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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Couch Tater
October 16th, 2012
7:56 am
HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Authorities say a blaze that displaced dozens of people from a southwest Michigan apartment complex may have been sparked by a resident trying to cook a squirrel with a propane torch.
..And, they call Southerners “backwoods”. You smoke squirrel slowly to get rid of the gamey taste. I usually put a grape in his little mouth to add flavor.
Couch Tater
October 16th, 2012
8:02 am
Hillbilly – You’re visualizing that, aren’t you?
Jeff R
October 16th, 2012
8:22 am
I usually put a grape in his [the squirrel's] little mouth to add flavor.
Does he sit still for that? I mean, squirrels can be a little jittery.
flange1
October 16th, 2012
8:29 am
Jeff R,
I bet he uses staples….
Lemke's Knuckler
October 16th, 2012
8:32 am
It’s too bad Evan Gattis got hurt and missed half the minor league season. If he’d played the whole season and logged some time in AAA, we could be talking about him as the solution for LF next year. I really like him and think he’s going to continue to hit at whatever level he goes. And I think he’ll be an immediate impact bat at the major league level too. I love that he’s a power hitter and he doesn’t strikeout a lot for a guy with that kind of raw power. He’s basically the yin to the Cody Johnson yang. I’m a big fan and I think if the Braves first solution for left field flops, he can be a very positive backup plan.
But one thing to keep in mind, having a Willingham or Gattis is left field makes it all the more important to get a frisbee catching dog for center field.
Couch Tater
October 16th, 2012
8:35 am
Does he sit still for that?
After he’s trapped, I sit him in my lap, turn on a Bullwinkle cartoon and rub his belly. Soon as he yawns…plop.
Lemke's Knuckler
October 16th, 2012
8:40 am
Gattis’ line for the last 2 minor league seasons…
162 games, 98 runs, 44 doubles, 6 triples, 40 homers, 137 rbi, .315 avg, .387 obp, .603 slg, .990 ops
And only 96 strikeouts. That’s almost as many extra base hits (90) as strikeouts.
That’s Dallas McPherson numbers folks!!! Errr…nevermind…
Peter
October 16th, 2012
8:41 am
The Braves have a big NEED.. that is a leader in the club house… Chipper Jones never filled that role, never pushed the team to greatness.
Who in the club house today is that guy ? The issue is all are so EVEN Keeled because of the past manager, and Fredi has the same attitude…….. There is never any fire or urgency.
We witnessed that last leader fall apart in the biggest game of the Braves season, and how they failed to win in Pittsburgh with the division on the line.
Someone has to step up and take that role…… We have flat lined our way to zero this last 5 years under WREN.
phil
October 16th, 2012
8:49 am
Couch Tater….
phil
October 16th, 2012
8:50 am
Peter – All that matters is that we have a good season….
Well, at least according to many here.
ncscoots
October 16th, 2012
8:51 am
But one thing to keep in mind, having a Willingham or Gattis is left field makes it all the more important to get a frisbee catching dog for center field.
The problem is that the world champeen at frisbee-catching is Bourn, and he ran away with the title. No matter how much stock you put in defensive metrics (from a linear comparison point of view, anyway), the gap between Bourn and whoever is just overwhelming. Enough so that even a stats dinosaur can make the connection that not-Bourn is going to be a major defensive dropoff in CF.
Add in the likelihood that a LF masher is probably not going to be the greatest glove, and you start seeing probably a 3 WAR dropoff in the OF defense (30 or so runs saved). Where to make that up, if only to just even up on run prevention from 2012?
This is why I keep coming back to acquiring a stud pitcher, even when everybody from the FO to Mixxo thinks the pitching is just fine (a 4 or 5 WAR pitcher can at least recover some of the ground lost in the OF). Gotta make up that run prevention somewhere, else extra offense from position acquisitions is going to simply provide the same run differential overall. Maybe that ends up being good enough to win the division next year, who knows, but you can’t really call that “improving the team”.
Jeff R
October 16th, 2012
8:56 am
The Braves have a big NEED.. that is a leader in the club house… Chipper Jones never filled that role, never pushed the team to greatness.
Who in the club house today is that guy ? The issue is all are so EVEN Keeled because of the past manager, and Fredi has the same attitude…….. There is never any fire or urgency.
I’m all about bringing back Chief Noc-A-Homa.
Read more about the chief here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Noc-A-Homa
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 16th, 2012
9:03 am
Braves would have to surrender more than Delgado to make that package happen, I believe.
Possibly. Delgado, Spruill, and a mid-level prospect or two.
Jeff R
October 16th, 2012
9:06 am
scoots, I appreciate your assessment, but I’m not at all certain Wren shares your viewpoint. I think the game plan for the winter is to replace Bourn as best possible and land a slugger for LF. I’m not saying Wren is inflexible; he may try to compensate with pitching, as you’ve suggested. But I don’t believe that’s his primary play, and I’d wager that at the end of the day the pitching staff (including the rotation) is about status quo.
I could see Wren make an effort to move Hanson, perhaps wrap him in a package deal of some sort. But I think if Wren moves Hanson, his spot in the rotation becomes Delgado’s or Teheran’s. Best guess.
raleighbravefan
October 16th, 2012
9:08 am
scoots – I’m starting to come over to your side a little, Re a stud pitcher, mainly because I respect your opinion so much, at least most of the time. I have some questions, though.
Is there a “stud” pitcher available? That we can afford? What moves would we still be able to make after paying for a pitcher (prospects and/or $$$$)
IF we could afford a stud pitcher, OR Bourn, but not both, which? How do we solve LF/3B without cloning Prado?
Wren has some wiggle room, but a lot of tough decisions.
Jeff R
October 16th, 2012
9:08 am
Possibly. Delgado, Spruill, and a mid-level prospect or two.
That would come closer, I think.
ncscoots
October 16th, 2012
9:09 am
but I’m not at all certain Wren shares your viewpoint.
Yes, I’m probably a voice in the wilderness on this.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 16th, 2012
9:10 am
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Today’s @MikeandMike trivia: Derek Jeter has 200th postseason hits. Can you name the 2 men who played in the bigs this yr who even have 75+?
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Here’s that @MikeAndMike trivia answer. Chipper (97 postseason hits) & Pujols (88). It was harder than it looked!
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Most common wrong answers: Ortiz (69), Damon (72), ARod (72), Berkman (59), Andruw Jones (65), Thome (49), Beltran (42) & Rollins (47). Fun!
raleighbravefan
October 16th, 2012
9:12 am
Easy for some here to criticize Wren considering our lack of playoff success. Hard to imagine how he could have done much better with the resources available, at least from where I’m sitting. I guess if you are going to be pizzed, you have to have a target.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 16th, 2012
9:14 am
There is a stud pitcher we can afford…. trade Maholm and Hanson, sign my “friend”, the only premium player on the FA market.
ncscoots
October 16th, 2012
9:17 am
Is there a “stud” pitcher available? That we can afford? What moves would we still be able to make after paying for a pitcher (prospects and/or $$$$) IF we could afford a stud pitcher, OR Bourn, but not both, which?
Dunno who might be available, that’s Frank’s job.
Acquiring such a pitcher would almost certainly mean trading both Hanson and Maholm, freeing up about $10MM, so there would be some impact on available cash for other needs but not a destructive impact. I think you’re still able to pay a “premium player” in LF, if need be. CF might end up a little scrubby, in that scenario.
If Bourn is re-signed at some ridiculously favorable amount, then I think you can probably dispense with adding an impact pitcher for next year.
Did I get to everything in your questions?
phil
October 16th, 2012
9:17 am
Since Medlen was more studly over his last 23 starts than anyone else IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME, why look for more pitching?
Pitching hasn’t been the problem. Untimely defensive collapses and a DEAD offense have been.
Find a few bats that actually make solid contact with that white round ball with laces.
Jeff R
October 16th, 2012
9:18 am
Easy for some here to criticize Wren considering our lack of playoff success. Hard to imagine how he could have done much better with the resources available, at least from where I’m sitting. I guess if you are going to be pizzed, you have to have a target.
Well, you know, by a lot of standards, Wren’s been successful. Two post season appearances in three years and the Braves have averaged 91 wins over that three-year period. They’ve been competitive.
Yes, the 2011 collapse hangs over Wren (somewhat). But looking at the Braves as is going into the 2013 season, there’s no reason to believe they won’t compete again. Improvements to the roster this winter may make them more competitive.
That’s not to suggest that Wren or fans should be satisfied with the Braves being eliminated in the post season’s first round. The goal are rings.
raleighbravefan
October 16th, 2012
9:18 am
TOBF – Let’s say we all “buy into” the idea of your “friend”… I’m not at all sure we could get it done. I expect the Angels to go hard to re-sign him. Also Texas and Dodgers. All have deeper pockets than we do. If we go all in, what do we do about CF, LF, and 3B? We must fill 2 of those positions, and we weren’t scoring many runs when Chipper WAS here.
phil
October 16th, 2012
9:21 am
It’s not even pizzed for me anymore….
It’s just disappointment. Disappointment in yet another predictable outcome and disappointment in knowing that more of the same likely awaits us.
But the good news is that I’m used to it!
raleighbravefan
October 16th, 2012
9:21 am
scoots – Hey, if Wren can work some magic, I’m all for doing it all.
ncscoots
October 16th, 2012
9:21 am
Since Medlen was more studly over his last 23 starts than anyone else IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME, why look for more pitching?
Maybe because it’s the next 162 starts that are the concern.
Jeff R
October 16th, 2012
9:21 am
There is a stud pitcher we can afford…. trade Maholm and Hanson, sign my “friend”, the only premium player on the FA market.
I’m not thinking your friend is giving up the sun and surf – or the big dollars that team in Anaheim will dole out.
Efrim
October 16th, 2012
9:24 am
Yes, I’m probably a voice in the wilderness on this.
You’re not alone on that one. I’m right there with ya.
ncscoots
October 16th, 2012
9:27 am
I’m not thinking your friend is giving up the sun and surf – or the big dollars that team in Anaheim will dole out.
Greinke is hardly the guy I would have in mind to add to this staff, to start with. Overpaying for him would have the same effect as overpaying for Bourn, a poor use of available funds. The absolute one critical need that must be filled before considering any other is RH thump. Blow that one, and there is almost no way to overcome it with other changes.
Jeff R
October 16th, 2012
9:29 am
The goal are rings.
The goal IS rings. I screwed up my tenses. There goes my GPA.
Lew
October 16th, 2012
9:31 am
I’m just not sure how a stud pitcher makes your outfield defense any better or how it fixzes the main problem you had all of last year – no consistent offense and no hitting with RISP.
I love good pitching, but the numbers from 2012 say that the Braves had ne of the best (if not THE best) pitching staff for much of last year and couldn’t score runs. A stud pitcher doesn’t do much to change this IMO.
Fixz what needs fixing this year – next year when Hudson and Maholm’s contracts expire is when you make and major decisions on the pitching staff.
phil
October 16th, 2012
9:33 am
Yes, they are the concern, but if we can’t score some dang runs at meaningful times, what difference does it make if we have 5 Hallidays out there firing strikes?
We’ll manage just fine with the 5 we have, assuming Hanson is dumped and replaced with Teheran or Delgado. I wouldn’t mind adding a “stud” pitcher, don’t get me wrong, but we’ve got to get a few guys in here whose mission in life isn’t to strike out 130 times a year.
Lew
October 16th, 2012
9:33 am
That’s kind of a repeat of the “We need pitching so let’s give up the farm and acquire Mark Teixeira” philosophy. Just how did that work out for us?
raleighbravefan
October 16th, 2012
9:35 am
Lew – I think the problem some have with the pitching staff, reguardless of results, is this obsession with power. I’m in favor of results, and don’t believe the starting staff has to be 6′ 5” and throw over 95. I do like having some studs in the BP, which we do.
Hillbilly
October 16th, 2012
9:35 am
Hillbilly – You’re visualizing that, aren’t you?
Squirrels aren’t my thing, Tater, but that’s an entertaining visualization anyway. The ones I’ve eaten were fried or with dumplins. Neither were something I couldn’t live without so I stick with deer and turkeys.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 16th, 2012
9:39 am
next year when Hudson and Maholm’s contracts expire is when you make and major decisions on the pitching staff.
Maybe we can trade for Price next year, but the next class of FA pitchers isn’t good either. Get our ace this year.
If we go all in (on Greinke), what do we do about CF, LF, and 3B?
Well depends on how all-in we go. I’m sure we may be able to get him under 20mil, since he is from the east coast (his wife too). 20mil if probably as far as I go. Prado plays 3rd, Jay or Bourjos (under a mil) for CF. By trading Hanson and Maholm, we’d have about 9-10mil to spend on LF.
I’m not thinking your friend is giving up the sun and surf – or the big dollars that team in Anaheim will dole out.
That’s possible, but I hope he moves on. Not just so he comes to the Braves, but because in the last 3 years, despite their spending, they haven’t made the playoffs. I hope he goes to a team that made the playoffs previously…
raleighbravefan
October 16th, 2012
9:45 am
TOBF – A team that made the playoffs previously…like the Rangers?
Homer of A-town sports
October 16th, 2012
9:45 am
Ward,
Eric Chavez is retiring, Mets are in the works to make Wright a new contract as we speak. The only legit 3rd baseman up for trade is Chase Headley. Any team making a play for Headley is going to come out on the losing side because DAGO is in the drivers seat because he is the only 3rd B available. Prado is the only choice the Braves have at 3rd. As far as Cisco, Braves have to resign him first. Have to wait and see if he is part of Wren’s plans or not.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 16th, 2012
9:46 am
Every team that remains in the playoffs has a proven ace; 3 have that ace averaged a FB over 90mph this season. Only the Cardinals do not. But they have a great offense, and I highly doubt we can turn our offense into theirs by next year….
Get an ace.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 16th, 2012
9:48 am
RBF- Yes, the Rangers would qualify. And they do have money. I wouldn’t totally mind that, as I like the Rangers.
Lew
October 16th, 2012
9:48 am
OnlyBRaves – For crying out loud would you give up on Freaking ZG? We aren’t going to get him and we couldn’t afford him if we did.
When you have a weakness, you don’t strengthen a strength, let the weakness ride and expect that everything is fine and dandy.
We have not had a consistent offense for years – partially because of injuries to Chipper, Prado, McCann, etc. – and whatever the reason, we haven’t hit with RISP. So how about we go out this winter while we have the resources and actually do something about it instead of getting more of what we already have?
Though I wonder why we’d actually use common sense to solve the problem.
phil
October 16th, 2012
9:50 am
We have three aces….Medlen, Hudson and Hanson
phil
October 16th, 2012
9:50 am
oh, and JJ…
raleighbravefan
October 16th, 2012
9:51 am
scoots – We agree Greinke is probably not worth the cost. Who would be your top 3 targets?
LF pop is going to be damn hard to fill, as we have found out for several years. If we use trade pieces for pitching, that means probably paying big bucks for a free agent, although I don’t know who. I’m glad to see that you rate LF as our top priority. If we can add a stud pithcer, I’m all for it. I would even settle for a constanza/cunningham/durango type in CF, if we did a big fix in LF and SP.
CB
October 16th, 2012
9:51 am
I would like TOBF on my team, little sucker never gives up.
David O'Brien
October 16th, 2012
9:52 am
There is a stud pitcher we can afford…. trade Maholm and Hanson, sign my “friend”, the only premium player on the FA market.
Here we go again, acting as if Greinke is Verlander or Kershaw, when actual results and statistics say he’s not even close.
For example:
In the three full seasons since Tim Hudson returned from TJ surgery, Hudson has gone 49-26 with a 3.19 ERA and .237 opponents’ batting average in 622-2/3 innings (95 starts), while receiving 4.93 support runs per nine innings pitched in that span. Hudson allowed 546 hits (46 homers) in those 622-2/3 innings.
In the same three seasons, Zack Greinke has gone 41-25 with a 3.83 ERA and .252 opponents’ batting average in 604 innings (95 starts), while receiving the exact same run support (4.93 per nine innings pitched) as Hudson. Greinke allowed 580 hits (55 homers) in those 604 innings.
Then there are the absolute elite-level pitchers whose stats warrant the highest pitching salaries. Guys like Kershaw, for instance, who went 48-24 with a 2.56 ERA and .210 opp average in 665-1/3 innings (98 starts) over the past three seasons. Or Matt Cain, who was 41-27 with a 2.94 ERA and .220 opp average in 664-1/3 innings (98 starts) in that period. Or David Price, who went 51-24 with 2.93 ERA and .226 opp average in 644 innings (96 starts) in that period.
Let’s face it, Greinke’s stats are a lot closer to Hudson’s over the past three seasons — though not as good as Hudson’s, except for K/BB ratio; but we know Hudson’s a groundball pitcher, not a strikeout pitcher — than they are to the truly elite pitchers such as the three listed above and Verlander.
Yet some would have you believe Greinke deserves to be paid like Cain, Verlander, Hamels, etc. Nevermind results. He just should be. Not only that, but some here would suggest to you that he should be paid like that by a team (the Braves) that has a much smaller payroll that any of those teams that are paying the truly elite veteran pitchers the highest salaries.
I really have never understood the infatuation with Greinke, who had one season in which he pitched like one of the best two or three pitchers in baseball, maybe even the best. One season. In 2009.
And eight other seasons in which his ERA has never been lower than 3.44, including seven seasons in which his WHIP has not been as low as the 1.166 he posted as a 20-year-old Royals rookie in 2004.
Efrim
October 16th, 2012
9:52 am
I’m sure we may be able to get him under 20mil, since he is from the east coast (his wife too).
If 19.5million is what you mean by under 20 million, than you may be right. I don’t see him signing for anything less than that. And that would take up all of the current funds available and leave us with Juan Francisco and Jose Constanza in the starting lineup.
phil
October 16th, 2012
9:53 am
CF….
3 man platoon of Constanza, Yanish and Johnson.
Sign me up to cheer for the Nationals if something like that ever happens!
ncscoots
October 16th, 2012
9:54 am
Though I wonder why we’d actually use common sense to solve the problem.
common sense says that Minor and Medlen are not going to finish 1-2 in the Cy. Common sense says that the OF defense is going to go from best in the league to a lot worse. Common sense says that run creation and run prevention are two sides of the same coin. Common sense says that increasing runs created while also increasing runs given up doesn’t do a damn thing to create more wins. Common sense says that looking at more than one way to increase run differential is, well, common sense.
Murph
October 16th, 2012
9:54 am
The bad TV deal stinks, but that’s not an excuse for not being able to build a winner.
Oakland is a quality ballclub, and their success is not a fluke. Maybe not sustainable, but also not a fluke.
phil
October 16th, 2012
9:55 am
One thing’s for sure….
You won’t, and haven’t, seen me begging for Gunky to come to Atlanta for the reasons just espoused by DOB. The guy is average, at best.
raleighbravefan
October 16th, 2012
9:56 am
phil – We may not have a true aced, although Medlen is doing a pretty good imitation of one… but what we DO have is a pretty solid pitching staff. You can always improve, but unless you are one of the few high $$$$ teams, you have to prioritize.
raleighbravefan
October 16th, 2012
9:57 am
aced = ace
Efrim
October 16th, 2012
9:58 am
Greinke is going to get a Matt Cain contract – 6 years, $127.5 million because he’s the best starting pitcher out on the free agent market.
The Braves will not give him this because they only have around $20 million to spend anyway and have two outfield holes as well. It doesn’t make any sense at all for them to give Greinke, Bourn, Hamilton, Upton or Swisher a large, long term deal. No sense at all, imo.
Efrim
October 16th, 2012
10:00 am
common sense says that Minor and Medlen are not going to finish 1-2 in the Cy. Common sense says that the OF defense is going to go from best in the league to a lot worse. Common sense says that run creation and run prevention are two sides of the same coin. Common sense says that increasing runs created while also increasing runs given up doesn’t do a damn thing to create more wins. Common sense says that looking at more than one way to increase run differential is, well, common sense.
Well said, scoots.
Murph
October 16th, 2012
10:01 am
I’d put Medlen and Beachy, at their best (and healthiest), up against any other top 2 SP in the league and feel pretty confident.
They don’t have much experience, but I’ll take a live fastball over a flat fastball w/ experience behind it any day of the week. Except Mondays.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 16th, 2012
10:01 am
I would like TOBF on my team, little sucker never gives up.
Gritty, scrappy little fella.
Hanson, ace? Hudson at 38, ace? Medlen with his 30 career starts, ace? Not convinced…
David O'Brien
October 16th, 2012
10:02 am
Also, there’s this small point that might be worth considering: The Braves have two priorities this winter, and neither is a starting pitcher. Center fielder and either left field or third base, folks. Not a starting pitcher. Already have more starters (again) than can fit into a five-man rotation, unless and until they trade one this winter.
phil
October 16th, 2012
10:03 am
Absolutely, Raleigh. That’s my point. Move on from the pitching and leave it alone.
Find us a couple of bats and give up a piece or two if it makes longterm sense.
Efrim
October 16th, 2012
10:03 am
Greinke is probably in that 2nd or 3rd tier of starting pitchers. Ranks outside of the Top 10, for sure. Probably ranks outside the Top 15. Then it gets a little tougher to keep knocking him down after that.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 16th, 2012
10:03 am
If 19.5million is what you mean by under 20 million, than you may be right. I don’t see him signing for anything less than that. And that would take up all of the current funds available and leave us with Juan Francisco and Jose Constanza in the starting lineup.
If we were to get Greinke, Maholm and Hanson are traded. That’s about 10mil right there to spend on LF and a CF (where I’d go league min)
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 16th, 2012
10:05 am
well said scoots.
Lew
October 16th, 2012
10:06 am
Bull. We need to fix the offense. Next year when we have two pitchers contracts expiring we deal with pitching (also when we see where all the youngun’s stand at the time).
Fix what needs fixing. THAT is common sense. If you have bad brakes on your car and decent tires, you don’t let the brakes remain bad and buy new tires.
phil
October 16th, 2012
10:06 am
And I keep forgetting about Beachy….the bumb.
It’s lack of offense holding us back, not pitching.
“Isn’t there someone who knows what Christmas is really all about!” Charlie Brown
Well, isn’t there someone out there who can play like a major leagurer for us in the playoffs instead of like a bumbling buffoon?
TennesseePaul
October 16th, 2012
10:06 am
Common sense says that looking at more than one way to increase run differential is, well, common sense
True. Because common sense says if you focus on replacing lost offense by increased defense you strain a pitching rotation and produce a team with a ton of close games and a taxed bullpen down the stretch.
Hopefully this team will add some offense and maintain its defense. Losing the best hitter on the team is not something the FO should merely replace by a bunch of all glove players.
Efrim
October 16th, 2012
10:07 am
I’d put Medlen and Beachy, at their best (and healthiest), up against any other top 2 SP in the league and feel pretty confident.
It’s Baseball. Any pitcher can pitch a shutout on any given day. It’s the frequency of these outings, and do not agree that those pair of pitchers are on a level with some of the other duos in baseball.
phil
October 16th, 2012
10:07 am
And a big amen to Lew and DOB…..
Pitching? Not the problem.
David O'Brien
October 16th, 2012
10:07 am
Hanson, ace? Hudson at 38, ace? Medlen with his 30 career starts, ace? Not convinced… — TheOnlyBravesFan
But 91-78 with a 3.77 career ERA and 1.247 WHIP is your idea of an ace, huh? And 41-25 with a 3.83 ERA and .252 opponents’ batting average in the past three seasons, that’s an ace? Talk about easily impressed.
raleighbravefan
October 16th, 2012
10:08 am
TOBF – NO ONE touts Hanson as an ace. Shoot, most here want him off the team. Hudson an ace? Not any more. Medlen an ace…who knows. However, our staff is very solid…Hudson , Medlen, Minor, and best of Maholm,Delgado, Teheran, GilMartin, Graham, other prospects, and yes, Hanson. Far better than most staffs…not even counting Beachy coming back.
Does no “ace” hurt you in post season? Probably. but of couse, you have to get there to be in it. LF/3B is still our highest priority, by far.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 16th, 2012
10:08 am
DOB: Is Mac having surgery today?
TennesseePaul
October 16th, 2012
10:10 am
Next year when we have two pitchers contracts expiring we deal with pitching
This team has addressed future needs early, in the past. Just because the Braves need offense doesn’t mean they must ignore other areas of the team. The FO should be capable of both addressing the outfield and looking into long term solutions for the rotation. It doesn’t mean they will get all of this done (costs could be restrictive), but I hope they will be looking into it.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 16th, 2012
10:12 am
next year fix the pitching… choose from the oft-injured Josh Johnson, Matt Garza, Phil Hughes, Pelfrey, or Lincecum. Or trade a bunch of prospects to get Price (2years) or Shields (1yr).
Great. Let’s just hope that this season with a worse defense by moving Prado to 3rd and letting Bourn go is overcome by better hitting from our LFer.
David O'Brien
October 16th, 2012
10:12 am
This team has addressed future needs early, in the past. Just because the Braves need offense doesn’t mean they must ignore other areas of the team. — TennesseePaul
Yes, it does mean that. When the area in question — starting pitching — is not a need and won’t be a need a year from now, barring major injuries. And when you have a payroll below $95 million and two big holes to fill in your lineup. Yes, it does mean that.
coach13
October 16th, 2012
10:12 am
Deal Hanson now. HOpe you get lucky with whatever you get back in return. Pitching Tehrean or Delgado has much better upside than pitching Hanson. You telling me between those 2 and Viscaino that all 3 are goingd to be duds??? No way.
BravePack(FreeFan)
October 16th, 2012
10:13 am
What’s actually funny(sad really) about all this trade and FA talk is it seems like a broken record each offseason. Every offseason we fans complain that this team struggled offensively and need to add bats. Whether it be for the OF or 3B, yet each draft for many past years we see the Braves draft pitching, after pitching, after pitching. The Braves have no one in the system to be excited about offensively. No Myers, Trout, no one. They draft all these borderline kids who at best will be AAAA players or mediocre MLB players. Since Chipper came up we have had 4 guys pan out…Heyward, FF, McCann, and Prado. Maybe Simmons as well but we need to see what he can do with the bat for a full season. Bottom line is the Braves need to start drafting for offense early in the draft instead of relying on trading and probably giving up too much of said pitching that they have drafted for some young offensive talent.
ncscoots
October 16th, 2012
10:13 am
Hopefully this team will add some offense and maintain its defense.
Figure that Simmons for a full year and Prado at 3B for a full year will certainly help save some IF runs over last year. There’s that, anyway, and that should ameliorate the loss of the OF defense, considering the projected SP. Not a group of major flyball pitchers, there. Losing Bourn and Prado from the OF is still gonna cost a significant number of runs.
raleighbravefan
October 16th, 2012
10:14 am
Saying that Greinke is an ace because he (may be) the best FA available, is like taking home a 2 bagger from the bar, because the rest are all coyotes.
phil
October 16th, 2012
10:14 am
I have this nagging feeling that Medlen will return to earth next season, either due to trouble locating his pitches at times, like most have issues with, or due to arm trouble if we overdo it with him.
He just looks more like a beer vendor than a pitcher. He needs a forehead tattoo as well.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 16th, 2012
10:16 am
No need for pitching next year? Wow. Medlen and Beachy better be ready to perform. Minor too
David O'Brien
October 16th, 2012
10:17 am
DOB: Is Mac having surgery today?
Yes, he is. Just got it confirmed. It’s this afternoon.
Murph
October 16th, 2012
10:17 am
do not agree that those pair of pitchers are on a level with some of the other duos in baseball.
Beachy – 2.00 ERA, .963 WHIP, 5.4 H/9, 2.34 SO/BB
Medlen – 1.57 ERA, .913 WHIP, 6.7 H/9, 5.22 SO/BB
Small sample size, yes, but still…
Efrim
October 16th, 2012
10:18 am
When the area in question — starting pitching — is not a need and won’t be a need a year from now, barring major injuries.
This, I disagree with. It shouldn’t be about having a “good enough” rotation. It should be striving to have a great rotation that beats a 98 win Nationals team, right? I mean, it has to be now under these new rules and with the baseball gods scorned in some way that creates 225 foot infield fly rules in coin flip game situations…..
Murph
October 16th, 2012
10:19 am
Mac (goes under) The Knife… good luck BMac!
phil
October 16th, 2012
10:20 am
Good. Maybe this will help get him back into a groove for next year. And maybe he’ll get himself into excellent shape now with this warning shot across the bow.
Hope it goes well….
ncscoots
October 16th, 2012
10:20 am
Small sample size, yes, but still…
“Small”? Microscopic.
Efrim
October 16th, 2012
10:21 am
Hamels/Lee/Halladay
Strasburg/Zimmermann/Gonzalez
Cain/Bumgarner/Lincecum
Cueto/Latos/Bailey
Dickey/Niese/Harvey
Wainwright/Carpenter/Garcia/and all of their stud youngsters throwing 95-98mph
Kennedy/Cahill/Miley
There are other strong rotations out there. I’d place the Braves in the middle – even when you add more than the front 3.
Lew
October 16th, 2012
10:24 am
TenPaul – Of course you keep your ears open for deals that might be available on any position – however, with all of the young pitching we have, their evaluation at the big league level needs to be done before you go and plan for the future cause they well could be the the future.
Fix the offense. It’s been a problem for years now and this is the first time we’ve had the resources to deal with the situation. Handle it.
Murph
October 16th, 2012
10:26 am
Homer Bailey had one good month Efrim. Not sure I’d list him amongst the elite starters in the NL.
Efrim
October 16th, 2012
10:27 am
however, with all of the young pitching we have, their evaluation at the big league level needs to be done before you go and plan for the future cause they well could be the the future.
It’s really tough to develop young pitching on the fly and still compete. I think the Braves are in a good spot with pitchers 2-5 over the next couple years, barring injury.
But, I still feel like this team needs to acquire a #1 starter. It’s not easy. But I’m hoping the opportunity presents itself between now and next winter.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 16th, 2012
10:27 am
Thanks DOB.
Mark Bowman @mlbbowman
Braves orthopedic surgeon Dr. Xavier Duralde will surgically repair Brian McCann’s shoulder at 2:30 pm ET today
Mark Bowman @mlbbowman
McCann’s timetable will be determined once the surgery is complete. Good news is this is a posterior fix. Full recovery expected by mid-Feb.
Should be ready in spring training then. Hope to see the real Mac next season.
Lew
October 16th, 2012
10:28 am
coach 13 – Vizcaino was traded to the Cubs for Maholm and Reed.
ncscoots
October 16th, 2012
10:29 am
It’s really tough to develop young pitching on the fly and still compete.
Developing them is one thing. Asking them to lead rotations at the same time is another.
P-Town Brave ©
October 16th, 2012
10:29 am
Just received word (in case someone didn’t post this):
Dr. Xavier Duralde will surgically repair Brian McCann’s shoulder today @ 2:30 ET
This is a posterior fix so its not a significant injury to the shoulder….and the timetable is not completely accurately known yet but he will for sure be recovered by Mid February
Efrim
October 16th, 2012
10:30 am
Homer Bailey had one good month Efrim. Not sure I’d list him amongst the elite starters in the NL.
Holy hell. Murph, Medlen had two months. TWO MONTHS!!! And Beachy went under the knife in June. Are we really pumping up Mike Minor that much? Mike Minor???
Wow.
Lew
October 16th, 2012
10:30 am
Tough to build young pitching on the fly and still compete? Isn’t that exactly what we’ve been doing?
Lew
October 16th, 2012
10:32 am
And doing it pretty well?
P-Town Brave ©
October 16th, 2012
10:32 am
Efrim-
Unlike Medlen, Waino hasn’t been the same since TJ, Carp has been said to be on the downside of his career w/ some in STL questioning whether he will ever be the same, and Garcia has a significant shoulder injury that will need to be addressed rather soon….
I doubt we can put them there….
I am sure their offense will make up for it though
Efrim
October 16th, 2012
10:32 am
Tough to build young pitching on the fly and still compete? Isn’t that exactly what we’ve been doing?
I should say asking them to lead the rotation as scoots put it is probably a better way of putting it.
P-Town Brave ©
October 16th, 2012
10:33 am
If Lincecum ever finds IT again, I would suggest they are the clear #1 as Halladay has fallen off and some suggest there is something significantly wrong w/ him as well