Uggla’s slide continues; Minor makes some strides

(more...)

4,926 comments Add your comment

Efrim

July 27th, 2012
2:25 pm

Fits the platoon type player Wren was mentioning….

Not for the 6.5 million he is set to make in 2013…

Boonie27

July 27th, 2012
2:26 pm

I can guarantee you that BATISTA didn’t sign with the Braves in order to be shipped to Gwinnet. He will be in uniform in ATLANTA tonight.

Tomahawkin

July 27th, 2012
2:27 pm

Better Take The Phillies Out and Put a Fatality on their season…We Drop Two Out of 3 and I’m gonna Have a Hissy!

I have a Lot of Built Up Energy Reserved for SEC Football…I hope the Braves don’t Fail me and make me dish it out….

Brian from SC

July 27th, 2012
2:27 pm

Francoeur isn’t even hitting lefties this year. He has fallen off a cliff in the last couple of months.

CrαZy

July 27th, 2012
2:28 pm

baseball just doesn’t have much global reach, like shot-putting.

Baseball doesn’t hold up as an Olympic sport like some sports… Like synchronized high diving or swimming, Fencing, Badminton….ect… all much more interesting events!!

TheOnlyBravesFan

July 27th, 2012
2:28 pm

Does Delgado come back to start? Surely they don’t plan on keeping JJ up here…

Ward

July 27th, 2012
2:28 pm

I smell a Shields trade, or Greinke coming……..

Bama Brave

July 27th, 2012
2:28 pm

How Lame Batista LOL

Bama Brave

July 27th, 2012
2:29 pm

Ward I Hope Your Right!!!!!

old man

July 27th, 2012
2:30 pm

Could we sign Sheets right now to a two year 10 million dollar contract? If he throws 7 shutout innings tonight, would you do that?

TheOnlyBravesFan

July 27th, 2012
2:30 pm

Batista posted a 4.82 ERA with 6.6 K/9 and 6.0 BB/9 in 46 2/3 innings for the Mets this year, including five starts. The 18-year veteran has a 4.49 ERA with 5.8 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in his career.

A high walk and low K relief pitcher….

JC Brave

July 27th, 2012
2:30 pm

Better Take The Phillies Out and Put a Fatality on their season…We Drop Two Out of 3 and I’m gonna Have a Hissy!

You better go buy the necessary medication for your Hissy, whatever that is. Because believe me, you’re gonna have one of those by sunday.

cabravesfan

July 27th, 2012
2:31 pm

Once again, perhaps folks should save the freaking out until there is official word that the signing has even happened?

unbelievable

July 27th, 2012
2:31 pm

Unbelievable,
What’s your point?

About what?

Disgusted

July 27th, 2012
2:31 pm

Most of the Olympic sports are boring.

The only Olympic sport I really plan on watching is soccer.

But the Braves come first above ALL Olympic sports.

Shaun

July 27th, 2012
2:31 pm

I can guarantee you that BATISTA didn’t sign with the Braves in order to be shipped to Gwinnet. He will be in uniform in ATLANTA tonight.

Yes, because I’m sure Bautista has so many other options to pitch in the big leagues, or Triple-A for that matter.

Tomahawkin

July 27th, 2012
2:31 pm

@JC Brave?

So you are taking it to the Bank that we are gonna lose 2 out of 3?

TheOnlyBravesFan

July 27th, 2012
2:32 pm

Ward: I don’t see anything really coming. The Braves are “rumored” to be searching for BP and bench help. They don’t want to trade top prospects for a rental.

Could we sign Sheets right now to a two year 10 million dollar contract? If he throws 7 shutout innings tonight, would you do that?

After 3 starts? No… wait until the season is over, see how he’s done then.

DAP

July 27th, 2012
2:32 pm

jeff r Of course the Olympics would drop baseball… only played in the Americas, Japan, Australia (now), and beginning to be played in parts of Asia.

you are mistaken. baseball is world wide. in addition to the places you mentioned, israel, european and african countries have baseball.

Tomahawkin

July 27th, 2012
2:32 pm

cabravesfan…

The Trash Signing of Batista is on facebook

TennesseePaul

July 27th, 2012
2:32 pm

Not for the 6.5 million he is set to make in 2013…

Fits the “we can dip into next years salary if needed” logic Wren expressed… ( :

You just can’t escape it…

Tomahawkin

July 27th, 2012
2:33 pm

@Disgusted.

I love Womens Volleyball, for obvious reasons

Crazy Talk!

July 27th, 2012
2:33 pm

“Honestly, this move was a long time coming. Batista tallied a 4.82 ERA with a 1.80 WHIP in 30 appearances this year for the Mets, not exactly the lockdown effort you look for from a reliever.

Batista got his season ERA down to 3.45 by June 12, but it was a horror show ever since. He finished up his Mets career on a sour note, giving up at least one earned run in six of his last 10 appearances.

End Of The Line

Batista struggled mightily once the calendar turned to July, as he imploded on July 18 by giving up two runs to the Washington Nationals in a tight 4-3 loss, and followed it up by allowing four runs in three innings of work just three days later against the Los Angeles Dodgers.”

So if Batista was “DFA” that means the Braves actually gave the Mets something for him. It’s been less than ten days since he was DFA. Even if the Braves only gave up a bag of balls to the Mets, which is probably the case, that doesn’t equate to Batista being picked up for “organizational depth.” That spells that he’s going to the ATL pen.

ncbravesfan90

July 27th, 2012
2:33 pm

Wow, if Wren does not add a top flight pitcher or two #3 or #4 starters then he is throwing the towel in on this season. Yeah lets hold on to some prospects that MAY be something one day and not trade for someone who already IS something right now and can help us win, I mean come on. Teheran’s value has already declined so you might as well deal him off while you can at least get a decent return.

CrαZy

July 27th, 2012
2:34 pm

:roll: people mad about Batista… who cares the only roster he might be on is the Sept call ups, he’s just a plug to fill a hole in the minors… things would have to go terribly wrong for him to be on the 25 man roster. If we didn’t sign guys like this we wouldn’t have Durbin right now.

TennesseePaul

July 27th, 2012
2:34 pm

He has fallen off a cliff in the last couple of months.

Excellent trade candidate.

PHILLY PHAN

July 27th, 2012
2:34 pm

THANK YOU GUYS!!!

Efrim

July 27th, 2012
2:34 pm

Francouer vs. LHP in 2012: .226/.268/.396

He has fallen off of a cliff, indeed. Career 94 OPS+.

King of Carrot Flowers

July 27th, 2012
2:35 pm

Disgusted,

How is Wren “keeping the Braves relevant” in spite of ownership? Wren is the one who chose to allocate the majority of his budget to the likes of Uggla, Lowe, and Kawakami. The players who are responsible for the Braves success have nothing to do with Wren. Of course, Bourn is an exception.

old man

July 27th, 2012
2:36 pm

Every time Sheets tosses a quality start, it costs us 2 million a year in off season negotiations. I would consider signing him for 2013-14 right now.

Ward

July 27th, 2012
2:37 pm

TheOnlyBravesFan – Major League Baseball Network, says the Braves, and working at getting Greinke, but so are the White sox, and others. Greinke says he likes the Braves, so we will know by Trade Deadline.

PHILLY PHAN

July 27th, 2012
2:37 pm

I HEARD RICHIE SEXSON IS ON THE MARKET NOW…

Shaun

July 27th, 2012
2:37 pm

CrαZy, yep. I’d be shocked if Bautista was anything more than the pitching version of Ruben Gotay. His a minor league filler. It may indicate a trade is coming or it may just be insurance in case of a trade.

Efrim

July 27th, 2012
2:37 pm

Every time Sheets tosses a quality start, it costs us 2 million a year in off season negotiations. I would consider signing him for 2013-14 right now.

Oh boy….

JC Brave

July 27th, 2012
2:37 pm

So you are taking it to the Bank that we are gonna lose 2 out of 3?

Lefty Hamels tonight, Joe “I Own The Braves” Blanton tomorrow, Roy Halladay on sunday.

If money is to be put in a bank, it would be safer if it’s in a Citizen’s Bank Park.

Of course, I’ll be the first to gladly admit that I was wrong and that I’m an idiot, if by sunday, the Braves come out on top in 2 out of 3, or a sweep.

But then again… the Phillies are back in full force now, so…

raleighbravefan

July 27th, 2012
2:38 pm

unbelievable – You forgot he signed Sheets…pretty good so far..maybe better than any of the high priced guys.

PHILLY PHAN

July 27th, 2012
2:38 pm

JUAN FRANCISCO TO THE MARLINS FOR JJ

Shaun

July 27th, 2012
2:38 pm

TheOnlyBravesFan – Major League Baseball Network, says the Braves, and working at getting Greinke, but so are the White sox, and others. Greinke says he likes the Braves, so we will know by Trade Deadline.

Thanks for the breaking news.

BravesFanInMaine

July 27th, 2012
2:39 pm

I think FW is trying to get fired!!!! WOW deadline might be a dissapointment…. but I hope im wrong!

PHILLY PHAN

July 27th, 2012
2:39 pm

PHILLIES WILL SWEEP THE BRAVES FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR….PURE FEAR IN HOTLANTA…

cabravesfan

July 27th, 2012
2:39 pm

The Trash Signing of Batista is on Facebook

And that means…? Who is reporting it? Have not seen it from any Braves people

old man

July 27th, 2012
2:40 pm

Efrim:

And “Oh boy . . . ,” means exactly what? Don’t be bashful–spit it out.

Juan

July 27th, 2012
2:40 pm

Hey guys in Atlanta….every afternoon on the MLB Networt on the “Rundown Show” they show this guy Ben Ingram reporting from the Stadium and they present him as a the voice of the Atlanta Braves…..who’s this guys…i thoght that Powell/Sutton are the radio guys and Carey/Simpson the TV guys.

dixie brave

July 27th, 2012
2:40 pm

It’s looking like Medlen is going to move to rotation & Batista is taking his place in the pen.

Efrim

July 27th, 2012
2:41 pm

Why do people like Starlin Castro so much? .280/.306/.412 this year and he isn’t a great defender at SS.

PHILLY PHAN

July 27th, 2012
2:42 pm

GOT I HAVE TO LOVE THE LITTLE BRAVES!!!!!!!!!

Efrim

July 27th, 2012
2:42 pm

Thanks for the breaking news.

It’s Ward, Shaun. Ward.

ncbravesfan90

July 27th, 2012
2:42 pm

Also, I find it very hard to believe that Wren will not acquire a starting pitcher or two after Chipper made the comment that the Braves need another starter to contend.

cricket

July 27th, 2012
2:42 pm

Doug Padilla of ESPN Chicago reports that an MRI exam showed fluid in Garza’s triceps, which means he’ll be shut down until after Tuesday’s deadline has passed.

Garza technically could still be traded even while hurting, but obviously it would be tough for the Cubs to get anything close to full value for a pitcher with a big health question mark. And because they have him under team control for 2013 via arbitration they could start shopping him again this offseason.

Another possibility is dealing Garza during August, but because numerous contenders would surely place waiver claims on him the Cubs would be limited to negotiating with whichever team put in a claim with the highest priority. That would kill their leverage then, just as the triceps injury has killed their leverage now.

Several reports have suggested that the Dodgers preferred Garza to rotation-mate Ryan Dempster, so while the injury is bad news for the Cubs it could actually make it easier to get a strong return for Dempster

Patrick

July 27th, 2012
2:42 pm

Miguel Bastista
What a F!$%ing joke

cricket

July 27th, 2012
2:43 pm

Dodgers showing interest in Morneau

Efrim

July 27th, 2012
2:43 pm

Don’t be bashful–spit it out.

He’s made two starts, man. If he gets bombed tonight, what will your thoughts be then?

Ward

July 27th, 2012
2:43 pm

Philly Phan – Have to give you credit for comig on here, most of the Philly faithful have been hiding…….. Then again maybe not?

Rick

July 27th, 2012
2:43 pm

“The Braves may not have announced on anybody’s radio show that they’ve moved on with Zack Greinke, the way they did for Ryan Dempster, but they are telling teams that they’re turning their focus away from the rotation and are shopping more for bullpen and bench pieces. That would be an indication they have no interest in dealing Julio Teheran for a rental player. It’s also an indication that they will have a tough time convincing themselves they can re-sign Greinke in the wake of the Cole Hamels contract.”

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8205386/mlb-chase-headley-top-position-player-available

Fairbrave

July 27th, 2012
2:43 pm

I think Batista will be middle reliever with Medlan to start. I also believe we are going to get either Lester or Beckett from Boston. A change is what they need. Jason Stark says Braves have cooled it on Greinke

BravesFanInMaine

July 27th, 2012
2:43 pm

dixie brave…… i would agree with you on that but also it looks like the braves could be bluffing and waiting til the last second but I am also going to guess that the trade market on these players is outrageous!!! GO BRAVES!!

Chipperchop

July 27th, 2012
2:43 pm

Jayson Stark

- The Braves may not have announced on anybody’s radio show that they’ve moved on with Zack Greinke, the way they did for Ryan Dempster, but they are telling teams that they’re turning their focus away from the rotation and are shopping more for bullpen and bench pieces. That would be an indication they have no interest in dealing Julio Teheran for a rental player. It’s also an indication that they will have a tough time convincing themselves they can re-sign Greinke in the wake of the Cole Hamels contract.

Trader Jack

July 27th, 2012
2:44 pm

cab

Newsday out of New York is reporting the deal

CrαZy

July 27th, 2012
2:44 pm

Every time Sheets tosses a quality start, it costs us 2 million a year in off season negotiations.

So he’ll want 4 million a year as of now… So lets be fair here and say he has 12 starts and half of those starts are quality starts… that’ll give him 8 for the year so he’ll want 16 million a year!! :shock:

This reminds me… People it’s not safe to smoke crack!!!

PHILLY PHAN

July 27th, 2012
2:44 pm

I HAVE AN IDEA….WHAT IF FRANK WREN GETS ALL THE PLAYERS THAT HAD BEEN DFA…THAT SHULD BE WITHIN YOUR BUDGET AH?

TheOnlyBravesFan

July 27th, 2012
2:45 pm

JUAN FRANCISCO TO THE MARLINS FOR JJ

Marlins want 2 or 3 top prospects for JJ…. Juan might have the width and weight of 2 top prospects (tee hee!) but he sure isn’t worth 2/3 top prospects.

Once again, perhaps folks should save the freaking out until there is official word that the signing has even happened?

It’s not Bowman who broke it this time though, right? I think we’re good :)

Bayou Brave

July 27th, 2012
2:45 pm

Ward

July 27th, 2012
2:21 pm
Philly Phan – How is your Momma? I hear she is fatter than you.

Classic Ward! This is why I read the blog.

Ward

July 27th, 2012
2:45 pm

I think DOB said,” Braves were not looking at Garza last night.”

raleighbravefan

July 27th, 2012
2:45 pm

Frank Wren is in NO danger of being fired…nor should he be.

cabravesfan

July 27th, 2012
2:46 pm

Trader Jack-

I’d just rather wait for confirmation from the Braves before I believe anything these days. Also, if it is in fact true, I’d rather hear it from the team as to where he will play instead of going by rumors or pure guess. :)

Efrim

July 27th, 2012
2:46 pm

The Braves have placed RHP J.R. Graham on the same fast track tread by recent draft picks Craig Kimbrel, Mike Minor and Sean Gilmartin. A fourth-rounder out of Santa Clara in 2011, Graham graduated from the Carolina League this season as its leader in ERA (2.63), WHIP (1.02) and opponent average (.236), which landed the 22-year-old with Double-A Mississippi on July 20. Just about everything has gone right for Graham through two starts with the M-Braves, seeing as he’s struck out 12 and walked two while allowing two runs in 10 innings . . . – Baseball America Hot Sheet

CrαZy

July 27th, 2012
2:46 pm

Miguel Bastista
What a F!$%ing joke

Chad Durbin
What a F!$%ing joke

Ben Sheets
What a F!$%ing joke

No I don’t expect Batista to be on the roster… I’m just saying this is always the reaction when we sign a guy like this.

ccrider

July 27th, 2012
2:47 pm

Dempster and Maholm are still available. Can always sign Grienke in the off season if the money is there.

TheOnlyBravesFan

July 27th, 2012
2:47 pm

Also, I find it very hard to believe that Wren will not acquire a starting pitcher or two after Chipper made the comment that the Braves need another starter to contend

Chipper isn’t the GM though… Didn’t he say last year that we shouldn’t trade Schafer?

cabravesfan

July 27th, 2012
2:48 pm

It’s not Bowman who broke it this time though, right? I think we’re good

So far, all I’ve seen is random people (not baseball people or media) talking about it on twitter. Nothing else

Ward

July 27th, 2012
2:49 pm

Philly Phan – Did your momma fit in your car yet?

DAP

July 27th, 2012
2:49 pm

efrim Why do people like Starlin Castro so much? .280/.306/.412 this year and he isn’t a great defender at SS.

probably has more to do with his previous seasons and his age. he had a very good season last year for a 21 year old.

JC Brave

July 27th, 2012
2:50 pm

Chipper isn’t the GM though… Didn’t he say last year that we shouldn’t trade Schafer?

Yeah… same with LaRoche. He even went as far a telling LaRoche he wasn’t gonna get traded, IIRC. And BOOM!

PHILLY PHAN

July 27th, 2012
2:50 pm

ESPN REPORTS….JAMIE MOYER TO THE BRAVES FOR A PLAYER TO BE NAMED…THAT WILL ADD EXPERIENCE TO OUR YOUNG ROTATION AND A GREAT CLUB HOUSE GUY…YOU GOT TO TIP YOUR CAP TO HIM….LOLOLOLOL!!!

Shaun

July 27th, 2012
2:51 pm

Efrim, well, for his career he’s hit .298 with a .334 OBP and he’s only 22.

People probably think he has a good chance to grow in to some power. He should, at the very least, become a better hitter/on-base guy, which will make him a very good player on the left side of the infield. I could see him as a Martin Prado type thirdbaseman in his prime, perhaps a little better. And there’s always that chance that he sticks at short.

ncbravesfan90

July 27th, 2012
2:51 pm

“Frank Wren is in NO danger of being fired…nor should he be.”

Well you entitled to your opinion. If you are ranked 14th in the NL in ERA and 13th in Quality starts and then you don’t make a move to acquire AT LEAST 1 starting pitcher, somebody is going to be held accountable by the CEO. Wren has pressure on him to win and win now, which means prospects should and probably will be dealt. I will be shocked and disappointed if the Braves do not acquire at least one starting pitcher before the deadline. With this being Chipper’s last year and possibly the last year we have Bourn, I believe there will be some major pieces added before Tuesday to go all in this year.

abeeewright

July 27th, 2012
2:51 pm

Sounds like another good nickname to go along with Polished, Signable, Slot Money, and Salary Relief … Org Depth.

Tomahawkin

July 27th, 2012
2:52 pm

ROXANNEEEEEEEE

Danga

July 27th, 2012
2:53 pm

And it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see them go to the Royals for that bullpen arm.

If so, I hope they bring tiny Tim back into the fold.

Tomahawkin

July 27th, 2012
2:53 pm

@cabravesfan…

I cant believe you are looking the other way…

The Batista signing has been reported on many Braves Fans groups on facebook

Oh well Believe what you want

Efrim

July 27th, 2012
2:54 pm

I could see him as a Martin Prado type third baseman in his prime, perhaps a little better. And there’s always that chance that he sticks at short.

I could see that. I guess I just don’t buy into the hype that he’s some great building block. Nice player, but he’s not fast and doesn’t have great instincts for the position. But he’s young, so there’s that.

Steve from OH

July 27th, 2012
2:55 pm

Anyone got a recent scouting report on Graham? Any improvement in the secondary stuff?

PHILLY PHAN

July 27th, 2012
2:55 pm

FRANK WREN IS ABOUT TO GET AARON COOK FROM BOSOX FOR MIKE MINOR AND 3 HOT DOGS…

ccrider

July 27th, 2012
2:55 pm

PHILLY PHAN : beside your ignorance In spelling, any fan of a team that is in last place in their division AND have the highest payroll in the National League, coming on another teams blog trash talking! WELL that is PHILLY STUPID. Oh, wait I bet its because you can’t read the standings, I apologize for making fun of the handicaped.

TheOnlyBravesFan

July 27th, 2012
2:56 pm

somebody is going to be held accountable by the CEO.

What CEO? Does he even know who the Braves are??? :)

ozzie

July 27th, 2012
2:56 pm

Wren never said he was rolling in cash so not being able to get top shelf players is not a shocker. Bowman telling the world the Braves would pay 20mm a year for Greinke just sounds silly the more you think about it.

Had Beachy not gone down Wren would have been surfing the bargain bin per usual. Beachy was making league min so replacing him with a 20mm SP on a 5-6 year deal seems like a bit of an over reaction esp when the money is not there.

We will see Bautista in ATL before the summer is out. He will pitch a few games in AAA to see if he is serviceable then get a shot at ATL.

cabravesfan

July 27th, 2012
2:57 pm

Tomahawkin-

Fan groups are not news sources. All I am saying is that we should wait until we hear it from an actual news source, or even better, until the Braves announce it. Also, signing him doesn’t mean he will be with the big club. So I will hold off worrying about it until it’s official.

Ward

July 27th, 2012
2:57 pm

Boston is looking to fire sale. Would any one be happy with Lester? Just a thought.

Shaun

July 27th, 2012
2:58 pm

The Braves are 54-44, 5th-best record in the NL, with the roster they’ve had so far. They won 89 games last season, with plenty of players having down seasons, and haven’t made wholesale changes from that team. Why would Frank Wren’s job be in jeopardy if he doesn’t acquire a starter?

PHILLY PHAN

July 27th, 2012
2:58 pm

CHIPPER JUST SIGNED A 3 YEAR DEAL FOR 33 MIL…MLB TRADE RUMORS….

Juan

July 27th, 2012
2:58 pm

Batista/Delgado/Teheran….BIG 3 In Gwinnett, can they win a Game.

abeeewright

July 27th, 2012
2:59 pm

I looked at Disgusted’s list of moves so far. He missed Sheets. Other than the Livan signing, those moves, while minor, have made the club stronger.

I think the gm should be working throughout the season to make the organization stronger. Wren has been pretty consistent at this.

Bayou Brave

July 27th, 2012
2:59 pm

@ncbravesfan90

Wren did make a move to acquire at least 1 starting pitcher. His name is Ben Sheets. You can look hime up on the Braves official website. He is the one with a 0.00 ERA.

bravofan

July 27th, 2012
3:00 pm

LIKE this Thanks Chipper page on facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ThanksChipper

ozzie

July 27th, 2012
3:01 pm

Wren is under no pressure bc Liberty does not care if they win or lose.

If however attendance drops 15% then he is fired but if people keep showing up for games and he keeps specializing in making the most of summer bargain bin shopping he will stay employed.

Fredi is the first fall guy. Then coaches and or conditioning guys. Then scouting heads. Then Frank.

JS would need to be canned along with McGuirk bc if you don’t like what Frank is doing it wouldn’t get much better under those two suits.

TheOnlyBravesFan

July 27th, 2012
3:02 pm

Not going after this guy either, I’d think….

Jon Morosi ‏@jonmorosi
Heavy interest in #Twins lefty Glen Perkins. He’s been dealing this month, good contract. MIN asking price very high.

ncbravesfan90

July 27th, 2012
3:02 pm

“Wren did make a move to acquire at least 1 starting pitcher. His name is Ben Sheets. You can look hime up on the Braves official website. He is the one with a 0.00 ERA.”

That was an excellent find by Wren and company. But he is oft injured. Jurrjens is out of the rotation and Tommy Hanson has been anything but reliable of late. You willing to take Hudson, Hanson, Sheets up against Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, and Jordan Zimmerman and feel like you have a chance? Trust me there is a big need to add an Ace to this staff. Just look at the stats, 14th in NL in ERA 13th in NL in quality starts. I rest my case.

Juan

July 27th, 2012
3:02 pm

December 14,2011
“Frank Wren say that he will not trade any of the young arms , that why we not make any trade in this winter meeting.

Shaun

July 27th, 2012
3:02 pm

Boston is looking to fire sale? Where’s the source of that information? Boston has a lot of teams ahead of them but are only 4.5 out of a wild card spot. And they certainly have the talent to go on a tear and jump ahead of all the teams ahead of them in the wild card race.

Just take a look at the AL Wild Card standings and tell me which teams you see there significantly better than the Red Sox.

UNCBrave

July 27th, 2012
3:04 pm

The Braves are not going after Greinke…NO surprise…I feel SORRY for Chipper Jones

Add your comment