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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,926 comments Add your comment
Bravofan
July 24th, 2012
5:18 pm
How long does Dempster have to make up his mind?
PHILLY PHAN
July 24th, 2012
5:18 pm
,.,.,.
Bobby's Cox
July 24th, 2012
5:18 pm
Steve,
First, how ya been? 2nd, you think Teheren could pitch now? I agree with you on the Felix comment.
Chop Chop
July 24th, 2012
5:18 pm
Maybe Wren is firing Fredi?
bufferinng
July 24th, 2012
5:19 pm
At this point why would we want someone who obviously doesnt want to be in Atlanta. Forget the deal and move on to someone who wants to play in Atlanta. His attitude will reflect in his performance!
If he doesnt want to be a brave and win with us then leave him in loserville Chicago!
Wolf
July 24th, 2012
5:19 pm
Here is my proposed trade. The Braves send Delgado and a second-tier prospect to the Cubs. The Braves get NOTHING in return, but the Cubs have to take Uggla and his entire contract. The Braves move Prado to 2B and use a platoon in LF, Constanza-Hinske and a RH batter they call up, get from the waiver wire, or obtain in a minor trade. They get good hitting and fielding at 2B and probably fairly decent production from the LF platoon. The Cubs get a young pitcher in Delgado with a lot of up side, another mid-tier prospect (and, of course, Uggla, who might do better in Chicago–could hardly do worse). If the Cubs are lucky, Uggla will hit just enough so they can send him on to somebody else later and pay part of his salary to be rid of the guy. We Braves fans gain by NOT having to see Uggla every day and wait for him to kill more rallies.
Pace
July 24th, 2012
5:19 pm
Brian, not at all. I realize he’s always going to swing hard. However, doing the same thing (his current swing with mechanical problems) and not changing is hurting both him and the team. I love it when he hits homers – I like it when he gets a base hit – I’m happy when he gets a walk. Yes, he’s paid to produce runs, but….he’s not producing right now. I haven’t heard of any work he’s doing and I realize that I wouldn’t necessarily be told, but…there is no evidence of improvement in over a month.
htownbravesfan
July 24th, 2012
5:19 pm
I don’t care what they’re paying Uggla. I’ve been saying this for the last five or six years and I’m going to say it again. It’s time to move Prado to second base and acquire a halfway decent outfielder to play left field. The problem isn’t just the gluttony of outs, it’s the lack of production coming from those outs–an array of popups and strikeouts. We’ll need the outfielder next year anyway when Prado moves to third, we might as well start solving the problem now. At this point, Dan Uggla is not an everyday second baseman, regardless of what his salary says.
Jeff R
July 24th, 2012
5:19 pm
Ugs a contact hitter? Ugs not swinging from his heels? Will a Boa not constrict?
ThunderBird
July 24th, 2012
5:19 pm
Let’s recap. Last year Uggla had a 33 game hitting streak and was lousy the other 129. This year it is the last week of July and he has been lousy all season, so far. Get rid of him!
bufferinng
July 24th, 2012
5:20 pm
You dont put a deal on the table like this and then wait for the trade dead line. What happens if he waits til the last second and vetos the trade? You move on now or you dont get anything at all!
kenhotlanta
July 24th, 2012
5:20 pm
I don’t get why someone thinks it would be “funny” if Sheets developed arm problems. There is nothing funny about that and why would you wish that on Sheets?
onebravosfan
July 24th, 2012
5:20 pm
If we are dealing Delgado or Minor, we need to get more than a rental. I think this Dempster delay can only help us…Come on Garza
Brian from SC
July 24th, 2012
5:21 pm
You’re acting like Uggla can fix his mechanical problems just by wanting to. He’s having mechanics issues despite trying to fix them, not because he doesn’t want to fix them.
monty
July 24th, 2012
5:21 pm
My point was Uggla can’t change anything, especially his sling. Swings you can adjust, slings you can’t. He will always be what he is. It’s not like one year he’ll make some adjustments and hit .300. Makes you wonder how he used to kill our pitching every year.
Mister Frisky
July 24th, 2012
5:22 pm
Uggla,JJ,Hanson,Hinske,Francisco,Wilson,Diaz for a 40th round draft pick.Just remove these heartless losers from the roster.
BFChris27
July 24th, 2012
5:22 pm
Move on from Dempster and go for someone else. If Cubs want a deal, Wren will be in the drivers seat, but after this fiasco, I’d much rather go for another pitcher.
I would like to thank Cubs/Dempster though, because now other teams maybe willing to deal their pitching to Braves, since Delgado was on the table.
Bo
July 24th, 2012
5:22 pm
Hey Wren, Forget about Dempster. Maybe, there is someone else out there who wants to come to Atlanta. This is another Furcall situation and he is using you. I am still not over that Texiera Trade. Damn Three present All Stars for a Rental. Also, Uggla at $12.5 million a year, Nuff said about that.
Jeff R
July 24th, 2012
5:22 pm
Maybe Wren is firing Fredi?
No, dear wishful thinker. Wren is updating Fredi on the screwed up Dempster deal.
jim
July 24th, 2012
5:23 pm
nolie,
With the reminiscing about the ‘57 Braves yesterday, the question arises how did
Spahn and Burdett pitch 250+ innings every year well into their 30’s and in Spahn’s case 40’s and never experience any serious arm problems? What were their conditioning techniques and why are they not used more today? The eras are different and it is hard to compare stats accross the two eras, but innings still require getting three outs. The number of innings would put the same strain on the arm no matter the era. In the famous 16-inning dual with Marichal, Spahn threw 201 pitches at age 42 and Marichal threw 235. Both made their regular start 4 days later and Spahn pitched a complete game shutout. Marichal went 7 innings in a 2-0 loss to Gibson. I don’t think either spent much time in the weight room, but did a lot of throwing and probably had other more pitcher friendly conditioning exercises.
nolie
July 24th, 2012
5:23 pm
he hit 287 a coupla years ago, thats close to 300
ThunderBird
July 24th, 2012
5:23 pm
Wolf, your proposal is brilliant! Go for it!
VaBravesFan
July 24th, 2012
5:23 pm
This could work out better for us. Teams are contacting us instead of us calling them. Shows that alot of organizations like Teheran, Delgado, Minor..
nolie
July 24th, 2012
5:24 pm
genetics and good mechanics and using a full windup
bustersonly
July 24th, 2012
5:25 pm
mpimentel uggla will rebound just when it’s need it in sep
Just like he did last Sep, right?
bufferinng
July 24th, 2012
5:25 pm
Cubs talking to dodgers again about Dempster….Geez. Come on Braves Management read the writing on the wall. The guy doesnt want to be in Atlanta! Go get someone who wants to be a BRAVE!!!
nolie
July 24th, 2012
5:26 pm
why are there two ‘n’s in bufferinng
Pace
July 24th, 2012
5:27 pm
Brian – no, fixing mechanics isn’t an overnight thing. BUT – with the video available to the players/coaches and his natural ability, yes he should be able to make adjustments. He’s striking out swinging on pitches he doesn’t miss when he’s ‘hot’ – I want him to get hot, help this team into the playoffs. I’m not hating on him – just frustrated with his lack of production, except in spurts.
Mister Frisky
July 24th, 2012
5:27 pm
Braves going nowhere.Dempster should go to a REAL contender.This organization doesn’t know how or want to win.Stand Pat with a bunch of choking dogs and this is the result.Did we really think this collection of fat unathletic slugs could turn it around?
Steve from OH
July 24th, 2012
5:27 pm
Hey Bobby’s, how you been? I’ve had a lot on my plate recently, so haven’t been following the Braves or MLB in general all that much in the past year or two.
As far as Teheran, I’d plug him into either the fifth spot (I wouldn’t let JJ anywhere near the mound unless he was tamping it) or the ‘pen if we don’t acquire a starter (and the same for Randall). I think either of them could play up in short stints and would be an upgrade over God-knows-who we’ve been throwing out there lately. We can only hope Venters returns to form.
MikeInFl
July 24th, 2012
5:27 pm
My point was Uggla can’t change anything, especially his sling. Swings you can adjust, slings you can’t.
Okay, Monty. Uggla can’t fix his “sling” and should be given away. Got it.
Here’s an article that might help you discuss his mechanics a little more intelligently, if you’re interested.
Jay Dubu
July 24th, 2012
5:28 pm
You expect that Uggs will at some point, break out of this slump (law of averages), and with only 66 regular season games left, he may very well carry the Braves down the stretch.
monty
July 24th, 2012
5:28 pm
“he hit 287 a coupla years ago, thats close to 300″
thanks to Braves pitching, he doesn’t have those suckers to pad his stats anymore, knocked 30 points off his avg.
cricket
July 24th, 2012
5:28 pm
ok, i figured it out. with his relationship with Fredi and Frank, Dempster and braves have devised this brilliant caper so that Dempster gets to go to his preferred location – LA and braves land Garza for cheap from the cubs
nolie
July 24th, 2012
5:28 pm
I imagine that he wants him to get hot too
DS1
July 24th, 2012
5:28 pm
And now that Dempster has turned down the Braves offer (actually, just not accepted it yet), the Dodgers will be in the drivers seat for getting him.
If Dempster doesn’t want to come to Atlanta, then screw him.
jim
July 24th, 2012
5:29 pm
Did anybody ask Fredi last night what he thought about that hit-and-run play the marlins pulled in the first inning last night? He had a comment about the bloop by Lee to get the run, but might he have learned something from the play that set it up!! Bourn and Prado should be pretty good at exercising that play too. Just try it once, Fredi — you might like it!
Bay Area Steve
July 24th, 2012
5:30 pm
“I wouldn’t let JJ anywhere near the mound unless he was tamping it”
That’s just mean. Funny, but mean.
nolie
July 24th, 2012
5:30 pm
might just be the truth monty
Gone Viral
July 24th, 2012
5:30 pm
I wonder what percentage of people who post on this blog actually like the Atlanta Braves. It’s got to be under 50%, right?
bustersonly
July 24th, 2012
5:30 pm
onebravosfan,
Why in the hell would you want Garza, he ain’t worth a crap and besides he has elbo problems already.
cricket
July 24th, 2012
5:30 pm
how many monikers have been created in last couple of hours so that the guy can talk to his many avatars on his favorite topic – uggla
Jeff R
July 24th, 2012
5:31 pm
The condensed wisdom of Mr. Frisky:
Braves going nowhere.Dempster should go to a REAL contender.This organization doesn’t know how or want to win.Stand Pat with a bunch of choking dogs and this is the result.Did we really think this collection of fat unathletic slugs could turn it around?
Not exactly being frisky with the Bravos, eh, Frisky?
mpimentel
July 24th, 2012
5:32 pm
Hey maybe it’s time for a blockbuster trade cheq this out: pastor-jjj-delgado-francisco-salcedo from AA for quentin-volquez (both signed trogh 2014) from padres
monty
July 24th, 2012
5:32 pm
MikeinFl- “Okay, Monty. Uggla can’t fix his “sling” and should be given away. Got it.”
Whoa! You’ve never heard me say one word about getting rid of the guy on this blog. I was just giving my opinion of his swing. Don’t go jumping to eroneous conclusions.
Bobby's Cox
July 24th, 2012
5:32 pm
Same here Steve. Twitter believe it or not helps a bunch when following away from home. Quick easy access. Made some time with all the rumors to chime in, for old time’s sake.
I know Teheren’s been working on fine tuning the offspead stuff in AAA, which is why he’s struggled, but he was effective in his last spot start. I’m a believer in ’sometimes guys perform better at the show,’ and maybe Teheren needs that motivation. Plug him in, especially if we don’t make a move in the next few days. Never thought about him in the bullpen for this year, but that’s a dandy idea. The pen needs help, and you limit Julio’s innings for next year.
DS1
July 24th, 2012
5:33 pm
and if it is so hard on Dempster’s psyche to hear about a proposed deal on twitter, then I have no use for him.
Get with the 21st century, man!
Dumbfounded again......
July 24th, 2012
5:33 pm
this picture taken a few minutes ago. wonder what they are discussing ???http://yfrog.com/kkoltysj
nolie
July 24th, 2012
5:33 pm
I’m guessing quite a few cricket. lotsa new names saying basically the same thing. prolly just coincidence though……
Dumbfounded again......
July 24th, 2012
5:33 pm
http://yfrog.com/kkoltysj
Chop Chop
July 24th, 2012
5:34 pm
http://dempsterfamilyfoundation.org/about_family/
What a jerk.
Bobby's Cox
July 24th, 2012
5:34 pm
MikeinFl,
Ugglas’s sling? Lol. I love it. You’ve had some great lines here today.
Bobby's Cox
July 24th, 2012
5:35 pm
They’re discussing all the teams that called Wren today once they found out Delgado’s on the table.
monty
July 24th, 2012
5:36 pm
Are you going to tell him Mike or am I?
dean
July 24th, 2012
5:37 pm
“Glengarry Glenn Ross”. I don’t know why I read the blog and thought of that movie.
PHILLY PHAN
July 24th, 2012
5:37 pm
kk
dean
July 24th, 2012
5:38 pm
Spelling nazi intervention: Yes, one too many n’s in Glen.
phil
July 24th, 2012
5:40 pm
Trade someone for someone, someone….
Jeff R
July 24th, 2012
5:40 pm
and if it is so hard on Dempster’s psyche to hear about a proposed deal on twitter, then I have no use for him.
Get with the 21st century, man!
Dempster should just park his ego and pitch.
jim
July 24th, 2012
5:41 pm
genetics, good mechanics, and the full windup.
The full windup is the one that stands out as being different then and now. Other than the difference being so marked between the windup and stretch, especially for righthanders, why don’t we see it more today? The good mechanics say to eliminate unnecessary movement, but many pitchers of that era used a full windup and had good command.
Steve from OH
July 24th, 2012
5:42 pm
Same here Steve. Twitter believe it or not helps a bunch when following away from home. Quick easy access. Made some time with all the rumors to chime in, for old time’s sake.
Yup, twitter has turned into a very useful thing for me. Never thought I’d say that. Having said that, I still think having a twitter account is beyond stupid (”Had pancakes for breakfast!! Look at me!!) unless you’re some sort of celeb or in the media.
BFChris27
July 24th, 2012
5:42 pm
If Dempster is traded to Dodgers, the August 17th – 19th series against Dodgers at Atlanta, Dempster should get boo’ed.
Now I am not putting the full blame on Dempster here, the media has a lot of the blame as well, but for Dempster to say he’d like to come to Atlanta as they are his second choice, after Dodgers have moved on originally and he just used this fiasco to get what he wants in this fashion and goes to Dodgers, he is accountable for that.
I am not trying to make him look like the bad guy here. Based on his foundation and his talents, I think he’s a swell guy, but even though that’s true, he is still going the wrong way about this. Everyone one makes mistakes, but everyone should be held accountable as well.
bustersonly
July 24th, 2012
5:42 pm
mpimentel
July 24th, 2012
5:32 pm
Can’t you throw in Uggla and JJ also?
BravesQueen
July 24th, 2012
5:43 pm
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
More viable than Liriano or Garza. (Those last 2 aren’t #Braves targets). RT @ajcbraves @mlbbowman Shields been brought up at all?
So we can mark them off the “list”.
befffferrinngg
July 24th, 2012
5:43 pm
so Dean is also bufferinng prolly, and a lot of others too I’d guess
mpimentel
July 24th, 2012
5:44 pm
Btw, this is another “almost a brave” fiasco from the front office , just like the rumors of: griffey jr., furcal, and peavy…it’s time to grow up and act like if you are not a medicre ( I know it’s so hard for you wren, but at least make a try)
BFChris27
July 24th, 2012
5:45 pm
If Wren can get Shields, I’d definitely trade Delgado for him. Perhaps a bullpen arm as well in the deal.
kreedham
July 24th, 2012
5:46 pm
Forget Dempster, if he can’t agree to the deal in 24 hrs then he doesn’t want to be here! Need an outfielder with some power and decent average and move Prado to 2nd. Don’t care if Uggla makes the big money, bench him until he can prove he deserves it!
befffferrinngg
July 24th, 2012
5:47 pm
no, good mechanics say to alleviate stress and the current mode of pitching adds a lot of stress to the arm, both the abbreviated windup and the stretch. It is ingrained now because it is thought to cut down on steals, no more of those 80-100 steal years like in the old days.
the wind up alleviated stress because the arm started slower and gained momentum and the inverted W and the extreme scapula load were not needed
bustersonly
July 24th, 2012
5:47 pm
Dumbfounded again……
July 24th, 2012
5:33 pm
I think Fruti was trying to convince Frank to let him pinch hit for Uggla.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
July 24th, 2012
5:48 pm
Braves aren’t getting anybody, end of story.
Chop Chop
July 24th, 2012
5:48 pm
I’d cut Uggla outright. The guy has murdered baseball in Atlanta. He must be eradicated.
UNCBrave
July 24th, 2012
5:49 pm
TRADE for FELIX HERNANDEZ!!!
If the Mariners let Ichiro go, they’ll let King Felix go..
Get Felix or Greinke or put Medlen in the rotation…Shields not worth it
MikeInFl
July 24th, 2012
5:49 pm
lol, monte. Not gonna let me bask in the glory of coming up with “sling?” Nope, that’s your line, not mine.
Venice Jim
July 24th, 2012
5:49 pm
this is another “almost a brave” fiasco from the front office , just like the rumors of: griffey jr., furcal, and peavy…it’s time to grow up and act like if you are not a medicre (
NO! – absolute nonsense – whatever “fault” there is lies with the Cubs for not expecting this to happen…
jim
July 24th, 2012
5:50 pm
Uggla actually had a better night at the plate than 3 days ago in his so-called breakout game. In that game none of the three balls were hit hard and if Zimmerman makes an accurat throw on the last one he’s probably out. Last night he hit a drive to the warning track in deep right center — the first time he’s driven a ball in that direction in 2 months and hit a shot to third. Nothing to show for it, but two of the better ABs from him in a long time.
Ralph
July 24th, 2012
5:50 pm
Anybody seen the line-up yet, only thing I can be sure of is that Uggla will bo on 2B.
UNCBrave
July 24th, 2012
5:50 pm
D-Backs DFA Ryan Roberts….RH bat?
befffferrinngg
July 24th, 2012
5:50 pm
genetics are likely different to a degree too. back in those days there were fewer MLB pitchers and thus fewer border line pitchers pressed into servive. Lotsa different things have combined to get us to this point. From 2000-2010 there were an average of a dozen or so TJs by the ASG. that has been growing the last few years. this year there were over 20, many of them with inverted w or extreme scapula load
MikeInFl
July 24th, 2012
5:50 pm
This talk about “just fixing the mechanics” reminds me so much of my golf swing. If only it were so easy…
BFChris27
July 24th, 2012
5:50 pm
I think an awesome scenario if it could possibly happen (not sure if it’s plausible or how realistic it could be, but if there is a chance it could become a reality, I’d love to see it happen) is trade Delgado and other lower prospects to Rays for James Shields (and possibly another piece, perhaps bullpen arm) and then in off season go hard after Greinke and sign him. That would be a rotation of …
Greinke/Shields/Hudson/Hanson/One Of Minor/Teheran/Sheets (say he is signed to an incentive laden deal)
That would be awesome.
BravesFan in DC
July 24th, 2012
5:51 pm
I understand Dempster is a 10-5 player for a reason, but to make the entire organization wait like this (or possibly until the trade deadline) isn’t fair to the Braves as a club who were considering starting him as early as tomorrow night. I’d have a hard time getting behind a guy like that if he does come here, knowing we were a “distant” second choice and he’ rather be playing in LA. Anyone agree?
Bobby's Cox
July 24th, 2012
5:51 pm
I’ve never actually “tweeted.” Just follow the Braves & other baseball reporters, & do searches on Sunday mornings during football season to see who is gonna play that is DTD.
Venice Jim
July 24th, 2012
5:51 pm
Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
Wren: “we would like to aquire a starting pitcher and theres still a chance we acquire Ryan Dempster, we dont know at this point”
“we still have scouts in ballparks all over the country seeing other pitchers that we are interested in” #Braves
Juan
July 24th, 2012
5:52 pm
Coach (2012 Fredi’s beisbol fandango)
July 24th, 2012
5:48 pm
Braves aren’t getting anybody, end of story.
DIDO…If we can’t win with this team so fold for next year…Extend Prado & Bourn.
64 year Braves fan
July 24th, 2012
5:52 pm
The biggest problem for the Braves is inconsistent hitting. Uggla & earlier McCann killed the Braves.
Young pitchers need a few runs for breathing room. Like Minor last night. They are under constant pressure to be almost perfect. Give these guys 4 or 5 early runs and we will be pleasantly surprised
by their pitching.
Ralph
July 24th, 2012
5:52 pm
I remember about 3 weeks ago Uggla hit a few foul balls hard and everone was saying he was showing signs if coming out of it!
befffferrinngg
July 24th, 2012
5:53 pm
golf, pool, BBswing, not so simple. plus in times of stress the human tendency is to revert to what you are used to and feel comfortable with making it even harder to stick with the new approach.
David O'Brien
July 24th, 2012
5:53 pm
Braves lineup: Bourn CF, Prado LF, Heyward RF, Chipper 3B, Freeman 1B, Uggla 2B, Ross C, Janish SS, Hudson P
Just a day off for McCann, didn’t want him and Chipper both out of lineup on same day and Chipper will rest tomorrow.
David O'Brien
July 24th, 2012
5:54 pm
I think still pretty good chance Dempster ends up with Braves.
Don’t believe any Liriano or Garza rumors henceforward. Braves haven’t targeted either of them.
BFChris27
July 24th, 2012
5:54 pm
Wren just needs to forget about Dempster. He has shown he doesn’t want to come to Atlanta. Only way I’d go back after Dempster is if Delgado is out of the talks and some of the lesser tier prospects are in it. Dempster has put Cubs in a position where they’re no longer in the drivers seat.
Ralph
July 24th, 2012
5:54 pm
I have been saying the exact same thing for a long time, bench Uggla now.
jim
July 24th, 2012
5:55 pm
You are only using the windup when nobody is on base. The difference between stretch and windup mechanics may cause command problems, but steals do not come into play when in the windup.
MikeInFl
July 24th, 2012
5:55 pm
I’ve never actually “tweeted.”
I tweeted once, just to see what it was like. But I felt dirty, and didn’t do it again.
Seriously, I’m the same way. I use it just to follow baseball, golf, and a little bit of news. It’s really pretty good for that, IMO.
BravesFan in DC
July 24th, 2012
5:55 pm
I wouldn’t be shocked if they try and stretch Meds back out, and go out and land another solid bullpen guy. If we could do that, we’d have Hudson, Hanson, Sheets, Medlen, Minor and come playoff time possibly move Delgado into the ‘pen as well. I think that’s a pretty strong rotation there.
befffferrinngg
July 24th, 2012
5:55 pm
no Liriano??? my ♥ is brokeded
UNCBrave
July 24th, 2012
5:56 pm
DOB,
I hope not for Delgado…After this fiasco, if Wren had any GUTS, that would be off the table…I wouldn’t go for Dempster anyway after the way he’s handled this…
monty
July 24th, 2012
5:56 pm
Picture in your mind the winding motion of say a discuss thrower. The long spinning circular windup and then the violent release. They don’t start from a standstill and then quickly go from 0-60 in 1 second like the modern day windup of most pitchers. I think there is something kineticly superior for a pitcher to ease into his delievery building slowly (old fashion double pump windups) than the modern stand still and point .5 seconds later there’s a violent release. Too much torque, too quickly. That’s my story.
reckingball
July 24th, 2012
5:56 pm
What ever happened to the Medlen in the rotation project?
Bama Brave
July 24th, 2012
5:56 pm
If Dempster Comes Here He Should Be BOOOOOED! LOL