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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,129 comments Add your comment
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:07 am
Do y’all actually believe that Ruben, Jr. signed those p[layers to those kind of contracts without ownership’s approval?
Sort of like Theo and Crawford. Us fans never hear about what’s really going on between ownership and the front office.
However, his style isn’t one that’d I’d be happy with. Theo? Yes, please.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:10 am
Bourn, Werth, Harper, Zimmerman, Morse, Espinosa, Desmond, Ramos – it’s okay.
ncscoots
August 8th, 2012
10:10 am
The worst thing about Bourn moving on will be having to scroll through all the doomsday posts here that such a thing will generate, LOL. Especially if he moves within the division. Braves will immediately be relegated to fourth place by plenty of folks here.
ncscoots
August 8th, 2012
10:12 am
Bourn, Werth, Harper, Zimmerman, Morse, Espinosa, Desmond, Ramos – it’s okay.
Plenty of pop but even more outs.
ncscoots
August 8th, 2012
10:15 am
Prado, Simmons, Heyward, McCann, Uggla, Freeman, Willingham, and Upton – better than OK.
TennesseePaul
August 8th, 2012
10:15 am
Huh? When was this?
Exactly.
CrαZy
August 8th, 2012
10:15 am
Clint Eastwood plays a Braves scout in new film… “Trouble with the Curve”
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/trouble-with-the-curve/trailers/trouble-with-the-curve-theatrical-trailer-30208761.html
cricket
August 8th, 2012
10:15 am
http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/8/7/3226043/houston-astros-bad-play-oh-man-what-is-this-i-dont-even
Thinking about a Braves fan watching that play
I don’t have anything against Braves fans, mind you. But this game mattered. It was a tie game in extra innings. The Braves had already won, and with a Nationals loss, the Braves would have crept to within two games of the NL East lead. There was some serious scoreboard watching going on.
The Astros actually tied the game in the ninth, giving Braves fans a little hope. All they needed was a single, a stolen base, a grounder, and a fly ball. Some permutation of those simple things, maybe with an error mixed in. Bad teams can do those things. They do them all the time. All they needed was just one run.
You can’t laugh at the thought of an Astros fan watching this play. That’s sadistic. They’ve had to watch far too much bad baseball — enough for a decade. But the Braves fan putting his hands atop his head, pushing the baseball cap just a little askew as his or her mouth dropped in amazement … that person is just the best.
TennesseePaul
August 8th, 2012
10:17 am
Willingham
Unfortunately that requires running out a rotation excluding Teheran and Delgado because Willingham will require as much in a trade, considering he hasn’t been made available in a trade, is affordable to the Twins, and the Twins have no reason to move him other than a knock-your-socks-off package.
MFin04
August 8th, 2012
10:18 am
“Upton”
Oh boy, hopefully we are talking Justin. What is the love of BJ Upton? Is it because his name is Bossman Jr and we have a bunch of people on here that like Bowser Jr? I mean it can’t be because of his baseball numbers…guy is atrocious.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:20 am
Prado, Simmons, Heyward, McCann, Uggla, Freeman, Willingham, and Upton – better than OK.
Simmons batting 2nd?!?!?1 Say it ain;t so, scoots.
I’m down for Upton in CF. It’s amazing – no one likes ANY CF options that are thrown around. Wren is going to land on one of em. And I sure as hell hope it ain’t Angel Pagan.
CrαZy
August 8th, 2012
10:21 am
The worst thing about Bourn moving on will be having to scroll through all the doomsday posts
I like the doomsday posts!! You should look at it from a different perspective… It should be a boost to your self confidence to know so many numbtards are out there!
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:21 am
Ya know what’s the best thing about Bourn moving on?
Nah, you all already know what I would say.
cricket
August 8th, 2012
10:22 am
Braves will immediately be relegated to fourth place by plenty of folks here.
fourth place? what is the basis of this optimism?
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:24 am
Prado, Simmons, Heyward, McCann, Uggla, Freeman – I’ll take that. It’s a good position player core.
And, 38 year old Tim Hudson leading the rotation with fireballers nehind him – Paul Maholm, Mike Minor, Kris Medlen…..
ncscoots
August 8th, 2012
10:24 am
Simmons batting 2nd?!?!?1 Say it ain;t so, scoots.
I wasn’t doing a lineup. I don’t do lineup posts, you know that.
What is the love of BJ Upton?
Just using a name for effect. Though I still have a sliver of confidence that BJ might do OK in Atlanta.
Jeff R
August 8th, 2012
10:25 am
Before wringing our hands about Bourn leaving after the season (very likely), the important question is who would Wren add? And it’s too early to have an answer.
MFin04
August 8th, 2012
10:25 am
Pagan is a better hitter than Upton, that is for sure…
Gotta love Upton’s .650 OPS for the Braves. He’s going to bring back the desire for Nate McLouth or Schafer in CF.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:25 am
Yeesh – Upton isn’t having a good walk year. .242/.300/.377 in a little over 400 PA’s.
MFin04
August 8th, 2012
10:27 am
I hear Upton is a pretty good clubhouse guy. He can have Yunel’s locker back behind the showers and the trash heap….
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 8th, 2012
10:27 am
If Bourn’s gonna be commanding all that money, give it to Zack instead… No way should Bourn get more than 13-15 mil…. BJ Upton, Span, and Victorino should not become Braves and take his place.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:28 am
Mike Minor’s last 11 appearances – 65.2 IP, 49 hits, 23 ER, 25 BB’s, 53 K’s, 10 HR allowed, opp. slash line of .209/.284/.391, 3.15 ERA.
MikeInFl
August 8th, 2012
10:29 am
Need to make a run at our newest nemesis, Houston’s Justin Maxwell.
raleighbravefan
August 8th, 2012
10:29 am
scoots – Willingham and Upton? Do you know something we don’t know?
ncscoots
August 8th, 2012
10:30 am
Pagan is a better hitter than Upton, that is for sure…
He may have better stats, but that isn’t the same thing.
Who knows? Upton might get a wakeup call this offseason, when teams are decidedly not busting down his door with rich multi-year offers.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:31 am
BJ Upton, Span, and Victorino should not become Braves and take his place.
Pagan, Bourjos, Rasmus, Cain, Fowler, Young, Jay……
I’d say that covers the potential CF options for 2013.
ncscoots
August 8th, 2012
10:32 am
Do you know something we don’t know?
No, I’m just trying to create some karma that will prevent me from looking up on Opening Day and seeing Reed Johnson in LF and Angel Pagan in CF.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:32 am
Please note that Minor’s great work the last 11 appearances still has him on pace to give up over 30 HR’s in a 200 IP season……
cricket
August 8th, 2012
10:32 am
Ya know what’s the best thing about Bourn moving on?
Nah, you all already know what I would say.
Heyward increasing his value even more by moving to CF?
MFin04
August 8th, 2012
10:32 am
I wouldn’t mind Victorino, it probably is just because he kills the Braves, but always liked his defense ability in CF and always hit us well.
MFin04
August 8th, 2012
10:34 am
“Heyward increasing his value even more by moving to CF?”
Nah, probably would just break his body down even faster.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:34 am
Of course, I could bring up the Coco Crisp’s of the world – but how many times has Wren had the opportunity to bring that guy aboard? Never happens. I feel like there is a reason for that….
Jeff R
August 8th, 2012
10:35 am
Who are some of the near-ready CF prospects around? Any that Wren could possibly pry free?
cricket
August 8th, 2012
10:35 am
If Bourn’s gonna be commanding all that money, give it to Zack instead…
your posts pine for him but in the heart of your hearts you know he ain’t coming here..
ncscoots
August 8th, 2012
10:35 am
I wouldn’t mind Victorino
Bubba, please.
MFin04
August 8th, 2012
10:38 am
ncscoots – Fine, with our new found love for Heyward in CF, CARLOS BELTRAN!!!!
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:38 am
Jon Jay is a possibility. For anyone who knows who Oscar Taveras is….. Jay is definitely a possibility.
ncscoots
August 8th, 2012
10:39 am
In any event, the Braves can’t fill LF, CF, and SP all by trade. Just not enough currency available for that. This offseason, for a change, they have more money than prospects.
Mixxo
August 8th, 2012
10:39 am
Victorino is a baseball player….I’d definitely take him over BJ Upton. BJ is prone to thug-like meltdowns. Not an Atlanta fit.
His brother Justin OTOH…I’d take him too.
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 8th, 2012
10:39 am
your posts pine for him but in the heart of your hearts you know he ain’t coming here..
I know, but it’s okay to wish and wish, right?
I wouldn’t mind Victorino
Older than Bourn with a declining bat…. no thanks.
Who are some of the near-ready CF prospects around? Any that Wren could possibly pry free?
Cain’s the only one I know of (and he got hurt this year)…. would have to do some research on that…. Who could we get with Hanson, Salcedo for CF….
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:40 am
Who are some of the near-ready CF prospects around? Any that Wren could possibly pry free?
We’d be getting the guy that the near ready prospect would replace, Jeff.
MFin04
August 8th, 2012
10:40 am
I’d like my leadoff guy to steal at least 40 bases. That is the #1 requirement. It gives me something to watch for no matter the score of a game.
ncscoots
August 8th, 2012
10:40 am
Fine, with our new found love for Heyward in CF, CARLOS BELTRAN!!!!
When Carlos Beltran sleeps with the fishes (or with Ted Williams’ frozen head, whichever), you’ll STILL be calling for the Braves to sign the guy.
unbelievable
August 8th, 2012
10:42 am
Upton really hasnt been that good since 2008. Isnt he a cancer in the clubhouse also?
raleighbravefan
August 8th, 2012
10:42 am
scoots – Reed Johnson is a 4th outfielder, silly. It will be Prado in LF, and Juan Franscisco at 3B.
Murph
August 8th, 2012
10:43 am
Rasmus…. not gonna get on base much, but I’d be interested to see what Toronto wanted for him.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:43 am
In any event, the Braves can’t fill LF, CF, and SP all by trade. Just not enough currency available for that. This offseason, for a change, they have more money than prospects.
One free agent will be brought in, imo. CF makes some sense for that. Unless of course we anti up for Nick….Swisher….
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 8th, 2012
10:43 am
I would prefer Taveras, but knowing of course that the Cards won’t trade him, Jay is a good bet.
Jay’s Career line: .298/.356/.417/ .773 and good defense in CF.
Jeff R
August 8th, 2012
10:44 am
We’d be getting the guy that the near ready prospect would replace, Jeff.
Makes sense, but what would the other club need? Might be deeper in CF talent in their system. Dunno.
MFin04
August 8th, 2012
10:44 am
“you’ll STILL be calling for the Braves to sign the guy.”
Yep! Got me there.
Mixxo
August 8th, 2012
10:45 am
Upton really hasnt been that good since 2008. Isnt he a cancer in the clubhouse also?
He has some kind of agenda. It’s all about him.
He’s just a punk thug.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:45 am
not gonna get on base much, but I’d be interested to see what Toronto wanted for him.
Pitching. They all want that.
ncscoots
August 8th, 2012
10:45 am
Unless of course we anti up for Nick….Swisher
Are you guys just intentionally trying to get me off the launch pad this morning?
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 8th, 2012
10:46 am
Taveras has 20 HR in AA ball this year, over 105 games…. Oh, how great it’d be to have that bat in ATL.
MFin04
August 8th, 2012
10:47 am
Oh geez…buzzwords “punk” and “thug”
This should start a tirade by someone…
It is about as bad as using your closer before the 9th.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:47 am
Free agents: Bourn, BJ Upton, Victorino, Pagan
Trade candidates: Span, Bourjos, Rasmus, Cain, Fowler, Young, Jay
Murph
August 8th, 2012
10:48 am
Gilmartin for Rasmus… done and done.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:48 am
Are you guys just intentionally trying to get me off the launch pad this morning?
That one was for you.
ncscoots
August 8th, 2012
10:49 am
This should start a tirade by someone…
It’s just Mixxo. Not even worth a rant, let lone a tirade.
JoeFan
August 8th, 2012
10:49 am
Don’t believe Wren is going to spend top dollar for a CF if he believes Cunningham will be ready sometime in 2013 or ‘14. Will certainly be interesting to see how the pieces get moved around in the off season.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:49 am
Gilmartin for Rasmus… done and done.
No way they do that.
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 8th, 2012
10:50 am
scoots – Reed Johnson is a 4th outfielder, silly. It will be Prado in LF, and Juan Franscisco at 3B.
Gawd, not Francisco… Reed in LF, Prado at 3B is better
In any event, the Braves can’t fill LF, CF, and SP all by trade…..One free agent will be brought in, imo.
Yeah, Zack… well, you know what I’m gonna say anyway!
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:51 am
Lots of AL teams that need some pitching. Kansas City, Baltimore, Minnesota, Toronto….
They may not want to trade top prospects for that pitching, but I see all four as options for Tommy Hanson. Don’t need to get Dy;an Bundy or Wil Myers back for him. But most of those teams have some currency that would make sense on our side.
raleighbravefan
August 8th, 2012
10:52 am
TOBF – Who could we get for Hanson and Salcedo…let’s see…maybe Nate McClouth?
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 8th, 2012
10:52 am
Free agents: Bourn, BJ Upton, Victorino, Pagan
Trade candidates: Span, Bourjos, Rasmus, Cain, Fowler, Young, Jay
Hmm, let me see. Besides Bourn, only guys I really like are Bourjos (defense, don’t give up a lot to get him), Jay, Fowler, and Pagan
cricket
August 8th, 2012
10:54 am
Victorino is a baseball player…
what are others? kabaddi players? (google it)
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 8th, 2012
10:55 am
Who could we get for Hanson and Salcedo…let’s see…maybe Nate McClouth?
LOL, I’m sure we can get more than that….
BTW, who wants Melky for CF? He’s slimmed down, is faster now
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
10:55 am
Don’t believe Wren is going to spend top dollar for a CF if he believes Cunningham will be ready sometime in 2013 or ‘14
Yup. Todd Cunningham in CF, Joe Terdoslavich at 3B and Evan Gattis in LF. Awesome.
Fish Bisch
August 8th, 2012
10:55 am
Trade Heyward for Giancarlo Stanton.
Murph
August 8th, 2012
10:56 am
Gilmartin for Rasmus… done and done.
No way they do that.
Either way, the Braves win!
TennesseePaul
August 8th, 2012
10:56 am
Are you guys just intentionally trying to get me off the launch pad this morning?
After Payne’s failed attempts yesterday? Yes. But then, is it Payne’s fault he has no new material?
Mixxo
August 8th, 2012
10:57 am
wow….another clever reply from scooty…..imagine that!
MikeInFl
August 8th, 2012
10:57 am
Who are some of the near-ready CF prospects around? Any that Wren could possibly pry free?
Seriously, why not see if we can pry Maxwell away from Houston? He’s young, cost-controlled, a good defensive CF (according to limited data available… he hasn’t played a lot, but has been outstanding in CF when he’s been there, and played a lot there in the minors).
Strikes out a ton (an understatement, actually), but what else is new? Does know how to take a walk, and has some pop.
I don’t know if Houston would trade him, but given that he’s barely cracked their lineup most of the year, got to figure he could be had for less than a king’s ransom.
This kind of acquisition would leave money to fill bigger needs.
Mixxo
August 8th, 2012
10:59 am
Strikeout “hitters” usually have a lot of pop.
Sign Maxwell.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
11:01 am
Either way, the Braves win!
I’d trade Gilmartin for Rasmus….
Of course, that’s not saying much from me.
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 8th, 2012
11:02 am
Yup. Todd Cunningham in CF, Joe Terdoslavich at 3B and Evan Gattis in LF. Awesome
World Series Caliber! I love it!
Lew
August 8th, 2012
11:02 am
raleighbraves – Francio at 3B? Don’t slip on all the foam flying from some mouths around here.
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 8th, 2012
11:04 am
Francio at 3B? Don’t slip on all the foam flying from some mouths around here.
Francisco can play 3B for the Cardinals, we’ll send Hanson as well and get Jon Jay
ncscoots
August 8th, 2012
11:06 am
Don’t believe Wren is going to spend top dollar for a CF if he believes Cunningham will be ready sometime in 2013 or ‘14
I doubt Wren is going to put in his dollars in CF, anyway. That’s the lowest of the three priorities.
The A Bomb
August 8th, 2012
11:06 am
Lost in the Bourn to the Nats talk is HOW GOOD Bernadina is playing — regardless of Rizzo’s bromance with Boras. And Benardina makes a helluva lot less. Don’t be so quick on Bourn to the Nats….and Bourn would not make them that much better. Bernardina can pick it.
Bourn to the Giants makes much more sense for the player — offensively AND defensively.
Dodgers? Huh? Where?
raleighbravefan
August 8th, 2012
11:06 am
Mike – Astros are the worst team in MLB…by a good margin…and you want to trade to get a guy who is having trouble cracking their lineup? Doesn’t seem to be a winning strategy, but maybe it’s just me.
Juan
August 8th, 2012
11:09 am
With 109 So and 343 OBP…no way i paid 16-20 Mil to Bourn…..Prado,Chipper,Reed all has better OBP than Bourn.
raleighbravefan
August 8th, 2012
11:09 am
Lew – Well, I DID put a
on it!
Seriously, as you have pointed out, the Braves think more of his upside than most fans do. Not advocating for him, just stating fact.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
11:10 am
I doubt Wren is going to put in his dollars in CF, anyway. That’s the lowest of the three priorities.
So you’re not okay with Hudson, Minor, Maholm. Medlen and Gilmartin?
MikeInFl
August 8th, 2012
11:13 am
Raleigh, if he can play good CF, which it appears he can, and post a .320 OBP and hit 20 HR, which it appears he can, I’d be happy to stick him 8th in the lineup, for $550K per year for next season.
Anyway, I’m not pining away for him in particular … but if we could find someone like that, and leave plenty of cash to fill LF/3B/SP, I’d be just fine with it.
raleighbravefan
August 8th, 2012
11:14 am
Realistically, Bourn is gone, but we will make a qualifying offer…IF he were to accept, which WILL NOT HAPPEN, great. If not, we get a pretty good draft pick. Let the moaning begin right now about how we will use that pick.
Lew
August 8th, 2012
11:14 am
raleighbraves – Well, I’d like to see David Wright at 3B and Martin in LF but that’s never happening. Still – I’d rathr have Francisco at 3B than BJ Freaking Upton in CF.
ncscoots
August 8th, 2012
11:15 am
So you’re not okay with
No. They’re a pitcher short at the top. Maybe Sheets goes 12-1 and an MRI shows he now has the shoulder of a 25-year-old, and they sign him, LOL. Don’t know. But they have to be more studly at the top of the rotation. I don’t even mind that they keep Hanson, if they can reasonably slot him at 3 or 4, but I no longer think he’s the guy you need for your second starter.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
11:18 am
I don’t even mind that they keep Hanson, if they can reasonably slot him at 3 or 4, but I no longer think he’s the guy you need for your second starter.
Yeah, I haven’t really thought of keeping Hanson AND adding a guy like James Shields.
raleighbravefan
August 8th, 2012
11:19 am
Mike – If he can do all those things, I would probably agree. What evidence do we have that he actually can do all that at the Major league level? Just asking, cause I don’t know.
cricket
August 8th, 2012
11:19 am
Shields and Willingham
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 8th, 2012
11:20 am
Let the moaning begin right now about how we will use that pick.
They picked Minor again over Trout? Dang…
I’d rathr have Francisco at 3B than BJ Freaking Upton in CF.
Don’t know if I should say this, but I agree.
So you’re not okay with
No. They’re a pitcher short at the top.
We all know who that pitcher they need at the top is…
ncscoots
August 8th, 2012
11:21 am
Yeah, I haven’t really thought of keeping Hanson AND adding a guy like James Shields.
It might come down to deciding between three years of Hanson or six years of Delgado/Teheran. That’s not a no-brainer, either way.
raleighbravefan
August 8th, 2012
11:22 am
Lew @ 11:14 – Agree completely. Depending on what else Wren is able to do, Francisco may actually be an option that isn’t terriblw…especially if he increases his OBP, which he may if playing regularly, and with coaching and maturity.
MikeInFl
August 8th, 2012
11:23 am
What evidence do we have that he actually can do all that at the Major league level? Just asking, cause I don’t know.
Fangraphs rates him as the 3rd best defensive CF in baseball among guys with at least 200 innings there.
Batting line this year: .246/.321/.487 with 12 HR in 218 plate appearances… actually works out to about 30 HR. And an above league-average walk rate. But, he does strike out a lot. I mean, a lot.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
11:23 am
Lots of #3 ceilings and present #4/5’s. Makes too much sense for Wren to go out and pair Huddy with at least a #2.
cricket
August 8th, 2012
11:24 am
has Dempster signed extension yet?
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
11:25 am
It might come down to deciding between three years of Hanson or six years of Delgado/Teheran. That’s not a no-brainer, either way.
Good point. That is not easy to make that decision, but Hanson’s shoulder and decrease in velo makes it a tad easier…
3 spots seem reasonably taken care of with Hudson up front and Minor/Maholm filling middle-back.
Efrim
August 8th, 2012
11:27 am
And they should really keep one of Delgado or Teheran, imo. Do not trade both.
raleighbravefan
August 8th, 2012
11:27 am
TOBF – Several teams regret passing over Trout…Drafting is not an exact science…in fact…not even close. You play the odds, based on what a kid is doing, and what you guess his potential is. How many teams passed on Beachy, more than once? How many were upset when we had to take Chipper instead of Van Popple?