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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,779 comments Add your comment
cabravesfan
January 18th, 2012
12:15 am
Damn…
Sorry!
N8
January 18th, 2012
12:24 am
“Sorry, DOB, but O’Ventebrel is the stupidest name I’ve ever heard. It’s never worked or been clever and you continue to go with it. Sad.”
Actually, I saw at least one, and possible two national publications/shows using it last summer. Then again, ESPN is pretty stupid too. So….. stupid is as stupid does I guess, right?
cabravesfan
January 18th, 2012
12:24 am
Listening to Cat Stevens. I love him.
N8
January 18th, 2012
12:28 am
“Better scenario would be for Jurrjens to have another fast start and deal him in June or July, if you’re gonna trade him.”
Like some of us said they should have done last year? Yeah. I guess waiting another year, and another injury later was the safe bet.
N8
January 18th, 2012
12:29 am
Isn’t Cat Stevens a member of the Taliban now?
cabravesfan
January 18th, 2012
12:31 am
N8-
Don’t think he’s gone that far, but he’s definitely strayed into the “crazy fringe” world. Shame, really, because he is simply a brilliant artist. Nuts, to be sure. But brilliant.
DS1
January 18th, 2012
12:38 am
Jazz killed the CP3-less Clippers tonight by 29 points. I think Blake Griffin was held to 10 points on the night. Would CP3 have made a difference? Certainly. A 29 point difference? I don’t think so.
Does anybody else think Mark Teahen might be a good pickup. The Jays will be paying him the lions share of his contract. We’d be on the hook for minimum salary.
Don’t know if he has anything left in the tank, but a couple of years back, he was a good ballplayer that I seem to recall we had some possible interest in acquiring.
Every time I hear a Cat Stevens song, I get a little sad………….. damned sympathizer!
cabravesfan
January 18th, 2012
12:40 am
DS1-
Stevens does have a way of making one feel melancholy…
DS1
January 18th, 2012
12:43 am
cab
I am sad to think of what became of him in the past decade.
Another Saturday night and I ain’t got nobody, I got some money cause I just got paid………..
Venice Jim
January 18th, 2012
12:56 am
Of course, Another Saturday Night is his major cover, of a Sam Cooke song…
Venice Jim
January 18th, 2012
12:57 am
DS1 – did you notice someone refer to Piano Man as “God-awful” earlier today?
Venice Jim
January 18th, 2012
1:09 am
I must away ere break of day…
Tomas
January 18th, 2012
1:13 am
I have an idea.
Red Sox need to improve their pitching, unfortunately for them, they can’t add an efective starter without surpassing the luxury tax. Now normally they would trade their young prospects for a cheap yet effective starter. But since over the last couple of years they have depleted their system by trading for Adrian Gonzalez, Andrew Bailey, Mark Melancon, etc.
Since they need a starter, I’m thinking about a potential match with the Braves and Red Sox. Braves need a LF, they need to improve the teams OBP.
Kevin Youkilis has played LF, 3B, and 1B, and it’s considered one of the toughest outs in baseball and has always gotten on base. He is making 12 million this year and has a club option of 13 million for next year.
If the were to deal Martin Prado and Jair Jurrjens for Kevin Youkilis, Braves will obtain the bat they’ve been looking for in Youkilis who take over Prado’s job, and the Red Sox will obtain a 3B to replace Youkilis and the starter they need. They’ll save about 1-2 million also, Red Sox.
David O'Brien
January 18th, 2012
1:44 am
Just when most of the good dramas have gone into hibernation for awhile, Justified and Southland come back blazing with strong season premieres tonight.
N8
January 18th, 2012
1:47 am
I know Cab. Just a joke. He is/was a brilliant artist. I don’t really let all the other crap get in the way of that. OJ Simpson was a great football player. Doesn’t much all make much difference in my life how much of a jackass he was/is. If that makes any sense.
Justified back w/ a vengeance. Excellent season premiere, sinister new characters. Bring it.” DOB
Absolutely agree. Just got done watching it on the DVR. Simply can’t wait for the 2nd episode.
I’m through disc 1 of Season 3 of SOA. While a good show and I can see why people like it, it simply hasn’t grabbed me like I thought it would. No where near as good of a storyline as Justified is. Not nearly as intense as Rescue Me, and in fact I’m not even sure I like it better than Damages. I’ll continue to watch because I’m “in” now. But to be honest, I’m a little disappointed. Perhaps I expected to much from it with all the hype and with so many people giving raving reviews of it. It has moments of brilliance, but just can’t put my finger on why I don’t like it more than I do. Oh well.
Like I said. I don’t think it’s bad. It’s quite entertaining. Just expected more.
nolie
January 18th, 2012
1:52 am
Piano Man is the song Paul McCarthy said he wished he had written.
nolie
January 18th, 2012
1:54 am
I thought it would. No where near as good of a storyline as Justified is. Not nearly as intense as Rescue Me, and in fact I’m not even sure I like it better than Damages…N8
I like it better than Damages and Rescue Me, not quite as good as Justified
N8
January 18th, 2012
1:58 am
That’s cool nolie. Like I said. I’m not knocking it. Just thought I’d like it more than I have. When I get into a series or a storyline (especially on DVD), I literally can’t wait for the next episode. SOA has had stretches like that. But I’ve found myself getting bored with some of it.
For whatever reason, Damages (more the manner in which they give you the story), has had me from episode one. Rescue Me probably had more to do with the great characters and my love of Denis Leary.
But Justified is probably my favorite show. Hands down.
One thing I will give SOA is that the music they use is fantastic. There has been episodes where the best part to me was the soundtrack.
nolie
January 18th, 2012
2:02 am
I really loved the first season of Damages, I think each succeeding one has been a little weaker than the previous one. Big Dexter fan, but thought this season was a bit disappointing
N8
January 18th, 2012
2:07 am
I agree on Damages from season one to season two. But I liked the 3rd one. Don’t have DirecTV, so I’ll have to wait for season 4 on DVD or netflix.
Dexter is one of the first I’ll do now that I’ve signed up for netflix. Also have the first two seasons of Breaking Bad on DVD. But was waiting to finish the 3 SOA dvd’s before starting them.
nolie
January 18th, 2012
2:24 am
Breaking Bad is just too dark for my taste. In general I like lighter stuff better than deep drama.
Ward
January 18th, 2012
2:30 am
Hello everyone! This time I have the “o”.Good to see everyone all signed.Now we have a better understanding who’s on the Braves roster,and that is good.
N8
January 18th, 2012
3:15 am
That’s what I’ve heard about Breaking Bad nolie. But I usually like that stuff. So I’m guessing I’ll like it. But I thought I’d really like SOA too. So we’ll see….
ncgary
January 18th, 2012
4:59 am
cat stevens
didn’t he preach about love and tolerance.
hey we can’t have that
what if it caught on
that would be terrible wouldn’t it
Ward
January 18th, 2012
5:01 am
Been watching NFL Net Work,and sad what happening to Payton Manning. Should Colts trade him for draft picks,or keep him,to teach Luck?Well tough call there……. All have a good one,and peace………….
Ward
January 18th, 2012
5:03 am
I would keep Peyton for 4 more years to teach Luck,but thats just me. Tough call to have to make.
Ward
January 18th, 2012
5:05 am
Talk tomorrow,and Hope the Braves can get Cody Ross………..Still would like that to happen…….
richbrave
January 18th, 2012
5:25 am
House cleaning, and house keeping chores done, BRAVES face the 2012 season with fresh-scrubbed optimism. Where’s February 19 when you need it?
richbrave
January 18th, 2012
5:28 am
A lomg month away!
richbrave
January 18th, 2012
5:35 am
WINTER BALL
DOMINICA
LICEY TIGERS
PH DONEL LINARES [.196 BA] 1-1, 1 RBI [6].
RHRP JAIRO ASENCIO [SV 3, 4.32 ERA] 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 2 WP, 6 BF, 2 GO/ 0 AO.
richbrave
January 18th, 2012
5:36 am
Hey, PEYTON MANNING to the REDSKINS for five draft choices this year and next.
VaBravesFan
January 18th, 2012
7:45 am
richbrave
Peyton Manning won’t be traded. The Colts will either have to pay him 25 million for a roster bonus or cut him loose. No team will trade for him cause of the roster bonus. He would become a free agent and looking for a new contract. But with him being 34 and coming off of 2 neck surgeries I don’t see him getting another big contract.
I’m a Redskins fan and I hope we don’t sign him. We need to bring in our own QB from the draft. It didnt work with McNabb, im sure it wont work with a 34 year old Manning coming off 2 neck surgeries in 1 season. If we do sign em tho…..I hope we draft a QB still.
ncscoots
January 18th, 2012
8:19 am
House cleaning, and house keeping chores done, BRAVES face the 2012 season with fresh-scrubbed optimism. Where’s February 19 when you need it?
I do have some of that 25th-man concern, I guess. Wilson and Constanza at the end of the bench gets a little weak with the bat. I mean, one doesn’t expect .300 to be pining down there, but, dang, LOL. Seems that Fredo’s use of Diaz and HInske will have to be judicious.
Still, that concern isn’t enough to deprive me of even a single wink of my forty. The everyday 8 do their job, there won’t be that many ABs for Wilson and Constanza, anyway. If they don’t, any last two bench guys won’t make any difference, either.
O.J.
January 18th, 2012
8:22 am
N8, not only that, but I heard Fredi G said O’Ventbrel on numerous occasions as well.
VaBravesFan
January 18th, 2012
8:45 am
ncscoots
Yeah, I mentioned last night that we had awesome bullpen depth. Not to mention probably the best bullpen in baseball, then we go out and bring in another reliever…..Its not a bad thing that Moylan is back, but come on…This ballclub’s biggest weakness is our bench. Jack Wilson is here to provide good defense when he has to play. But he’s basically a pitcher flailing at the plate. Since 2009 he’s hit 250/285/329…..Hinske is coming off a bad season, I have no confidence in Matt Diaz. You can’t do much better than David Ross as a backup catcher so were set there. Other include Constanza, Sutton, Durango. You really would have thought Wren would have added a solid player for the bench.
Lemke's Knuckler
January 18th, 2012
8:47 am
“I do have some of that 25th-man concern, I guess”
That last spot has always been a revolving door. Remember last year they had Brooks Conrad, Matt Young and Brandon Hicks at the 23/24/25 men. And then Young was replaced by Joe Mather at the end of the first month, but he wasn’t much better. I’d say Diaz/Wilson/_____ is a vast improvement over that regardless of who the 25th man is. And players are always cut or traded in spring training, so the Braves might stumble on a guy from one of these teams with overloaded outfields (Texas, Oakland, etc.).
It’s also hard to remember that McLouth was starting in center. This team is much better than the version that started 2011.
Lemke's Knuckler
January 18th, 2012
8:49 am
And I love bringing back Moylan on the one-year deal. Even if he doesn’t pitch, from everything I’ve read, he’s an incredible influence on the team, both mentoring the youngin’s in the pen and keeping guys loose with his humor.
CrαZy
January 18th, 2012
8:59 am
No team will trade for him cause of the roster bonus. He would become a free agent and looking for a new contract. But with him being 34 and coming off of 2 neck surgeries I don’t see him getting another big contract.
He’s going to want to play for a team that’s ready to win not a team rebuilding so strike the redskins off the list. If I was the Denver Broncos I’d trade Tebow for whatever I could get (most likely a couple late picks) then I’d draft a QB like Case Keenum or Kellen Moore late in the draft both projected to be 5th or 6th round guys and then I’d go after Manning with a 1 or 2 year contract. I think he could make at least what Favre made during his last few years.
richbrave
January 18th, 2012
9:01 am
VaBravesFan:
I guess you couldn’t see the sarcasm in my comment. Too straight forward, but I would advise you to stop telling people what they know and don’t. You have no more of an idea what the REDSKINS plan to do at QB than I do.
Efrim
January 18th, 2012
9:02 am
Atlanta
Hudson, Hanson, Jurrjens, Beachy, Minor
Kimbrel, Venters, O’Flaherty, Medlen, Vizcaino, Varvaro, Martinez
Gwinnett
Teheran, Delgado, Redmond, Cordier, Avilan
Asencio, Moylan, Hoover, Bullock, Chapman, Gearrin, Pruneda
Not sure who I’m missing, but we certainly have a lot of nice relief arms in Triple-A.
Efrim
January 18th, 2012
9:04 am
Miami and Washington are the only two teams with a glaring QB vacancy. Although one of those two could move up and take RG3. Tennesee, Seattle, and Arizona could be possibilities.
Lemke's Knuckler
January 18th, 2012
9:06 am
And not trading Prado will be the best thing Wren did this offseason. I think he’ll have a huge season (.300+ avg, 100+ runs, 40+ doubles) similar to some of the seasons Marcus Giles put up hitting behind Furcal.
Efrim
January 18th, 2012
9:07 am
Baseball America Top 10 Kansas City Royals prospects
1. Mike Montgomery, lhp
2. Bubba Starling, of
3. Wil Myers, of
4. Jake Odorizzi, rhp
5. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3b
6. John Lamb, lhp
7. Kelvin Herrera, rhp
8. Jason Adam, rhp
9. Chris Dwyer, lhp
10. Yordano Ventura, rhp
Loaded.
Efrim
January 18th, 2012
9:09 am
It’s funny, nearly every team gets their first round pick placed in their Top 10 or even Top 5 now. Not sure that used to happen as much with Baseball America. I think they go upside a lot more now than they used to. Gone are the days of Brandon Jones being considered a Top prospect, imo.
Efrim
January 18th, 2012
9:12 am
Be real nice to see Prado play in 150 games this year…..
VaBravesFan
January 18th, 2012
9:12 am
CrAzy
I really don’t want them to sign Manning, but with Snyder he would probably offer the most money. Denver would sign him in free agency, Manning wont be traded.
richbrave
There is alot of options for the Redskins, Tough spot for Shanny. Can’t afford to have another really bad year. QB must be addressed, but the best route is threw the draft. Find our QB that will be here for a long time. But what I said about Manning is a fact. The Colts either keep him to groom Luck and pay him that 25 million roster bonus, or let him go and pay him nothing. No one will trade for him mainly cause of the roster bonus his contract has. Then throw the major injuries concerns on top of that.
VaBravesFan
January 18th, 2012
9:14 am
Hopefully Prado bounces back and stays healthy. 300/350/450 15 HR 40 2B sounds nice to me!
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 18th, 2012
9:19 am
With the exception of one Fish the current roster is made up of players from last season….
But does anyone really care?
O.J.
January 18th, 2012
9:21 am
I personally dont think Martin is a good #2 hitter in the lineup. We need a lefty hitting behind Bourn, because that blocks the view of the catcher or the throw has to go around the hitter to second.
Lew
January 18th, 2012
9:23 am
OJ – I don’t disagree with your contention about the #2 hitter, but that would pretty well have to be Heyward. Shaun’s back – don’t get him started again. Please.
VaBravesFan
January 18th, 2012
9:25 am
Hopefully by mid-season Heyward is batting 3rd.
Efrim
January 18th, 2012
9:26 am
Buster Olney’s blog this morning talks about what the Mets should do with David Wright. Here is one of his options:
The Mets could attempt to trade Wright sometime in the next 18 months — although they may be frustrated with the quality of the offers they receive. In recent years, the Milwaukee Brewers had no success in trying to get an acceptable package for Prince Fielder, as he neared free agency, and this winter, the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs have been disappointed with the offers they got for John Danks and Matt Garza, respectively. The White Sox decided to re-sign Danks rather than take 50 cents on the dollar in trade value; the Cubs are still trying to decide what to do with Garza.
Efrim
January 18th, 2012
9:30 am
Hopefully by mid-season Heyward is batting 3rd.
I hope so too. Be great if he got off to a fast start and just kept raking on his way to a .290/.390/.500 line.
McFann O O o
January 18th, 2012
9:37 am
Lemke’s Knuckler And not trading Prado will be the best thing Wren did this offseason.
Not too mention the only thing…
VaBravesFan Hopefully by mid-season Heyward is batting 3rd.
I’d be great with that!
flange1
January 18th, 2012
9:37 am
If all the Braves players play up to their expectations, I would like this line up
Bourn
Chipper
J Hey
Uggs
BMac
Prado
Freeman
Pastor
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 18th, 2012
9:37 am
The kool aid is flowing among the space camp kiddies this morning
MaconBraves (RIP)
January 18th, 2012
9:40 am
Justified premiere was amazing last night! Best show on TV right now! Have Southland on DVR to check out after I get home today.
McFann O O o
January 18th, 2012
9:40 am
flange1—
That lineup is perfection…
VaBravesFan
January 18th, 2012
9:42 am
Fredi should just start the year with this lineup.
Bourn
Heyward
Chipper
Uggla
McCann
Freeman
Prado
Pastornicky
MaconBraves (RIP)
January 18th, 2012
9:43 am
And BTW, Merl Haggard concert canceled here last night after he was admitted to local hospital with an undisclosed illness.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 18th, 2012
9:43 am
David Wright sucks because he’s a Met……..pass the kool aid.
CB
January 18th, 2012
9:44 am
Looking at the Braves as realistically as I can, I believe our starting 8 is good,our starting pitching is good, our bullpen is awesome and our bench sucks. The thing that scares me the most is a major injury to Chipper and we are stuck with a platoon of the bat licker and Diaz. Yikes
richbrave
January 18th, 2012
9:44 am
What’s the best news on the blog this a.m………..cancer free…………at least this time! YES-S-S!
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 18th, 2012
9:44 am
MaconBraves (RIP)
January 18th, 2012
9:40 am
Justified premiere was amazing last night! Best show on TV right now! Have Southland on DVR to check out after I get home today.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>…..
Southland was a good show last night, you have something to look forward too.
O.J.
January 18th, 2012
9:46 am
Flange, I have been saying all along that Chipper should now bat second. He doesnt have as much pop as he use to but he still has a good eye and has great at bats. more walks than strikeouts and he can drive in the runs.
richbrave
January 18th, 2012
9:46 am
Bat licker……….??? Oh yeah, CONSTANZA, almost forgot.
O.J.
January 18th, 2012
9:47 am
CB, if there is a major injury to Chipper, thats where that flexibility in payroll comes in handy. Unless Chipper started spring training off injured, you cant build your roster on what ifs and what nots.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 18th, 2012
9:48 am
I still can’t believe that the Rockies and Braves couldn’t come to terms on a trade.
VaBravesFan
January 18th, 2012
9:48 am
Well I have projected Heyward to bounce back with a 275/365/465 20-25 HR 15-20 SB
Hillbilly
January 18th, 2012
9:48 am
Efrim,
Looking at your bullpen at 9:02am, are you proposing that the Braves practice catch and release with Robert Fish? He’s going to have to have a very strong spring to stick around, if you ask me. That’s a lot of quality bullpen arms to beat out.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 18th, 2012
9:50 am
Hey, at least we picked up Luis Durango……
Laugh track to follow!
CB
January 18th, 2012
9:51 am
OJ, don’t believe everything you read Wren says.
raleighbravefan
January 18th, 2012
9:52 am
Starting rotation = solid – worst case, all 3 of Hudson, JJ, and Hanson have problems (unlikely) and we have to use the kids (not ALL bad): best case – all 3 are healthy and awsome.
Bullpen = best in MLB. Period.
No Lowe
Bourne for full season
New hitting coaches
No trade of Prado
At least most of the “slumpers of 2010″ will have comebacks, and Uggla will have a better first half = likely.
Lets get a solid RH 4th OF and play ball.
Ray
January 18th, 2012
9:53 am
If Prado plays 150 games this year, it will be a huge bonus.We need 150+ games from Prado, Uggla, Bourn, Freeman, Heyward and Pastor. IF we get 150 games from the kid at ss then it would be real easy to say he is doing a good job.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 18th, 2012
9:54 am
Kimbrel, Venters, O’Flaherty, Medlen and Moylan if healthy are locks to pitch out of the pen. Vizcaino has a chance to stick too. So the “Fish” has as good a shot at the last bullpen slot as anybody.
VaBravesFan
January 18th, 2012
9:55 am
Projections
Bourn 280/345/350 50+ SB
Heyward 275/365/465 20-25 HR 15 SB
Chipper 280/350/450 12-18 HR
Uggla 255/345/485 25-30 HR
McCann 290/360/470 20-25 HR
Freeman 280/335/445 20-25HR
Prado 290/340/440 10-15 HR
Pastor 250/330/360 15-20 SB
raleighbravefan
January 18th, 2012
9:56 am
Coach – There’s nothing noble or supperior about drinking the “negative” Kool ade. Some of us believe it is realistic to be optimistic about this team.
McFann O O o
January 18th, 2012
9:58 am
VaBravesFan—
Looks great to me!…
O.J.
January 18th, 2012
9:59 am
Here is my ideal lineup
Bourn
Chipper
Prado
McCann
Uggla
Freeman
Heyward
Pastornicky
If Heyward shows he has his swing back, then move him up to the 2 hole and Chipper down.
Murph
January 18th, 2012
9:59 am
Efrim, I’ve noticed in your recent roster posts over the last few days that you’ve got Vizcaino penciled in with the bullpen.
Has there been any indication from the Braves that he’s moving to a relief role fulltime? Given his talent, doesn’t it make more sense to keep him in AAA as a starter?
CB
January 18th, 2012
10:00 am
McFann, Va left out Brian’s two triples.
haggard
January 18th, 2012
10:00 am
David O’Brien
Yes- I bought tickets almost two months ago and drove down for the concert. The Macon Auditorium–built in 1925–is a wonderful venue with great acoustics, seats about 3,000, and I was so looking forward to hearing Merle and the Strangers fill that air with real, breathing country music.
But about seven minutes before showtime, I saw one of Merle’s roadies come onto the darkened stage, take a mike from the stand, and hand it to someone in the wings. Knowing he had cancelled a previous concert three nights ago due to a virus, I thought, “This can’t be good”. And, sure enough, the announcement came that Merle wasn’t feeling strong enough to do the show–he even skipped the sound check that afternoon with the idea of saving it all for the show– and a makeup date of April 25th was announced.
And DOB, just for future reference; Haggard at age 75 can still spellbind with his guitar, fiddle, and voice, doing a Cash imitation one minute before breaking into a Jimmy Rogers or Bing Crosby classic and doing a string-bending lead on his trusted Strat the next. And and the Strangers now include his 20-year-old son Ben, who has turned into quite a force on his own Stratocaster. There’s no simple show of nepotism there.
A look at the schedule shows the Braves finishing up a series in LA on April 25th; otherwise, I’d say that day would turn into a great DOB road trip with me as your personal chauffeur, stopping first for lunch with Mama Louise at the H & H there in Macon, then seeing the sights of the city before stopping in at Fresh Air Barbeque, all before settling in for a memorable concert by the then full force Hag.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 18th, 2012
10:01 am
raleighbravefan, well gee whiz Wally…..ain’t you a hoot
O.J.
January 18th, 2012
10:01 am
Raleigh, now if only we could get the slumpers of 2011 to play to their potential. LOL. jk
VaBravesFan
January 18th, 2012
10:01 am
Coach
I wouldn’t say Moylan is a lock yet. Signed him to a Minor League deal, we have a lot of options.
Kimbrel-Venters-EOF-Martinez-Varvaro-Fish-Medlen-Moylan-Asencio-Vizciano, I believe we have a few others that will have ST to prove themselves as well. If Fredi can manage the bullpen better we should keep Vizciano in AAA to be a starter. If not Viz makes alot of sense to help pitch in the 7th and 8th innings.
raleighbravefan
January 18th, 2012
10:01 am
Murph – I agree. With all of the BP talent, Viz should be honeing his skills as a starter at AAA.
Ray
January 18th, 2012
10:02 am
Va if we get those numbers we will be just fine. I do think Uggla will exceed 255 and 30 homers though.
raleighbravefan
January 18th, 2012
10:04 am
Coach – You may be right…but I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure that you ARE arrogant.
McFann O O o
January 18th, 2012
10:07 am
CB—
Hey yeah! Good point…
VaBravesFan
January 18th, 2012
10:12 am
Murph
I agree it makes alot more sense to groom Vizciano as a starter, but with so much depth at that postion already they could plan to make him a reliever instead. Right now he can contribute on the big league roster. Easily I think he’s our 4th best reliever. As the season goes I think he can be counted on to pitch in more high leverage situations. Also staying in the pen will keep the probable arm issues down as well.
haggard
January 18th, 2012
10:16 am
VaBravesFan
I like those projections pretty well, especially if there’s a good, consistent accumulation of those stats all season long with no prolonged dry spells or slumps. Plus, I’d love to see McCann put up a full season of per-oblique stats from last year.
haggard
January 18th, 2012
10:17 am
“pre-oblique”
VaBravesFan
January 18th, 2012
10:20 am
Ray
If all things go well we should be fine. But if Chipper misses an extended period of time LF will be a huge hole. Also banking on Heyward to bounce back and the rookie Shortstop to make a solid leap to the bigs. The weak bench concerns me if some injuries happen or if players don’t perform. Looking at it now were already counting on some combination of Diaz/Hinske/Constanza/Durango to play LF for 30+ games atleast in 2012. Chipper is gonna have regular days off, and a injury is still very likely with him.
VaBravesFan
January 18th, 2012
10:22 am
haggard
I picked McCann to be a top 5 MVP candidate before the 2011 season, I was right until the injury and slump.
JRW
January 18th, 2012
10:29 am
VaBravesFan – Well I have projected Heyward to bounce back with a 275/365/465 20-25 HR 15-20 SB
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Only if he learns not to bite on the low inside breaking balls. His Kryptonite.
haggard
January 18th, 2012
10:30 am
VaBravesFan
Let’s see; McCann turns 28 the 20th of February, I believe. He’s in those “prime years” and I would love to see him rip off some seasons when your top 5 MVP prediction would be applicable each season. Just think of the wonders that would do for the rest of the lineup as well, not to mention putting to rest those “McCann-Twinkies” references.
Couch Tater
January 18th, 2012
10:31 am
“Bobby let everyone know their roles and made me feel part of the team even though I was a fourth outfielder and pinch-hitter,” Pride says
I wanted dirt. You know, the guys who wouldn’t talk to the media or would treat them like crap. What I found was a discussion about former Brave, Curtis Pride. How he was liked and respected in the interview room.
He’s now giving back to the deaf community, as the head coach of the Gallaudet University baseball team. Here’s an article from 2010…
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/baseball/2010-04-27-gallaudet-curtis-pride_N.htm
Efrim
January 18th, 2012
10:34 am
Has there been any indication from the Braves that he’s moving to a relief role fulltime? Given his talent, doesn’t it make more sense to keep him in AAA as a starter?
Murph, his fastball/curveball combo will work right now in the pen. Both those offerings are plus pitches and will work well in a bullpen role for 2012, so that’s where he will be. Long term, I think they should make him a starter. I’m of the opinion that relievers are just far less valuable than starters. Now, elite relievers like Craig Kimbrel are more valuable than your run of the mill #3/4 starter, but I don’t think Kimbrel is more valuable than a top of the rotation piece. Relievers break down, and bullpens are often year to year. So that said, I think Viz’s value should be geared toward starting in the future. But for this years team, his being in the pen can only help the major league team win more baseball games, I guess. I don’t think pitching him in Gwinnett is wasting an asset, unless they think there are NO other available options for the pen.
And in terms of his long term prospects of starting, you’ve seen a lot of relievers being turned into starters after a few years in team’s bullpens, so I think it’s a route the Braves could be comfortable going toward. I guess my one concern with Viz is that the most innings he topped in the minors was like a little over 100 IP, so converting him to a starter may not be as easy – although I’m really not sure if that’s 100% true.
Patio Daddio
January 18th, 2012
10:34 am
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VaBravesFan
January 18th, 2012
10:35 am
JRW
True. That projections is near the best I think he’ll do. Actually I think everyone would be ok with him matching his career numbers. They would be a huge improvement over last season still.
255/362/427 is his career line. I think he could hit and slug better than that tho.