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1,723 comments Add your comment
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
3:49 pm
Mixxo
explain to me how he contributed so much to the Braves when he wasn’t on base, nor getting hits? is it his sparkling personality? then put him on the roof with some pom poms.
To try and argue HE was the cause of the Braves earlier winning streak after they lost 8 in a row is ludicrous, he was the worst hitting player n the team during that winning streak. It was a coincidence…. He sucks
VaBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
3:49 pm
The Braves are believed to be seriously considering a trade for Greinke even if they don’t have assurances of keeping him beyond 2012, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets. O’Brien doubts the Braves would offer Greinke $20MM per season on an extension.
A former teammate of Greinke’s told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that the right-hander would like to play for the Braves. Greinke likes Atlanta and wants to win badly, according to Greinke’s friend. The Braves, who have lost four of their past five games, haven’t yet decided how aggressively to pursue upgrades in midseason trades.
The Braves are willing to trade young arms for Greinke, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday.
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
3:49 pm
cricket, the Cards and Reds will be tough, so you might not be wrong.
Woody Woodward
July 3rd, 2012
3:50 pm
Jeff R–earnest t bass would be the PA announcer.
DS1
July 3rd, 2012
3:50 pm
nolie
Answer to your question on the other blog: A’s, A’s and Yankees.
Heisenberg
July 3rd, 2012
3:50 pm
Even a 5-6 or 4-7 record on Mondays would have Braves within a game of the Nats. Somebody needs to go into the clubhouse and make some “modifications” to the calendar.
tom
July 3rd, 2012
3:51 pm
Grienke doesnt have an agent i have heard though if the braves do get him i envision Scott Boras and him chatting.
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
3:51 pm
Woody Woodward, yes, he would! I think Aunt Bea works one of the concession stands.
cricket
July 3rd, 2012
3:52 pm
This whiny guy was supposed to be the 2nd coming?
Wright vs.Sandoval: A city of 8 million was outvoted by a city of 800,000.
— Sandy Alderson (@MetsGM) July 2, 2012
ASG election of “Kung Fu Panda” shows the value of a cute nickname. Surprised Giants fans didn’t elect a “ball dude” to start at 3B.
— Sandy Alderson (@MetsGM) July 3, 2012
Mixxo
July 3rd, 2012
3:52 pm
At this point Nick, I’ll take any “coincidence” I can get. We’re just bad right now. Real bad.
Murph
July 3rd, 2012
3:52 pm
Murph, I presume your trampoline story is a fable to make a point.
Unfortunately for the 4 year old it’s 100% true. I came home yesterday and was greeted with “Daddy! My scab fell off!” I said “Wow, awesome! Where did it fall off?” and she said “I dunno, I think in the pool.” She then proceeded to tell me about the new friend she made and how the kid had a horrible rash on her face.
Not everything that is floating in the neighborhood pool is a leaf.
DS1
July 3rd, 2012
3:52 pm
Let’s trade Teheran and McCann for Greinke. And throw in Uggla. That way folks can quit complaining about those guys.
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
3:52 pm
ton
He does have an agent, hired one right before Spring training, same folks who represent Freeman and Heyward
Mark
July 3rd, 2012
3:53 pm
Mixxo
I’ve said we should move Prado to 2nd to make room for Constanza in left.
PMC
July 3rd, 2012
3:54 pm
Everytime Mike Minor pitches, imagine how much better the outfield would have been with Mike Trout.
Heisenberg
July 3rd, 2012
3:54 pm
“Hope Nate’s resume has been updated before he enters the private sector”
*************************************
The good news for Nate is the US Supreme Court rulled last week that lying is protected as free speech. So we can all update our resumes.
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
3:54 pm
Mixxo
we aren’t bad, we are streaky, this is what you get when you have 3 starters 22 years old, 6 pitchers 25 or under and 2 of your veterans slumping…
Ward
July 3rd, 2012
3:54 pm
Hello everyone! Great article DOB, and very well written…..Get Greinke……….Go the distance…….
archie
July 3rd, 2012
3:55 pm
“Why would the Braves call up Constanza?” Ummm…because they win when he’s in the lineup? Oh I forgot. Most folks on this board are tickled to death with the status quo. We like our slow-footed, iron-glove no-impact Braves.
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
3:55 pm
Mark
and you’d be wrong
you trust one 23 game sample of success followed by 20 games of terrrible play over 6 years of success followed by 3 weeks of terrible play…..
that’s the dumbest thing in the world
Bayou Brave
July 3rd, 2012
3:56 pm
When is Moylen scheduled to be back? That should boost the pen.
cricket
July 3rd, 2012
3:56 pm
Let’s trade Teheran and McCann for Greinke. And throw in Uggla. That way folks can quit complaining about those guys.
you forgot biggest complaint target – FG
Ward
July 3rd, 2012
3:58 pm
Rotation with Huddy, Greinke, J.J. Hanson, Delgado. Not too bad, and of course some one would have to go when Beachy comes back, next year,and when Ben Sheets comes into the picture.
JoeFan
July 3rd, 2012
3:59 pm
Braves have to many other holes to fill. Committing $15-$20 per season for any pitcher without a Cy Young on his resume is beyond belief. These kind of dollars could better be used to improve the bench and bullpen, plus help fill a hole in CF or LF in 2013.
Mark
July 3rd, 2012
3:59 pm
I’m sorry Nick.
I’m just tired of watching Uggla priss around out there doing that silly little dance in the batters box as he prepares to stike out.
Ward
July 3rd, 2012
3:59 pm
Trade Wren for Cashman…….little humor….
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
3:59 pm
DS1,
Trade McCann? I’d missed all those really clever fat jokes that some bloggers endless tell about Brian. You know, like, “Little Debbie’s retiring, so whose picture is going on a box of Swiss Rolls?”
Smart stuff like that.
VaBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:00 pm
What if McCann struggles the whole season? Is there anyway the Braves wouldn’t do the 2013 option?
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
4:00 pm
I doubt Jurrjens a Brave in ‘13, so strike him.
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
4:01 pm
archie
where is your evidence of Constanzas offensive performance in 2012? how did he lead the braves to victory? during the 6 out of 7 the Braves won to break the 8 game losing streak, Uggla hit a 3 run HR to stop the streak, Mac and Freeman homered and Mac drove in the go ahead runs in the next game
If you look at the box scores, the Braves won with Constanza up with the long ball and with situational hitting by Uggla, Mac,Freeman and Heyward. Nowhere in there will you see Constanza’s amazing game winning play……
DS1
July 3rd, 2012
4:01 pm
Mark
You’ve made it abundantly clear that you don’t like Dan Uggla. We get it. We don’t care.
Ralph
July 3rd, 2012
4:01 pm
Volstad went winless in eight starts with the Cubs to start the season, going 0-6 with a 7.46 ERA. He wasn’t a whole lot better in the minors, going 2-3 with a 4.44 ERA in Triple-A Iowa.
He will rebound tonight and pitch like Sandy Kofax, Welcome Volsie to the braves convalesce get well center.
iTiSi
July 3rd, 2012
4:02 pm
Any SMART manager would try to find the reason the Braves are 0-11 on Mondays. Has to be a reason for it. Six of those losses are at home. Maybe find out what they are doing on Sunday nights, and set up a curfew. Wouldn’t hurt to try it. I noticed most of them(not Simmons and Prado) played like they were “hungover” last night! Knowing FG though he would say, “Ahh, it’s just one of those things”.
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
4:02 pm
I think McCann would really have to tank for the Braves not to exercise his option in ‘13. After ‘13, all bets are off.
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
4:02 pm
VaBraves
nope, there are no catchers available who even hit that good……
b
July 3rd, 2012
4:03 pm
Constanza hit .291, period for ML average. Qut using spot playing stat to show your hate for Constanza. The point is he really helps the team and if you don’t realize that, then you need help.
Rick
July 3rd, 2012
4:03 pm
Matt Young DFA by the Tigers today. Has mostly been in AAA this season.
Mark
July 3rd, 2012
4:04 pm
I think thats Wren and the other Braves Execs attitude as well.
They don’t care and it shows
Ward
July 3rd, 2012
4:04 pm
Replace Jack Wilson with “The Rev.” There’s is one solution for the bench.
brian
July 3rd, 2012
4:04 pm
BRaves will never NOT pick up the option for McCann. Even if they don’t plan on him being on the team, they would pick up his option and trade him
jeffrey d
July 3rd, 2012
4:04 pm
I’m just tired of watching Uggla priss around out there doing that silly little dance in the batters box as he prepares to stike out.
That’s what he does before he homers too
TuffShhhtuff
July 3rd, 2012
4:04 pm
“DS1″, yes some of us do care. He is taking up a spot on the AS team that should be going to someone like Bourne, WHO HAS EARNED IT! Uggla will probably just embarrass himself and the team, plus Atlanta, like he did before.
Rick
July 3rd, 2012
4:05 pm
b, Constanza has had so little experience in the ML you could call it all a “spot playing stat.” There’s a reason why he’s toiled for so long in the minors: he can’t consistently hit ML level pitching. Do you have some secret info all the scouts have missed?
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:05 pm
When is Moylen scheduled to be back? That should boost the pen.
Late July, early August…. Don’t know if it’ll boost the pen, but it’ll be good to have him back.
I’m just tired of seeing Marktyping his silly little crap in the “commenters” box as he prepares to strike out vs. the facts (again)
Bat Masterson
July 3rd, 2012
4:06 pm
The good news for Nate is the US Supreme Court rulled last week that lying is protected as free speech. So we can all update our resumes. _ Heisenberg
I haven’t had a chance to check into that one yet. It seems I heard something about still being able to prosecute someone if they gained from the lie. I don’t know, but politicians everywhere should be put on notice.
Rick
July 3rd, 2012
4:06 pm
Bourn plays second base?
VaBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:06 pm
I agree, I think there would have to be some huge Red Flags for them to not do it. Still scratching my head on the season he has had thus far. Even over his career his 1st halfs have always been better than the 2nd halfs… So hard to think McCann will get hot long enough to put up numbers we were expected to see.
Ralph
July 3rd, 2012
4:07 pm
The Braves have one of their top scouts in Milwaukee last night to watch Greinke pitch against the Marlins. He gave up five runs in six innings but took a no-decision
If he had been pitching for the Braves he would have lost 5-0, hell we have a bunch of guys that can do that!
Bayou Brave
July 3rd, 2012
4:08 pm
Uggla the AllStar?
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
4:08 pm
BRaves will never NOT pick up the option for McCann. Even if they don’t plan on him being on the team, they would pick up his option and trade him
Depends if he’s tradeable at that point. Just never know.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:09 pm
Constanza hit .291, period for ML average.
Over what, 50 games. Constanza was a gimmick that worked for a while, that party is over. Let it go.
DS1″, yes some of us do care. He is taking up a spot on the AS team that should be going to someone like Bourne, WHO HAS EARNED IT! Uggla will probably just embarrass himself and the team, plus Atlanta, like he did before.
Bourn plays 2nd base? Unless I’m missing something, Uggla is the leading 2nd baseman in the league…
I’m just tired of watching Uggla priss around out there doing that silly little dance in the batters box as he prepares to stike out.
That’s what he does before he homers too
This
b, Constanza has had so little experience in the ML you could call it all a “spot playing stat.” There’s a reason why he’s toiled for so long in the minors: he can’t consistently hit ML level pitching. Do you have some secret info all the scouts have missed?
Yea he does. .291 batting average baby! Who cares if it game over 50 or so games….
HelpMe
July 3rd, 2012
4:09 pm
There are a couple ways to look at a potential Greinke deal. First, you could look at giving up two young prospects such as Julio Teheran, Randall Delgado or Mike Minor. One of those three plus a position player are rumored to be required to trade for Greinke. I would argue that you know what you’re getting with Greinke. He’s 29. He does have a number of serviceable years left. Teheran has not shown much in his major league starts. I get it that he’s young, but he hasn’t shown much at all. Minor has, well, shown that he doesn’t belong…at least right now. Delgado may be a third or fourth starter at best. It would depend on whether or not a top tier position player is required to me. The second way to look at it is that you says, “Atlanta isn’t going anywhere this season just as they didn’t last season and start preparing for the future.” What does that mean? Would you deal Brian McCann? Would you deal Dan Uggla? What about Tim Hudson? What about Michael Bourn? I understand that there are issues connected to each of those. The fact is you either feel that you’re in it and try to get better for the run which means trading young players or you feel that you’re not in it and you deal veterans for young talent. Let’s see what happens.
Mark
July 3rd, 2012
4:09 pm
Yeah. He has done that 11 times!
The struck out part 90 plus
Brave New World
July 3rd, 2012
4:09 pm
We need to trade Chipper for Matt Cain, and SF will have to throw in Melky to sweeten the deal.
Scottbravesfan
July 3rd, 2012
4:11 pm
They are 5 games back in the division and 2 back in the wild card and you mouth breathers want to sale? You do realize there is 3 months left in the season. That is a lot of games. The braves fan base on this blog is horrible.
Brave New World
July 3rd, 2012
4:11 pm
Constanza for Greinke, and Brewers will add Ryan Braun to sweeten the deal.
Matt Chernoff
July 3rd, 2012
4:11 pm
Uggla will probably just embarrass himself and the team, plus Atlanta, like he did before.
Actually he embarased the Marlins last time
jeffrey d
July 3rd, 2012
4:11 pm
I see we’re acting extra loopy today
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
4:12 pm
Transplant – in a way he didn’t intend – pointed out something telling on the last blog. If we go all in on Grienke, we may well have an outfield next year of Davis (if we get him along with Grienke as he proposes), Cunningham – two unprven AA players, manning the outfield with Heyward. Or in his best case scenario, Davis and Angel Pagan.
NOw truly – with Grienke making about 20% of our payroll, is he a big enough upgrade to make up for two downgrades in LF and CF?
Not so sure I see it as better for the Braves.
Brave New World
July 3rd, 2012
4:12 pm
Scottbravesfan July 3rd, 2012 4:11 pm
They are 5 games back in the division and 2 back in the wild card and you mouth breathers want to sale? You do realize there is 3 months left in the season. That is a lot of games. The braves fan base on this blog is horrible.
True that!
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:13 pm
Yeah. He has done that 11 times!
Uggla also did that “dance” last year when he had a career-high 36 homeruns…
DS1
July 3rd, 2012
4:15 pm
Uggla got voted to the ASG. He is not blocking anybody, except maybe Brandon Phillips. And I could give a rats azz whether Phillips is on the AS team.
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
4:15 pm
How exactly, do you enforce a curfew when you’re playing at home? Send a coach to their houses tomake sure they’re in bed and the kiddies are all tucked in?
TennesseePaul
July 3rd, 2012
4:15 pm
Should he miss the trampoline or hit the wall, though, that’s on him and nobody else.
Murph, I’d still say it depends. Could be Wren makes the deal and the team doesn’t get to the post season due to a tragic paper-clip fight in the club house resulting in 10 of the 25 players landing in the ICU. That isn’t Wren’s fault, unless he instigated by supplying the paper-clips. But otherwise, injuries happen. With or without trades.
And secondly, I’d still rather see the man try for the post-season instead of not. I wouldn’t care much for this team if it has a shot and chooses to let it go because it didn’t think it could make it even if it tried. This team has a shot.
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
4:15 pm
HelpMe, you’ve put your finger on it. If the Braves mean to contend, they need to be bold and do what they can to try to put the team over the top. If not, get strategic and look to ‘13 and beyond.
My guess is is that Wren is under a ton of pressure to contend now. That’s why I think he’ll pull the trigger on trades to try to get the Braves out of the doldrums and moving forward.
Bat Masterson
July 3rd, 2012
4:15 pm
Poor Biff………. He gets his brains beat out here because a couple of rabble rousers advocate for him.
VaBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:16 pm
The most disappointing player on this team is Brian McCann by far. A 671 OPS on the season is a huge decline in production.
Atleast Uggla has produced a 361. OBP on the season even with this huge slump. But he will get hot again and will still flirt with 30 homers most likely.
archie
July 3rd, 2012
4:18 pm
Yes, that amazing Uggla is really something. Where did his heroics get the Braves last October? Oh right, they didn’t play in October. And this year? He’s leading the way to a long off-season again! All hail Uggla.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:18 pm
Lew: I don’t think Bourn is coming back. He’s gonna want 15mil/yr I think and the Braves will say no thanks. Whoever plays CF next year is not gonna change whether we have Greinke or not. Now, LF/3B is more interesting depending on where Prado goes. Maybe they’ll let Francisco (who you think can produce) play 3rd.
Anyways, tell me. Who would you rather pay 15mil/yr to… a 29 yr old pitcher who “loves” your team and is entering his prime, or a 30yr old CF whose entire game depends on his legs which aren’t getting better as he gets older…
Mark
July 3rd, 2012
4:18 pm
I hope I’m wrong again and Uggla will do something to help win a game.
We’ll see
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
4:19 pm
b
no sir, he has a small sample size , and you HAVE to ue the progression of his numbers to dictate his present value
which I will demonstrate for you here.
2011: Jul: 13 AB’s .308/.308/.385
Aug: 73 AB’s .342/.392/.452
Sep: 23 AB’s .174/.174/.174
2012: Apr: 3 AB’s 000/000/000
May: 7 AB’s 571/571/571
Jun: 22 AB’s 182/182/227
first 86 AB’s on the Braves .337 Avg
following 55 AB’s .218 avg
he sucks, they figured him out , let it go
VaBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:19 pm
Lew
I agree. Really tough to pay 1 player 20% of the payroll. The only kind of player I’d pay that much for is someone who is gonna play 155+ games and produce close to a 300/400/500 line.
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
4:19 pm
If McCann is bad enough that we don’t think he’ll return to form and want to trade him, why would someone want him unless they thought he would return to form? In which case, we should keep him.
Ward
July 3rd, 2012
4:21 pm
Wren if you build it? People will come……..Patience my friends the trade will happen. All have a great 4th OF July, and I will be back on Thursday, or Friday. Spending time with family at the lake…….Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
Ralph
July 3rd, 2012
4:21 pm
Next year Wren will put Prado on 3B, will not resign Bourn and will find two washed up outfielders in the Dumpster and that will be it folks.
VaBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:22 pm
Lew, I agree once again. McCann will either be a Brave or be a free agent eventually.
Arkansas Transplant
July 3rd, 2012
4:22 pm
Lew, actually what I wish would happen would be for us to trade for Greinke using Minor in that trade. And then making a move to bring in Willingham. In that scenario we’d end up with Willingham in LF, Cunningham CF or Pagan, Heyward in RF.
jeffrey d
July 3rd, 2012
4:22 pm
why would someone want him unless they thought he would return to form?
Because we know more than the baseball world.
b
July 3rd, 2012
4:23 pm
Constanza has over .300 career minor league average. Just because he doesn’t hit like francisco during batting practice doesn’t mean he doesn’t belong on Braves roster. Replace Juan with Jose.
And put Medlen in rotation. When he started, team had 13-2 w-l record. Braves have treated Medlen and Constanza like CRAP.
b
July 3rd, 2012
4:23 pm
Constanza has over .300 career minor league average. Just because he doesn’t hit like francisco during batting practice doesn’t mean he doesn’t belong on Braves roster. Replace Juan with Jose.
And put Medlen in rotation. When he started, team had 13-2 w-l record. Braves have treated Medlen and Constanza like CRAP.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:23 pm
Take care and have fun Ward. Happy Independence Day to ya!
Bat Masterson
July 3rd, 2012
4:25 pm
Anyway, I just watched Episode #1 of the Andy Griffith Show online. Still really good after what, 50 years……
It looks like rain anytime now, here.
Murph
July 3rd, 2012
4:25 pm
They are 5 games back in the division and 2 back in the wild card
Don’t forget 3 games over .500.
Efrim is right, the NL is winnable this year… I don’t know that the WS is winnable, but the Braves could cross that bridge if they get to it.
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
4:25 pm
medlen’s 13-2 record is the result of 5.5 runs of support per start avg, I see you forgot to mention Meds had a 4.23 ERA as a starter, and presently has more value to the club as a reliever….
ChattTownBrian
July 3rd, 2012
4:25 pm
I wrote Greinke said a few years back during his big year at the All Star game how big a Braves fan he was and he still is. Maybe he will cut back on his asking price to around $16 mil. Ya never know.
Efrim
July 3rd, 2012
4:26 pm
Marlins up 2-0 on the Brewers.
I’m actually rooting for Brewers losses now.
Go Greinke.
One Big Dummy
July 3rd, 2012
4:27 pm
Sure, the Braves can win the N.L. or the wild card. Except for, you know, that whole Fredi Gonzalez-is-our-manager thing.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:28 pm
And put Medlen in rotation. When he started, team had 13-2 w-l record.
All about run support. His ERA is near 4 when he started.
Constanza has over .300 career minor league average. Just because he doesn’t hit like francisco during batting practice doesn’t mean he doesn’t belong on Braves roster. Replace Juan with Jose.
Jose doesn’t play 3B. Can’t switch those 2. But if you read this blog often, you’d know I don’t like Juan either…
BravesfaninWis
July 3rd, 2012
4:28 pm
The Braves should be sellers and calling other teams to see what they can get in return for some of their players. It’s painfully obvious that this team, with this coaching staff, and this ownership group will not be a playoff team regardless of who they have playing for them.
So don’t be trading for any players, trade some of the ones on this team. See what kind of interest you can drum up in Hanson or any of the starters. See if you can get anything for Uggla. See what you can get for Bourn ( we all know he won’t be a Brave after this season anyways because the owners are so damn cheap, and he wants to play for a winner) maybe gauge interest in McCann.
The only ones I wouldn’t trade at this point is Freeman, Prado, Kimbrel, and Simmons, the rest are fair game. Of course none of this will happen because the Braves actually think they have a shot this season. I guess after that monumental collapse last season, and their up and down crap this season, they still for some reason think they have a chance. Sorry boys, your season is done. Maybe if you actually showed heart we might believe otherwise.
AZBravoFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:28 pm
Do people really not get why getting a Greinke and/or Dempster would make this team better. Of course it won’t solve the offense. But it would mean you’re not running Minor and Delgado out there 2 out of every 5 games. Maybe, just maybe, they won’t start a few games down a crooked number before they even bat. (I realize even Huddy is not immune…). Or maybe after the offense scratches out a run or two, someone will go out there and put up a 1-2-3 inning instead of walking the first 2 guys and creating a rally. Or maybe someone will make that tough pitch to escape a jam and end an inning. And maybe we won’t have to keep running the likes of Durbin, Martinez, and Varvaro out there with the bases loaded all the time. This team’s philosophy has always been that it all starts with starting pitching. When that breaks down, as it has the past 2 years, it’s a domino effect.
Let's Go
July 3rd, 2012
4:28 pm
A pitcher that pitches every 5 days is not the answer to this years problems so why not wait until the off season and sign him to a contract. Yes this team needs a starter, actually 2, but it also needs some RBI hitters and a whole lot of help in the bullpen.
Efrim
July 3rd, 2012
4:29 pm
This talk about the Braves having too many holes to contend in the NL is the biggest joke I’ve seen.
Look around the “Senior” circuit, folks. It’s as mediocre as its been in years. Braves can absolutely get tot he World Series and who knows what happens?
Go for it, Frank.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:29 pm
Nick: Our pen is sufficient with Kimbrel, O’flaherty and Durbin You (and I) must have missed that memo
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
4:29 pm
I think Francisco has value, just not on the Braves, IMO, he would be much better off getting more playing time in the AL where he could get more AB’s and develop his eye a bit more….
VaBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:29 pm
Uggla lowered his asking price for us. He wanted around 75 million in Florida. Grienke might view Atlanta as the place he wants to be and is willing to take a small would be cut in pay.
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
4:30 pm
Only Braves – You’re missing the point. Is Grienke going to improve our team enough to make up for the severe downgrade at two outfield spots, much less make us better all around?
In my way of thinking, I’d rather do a deal with the Twins and pick up either Willingham or Span – both of whom are signed for at least two more years – Willingham is able to play several positions and has decent power, Span a solid offensive player with speed and good defense at all outfield positions and Francisco Liriano, who is pitching very well tsince returning to the Twins rotation and who is only third year arb eligble this winter.
Liriano could either provide LH mid rotation pitching next year or non tendered if we wanted (not sure why we would unless he bombs, which is unlikely) and Span could either take over CF if Bourn is not signed (doubt he will be) and we could use the money NOT spent on Grienke (Span and Liriano or Willingham and Liriano would cost a bit more than CHipper is on his own) to pick up a LFer who puts up an .800 OPS or if by some strange happening out of the blue, we sign Bourn, Span moves to LF. If it’s Willingham instead of Span, you either sign Bourn or then go get someone like Angel Pagan.
That way, we have extra bench strength this year and a decent mid rotation pitcher and are covered going forward for a couple of years. Makes sense to me and would improve the team all around and keeps us within budget.
Arkansas Transplant
July 3rd, 2012
4:30 pm
No one really knows what it would take to sign Greinke long term, but what we do know is the guys presently have aren’t getting it done. I’d bet Greinke added to our rotation would be at least 6 to 8 extra wins added.
Mark
July 3rd, 2012
4:30 pm
Fire Freddi – Thats where it starts and ends on the field
If the new manager can’t get the Braves to play hard and smart and look like professionals then we’ll know it wasn’t Freddis fault totally and then start selling players and start over building around the young talented guys on the team.
Create some accountability!
Columbus
July 3rd, 2012
4:30 pm
Here is what many of you Einsteins are missing. The Braves are not far from the division lead without Beachy and only Hudson being reliable. its nto about how many games Greinke would win, BUT how many the Braves would win. Think if Greinke had been starting instead of Delgado or Minor. The Braves would likely be in first place. That being said, hes too expensive for a long term deal IMO. With the young guys being ready for next year and maybe even the 2nd half this year, why spend so much? Is he worth it to the Braves with all the young arms beyond this season? Maybe if you consider Beachy will miss 4-5 months of next season.
Braves need to resign some players next year and they will get raises. Braves also need to fill Chippers spot and lets not forget Bourn or his replacement. If Greinke can last the rest of this year and next year and STILL be pitching well to trade the rest of his contract, its something to think about. But cheaper options might be the road to travel….
Beachy, Hudson, Jair, Delgado, Minor, Vizcaino. Insurance would be smart and Greinke is excellent insurance but costs a lot….Sheets could help but I do agree we need one more starter to get us through until Beachy is back and to see if JJ is going to be close to he all-star he was last year and until the rookies can hold their own. Time will tell. I hope they can hold it the 2nd half most of the time. Then everything will be fine.
Venters needs to get back on track QUICK!
Chipper will get hot soon. Just pray for no more injuries and he can carry the club. Braves needto score more obviously. McCann? Where is he? He said he was about to get hot and he did a little better for a coupl games but…maybe just the pitching he faced yesterday….
Just dont be hasty signing 20 million dollar contracts and I know Wren will not be…
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
4:30 pm
What’s the over/under on how many years before Loria has a fire sale in Florida?