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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,107 comments Add your comment
cricket
September 18th, 2012
11:16 am
Bourn’s out of here….moot point….
tru dat..also, greinke will not be signed by braves..
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:16 am
As much as I love to do so, it’s tough to make even a two year plan in baseball. I’d just say for 2013, Hudson, Maholm, Medlen, Minor in the rotation, Kimbrel as the closer(borderline on O’Flaherty and Venters as set-up men, Martinez as the long man), Prado, Heyward, Freeman, Uggla, McCann and Simmons on the field and in the lineup.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
11:16 am
I get that [about some fans wanting to resign Bourn], but his career OPS+ was still below average and he is turning 30 years old in December of this year.
Granted, but averages aren’t always predictors. Some guys actually do mature into the game and perform better as their careers advance.
Nonetheless, Bourn was never worth signing for the term and dollars figures thrown around on the blog.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:17 am
Lew: Really not seeing a need to hurry in Brandon;s instance.
Agreed. No reason to get on that this off-season. The other guys.. Freeman, Heyward, Kimbrel, Prado, perhaps Medlen… worth looking into.
Efrim: Not gonna lie, hoping for Heyward to get to 30 HR’s and 60 BB’s over these last 14 games.
I like Heyward, but this is absurd. No way he hits 30 HR’s and walks 60 times in a 14 game span. It’s just not a reasonable expectation.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
11:18 am
tru dat..also, greinke will not be signed by braves..
No! No! Say it ain’t so!
cricket
September 18th, 2012
11:20 am
Well, when you make that offer, at least you won’t have to spit in his face, too.
boras will be hit with way more than his usual 10% of that spit
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:20 am
Granted, but averages aren’t always predictors. Some guys actually do mature into the game and perform better as their careers advance.
Not as likely for a player that relies so much on their legs. I understand averages aren’t always predictors, but that’s a lot of money to invest in a player and hope that he’s figured it out at 29.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:20 am
For players with at least 50 innings pitched in a season, Craig Kimbrel has
Are these single season rankings or is this a total career number rankings?
RC
September 18th, 2012
11:22 am
I like Heyward, but this is absurd. No way he hits 30 HR’s and walks 60 times in a 14 game span. It’s just not a reasonable expectation.
I doubt he’ll even have 90 plate appearances over that time span….
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
11:22 am
10Paul…single season. I’ll repost:
For players with at least 50 innings pitched in a season, Craig Kimbrel for the 2012 season has:
The highest strikeout rate (16.78/9 IP) of ALL TIME
The fourth-lowest WHIP (0.675) of all time
The second-lowest opponents’ slugging percentage (.177) of all time
The third-lowest opponents OBP (.184) of all time
The lowest opponents OPS (.374) of ALL TIME
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
11:23 am
MAHOLM and SHEETS are not long-term solutions at the SP position. Frankly, I like JURRJENS’ prospects now over either. They all are effective for three innings as things now stand. And all are worth a ST invite.
Neither is HUDSON, as you can readily see. He’s 38 and now is when it shows. But he’s good for a back-end of the rotation guy for two-years with back-end of the rotation money. Frankly, given the home-town discounts he’s given the BRAVES over the last decade plus, I offer a bit more than he’s worth at this point, seven million guaranteed for two with fairly easy incentives to 9.5 million max out. That way if he’s stellar and consistant he gets a half-million raise for two and if not, the BRAVES aren’t left holding an enormous bag, as they were on some previous pitching contracts in our recent past.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:24 am
Freeman and Heyward right now: Difference in XBH, 5… Difference in BB, 5. Difference in age ~1 month.
So glad they are Braves.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
11:24 am
Is Cunningham a legitimate MLB prospect? We don’t hear much about him around here, but the numbers he put up this season were pretty darned good.
If Prado is hitting leadoff, Simmons 2nd, and Cunningham 8th… is that horrible? Will the team lose all that much production in letting Bourn walk away?
I’m not saying Cunningham is comparable to Bourn, but I wonder if the team nosedives without Bourn hitting first or if they thrive with Prado hitting at the top of the order enough to make Bourn’s absence hurt less.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
11:24 am
Kimbrel’s also got, by a fairly significant margin, the highest Strikeout-to-Baserunners ratio (2.69) of all time for a season of at least 50 IP.
RC
September 18th, 2012
11:26 am
MAHOLM and SHEETS are not long-term solutions at the SP position. Frankly, I like JURRJENS’ prospects now over either. They all are effective for three innings as things now stand. And all are worth a ST invite.
Neither is HUDSON, as you can readily see. He’s 38 and now is when it shows. But he’s good for a back-end of the rotation guy for two-years with back-end of the rotation money. Frankly, given the home-town discounts he’s given the BRAVES over the last decade plus, I offer a bit more than he’s worth at this point, seven million guaranteed for two with fairly easy incentives to 9.5 million max out. That way if he’s stellar and consistant he gets a half-million raise for two and if not, the BRAVES aren’t left holding an enormous bag, as they were on some previous pitching contracts in our recent past.
Ok, to address the contract issues of each of these 4 pitchers:
Maholm and Hudson both have options for 2013 only, after which they will be free agents. Both options are affordable and very likely to be exercised by the Braves.
Sheets is a free agent. You can offer him a spring training invite, but he’s going to sign with someone as a starting pitcher if he wants to. Best to simply be glad that it worked out well for both him and the Braves and wish him well.
Jurrjens is going to be non-tendered. No way you pay an arbitration salary for a guy who fell off like he did. His career with the Braves is over.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:26 am
Is Cunningham a legitimate MLB prospect?
As a 4th outfielder? Sure.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
11:26 am
TenPaul – Chipper’s been great, but having someone play every day with much better defense and second in the league in hits, a good batting average and OBP in his own right and just somewhat less HR power, should offset his loss pretty well. What he won’t replace is Chipper’s clubhouse presence and leadership qualities.
Hillbilly
September 18th, 2012
11:27 am
Wow, that could make for some fun stuff. One starter, five relievers, and nineteen position players?
Me, I’m carrying two starters. If Medlen pulls a groin in the bullpen warming up, I don’t want to put all of my eggs in Cristhian Martinez’s basket.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:28 am
I doubt he’ll even have 90 plate appearances over that time span…
I suppose if he is walking or going yard every time he steps to the plate, then the line up would turn over faster… maybe… but not a reasonable expectation, even for a once in a 4 generation talent.
monty
September 18th, 2012
11:28 am
Bourn is still one of the best 4-5 leadoff guys in baseball and he will get his money. So we lose 2 of the main gogs that make us go, Bourn and Chipper. Gonna be hard to replace them adequately. Chipper’s presence in the lineup alone is a game changer and his situational hitting in pressure AB”s will be near impossible to match. The little things Bourn can do with his speed alone will be near impossible to match. Make a deal for Bernadina(might be hard to get) to match Bourn’s performance and get a “Willingham type”(veteran presence,good head on his shoulders) for LF to give us the punch we miss with Chipper gone.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
11:28 am
I’m a lot less concerned about Prado replacing Chipper at third than I am in someone replacing Martin’s numbers in LF and actually improving on the power numbers. Not to mention Martin has thrown out quite a few runners from LF.
cricket
September 18th, 2012
11:28 am
it’s tough to make even a two year plan in baseball.
why not in baseball? teams usually have young players under control for reasonable number of years and sign players to > 4 yr contracts regularly. that should help with the >2yr planning.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
11:29 am
MAHOLM and SHEETS are not long-term solutions at the SP position. Frankly, I like JURRJENS’ prospects now over either.
What reason would you have to like JJ over Maholm, Sheets, or anyone not named Proctor at this point? That’s ridiculous.
I’m not all that high on Maholm or Sheets, either, but c’mon… to say JJ is a better choice is just being dramatic for the sake of being dramatic.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:30 am
should offset his loss pretty well
I agree with that. He’ll do well, but it will be an overall decrease in offensive production at 3B next year.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:30 am
I think I’ve said this before but….aside from kidnapping Chase Headley, Prado should really be our third baseman in 2013. Not LF. 3rd base. And I’m hoping he stays there and isn’t shuffled around too much. Might actually help him be a better hitter…?
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
11:31 am
Maholm would be used as trade bait this winter if I could get the right deal in return.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:32 am
I’m a lot less concerned about Prado replacing Chipper at third than I am in someone replacing Martin’s numbers in LF
I fear this as well, largely because this front office has shunned Left Field for decades. It’s scary to think what they might find as an apt placement for LF… Biff? Pastornicky? …shudder…
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
11:34 am
Think about it. This year, of the 206 batters Kimbrel has faced:
51.0% of them have struck out (lol)
41.7% have put the ball in play
18.4% have reached base
11.7% have gotten a hit
3.4% of them have scored
1.9% of them have gotten an extra-base hit
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:34 am
why not in baseball? teams usually have young players under control for reasonable number of years and sign players to > 4 yr contracts regularly. that should help with the >2yr planning.
Underperformance, injuries, trades,etc. I think you can do your best to map it out, but realistically most things are on a year to year basis.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
11:34 am
I’m a lot less concerned about Prado replacing Chipper at third than I am in someone replacing Martin’s numbers in LF and actually improving on the power numbers. Not to mention Martin has thrown out quite a few runners from LF.
As you’ve said previously, Lew (I believe), maybe Prado remains in left if Wren can’t bring in a suitable left fielder, via trade or free agency.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 18th, 2012
11:34 am
Jeff R You got it!
Of course!…:)
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
11:35 am
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Trivia time! Ryan Braun now in 40-HR, 20-SB Club. Only 3 other active players who are NOT Yankees have ever had a 40-20 season. Name them!
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Time to reveal that @MikeandMike trivia answer. Soriano, Chipper & Mark Reynolds were the other 40-20 club members. Almost no one got it!
monty
September 18th, 2012
11:35 am
Best thing for BMAC right now might be magnet therapy. Wear magnetic wraps around pain areas to relieve it, I’ve tried it, it works, many golfers on the senior tour swear by them. Some even sleep on magnets.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 18th, 2012
11:35 am
monty—
Oh, that I really needed to hear! That helps a lot…
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:36 am
I think I’ve said this before but….aside from kidnapping Chase Headley, Prado should really be our third baseman in 2013. Not LF. 3rd base.
This is where his versatility comes in play. Wren can get “creative” if needs be.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:36 am
It’s scary to think what they might find as an apt placement for LF… Biff? Pastornicky? …shudder…
BJ Upton in CF, Prado at 3rd base and a platoon of Reed Johnson and a left handed hitting outfielder – maybe our boy Seth Smith.
If the above happens, I’ll be hoping for “Big Game” on Opening Day.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:38 am
Maholm would be used as trade bait this winter if I could get the right deal in return.
Ha! Uggla, Maholm for Infante and McCann.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
11:38 am
JeffR – It’s going to be interesting to see which way they go and which works out better for the Braves. Martin’s versatility gives Wren some serious leeway in his options.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:38 am
This is where his versatility comes in play. Wren can get “creative” if needs be.
Like Prado in LF vs. RHP(Juan Francisco) and Prado at 3rd Base vs. LHP(Reed Johnson).
Perfect! Can’t wait to hear that speech from Wren.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 18th, 2012
11:38 am
Magnets…?
nolie
September 18th, 2012
11:38 am
I’d wait a year on the pitchers, extend the hitters and offer Bourn 5/70 max
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
11:40 am
Don’t ruin my hopes guys! Come closer to home Zack. California is waay different than Florida.
Wow, that could make for some fun stuff. One starter, five relievers, and nineteen position players?
Me, I’m carrying two starters.
3 here…. Medle, Minor, and Huddy. Maholm and slow-arm Hanson can stay at home. Not gonna try to make them go out of the bullpen that game. Get ready for the NLDS (except Hanson, hah!)
Bringing the 19 (or now 18) position players is interesting though. Could do lots of matchups late in the game. Would feel more comfy having the normal 7 guys in the ‘pen, especially since my starter would have a short leash.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
11:42 am
Ha! Uggla, Maholm for Infante and McCann.
That’s quite a bit of an overpay.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
11:42 am
Efrim – I see your point, but if they get someone to platoon effectively aginast LHP in LF, it could work out pretty well for the Braves. I just don’t see Martin playing 162 (or 157 or whatever) all at one position. I’m betting there is some positional movement next year no matter who they get.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:42 am
I’d wait a year on the pitchers, extend the hitters and offer Bourn 5/70 max
I love the one liners nolie brings. Took me about three pages of N8 type posts to get there.
I think I’m more in the four year, 52 million dollar range for Bourn though.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
11:46 am
Bourn making Uggla money…
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Beware of strength-of-schedule talk this time of year. #Astros have better record in Sept (8-7) than #Cardinals, #Reds, #Pirates or #Dodgers
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:46 am
I see your point, but if they get someone to platoon effectively aginast LHP in LF, it could work out pretty well for the Braves. I just don’t see Martin playing 162 (or 157 or whatever) all at one position. I’m betting there is some positional movement next year no matter who they get.
You’re probably right, Lew. It’s just the nature of who Martin is as a player. But I really wanted a LF banger, and I don’t want Martin’s versatility to be in the way of that.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:48 am
I see your point, but if they get someone to platoon effectively aginast LHP in LF, it could work out pretty well for the Braves. I just don’t see Martin playing 162 (or 157 or whatever) all at one position. I’m betting there is some positional movement next year no matter who they get.
You’re probably right, Lew. That’s thje nature of Martin as a player. I guess I just wanted a LF power hitter for the middle of the lineup and I don’t want Martin’s versatility to be in the way of that is all.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
11:48 am
prolly doesn’t matter Efrim since neither of those offers are likely to get it done.
I like the guy, the way he hustles and his great D which to an extent makes up for his poorish OPS, but there is a limit to how much he is worth to the Braves and 13-15 per is definitely the very top
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
11:48 am
For players with at least 50 innings pitched in a season, Craig Kimbrel for the 2012 season has:
I wonder how many teenagers out there have incorporated long tossing from their knees into their training routine.
raleighbravefan
September 18th, 2012
11:53 am
Everyone is assuming we will re-sign Reed Johnson. I hope that is true, but have no idea what the cost will be.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
11:53 am
JeffR – It’s going to be interesting to see which way they go and which works out better for the Braves. Martin’s versatility gives Wren some serious leeway in his options.
Yes, I agree, Lew.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
11:56 am
Efrim – I’d like that Banger in LF, too – just not sure who that might be. Is BJ Upton worth signing for LF and going with a more defensive orientd CFer?
Never really was a fan of Bossman Junior, but he did put up a good year this year, though he may well be sought after this winter.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
11:56 am
Everyone is assuming we will re-sign Reed Johnson. I hope that is true, but have no idea what the cost will be.
Not cheap, but I doubt prohibitive. Roll Hinske’s annual salary into a Johnson deal, for starters.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
11:56 am
I’d rather see the Braves pursue Pagan than give Bourn $14-15mil per season.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
11:58 am
Yeah, I’m not even concerned about Johnson’s re-signing being in any way prohibitive. He’d e a fairly decent fall back option for that platoon if the desired thumper in LF doesn’t appear.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
11:59 am
Johnson has never made all that much money a year. IIRC he has averaged about a mil per the last three years. If they want him, and I sure hope they do, he should not cost too much 1.5m/per maybe?
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:03 pm
Upton had pretty much the same year he has had the last three or four, an OPS around 750, with erratic defense I ca practically guarantee that most here will not like him long term if we get him unless he makes a major change in his approach and attitude
Puma
September 18th, 2012
12:03 pm
Would you guys rather he BJ Upton or Bourn in CF? Guessing they will get similar contracts this winter, maybe Upton gets a little more.
Either way, Braves are still short middle of the order hitter. I miss the days when we would just go out and get Sheffield or Gallaraga…
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
12:05 pm
Perfect! Can’t wait to hear that speech from Wren.
Was thinking more on trade front… but hey, that works!
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:05 pm
there is no way that Upton gets as much as Bourn will
Puma
September 18th, 2012
12:07 pm
I disagree Nolie, more power, younger, and more “potential” to have monster year than Bourn. I would put money on Upton getting at least as much as Bourn
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
12:07 pm
Reed shouldn’t be much of a problem to sign… he’ll likely get Hinske’s money + a little more.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
12:08 pm
Hello Braves fans!!!!!
Back in time for the Braves playoff march baby.
Anything changed?
Let’s see I still want Dempster( guy has pitched well for Texas and getting to NLDS would have been nice to have him start game 3 but oh well, he blew us off.
Let’s see, Kyle Lohse is still a stud(want Huddy over this guy next year?)
Let’s see, Yunel Escobar has a brain the size of a walnut. In hot water again for what he wore playing the other day. Were are the Yunel supporters here???? He’s a class act and great guy to have on the team. Love his sub .300 OBP very Gonzo like. 10M good investment by the Jays.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
12:12 pm
Pagan would be a better use of available funds than either Bourn or Upton.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
12:13 pm
Actually Dempster would have probably pitched Game 2 if Medlen goes WC game. Oh well. Still haunted by this.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:13 pm
I disagree Nolie, more power, younger, and more “potential” to have monster year than Bourn…puma
way too many questions and bad rep hide and watch
it will not even be all that close unless Upton ends up as the last available CFer and a rich team gets desperate
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
12:17 pm
Rob Neyer on playoff rosters, reacting to Buster’s comment that it might be “very fair”:
Very fair, though? Again, sure. One might argue that it’s most fair. But is fairness what we want? If the Braves finish with the second-best record in the National League, maybe six or eight games ahead of their Wild Card competition, don’t they deserve an advantage? They’ll have an advantage, because they can spend the last week of the season getting the pitching rotation in exactly the order they like. But you take some of that advantage away, if you allow the other team to carry 10 relief pitchers, and start playing the match game in the sixth inning.
So yes, it’s “fair” … but I’m not sure you want to be fair.
And this argument leaves aside the fact that an 10-man bullpen distorts the game. It’s bad enough that September baseball becomes a parade of relief pitchers, beginning in the sixth or seventh inning. Do we really want to see a dozen pitching changes in a postseason game? I don’t.
http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/9/18/3352360/wild-card-roster-loophole-might-mean-10-man-bullpens
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:21 pm
I don’t want fair, I want advantage Braves, huge advantage Braves actually
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
12:24 pm
The best use of available funds would be to trade for Craig Gentry for CF.
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
12:24 pm
Jayson Stark has changed his mind:
Jayson Stark (12:03 PM)
I’m actually working on an NL Cy Young piece for later this week, so I’ll look at this in more detail then. But right this minute, if I were going to vote for a starting pitcher in the NL, I’d vote for Dickey. But I’m still leaning toward a reliever, to be honest. And at this point, I’d favor Kimbrel over Chapman. Feel free to argue!
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:26 pm
I think that Kimbrel should definitely be in the serious running
Puma
September 18th, 2012
12:28 pm
Nolie – I am sure I will forget this, but once both are signed in offseason, lets revisit this “wager”
Assuming Braves could afford both, who would you rather have, Upton or Bourn? I think I lean to Bourn, but Upton is enticing when you think about what he could do, but probably won’t do.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
12:28 pm
Kimbrel a beast but that slider isn’t as sharp as it’s been most of the year. Still awesome and almost unhittable but snapping off that slider he’s untouchable.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:28 pm
Gentry is too unproven for hopefully a contending team once again IMO
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:30 pm
Bourn, I watch Upton play almost every day and thank the Lord that he is not on “my” team. and don’t worry, I’ll remember
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
12:30 pm
Looking ahead, is Mike Minor going to start game 2 of the NLDS(WHEN WE GET THERE!) ?
Guy has come pretty far in a short period of time.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
12:34 pm
The ESPN.com power rankings are out and the Texas Rangers have returned to the top spot. They were No. 2 last week.
Top Five:
1. Texas Rangers (2 last week)
2. Washington Nationals (1)
3. Cincinnati Reds (3)
4. Oakland A’s (7)
5. San Francisco Giants (6)
Braves fall from 4th to 6th. That sweep to the Brewers had to hurt.
After finishing off a sweep of the Mets, the Braves were then swept by the Brewers. They then turned around and swept the Nationals. It’s likely too little, too late to catch Washington, but Atlanta remains firmly in control of a wild-card spot. Mike Minor and Kris Medlen seem to be coming into their own, while Jason Heyward is staring down 30 homers. — Franklin Rabon: Capitol Avenue Club
Puma
September 18th, 2012
12:35 pm
Dickey gets and deserves Cy Young IMO, but then again I am in that Relievers shouldn’t win Cy Young awards group of thought.
Better debate is who is NL MVP, hate to say it cause I don’t like him, but Posey should win unless Pittsburgh can get back in wild card.
DAP
September 18th, 2012
12:35 pm
The participating teams will set 25-man rosters for this one-game, winner-take-all extravaganza — rosters that don’t have to carry over to the Division series matchup.
really…now that is interesting. a few extra bats in place of SPers might be good.
scoots if you find yourself in a situation where you need the seventh guy in the bully, you’re probably hip-deep in doo-doo, already.
or extra innings. id keep a couple of SPers just in case.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
12:36 pm
Cards, Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers (all fighting for #2 WC) are 13-16 (in that order).
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
12:37 pm
We really beat up Eovaldi last time out. Johnson pitched us pretty well. Finally got to Kendrick last outing. Same with Doc. Lee owned us. That’s the rest of the week for the Braves. 4 RHP’s – good thing.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
12:41 pm
Gentry is too unproven for hopefully a contending team once again IMO
Gentry is actually on a contending team, the Rangers. As far as unproven, he’s played in 112 of their games this year posting an average of .306 and an OBP of .372. He totaled 64 games played last year with every reasonable stats. Granted he’s mostly used as a defensive replacement that season and much of this one but he’s still had over 200 at bats.
George_George
September 18th, 2012
12:43 pm
Good day all
Good win last night keeping the pressure on the NATS. GREAT game MARTIN. HUDDY did not look sharp. I have to AGREE with the post below about HUDDY. FREDI is not smart.
**************************************************************************************************
gotigers72
September 18th, 2012
1:14 am
Braves getting into Miami at 3:30 AM? Does that include Hudson? Used to the next day pitcher would be sent to the venue a day early. Why not now? As soon as they saw that the Sunday game was moved from a day game to 8:00 PM, plans should’ve been made to send Hudson to Miami on a noon flight so he could get proper rest.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
12:45 pm
Not to mention, he’s not arb eligible until 2014 and won’t become a free agent until 2017. He’s right handed and over the last 2 years he has stolen 30 bases and only caught 6 times and that’s in a limited playing role mostly because the Ranger’s have Hamilton, Cruz and Murphy in the starting roles. He hits lefties very well, something we need extremely bad.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:45 pm
200 at bats = unproven, real unproven actually
let’s just say that I hope we do not have to resort to that level of player as a starter anywhere
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
12:45 pm
Not sure if the Braves are going to trade for ALL of their needs this offseason. That’d cost quite a bit in terms of prospects. But, I could see both Hanson and Delgado shopped, so we may be able to get the outfield squared away with those two plus some others.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
12:48 pm
I really really want Heyward to get to 30 HR this season.
What are the qualifications for Comeback Player of the Year? Given the season he had last year I’d think he’d be a good candidate.
Oh, and Pagan for CF in 2013.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:48 pm
I’ll agree that IF they feel the need to go cheap, that Gentry is an interesting player
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
12:48 pm
…..The feeling far and wide is that the Braves will not catch D.C……….with what? Nineteen games or so that remain: Question of The Day IMO: Since we’re not mathematically out, what’s holding us back? {Please don’t get Uggla with replies}
brian
September 18th, 2012
12:50 pm
DOB – I hope the BRaves are thinking like you are – those 6 are the core of the Braves. I would add Minor to the Simmons group of waiting until next year then I would want them signed long term as well.
A young rotation under contract starting with Medlen, Beachy, and Minor is not a bad place to start at all, especially with Kimbrel closing. Prado, JHey, Freeman and Simmons gives us a great, young position player core as well.
I hope the Braves and their number crunchers consider spending more on salary now to lock these guys up knowing they will save in the long run an keep this group together
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
12:50 pm
Over his mlb experience….
207 games, 451 plate appearances, 31 steals, .278/.345/.351
Not exactly bad numbers, not much power but he’s quite capable at all other aspects.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
12:50 pm
The Braves have 14 games left. That’s a good bit less than 19. If the Nats go 8-8 over their last 16, the Braves would have to go 12-2 just to tie. And so on.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
12:51 pm
When was the last time we made a significant prospect trade during the offseason? I know we’ve made some in season trades like McLouth and Bourn.
Didn’t make any significant trades last offseason. I wouldn’t consider Omar Infante and Mike Dunn for Dan Uggla(2010) a prospect trade. In 2009, we traded away Vazquez and received Arodys + others. I guess it really was Tyler Flowers, Jon Gilmore, Brent Lillibridge and Santos Rodriguez for Vazquez and Boone Logan, which was in December of 2008 – near four years ago. Gotta imagine one is coming this winter.
DAP
September 18th, 2012
12:51 pm
id have medlen, huddy, and minor on the roster for the one gamer, along with my 7 best bullpen arms and 15 position players (3 catchers).
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
12:52 pm
What are the qualifications for Comeback Player of the Year?
I don’t think there’s any set criteria. Very subjective.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
12:55 pm
Really, would tying the Nationals be any better than finishing behind them?
Either way, you’d have to play one game to get in the NLDS. In one scenario, if you lose, you go home. In the other scenario, if you lose, you play again the next day for the hope of playing for a 3rd straight day in the NLDS.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:55 pm
yeah, I’d cut back to three starters, add some RPs and bench guys
Lemke's Knuckler
September 18th, 2012
12:56 pm
I’m sorry, I just hate this whole one-game wild card playoff. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.
There needs to be some advantage for the team with the better record. Maybe they could do it like they do in college baseball, where the higher seed only has to win once, but the lower seed team has to win twice. Do a same-day doubleheader if the lower seed teams wins the first game.
George_George
September 18th, 2012
12:58 pm
DAP
September 18th, 2012
12:51 pm
id have medlen, huddy, and minor on the roster for the one gamer, along with my 7 best bullpen arms and 15 position players (3 catchers).
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That silly play-in game should not even be played. If we finish where we arw in standings. We should be the ONLY WC.