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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,717 comments Add your comment
Efrim
January 4th, 2012
5:05 pm
At least Wren had the guts to offer Soriano arbitration. If he hadn’t no Jesse Chavez and Sori leaves. End of story.
But two first round draft choices were staring Wren in the face and they just had to dump the salary. Mets did something similar with Billy Wagner. Traded him for crud, and allowed the Red Sox to get two picks for Wagner(from the Braves) – who was never going to accept arbitration because he wanted a job to close. Red Sox knew this, and also didn’t mind paying him a ton to set up for Papelbon.
Murph
January 4th, 2012
5:06 pm
My best guess at July/August’s lineup:
1. Bourn
2. Pastornicky
3. Freeman
4. Uggla
5. McCann
6. Prado
7. Heyward
8. Diaz
TennesseePaul
January 4th, 2012
5:06 pm
And with the 21st pick the Atlanta Braves select ________ from Hoboken Community College.
A) “He’s a toolsy guy. Lots of grit. Really battles it out at the plate.”
B) “He’s a polished pitcher.”
Murph
January 4th, 2012
5:07 pm
Oops, should have been Constanza hitting 7th, not Heyward… my bad.
DS1ip
January 4th, 2012
5:08 pm
Not trying to apologize for Casey Kotchman, but when he started playing full time in LA, he hit well. Not with power, but got on base at a very good clip.
Then he comes to ATL and I think his mother almost dies, and he struggles in 2008. In 2009, he returned to his prior form in the half year he was here. Good OBP and Prado type power.
And he’s been up and down since.
But at the time, he was playing well for the Angels when we dealt for him. And he did get us LaRoche in return in 2009.
Not a great trade, but far from the worst trade in my opinion.
TennesseePaul
January 4th, 2012
5:08 pm
Oops, should have been Constanza hitting 7th, not Heyward… my bad.
Yes, yes. Your bad indeed.
Efrim
January 4th, 2012
5:10 pm
The Braves JUST HAVE to get back a CF in any deal for Jurrjens or Prado as well. Is there a proportional talent equivalent disparity we can find out there? That’ll be your Spring Training pick up.
Hah! Tim Wheeler = Casey Kotchman
BravoMan
January 4th, 2012
5:11 pm
I should mention the Billy Wagner and Saito FA signings were good.
RC,
That’s the main thing really we haven’t given up many high ceiling prospects. The ones that were pretty good were blocked and have yet to truly produce elsewhere from what I recall.
RC
January 4th, 2012
5:12 pm
The Braves JUST HAVE to get back a CF in any deal for Jurrjens or Prado as well. Is there a proportional talent equivalent disparity we can find out there? That’ll be your Spring Training pick up.
The difference between this situation and that one is that Wren doesn’t feel like he has to trade JJ or Prado. With Tex, he seemed to be operating under the orders that he must “take the best deal available”. With JJ and Prado, he can look at the best deal available, say, “No thanks, not enough”, and still be in a pretty good position. He only has to trade if it’s an obvious upgrade.
Efrim,
Good point about the arb to Soriano bit. It was a good decision to go ahead and offer it, knowing that at the very worst he could trade him for trash (or Jesse Chavez). That’s actually a great case where having an individual owner would probably be better, if he could give Wren a call and say, “This is a special circumstance, but I’m increasing your payroll to cover whatever Soriano gets in arb. Then let him establish value during the season and trade him for something good.”
Efrim
January 4th, 2012
5:12 pm
A) “He’s a toolsy guy. Lots of grit. Really battles it out at the plate.”
B) “He’s a polished pitcher.”
“We want to be more athletic.”
I’d love to hear “We want guys that can get on base and hit for power, run the bases well, and possibly even fly – that’s a plus too.”
DS1
January 4th, 2012
5:13 pm
where the heck did that “ip” come from?
RC
January 4th, 2012
5:13 pm
Hah! Tim Wheeler = Casey Kotchman
Geez, I hope not. Although Wheeler has demonstrated better than “coaches’ box power” in the minors, where Kotchman never did.
DS1
January 4th, 2012
5:15 pm
I want to be more athletic………..
Bay Area Steve
January 4th, 2012
5:15 pm
Efrim,
Any thoughts on Hillbilly’s from last apge?
David O'Brien
January 4th, 2012
5:15 pm
Just got back from the Kathy Porter funeral in Loganville, Ga. Overflow crowd in a big Baptist church. About half the Braves were there — impressive considering it was a holiday weekend, guys live all over North America and Latin America, and the funeral was announced Monday night — and many ex-Braves including John Smoltz, Javy Lopez, Tom Glavine, Otis Nixon, Jeff Francoeur and Horacio Ramirez, among those I noticed.
All the coaches and Fredi Gonzalez were there, past and present broadcasters including Pete Van Wieren, as well as most front-office officials including CEO Terry McGuirk and, of course, Bobby Cox, who sat with current team members.
It was very emotional, as you can imagine.
Efrim
January 4th, 2012
5:15 pm
Not a great trade, but far from the worst trade in my opinion.
I don’t think there has been a worse trade in the last 5-6 years. Boone/Klesko trade was pretty bad, however that was a long time ago……
BravoMan
January 4th, 2012
5:17 pm
If Prado for Smith and Wheeler ain’t happening then we should just deal Jurrjens for those two and an additional prospect as I’ve said before.
Question is what will our staff look like?
They need to go deeper into games and last year was a good practice for them. But now it would be time to stretch them out.
I’m really excited with our pen to see a full year out of Medlen and Vizcaino in addition to the big 3. Great stuff.
Efrim
January 4th, 2012
5:17 pm
Any thoughts on Hillbilly’s from last apge?
Where was that? I can’t find it. Mind posting it? Thanks!
Bay Area Steve
January 4th, 2012
5:17 pm
“I want to be more athletic………”
Perhaps a switch from your trademark burrito to Murph’s low-carb sopapilla is in order.
Efrim
January 4th, 2012
5:18 pm
Thanks, DOB. Very emotional indeed.
Bay Area Steve
January 4th, 2012
5:19 pm
“What the hell? Was Marek not on the 40 man roster? Or the 60 day DL? I want to say there are only 35 on the 40 man roster right now anyway. Marek was knocking on the door before the injury. Eric Cordier and Todd Redmond are not.”
– Hillbilly
Bay Area Steve
January 4th, 2012
5:20 pm
No 60-day in off-season, right? But, how would you rank Marek v. the other two (and anybody else down there…)?
PD
January 4th, 2012
5:20 pm
Revised
Can’t spell one name wrong and let the other players feel left out.
Bourne
Uptone
Ugglae
McCanne
Freemane
Chippere
Heywarde
Pastornickye
Huddye
Bay Area Steve
January 4th, 2012
5:21 pm
PD is Soph?
Efrim
January 4th, 2012
5:22 pm
Thanks, BAS. I agree. Redmond is a AAAA arm and Cordier needs to be moved to the pen permanantly, where I think his stuff will play up in short stints. But he hasn’t showed the ability Marek has. Maybe they think he will. Anyway, I agree with Hillbilly. Seems bizarre that they let him go and kept other, seemingly, less usefull arms on the 40-man. Redmond has pitched at Gwinnet for 3 consecutive seasons for crying out loud…..
DS1
January 4th, 2012
5:23 pm
BAS
Hmm. Actually, the use of the term “burrito” can be substituted for a hoagie, or a salad, or a bowl of chowder, or maybe even a real burrito. Today it was a Subway salad, with non-fat Honey Mustard dressing.
I have actually lost 11 lbs since the first of December. Another couple of years and I’ll be down to my birth weight.
brian
January 4th, 2012
5:24 pm
I still say it is too bad that Uggla will not move to LF. His bat projects well as a corner OF. Prado is an all-star 2B. The Braves could then sign a 2B/SS to play when Chipper is out with Prado sliding to 3B giving that utility player starts at 2B and 3B. Prado could play where he is comfortable and return to working on his hitting. It sounds funny saying this move would make us stronger without adding a different player but it would make the Braves a stronger lineup in the field and at bat
brian
January 4th, 2012
5:25 pm
I don’t blame Uggla for not wanting to move – lot easier to be a stud 2B with his bat than a stud OF
DS1
January 4th, 2012
5:25 pm
We shoulda offered Mauro and Redmond for Jones…………
PD
January 4th, 2012
5:26 pm
Soph is a bad azz womanizer hunk of a man?
Lemke's Knuckler
January 4th, 2012
5:27 pm
What about this possible deal.
Jurrjens to the Yankees for Dante Bichette (3B) and Mason Williams (CF). Both guys are young, but profile areas of future need very well. My thinking, we don’t need immediate return for Jurrjens. I’d be fine with taking a gamble on a few high upside guys.
brian
January 4th, 2012
5:28 pm
if the Braves trade Prado or Jurrjens, especially when prospects are involved, they need to focus on getting the best possible prospect in return, not focusing on a specific position. It would be great to get a LF/CF prospect in return but if we can get a top notch/better quality prospect at another position take better prospect. You can never have too many prospects at a position. If more than one develops into a top prospect/ML ready prospect, then you can trade one for what you need
Bay Area Steve
January 4th, 2012
5:28 pm
Nice Wayne. I knew you were tryin’; stick with it brother.
And, I like this generic food-name thing. I can just say my favorite food all the time, whether I’m eating it or not? Tell me if I’m using it right: I had Korean bulgogi and banchan for lunch.
brian
January 4th, 2012
5:29 pm
Lemke – we need Nunez plus one of those guys if we were to trade Jurrjens. We need someone who can help now and then take a flyer on a prospect.
DS1
January 4th, 2012
5:30 pm
brian
Then why not just add that utility player and leave Prado in LF for good? I don’t understand the logic of moving a guy who has NEVER played the OF to LF, just to put an average defensive 2nd baseman back there; who has played a LOT of LF in winter ball before last year?
Why would you do that???
Heading into last winter, nobody was complaining about Prado’s bat when he was the 2nd baseman. So instead of getting the power hitting LF’er, we get Uggla instead. Move Prado, who nobody was unhappy with, to LF.
Now everybody says we need more offense in LF? Could somebody explain that one to me? I really don’t get it.
unbelievable
January 4th, 2012
5:31 pm
The Braves need to start playing to win now instead of focusing so much on the next few years. If the Braves trade Prado or JJ, they need an immediate impact return for 2012.
DS1
January 4th, 2012
5:32 pm
BAS
Nail hit squarely on the head………
DAP
January 4th, 2012
5:34 pm
brian I still say it is too bad that Uggla will not move to LF. His bat projects well as a corner OF. Prado is an all-star 2B
you know, uggla is an all star 2nd baseman to.
DS1
January 4th, 2012
5:34 pm
unbelievable
Don’t expect much more in a deal than Seth Smith types and prospects. At least for Jurrjens and maybe Prado.
Unless we give up one of the Latin trio plus a lot more prospects, we are not getting an impact bat for the outfield.
DS1
January 4th, 2012
5:36 pm
I really think we need to listen to ourselves sometimes: “his bat projects nicely as a corner outfielder…”
Instead we should just say, “the kid knows how to get on base” or “the kid has a lot of pop in his bat.”
DS1
January 4th, 2012
5:38 pm
Prado is only marginally better at second than Uggla. And Uggs turns 2 much better than Prado.
But Uggla in the outfield is a huge unknown. Prado is not. While he is not a great defensive OF’er, he is not a statute like many.
Ray
January 4th, 2012
5:38 pm
Lemke,, Bichette is yes a 3b prospect. That’s about as far as it gets. There are many concerns that he will not be able to hit higher level pitching due to the holes in his swing. he is not his dad in that dept.
There are a lot of HS prospects here in ga for the upcoming draft. The Broxton kid will probably be long gone before the Braves pick at 21. There are a couple of Cobb County pitchers that are sitting there that could be there at that point or maybe 2nd round.
Jay Dubu
January 4th, 2012
5:38 pm
TennesseePaul January 4th, 2012 12:45 pm
I think the payroll expansion that Wren mentioned was the arb players salary increases, becuse no other payroll was added.
The Braves are out from under McLouth’s, KK’s, and a fraction of Lowe’s contracts, so there should be no excuse to not bring in a righty hitting outfielder and/or a short term vet SS.
DAP
January 4th, 2012
5:38 pm
Brack man?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPyerQnMCwU&feature=related
DS1
January 4th, 2012
5:39 pm
4 in a row………….. time to do something else.
This is nolie territory now……….
McFann O O o
January 4th, 2012
5:41 pm
DOB—
That’s fantastic. Glad all those guys made it to the funeral. The Braves really have a great group of guys…
Thanks for sharing that.
McFann O O o
January 4th, 2012
5:42 pm
Don’t say that about Soph!!
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
January 4th, 2012
5:45 pm
Been to a few wakes myself…..they’re almost always gut wrenching. Especially when a loved one passes before their time. Lost a cousin many years ago who I grew up with, she was just twenty and an only child. Believe me, her parents will grieve for her until they pass on, and I’ll never get over her death.
PD
January 4th, 2012
5:45 pm
Shame on BAS for trying to compare Soph to me. BAS is POS?
Onto baseball children
Marlins Close To Acquiring Carlos Zambrano http://bit.ly/zcb5h7 #mlb
DS1
January 4th, 2012
5:47 pm
Jay Dubu
Subtract: Lowe, KK, McLouth, Gonzo, Sherrill, and Linebrink gives you about 18-20 million in savings.
Add: McCann, Uggla, Bourn and your arb increases and you have taken up most of that savings.
McCann and Uggla are getting about 9 million more, if I remember correctly. Bourn will probably get around 6-7 million. And add in additional salary for O’Flaherty, Prado and Jurrjens.
Seems like folks want to just ignore the increases.
Brava
January 4th, 2012
5:47 pm
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal 2m
Sources: #Marlins close to acquiring Carlos Zambrano from #Cubs. #MLB
Franky Wren
January 4th, 2012
5:48 pm
All this yapping with other GM’s has me yearning for another vacation. You guys sick of waiting? You will wait longer and like it. I am not up to a thing other than trying to rip others off on trades and if I cannot then I simply stay put and feed the media more of the “company line”. My job is so easy it ain’t funny.
PD
January 4th, 2012
5:49 pm
DS1 most folks don’t stay on the Internet going from Braves site to Braves site reading the daily Braves updates like some of us have been doing everyday, 14 hours a day since 1990
DAP
January 4th, 2012
5:50 pm
Marlins close to acquiring Carlos Zambrano from #Cubs.
oh no, marlins…dont throw us in the briar patch! ;- )
TennesseePaul
January 4th, 2012
5:51 pm
Sources: #Marlins close to acquiring Carlos Zambrano from #Cubs. #MLB
Carlos and Hanely…. this should get really interesting.
Didn’t Omar try the all-latin team with little success?
PD
January 4th, 2012
5:53 pm
Latin people make up the majority of the population in Miami
Tangents
January 4th, 2012
5:54 pm
1) Find out the song that was #1 the week you were born.
2) Go to this site to find out which song: http://www.joshhosler.biz/
3) Find that song on YouTube.
4) Post that video to share with us all.
PD
January 4th, 2012
5:55 pm
Miami has some Caucasians Morrison and I think Stanton is Afro American
The Lumber
January 4th, 2012
5:55 pm
I think the trade for Jones will happen. I would trade JJ and Minor or Vizcaino. If that trade gets made I see them then moving Prado to Col for Seth Smith. I don’t see Prado staying here and being a back -up. Also the guys talking about just switching Prado and Uggla, how does that give us more power which we are looking for?
CB
January 4th, 2012
5:55 pm
BAS,have you ever tried kalbi? This is a Korean beef ribs marinated in sauces, by far my favorite meal. Even better than bulgogi.
Ray
January 4th, 2012
5:56 pm
Hanley and Carlos in the same locker room. Now that might be interesting. Carlos Zamb has blown up at a few teammates for committing errors. Wonder what will happen if Carlos goes off one time on Hanley. IF the fish gets Zambrano, that could be some hot salsa in that locker room.
Jbailz
January 4th, 2012
5:56 pm
Tangents – Say, Say, Say by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney
http://youtu.be/aLEhh_XpJ-0
Jeff R
January 4th, 2012
6:00 pm
Kathy Porter’s passing just goes to show that there aren’t any guarantees. Must be extremely tough on Jeff Porter and his son. Condolences.
Frank Wren
January 4th, 2012
6:07 pm
Okay, here’s what happened. I told my assistant to find me a guy named Smith and a guy named Jones to start some rumors about. JJ and Prado are in on it. We aren’t doing anything until Spring Training. Psych!
Jay Dubu
January 4th, 2012
6:11 pm
Prado, Bourn, Heyward, Constanza, Diaz, Hinske, and the soon to be newly added outfielder. That’s 7 roster spots for the outfield.
I know Hinske is more 1B, but someone will have to be let go if/when a new outfielder is added.
DS1
January 4th, 2012
6:12 pm
The Lumber
We dont need power? Who told you we needed, power? We need more guys who can get on base more frequently.
We have plenty of power: McCann, Freeman, Uggla, Jones, and Heywared. And Prado is no slouch either.
BravoMan
January 4th, 2012
6:13 pm
Add another hot head to Miami’s clubhouse. Hanley, Reyes, Ozzie, and now Zambrano?
CB
January 4th, 2012
6:13 pm
Jay Dubu, are you no longer with Capitol Avenue? We miss you there.
Murph
January 4th, 2012
6:13 pm
The Marlins are going to completely implode with Hanley and Zambrano on that team… by May 1st one of their new star players will be dead and Zambrano and/or Hanley will be wanted for questioning.
Craig
January 4th, 2012
6:14 pm
No joke here. I have a buddy who writes for the Tigers, Jason Beck, and he told me earlier that the Braves are trying to get their young CF Austin Jackson. Tigers are willing, but want Prado and Vizcaino for him. He thinks the Braves might do that because it doesn’t involve their “top prospects”. They want Vizcaino because they need a back end reliever and Prado is somebody they’ve been looking at all offseason. You know how rumors fluctuate day to day this time of year, but it’s something to think about. And I’m telling you that Jason knows his stuff.
Sopheee
January 4th, 2012
6:15 pm
PD is Soph?
Come on, BAS you know better. I’d have at least 26 eee’s at the end of all those names.
DS1
January 4th, 2012
6:16 pm
Jay Dubu
Constanza is out of the picture. So now we have Prado who backs up 2B and 3B. Hinske who backs up first. Ross who is the backup catcher and Diaz who backs up the corner outfielders. Add in 1 more backup infielder and a backup OF’er that can play CF, and that’s your bench.
Constanza roams the green in Gwinnett.
Craig
January 4th, 2012
6:16 pm
Austin Jackson?
DS1
January 4th, 2012
6:17 pm
I think it is so nice that Hanley is willing to consider playing 3B!
What a nice guy!
DS1
January 4th, 2012
6:18 pm
Craig
Only if we include a couple of top prospects.
Craig
January 4th, 2012
6:18 pm
Jason Beck thinks the Braves will acquire Jackson, Tigers receive Prado and Vizcaino. Just his opinion.
Ray
January 4th, 2012
6:20 pm
What is the over/under with July being the implosion in the dugout with Zambrano and what is the over/under with 2 implosions during the season.
Bat Masterson
January 4th, 2012
6:23 pm
It was very emotional, as you can imagine. _ David O’Brien
Really a sad event. Thanks, David.
CB
January 4th, 2012
6:23 pm
Zambrano is our Derek Lowe, player to be paid later. PTBPL
Choppinmama
January 4th, 2012
6:27 pm
DOB – quite a somber afternoon. Thanks for the reportage. Does he have younger children?
Ray
January 4th, 2012
6:27 pm
In the potential Zambrano deal there is no mention to what the Marlins would give up. Their 40 man roster is full at this moment.
Disgusted
January 4th, 2012
6:38 pm
We might be stuck with Liberty Media longer than we hope for.
I don’t like that Malone guy.
Truth is that these guys have less accountability and caring than the ATL Spirit. They show up less for sure. You can say one thing about Gearon Jr., he does care about the Hawks. Yea, us Thrasher fans got messed over, but they have not been bad stewards of the Hawks.
Liberty Media could care less about Atlanta.
And no way are they ever raising payroll, that is pretty much a given. While the Nats are pursuing the likes of Prince and Gio Gonzalez, the Fish go for their signees and the Phillies stay in tact, the Braves are pursuing the Seth Smiths and Ryan Theriots of the world.
Mediocrity here we come.
jeffrey d
January 4th, 2012
6:40 pm
Come on, BAS you know better. I’d have at least 26 eee’s at the end of all those names.
Which would be the dead giveaway. If I’m gonna rob a bank, I’m not gonna put on a Jeffrey mask.
Bat Masterson
January 4th, 2012
6:42 pm
Cameron – “Nope. Jones is a good player with a lot of upside. If the Orioles think UZR is wrong and he was an even an average defensive CF last year, that would make him a +4 win player at age 25. Braves fans who think they’re getting him for a song are the nutty ones here.”
Kenny Chesney?
The Lumber
January 4th, 2012
6:42 pm
DS1
Maybe the 21,22 teams that finished ahead of the Bravesin SLG and OPS. I agree we need to be more cosistant in getting on base. Jones is coming into his age 27 year which is when a lot of player put it all together.
jeffrey d
January 4th, 2012
6:44 pm
Jones is coming into his age 27 year which is when a lot of player put it all together
Wait a second….I’m in my age 27 year. With one more month to go. Can’t wait to see what happens!!
David O'Brien
January 4th, 2012
6:48 pm
Choppinmama: No, Porter has one child, 19-year-old son David. And yes, it was a very somber scene.
Ray
January 4th, 2012
6:49 pm
@disgusted,, has it ever occurred that the reason why the Fish and the Nat’s are going after the bigger names because they have bigger holes than the braves. Maybe just a thought. The Marlins were not remotely good last year. Bad teams have bigger holes than the better teams.
Sopheee
January 4th, 2012
6:50 pm
One e is dumb.
Nova Scotia Steve
January 4th, 2012
6:51 pm
Murph – You actually believe Bourn will still be on this team in August?
PS
If that’s our lineup we’re in deep trouble and in 4th place…
Michael Scott
January 4th, 2012
6:56 pm
because they have bigger holes than the braves
That’s what she said!!
nolie
January 4th, 2012
6:58 pm
Boone/Klesko trade was pretty bad, however that was a long time ago…Efrim
I loved that trade when it happened
jeffrey d
January 4th, 2012
7:00 pm
One e is dumb.
I know…that’s why I have 2
nolie
January 4th, 2012
7:03 pm
Alias Smith & Jones
nolie
January 4th, 2012
7:06 pm
No idea why, but Austin Jackson had a pretty crappy season this year, really went down bad
Bat Masterson
January 4th, 2012
7:07 pm
It frustrates me to no end when I get knocked off line for most of the day by Media com. Makes it hard to keep up with all the things I need to during the day.
jeffrey d
January 4th, 2012
7:08 pm
Just another Create-a-Caption trophy on my mantle. No big deal.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Create-a-Caption-A-Rod-8217-s-double-date-with?urn=mlb-wp29227
jeffrey d
January 4th, 2012
7:10 pm
Makes it hard to keep up with all the things I need to during the day.
Like all the Kardashian rumors?
Bat Masterson
January 4th, 2012
7:13 pm
I finished Stephen King’s 11/22/63.
I have to say it was pretty good, though different than what I expected. I was really lost it it last night, looked up and it was 2:00 AM, and thought, whoa, I’m not going to be happy when that alarm goes of later this morning.
CB
January 4th, 2012
7:13 pm
Pretty good,jeffrey. You going to put it beside the trophy you won in fantasy baseball? Speaking of…