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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,462 comments Add your comment
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 26th, 2012
7:19 pm
Yo Shaun……..can I have your autograph please
Efrim
January 26th, 2012
7:21 pm
I don’t think payroll will go down, but others will go up, therefore ranking the Braves lower and lower as time goes on.
On Pastornicky, lots of talk about him more being a utility guy. Goldstein has that opinion of him and Busters blog this morning alluded to it. Law has actually been pretty positive about him. We’ll see. At least he’s got a high floor – definite major leaguer.
Efrim
January 26th, 2012
7:23 pm
No wonder BA has a low org. Ranking on the Braves system. Their reviews on the majority outside the top 10 aren’t very glowing.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
January 26th, 2012
7:24 pm
I’ll just sum up our Braves entire 2012 season……
Win? Yes.
Compete? Again, yes.
Playoffs? flip a coin.
Ray
January 26th, 2012
7:32 pm
Projections etc are just that. Many many times they are wrong. A lot of first rounders never make it out of single A. Or when they do, they just cannot measure up for one reason or another. Some kids look good in HS or College just because they can get by on their athletic ability. Then when its time to put in the hard work, develop further, its just not there. You also have many guys that just refuse to listen, work their butts off and become an outstanding major leaguer. The projections are just that, a gauge.
nolie
January 26th, 2012
7:52 pm
but they are the gauge with which talent is evaluated for draft, promotion and trade purposes, especially under AA when stats become a bit more reliable
Zing
January 26th, 2012
7:52 pm
Well, it’s not like he’s Ozzie Smith or something, but at least the Braves have Jack Wilson back there in case the Tyler Pastornicky experiement implodes. You’ve got to think the Braves like their chances, though, given the track record of the last two key rookies (Heyward, Freeman).
Ray
January 26th, 2012
7:59 pm
nollie, there are as many misses as there are hits on the projections. And luckily there are quite a few pleasant surprises for the respective teams.
nolie
January 26th, 2012
8:03 pm
not quite as many. but that does not matter, it is still the basis for evaluation
As you say no guarantee at all and if a player stays with an org it makes less difference s long as he is seen as fit to be advanced, but it is the way teams look at prospects
Jbailz
January 26th, 2012
8:13 pm
DOB – When you look at the blog how often do you just shake your head and thing damn this isn’t worth it?? I’m thinking it’s got to be 50/50..
I’ve gained a lot of respect for you this offseason because there hasn’t been JACK to report for the Braves. So bravo for that. Not gonna lie a lot of the time I bring up the blog and just laugh and shake my head. Some people’s kids…
Fairbrave
January 26th, 2012
8:21 pm
I think the Braves still have something up there sleeves. If Edwin Jackson goes to Red Sox then Baltimore still needs pitching. Maybe JJ and Martinez for Adam Jones.
MiaBchBravesFan
January 26th, 2012
8:24 pm
Can’t blame Time-Warner for making the best deal they could make by selling to Liberty on a truly unique sweatheart deal that gave them the tax break of the century. Ted Turner is kicking himself for having lumped the Braves into the TW package way back when; he’s still kicking himself to this day. Liberty is a soulless conglomerate, and the Braves are but a pebble in that conglomerate. That said, when they are ready to sell the Braves, Liberty will do so when they feel like it, i.e., when the economy improves and the value of the Braves is most robust.
However, if the Braves maintain a crappy positional player scouting program, only draft pitching well, and do not hit the bullseye on select long-term signings…
Be careful what you wish for, Liberty.
MiaBchBravesFan
January 26th, 2012
8:26 pm
“I’m ready to do this…”
I hope Tyler is not trying to convince himself.
David O'Brien
January 26th, 2012
8:38 pm
I don’t think It will ever get popular unless you live in SEC Towns…Then College Baseball is Noticed…. — Tomahawkin
College baseball is really big at a lot of ACC schools (North Carolina, Miami and several others), most Big 12 schools (especially Texas, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma), all throughout the Pac 12, some Big 10 schools including Michigan, a whole bunch of schools out west like San Diego State and Fullerton, and various other scattered schools such as Wichita State.
richbrave
January 26th, 2012
8:51 pm
WHOO-town is hot for the CAVALIERS. Won’t be surpirised to see BILLY WAGNER and his sons on occasion.
Moe Berg
January 26th, 2012
8:59 pm
Mets set to have the largest single-season drop in payroll in MLB history. Fred Wilpon probably thinks everyday that he wishes he never met Bernie Madoff.
cabravesfan
January 26th, 2012
9:01 pm
Moe-
highly doubt there is much “probably” in that one…
space monkey
January 26th, 2012
9:07 pm
Liberty is not going to be able to sell this team for a reasonable price because of the lousy TV deal. We are stuck with absentee ownership for the next two decades.
Moe Berg
January 26th, 2012
9:08 pm
True, cab. They never did sell an interest in the team, did they?
cabravesfan
January 26th, 2012
9:09 pm
Moe-
I’m not sure- think they had something lined up, but it fell through, if I remember?
Moe Berg
January 26th, 2012
9:10 pm
cab–That is what I thought happened. Some hedge fund type, I think. Sure they needed the cash infusion.
Efrim
January 26th, 2012
9:14 pm
Projections are more often than not the basis of trades involving minor leaguers.
nolie
January 26th, 2012
9:17 pm
they are the basis of most all team analysis below AA., they are perhaps of less importance to many fans I guess since like ray said they are not guarantees
ColoradoBravesFan
January 26th, 2012
9:32 pm
condescending:
showing or characterized by a patronizing or superior attitude toward other
When I read this from DOB my brain read it as Shaundescending….thought a new word had been created.
Ray
January 26th, 2012
9:35 pm
Projections are a part of a scout’s evaluation. Perfect example was Albert Pujols going as late as he did, 13th round. Tim Lincecom out of college was drafted in 10th. From HS he was in the 48th round. Love those projections. Bottom line, scouts had no clue Albert was going to be anywhere near this good.
nolie
January 26th, 2012
9:38 pm
so what Ray? that is the way it is always been. stats are meaningless at the lower levels because there is too much variation in te level of competition. too many guys playing who do not have the talent to go on.
nolie
January 26th, 2012
9:40 pm
even when stats are considered there is no guarantee and it is still projection for the most part, though when you are able to use both the odds go up a fair amount
brian
January 26th, 2012
9:41 pm
the ACC college baseball tournament is a great experiment. It is in Greensboro, NC this year and alternates with Durham. Fun games to watch with a lot of top college talent
Ray
January 26th, 2012
9:42 pm
nolie, that is my point. Many on here get bent on this guy is only projected to reach this level or that level. We don’t know. Some guys flat out work their butts off and make themselves better. Other guys were always the best in their area and dominated and have no idea how to work at the level it will take to advance.
brian
January 26th, 2012
9:42 pm
great experience (not experiment)
Ray
January 26th, 2012
9:46 pm
The SEC baseball tournament added teams and a round to this year’s tournament. Its only 2 hours away from Atlanta. There are quite a few ga based players playing throughout the SEC. Auburn signed a few metro atlanta kids.
nolie
January 26th, 2012
9:48 pm
thats is true, which is why i said that it prolly matters less to many fans. like most everything in baseball it is mostly an odds thing, the more folks who rate a player higher the better tyhe odds he will be a success, but like you say there are no guarantees. heck even a decent start to an MLB career is no guarantee really
nolie
January 26th, 2012
9:49 pm
college baseball is big in the ACC. my damn Criminoles go to the finals on a regular basis, but they always pull a Braves and get beat
Ray
January 26th, 2012
10:01 pm
yeah we have seen a few ROY not have the careers. Ask the Indians about Joe Charb. And nolie, yeah I have a good friend of mine that is an alum and diehard fla state fan. He literally cusses them each summer.
brian
January 26th, 2012
10:06 pm
not 2 years ago nolie – didn’t they win the ACC
nolie
January 26th, 2012
10:25 pm
they have won that a number of times, brian.
they get to the final 8 on a real regular basis(something like 20 times), but always lose.
cabravesfan
January 26th, 2012
11:16 pm
nolie killed the blog!!!!
AussieBrave
January 26th, 2012
11:23 pm
@Ron Roberts January 24th, 2012 – 1:40 pm: Welcome to my world. I’ve posted maybe ten times all total, never directed at Bat Masterson, and yet he was quite aggressive to me as well. I’ve been told that he’s a good bloke really… so maybe. But I tend to agree with you that you can make a point without being so defensive and aggressive.
cabravesfan
January 26th, 2012
11:27 pm
slooooooow night
uga-brave
January 26th, 2012
11:48 pm
so basically, we “eat what we kill.”
oh by the way, mcQuirk was still the CEO when that deal was signed.
nolie
January 26th, 2012
11:50 pm
nolie
January 26th, 2012
11:53 pm
hey, there’s another Ron Roberts back up.
uga-brave
January 26th, 2012
11:55 pm
nolie, watching the joepa service.
best college football coach of all time.
brian
January 26th, 2012
11:55 pm
so do the Tarheels nolie – look at the last decade. Pathetic.
nolie
January 26th, 2012
11:58 pm
could be Uga, I think I hafta stay loyal to Bobby Bowden
uga-brave
January 27th, 2012
12:03 am
nolie, both great in their own ways. turn on espnU right now. really good stuff.
uga-brave
January 27th, 2012
12:14 am
so looking at the schedule Nolie,
12 games vs. the Mets, Astros, and the Pirates.
better start quick fellas. April favors the braves.
David O'Brien
January 27th, 2012
12:25 am
nolie, watching the joepa service.
best college football coach of all time. — uga-brave
Bear Bryant, Knute Rockne and Bud Wilkinson just rolled over in their graves … and now Bear’s beating on the inside of his casket.
richbrave
January 27th, 2012
12:27 am
nolie
January 26th, 2012
9:49 pm
college baseball is big in the ACC. my damn Criminoles go to the finals on a regular basis, but they always pull a Braves and get beat
maybe, but they’ve been doing the pounding in b-ball this year. Kudos nolie
uga-brave
January 27th, 2012
12:30 am
nolie, going forward i agree with efrim lock up your arb players in advance. give the money to freeman and heyward if they produce.
earmark the money for hanson, beachy, kimbrell,
uga-brave
January 27th, 2012
12:33 am
dob, my take. pretty fine damn good coach.
uga-brave
January 27th, 2012
12:33 am
800 of his players showed up.
richbrave
January 27th, 2012
12:35 am
23 days to report date for pitchers and catchers.
richbrave
January 27th, 2012
12:45 am
WINTER BALL
AUSTRALIA – playoffs
1B MATT KENNELLY [.200 BA] 1-5, 1 R, 1 RBI [1], 1 SO.
DOMINICA
ESCOGIDO LIONS
CF JOSE ‘George’ CONSTANZA [.167 BA] 0-2.
And just in case TOM O’ is lurking about, I picked up a couple artists you may or may not be aware of that I enjoyed
KEIKO MATSUI [Steps of MAYA], and ENYA [Storms in AFRICA]. Thought I’d pass that along just in case. NYTOL.
AussieBrave
January 27th, 2012
1:01 am
@nolie – Not anyone’s backup. I didn’t even say anything negative about anyone. I simply made a point that Bat may be a good fella – hope so – he just didn’t present himself that way to me on first greeting. This next point is not directed to anyone in particular, again, just a thought. I read all of these articles and when I have time I scroll through quite a bit of the blog. There does seem to be a sense of bullying by some, and to be honest I don’t know all of your monikers, I just read the comments and if someone says something that catches my eye I go back and have a peek at the name(s). So, again, this isn’t to anyone in particular. So, having said that – I neither crave, want or need to be agreed with, liked or a member of any circle of e-’friends’. I would, however, like to have a thought occasionally and someone say, “yes, I can see where you’re coming from but have you considered…” instead of “ooh, good point, idiot, or ‘maroon’, you sure know your baseball”.
So I’m not not on side of any one – I just feel that his point had merit and all of us professional baseball administrators and, yes, economists and engineers can have our opinions, but they’re really only that – no more.
David O'Brien
January 27th, 2012
1:18 am
dob, my take. pretty fine damn good coach. — uga-brave
No doubt. Just messing with ya. Watched most of the JoePa ceremony today. Some really moving moments, and how ’bout Phil Knight’s speech? Brought the house down.
Bay Area Steve
January 27th, 2012
1:44 am
I’m with ya, Aussie; I can see where you’re coming from.
We need the Aussie support. And, if you’ve got Azarenka winning the final, it’ll help me feel better about my $50.
Final and: if you know anything more about Phil Stockman’s roo-nads, I’d be eternally grateful.
uga-brave
January 27th, 2012
1:50 am
DOB, phil knight no doubt brought the house down.
i encourage many of the tribes and many of the cliques to watch that speech.
uga-brave
January 27th, 2012
1:53 am
BAS, what clique do you subscibe?
uga-brave
January 27th, 2012
1:55 am
by the way from all the hate you fellas subscribe to shaun, he always directs your daily debate.
Bay Area Steve
January 27th, 2012
2:00 am
I’m a member of the tired-of-the-word-clique (except when used in “clique-off,” which I’ve come to like) clique. The name’s kinda long.
Oh, and I’m a drunk. They don’t call us a clique, though. They call us alcoholics.
“directs your daily debate” – no doubt, man. That’s the worst part, be it him, or any other. I’m as guilty as any.
uga-brave
January 27th, 2012
2:04 am
brother you lost me on the second clique.
uga-brave
January 27th, 2012
2:08 am
either way i hope mcquirk holds true on not signing free agents.
sign qualified arb eligible players and keep them. rotate them out in trade situations,
that is the rays model.
they do that with a lesser payroll.
nolie
January 27th, 2012
2:12 am
I can see where you’re coming from…BAS
yes from a professional baseball administrator, who uses good grammar and more than one sentence replies.and who believes that spending money that they do not have to remove seats that do get used a dozen times a year not counting possible playoffs and cost nothing when they are not used will cause a significant infusion of funds in a town where history shows that the big crowds are most all weekend ones and week day crowds are much smaller for the most part;and he believes this so strongly that he pops us days later to congratulate Ron on what a great idea it is.
this being the same Ron who uses good grammar and more than one sentence and always seems to show up with an alter ego who agrees with everything he says.
call me cynical , it’s ok I’m sure I deserve it
hey that was more than one sentence and I didn’t even use “your and idiot”
nolie 2
January 27th, 2012
2:16 am
Enter your comments here
nolie 2
January 27th, 2012
2:16 am
Enter your comments here
nolie 2
January 27th, 2012
2:17 am
exactly. anybody who reads Ron, Mobile and Aussie and fails to see the striking similarities is and maroon
nolie
January 27th, 2012
2:21 am
Bear Bryant used to come to the restaurant in a big motel by the Atlanta airport and sit there on a Sunday when the town was dry and pour something from a brown paper bag into his soda and regale a lot of folks.
DOB is right, a great coach and also quite a character and story-teller.
nolie
January 27th, 2012
2:43 am
Finally getting around to Boardwalk Empire Quite a good show actually, just finishing up season one.
nolie
January 27th, 2012
2:43 am
shucks, nobody around to start a fight with.
TTFN y’all.
Ward
January 27th, 2012
2:48 am
Hello everyone! Skimmed by the blog today,before work,and saw the Great Shaun Debate. Was going to step in,but decided to go to work.Great theater…….
Ward
January 27th, 2012
2:51 am
Also can’t believe Fielders contract? I would not sign him,because he will start to decline this season. Detroit better hope they get a World Series within 4 years,or it’s all for nothing.
Ward
January 27th, 2012
2:53 am
Ntional getting Lidge not at all worried, Braves have Kimbrel.
Ward
January 27th, 2012
2:55 am
Nationals were smart though,not to sign a long term player like Fielder. Too risky long term.
Ward
January 27th, 2012
3:23 am
About PEDS,and players. Too complicated for me to sort out,so I leave it up to the Commissioner,who makes the decisions,and Sports Writers who vote. Peace My Friends,and Talk Tomorrow……
nolie
January 27th, 2012
5:48 am
Seems like there is a Great Shaun Debate ’bout most every day that you can chime in on ward.
piece dude
Couch Tater
January 27th, 2012
8:05 am
Fred Wilpon probably thinks everyday that he wishes he never met Bernie Madoff.
Maybe after the season was over, but how about when Bernie was named to the All-Star Team?
In a court filing last year, Mr. Picard alleged a partnership associated with the baseball team, Mets LP, gained a net $48 million through its investments with Mr. Madoff. – WSJ
Kat
January 27th, 2012
8:09 am
Tried to catch up on the blog this morning, thankfully looks like it was kinda slow so not too many pages. Speaking of the Braves TV ‘deal’.. I was busy last night setting up my new TV, looks like I got a better deal than them haha. I had a 32″ Sony Bravia for five years that I’ve never had any problems with so upgraded to a nice 46″ Bravia middle end model (KDL46NX720) at a great price from Best Buy.
It has the internet and apps but I only wish that MLB.TV would support more than LG and Samsung TVs. First thing I tuned to was MLB Network then ESPN2 … sports look nice at forty six inches.
JRW
January 27th, 2012
8:35 am
Congats on the new Sony Kat. We just purchased a 70 ” Sharp (LC-70LE632U) at Best Buy to replace our 1st generation HD 53″ Rear Projection Panasonic. What a difference in picture quality even though both are HD. Some good deals out there during Superbowl week on TV’s.
brian
January 27th, 2012
8:39 am
I agree with DOB – Bear Bryant is the best college football coach of all time.
Who is the best active coach? Saban has to be near the top. Urban Meyer has returned. Stoops? Chip Kelly?
brian
January 27th, 2012
8:40 am
nolie – I liked Season 2 of Boardwalk Empire even better. 1st season was great – loved how they worked Al Capone into it.
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
January 27th, 2012
8:41 am
David O’Brien
I don’t think It will ever get popular unless you live in SEC Towns…Then College Baseball is Noticed…. — Tomahawkin
“College baseball is really big at a lot of ACC schools (North Carolina, Miami and several others), most Big 12 schools (especially Texas, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma), all throughout the Pac 12, some Big 10 schools including Michigan, a whole bunch of schools out west like San Diego State and Fullerton, and various other scattered schools such as Wichita State”.
I was merely taking a poke at making the point in that I don’t think College baseball will ever get on Par even with NCAA Basketball much less NCAA football as far as press/notoriety from the media goes
richbrave
January 27th, 2012
8:48 am
‘……….That’s probably fair. I’m glad someone else has noticed that their drafts have been really poor of late………” VaBravesFan
What are they spending on them? I mean if they’re cheap, I’d say you get what you pay for.
Now SALCEDO……well, I’m scratching my head, and not because I have dandruff. That young man MUST have a good season, and I’m assuming he’ll have a third season in ROME…at least starting out.
richbrave
January 27th, 2012
8:54 am
Hey, JRW, lighten up man, you’re giving me a complex. 70″ indeed!
How many do you have?
Only one in our home. Share and share alike. Besides unless you buy movies or subscribe to their overpriced premium channels what’s ever on but commercials?
richbrave
January 27th, 2012
8:56 am
Shout out to my main man GIL. Heal up buddy.
Ease® in Sandy Springs
January 27th, 2012
8:57 am
what’s ever on but commercials?
What are these…commercials (sp?)…that you speak of? Never heard of them.
Efrim
January 27th, 2012
9:02 am
better start quick fellas. April favors the braves.
I usually don’t start analyzing the schedule until we get closer to opening day, but wow, it’s as easy an April as you can get:
@ Mets for 3
@ Astros for 3
vs. Brewers for 3(minus Ryan Braun)
vs. Mets for 3
@ D-Backs for 4
@ Dodgers for 3
vs. Pirates for 4
23 games. May and June are much tougher. I like our August and September this year, better than the last two years, at least.
TennesseePaul
January 27th, 2012
9:28 am
vs. Brewers for 3(minus Ryan Braun)
Minus Braun and Fielder.
Of course the Braves will be missing Seabass so maybe it evens out.
Murph
January 27th, 2012
9:42 am
Last year the Braves had an April that included Washington, NY, FLA, PHI, LA, SFG, STL, etc and they ended up going 13-15.
I’m more concerned with guys getting going earlier than later than I am with who we are playing.
Ease® in Sandy Springs
January 27th, 2012
9:44 am
Of course the Braves will be missing Seabass so maybe it evens out.
Not the case…Braves will have to face Alex.
brian
January 27th, 2012
9:44 am
great point Murph – the Braves need to be concerned with the Braves, not the opposition. In April, as a interested fan, I will be more looking to the Braves health, to see if Heyward, McCann and Prado rebound, if Pastornicky can handle SS, etc, than I will be looking at their opponents or even the Braves win-loss record.
Juan
January 27th, 2012
9:48 am
Anyone watch the New Show in MLB Network call “IQ Baseball”….last night was the Braves vs Miami…here a link of the final question that give the Braves guy a win
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20073889&topic_id=7417714
Lew
January 27th, 2012
9:49 am
Murph – Considerable difference between the Astros and Pirates and the Phillies and Cardinals – or the Nationals, who play us hard and seem to have our number more than they should.
Still – a fast start would be nice.
Tomahawkin (The Godfather)
January 27th, 2012
9:51 am
Ease® in Sandy Springs
‘Of course the Braves will be missing Seabass so maybe it evens out.
Not the case…Braves will have to face Alex.”
Yeah and he will prolly have a coming out party when he faces us… Former Braves have a knack for killing us…Case in point was Rick Stankiel from last year…He tore us up last year despite not hitting against anyone else
Powder Blue
January 27th, 2012
9:56 am
1. I like the new uni. Much better looking than that red thing.
2. “The Artist” is overrated. It’s good but not great.
3. The Braves aren’t going anywhere this season.
VaBravesFan
January 27th, 2012
9:58 am
Efrim
Well looking at the 1st month we should easily be able to win every series and have a record of 17-7.
TennesseePaul
January 27th, 2012
9:59 am
Not the case…Braves will have to face Alex.
damnit all.
CB
January 27th, 2012
10:00 am
I predict a 10-13 April. Might as well join Fish in the doom ad gloom.
Murph
January 27th, 2012
10:01 am
Sure Lew… I’m just not really worried about our opponents much.
If guys play well out of the gate they should be able to beat anyone, be they the mighty Phillies or the lowly Mets.
One thing I am happy about… the Astros series (and series against other lesser teams) should be big confidence boosters and really help the squad get going earlier than they did in 2011. Then again, should they come out of the gate whiffing, an April sweep by the Astros is going to really, really sting.
It’s a long season, but like we saw last year, every game counts.
Efrim
January 27th, 2012
10:01 am
Last year the Braves had an April that included Washington, NY, FLA, PHI, LA, SFG, STL, etc and they ended up going 13-15.
How is that an easier schedule than what our 2012 April looks like? That post didn’t make any sense. Phillies, Cardinals and Giants?