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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,156 comments Add your comment
Lew
August 12th, 2012
11:34 am
Now I’ve never really seen Bourjos play. Is he Andruw JOnes’ equal in CF (I’m kind of dounting it)? Unless he is, I’d prefer to target someone else if Bourn is not re-signed.
George
August 12th, 2012
11:34 am
Good morning all
Very good game last night. MEDLAN sure getting it done as starter. JASON continues to surprise me with his play. With JOEY V out FREDDY is by far best 1ST BASEMAN in league, sorry ADAM.
VaBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
11:35 am
JNick
They could choose to let Adam LaRoche go, sign Michael Bourn and put Michael Morse at 1st base. Nationals owners is willing to spend big and Rizzo loves Bourn.
Brave New World
August 12th, 2012
11:37 am
When did the Nats last lose? Still a bunch of games to go, including head-to-head wih Braves. Nats can be taken. GO BRAVES!
Mountain Braves Fan
August 12th, 2012
11:38 am
Seems to me the Braves have two major replacement needs in 2013: someone to replace Chipper’s bat and someone to replace Bourn’s glove. Trading for Chase Headley would give the Braves a legitimate 3/4 hitter who can play both third base and left field, although he has only played third this season. Headley is 28, is a switch hitter who hits well from both sides, and is under team control through the 2014 season.
Playing half his games in cavernous Petco Park, thus far this season Headley has hit 18 home runs, driven in 70 RBIs and stolen 12 bases with a .373 OBP and .836 OPS. His road numbers look even better: 13 home runs, .290 BA, .398 OBP and .931 OPS. His projected 2013 arbitration salary is $6.1 million. Needless to say, he will be one of the most sought-after trade targets in the off-season. The Yankees are rumored to be considering making a run for him to replace Nick Swisher in their outfield (switching Gardner to right and playing Headley in left). There is no guarantee that the Padres will trade him (they may try to sign him long-term), and it will take a major package to get him.
To replace Bourn’s glove, since the Braves would have depleted the farm system in the Headley trade, they should go after free agent Shane Victorino, say 3 years and $36 million. Headley and Victorino could replace Chipper and Bourn both on the field and in the batting order in 2013 for less money than the Braves are paying Chipper and Bourn this season. (Might leave a little money in the budget to upgrade the rotation/bullpen/bench.) Both proven major league players, both switch hitters, both under team control for at least two years, and Headley would be a nice candidate to sign to an extension beyond those two years.
The Braves could take the opposite approach and trade for a centerfielder (Cain, Span and Bourjos are three names that have come up) and try to sign a left fielder/third baseman in free agency (Josh Hamilton, Nick Swisher, etc…) but for the same money I don’t think they could end up with two better players than Headley and Victorino.
Victorino
Prado
Heyward
Headley
Freeman
McCann
Uggla
Simmons
Not a bad lineup 1-8.
VaBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
11:38 am
Bourjos is a sound option in trade for the right price. He makes sense if the Braves choose to go cheap in CF. Bourjos provides some of the best defense in baseball. Has plus speed as well. But nowhere near the bat that Bourn is. If were able to add a good bat for LF it would make some sense.
abeeeewright
August 12th, 2012
11:39 am
Unless a CF retires at the end of the season, someone is going to be available. Look for musical chairs. Some folks will want to over-spend to upgrade. Others will get a more affordable option.
VaBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
11:40 am
I think Victorino is looking at a smaller pay day than that. Just not having a good contract year and is a bit older than the other CF options.
JNick
August 12th, 2012
11:41 am
VABF, will be interesting to see if LaRoche’s mutual option for 2013 is picked up….guess that will be the first sign
Gonna be one expensive OF in DC…
abeeeewright
August 12th, 2012
11:43 am
Brave New World
August 12th, 2012
11:37 am
When did the Nats last lose?
Nine games ago. Nats are on an eight game winning streak. This too shall pass.
VaBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
11:46 am
There is no way possible to upgrade over Bourn in my opinion. Safe to say we’ll be worse in CF in 2013, but we can still have a solid player who makes more sense for our budget in there.
Prado will most likely take over 3rd base. He’s gonna play more games than Chipper and provide better defense but not having Chipper is gonna be a huge change overall for the whole team. Downgrade with the bat too as Chipper at 40 is a better hitter than Prado still in my opinion.
Prado does give us the flexibility to go after a LFer or 3rd baseman so Wren will explore both positions.
Gotta figure next year’s lineup will be worse overall but it mainly depends on the progress of Heyward and Freeman as our middle of the order bats. Gotta hope for a huge McCann contract season and a more consistant Dan Uggla.
Lew
August 12th, 2012
11:47 am
Not sure that Victorino would sign for just three years – bet he’ll be looking for five. He might be willoing to go cheaper for those five, but I’m not certain we would want a 36 year old (not so) Flyin Hawaiian
abeeeewright
August 12th, 2012
11:47 am
MBF … If Braves trade for Hedley, they’re likely giving up something which will be another hole to fill.
Also, they’re a top flight SP short.
Venice Jim
August 12th, 2012
11:49 am
Heard Victorino on the radio this morning saying he’s like to stay out here since he lives in Vegas, and it’s “close” to Hawaii…(obviously not written in stone)…
George
August 12th, 2012
11:51 am
FREDI, 1] What the hell are you thinking? You are leading the game 9-1 and after 5 or 6 inns you DO NOT rest CHIPPER’S 40 year old knees? Are you really trying to get him hurt so he can’t help us catch the NATS? 2] Don’t You DARE even think of replaceing MEDS with TOMMY in rotation. You do NOT know how to use the personell you have. It is a merical the BRAVES have the record they do.
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
11:53 am
Unless he is, I’d prefer to target someone else if Bourn is not re-signed.
As long as that someone else isn’t Span or Cain…. Maybe Juan can?
If it were me, I’d consider going defense first in CF, get some offense for LF. With our players at the other positions being good hitters, CF and at times 2B will be the only weak-hitting spots. That seems fine to me.
Venice Jim
August 12th, 2012
11:56 am
Quite the merical…
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
11:57 am
Heard Victorino on the radio this morning saying he’s like to stay out here since he lives in Vegas, and it’s “close” to Hawaii…
Hmm, kinda like Dempster then. I say Shane ends up in the Midwest
VaBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
11:57 am
Good chance Prado is our leadoff batter next season too.
George
August 12th, 2012
11:57 am
WTG USA HOOPSTERS!
Venice Jim
August 12th, 2012
11:57 am
Coach K with a very Mickelsonesque jump…
George
August 12th, 2012
11:59 am
VJ I know I cannot spell well, please don’t hold it aganist me.
Trey
August 12th, 2012
12:05 pm
Considering how well we have been pitching as of late, I’m not looking forward to Hanson coming back.
Oh well, maybe he will pitch better.
JNick
August 12th, 2012
12:05 pm
TOBF, what don’t you like about Span? I don’t really know much about him…but he seems to hit for decent average, and I do recall a few highlight reel defensive plays on SC…
Venice Jim
August 12th, 2012
12:05 pm
It was more chuckling in disagreement at your comment…
.
George
August 12th, 2012
12:06 pm
I dread the thought of FREDI manageing the BRAVES in a one game play-in to become the WC.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
August 12th, 2012
12:06 pm
Fredi G. “…everybody got some hits, scored some runs and drove in some runs.”
Thanks a lot, Fredi…
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
August 12th, 2012
12:08 pm
Ward Mac has been on the DL to many times lately, so that will have to be fixed.
He’s been on the DL exactly 3 times in his career—2006 (sprained ankle after collision at homeplate), 2009 (eye issues), and 2011 (oblique strain).
Not that often.
VaBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
12:09 pm
Padre’s resigned Mark Kotsay for 2013, Braves should do the same with Ross and Reed.
Disgusted
August 12th, 2012
12:10 pm
Va Braves fan — Johnny Damon is done, finished.
Not sure he is even a useful role player anymore. He was terrible in Cleveland.
And I agree that without Chipper and Bourn, we are worse. At least a 5 game turnaround and maybe 6 or 7.
Chipper has done more for us this yr when he has played than some give him credit for.
Now, Uggla can pick some of it up (still think he can hit .260 with a .350 OBP with the same power he had in FLA.) He has been more streaky here.
Heyward and Freeman have even more upside, but it will be a challenge replaceing Chip and Mike.
The way Washington is going who is to say they might be going toward a 100 mil plus payroll. They do have some of their own to take care of before they pursue a Bourn.
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
12:10 pm
TOBF, what don’t you like about Span?
His horrid home/away splits… Career .315/.392/.438/.829 in Minnesota, career .258/.330/.344/.674 away from Minnesota.
He’s a disappearing act on the road.
VaBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
12:11 pm
I agree about Johnny Damon, was just posting when I see on MLBTR
Disgusted
August 12th, 2012
12:11 pm
I doubt if Victorino is comming here.
I don;t think he will get 5 yrs either he is currenty 32.
Four maximum and that is a stretch.
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
12:12 pm
Off to do yardwork, I’ll be checking in at times.
VaBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
12:14 pm
Well I planned on watching the Braves game tonight, along with Falling Skies and then Breaking Bad, but my girlfriend’s dad just bought us Def Leppard and Poison tickets for tonight. To be honest I rather stay home and watch the game and shows…lol
George
August 12th, 2012
12:15 pm
Kinda wish we were not on ESPN tonight, seems to me we do not do well on ESPN Sunday night baseball.
JNick
August 12th, 2012
12:20 pm
@George, it also means that they get back to ATL late late late tonight…won’t make prepping for tomorrow’s game much fun either…
VaBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
12:20 pm
Anyways it seems like any game that is actually on TV in my area and I get to watch we lose. I get all the Nationals games here so I get to see them take care of us easily every series.
George
August 12th, 2012
12:21 pm
Outta here for a bit. LETS GET A WIN TONIGHT.
JNick
August 12th, 2012
12:24 pm
@VABF, same here, I’m just north of DC so I get the Nats/Orioles on MASN…meh.
Lee in S GA
August 12th, 2012
12:49 pm
I have no problems with Hanson speaking his mind just like Minor did in preseason. Too many wimps on here. Guess if your boss said kiss his a$$ some of you would be puckering up. Baseball is no different. Yea lets get rid of him because he speaks his mind.
Venice Jim
August 12th, 2012
12:53 pm
Sad that this is the last early Sunday edition of Baseball Tonight with the onset of football approaching…
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
August 12th, 2012
12:53 pm
Did the Blog break…?
JNick
August 12th, 2012
12:58 pm
Yes.
BF54
August 12th, 2012
1:06 pm
the blog needs a cotisone shot
MiaBchBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
1:06 pm
Truth of the matter is, there are two things to consider. What have the gNats ever done that speaks to September, let alone October success? The history of baseball is written by teams that have withered under the crucible of September playoff baseball. The gNats have proven nothing. because the proof lies in what you do in 162 games, not 135-140.
Jst ask the Braves. There had a WC all but clinched, then fell apart like a Chevy Vega in September. These are two teams with a LOT to prove because there is no recent history that speaks to an ability to surge in September. In the case of the Braves, there is a LOT to prove because two past Septembers of impotent hitting, this team has yet to prove that they can marry their excellent pitching to a 1-8 lineup that will have a LOT to answer for beginning in 19 days.
I am looking forward to what the 2012 Braves will be able to do in September. If they can muster simple consistency next month, I am pretty sure that they will overtake the gNats – especially head-to-head.
The gNats are VERY young. I know the 2003 Marlins. They were not friends of mine. The 2012 gNats are no 2003 Marlins.
brian
August 12th, 2012
1:10 pm
the blog is doing great. Finally can discuss more baseball on here. Seems like a bunch of bloggers who enjoyed coming on here when the Braves were struggling have taken a vacation since the Braves are playing well currently
brian
August 12th, 2012
1:13 pm
should be some great baseball here until the end of the year and a lot to talk about. The Braves will be in the thick of it and are a threat to win it all.
Despite successes this year we could also look very different next year. We will likely need a new CF and LF. We still need a #1 starter. If Hanson comes back this year and looks good the Braves will have to decide whether to move him or invest in him. BMAC issues will also come up this off season – whether to extend, trade, or play out the contract. We have a bunch of high end pitching prospects pushing the majors with not many rotation spots open – Teheran, Delgado, Gilmartin, JR Graham, Spruill, etc
MiaBchBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
1:24 pm
Actually, I was on a literal vacation, catching lobsters and doin’ some fishing in Key Largo the past several days.
September will show if it’s been a good year for Wren, DOB. If that creativity would’ve been in place when he signed Lowe & KK, my opinion of him would be different. Getting Javy Vazquez from the White Sox spoke to that kind of creativity. Striking out three times in short order – with Lowe, KK, & McLouth – has done a LOT to tarnish that opinion. Those three matters even impacted this season, and Wren’s ability to improve hitting, an issue with this team during September baseball.
So, unless the Braves do well in September, the jury is still out on Wren, and his horrible, wreckless moves that have hamstrung this team for several seasons now.
JoeFan
August 12th, 2012
1:25 pm
Believe Francisco will at 3B and Prado will remain in LF with the Braves only having to figure out what to do about CF in 2013. Braves want overspend for CF expecially if they feel Cunningham will be ready in 2013 /14. Think any significant move will involve upgrading the rotation. Otherwise except for adding a bullpen or bench piece, the Braves will likely stand pat.
Veer
August 12th, 2012
1:27 pm
No point in watching games anymore we won’t catch the Nationals and we won’t be caught in the wildcard. Have to just prepare for the 1 game playoff vs the Cardinals. Nationals will win like 120 games this season. A NEW WORLD RECORD
MiaBchBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
1:28 pm
Is it just me, or are the Dodgers screwy for having Matt Kemp in CF and Shane Victorino in LF? Should be the other way around.
MiaBchBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
1:31 pm
Veer, it will be nice to see the gNats collapse in September. It’s gonna be ugly in the DC area. Wheels are gonna fly off that wagon; that’s my “Jeanne Dixon” on that.
George
August 12th, 2012
1:41 pm
Veer
August 12th, 2012
1:27 pm
No point in watching games anymore we won’t catch the Nationals and we won’t be caught in the wildcard. Have to just prepare for the 1 game playoff vs the Cardinals. Nationals will win like 120 games this season. A NEW WORLD RECORD
****************************
Hope you are wrong because with FREDI as MGR we will lose a one game play-in game.
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 12th, 2012
1:51 pm
Very good opinions Veer and George…. I guess that means that we won’t have to see any posts from you two for the rest of the year?
cricket
August 12th, 2012
2:02 pm
Michael Bourn, CF, Braves — The Braves aren’t holding out much hope that they can re-sign Bourn when he becomes a free agent. They don’t seem to do well with Scott Boras clients, which also seems to rule out any bid for Jacoby Ellsbury this offseason. The Braves will have to replace both Bourn and Chipper Jones, and one Atlanta official didn’t rule out Kevin Youkilis if the White Sox don’t pick up his $13 million option — but the Braves wouldn’t spend anywhere close to that.
http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/08/11/duquette-hasn-missed-step/YZjyGs3I9peKUJ2bv3oGgK/story.html
cricket
August 12th, 2012
2:06 pm
Very good opinions Veer and George…. I guess that means that we won’t have to see any posts from you two for the rest of the year?
Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.
- Red
JNick
August 12th, 2012
2:14 pm
Gotta love when people cut/paste stuff from other sources without a citation, eh cricket?
Nice Shawshank quote
Mark
August 12th, 2012
2:15 pm
Shawshank Fan I see!!
I hope the hope you are referring to is not directed toward signing Bourn!
Best Leadoff(though Ks to often)/ speed / good defender in the bigs right now.
Agent is Boras
He is as good as gone to Yankees, Nats…The highest bidder whoever it may be.
The Braves will not factor into it and I’m good with that because they will over pay by a huge amount and he is already at the top of his game and will start slowing soon due to his age.
Don’t get me wrong. Like him now though. Hope he has a great stretch run for us!
Birdhair
August 12th, 2012
2:16 pm
Anyone suggesting that francisco could/should be our 3b next season is smoking something. pass that along….
Wish we had gone for Headley before the deadline. But maybe we could send Delgado and another prospect or two to SDG for Headley in the offseason. He is a big time undervalued player bec his stats are under-inflated by Petco.
Problem is, Wren doesn’t value OBP. Wren will probably play francisco every day at 3b. Just what we need. A low obp garbage out-making inning-ender in the lineup every day
BF54
August 12th, 2012
2:18 pm
I agree with D O’B Wren has done some fine work, going forward I’m shure he will stay in super-focus
phil
August 12th, 2012
2:19 pm
Fire someone!!
Disgusted
August 12th, 2012
2:20 pm
Why would Bourn become a Yankee when they already have Granderson for CF.
Gardner will be back and I do not see them letting Swisher walk.
They might like Bourn but I do not see even them offering Bourn in the 18-22 mm range. Unless its a position of need, do not see them paying 20 mil per for anybody in this FA group.
The Nats, or the Phillies, that is another story. More of a need there.
phil
August 12th, 2012
2:21 pm
Shawshank is a great flick….gotta love the kindly warden!
Mark
August 12th, 2012
2:23 pm
Birdhair
Agree with you about making plans as Francisco going in as an everydat player. Too many Ks and too many Es.
Disgusted
August 12th, 2012
2:24 pm
Birdhair — I would not move either Delgado or Hanson at this point.
Would consider Teheran and Hanson for the right deal.
SP for 13 would be Hudson, Malholm, Medlen, Delgado and Minor. Another low cost depth guy in the org would be nice.
Birdhair
August 12th, 2012
2:24 pm
Should have traded Bourn at peak value 2 months ago. Most critical thinkers realized that his price tag in the offseason would be prohibited. Simply put, a career .335 obp player is not worth $15M plus annually.
Trading him this season would not have been throwing in the towel because we could have gotten a higher OBP player back in return. Not hard to find someone cheaper who would produce an OBP over .345 the rest of the way and potentially produce a consistent seasonal OBP of .335 plus.
JNick
August 12th, 2012
2:24 pm
Francisco has actually done very well lately…you apparently did not see his defensive gems the last few times he’s played. Check out his stats when he’s actually a starter (he’s terrible as a pinch hitter).
.284/.317/.584 (OPS of .901) 7HR 23RBI in 116ABs.
Disgusted
August 12th, 2012
2:25 pm
Francisco looks ike a beter conditioned and defensiv player tan he was earlier.
Guy actually looks 10 pounds trimmer than he was when he first came here and results show it.
Give him credit for improving.
Birdhair
August 12th, 2012
2:28 pm
I said on the blog before the deadline that I would have offered Teheran and a lower level prospect to SDG for headley and gregerson. A batter like headley could help you every single game. I would find a place for headley to play this season and next season he;s my every day 3b.
Can;t look back, but these are the critical moves that we’ve got to make that will be positive short AND long-term solutions.
Wren did ok for 1 decent season from Bourn. Don’t forget that bourn was garbage for us the last 2 months last season. a .345 OBP or so this season from bourn is only mediocre producer. Reed johnson may have been one of the best moves ever by wren lol.
Mark
August 12th, 2012
2:28 pm
The Yankees take players just to keep others from getting them.
They obviously have big bucks and can operate unlike other teams but you have to give them credit for getting the best they can get. Then they play the best guys and deal the others.
They do probably the best job of not letting emotions/feelings interfere with fielding the best players.
BF54
August 12th, 2012
2:29 pm
I like Cisco to get better with more time in the line up
JNick
August 12th, 2012
2:30 pm
Bourn’s defense has probably saved at least 4 or 5 wins for us this year – and I can think of at least 3 wins where he was the ONLY offense we had…
I want to keep him for his defense…he ran down a ball the other night in CF that I don’t think any other CF in the game could have caught…
phil
August 12th, 2012
2:30 pm
Amazing what some physical conditioning can sometimes do for ya….right Mac? Listening?
Mark
August 12th, 2012
2:30 pm
Bird
I would have agreed had we tanked a while back but no way I would have traded him with our chance of playing deep this year. Sometimes you have to ride the horse all the way to the end and that was the case this year IMO
BF54
August 12th, 2012
2:32 pm
Sign Bourn replace Diaz with Gattis
Disgusted
August 12th, 2012
2:32 pm
Braves lineup for 13
1B Freeman
2B Uggla
SS Simmons
3B Francisco
LF Prado
CF Lorenzo Cain (low cost trade from KC)
RF Heyward
C Mc Cann
Reed Johnson, Janish and Ross have a place on the bench. Do not count Hinske completely out.
Bullpen about the same.
Not the most PC lineup for most fans but one that is LM budget friendly.
Hanson might be moved for a couple of non-impact pieces (a deal that we might not like) similar to what we got for Javier Vazquez.
Mark
August 12th, 2012
2:33 pm
All these guys are pro players capable of making great plays but given his limited play I have seen more botched plays than good ones. He would lead the league in Es I’m afraid. May challenge for the lead in Ks too!
Disgusted
August 12th, 2012
2:36 pm
Mark — If the NYY go for a big ticket item this off season they prolly go SP.
That lineup is quite loaded even if there is age on the team. And they are tied to some big $$$$$ deals with yrs left.
They are loaded for sure but how much more they can go, I don;t know. They are still a great team as they are. They will win the division again and they miss the post season about once every 15 yrs from here on end.
JNick
August 12th, 2012
2:37 pm
@Disgusted, that team would come in under $60mil I believe…
Birdhair
August 12th, 2012
2:37 pm
Mark, would you agree that the best case scenario for this team is winning the first round of the playoffs? There’s no way in absolute hell that we go to the world series, much less win it.
We’ve got so many major holes to fill coming up that we have got to use some of our trade bait to bring in long-term affordable big time producers. Chase Headley would have filled a major need.
Yes, we have some $ coming off the books, but go look at the FA list this offseason. Not a whole lot to choose from and the best players are not taking less money to come here.
So, you’ve got to manuever like schuerholz did and make some savvy trades. Wren does not understand selling high and he certainly does not spend well. See KK, Lowe, Struggla as perfect examples.
phil
August 12th, 2012
2:38 pm
I’m far from sold on the Flabster…but i’m impressed that he worked on getting in better physical shape.
SNEAKY PETE
August 12th, 2012
2:40 pm
The gNats are VERY young. I know the 2003 Marlins
Braves are even younger , third youngest in MLB
Disgusted
August 12th, 2012
2:40 pm
J Nick — If it did, the corporate bosses would be happy.
And it would not be a bad team, would still be reasonably competitive assuming that Francisco can be an everyday player. There are signs out there that the guy can do the job.
And there would be room to extend Mc Cann and Marteen.
Mark
August 12th, 2012
2:42 pm
Disgusted
Yeah I’d like to get one of their guys. Sure it would work out better than the last one we got from them. He didn’t do squat for us. Remember Melky?
Disgusted
August 12th, 2012
2:45 pm
Birdhair — Chase Headley is a good ballplayer but he is not the end all and be all.
You can find and develop guys like him out there.
Some around here act like he is the second comming of Albert Pujols, Mike Scmidt or A-Rod in his prime
Francisco may very well be a 25 HR 90 RBI guy. With adequate D, I will gladly have a low cost Juan Francisco for a few yrs.
.
Mark
August 12th, 2012
2:46 pm
BirdHair
I hear you but we were/are close enough this year that had he traded Bourn while we are in it I could see a revolt! But, I understand your thinking.
As for this year, in a series, I think we have a good shot at beating any team in the NL even with the holes we have. Who would you say in the NL we can’t beat in a series right now?
Disgusted
August 12th, 2012
2:47 pm
Mark — Melky got his butt in shape and became a better player after he wasted a lazy underachieving season for us.
I maintain that he was so bad with the Braves cause he was not in shape in 10.
SNEAKY PETE
August 12th, 2012
2:48 pm
at the very best Francisco is a left handed Francoeur and everybody hated him remember
Mark
August 12th, 2012
2:53 pm
Please guys, no Francisco as an every day player. We already have a player or two that Ks way too much.
Also, why all the praise for a guy losing weight and doing what he should have done way back. Whats that say for him as he prepared for the season? I mean heck fire, I lost some weight a while back just because I needed to but if my career or livlihood depended on it I wouldn’t have had to because of the obvious. Tells me the guy isn’t real motivated or success driven. Chipper never showed up fat.
Birdhair
August 12th, 2012
2:53 pm
We can’t beat the nationals. We’d probably lose to San Fran in a short series bec of their pitching. Cincy is scary especially if votto come backs healthy.
We are not good enough for a world series push. Wren walked into a pot of gold even with the Tex trade. We are winning in spite of Wren’s poor overall work.
Folks do not realize how much Wren’s poor spending has tied his own hands. Folks do not realize that he’s brought in numerous low obp players instead of high obp producers. We should be WS contenders and not annual wild card hopefuls with the base of players that JS left.
Mark
August 12th, 2012
2:54 pm
Disgusted
I know that but when he was in a Braves uni – He sucked
BF54
August 12th, 2012
2:57 pm
Horsefeathers
Mark
August 12th, 2012
2:58 pm
Birdhair
I wouldn’t bet the farm but I think we can beat those teams in a series. Lets hope at this point since we do still have Bourn for this year we have a chance and see, huh?
Pace
August 12th, 2012
2:58 pm
Francisco has made progress, however his BA is 60 points lower vs LH pitching. His fielding is abysmal, hovering around .910.
It’s very difficult to ‘get in better shape’ during the season, if he works hard at it (ala Melky) – he has a decent shot at being an everyday player. If he’s in better shape, his fielding may improve (flexibility) – and with enough at bats against LH pitching, that might improve also.
I’d still be looking elsewhere for an everyday 3B though – Prado may be the best bet. Francisco is cheap and serviceable.
Birdhair
August 12th, 2012
3:01 pm
Mark,
If we were better than the nationals wouldnt we be ahead of them right now? What if chipper goes down? We’re done. Bourn is not the key to this team like you seem to think. His OBP is a mediocre .348 or so this season.
Go to the 1 game playoff and you’ve only got a 50% chance of making the first round! I wish I was as blindly hopeful as you are.
SNEAKY PETE
August 12th, 2012
3:01 pm
We are not good enough for a world series push @Birdhair
yeah like the Cards were such a great team last season, get up to date dude, if you get in anything can happen. Been shown over and over the last 15 years or so
Mark
August 12th, 2012
3:03 pm
Pace
That is a good summary and accurate. Only problem is that cheap and serviceable gets you a trip to the house after game 162.
Pace
August 12th, 2012
3:05 pm
Mark,
True, but….if the Braves are going to try and resign Bourn, and pick up Mac’s option, something has to be sacrificed.
Can’t pay for 4star players at every position and keep the budget in line AND keep everyone. Ideally, LM would pony up about another 11M for payroll next year – don’t see it though.
SNEAKY PETE
August 12th, 2012
3:05 pm
other than Francisco just who has such a low OBP that Wren picked up?