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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,717 comments Add your comment
Bat Masterson
January 7th, 2012
11:43 pm
Well PL is crazy but so are those questions.
Venice Jim
January 7th, 2012
11:46 pm
Wow – Tomas – there have been innumerable crazy trade ideas, but stringing all of that together is very creative…and, no offense intended, hard to understand as someone who would like to have positive returns on trades…
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
January 7th, 2012
11:54 pm
Could try and pry Pujols and Trout away from the Angels for Freeman and Diory Hernandez.
tiger297
January 8th, 2012
12:00 am
so what did the saints do today to upset soph?
Glord1
January 8th, 2012
12:01 am
A fair trade would be Cristhian Martinez for Izturis. Both teams win. Martinez is cheap and is a versatile pitcher coming off one hell of a year.
tiger297
January 8th, 2012
12:06 am
BS cristhian is another arm in the pen along with venters/kimbrel/medlen that should be untouchable
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
January 8th, 2012
12:09 am
Cristhian Martinez untouchable? Some of you guys are going too far with the untouchable stuff. Come on now. He’s a long reliever. Every team has one.
nolie
January 8th, 2012
12:16 am
Arodys Vizcaino, Martin Prado, and Zeke Spruill for Peter Bourjos, and Macier Izturis.
sigh
Tomas
January 8th, 2012
12:18 am
Thanks Venice Jim. I think it’s fair for everybody, but I know Angels would like to have Bourjos in their future plans even with Mike Trout, Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells, and Bobby Abreu on the roster, though Hunter and Abreu will be FA’s soon. Still they can’t keep Trout in the minors, and he being a CF provides a dilema.
Venice Jim
January 8th, 2012
12:21 am
Tomas – just to be clear, creative did not equate with good…
keylargo
January 8th, 2012
12:22 am
Well PL is crazy but so are those questions.
Bat, he’s not even the only crazy one on page 36.
Venice Jim
January 8th, 2012
12:22 am
Time to get some rest before my favorite NFL team plays my second favorite…
tiger297
January 8th, 2012
12:33 am
CTB – remember my motives are not the same as most…cristhian is great with my little one so yes in my mind he should be untouchable. I thought the rest of the list I included would have made my priority obvious though
Mountain Braves Fan
January 8th, 2012
12:39 am
Maicer Izturis is, in my view, best suited for the utility role he currently has with the Angels, filling in at 2b, 3b, ss, and occasionally DHing. Last season, due to injuries to other players, Izturis got the most at bats of his career (449) but wasn’t able to put it all together and show the Angels he deserved a more prominent full time role, fading badly in the second half (.650 OPS, more than 100 points lower than the first half). Because he is a switch hitter, he is valuable to the Angels in his current utility role, so they are not going to just give him away.
Izturis has had trouble staying on the field. In 2007, he missed 63 days with a strained right hamstring. The following year, he missed 61 days with a strained back and torn thumb ligament. In 2010, he missed 85 days with an inflamed right shoulder and a strained left forearm. And at 31 he isn’t getting any younger.
I think it would be unrealistic for the Braves to expect Izturis to be their starting shortstop, given that he has never been a starter at any position, he has never played more than 122 games in any season (last year), and he has played most of his games in recent years at third base. Could Izturis hold down the fort at shortstop for a few months and give Pastornicky time to get more seasoning at AAA? Probably, but at a salary of $3.8 million, that is very expensive seasoning. And he would likely cost us at least a bullpen arm.
uga-brave
January 8th, 2012
12:45 am
DOB, tell me you were at elvis royale thing.. elvis and the dames is great frickin show.
keylargo
January 8th, 2012
12:48 am
I’m watching a movie with a 1967 GTO in it. I had one as a teenager with a 400 CI 4 speed. Still a great looking car.
tiger297
January 8th, 2012
12:53 am
kl – sorry I haven’t gotten back to you…you know travel can be nuts
keylargo
January 8th, 2012
1:02 am
Hey Tiger, I wish I was going through Christmas with your 4 year old. Nothing like it – I’m jealous.
tiger297
January 8th, 2012
1:05 am
I know I figure I get what 4-5 more of these years and I’m trying to enjoy them as much as possible.
keylargo
January 8th, 2012
1:09 am
I think that nature sort of dropped the ball on parents and kids. Aren’t 40+ year olds a heck of a lot more equipped to be parents than 20 somethings?
tiger297
January 8th, 2012
1:21 am
in some things yes and in others probably not…boy scouts are going to be a pain sleeping on the ground at 50 but I can certainly take better care of him in most other areas.
tiger297
January 8th, 2012
1:22 am
when its sleepy time down south….
DS1
January 8th, 2012
1:31 am
My last scout camp was at the tender age of 48. Sleeping on the ground is NOT an option at my age, but cots aren’t a lot better!
uga-brave
January 8th, 2012
1:36 am
tip of the hat time to the retiring jorge posada. career .848 .ops. and a .374 .oba guy.
remarkable numbers for a 16 year catcher.
uga-brave
January 8th, 2012
1:37 am
he is going into the hall.
uga-brave
January 8th, 2012
1:42 am
then you look at piazza’s numbers. wow. piazza .377 .oba. and a .922 .ops. 16 years.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
1:44 am
Agreed on Posada’s HOF entry.
DS1
January 8th, 2012
1:47 am
Will Piazza be hurt by the PED whispers?
uga-brave
January 8th, 2012
1:51 am
then again, old larry in 18 seasons has managed a .935 .ops.
awesome numbers.
uga-brave
January 8th, 2012
1:57 am
wayne, from the start the Jones boys have always been off limits.
dont care about how many of the people on here call them out. chipper and andruw were and are off limits.
they, in my book have earned that.
uga-brave
January 8th, 2012
1:59 am
same with glav, madduxx, and the smoltz.
David O'Brien
January 8th, 2012
3:08 am
uga-brave, I didn’t go see Big Mike’s Kingsized show tonight, but have been several times and you’re right — it’s terrific.
uga-brave
January 8th, 2012
3:15 am
were you at least at smith’s to see the scorchers? i know getting old sucks.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
7:35 am
Yeah, Arodys Vizcaino, a Top 50 overall prospect, for a utility player like Maicer Izturis. Please. If they aren’t parting with any of the “Big 4″ for above average regulars, why in the worl would they do it for a utility player like Maicer. Stupid.
Couch Tater
January 8th, 2012
7:37 am
I want to see Holly Rowe at next years Winter Meetings. Particularly, the Scott Boras scrum….interupting a Joe Strauss question.
http://offthebench.nbcsports.com/2012/01/04/espns-holly-rowe-knows-its-survival-of-the-fittest-in-the-sugar-bowl-interview-pit/
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
7:38 am
Arodys Vizcaino, Martin Prado, and Zeke Spruill for Peter Bourjos, and Macier Izturis.
I like Bourjos a lot, but I’m not making that trade. Nor do I think it makes sense with the current roster we have.
Why is everyone so willing to part with Arodys? He’s a stud. Has to be the reliever thing.
Double down
January 8th, 2012
7:44 am
To those who do not pencil Teheran into the rotation. Isnt his Gwinnett record – was it 15-3 with a low ERA evidence that is minor league learning opportunity is essentially complete?
Double down
January 8th, 2012
7:49 am
But if we have guys throwing very well in march, a couple of months at Gwinnett to protect Teheran’s Super 2 status is an option I guess
CB
January 8th, 2012
8:02 am
Couch, maybe if Va.Tech had Holly Rowe blocking for them they wouldn’t have lost.
jeffrey d
January 8th, 2012
8:29 am
Hey…..they tried
jeffrey d
January 8th, 2012
8:33 am
They as in VT
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
8:47 am
Is today the day?
richbrave
January 8th, 2012
8:48 am
With JURRJENS’, HANSON’s, and HUDSON’s physical questions, it’s logical that they would be the pitchers being moved by the BRAVES not TEHERAN, DELGADO, or VIZCAINO. MINOR is the only near-ready LH. He’s a fixture at least until better LH starters can be obtained. GILMARTIN the same unless we fall over two stellar LHSP.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
8:54 am
To those who do not pencil Teheran into the rotation. Isnt his Gwinnett record – was it 15-3 with a low ERA evidence that is minor league learning opportunity is essentially complete?
Poor command, below average breaking ball. Triple-A and the bigs are quite different. I think he’d be okay in a full season next year, however I’d rather him work to refine his command and his curveball. Or just bank the curve and switch to a slider. I think it would benefit him and the Braves if he started the year in Gwinnett… him and Delgado.
richbrave
January 8th, 2012
8:57 am
LHRP the BRAVES have picked up hoping to find that third LH’er for the pen, and their 2011 results.
AAA results:
BEN SWAGGERTY – 25.1 IP/32 H – 18 BB/33 SO – 6.75 ERA/1.974 WHIP
YOHAN FLANDE – 137.0 IP/155 H – 38 BB/104 SO – 4.01 ERA/1.409 WHIP
JOSE LUGO – 36.0 IP/34 H -23 BB/30 SO – 3.00 ERA/1.583 WHIP
A very pedestrian lot.
richbrave
January 8th, 2012
9:01 am
Report dates
February 19 – P&C = 42 days
February 24 – All others = 47 days
Webster
January 8th, 2012
9:01 am
I believe Delgado could stick with the big club over Tehran. Delgado seems more polished and comfortable than Teheran.
richbrave
January 8th, 2012
9:05 am
No VT for me despite the fact that my great-uncle was head of mechanical engineering there for almost 30 years.
No, with my grandson headed for UVA, I’m a Wahoo now.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
9:15 am
So what do you think, do the dirtbags have a chance today?
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
9:23 am
Seth Smith has been in the middle of a lot of trade talk this winter, and one of the ideas that was discussed early this winter was Tampa Bay acquiring Smith and then flipping him to the Cincinnati Reds in return for catcher Ryan Hanigan, whose on-base percentage and relatively modest salary makes him a perfect fit for the Rays. – Buster Olney
Couch Tater
January 8th, 2012
9:23 am
CB –
The Sugar Bowl was criticized for inviting your Hokies, but it turned out to be one of the only games I could stay awake.
McFann O O o
January 8th, 2012
9:25 am
V. Jim I am pleased to see that Alec Baldwin has returned to the world of Twitter…maybe he’ll play Words With Friends with cab or McFann…
Oh! That’s a Capital idea!…
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
9:27 am
Lord, that A Dalton dude has an unfortunate haircut. Hail Caesar
Couch Tater
January 8th, 2012
9:33 am
No, with my grandson headed for UVA, I’m a Wahoo now.
Come on, richbrave. VT can’t buy the whole blame extended family a new car. They thought you were a lock.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
9:37 am
Howie Kendrick – turns 29 years old next July – Four year, 33.5 million deal. Also, good defender at 2nd base.
.292/.329/.434, 105 OPS+ – 2,638 plate appearances
Last three seasons, 2009-2011: .284/.327/.436, 109 OPS+ – 1,641 plate appearances
Martin Prado – turns 29 years old in October next year – good defender at 3rd base
.293/.341/.434, 108 OPS+ – 2,109 plate appearances
Last three seasons, 2009-2011: .291/.336/.435, 108 OPS+ – 1,744 plate appearances
Be interesting to see what Martin gets if he posts 2010 numbers. Would the Braves given him a four year deal worth 33.5 million? Around 9 million per year for an extension seems a bit steep.
Couch Tater
January 8th, 2012
9:38 am
richbrave – By the way, have you heard from that Gil fellow? I miss reading his sanity.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
9:44 am
I wonder what he was thinking when he looked in the mirror after getting that haircut?
Iam ego vultus amo a imperator!
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
9:56 am
Although Prado is probably going to want at least three years and 21 million after he hits free agency.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
9:59 am
The Rockies will probably give him that after the Braves trade him to them for Seth Smith and a truck load of Silver Bullets.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
10:02 am
Good grief, is Johm Abraham really wearing a mink coat?
Couch Tater
January 8th, 2012
10:04 am
Disney sends Pluto to bird-dog Dodgers. He sniffing the trail of a TV contract.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
10:05 am
After watching Sproles last night I’m thinking the Falcons should talk to the Braves about acquiring Biff.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
10:12 am
Bat, you could be right. I’m hoping Prado and McCann have strong seasons and the Braves lock both of them up. I could see the Braves trading Prado if Chipper returns in 2013. That could effect the situation.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
10:17 am
Efrim,
Strong seasons from Prado, McCann and Heyward and the Braves should be right there with the Philies
On another note Keyshawn just claimed the Saints would lay 45 points on the 49′ers.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
10:18 am
2013 payroll:
Uggla, McCann, Jones, Hudson = 44.2 million
Jurrjens, Prado, EOF = 17 million
Heyward, Hanson, Venters, Medlen = 10 million
14 minimum salaried players = 7.3 million
Total – 78.5 million
We’d have 10-15 million to spend on a CF, in this scenario. Somehow, I don’t think it’s going to play out like this though.
Efrim
January 8th, 2012
10:21 am
Just saw that, Bat. I’d bet my house that doesn’t happen. He’s not thinking clearly. Niners D outside vs. Saints O. No way that happens. Niners will get more pass rush than the Lions got too.
Lew
January 8th, 2012
10:23 am
Bat – “Strong seasons from Prado, McCann and Heyward and the Braves should be right there with the Phillies.”
You mean you think the Phillies will come in tied for fourth with the Braves?
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
10:30 am
Efrim,
As usual I think Keyshawn is going for the outrageous position. The Saints are going to score though, so the Niners are going to have to find some offense. Run the ball and keep Brees on the sideline.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
10:33 am
You’ve got it, Lew.
The Marlins and Nats will be fighting it out for first in the division.
I picked up a copy of “The Historian” it’s next on my reading list.
Lew
January 8th, 2012
10:38 am
Bat – Good book, but a bit slow and somewhat Gothic – stick with it.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
10:40 am
Lew,
I’m a patient reader, so no problem with that.
Lew
January 8th, 2012
10:42 am
I’m just finishing the third “Dragon Tattoo” book. Too bad the Dude died – he’s a good writer. Hope the movie’s good, too. My son saw the three Swedish versions and thought they were good – even with the sub titles.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
10:45 am
Yeah, Lew, a real shame. I really enjoyed those books.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
11:03 am
Okay, who do you like today, Falcons or Giants?
Lew
January 8th, 2012
11:08 am
I’d just as soon the Falcons won the game. Whether or not that’s realistic, I have no idea – quit following pro Football several years ago. Just no longer interested.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
11:10 am
My unbiased, unemotional take is, the Falcons beat the Giants like a drum.
richbrave
January 8th, 2012
11:10 am
Couch Tater
January 8th, 2012
9:33 am
No, with my grandson headed for UVA, I’m a Wahoo now.
Come on, richbrave. VT can’t buy the whole blame extended family a new car. They thought you were a lock.
Chuckle. You da’ man Couch T.
Well my grandson was offered a full ride by VT before the UVA extension, but he’s always been a UVA guy. What’s an old man like me supposed to do? Gotta’ follow the money right?
richbrave
January 8th, 2012
11:16 am
Couch Tater
January 8th, 2012
9:38 am
richbrave – By the way, have you heard from that Gil fellow? I miss reading his sanity.
No, and I really should dial him up. I’ve been waiting for some moves by the BRAVES in the off-season to have a sit-down with him. He’s a really nice person, and a great BRAVES fan.
richbrave
January 8th, 2012
11:20 am
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
11:10 am
My unbiased, unemotional take is, the Falcons beat the Giants like a drum.
That would be nice. the GHOST OF EDDIE LeBARON over the champs of SAM HUFF. I like it. My memory is long and so are my grudges, although i forgave SAM since he’s now a REDSKIN.
richbrave
January 8th, 2012
11:25 am
Wow, 60 years a BOSTON BRAVES fan, and 60 years a REDSKINS fan. Where did the time go?
Raise a glass with some MAKER’S MARK, ice and branch water to the memory of WARREN SPAHN, EDDIE MATHEWS, and SAMMY BAUGH. Salute!
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
11:26 am
1.Baseball
2. College Football
3.Pro Football
4,5&6. Reading about baseball, college and pro football
7. Golf, (rather play than watch)
8. Fishing ( doing, will watch)
9.Pro Basketball, mostly playoffs
10-99. Reading anything
100. Soccer
richbrave
January 8th, 2012
11:27 am
Lew
January 8th, 2012
10:23 am
Bat – “Strong seasons from Prado, McCann and Heyward and the Braves should be right there with the Phillies.”
You mean you think the Phillies will come in tied for fourth with the Braves?
Heh!
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
11:28 am
Cheers, richbrave.
richbrave
January 8th, 2012
11:28 am
BAT:
Where do you rate Ice Hockey?
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
11:33 am
rich,
Watching a hockey game live would be 3.5. I’ve only been to one but it was a blast. On TV, not likely to happen
richbrave
January 8th, 2012
11:35 am
Time to stretch my legs BAT. Good talking with you. Have a great 2012.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
11:36 am
Thanks, rich. You too.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
11:48 am
I left out boxing, how did that happen?
I guess boxing is rarely revelent anymore, and I do have a moral objection, still I loved it back in the day.
David O'Brien
January 8th, 2012
11:49 am
I’m just finishing the third “Dragon Tattoo” book. Too bad the Dude died – he’s a good writer. Hope the movie’s good, too. My son saw the three Swedish versions and thought they were good – even with the sub titles. — Lew
First two were terrific, third was very good. I remember a time when subtitles turned me away from movies. Then I saw a great subtitled movie — I forget which one — and realized they have absolutely no detrimental effect on the moviewatching experience at a great movie. I’d even go so far as to say, the subtitles in a great, well-written foreign movie, such as the Dragon Tattoo films or the horror flick Let The Right One In (remade as American movie Let Me In a couple of years ago), actually make it BETTER. Because you focus so much on the dialogue and aren’t distracted as you can be watching other movies, particularly at home. And you quickly adapt to reading the subtitles without missing anything that’s happening onscreen.
Lew
January 8th, 2012
11:52 am
DOB – Yeah, I’d like to see them myself. I don’t mind the subtitles, but was a bit surprised my son didn’t mind – he’s of that generation where even B&W films are strange to him.
Interested in your take on The Artist the other day. Sounds like it’s worthwhile, too.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
11:53 am
Voting is closed and the consensus is: Falcons over Giants, with one yes and two hope so’s.
Too bad the polls closed before VJ and Ward got to vote.
Logan
January 8th, 2012
11:53 am
I’m sure there are plenty of old posters who enjoyed Gils input. I certainly did. richbrave make that phone call.
David O'Brien
January 8th, 2012
11:55 am
Will Murph, McGriff ever get in Hall of Fame? Is Smoltz a first-ballot guy, or will logjam from steroid era cause him to have to wait?
http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/assessing-hall-of-fame-1294125.html
Lew
January 8th, 2012
11:55 am
Gil’s a FB friend – I’ll check on him, too.
Lew
January 8th, 2012
12:03 pm
McGriff should be in the HOF – just no doubt at all.
I’d love to see Murph make it, but it’s not looking like he will. They talk all the time about career dominance or a full decades’ worth of dominant play. Murph certainly qualifies at least on the decade part. IN the 80’s he won two MVP Awards and was second only to MIke Schmidt (by five HR) as the most prolific HR hitter for the entire decade – more than Reggie and all others.
If that isn’t dominance, I don’t know what is, but the following roids era bew all normal stats ot of the water and set the bar way too high for those who came before. THAT is the true lasting legacy of the steroid use IMO – it skewed perceptions on what expectations should be for a potential HOFer..
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
12:25 pm
That’s a good read on the HOF, David. Thanks
cosmo
January 8th, 2012
12:37 pm
it’s an oldie but the Seventh Seal by Ingmar Bergman is a classic with subtitles- well worth a look- i think it ran on AMC not too long ago
I’m afraid we are all looking every day or so for a braves move and when it finally happens it will be very minor move – too bad they can’t spend a few more bucks for an everyday player to add without creating a hole somewhere else
George
January 8th, 2012
12:41 pm
ATL at GIANTS will be a close game, hopeing ELI gets it done, GET EM GIANTS.
Bat Masterson
January 8th, 2012
12:43 pm
Wrong, George. Falcons in a blow out.
George
January 8th, 2012
12:46 pm
Yup Bat, saw your earlyer post. We shall see.