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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,462 comments Add your comment
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
12:24 pm
Longoria hit .294/.372/.507 in his third year. I think Jason can out-OBP him, but again, just not sure if the power will be there.
George
January 31st, 2012
12:27 pm
ZWacky
January 30th, 2012
8:41 pm
losing games from the regular season would cost them revenue. better would be to cut spring training short a bit, nut neither are likely to happen
*************************************************************
YUP, Sure wish they would cut SPRING TRAINING after a couple of weeks it sure does get BOREING, as to more playoff teams NO, why cheapen baseball? Just so the BRAVES can get in.?
richbrave
January 31st, 2012
12:27 pm
EFRIM:
I hope HEYWARD’s patience and OBP rebound this season. That decline last season I attribute to PARRISH, and consider it a primary reason he is no longer a coach with the BRAVES.
raleighbravefan
January 31st, 2012
12:28 pm
Did someone say they would be dissappointed if Heyward didn’t get suspended for 50 games?
Fols
January 31st, 2012
12:30 pm
Do any of you buy the MLB tv package?
Now that Peachtree is down to so few games, I wanted to buy some kinda tv package. Just wondering if anyone’s taken that route and what they thought of it?
richbrave
January 31st, 2012
12:30 pm
George
January 31st, 2012
12:27 pm
ZWacky
January 30th, 2012
8:41 pm
losing games from the regular season would cost them revenue. better would be to cut spring training short a bit, nut neither are likely to happen
*************************************************************
YUP, Sure wish they would cut SPRING TRAINING after a couple of weeks it sure does get BOREING, as to more playoff teams NO, why cheapen baseball? Just so the BRAVES can get in.?
If that’s the result O.K. otherwise I’m with you on the cheap regular season. Why buy tickets to regular games when most everyone with a winning record gets to play in the fall?
richbrave
January 31st, 2012
12:36 pm
raleighbravefan:
Whad’ ‘dup in the tri-cities my man? My wife’s second cousin is leaving the RALEIGH OBSERVER 9sports writer] for greener pastures in WHOO-ville. When my grandson gets there in 2014 we’ll be one big happy family of CAVALIER supporters.
RC
January 31st, 2012
12:36 pm
Fols,
Before buying MLB.tv, you might want to go to this website and make sure that the Braves won’t be blacked out in your home zip code.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/index.jsp?affiliateId=MLBTVREDIR#blackout
I’ve heard that in the past some people have been able to get around the blackout for Braves games, but I would be nervous that it might not work before I drop the money on a season pass.
Lew
January 31st, 2012
12:37 pm
I get the MLB Extra Innings package on cable every year. Costs four payments of about $45 each over four months after giving a $20 discount for signing up immediately when it’s offered.. I think I’ve missed one Braves game in the last four years and that’s because I went to a concert.
They broadcast all the games minus those on Fox on Saturday.
Murph
January 31st, 2012
12:45 pm
I did MLB.tv last season… it was ok. Weekend games that start before (or after?) a certain time are blacked out, so it didn’t work out too well for me since the weekend is when I had time to actually watch.
I won’t do it again just because it’s a lot of money to spend on something I don’t have time to use. It’s like buying a boat and living 3 hours away from any water.
Mixxo
January 31st, 2012
12:45 pm
Well whaddaya know…….the Caravan rolls into Macon today!
I may just run up there and slap the s*** outta somebody.
TennesseePaul
January 31st, 2012
12:46 pm
I think I’ve missed one Braves game in the last four years and that’s because I went to a concert.
And you call yourself a Braves fan. Hang your head in shame.
Lew
January 31st, 2012
12:48 pm
Tennessee Paul _ it weas either go to the show and make my wife happy, or be subjected to a winter’s worth of figure skating as retribution. It was a really good concert, though – Renaissance.
Ease
January 31st, 2012
12:49 pm
mlbbowman Mark Bowman
Heyward, Freeman and Chipper were at the stadium today. Chipper is raving about Heyward. Says he’s starting to swing like the ‘10 Heyward
Ease
January 31st, 2012
12:50 pm
ajcbraves David O’Brien
#Braves 3B Chipper has vesting option for ‘13. Said today: “As long as I’m healthy and having fun, gonna keep going.”
ajcbraves David O’Brien
#Braves 3B Chipper says right now, he’s healthy and not thinking about or leaning toward retirement after ‘12 season.
ajcbraves David O’Brien
#Braves 3B Chipper has vesting option for ‘13. Said today: “As long as I’m healthy and having fun, gonna keep going.”
Fols
January 31st, 2012
12:51 pm
Baseball playoff structure and season will need to change…even though many of us love baseball the way it is. Some of us enjoy it enough to listen to a game….others just cringe at the thought of 9 innings. I think they’ll need to spice it up eventually and if they do they should go bold.
1 – Make the playoffs resemble what happens in a season. Baseball is all about the best of 3. 3 game series should be the focus. More teams need to make it if they want to captivate more markets paying attention. Have a true playoff structure that completely builds around best of 3 series. This way you get to keep the main season/spring without change because the series will be shorter. Best of 3 series also do major improvements if it’s the focus:
A – Teams can build rosters around needing that big 3 which should spread out the pitching talent across the league just a touch more. We all know in baseball all season long it’s about taking 2 of 3 as often as you can.
B – It also gives more opportunity for elimination games. The second game immediately becomes an elimination game which peaks everyone’s interest. The knock will be that a great team can get sent home too quickly……well……so be it. In Football a lucky bounce sends you packing….that’s what makes it exciting. Making it is half the battle…..make the playoffs another round or two and you add a whole new level of hope.
C – The other bonus to the best of 3 format is that there would be fewer days off when a series ends. Baseball is not a sport rewarded for time off. It’s built on timing, hot/cold….winning a series early can hurt you. If it’s all built on a best of 3 tournament, there’s less sitting around waiting and easier to schedule.
2 – This is the chance to do away with all these divisions. Open it up, the 2 leagues can stay as is. 2 large divisions within them. Eliminates teams like Toronto and Baltimore from HAVING to be up against salary teams such as BOS and NY more than others. If you want a league with no cap to baby the large markets, don’t punish a small group of teams for their spending. Nobody really cares so much about those div rivalries anyways. First 2 in each division make it then the rest are lumped into a big wild card race. Get more teams racing, let more teams in.
3 – A serious chance during a restructure to either pick a DH rule for everyone, (this does give aging vets a chance to keep batting) or make the pitcher bat. Pick a rule….it’s just odd in this day and age they have such a difference. Just like in hockey, you know fighting is out the door eventually…….just pull the plug on it already.
Okay i’m done ranting, baseball fans will hate the idea but really……it’s where baseball wants to end up. Races to get in, more getting there…….I just think you could seriously keep the season length if you make it into a true best of 3 format all through the playoffs. The intensity of each game would be cranked up.
Lew
January 31st, 2012
12:52 pm
I hoipe he is healthy. Last year it was painful just to watch him at times cause you knew he was really hurting so bad he couldn’t cover it up.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
January 31st, 2012
12:53 pm
Ease, good to hear. Heyward is as important to the teams success as anybody this year.
George
January 31st, 2012
12:53 pm
If they cut ST by a couple of weeks, I would use that extra time to make all playoff series 7 games.
Lew
January 31st, 2012
12:57 pm
George – Starting that early is just really impractical and not all that fair. You can’t start the season by playing nothing but games for a month and a half in warm weather cities or you end up having them all play away all September or have very protracted road trips through the season. AND if you open the season at home, you play 4th of July on the road – again unfair because of attendance – more of it in JUly with scholl being out, etc.
Not to mention that less training time equals more injuries.
Just wouldn’t work.
TennesseePaul
January 31st, 2012
12:59 pm
if one good year doesnt matter, why are we worried about heyward having a good year in 2012?
First, if 2012 is not a good year then the “worry” is because that would be two bad years for Heyward in a row and a trend in the wrong direction.
Second, I take umbrage with the inclusion and reference of a dirtbag in the phrase “pulling a longoria” with an implied definition of having only a single good season. For this phrase to make any sense it would imply being a dirtbag and being excellent year-in/year-out… and at that point Weaver and Tulo might disagree with the blanket statement and request that it be a positionally applied statement. Example: 1) Danny Espinosa hopes to pull a Tulo. 2)Joey Terdoslavich hopes to pull a Longoria.
Third, Longoria has improved in his playing career to-date, if Heyward has a year less than his rookie year, he will not be improving in his playing career to-date. Again, a bad trend.
And to re-iterate the sentiments of scoots for which I agree, Heyward could still have these years and be a good ball player, just that, these years would not add up to be the basis of an elite ball player that everyone expected of him. And therein lies the disappointment.
ncscoots
January 31st, 2012
1:18 pm
So what isn’t dissapointing to you? I’m curious.
.290/.390/.490 – in that range. Third year in the league, young or not, and he should be building on the experience he’s gained. His skills are not in question, to any right-minded observer. It’s just a matter of exploiting those skills for performance.
He’s seen the depths, boys. He got a very good lesson at a very young age, and that should stand him in good stead for a long time. He now knows that the game will put you on your azz, at any time and without warning. Luckily, it doesn’t put a foot on your neck at the same time. You can get up, get mean, and get after it, and the game will turn right around and love you like a brother. And Heyward seems to be a stand-tall kinda guy, not likely to just lie there and bleed. And so, I expect greatness from him, not only this year, but for many years to come.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
January 31st, 2012
1:26 pm
Heyward has a good season if he’s healthy. You cant just unlearn what’s embedded in you. His being so prone to injury is disappointing and very much so if this trend continues. You would be talking about one of the more wasted young talents in the sports history. Obviously hope that sick trend ends now.
abwright
January 31st, 2012
1:29 pm
I would much rather never see Heyward attempt a steal again, then to see him slide head-first into second base.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
January 31st, 2012
1:34 pm
I wish they wouldn’t show those animal abuse commercials. Nothing makes me sickers and sadder. It’s good though to remind people that there are some really sick ass people in this world and poor animals need help. I mean my dog is smarter than a lot of people I know.
BravePack
January 31st, 2012
1:38 pm
Ease
January 31st, 2012
12:49 pm
mlbbowman Mark Bowman
Heyward, Freeman and Chipper were at the stadium today. Chipper is raving about Heyward. Says he’s starting to swing like the ‘10 Heyward
Chipper’s just saying that to make up for calling Heyward out last year for not playing hurt and hurting his feelings.
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
1:42 pm
.290/.390/.490 – in that range.
So, Comeback Player of the Year or bust?
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
January 31st, 2012
1:43 pm
Well I’m sure when Chipper was 21 he wasn’t all peaches and cream either. Hooters boy got called out more than once I’m sure, even if it wasn’t made public and he was older than 21 during the times.
IDK, Chipper is the best and always will be, so I feel bad saying anything bad about the guy, but still.
Threadkiller
January 31st, 2012
1:44 pm
Maybe Heyward will be an Odd & Even Guy…I remember someone like that back in the day, but can’t remember who it was..
This one player was great during Even years and sucked during Odd years..
So if Heyward is like that, 2012 will be a great year for JHey!
DAP
January 31st, 2012
1:46 pm
10paul I take umbrage with the inclusion and reference of a dirtbag in the phrase “pulling a longoria” with an implied definition of having only a single good season. For this phrase to make any sense it would imply being a dirtbag and being excellent year-in/year-out…
no, man. the original reference was longoria’s 3rd MLB season. that was his age 24 season and he OPSed .879. not way above what heyward did in his first year. the point was always about one individual season.
if we use your above requirements, we can never compare longoria to heyward, because longoria will always have 3 more years of service time.
besides, scoots said heyward need and to have a 3rd year like longoria, or an age 23 season like braun…those two situations are very different. why did he compare them? heyward could have a 3rd seaosn like longoria, but not come close to what braun did in his age 23 season.
ncscoots
January 31st, 2012
1:46 pm
Speaking of playing hurt, I read today that Jurrjens’ problem was diagnosed as a shorter-than-normal joint in his big toe, which caused his ankle to turn out and force abnormal stress to his knee. There was some vague mention of “orthotics” in there, but I tend to think of that as some kind of specialized footwear, not a knee-brace. Anybody heard of this before?
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
1:48 pm
If Heyward puts up merely a good year, I will expect him to build upon it in 2013. At 23 years old on opening day 2013, I’d expect him to do better than the year before.
And there were 13 players in the entire league who posted an OPS of .880 or higher. Justin Upton and Mike Stanton were two of these players. Stanton being the youngest, by two years(same age as Heyward).
Voice of Harold
January 31st, 2012
1:49 pm
ncscoots,
FWIW, orthotics can refer to knee braces. I’ve had one in the past to deal with a torn ACL.
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
1:52 pm
And some of those 13 players played half their games in parks that were much more conducive to hitting well.
ncscoots
January 31st, 2012
1:52 pm
So, Comeback Player of the Year or bust?
Not a “bust”, dangit, LOL. There are a lot of very good players who aren’t perennial All-Stars, and no one is going to kick Heyward out of bed if he tops out at “very good”. It’s just that I would have to start thinking of the guy as “very good”, not “elite”, that’s all. But, that in no way implies that I’d think “bust”.
This Needed To Be Said
January 31st, 2012
1:57 pm
“3B Chipper says right now, he’s healthy and not thinking about or leaning toward retirement after ‘12 season.”
And that is why the Braves MUST make sure Chipper does not reach his super-autoextendo-overpaymeagain numbers that make the option his to exercise.
Chipper’s contract past this year is just too large of a gold watch to give a guy who is not capable of producing at rates players who make that kind of money produce. If Chipper comes back past this season, it will be just like paying Lowe 10 mil NOT to play for you like the Braves are doing this year.
Like Irsay said about Peyton Manning and the Colts. You have to make sure he can actually produce. It’s not fantasy football (in this case, fantasy baseball)
ncscoots
January 31st, 2012
2:01 pm
I’ve had one in the past to deal with a torn ACL.
Yes, I have some passing acquaintance with those suckers, my own self. But, back in the old days, we just called them “knee braces”, LOL. Though, it does seem that you would turn your attention to the origin of the problem (the foot) rather than the victim of the problem (the knee).
Anyhoo, there really wasn’t enough info in the article, on that side of things, to get any clear idea of how the kid and the team are dealing with it. So, knee brace was the deal at the end of the season, and I’ll just assume that until someone hears otherwise.
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
2:04 pm
Not a “bust”, dangit, LOL. There are a lot of very good players who aren’t perennial All-Stars, and no one is going to kick Heyward out of bed if he tops out at “very good”.
Not what I meant. More, it’s either he wins Comeback Player of the Year with a 171 point increase in OPS from 2011-2012, or he doesn’t and he has dissapointed you. Because I tell ya, I can’t imagine that sort of swing not winning him that crown.
It’s just that I would have to start thinking of the guy as “very good”, not “elite”, that’s all.
I think I’ll feel much better about him becoming elite if he can put up a good year in 2012 and make some progress in his career. Doesn’t have to put it all together in one summer. As long as the man arrives there at some point within the next few years, ages 22-25(2014) – then I’ll be ecstatic.
RB Dow
January 31st, 2012
2:04 pm
I think the real culprit are the navy blue away jerseys. Does anyone know what our record was wearing them in 2011? They are depressing and hot for July day games.
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
2:07 pm
Hell, folks, let’s be honest: Who thought Matt Kemp was an elite player prior to 2011? .285 .336 .472 career line, 113 OPS+ through 5 major league seasons ages 21-25. His 26 year old season? Explosion.
Who now thinks Matt Kemp is an elite player?
My hand is raised.
I’ll still think Heyward is going to become elite if he puts together merely a good season age 22-23.
Bay Area Steve
January 31st, 2012
2:07 pm
“You can get up, get mean, and get after it, and the game will turn right around and love you like a brother.”
Awesome. And, you mind pointin’ me in the direction of that Jurrjens piece?
ncscoots
January 31st, 2012
2:11 pm
BAS, it was an AP story, of all things. In a newspaper.
http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2012/01/31/1154112?sac=Sports
DAP
January 31st, 2012
2:13 pm
needed to be said Chipper’s contract past this year is just too large of a gold watch to give a guy who is not capable of producing at rates players who make that kind of money produce
stats and salary for 2011:
alfonso soriano .244/.289/.469….$19mil.
adam dunn .159/.292/.277…$12mil (jumping to $14mil in 2012)
vernon wells .218/.248/.412…$26mil
carlos lee .275/.342/.446…$19mil
torii hunter .262/.336/.429…$18.5mil
jason bay .245/.329/.374… $18mil
ichiro suzuki .272/.310/.335… $18mil
carl crawford .255/.289/.405…$14.5 mil (jumping to $19mil in 2012.
and chipper jones .275/.344/.470…$14mil
THAT needed to be said.
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
2:16 pm
Chipper makes 9 million if he gets to 123 games in 2012, if puts up anything near .275/.344/.470, then he is pretty much worth that money and more. 3rd base stinks around the league.
Bay Area Steve
January 31st, 2012
2:18 pm
Thanks, scoots.
Didn’t make my porch-thrown, printed-on-actual-paper San Jose Mercury, though. Almost surprising. They seem to run almost exclusively AP stories at this point…
ncscoots
January 31st, 2012
2:22 pm
BAS, I took the time to find the online version for you, but I actually read the article in the ‘paper.
I can’t help it, I can’t force myself to sit down at breakfast and flip through an iPad to get my morning news fix.
Bay Area Steve
January 31st, 2012
2:23 pm
Man. my guy sounds really optimistic. What a good sign. The first swing-through he gets from 94-at-the-letters, I’m gonna do me a little happy dance.
I’ve always been more concerned about the shoulder than the knee, and the shoulder sounds fine. Go get ‘em, JJ. Throw it so well, they can’t trade ya…
ncscoots
January 31st, 2012
2:27 pm
The first swing-through he gets from 94-at-the-letters, I’m gonna do me a little happy dance.
I’m with you, brother. I don’t want him to start throwing four-seamers every other pitch, but, it sure would be nice to see him break it out when he needs it. Just to know it’s there.
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
2:28 pm
Over the last four years, five All-Star first basemen have signed deals worth at least $150 million: Fielder, Pujols, Mark Teixeira, Adrian Gonzalez and Miguel Cabrera. All five landed in the AL. – Jayson Stark
The AL has been the dominant league for a while, and it’s getting tougher and tougher.
Ease
January 31st, 2012
2:28 pm
What the heck are you people talking about? Its 2012 for cryin’ out loud…Oh, brb, they just finished the oil change on my hovercraft.
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
2:31 pm
So it’s clear what we’re seeing. The American League is becoming the league of the super-teams. That club isn’t just confined to the Yankees and Red Sox anymore.
The Angels and Rangers have monster TV deals on the way, and exploding nine-figure payrolls. The Tigers have an owner (Mike Ilitch) willing to reach into his personal piggy bank and drive his team into that territory.
So that’s five AL teams that are loaded — with talent and dollars. Meanwhile, the only NL team in that payroll bracket is the Phillies, at least until the Dodgers, Cubs and Mets get ready to rev up their engines again.
“What we’re starting to see,” one AL executive said, “is a shift toward market size and away from attendance. And it’s the largest markets that are better able to capitalize on the TV dollars that are out there. In a world where the only TV programming that people are still watching live is sports, that’s where the money is now — in television rights.”
Eventually, of course, this may well even out. Eventually the Cubs, Mets, Dodgers and Nationals could have payrolls in this same range. But we can’t tell you when “eventually” will roll around. Until then, there’s one thing you don’t need to be Fielder’s accountant to understand:
These days, you sure wouldn’t want to be an American League pitcher for a living. – Jayson Stark
ncscoots
January 31st, 2012
2:32 pm
What the heck are you people talking about? Its 2012 for cryin’ out loud
“…And stay off my lawn!!”
ncscoots
January 31st, 2012
2:34 pm
that’s where the money is now — in television rights.
Heard in the Braves FO: “Oops.”
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
2:34 pm
http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post?id=3352
5. St. Louis Cardinals trade RHP Shelby Miller, OF Jon Jay and 3B Zack Cox to the Baltimore Orioles for CF Adam Jones
Why in the world would the Cardinals trade Shelby Miller for Adam Jones? I don’t think Bowden is very good.
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
2:36 pm
Heard in the Braves FO: “Oops.”
Yeah, that 15th in attendance/15th in payroll thing isn’t going to last……
The payroll one, that is.
David O'Brien
January 31st, 2012
2:37 pm
For those who might have missed these comments I posted on Twitter before I rode home from ballpark (I’m back at computer now, will write a story).
It was first time Chipper has given any indication he might be leaning toward playing beyond 2012.
Chipper on not being ready to make decision on retirement: “I sit here with three weeks to go before spring training and I’m not ready to say this is it.”
Has vesting option for ‘13. He added: “As long as I’m healthy and having fun, gonna keep going.”
BravePack
January 31st, 2012
2:38 pm
Oh man it is getting bad around here when we start blaming what jersey’s the Braves wear for loses.
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
2:40 pm
Although, we should really always be in the range of 15-20. Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Rangers, Angels, Giants, Dodgers, Cardinals, Cubs, Phillies, Mets, Marlins, Nationals are 15 teams that will be higher. A few more teams like the Mariners have the potential to be higher, I guess.
Murph
January 31st, 2012
2:40 pm
The Braves will slowly fall from middle of the pack in payroll towards the bottom, all the while their TV ratings (and ad revenue) will plummet as well.
It will be in everyone’s best interest to revisit the horrible TV deal… eventually.
David O'Brien
January 31st, 2012
2:41 pm
I asked Fredi about Teheran and Delgado competing with Minor for fifth spot, and what Fredi thought about Teheran and/or Delgado spending another year or part of year in Triple-A, whether that’s a concern at all.
That’s when he said Teheran and/or Delgado would be bullpen options if don’t make opening-day rotation. He didn’t commit to it, but said it would be an option to bolster the ‘pen. He made it sound as if there are five locks for the pen: O’Ventbrel three, Medlen and Cristhian Martinez
ncscoots
January 31st, 2012
2:44 pm
He made it sound as if there are five locks for the pen:
Hey, Efrim, maybe we get to sneak Arodys down to AAA as a starter, after all.
Murph
January 31st, 2012
2:45 pm
That’s when he said Teheran and/or Delgado would be bullpen options if don’t make opening-day rotation.
Fredi wants arms capable of going 150+ innings in the pen.
Great.
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
2:45 pm
The Braves will slowly fall from middle of the pack in payroll towards the bottom, all the while their TV ratings (and ad revenue) will plummet as well.
I don’t think we’ll slip to the bottom. We’ll slip a little, but I think we’ll always be in the 16-20 range of payroll. Unless a lot of smaller market teams find big revenue in TV deals.
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
2:49 pm
Hey, Efrim, maybe we get to sneak Arodys down to AAA as a starter, after all.
Come on Varvaro, Hoover, Bullock or whomever!!!!
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
2:51 pm
And for the poeple who thinks that means Fredi will still burn out O’Ventbrel ……… probably, hah!
Seriously though, if the games are tight, do you really expect him to use 2 additional arms in Medlen and Viz over O’Ventbrel? Come on. It’s either the offense is better, or our relievers are hitting the surgeons table next winter. That bats gotta come to play.
Murph
January 31st, 2012
2:52 pm
I hope I’m not the only one that sees Teheran/Delgado coming out of the pen as a huge, huge mistake.
The Braves already have enough problems getting pitchers to go beyond 5 innings. What are they going to do when Hanson and/or JJ go down to injury in the 2nd half and their best fill-in options are now bullpen pitchers who’d have to work to build up to starting again? Am I mistaken that it’s not realistic to expect a guy who’s been throwing 2 or 3 innings a week to suddenly jump back in to starting?
I dunno, sounds like a stupid move when the bullpen is already one of the strongest, if not THE strongest, in the league.
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
2:53 pm
I hope Viz is healthy, though. Haven’t heard anything to make me think he isn’t. Strange that Fredi wouldn’t mention him…as Wren did constantly this winter.
TennesseePaul
January 31st, 2012
2:55 pm
the point was always about one individual season.
And I take umbrage with that when referencing a dirtbag.
Bay Area Steve
January 31st, 2012
2:57 pm
I cannot believe how many of you believe whatever baseball people say. It’s all spin; it’s all BS. They’re like politicians, but actually redeemable.
There is virtually no chance Delgado or Teheran start in the bullpen. Martinez, Medlen, and probably a starter would have to be hurt.
jeffrey doo doo
January 31st, 2012
2:58 pm
Fredi probably just doesn’t know how to pronounce Arodys
Bay Area Steve
January 31st, 2012
3:01 pm
Can we all stipulate that jd has served his penance? I know he wants to be a man of his word, but I’m growing tired of seeing ‘doo doo’ all the time. Can somebody convince him for me?
Murph
January 31st, 2012
3:02 pm
I cannot believe how many of you believe whatever baseball people say. It’s all spin; it’s all BS. They’re like politicians, but actually redeemable.
Usually when people spin something it’s for a reason… what does Fredi have to gain by saying that Delgado and Teheran are potential bullpen candidates?
I know both want to be on the MLB team, but probably not as relievers, so I don’t see any gain in their morale with that. It’s not like it’s going to affect moves made by other teams or negotiations with any FA’s given that the Braves are done making moves.
So… yeah, I don’t really see any spin with this.
TennesseePaul
January 31st, 2012
3:02 pm
Hell, folks, let’s be honest: Who thought Matt Kemp was an elite player prior to 2011?
My hand is raised
Many, many people thought as much of Kemp. It’s why the Dodgers refused to trade him. Kemp had three full seasons ages 22-24 hitting .303/.351/.483/.835 playing a premium defensive position and showing 20HR+ a year power with 30+ steals (power and speed). Then he dated Rhianna and it all fell apart hitting .249/.310/.450/.760. Then he broke up with her and hit .324/.399/.586/.986… a 226 increase in ops and he didn’t win comeback player of the year.
David O'Brien
January 31st, 2012
3:04 pm
By the way, Chipper said he stepped in a hole while hunting in Kansas in November. Heard a pop and feared worst. He came home and set up MRI in Atlanta without telling Wren or Fredi, didn’t want them worried until after he got results. Found out it was nothing more than scar tissue breaking up.
He said his knees feel good now after the long rest, that he can bend his knees in his swing without pain, something he couldn’t do late in the season….
Oh, and when asked what he thought about Marlins new uniforms, Chipper said he hadn’t seen uniforms but the hats were “heinous”
Wow
January 31st, 2012
3:07 pm
The Marlins say the same thing about the Braves offense.
Murph
January 31st, 2012
3:07 pm
What does one hunt for in Kansas?
CORN! *BLAM BLAM BLAM*
ColoradoBravesFan
January 31st, 2012
3:07 pm
ncscoots…
I certainly hope Viz is at AAA as a starter in 2012. Stretch him at to be a starter, then bring him up in Aug/Sept if needed and to limit innings if required.
TennesseePaul
January 31st, 2012
3:09 pm
He made it sound as if there are five locks for the pen: O’Ventbrel three, Medlen and Cristhian Martinez
So are we staring down another season of Fredi abusing O’Ventbrel with Medlen and Cristhian being the long armed swing men?
Bay Area Steve
January 31st, 2012
3:09 pm
Murph,
In my opinion, they both want to be in the bigs. As a starter, sure. As a set-up guy, as a mop-up man, as the back-up SS, I suspect they’d take it.
Hearing they can make the team is a hell of a lot better than hearing the truth: Minor has to fall on his face (or somebody hurt/traded) for you to make the team.
Ease
January 31st, 2012
3:15 pm
He said his knees feel good now after the long rest,
Hopefully he is in the best shape of his life…
Murph
January 31st, 2012
3:16 pm
If Teheran and Delgado are so fragile that they have to have sunshine blown up their butts or they’ll get all pouty pout then how are they going to react when they are getting shelled by the Nats and left in the game to take their lumps to save the bullpen?
I can see what you’re saying, but I hope it isn’t the case. Fredi has said some dumb dumb stuff in the past (see end of season Larry Parrish comments), so I’m just hoping this is more of the same from a manager who speaks before he thinks.
TennesseePaul
January 31st, 2012
3:20 pm
Over the last four years, five All-Star first basemen have signed deals worth at least $150 million: Fielder, Pujols, Mark Teixeira, Adrian Gonzalez and Miguel Cabrera. All five landed in the AL.
Eventually, of course, this may well even out. Eventually the Cubs, Mets, Dodgers and Nationals could have payrolls in this same range. But we can’t tell you when “eventually” will roll around.
I’d venture a guess “eventually” will be at the heart of most of those mega deals when the AL teams are locked into massive contracts with declining players while those lowly NL teams have money and players in their prime.
ColoradoBravesFan
January 31st, 2012
3:22 pm
The bullpen should be deep and reliable past O’Ventbrel. Medlen, Moylan, Martinez, Fish(Loogy), Gerrin, Hoover, and Asencio.
Asencio was great in AAA last season…1.81 ERA, 70 Ks in 54.2 innings, 26 Saves. AND he did outstanding in the winter league…1.07 ERA, 33Ks in 25.1 innings. he has dominated in the minors and he could be a real solid 5th or 6th guy our bullpen to help lessen the load on the bullpen.
I also don’t think O’Ventbrel will be over worked this year. I really expect JJ/Hanson/Beachy/Minor to pitch well and pick up many innings that fell to the bullpen last season. With these starters plus Medlen ppicking up innings, Kimbrel/Venters and Oflaherty should be fresh throughout the season.
David O'Brien
January 31st, 2012
3:25 pm
Venters told me the ‘pen, best statistically in NL last season, can be better this year with addition of Medlen and expected return of Moylan.
Venters got on a serious conditioning program and added 7-8 pounds, which looks to be all muscle, mostly in upper body. He worked out with Medlen, McCann and DeRosa, they used same trainer.
ColoradoBravesFan
January 31st, 2012
3:29 pm
Asencio was voted MLB.com AAA relief pitcher of the year….
I hope Braves give this guy a chance and start Vizcaino in AAA as a starter
Murph
January 31st, 2012
3:31 pm
He worked out with Medlen, McCann and DeRosa, they used same trainer.
I didn’t know donuts built muscle
ColoradoBravesFan
January 31st, 2012
3:32 pm
DOB,
Great to hear that Venters is in shape, just hope his nasty sinker still has all the movement it had in the past. More muscle could lead to his fastball straighten out and becoming easier to hit…
ncscoots
January 31st, 2012
3:33 pm
Geez, I just realized that the most experienced “vet” in the bullpen is going to be Kris Medlen, LOL.
RC
January 31st, 2012
3:33 pm
Why in the world would the Cardinals trade Shelby Miller for Adam Jones? I don’t think Bowden is very good. – Efrim
Of course he’s not very good. That’s why he’s not proposing trades for ESPN.com instead of actually making them for a major league team.
McFann O O o
January 31st, 2012
3:33 pm
DOB Braves 3B Chipper Jones on his spot in order: “3-hole, 5-hole, 6-hole — doesn’t bother me where I hit.”
Nobody likes to bat 4th…
Can’t have the 5-hole, though—that’s BMac’s…
Bay Area Steve
January 31st, 2012
3:34 pm
Tater,
I neglected to respond to your “Letters of Note” link. Then today, it made my Yahoo news feed. Have you seen the one from a Jourdan Anderson? Good for him, man.
Murph
January 31st, 2012
3:34 pm
Geez, I just realized that the most experienced “vet” in the bullpen is going to be Kris Medlen, LOL.
Yeah, the bullpen needs a nickname that covers all of them. Young Guns has been used to death… hmmmmmmm
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
3:34 pm
Kemp had three full seasons ages 22-24 hitting .303/.351/.483/.835 playing a premium defensive position and showing 20HR+ a year power with 30+ steals (power and speed).
119 OPS+ and you can’t discount the seasons he was less than his career marks. And like Adam Jones, just because he plays a premium defensive position doesn;t mean he can play it well. Anything to bash Jason……
ncscoots
January 31st, 2012
3:35 pm
More muscle could lead to his fastball straighten out and becoming easier to hit…
Not with his arm action, I think. He ought to be OK.
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
3:36 pm
Then he dated Rhianna and it all fell apart hitting .249/.310/.450/.760.
A lot of people were questioning Kemp’s ultimate ceiling after 2010. And I can tell you it wasn’t because he was dating Rhianna.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
January 31st, 2012
3:37 pm
Chipper always has the best quotes. I think he intentionally sets himself for the punchline. I also think deep down he enjoys the “LAAAAAAAARRRRRY” chants too.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
January 31st, 2012
3:40 pm
I would say wondering about Venters gaining muscle could effect his stuff is dumb, but not really. Things like gaining or losing muscle can be real touchy with some guys. Pretty legit concern imo.
Efrim
January 31st, 2012
3:40 pm
Kemp had three full seasons ages 22-24
He played 98 games and had 311 plate appearances in 2007 – his best statistical year before 2011. I wouldn;t lump that in as a full season. We could however say he had three full seasons 2008-2010 and hit .279/.334/.466, 113 OPS+ before 2011 in which he played 155, 152, 162 games. Those I’d say were his full seasons.
ncscoots
January 31st, 2012
3:40 pm
Anything to bash Jason……
Efrim, come on, man. There may be some bigger believers in Heyward than I, but I’m at least top 5, bro.
TennPaul and I aren’t aren’t bashing the guy, not at all.
Bay Area Steve
January 31st, 2012
3:40 pm
“I can tell you it wasn’t because he was dating Rhianna.”
I can tell you the press here certainly saw a correlation between his more prominent night-life and his on-field performance. Right or wrong, I don’t know, but seems even he’s been quoted about focusing more on just the baseball. I’ll defer to cab; she’s our resident Kemp expert. I wonder if he’ll be traded…