Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,723 comments Add your comment
ChattTownBrian
July 3rd, 2012
4:31 pm
BravesWis, I don’t think we’re a playoff team this year either, just being true to my feelings, but you do not “sell” when you’re a handful of games behind the 1st place team in July. We’re right there in the thick of it. At least for now.
AZBravoFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:31 pm
The bullpen is a whole other story. Does Venters still have options left? That dude needs the JJ treatment down in Gwinnett for a while. He’s unusable right now. We’re talking Jessie Chavez bad…
Sopheee
July 3rd, 2012
4:31 pm
George should start a club.
OTP
July 3rd, 2012
4:33 pm
The Rev has 14 doubles, 0 HR’s.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:33 pm
but it also needs some RBI hitters and a whole lot of help in the bullpen.
We have RBI hitters. They’re just slumping right now (BMac, Uggla). In the pen, I think just 1 shutdown RP, maybe 1 decent arm is all we need. (the decent arm could be Moylan, JV returning to form….)
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
4:34 pm
Lew
Liriano is a free agent next year
Twins have said they aren’t interested in trading Willingham unless blown away
Span’s bat will not cut it at a corner spot, and he may be a product of the dome
Greinke may sign with the Braves below market rates
there will be enough money to sign Greinke then trade for a young CF’er AND STILL be active in the corner OF/3B market.
Heisenberg
July 3rd, 2012
4:34 pm
“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…”
*************
I seem to recall Jose filling in a couple times at 3B last year though he is not to be mistaken for Brooks Robinson. FWIW. I am not a believer that either Jose or Juan are solutions to any any Braves problems.
Speaking of guys named Brooks, one by the surname of Conrad is getting facetime lately on Baseball tonight highlights as a member of the Rays.
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
4:35 pm
No, it won’t happen because we already have one of the youngest teams in MLB and getting even younger with all these prospects won’t help us for a couple more years when we’re pretty close now.
So yeah, let’s trade McCann, Uggla and Heywa(d (now that he’s finally looking like the player we’ve been waiting for) so we can be non contenders with an average age of 23 the next few years.
PMC
July 3rd, 2012
4:35 pm
The Braves should be more all in on resigning Michael Bourne than signing any pitchers in the 16 – 20 million dollar range per year.
Pitching is a problem now yes, the lineup and specifically centerfield and leadoff has been a black hole when Bourne wasn’t here for most of the last decade.
They spent all these draft picks on pitchers, use them. IF they don’t work. Fire the scouting staff and the GM.
OTP
July 3rd, 2012
4:35 pm
The link is bad on the Baby Blue Fest. Can someone tell me whether this is for some charity, or just to line some celebrity pockets?
PMC
July 3rd, 2012
4:35 pm
Bourn, sorry.
Arkansas Transplant
July 3rd, 2012
4:36 pm
NickB, we may not have to trade for a CF. Cunningham has looked rather good this year and now that he’s healthy may not be a bad option for cf.
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
4:36 pm
NickB – Yeah, right. Permit me to doubt.
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
4:37 pm
Jose Constanza has no appearances at any other position than the 3 OF spots as a major leaguer
(just went and checked on fangraphs)
Efrim
July 3rd, 2012
4:37 pm
No fire sale right now for these Braves. Actually, they are at a point where Wren should be going all-in over the next six months. Prospects down on the farm should be worried, not the core six – Prado, Uggla, McCann, Heyward, Freeman, Simmons – these guys are locked in for the rest of 2012 and 2013.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:38 pm
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.
Span? Wow, have you lost it. Look at his splits outside of Minnesota. They’re crap. Liriano pitching well since returning to the rotation in 6, count it, 6 starts. The guy was horrendous before that.( and was last year too).
Arkansas Transplant
July 3rd, 2012
4:40 pm
PMC, sorry but we were in first last year for a good portion of the season without Bourn’s help. Pitching has to be priority number one. We came into this season thinking we had plenty and look at us now.
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
4:40 pm
Arkansas Transplant
call me skeptical on Cunningham, I have a friend who see’s him play in person and think’s he’s having a flukey year, has never been impressed with him in the field or at the plate.
But, if no situation presents itself, he might get a sot in spring training to win the job….
Trey
July 3rd, 2012
4:40 pm
Good. I hope we do get rid of Minor, if we can bring Greinke here.
Heisenberg
July 3rd, 2012
4:40 pm
Thanks for the look NickB. Maybe it was someone else that did an inning or 2 of emergemcy fill in late last year.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:40 pm
Willingham will probably be an overpay, they don’t want to trade him away. Plus, he’s 33 yrs old.
Efrim
July 3rd, 2012
4:41 pm
And I’ll add Hanson, Hudson, and Kimbrel to that list.
ChattTownBrian
July 3rd, 2012
4:41 pm
Wow Volstad is awful. Just read his numbers. We don’t hit him then it’s clear guys are really pressing. We need a “pressing coach/therapist”. Braves have been known to collapse because of this “pressing” disease.
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
4:42 pm
Whatever. I bet I’m a lot closer to what will happen than most of y’all are. Guess we’ll just see.
You think I’m living in a fantasy world? Not even close to those who believe Grienke’s coming here for nothing to the Brewers and for $13-15 million a year or that a couple of AA players next year in the ourfield truly make us any better than we are now.
Heisenberg
July 3rd, 2012
4:43 pm
Count me among those who would rather spend money on Bourn than a pitcher. Unless maybe just maybe that pitcher is Cole Hamels.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:43 pm
I mean, if you’re gonna bring in Liriano as your only pitcher traded for, you may as just let Minor learn himself out of his struggles. Liriano isn’t a difference maker.
Jessica
July 3rd, 2012
4:43 pm
‘82 Baby Blue Fest…..Awesome! Spending a day with Murph, Niekro, Horner…count me in!
82babybluefest.com
Arkansas Transplant
July 3rd, 2012
4:46 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan, neither is Dempster a difference maker.. the guy always on the DL. Can’t make a difference from there. And I’m not too high on Garza, that would be too much of a price to bring him here and not enough return.
Heisenberg
July 3rd, 2012
4:46 pm
“Wow Volstad is awful. Just read his numbers”
*************************
Just like Smardja (mispelled) had been stinking it up lately, Braves bats are slump-busters for pitchers.
VaBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:47 pm
Trading for Grienke and doing a long term deal would really make it hard for the Braves to improve the lineup. There is always the option trade trade for help that fits the budget but that would mean surrendering even more prospects. Plus we have to think down the line about other players.
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
4:47 pm
hamels will get $23mill a year from the Yankees
If the Braves get Greinke, you can probably expect them to mak every attempt to sign him. IF he signs what I expect (5 years $85 mill) that would leave them enough money to sign an OF’er like Swisher or Quentin, and then trade for a CF’er , like Bourjos or whomever.
still would leave money to fix the pen and the bench too….
ChattTownBrian
July 3rd, 2012
4:47 pm
Y’all see Dale Murphy after last nights game say we should win these next three games looking at the Cubs AND the fact they have an unbelievably bad road record? He was holding some other words back it looked. Like it is almost pitiful if you can’t really hurt this team in your own park.
Fredi has no feel for the game. Completely agree with that poster who wrote that yesterday. Simple, but perfectly said.
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
4:47 pm
There is no one difference maker out there who will fill all of our needs now,next year and going forward. If you truly believe there is you’re just wrong.
Right now we need bench help, pitching – both starting and relieving and next year, we’ll need pitching (at least until Viz and Beachy return, though BB will probably not contribute much next year). the bench will need revamping, the pen revamping and two thirds of an outfield.
I just don’t see Grienke providing all of this and I DO see his salary making much of those needs unfillable by anyone better than we already have.
ncgary
July 3rd, 2012
4:48 pm
i agree lew liriano and spann make probably the most sense or if they could get greinke at 13 million and spann seperately , id go that route too
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:49 pm
Not even close to those who believe Grienke’s coming here for nothing to the Brewers and for $13-15 million a year
I don’t think he’s coming here for nothing. We either trade 1 of our big 3 or we give up our 1st rd pick for next year to get him. I don’t know if he’ll take just 13-15 mil a year, but I’m sure it won’t be 20+mil. That’s big market money and he doesn’t want to play in those cities.
a couple of AA players next year in the ourfield truly make us any better than we are now.
I don’t think it will make us better, but look at the FA outfielders for this year. Outside of Bourn, Ross, and Melky (who many don’t seem to want back), the pool isn’t very good. It might be best to use our minor leaguers rather than pay for these major leaguers who sukk.
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
4:49 pm
Who do you trade for an outfielder if you already traded them to get Grienke?
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
4:50 pm
If they aren’t going to make us better than we already lost, didn’t we?
cabravesfan
July 3rd, 2012
4:50 pm
Add the Cardinals to the list of teams looking for pitchers…Chris Carpenter done:
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
We’ll find out if the news of Chris Carpenter’s season-ending surgery will now push the Cardinals into acquiring pitching before Aug. 1.
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
4:51 pm
I wonder if the Braves know something we don’t about Hudson’s future with the team. Like maybe he is going to retire after this season, thus giving them $9 mill more to work with than we expect?
His ankles are killing him, and he may not feel like having ANOTHER surgery and then re-habbing and all that…
ncbravesfan
July 3rd, 2012
4:51 pm
Volstad will go 6 or 7 innings, give up 2 runs or less, and strike out 8 or 9. Take it to the bank.
bulldozer
July 3rd, 2012
4:52 pm
How about this trade:
Brewers Receive:
-LHP Sean Gilmartin
-RHP J.R. Graham
-1 of these 3 (Aaron Northcraft, David Filak, Navery Moore)
Braves Receive:
-RHP Zack Greinke
*And the Braves can agree to add in 3B Brandon Drury if the brewers are willing to include salary relief on a longterm extension.
VaBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:52 pm
NickB
I think your misunderstanding the estimated money coming off the books. While we have for sure 39 million coming off with another possible 8 mil more (EOF/JJ) Don’t forget to factor in ARB raises.
Brave New World
July 3rd, 2012
4:52 pm
If we do get Greinke, it must be stipulated in his contract that he cannot read any of these Braves blogs (under any circumstance). With his anxiety issues, the haters would send him to the DL in no time.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:52 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan, neither is Dempster a difference maker.. the guy always on the DL. Can’t make a difference from there. And I’m not too high on Garza, that would be too much of a price to bring him here and not enough return.
Agree on Dempster. Might be nice as a #4 (moving Delgado to 5), but he alone isn’t winning us the division. Same with Garza, (see him as a #2-3) I don’t want him.
Guys, you realize that it’s Denard Span and not Warren Spahn, right? Denard Span isn’t that great.
ChattTownBrian
July 3rd, 2012
4:53 pm
Lew, right/wrong, it doesn’t matter. Braves chances of reaching the postseason is automatically slim because the team is run by a manager who single handedly can and will lose his team games. Even my wife was yelling for Hanson to get out of the game after those two rockets were hit back at his red headed ass and she still sometimes calls a homerun a touchdown. FG has observed these guys for over a year and he still can’t do things correctly.
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
4:53 pm
NickB – Now Hudson is a wild card we haven’t thought of. Not picking up his option would save us some bcuks and MIGHT make a Gienke acquistion somewhat easier – but would likely mean we needed yet another pitcher.
Any word on Vizcaino’s rehab?
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
4:54 pm
TOBF
Ross isn’t much on CF anymore, but there will be plenty of trade options like Span(meh) Bourjos(who I prefer)
Plus there’s Victorino(will cost less than Bourn), Pagan and a few others who are serviceable
I reckon, CF will end up fine, what I am interested to see is does the team go for 3B and leave Prado in left? or go for LF and move him back to 3rd?
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
4:54 pm
CTB – Whatever.
cricket
July 3rd, 2012
4:54 pm
i would take over that hudson comes back next year
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:54 pm
bulldozer: I would like that trade, but I’m sure the Brewers would want more than that…
Murph
July 3rd, 2012
4:55 pm
there will be enough money to sign Greinke then trade for a young CF’er AND STILL be active in the corner OF/3B market.
You’re going to have to show your work on that last bit… seems to me that signing Greinke will leave the team at least $5mil over budget, before any move for two of CF/LF/3B is even made.
Heisenberg
July 3rd, 2012
4:56 pm
Cleaning out some bones spurs is not like rehabbing from TJ or back surgery, so I could see Huddy opting to get it done. Whether or not that has any bearing on Huddy pitching for Braves in 13 is a whole other matter. IMHO a healthy Huddy is worth another 3 years at 21-24 million.
bulldozer
July 3rd, 2012
4:57 pm
theonlybravesfan: alright trade teheran instead of graham.
Efrim
July 3rd, 2012
4:57 pm
Who do you trade for an outfielder if you already traded them to get Grienke?
This is what I’m not getting. Say Wren decides(I won’t agree with it) to trade Delgado and say, Nick Ahmed for 2 months of Zack Greinke.
We will still have the following trade assets and lots of money to spend heading into the winter: Mike Minor, Sean Gilmartin, Kris Medlen, Eric O’Flaherty, Julio Teheran, Zeke Spruill, J.R. Graham, Cody Martin, Matt Lipka, Todd Cunningham, Kyle Kubitza….
Not saying these guys will get you anything you want, but there will be deals for a package of these guys – not including Teheran.
If they are going all-in, go….all…..in. Half arse, ain’t worth it.
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
4:58 pm
arb rasies will prolly total 8 Mill, but if JJ goes, that may drop about $1.5 and Mac’s salary is already $13 mill due to his incentives so he gets no raise.
Since I totally think JJ is gone after this year, there is another option, perhaps Huddy has the surgery and the Braves decline the option but give him a 2 year contract worth $6 mill a season…. saving $3 mill for 2013
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:59 pm
I wonder if the Braves know something we don’t about Hudson’s future with the team. Like maybe he is going to retire after this season, thus giving them $9 mill more to work with than we expect? His ankles are killing him, and he may not feel like having ANOTHER surgery and then re-habbing and all that…
Interesting thoughts, I expect him to come back next year though. Would like to give him a 2yr deal 5-7 mil with an option for the 2nd year….
TOBF
Ross isn’t much on CF anymore, but there will be plenty of trade options like Span(meh) Bourjos(who I prefer)
I was thinking if we got Ross, stick him in LF and we find ourselves a CF (Cunningham maybe, or Pagan, someone “cheap”). Buorjos is nice, but I hear his bat is too light. Angels probably would give him up though, they have too many outfielders as it is…
cricket
July 3rd, 2012
4:59 pm
see the people who let shaun know when to breath in and when to breath out -
http://aarongleeman.com/2012/07/03/2012-sabr-convention-recap/
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
4:59 pm
Murph – I’m still not certain where they think we’ll get trade bait for both Grienke AND a centerfielder.
Maybe we could trade Minor twice? Or just trade away MInor, Delfado, Teheran, Betancourt and whoever else anyone wants thrown in.
Preston Hannatized
July 3rd, 2012
4:59 pm
Must win tonight … Greinke – by most accounts – wants to go to a team with a chance to win. Grienke is familiar with the Cubs and knows how bad they are. If the Braves cannot beat the Cubs with Volstad starting, Greinke’s thoughts about how close the Braves are to winning will have to be readjusted.
VaBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
4:59 pm
The Braves could surprise us all and decline Huddy’s option… Freeing up 8 million (1 mil is for buyout)
Also have to figure Jurrjens isn’t in the plan, traded or non-tendered saves 5.5 mil, plus EOF will likely be gone as well freeing up another 2.5 million.
So if those 3 are removed that’s 16 million free’d up to go with the 39 million already free’d up. So 55 million would be the number before ARB raises.
Murph
July 3rd, 2012
5:00 pm
IMHO a healthy Huddy is worth another 3 years at 21-24 million.
Let’s see how he does in 2013 first and then go from there.
Efrim
July 3rd, 2012
5:01 pm
And these three too: Aaron Northcraft, David Filak, Navery Moore.
Again, not saying this is great. But it’s probably enough to put together a decent package for an outfielder through trade(all the guys I listed as potentials) and another through free agency.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
5:01 pm
theonlybravesfan: alright trade teheran instead of graham.
Uggg, no… I’d only do Teheran if it was Teheran and maybe a position prospect for Greinke, an extension, and Khris Davis. I’m not giving up Teheran that easily.
unbelievable
July 3rd, 2012
5:01 pm
Id rather have Huddy at $9 instead of paying the buyout and trying to find his replacement with the remaining $8
VaBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
5:02 pm
Hanson could be a guy who see’s around 3 million in his 1st year of ARB, Prado will likely get a 2 million raise. Heyward, Medlen, Venters will all at least double in salary most likey more for Heyward.
bulldogbubba
July 3rd, 2012
5:02 pm
Is Denny Neagle or Charlie Leibrandt available? Maybe Len Barker?
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
5:03 pm
VA Bravesfan
let us assume there is $55 mill
remove $12 mill for arb and raises (going to play it on the high end of the scale)
then pay Greinke $17 mill
leaves $26 mill for LF/3B , CF and the bench/pen
that should be plenty of money to fill all of those positions very well
Dawg '88
July 3rd, 2012
5:03 pm
Vote for Chipper to be in his final All Star Game:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2012/fv/ballot.jsp
Screwball
July 3rd, 2012
5:03 pm
The Coors Light Freeze Frame shot of the night should have been Roger McDowell returning to the dugout after his inspirational chat with Hanson, bases loaded, not to worry, number 8 hitter up here, go get’m Red. First pitch bases cleared. Roger McDowell, the winning way.
Dawg '88
July 3rd, 2012
5:03 pm
Vote for Chipper to be in his final All Star Game:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2012/fv/ballot.jsp
bulldozer
July 3rd, 2012
5:03 pm
How about this trade:
Padres Receive:
-3B Edward Salcedo
-RHP Cody Martin
-LHP Mike Minor
Braves Receive:
-3B Chase Headley
*Minor would benefit from the large confines of petco, as would headley from a move to a more hitter-friendly venue
Efrim
July 3rd, 2012
5:03 pm
The Braves could surprise us all and decline Huddy’s option… Freeing up 8 million (1 mil is for buyout)
That doesn’t make any sense at all. You aren’t getting Hudson for 9 million out on the market, I don’t care how old he is.
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
5:03 pm
EFrim – Yes, we could get a return for these players, but as it is, we’d have to replace MInor, O’Flaherty and Medlen and would have pretty well nothing left in the minors except the Kids we just drafted. All in is right – that would pretty much take care of the minors.
Ralph
July 3rd, 2012
5:04 pm
Everybody keeps talking about pitching when hitting is the main problem, if we picked up a couple bats pitching would take care of its self.
Heisenberg
July 3rd, 2012
5:04 pm
Hudson has an option for 2013? My bad thought he was FA after this season.
Woody Woodward
July 3rd, 2012
5:04 pm
Its premature to assume jj is gone. He’s with us for the rest of the season. If his poor start was simply a matter of a failure rehab and he gets progressively stronger, he’s an asset.
If we look at this year compared to last, our most glaring weakness is the lack of consistent starting pitching. Speaking of, I wouldn’t count on Hudson to finish the year.
(Rob from SC)
July 3rd, 2012
5:05 pm
I like Zack Greinke, but we are not one pitcher away from being serious World Series Contenders. Maybe the smartest thing to do is acquire an expiring contract like Liriano and/or Dempster and make a run at Greinke in the offseason.
We have three great young players in Heyward, Simmons, and Freeman to build around. We also have Teheran and Delgado who need more time, but are very promising.
Woody Woodward
July 3rd, 2012
5:05 pm
Its premature to assume jj is gone. He’s with us for the rest of the season. If his poor start was simply a matter of a les than complete rehab and he gets progressively stronger, he’s an asset.
If we look at this year compared to last, our most glaring weakness is the lack of consistent starting pitching. Speaking of, I wouldn’t count on Hudson to finish the year.
cricket
July 3rd, 2012
5:05 pm
no way hudson’s option is not picked up
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/03/sports/baseball/major-league-baseball-wants-more-money-from-tv-contracts.html?_r=2&smid=tw-share
Arkansas Transplant
July 3rd, 2012
5:06 pm
Oh, I think we have plenty of trade bait to go around to fill any holes we may have.
Woody Woodward
July 3rd, 2012
5:07 pm
Sorry for the daily double
Efrim
July 3rd, 2012
5:07 pm
All in is right – that would pretty much take care of the minors.
Keep drafting well and it’ll get better down there. 2012 was a good start. There are times where you need to assess what the minors and major league roster is at – I wouldn’t miss ANY of the prospects Low-A and up aside from Teheran and Vizcaino(whose hurt). This isn’t like the years when we had Heyward, Freeman, Hanson, Teheran, Delgado, Kimbrel down in the Low minors coming up and every team was asking for them. Those guys were worth holding onto. Not seeing that sort of talent Low-A and above. Not close, actually.
VaBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
5:07 pm
Cutting ties with Huddy, EOF, and Jurrjens after this season would make sense if the Braves wanted to keep Grienke long term and still be able to improve the offense.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
5:07 pm
How about this trade:
Padres Receive:
-3B Edward Salcedo
-RHP Cody Martin
-LHP Mike Minor
Braves Receive:
-3B Chase Headley
Sounds good. I personally would take out Martin, but that’s just nitpicking. Seems pretty fair.
cricket
July 3rd, 2012
5:08 pm
acquire expiring contract? braves need to free up cap space?
Woody Woodward
July 3rd, 2012
5:08 pm
Huddys a natural in the booth, cricket
WTF - the original
July 3rd, 2012
5:08 pm
Too bad Andy’s last ‘gig’ was shilling for Obamacare. Left a bad taste in my mouth. Course, he coulda known he was goin’ out and did it for his heirs. Hope the DNC paid him well.
Not enough money – even after QEII – to buy that kind of crud from me.
So long Andy. And on a baseball note, we only have a little over a month til the LLWS starts and we can see some good baseball.
brian
July 3rd, 2012
5:09 pm
I would love to see the Braves go to pitching and defense as priorities along with our top young players.
I would, at this time thinking for the future, plan on Heyward, Freeman, and Simmons being here long term. Uggla still has his years on his contract and is likely going no where though if defense falters I would not hesistate to move him to LF if we had a top young 2B. Pitchers – Beachy and Kimbrel.
Trying to plan a team for 2014 and beyond is tough. We will have to keep the youth movement going. I don’t see how McCann will stay a Brave long term based on his performance over this season and the end of last season along with his expected contract number and decline expected for a catcher. He should be traded for prospects while his value is high. I would love to see Bourn extended – defense, speed, leadoff hitter. 3B will be Prado next year but cost will determine if he is the answer for 3-5 years. We will still need a LF – love for it to be cunningham or gattis or the Terd or Salcedo. Of course if we do pull the trigger for Willingham he will be in the final year of his contract in 2014
2014
C- Bethancourt
1B – Freeman
2B – Uggla
SS – Simmons
3B – Prado versus young prospect
LF – ???? Willingham or Cunningham versus Gattis versus Terd versus trade versus FA sign
CF – Bourn versus Bourjos versus Cunningham
RF – Heyward
Rotation –
1. Greinke?? versus another #1
2. Beachy
3. Teheran versus Delgado
4. Gilmartin versus Minor
5. Spruill??
expecting at least one if not 2 of Teheran, Delgado, Minor, Gilmartin to be traded. If just one traded then the other 3 would be 3-5. I would be surprised if Hanson is here long term. Hudson will be gone by then. I would be absolutely floored if Jurrjens is still here in 2014.
Lots of questions but fun to think about. Frank Wren wants to win now but the good thing with the Braves is that he does consider the future as well with his moves
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
5:09 pm
EFrim – I see your point, but conversely, if the farm is as weak as you claim (and I’m not doubting you), then they aren’t going to bring much of anything in return.
cricket
July 3rd, 2012
5:09 pm
Last night, with Dan Uggla at the plate, Starlin Castro fielded a grounder and appeared to lollygag the throw to first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Uggla, not the fastest man around — and maybe not even the fastest man named Uggla in Georgia — was safe with an infield single.
After the inning was over, manager Dale Sveum got in Castro’s face to yell at him for, once again, making a mental mistake. Except when it was all over, Sveum was apologizing to Castro. Thanks to Rizzo intervening. Here’s Sveuem:
“It was one of those things where I apologized to Castro afterward,” Sveum said. “Rizzo came to his rescue right away and said, ‘Skip, that was my fault. I just told him to give me time.’
And here’s Rizzo:
“I took full blame for it – it’s my fault,” said Rizzo, who was on a defensive shift for that at-bat. “I told him before that to give me a little time, and that’s just me not knowing Uggla’s speed. I thought I had time to get there. I busted there right away, but he just beat the throw … “I want Castro to feel comfortable with any play,” Rizzo said. “Any throw he wants to make, I’ll be there to catch it. If I miss that pick, it’s my fault.”
Beck
July 3rd, 2012
5:09 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 – archie
Unless I am missing something here, who would Constanza replace? Not Bourne, Heyward, or Prado, who rank 2, 3, and 4 in WAR among NL outfielders. Also, the three also lead the team in stolen bases, so they aren’t slow footed. Plus, Constanza doesn’t play catcher, first, second or third.
Now, I am going to assume that you are suggesting that Prado be moved out of the outfield and into the infield. Where does he go? 3rd base? It makes sense when Chipper is resting or injured, but Prado isn’t going to take his spot everyday if Chipper is healthy. You aren’t going to sit Freeman or Uggla on a consistent basis, especially considering that Freddie is heating up, and Uggla, while slumping, still has an OBP in the 360s.
Ralph
July 3rd, 2012
5:10 pm
Hudson has an option for 2013? My bad thought he was FA after this season.
Braves have an option on Hudson, he does not have an option
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
5:10 pm
Its premature to assume jj is gone. He’s with us for the rest of the season.
If we look at this year compared to last, our most glaring weakness is the lack of consistent starting pitching. Speaking of, I wouldn’t count on Hudson to finish the year.
Agree with you. I think Beachy’s injury has opened a window for JJ to prove himself and get a chance to be back next year. Don’t see him here in 2014 though…. Just wondering, what would he get paid, near 7 mil? Too much IMO… even if he’s good.
As for Huddy, I told my dad last night, I think the guy might need to take some rest in August/September. He’s gotta be in lots of pain.
(Rob from SC)
July 3rd, 2012
5:10 pm
I think the Braves should make some internal moves. They should DFA Jack Wilson and call up Tyler Pastornicky. They should also call up Meija
Heisenberg
July 3rd, 2012
5:11 pm
“acquire expiring contract? braves need to free up cap space?”
************************
My thoughts exactly. Maybe bring in Dwight Howard to play LF.
Arkansas Transplant
July 3rd, 2012
5:12 pm
I say we trade for Greinke now, that still gives us 3 weeks to evaluate. We might even fall out of contention meaning we could always trade him by July 31st. But you can’t do that if you don’t act quick.
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
5:12 pm
my statement about Huddy is more about HIM maybe wanting to retire if he requires yet another surgery to keep playing….
Plus, there is the chance IF he does require surgery, that the Braves decline the option, but follow it up with a 2 year deal for less per season.
just throwing spitballs here folks
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward - Again)
July 3rd, 2012
5:13 pm
Danny Ferry just traded Mike Minor to New Jersey.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 3rd, 2012
5:14 pm
Cutting ties with Huddy, EOF, and Jurrjens after this season would make sense if the Braves wanted to keep Grienke long term and still be able to improve the offense
Seems like that would, but I’d love to see Huddy and EOF next year. Unfortunately EOF may be a casualty of his high arb price.
NickB
July 3rd, 2012
5:14 pm
Beck
the pro Constanza people just pick out whichever player is a slump, say that we move Prado to that position, then say we put Constanza back in left cuz, ya know, he’s really Josh Hamilton in disguise