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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
155 comments Add your comment
Peter
October 29th, 2012
5:14 pm
Rick C ……. Yes Blanco is a world Series winner and I would rather have him than Bourne……we see how he performed in Pittsburgh with the division on the line…..and in the playoff game.
“lol, trading Blanco cost the Braves’ chemistry? ”
Perhaps you should have watched the Giants…that was chemistry !
Yup Chemistry something the Braves don’t have.. you must be speaking from the fact the Braves won 12 division championships in a row and have ONE yes one title to show for all that.
You keep rooting for a slow, fat, softball type team, and make sure you know all the batting averages like the hall of fame Chipper Jones……. who made the biggest error of the season at the wrong time….. but I would rather have the rag tag Giants team, that plays small ball, a speedy Blanco who helped gun down Prince in the field.
I would rather have Blanco who can hit with two strikes…like the triple he hit to drive in the fist run of the game….and then scored.. I LIKE THE BIG GAME PLAYERS… not the big average players making the big money who are all about me !
LAC
October 29th, 2012
5:17 pm
CHICKEN wren IS the problem here… And as long as he IS here, the Braves will NEVER win,
The Lying Chicken wren, MUST BE FIRED… I am sick of how little he knows about baseball, my granddaughter knows more…
But as long as he is calling the shots, The Braves are DOOMED to less winning and MORE LOSING !!!!
FIRE CHICKEN wren !
Peter
October 29th, 2012
5:22 pm
LAC .. Yup Fire Wren…
The folks around here say he was handicapped because the ownership doesn’t want to pay out big money…. BUT They don’t know when he was the GM in Baltimore he had unlimited funds, created the most expensive team at the time and finished under .500.
Yup look at the contracts, and see what we wasted last year like $10 million on Lowe for example.
bfred
October 29th, 2012
5:33 pm
Infante is a fine role player and I loved him as a super-utility man but about the best thing that can be said for him as an every day player is he’s cheap (sort of: $4 million this year). Sign a cheap 30 year-old, you get what you pay for. Yes he batted .300 in the post-season but with 0 home runs, 0 RBI and a .660 OPS. Sounds exactly like what the Braves DON’T need in the post-season.
Blanco batter .235 with a homer and five RBI in 15 postseason games. For the season he was .244/5/34 with a .676 OPS.
Just because these guys are on your TV with 24 other guys in the WS doesn’t mean they’re killing it.
Brownie
October 29th, 2012
5:42 pm
Lots of good comments/suggestions today, and also a lot of idiots who only want to complain and point fingers.
McCann: any GM who pays big $ to a player for PAST performances will be out of work shortly. We all love BMac, but his best days are likely behind him, and with injuries and vision problems, you can’t commit long-term to him. There will be an AL team who will overpay for his catching services for a couple years, then on to the DH. Betancourt is NOT ready yet, so pick up his option and then trade Mac.
Uggla: NOT tradeable. However, I would still make a suggestion: he profiles as a third baseman (power, limited range), so move him there (can’t play worse D than Chipper has the last couple years) and put Prado back at 2B – we’ll be stronger up the middle defensively.
LF: go get Willingham – have to trade some pitching, so it may be time to let Teheran and Hanson (and maybe another prospect) go.
CF: Let Bourn go, he’ll be way too expensive. Bring in Victorino – never have liked him, but only because he always killed us playing in Philly. He’s only 32, and despite a down year (after a trade) his career #’s are quite comparable to Bourn’s.
With Chipper, Lowe, Hanson, Jurrjens, Bourn, Diaz, Moylen and Hinske gone, they’ll have north of $40 million to spend next year. After account for contracted raises to some other players, they should have $20+ million to bring in the 2 outfielders, and still have room to start negotiating long term deals with Heyward, Freeman, Kimbrel, Medlin, Prado, etc.
Melvin at your job
October 29th, 2012
5:52 pm
Trade Uggla for Chase Headley of the Padres. Then Headley to 3rd, Prado to 2nd, sign power hitting left fielder, try to re-sign Bourne or go for Pagan or Cody Ross. Re-sign Ross and bring up one of our young catchers or Delgado to bring Salty back.
I like McCann but I’m afraid his time has come and don’t want to see them make the mistake of constantly overpaying for him because he’s popular yet not producing for the money he is making. Uggla is dead weight now. Fair thee well.
Peter
October 29th, 2012
6:34 pm
bfred says……..Just because these guys are on your TV with 24 other guys in the WS doesn’t mean they’re killing it.
YUP….. they are not killing it they are just winners…..a sense the Braves fans forget about.
Peter
October 29th, 2012
6:36 pm
Sign a cheap 30 year-old, you get what you pay for. Yes he batted .300 in the post-season but with 0 home runs, 0 RBI and a .660 OPS. Sounds exactly like what the Braves DON’T need in the post-season.
OK…… but the Braves are not in the post season and have been where under Wren ?
And how far did they go ? To the Golf course ?
Peter
October 29th, 2012
6:50 pm
World Series results for the Braves after winning 12 Division Championships…….
1999 New York Yankees Atlanta Braves 4-0
1998 New York Yankees San Diego Padres 4-0
1997 Florida Marlins Cleveland Indians 4-3
1996 New York Yankees Atlanta Braves 4-2
1995 Atlanta Braves Cleveland Indians 4-2
1993 Toronto Blue Jays Philadelphia Phillies 4-2
1992 Toronto Blue Jays Atlanta Braves 4-2
1991 Minnesota Twins Atlanta Braves 4-3
AS long as the Braves play baseball like a softball team……. the Braves won’t even get to the Classic !
Dadgum.....
October 29th, 2012
7:14 pm
Folks, the Braves aren’t picking up a 12 mil option for a guy not playing until May 1st. What they might do is decline the option then try to sign him to an extended contract with incentives the first year depending on how he comes out of the rehab. They ARE NOT going to give him 12 mil up front especially when he can walk after 2013. McCann has lost a ton of leverage due to bad timing on the injury and a poor year. I would be shocked if the Braves gave him 12 mil within the next three days. Seriously. Would you?
BillEGoat
October 29th, 2012
7:31 pm
McCann will probably recover from his shoulder problem, but this guy has chronic eye problems, has had them ever since his ill-advised Lasik surgery. If the Braves can work with him and a good eye specialist, yes, he might have some good years left. Otherwise, he will never be the player he was a few years ago. Ross is 36 and cannot be a regular, not even for a month, no way. Freeman should go to the best eye specialist he can find BEFORE trying Lasik surgery. Those operations have complications more often than is reported. The Braves should resign MOST of those free agents, athough Bourn on a long-term deal is not wise. I think he will be on the down hill after age 30. SOMEBODY should “encurage” him to choke up on the bat when he has 2 strikes and try to put the ball in play–150 K’s per year for him is not acceptable.
Derek
October 29th, 2012
7:50 pm
These trade Uggla/McCann deals are HILAROUS! Did some of these Braves fans just fall off the turnip truck?! McCann/Uggla for Kinsler and a young pitcher?! Yeah, TEX is going to pick-up a guy that’ll be a FA in 2014 (2013 if his ATL option is declined), just had surgery, and Uggla with $39 million left on his deal and his career-worst season. Guys, I know you’re not GMs – neither am I – please shut down your fantasy baseball team before thinking that those rules apply to real-life.
Derek
October 29th, 2012
7:52 pm
“McCann will probably recover from his shoulder problem.” – BillEGoat
Considering that “probably” is worth a minimum of $12 million (2013 option) not including an extension based on his 2013 performance, that’s an expensive “probably.”
Derek
October 29th, 2012
8:05 pm
Melvin at your job, Dan Uggla and his $39 million contract isn’t going to net Chase Headley and his controllable offense who was worth a 6.0 WAR in ‘12 in that gigantic Petco Park. That’s MVP numbers for arbitration. To a San Diego team with no other stars and not the budgets of their neighboring teams (SF, LAD, LAA), Headley is as good as it gets.
I would love Headley and I’ve been chanting it from the rooftops as our future 3B (leave Prado, who is a gold glove-nominee in LF). However, it’s going to take a great package to get Headley. Something including 2 top prospects and another B prospect could do it. Is that worth it for Headley who is a FA in ‘15? Especially considering we’ve got Salcedo and Terdoslavich and all their talent/questions at 3B coming up in the minors.
BravesFanSince80s
October 29th, 2012
8:25 pm
I would love to see this team next year, Wren will have to figure out how to put it together:)
C-Napoli/Ross
1B-Freeman
2B-Prado/Pastornicky
SS-Simmons/Janish
3B-Wright
LF-Gattis/Johnson
CF-Fowler/Constanza
RF-Heyward
Rotation-Huddy, Medlen, Beachy (Teheran until healthy), Maholm, Minor
Bullpen-Kimbrel, Venters, O’Flaherty, Durbin, Garren, Moylan, ?
that club would be fun to watch!
BravesFanSince80s
October 29th, 2012
8:27 pm
as I’ve said before, trade Ugly Dan to a mexican league team for a 3 legged donkey for all I care at this point…
Peter
October 29th, 2012
8:54 pm
Bottom line is this.
The Braves are really not that much fun to watch.
Like Ga Tech… Question…..Why go to a college game to watch a high school football type game….unless you want to see the other team ?
The Braves are too conservative, too slow, and the home run is the only excitement. Pitching duels are not exciting for fans who want to see excitement, but yes you need good pitching to win.
There is absolutely zero fire from anyone on the team…… yes I understand it is a long season….but really does everyone have to be so even keel, that it puts you to sleep ?
Attendance will continue to suffer, over prices will keep fans away…and the Braves under Wren will almost get there, then fizzle out.
Again if all you think Wren is handicapped by the payroll… Please look at his record in Baltimore, when he out spent all of baseball, and had an under .500 team.
The Braves if they do not focus on speed, because the steroid era is over, then they will continue flounder with guys like Uggla, Matt Diaz, a fat 3rd base replacement, a VERY slow and poor defensive catcher in McCann….all amounting too boring baseball.
Once Bourne is gone where is the speed ?
229BravesFan
October 29th, 2012
9:19 pm
Please let Bourn walk.
Dugoutdog
October 29th, 2012
9:24 pm
The fact that Gregor Blanco is a WS Champion may shed new light on the nonsense I keep hearing about an identical player, Jose Constanza. No pop sure, but contact, speed, grit and determination win championships for budget money. Blanco, who was on both ATL and KC’s scrap heap, became SF’s versatile WS Champion OF. Go figure. Play Constanza or try buying a WSC like everybody else. Good luck with that.
Dugoutdog
October 29th, 2012
9:24 pm
The fact that Gregor Blanco is a WS Champion may shed new light on the nonsense I keep hearing about an identical player, Jose Constanza. No pop sure, but contact, speed, grit and determination win championships for budget money. Blanco, who was on both ATL and KC’s scrap heap, became SF’s versatile WS Champion OF. Go figure. Play Constanza or try buying a WSC like everybody else. Good luck with that.
Dugoutdog
October 29th, 2012
9:24 pm
The fact that Gregor Blanco is a WS Champion may shed new light on the nonsense I keep hearing about an identical player, Jose Constanza. No pop sure, but contact, speed, grit and determination win championships for budget money. Blanco, who was on both ATL and KC’s scrap heap, became SF’s versatile WS Champion OF. Go figure. Play Constanza or try buying a WSC like everybody else. Good luck with that.
Dugoutdog
October 29th, 2012
9:24 pm
The fact that Gregor Blanco is a WS Champion may shed new light on the nonsense I keep hearing about an identical player, Jose Constanza. No pop sure, but contact, speed, grit and determination win championships for budget money. Blanco, who was on both ATL and KC’s scrap heap, became SF’s versatile WS Champion OF. Go figure. Play Constanza or try buying a WSC like everybody else. Good luck with that.
Rick C
October 30th, 2012
12:10 am
Peter, you’re missing my point. I am not advocating at all for the Braves to get bigger and slower. Your suggestion though that losing Blanco cost the Braves chemistry in 2010 though is just stupid. He’s just not that great of a player. As I pointed out, he didn’t put up great numbers this regular or post season. Even with his poor second half, Bourn still had a considerably better year at the plate. And criticizing his performance in the clutch doesn’t really make sense given Blanco’s post season numbers.
Dadgum, I could see the Braves not picking up the option, I just don’t see them offering a contract after doing that. That does not make any sense at all. If they decline the option, it would obviously be due to the injury and lack of performance this year. So why would they want to get trapped into a longer deal just because the AAV would be lower than the one year option?
Dav
October 30th, 2012
2:27 am
Guys, if we want to control McCann this year for possible trade we have pay him. If we trade Uggla we would have to pay part of his pay and find another bat. We are already looking for a bat for LF or 3rd and possiably CF and catcher. Offer Bourn a fair deal, ($45 for 4 yr with a option) let him go if he’s not interested. Bourjos CF or Tonni Hunter LF of the Angles would be available. Victorino or Pagan might be interested. Cody Ross? he turned down Braves offers last year so I don’t see Braves going there again. Our pitching should stay about the same, and I could see McCann and Hanson being traded in July. Our needs now are 1. A POWER Righthand bat, 2. Speed in CF, 3. Backup catcher.
Cecil34
October 30th, 2012
8:13 am
Nobody in their right mind would pay 12 million to potentially damaged goods in McCann.
What hs was may not jive up to what he will be.
Problem is, he plays catcher – so when he finally does step on the field with a repaired shoulder, he is one collision at the plate away from being out for a long period of time.
Not to mention he may never be the same. (Ray Fosse)
The other problem is that he can’t be moved to first with this team.
And it is in the best interests of his shoulder long-term to learn and move to first base.
Usually surgeries of this nature take a full year to heal to the point to where the player is back to some normalcy.
Everyone remembers the trials and tribulations of Mike Hampton and his multiple problems……cost a lot of $$$…..
Peter
October 30th, 2012
8:24 am
Rick C…….
Your suggestion though that losing Blanco cost the Braves chemistry in 2010 though is just stupid.
Well you can call names or what ever…losing Blanco was big getting Rick Ankiel instead was dumb.
Blanco is fast, he was clutch, and the braves won almost 70% of the games he started go check for yourself. Sometimes it is not the production you see in the box score that matters..thus the Giants win it all.
You are caught up in statistics..i am talking about winning….. BIG DIFFERENCE. The whole clubhouse was effected, and the Braves have not been clutch since.
Rick Ankiel is out of baseball, and Bourne will be gone……so the chemistry will keep changing.
Look at what all are writing we need a power bat….. isn’t that what Uggla was for instead of the sure handed Infante ?
The braves like it or not are built slow…..and will continue to lose especially in the post season…when manufacturing runs is a premium.
PLUS the Braves are Boring to watch. Call it what you want, I would rather have Blanco.
Brave New World
October 30th, 2012
8:51 am
Josh Hamilton and BJ Upton are not the “answers” for the Braves. We don’t need players who strike out excessively, and both in their own ways are head cases. If the Giants don’t re-sign him, get Angel Pagan. Get Shane Victorino as well. Pagan and Victorino do not strike out that much, both are switch hitters, and both are good defensively. Now that the Steroid Era is coming to a close, teams need to be built on good pitching,defense, and smart players. Overpaid “superstars” are for the cash drunk teams like the Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox. GO BRAVES!
BravesFanSince80s
October 30th, 2012
10:19 am
I think the most common sensical post regarding what to do about McCann’s option so far is, the days of paying players for past performance are coming to a close. Particularly clubs with mid- to-lower market payrolls. The Braves can’t afford to pay Brian for what he USED to be. Paying him 12 million this coming season will be doing exactly that. I think it might still happen, but I hope not for the team’s sake in years to come. Please no more Mike Hamptonesque stories in Atl…
BravesFanSince80s
October 30th, 2012
10:21 am
Rick C, so by your logic, Francisco Cabrera shouldn’t have been on the Braves playoff roster in ‘92?
wayn-o
October 30th, 2012
10:31 am
Perfect time to re-up with McCann while his stock is low. 3 years for $21 Mil. It’s worth a shot. By then The braves can let Bethancourt & Gattis get some experience, when they are ready you got the option to trade McCann.
I think the surgery and time off will refresh ol’ Mac.
Atlanta Braves Links of the Day For October 30, 2012 | Atlanta Braves Dugout Online | Atlanta Braves Blog
October 30th, 2012
10:31 am
[...] Ten Braves become free agents [...]
Gene
October 30th, 2012
10:33 am
I think if Juan Francisco drops the weight the Braves want him to, then give him a shot at taking over at third (picking up an in-house power hitter) and leave Prado in Left Field. All these folks saying cut McCann – NO! He’ll come back healthy and once again be one of the best catchers in baseball. Find an affordable, quality Center Fielder and make sure Durbin, Reed Johnson and Ross all make it back on the team. A long as Pagan or Victorino would fit into the clubhouse chemistry, sign one of them instead of Bourn. Hopefully Fredi keeps up with Heyward and Prado swiping bases, and whoever ends up leading off. More of that equals more offense. Keep Hudson and Maholm to go with Medlen and Minor, let JJ walk and flip a coin on Hanson. We have plenty of young pitchers who can come up and bridge the time before Beachy is ready. I like the Braves chances in 2013, and I don’t think they need to tinker too muh with the team. My $.02
Rick C
October 30th, 2012
10:40 am
This year, Blanco hit 225/335/312 with runners on, 223/348/287 with RISP, 182/231/182 with bases loaded, 167/286/259 with RISP and 2 outs, and 235/339/412 in the post season. Peter, you and I must have a different definition of the word “clutch.” I would agree with you that the Giants had a lot of chemistry, but they weren’t winning necessarily because of Blanco. His numbers certainly do not support that. I don’t think Blanco, who was a part time player, leaving really affected the Braves chemistry that year. They were mostly affected by losing several key players due to injuries down the stretch.
Rick C
October 30th, 2012
10:48 am
Oh and Gregor’s numbers post-AS break: 231/325/293. Bourn still outperformed him there in SLG and OPS.
But yeah man, the Braves totally faltered down the stretch in 2010 because they lost Gregor Blanco. Not because they lost a future HOF player, a starter who hadn’t lost a game all year, their best hitter and AS second baseman, and their tough as nails closer. Blanco was fueling their success.
Derek
October 30th, 2012
11:34 am
It’s not financially responsible to pick up McCann’s $12 million option knowing what they know. They have through today to decide (3 days after WS). We know that McCann will miss at least the first month of the season (April). Factor in the fact that it’ll take some playing time for him to be 100% and you’ll be paying $12 million – if picking up his option – for less than 5 full months of play. Considering he wasn’t productive past August the in 2011-2012, ATL should not pick up his option. Use the time to renegotiate a deal that works best for both sides. If he thinks he’s worth $12 million for less than 5 months of play, then he’s ready for free agency and we should let him walk.
BravesFanSince11
October 30th, 2012
12:04 pm
If the Braves ever want to make a World Series they’ll stay loyal to there homegrown talent like Bourne and not be so cheap.
SMaC
October 30th, 2012
12:27 pm
I’m having a hard time understanding how this team is considered “chokers” based upon the 12 years back in the ’90’s and early 00’s. Now that Chipper has retired, there is absolutely no one left from those years, including GM and manager. Sure, they stunk up the WC game this year, but the operative word there is “game” and not “series”. Anybody can lose one game, as evidenced by the fact that Houston wins games sometimes, too.
Wanted, new Manger.
October 30th, 2012
12:32 pm
FIRE FREDI G.Let, him and Uggla, go back to the Marlins.And take Hanson ,with them.
bfred
October 30th, 2012
1:24 pm
Either BravesFanSince11 started following the team the year he was born and learned to type young, or that’s some good trolling. Bourn = homegrown?
Train Wreck Bystander
October 30th, 2012
2:12 pm
I wonder what the Braves are waiting for here.
Don’t you think the decisions have already been made?
Is there some hidden advantage in waiting to announce their decisions?
Will the available free agents from other teams impact who the Braves keep and who they let go?
Norm
October 30th, 2012
2:13 pm
@wesley who sais “I’m suprised how many people are ready to let McCann go after a subpar season (with a torn labrum) To me its a no brainer, I believe he is still a cornerstone of the team!!”
Well, paying for a catcher who is about to rehab from a torn labrum is a huge risk. His ability to throw hard and accurately will be a major question mark after rehab. Add to that declining offensive numbers, even when healthy, and its a big bet for 12 Million. This is a business and loyalty should not be a factor in making a 12 Million dollar decision. Will he have some good years, sure, he’s a class guy with something to prove. Do I want to take that chance at this particular moment knowing he’s a free agent next year and I may not be able to trade him? No. Did I want to see Dale Murphy, David Justice, Andrew Jones, Tom Glavin, and others go? No, but it was the right decision at the right time and so is this.
Braves' Nation
October 30th, 2012
2:35 pm
Too bad Dan Uggla isn’t a free agent.
Ron H
October 30th, 2012
3:55 pm
Just saw this…haven’t read to see if it was already posted:
BREAKING NEWS: The Atlanta Braves announced today that they have picked up the 2013 contract options on RHP Tim Hudson, C Brian McCann, and LHP Paul Maholm.
Jay Puskenalis
October 30th, 2012
7:36 pm
Move Prado to second base, put Francisco at third ( give him a decent shot), put Uggla,( who still runs pretty good) in left field. Nothing to lose with existing personnel. Try it in Spring training…costs nothing to experiment.
Jay Puskenalis
October 30th, 2012
7:36 pm
Move Prado to second base, put Francisco at third ( give him a decent shot), put Uggla,( who still runs pretty good) in left field. Nothing to lose with existing personnel. Try it in Spring training…costs nothing to experiment.
Jay Puskenalis
October 30th, 2012
7:36 pm
Move Prado to second base, put Francisco at third ( give him a decent shot), put Uggla,( who still runs pretty good) in left field. Nothing to lose with existing personnel. Try it in Spring training…costs nothing to experiment.
jj1990
October 30th, 2012
9:43 pm
Chad Durbin is a scrub and should be in AA for another team he sucks period and the cornerstone of our bullpen?? That’s a joke he shouldn’t even be in the majors
Mike Mangan
October 31st, 2012
12:42 am
Wave goodbye to Michael Bourn as greed sets in with he and Scott Boras who really is,nt that good for the game.Maybe he wii get Bourn to sigh with he Washigton Boras I mean Nationals with all his clients running up the payroll in DC.
Frank wren say hello to Dexter owler who would love to play here.A switch hitter with power speed ,outfield range and a good throwing arm.Pencil him in Centerfield everyday and give The Rockies Tommy Hanson,Jose Constanza who will hit over 300 in Denver.Toss in Tyler Pastornicky and pick up a bench player from the Rockies as well.A win win for both teams as Fowler comes home and we wave goodbye to Bourn as he waved goodbye at the plate 151 times with his never ending strikeouts.Frank Wren pick up the phone and caal The Rockies who need pitching and will have a new manager at the helm in all likelihood Jason Giambi..
charles m brown
October 31st, 2012
10:51 am
steal Wright
mace224
November 2nd, 2012
11:00 pm
To all you armchair scouts who are in love with Blanco and his 2 HR .220 average. Just because he gets into the World Series and hits .250 he should be Atlanta’s starting CF. McLouth, whom everybody hated, actaully helped Baltimore. So to all you Blanco lovers, don’t quit your day job.
mace224
November 2nd, 2012
11:02 pm
Francisco starting at third with his strikeouts and his other numbers. Must be that new math.
mace224
November 3rd, 2012
12:23 am
To all you Blanco slobberers: He got to the World Series because of superior pitching and guys like Posey. He had NOTHING to do with the Giants getting there. To perform well in the World Series (which he didn’t really) YOU HAVE TO GET THERE! And do you really think he’s the guy that can get you there? Wow.
mace224
November 3rd, 2012
10:10 pm
Gregor Blanco: lifetime .253 8 career HR. Impact Player. Must be that new math.
mace224
November 3rd, 2012
10:17 pm
If Blanco wasn’t in the World Series would his name even be brought up here?
Braves Free Agents: Pitching Edition « Brave Decisions
November 5th, 2012
8:16 am
[...] for $900K on April 3 after being released by the Washington Nationals a day before. Contrary to popular belief, Durbin was NOT the cornerstone of the Braves bullpen in 2012. Actually, I guess you could make an [...]