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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,463 comments Add your comment
RC
October 24th, 2012
4:08 pm
Isn’t it also so that in case you are a manager you don’t get questioned as much or in lamens, get sh*tcanned if a crazy lineup doesn’t work?
Of course. That’s why Papelbon never got to pitch on May 2nd. Gotta save your closer in case you get a chance for a save
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
4:08 pm
RC-
I know one thing for sure…
IF Heyward and Freeman are going to improve in the middle of the order over time, their pitch recognition has to get better….
Heyward with the breaking ball in the dirt and Freeman with the fastball in his eyes….
Thats one thing we will desperately miss w/ Chipper in that his power may have been depleted over the last few years, but he still was a damn good judge of a pitch
ncscoots
October 24th, 2012
4:08 pm
I can’t remember the theory,
Oddly enough, it’s the “observer effect”.
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
4:09 pm
RC-
Its ok….he made up for it in Sept
nolie
October 24th, 2012
4:09 pm
I think there is some justification in saying that job safety sometimes plays a part in making decisions in the accepted traditional manner
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
4:10 pm
Uggla has hit second a good bit. could be Prado, Uggla, Hey,Free
Who breaks up the lefties after Freeman? Mac has to hit somewhere above 7 I’d think. Simmons shouldn’t hit above 7. Uggla would be good in the 2hole, especially if he keeps those walk numbers up.
Murph
October 24th, 2012
4:11 pm
Kinsler is owed $75mil over the next 6 years… $82mil if his option is picked up… when he’s 36.
We could have two over-priced second basemen hitting under .260 with declining power numbers instead of just one!
nolie
October 24th, 2012
4:12 pm
first thing we do is kill all…. the other lefties
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
4:12 pm
Nolie-
My thoughts exactly
ncscoots
October 24th, 2012
4:13 pm
I think there is some justification in saying that job safety sometimes plays a part in making decisions in the accepted traditional manner
Yet, we are told here that there are “many” FOs that think outside the box of traditionalist thinking. Would not such an org communicate that to the field level, and urge its manager to do likewise? And, in fact, give the guy That Look, if he didn’t?
Shaun
October 24th, 2012
4:13 pm
RC, I would tend to think that over time Chipper’s production is going to be more or less the same, whether he was seeing more fastballs, whether he just thought he was, etc. Now perhaps his production would manifest itself in different ways. Perhaps he would get more extra-base hits and fewer walks or something. But I think, in the end, the net results of his production would end up more or less the same.
Also, in the end, he’s still Chipper Jones. Pitcher are going to be pitching to get him out, no matter who is behind him. I think it comes in to play more with a guy hitting low in the order, where a pitcher might walk the number 8 hitter to get to the pitcher. But I think that goes back to production manifesting itself differently. Maybe if the number 8 guy is in a different spot, he gets hits and more extra-base hits instead of walks. Also, usually if a guy is hitting 8th, he’s probably a bad hitter so pitchers are going to go after him. So the idea that who hits behind a hitter might matter some, it’s probably overstated quite a bit.
nolie
October 24th, 2012
4:14 pm
obviously better communication skills are need scoots
RC
October 24th, 2012
4:16 pm
So the idea that who hits behind a hitter might matter some, it’s probably overstated quite a bit.
Oh, I’ve got no doubt that it’s overstated by “traditionalists”. My point was simply that the research that shows 0 effect is likely to be a bit incomplete as well. You can’t account for everything in a mathematical model. The reality is sure to be somewhere between the two views.
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
4:16 pm
Murph-
Thats why I said I’m a bit more concerned about the contract
That said, thats probably why his availability is probably greater than say a Beltre who was mentioned, although his age scares me a bit too…because lets face it, Beltre is a better overall talent even at 3 years older….I just don’t see them trading Beltre after a 3rd straight 100 RBI season and 2nd straight 30 HR season in Texas
ncscoots
October 24th, 2012
4:17 pm
obviously better communication skills are need
…and better interviewing skills, LOL. Hey, if I’m a GM and I think lineup optimization is important, or that pitching the “closer” in the 7th is important, or whatever…I want a guy in the dugout who is on the same page, no? Else why am I hiring that sumbee, to start with?
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
4:17 pm
Scoots-
Because the FO has to have a scapegoat and someone to blame it on if it all goes south right?
RC
October 24th, 2012
4:19 pm
Yet, we are told here that there are “many” FOs that think outside the box of traditionalist thinking. Would not such an org communicate that to the field level, and urge its manager to do likewise? And, in fact, give the guy That Look, if he didn’t?
Their jobs are at stake as well. And honestly, some of this stuff is a bit hard to sell to players. If you are given the choice between making a move that very marginally increase your chances to win (on paper), but ticks off every player in the clubhouse and leads to pouting and bad feelings, or keeping the “status quo” and not gaining that extra 0.0001% chance of winning, but the players continue to be happy and working hard, wouldn’t you stick with the status quo?
ncscoots
October 24th, 2012
4:19 pm
The reality is sure to be somewhere between the two views.
Blasphemer.
To the rack with him!
RC
October 24th, 2012
4:21 pm
or that pitching the “closer” in the 7th is important, or whatever…I want a guy in the dugout who is on the same page, no? Else why am I hiring that sumbee, to start with?
Ironically, a few years ago the Oakland A’s manager did try to use his “closer” in a tie game on the road. The pitcher got really angry about it and blasted the manager in the media saying he shouldn’t have been used in that role. A few weeks later I believe the manager ended up getting fired.
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
4:22 pm
RC-
Sounds much like Rafael Soriano
Murph
October 24th, 2012
4:24 pm
I wonder what Frank Wren is doing… right… now? Is he talking to other teams already?
Ward
October 24th, 2012
4:24 pm
Hello everyone! I was looking at trade rumors, and Kevin Youkilis was menttined, and linked to the Braves. It would make sense, becasue he within the budget. I feel Braves will get some one within the budget.
Ward
October 24th, 2012
4:25 pm
Mean to say mentioned. Kevin Youkilis wouldn’t be a bad idea?
Lew
October 24th, 2012
4:26 pm
PTown – I’ll do that – Yeah, I met Frank at Spring Training a couple of times and he sat down and talked with the Grinch and Me about the Vazquez deal and talked about how great he thought Vizcano would be.
Guess he either changed his mind or really wanted Maholm and Johnson.
RC
October 24th, 2012
4:26 pm
I wonder what Frank Wren is doing… right… now? Is he talking to other teams already?
Probably finishing up his “4:20″ break
RC
October 24th, 2012
4:27 pm
Guess he either changed his mind or really wanted Maholm and Johnson.
Probably a little of both. I’m sure a 2nd Tommy John surgery didn’t help his opinion of Vizcaino’s future.
Ward
October 24th, 2012
4:30 pm
All, have a good one! Will talk later tonight, and Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
October 24th, 2012
4:31 pm
P-Town when do you start shopping for your new blog home McFann
Well, dang…”Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry…”
abwright Unless McCann’s shoulder is permanently methusaleh’d, I suspect he’ll be back with the Braves after 2013. Otherwise, he’s prolly retired (sad face).
Holy cow……um…what’s methusaleh’d…?
Shaun
October 24th, 2012
4:33 pm
Yet, we are told here that there are “many” FOs that think outside the box of traditionalist thinking. Would not such an org communicate that to the field level, and urge its manager to do likewise? And, in fact, give the guy That Look, if he didn’t?
ncscoots, I think many front offices encourage their managers to think outside the box. I think the reason many don’t press the issue too much is because some moves don’t provide a big enough advantage to cause that kind of drama and because in many cases almost all teams are doing things the traditional way and there is no need to stir up drama to keep up with the competition.
If there were 8 Joe Maddons, baseball would probably change a lot more rapidly. But why stir up unnecessary tension if everyone is going at the same pace.
Why don’t teams realize there are competitive edges to be had by jumping out ahead of everyone? Well, I think front offices do try to push the envelop a bit. But I think managers often avoid the unconventional because of peer pressure, basically. They feel they will lose the respect of their team or their fellow managers and have bull’s eyes on their backs. And if they do unconventional things and lose, as someone else suggested, they are afraid of what it means for their future.
ncscoots
October 24th, 2012
4:34 pm
I’m sure a 2nd Tommy John surgery didn’t help his opinion of Vizcaino’s future.
Arodys was certainly a victim of timing, also. As will be Delgado, Spruill, and whatever else pitching currency gets shipped out this offseason.
Murph
October 24th, 2012
4:38 pm
And if they do unconventional things and lose, as someone else suggested, they are afraid of what it means for their future.
Give me a manager who is in his 60’s and a little crazy, one who doesn’t care if he’s shown the door at the end of the season… that’s what I want. Young guys with families have too much on the line to go against the grain.
Murph
October 24th, 2012
4:41 pm
I sure hope Graham and Gilmartin turn out to be decent… after December they’re all we’ll have left. And probably Salcedo. We’ll always have Salcedo.
ncscoots
October 24th, 2012
4:42 pm
But I think managers often avoid the unconventional because of peer pressure, basically. They feel they will lose the respect of their team or their fellow managers and have bull’s eyes on their backs. And if they do unconventional things and lose, as someone else suggested, they are afraid of what it means for their future.
Well, maybe you’re right. That would make forward-thinking managers simply gutless, rather than dinosaur-stupid, but maybe you’re right.
Of course, managers are hired to be fired and the average tenure is somewhere just north of six minutes, but I can see why they wouldn’t want to do every…single…thing possible to win and prolong that tenure, if it meant they’d get snubbed at the Winter Meetings. No back-slapping and glad-handing for you, mister!
I love the way your mind works, man.
cricket
October 24th, 2012
4:43 pm
oh please..the craziest one was just fired by marlins
Shaun
October 24th, 2012
4:46 pm
Ironically, a few years ago the Oakland A’s manager did try to use his “closer” in a tie game on the road. The pitcher got really angry about it and blasted the manager in the media saying he shouldn’t have been used in that role. A few weeks later I believe the manager ended up getting fired.
Yes, that’s the other thing. When a manager starts doing data-driven things, there’s that risk that he’s going to lose the team.
The situation above is a perfect example. Also, let’s say the Tigers batted Miguel Cabrera second or the Reds batted Joey Votto second. There is always that risk that the players are going to look at the manager with some sort of disdain or at least be confused by him because it’s not the way it’s always been done. They might think, “who is he to make these crazy moves.” At that point, at the very least, the players have lost respect and, quite possibly, these things could stir up some animosity.
The key is personality. Why has Joe Maddon been able to get away with the unconventional? Well, partly because it’s Tampa, a fairly new franchise that was down in the dumps for so long and in a city where they have nothing to lose. But also it probably has a lot to do with Maddon’s personality. He can get the players to buy in to the moves he makes. He’s crazy enough and has that anti-establishment aura about him so the players don’t view it as him thinking he’s geeky and smarter than everyone if he makes a move that is data-driven. He just lets an unconventional decision feed in to a Tampa Bay Rays-against-the-world mentality instead of making it a stats versus scouts or old school versus new age thing.
ncscoots
October 24th, 2012
4:46 pm
oh please..the craziest one was just fired by marlins
Even Fidel never pitched his closer in the 7th.
And that man had serious job security!
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
4:48 pm
As will be Delgado, Spruill, and whatever else pitching currency gets shipped out this offseason.
Finally coming to grips with Zeke, eh?
Maybe because they just drafted them, but I do get the sense Gilmartin and Graham are staying put. And Julio, I’m sure they’d like to keep him unless a “premium player” is available.
ncscoots
October 24th, 2012
4:49 pm
When a manager starts doing data-driven things, there’s that risk that he’s going to lose the team.
Oh, man, when your player goes to the media and blows you up, instead of coming to your office and putting spit in your grill, it wasn’t “data-driven” bleep that caused him to lose the team. That ship sailed long before and was hull-down over the horizon.
ncscoots
October 24th, 2012
4:50 pm
Finally coming to grips with Zeke, eh?
Yeah, Zeke’s packed. No knock against him, a compliment, in fact. He has some trade value at a time when the team needs a big bank of it.
DAP
October 24th, 2012
4:50 pm
i dont think heyward leadoff off is the worst idea ive ever heard, but a better idea is prado leading off and heyward hitting 2nd.
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
4:53 pm
I sure hope Graham and Gilmartin turn out to be decent… after December they’re all we’ll have left. And probably Salcedo. We’ll always have Salcedo.
They’ll have more than that.
I was going through this the other day I think. I counted 10 systems that they are absolutely stronger than right now – Phils, Marlins, Nationals, Dodgers, Giants, Angels, Tigers, White Sox, Indians, and Orioles. So as of right now, we’re still in the 15-19 range, imo. Might change as the winter goes on, and probably will.
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
4:57 pm
Missed the Brewers. So add them to the tally and we’re still 15-18 range. Arguement to be made that we are better than the Mets, Reds, and Rockies.
Murph
October 24th, 2012
4:59 pm
They’ll have more than that.
Namely… who? Sims and Wood maybe. I’m guessing Ahmed goes somewhere this winter as he’s our only position player worth much (outside of Bethancourt maybe). Who else do we have in the system that’s of any consequence? Salcedo stinks. Cunningham probably won’t amount to much. Delgado and Spruill are prime trade bait.
I like the Fernelys kid, but he’s had what, 40 AB’s maybe?
Gary O.
October 24th, 2012
4:59 pm
McFann,
FWIW, Bowman did say he thinks it’s 80/20 that the Braves pick up BMac’s option.
Gary O.
October 24th, 2012
5:01 pm
Ward,
Youkilis hit 236/.346 /.425/.771 With the Red Sox last year, and hit .235/.336/.409/.745 With the White Sox after he was traded.
His numbers against LHP were better (.275/.386/.492/.878) but I would be surprised if the Braves will go after him to play 3B.
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
5:02 pm
Cardinals, Rangers, D-Backs, Padres, Pirates, Astros, Mariners, A’s, Royals, Twins, Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Rays all pretty easily better systems than the Braves, imo.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
October 24th, 2012
5:06 pm
Gary O—
Hmm…based on Bowman’s track record, that could mean it’s more like 95/5…
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
5:06 pm
Namely… who?
Teheran hasn’t been traded yet….Graham, Gilmartin, Sims, Bethancourt, Spruill, Wood, Salcedo, Ahmed, Lipka, Cabrera, Peraza, Merejo, Moore, Jaime, Kubitza, Gattis, Cunningham, Terdoslavich.
It’s an average system that’s going to lose a bit after the winter, but I’m okay with that. Have a good 2013 draft and international signing period. Two top 40 2013 draft picks will make it look better.
Carroll Rogers
October 24th, 2012
5:08 pm
in honor of the opening of the world series….just posted excerpts of an interview i did recently with Mark Lemke about the 1991 World Series for anybody interested….
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/10/24/reminiscing-with-lemke-about-1991-world-series/
Jay Dubu
October 24th, 2012
5:09 pm
This waiting for the World Series to past before the Braves can make some moves is really tiresome.
Let’s get to wheeling and dealing already.
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
5:09 pm
Youk fits the high OBP mold….but given how many White Sox games I was able to see this past year…
He has gotten progressively OLD over the last year and 1/2 and I think that body is starting to break down
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
5:11 pm
Efrim-
And you’re not the least bit concerned about some of the names you had to mention there or future drafts?
It seems to me that the farm is getting worse every year and theyre spending less and less money on it
DAP
October 24th, 2012
5:12 pm
youk would be fine for the bench. play him vs. lefties.
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
5:13 pm
Granted they could be the 05 Baby Braves as they called them and very few could actually pan out and this could be the more develop than you thought but I just am not seeing the same thing from the Braves draft and development wise that I see from the Cardinals…
Hell, the Cards traded for David Freese from obscurity in the minors in SD as what the Padres considered at the time a “throw-in” because they thought they could do something with his swing and his make up….
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
5:13 pm
DAP-
Youk isn’t signing for a bench spot….
He’d go play for the Pirates before he did that…
Plus it’d be cheaper to go w/ a Gaby Sanchez who hits lefties equally as well
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
5:14 pm
And you’re not the least bit concerned about some of the names you had to mention there or future drafts?
Never said I wasn’t concerned. And they aren’t spending less, anymore. They have a draft budget and international free agent signing budget. They are spending that money now. I’ll be interested to see what they come up with in 2013. I liked the direction they went in with the 2012 draft – much better than what they did 2009-2011. Hope they continue that.
Shaun
October 24th, 2012
5:20 pm
ncscoots, the thing is that a managers moves are probably only going to come in to play in a close pennant race. A manager usually knows if his team has talent or not. A manager with a talented team isn’t going to make unconventional moves because he’ll feel that he doesn’t need to. “Why should I try something new if I have the talent to win already?” A manger with a lousy team isn’t going to make unconventional moves because he knows that if he makes those moves and still loses, he’s going to be looked at with some disdain among his peers.
I think front offices need to do a better job of hiring the right personalities, the right tacticians and assure them that they are sticking with them as long as they are open to making decisions based on data instead of convention.
The challenge is finding a guy whom his players and peers will respect and/or who has a little bit of carelessness about what his peers think but can still do progressive things without losing that respect. It has to be a wacky, anti-establishment type but not too volatile, like an Ozzie Guillen or a Bobby Valentine. So there is a fine line there. If the guy is too serious and starts making these progressive, data-driven decisions, many in baseball are going to think he’s some geek.
Shaun
October 24th, 2012
5:28 pm
Oh, man, when your player goes to the media and blows you up, instead of coming to your office and putting spit in your grill, it wasn’t “data-driven” bleep that caused him to lose the team. That ship sailed long before and was hull-down over the horizon.
Right. But you’re talking two separate issues. Of course a manager shouldn’t go to the media to criticize a player and say something that he hasn’t said to that player’s face.
But if a manager bats Joey Votto second or something, if he doesn’t have the right personality and doesn’t explain it right, he runs the risk of losing the clubhouse and cause a stir in the media. If he doesn’t have just the right personality, it might come across as arrogant or geeky. “Who is this guy to bat a number three or four hitter in the number two spot?” To get players and the media to buy in to those type moves, a manager probably needs to have a little punk rock in him. It needs to come across as anti-establishment instead of geeky. Instead of “who does this guy think he is” it’s more “that’s our manager, God love him, and it’s us against the world and f*** them.”
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
5:30 pm
our farm ranking is falling…… trade prize prospects for a 34 yr old and it’ll continue to fall. There aren’t really any other “studs” in the organization. Sims, Wood, Graham etc. are all solid. but aren’t elite prospects yet.
Need some guys to develop quick, and get me 2 mid floor, high ceiling OF in the first round next year
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
5:36 pm
Efrim-
Could have sworn I read the Braves spent 29th out of 30th on player draft and development over the last year with the only team spending less the White Sox
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
5:36 pm
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
#Elias note du jour: #Tigers are first team in history to play in a World Series after not having 1 of the 5 best records in their league
Time to fix the system… 2 leagues, best 4 or 5 advance to playoffs
DAP
October 24th, 2012
5:38 pm
how about ryan doumit for a bench spot? can give us a cushion if brian misses the first part of the season, and can back up 1st and corner outfield spots. $3.5mil per year. with as many spots as he plays, he could get alot more playing time than your average bench guy. also could free up ross for pinch hitting, if needed.
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
5:40 pm
TOBF-
Well, the Cards had the 13th best record in all of baseball in 06 when they won it all….
It however was the 5th best in the NL that year…
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
5:40 pm
Mariners declined Miguel Olivos option… he made 3mil last season. Would he take about 1.5 to 2 mil to come here? Has a career line of .270/.303/.477/.780 vs lefties
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
5:42 pm
The Tigers were tied w/ STL for the 11th best overall record….
So I would say there are some similarities there….
When you get hot, you get hot….
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
5:43 pm
TOBF-
Can’t see him turning down another job somewhere else to play for a month or two w/ the big club
He doesn’t play any other position so he doesn’t hold any worth there either
Nowhere man
October 24th, 2012
5:44 pm
Chipper E. Jones is training for the next Tour de France.
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
5:48 pm
He couldn’t win….
But in that fiasco, I’m sure Marcus Giles, Sammy Sosa (whats left of his face), and Brady Anderson could contend for a title
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
5:51 pm
Doumit is a good name…. so now we want Willingham, Span, Doumit, and some position prospects. Dang, that’s gonna cost a bunch!
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
5:57 pm
TOBF-
I don’t think Doumit fits either as his strength is against RHP as a lefty hitter
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
5:58 pm
Unless you’re talking specifically as a strictly bench bat….
And at that point 7M over 2 years is fairly costly for 1 bench bat if we’re already going to try and re-up w/ Rossy and Reed J
jim
October 24th, 2012
5:59 pm
Reasons why the Braves will be better in 2014 than 2013:
1. They will not be learning how to adjust to life without Chipper.
2. Beachy will be 20+ months recovered from Tommy John and fully recovered and back for a full season
3. Medlen will have a season of pitching more than 130 innings behind him.
4. If we don’t stupidly trade Delgado, he will be another frontline starter by 2014
5. The catching situation in 2013 is a big question mark with Ross a FA and McCann coming off a bad year and a half and major surgery with a $12 million option. By 2014 the catching situation should be resolved.
6. By 2014 Heyward and Freeman should be in their prime — as good as they are going to be.
Whatever we do this winter had better be the right move going forward. Don’t load up the payroll with expensive veterans trending downward or people like Youklis with their career vanishing in the rear view mirror.
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
5:59 pm
Looking at the stat lines, he doesn’t exactly have much experience as a PH (109 AB) but he does have ok numbers doing so
DAP
October 24th, 2012
6:00 pm
p-town I don’t think Doumit fits either as his strength is against RHP as a lefty hitter
so what? i think you are forgetting that the bench has been decimated. it needs to be almost completely rebuilt. doumit would be a great replacement for hinske on the bench.
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
6:01 pm
Jim-
Agree w/ everything but #5 because hey, if they exercise the option on McCann and then decide they don’t want him back in 2014, we will be in the same exact boat we are in now….
Wholeheartedly agree w/ #4 though
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
6:03 pm
DAP-
But 7M to 1 bench guy? If I am giving 7M over 2 years to a bench guy, he better damn well have done it and done it well before…
You guys do realize that conceivably the best strictly PH only guy in the NL made 1.5M last year…or under half that
DAP
October 24th, 2012
6:07 pm
But 7M to 1 bench guy?
no, p-town. think, please. look at the positions he plays, and think about it. he would be good for 400 ABs or so, and by himself can capably back up 4 positions.
it would be just like wren to squeeze all that out of a roster spot.
brian
October 24th, 2012
6:09 pm
Texas would be a great spot for McCann as he could play catcher and DH or play some 1B, but there is no way the Braves would pick up the option and trade McCann unless Texas gives him a huge extension
brian
October 24th, 2012
6:10 pm
what was the Tigers record since the trade deadline and their additions?
Impressive they made the World Series with Victor Martinez out for the year
jim
October 24th, 2012
6:13 pm
PTown,
You’re right. The 2014 catching system is up in the air right now. But by next winter we will have a more definite view of where we want to go — how Bethancourt develops, how McCann has recovered from his injury and what he has left to determine if we want to make a bid for him, and if not we will have a more definite plan in mind than pick up the option and hope he can still play.
CB
October 24th, 2012
6:17 pm
DAP, Doumit would be a good thought but may actually get a good contract as a regular somewhere with a raise. Love to have him if deal is possible.
nolie
October 24th, 2012
6:53 pm
270/.303/.477/.780 vs lefties..TOBP
303 OBP? sure hope not, my wrists can take only so many false starts
nolie
October 24th, 2012
6:54 pm
Reasons why the Braves will be better in 2014 than 2013:…jim
I think they will win noticeably fewer games next year unless Wren really wheels and deals just right
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
7:04 pm
Not a typo nolie… He has a .271 OBP overall for his career. But that .477 against lefties is pretty good. Especially for a bench player.
jim
October 24th, 2012
7:05 pm
Before getting hung up on using the free agent market to improve the team, consider the big moves from last year:
1. Reyes, Bhuerle, and Bell to the Marlins + a trade for Carlos Lee — last place and a fire sale
2. Pujols and C. J. Wilson to Angels — missed playoffs
3. In 2010-2011 — Lackey, Gonzalez, Crawford to Red Sox — 2012 player dump
4. The Red Sox four to LA Dodgers — they go into free fall and miss playoffs
5. Greinke to Rangers — Brewers make run at playoffs, Rangers blow Division and lose the play-in game
6. Yankees load up with big name FAs — ARod, Tex, CC, and bow out in 4 straight and are stuck with aging stars with big contracts — perhaps the only team that can afford to resolve it.
Cardinals lose Pujols and Carpenter for most of the year and were 1 game away from WS
Giants lose Melky at mid season and don’t miss a beat with names like Scutaro, Pagan, and Blanco complimenting Posey and Panda.
Tigers make the best FA sign (for now) for Prince and make WS
nolie
October 24th, 2012
7:06 pm
sorry I couldn’t care much less about the slugging with him making that many outs
VaBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
7:23 pm
Wonder what Wren’s definition of a premium player is?
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
7:34 pm
I think they will win noticeably fewer games next year unless Wren really wheels and deals just right
Too early, but it does seem like one of those years that could go either way. Honestly, I’m just hoping for progress from Heyward and Freeman. Would not be able to take seeing them regress given how important both of them are to this team’s future and the utter lack of impact bats in the system. A continued regression from Uggla and McCann, I can probably deal with. Not Heyward and Freeman. While 2007-2009 weren’t a ton of fun, at least we knew what we had coming – and it’s here, and it’s time for them to produce.
VaBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
7:42 pm
Cause if Frank Wren view’s a Cody Ross or Angel Pagan type as premium players I’d be a little worried.
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
7:42 pm
Bernie Pleskoff @BerniePleskoff
#Braves LHP Ryan Buchter showed excellent mechanics. He works quickly with good rhythm. Throws strikes. Sits in low 90’s. Tough on lefties.
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
8:02 pm
Go Tigers. Verlander is the best pitcher in the sport. Hope he shows it.
keyLargo
October 24th, 2012
8:07 pm
McFann – read a little Genesis in the Bible to shed some light on Methuselah.
BFChris28
October 24th, 2012
8:08 pm
MLB Unique’s predictions for the Top 75 FA’s this coming off season and where they land. Will bold Braves for interested ones …
75. Jonathan Sanchez – Miami Marlins (1 year, $1.75 M)
74. Travis Hafner – Tampa Bay Rays (1 year, $2 M)
73. Roberto Hernandez – Houston Astros (1 year, $1 M)
72. Daisuke Matsuzaka – Los Angeles Dodgers (1 year, $3.5 M)
71. Grady Sizemore – Cleveland Indians (1 year, $1.5 M)
70. Randy Wolf – Minnesota Twins (1 year, $1.75 M)
69. Maicer Izturis – Detroit Tigers (1 year, $1.15 M)
68. Carlos Zambrano – Pittsburgh Pirates (1 year, $3 M)
67. Kyle Farnsworth – Baltimore Orioles (1 year, 2.25 M)
66. Carlos Pena – Houston Astros (1 year, $3.5 M)
65. Erik Bedard – Toronto Blue Jays (1 year, $3.25 M)
64. Grant Balfour – Detroit Tigers (2 years, $9 M)
63. Scott Baker – Oakland Athletics (1 year, $2 M w/Incentives)
62. J.P. Howell – Boston Red Sox (2 years, $11.5 M)
61. Joe Blanton – Baltimore Orioles (1 year, $6.25 M)
60. Scott Rolen – Minnesota Twins (1 year, $5.75 M)
59. Marco Scutaro – Arizona Diamondbacks (2 years, $12 M)
58. Sean Burnett – Washington Nationals (3 years, $13.5 M)
57. Joakim Soria – Chicago Cubs (1 year, $5 M w/Incentives)
56. Carlos Lee – New York Yankees (1 year, Minor League Deal)
55. Brett Myers – Chicago White Sox (2 years, $ 9.5 M)
54. Kelly Johnson – Toronto Blue Jays (1 year, $4 M)
53. Joe Saunders – Detroit Tigers (1 year, $6.25 M)
52. Hiroyuki Nakajima – San Francisco Giants (2 years, $2.5 M)
51. Roy Oswalt – St. Louis Cardinals (1 year, $4.75 M)
50. Francisco Rodriguez – New York Yankees (1 year, $7 M)
49. Kyuji Fujikawa – Boston Red Sox (2 years, $9 M)
48. Ichiro Suzuki – New York Yankees (2 years, $22 M)
47. Delmon Young – Oakland Athletics (1 year, $4.5 M)
46. J.J. Putz – Arizona Diamondbacks (2 years, $20 M)
45. Brandon League – Texas Rangers (3 years, $18 M)
44. Jhonny Peralta – St. Louis Cardinals (2 years, $15.5 M)
43. Carlos Villanueva – Los Angeles Angels (2 years, $11.5 M)
42. Jonathan Broxton – Baltimore Orioles (2 years, $11.5 M)
41. Ryan Ludwick – Cleveland Indians (2 years, $16.5 M)
40. Gavin Floyd – Boston Red Sox (3 years, $25.5 M)
39. Colby Lewis – Philadelphia Phillies (1 year, $7 M)
38. Angel Pagan – Tampa Bay Rays (3 years, $15 M)
37. Ryan Madson – Cincinnati Reds (1 year, $4 M w/Incentives)
36. Mike Adams – Toronto Blue Jays (2 years, $12 M)
35. Jeremy Guthrie – Kansas City Royals (2 years, $12 M)
34. Russell Martin – San Francisco Giants (1 year, $4 M)
33. Paul Maholm – San Diego Padres (1 year, $5.25 M)
32. Francisco Liriano – Chicago Cubs (1 year, $6.5 M)
31. Ervin Santana – Kansas City Royals (1 year, $10 M)
30. Cody Ross – Boston Red Sox (3 years, $18 M)
29. Brandon McCarthy – Oakland Athletics (3 years, $27 M)
28. A.J. Pierzynski – Chicago White Sox (2 years, $16 M)
27. Jose Valverde – New York Mets (2 years, $17 M)
26. Fernando Rodney – Los Angeles Dodgers (3 years, $31.5 M)
25. Stephen Drew – Oakland Athletics (2 years, $9.5 M)
24. Torii Hunter – Los Angeles Angels (2 years, $14 M)
23. Melky Cabrera – Texas Rangers (2 years, $14 M)
22. Hisashi Iwakuma – New York Yankees (2 years, $14.75 M)
21. Rafael Soriano – Los Angeles Angels (3 years, $27 M)
20. Shaun Marcum – Baltimore Orioles (4 years, $40 M)
19. Andy Pettitte – New York Yankees (1 year, $8 M)
18. Kevin Youkilis – Cincinnati Reds (1 year, $6.5 M)
17. Shane Victorino – Washington Nationals (5 years, $57.5 M)
16. Kyle Lohse – St. Louis Cardinals (3 years, $42 M)
15. Adam LaRoche – Milwaukee Brewers (3 years, $33 M)
14. Dan Haren – Atlanta Braves (3 years, $37.5 M)
13. Ryan Dempster – Detroit Tigers (2 years, $24 M)
12. Mike Napoli – New York Yankees (4 years, $46 M)
11. Mariano Rivera – New York Yankees (1 year, $13.5 M)
10. Hiroki Kuroda – Seattle Mariners (2 years, $23 M)
9. David Ortiz – Boston Red Sox (1 year, $15, Vesting Option for 2014.)
8. Anibal Sanchez – Toronto Blue Jays (3 years, $30.75 M)
7. Jake Peavy – Chicago White Sox (4 years, $56 M)
6. Nick Swisher – Boston Red Sox (4 years, $56 M)
5. Michael Bourn – New York Mets (6 years, $84 M)
4. Edwin Jackson – Chicago Cubs (3 years, $39 M)
3. Zack Greinke – Los Angeles Angels (6 years, $114 M)
2. B.J. Upton – San Francisco Giants (6 years, $96.5 M)
1. Josh Hamilton – Atlanta Braves (5 years, $120 M)
VaBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
8:11 pm
Efrim
Verlander went to Old Dominion University (ODU) which is about 15 minutes from my house lol
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
8:13 pm
1. Josh Hamilton – Atlanta Braves (5 years, $120 M)
They don’t have enough money to make that happen.
14. Dan Haren – Atlanta Braves (3 years, $37.5 M)
Especially for both.
VaBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
8:16 pm
Wow, they actually predict us to sign Josh Hamilton… I wonder where they get there numbers from?
24 million a season for Hamilton and 12.5 million a season for Haren… I thought we roughly had around 20-24 million to spend total? haha. We would have to reject McCann’s option to make these moves happen, plus we’d likely have to trade Hanson or EOF to help free some money up and we definitely wouldn’t have any money for small pieces being added. Besides the moves would be horrible in my opinion.
phil
October 24th, 2012
8:23 pm
Josh Hamilton…..
Please, no. We don’t need this problem to add to the one we already have with Uggla….
It will be strikeout city times two if he comes over here. Plus, bet the ranch that the big relapse would happen here at the worst possible time.
No thanks.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
8:29 pm
38. Angel Pagan – Tampa Bay Rays (3 years, $15 M)
What??? 5 mil a year for Pagan… no way.
I also see that we buy-out or trade Maholm… for Haren though? It would be the Frank Wren way… a cheaper version of an ace. Wouldn’t really like it though,
30. Cody Ross – Boston Red Sox (3 years, $18 M)
I’d hope he comes to the Braves for that price.
3. Zack Greinke – Los Angeles Angels (6 years, $114 M)
Only 19mil/yr. Make him a Braves. Not Hamilton.
BFChris28
October 24th, 2012
9:09 pm
Let’s go Tigers!!!!!!!!!!
BFChris28
October 24th, 2012
9:15 pm
Sandoval JEEEEEZ!!!!!!!!!!