hill
Dry up all the raindrops
And hold back the sun
My world has ended
cause Michael Bourn is gone
The Milkman whistles softly
As he comes up to my door
The Mailman brings the letters by
Just like he did before
They seem so busy all day long
As though there’s nothing wrong,
Don’t they know the world has ended
Cause Michael Bourn is Gone
Mitchie-sand
January 2nd, 2012
7:12 pm
Jumped the gun. Should have said:
There once was a man named Bourn
Him leaving has got me torn
Our offense is bad
It makes me sad
This season Ill have reason to mourn
Its not that great anyway…. I guess I’ll go read the blog.
Tom O'Hawke
January 2nd, 2012
7:14 pm
Thanks for the new blog, DOB (or should I be thanking, al?).
keylargo
January 2nd, 2012
7:18 pm
I think Wren will get us a player before the All Star Break. Ward
Ward – Unfortunately that has been the plan since September of 08.
PD
January 2nd, 2012
7:19 pm
Bourn was average to mediocre in his short time with the Braves. Even at the risk of losing him to the highest bidder when he goes free agent, I hope he has a star season. If he has a star season Boras will have a 85 page book on him asking for him to be the highest paid free agent in 2013. Will the Braves be able to bid? Not a chance and if he has a mediocre season do the Braves want him back?
Bat Masterson
January 2nd, 2012
7:20 pm
Thanks for the new blog, O’Brien, good read.
Bat Masterson
January 2nd, 2012
7:22 pm
Well if Bourn splits we can put the Bourn Supremacy BS to bed, thats a positive.
Bravefaninok
January 2nd, 2012
7:22 pm
Thanks for the new Blog DOB! Hope you had a good vacation(even though you took time out to come on the blog and deal with the unnamed one and answer some questions).
Happy new year
nolie
January 2nd, 2012
7:22 pm
sure, I hope he has a monster season…
Mitchie-sand
January 2nd, 2012
7:23 pm
DOB
Is it pronounced Terd O’ Slavitch or Ter DOSslavitch?
Bat Masterson
January 2nd, 2012
7:24 pm
No kidding set a bunch of records, help the Braves win a World series, turn down arbitration, and hit the road Jack.
Bat Masterson
January 2nd, 2012
7:25 pm
Ter-DOS
BFChris27
January 2nd, 2012
7:25 pm
Thanks for new blog
BravoMan
January 2nd, 2012
7:30 pm
Let’s make a deal…please…
Efrim
January 2nd, 2012
7:30 pm
Thanks for the blog, DOB. I’d be shocked if the Braves inked Bourn to a long term deal before he hit free agency. And once he hits free agency, I’ll be really surprised if he is in a Braves uni in 2013.
David O'Brien
January 2nd, 2012
7:36 pm
DOB
Is it pronounced Terd O’ Slavitch or Ter DOSslavitch?
The latter.
keylargo
January 2nd, 2012
7:37 pm
ter DOS(like M S DOS) la vitch
Mitchie-sand
January 2nd, 2012
7:39 pm
Cool. Thanks all. I have read it in my head wrong for a while now…
MIBravesFan
January 2nd, 2012
7:41 pm
Thanks for the new blog, DOB.
I was very sorry to read about the death of Jeff Porter’s wife (I just saw it earlier). He and his son will be in my prayers.
Efrim
January 2nd, 2012
7:42 pm
Jurrjens for Smith and 3 prospects? Sure…….. Arenado, Pomeranz, and Matzek.
Tom O'Hawke
January 2nd, 2012
7:45 pm
(OK, I’ll stop with not-so-subtle Prince musical references many probably aren’t catching anyway.) — DOB
It whoooooshed me, DOB.
BFChris27
January 2nd, 2012
7:47 pm
I’d do Jurrjens/Prado for Smith/Arenado/Pomeranz and Maztek
Mitchie-sand
January 2nd, 2012
7:48 pm
Either way, thats one pronounced Terd.
Thank you, Ill be here all week!
David O'Brien
January 2nd, 2012
7:51 pm
Was a typo in one of first few graphs about Seth Smith. Should have read Rockies ARE going to have to include at least a prospect, not AREN’T
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
January 2nd, 2012
7:56 pm
Wonder if there’s a chance we could get Smith without including Prado or JJ. That I wouldn’t mind.
Efrim
January 2nd, 2012
7:56 pm
So, if the Braves trade Prado or Jurrjens for Seth Smith, who makes 2.5 million through arbitration this year and therefore save 2-3 million, what would they then do with the 5-8 million they then have? Most all free agents have signed….
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
January 2nd, 2012
7:58 pm
nolie, I’m pretty sure Innocent Bystander was refering to me when he mentioned “ignorant” comment.
VaBravesFan
January 2nd, 2012
7:58 pm
DOB
you really think the Braves would have interest in Wilson Betemit. Keeps Prado in LF fulltime, improves the bench. Upgrade over Conrad who is gone already.
Ray
January 2nd, 2012
7:58 pm
DOB,, I saw that and assumed the correction. Thanks for it though. Now the question is do you think the Rocks will pull the trigger. It appears that Wren has stuck to his asking price in talks with the various teams about Prado and JJ.
CB
January 2nd, 2012
7:58 pm
Buy some more land.
Ward
January 2nd, 2012
7:59 pm
DOB-Thanks for the article,and Info on Bourn,and the updates.I hope Wren,can sign Bourn,at least it’s still possible.Just think it’s a bad idea to let Bourn go.It might take the Braves another three years after that to find a lead off hitter again?
Efrim
January 2nd, 2012
7:59 pm
In any deal we do with Colorado, I’d want Matzek. He would be more of a lottery ticket throw in, which they may not think he is, so it probably wouldn’t work.
Furman Bitcher
January 2nd, 2012
7:59 pm
Screw Boras
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
January 2nd, 2012
8:03 pm
DOB, thanks for the new blog.
Wren may surprise everyone, fairly soon.
jeffrey d
January 2nd, 2012
8:08 pm
Harumph
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
January 2nd, 2012
8:08 pm
SIGN FIELDER!!
Steve from OH
January 2nd, 2012
8:09 pm
Efrim, the Rox invested 4MM in Matzek via his signing bonus. He isn’t going anywhere as a lotto ticket, at least not yet.
MitchC
January 2nd, 2012
8:12 pm
Dave, as constructed now.. the Braves are probably going to finish no better than third in the East. The Phillies will be the Phillies, and the Marlins have inproved. Plus, how much hangover will the Braves have.. from blowing a wild card, that really should have been locked up in midsummer. This is an aging team on the decline, and a team full of question marks. JJ is injury prone, Hanson’s health is a question, Lowe is gone, and Hudson.. while he had a good year last year, is getting old. Chipper? We’ll be lucky if he plays 75% of the schedule.
I say, third place, and a win total not exceeding last year’s 89, and probably less. I will be very surprised if this team does better, unless some changes are made before the beginning of the season.
Bravofan
January 2nd, 2012
8:12 pm
Nice bloggage as usual!!
Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
8:12 pm
DOB The Rangers, Angels and now the Nats signing big TV deals is there a way the Braves have a chance when there Tv deals end?
interested bystanderss
January 2nd, 2012
8:14 pm
U are correct. Sir.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
January 2nd, 2012
8:15 pm
Buster Olney reporting Braves close to trading for a Poo Hole … Pujols that is!
bobbymahlon
January 2nd, 2012
8:15 pm
Why would we trade an allstar for a platoon player, either JJ or Prado for Smith is a bad deal.
jeffrey d
January 2nd, 2012
8:17 pm
SIGN FIELDER!!
And Freeman?
ccrider
January 2nd, 2012
8:19 pm
A few rambling thoughts: If, Prado is traded and Chipper decides to retire before next season and Terdoslavich isn’t deemed ready: who is going to play 3rd base? The free agent market is devoid of 3rd basemen that is equal to a even 40 year Chipper Jones with 38 years old Scott Rolen being the only average quality that is a true free agent(others have a team option(Wright, Inge, Polanco, Mark Reynolds).
Will the Braves regret trading Prado? Will they have to trade high pitching prospect to fill the void?
Has anyone noticed that the outfield free agents next year are very thin.
There is Hamilton, but we need a RHed bat and he will be very expensive if he stays healthy(a BIG IF). If Bourn leaves, you have a 35 year old Maron Byrd(a definite dropoff), Injury prone Victorino( If the Phillies don’t resign him) and BJ Upton( a dropoff from Bourn).
The Leftfield options might be better with Andre Either and Nick Swisher(If they make to free agency, Yankees and Dodgers usually find the money to keep good players)
The Braves have hopefully these positions filled for next year. Catcher(McCann), 1st (Freeman), 2nd(Uggla), SS (Pastornicky or Simmons) and RF (Heyward).
Will they have enough money to fill 3B, LF and CF with quality players and not have to lay bare the farm system?
Prado could fill either 3B or LF fairly cheaply, should we trade him ?
jeffrey d
January 2nd, 2012
8:24 pm
If you just type in “Terd” to Baseball Reference’s search box, it goes right to Joey’s stats page
Fairbrave
January 2nd, 2012
8:32 pm
I would like to see us trade JJ and Minor for Adam Jones and then sign a backup SS.
I don’t exspect Minor to win more than 10 games and we have Medlen that can do that.
Glass Half Broken
January 2nd, 2012
8:39 pm
It is not a kill the messenger mode that I am in. DOB has absolutely nothing to do with what the Braves management chooses to do or NOT to do.
I find it particularly frustrating to read about trying to aquire Theriot and Seth Smith. And there is also a guy who hasn’t even had a big league start perhaps moving over to third from SS after Chipper retires while another prospect that may not even be a Mendoza line hitter once he reaches the bigs, takes the SS position. While the CEO of Liberty, who only knows the Braves as an asset on the balance sheet, is busy becoming the largest land baron in the USA.
The name should be changed to the Atlanta “IF’’s”
IF …. about 25 things happen to create the perfect storm, the Braves may actually contend for a playoff berth. IF NOT….. it’s gonna be really ugly.
IF Chipper can play 145 HEALTHY games, along with Mac playing 145 healthy, NOT GASSED games and IF Heyward can figure out how to hit to his potential and get healthy and IF Prado or someone can produce in LF and IF Hanson can turn that dart throwing motion into something that isn’t going to make his shoulder fly off and IF Fredi can figure out how to manage the big 3 without each of them having to throw 75-80 innings and IF…….. just what I said……. lots of IF’s have to come together in a positive way for the Braves to be a factor. IF any of those things go South, gonna be the Braves in mid pack in the NL East.
nolie
January 2nd, 2012
8:43 pm
poor baby…….
jeffrey d
January 2nd, 2012
8:43 pm
The name should be changed to the Atlanta “IF’’s”
Yeah, but what would their mascot be?
Anyway…for one thing, the offseason isn’t over yet. And another, our current roster is pretty much the same as last year’s except minus McLouth, Schafer, Gonzalez, Lowe, and Proctor. And last year’s team – collapse included – won 89 games. I don’t think the sky is falling just yet.
Blog Monitor
January 2nd, 2012
8:43 pm
Great Rose bowl…
Ducks fly…
Elmer Gantry
January 2nd, 2012
8:47 pm
We will get to see what it is like to be a Pirates fan before too long. They never make any real moves either.
Ray
January 2nd, 2012
8:50 pm
@Elmer, The pirates not until this past couple of years, they have not known how to develop any prospects. They have not done a good job drafting. And they don’t have the players the Braves have had for the last 20 yrs.
Mitchie-sand
January 2nd, 2012
8:55 pm
The name should be changed to the Atlanta “IF’’s”
Yeah, but what would their mascot be?
A hippogriff!!! Duh.
nolie
January 2nd, 2012
8:58 pm
Atlanta IFS
IF…..
IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
‘ Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son!
P'cola Brave
January 2nd, 2012
8:58 pm
The Smith thing really has me scratching my head. He hits RHP well which is nice but not exactly our problem. Has some pop but has historically struggled away from Coors until 2011. He obviously has to platoon w/ somebody and I guess right now that would be Diaz. Diaz hit for a good average against LHP but his power was non existent last year. I think he only had 8 XBH all season. Acquiring Smith still requires us to add other pieces, like someone not only capable of playing SS but 3B.
Bat Masterson
January 2nd, 2012
8:58 pm
I would like to see us trade JJ and Minor for Adam Jones and then sign a backup SS. _ Fairbrave
Yes, well, you’re not going to see that………………. with good reason…….. it would be dumb of the Braves, really dumb
PD
January 2nd, 2012
8:59 pm
Every team is called the Ifs every season
jeffrey d
January 2nd, 2012
9:00 pm
We’ve got a talented young nucleus of Freeman, Heyward, Prado, McCann, Hanson, Teheran, Delgado, Vizcaino, Kimbrel, and Venters who should be around for awhile. Let’s act a little more logical before we start comparing ourselves to the Pirates.
They have McCutchen.
Tom O'Hawke
January 2nd, 2012
9:02 pm
The name should be changed to the Atlanta “IF’’s”
Yeah, but what would their mascot be?
The only thing I could come up with is, T-Hawkin, dancing on the dugout in a big, question-mark costume.
David O'Brien
January 2nd, 2012
9:03 pm
I find it particularly frustrating to read about trying to aquire Theriot and Seth Smith. And there is also a guy who hasn’t even had a big league start perhaps moving over to third from SS after Chipper retires while another prospect that may not even be a Mendoza line hitter once he reaches the bigs, takes the SS position. — Glass Half Broken
More like Glass nine-10ths broken, my friend.
1. Braves aren’t trying to acquire Theriot, which is what I tried to make clear in so many words — just a rumor started elsewhere, and people I talked to said it was inaccurate.
2. No one in Braves organization has mentioned a word about even the possibility of Pastornicky moving to 3B. No one. Only fans have asked me that, as I said in explaining why it doesn’t make sense.
3. No one in Braves organization has said that Simmons will displace Pastornicky. If he keeps developing, it’s a reasonable assumption we all can make that it would happen. But that’s all it is. Braves haven’t said that’s what is going to happen.
Tom O'Hawke
January 2nd, 2012
9:04 pm
Ha! I actually thought I’d be the only one replying to jeffrey.
Bat Masterson
January 2nd, 2012
9:04 pm
They have McCutchen.
And Charlie Morton, don’t for get about him
Brave New World
January 2nd, 2012
9:05 pm
What about Renteria as a back up shortstop?
jeffrey d
January 2nd, 2012
9:07 pm
Ha! I actually thought I’d be the only one replying to jeffrey.
Well thanks, Tom. I was about to compliment your funny Tomahawkin line, then you say “I’ll bet no one’s gonna reply to that big ol’ dork!”
jeffrey d
January 2nd, 2012
9:08 pm
And McLouth
jeffrey d
January 2nd, 2012
9:09 pm
Wow, the Pirates have 6 Mc’s on their team. I’ll bet that place is jaunty during St. Patty’s Day.
Ray
January 2nd, 2012
9:09 pm
jeffrey,, thank you,, well said
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
January 2nd, 2012
9:10 pm
“I want, I want … I need, I neeeeed”
Tom O'Hawke
January 2nd, 2012
9:11 pm
I can’t believe you read between my lines so accurately, jeffrey. You must have espn.
Poor DOB. He gets grief for not writing a blog. Then, he gets grief when he does.
Have you ever thought about running for office, David?
Mr. Baseball
January 2nd, 2012
9:11 pm
When Prince Fielder signs with the Nationals this week, the Braves will be fighting with the Mets for last place in the NL East !
cornjolio
January 2nd, 2012
9:12 pm
TERD = Braves’ 2012 season
Sopheee
January 2nd, 2012
9:13 pm
Thanks as always, DOB.
Keep Marteeeeeeeen.
keylargo
January 2nd, 2012
9:17 pm
The name should be changed to the Atlanta “IF’’s”
Yeah, but what would their mascot be?
A confused tranny.
Moe Berg
January 2nd, 2012
9:19 pm
Soph–I met a cute South Asian infant with huge jowls that kept staring at me with huge eyes in the elevator the other day. Her name is also Sophia–thought of you. (Not to imply that you have big jowls, since I actually have no idea what you look like.)
jeffrey d
January 2nd, 2012
9:20 pm
What’s an infant doing riding the elevator? How did she even reach the buttons??
VaBravesFan
January 2nd, 2012
9:20 pm
Guess the Braves have only been interested in Seth Smith…Seems like there are solid guys in free agency that would come on 1 year deal for pretty cheap.
Felix
January 2nd, 2012
9:21 pm
Don’t want to see Princess with the Nats and/or in the NL East. He is a prima donna who thinks no pitcher should ever throw inside to him. I hated it when we would play the Brewers because I knew I’d have to watch his antics at the plate. I sure don’t want him in the NL East where I will have to watch his act even more. If the Nats do land him, the Braves will slip even further back in the division.
Moe Berg
January 2nd, 2012
9:22 pm
jeffrey d–There was an elevator operator and the little Sophia had her floor number pinned to her onesie. Alas, she was not very good at exiting the elevator and ended up passing floor twelve quite a number of times.
ISH
January 2nd, 2012
9:23 pm
Bourne will be traded before the deadline.. No sense in letting him go without getting something in return.
Big Al
January 2nd, 2012
9:23 pm
DOB,
Any chance that Freeman could be moved to LF to make room for Mauro Gomez at 1B?
Efrim
January 2nd, 2012
9:24 pm
Steve from Ohio, you could be right about Matzek, but sometimes prospects are traded who were given a large signing bonus.
VaBravesFan
January 2nd, 2012
9:26 pm
ISH
We use him to win with.
Sopheee
January 2nd, 2012
9:28 pm
Ha, Moe. Sophia’s been a top baby name for a few years now. I remember being in elementary school and people either not knowing what to make of my name or asking me if I was named after Sophia Loren.
By the way, I read about your wife’s green card dilemma thanks to Mr. Thief. Any luck in getting it back or obtaining a new one?
Frank Wren
January 2nd, 2012
9:29 pm
Don’t worry Braves fans, you should feel confident that I, Frank Wren, am on top of everything.
It is beddy time now. I always have animal crackers with my milk before nappy.
……….now where are my bugs bunny pajamas?
The Dude
January 2nd, 2012
9:31 pm
Looks to me that the Braves are looking to phone in 2012 and reload for 2013. The young pitchers..Tehran, Delgado, Vizciano should be ready to take the reins by then.
DOB, with the exception of Uggla and McCann…what big contracts will still be on the books in 2013?
Ward
January 2nd, 2012
9:31 pm
Hello everyone! Anyone watching the Fiesta Bowl. Interesting game. People seem to over look the Braves young starting pitching,and bull-pen. Wren got us Robert Fish,and Jason Rice.I have reason to believe the Braves can compete,and go for with pitching.
Moe Berg
January 2nd, 2012
9:32 pm
Soph–Yep. Names go in cycles. I have a nephew that is three. When my sister was pregnant with him, my then two year-old niece (his older sister) declared that she wanted to call him Sofa. My sister asked if she meant Sophia. My niece looked at her mother as if she were a complete dolt. Of course, not. If I meant, Sophia, I would say Sophia. I like Sofas, so I want to call the baby Sofa. While that is not my nephew’s name, it is what I still call him.
No luck yet, immigration offices have not yet opened up after the holiday weekend. The one in Delhi should be opening up in about an hour, so hopefully, she will reach someone there.
Ward
January 2nd, 2012
9:33 pm
Are pitching is deep ,and young,and excited to see how it progresses.
ISH
January 2nd, 2012
9:33 pm
If we’re not in the hunt by the break.. then we trade him. I’m not optimistic about our chances in ‘12 but I’ve been wrong before.
Ward
January 2nd, 2012
9:34 pm
Well just thought I would mentioned our pitching. Good pitching beats good hitting. Isn’t that the old saying?
VaBravesFan
January 2nd, 2012
9:36 pm
Wren never had plans on bringing in any new players.
ISH
January 2nd, 2012
9:38 pm
I like our young rotation but I’m not convinced that there’s a true ace among them.. time will tell.
Braves Notes: Ross, Theriot, Pastornicky, Bourn- Hooyt!
January 2nd, 2012
9:41 pm
[...] but they could still use shortstop depth and may bolster their outfield before Opening Day. David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has the latest rumors on the [...]
Braves Rumors: Seth Smith, Cody Ross Interest, Michael Bourn Extension Talks- Hooyt!
January 2nd, 2012
9:42 pm
[...] Braves still looking for possible deals as new year begins | Atlanta Braves“The Braves haven’t signed a free agent or made a significant trade acquisition since the 2011 season ended. But they’re still looking to do so.” [...]
Moe Berg
January 2nd, 2012
9:43 pm
I like our young rotation but I’m not convinced that there’s a true ace among them.. time will tell.
The Braves’ big three in the 90’s did not look like aces in their first season or two. Maddux took until his third season to have an ERA under 5.00. Glavine’s first two seasons produced ERAs of 5.54 and 4.56. Smoltz first season produce a W-L record of 2-7 and an ERA of 5.48.
I am not saying that these young players will turn out as aces. I am just pointing out that the first impressions do not necessarily dictate the career trajectory.
Steve from OH
January 2nd, 2012
9:45 pm
Steve from Ohio, you could be right about Matzek, but sometimes prospects are traded who were given a large signing bonus.
Oh sure, without a doubt. I’m just saying that the Rox aren’t likely to view a minor-leaguer like Matzek as throw-in bait just yet.
ISH
January 2nd, 2012
9:46 pm
thus.. “time will tell”.