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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,463 comments Add your comment
VaBravesFan
October 23rd, 2012
9:06 pm
Efrim
Other than Pierre’s crappy arm, I’ve always been a pretty big fan of his when I was younger. He had 5 consecutive seasons in which he played all 162 games and stole an average of 58 bags a season. Probably the best contact hitter as well.
Imagine Bourn with Pierre’s contact rates…
David O'Brien
October 23rd, 2012
9:07 pm
I believe Andrelton Simmons has contact skills close to Juan Pierre — VaBravesFan
He’s certainly got a whole lot more power and power potential than Pierre ever had.
phil
October 23rd, 2012
9:09 pm
Nah, not even close, jeffrey d……
I shot from the hip, which i normally would never do here.
jeffrey d
October 23rd, 2012
9:09 pm
He’s certainly got a whole lot more power and power potential than Pierre ever had.
And his arm power is better. Pierre couldn’t throw a whiffle ball to someone right next to him without it double hopping.
VaBravesFan
October 23rd, 2012
9:11 pm
DOB
Well yeah, I’m just talking about putting the bat on the ball. Simmons has amazing contact skills for his age. Could almost compare it to how we viewed Heyward’s knowledge of the strikezone and discipline as a 20 year old. Advanced for there age.
phil
October 23rd, 2012
9:13 pm
Thanks, David.
It’s a shame. I’ve had a few clients with labral issues, and the surgical outcomes have never been 100 percent. Of course, none are pro athletes either. He better work hard….
I wonder if repetition of the oblique strain-altered swing might be the culprit….who knows.
Efrim
October 23rd, 2012
9:13 pm
Honestly, I think that every Braves team since 2004 has been just about as good as each other, even the 2008 team that won only 71 games.
I do sometimes think that 2003 was the last great Braves team. It seemed as if every time I watched a game, it was first and third no one out with the middle of the order coming to the plate – Sheff, Chipper, Jones, Lopez. And it’s tough to point out which was the best team since that time.
jimmy
October 23rd, 2012
9:16 pm
If, as your comments indicate, he is that risky, and holds no value, why pick up the option at all then? If no one would offer a decent player or prospect, why would the Braves gamble 12 million dollars on him? If he is worth the money; he is worth a trade I would think. If not then they should move on…
Efrim
October 23rd, 2012
9:16 pm
I think after 2003, we dropped the payroll too, although I could be wrong. We’ve probably gone from Top 8 or so in payroll to middle of the pack(15th).
jeffrey d
October 23rd, 2012
9:17 pm
Sheff, Chipper, Jones, Lopez
Man….wasn’t that great?
Braveheart
October 23rd, 2012
9:18 pm
Yeah, that 2003 team was beastly from an offensive standpoint. That was a really fun summer. Almost everything clicked for them that year.
VaBravesFan
October 23rd, 2012
9:18 pm
jeffrey
I was only comparing them on contact, I believe most high school kids could throw a baseball farther than Juan Pierre haha
Simmons only struck out 8% of the time this past season (Sample Size)
Simmons minor league career number is 7%
Pierre struck out 5% of time in minors and in majors maintained a 5%
Gone Viral
October 23rd, 2012
9:19 pm
“Jay, Beltran, Holliday, Craig, Freese, and Molina was the best 1-6 in the National League. What are you talking about?”
I’m talking about that. Jay has been a part time player, Craig hadn’t been a full time major league starter at 27 and Molina had an OPS over .750 exactly once in his career. Beltran being healthy is one key component but half of the players you mention are nobodies McGwire and Matheny coached to career seasons. As I said originally, the Cardinals last their best player (everyone’s best player) and then had their ace go down indefinitely. Their Hall of Fame manager was also gone. Throw in that Rufus had an ERA over 4 until August 9 and it’s readily apparent how resilient this team had be. You’d have to *really* hate bunting to believe Matheny did anything other than a phenomenal job this year.
“It’s more the draft stuff that I disagree with from GV.”
You’re still young. You’ll learn.
phil
October 23rd, 2012
9:19 pm
I thought that 03 team was going places….
Bats ended up failing us as i recall.
jeffrey d
October 23rd, 2012
9:19 pm
Just checked…and of course the 2003 Braves had the most runs scored in the NL
http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/team/_/stat/batting/year/2003/seasontype/2/league/nl
jeffrey d
October 23rd, 2012
9:21 pm
Bats ended up failing us as i recall.
.215 AVG, .306 OBP, .301 SLG, .607 OPS in the postseason
http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/team/_/stat/batting/year/2003/league/nl
Efrim
October 23rd, 2012
9:22 pm
2003:
Furcal – .292/.352/.443
Giles – .316/.390/.526
Sheffield – .330/.419/.604
Chipper – .305/.402/.517
Andruw – .277/.338/.513
Lopez – .328/.378/.687
Castilla – .277/.310/.461
Franco – .294/.372/.452
Fick – .269 /.335/.418
Russ Ortiz, Greg Maddux, Mike Hampton, Horacio Ramirez and Shane Reynolds as the starting five.
AZBravoFan
October 23rd, 2012
9:23 pm
This McCann situation kind of reminds me of Prado. Prado had shown that when he’s healthy he hits. Then he had the problem with his leg and never got on track. And then everyone wanted to trade him over the winter. And he came back a showed once again that when he’s healthy he hits. Mac has shown exactly the same thing. Even this year during that one brief stretch of the summer when he was healthy he practically carried the team for a couple weeks. And yet after an injury plagued year and a half, everyone wants to dump him. I realize it’s a big risk to assume that he can be 100% next year after rehabbing his shoulder. But if he is, why wouldn’t he go back to being the 6-time Silver Slugger that he’s been in the past? Patience grasshoppers.
ColoradoBravesFan
October 23rd, 2012
9:24 pm
Who has more trade value Hanson or Maholm? I really hope Wren can trade one of these two plus a prospect and get a really good CF or LF. I would be happy if Braves signed Victorino and could get a .850 OPS RHed LFer in a trade.
Who is the best RH LFer available in a trade? And what would it take to get them? I really don’t want Willingham or either Upton as the Braves LFer in 2013.
jeffrey d
October 23rd, 2012
9:25 pm
Okay help me out here….I was just a casual Braves fan at this point so I don’t know the details.
According to Baseball Reference, in 2003 Russ Ortiz started game 1, Mike Hampton started game 2, and Greg Maddux started game 3??!?
Braveheart
October 23rd, 2012
9:25 pm
yeah, the braves had the 3rd highest payroll in baseball in 2003 – $106 million
http://content.usatoday.com/sportsdata/baseball/mlb/salaries/team/2003
jeffrey d
October 23rd, 2012
9:26 pm
http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2003_NLDS2.shtml
VaBravesFan
October 23rd, 2012
9:27 pm
Wow, Marcus Giles posted a 917 OPS in 2003 as a 25 year old. Hard to believe he flamed out by 2007. Didn’t even play any minor league ball after.
jeffrey d
October 23rd, 2012
9:28 pm
I don’t get why the postseason rotation would line up as 1) Nose. 2) Injured. 3) All star
Gone Viral
October 23rd, 2012
9:29 pm
I actually consider the 2012 team to be the best we’ve had in a while. We had a pair of starters who were on fire in Minor and Medlen, rotational depth, a lineup of tough outs and a sick bullpen. That 2003 team was flawed. Reynolds should have been out of baseball yet he won 11 games for us because he received freakish run support. Smoltz was wicked that year but everyone else on our pitching staff was mediocre at best. Even Maddux had an ERA around 4.
Efrim
October 23rd, 2012
9:30 pm
Beltran being healthy is one key component but half of the players you mention are nobodies McGwire and Matheny coached to career seasons.
You are giving far too much credit to a baseball manager.
You think Jon Jay, David Freese, Allen Craig are all a product of Mike Matheny, who arrived this season? I mean, I really like Big Mac as a hitting coach, but good lord, give some credit to the front office and the players themselves – not a baseball manager.
Freese has a strong season in 2011, so did Craig in a small sample and he always hit in the minors and Molina hit .305/.349/.465 in 2011. Not Mike Matheny, at all really.
Efrim
October 23rd, 2012
9:31 pm
And ya know, Matt Holliday and all.
Braveheart
October 23rd, 2012
9:31 pm
Wow, Marcus Giles posted a 917 OPS in 2003 as a 25 year old. Hard to believe he flamed out by 2007. Didn’t even play any minor league ball after.
Damn drug testing …
Efrim
October 23rd, 2012
9:33 pm
You’re still young. You’ll learn.
Learn what? That they could of gotten a pitcher like Sean Gilmartin 60 picks later?
Gone Viral
October 23rd, 2012
9:34 pm
“According to Baseball Reference, in 2003 Russ Ortiz started game 1, Mike Hampton started game 2, and Greg Maddux started game 3??!?”
Maddux was 37 at the time and had already slipped, which was tough to watch. The thinking at the time was that Maddux would be more comfortable starting game 3 in Chicago, a place where he had started 200+ games. As difficult as this is to believe in hindsight, Ortiz was our ace that year. He was an All-Star and finished fairly high in the Cy Young voting. That team was all about offense.
Braveheart
October 23rd, 2012
9:35 pm
The Cardinals do seem to have a no-name android factory that endlessly pumps out quality players you can’t believe are kicking your arse.
Efrim
October 23rd, 2012
9:35 pm
I actually consider the 2012 team to be the best we’ve had in a while.
You’re probably right that it was the best of a slightly above average bunch.
Braves are 360-288 the last four seasons. 86, 91, 89, and 94 wins. 90-72 average. 1 playoff series appearance. A friggin shame.
Efrim
October 23rd, 2012
9:39 pm
The Cardinals do seem to have a no-name android factory that endlessly pumps out quality players you can’t believe are kicking your arse.
Exactly. In no way “all” Mike Matheny. John Mozeliak, Jeff Luhnow(Houston GM), Walt Jocketty.
And again, it really helps that they have the best collection of young arms in baseball ready to contribute – Lance Lynn, Trevor Rosenthal, Shelby Miller, Joe Kelly. There isn’t a more talented organization from majors to minors in the sport.
Braveheart
October 23rd, 2012
9:40 pm
I still can’t believe the Bosox allowed Bobby V anywhere near their franchise. Dude just can’t shut up. I think managers are vastly overrated, but I do prefer a manager like Bobby Cox who will take your secrets with him to the grave.
Gone Viral
October 23rd, 2012
9:41 pm
“You are giving far too much credit to a baseball manager.”
And I believe you are using the benefit of hindsight far too much.
Maybe you were the guy that claimed St. Louis would be a sleeper playoff team this year but my own wife, a Cardinals super-fan who knows more about baseball than any dude I know, expected this to be a throwaway year. And that was *with* the anticipation of Carpenter and Rufus at the top of the rotation. A trio of Lance Lynn, Jake Westbrook and Kyle Lohshe plus an underachieving Rufus should not comprise the rotation of one of the last three teams standing in baseball. Look past the bunts and give a little credit.
Efrim
October 23rd, 2012
9:42 pm
John Mozeliak has been the Cardinals GM since 2007 – same year Frank Wren took over.
bojack
October 23rd, 2012
9:42 pm
Ozzie is another Bravesheart that can’t shut his mouth.
Gone Viral
October 23rd, 2012
9:44 pm
“Braves are 360-288 the last four seasons. 86, 91, 89, and 94 wins. 90-72 average. 1 playoff series appearance. A friggin shame.”
Have I mentioned how much I hate Liberty Media?
If only Ted had resisted the siren song of Time Warner.
Efrim
October 23rd, 2012
9:46 pm
And I believe you are using the benefit of hindsight far too much.
I picked them to win the NL Central, then Waino got hurt and I scaled it back to the Wild Card with the Reds winning the division.
Efrim
October 23rd, 2012
9:47 pm
Have I mentioned how much I hate Liberty Media?
Wow. We disagree on just about everything. It’s actually hilarious.
Efrim
October 23rd, 2012
9:48 pm
a Cardinals super-fan who knows more about baseball than any dude I know
Would love to hear her thoughts – whenever she has a moment – on the Cardinals minor league system. It’s fantastic.
Gone Viral
October 23rd, 2012
9:48 pm
You…like Liberty Media? I didn’t know there was such a Braves fan in existence.
Gone Viral
October 23rd, 2012
9:49 pm
She’s already asleep but she had been counting down the days for Shelby Miller’s arrival. He did *not* disappoint.
Braveheart
October 23rd, 2012
9:49 pm
Yeah, I am not a big fan of Ozzie whatsoever other than that he is colorful and entertaining. But I wouldn’t want that volatile loose cannon running my team.
bojack
October 23rd, 2012
9:50 pm
He was fired today.
phil
October 23rd, 2012
9:52 pm
But Ozzie loves Fidel….
Braveheart
October 23rd, 2012
9:53 pm
And Marge Schott loved Hitler like Margo Adams loved Wade Boggs
phil
October 23rd, 2012
9:56 pm
Marge Scott….lol
But she won the 90 series, right? Better than Liberty….
Efrim
October 23rd, 2012
9:59 pm
GV, I do not blame Liberty Media for their one playoff appearance, no. Could be a lot worse. Owners can make things a lot worse.
Braveheart
October 23rd, 2012
10:00 pm
Her dog Schottzie littered the field like a Braves fan
phil
October 23rd, 2012
10:04 pm
Schottzie!!
Lolol. Forgot about that beast…
jeffrey d
October 23rd, 2012
10:07 pm
Maddux was 37 at the time and had already slipped, which was tough to watch
I understand that, but was a 37 year old Maddux really worse than Russ Ortiz and Mike Hampton?
Braveheart
October 23rd, 2012
10:08 pm
I’m not a big fan of Liberty Media either, but at least they keep their hands off baseball operations. I would prefer an individual owner, but they can be real headaches themselves. Just look at Arthur Blank and the many missteps he took the first five years he owned the Falcons. Same was true of Ted and Steinbrenner. And you see the worst in a guy like Loria. Then you can also get the nightmare of a conglomerate like the Atlanta Spirit Group that does no one any good. And people say they want a guy like Cuban, and I’d love to have Cuban if he didn’t already own a team and if he had never owned a team before. I’m not a big fan of a guy like Cuban owning more than one team. Part of what makes them great with the franchise they have is the obsession they have with that team. If you divide their loyalties, will the passion be the same?
Jerry
October 23rd, 2012
10:27 pm
I haven’t been around much, and after reading the garbage this Homer dude posts, I’m glad that I haven’t and will make my stay brief once more. Anyone who grew up reading old Superman comics will understand when I liken Homer to a “bizarro” blogger. Peace out.
By the way, my money’s on the Giants. Win the WS 2 outta 3 years with that team and the one in 2010 and it says that anyone can win, That is except for the Braves of course. This franchise has reenforced why I have been pessimistic.
richbrave
October 23rd, 2012
10:28 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM
Lead-off SS NICK AHMED [.370 BA] 2-6, 1 RBI [6], 2 SO, 1 CS [1].
3B ED SALCEDO [.119 BA] 0-5, 1 RBI [4], 1 E [4, throwing].
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
DOMINICA
EASTERN BULLS
Lead-off LF/CF JOSE CONSTANZA [.500 BA] 2-4, 1 R, 1 CS [1].
VENEZUELA
CARACAS LIONS
JC BOSCAN [.400 BA] 3-3, 1 R.
ZULIA EAGLES
1B ERNESTO MEJIA [.261 BA] 1-3, 1 SO.
DH EVAN ‘Big Jim’ GATTIS [.275 BA] 0-3, 1 SO.
Venice Jim
October 23rd, 2012
10:29 pm
Besides, you guys are way too sensitive where he’s concerned.
pot…kettle…
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
October 23rd, 2012
10:29 pm
jeffrey d Henceforth, by royal decree, there shalt be no more McFann bashing which includeth but is not limited to fat jokes
Long live the King!…
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
October 23rd, 2012
10:32 pm
V. Jim Besides, you guys are way too sensitive where he’s concerned.
Sensitive? Me, sensitive? Well that’s a nice rumor to get started around…If there’s anything that upsets me, it’s having people say I’m sensitive. ‘Cause if there’s one thing I’m NOT, it’s sensitive! Talk about being misunderstood!……
(Channeling my inner Barney Fife…)
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 23rd, 2012
10:34 pm
Or look at it this way. Say we just do the 500k Buyout and have another 11.5 million to work with. How much would that extra money help us bring in a legit RH power hitter for LF, how about that CF who can lead off? Or what about the top starting pitcher that alot of fans want.
11.5 mil. There isn’t a LF who should make that much, and even if there was, we can afford it without letting Mac walk. Same with CF. Especially since we don’t want to give up a draft pick. We can even sign Greinke and keep Mac in tow. Just trade Maholm and Hanson.
While Mac may be a “gamble”, his money isn’t stopping us from doing anything right now. Heyward, Freddie, and Kimbrel aren’t expensive yet.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 23rd, 2012
10:38 pm
Is that another 0fer from Gattis? NOOOO! I want the real Evan G. back.
Salcedo ain’t helping his stock either… trade filler
nolie
October 23rd, 2012
11:14 pm
Marcus was a PEDer. obvious if you ever saw him, as wide with muscle as he was tall….well maybe not quite
nolie
October 23rd, 2012
11:21 pm
Hanson Hater!!!!!
ncgary
October 23rd, 2012
11:24 pm
hoover hoover hoover ooops we aint got hoover any more
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 23rd, 2012
11:26 pm
Hanson Hater!!!!!
I wonder who that could be…. certainly not me
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 23rd, 2012
11:48 pm
keithlaw @keithlaw
Dumping Loria and Samson would be fresher “@gabeisaacson: Generally agree with Loria dumping Bell and Guillen, starting (relatively) fresh?”
David O'Brien
October 24th, 2012
12:24 am
Saw “End Of Watch” tonight. Wow. One of the best cop movies I’ve ever seen, and one of the 4-5 best movies I’ve seen this year. Saw “Argo” this weekend and I’d put that No. 1 of the movies I’ve seen so far in 2012. But this one wasn’t far behind. Riveting stuff.
uga-brave
October 24th, 2012
12:49 am
just watched the last two episodes of Boss. right up there with Breaking Bad.
Gone Viral
October 24th, 2012
12:58 am
“I understand that, but was a 37 year old Maddux really worse than Russ Ortiz and Mike Hampton?”
Yes and the perception at the time was that it was the obvious call. I just looked it up and Ortiz did finish fourth in the Cy Young voting that year. Of course, only four guys received votes and he only got 9 while third place (Mark Prior!) earned 60. He also had the best dimples of any Atlanta Brave in recent memory. Dude smiled all the time. As for Hampton, that was the first year after the trade. His psyche was still a bit delicate after the Colorado disaster but he did pitch well in game two.
2003 summarizes Atlanta’s postseason luck. That’s the only time Wood and Prior were ever healthy at the same time. We caught them in a best of five series. They won all three games for the Cubs.
matt
October 24th, 2012
4:11 am
DOB do you have any idea when they’re going to announce the spring schedule this year?
moss willis
October 24th, 2012
5:48 am
I sure hope the Braves don’t pick up the option on that overweight, couldn’t throw out a drunk running to 2nd, and 28 going on 38 (fast) age catcher, but it will happen and this team will be hoping for a miracle again, maybe Uggla can get on a 20 game hot streak to carry the Braves to that wild card duel it out game so they can yet fail again
Fidel Castro
October 24th, 2012
7:26 am
I can’t believe those Yankee imperialist capitalist pigs who own the Marlins fired my good friend Ozzie Guillen. Ozzie is a great baseball manager but also a good and loyal communist.
ncscoots
October 24th, 2012
8:47 am
Yeah, that 2003 team was beastly from an offensive standpoint. That was a really fun summer. Almost everything clicked for them that year.
Add another RH bat with sock to the current lineup, and I think you’ll see at least glimpses of the same thing. Heyward, Freeman, and Uggla all have 30-dinger power, McCann will hit 25 or so, add in a guy even at .800+ who can hit 25 (instead of Willingham, say), and this lineup starts looking lethal. If all these guys are running out an OBP of .350+ and cranking 100-homer power from 3-7, you have the potential for big innings all the way through the lineup. Not just at 3 and 4. Very few places to go for easy outs, if you’re a pitcher, and that effect is cumulative. Going through a deep lineup with power two or three times without getting bloody is just awfully hard to do.
Yes, yes, yes, there are many things that could mitigate against that. The youth of Heyward and Freeman, McCann’s recovery, actually making an offensive acquisition, yada yada yada. I’m only saying that there is a lot more offensive potential in this projected lineup than most here think.
Lew
October 24th, 2012
8:48 am
I thought it would be interesting to see where McCann’s final 2012 numbers ranked against other NL catchers.
Despite his (by far) worst year with BA, OBP and Slg%, he ranked overall higher than might have been expected. Compared to other NL Catchers -
4th in HR
4th in BB
6th in runs scored
5th in RBI
Only one catcher in the league with as many (or more) AB (Molina) had less strikeouts
So a bad season? Absolutely. Compared to other NL catchers? Not nearly as bad as you’d think. NO matter how bad his season, he still seemed a top/middle of the pack catcher in several categories, including power, walking and not striking out.
ncgary
October 24th, 2012
9:05 am
picking up mccann option is a no brainer
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
9:11 am
The no-brain people appear to disagree…
Bravesfan77
October 24th, 2012
9:18 am
Next big three……………….Medlen, Beachy and ????????????? one more needed. Its Not Minor either.
flange1
October 24th, 2012
9:19 am
I just don’t understand who the folks that want the McCann option declined want to catch next year.
Ross is a back up. CB is not ready.
There are no real “good” options at catcher on the FA market.
SO we will have to trade for a catcher too.
Check out Lew’s post at 8:48, Mac even in an injured year had better stats than most of the other catchers in the league.
So you want defense? OK, find the guy and just make sure his defensive metrics are BETTER than Macs.
Don’t think there is a better option out there for 2013. Sign a backup for Ross (Paulino) and let Mac play when he gets well.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
9:20 am
It’s gonna have to come from one of the 5-6 under-impressive pitchers on the FA market next season… or we trade a bunch of prospects for one. Cuz as we’ve been told, Greinke is such a bum…
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
9:21 am
Offseason calendar:
-Immediately after World Series – Eligible players hit free agency
-Three days after World Series – Option decisions due
-Five days after World Series – Qualifying offers due
-Six days after World Series – Free agents can sign contracts with teams other than their former clubs
-12 days after World Series – Players must accept or reject qualifying offers
-November 7th – 9th – GM Meetings
-November 20th – Deadline for setting 40-man roster in advance of Rule 5 Draft
-November 30th – Deadline for teams to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players
-December 3rd – 6th – Winter Meetings
-December 6th – Rule 5 Draft takes place at Winter Meetings
-January – Teams, players exchange arbitration figures
-February – Arbitration hearings take place
TennesseePaul
October 24th, 2012
9:22 am
and I think you’ll see at least glimpses of the same thing
Saw “glimpses” of the same thing this year… the week of April 15th the team scored 55 runs. Hadn’t done that since ‘03 if I recall correctly. Problem is though, “glimpses” aren’t enough.
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
9:24 am
I could see the Braves having interest in Adam Wainwright next offseason. But I’m pretty sure the Cardinals will just re-up with him.
ncscoots
October 24th, 2012
9:28 am
Problem is though, “glimpses” aren’t enough.
Agreed. The kids have to take the next step in their growth and Uggla has to be the back of his bubblegum card. But start with that as a base and it’s a pretty good middle of the order, regardless of anybody else.
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
9:42 am
Hamilton, Bourn, Upton, Swisher, Pagan, Ortiz, Peavy, Lohse, Jackson, Kuroda, Soriano all on track to receive qualifying offers, imo.
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
9:43 am
Jake Peavy had a seriously good year in a home run heaven of a home park.
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
9:44 am
Morning all!
So….who out there is hoping for a Tigers sweep so we can get at the offseason right away?
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
9:45 am
Efrim-
You think the Nats are going to offer Edwin Jackson a qual of 13.3M?
Frankly, given his struggles w/ consistency he’d be stupid not to take that money and run….
P-Town Brave ©
October 24th, 2012
9:46 am
BTW, for anyone interested, Ingram, McAlpin, and Mark Bowman will be on 680 The Fan this afternoon at 2:30 ET taking calls on the Braves offseason
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
9:46 am
2014 FA Class of Outfielders and Pitching-
Left fielders
Jason Bay (35) – $17MM vesting option with a $3MM buyout
Jason Kubel (32) – $7.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Fred Lewis (33)
Mike Morse (32)
David Murphy (32)
Laynce Nix (33)
Martin Prado (30)
Ryan Raburn (33)
Center fielders
Coco Crisp (34) – $7.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Rajai Davis (33)
Jacoby Ellsbury (30)
Carlos Gomez (28)
Franklin Gutierrez (31) – $7.5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Tony Gwynn Jr. (31)
Andres Torres (36)
Chris Young (30) – $11MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout
Right fielders
Carlos Beltran (37)
Shin-Soo Choo (31)
Nelson Cruz (33)
David DeJesus (34) – $6.5MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout
Chris Denorfia (33)
Ben Francisco (32)
Jeff Francoeur (30)
Corey Hart (32)
Hunter Pence (31)
Jason Repko (33)
Ryan Sweeney (29)
Starting Pitching-
Bronson Arroyo (37)
Nick Blackburn (32) – $8MM club option
Dallas Braden (30)
A.J. Burnett (37)
Chris Capuano (35) – $8MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Chris Carpenter (39)
Bruce Chen (37)
Nelson Figueroa (40)
Matt Garza (30)
Roy Halladay (37) – $20MM vesting option
Jason Hammel (31)
Aaron Harang (36) – $7MM+ mutual option with a $2MM buyout
Phil Hughes (28)
Ubaldo Jimenez (30) – may void $5.75MM option for 2014
Josh Johnson (30)
Jair Jurrjens (28)
Jeff Karstens (31)
John Lannan (29)
Jon Lester (30) – $13MM club option with a $250K buyout
Colby Lewis (34)
Ted Lilly (38)
Tim Lincecum (30)
Dustin Moseley (32)
Ricky Nolasco (31)
Mike Pelfrey (30)
Wandy Rodriguez (35) – $13MM club option with a $2.5MM buyout
Johan Santana (34) – $25MM club option with a $5.5MM buyout
Kevin Slowey (30)
Tim Stauffer (32)
Jason Vargas (31)
Edinson Volquez (30)
Tsuyoshi Wada (33) – $5MM club option
Barry Zito (36) – $18MM vesting option with a $7MM buyout
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
9:47 am
You think the Nats are going to offer Edwin Jackson a qual of 13.3M?
He is the closest call among the group I listed. Nats would be taking a risk, for sure.
Don
October 24th, 2012
9:49 am
If you have players with high strike out totals, your team usually is not going to get it done at crunch time.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
9:52 am
There’s about 6-7 good outfielders on that list… not many good SP. We have a good SP or 2 this winter, and not many outfielders. Get the SP this year, the OF for the future next year.
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
9:59 am
Get the SP this year, the OF for the future next year.
With $20 million to spend and plenty of assets in the trade market – the GM should be able to accomplish both if he chooses. But he does not want to go after a starting pitcher, because there is a focus on CF/leadoff.
Efrim
October 24th, 2012
10:05 am
http://www.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/
How is Billy Bullock and Brandon Drury in the Top 20, yet Evan Gattis, Jose Peraza and Luis Merejo are not? Also do not think de la Rosa belongs there.
Murph
October 24th, 2012
10:19 am
I know it’s riskier than going after established major league talent, but I really wish the team would go all-in on an uber prospect like Myers or Olt. Not that they could even be had for what the Braves have to offer, but I’d at least feel better knowing that Wren tried to pry a potential future superstar from someone. I really really don’t want to see him throw the kitchen sink at a team for a 35 year old.
BravePack(FreeFan)
October 24th, 2012
10:24 am
Don’t worry Murph he won’t, he’s not that stupid.
Murph
October 24th, 2012
10:26 am
Don’t worry Murph he won’t, he’s not that stupid.
My worry is that it won’t be out of stupidity, but desperation… when the clock starts ticking and this guy goes to this team and that guy goes to that team, but nobody comes to the Braves… well, we’ve seen what can happen in the past.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2012
10:26 am
Don’t worry Murph he won’t, he’s not that stupid.
Now I’m a big Frank Wren fan, but he did offer Delgado for D
uempsterTheOnlyBravesFan
October 24th, 2012
10:36 am
he did offer Delgado for Duempster
Hopefully that was Frank Wren at his dumbest, and we never see that again.
ncscoots
October 24th, 2012
10:38 am
I really really don’t want to see him throw the kitchen sink at a team for a 35 year old.
Even I don’t think he would gut the farm for Willingham, but there’s a reasonable price point there somewhere that would be sensible for both teams. If the Twins do indeed put him up, if the first place. And if they don’t have larceny in their heart, when they do.
David O'Brien
October 24th, 2012
10:42 am
Got an email from a Venezuelan guy who gives me updates on what’s going on in Venezuelan winter league. He said Gattis told a reporter in Venezuela that he wants to play for his team down there all the way through the playoffs, which run till the end of January.