At GM meetings: Bourn to decline qualifying offer

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191 comments Add your comment

Rick C

November 9th, 2012
10:16 am

Tim, the problem is that if they go with Gattis and he does not succeed at the ML level, they really have no viable alternative.

terry

November 9th, 2012
10:21 am

Bourne is NOT worth the 13 mil…he cant hit..and did not get on base enough the last 2/3rds of the season….let him go…

[...] Tigers. -With Michael Bourn likely leaving Atlanta, the Braves’ top free agent priority is OF Angel Pagan. Minnesota’s Denard Span is likely available in a trade for starting pitching, with B.J. [...]

Tommy Hanson (Braves) — BaseballMoves.com

November 9th, 2012
10:30 am

[...] Source: ajc.com [...]

Dan Schlossberg

November 9th, 2012
10:34 am

Bourn had a terrible second half and struck out way too much for a leadoff hitter. Better to let him go and use money more wisely, maybe bringing in two players for what he will get elsewhere. Besides, he bats lefthanded and Braves need righthanded bats.

Bobby"s Chauffeur

November 9th, 2012
10:41 am

Bourn should get the money and a long term contract from some team other than the Braves. Hanson doesn’t look like he has his heart in the game..like he would rather be doing somerthing else. Give him his wish…Trade for a solid cenetrfielder using a young arm and whatever else.

Jose Constanza

November 9th, 2012
10:43 am

Hey, I can start in center field!

eddie57

November 9th, 2012
10:47 am

Unless there is a GM out there who didn’t pay any attention to Hanson’s record having little relation to his performance on the mound he has no value in a trade so we’ll have to use 2 of the younger guys. I pray that neither Upton finds his way on to the Braves. Nobody seems to be paying attention to the fact that we let all our experience catchers behind our injured starter become free agents. I hope against hope that Wren has a plan for this.

cornjolio

November 9th, 2012
10:56 am

” I think the top brass feel they can bring Hanson back to his old form. If they can get Tommy back to where he was two years ago, that would bode well for our rotation. Tommy will never be a top three starter again, but if he can be the number 4 or 5 starter it will ”

What happened to Hanson’s velocity? That offspeed stuff will only go so far before hitters take advantage of it. I suspect he (& Braves’ coaches) is hiding arm problems. Its more than mechanical. I have my doubts on any rebound. Reminds me of Steve Avery who started losing his stuff in his mid-20s. It happens. The human arm can only take so much abuse.

dap01

November 9th, 2012
10:57 am

Hanson has no value here or anywhere else. Let’s move on from him before his salary is pushed up by arbitration. Cut our loses.

jbill

November 9th, 2012
11:11 am

Don’t worry about the Uptons they will not be Braves..Philly already talking to BJ’s agent…J Uption is wanted by Tigers ,Texas and NNY so Braves can forget it. We have no SS and 3b to offer.
To the guy who said Ben Revere was no good needs to get out of the out house. Best bet is Span or Revere…I would also love to see Wren get Castellanos from Tigers future 3b…Still think Hunter would be ok for LF..He brings leadership to team and bust his ass when game starts. Someone said L Cain from Royals..not bad I agree.

[...] At GM meetings: Bourn to decline qualifying offer [...]

Amber Girl

November 9th, 2012
11:42 am

@jbill How about Victorino and Span

dixiebrave

November 9th, 2012
11:44 am

If I was Wren, I would be trying to get Ellsbury from the Red Sox.

klaus

November 9th, 2012
11:44 am

Gattis is running the risk of being this years Terds. Replace Gattis with Terds in most of the comments and you end up in the same place.

He is hitting no doubt but 99% of the fans and beat writers talking about him never have seen him play in person apart from some ST at bats.

He makes a nice story and could turn out to be something but Terds spent some time as Chipper’s heir apparent on the blogs a year ago after a good AFL stint.

IMHO I think Gattis is a trade piece in the end to an AL team similar to Tyler Flowers. Wren will talk him up and trade him.

ALJ

November 9th, 2012
11:52 am

See if you can trade Hanson for Span. If not, sign Pagan. In left, lets see if Gattis is the answer. All of these moves can be done for well less than 25 million.

don

November 9th, 2012
11:53 am

the Rangers stole Andrus from the Braves. They aren’t stupid. Only the Braves have that title.

toby

November 9th, 2012
12:00 pm

I would go full bore after J.Upton,he’s only 25,solid #3 hitter to replace Chippers bat,good outfielder and right handed hitter,also can steal around 20 bases….a no brainer,i would offer some of the pitching and what ever it takes to get this guy,then you just need a LF!!

Dirty Dawg

November 9th, 2012
12:13 pm

If some team gives Bourn and Boras the kind of deal they’re after, in two years, max, that team will be looking to dump him and agree to pay half his salary…even if he does have a good year, for what he provides, it ain’t worth $20 million-plus a year.

cornjolio

November 9th, 2012
12:16 pm

Jacoby Ellsbury & Lorenzo Cain would make for nice, speedy outfielders !

David O'Brien

November 9th, 2012
12:28 pm

I would go full bore after J.Upton,he’s only 25,solid #3 hitter to replace Chippers bat,good outfielder and right handed hitter,also can steal around 20 bases….a no brainer,i would offer some of the pitching and what ever it takes to get this guy,then you just need a LF!! — toby

I like Justin Upton for the right price, too. But why would you “just need a LF” if you got him? He’s not a center fielder.

David O'Brien

November 9th, 2012
12:33 pm

See if you can trade Hanson for Span. If not, sign Pagan. In left, lets see if Gattis is the answer. All of these moves can be done for well less than 25 million. — ALJ

If only it were that easy. Giants are going to do all they can to keep Pagan, and he wants to stay. So the Braves or another team would have to blow them out of the water with an offer, I’d imagine. But it can be done if they want him bad enough.

JK

November 9th, 2012
12:37 pm

Sign Josh Hamilton. Trade for Span. Play Hamilton in left, Span in center, Francisco at third, Prado at second. Move Uggla to the bench to solidify the bench. We would have both power and speed on the bench and Uggla would no longer be an every day liability. Our starting lineup would be an offensive machine.

Da_Few_Da_Proud_Da_Braves

November 9th, 2012
12:40 pm

DOB I was thinking the exact same thing.

BravesFanInNashville

November 9th, 2012
12:40 pm

JK… Whatever your smoking….. STOP!

BravesFanInNashville

November 9th, 2012
12:43 pm

Unless JK stands for (Just Kidding) and in that case Very Funny!

JK

November 9th, 2012
12:46 pm

Not smoking anything. We have the money to spend and it would work. $17.5 mil + $4.5 mil = $$22 mil. Sure we would have a ton of left-handed hitters but would you rather have a serviceable right hander to counter lefties or Hamilton?

cornjolio

November 9th, 2012
12:48 pm

“Move Uggla to the bench to solidify the bench. We would have both power and speed on the bench and Uggla would no longer be an every day liability. ”

JK, that must be some good stuff you are smoking !

A $13 million a year bench player? Uggla would have to play for the Yankees, not the dumpster-diving Braves !

David O'Brien

November 9th, 2012
12:48 pm

Sign Josh Hamilton. Trade for Span. Play Hamilton in left, Span in center, Francisco at third, Prado at second. Move Uggla to the bench to solidify the bench. We would have both power and speed on the bench and Uggla would no longer be an every day liability. Our starting lineup would be an offensive machine — JK

JK, hate to break it to ya, but if you sign Josh Hamilton, you’re not trading for Span or anyone else that would add to payroll, because you’re going to be maxed out if Hamilton gets the $25M a year he’s asking for.

Oh, and Uggla to the bench, huh? $13 million backup second baseman. What a novel idea.

D_Few_D_Proud_D_Braves

November 9th, 2012
12:53 pm

Span would the ideal replacement for Bourn. Less speed but higher obp, less strikeouts, and great value. I like the idea of Justin Upton in left field. Not a superstar but good speed that can take an extra base. We need that type of speed to keep our inconsistent offense out of prolonged slumps

steve

November 9th, 2012
1:00 pm

There is no reason why the Braves can”t find one good player in a trade for Hanson or Tehran, that gives them money to get a good free agent and money leftover to get better bench players, I would like to see us get 2 right handed hitters because we have been hurt by having too many lefthanded ones.
Bourne served his purpose but is not worth the money he wants as for a leadoff hitter he strikes out way too much and his batting ave. has been terrible the second half of the season 2 years in a row, reason why ST.Louis hitters have been so successful is they rarely strike out and when you put the ball in play more often your chances for a hit become so much better.

Vermont 39

November 9th, 2012
1:11 pm

Too bad we can’t just pay Bourne for 1/2 year’s work…He was pretty good in the first half.

BravesFanInNashville

November 9th, 2012
1:12 pm

In a perfect world (and I know it’s not a perfect world but it’s the offseason so we can dream) the Braves would trade Uggla to the Dodgers as a salary dump, trade McCann to an AL team and get back an outfielder or catcher then move Martin Prado to 2B and start to build from there. There would be another $26 Million freed up and that allows a lot of flexibility. We could make a serious run at Headley or Wright and sign them long term. Trade for Span to play CF and still have room to get a really good LF. Hunter sounds like a good choice because he’s solid and will come at a reasonable price compared to what he could produce. We then could go after a defensive catcher until Bethancourt is ready.

We’d have a strong defense up the middle and good production from the corner infield and outfield.
In a perfect world this is what I’d like to see the Braves do.

We’re going to lose Brian McCann either this year or next year. He’s AL bound so why not get something for him before we lose him for nothing but a draft pick.

Rick C

November 9th, 2012
1:22 pm

They aren’t going to get much for McCann right now and they don’t have a viable replacement.

jbill

November 9th, 2012
1:25 pm

Ellsbury’s agent is the Braves enemy #1 Boras…so forget him..@ 12:16.. Yes, L Cain would be nice.
I have faith Wren will get it right this time.

Amber I like both..

Amber Girl

November 9th, 2012
1:28 pm

Why is everyone shying away from Victorino?

montegomery goldman

November 9th, 2012
1:35 pm

throw in hanson offer the D-Backs Julio Teheran, Jonny Venters, and Juan Francisco for Justin Upton for LF. At 25, Upton’s power will return and he’s under a very affordable contract thru 2015. Place him between Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman…that would be the best trio of talent in the middle of any NL batting order.

Rick C

November 9th, 2012
1:38 pm

Amber Girl, I like Victorino, but he’s coming off a pretty bad season.

jbill

November 9th, 2012
1:38 pm

His age probably plus his asking price and hurt some last year. I believe for say two years he would be ok. Span would be the best $$ wise and Braves would have him 3 years plus option year. He also is very good..should have won the Golden Glove if not for the Angle in the outfield.

Amber Girl

November 9th, 2012
1:48 pm

Just my opinion, Span in CF-lead off Victorino, Prado, Heyward, Freeman, Uggla, Mccann, Simmons, Pitcher. Let’s quit worrying and go win this thing. GO BRAVES!!!

Bobby

November 9th, 2012
1:49 pm

Plan A: Sign BJ Upton, then platoon Francisco/Gattis in LF.
Plan B: Sign Pagan (of course looks like Giants will lock him up), then platoon in LF.
Plan C: Platoon Johnson/Schafer in CF (production last 3 years very comparable to Span), then focus $ on best available LF or 3B.

ChipperisGod

November 9th, 2012
1:50 pm

Time to let Bourny go, he wants too much money, and Span won’t command nearly as much as Bourn will, or Revere for that matter. I’d rather get him, younger and has more upside as he is still developing, but Span would be great too. Similar player to Bourn (nearly identical stats, minus the anomaly that was Bourn’s homer numbers), two or three years younger and far cheaper.

Teddy B

November 9th, 2012
2:05 pm

@ Buttermilk Tuesdays: Excuse me?! I know someone named Buttmilk Tuesdays just didn’t insult me and call me an idiot, FOOL. I have just as much right as you do to speak my mind about my team. I don’t troll the conversations looking for people to belittle and call names. I talk about my team and I talk the truth. So tell me, Genius how many people in your family have ever played professional baseball? Right. ZERO. I come from a baseball family and we’ve had a few make it to Double-A so far. Watch who you insult, some people don’t take too kindly to jerks like you.

NORRIS CHUCK

November 9th, 2012
2:06 pm

“In a perfect situation, if there were no other deciding factors (money, another catcher), my ideal situation would be to play for the Braves,” Pierzynski said. “I grew up a Braves fan. That would be ideal, but with Brian McCann I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

Just thought that i should put that out there. But anyway, my ideal lineup would be

Starters in no particular order:
Span
Victornio
Prado
Freeman
Heyward
MCCann
Uggla
Simmons

Bench:

Ross
Schafer
Pastornicky
Reed J
Franscisco

Spider29

November 9th, 2012
2:07 pm

DOB, is there any word on the Braves re-signing David Ross (or is it still too early to tell)? Also, do the Braves have much interest in Torii Hunter to possibly play left field? He has always been a good player and seems like a good clubhouse infuence. Thanks.

NORRIS CHUCK

November 9th, 2012
2:09 pm

Amber Girl,

Our lineups are righ on point!

But i do think they will have to trade maybe Francisco with a starter to Minny to get Span. Heck, Span or Revere would be nice. I love Bourn but 15 mil year for a center fielder when they need a bullpen arm and another bat would be spending way too much money!

Bobby

November 9th, 2012
2:12 pm

On second thought…

Plan C: Sign Victorino
Plan D: Johnson/Schafer Platoon

cornjolio

November 9th, 2012
2:22 pm

” just didn’t insult me and call me an idiot, FOOL. I have just as much right as you do to speak my mind about my team. I don’t troll the conversations looking for people to belittle and call names. I talk about my team and I talk the truth. ” – Teddy B.

Teddy B, Maybe you need a little anger management, or more fiber in your diet. Chill, dude ! More important things in life than “your team”.

Felix

November 9th, 2012
2:27 pm

Just hold firm Bourn. FW specializes in overpaying for players, so eventually he will fold and pay you far more than you are worth.

jbill

November 9th, 2012
2:28 pm

Bobby –please no to plan D….and second thought..hell no!
Schafer shouldn’t be in Braves clubhouse..caught twice is enough..

jbill

November 9th, 2012
2:33 pm

Chuck Norris…I would love to see Pierzynski playing for Braves.He is also friends with Greg Walker who was his hitting coach with White Sox.

Amber Girl

November 9th, 2012
2:35 pm

Hi jbill. Am I doing OK with my opinions or do you think I need to shut up. Some people think I am too young to be on here.

chc4

November 9th, 2012
2:48 pm

Schafer is a tremendous CF and leadoff option.

For Gwinnett.

jbill

November 9th, 2012
3:15 pm

U doing great Amber…better than most.

Just heard that Durango has just signed minor league contract with Royals..Braves lose a speedy player who had 46 steals…correct me if I’m wrong DOB.

Rick

November 9th, 2012
3:19 pm

What are the chances the Braves trade for Ellsbury? He may be a cheaper replacement for Bourne. He is a lead off hitter, center fielder, and has speed.

Amber Girl

November 9th, 2012
3:32 pm

Isn’t he injury prone Rick. Also can he hit in NL?

Joey

November 9th, 2012
3:39 pm

Between Costanza and Johnson and maybe Diaz, don’t we have left field covered? We also need to trade away either Delgado or Teheran, we aren’t doing them any favors by keeping them in AAA to only regress.

Bobby Cerasuolo

November 9th, 2012
3:42 pm

I say unload Uggla McCann and Jair to Toronto for Edwin Encarnacion and Jeff Mathis. Put Edwin Encarnacion at third and put Prado back at 2nd and have Mathis be out starting catcher until either Gattis and Bethancourt prove they can hit MLB hitting. then take all the money thats left and go all in on Hamilton and pull the trigger on a trade for Span sending Hanson Stephen Gartrell and Edward Salcedo for Span and Drew Butera

Span CF
Prado 2nd
Heyward rf
Freeman 1st
Encarnacion 3rd
Hamilton LF
Mathis/Gattis/Ross C
Simmons SS

David O'Brien

November 9th, 2012
3:44 pm

geo

November 9th, 2012
3:44 pm

“Bring back Jeff Francouer !”

The Royals would love to send him back. Make an offer!

Rick C

November 9th, 2012
3:47 pm

Joey, none of those three guys are ML starters, and two of them are free agents.

Buttermilk Tuesdays

November 9th, 2012
3:50 pm

@Teddy B: I stand by my original statement. You clearly have no idea what you’re talking about in regards to Ben Revere.

hmmmmm..........

November 9th, 2012
3:54 pm

I like the Span idea, even if they include willingham in the deal it takes care of everything in one deal. Cody Ross and Ryan Ludwick are FAs for left also. My Dream offseason would be the braves picking up grienke and hamilton(not happening), 2nd would be getting J Upton and Span.

hmmmmm..........

November 9th, 2012
3:55 pm

The Twins want trade Span so they can start Ben Revere

VanF

November 9th, 2012
3:57 pm

No one thought he would take the one year and no one will give him 5 or 6 years. he is fast but not the fastest and speed will only decline over the next few years.
His agent looks out for his agency not his clients. Always has.
Bourn will be lucky to get 4 years. The Braves can do better. They have so many holes. So many issues to address.. Just like on here.. too many comments…. I’m done until spring.

hmmmmm..........

November 9th, 2012
3:57 pm

Ellsbury only has one year left on his contract and then he’s a FA and a Boras client

Nicky Hodges

November 9th, 2012
4:30 pm

Why not trade for Tigers prospect Nick Castellanos. We have enough trade bait to get him and he could be our 3rd baseman for a long time.

Nicky

November 9th, 2012
4:32 pm

Nicky

November 9th, 2012
4:32 pm

Nicky

November 9th, 2012
4:32 pm

Nicky

November 9th, 2012
4:32 pm

Oldham

November 9th, 2012
4:32 pm

It’s disturbing to read these blogs and see so many people propose trades in which the Braves send three good players out to get one back in. See what you did Schuerholz with that Tex trade? People think you have to overpay by a ton to get a decent player.

Oldham

November 9th, 2012
4:32 pm

It’s disturbing to read these blogs and see so many people propose trades in which the Braves send three good players out to get one back in. See what you did Schuerholz with that Tex trade? People think you have to overpay by a ton to get a decent player.

Nicky

November 9th, 2012
4:33 pm

bobbymahlon

November 9th, 2012
4:35 pm

ERIC : Francisco is a poor defensive third baseman and looks lost against left hand pitchers. It seems that all he does is strike out against them. He does have a lot of power but we do not need another player that is going to strike out 150+ times a season.

bobbymahlon

November 9th, 2012
4:41 pm

Amber Girl : That is the only thing I worry about with Ellsbury is his running into fences and getting hurt all the time. Other wise he is a great player if only he can stay off the DL.

Amber Girl

November 9th, 2012
5:03 pm

I completely agree bobbymahlon. But I just don’t know. Something tells me that he is just not a fit. I would prefer San and victorino

bobbymahlon

November 9th, 2012
5:06 pm

If that is right Boros being Ellsbury’s agent forget even thinking about getting him.

ronny

November 9th, 2012
10:42 pm

move prado to third, send constanza to left (the kid is ready , and has power and speed to boot) sign a FA like spahn or pagan ( or maybe even victorino) i would have no issues with that transaction. look for uggla to have a comeback year. chip is gone so uggla now has to resume power numbers

ronny

November 9th, 2012
10:48 pm

and if we could pry mccutchen from the pirates that would make my day. problem solved

dewey

November 10th, 2012
12:12 am

getting tired of all the “upton” talk. know why you dont go after either of them? freeman-129 strikeouts, heyward-152 strikeouts, uggla-168 strikeouts…justin upton-121 strikeouts, bj-169 strikeouts. the object of the game is to hit the ball, nothing good can happen if you repeatedly swing and miss. need to fill holes with guys who can make contact with the ball.

Braves_Country

November 10th, 2012
6:59 am

TRADE DAN UGGLA His Bat and Defense is not worth the Money ( Proved that vs St.louis in final game ) then Bourn would’ve been worth 13.3 but not a cent more ( was not Productive in Key at bats BasesLoaded and Stirkes out vs St.Louis ) Pastornicky is Going the Be future with Braves infield very young but Great MLB talent his Bat will Produce over time ….. Tommy Hanson will bounce back with 15 Win season Don’t TRADE , Angel Pagan or Jacoby Ellsbury would be great Fit …..For people who think Jaun Francisco is a everyday player ( Minor league number are great but this is the MLB ) Francisco needs to go on a weight program and is a Bench player at Best !!!!!! Jiar Jurrjins will Be Back after his down year this year ……Frank Wren will make Right Signing and Moves and Braves Country will Be Back on Top of the NL EAST..

Really a SHAME CRAIG KIMBREL Doen’t get reconized be the Stupid Baseball Writers for his Unbeleivable season ( He had better Number then Eric Gange and Dennis Eckersley only thing he didn’t have was 50 + saves , I guess 42 Saves with a 1.01 ERA Hard to beleive that a14-9 Cayton Kershaw has a Chance and Even Gio Gonzalaz who walks 3 Batter per Game if not for Washington Offense giving him Run Support he be maybe 15 game winner at best…..If BAseball Writer KNew how to read Stats Craig Kimbrel Should get a Cy Young for 2012

Braves_Country

November 10th, 2012
7:16 am

Peter Burojus Would be the Best Fit but only if the Angels would give him up , My Guess the ANgels wouldn’t part with Since they Losing Tori Hunter and probly wanna get rid of Vernon Wells Contract if possable so Peter Burojus would be a LONG shot but I Agree ….Wren make a call

Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.

November 10th, 2012
9:12 am

Scott Boras………….Is SATAN for sure……….people should stop hiring his players…….

Brent

November 10th, 2012
10:07 am

We just lost David Ross. He signed a 2 year $6.2MM contract with the Red Sox. So, who is our catcher with McCann out for a while?

Jack Clompus

November 10th, 2012
10:15 am

Brent, it’ll be fine. Ross wasn’t the answer anyway. There’s a guy in the system or a young backup somewhere that’ll be fine and maybe the future. I’m old enough to have seen this stuff play out many times. No fat FAs, please. Only 1 team will be standing at the end of next season and the Braves are not positioned to be that team anyway. Let’s mellow out and just try to put a competitive product on the field and see what happens. But no druggies and fat overpaid FAs. It’s a waste.

bitman

November 10th, 2012
11:45 am

OK, so who replaces Ross as the backup catcher now that Wren fell asleep at the switch and let him get away? Do we have two catchers-in waiting to get through however long McCann is out? And where do you find a backup of Ross’s defensive (and clutch offensive) quality? For $3M a year we let him get away? WRENched again!

[...] drop into a rational discussion of how the Atlanta Braves should go about replaci more… At GM meetings: Bourn to decline qualifying offer – blogs.ajc.com 11/09/2012 INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – To the surprise of no one, Braves [...]

dewey

November 10th, 2012
1:13 pm

would make a call to toronto, see exactly what it would take to get brett lawrie(3B). would also give call to boston, see what kind of deal would take to get pedroia. never hurts to ask, could get surprised.

Braves_Country

November 10th, 2012
4:45 pm

Being from Toronto Area , I absolutly Love the Braves and the Breaves are My Heart and Soul team but Brett Lawrie Isn’t going anywhere From Toronto’s stand Point , If anyone from Toronto I’d Inquire about Colby Rasmus a Georgia Raised Kid Who has a Ton of Upside One of the Best Defensive C/F or even Catcher Jeff, Mathis,or Travis d’Aranaud and I Beleive Toronto would Part ways for a Pitcher in Return Perhaps J.J Or Julio Teheran, if not stealing a catcher from Jays, I’d Like to see Pierzynski Signed as Back-up Catcher Duties but could start Season Since Mac is Recovering.

Like to See Reed Johnson BAck as Cheep Insurance Help in OF

LAC

November 11th, 2012
2:57 pm

Braves are in anosedive downward to the celler now ! Look for them to be like Kansas City next season, owner who will not spend money and fans will get sick of this soon !

Braves need an owner, not a company who does not give a damn ! Why does this town ALWAYS have crap owners ? I cannot stand the fact atlanta spit group is still here !!!!

Atlanta Braves will become total losers very very soon, may end up moving, not out of the question !

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