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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,027 comments Add your comment
Efrim
September 27th, 2012
10:11 am
Next year is next year, and I think he gets every chance to get a spot in ST. Assuming he isn’t traded in the offseason, and I really-really-really hope they don’t do that.
I really hope it doesn’t happen either. Like I’ve said, the writing is on the wall for what the Braves trade assets are – Tommy Hanson and Randall Delgado. I think they will do whatever they can to keep Teheran, Gilmartin and Graham. Nick Ahmed, would also be a player that gets a lot of attention this winter – especially with a solid showing at the AFL.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
10:12 am
depends on what we call fair value…based on Tommy’s current state
ncscoots
September 27th, 2012
10:12 am
Yeah, I guess it all depends on the allocation of salary.
Exactly. It’s one of the few ways that they could go big on pitching and big for one OF spot and still have a few bucks left. And by “big”, I mean eight-figure stuff.
Efrim
September 27th, 2012
10:15 am
3.26 in 125 games since May 8th
Is that the best in the league in that stretch?
How does the challenge deal work? Can one challenge sincerity?
At least MFin is honest about the hatred.
Brian from SC
September 27th, 2012
10:16 am
3.26 in 125 games since May 8th
Is that the best in the league in that stretch?
Yes.
Venice Jim
September 27th, 2012
10:26 am
Herbert Lom, the Czech-born actor best known as Inspector Clouseau’s long-suffering boss in the “Pink Panther” movies, died Thursday, his son said. He was 95.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
10:27 am
I don’t hate Tommy Hanson. I don’t see a real reason to keep him in our rotation next year (too many arms) and I don’t see why a GM would trade a valuable prospect for him. He’s trending downward, it has to be alarming.
No need to tell Tommy to “Go to hell” as one poster previously said about another player. I’m not that bad.
raleighbravefan
September 27th, 2012
10:28 am
Let me get this straight….lowest era since May 8th. All pitchers under control for 2013 (assuming pick up options on Huddy & Maholm, and tender Hanson).
Medlen, Huddy (post ankle clean-up), Minor, Maholm, and choice of Teheran, Delgado, Gilmartin, and post rehabbed Hanson (if no one traded).
Sounds like to me that we should use our limited resources on LF and CF… re-signing our other assets, making sure RP and bench are strong.
I don’t see going after a top pitcher…unless a deep playoff run results in LM increasing the payroll.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
10:29 am
scoots: Does going big on pitching mean a certain Angels pitcher?
Arkansas Transplant
September 27th, 2012
10:30 am
Moving Maholm would have to be a logical move this offseason. Specially if we’re looking to fill multiple needs and we currently have other options that could perform equally well. The only thing that might be in Maholm’s favor is his ability to work deep into ballgames but that’s not to say we can’t replace that.
Meg Griffin
September 27th, 2012
10:31 am
I am curious to those who watched the game,did we hang a flag in the outfield last night? Or will that be tomorrow with Chipper ceremony?
raleighbravefan
September 27th, 2012
10:31 am
TOBF – There are a lot of pretty bad pitching staffs out there. I think you will be pleasnatly surprised at what he will fetch, if Wren does trade him. My guess is that he will get every opportunity in ST.
Efrim
September 27th, 2012
10:32 am
Sounds like to me that we should use our limited resources on LF and CF… re-signing our other assets, making sure RP and bench are strong.
I don’t see going after a top pitcher…unless a deep playoff run results in LM increasing the payroll.
This could very well be the teams thinking. I’m not as against it as I was in July, but I’d still love to see another arm at the top of the rotation. I’d sacrifice offense in CF for that, I think.
Lew
September 27th, 2012
10:33 am
“3.26 in 125 games since May 8th, 2.62 in 60 games since July 23.” Best in the league in that stretch.
So let’s see – Hudson returned on April 29 and Jurrjens sent to the minors on April 24 and Maholm added not long after July 23. That likely accounts for much of the improvement.
These numbers are exactly the reason that the Braves will make no significant pitching changes this winter past exercising options on Hudson and Maholm. There is no need to make significant changes – especially since we also have a lights out bullpen.
Efrim
September 27th, 2012
10:33 am
Sure I’ll move Maholm….
As long as ‘Big Game’ James ends up here in place of him.
ncscoots
September 27th, 2012
10:33 am
The only thing that might be in Maholm’s favor is his ability to work deep into ballgames but that’s not to say we can’t replace that.
…and left-handed. That’s a plus.
ncscoots
September 27th, 2012
10:35 am
I’m not as against it as I was in July, but I’d still love to see another arm at the top of the rotation. I’d sacrifice offense in CF for that, I think.
We are of a mind.
TennesseePaul
September 27th, 2012
10:39 am
Can one challenge sincerity?
It’s going to be hard. You have to provide a lot of evidence to qualify the challenge. Otherwise all your future challenges will be negated. Can’t just toss out a challenge willy nilly. It’s a serious thing to do.
Arkansas Transplant
September 27th, 2012
10:40 am
Maholm isn’t an ace nor even a top of the rotation pitcher.. he is for all intents and purposes a great role player. I’m not even sure we wouldn’t get the same level of return from Gilmartin. I don’t understand the love for maintaining the status quo. We should always be looking for ways to improve this club.
DIPEN PATEL
September 27th, 2012
10:42 am
Never mind the nationals, we have TOTALLY UNFINISHED BUSINESS with those losers from ST LOUIS after what they did to us in 2011.I can’t even wait at all to play them in that one-game elimination game, especially when it’s REVENGE TIME for BRAVESNATION.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
David O'Brien
September 27th, 2012
10:42 am
Of the six teams with the majors’ best records, three (Yankees, Rangers, Giants) rank second through fourth in the majors in home attendance, behind Philadelphia. The other three teams (Nationals, Braves, Reds) occupy the exact middle of the majors in home attendance, ranking 14th through 16th respectively.
Not coincidentally, the top four teams in MLB attendance also ranked among the top eight in USA Today’s Opening Day payroll rankings, led by the Yankees ($198 million) and Phillies ($174 million) with the two highest payrolls and two highest home-attendance averages, the Phillies at 44,020 and Yankees at 43,691.
The Rangers were sixth in payroll at $120 million and are third in attendance at 42,532, and the Giants were eighth in Opening Day payroll at $118 million and are fourth in attendance at 41,703, which is 99.5 percent of capacity at their ballpark, third in the majors behind the Red Sox (101.4 percent of capacity) and Phillies (100.8 percent).
Meanwhile, the Braves were 18th in Opening Day payroll at about $83 million, although they moved up two spots with Derek Lowe $10 million payout added to the total. The Reds were 17th at roughly $82 million, and the Nationals 20th at about $81 million.
And the home attendance of those three NL teams? Washington is 14th with an average of 29,799, Atlanta is 15th at 29,117, and Cincinnati 16th at 29,048. The 17th and 18th spots are occupied by the Mets (27,991) and Marlins (27,347).
In terms of percentage of capacity at their ballpark, the Braves’ attendance ranks 22nd at 58.5 percent. Eleven teams are at 83 percent capacity or higher.
Lew
September 27th, 2012
10:43 am
Let’s see – best pitching in the league for most of the season and we have a wildly inconsistent offense and will have two outfield openings.
So yeah – the best way to improve the club is to get better pitching. Sheesh.
Efrim
September 27th, 2012
10:44 am
Maholm isn’t an ace nor even a top of the rotation pitcher.. he is for all intents and purposes a great role player
There is a lot of value in a #3/4 starter who can pitch in the low 4’s/high 3’s – especially for one that is only costing you 6.5 million.
This is the issue with the Hanson hatred as well. He’ll cost you 3 million next year and controlled through 2015. That’s valuable in the back of your rotation – and again, have you seen some of the starting pitchers that are run out there? It’s awful. Luke Hochvar is the Royals #1 and he’s probably getting non tendered this offseason.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
10:44 am
Lew: You may be right, but we’re losing Chipper and likely Bourn this offseason. It’s gonna darn near impossible to replace their production. A way to help overcome that is to bring in better defense and pitchers.
Can’t upgrade much over Bourn in CF and Prado at 3B will be slightly better. We can upgrade the pitching staff in a major way. Huddy will be a year older, so he might be worse. We hope that Minor and Medlen continue to pitch the way they have. We know what Maholm gives us, and we need a 5th starter. I’d be more comfy if we added a top pitcher to front this rotation, especially since we will need one in 2014.
Efrim
September 27th, 2012
10:48 am
the best way to improve the club is to get better pitching.
It’s all about run differential, whether it’s pitching, hitting, defense, baserunning. Getting better in an area is going to make the team better.
I see everyones point about putting it all towards the outfield. I’m not against that. But this team needs a frontline guy. May as well get that this winter – because you’ll absoultely need it the following year and years after.
TennesseePaul
September 27th, 2012
10:49 am
Prado at 3B will be slightly better
Slightly better than what?
Murph
September 27th, 2012
10:52 am
The team has pitched outstanding, no doubt about it… but there’s no reason to sit back and not look to improve the staff. If the opportunity presents itself to pick a guy like Haren for a reasonable price or Shields for a reasonable trade why would you not pursue it?
Hanson/Delgado/Teheran are all major question marks. Hudson has pitched hurt almost the entire season. Beachy is out until at least August/September.
I don’t want to sign Greinke, but I do think the team should go after pitching just to help minimize the risk, of which there is a lot going into 2013.
Lew
September 27th, 2012
10:53 am
OnlyBraves – Like I keep preaching to deaf ears – the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, yet people want to continually take a “Billy in Family Circus” circuitous approach to filling needs. Never have figured out why.
We need two outfielders. We will need a backup catcher (whether or not that means re-signing Ross or making another acquistion). We will need a RH pinch hitter/outfielder/first base backup. We will need a middle infield backup (whether re-signing Janish if healthy or someone else). We have several arb situations that need resolving and we need to lock up Prado, Heyward and maybe another player or two.
Just not seeing that pitching is any kind of an issue that needs addressing (until next winter when Huddy and Maholm are no longer under contract). There are other needs that DO need addressing this winter. That should be more than enough to keep FW and his staff hopping. He won’t deal with what doesn’t need fixing – especially since we have Teheran, Delgado (if not traded) and Gilmartin very close to being ready.
ncscoots
September 27th, 2012
10:53 am
There is a lot of value in a #3/4 starter who can pitch in the low 4’s/high 3’s – especially for one that is only costing you 6.5 million. This is the issue with the Hanson hatred as well. He’ll cost you 3 million next year and controlled through 2015. That’s valuable in the back of your rotation
All true. Plenty of teams would toe-curl having those two guys with those two contracts.
The question remains, are the Braves’ other starters, the guys who will be pitching against Strasburg/Gio/Zimmerman and Halladay/Lee/Hamels and other top staffs, capable of providing at-least neutral matchups in those games? Because you’re asking relatively inexperienced guys with very little track record to be pretty flippin’ good.
Arkansas Transplant
September 27th, 2012
10:55 am
What exactly can’t be replaced in the outfield? For over a 1/3 of the season we’ve had a hole in LF, so that hole has been there all along. As far as replacing the production in CF being complicated.. what production are we having to replace? Cause the guy I’ve seen playing CF this season hasn’t done much at the plate in a very long time.
Efrim
September 27th, 2012
10:57 am
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cards-haven-t-clinched-but-ponder-how-to-celebrate/article_d70f9441-5f73-51b6-bb40-ca220570fdb0.html
The Cardinals took notice of the Atlanta Braves’ raucous celebration following Tuesday night’s clinch. A year after fumbling the league’s only wild card to the Cardinals on the season’s final day, the Braves and manager Fredi Gonzalez cut loose with a cathartic celebration that swirled around third baseman Chipper Jones, who has announced his retirement at season’s end.
“No disrespect to what they did, but I think we’re going to save the big pop for after we beat Atlanta,” said pitcher and ex-Brave Adam Wainwright.
Jeff R
September 27th, 2012
10:58 am
What’s Wren perspective, upgrade the pitching or offense for ‘13? if he has to choose?
Medlen, Minor, Hudson, Maholm, and, perhaps, Delgado (unless Wren moves Delgado in a trade). No Hanson, IMO. Then there’s Teheran. I think Teheran should at least begin the ‘13 season at Gwinnett, but he could make the rotation with a solid spring. Possible.
Hudson is getting long in the tooth, but he’s had a good ‘12 campaign and is a very disciplined athlete. I think Wren counts on Hudson going into next season. Beachy returns mid-season, though his ability to produce quality starts remains to be seen. Yet, if he’s healthy, longer term he’s in the rotation.
Offense, as Lew said, has been erratic. I think that will be the focus of Wren’s concern this winter. With more budget money available, though not an unlimited amount, I think Wren seeks to improve the offense first, either via trade or free agents.
Jeff R
September 27th, 2012
11:00 am
“No disrespect to what they did, but I think we’re going to save the big pop for after we beat Atlanta,” said pitcher and ex-Brave Adam Wainwright.
Okay, Adam. Whatever makes you guys happy. Here’s to your Cards losing the WC match.
ncscoots
September 27th, 2012
11:00 am
“No disrespect to what they did, but I think we’re going to save the big pop for after we beat Atlanta,” said pitcher and ex-Brave Adam Wainwright.
Bulletin board.
Sylvester Bill
September 27th, 2012
11:00 am
UKUGA
Thanks for the info
Lew
September 27th, 2012
11:01 am
I do see the possibility of a Hanson trade, though not for pitching.
Jeff R
September 27th, 2012
11:02 am
Excellent post at 10:53 am, Lew.
TennesseePaul
September 27th, 2012
11:02 am
Braves 2012 production from LF: .304/.358/.450/.808 with a 114 OPS+
Bat Masterson
September 27th, 2012
11:04 am
It’s going to be hard. You have to provide a lot of evidence to qualify the challenge _ 10Paul
Thanks for the clarification. I’m not willing to do all that work, and I’m not sure how deep my credibility well is so…………. I’ll just say, it seems to me a large percentage of TOBF’s comments paint TH in a bad light, and I get the impression he enjoys them more than a bit , but I could be wrong.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
11:04 am
Slightly better than what?
Chipper. Maybe he’s more than just slightly better, but I don’t think that Martin is necessarily a defensive wizard at 3B.
TennesseePaul
September 27th, 2012
11:04 am
Here’s to your Cards losing the WC match.
…against the Nats.
raleighbravefan
September 27th, 2012
11:06 am
AT – I’m not for status quo…I’m always looking to improve…I believe Wren is doing the same…
I just believe that if we still have limited resouces, we should spend them in the area of greatest need…which I believe is the outfield, and areas beyond the starting rotation. Now, If Wren can fix the areas of greater need, and still improve the SP, I’m all for that.
I don’t know how to say that in another way, so you can understand it. Just my opinion, of course. I respect yours.
Efrim
September 27th, 2012
11:06 am
There is definitely a few here who believe that Medlen/Hudson/Minor can stack up with Hamels/Lee/Halladay or Strasburg/Zimmermann/Gonzalez over the course of a 162 game season.
To that,….. I’d say nicely – you’re kinda crazy.
ncscoots
September 27th, 2012
11:06 am
…against the Nats.
Are you shouldering a weapon with me on the high ground of The Last Stand, LOL?
Arkansas Transplant
September 27th, 2012
11:07 am
Offense, as Lew said, has been erratic.
Why has it been erratic? and is there reason to think it would improve?
I think we have the potential, with or without Bourne and Chipper, to have a very good offense next season. You’ve got growth from both Heyward and Freeman plus Prado and Simmons returns and is it possible that Uggla and McCann bounces back? That’s a very solid core of offensive production. I don’t see the dire straits. That’s not to say I wouldn’t like to see use get some offensive potential over the offseason but I do feel that a top flight, front of the rotation addition is as much of a need as any offense.
TennesseePaul
September 27th, 2012
11:08 am
Chipper. Maybe he’s more than just slightly better, but I don’t think that Martin is necessarily a defensive wizard at 3B.
HA! Oh man that’s good stuff. So Prado in 2012 is better than Chipper in 2012?
You do realize that, offensively at least, Chipper is the second best third baseman in the league? Martin hasn’t out hit Chipper this year. When Chipper isn’t playing third for the Braves this season, the Braves third base numbers go down, decrease, plummet, drop, are not as good, are weaker, etc.
Chipper improved this team this season. Prado was on this team this season, which Chipper improved. Next year Prado will be here, but Chipper will not. That is pure subtraction that doesn’t get better by merely shuffling the chairs.
Efrim
September 27th, 2012
11:09 am
Nats just need to go 4-3, correct?
And as much as I like him still, 2 of those 7 starts are made by Hanson…
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
11:10 am
Lew: Good points you have, but I’ll disagree a bit. I think that we can get those OF pieces and still have time/money to get a SP. Especially if we go defense first in CF, getting someone like Bourjos. There will be quite a bit of money left. Not sure who we can really get for LF outside of Willingham who fits what we want, i.e. being a RH power bat.
I also don’t really want to wait until 2014 to get a top SP. Hudson and Maholm are really the only guys in our rotation who have pitched multiple seasons. Tim’s turning 38 and Maholm is a #3-4. A little scary.
Also, if we wait til 2014, James Shields might not be available, and if he is, it’d only be for 1 yr. In the free agent market, the only pitcher who looks good would be Josh Johnson, and we all know of his injury trouble.
TennesseePaul
September 27th, 2012
11:11 am
Are you shouldering a weapon with me on the high ground of The Last Stand, LOL?
Well, scoots, I was worried when you didn’t post it… you feeling ok?
ncscoots
September 27th, 2012
11:12 am
but I do feel that a top flight, front of the rotation addition is as much of a need as any offense.
There, I think I’ll disagree. I really think a RH banger has to be the first priority, and it has to be filled even at the expense of any other priorities.
Hillbilly
September 27th, 2012
11:14 am
…against the Nats. — Love it
Are you shouldering a weapon with me on the high ground of The Last Stand, LOL? — You can bet your 4$$ I am.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
11:14 am
TPaul: I believe that I was talking about the defense, and so I was saying that Prado is a better defensive 3B than Chipper. Offensively, Chipper is better by a mile!
Murph
September 27th, 2012
11:14 am
Aside from Pagan, what other OF free agent is available that fits the Braves’ needs?
My guess is that at least one of the two open OF positions will be filled via trade. What chips do the Braves have to use in trades? The very pitching that people want to leave alone and not improve.
Gotta trade talent to get talent. Hanson alone isn’t going to bring a high quality, MLB-ready LF. Hanson plus Delgado would, though.
So, now your team strength has been weakened a bit. Which, to me, means you need to look at a guy like Haren.
Sign Pagan
Sign Haren
Sign another BP arm
Trade Hanson and Delgado for a LF
Win the 2013 WS
Lew
September 27th, 2012
11:14 am
With Hudson and Maholm’s contracts being gone after 2013, there WILL be a need for pitching next winter – all the more reason thae younger pitchers will be showcased this year. Wren has to know what he has going into the 2013 offseason – why go out and get more pitching if they have home grown options ready to step in?
raleighbravefan
September 27th, 2012
11:16 am
AT @10:55 – Exactly my point. That’s why we need to upgrade at LF, and get best replacement possible at CF.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 27th, 2012
11:19 am
AT is it possible that Uggla and McCann bounce back?
YES!!!
Arkansas Transplant
September 27th, 2012
11:19 am
I really think a RH banger has to be the first priority
But that’s something I’m just not sure is available.. anywhere. If it is and I’m wrong, bring it on. I’d love for us to find that addition. However, I think we’re just going to have to hope Uggla can find ‘10 all over again or his HR totals of ‘11.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
11:19 am
The only 2 pitchers on our roster right now likely to be here in 2014 are Minor and Medlen. Even if we add Delgado to the rotation next year, we still will need to fill 2 spots for the 2014 season. Might be 2 rookies. Oh my.
Lew
September 27th, 2012
11:20 am
Only BRaves – I still think you’re jumping the gun. In 2014, even with Hudson and Maholm gone (but with $15.5 mil back in the coffers), we will still have a rotation (considering Hanson is traded) Medlen, MInor (who will have yet another year under his belt and he’s better than many have ever given him credit for), Beachy, Teheran, Delgado, Gilmartin and a couple of guys who might also be ready by then. In other words, they may not need to make any significant acquistions then either, but will have some payroll flexibility to do so if the deem it necessary.
This winter is NOT the time to worry about 2014.
Brian from SC
September 27th, 2012
11:21 am
The middle of a playoff race is definitely not the time to worry about 2014.
ncscoots
September 27th, 2012
11:23 am
we’re just going to have to hope Uggla
Gonna have to have that, in any event. Heyward and Freeman are gonna have to hit lefties better, too. All that has to happen, and you’re still going to need one more righty bat.
raleighbravefan
September 27th, 2012
11:25 am
Lew @11:14 – Co-sign. Plus, Beachy will likely be 100% in 2014.
Arkansas Transplant
September 27th, 2012
11:27 am
McFann, welcome back.. long time no see.
DAP
September 27th, 2012
11:29 am
lew Wren has to know what he has going into the 2013 offseason – why go out and get more pitching if they have home grown options ready to step in?
maybe they arent ready to step in?
murph Sign Pagan
Sign Haren
Sign another BP arm
Trade Hanson and Delgado for a LF
Win the 2013 WS
love this plan.
Arkansas Transplant
September 27th, 2012
11:29 am
ncscoots, it’s not just those 2 that are going to have to hit lefties better but Uggla isn’t exactly holding his own against them either which just compounds the issues we’re having against lefties given we brought Uggla in to be that neutralizing force from the right side.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 27th, 2012
11:29 am
Thanks, AT!…
TennesseePaul
September 27th, 2012
11:31 am
Plus, Beachy will likely be 100% in 2014.
I’d imagine he’ll be on an innings limit in 2014. It’ll be good to have him back, but they’ll need depth to help him slide back into a full time gig.
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
11:31 am
“…So yeah – the best way to improve the club is to get better pitching. Sheesh. – Lew
Well, that’s what the ‘armchair experts’ think. LOL
We have pitching, we need consistent offense.
Arkansas Transplant
September 27th, 2012
11:31 am
This winter is NOT the time to worry about 2014.
I think you should always have an eye towards the future.
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
11:34 am
The middle of a playoff race is definitely not the time to worry about 2014.
Thank
You !!!
Arkansas Transplant
September 27th, 2012
11:34 am
Lew and Mixxo agree and have the same views… uuut ohhh
Mixxo
September 27th, 2012
11:34 am
The middle of a playoff race is definitely not the time to worry about 2014.
Thank
You !!!
Lew
September 27th, 2012
11:35 am
And if they aren’t ready to step in, then he will know it by then and will get more pitching if and when he needs to do so. The fact remains he will showcase the kids this year and find out for sure. But even so, he’ll still have Medlen, Minor and Beachy and $15.5 million to start with.
And I’ll go out on a limb here and predict that by 2014, two of the group of kids will be ready for end of the rotation duties.
DAP
September 27th, 2012
11:37 am
AT I really think a RH banger has to be the first priority
But that’s something I’m just not sure is available.. anywhere. If it is and I’m wrong, bring it on. I’d love for us to find that addition
justin upton will be on the block, if we can get him. thats big time, though.
it actually depends on what you really want. if you just want a righthander that kills lefties, cody ross is the perfect option. he has like a 1.000 OPS vs southpaws. if you want a guys who can just plain hit…well, dont limit your search to righthanders.
Brave New World
September 27th, 2012
11:40 am
First of all, Congratulations Braves! We already have 90 wins, and the reality is we really haven’t hit well as a team. If we can get the hitting going (as in now), we can go deep into the playoffs. As history has shown us, it is often the team that gets hot at the right time that wins the championship. GO BRAVES!
Lew
September 27th, 2012
11:40 am
Transplant – Scary, ain’t it? As for the view forward, they have one – why do you think that Wren steadfastly refuses to trade the young pitching? Could it be that we’ll need those cheap young arms going forward?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
11:40 am
He’ll know if we need more pitching alright, then he’ll be desperate and try to make a “Delgado for Dempster” like trade again. Yeesh!
Beachy might be back in 2014, but I’m sure he’ll be on an innings limit. His career high in innings is 141, set last year. And even then, we have to “hope” that he’s back. Laying hope in Minor, Medlen, and Beachy.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
11:43 am
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1349634-atlanta-braves-where-do-september-call-ups-fit-in-2013-plans
Overbay will be competing for a spot on the Braves postseason roster (I believe he will prevail), and if he performs well, I could definitely see him taking Eric Hinske’s roster spot on the Braves in 2013.
Casey Kotchman, Ty Wigginton, Xavier Nady, and James Loney are all potential backup first basemen and bench bats for the Braves, but they are neither cheaper than nor performing better than Overbay.
Odds of a Braves roster spot in 2013: 50 percent
I envision: veteran minimum deal, backup first baseman and pinch hitter.
Arkansas Transplant
September 27th, 2012
11:43 am
cody ross is the perfect option
Except for the fact that he’s already turned down an offer from us once and more than likely will re-up with Boston.
Efrim
September 27th, 2012
11:43 am
if you want a guys who can just plain hit…well, dont limit your search to righthanders.
A middle of the order of Heyward, Freeman, Uggla, McCann LH banger for LF is just simply not going to be that great vs. LHP. It makes all the sense in the world to focus on a RH hitter so we don’t have the Sean Burnett’s of the world coming in and striking out Heyward and Freeman…
Yes, they need to get better vs. LHP. But asking them to 800 vs. them is a bit much. And there is enougfh LHP in the league that a balanced lineup should be a priority. It’s not 75% RHP any longer.
Lew
September 27th, 2012
11:45 am
OnlyBraves – Believe or not as you will. But what I’ve said – NO significant pitching acquistions this winter, letting the kids show what they can do and concentration on offensive needs this year are what WILL happen.
You can tell me I was right next spring.
Arkansas Transplant
September 27th, 2012
11:45 am
why do you think that Wren steadfastly refuses to trade the young pitching?
He’s kind of back track on this view I would say.. trading Viz and almost traded Delgado.
Jeff R
September 27th, 2012
11:46 am
With Hudson and Maholm’s contracts being gone after 2013, there WILL be a need for pitching next winter – all the more reason thae younger pitchers will be showcased this year. Wren has to know what he has going into the 2013 offseason – why go out and get more pitching if they have home grown options ready to step in?
I think Delgado will be ready. Teheran and Gilmartin, not far behind.
Wren’s developing pitchers for a reason. It’s cost-effective for a team that has a crimped budget.
Lew
September 27th, 2012
11:48 am
Seriously Transplant – how much young pitching has he traded? Not enough that you can site examples past a rumor that never came to fruition and a guy with (what most people claimed) was closer potential and who is injured and likely not to be back at full strength until 2014 (and we already have Kimbrel).
Jeff R
September 27th, 2012
11:49 am
Well, I don’t think Wren’s developing pitchers just to use as trade leverage. Of course, he’s not going to keep every pitching prospect. But Wren’s aim is to develop and retain as many arms as he needs.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 27th, 2012
11:49 am
A rumor… the deal was done. Dempster just didn’t accept it.
ncscoots
September 27th, 2012
11:50 am
Wren’s developing pitchers for a reason. It’s cost-effective for a team that has a crimped budget.
I don’t disagree with this, but when was the last time you saw a contender fronting its rotation with three pre-arb-eligible guys, LOL?
Lew
September 27th, 2012
11:50 am
Oh – and Redmond, who was on the verge of becoming a career minor leaguer, never to seriously be included in the Braves’ plans going forward.
Lew
September 27th, 2012
11:51 am
scoots – The Rays? Another team with low p[ayroll and the need to rely on the Kids.
Lew
September 27th, 2012
11:53 am
But by 2014 season’s start, Medlen will have been through arb twice and MInor and Beachy once.
Frankie
September 27th, 2012
11:53 am
“Probably the most interesting aspect of the post-season will be watching Medlen and Minor under the big lights. One guy back from the bullpen and the other back from a starter’s abyss, and the team asking each of them to make the four or five biggest starts of their lives. And, oh by the way, win them. Neither of them with 50 ML starts.
Yowsah.”
Yep this is a total crapshoot to see how both perform, especially Minor. This is why Dempster would have been a huge addition and pitch Game 2 IMO and make a big impact. Good experience for both but it if comes down to it, need to win now and a lot of pressure on these guys. We will see how they handle hopefully.
Jeff R
September 27th, 2012
11:53 am
I don’t disagree with this, but when was the last time you saw a contender fronting its rotation with three pre-arb-eligible guys, LOL?
I’m not sure that has anything to do with how those guys produce next season. Or maybe I’m misunderstanding?
Lew
September 27th, 2012
11:55 am
Thing is that until Delgado is traded, he hasn’t been traded – no matter what MLBTradeRunors says.
David O'Brien
September 27th, 2012
11:55 am
Sales soar for Chipper jerseys and other Braves gear
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/27/sales-soar-for-chipper-jerseys-and-braves-gear/
Arkansas Transplant
September 27th, 2012
11:56 am
Not enough that you can site examples past a rumor that never came to fruition
What rumor are you talking about? The Delgado trade was blocked because Dempster didn’t approve it.
Jeff R
September 27th, 2012
11:57 am
Sales soar for Chipper jerseys and other Braves gear
Now we need to see more rears in the seats at Turner!
Frankie
September 27th, 2012
11:57 am
I give you guys credit looking ahead to next season and beyond. Have to say, farthest thing from my mind though. This is it, time to win is now. With the continuation of solid pitching all around, some timely hits and luck, this year can erase last year and next year if the team falls short. I can live with 4 hits in the playoffs, as long as they are big hits. Time is now, focus on present and GO BRAVES!
Jeff R
September 27th, 2012
11:59 am
Conceded. Wren attempted to trade Delgado to the Cubs for Dumpster. Dumpster said, “No.” (Thank goodness.)
Delgado remains a Brave. I don’t know what plans Wren has for him. But he could be in the Braves rotation next season. I wouldn’t be surprised.
George_George
September 27th, 2012
11:59 am
Good morning all
Hate to see HANSON go out there tonight , but guess FREDI has no one else. Hope if we get past play-in game he shortens rotation to 4 starters.
ncscoots
September 27th, 2012
12:00 pm
I’m not sure that has anything to do with how those guys produce next season. Or maybe I’m misunderstanding?
I’m only saying that the blog has an awful lot of faith in guys who don’t have an awful lot of track record. Minor has been fabulous for half a year, Medlen magnificent for about a third of a year, and Beachy has yet to even return from surgery. And Hudson will be 38 next year. Now, all those guys may continue to perform at a high level, and I might even call it likely that they will, but I don’t take it as a given as much as some here seem to.