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Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,256 comments Add your comment
haggard
March 24th, 2012
12:42 pm
And now that the Damon speculation has heated up…….
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/tom_verducci/03/20/johnny.damon/index.html?sct=mlb_wr_a3
Tomahawkin
March 24th, 2012
12:43 pm
@Juan
I would take a Flyer on either Austin Kearns or Aaron Rowand…They are extremely cheap options
But Hell The F No to Rick Stankiel! Because I know Someone on here is gonna Lust for him!
VaBravesFan
March 24th, 2012
12:43 pm
I wouldn’t mind them giving Durango a good amount of playing time in LF. We would have awesome defense and tons of speed for sure.
Lew
March 24th, 2012
12:43 pm
THawkin – If Boras holds out for that kind of money, Damon will nt play this year for anyone. He does NOT have the Braves over a barrel, no matter how much some might believe. They can always go with who they have and Damon can stay in Florida.
If he had any leverage whatsoever, he already would have signed with someone.
JC Brave
March 24th, 2012
12:45 pm
Are Josh and Jack related?
Lew
March 24th, 2012
12:46 pm
Vlad Guerrero is still available, too.
VaBravesFan
March 24th, 2012
12:49 pm
Vlad is just like Damon, can’t play defense and isn’t much of a hitter anymore. Rowand and Kearns would only get minor league deals at this point if they were cut.
VaBravesFan
March 24th, 2012
12:49 pm
They both still want like 5-7 million.
noleee
March 24th, 2012
12:49 pm
I’d just as soon see some combo of Sutton,Durango and Parraz than see them overspend on some has been who is another injury waiting to happen
noleee
March 24th, 2012
12:50 pm
and neither will likely get it, prolly not even close to that
Trey
March 24th, 2012
12:51 pm
Lew, I don’t know. We didn’t make much progress in the off season, while other teams made progress.
flange1
March 24th, 2012
12:51 pm
I agree with Lew about the 4th place stuff.
No doubt if the Braves play a full season like September of 2011, then 4th place is a possibility.
The Marlins have gotten better, but I don’t think they will catch the world on fire. I also think Heath Bell will get lit up in a smaller ballpark. That fastball is just too straight. But Ozzie Guillen is an idiot and that team will be interesting to say the least all year.
I think the Nats will be better than the Marlins, and they are on a path to be a real good team. Not convinced about Morse and Desmond, and they need a CF badly. I think they will be good, but I think the Braves are better all around.
The Phills are a wildcard because of injuries. Without injuries, they are the team to beat in the NL East. With the injuries, they could be good bad or ugly.
I like the Braves as the strongest overall team. It would be nice to have a stronger bench especially with Chipper being hurt, but still I like the Braves in the East.
David O'Brien
March 24th, 2012
12:51 pm
Jonny Venters’ soreness in his upper arm/biceps area not elbow; Braves say it’s not a concern and that he’ll likely get 1-2 more appearances before season.
VaBravesFan
March 24th, 2012
12:52 pm
Damon actually played 150 games last season, but mostly as a DH. Braves might be better off rolling with the young guys…
I think there is a small chance Durango could impress and put his name in the hat for 2013 CFer. His plate discipline and contact rates are threw the roof.
noleee
March 24th, 2012
12:53 pm
Braves to win the East flange? I will be amazed if that happens, and i am not a neggie
noleee
March 24th, 2012
12:54 pm
If Durango could hit up here like he did in the minors he would be a viable leadoff option.
MFin04
March 24th, 2012
12:55 pm
Chipper is having another knee surgery. Lol. You can’t really help but laugh. I mean the guy is a HOF, but the amount of injuries he has sustained has got to at least last a page or two of posts.
Jeff R
March 24th, 2012
12:55 pm
“As to the fourth place finish. Same team as last year, but Uggla and Martin are definitely back, Bourn and Mac have started hitting. I just can’t see that huge a dropoff and don;’t really believe the Marlins and Nats are all that much stronger desoite the moves they made. The Philles are definitely weaker.”
I agree, Lew. Key was last year, and it is this year, for the Braves: “Avoid significant injuries to key players and no prolonged hitting slumps by the regulars.
noleee
March 24th, 2012
12:56 pm
for some reason I’m not laughing…..
MFin04
March 24th, 2012
12:57 pm
Of course this whole situation could have been planned for and was planned for by most intelligent bloggers who thought we should have acquired another everyday outfielder, in case Prado had to play 3rd base for Chipper…A LOT.
The Braves, however, were too cheap to consider this option. Carlos Beltran, cough, Carlos Beltran.
flange1
March 24th, 2012
12:57 pm
noleeeeee,
If the Phils faulter with injuries, then yes. If they win 97 +, then no.
But second for sure.
ncgary
March 24th, 2012
12:58 pm
we could probably get bonds for mlb minimum
and he’d be a clubhouse presence
VaBravesFan
March 24th, 2012
12:59 pm
I seen that 4th place talk alot as well. I can see where there coming from tho.
1. We did nothing this offseason
2. Horrible start in spring training
3. Jurrjens/Hudson/Hanson all having health question marks
4. Vizciano is done for the season
5. Chipper announces he will retire
6. Chipper having knee surgery monday
noleee
March 24th, 2012
12:59 pm
I think 90-92 wins takes the division this season
MFin04
March 24th, 2012
1:00 pm
“Chipper tore meniscus during team stretch about an hour before retirement press conference.”
Stretching? Tore his meniscus…stretching? Geez…at least say he was doing some extra wind sprints or something. Maybe a little post batting practice P90X to help his conditioning. But not stretching.
noleee
March 24th, 2012
1:00 pm
Braves 2nd or third with 84 or so
noleee
March 24th, 2012
1:01 pm
still luv to rip the Chip dontcha?
VaBravesFan
March 24th, 2012
1:03 pm
nolie
I think Durango could be solid. Blazing Speed, Good Defense, Great Eye, Hits the ball. The issue is can he get enough hits when he does hit the ball. Look at Michael Bourn, he strikeouts a TON but still hits for good average.
Lew
March 24th, 2012
1:03 pm
Trey – Didn’t need to make big moves. We needed Prado back to being himself (I think we can agree he is), Uggla getting off to a faster start (I think we can agree it looks like he should, for Mac to be healthy(he is) and Heyward to turn his performance around (well, three out of four).
Bourn is here for a full year which HAS to be an improvement over Jordan McNatefer. So, all in all, seems to me that we have a much better offense than last year and – as THawkin claims – a cake schedule in April.
Oh – And we’re no onger 1-10 this spring.
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 24th, 2012
1:03 pm
I you guys count on a 40 year old CJ for 110 games, how many are you betting on for a 40 year Johnny Damon?
Jeff R
March 24th, 2012
1:05 pm
“6. Chipper having knee surgery monday”
VaBravesFan, if anyone was projecting the Braves’ finish based on Chipper’s health, I think that was a faulty calculation to begin with.
Prado at third: Prado’s bat is arguably as good as Chipper’s at this stage in Chipper’s career, and Prado’s defense is better. A Chipper-less Braves’ lineup isn’t necessarily losing as much as some fans think (provided Wren secures a capable LFer to replace Prado there).
VaBravesFan
March 24th, 2012
1:05 pm
This is a big year for Prado as well, he’s due a raise after the season and will be making around 7 million in 2013. If he doesn’t produce enough he could be gone.
Billy
March 24th, 2012
1:06 pm
During their stretching drills Chipper was running when he injured his knee. If you have been to Spring training and have seen them warm up this would make perfect sense
MFin04
March 24th, 2012
1:06 pm
Who bets Chipper tries to rush back…ends up on the DL longer…and eventually calls its quits before the season ends?
I see that as a more likely scenario, then him getting back for the home opener.
VaBravesFan
March 24th, 2012
1:06 pm
Jeff R
I disagree a little, Just having Chipper Jones in the lineup means something. If you know what I mean. Just his presence.
Lew
March 24th, 2012
1:06 pm
MFin04 – Mark my words. Beltran is an injury not only waiting to happen, but that WILL happen. Only a matter of how soon it happens.
Billy
March 24th, 2012
1:07 pm
I am hoping Braves take a look at Angels OF Bobby Abreu, who can still hit.
Jeff R
March 24th, 2012
1:08 pm
Prado, Heyward, Bourn, Jurrjens, Hanson, and McCann want and need strong seasons for contract reasons (Heyward for career reasons) near and longer term.
noleee
March 24th, 2012
1:08 pm
yeah I disagree some with Jeff too
and Mf is reverting to his old Chipper hater status
VaBravesFan
March 24th, 2012
1:08 pm
I think we can win the division if most of the dominoes fall the right way. Think about it… The Phillies are gonna be without Howard and Utley for a while. That’s there #3 and #4 batters right there.
Trey
March 24th, 2012
1:10 pm
Lew, then again, we did get rid of Lowe. He was one of our biggest issues last year, too. IMO
VaBravesFan
March 24th, 2012
1:11 pm
Bobby Abreu is a realistic option if the Angels are willing to eat some of the contract. His power has diminished but he still produced a 353. OBP last season.
Jeff R
March 24th, 2012
1:12 pm
VaBravesFan, Yes, I do. Chipper’s plate discipline is incredible, and is one of the reasons why he’s been so productive all his career. But Prado – if he returns to form – brings a lot to the offense. Not Chipper’s power potential, but a lot. And not the intimidation potential that Chipper still brings to the plate.
I think Prado strengthens the left side of the infield when he plays third this year, though. Pastornicky is still something of an intangible defensively. Simmons is a surer defender, but he may be at Mississippi.
MFin04
March 24th, 2012
1:14 pm
‘Mark my words. Beltran is an injury not only waiting to happen, but that WILL happen. Only a matter of how soon it happens.”
Of course he is, but that is why you have Chipper, Prado, and Beltran on the team. To mitigate some of that risk, while having 3 excellent players on your team. Chipper has been an injury risk all along. But when healthy, both he and Beltran are All-Star caliber players. That is why it is imperative, to have all three of those guys to help manage those injuries.
I’m ok with having Beltran get hurt, just as long as he plays 130 games and OPSes 900+. I mean we aren’t going to get that out of (Heyward), Durango, Hinske, Diaz, etc.
VaBravesFan
March 24th, 2012
1:15 pm
Prado must bounce back to form for this team to have any chance. We need him to hit 300/350/450
CB
March 24th, 2012
1:15 pm
Billy, I like the Bobby Abreu idea if we can get him on the cheap.
VaBravesFan
March 24th, 2012
1:16 pm
Hopefully Heyward can OPS around 800
David O'Brien
March 24th, 2012
1:17 pm
Yunel Escobar one-out single up middle for #Blue Jays against his old team Braves
MFin04
March 24th, 2012
1:19 pm
“reverting to his old Chipper hater status”
I wouldn’t say hater status. Chipper just isn’t the same HOF Chipper anymore. He is hurt A LOT, plays decent defense, and is a good bat in the lineup. He just isn’t dependable.
I also don’t understand how someone can get injured soo often. If you know you are a guy that is feeble, don’t you work out even harder in the offseason to come back in great playing shape?
I mean look at guys like Steve Nash and Grant Hill who are pushing 40, and run up and down the court every other night of the week. Those guys are in phenomenal shape and we are talking basketball, not even the less physically active sport of baseball.
Well I don’t mind trying Constanza or Durango in LF. it would have been nice to fix this problem in the offseason. We knew we needed a LF in a year or so anyways.
noleee
March 24th, 2012
1:20 pm
I ♥ yuni
Dadgum......
March 24th, 2012
1:20 pm
I hate the latest Chipper injury as much as anyone. Damn the bad luck! I think in the back of all our minds is the idea that Chipper may indeed play sparingly this year due to mounting injuries that come with age and stress on the body. However, Chipper is going under the knife, again, to repair the miniscus in the other knee. That should tell us something folks. The tread is flying off the tires.
Chipper will try one more comeback attempt after this surgery. The Braves are making other plans no doubt. Terdoslavich would have been a great insertion but with a rookie SS we ain’t adding a rookie 3rd baseman. Prado is the best option and frankly I think Prado plays most of the year at 3rd anyway. The problem you have is that moving Prado to 3rd and possibly signing a LF of any note is that Prado may not be in the future plans at 3rd once Terdo is ready next year. With OF out of the equation and Prado due almost 8 mil, we could easily be seeing Prado’s last year with Atlanta. Hope not but it looks that way to me. Ditto McCann in two years but that’s for another post.
Hopefully the Braves won’t have to go after a veteran bat to add this year. Hinske and Diaz are more than capable. I wasn’t expecting great things from Chipper this year other than his leadership in his swan song year. Hopefully he can ride out on his own horse into the sunset. The Braves are making a lot of contingency plans if he can’t.
Felix Millan
March 24th, 2012
1:22 pm
Welcome back DOB. You were sorely missed. VJ did do an admirable job with pbp while you were vacationing.
Felix Millan
March 24th, 2012
1:26 pm
Hinske, Parrazz,Durango, and Diaz. Leftfielders for two weeks. Maybe we can catch lightning in a bottle. Who knows?
Felix Millan
March 24th, 2012
1:34 pm
OK, is this the real blog or is there a new one?
ray k
March 24th, 2012
1:34 pm
This LF nonsense has been going on for FAR too long. Will we ever sign one? I mean a real LF?
I am so sick of reading these four letter: D I A Z.
Good for Scrabble.
Bad for the Braves.
Bravefaninok
March 24th, 2012
1:38 pm
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 24th, 2012
1:03 pm
I you guys count on a 40 year old CJ for 110 games, how many are you betting on for a 40 year Johnny Damon?
Damon is 36…..big difference.
ncbravesfan90
March 24th, 2012
1:38 pm
Giants Shopping Ryan Theriot & Mike Fontenot
By Mike Axisa [March 24 at 12:23pm CST]
The Giants are telling teams they’re shopping both Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot, reports ESPN’s Jayson Stark (on Twitter). Stark speculates that the Phillies and Braves could have interest.
Theriot, 32, will earn $1.25MM this season while the 31-year-old Fontenot will make $1.05MM. Neither contract is guaranteed, and the Giants could release both players by March 29th and only have to pay one-fourth of their salary. The former LSU teammates both have experience all over the infield, though Fontenot hits for more power while Theriot is a batting average, stolen base guy.
Blog Monitor
March 24th, 2012
1:39 pm
anyone have a link to the game?
Jeff R
March 24th, 2012
1:40 pm
“I hate the latest Chipper injury as much as anyone. Damn the bad luck!”
Dadgum, bad luck suggests something out of the ordinary. Regrettably, injuries have been a substantial part of Chipper’s career since ‘04 (as I recall). It’s unfortunate, but Chipper gets injured. That’s why so many of us couldn’t believe that Wren was shopping Prado.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
March 24th, 2012
1:42 pm
Damon is actually 38…and I have to admit, he looks more desirable right now than Matt Diaz.
jeffrey d
March 24th, 2012
1:43 pm
If you’re in our blog fantasy baseball league, don’t forget we’re drafting in 15 minutes
JC Brave
March 24th, 2012
1:47 pm
I am so sick of reading these four letters: D I A Z
Amen.
ray k
March 24th, 2012
1:47 pm
Saying Fontenot hits for more power than Theriot is like saying he’s taller than mini-me.
And Theriot WAS a base stealing threat until last year, when he had 4.
He’ll hit you .270 or so, though.
Jimmy
March 24th, 2012
1:51 pm
9 minutes to the Jeffery D draft.
I pick 4th.
Hope Constanza is still on the board.
noleee
March 24th, 2012
1:51 pm
poor ol Matt, the victim of the blog’s yearly irrational hatred of a guy who had a bad year and the delusion that it is impossible to return from…
Bat Masterson
March 24th, 2012
1:52 pm
You might want to go with Damon, Jimmy.
noleee
March 24th, 2012
1:55 pm
Theriot…….. .282 .344 .353 .697 83OPS+
Fortenot……. .263 .332 .406 .738 92 OPS+
I’d take Fontenot
Jimmy
March 24th, 2012
1:55 pm
Bat – I’ve been struggling with that. But Constanza is more gritty and more clutch.
noleee
March 24th, 2012
1:57 pm
I’d take Durango over Constanza anyday
Bat Masterson
March 24th, 2012
1:57 pm
Jimmy_
Yeah that’s true, Damon will probably fall to the second round anyway.
MFin04
March 24th, 2012
1:57 pm
Umm….Kris Medlen anyone?
Powderfinger
March 24th, 2012
1:59 pm
Samantha – Best wishes and speedy healing…
Billy
March 24th, 2012
2:02 pm
The Angels are loaded with offense now that they have Pujols and Kendry Morales return. Now would be a great time to inquire about Trumbo and Bourjos.
hansoal
March 24th, 2012
2:03 pm
Is gameday correct?… 11 outs for the Braves on 18 pitches?
noleee
March 24th, 2012
2:03 pm
no interest in Trumbo at all
B-F_52
March 24th, 2012
2:03 pm
jays up 3/0 in 4th
JC Brave
March 24th, 2012
2:04 pm
hansoal – Gameday does not count all the pitches thrown.
MFin04
March 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
Anyone else getting worried about what our regulars can produce? Not looking good today.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
March 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
Wait a minute, weren’t you just advocating for Abreu? How many Angels do you want?
noleee
March 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
I think he wants to swap teams Hugo
B-F_52
March 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
Trumbo is a monster what would we need to trade everybody?
hansoal
March 24th, 2012
2:08 pm
JC – thx, good to know… I won’t worry too much about plate discipline
JC Brave
March 24th, 2012
2:09 pm
Anyone else getting worried about what our regulars can produce? Not looking good today.
Been worried since 2006.
noleee
March 24th, 2012
2:09 pm
monster out maker. no thanx
Samantha
March 24th, 2012
2:09 pm
Thanks Powderfinger Be ok when get out of bed
David O'Brien
March 24th, 2012
2:10 pm
Blue Jays have bases loaded w/ none out in 4th after another single, the 7th hit off Braves Delgado.
Billy
March 24th, 2012
2:10 pm
Whichever Angels that are available that could help the Braves sonny. They are so stocked with offense it is embarrassing. Trumbo is killing the ball this spring and is a legit 30 HR guy. Bourn is not going to be a Brave in 2013 no matter who wishes upon a star. With the recent retirement and injury news to Chipper and the guaranteed departure of Bourn, now would be a great time to acquire their replacements rather than wait.
David O'Brien
March 24th, 2012
2:11 pm
Kelly Johnson clears bases with a 3-run double to put Jays up 6-0 against his former team and Braves pitcher Delgado
B-F_52
March 24th, 2012
2:11 pm
on a positive note Nats are getting hammer’d
noleee
March 24th, 2012
2:11 pm
SEASON!!!!
MFin04
March 24th, 2012
2:11 pm
Well Delgado and Teheran and Vizcaino appear to be busts. Heyward hasn’t shown much of returning to form. Chipper is injured. Braves won’t start Medlen. Jurrjens and Hanson are question marks. Hudson is hurt.
JC Brave
March 24th, 2012
2:12 pm
3-run double by Kelly Johnson. Jays up 6-0. Bottom 4th.
RAM
March 24th, 2012
2:12 pm
anyone know how teheran is doing today compared to delgado?
noleee
March 24th, 2012
2:12 pm
1980s, here we come….
Bravefaninok
March 24th, 2012
2:15 pm
JC Brave
March 24th, 2012
2:12 pm
3-run double by Kelly Johnson. Jays up 6-0. Bottom 4th.
Only need a touchdown and extra point we are right back in this thing!!!
Billy
March 24th, 2012
2:15 pm
The grim reapers are here again today. Fill the blog with Rays of Sunshine. They must be just joyous to be near at a restaurant or grocery store complaining about everything the mind could think of.
JC Brave
March 24th, 2012
2:16 pm
Can this team, as currently constructed, take advantage of an easy april schedule and a weak Phillies team until mid may or early june?
B-F_52
March 24th, 2012
2:17 pm
1980s, here we come Back to the future? I hope we’ll be allright you never know about a thing till its done and were not done yet
David O'Brien
March 24th, 2012
2:17 pm
RF Matt Diaz lost Adam Lind’s flyball in sun in RF, ball bounced off wall and rolled back down foul territory, goes for triple.
Thames followed with RBI double for 7-0 lead with 2 out in 4th, then a wild pitch moves Thames to 3rd. Yikes, getting ugly for Delgado.
George
March 24th, 2012
2:18 pm
Latest news on CHIPPER very sad, could be the best thing for him would be call it a day and go out with last years good stats. Have him in the tv booth a lot.