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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,322 comments Add your comment
TennesseePaul
August 15th, 2012
4:29 pm
I think he deserves a deal in the 12-13 million a year range over four years.
I’d put him more at the $9M-$11M range for four years. I like his defense, but I just don’t see paying this guy that much money. I don’t see him aging well at all.
Efrim
August 15th, 2012
4:30 pm
The Giants are still starting Brandon Crawford at SS?
RC
August 15th, 2012
4:31 pm
Tie game in San Fran!
Efrim
August 15th, 2012
4:32 pm
I’d put him more at the $9M-$11M range for four years. I like his defense, but I just don’t see paying this guy that much money. I don’t see him aging well at all.
Damon’s contract is the max for him, if I am Wren. Four years, 52 million. If that doesn’t get me a seat at the table, then whatever. Go with Prado at leadoff and either bat Heyward 2nd or whoever you get for the outfield.
Again, who cares if we don’t have a CF in the system. It’s called making trades and other free agency options.
RC
August 15th, 2012
4:32 pm
The Giants are still starting Brandon Crawford at SS?
They don’t have an Andrelton Simmons to call up. Unless you think Joe Panick is that, but he’s still a ways away.
TennesseePaul
August 15th, 2012
4:33 pm
Michael Bourn has been a 5WAR player over the past 4 seasons, pretty consistent every year.
Depends on which calculation of WAR you go with. Sean Smith pegs him as a 4 WAR player over the last 4 years…
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 15th, 2012
4:33 pm
Janish does not need a day off. He will get plenty of those beginning around 09/01.
Who will be here to play SS them? Wilson is still hurt, and isn’t all that great in the field, Simmons won’t be ready yet, and Josh Wilson is a minor-leaguer… we have Pastornicky, it won’t hurt to use him for 1 game.
Efrim
August 15th, 2012
4:33 pm
I love that this guys changeup is 90-92. That’s hilarious. Be tops for our starters.
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 15th, 2012
4:34 pm
jason tate @theredtater
Melky also tested positve for elevated douchebag levels. @RealMattlanta @kingcfb @sportsandra
David O'Brien
August 15th, 2012
4:34 pm
Just a rest day for Chipper, who’ll be in the lineup on his bobblehead night Thurs., barring any unexpected developments.
Efrim
August 15th, 2012
4:34 pm
They don’t have an Andrelton Simmons to call up. Unless you think Joe Panick is that, but he’s still a ways away.
I like Panik, although the difference between him and Nick Ahmed isn’t that great, imo. Panik was 50 picks ahead of him, IIRC.
David O'Brien
August 15th, 2012
4:36 pm
DOB – the 10M from Lowe’s contract isn’t included in this years payroll of 94M. The Braves/Liberty paid that in the last quarter of 2011. — Pace
Wrong. It was counted against Liberty’s bottom line for last quarter of 2011 fiscal year, but that’s different matter than how Braves figure their payroll.
urban redneck
August 15th, 2012
4:36 pm
bourn or b-mac? i don’t think we can afford both. tough call. go bravos.
bruce
August 15th, 2012
4:36 pm
Lew -
I have looked at my follow-up CT scans and other tests as ongoing demonstrations that the cancer is long gone, still. It does get abit easier as years progress, finally checking every other year. I did feel bad for my Dad; he took the news and proces worse than I did, I saw it like the various athletic injuries/surgeries, an inconvenience, a downtime when I could not do everything I wanted to do. For me it was easier than achilles tendon repair recovery time, used that to help stay positive. Dad said it should have been him not me, only second time I saw him cry, first was when his mother died. I appeciated the expression of love and support. Also realized I needed to encourage him more than others that I was going to be ok, that I was ok and that it would be ok in the future. May God bless and protect you and your son through this process and time, IJN. I pray. Bruce
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 15th, 2012
4:36 pm
MLBTR Writer
Comment From Guest
Does Bobby V open 2013 as Boston’s manager?
3:18
I do not believe so.
TennesseePaul
August 15th, 2012
4:36 pm
Damon’s contract is the max for him, if I am Wren. Four years, 52 million.
Not feeling that either. But, I doubt Bourn is staying in Atlanta. He’ll get $100M+ offer from some team willing to give the years.
RC
August 15th, 2012
4:37 pm
Efrim,
My guess is that Wren will go to at least 4-years, $60 million for Bourn. I’m not sure if that’ll get it done, but he’s such a perfect fit for this team I think FW will be willing to pay a little extra. The real question will be if that’s enough to get Bourn to sign quickly, because I don’t see the Braves waiting out the market for him…they like to get things taken care of quickly, and if he’s waiting on additional offers the Braves are likely to move on to Plan B. I think there is a risk in not getting a guy for a good price with that strategy, but the flip side is that you are less likely to be the last team without a chair when the music stops.
Sowega Fanatic
August 15th, 2012
4:38 pm
Wish the Gents had finished with the Nats before Melk Dud was fired.
bfred
August 15th, 2012
4:38 pm
Jerry
August 15th, 2012
4:25 pm
I have no idea why so many people keep bringing up Melky’s chances to win the batting title this year. It can’t happen people. By adding the necessary at bats to reach 502, his average winds up at .317. He’ll barely be in the top 10 in batting with that most likely. So please let that go.
————————————-
Jerry -
He has 501 plate apperances, which is what the title is based on – not at bats. The required threshold is 3.1 per game, or 502 for the season. So the dilution of his batting average would only be for that one additional PA. He can very much still win it.
TheOnlyBravesFan
August 15th, 2012
4:39 pm
MLBTR Writer
Comment From Guest
Does Bobby V open 2013 as Boston’s manager?
3:18
I do not believe so.
Comment From Craig Kimbrel
What are my Cy Young chances this year?
3:29
I think both Chapman and Kimbrel will get serious Cy Young love, but I have a real hard time giving it to a 70 IP reliever. I don’t have a clear cut NL Cy fave right now, maybe Zimmermann as an under-the-radar candidate?
Comment From John
Do the Atlanta Braves sign Bourne next year or go after a bigger bat?
3:36
I think Bourn will price himself out of town. I expect them to target a bigger bat, maybe a trade for Willingham.
Comment From Frank Wren
Was it a good thing that the Dempster-Delgado trade fell through?
3:54
Yeah I think so. That was quite pricey for a rental, but he certainly would have helped.
Shaun
August 15th, 2012
4:39 pm
Bryce Harper down to .247/.324/.399 on the year and has just been an automatic out since early June.
“Once in a generation” type talent for sure.
So his performance in his first season, at age 19, is enough to conclude that he’s not a once-in-a-generation-type talent?
Hey, as a Braves fan I’m glad that he hasn’t been great this season, on the whole. But it’s hardly an indication of whether he’s one of the most talented players of the last 30 years or so. His tools and the skills he’s displayed at his age at this level are more of an indication of his talent than the stats or results of his first season in the majors, his age 19 season.
Ironic that a “stathead” has to point out this scouting concept. Guess what folks? It all matters. All information matters: stats, scouting reports, age, skill set, skill level, all of it matters and none of it should be overlooked.
Heisenberg
August 15th, 2012
4:39 pm
Rays lost Crawford, Cards lost phat Albert, & Brewers lost Prince. Rays & Cards are doing just fine without these guys and Brewers are worse off but they also lost other vital pieces that account for the decline. Losing Bourn would have some sting but will not turn Braves into his former team overnight. They have enough assets to get an adequate replacement. I have mentioned Span & Fowler as guys I like. Someone else mentioned Bernadina who looks like he could be a player if given the chance. I would rather let him go than overpay.
Phar
August 15th, 2012
4:41 pm
Why not Shane Victorino for Centerfield. You get him for less money, you commit to less years. His numbers really aren’t down this year. 27 stolen bases, a double digit home run guy. Good defensively. If he slows down in a year or two you move him to left but he certainly must be capable of giving you a couple more years of leading off. Would you sign hi 3 years 27 million with a team option/buyout for a 4th year. You might even get him for 8 million per year.
RC
August 15th, 2012
4:41 pm
So his performance in his first season, at age 19, is enough to conclude that he’s not a once-in-a-generation-type talent?
Shaun, that comment came from Efrim, the self-proclaimed “prospect-lover”. Not to speak for him, but I’m fairly sure he was joking….
RC
August 15th, 2012
4:41 pm
Why not Shane Victorino for Centerfield. You get him for less money, you commit to less years.
He’d be a good option, but I’m betting he resigns with LA.
JoeFan
August 15th, 2012
4:42 pm
Bourn strikes out way to much for a contact hitter and appears to not hit lefthanders well. So, no the Braves shouldn’t break the bank to resign him. If the Braves believe Cunningham will be ready in 2013/14 then go with a rental for one or two years. Use the money for a proven power hitter and / or a top shelf starting pitcher. Might even consider moving Heyward to CF and filling his spot with someone like Swisher.
Hoosier Aaron
August 15th, 2012
4:43 pm
Adam Jones just signed 6 yrs/$85.5million..
Efrim
August 15th, 2012
4:43 pm
The real question will be if that’s enough to get Bourn to sign quickly, because I don’t see the Braves waiting out the market for him…they like to get things taken care of quickly, and if he’s waiting on additional offers the Braves are likely to move on to Plan B.
I agree with this. I do not see Wren waiting until Christmas and this is unlike the Lowe signing in that it was the last option out there and he had already struck out on a few deals. That’s not going to happen here.
And I don’t see the rest of the market – BJ Upton, Shane Victorino, Nick Swisher, Angel Pagan, etc. waiting for Bourn. Different level, like Hamilton and Greinke.
Jerry
August 15th, 2012
4:46 pm
Lincecum stinks to high heaven. 4-2 now.
Veer
August 15th, 2012
4:46 pm
I wouldnt mind facing that pathetic Lincecum in a 1 game wildcard playoff
DawgDad
August 15th, 2012
4:48 pm
Assuming the Braves payroll maxes out at $100 million annually, for simplicity, can the Braves realistically afford to commit 15% of their payroll for several years to a player with his current productivity and potentially declining skills? No, not without creating serious constraints in other areas. And, the likelihood they could sign Bourn for $15 million per over 3-4 years would appear to be – ZERO. So, no Bourn.
If I were the GM this coming off-season would be a whole lot different than last year. The Braves have a solid core of young players and I’d lean very strongly to youth and athleticism. They need to avoid entangling big contracts with aging players and focus on eventually locking up players like Heyward, Freeman, and Kimbrel.
Melky – well OK, my eyes weren’t deceiving me. I never faulted the Braves for letting him go – I was disgusted they acquired him in the first place. Bad trade before he even donned a Braves uniform. Shouldn’t all the games he participated in be forfeited? Otherwise, what keeps teams from encouraging replacement level players to cheat? The Giants benefitted GREATLY from Melky’s enhanced production this season.
Rick
August 15th, 2012
4:48 pm
I really wish McCann and Uggla can get hot the rest of the year. Both averages below .240. I know they get their share of walks and RBIs but if those averages were above .265 we would be in better shape.
JeanE
August 15th, 2012
4:49 pm
What a shocker (sarcasm)? Chin-Strap aka Melk Dud was juiced up on testosterone?? What, he couldn’t get off using Ryan Braun’s lame excuse??? Kharma works it’s magic once again!!!!!! What a complete boulderhead. And I’m using mild words for blog reasons, Dud, you make me sick you, my friend, have wreaped what you sowed. Also, Matty D I’ll miss you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Efrim
August 15th, 2012
4:49 pm
Shaun, that comment came from Efrim, the self-proclaimed “prospect-lover”. Not to speak for him, but I’m fairly sure he was joking….
Yes, I was joking. Thank you, RC. It’s been a running joke since he’s said it. Sort of like “reasonable expectations”. Which is about as funny to me now as Dave Chappelle’s skits with Wayne Brady were back about 8 years ago. That could just be me, though. But the thought of Wren sitting at a table with the rest of the front office folk saying “Gentlemen, I think we have a 97 OPS+ hitter in 2010 and 2011 breaking in for us – we’re all set!” – just makes me laugh till I cry.
Heisenberg
August 15th, 2012
4:49 pm
Adam Jones does not have same agent as Bourn. Jones gave up some arb years for his deal and is younger so he can go back to the bank for another withdrawal at the end of his deal. The agent for Bourn is looking at Carl Crawford/Jose Reyes for his comps as this will be the BIG one for Bourn and he will not have another chance like this.
Jerry
August 15th, 2012
4:49 pm
bfred,
Plate appearances don’t account for batting average, at bats do.
Phar
August 15th, 2012
4:49 pm
I also think Victorino might stay on the west coast but everyone seems to be down on him I feel and not really sure why. I don’t know if the Dodgers will go big money for Victorino. This is probably going to be his last chance at 31 years old to get a fairly long term contract. In his shoes if I could get 3 or 4 years I would take it because 1 or 2 years from the Giants or Dodgers doesn’t give a big guarantee to your family the rest of your life.
Shaun
August 15th, 2012
4:50 pm
Shaun, that comment came from Efrim, the self-proclaimed “prospect-lover”. Not to speak for him, but I’m fairly sure he was joking….
Okay, cool. Still probably worth me typing all that for at least a few folks out there.
RC
August 15th, 2012
4:51 pm
Assuming the Braves payroll maxes out at $100 million annually, for simplicity, can the Braves realistically afford to commit 15% of their payroll for several years to a player with his current productivity and potentially declining skills?
You mean like that have already done with Dan Uggla?
lee maye
August 15th, 2012
4:51 pm
OnlyBravesfan is correct. Unload Uggla and there won’t be much if any more money available, since Braves would have to pick up about half of it, ala Lowe. Bad, bad decision to sign Uggla to an extension before he was to be a free agent. No one that I know, now feels he deserved a 5 year contract at 13 mil a year. Prado was probably worth that but Uggla, no way.
The announcers feel Uggla is a hot hitter. 1-14 in his last 14 at bats and he is hot. What would Joe and Chip consider cold? McCann. Braves have 3 hitters in the lineup, 7, 8, and 9 hitting below .220. Hard to win consistently with that. And, the only .300 hitter is 40 years old and plays only 2 out of every 3 days.
MFin04
August 15th, 2012
4:51 pm
Braves don’t do $100 million contracts. If he gets that he is gone. Maybe could keep him for $75, but the Nationals gave Werth a huge contract, don’t see why they wouldn’t give Bourn something similar.
cabravesfan
August 15th, 2012
4:51 pm
DOB-
Has there been any word on MattE’s surgery?
unbelievable
August 15th, 2012
4:52 pm
Why not Shane Victorino for Centerfield.
Because, just like Melky, he’s a complete douche
RC
August 15th, 2012
4:53 pm
I don’t know if the Dodgers will go big money for Victorino.
I don’t think they will have to. I think he likes it there, and he knows he’s not likely to get “big” money from anyone. LA will likely offer him a medium sized deal that’s enough for him to sign quickly, so they can then turn their primary attention to signing Zack Greinke.
Jay Dubu
August 15th, 2012
4:53 pm
@Pace
Where did you get the salary info on Hanson? He’s in an arb year next year, so there is no 500k buy out. He’s making 535K this year, and you expect him to go to 9 mill next season?
What are you basing this on?
Efrim
August 15th, 2012
4:54 pm
You mean like that have already done with Dan Uggla?
Good call. 14.6% in Dan Uggla if we’re talking 90 – although yes, it’s 15% in Daniel.
RC
August 15th, 2012
4:54 pm
Because, just like Melky, he’s a complete douche
I’ve always thought of Victorino as one of those guys you hate on the other team, but love on your own team. Like Utley, Wright, or Chipper. I think Melky is just one of those guys you hate, regardless of team.
unbelievable
August 15th, 2012
4:54 pm
I wouldnt mind facing that pathetic Lincecum in a 1 game wildcard playoff
I dont want to face anyone in a ridiculous 1 game playoff.
RC
August 15th, 2012
4:55 pm
I dont want to face anyone in a ridiculous 1 game playoff.
Me either, but if the option is that or go home for the winter, I’ll take the playoff.
ncbravesfan90
August 15th, 2012
4:55 pm
“I dont want to face anyone in a ridiculous 1 game playoff.”
I agree, too risky with this streaky offense.
Half Empty
August 15th, 2012
4:56 pm
Melky could win if McCutchen falters below 345
Efrim
August 15th, 2012
4:56 pm
Is it just me, but I think a 1-8 of Prado, Upton, Heyward, Freeman, Willingham, McCann, Uggla, Simmons does just as well, if not better than this years offense and those two additions will cost the same as Bourn’s AAV(Willingham – $7 million, Upton – $9 million).
BRVFAN_N_JESUP
August 15th, 2012
4:57 pm
The Braves should lock up Heyward, Freemand and Kimibrel now to long term deals that go through at least the 1st year of free agency, much like the Indians did back in the day with their young players. they could get 5 or 6 year deals with each of them at a reasonable price and the planning going forward with payroll would allow them to make decisions about free agents like Bourn and Prado or any they want to bring in. I would think you could get Freeman, Heyward, Kimbrel, and Prado for something around $40 mil/yr for the next 5/6 years, if you could i would take my chances with that lineup and what you could fill in around them with the other $50 -60 mil you had available.
Half Empty
August 15th, 2012
4:58 pm
I’ll believe a Bourn signing by the Braves when I see it and not before
Efrim
August 15th, 2012
4:58 pm
Hunter Pence is now batting .260/.321/.428 on the season – he’ll make between $13-14 million in 2013.
MFin04
August 15th, 2012
4:58 pm
So can Melky play in the playoffs or not?
RC
August 15th, 2012
4:59 pm
It’s going to be really interesting to see how teams approach the 1-game playoff. If you are out of the division race, but comfortably in the wild-card, will teams try to set up their pitching to have their ace ready for that one game? Or will trying to ensure home-field for the wild-card game outweigh having your ace ready? I’m not sure which decision I’d make….as a manager, I probably try to set up the rotation to have my ace going. As a GM, I probably try to compete down to the wire to ensure home-field advantage (and the ticket sales) of the one-game playoff.
RC
August 15th, 2012
4:59 pm
Hunter Pence is now batting .260/.321/.428 on the season – he’ll make between $13-14 million in 2013.
Assuming he’s offered arbitration.
Heisenberg
August 15th, 2012
5:00 pm
Maybe MLB should just seed all the teams in a NCAA hoops style October madness bracket instead of playoff series. Imagine that – the Astros could get hot and win 5 in a row to be champs!
RC
August 15th, 2012
5:01 pm
Is it just me, but I think a 1-8 of Prado, Upton, Heyward, Freeman, Willingham, McCann, Uggla, Simmons does just as well, if not better than this years offense and those two additions will cost the same as Bourn’s AAV(Willingham – $7 million, Upton – $9 million).
I think that’s a fine plan B, but I don’t think that the bats of Willingham + Upton = Chipper + Bourn. And the defense of Willingham, Upton, Heyward is certainly worse than Prado, Bourn, Heyward.
Pace
August 15th, 2012
5:02 pm
Jay D – my bad – thinking Hudson, typed – well you get it.
MFin04
August 15th, 2012
5:02 pm
“Maybe MLB should just seed all the teams in a NCAA hoops style October”
Screw that, lets just go all BCS on the playoffs. That way we can have a Yankees vs Red Sox World Series! YES!!!
Veer
August 15th, 2012
5:03 pm
Lincecum looks done to me and not for the game but his career. How many years does he have left in the contract. This guy is worse than Jurrjens
Heisenberg
August 15th, 2012
5:03 pm
RC, if I had a true ace pitcher I would rather setup rotation and play on road for that game. But in Braves case it may be better on the road no matter who pitches, Braves are 12 games over 500 on road and only 6 over at home.
MFin04
August 15th, 2012
5:04 pm
“This guy is worse than Jurrjens”
I’ll take that as a compliment!
htownbravesfan
August 15th, 2012
5:04 pm
Normally I don’t feel this way about this sort of news, but the news about Melky Cabrera is the best baseball news outside of Braves’ wins in awhile. After the half-assed effort he gave here in Atlanta, and the way he strutted around like a peacock when the Giants last visited, it could not have happened to a nicer guy. Melky, see you next year when you’re fat and useless again.
nolie
August 15th, 2012
5:04 pm
yup, Melky could easily win it so hopefully McCutchen keeps on keeping on.
Jay Dubu
August 15th, 2012
5:05 pm
It’s probably going to take a minimum of 5 years 85 mil to sign Bourn, and I just don’t see the Braves doing that. Of course, Boras will open talks @ 100+ million.
They tend to be ultra conservative, and blame it on the TV deal that they’ll have for the next 20+ years.
There should be escalators in their TV contract, so you would think that their budget would escalate accordingly.
Jerry
August 15th, 2012
5:05 pm
bfred,
Apologies. Just looked up the actual rule and you are right. Can’t say that I fully agree with it, but I suppose I can see the point. However, I wonder how Major League Baseball would rule in this instance?
ATLcracker
August 15th, 2012
5:06 pm
“I accept my suspension … deeply sorry for my mistake” Melky Cabrera
I looked up the word MISTAKE in the dictionary. It does not say “a deliberate attempt to cheat and by my improved performance defraud my next employer and if I hadn’t gotten caught I would still be using it”
DHD
August 15th, 2012
5:06 pm
If they sign him. What’s to discuss?
MFin04
August 15th, 2012
5:06 pm
So Melky could play in the playoffs I’m assuming? Especially if there were a few play-in games and such?
Jay Dubu
August 15th, 2012
5:06 pm
How about one of the Braves catch fire for the last month and a half of the season, and win the batting title?…Bourn, Prado, or even Freeman.
It can happen!!!!
nolie
August 15th, 2012
5:06 pm
I imagine they would rule that he won it, but who knows. If the Pirate dude keeps hitting it will be a moot point
Efrim
August 15th, 2012
5:07 pm
Assuming he’s offered arbitration.
Imagine if they non-tendered the guy and used the money elsewhere. It’d be a huge risk, but Pence isn’t looking like a worthy 14 million dollar AAV guy, imo. They’ll probably offer him a contract though.
mpimentel
August 15th, 2012
5:07 pm
what about now melky…I knew it, such an all around bad player like you can’t play as well as you have done recently…the very good thing is, that you are a FA this winter, nobody will trust you anymore, and because you will own 5 games of suspention to the next season , you can’t play winter ball in REP DOM either…but don’t feel bad, we THE BRAVES FANS support you , take this salute from us , take this chop cross…come mierda…jajajajajajajajaja
nolie
August 15th, 2012
5:09 pm
and because you will own 5 games of suspention to the next season , you can’t play winter ball in REP DOM either…mpi
where did you see that?
Shaun
August 15th, 2012
5:09 pm
Yes, I was joking. Thank you, RC. It’s been a running joke since he’s said it. Sort of like “reasonable expectations”. Which is about as funny to me now as Dave Chappelle’s skits with Wayne Brady were back about 8 years ago. That could just be me, though. But the thought of Wren sitting at a table with the rest of the front office folk saying “Gentlemen, I think we have a 97 OPS+ hitter in 2010 and 2011 breaking in for us – we’re all set!” – just makes me laugh till I cry.
Efrim, that’s not exactly what I meant with the “reasonable expectations” comment. I think Heyward was brought up because he had nothing left to prove in the minors and they felt he could hold his own in the majors. And they expected the Braves to again have a solid offense in in 2010, so they figured they could get by if he just holds his own out there for a few years. They knew there was the possibility that he could exceed expectations, with his talent, but anything above “holding his own” was gravy.
I don’t know that they are “thrilled” with a 97 OPS+ in 2010 and 2011 but I doubt they are as concerned as some of the fan base, especially considering they also realize his strengths and aren’t just looking at batting average and RBI or not even just the more advance offensive metrics and just his offensive performance but they are looking at the whole package of offense, defense and baserunning.
Putting it on those terms–”reasonable expectations”–is more from a fan’s perspective. Make fun of me all you want, but I think we would have been okay if someone would have told us in the winter of 2009-2010 that Heyward would put up a 116 OPS+ in his first three seasons, even if someone would have told us 131, 93, 117 in those seasons; especially if that person also had said he would be one of the better fielders at his position and one of the best baserunners in the league as well.
Sure, we wouldn’t have said, “oh my god!” or anything. But it would have been something like, “Okay, we’ll take that. That’s solid.”
Now, if in 2014-2015 he’s puttering along as something like he was in 2011 and he hasn’t gained much in the way of defensive or baserunning skills, then we should get concerned.
tony
August 15th, 2012
5:09 pm
Bourn should be the braves top priority this offseason.
Efrim
August 15th, 2012
5:09 pm
RC, good call on the loss of Chipper. I keep forgetting that he’s gotta be replaced! Sad, really. Wish he gave it one more go.
mpimentel
August 15th, 2012
5:10 pm
the mexican profetional baseball summer league are expecting you to the next summer mulky…this season have become one of my fav’s…but this on’t make the giants less good, they have gregor white ahem blanco…hahahahahahahahaha
Heisenberg
August 15th, 2012
5:11 pm
Chipper only needs roughly another 200 plate appearances to be eligible for batting title. That is just over 4 a game for all remaining games …………………… nevermind.
MFin04
August 15th, 2012
5:13 pm
So if the Giants make the playoffs, I’m assuming those would count against his suspension, that or he could play in the playoffs? And with the play-in game he’d be able to play in their 2nd series, theoretically.
Jerry
August 15th, 2012
5:13 pm
Asfar as I’m concerned, it don’t matter with the one-game wildcard showdown. The Braves haven’t shown in years that they are capable of advancing past the NLDS, so what would it matter in a 1-game playoff? To see them lose in the NLDS? If they are going to win, they will win regardless if it’s a 1-game or best of five.
Efrim
August 15th, 2012
5:13 pm
Make fun of me all you want, but I think we would have been okay if someone would have told us in the winter of 2009-2010 that Heyward would put up a 116 OPS+ in his first three seasons, even if someone would have told us 131, 93, 117 in those seasons;
I’m really not sure if that was the framework of the conversation, as oppose to 97 OPS+ through 2011 = “reasonable expectations”.
Now, if in 2014-2015 he’s puttering along as something like he was in 2011 and he hasn’t gained much in the way of defensive or baserunning skills, then we should get concerned.
If he finishes with a like 102 or something this year, Shaun, I think it’s enough to be concerned about. No way in hell did they expect him to be a league average hitter through his first three years here – soaking up his 0-3 years with great baserunning and defense, yet hitting like #6 or #7 hitter.
1991 braves
August 15th, 2012
5:14 pm
Wren signed Ugly to $13 million long term contract and what have the braves got in return?? Nothing. I wouldn’t make the same mistake with Bourn. The guy can’t hit left handed pitching, so i hope Wren learns from his previous mistakes and only offers him 3 year deal. Unfortunately, his agent want accept a 3 year deal, so hopefully braves look elsewhere. It’s these long tern deals that Wren has done in the past, A.E. Lowe and UGly, that have killed the braves. On another note, please don’t resign McCant to a fat, long tern contract. This guy’s defensive skills are terrible, and now he can hardly hit his weight. If Wren signs this guy to big contract, he should be fired on the spot. Why McCant gets a free pass and Ugly gets all the blame is wrong. Both of these guys are terrible, and they are killing the braves now.
ATLcracker
August 15th, 2012
5:14 pm
Also where did the 50 game suspension come from ? If you used performance enhancing drugs for two years that helped you lose 40 lbs. and increased your muscularity and strength I would think the benefits would last a lot longer than 50-60 days. Shouldn’t it be a much longer suspension? I also agree the team that benefitted from this cheating should pay some type of penalty.
mpimentel
August 15th, 2012
5:14 pm
@nolie: the back season manny ramirez was suspended (you remember), well he came to REP DOM asking for play in winter league with “aguilas cibaenas” and beacuse he was suspended at that time he wasn’t allowed…the same with timo perez (detroit tiguers AAA player), he wasn’t allowed to play the last season for the same reason….
Efrim
August 15th, 2012
5:15 pm
And again, I wish you could just look back to see the types of things you were saying during April/May of 2010 – I mean, my gosh, we were all here. I didn’t appear on this blog yesterday, man.
Shaun
August 15th, 2012
5:15 pm
Efrim, I also don’t see what’s so funny about claiming that Bryce Harper is a once-in-a-generation-type talent. Actually I believe that’s pretty much the consensus among all sorts of talent evaluators, from what I’ve read and heard.
Efrim
August 15th, 2012
5:16 pm
Felix Hernandez has a perfect game through 6 innings. 69 pitches. 7 K’s.
phil
August 15th, 2012
5:17 pm
If Chipper would play, that is….sigh.
Funny about Melky. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.
Bourn? Only way we keep him is if the decision is made that McCann isn’t in the long term picture at 10 million plus for too many years.
Heisenberg
August 15th, 2012
5:17 pm
“I also agree the team that benefitted from this cheating should pay some type of penalty.”
****************************************
A bowl ban, loss of scholarships, and/or no TV appearances?
nolie
August 15th, 2012
5:18 pm
thanx for the info mpi.
MFin04
August 15th, 2012
5:18 pm
“I also don’t see what’s so funny about claiming that Bryce Harper is a once-in-a-generation-type talent”
He has one of the most horrendous swings in all of baseball. That is a solid fact.
nolie
August 15th, 2012
5:19 pm
the “Death Penalty”
bfred
August 15th, 2012
5:19 pm
Jerry -
No prob. I understand the rationale, since a hitter can’t control much more than the times he gets to the place and what he does with hittable pitches that are thrown to him.
On Melky, given that MLB hasn’t vacated a single at bat over the entire steroid scandal I doubt they would hold the batting title back from him; otherwise they have to eliminate the effect of those hits from actual games, which is obviously impossible. But it would be an interesting test of Selig’s character. If the Giants make the playoffs after having (a now-disqualified) Melky for 3/4 of the season it’s going to get REALLY interesting. They’re half a game behind the Pirates for the second wild card spot – what if they beat the Bucs (or Braves for that matter) by one game with a juicing high-WAR player having contributed quite a bit to that success over nearly 120 games? What a mess.
Efrim
August 15th, 2012
5:20 pm
I also don’t see what’s so funny about claiming that Bryce Harper is a once-in-a-generation-type talent
You said the exact same stuff about Heyward. Exact same line, Shaun. Yet, now, we have 97 OPS+ hitter through his first two big league seasons and I fail to understand how a once-in-a-generation type talent produces such and is reasonable expectations. I’m sorry, I just can’t get there man. And I get that it’s early in his career and it was his age 20 and 21 year old seasons.
nolie
August 15th, 2012
5:20 pm
really? THAT bad Mf? Gee why didn’t all the scouts tell us that b4 allowing us to believe he will be good
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
August 15th, 2012
5:21 pm
Melky’s busted, why am I not surprised. As for all the spin concerning Bourn…..
It ain’t happening foks. Boras negotiations will probably start around six years and 150 million, Again, that’s just the starting point. The numbers will go higher. Which unfortunately puts Bourn’s individual salary beyond the Braves 90 million structure.