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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,926 comments Add your comment
Ray
July 27th, 2012
7:39 am
Greinke is not going to hit the open market this winter. Whoever signs him is going to lock him up long-term. Without a doubt the top 2 pitchers are Greinke and Shields. Shields may or may not be available. Garza is one emotional tantrum away from blowing up.
Jeff R
July 27th, 2012
7:43 am
To answer my own question (why not?), Wren was willing to swap Delgado and another minor leaguer for Dempster. But now that Dempster is off the table (we assume), is Wren willing to pay a premium for lesser talented pitchers to meet the Braves’ needs and pass on Greinke for now?
Or as the trade deadline draws near, will teams lower their asks for guys like Garza and Shields?
Jeff R
July 27th, 2012
7:45 am
So, in your estimation, Ray, does Wren pull the trigger now and pay the price for Greinke?
Ray
July 27th, 2012
7:46 am
Shields price will go up when Greinke gets traded. Shields is the 2nd best pitcher available plus Tampa feels they are in the wild card chase. It will take a chunk to pry him from Tampa.
Frankie
July 27th, 2012
7:48 am
Hope Wren is a good poker player. If it comes down to making a decision at last minute and holding out and not giving up talent, he could be a hero or come away with nothing.
Greinke sounds so much more appealing to nab in offseason. Dempster makes so much more sense but may not have that luxury. Going to be interesting the next 4 days. Can’t wait till it’s over one way or another.
Frankie
July 27th, 2012
7:52 am
“Hmm… Let’s see. DOB has more on his plate than the blog. Try that one on for size.”
He was on here several years ago quite often. Got tired of the BS from uninformed people on here my guess. Such as getting blasted from folks who thought he had a personal vendetta against Escobar for example. Ridiculous. Of course, he saw what was going on a daily basis in both clubhouse and hearing what people were actually saying about the situation. Guess not didn’t register with a lot of folks here. Anyway, let’s move on.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 27th, 2012
7:52 am
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
#Rangers’ season is title or bust — and GM Jon Daniels needs to make deadline moves. My column here: http://on-msn.com/LRLsgW
Veer
July 27th, 2012
7:53 am
If the Rangers get Grienke then who does our next option become?
We will probably have to pick from Garza Shields Malholm Liarano.
None of the above really are even number 2 starters.
My guess is Shields will cost too much but we just might have to over pay for him.
Veer
July 27th, 2012
7:54 am
Playoff question : What happens if 2 teams at the end of the season are tied for the final wildcard spot? Will these two teams play a one game playoff and then move on to play their slotted wildcard playoff or will the head to head meetings decide the winner in case of a tie breaker?
Danga
July 27th, 2012
7:59 am
Shields’ peripheral numbers look better than his ERA, and he is under a team friendly contract for the next couple of seasons. He won’t come cheap, but he can’t bolt at the end of the season either.
Tomahawkin
July 27th, 2012
8:06 am
Huge, I Mean Huge! Statement Series at Home
I hope we take two of 3? but the Pitching matchups favor the Phillies
D.O.B. what is the Braves Record against the Phillies in Post All Star Break Games dating back to 2010???
Especially at home? Because the Braves Have seemed to wet the bed in Huge Games in the Second 1/2 against the Phillies the last 3 years…?
Veer
July 27th, 2012
8:07 am
We will continue to wet more beds Tomahawkin if we have bladders like of guys like Jurrjens around.
Ray
July 27th, 2012
8:10 am
Jeff, I think its going to come down to the Braves or the Rangers getting Greinke. Whichever is going to pay the biggest price. Its been said many times on here its going to cost a minimum of Teheran and a Delgado type package. Plus a long term extension. That is the part that bothers me the most is the 5-6 yrs for a pitcher. They very seldom ever workout. A lot of people on here are saying go get Greinke. IF Wren does, they will be the first ones to either bash him for paying too much and/or bash him if Greinke has a time here ala Tim Hudson. Not that Hudson has had a bad career here but if Greinke adds 2-3 more wins a year than Hudson at 22-25m a year.
Tomahawkin
July 27th, 2012
8:11 am
Uggla can really redeem himself from here on out by being clutch in Statement series like these. He needs to step it up against the Phillies and the Curley W’s. If only he Could Use the Hit the ball to RF approach! WHAT THE HELL happened to the Uggla we saw in S. Training that all the Kool Aid Drinkers were so Giddy about when he was hitting Minor league Pitching!
He is quickly becoming the Newest version of Joe Johnson…
He is making A. Jones at bats with RISP tolerable
Ray
July 27th, 2012
8:14 am
IF the Ray’s trade Shields, my guess is they will wait til the last day or at least after Greinke is traded. The price will go up as soon as Greinke is traded.
CrαZy
July 27th, 2012
8:14 am
Got in the truck this morning turned on 680 the fan and they were talking like we traded Freddie Freeman and Julio Teheran to the Brewers for Grienke.. I about She-at my pants!!
One of the hosts was saying he’d rather give up Teheran and Freeman than give up Teheran, Delgado and Bethancourt!! I changed the channel to 790 the zone…
I really like some of our young pitchers and if we overpay I won’t like it, but I could get over it. If we traded Freeman after years of scrap heaping it at 1B I’d seriously be pissed!!
Tomahawkin
July 27th, 2012
8:14 am
@Veer
Matt Chernoff mentioedn that it might be the last start for Double J…Thinking that he is gonna either be traded or Sent back down and non tendered a contract in the offseason…
D.O.B. is that true he cant go out like that! I still want him to start even as the the 5th guy…
Tomahawkin
July 27th, 2012
8:16 am
Heard to same #### abt Grienke on 680 the Fan. Thats the word on the streets that he wants to come Down to the “A” and Choke in big games…
HELL NO To Grienke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That Trade will be Worse than the Tex Trade, Bank On It!
Tomahawkin
July 27th, 2012
8:19 am
@ Crazy
It was Christopher Rude and Sandra Golden who were talking abt Doug Melvin wanting to deal Grienke on 680thefan this morning amist all the Falcons Talk
Sandra is Lusting for him…I dont want his Sissy attitude nor his 22mill/year that he is gonna be asking in the offseason, No Sir Buddy
Bring Back Chuck James!!!
Tomahawkin
July 27th, 2012
8:22 am
I walk out of the Office and “Pour Some Sugar On Me” Is Blasting on 97.1
Great way to start a Friday, Chicks Love that Song, Its good for Striptease and Body shots, Oh I miss College!
keylargo
July 27th, 2012
8:24 am
Two things not to forget.
1. July 5 to Aug 13, 2011 – 33 game hitting streak by Uggla. He is not done.
2. Josh Johnson is available. He 1 hit us through 6 two weeks ago and totally dominated us. With Marlins firesale going on could probably be had for Delgado and 1 more low prospect. He is signed for $13.75M next year.
CrαZy
July 27th, 2012
8:27 am
Tomahawkin
I actually like Grienke… just not sure if I like what it’ll take to get him or what it will take to lock him up.
O.J.
July 27th, 2012
8:27 am
Tomahawkin, you say some of the dumbest things sometimes.
NO TO GREINKE, but BRING BACK CHUCK JAMES!!!
Seriously!?
flange1
July 27th, 2012
8:28 am
If the front office decides to get Greinke, I can live with it.
But I think he best course of action is to:
1. Drop JJJ to AAA. Tell him until he can AVERAGE 90 mph on his fastball, this is where he will stay. Get in shape.
2. Look for a relief pitcher that can help the pen. Someone good enough that if Medlen is needed to spot start, the pen will not implode.
3. Look for a RH OF bench bat. I thin Diaz is gone for the year with the thumb issue, if you can get someone that can help next year as a full or part time player, all the better.
Play out the season with what you have. The Braves are close to being a really good team. This off season is a pivot point in moving forward. Losing Chipper and Bourn will be tough and the FO is going to have to bring in new folks either by FA or trades.
Let’s not waste our pool of trading talent for a short term rental
CrαZy
July 27th, 2012
8:29 am
With Marlins firesale going on could probably be had for Delgado and 1 more low prospect
I bet they’d want Teheran, Delgado, plus 2 more top 15 prospects.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 27th, 2012
8:30 am
Why don’t you want Greinke?
He had a 2.61 ERA from July 8 to season’s end last year… opponents hit .235/.295/.366/.660 off of him during that stretch. Threw 63% strikes, 19% looking. 103 IP and 90 hits allowed; 31BB vs. 112SO
ERA of 3.00 in September, 3.02 in August, and 3.01 in August and September combined…
Bat Masterson
July 27th, 2012
8:30 am
Matt Chernoff mentioedn that it might be the last start for Double J…Thinking that he is gonna either be traded or Sent back down and non tendered a contract in the offseason…
Might be? Well I guess if 5 or 6 of the other Braves pitchers arms fell off JJ might get another start. Not if I’m running the show though. I would reach down to AA ball first.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 27th, 2012
8:33 am
I’d get a start for the Braves before JJ does…. at least it should be that way
CrαZy
July 27th, 2012
8:34 am
Sometimes I think people treat this forum like it’s a discussion on the sports reporters… Most of the crap on here is sarcasm, BS, or from some clueless hack that thinks he knows it all!!
It’s pretty easy to decipher sarcasm on the blog if you don’t think everything is so serious!!
Ray
July 27th, 2012
8:35 am
Freeman is not going anywhere. The Braves would have to get a nice haul in return for that to happen.
Veer
July 27th, 2012
8:36 am
Jurrjens went from one of the top upcoming pitchers to pretty soon OUT OF JOB.
See what happens when you over value prospects and youth. There are no gurantees
Tomahawkin
July 27th, 2012
8:37 am
O.J.
“Tomahawkin, you say some of the dumbest things sometimes.
NO TO GREINKE, but BRING BACK CHUCK JAMES!!!
Seriously!?”
OJ…Chuck James was a Blogger who posted on here, He Got Bozo’d 2 years ago for Calling out the team in saying they Crapped the bed in a huge Series
Please Try and Keep Up
keylargo
July 27th, 2012
8:37 am
Crazy – why would you think that? Did you see what they got for Hanley Ramirez? They are just dumping contracts.
tiger297
July 27th, 2012
8:37 am
so I need some clarification…there are now different classifications of Statement Series?
And this weekend is a Huge Huge one?
Or is it just a huge one and we said Huge I mean Huge for emphasis?
Tomahawkin
July 27th, 2012
8:38 am
@Crazy
Co-Sign on that 834 post
Tomahawkin
July 27th, 2012
8:39 am
@Tiger297
The Life of a SEC Fan…
And You know that every series the last 6 weeks of the season will be Deemed “Win or Go Play Golf”
Bat Masterson
July 27th, 2012
8:40 am
Jurrjens went from one of the top upcoming pitchers to pretty soon OUT OF JOB.
See what happens when you over value prospects and youth. There are no gurantees
Players get injured, things change.
Tomahawkin
July 27th, 2012
8:42 am
@Tiger297
This is a Statement series in that we Can Singlehandedly Put a Fatality on the Phillies Season…As James Brown Deemed it Its “The Big Payback!” For their Trash Fans who were Mocking the Chop last year when we got Clowned last Labor Day At CBP…
If we get Clowned this series, We Let Philly back ino the WC race and with their rotation, they are always in it. They are gonna be a huge spoiler for us the next 7 weeks, Bank on it
CrαZy
July 27th, 2012
8:44 am
Did you see what they got for Hanley Ramirez? They are just dumping contracts.
I think there’s enough teams that would want him to drive the price up!! They’ve said it would take a huge offer for them to part with JJ. That’s why!
O.J.
July 27th, 2012
8:44 am
I seriously doubt he got ‘Bozo’d’ because he called out the team, plenty of people do that.
And if you meant the poster, you should have said, bring back the blogger Chuck James!!
Veer
July 27th, 2012
8:45 am
This isnt a statment series. We are playing the last place team of the East. even if we win just 1 out of 3 it isn’t a big deal. We will face the Marlins 10 more times and the Padres 7 more times. that is 12 wins easy right there out of 17
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 27th, 2012
8:45 am
Nothing from T’Hawkin on Greinke not being a choker… course not!
CrαZy
July 27th, 2012
8:45 am
I don’t think Hanna Ramirez had near the value right now of a front line SP!
Efrim
July 27th, 2012
8:47 am
Greinke is not going to hit the open market this winter.
Yes, he is.
Bat Masterson
July 27th, 2012
8:47 am
BravesFanInMaine
July 27th, 2012
7:29 am
So from 2002 to now the braves pay roll only changed 593,000 right? so what it tells you is A) Inflation on players meaning bigger contracts or B) The braves FO is throwing money at Bad players…. maybe we need to go out and get better FO….. just a thought!
What???
Tomahawkin
July 27th, 2012
8:51 am
Veer
This isnt a statment series. We are playing the last place team of the East. even if we win just 1 out of 3 it isn’t a big deal. We will face the Marlins 10 more times and the Padres 7 more times. that is 12 wins easy right there out of 17″
Oh No, I hope the team doesn’t think that??? Otherwise Fredi will trot the Give Up Lineup (As Chuck Oliver Calls it) out there on Sunday against Doc Halliday
This IS a Statement series… It would been to the 1991-1993 Braves, those teams had heart! Especially that 1993 team. in the second 1/2 they played every game as if it was their last. That was a Fun team to watch
keylargo
July 27th, 2012
8:52 am
From Miami Herald
Nathan Eovaldi hails from the same Texas high school that produced Nolan Ryan.
Jacob Turner grew up in the same Missouri town where Mark Buehrle was born and raised.
Eovaldi and Turner might not end up equaling Ryan or Buehrle as pitchers. But if they live up to projections as dependable No. 2 or 3 starters, the Marlins will consider this week’s big trades a success.
The two young right-handers were the centerpieces in deals the Marlins made with Detroit for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante, and the Los Angeles Dodgers for Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate.
“We wanted to target young starting pitching,’’ said Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest. “We think it is the most coveted thing in the game, the toughest thing to acquire. We’re talking about top-end, young starting pitching.’’
Jeff R
July 27th, 2012
9:00 am
Ray, your 8:10 am.
To lock up Greinke, whoever signs him is going to have to give 5-6 year deal. From all reports, the Braves are willing to do so.
But, yes, plenty of people will gripe if Wren locks up Greinke. How Greinke performs in relationship to Hudson, well, the market is what it is right now. Greinke might not prove to be more productive than Hudson, but what the market allows him to command now is a different story.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 27th, 2012
9:01 am
Greinke also has a 2nd half ERA better than his 1st half ERA (3.61 vs. 3.93)
ERA in Sept./Oct. is 3.08 ERA, 2nd only to March/April which is 2.40.
30 starts in March/April; 47 starts in Sept./Oct..
2 of his best ERA months are August and Sept/Oct.
Doesn’t spell CHOKER to me….
Jeff R
July 27th, 2012
9:03 am
“We wanted to target young starting pitching,’’ said Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest. “We think it is the most coveted thing in the game, the toughest thing to acquire. We’re talking about top-end, young starting pitching.’’
Yes, indeed. That’s why I think it’s funny that plenty on this blog are so casual about giving up higher end pitching prospects for middling veteran pitchers.
Tomahawkin
July 27th, 2012
9:03 am
@TOBF
Grienke will be Another Derek Blowe if we get Him and Sign Him Long Term to a Nasty Contract that should be allocated to the rest of the team to Lock Up Kimmie and Fab 5 Freddie
I have a Keen Eye on these Kinds of Things! Trust Me???
TennesseePaul
July 27th, 2012
9:04 am
Just like to start out the morning by saying Curtis Compton took an amazing, iconic picture of Chipper. Something about that shot, to me, just looks old-school. Kind of captures the boy in the man, a baseball player.
Trader Jack
July 27th, 2012
9:05 am
keylargo
And the ruse continues in Miami
Jeff R
July 27th, 2012
9:06 am
Is it possible that if the Braves are willing to lock up Greinke to a $20 million per year contract that they’re prepared to increase the team budget to accommodate other needs?
Fish Bisch
July 27th, 2012
9:09 am
Please wren,
Go out and get Lowe and Assdoodle Cabrerra for Simmons and Janish.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 27th, 2012
9:11 am
John Leonard Hope I’m wrong,but I think Macs eyes have had it
No! No, they haven’t! He’s coming around now, anyway—has had a solid July. His mechanics were what was off in the first half…
Jeff R
July 27th, 2012
9:13 am
Jurrjens went from one of the top upcoming pitchers to pretty soon OUT OF JOB.
See what happens when you over value prospects and youth. There are no gurantees
No guarantees, to be sure. But that’s why many good teams try to have strong farm systems; they need to have a pipeline of talent feeding the big club.
Now if your a big budget club like the Yankees or the Phillies, I guess you can go out buy the talent you need when you need it.
ncscoots
July 27th, 2012
9:14 am
“We think it is the most coveted thing in the game, the toughest thing to acquire. We’re talking about top-end, young starting pitching.’’
You might quibble over “top end” as a characterization of Delgado and Minor (or even Teheran, if you’re so inclined), but this is why blithely trading those kids without regard to the future is a bad idea.
That doesn’t mean that they are untouchable, but the return for one of them has to be very solid.
Veer
July 27th, 2012
9:15 am
Jeff R
Is it possible that if the Braves are willing to lock up Greinke to a $20 million per year contract that they’re prepared to increase the team budget to accommodate other needs?
Team doesn’t necassarily have to increase their payroll for 2013 season. Lowe and Chipper’s salary are coming off the books as well as Bournes and Jurrjens so the overall payroll won’t take much of a hit in 2013. Remember Braves were paying Lowe 15 mil a year. Grienke will command 21 million so essentially for 6 million more you are getting Grienke and that 6 million can come from subtraction of Bourne and Jurrjens. Chippers salary will be used in arb raises for the players and finding a cheap replacement in the OF
Jeff R
July 27th, 2012
9:16 am
You might quibble over “top end” as a characterization of Delgado and Minor (or even Teheran, if you’re so inclined), but this is why blithely trading those kids without regard to the future is a bad idea.
That doesn’t mean that they are untouchable, but the return for one of them has to be very solid.
Absolutely. That’s why I’m relieved the Dempster deal fell through.
ncscoots
July 27th, 2012
9:16 am
I owe Jeff a Coke. He beat me to it, re trading young pitching.
Steve from OH
July 27th, 2012
9:17 am
See what happens when you over value prospects and youth. There are no gurantees
I’m betting the Braves are still thrilled with what they got out of JJ when they did. And they paid him next to nothing for it.
Jeff R
July 27th, 2012
9:19 am
Veer -
Looks like the Braves are going to need two outfielders: CF and LF (Prado moving to third).
Think Wren is willing to go cheap on 2/3s of his outfield? Just asking.
TennesseePaul
July 27th, 2012
9:20 am
they’re prepared to increase the team budget
For the last half decade Terry has talked about increasing the budget. Perhaps he just took that money during that time and shorted facebook. Now they have gobs of cash to spend.
Jeff R
July 27th, 2012
9:21 am
scoots, sounds good.
UNCBrave
July 27th, 2012
9:21 am
BravesFanInMaine,
$593 DOLLARS not 593,000 (change in Braves payroll)
Look Chipper is here and keeping us in it with his hitting and leadership…The time to WIN IS NOW…Teheran is blocked by Delgado/Beachy etc. The Braves also have Hale/Spruill/Graham/Martin/Northcraft
TRADE TEHERAN for crying out loud and sign Greinke to an extension
John Leonard
July 27th, 2012
9:21 am
McFann: Hope your right!
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 27th, 2012
9:21 am
Greinke has been pretty good (in limited appearances) against the NL East…
12 starts total, 80IP, 35Runs, 33 ER, 14BB/74SO (5.29 SO/BB ratio) 3.71 ERA
avg. 6.67 Innings/ Start
Against NL East teams not named the Braves…
10 starts, 69 IP 26Runs, 26 ER, 13BB/63SO (4.85 SO/BB ratio) 3.39 ERA
avg. 6.9 Innings/Start
O.J.
July 27th, 2012
9:22 am
Seriously? Kimbrel and Freddie wouldnt need to be locked up long term until Greinke’s contract is up. Come on now.
Danga
July 27th, 2012
9:24 am
Teheran is far from blocked. Kid is what, 21 years old? Hudson has how many seasons left? Something is not right with Hanson. Sheets is a half season replacement. JJ appears finished. Beachy will be coming off of TJ.
Plenty of holes in that rotation.
TennesseePaul
July 27th, 2012
9:25 am
And they paid him next to nothing for it.
They traded Edgar Renteria for him. And they got Edgar Renteria by trading the colossal bust Andy Marte. And that deal for Andy Marte included cash. The Braves took Andy Marte and turned him into cash plus two years of .310/.374/.451/.825 with no range at short plus 4 years of pitching at 21% better than league average… That is probably the most efficient train of deals this team has had. It sucks JJ is injured now, but while he was on, he was nothing but a win for the Braves.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 27th, 2012
9:26 am
I have a Keen Eye on these Kinds of Things! Trust Me???
Maybe….
Is it possible that if the Braves are willing to lock up Greinke to a $20 million per year contract that they’re prepared to increase the team budget to accommodate other needs?
Wouldn’t that be great.
I’m betting the Braves are still thrilled with what they got out of JJ when they did.
And I still said that they should have traded him during the offseason… I believed that all along. I guess FW couldn’t get any deal worth it though, so it’s okay I guess.
TennesseePaul
July 27th, 2012
9:27 am
Sheets is a half season replacement
I’ve been wondering about this. Suppose Sheets pitches well the rest of the season, he’ll certainly want to play next year, adding yet another solid pitcher to the free agent mix. Do the Braves see about re-upping with him? I would think, if the price is right, it could be worth a shot. And if Sheets enjoyed his time here, he might be interested as well.
Veer
July 27th, 2012
9:27 am
Well Jeff I don’t have the exact figures but lets assume Chippers salary or a portion of it anyways can be used for 2 OF’s. I think Braves will have enough money left over to sign atleast one very good hitting OF for say 7-9 million range and another one will probably be acquired via a trade or it will be some “former” superstar who is at the back end of his career.
This will probably keep the payroll around the same range for next year
TennesseePaul
July 27th, 2012
9:28 am
sign atleast one very good hitting OF for say 7-9 million range
Interesting assumption. “very good hitting” for $7-9M? What is your definition of “very good hitting”?
ncscoots
July 27th, 2012
9:28 am
Think Wren is willing to go cheap on 2/3s of his outfield? Just asking.
Might end up with some scrub in CF, I guess. Willingham in LF.
If they think Simmons can hit anywhere in the same zipcode as he started out, I think they’ll feel less pressure for CF. Maybe go with a no-lumber glove-guy out there. A stick in LF to replace some of Chipper’s production is probably a must-have, though.
Danga
July 27th, 2012
9:31 am
Do the Braves see about re-upping with him?
It is a risky proposition. If I were the Braves I would definitely want to tie most of the money in the deal to innings pitched considering his injury history. That being said, I think he is a natural fit for this team. He could offer a season or two of solid performance to the rotation while the Braves figure out what they have in these young pitchers.
Veer
July 27th, 2012
9:31 am
Well Tennessee I haven’t looked at the list of free agent list. I am just giving rough estimates. One of the names that comes to my mind is Tori Hunter and another name would be Victorino. I am sure there are others who could be had in that 7-9 Million range maybe 10M.
A second replacment could be Constanza/ a trade/ or a say Ichiro who is at tail end of his career.
Again just rough idea and rough names
ncbravesfan90
July 27th, 2012
9:31 am
“Interesting assumption. “very good hitting” for $7-9M? What is your definition of “very good hitting”?”
Josh Willingham signed a contract for 7 mil per year for the next 3 years. I’d say thats a pretty dang good hitter.
UNCBrave
July 27th, 2012
9:33 am
Freeman is NOT going anywhere….That’s stupid for someone to say otherwise….
I’d trade Teheran/Delgado + Salcedo + Bethancourt for Greinke + extension
I’d throw in JJ and another pitcher for OF Corey Hart
The BRAVES are 14th in the NL in ERA….
The BRAVES DO NOT have an ACE while the Nats have 2 and the Phillies 3
GO GET ZACK GREINKE!!!!!!! OR KING FELIX!!
Jeff R
July 27th, 2012
9:33 am
Veer, that’s plausible. There are, indeed, plenty of ways of slicing or being creative with budgets.
I don’t know, though, if the Braves want to take it to the next level, they can’t downgrade either of the outfield positions that will open up this winter.
Ray
July 27th, 2012
9:35 am
Jeff, I agree with you. I would rather see the Braves sign Greinke to a max of 4 yrs. That is a risk. I don’t see him agreeing to that, why should he with the going rate. But yes, the ones that are saying go get him will be the first ones to complain that the braves went and got him. The question is, what is going to be too much to get him?
Veer
July 27th, 2012
9:35 am
Options like BJ Upton and Justin Upton are possible as well. Again a lot of OF options or perhaps keep Prado in LF and get a 3B like A.Rameriez.
Braves have enough money to get one big superstar. They can choose pitching or hitting and Hitting wise Hamilton is the biggest fish in the market but Braves need pitching and Grienke is probably the best option. Even if Grienke isn’t bought in via a trade he will be persued by the Braves in the OF.
I think in the offseason Hanson will be traded for an OF provided we get Grienke and Beachy is on scheduled return.
TennesseePaul
July 27th, 2012
9:35 am
Willingham in LF
I’ve been reading the rumors like crazy lately. Your posts are the only place where Willingham’s name comes up. ( :
I think the team is going to need to aim for some lumber in the outfield. Banking on Simmons to be the hitter he was is far fetched in my mind. His last 21 games before the injury: .274/.295/.384/.678. The league was beginning to catch up to him. He isn’t a bad hitter, he’s good enough to take advantage of his situation, but I don’t think he’s of the level that could sustain .750+ OPS over a full season. The kid was slugging more than Sea Bass did as a Brave…
TennesseePaul
July 27th, 2012
9:36 am
Josh Willingham signed a contract for 7 mil per year for the next 3 years. I’d say thats a pretty dang good hitter.
I’d say that doesn’t happen often and is unlikely to be found twice on the market this off-season.
UNCBrave
July 27th, 2012
9:36 am
Danga,
That’s why the Braves have Hale/Spruill/Graham/Martin/Northcraft when Hudson leaves/Hanson
Jeff R
July 27th, 2012
9:37 am
I think Simmons will be a good hitter longer term. I don’t think he’s lead off material, though. Prado is better suited in the 2-slot. I think the Braves will miss having a bona fide lead off hitter if all they do is replace Bourn with a capable defensive outfielder. Then, again, good lead off hitters don’t grow on trees.
Veer
July 27th, 2012
9:37 am
Grineke will not take a 4 yr offer. It’s not about what we want. Remember this is business. We are not paying players of what they are worth but we are paying them based on what other teams are willing to pay. I too would want Grienke for 4yrs and no more than 20M a season but his market will be driven up by the number of teams desperate for pitching and this desperation will probably drive his price to 6 yr 126-129M
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 27th, 2012
9:38 am
John Leonard Hope your right!
Me, too!
Nah, I think if his eyes were the issue, he’d be the first to know it…
ncscoots
July 27th, 2012
9:38 am
I’d trade Teheran/Delgado + Salcedo + Bethancourt for Greinke + extension
Honestly, I don’t understand this thinking. Why should the Brewers get a better package, if Greinke is willing to sign a contract extension with a new club? All the Brewers have to offer is two months of the current contract, that’s it. That’s what you’re trading for. Anything else is between Greinke and his new club.
Steve from OH
July 27th, 2012
9:38 am
That’s why the Braves have Hale/Spruill/Graham/Martin/Northcraft when Hudson leaves/Hanson
Oh God. Let’s hope not.
ncscoots
July 27th, 2012
9:39 am
Your posts are the only place where Willingham’s name comes up.
Man, am I going to look brilliant in January, or what, LOL?
Veer
July 27th, 2012
9:40 am
We don’t necasarily need to maintain our lost ( Jones and Bourn) production for next year. I think we have enough offense without those two. Good pitching an Ace like Grienke can cancel out the effects of lost offensive production.
Steve from OH
July 27th, 2012
9:40 am
Honestly, I don’t understand this thinking. Why should the Brewers get a better package, if Greinke is willing to sign a contract extension with a new club? All the Brewers have to offer is two months of the current contract, that’s it. That’s what you’re trading for. Anything else is between Greinke and his new club.
Exactly. That’s exactly it. Perhaps you throw in a token low-level reliever or something for an extension window, but you’re getting 2 months of a pitcher and you should pay accordingly.
ncscoots
July 27th, 2012
9:43 am
Prado is better suited in the 2-slot.
I like him there as well, but I have no problem with Prado leading off, either. ‘Course, I don’t care about SBs, so he might be a little palatable to me than some others.
Jeff R
July 27th, 2012
9:44 am
The question is, what is going to be too much to get him [Greinke]?
To answer a question with a question: “What are the pressures on Wren to keep the Braves in contention this season?
I think they’re considerable. Therefore, Wren and team execs may take the position that having Greinke in hand is 1) key to the Braves having a serious shot at the post season and 2) provides Wren with the chance to negotiate with Greinke’s agent, which he couldn’t do until after the season if Greinke’s a Ranger, let’s say (and doesn’t come to terms with the Rangers).
So, the Braves might be willing to pay the Brewers a pretty stiff price for Greinke’s services.
TennesseePaul
July 27th, 2012
9:46 am
Potential free agent outfielders (current salary or pertinent note)
Josh Hamilton ($13.75M)
Delmon Young (just released)
Michael Bourn ($7M)
BJ Upton ($7M)
Shane Victorino ($9.5M)
Melky Cabrera ($6M)
Marlon Byrd (suspended PED)
Grady Sizemore (DL/Done)
Angel Pagan ($5M)
Nick Swisher ($10M)
Ichiro Suzuki (end of career)
Torii Hunter (end of career)
Pretty much every “good hitter” in that group is going to be offered a qualifying offer. Hell, we argue as much for Bourn and he isn’t even as good of a hitter as Willingham, who happens to be having his career year and first year every with no injuries. It’s going to be pretty stiff trying to sign two guys who can hit that well for under the qualifying offer.
ncscoots
July 27th, 2012
9:48 am
2) provides Wren with the chance to negotiate with Greinke’s agent, which he couldn’t do until after the season if Greinke’s a Ranger, let’s say
An opportunity value, as it were? I see that as worth an A-ball pitcher that about four people in the forum have ever heard of.
Bravesfaninnc
July 27th, 2012
9:48 am
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
#Braves have promoted their first-round pick in 2011, LHP Sean Gilmartin, to Triple A. Gilmartin was 5-8 with a 3.54 ERA at Double A.
Jeff R
July 27th, 2012
9:49 am
I like any combination of Young, Byrd, and Sizemore (he can be coaxed back) – from a budget standpoint, of course.