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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
215 comments Add your comment
David from Athens, AL
November 1st, 2012
6:18 pm
Thanks DOB. Busy day with you … on twitter and blog!!!
jw
November 1st, 2012
6:25 pm
Thanks for the blog. People seem to be freaking out over this acquisition. Good to see some level-headedness.
Glen
November 1st, 2012
6:28 pm
Not that I’m expecting it, but I’d love to see Schafer play up to his potential.
Bob
November 1st, 2012
6:38 pm
I think it’s a good move…cheap, plenty of upside, and not much downside. Jordan has been as good as Uggly, but without a $60M price tag. Let’s see how he performs in ‘13.
Who Me?
November 1st, 2012
6:38 pm
He has the physical skills, it’s the noggin that gets him in trouble.
Matt
November 1st, 2012
6:44 pm
Anyone who’s ever followed this guy on twitter knows he’s a clown of a poser. No way this guy brings a positive vibe to the clubhouse. He might steal us some bases and, indeed, provide some needed depth but… He’s gonna act like a teenage girl doing it. I’d unfollow buts its kind of a train wreck scenario.
Here’s to Bourne not wearing just red and white next season! Cheers!
Chop Chop
November 1st, 2012
6:44 pm
He can’t hit.
Bob
November 1st, 2012
6:46 pm
@Matt…I thought only teenage girls followed folks on twitter. Get real. man.
Paul
November 1st, 2012
6:51 pm
WOW!! Exactly what the Braves needed. Yet another left handed, light hitting bat who is a mental case on top of that. Whoop-peee!!
Disgusted
November 1st, 2012
6:58 pm
Bad charachter issues — Very bad move. He is not worth the space he takes up.
eddie57
November 1st, 2012
7:00 pm
What do you guys expect from Wren? He’s not been exactly a successful GM when it comes to personnel decisions, Ugglier, Hanson, Hinske and worst of all Fredi the Freeloader are prime examples.
Dave
November 1st, 2012
7:03 pm
I hate to see him take up one of the 25 roster spots. Rather have Constanza or R. Johnson serve as the 4th or 5th outfielders.
Ken Stallings
November 1st, 2012
7:09 pm
I can see Washington paying Bourn between $80 to $100 million. But, the Phillies are already over-extended with their payroll. Then again, I see more of a difference between what Scott Boras says is “discounting” versus actual market value.
I don’t see Bourn getting that kind of money from any team.
Ralph
November 1st, 2012
7:11 pm
You gotta be really quick to beat Wren to the dumpsters.
Old timer
November 1st, 2012
7:14 pm
Not very pleased with this. You sure don’t see the real contenders jumping all over the place to pick up this guy.
AdirondackDave
November 1st, 2012
7:14 pm
Let’s see what kind of spring he has and how he fits in. He’s an asset on defense, that’s for sure and can fly on the bases… but can he hit more than his weight?
Ken Stallings
November 1st, 2012
7:16 pm
As a low cost option, getting Schafer off waivers is a low risk move that might have good potential. Beyond just cheap trolling, I see no reason to take this move as being anything other than what Wren said it is.
Long time fan
November 1st, 2012
7:17 pm
Lets see how the winter plays out before we get out the Frank Wren dolls to burn in effigy. This is not the starting centerfielder for the Braves in 2012.
I dont see Constanza as a starter either. The Braves will make the offer to Bourn taking half of Chipper’s money and adding it to what Bourn got in 2011.
It will be interesting to see where they go but I think it will be okay because some money will be available.
Mountain Man
November 1st, 2012
7:18 pm
Well said Ralph, well said…
panamajack
November 1st, 2012
7:18 pm
Exactly right Ralph, Wren is getting off to a good dumpster digging season, by March we should have a whole beanch full of trash. Anyone who believes Wren is going to do anything good please give me a call, I have some beauiful ocean front property I would like to sell you in Conyers.
AdirondackDave
November 1st, 2012
7:19 pm
As for Bourn, Boras is a great agent but he can’t hid all those Ks and mediocre on-base numbers. I like him for 13m but not for more than that and I’ll be surprised if he gets more than 15 per from anybody.
Ralph
November 1st, 2012
7:23 pm
DOB, maybe you think Schafer isn’t here to replace Bourn but I wouldn’t bet my Braves Cap on it.
Seattle Braves
November 1st, 2012
7:23 pm
This is a move to me Frank Wren look good. Think about it for a sec. Schafer was a major factor in the Bourne deal. Now we have both on our team, if Bourne re-signs. That makes Frank Wren look like a genius. Remember the keyword is LOOK.
This is nothing more than a lightning in a bottle pick up. Or a lottery ticket purchase. Hopes and Dreams are Frank Wrens way of Business.
panamajack
November 1st, 2012
7:25 pm
Let us just hope he has options left, I think he does.
AdirondackDave
November 1st, 2012
7:27 pm
Ralph — You might be right… If the braves decide to go big for Hamilton, Schafer could get a long and hard look for a starting job. Not that I expect them to be serious about Hamilton, unfortunately.
Seattle Braves
November 1st, 2012
7:28 pm
Hey Frank, Kerry Wood found Andre Dawson in the Chicago Ivy at Wrigley Field. Call Him quick before he is picked up…
Seattle Braves
November 1st, 2012
7:29 pm
Yeah Hamilton and Schafer would be a match made in Heaven.
Darryl Blackberry
November 1st, 2012
7:30 pm
This is a low-risk move that could pay off, especially in April and May, when Jordan’s generally got good numbers. If this guy were a possible detriment to the team in any way, I seriously doubt if Frank would’ve picked him up again. Expecting a good spring training and a lot of energy from this guy.
Darryl Blackberry
November 1st, 2012
7:31 pm
No way the Braves get Josh Hamilton. Josh Willingham, perhaps…
BravesFanInNashville
November 1st, 2012
7:31 pm
We need to use some of the available money to get a RH bat to play LF, 3B or CF then have Martin play either 3B or LF. If we pick up a legitimate stick at any of those positions it’s easier to go with defense first in CF with a good contact hitter that has a speed component.
Also as good a defender as Freeman is and considering he throws right handed he could play 3B if Meija spelling? is ready to play at the major league level. I know he saves a lot of errant throws at 1B but he has one of the best arms on the team and if it helps the team to have Meija’s bat in our line-up it might be worth considering. Kevin Youkolis did this with the Red Sox and it worked well.
Matt
November 1st, 2012
7:32 pm
Bob, nice addition to the blog. Only on twitter for Braves news.
Everything I said is true as was your post before mine. He brings depth and speed no doubt. He’ll also bring in revenue from DUIs and RMIs so maybe it’s all good after all.
He might grow up one day if he’d just grow up.
panamajack
November 1st, 2012
7:33 pm
Darryl Blackberry
You sound like someone who would be interested in my Conyers ocean front property.
Seattle Braves
November 1st, 2012
7:34 pm
Concerns: David Ross – Has he been signed yet?
Are the Braves looking for a marquee player or patch holes?
Would it be cool Moment:
Would it be cool if the BRaves sirgned both Upton Brothers. Think about that outfield for a min….. Hopes and Dreams
Ralph
November 1st, 2012
7:42 pm
Anyone care to guess who might sign JJ after he is non-tendered, bet someone will, could Wren sign him to a Minor League Contract?
Matt
November 1st, 2012
7:45 pm
That was funny Ralph.
panamajack
November 1st, 2012
7:48 pm
Ralph, that would be something, Wren digging in his own dumpster.
panama,
November 1st, 2012
7:49 pm
Enter your comments here
Seattle Braves
November 1st, 2012
7:49 pm
•Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports suspects Hamilton destination is Atlanta and Bourn to Cincinati.
Ralph
November 1st, 2012
7:51 pm
@panamajack
Nothing would surprise me!
Ray
November 1st, 2012
8:05 pm
I really like Hamilton however not for a 5-8 yr deal unless its a bargain and that just isn’t going to happen. Bourn is going to end up with Washington and watch all of the Wren haters come out.
Same Ole, negative dumbazz comments
November 1st, 2012
8:07 pm
Oh boy! The negativist are starting already.
I have to agree with all of you negative dildos.
Especially you, Ralph.
Brownie
November 1st, 2012
8:09 pm
I don’t believe Hamilton will land in Atlanta – too old, too expensive, and too much baggage/risk for the Braves’ taste.
least of the east
November 1st, 2012
8:12 pm
Schafer will not make 25 man roster and be put on waivers. someone , maybe even Houston, will claim him. much ado about nothing.
hopefully, Bourn is given a qualifying offer and rejects it. then, we can get a high pick and not overpay for a guy who doens’t make enough contact as a leadoff guy (and hits lefty)
Braves will sign a stop gap minor leaguer to replace Bourn at a low salary.
with Liberty Media, Wren and Gonzalez, the Braves are never winning anything again. it’s a fact of life- like death and taxes.
Brownie
November 1st, 2012
8:13 pm
As far as Bourn goes, when he played (hit) well the Braves won, when he didn’t they won much less. However, as the season went along, he fell off. He’s approaching 30, is a player who is totally dependent on his legs – NOT worth $15m for multiple years. Gonzo.
Give me Victorino @ ~ $5m for a couple years – check his career #’s…nearly equal to Bourn as a fraction of the cost. Last year was poor, but he also was off to LA and didn’t adjust.
Age Gap Match
November 1st, 2012
8:13 pm
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Brownie
November 1st, 2012
8:16 pm
Everyone chill about Jordan S – he’s very cheap insurance going into spring training. And face it, he’s very good defensively AND can play all 3 OF spots. Reed J will be back also. The Braves have to rebuild their depth in the OF, because Diaz and Hinske are outta here. The last year or so, the only thing they did well was convert oxygen into carbon dioxide.
Turner Field
November 1st, 2012
8:18 pm
I GUESS!
Ray
November 1st, 2012
8:19 pm
If Wren doesn’t sign bourn he will get ripped on here no matter what he signs for elsewhere. I remember last winter how he got ripped for not signing cody ross. Many were saying he should offer him this and that. My argument then was how do you know he didn’t offer a deal which ended up that he did. Ross just chose the Sox.
Crank My Wren
November 1st, 2012
8:24 pm
This guy’s a complete tool. Was really happy to get rid of him….waste of a roster spot.
Jay
November 1st, 2012
8:25 pm
Your 2013 starting center fielder.
urban redneck
November 1st, 2012
8:28 pm
i always liked shafer. that being said, the astros trash can is an especially crappy trash can. the good news is he can probably get some great medicine for my glaucoma.
please no josh hamilton. i am a definitely a fan of his, but i don’t want us to pick up any more albatross contracts just because a couple of them are coming off the books this year. i really don’t see him going over to the NL unless some team offers him crazy money for a shorter deal. just the humble opinion of another couch manager who couldn’t hit a ball of a tee.
hit a single
November 1st, 2012
8:32 pm
Schafer is not any part of the answer. I love the Braves but until they get guys that can hit in situations they will never compete in the postseason.
hit a single
November 1st, 2012
8:32 pm
Schafer is not any part of the answer. I love the Braves but until they get guys that can hit in situations they will never compete in the postseason.
AdirondackDave
November 1st, 2012
8:42 pm
I think I would prefer to see the Braves go for Pagan or Victorino and use big bucks for a real slugger. Sure, there is risk with Hamilton but he can also put them in the WS for a couple years. I’d give him a shot… especially since it’s not my money.
jimmy
November 1st, 2012
8:56 pm
Tori Hunter and Josh Hamilton are Braves target s
THE ATLER
November 1st, 2012
9:01 pm
Why???!!!!
TarHeel We. have a playoff team but no manage
November 1st, 2012
9:03 pm
Freeman was a 3b in the minors
phil
November 1st, 2012
9:15 pm
Yep….
Jordan will be the opening day starter in CF…..
Sigh.
Not Understanding
November 1st, 2012
9:31 pm
Chris Woodward as an outfielder.
Steve
November 1st, 2012
9:32 pm
Frank must be smoking some of that stuff Schafer was peddling.
RichB
November 1st, 2012
9:37 pm
Evan Gattis in left, Victorino in center and spend the money on tieing up Heyward, Freeman, Simmons and Prado
Bob the Blogger
November 1st, 2012
9:38 pm
I hope Schafer does not displace Constanza on the 25 man roster. Schafer has a .220 average and .305 on-base-pct in the majors; Constanza has a .281 average and .332 on-base-pct. In the minors, which is a much larger sample size for both players, Constanza has Schafer beat .293 to .260 in BA, and .366 to .327 in OBP.
Not Understanding
November 1st, 2012
9:42 pm
I don’t understand the word “insurance” as it’s being used here.
Insurance it would seem would be David Ross. A guy who could get the job done part time and for extended periods if called on without much drop-off in production from your starter.
Schafer ain’t no insurance. He’s a warm body, who until he can steal first base, is no better than Constanza. He may not be much of an investment financially, but you can bet the Braves will try to shoehorn him onto the opening day roster. The investment the Braves make will be in time trying to make Schafer a ballplayer. Didn’t work the first time around. Why waste valuable time flogging a dead horse?
Amber
November 1st, 2012
9:52 pm
On the list of former Braves I’d least like to re-acquire, he’s in the top 3. Why God, WHY?!???
Fan since 66
November 1st, 2012
9:57 pm
Schafer is junk–ie..Braves have lost there character standing in my book. How low can you go Mr Wren. Make me sick!
RBI
November 1st, 2012
9:59 pm
Bad move. I have never really liked the idea of reacquiring a former player. It is sorta like rehiring someone you fired. If they were not good enough before, why would they be now?
Mike McDonald
November 1st, 2012
10:07 pm
Schafer seems to have nine lives. This black cat just may turn out to be a lucky one for the Braves. Neither he nor the Braves have anything to lose with this signing. He is fast, feisty, and while the past suggests that he is somewhat physically fragile (and perhaps mentally so, as well), he has a certain dramatic flair that suggests that if the demons that have bedevilled him can be controlled, he could be a sensational late bloomer. This is a cat that Chipper should adopt.
Kujohn
November 1st, 2012
10:07 pm
The braves are gonna make a run big run at Hamilton Schafer is a low cost high upside talent He will compete with costanza for center and will win. He is only 26 After they get Hamilton nobody will care who plays center or lead off Braves need a star Chipper is gone and no one draw fans in like he did. So here comes Hamilton a southern boy and a superstar to market around.
They have the money this year and the rest of the team is set
Mitchell
November 1st, 2012
10:08 pm
Wow, great pick up by the Braves.
I hear nothing but good things about this Schafer guy.
northbeach Scott
November 1st, 2012
10:13 pm
Well said, RBI. Not sure what the typicaly blogger’s obsession is with ex-Braves rejoining the team. I suppose unsophisticated fans enjoy the familiarity with the mediocre.
That said, I was a Schafer fan and was pulling for him to grow up and become a player, but this is a failed experient. I suspect he is just keeping a 25 man roster spot warm and will never make it past New Year’s on the roster, much less, spring training.
Fan since 66
November 1st, 2012
10:15 pm
Browie thats a pretty damn poor excuse…Need to fire Wren.. when are the Braves going to stop picking up someone else trash. A Fan 45 years and it comes to this sh*t. I’ll not attend another game as long as JS is on team. Of course they don’t give a crap where I go are not.
Mitchell's Mom
November 1st, 2012
10:16 pm
Michell, you little douche bag, pull your pants up and get off your sisters laptop. Stop lurking in the basement wearing Granny’s false teeth and slip.
Larry30
November 1st, 2012
10:21 pm
This is really starting to look bad. Schafer is a loser, period. Wren claims he has above average skills in three areas………I don’t think so unless the skills are rolling, toking, and bogarting. It’s obvious that Wren really doesn’t have a plan.
Fan since 66
November 1st, 2012
10:22 pm
agree Larry
bobbymahlon
November 1st, 2012
10:23 pm
Oh boy with Janish and Schafer on the bench we do not have to worry anymore about having good pinch hitters. This blows my simple little mind. One should hit around .175 and the other .220 and you think this is how championships teams are made.
cornjolio
November 1st, 2012
10:23 pm
The Frank Wren Kool Aid drinkers on here are making me puke !
What is the Braves’ infatuation with Jordan Schafer?
Hitting .211 he’ll blend in nicely with Dan Uggla and Brian McCann.
Insurance? (should I laugh or cry?)
Bud
November 1st, 2012
10:24 pm
Sign Ludwick, solid hitter with power and decent glove, to play left; Prado goes to third; and sign Angel Pagan to play center and bat lead-off. Resign R. Johnson and have and Constanza as the extra outfielders.
Larry30
November 1st, 2012
10:28 pm
People carry insurance for catastrophes…………
MikeY
November 1st, 2012
10:29 pm
Schafer could not stick with the Astros, arguably the worst team in MLB in 2012. So the Braves pick him up. As long as his role is to play CF in AAA (or maybe AA), so be it. But, I would say there are better cheap options for a 6th OF out there…
Mike McDonald
November 1st, 2012
10:49 pm
Any knowledgeable observer of modern day MLB playoffs over time would have to conclude that after 162 regular games, all bets are off. The 2012 season was no different and the playoffs could be disected sixteen ways to Sunday and the outcome would be as unfathomable as most.
So, in the end, the real drama is during the season. if your team puts an exciting product on the field and is truly in contention for 162 games, that is about as good as one can expect in an uncertain world.
Despite misgivings about the holy grail of perfection, the 2013 Braves should be a reasonable fans delight.
The pitching seems solid and might be improved with luck and adroitness. The position players are young, exceptionally fast and competantly defensive.
The organization would be well served to call upon the talents of distinguished
Larry
November 1st, 2012
10:52 pm
Can’t see anyone paying Michael Bourn 80 million dollars. Why? I think 60 mil at 5 years is what he’s worth. Not that he’ll settle that low, not with Borax as an agent. I really hope to see Angel P. and/or Josh W.
Mike McDonald
November 1st, 2012
10:59 pm
alumni such as Jones, Smoltz and glavine to play active roles as distinguished mentors. In this way, all of the latent assets of the past two decades can be put to productive use to insure that the Braves full season is an enjoyable one. Then let the play-offs be the crapshoot they are destined to be under the convoluted structure and dictates of the likes of Bud Segal, et al.
Oregon Brave
November 1st, 2012
11:01 pm
Just what the team needs. Another light hitting lefty that can’t pitch. How will he earn his money? Will he be replacing that overweight light hitting lefty we already have but is good in the club house?
stupid gm
November 1st, 2012
11:18 pm
Wren cleaning out the trash cans …maybe Schafer will get caught again before ST and go to jail this time. Catch ya twice three times u out.
Joe 12-Pack
November 1st, 2012
11:35 pm
The Braves are telling you signing Schafer is not to replace Bourn but that is what’s going to happen. Bourn will go elsewhere, the Braves will make feeble attempts at getting anyone else, and Schafer will end up in the line-up and stink up the joint.
Wren, you cannot fool us anymore!
This is not even a good Plan B. It’s a Plan F.
BosnianBaller
November 1st, 2012
11:47 pm
“It doesn’t affect how we pursue or try to put together our team this winter” Key word pursue so they are pursuing a new centerfielder and not keeping Bourn
Tip O' the Cap
November 2nd, 2012
12:03 am
Maybe the Melk man is available? We could have a PED tag team playing center!
Train Wreck Bystander
November 2nd, 2012
12:12 am
If Schafer is the answer… can someone remind me what the question is?
Sooner or later one of FW’s longshot crap shoots has to pay off…
Nevada Roy
November 2nd, 2012
12:24 am
If we are Bourn-less in 2013 … try Simmons leading off. His OBP was .335 vs. Bourn’s 2nd half .325. Try Schaffer in center batting 8th … he might hit .250 with some homers and good speed.
Merrill Guice
November 2nd, 2012
12:45 am
Free Money. Watch him get traded again.
SeaTrout
November 2nd, 2012
1:02 am
Wren took a good low cost move for the Braves. This move could have alot of upside. Schafer will go to work immediately with our two highly regarded hitting coaches. Spring training games will determine if Schafer can implement what he has learned. If he doesn’t hit in spring training….he will be an x-brave for the second time.
Chet
November 2nd, 2012
1:20 am
well then…seems we had pretty much the same thing offensively and more speed with constanza…wasn’t there some “character” issues with schafer as well?
carney johnson
November 2nd, 2012
1:34 am
oh come on…who hasnt smoked weed? lay off shafer. half of you are drinking your 5th beer right now criticizing him.
Shhh!
November 2nd, 2012
1:37 am
I think bourn will at least get 80… I also think he’s worth it! True enough he fell off in the second half but he’s still very solid! Almost every players has a slump his just came at the end of the yr b4 contract time. He will sign for at least 80 and be very productive a the top of the lineup elsewhere!
Everything Old is New Again
November 2nd, 2012
2:04 am
Well, in honor of Schafer returning, let’s continue the theme.
Among new Free Agents I see Alex Gonzalez (SS), Kyle Farnsworth, Joey Devine, Mike Gonzalez, and George Sherrill (RP), Nate McLouth & Melky Cabrera (OF), Kelly Johnson (2B), Mark DeRosa (UT), Casey Kotchman (1B), Jason Marquis & Kevin Millwood (SP). There is also Andruw Jones (OF) & Derek Lowe (SP) and though he would probably be too pricey for us, Rafael Soriano (RP).
Bring ‘ em all back! Let us relive the nightmares of so many many failed seasons from our recent past. Boy oh boy, 2013 will be the “bestest” year ever to be a Braves fan with all of our old goats…. er… heroes back on the team.
mace224
November 2nd, 2012
3:45 am
Hamilton and Gattis patrolling the outfield? Yes!
bostonbravo
November 2nd, 2012
4:43 am
joke.
next comes McClouth..
BS
Ted
November 2nd, 2012
6:56 am
Schafer .221 avg. Wow, can the NL title be far away? Can’t wait for another off season of meaningless moves while other teams load up.
bruce
November 2nd, 2012
6:58 am
When did Shafer separate his shoulder? and what were his 2012 season stats before the separation? Maybe comparable to Bourn’s second half stats?
jerry
November 2nd, 2012
7:07 am
Mr. Wren, my advice to you is to try and find someone dumber than you are and dump Uggly on to them. It won’t be easy.