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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,698 comments Add your comment
Lew
October 9th, 2012
11:59 am
Ugla’s done nothing the last two year? Not sure how you figure that one. In 2011, he was first in HR for NL 2B and second in RBI and in 2012, he was 3rd (out of 15 2B in the NL) in HR, 2nd in RBI and 2nd in OBP. And haven’t we heard often enough that BA doesn’t mean anything?
Streaky as hell? Yep. Frustrating when he isn’t hitting? No doubt about it. But done nothing? Not so. Offensively, he’s one of the best in the league at his position. – if in fact, you look at the numbers.
Nowhere Man
October 9th, 2012
11:59 am
Some good posts about Chipper E. Jones. He threw it away and mailed it in. HOF for regular season but not in the post season.
P-Town Brave ©
October 9th, 2012
11:59 am
Murph-
Even lower than what exactly?
Every scout who has looked at Hanson has not looked at the 13 wins…..they looked at the WHIP, the vastly declining velo, and the flatness that became of the breaking ball as the season went on….
I can’t see many thinking he has any worthwhile value at the moment.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 9th, 2012
12:00 pm
P-Town: What about Delgado as the centerpiece, Hanson is a potential high-reward throw-in, Salcedo, and Spruill all together for Gordon.
We get a LF w/ good avg. and some pop (though he is LH), and the Royals get 1 good young pitcher, a 2nd pitcher who may become something, + 2 solid prospects. Not to mention, they open up a spot for their prized OF prospect, Wil Myers.
DS1
October 9th, 2012
12:01 pm
All excellent ideas on the starting rotation folks! It’ll be fun to see which way FW goes.
I just lean towards developing as much of your own talent as possible. Granted you can’t always just use your prospects, but the more the merrier.
Murph
I was thinking about that wicked curve when I talk about Hanson’s stuff.
ncscoots
October 9th, 2012
12:01 pm
I don’t think anybody ever saw him being an Ace. But I’d like to see him turn into a 3-4 guy
That sub-3 ERA in the second half has raised unreasonable expectations for many here, I believe.
N8
October 9th, 2012
12:01 pm
“Like I said before – I’m more concerned losing Chipper’s presence than his bat or glove. But it all hinges on who FW gets to fill those outfield spots.”
Lew, I absolutely agree with this. That being said, i believe that Prado has the respect of his teamates and as much as all we’ve been talking about the past couple of years is this being “Heyward’s” team moving forward… I think it’s Prado’s team. If you’re looking for a veteran to lead the youngsters.
Guy never complains. He’s been moved around all over the field, batting order spot has covered the entire lineup, he plays hurt and from all accounts is a damn hard worker (not saying everybody else is not), but Prado has the makings in my eyes of a guy that is going to make a fine manager or coach some day. Very much in the mold of TP from my angle.
Far and away my favorite Brave and I like a lot of these guys. I like everybody else questioned his ability to stay healthy with how “all out” he goes, but when healthy I think he’s one of the better players in all of baseball. He does everything well and appears to be a lead by example kind of guy.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 9th, 2012
12:02 pm
I just hope Hanson is moved by then… I’d hate for his value to drop even lower after a miserable spring and 1st half.
Even lower? It’s only 6 feet under.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 9th, 2012
12:03 pm
I just hope Hanson is moved by then… I’d hate for his value to drop even lower after a miserable spring and 1st half.
Even lower? It’s already 6 feet under.
P-Town Brave ©
October 9th, 2012
12:06 pm
Lew-
Great points there….
Thing is, some don’t realize that the Braves have so many issues on offense NOT because Uggla is so streaky, BUT because the team as a whole players wise has way too MANY streaky players…
Look at the Cardinals….Beltran and Holliday are both streaky players….they get on really prolonged hot streaks, but as Aug/Sep proved, they can get on really prolonged cold streaks as well….difference is, they also have steady eddie guys like Allen Craig, Jon Jay, and this year Yadi Molina….
Outside of Prado, the Braves don’t really have guys that play like that….and they need more….and thats what I would look for as replacements….along w/ guys who hit LHP well…..and that could go hand in hand w/ finding players that make more contact as well……now this wont go with the 35 HR Willingham masher theory, but I think we could find some good players that adhere to this….
N8
October 9th, 2012
12:07 pm
“That sub-3 ERA in the second half has raised unreasonable expectations for many here, I believe”
perhaps. But hey, even Glavine only 6 of 22 seasons with an ERA under 3.00. So if people are expecting THAT from Minor, that’s just silly.
I think that Minor and Medlen will be that much more effective once there is a couple of power pitchers in the rotation as well. Just to give teams different looks in series. I think back to the 93 rotation with Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz and Avery. Two LH pitchers, two RH pitchers. One from each side to provide power and finesse. Just kept teams off balanc.
If Maholm is in the rotation next year (meaning if they don’t trade him), it would be wise to separate him and Minor in the rotation. I guess that’s the angle I’m speaking from.
But I also think our softer throwing “location” guys like Minor and Medlen make the bullpen fireball guys that much more intimidating late in games when they’ve been lulled to sleep with the changeups all night.
But in the end regardless of velocity it comes down to location. If Minor locates well, he’ll have success. As he showed in the second half. His command was night and day from anything we’ve seen from him before July 31.
Lew
October 9th, 2012
12:07 pm
Nathan – Martin’s definitely a role model. The only thing about him that’s ever bothered me is that dirt thing on walk off wins.
N8
October 9th, 2012
12:10 pm
LOL Lew. I supose that is a little weird.
But you know what? I hope we see a whole bunch of it next year!
DM
October 9th, 2012
12:10 pm
The Braves are not really serious about winning. They(GM and Manager) don’t seem to have a clue. They traded a power pitcher who throws 95 mph for a guy who throws 85 at the trade deadline. They don’t seem to see that the teams that win have power pitchers as starters not 5 guys that throw 85 to 90 miles an hour. If they were serious, they would pay a second basemant that hits .220 over 12 million dollars. It appears the Braves main issue is to stay under the 90 million per year budget, but the problem has been they do not make good decisions on who they pay(Lowe $ 11 million, Uggla $ 12.5 million, and others I will not name because it may upset some people)
The Braves will not win big until they have at least 3 power pitchers that can throw in the 92 to 96 mph range and have at 3 players hitting around .300 and the rest hitting at least .270. You can not win with most of you players hitting under .270. and none of your starting pitchers throwing over 92 mph.
I have been a Braves fan since they got here in the 1960’s, and want them to win so badly, but the are not going to win until managerment and the owners REALLY want to win. I mean the have to spend more money but make much better decisions that the Uggla, Lowe and the 5 very good prospects they gave to Texas Rangers for a third baseman they rented for about a year.
ncscoots
October 9th, 2012
12:11 pm
I think that Minor and Medlen will be that much more effective once there is a couple of power pitchers in the rotation as well.
You’ll have to point them out to me when they show up; I’m not sure I’d recognize them in this rotation.
DS1
October 9th, 2012
12:11 pm
Lew
Somebody needs to take Prado aside this winter and tell him that the dirt thing is not a good idea. That would suck if he got some dirt in somebody’s contact lenses.
Lew
October 9th, 2012
12:12 pm
There’s one thing that sets both Minor and Medlen apart from most young pitchers – they have confidence in what they do – and that’s the most important advance that Minor made this season. He started to believe in himself and the improvement followed almost immediately. I think he’s way underappreciated. People didn’t like him from the time he was drafted, yet he’s exceeded all expectations and there’s no reason he can’t continue in that regard.
P-Town Brave ©
October 9th, 2012
12:12 pm
TOBF-
I think thats pretty unreasonable even given the package….
You’re talking about a guy who they moved out to LF because of his bat, but has developed into the premiere defensive LF in the AL and is more than likely on his way to his 2nd consecutive Gold Glove award….in fact, if the Royals are shuffling any spot to open for Myers, it’d be more likely to be in RF or at 1b….recall, they have the black hole of OBP in RF.
Also, I once again must reiterate that it would take nothing short of a Top 10 MVP candidate for me to want to include Delgado in a deal…..THAT is how strongly I feel about him as a pitcher for the present and future of the Braves….
And yes, I know we just about gave him up for 2 months of the Dumpster…but we didn’t and I think maybe they ought to revisit how stupid that would have been….
Also, FWIW, I think Minor is a 3 that if he just had the confidence Medlen has, could develop into a 2…if he continues to work on his secondary pitches, I could easily see him being a 2 with the current staff…..that said, 2/3 whatever, its all a crapshoot because we never really know who is going to develop ahead of the curve and who is going to bottom out….just look at Beachy and Medlen for the first statement, and Teheran for the latter (so far)
George_George
October 9th, 2012
12:14 pm
raleighbravefan
October 9th, 2012
10:39 am
Sorry to hear about McFann…she was a spot of sunshine on the ever darkening blog. I have enjoyed the lively and (mostly) thoughtful discussions here since 2006. However, over this past year, (most notably since the Sept swoon), it has become increasingly a refuge for the clueless and imature whiners to collectively work each other up into a vitriolic and hateful frenzy. I have continued to come on, to pick up the few knowledgeable nuggets from the serious baseball fans, which have become a smaller and smaller portion of the discussion. I find that I have lost a lot of interest in most of what is being said here. Reminds me a lot of the current state of politics. You will likey hear a lot less from me, at least for the time being.
As Lew said, many of you should really feel proud of yourselves for bullying a teenage girl off of the blog. McFann, whereever you are, keep the faith.
*************
Good morning all
Hope McFann did not feel bullyed off the blog, she was and is a bit of sunshine and fresh air. She is to young to retire. Hope she comes back.
Lew
October 9th, 2012
12:14 pm
Nathan – Like DS1, I’m just concerned about dirt in someone’s eye – and we all know about this team’s vision issues. But yeah – I’d sure like to see lots of those celebrations next year and see Martin rewarded with a four year deal that keeps him hitting second for Atlanta.
Jimmy
October 9th, 2012
12:15 pm
At the risk of being called a “McCann basher” and a “bully”, let’s visit the issue of Brian McCann.
We have an option ($12mill I think), but he may miss up to 5 months after he has surgery (if needed). Considering his knee problems and this shoulder issue, is that $12 mill best spent on that option?
I know he is a fan favorite and all, but just thinking about it. Is there a chance the Braves don’t pick up the option and go another route?
Frankie
October 9th, 2012
12:15 pm
“In 12 seasons, Lohse has had a sub-4 ERA only 3 times. No thanks’
Yeah the guy’s a bum. 16-3 this season and was a stalwart in their rotation last season getting them to the playoffs. Oh yeah, think he was the winning pitcher Friday. A bum I say.
TennesseePaul
October 9th, 2012
12:16 pm
You’ll have to point them out to me when they show up; I’m not sure I’d recognize them in this rotation.
You’ll have to look down to see them. In fact, it might help if you simply stopped looking simply at the Randy Johnson eye line level.
Lew
October 9th, 2012
12:19 pm
Jimmy – No. They have no one to replace him – Betancourt’s not ready (and may never be offensively) and Ross isn’t a 130 game a year catcher. In addition, they have enough to do this winter replacing Chipper and Bourn without looking for another catcher, too.
Trader Jack
October 9th, 2012
12:20 pm
Chew on this for a minute:
MLB just finished inking a new deal with TBS and Fox regarding National broadcast rights,
Starting in 2014 each club will receive $50 mil annually, or an increase of $26.28 mil over the 23.72 they now receive. It is an 8 year deal. This money also includes the recent ESPN deal with MLB
The Atlanta Braves, starting in 2014, will have $70 mil in the till, before even selling one ticket Poor Liberty Media
Murph
October 9th, 2012
12:20 pm
Hanson has some value on the trade market. Think of what he is and not what you expected him to be. He’s a 4th or 5th starter. Even as a 4th or 5th starter, though, he does have some value.
He might only fetch a bench bat or bullpen arm… but even a bench bat or bullpen arm has value to the club.
Trader Jack
October 9th, 2012
12:21 pm
I forgot to note the other $20 mil comes from the Regional Sports Network
Frankie
October 9th, 2012
12:21 pm
Okay at the game on Friday and too depressed to comb through these pages for confirmation. DID FG give a safety squeeze to Simmons or did the kid take it upon himself????
Please tell Simmons pulled a rock and inexperience got the best of him!
David O'Brien
October 9th, 2012
12:24 pm
DOB
You said Hinsky has not done anything in the last two years to warrant bringing him back,what about Uggla who has not done anything in the last two years and is a everyday player? — Arizona Brave
To begin with, here’s a key difference, Arizona Brave: Hinske is not under contract and is thus owed zero going forward. Dan Uggla is owed $13 million in each of the next three seasons ($39 million total).
And believe me, I wish they were bringing back Hinske. Really good character guy, great presence in clubhouse, always upbeat and fired up.
Shaun
October 9th, 2012
12:24 pm
Jimmy, 5 months would mean McCann may miss about a month or so of the regular season. If we assume that the injury issues were the main culprit in his poor season, which I think is reasonable, picking up his option is just fine.
Lew
October 9th, 2012
12:26 pm
Frankie – Fredi took credit (or blame). Said he called for it.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 9th, 2012
12:30 pm
darn… so my top 2 targets will be tough to get… not even for *gulp* Teheran would KC bite?
Trey
October 9th, 2012
12:30 pm
How’s nolie doing?
Shaun
October 9th, 2012
12:31 pm
Arizona Brave and DOB, Also, while Uggla’s no Gold Glover, he has more defensive value than Hinske. Uggla is also a secondbaseman who, as disappointing as he’s been, has produced at around a league-average level with the Braves. Hinske looks done on offense and is below replacement level on defense. And of course, that’s before we even get in to which player is under contract and all of that.
nolie
October 9th, 2012
12:31 pm
I see we were swamped with mr multi-name again last night. a million new names all saying the same thing. Poor guy must have absolutely no life at all….
Tumbledown
October 9th, 2012
12:31 pm
P-Town – Maybe I missed it in one of your posts, but who do you think we should target this offseason? I agree that we need some steady-eddy type hitters, especially with the streaky players we now have like Uggla, Freeman, etc. Hopefully, Simmons can develop into a fairly consistent hitter. In assuming that Bourn goes elsewhere, should the Braves target Victorino, and would we have a realistic chance in getting him?
Given our budget restraints and bad TV deal, I think we pretty much have to stick with our young pitchers and pick up the relatively cheap options on Hudson and Maholm. We have a nice core of relievers including the best closer in the game. We have some great pieces, but need some more Prado-like players to balance out the lineup.
I know Turner Field cannot be razed, but I wish sometimes that Braves’ fans would ditch the chop and chant for some good ole-fashioned noise at the ball park. A little change in atmosphere could not hurt. I almost feel like the chant activates something in the players’ brains like “must choke at bat, must make key error.” This I propose in a mostly kidding but somewhat serious tone.
Frankie
October 9th, 2012
12:32 pm
Wow, that is just a horrible, horrible call if the case. 4th inning only down a flippin run and playing not to lose. I had a feeling he would play it way conservative. Runs have been a premium understand but that is just a bad approach of Managing if FG called that with pitcher on deck.
P-Town Brave ©
October 9th, 2012
12:33 pm
FWIW, I don’t agree w/ ppl just leaving the blog because of what someone said….
Jeebus….no offense to McFann, but you gotta have a thicker skin than that….or maybe we need a disclaimer of being a grown-up to visit here….
The Lohse commentary….let me bring up what I have heard around here….Dave Duncan, pitching guru, found a flaw in his mechanics and his delivery AND most importantly his thoughts on attacking hitters —- he thought he was a power pitcher and wanted to blow everyone away….
Once Duncan fixed his mechanics, changed his delivery, and altered his way of thinking…it took a couple years, but completely changed his game….became a completely different pitcher….
That said, as much respect as I have for the guy, he is aging, and he’s still a Boras client….so thanks but no thanks….
Besides, I believe Frank when he says we really have no interest in going hard after a pitcher….granted that could change once he sees the landscape of the market, BUT I don’t think that would change his opinion on Kyle Lohse….maybe Zack Greinke, but not Lohse.
Jimmy
October 9th, 2012
12:34 pm
Lew – Yeah, I know we don’t have anything to replace McCann with, I was thinking more of a trade for a replacement.
Shaun – Yeah, April/May return (if needed). But is that worth the money – not knowing what you are going to get?
I just don’t think this gets the attention it deserves.
3rd and LF is mentioned, but the catcher position concerns me alot.
P-Town Brave ©
October 9th, 2012
12:36 pm
Tumble-
Thats why I am curious about what Wren means about spending and looking at “premium” players….
Because it almost sounds as if theyre willing to put more money out there if necessary BUT as you and I both know, we have heard this tune before….
Frankie
October 9th, 2012
12:38 pm
My argument with Lohse is not that he should be seriously looked at(although I would have some initial discussions). Keep reading on here how average the guy is throughout his career. Good points P-Town. The guy was steady eddie last season leading his team to the playoffs. Not a very good postseason last year, but he is a big reason they got there. This year he’s been outstanding. 220 inning with 30 something walks. The guy has learned how to pitch, been my point all along. The Cards would be wise to resign for sure.
David O'Brien
October 9th, 2012
12:41 pm
Shaun: Agreed. I was just stating the most obvious contractual difference between the two players, in terms of future status with the team.
P-Town Brave ©
October 9th, 2012
12:41 pm
Tumble-
I have mentioned Span or Revere for CF, whomever MIN is more willing to part with as I think they would fit with what I have in mind for the leadoff spot….Revere is from ATL so he’d seem to fit even better BUT he’s also younger and pre-arb so I doubt theyre looking to really part w/ him….
I also have mentioned Victorino, but that seems to rub some the wrong way because he is aging and his production was down last year….
That said, look at his 2012 numbers v lefties (outstanding), the fact that he’d give you GG defense in LF with the arm to back it up, and if you don’t put him in the leadoff spot, he’s a pretty good player….
Outside of that, I’d really have to look into things….I think Torii Hunter still has plenty left as long as you don’t give him more than 2 years and he’d also give you GG D in LF and can hit plenty, especially against lefties….but thats just throwing a name out there that would be affordable and would love to play for the Braves.
P-Town Brave ©
October 9th, 2012
12:43 pm
Frankie-
Thing is, from what it sounds like to me, he will walk….
I don’t have any real true reasoning why, but I look at Detroit to be a team that might get in on him…..would be a good park for him to pitch in too
P-Town Brave ©
October 9th, 2012
12:45 pm
DOB-
Thing is, you or I could go in and be a great clubhouse presence….
After so much, you still have to be able to produce….and he hasn’t….so thats why they are where they’re at with him….
I would like to think they’ve realized the bench needs a massive upgrade after finishing near the bottom in every statistical category as far as pinch hitting goes while seeing the 1st place Nats finish near the top.
Efrim
October 9th, 2012
12:45 pm
Lots of good stuff this morning.
Wren might think the rotation is fine, but I think there is a big hole in the front of it. Imagine what it would do to add a guy like James Shields to the #1 slot? A shame that we don’t match up with them. We match up really well with teams like Minnesota, Baltimore, Toronto and Kansas City and don’t really match up with teams like Tampa Bay, Arizona, and St. Louis.
Shaun
October 9th, 2012
12:45 pm
Jimmy, you don’t know for sure what you are going to get anywhere. You just made as educated a guess as you can. That’s what projecting players is all about.
And with most players who have a year so far out of the ordinary while still pretty young, it’s usually always the result of injury. So it’s very reasonable to make the educated guess that McCann will get fixed in the offseason and come back to being a middle-of-the-order type catcher. If he does that, he will be worth the option.
Murph
October 9th, 2012
12:46 pm
I think Hunter either stays with the Angels or goes to the Rangers to be closer to his family. Don’t forget his son has had some trouble with the law recently in Dallas… although he’s now committed to play football at ND, so that may not weigh as heavily.
Efrim
October 9th, 2012
12:47 pm
That sub-3 ERA in the second half has raised unreasonable expectations for many here, I believe.
I still see a #3 starter ceiling. I don’t expect a sub-3 from the kid for 200+ innings.
Tumbledown
October 9th, 2012
12:49 pm
This offseason seems to me to be especially crucial for Wren and the Braves. If he can make some acquisitions at key areas in the same vein as the Braves of 1990-91 (veterans like Pendleton, Bream, and Belliard), the Braves will be able to stay up there with the top teams given their midde-of-the-road payroll. None of the players acquired before the 1991 season were considered superstars, but their steady-eddy influence on the Braves melded quite nicely with the yourg star players.
Efrim
October 9th, 2012
12:49 pm
You’ll have to point them out to me when they show up; I’m not sure I’d recognize them in this rotation.
Gotta love the Cardinals bringing Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly and Trevor Rosenthal in the game yesterday with all of them hitting 95mph+. Rosenthal hit 100mph.
Oh yeah, and they have Shelby Miller sitting on the bench with Carlos Martinez and Michael Wacha ready in Triple-A.
Of course, it looks like they will need a couple of em with Garcia going down and Lohse exiting via free agency.
single white dove
October 9th, 2012
12:50 pm
I wouldnt mind seeing David Wright at third….
Shaun
October 9th, 2012
12:51 pm
DOB, yes, contract is a huge factor.
But it seems that commenter also was saying Uggla and Hinske basically offer the same value. So I wanted to point out also that that is not the case.
Seems like Uggla is getting a bad rap among many because of what he hasn’t been for the Braves. But he actually hasn’t been all that bad. Most teams would be okay with a league-average offensive secondbaseman that can keep the team afloat defensively, even if that’s not what they expected.
Dick Dodge
October 9th, 2012
12:51 pm
Give David Wright $20 mil a year AND Josh Hamilton $25 mil a year. Given that Chipper made $14 mil, we paid Derek Lowe $10 mil to not pitch, and Jair Jurrjens at $5.5 mil was a waste..and letting Bourn’s $7 mil walk as a free agent (total of almost $37 mil)…..it would only cost us $8 mil to sign Wright and Hamilton.
If Frank Wren can packed a trade of Tommy Hanson and Dan Uggla to a team like the Dodgers who need pitching….that would not only free up the money to over the $8 mil difference, but also free up more money to pay for signing Cody Ross (while Hanson only made the ML minimum in 2012..he’s due a substantial raise in 2013 because he’s eligible for arbitration) to play left field…which would allow Prado to move back to 2nd base.
Projected 2013 Lineup:
1. Jason Heyward (RF)
2. Martin Prado (2nd)
3. David Wright (3rd)
4. Josh Hamilton (CF)
5. Freddie Freeman (1st)
6. Cody Ross (LF)
7. David Ross/Bentecourt (C)
8. Simmons (SS)
Now that’s a lineup with some punch…as well as some left-rightly balance.
Sure, some of you may question having Heyward hit leadoff. However, he has the speed to steal a few bases..plus he can draw walks. Besides….Rickey Henderson hit leadoff with power for many years.
Efrim
October 9th, 2012
12:51 pm
I’m not sure I’d have the guts to trade away Hanson and Maholm. You’d have to be sure in the player you get for the front of the rotation. Probably wouldn’t be comfortable going that route with Dan Haren.
Certainly Shields…..but then, that’s what? 5 trades Wren is going to make this offseason. He does need to work overtime this winter, but that’s asking a lot.
Steven
October 9th, 2012
12:51 pm
Somebody below was talking about Prado at second or third, and wondering if they might try shopping Uggla. Another option is to try Uggla out at third. If you think about it, he’s constantly being thought of as a poor fielder, but that’s not what I’ve seen. What I’ve seen is that he’s a great fielder, and extremely quick and sure with the glove, but has horrible range. Honestly, that would fit much better at third than second.
toby
October 9th, 2012
12:52 pm
I love the Braves,but it’s the same problem that has haunted us since 91,no hitting what so ever with RISP,especially during post season??? It’sas if were cursed when the calender turns to october?And one more thing,i would shop Hanson and see what i could get,he is by far the weakest link of our starting pitcher’s and would not start 1 more game for me!!!!
Efrim
October 9th, 2012
12:54 pm
I do not want Chad Durbin back. Many relievers are a year to year thing, and I think Durbin is a guy you shake the hand of and thank him for his 2012 – but any more than that, and it is probably going to get sour in 2013.
Tumbledown
October 9th, 2012
12:55 pm
Victorino would seem to be a good fit. He might be extra motivated to get his production back up. I have heard that Todd Cunningham from the minors has the potential to take over centerfield. How close is he, if at all, to being ML ready?
DAP
October 9th, 2012
12:55 pm
Somebody needs to take Prado aside this winter and tell him that the dirt thing is not a good idea. That would suck if he got some dirt in somebody’s contact lenses.
or they might break a nail or ruin their blouse!
P-Town Brave ©
October 9th, 2012
12:57 pm
Efrim-
Thing is, I don’t see Shields as someone I’d go all out for to get either though….
If you’re wanting that true shutdown #1 ace, I’m just not seeing it w/ him
Rick C
October 9th, 2012
12:58 pm
Steven, I disagree on your assessment of Uggla. His range actually often impresses me. He tied for 3rd with Brandon Phillips and Daniel Descalso in RF this season among NL 2B. His arm is probably the worst part of his defense. I would venture to guess most of his errors are on inaccurate throws. Playing 3B would expose this even more.
Rick C
October 9th, 2012
12:59 pm
*among MLB 2B
Tumbledown
October 9th, 2012
1:00 pm
Steven – I believe Uggla is against a shift to third base. Does anyone remember Uggla saying something a couple of years ago about not wanting to play 3rd?
Dick Dodge
October 9th, 2012
1:00 pm
DOB, “And believe me, I wish they were bringing back Hinske. Really good character guy, great presence in clubhouse, always upbeat and fired up.”
My question: Are the Braves running a social club or a ball club? Dude stank up the place as a pinch hitter..both in 2011 and 2012.
Really fans of the Braves want to see the Braves win. We need guys who can deliver in the clutch. Pinch hitting is not an easy art. Yet we spent money on two guys (Hinske and Diaz) who were counted on to be our top two pinch hitters off the bench. And what did we get in return? SQUAT!
I think that Rusty Staub and Manny Mota could have come out of retirement and produced more than the “Enos/Cletus” (of Dukes of Hazzard fame) lefty-righty combo.
STYLIN
October 9th, 2012
1:00 pm
REPLACING CHIPPER AT THIRD IS A NO-BRAINER…..GET DAVID WRIGHT!!!!!!
P-Town Brave ©
October 9th, 2012
1:01 pm
Guys, cmon now….David Wright is NOT coming through that door….nor is the pipe dream that is Josh Hamilton!
Steven –
Yeah, just what I want to think about….Uggla making a play ranging to his left and throwing off one foot…
Tumble-
I have heard the name, but I cant say i’d think he’s close nor do I think he’s right now considered starter type talent
George_George
October 9th, 2012
1:01 pm
I have been a full time BRAVES fan since I moved to NC mid-summer 1995, so I have been really following braves for CHIPPERS career. I was very disappointed with him last friday. On the way to ballpark he said he was not nervous, when I saw that I had a feeling he would not play well, that he just wanted game to be over so he could go home. Wish he had givein it full effort. Don’t get me wrong I think CHIPPER is a great HOF player and in his later years a very good team leader, but it did seem full effort was not there last Friday.
Efrim
October 9th, 2012
1:01 pm
Thing is, I don’t see Shields as someone I’d go all out for to get either though….
If you’re wanting that true shutdown #1 ace, I’m just not seeing it w/ him
I think the move out of the AL East would make him a Cy Young candidate in the National League.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 9th, 2012
1:01 pm
I’m not trading for Shields… good pitcher though. If I was trading for a pitcher, I’d rather have Price. However, I wouldn’t like either trade because we would be in essence trading 3-5 pitchers for 1. Not a good matchup.
Go to free agency. Get Zack instead (if we were to get a pitcher)
Rick C
October 9th, 2012
1:01 pm
Ugh I was looking at postseason stats… He was 7th in the MLB in 2B RF. Still above average though.
DS1
October 9th, 2012
1:02 pm
Uggla for Cliff Lee???
Steven
October 9th, 2012
1:02 pm
DAP, with the problems that both Freeman and McCann had this year with their contacts, I wouldn’t be so quick to roll my eyes at what the guy said.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 9th, 2012
1:03 pm
Shields is already 30 as well…
DS1
October 9th, 2012
1:03 pm
Gutierrez for CF
Tumbledown
October 9th, 2012
1:06 pm
I agree. Stars like David Wright and Josh Hamilton are simply not coming to the Braves. The team cannot afford anymore to have a big chunk of its payroll go to one player. And, we cannot afford to execute any Texiera-like trades for any one player. We need all our young talent.
Tumbledown
October 9th, 2012
1:08 pm
DS1- Uggla for Cliff Lee???
Why settle. How about Uggla for Justin Verlander?
Frankie
October 9th, 2012
1:08 pm
“My question: Are the Braves running a social club or a ball club? Dude stank up the place as a pinch hitter..both in 2011 and 2012.
Really fans of the Braves want to see the Braves win. We need guys who can deliver in the clutch. Pinch hitting is not an easy art. Yet we spent money on two guys (Hinske and Diaz) who were counted on to be our top two pinch hitters off the bench. And what did we get in return? SQUAT!
I think that Rusty Staub and Manny Mota could have come out of retirement and produced more than the “Enos/Cletus” (of Dukes of Hazzard fame) lefty-righty combo.
”
Amen to that. I don’t want a Yunel but echo hearing enough on how great these guys are in the clubhouse(no knock on DOB) but hear this a lot through the organization.
Victorino is a guy who I would have loved in the lineup the last 5 yrs. I don’t know if he has anything left but that kind of player and attitude is what this club needs going forward.
Tumbledown
October 9th, 2012
1:09 pm
Ok, I will sweeten the pot. How about Uggla, Hanson, and Constanza for Verlander?
Trey
October 9th, 2012
1:09 pm
There’s nolie polie! How are you?
P-Town Brave ©
October 9th, 2012
1:10 pm
Yeah DS1, just what I want….a CF who has played 130 games in the last TWO years and has performed like a career minor leaguer….
.308 career OBP…..why not just bring back Jeff Francoeur…
I guess his upside is he does defend and hit lefties well…..
One-Eyed Mac
October 9th, 2012
1:13 pm
DOB: Any sense as to whether the Braves would consider bringing Reed Johnson back if the price was right. I think he’s a good bench player/4th outfielder to keep around.
DAP
October 9th, 2012
1:13 pm
p-town and if you don’t put him in the leadoff spot, he’s a pretty good player….
why cant you put him at leadoff? i guess if you think he will OBP .320 from here on out…but career wise he gets on base better than michael bourn. i wouldnt have a problem getting victorino and batting him 1st.
nolie
October 9th, 2012
1:13 pm
sure Tumble, they will be glad to take what we don’t want for a superstar pitcher. Happens all the time….
Hi Trey, doing pretty good ,except for all the negativity here I guess
P-Town Brave ©
October 9th, 2012
1:13 pm
Frankie-
2012 v LHP:
.323 .388 .518 .906
Career v LHP:
.301 .373 .508 .881
Thats Victorino….looks like someone who could be useful considering our MAJOR issues against LHP
chipontheroad
October 9th, 2012
1:15 pm
All the redneck, Teamsters,Red sox fans I work with say we got hosed,by umps and J Torre. when I say we need to trade them a pitcher for one of their young out-fielders they go into an introspective mode
Tumbledown
October 9th, 2012
1:16 pm
Nolie, I guess I should refrain from making sarcastic posts. Mine obviously fell flat.
Trey
October 9th, 2012
1:16 pm
nolie, I don’t blame you. This blog is always pretty negative.
DAP
October 9th, 2012
1:18 pm
steven DAP, with the problems that both Freeman and McCann had this year with their contacts, I wouldn’t be so quick to roll my eyes at what the guy said.
dude, your right. better go ahead and ban water bottles, sunflower seeds, and shaving cream too. heck, dont even high five. we saw what happened to mccann this year on a high five. its just not worth the risk. everyone just nod approvingly.
P-Town Brave ©
October 9th, 2012
1:18 pm
DAP-
I just don’t think Victorino is a guy who is good in the leadoff spot….
Yeah comparing him to Bourn is one thing, but frankly, Bourn can’t really bat anywhere else unless he went to the AL and batted 9th…
Look at Shane’s stat lines….he is a MUCH better 2 hitter or 6 hitter….wherever you’d like to put him….me, if we could couple him w/ a Span or Revere at the top, you could conceivably have 1-3 then who can steal 30 bases and move Prado to a RBI slot at 6.
chipontheroad
October 9th, 2012
1:20 pm
I’d keep Hanson and let him be our long reliever next year while working on his strength and what-not
Frankie
October 9th, 2012
1:20 pm
Frankie-
“2012 v LHP:
.323 .388 .518 .906
Career v LHP:
.301 .373 .508 .881
Thats Victorino….looks like someone who could be useful considering our MAJOR issues against LHP”
Wow, didn’t realize he hit lefties so well this past season. Yeah he wouldn’t hurt us too bad would he. Guy is a winner regardless of what people think of him personally.
Bourn was just mediocre second half. Going to be interesting to see how they handle CF.
DS1
October 9th, 2012
1:22 pm
Headley for LF/3B
nolie
October 9th, 2012
1:22 pm
one can reply to sarcasm with more sarcasm Tumble
abeeeewright
October 9th, 2012
1:23 pm
Brava, October 8th, 2012, 11:08 pm … “I see no reason to think Uggla won’t turn it around.”
My only real concern with this statement is that there was no obvious reason for Uggla’s extreme struggles this year. No injury.
He just had a very bad several months of a season (good April, decent September).
All the other recent players who have had an off-year have had an underlying injury to either get them started in a bad direction or keeping them from performing.
Prado and Heyward rebounded this year and should continue to improve. McCann will probably come back to form next year.
McLouth eventually rebounded in Baltimore.
Hopefully Uggla will bounce back. Since there was no obvious reason why he struggled, there’s no reason to think he will stop struggling. Just have to wait and see.
Greg Norton retired.
nolie
October 9th, 2012
1:23 pm
would not mind Victorino at all as long as the contract isn’t too long.
Efrim
October 9th, 2012
1:24 pm
I guess I could see either Victorino or Pagan in CF next year. Can’t see them re-signing Bourn or brining in Swisher or Upton. I think the price tags on all will be crazy.
Interested to see what Pagan gets. Probably in line for a three year deal worth $8-10 million per year.
P-Town Brave ©
October 9th, 2012
1:24 pm
Oh and another Victorino stat line FWIW:
.333 .376 .507 .883
Thats his line @ Turner Field
nolie
October 9th, 2012
1:25 pm
c’mon guys, Smilin’ Frank says they can straighten Dan out real quick next time….why worry?
Efrim
October 9th, 2012
1:26 pm
Headley for LF/3B
I just don’t see how it makes sense for them to trade him, Wayne. He’s becoming a great player and they just inked Quentin to a long term deal, locked Maybin up. Seems like they want to win, and they do have a great farm system with a lot of depth. Just don’t think he’s on the move.