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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,786 comments Add your comment
chipontheroad
September 13th, 2012
11:51 am
@raleigh that sounds like a good take on it to me
Trader Jack
September 13th, 2012
11:58 am
Looking at Grienke’s wife, she is the perfect fit for Southern California
Lew
September 13th, 2012
12:00 pm
Pretty much agree with chipontheroad. Whether we think Greinke is a one, two or three starter, we won’t be able to afford him and the pitching we already have is none too shabby to bein with.
Seems to me that more times than not, when we lose this year it’s because of an offense that tends to run hot and cold and NOT because the pitching has been bad.
Is Swisher the answer? I used to want him added to our outfield to the exclusion of all others – power hitting Switch hitter who could hit whether in a hitter’s park like Yankee Stadium or Oakland’s more spacious park. But he’s getting older, won’t come cheap and seems to have hit his peak. He’s still good, but would likely hit less HR in Atlanta and his RBI totals are likely at least somewhat attributable to the higher powered offense of the Yankees. I’m not nearly as certainof him as I was a couple years ago.
Not sure who else might be on Wren’s Radar, but it’s consistent offense we need and not more pitching – especially with the bullpen we still will have next year.
JRW
September 13th, 2012
12:00 pm
Interesting USA Today article by Bob Nightingale…
The Philadelphia Phillies, who not only were given their last rites six weeks ago but ordered their own casket at the trade deadline, these days have National League teams wondering if they’re seeing a ghost.
The Phillies, winners of seven consecutive games and 15 of their last 19, have crept within three games of the St. Louis Cardinals in the wild-card race.
Just as hot are the Milwaukee Brewers, who entered Wednesday night four games behind the Cardinals, despite trading ace Zack Greinke at the non-waiver deadline.
“Everybody better watch out for the Phillies,” Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker told USA TODAY Sports. “Those guys know how to take it. They’re playing some ball now, and with that pitching, man, they can scare you.”
The Phillies, 14 games below .500 on July 13, dumped starting outfielders Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino at the deadline, along with starter Joe Blanton, thinking they were done for the season.
Someone forgot to send the memo to the players.
Instead of preparing for 2013, they’re gearing up for another October run and a sixth consecutive year in the postseason. If the Phillies get into the playoffs, Detroit Tigers president/GM David Dombrowski says, they just might find themselves playing in the World Series.
“What happens if they sneak in?” says Dombrowski, raising his eyebrows. “[Cole] Hamels, [Roy] Halladay, [Cliff] Lee. I don’t think you can sit back and say, “This is easy series.’
The Brewers’ resurgence — they’ve won of 17 of their last 22 — has been just as stunning. The front office gave up hope, just like the Phillies did, when they traded Greinke to the Los Angeles Angels. Yet here they are, sniffing the playoffs, while the Cardinals (4-11), Los Angeles Dodgers (6-11) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2-10) are slumping.
“We’re realistic where we are and know we have to keep playing unbelievable baseball,” the Brewers’ Ryan Braun said. “But by no means is it impossible. We look at what the Cardinals did (with a September rally) last year as inspiration.”
The Cardinals pulled off one of the most improbable comebacks in baseball history last year, trailing the Atlanta Braves by 10 ½ games on Aug. 25, only to win 23 of their final 31 games to reach the postseason, and ultimately win the World Series.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
12:02 pm
I would rather spend money on bats (OF), bench, and BP. If a trade for a top pitcher becomes available, that’s great, too.
Bench and BP will be cheap next year…. probably under 15mil combined. With most of the money going to the ‘pen. I think we can have a good bench for about 6-7mil.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
12:05 pm
Looking at Grienke’s wife, she is the perfect fit for Southern California
She was Ms. Daytona Beach, not Long Beach. Better fit on the east coast
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
12:08 pm
Huddy at 38 (and I love that guy) and Medlen with his 30 or so career starts fronting the rotation, against Halladay/Lee, Strasburg/Zimmerman, Dickey/Santana (or Niese, for that matter), just for openers, plus various other two-headed monsters in the league.
Medlen may be Maddux reincarnate, but I’d kinda like to see him do it for a full season before he gets thrown into gladiator school. raleigh’s projected staff isn’t bad, not at all, but I think it makes some assumptions that have a fairly large margin of error. That leads to a fairly small margin of error in terms of performance.
I’m no huge fan of most names thrown around here, when it comes to front-line pitchers, and I have no idea of who might be available (other the FAs). But I think there is a big hole at the top of the rotation. The team looks to have good depth in the rotation, though, so maybe that can overcome the lack of a top guy. I just hate for that to be Plan A.
TennesseePaul
September 13th, 2012
12:12 pm
Is Swisher the answer?
I think I’ve read that the Yanks want him back, or at least are willing to present him a qual-offer… so in addition to contract costs, Swisher would also cost a first round draft pick. If the team is wise and merely offers a qual to bourn, going after some other teams qual offer player evens out. But I’d hate to see this team spin away draft picks for aging players. It’s just a bad way to go.
Trader Jack
September 13th, 2012
12:14 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
12:05 pm
Looking at Grienke’s wife, she is the perfect fit for Southern California
She was Ms. Daytona Beach, not Long Beach. Better fit on the east coast
Look at what she does for a living. More opportunities for her in LA, than in ATL, plus he’s happy pitching there. A win/win for both of them
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
12:15 pm
I think I’ve read that the Yanks want him back,
Geez, I hope so. I’ll send money, if it will help.
Swisher in LF, some scrub in CF, and Medlen on the bump for Opening Day. I’d be counting the days until playoff tix went on sale. Mercy.
TennesseePaul
September 13th, 2012
12:16 pm
Huddy at 38 (and I love that guy) and Medlen with his 30 or so career starts fronting the rotation
You know, you don’t have to pick on Medlen for this. There’s Polished. There’s Hanson with his blown shoulder and 88mph FB. There’s Delgado and his less than 30 MLStarts, Teheran and his less than 10 ML starts, Beachy (returning from surgery) and less than 30 ML starts, Gilmartin and no ML starts, Jurrjens (if not released) and his injury issues…. It isn’t just the idea of Huddy and Medlen fronting a rotation. It’s the idea that there isn’t anyone ideal to front this rotation next year without an acquisition.
Murph
September 13th, 2012
12:18 pm
I would rather spend money on bats (OF), bench, and BP. If a trade for a top pitcher becomes available, that’s great, too.
This.
Or, to extrapolate a bit more on my aforementioned “this” agreement, the team is going to have some major offensive holes next year when Chipper and Bourn are gone. Prado, Heyward, and Freeman can only do so much, Simmons can’t be counted on for much, Uggla is Uggla and will struggle mightily, etc etc etc. The team needs to score runs to win. Doesn’t matter if they have a team ERA of 3.00 if they are only scoring two runs per game.
McCann will be in a contract year, which might help to will his broken-down body into performing well for more than 25 games a season. So we have that going for us.
I’d like an “ace”, but I’d like the team to have a competitive offense more.
TennesseePaul
September 13th, 2012
12:18 pm
…and Medlen on the bump for Opening
Medlen’s success really bums you out doesn’t it? ( : I picture you standing there during every Medlen game, in pure agony: “Why won’t he just die. Die already! Die. Die!“
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
12:18 pm
You know, you don’t have to pick on Medlen for this.
Absolutely true. Nobody else on the staff I’d want at the front, either. I chose Medlen simply because he is the most blog-beloved.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
12:18 pm
Huddy/Medlen as our 1-2 doesn’t compare to quite a few of the 1-2s in the NL East, let alone all of the MLB. Injured/struggling + a guy with under 30 career starts. They’ll be going up against proven + proven on other staffs.
Yikes.
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
12:18 pm
Our BP and Bench are pretty well set. I don’t see much need to go out and sign anyone for the pen. We’ve got a lot of good options down there now and a few in the minors that could fill any holes. I’d see about extending EOF and possibly Martinez outside of that, with Venters, Kimbrel, Gearrin, Avilan, Moylan, Cordier, Varvaro and a few in the minors gives us plenty of options. The bench is kinda the same way as long as we extend Ross, we’ve got options of Francisco(if he’s not the starter at 3rd), Janish, Pastornicky, plus we may extend Johnson.
TennesseePaul
September 13th, 2012
12:19 pm
I chose Medlen simply because he is the most blog-beloved.
There seemed to be a pretty big boost in Polished’s blogmance this morning…
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
12:21 pm
10Paul at 12:16 Great post
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
12:22 pm
Huddy/Medlen as our 1-2 doesn’t compare to quite a few of the 1-2s in the NL East, let alone all of the MLB.
But it sure would with a Greinke or Haren right in front of them.
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
12:22 pm
Medlen’s success really bums you out doesn’t it?
Actually, I love the kid. Who wouldn’t? And you know me better than to think I’d wish failure on someone, simply because of my opinion of the player. I hope he turns out to be the guy everybody but me thinks he is, LOL. That would be a good thing.
jeffrey d
September 13th, 2012
12:24 pm
She was Ms. Daytona Beach, not Long Beach. Better fit on the east coast
And with the Braves she can be Ms. Lake Lanier!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 13th, 2012
12:25 pm
McCann will be in a contract year, which might help to will his broken-down body into performing well for more than 25 games a season.
Hot dang, Murph…
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
12:25 pm
I’d see about extending EOF and possibly Martinez
Not Martinez…. ever looked at his oppo. stat lines? They are horrible. But we can just bring up a guy from AAA to take his spot. The bench and ‘pen are all set for next year. Just gotta decide if we’re resigning Ross, Johnson, and Durbin. I think at least 2 will be back, if not all 3.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
12:27 pm
But it sure would with a Greinke or Haren right in front of them.
Agreed.
It’s the idea that there isn’t anyone ideal to front this rotation next year without an acquisition.
Minor, ya know, the guy that’s better than Greinke, he can front this rotation…
No Flag Since Lemke
September 13th, 2012
12:28 pm
If the Braves flame out again and Mr. Wren pays the price for his smug “stand pat” strategy (which he should), my advice to his successor worth every dime he’s paying for it….
Protect a corps of eight players – Heyward, Prado and Simmons along with Beachy, Kimbral, Medlin, Minor and O’Flaherty and go get some guys with fire in their belly – people like who play all 27 outs and all four at bats.
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
12:28 pm
There seemed to be a pretty big boost in Polished’s blogmance this morning…
Yeah, he’s been gettin’ some love since the break. Deservedly. Kid looked into the abyss and not only kept himself from falling in, but also found a shovel and started filling up the hole. Good on him.
Doesn’t mean I want him matched up with Clayton Kershaw and the like.
jeffrey d
September 13th, 2012
12:29 pm
Protect a corps of eight players – Heyward, Prado and Simmons along with Beachy, Kimbral, Medlin, Minor
…..that’s what Wren has done
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
12:30 pm
I’m not a big Durbin supporter, although he has been useful at time this year but he’d be one I’d let walk. I just couldn’t justify throwing that much money at him with all of the options we’d have available. Martinez wouldn’t be anything more than a whipping boy for the blow out games.
ChattTownBrian
September 13th, 2012
12:30 pm
Now we know how important Bourn is. See what happens when he doesn’t hit? And I wouldn’t resign him unless he went for something less than 10 mill. That isn’t happening, obviously. So he’s gone and that’s okay. You have to play for a full season and I think he’s proven he can easily wear down.
I would sit him against lefties from here on out if I’m manager and let Reed get some more PA’s.
CB
September 13th, 2012
12:32 pm
I believe Medlen is just enough of a scatterbrain to not care how anybody labels him,probably doesn’t care who is standing in batter’s box and most assuredly does not worry one iota what people here think of him.
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
12:32 pm
Kid looked into the abyss and not only kept himself from falling in, but also found a shovel and started filling up the hole.
Nicely said.
ChattTownBrian
September 13th, 2012
12:33 pm
Now the only problem sitting Bourn is the defense you’d lose in center. That sucks, but Reed I think is okay there and offense has been the biggest problem lately. What’s your biggest flaw right now should be the thinking.
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
12:34 pm
Go get Gentry… he solves 2 major issues for next season.
1. Servers as our CF
2. Hits lefties very well.
ChattTownBrian
September 13th, 2012
12:37 pm
CB, Medlen just seems hyper. Listening to interviews and some ways he acts makes me think he has ADD. That actually might help him with his pitching though like you say. Not real clear headed maybe.
No Flag Since Lemke
September 13th, 2012
12:40 pm
Protect a corps of eight players – Heyward, Prado and Simmons along with Beachy, Kimbral, Medlin, Minor
…..that’s what Wren has done
Yes along with a bunch of under achievers in the rotation, at several positions and on the bench.
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
12:40 pm
One guy that might work out well for our bench next season if we’re able to retain Johnson, might be Freddy Sanchez.
Lew
September 13th, 2012
12:40 pm
Like I said – Whatever you think of Greinke, he ain’t coming to Atlanta.
Seems to me that with the needs we have (two outfield positions or 3B/outfield), that we need to address them and if we were to sign someone who will make what Greinke will, we will not have the money to fill those positions which would leave us trade as an option.
Does anyone here truly believe we have enough talent in the minors to fill two positions adequately (and by that I mean good enough players that all we hear wouldn’t be constant bitching). I’m just not seeing it.
Apparently no one wants to leave Prado in LF and to put Juan Francisco at third, but if we signed someone for Greinke bucks, that’s likely what you’d end up with after picking up Pagan for CF. So what will happen is FW might trade for Shields (we could pul this off), which would improve the rotation and leave us with enough money left over to actually make a dent in LF and CF.
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
12:42 pm
Sanchez would have to prove to be healthy though and I’d sign him for the league min.
Mitchell
September 13th, 2012
12:42 pm
Bronke
September 12th, 2012
10:34 pm
You guys should be watching Turner Classic Movie channel. More exciting watching Lauren Bacall. Now that is a real woman,! Sorry to distract from the game but the Braves piss me off too much to watch.
I like this. Thumbs up.
Lew
September 13th, 2012
12:42 pm
Or he could trade for one outfielder?3B and get the other through Free Agency and let the pitching staff shake out however it does.
beachcomber
September 13th, 2012
12:45 pm
Does anyone here truly believe we have enough talent in the minors to fill two positions adequately (and by that I mean good enough players that all we hear wouldn’t be constant bitching). I’m just not seeing it.
Not me, buddy!
TennesseePaul
September 13th, 2012
12:48 pm
if we were to sign someone who will make what Greinke will
That would rule out Bourn as well. And I’d be fine with not signing Bourn long term.
Lew
September 13th, 2012
12:51 pm
TenPaul – Given Bourn’s scond half, I’d rather have Pagan in there and find that Thumper for LF. Never been that big a Pagan fan, but he’s having a pretty good year and will play some seriously good defense.
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
12:51 pm
we will not have the money to fill those positions which would leave us trade as an option….. Does anyone here truly believe we have enough talent in the minors to fill two positions adequately
Nope, that’s why I make these moves this winter.
I’d move Uggla to Detroit in some type of package that would net us Infante, McCann and Garcia. I’d give Infante a chance to hold 2nd and see if Garcia would be ready to take LF. I’d use the money saved to sign someone like Greinke or Haren to serve as our ace at the top of the rotation.
I work with Texas on a Gentry trade allowing him to man CF.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
12:53 pm
Lew: If we trade for Shields, who can we get? There aren’t many intriguing CF/LF to get via free agency. If we trade for Shields, we’ll lose quite a few prospects, likely meaning that we won’t be able to fill those positions via trade as well.
if we were to sign someone who will make what Greinke will
Bourn will make that much, if not more… you have said that you want us to re-sign him.
George_George
September 13th, 2012
12:53 pm
David O’Brien
September 13th, 2012
11:13 am
Quite possible the worst bullpen management I’ve ever seen!
DOB would it be to much toask for you to not throw softballs at FG tonight and ask WTF HE IS DOING!!!!!!!! — Ric Flair to Right
Yes, it would be too much to ask, since I was sitting in my living room in Atlanta while the postgame press conference was taking place in Milwaukee
***********
Enjoying yet another mini-vacation
chipontheroad
September 13th, 2012
12:54 pm
I still entertain platooning uggla with juan and pastornicky at 3rd and 2nd with a smattering of Marteeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!!!
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
12:55 pm
Given Bourn’s scond half,
Bourjos ain’t looking so bad now… he’d hit roughly the same as what Bourn is doing right now. He’d still play great defense all while costing 600k or so. It shouldn’t cost much to trade for him
Venice Jim
September 13th, 2012
12:58 pm
Jerry Crasnick @jcrasnick
Got a comment today from a reader griping about our excessive #orioles coverage. I guess there’s a first for everything.
VaBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
12:58 pm
I think the worst possible thing that could happen is to see us miss the playoffs with the Phillies making it….
cdog
September 13th, 2012
12:59 pm
the air company known as the atlanta braves are a waste of time.they won”t swing their bats but just sit there, take pitches right down the middle, try to guess what pitch is coming,when you guess you lose more times than you win and give the opposing pitcher, a 1-2 count before they decide to swing.michael bourne is killing the braves along martin prado who only hits when the game is not on the line.the player trying to get to the post season is jason heyward.for all of you who thinks the braves will make the post season you are wishing upon a star.as long as this group of characters along with incompetent manager, freddie gonzalez is there, you will be heartt-broken again.playoffs? not going to happen. too many losers on the team.
MFin04
September 13th, 2012
1:00 pm
Apparently no one wants to play the Braves in the wild card game. They should just give us the Wild Card at this rate and not make us play anyone. Ridiculous that you can win the Wild Card by 10 games and still have to play in a play-in game.
VaBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
1:01 pm
Even with Bourn’s bad 2nd half slump he’s still in line for a nice pay day. But his late season struggles are making his price drop by the day. I still say he will get atleast 13 million a season.
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
1:01 pm
Another possible option for LF might be Cody Ross.
MFin04
September 13th, 2012
1:02 pm
“think the worst possible thing that could happen is to see us miss the playoffs with the Phillies making it….”
Nothing like completely selling your team at the trade deadline and still winning the wild card eh?
Complete opposite of the Dodgers. Kinda, actually, VERY funny.
CB
September 13th, 2012
1:02 pm
Fangraphs has Angel Pagan as the most underrated player in baseball, I would agree with them. I would love Braves sign him and let someone else overbid for Bourn. Best bet for Braves filling other needs are via trade. Good LF and one solid pitcher would be fitting bill for our top concerns.
George_George
September 13th, 2012
1:03 pm
MFin04
September 13th, 2012
1:00 pm
Apparently no one wants to play the Braves in the wild card game. They should just give us the Wild Card at this rate and not make us play anyone. Ridiculous that you can win the Wild Card by 10 games and still have to play in a play-in game
*****************************
YUP
the Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 13th, 2012
1:04 pm
raleighbravesfan:
Thanx raleigh. We’re still seeing dr. after dr. with no results. But they’ve done enough blood-work to give a transplant. High blood platelet counts. Something called ESR and ANA which is supposed to be around 20 and her’s in 126.
Some type of rare auto-immune disease evidently, and something she’s probably had all her life. Boils and sores come and go over her entire body, but mostly on her legs and feet.
Course of treatment pretty non-existant too. Got to find out what we’re dealing with first. Thanx for thinking of her. She can use a little outside influence with our maker, prayers help.
chipontheroad
September 13th, 2012
1:07 pm
I hope Bourn wants to be a Brave for a few more years ,If he has a red cap next year I will be bummbed and will take a disgusted and hearty boo and direct it at LM
MVPrado14
September 13th, 2012
1:07 pm
“Apparently no one wants to play the Braves in the wild card game. They should just give us the Wild Card at this rate and not make us play anyone. Ridiculous that you can win the Wild Card by 10 games and still have to play in a play-in game.”
Not only that, but the Braves will probably lose that play-in game as well!
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
1:07 pm
When did rich become the ghost of chipper? Guess I’ve missed a few things.
Sorry to read about the wife, you can bet you two will be in my thoughts and prayers.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
1:07 pm
Another possible option for LF might be Cody Ross
Don’t think the Red Sox let him walk. He’ll be quite expensive too, given the year he had. MLBTR said he might get a bigger deal than Willingham did.
Ridiculous that you can win the Wild Card by 10 games and still have to play in a play-in game.
You have to win your division
the Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 13th, 2012
1:08 pm
97.9
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
1:09 pm
Not only that, but the Braves will probably lose that play-in game as well!
And we probably will win it as well. 50-50 chance. Wish it were a series, but whatever… gotta deal with it. Just hope Selig moves us to the NL West next year!
the Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 13th, 2012
1:11 pm
AT:
Couple of blog articles back AT. Just a temp to honor the imminant departing of one great BRAVE who will soon be that, and in our memories only. Enjoy every game he plays in.
VaBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
1:11 pm
There is just so many ways Frank Wren can go this offseason. We have some valuable young talent to go along with quite a bit of money to work with as well. But we won’t be improving this roster, we’ll be trying to replace big pieces… On paper this will be a worse ball club. Alot depends on if Heyward and Freeman can take the next step. Also throw in can Uggla produce and what about McCann…. But still we have to replace Chipper and Bourn, safe to say were not gonna be upgrade those spots as I said.
O.M.G.
September 13th, 2012
1:12 pm
Ghost, more prayer coming your way.
the Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 13th, 2012
1:13 pm
AT:
And thanx for the thought.
raleighbravefan
September 13th, 2012
1:13 pm
And the broken record award (what’s a record?) in the “it ain’t going to happen” category, goes to….wait, it’s a tie:
AT, for “trade Uggla to Detroit”, and TOBF for “sign Greinke”. Please hold your applause…
MFin04
September 13th, 2012
1:14 pm
Just hope Selig moves us to the NL West next year!
Exactly. That is the part that bothers me. The NL East is by far the best division in the league and it isn’t even close. To penalize a team for not winning it’s division, but having a better record than another division winner is absurd. Way too much of a penalty for the first wild card.
Lew
September 13th, 2012
1:14 pm
OnlyBrave – NO, If you read a few posts above, you’ll see that I have no desire to re-sign Bourn since he’s fallen so far off the second half and you might remember that I’ve been the one claiming he hasn’t ut up a career year. I re-evaluated because of current performance.
Honestly, I’m not sure what I’d do. I’m not overly thirilled with the prospect of BJ Upton (good year, but I’m suspicious of his behavior and walk year breakouts), Victorino (what’s left in his tank?) or frankly with signing Pagan, though he costs less than the others and will give decent offense and good defense.
But one of those options might be better than what’s available at the corners – just not seeing that boomer we all seem to be looking for – can’t afford Hamilton any more than Bourn or Greinke – and Swisher is getting older and past his prime (and it appears the Yankees want him back).
I’m just not seeing the wherewithall (cash or trade bait) to fill both outfield positions and get a front line starter. There’s enough of both to fill all positions, but there will almost certainly be a hue and cry, much wailing, moaning, groaning and outright bitching about at least two of the three acquisitions. Bank on that.
That leaves trade and I just don’t see more than one piece coming to us with the bait we have.
tony austin
September 13th, 2012
1:14 pm
George_George – I accrue what is known as Paid Time Off, but that bank has a limit of 240 hours. I’m sitting at 222.64 hours right now, so in a couple of pay periods I am going to be at my max. If I don’t use them I lose them so I’m going to have to take a day off every pay period, probably wrapped around a weekend, for a few pay periods until I decide to take a week off or whatever.
Since you see to be obsessed over the time DOB “takes off”, I wanted to clear it with you about me taking some days off since sometimes it will be 4 days in a row. Please let me know what you think.
Thank you.
the Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 13th, 2012
1:14 pm
O.M.G. and others:
Thank you all. The folks here are special to me . An extended family if you will. I appreciate the kind thoughts.
the Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 13th, 2012
1:15 pm
Time for more dr. stuff. later.
MVPrado14
September 13th, 2012
1:15 pm
“And we probably will win it as well. 50-50 chance.”
Not really, given the way pitchers are easily shutting down the Braves bats. More like a 25-75 chance, if that.
Lew
September 13th, 2012
1:15 pm
Delete the last line of that post – I edited and forgot to remove it.
Lew
September 13th, 2012
1:19 pm
Ghost – Thinking of you and yours and sending out as much positive energy as I can. Hang tough.
VaBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
1:19 pm
I think that Wren should focus on bringing in multiple solid to good players instead of 1 great to elite player.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
1:21 pm
Not a huge Pagan fan, but I’m okay with him in CF on a two year deal and for us to go get a banger in LF. Pagan isn’t the most instinctive player, but he’s solid.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
1:22 pm
Delete the last line? I was about to use it!
That leaves trade and I just don’t see more than one piece coming to us with the bait we have
Which is why I’m for Greinke… would rather trade for a bat than for just an SP and have to try to fill LF and CF with aging/underwhelming free agents.
Agree with you on Bourn… it took a while, but you came to the right decision.
raleighbravefan
September 13th, 2012
1:23 pm
Blog award for most obsessive (winning over formidable competition), goes to George, aka George_George, for his fixation on DOB’s work schedule. He already won for “most ridiculous thing to be concerned about on the blog” award. Word is that he’s already warming up for next year’s competition.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
1:23 pm
If the team is wise and merely offers a qual to bourn, going after some other teams qual offer player evens out. But I’d hate to see this team spin away draft picks for aging players. It’s just a bad way to go.
Wouldn’t surprise me. We’ve given up three draft picks for three players over the age of 36 years old in Tom Glavine, Derek Lowe and Billy Wagner in Frank Wren’s tenure. Could definitely see that happen again in Swisher, eseocially with Wren playing the card of us getting a draft pick for Bourn. To me, the two shouldn’t be associated. Giving up a draft pick for an aging player is not smart.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
1:24 pm
It isn’t just the idea of Huddy and Medlen fronting a rotation. It’s the idea that there isn’t anyone ideal to front this rotation next year without an acquisition.
Well stated.
Lew
September 13th, 2012
1:25 pm
And maybe with enough time (if all of us can abide you by then), you’ll come to the conclusion Greinke ain’t coming to Atlanta no matter how much you love him.
VaBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
1:26 pm
When replacing Bourn I think Defense should be at the top of the list for what were looking for. We can add offense at 3rd or LF. Wren is gonna explore all options for sure and Prado gives us that option. Hell Wren might even kick the tires and see how much we’d have to eat to say good bye to Uggla. Who knows. But Prado is easily capable of playing everyday at 3 different positions so that gives us tons of flexibility.
raleighbravefan
September 13th, 2012
1:26 pm
MFin – As it stands today, all 3 division winners have a better record than us…we would still be the WC team. However, don’t let the facts get in your way of a good whine.
Lew
September 13th, 2012
1:27 pm
I’m out of here – got the bank rep coming by late this afternoon with the paperwork to refi the Orlando place and need to do some house cleaning. Later. Have fun.
John Leonard
September 13th, 2012
1:28 pm
Notice Minors high number of K’s?I think he sits at about 91 to 93.I don’t think they teach it to much any more.(See dart thrower on our staff)But back in the stone age,they tought you to come over the top,so that you would hide the ball,some of us learned that by twisting your hip a little, that the ball was harder to pick up by the hitter.In my case it got my lower half more envolved,increasing my velocity.Well Minors has these things,and at the risk of having Lews wrath upon me,I think Minors ceiling is higher then he thinks.Barring injury I believe Medlen,Beachy and Minor will rival the former Holy trinity,that the Braves once had.
VaBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
1:28 pm
Prado and Heyward should be locked up ASAP as well.
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
1:30 pm
Pagan isn’t the most instinctive player, but he’s solid.
Swisher in LF, Pagan in CF, and Medlen on the bump. Opening Day’s getting better all the time.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
1:31 pm
Notice Minors high number of K’s?I think he sits at about 91 to 93
Doesn’t sit 91-93. More like 89-91.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
1:31 pm
Since July 30, Braves have gone 23-19. Bourn has hit .229/.344/.299/.643 (no power) with just 11 stolen bases. That’s over 187 PAs for Bourn… the same number that Bourjos has for the entire season. Bourjos has hit .227/.291/.325/.616.
We can win without our CF hitting. The rest of the guys need to step up. I’m not advocating Bourjos by any means, just saying that he wouldn’t be a bad option if it came to that.
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
1:33 pm
Barring injury I believe Medlen,Beachy and Minor will rival the former Holy trinity,that the Braves once had.
Wow.
John Leonard
September 13th, 2012
1:34 pm
Ef: Thats even better,shows how polished he is.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
1:36 pm
Swisher in LF, Pagan in CF, and Medlen on the bump. Opening Day’s getting better all the time.
Just get me through these 18 games in one peace. Guess the eggs are in the one gamer basket. At least it should be in Atlanta.
chipontheroad
September 13th, 2012
1:37 pm
@john leonard i agree
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
1:38 pm
Wow.
But maybe I won’t be able to get through these 18 games in one peace………
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
1:39 pm
Those 3 rival the big 3? Umm, nah.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
1:40 pm
I think we’d all feel more comfortable if our 2-5 was Medlen, Hudson, Minor, Maholm with someone like James Shields on the hill for opening day. Getting a starter is going to cost a boatload in prospects or free agency dollars.
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
1:41 pm
Just get me through these 18 games in one peace. Guess the eggs are in the one gamer basket. At least it should be in Atlanta.
Like the song says, “I didn’t buy this beer, but I’m payin’ the price”.
The pitching was soft early, and they haven’t been able to make up the ground. One-gamer is the cost of being second-best, so they’ll just have to bear down and deal.