BAS & cab – after the major letdown on the Falcons OC hiring, I’m ecstatic about the Nolan hire at DC. I’ll reserve judgement on the Mr. Dirk from Jacksonville until I see the offense in action next season though.
Yeah, all I can really think about with him is how terrible he was with the Niners. As for Miami, they don’t have a head coach yet- if Fisher had gone there, you can bet Nolan would have stayed (or if they had already hired someone good- not that I think they shouldn’t take their time, but there was a certain amount of unknown – enough for Nolan to look elsewhere)
Ellsbury signs a one year 8 mill dollar deal. So if he’s a free agent next year can we make a play for him and waive bye bye to Bourne? I’d rather have Jacoby myself…
Like BAS (and I) said- Nolan can coach defenses very well. But for a Niner fan, he is just the guy that was dreadful as our head coach. Every time I see his name, I can’t help thinking “why on earth does that team want HIM?” and then I remember that as a coordinator, he is a very good hire
Nolan is like Wade Phillips, great DC’s but terrible coaches. As a Niners fan, I can’t wait to see how good Alex Smith and the Niners will be for the next 4-5 years with a good coach that believes in them. I’m thinking the Niner nation is making a comeback!!!
Do the Falcons have the personel for a 3-4 defense? Because that’s what Nolan is going to turn them into. A hybrid 3-4/4-3, at the very least. John Abraham certainly doesn’t seem like he can transition at this point of his career and didn’t they sign Ray Edwards last offseason – a 4-3 defensive end? Bizarre hire, imo.
I lost Maria Bello, The Firm started soft, House and Fringe sound like they’re being chopped. I don’t get any premium channels, where it sounds like all the good stuff is nowadays…
“Boyd.Damn.Crowder.” better bring it, is what I’m sayin’.
From Shaun….As for me, I’m not comfortable saying someone like Barry Bonds’s actions were more reprehensible than Ty Cobb’s racism and his willingness to punch an umpire or Gaylord Perry’s doctoring baseballs.
You are correct Bond’s action were not as reprehensible as being a racist…. But Ty Cobb did not become a racist to improve his ability to play baseball and hit more homeruns. Barry Bonds purchased steroids, injected them into his body and then lied about it for the sole purpose to improve his ability to hit a baseball further and run faster.
Being drunk, fighting with umpires, turning a blind eye to segregation is in no way compared to injecting steroids for years for the sole purpose to improve your baseball status. Drinking, smoking, sex with different women in each town will hurt baseball performance and doesn’t improve your baseball skill and inflate the numbers produced.
I am comfortable saying I believe Barry Bonds baseball numbers are inflated due to years of steroid use and he should not be in the HOF. I am comfortable saying Ty Cobb was a racist and his actions were more reprehensible than Bonds…. but Cobb’s baseball numbers were not inflated so he should be in the HOF.
I’m thinking the Niner nation is making a comeback!!!
I’m excited as well. However…..
I just saw a Packer defense that took a huge step back(Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji, specifically). I would of never guessed that could happen, especially with Capers as the D coordinator.
Or maybe they should of stopped doing those Discount Double Check commercials.
That’s what makes the Steelers and Ravens such great organizations. Sustained defensive success for the last 10-12 years(even more for the Steelers…..like 30 years).
Would still love to have a Cody Ross type bat for LF when Chipper sits and Prado moves to 3rd. Getting real tired of the Matt Diaz experiment out there in LF. If Chipper goes down for an extended amount of time it won’t be good unless Joey Terds tears it up in AA.
It never works. Hybrids, that is. 3-4 is hard to mold a 4-3 team into. Takes time to find 3-4 DE’s that can hold the point, yet still rush the passer. Not every team can find Justin Smith’s and Ray McDonalds…
And pass rushing OLB’s that can also play during base downs ain’t easy to find either. 4-3 defense is so much easier to develop, imo.
Did they already cancel Prime Suspect? Boo
I thought the last season of Fringe was the greatest but since the two worlds are in contact this year the ratings have really tumbled from what I hear. Prolly gone. boo
Bigger ILB’s are needed as well, because they need to be able to shed off Guards that are making blocks for the RB’s. Pat Willis and Bowman are listed in the 6′1” 240 LB range…..”listed” weight…
DAP, it’s unreasonable to assume Bonds’s career would have ended after his age 28 season. Even Griffey, with all his injuries, played until he was 40. Even if you stop his career then, his numbers are in Jim Rice territory, and better when you consider defense.
Crazy, why discount a player’s whole career because he used PED’s? What happens if Chipper is found to have used at some point? You keep him out?
The Niners run a hybrid 3-4/4-3…their base is a 3-4, but they do switch it up quite often (reason why Justin Smith was an All-Pro at 2 different positions)
good for the Falcons. The Falcons should have no trouble focusing on the off season workouts. A few smart free agent moves and the Falcons should make a better run next year.
I am glad that the Falcons have changed coordinators. The Falcons showed little creativity offensively and defensively this year. The Falcons were not aggressive at all. At times it also seemed that they were going through the motions. Whether it was “chemistry”, the coaches, or players or a combo something was definitely missing from the Falcons this year.
ColoradoBravesFan, here’s the problem: Bonds numbers would have very likely been good enough without PED’s. His numbers were so outstanding that it’s silly to assume he wasn’t a Hall of Famer, regardless. So then the argument has to go back to whether Bonds’s actions were more reprehensible than Cobb’s. And you already agree that they are not. Or you have to go with that you don’t like Bonds and that’s what this is all about. It’s fine if you don’t like the guy. I don’t think that’s enough to keep a guy out of the Hall. There are plenty of Hall of Famers that don’t seem very likeable, in my view.
But to say Bonds’s numbers were inflated by PED’s and therefore he’s not a Hall of Famer is a stretch. Bonds is not even close to a borderline candidate. His numbers are up there in Ruth territory as the most impressive ever. You take away PED’s, unless you discount his numbers to a completely unreasonable degree, and he’s still clearly a Hall of Famer.
Look at someone like Griffey. Bonds was considered a better player early in their careers. Griffey was never under the PED suspicion and he’s still a clear-cut, possible first-ballot Hall of Famer. So how could one reasonable argue that PED’s are what pushed Bonds’s numbers into Hall of Fame territory?
Shaun, did the doctor give you any kind of special care instructions for your new monkey pube hair? Can you wash it or does your mom have to sit behind you and pick out all of the bugs/dirt by hand?
Sophee – Have it on the DVR, want to watch it tonight. Will let you know.
Efrim – I’m not sure what happened to the Pack, maybe they lost the desire to win it all or they just had an off day for the entire team. But that was not the Packers I’ve been watching all year…
The thing with the Packers- They basically just ran into a team that was able to slow them down. Their defense has been terrible all year- finished dead last in the entire NFL in total defense. During the regular season, Rodgers and the offense were able to cover up their total lack of ability to play D. Against the Giants, they were not and got exposed.
January 17th, 2012
5:28 pm
Shaun, did the doctor give you any kind of special care instructions for your new monkey pube hair? Can you wash it or does your mom have to sit behind you and pick out all of the bugs/dirt by hand?
BP, Shaun just got back from the Netherlands where he underwent a radical hair transplant surgery… they implanted over 200k monkey pubes into his scalp. That’s why he’s been away from the blog for so long. Not only do they have to implant each hair individually, but you can imagine how difficult it is to harvest the hair from the monkeys.
Wren is right to say that this is the team we will take to camp and leave camp with. First of all, it probably is the team so Wren has to show confidence in his team and the players. Second, a GM is not going to announce I am desparate for a LF or I really want to dump this player or that player. People start looking for pitching in spring training it helps negotiation when Wren has said this is the team I am breaking camp with.
She’s had a pretty tame couple of days. Not much to report. She did give the 5 year old her first real black eye yesterday, though. Went to meet the family at Red Robin (the 4 year old’s favorite lunch spot) to celebrate her birthday. They got there first and, as I approached the table, I heard the 5 year old say “Do it. I dare you. I dare you!!!” which was followed by the 4 year old punching her square in the eye, closed fist and all. The 5 year old crumpled, slipping off the slick booth material and under the table in a stream of tears.
Bonds made his choices and now he has to live with the consequences. Yes, he was a Hall of Famer without PEDs. He was not satisfied with that and made a choice that affected the integrity of the game. He is the poster child for the darkest era in modern baseball history. He will not make the Hall of Fame which honors baseball
We goin make Playoffs U kiddin me Playoffs ..Playoffs u say U have be kiddin me…..That way is for 2012 we did not Get prince fielder Miami has inproved so dam much they be one’s tryin take east from Phillies and Nats.While Freddie Gonz and Wren Band will just tip there caps when Ozzie Gullien wins 97games in first year at helm and in a new stadium…and Carlos Zambrano will return to his form and win 20 games this year and bean chipper Jones so he can be out for season! And what will are great Freddie Gonz do to get even why tip his cap to Ozzie n lose 93 Games this season n Wren will be fired after 2012 season is over!
Wren would break wind after camp then confess he a lousy GM like Billy Beano is with Oakland A’s….like said Phillies win East Miami will be second and 3rd is Nats and Braves n Mets will be tryin stay out of last place sorry folks ……looks like its goin be a Lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng season here again!
I think all this “integrity of the game” stuff is pretty naive thinking
“Integrity of the Game” starring Kevin Costner as Randy Birdquist, former major league catcher, beer drinker, wife beater, steroid dealer, turned preacher.
Shaun… Here is the problem. Bonds and Clemens both would have made it into the HOF, but they made the decision to inject steroids to improve their baseball status above other players. Their decision had a direct effect/affect on the game of baseball. Their decision to use steroids inflated their numbers. When or how much the steroids inflated their numbers is not he issue… the issue is that that did it. Not once, not five times but for years they deliberately cheated to improve their stats. Because they did this and did it for years their numbers are inflated and they should not be in the HOF.
And where did you get that I don’t like Bonds? I never stated that at all. I like Bonds much better than Clemens and Ty Cobb I can tell you that.
January 17th, 2012
5:39 pm
BP, Shaun just got back from the Netherlands where he underwent a radical hair transplant surgery… they implanted over 200k monkey pubes into his scalp. That’s why he’s been away from the blog for so long. Not only do they have to implant each hair individually, but you can imagine how difficult it is to harvest the hair from the monkeys.
I have a hard time believing this even if I wanted to and even if I did I think I’d rather have nothing up there than monkey pubes or at least my own if any pubes, at least I know where those have been.
@brian, I will say first and foremost, I am not making any excuses about Bonds. He let ego get in the way and took the PED’s. He didn’t have to do that to be considered one of the all time greatest. His numbers were there. I will throw this out there in comparison with Rose and Bonds. What Bonds did, was not good but under the baseball rules not illegal. Showed lack of integrity and disrespect for the game. What Rose did was against the rules of baseball. DOB can confirm this but the No Gambling is posted among other rules. There were strong rumors about the people that Rose ran around with early on his career. It would not bother me at all if neither one ever gets in. I believe that their gear is in is good enough especially Rose. But as I have stated earlier, I don’t like the guy.
Glad Wren is confident, because I sure as hell am not. The offense will once again have the fans pulling their hair out and what worries you is the infield defense. Uggla and Chipper have very limits range and Pastornicky is by all accounts a poor defender. That leaves Freddie as the only one who is a really solid glove man. That is rough considering your ace and Jair are groundball pitchers when right.
Also, as deep as the SP is it is also marked with questions on health and durability to go with plenty of inexperience. That poor bullpen will be in for another grueling season of overwork I’m afraid.
I really hope most other fans don’t feel the way I do about this team, otherwise attendance will be down much more than it already has been at Turner Field. I will not be spending a dime on this team simply because I don’t see an ounce of improvement from last year and it could be a worse off club. Yeah yeah yeah…..they nearly made the playoffs. However, what psychological effect did that complete meltdown have on the team, especially so many young guys who were smack dab in the middle of it? It could be a long year folks. I will not be wasting my time with it.
Braves.com needs to quite sending me messages about buying Braves tickets for the upcoming season. Not. Happening.
You can always block sender or unsubscribe if you do not want to receive emails. Very easy solution. One of the advantages that we have over the teams in our division is if one of our pitchers go down, we have talent ready to take their spot. No other team in our division has the depth in their pitching. It will be curious to see what Wren does at the trade deadline for the stretch run.
The Braves really need to get off to a strong start or its going to be a long year at the gate.
If the Braves fall back say 10 or 12 games and get passed over by the Fish and Nats, I hope I am wrong but I can see attendance falling below 2 million for the first time in over 20 yrs.
No one wants that, even the most hardened cynic and I am one of them do not want that.
I know that its frustrating with Liberty Media, but boycotting the team is counterproductive.
For the purpose of saving face of the ATL as a baseball town, just get to a few games if you can afford it and have the time. I do not want to dictate how people should spend their $$$$$, but I plead with you, staying away becaue you are mad is not going to solve anything.
Why give POS people like Rod Parker more ammo to fire down on us.
IF the Rangers sign Prince and if Darvish is the real deal, Rangers would have to be the early favorites to return to the World Series. That lineup would be the best in baseball. One scary lineup.
√ajcbraves David O’Brien
Peter Moylan and #Braves agreed on a 1-year deal. The affable Aussie returns, coming off shoulder surgery, should be ready early season.
So what Wren did was downgrade a position of importance because of the “potential”that’s in Pastornicky. Fine, everybody needs a chance. However, your team with so many health and inexperience issues doesn’t have room for another project. Not if you want to overtake the Phillies and to beat down two improved teams in your own division. Wren failed at his job this offseason. Spin it any which way you guys want, but this GM just downgraded one of the bigger highlights his team had which was a stellar defensive SS. Just dumb.
nobody really seems to be taking into account that our division will be considerably tougher next season and a little “addition by subtraction” won’t be good enough. hello, everybody, we play most of our games against New York, Miami, Washington, and PHILADELPHIA, so maybe our standing pat GM needs to get off his behind and find some offense!
Getting excited over a relief pitcher which probably will be out for extended time recovering? A guy who is a major health scare every time he steps on the mound these days anyhow. Very sad we Braves fans have been sucker punched time after time since the dive started back in September.
We could be Cubs fans though, right? Trying to find the positive here.
I think we need to get more bench and outfield help. Trade for the Dodgers Jerry Sands, take a flyer on Betemit or Tejada. Wish we had the cash to make a run at Cespedes.
never once have I said that we need to spend any money, cut loose some more dead weight and trade surplus pitching. I’m not an idiot, I realize there are budget constraints, but also some questionable folks on our roster and way too many pitchers in the minors that won’t have a spot any time soon…
BravesFan, it takes two to make a trade. Very simple. Its easy for all of us to say go make a trade. Doing it with the intention of making this team better is the hard part.
cabravesfan- it is called being creative by dealing certain parts to acquire others. Wren should not have depended on a poor defensive kid at SS. That is really dangerous to do when you already have two guys to his side that are limited on range, Jones and Uggla. Wilson is a backup who can’t hit, so don’t bring him up. Name me one team in recent memory that has won a championship with a poor defensive SS, one who is a rookie on top of that?
I seem to recall there not being a lot of options at shortstop to go after to begin with. Besides, I have no idea if Pastornicky is a poor fielder, never having seen him play.
Nobody noted my post a couple of days ago–but fangraphs Fan projections has all of our seven starters (eight, minus SS) doing substantially better as a group based on WAR numbers. Even those identifying themselves as non-Braves fans. So seeing a big uptick on the offense may not be out of the question, even without a blockbuster trade.
nope, sorry, I won’t be because by then it won’t matter. The “it takes two to make a trade” bit doesn’t wash because Wren has made it very clear he doesn’t want to move any of those pitching prospects so it isn’t the other clubs, it’s Wren and his phobia of trading pitching prospects…
cab, none of us have seen him field. There are reports that he is fast, weak arm, and he has committed quite a few errors. Lets see what the kid does in spring training. Lets see what he does first part of the season. I am sure having Wilson there and Chipper there to mentor him and a lot of hard work, the kid will be just fine. The speed he has will add to the lineup too.
Exactly. Before we start complaining about him, maybe we should watch him actually play at the MLB level. I seem to recall when Mac came up, he was known as a strong defensive catcher but not much of a hitter. We all know how accurate that scouting report was…
The last time the Braves traded pitching prospects is STILL being complained about on this blog. And I’m betting some of the folks that are saying we should trade some of that talent would be among the first to whine about it if they become the ace of another team’s staff…
@bravesfan, I am sure if the right deal came up Wren would trade one of the pitchers. No he is not going to trade one of the top 3-4, but the Braves are deep in pitching and if he felt the return was right to improve the team he would. Who would you have liked for him to go after. And yes it does take two to trade. The other side has to be willing to give up quality for pitching. You can’t offer plastic and expect the Braves to give up gold.
cab, also I remember last year the complaints about Freeman. He couldn’t do this and couldn’t do that. The kid proved he could play. Bottom line. And yes you are right, trade one and the same ones complaining about not trading them would go nuts. All of these trade experts, I would like to see what they would allegedly go after in a trade.
3,779 comments Add your comment
Sopheee
January 17th, 2012
4:54 pm
BAS & cab – after the major letdown on the Falcons OC hiring, I’m ecstatic about the Nolan hire at DC. I’ll reserve judgement on the Mr. Dirk from Jacksonville until I see the offense in action next season though.
Murph
January 17th, 2012
4:55 pm
I think Japan gets hot in the summer, too. At least, it looked kinda hot in Karate Kid II.
cabravesfan
January 17th, 2012
4:56 pm
BAS-
Yeah, all I can really think about with him is how terrible he was with the Niners. As for Miami, they don’t have a head coach yet- if Fisher had gone there, you can bet Nolan would have stayed (or if they had already hired someone good- not that I think they shouldn’t take their time, but there was a certain amount of unknown – enough for Nolan to look elsewhere)
Jbailz
January 17th, 2012
4:56 pm
Ellsbury signs a one year 8 mill dollar deal. So if he’s a free agent next year can we make a play for him and waive bye bye to Bourne? I’d rather have Jacoby myself…
Hillbilly
January 17th, 2012
4:56 pm
…overcome by the good news, though. Justified returns tonight, with new bad guys.
A-flippin’-men. Boyd.Damn.Crowder.
Couch Tater
January 17th, 2012
4:57 pm
Who cares?
MLB and the HOF probably like the arguments. It keeps baseball as a topic of discussion, rather than Tim Tebow’s release point.
ISH
January 17th, 2012
4:57 pm
DAP.. Time will tell I guess.. I still want consistency.
cabravesfan
January 17th, 2012
4:58 pm
Sophee-
Like BAS (and I) said- Nolan can coach defenses very well. But for a Niner fan, he is just the guy that was dreadful as our head coach. Every time I see his name, I can’t help thinking “why on earth does that team want HIM?” and then I remember that as a coordinator, he is a very good hire
Jimmy
January 17th, 2012
5:00 pm
Nolan as DC for the Falcons. He has grit.
Jbailz
January 17th, 2012
5:02 pm
Nolan is like Wade Phillips, great DC’s but terrible coaches. As a Niners fan, I can’t wait to see how good Alex Smith and the Niners will be for the next 4-5 years with a good coach that believes in them. I’m thinking the Niner nation is making a comeback!!!
Efrim
January 17th, 2012
5:04 pm
Do the Falcons have the personel for a 3-4 defense? Because that’s what Nolan is going to turn them into. A hybrid 3-4/4-3, at the very least. John Abraham certainly doesn’t seem like he can transition at this point of his career and didn’t they sign Ray Edwards last offseason – a 4-3 defensive end? Bizarre hire, imo.
Bay Area Steve
January 17th, 2012
5:04 pm
I lost Maria Bello, The Firm started soft, House and Fringe sound like they’re being chopped. I don’t get any premium channels, where it sounds like all the good stuff is nowadays…
“Boyd.Damn.Crowder.” better bring it, is what I’m sayin’.
ColoradoBravesFan
January 17th, 2012
5:05 pm
From Shaun….As for me, I’m not comfortable saying someone like Barry Bonds’s actions were more reprehensible than Ty Cobb’s racism and his willingness to punch an umpire or Gaylord Perry’s doctoring baseballs.
You are correct Bond’s action were not as reprehensible as being a racist…. But Ty Cobb did not become a racist to improve his ability to play baseball and hit more homeruns. Barry Bonds purchased steroids, injected them into his body and then lied about it for the sole purpose to improve his ability to hit a baseball further and run faster.
Being drunk, fighting with umpires, turning a blind eye to segregation is in no way compared to injecting steroids for years for the sole purpose to improve your baseball status. Drinking, smoking, sex with different women in each town will hurt baseball performance and doesn’t improve your baseball skill and inflate the numbers produced.
I am comfortable saying I believe Barry Bonds baseball numbers are inflated due to years of steroid use and he should not be in the HOF. I am comfortable saying Ty Cobb was a racist and his actions were more reprehensible than Bonds…. but Cobb’s baseball numbers were not inflated so he should be in the HOF.
Efrim
January 17th, 2012
5:06 pm
I’m thinking the Niner nation is making a comeback!!!
I’m excited as well. However…..
I just saw a Packer defense that took a huge step back(Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji, specifically). I would of never guessed that could happen, especially with Capers as the D coordinator.
Or maybe they should of stopped doing those Discount Double Check commercials.
Bay Area Steve
January 17th, 2012
5:06 pm
“A hybrid 3-4/4-3, at the very least”
Remember when they tried that here? Looked like we were playin’ a 3-3-3. That’s nine players, for those scoring at home.
Efrim
January 17th, 2012
5:08 pm
That’s what makes the Steelers and Ravens such great organizations. Sustained defensive success for the last 10-12 years(even more for the Steelers…..like 30 years).
BravePack
January 17th, 2012
5:10 pm
Would still love to have a Cody Ross type bat for LF when Chipper sits and Prado moves to 3rd. Getting real tired of the Matt Diaz experiment out there in LF. If Chipper goes down for an extended amount of time it won’t be good unless Joey Terds tears it up in AA.
Efrim
January 17th, 2012
5:10 pm
It never works. Hybrids, that is. 3-4 is hard to mold a 4-3 team into. Takes time to find 3-4 DE’s that can hold the point, yet still rush the passer. Not every team can find Justin Smith’s and Ray McDonalds…
And pass rushing OLB’s that can also play during base downs ain’t easy to find either. 4-3 defense is so much easier to develop, imo.
Efrim
January 17th, 2012
5:12 pm
6′3” 290lbs+ for 3-4 DE
6′1” 315 lbs+ for 3-4 NT
6′0” 245 lbs+ for 3-4 OLB
keylargo
January 17th, 2012
5:13 pm
Here’s some video on Chris Jones, the lefty pitcher the Braves got from Cleveland who has been described as a LHed Medlen.
http://www.talkingchop.com/2011/11/1/2529252/a-little-more-about-new-braves-prospect-chris-jones,
nolie
January 17th, 2012
5:14 pm
Did they already cancel Prime Suspect? Boo
I thought the last season of Fringe was the greatest but since the two worlds are in contact this year the ratings have really tumbled from what I hear. Prolly gone. boo
Efrim
January 17th, 2012
5:14 pm
Bigger ILB’s are needed as well, because they need to be able to shed off Guards that are making blocks for the RB’s. Pat Willis and Bowman are listed in the 6′1” 240 LB range…..”listed” weight…
Jimmy (MA)
January 17th, 2012
5:15 pm
damn Efrim, you know about Football too?
Shaun
January 17th, 2012
5:16 pm
DAP, it’s unreasonable to assume Bonds’s career would have ended after his age 28 season. Even Griffey, with all his injuries, played until he was 40. Even if you stop his career then, his numbers are in Jim Rice territory, and better when you consider defense.
Crazy, why discount a player’s whole career because he used PED’s? What happens if Chipper is found to have used at some point? You keep him out?
cabravesfan
January 17th, 2012
5:17 pm
Efrim-
The Niners run a hybrid 3-4/4-3…their base is a 3-4, but they do switch it up quite often (reason why Justin Smith was an All-Pro at 2 different positions)
Sopheee
January 17th, 2012
5:18 pm
Did anyone catch Alcatraz on Fox yesterday? Thought about catching the premiere but forgot to DVR it. Thoughts?
cabravesfan
January 17th, 2012
5:19 pm
Sopheee-
We have it recorded- have not watched yet
Murph
January 17th, 2012
5:19 pm
What happens if Chipper is found to have used at some point? You keep him out?
Yes.
Braveheart
January 17th, 2012
5:22 pm
Who cares? MLB and the HOF probably like the arguments. It keeps baseball as a topic of discussion, rather than Tim Tebow’s release point.
Exactly. Pete Rose doesn’t want to make the Hall of Fame. Too much money to be made being the guy being banished from the HOF.
brian
January 17th, 2012
5:24 pm
good for the Falcons. The Falcons should have no trouble focusing on the off season workouts. A few smart free agent moves and the Falcons should make a better run next year.
I am glad that the Falcons have changed coordinators. The Falcons showed little creativity offensively and defensively this year. The Falcons were not aggressive at all. At times it also seemed that they were going through the motions. Whether it was “chemistry”, the coaches, or players or a combo something was definitely missing from the Falcons this year.
Shaun
January 17th, 2012
5:24 pm
ColoradoBravesFan, here’s the problem: Bonds numbers would have very likely been good enough without PED’s. His numbers were so outstanding that it’s silly to assume he wasn’t a Hall of Famer, regardless. So then the argument has to go back to whether Bonds’s actions were more reprehensible than Cobb’s. And you already agree that they are not. Or you have to go with that you don’t like Bonds and that’s what this is all about. It’s fine if you don’t like the guy. I don’t think that’s enough to keep a guy out of the Hall. There are plenty of Hall of Famers that don’t seem very likeable, in my view.
But to say Bonds’s numbers were inflated by PED’s and therefore he’s not a Hall of Famer is a stretch. Bonds is not even close to a borderline candidate. His numbers are up there in Ruth territory as the most impressive ever. You take away PED’s, unless you discount his numbers to a completely unreasonable degree, and he’s still clearly a Hall of Famer.
Look at someone like Griffey. Bonds was considered a better player early in their careers. Griffey was never under the PED suspicion and he’s still a clear-cut, possible first-ballot Hall of Famer. So how could one reasonable argue that PED’s are what pushed Bonds’s numbers into Hall of Fame territory?
Murph
January 17th, 2012
5:28 pm
Shaun, did the doctor give you any kind of special care instructions for your new monkey pube hair? Can you wash it or does your mom have to sit behind you and pick out all of the bugs/dirt by hand?
Jbailz
January 17th, 2012
5:28 pm
Sophee – Have it on the DVR, want to watch it tonight. Will let you know.
Efrim – I’m not sure what happened to the Pack, maybe they lost the desire to win it all or they just had an off day for the entire team. But that was not the Packers I’ve been watching all year…
David O'Brien
January 17th, 2012
5:30 pm
W/exception of small moves, “I think this is likely the team we not only got to spring training with but that we break camp with,” Wren said.
Braves are around $90M w/ current payroll, and Wren said they want to retain some payroll flexibility to make midseason moves.
cabravesfan
January 17th, 2012
5:30 pm
The thing with the Packers- They basically just ran into a team that was able to slow them down. Their defense has been terrible all year- finished dead last in the entire NFL in total defense. During the regular season, Rodgers and the offense were able to cover up their total lack of ability to play D. Against the Giants, they were not and got exposed.
BravePack
January 17th, 2012
5:31 pm
Murph
January 17th, 2012
5:28 pm
Shaun, did the doctor give you any kind of special care instructions for your new monkey pube hair? Can you wash it or does your mom have to sit behind you and pick out all of the bugs/dirt by hand?
I don’t think I want to know what this about.
nolie
January 17th, 2012
5:32 pm
no surprise DOB
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 17th, 2012
5:36 pm
Basically, Wren is saying he’s gonna add to his bench. Everything else is finished.
Bay Area Steve
January 17th, 2012
5:37 pm
Murph,
While I think your Shaun/hair bit is played out, I did think you should be aware of ‘OB’s contact on twitter: @baldheaded1der
Do you think?
And, gimme some four-year-old stuff. Nothing yet?
Murph
January 17th, 2012
5:39 pm
BP, Shaun just got back from the Netherlands where he underwent a radical hair transplant surgery… they implanted over 200k monkey pubes into his scalp. That’s why he’s been away from the blog for so long. Not only do they have to implant each hair individually, but you can imagine how difficult it is to harvest the hair from the monkeys.
brian
January 17th, 2012
5:41 pm
Wren is right to say that this is the team we will take to camp and leave camp with. First of all, it probably is the team so Wren has to show confidence in his team and the players. Second, a GM is not going to announce I am desparate for a LF or I really want to dump this player or that player. People start looking for pitching in spring training it helps negotiation when Wren has said this is the team I am breaking camp with.
CB
January 17th, 2012
5:41 pm
Soph, Alcatraz appears to be promising. Wife and I both liked the premiere.
Murph
January 17th, 2012
5:45 pm
While I think your Shaun/hair bit is played out
Never!
And, gimme some four-year-old stuff. Nothing yet?
She’s had a pretty tame couple of days. Not much to report. She did give the 5 year old her first real black eye yesterday, though. Went to meet the family at Red Robin (the 4 year old’s favorite lunch spot) to celebrate her birthday. They got there first and, as I approached the table, I heard the 5 year old say “Do it. I dare you. I dare you!!!” which was followed by the 4 year old punching her square in the eye, closed fist and all. The 5 year old crumpled, slipping off the slick booth material and under the table in a stream of tears.
brian
January 17th, 2012
5:45 pm
Shaun-
Bonds made his choices and now he has to live with the consequences. Yes, he was a Hall of Famer without PEDs. He was not satisfied with that and made a choice that affected the integrity of the game. He is the poster child for the darkest era in modern baseball history. He will not make the Hall of Fame which honors baseball
chipper say we better team then Phillies
January 17th, 2012
5:46 pm
We goin make Playoffs U kiddin me Playoffs ..Playoffs u say U have be kiddin me…..That way is for 2012 we did not Get prince fielder Miami has inproved so dam much they be one’s tryin take east from Phillies and Nats.While Freddie Gonz and Wren Band will just tip there caps when Ozzie Gullien wins 97games in first year at helm and in a new stadium…and Carlos Zambrano will return to his form and win 20 games this year and bean chipper Jones so he can be out for season! And what will are great Freddie Gonz do to get even why tip his cap to Ozzie n lose 93 Games this season n Wren will be fired after 2012 season is over!
chipper say we better team then Phillies
January 17th, 2012
5:49 pm
Wren would break wind after camp then confess he a lousy GM like Billy Beano is with Oakland A’s….like said Phillies win East Miami will be second and 3rd is Nats and Braves n Mets will be tryin stay out of last place sorry folks ……looks like its goin be a Lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng season here again!
Go Go Pilots
January 17th, 2012
5:51 pm
Roger Maris should be in Hall after all the crap you writers gave him as for dale M….. No way
Venice Jim
January 17th, 2012
5:51 pm
Hard to argue with impeccable logic…
Murph
January 17th, 2012
5:53 pm
Read “chipper say we better team then Phillies” posts with a Jamaican accent…
“He a lousy GM!” Mamalukaboobooday said as she entered the hut. “Looks like it goin be a lonnnng season up in here again!” she exclaimed.
nolie
January 17th, 2012
5:54 pm
I think all this “integrity of the game” stuff is pretty naive thinking
Skeezix
January 17th, 2012
5:58 pm
Duh, who would have known that the Braves wouldn’t do anything until midseason?
So predictable.
Murph
January 17th, 2012
5:59 pm
I think all this “integrity of the game” stuff is pretty naive thinking
“Integrity of the Game” starring Kevin Costner as Randy Birdquist, former major league catcher, beer drinker, wife beater, steroid dealer, turned preacher.
hmmm...
January 17th, 2012
6:06 pm
“damn Efrim, you know about football too”
He knows everything except how to mate. Hasn’t quite figured that one out yet, at least with something besides his rosy palms.
ColoradoBravesFan
January 17th, 2012
6:07 pm
Shaun… Here is the problem. Bonds and Clemens both would have made it into the HOF, but they made the decision to inject steroids to improve their baseball status above other players. Their decision had a direct effect/affect on the game of baseball. Their decision to use steroids inflated their numbers. When or how much the steroids inflated their numbers is not he issue… the issue is that that did it. Not once, not five times but for years they deliberately cheated to improve their stats. Because they did this and did it for years their numbers are inflated and they should not be in the HOF.
And where did you get that I don’t like Bonds? I never stated that at all. I like Bonds much better than Clemens and Ty Cobb I can tell you that.
BravePack
January 17th, 2012
6:09 pm
Murph
January 17th, 2012
5:39 pm
BP, Shaun just got back from the Netherlands where he underwent a radical hair transplant surgery… they implanted over 200k monkey pubes into his scalp. That’s why he’s been away from the blog for so long. Not only do they have to implant each hair individually, but you can imagine how difficult it is to harvest the hair from the monkeys.
I have a hard time believing this even if I wanted to and even if I did I think I’d rather have nothing up there than monkey pubes or at least my own if any pubes, at least I know where those have been.
Murph
January 17th, 2012
6:15 pm
BP, the monkeys they use for the procedure are farm raised. They don’t take take them out of the wild or anything like that. It’s pretty ethical.
Shaun promised he’d send me a picture of his new do. I’ll post it as soon as I’m done photoshop… errrr… as soon as I get it.
Ray
January 17th, 2012
6:16 pm
@brian, I will say first and foremost, I am not making any excuses about Bonds. He let ego get in the way and took the PED’s. He didn’t have to do that to be considered one of the all time greatest. His numbers were there. I will throw this out there in comparison with Rose and Bonds. What Bonds did, was not good but under the baseball rules not illegal. Showed lack of integrity and disrespect for the game. What Rose did was against the rules of baseball. DOB can confirm this but the No Gambling is posted among other rules. There were strong rumors about the people that Rose ran around with early on his career. It would not bother me at all if neither one ever gets in. I believe that their gear is in is good enough especially Rose. But as I have stated earlier, I don’t like the guy.
Denny
January 17th, 2012
6:17 pm
Glad Wren is confident, because I sure as hell am not. The offense will once again have the fans pulling their hair out and what worries you is the infield defense. Uggla and Chipper have very limits range and Pastornicky is by all accounts a poor defender. That leaves Freddie as the only one who is a really solid glove man. That is rough considering your ace and Jair are groundball pitchers when right.
Also, as deep as the SP is it is also marked with questions on health and durability to go with plenty of inexperience. That poor bullpen will be in for another grueling season of overwork I’m afraid.
Murph
January 17th, 2012
6:19 pm
The offense will once again have the fans pulling their hair out
We might be able to get a group rate on the monkey hair transplants
CB
January 17th, 2012
6:22 pm
So,if I understand correctly our bench will be Wilson,David Ross,Diaz,Hinske and Constanza. Wow,that is weak.
Murph
January 17th, 2012
6:23 pm
So,if I understand correctly our bench will be Wilson,David Ross,Diaz,Hinske and Constanza. Wow,that is weak.
Now imagine our lineup if Chipper gets hurt and Pastornicky fails to produce…
Steve
January 17th, 2012
6:23 pm
A letter JS did send;
Trying fences to mend;
But fans did remember;
A losing September;
And a hapless GM
Denny
January 17th, 2012
6:27 pm
I really hope most other fans don’t feel the way I do about this team, otherwise attendance will be down much more than it already has been at Turner Field. I will not be spending a dime on this team simply because I don’t see an ounce of improvement from last year and it could be a worse off club. Yeah yeah yeah…..they nearly made the playoffs. However, what psychological effect did that complete meltdown have on the team, especially so many young guys who were smack dab in the middle of it? It could be a long year folks. I will not be wasting my time with it.
Braves.com needs to quite sending me messages about buying Braves tickets for the upcoming season. Not. Happening.
Ray
January 17th, 2012
6:34 pm
You can always block sender or unsubscribe if you do not want to receive emails. Very easy solution. One of the advantages that we have over the teams in our division is if one of our pitchers go down, we have talent ready to take their spot. No other team in our division has the depth in their pitching. It will be curious to see what Wren does at the trade deadline for the stretch run.
jeffrey doo doo
January 17th, 2012
6:35 pm
I think there’s an option to stop getting those emails
jeffrey doo doo
January 17th, 2012
6:37 pm
With Lowe, McLouth, and A-Gon off the team, I don’t see this team doing worse than last year
Disgusted
January 17th, 2012
6:38 pm
The Braves really need to get off to a strong start or its going to be a long year at the gate.
If the Braves fall back say 10 or 12 games and get passed over by the Fish and Nats, I hope I am wrong but I can see attendance falling below 2 million for the first time in over 20 yrs.
No one wants that, even the most hardened cynic and I am one of them do not want that.
I know that its frustrating with Liberty Media, but boycotting the team is counterproductive.
For the purpose of saving face of the ATL as a baseball town, just get to a few games if you can afford it and have the time. I do not want to dictate how people should spend their $$$$$, but I plead with you, staying away becaue you are mad is not going to solve anything.
Why give POS people like Rod Parker more ammo to fire down on us.
Ray
January 17th, 2012
6:39 pm
IF the Rangers sign Prince and if Darvish is the real deal, Rangers would have to be the early favorites to return to the World Series. That lineup would be the best in baseball. One scary lineup.
David O'Brien
January 17th, 2012
6:39 pm
Braves have re-signed Moylan. It’s a minor-league deal that will pay $1 mill prorated for time in majors, plus incentives.
cabravesfan
January 17th, 2012
6:40 pm
√ajcbraves David O’Brien
Peter Moylan and #Braves agreed on a 1-year deal. The affable Aussie returns, coming off shoulder surgery, should be ready early season.
Peter’s Back!!
Denny
January 17th, 2012
6:40 pm
So what Wren did was downgrade a position of importance because of the “potential”that’s in Pastornicky. Fine, everybody needs a chance. However, your team with so many health and inexperience issues doesn’t have room for another project. Not if you want to overtake the Phillies and to beat down two improved teams in your own division. Wren failed at his job this offseason. Spin it any which way you guys want, but this GM just downgraded one of the bigger highlights his team had which was a stellar defensive SS. Just dumb.
BravesFanSince80's
January 17th, 2012
6:41 pm
nobody really seems to be taking into account that our division will be considerably tougher next season and a little “addition by subtraction” won’t be good enough. hello, everybody, we play most of our games against New York, Miami, Washington, and PHILADELPHIA, so maybe our standing pat GM needs to get off his behind and find some offense!
MIBravesFan
January 17th, 2012
6:43 pm
That’s great news about Peter!
cabravesfan
January 17th, 2012
6:43 pm
With what money would you like our GM to find that offense? We are pretty much tapped out there…
Denny
January 17th, 2012
6:45 pm
Getting excited over a relief pitcher which probably will be out for extended time recovering? A guy who is a major health scare every time he steps on the mound these days anyhow. Very sad we Braves fans have been sucker punched time after time since the dive started back in September.
We could be Cubs fans though, right? Trying to find the positive here.
The Lumber
January 17th, 2012
6:46 pm
I think we need to get more bench and outfield help. Trade for the Dodgers Jerry Sands, take a flyer on Betemit or Tejada. Wish we had the cash to make a run at Cespedes.
BravesFanSince80's
January 17th, 2012
6:46 pm
never once have I said that we need to spend any money, cut loose some more dead weight and trade surplus pitching. I’m not an idiot, I realize there are budget constraints, but also some questionable folks on our roster and way too many pitchers in the minors that won’t have a spot any time soon…
jeffrey doo doo
January 17th, 2012
6:46 pm
Sorry, guys. Nobody get excited about Moylan coming back. Not allowed.
abwright
January 17th, 2012
6:47 pm
I’m glad to hear that the Braves signed Peter. He’s had some tough breaks, and the Braves will give him a chance to get back in the game.
I’m really pulling for Moylan and hope he gets back to the bigs.
Murph
January 17th, 2012
6:50 pm
Sorry, guys. Nobody get excited about Moylan coming back. Not allowed.
WOO HO… oh. Oh, sorry. Sorry everyone. Sorry about that.
Ray
January 17th, 2012
6:51 pm
BravesFan, it takes two to make a trade. Very simple. Its easy for all of us to say go make a trade. Doing it with the intention of making this team better is the hard part.
Denny
January 17th, 2012
6:51 pm
cabravesfan- it is called being creative by dealing certain parts to acquire others. Wren should not have depended on a poor defensive kid at SS. That is really dangerous to do when you already have two guys to his side that are limited on range, Jones and Uggla. Wilson is a backup who can’t hit, so don’t bring him up. Name me one team in recent memory that has won a championship with a poor defensive SS, one who is a rookie on top of that?
Murph
January 17th, 2012
6:52 pm
way too many pitchers in the minors that won’t have a spot any time soon…
Come August, when both Hanson and JJ are on the DL, you’ll be very happy that Teheran, Delgado, and Vizcaino are still in the system.
cabravesfan
January 17th, 2012
6:54 pm
I seem to recall there not being a lot of options at shortstop to go after to begin with. Besides, I have no idea if Pastornicky is a poor fielder, never having seen him play.
Ray
January 17th, 2012
6:56 pm
Giants and Lincecom .. record filing numbers. WOW, 17m and 21.5m
old man
January 17th, 2012
6:56 pm
Nobody noted my post a couple of days ago–but fangraphs Fan projections has all of our seven starters (eight, minus SS) doing substantially better as a group based on WAR numbers. Even those identifying themselves as non-Braves fans. So seeing a big uptick on the offense may not be out of the question, even without a blockbuster trade.
Murph
January 17th, 2012
6:57 pm
I hope Lincecum gets his $21.5mil
old man
January 17th, 2012
6:58 pm
Our SS production will not go down in 2012. It may not be great, but it will not go down.
BravesFanSince80's
January 17th, 2012
6:59 pm
nope, sorry, I won’t be because by then it won’t matter. The “it takes two to make a trade” bit doesn’t wash because Wren has made it very clear he doesn’t want to move any of those pitching prospects so it isn’t the other clubs, it’s Wren and his phobia of trading pitching prospects…
Ray
January 17th, 2012
6:59 pm
cab, none of us have seen him field. There are reports that he is fast, weak arm, and he has committed quite a few errors. Lets see what the kid does in spring training. Lets see what he does first part of the season. I am sure having Wilson there and Chipper there to mentor him and a lot of hard work, the kid will be just fine. The speed he has will add to the lineup too.
cabravesfan
January 17th, 2012
7:01 pm
Ray-
Exactly. Before we start complaining about him, maybe we should watch him actually play at the MLB level. I seem to recall when Mac came up, he was known as a strong defensive catcher but not much of a hitter. We all know how accurate that scouting report was…
cabravesfan
January 17th, 2012
7:03 pm
The last time the Braves traded pitching prospects is STILL being complained about on this blog. And I’m betting some of the folks that are saying we should trade some of that talent would be among the first to whine about it if they become the ace of another team’s staff…
Ray
January 17th, 2012
7:04 pm
@bravesfan, I am sure if the right deal came up Wren would trade one of the pitchers. No he is not going to trade one of the top 3-4, but the Braves are deep in pitching and if he felt the return was right to improve the team he would. Who would you have liked for him to go after. And yes it does take two to trade. The other side has to be willing to give up quality for pitching. You can’t offer plastic and expect the Braves to give up gold.
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
January 17th, 2012
7:05 pm
Petey Pablo Is Back for Another Season! Nice! A Hella lot better than Linebrink…
Ray
January 17th, 2012
7:07 pm
cab, also I remember last year the complaints about Freeman. He couldn’t do this and couldn’t do that. The kid proved he could play. Bottom line. And yes you are right, trade one and the same ones complaining about not trading them would go nuts. All of these trade experts, I would like to see what they would allegedly go after in a trade.
Mister Frisky
January 17th, 2012
7:08 pm
Still 4th place.
BravesFanSince80's
January 17th, 2012
7:08 pm
nope you won’t hear me whining so long as it isn’t a “rental” trade
Ray
January 17th, 2012
7:10 pm
Braves fan, so please share who would you like for the Braves to go after in a trade.
Bat Masterson
January 17th, 2012
7:11 pm
Wren should not have depended on a poor defensive kid at SS. _ Denny
Don’t we know it. What a let down that guy was.
The Lumber
January 17th, 2012
7:13 pm
MF – You think the Braves will be in 4ht place?