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574 comments Add your comment
moboman
November 10th, 2012
2:36 pm
Foolish to pay 6 mil for a backup, especially before other needs have been fixed. He will be missed though. A backup catcher that can hit is a luxury.
Had he waited until we had settled other needs, we might have had enough to pay more.
David Ross
November 10th, 2012
2:39 pm
Atlanta: I really wanted to stay with the Braves but my agent said that negotiating with a monkey would be easier than trying to work with Wren.
Kujohn
November 10th, 2012
2:44 pm
Ross will be back in about 6 yrs as braves mgr We don’t need to pay 3 mil for a back up catcher Gattis an Bethancourt. Will do fine showing what they got We do not need any backups making over 1 mil. Use the money to get a big bat for the middle of our lineup. J upton BJ upton. (Hamilton)
Chase Headly Or better yet Zack Grienke. To anchor the best young pitching staff an bullpen in the league
Tbraves
November 10th, 2012
2:47 pm
This loss hurts = But I believe it was an ok move – Those 3mil can be put into a solid reliever, raise for a young player / FA etc…
Ross was an above average backup who we had for cheap when we got him – he was hurt end of last year and may be on a decline…braves somehow have a nag of knowing when NOT to resign somenone…
I truly believe that Ross will be back with the Braves in the future…but on the coaching staff….hopefully even as manager…
Bosnianballer
November 10th, 2012
2:48 pm
We just lost our best playoff player and starting catcher for the 1st month of the season.
We Will Get Fooled Again
November 10th, 2012
2:48 pm
I agree this is a big loss. Ross was one of the few catchers in the game who was a stud behind the plate and also had a quality stick. Most STARTING catchers can’t even claim that. We were really lucky to have him these last few years. You didn’t feel like you were losing much – if anything – when McCann had to sit.
We’ll probably get an all-field, no-hit guy to replace Ross.
Bosnianballer
November 10th, 2012
2:48 pm
…but we do have Dan Uggla for 3 more years.
Your kidding???
November 10th, 2012
2:52 pm
The guy that hit the HR in the one game playoff that we lost unfortunately. The game that Ross played instead of MAC, and was regarded as the best backup catcher and was to replace McCan to start the season and the Braves couldn’t retain him….speechless….wake up Wren!!!
JHarber
November 10th, 2012
2:56 pm
Kujohn——I can’t wait to see those BIG BATS Wren gets. I dam sure will not hold my breath.
Long time fan
November 10th, 2012
3:00 pm
I hate seeing Ross go. However, I don’t think I would have given him the contract that Boston did. The Red Sox are in a position where they have to redo the team after the Bobby V. fiasco. The Braves will be a very competitive team and there is no telling what will happen with the division rivals.
Amber Girl
November 10th, 2012
3:04 pm
@JHarber I assume that Wren is still playing with his “pretty” hair. Becayse he sure hasn’t done his job.
bravo-n-knoxville
November 10th, 2012
3:07 pm
Ross will be surely missed. However, we have larger fish to fry this season. Sign either Gerald Laird or Henry Blanco while promoting Evan Gattis too. We will be fine with either one of those veterans and Gattis’ bat…imho.
Now, trade for Denard Span to play CF before losing him to someone else like the Phillies, Nats, or Reds. He is the best value for our mid-market team. Then, sign a FA agent LF like Ludwick or Hunter (preferrably) so we can breathe a sigh of relief!
JHarber
November 10th, 2012
3:07 pm
I agree Amber.
ATLcracker
November 10th, 2012
3:10 pm
I warned about this late in the year when everyone was drawing up their lineup for this year. We didn’t have any kind of hold on Ross and not giving him an extension was another Wren mistake. I am going to assume that Wren has a line on a younger cheaper guy. If it turns out he doesn’t I would consider this strike three (actually strike seven or eight) for Wren as a General Manager.
BravesFanInNashville
November 10th, 2012
3:12 pm
After checking the depth chart around the league, most back up catchers are being paid league minimum to around $750,000. There are only 2 or 3 making over $1 Million dollars. None making over $3 Million. There are 5 or 6 that hit more than 7 home runs (Ross had 9) and at least that many that had more than the 23 RBI Ross had, (all of them making less than $1 Million) A little research has me now thinking maybe I reacted to strongly to the decision to let David go if it meant guaranteeing him $6.2 Million dollars the next two years. There are some much younger much cheaper options out there that will cost 1/3 the money and produce similar stats. Just saying I for one passionate Braves fan might have overreacted on this and maybe they have a plan that will work out better for the Braves in the long run. Still will miss David Ross and don’t blame him for taking the money but Boston just gave David the best contract any backup catcher has in baseball by a long shot and he is getting older.
Amber Girl
November 10th, 2012
3:16 pm
@JHarber…..Write Wren a letter and tell him that his hair will never be pretty as mine. I do my job by going to school. Now he needs to do his. HE IS A JERK.
Angry acworth man
November 10th, 2012
3:17 pm
Nothing ever changes with the Braves…hope for the best but expect the worst!!!!
barves
November 10th, 2012
3:20 pm
Wow, this is awful. I understand he’s old, but…
Braves are going to have to SPEND some now to convince me that we aren’t going to keep reeling back on the cash.
They better have plans where they need every bit of the 3 million he’s getting in Boston. This is embarassing as a braves fan.
Another kick in the teeth for a team that is rapidly falling down the popularity totem pole in Atlanta.
Fox man
November 10th, 2012
3:22 pm
To bad Liberty Media is in such a bind for money…D,JD..
BravesFanInNashville
November 10th, 2012
3:28 pm
Easy Amber Girl… We all hate to see Ross leave. It’s a big loss for sure but there might be a method to the madness that we don’t see yet. There are no back-up catchers making over $3 Million dollars. Ross is probably going to be in some kind of platoon with Salty splitting time at 1B and therefor the Red Sox can justify valuing his contract like they do. The Braves scouts probably have several options out there for under $1 Million that will give us similar production to Ross. ( 9 Homers and 23 RBI are not that hard to replace) There are lot’s of good defensive catchers floating around that would love to have a job.
dap01
November 10th, 2012
3:28 pm
You blew this Frank Wren. Ross is more valuable than McCann lately and we don’t even have McCann for a while. I hope you are able to sleep well considering you just saved $500,000.
Cheap, Cheap, Cheap. Frank struck out.
barves
November 10th, 2012
3:30 pm
I hear talk that he was to expensive as a back up catcher… well who the heck started the playoff game? Because it was not Brian McCann. And who is going to start the season next year? Not Brian McCann.
Ross WAS our starting catcher. McCann, i love him, but brings no guarantees. And at least Ross is a bit better defensively. McCann without a bat is not a top 10 catcher, to say the least.
BravesFanInNashville
November 10th, 2012
3:34 pm
My biggest concern about the Catcher position is an injured/recovering Brian McCann is not worth $13 Million in my opinion. I hope the Braves can trade him now for something of value to an AL team that wants him long term because they know he’ll hit when he’s healthy again. No way the Braves sign McCann to an extension after 2013 unless they have a sign and trade deal worked out with another team in advance. I’d love to see them use his $13 Million on a LF or CF or 3B and find strong defensive catcher to fill in until Bethancourt is ready.
barves
November 10th, 2012
3:37 pm
@BravesFanInNashville
He had those numbers playing good defense, and being a part time player. Not to mention that he was one of the more enjoyable personalities on the team and seemed to be a great leader. Under 1 mil? Then you are purely talking AAA options.
And unless you strke gold (Which Gattis may be, but by all accounts is not very good defensively), we will miss him severely.
This was an error. If they are so confident in Gattis/Bethancourt, why not trade McCann when they picked up the option and resign Ross at 3 mil. Then spend more in the outfield.
I am just a fan, but an extremely dismayed one. This was a mistake.
jbill
November 10th, 2012
3:39 pm
Happy Birthday Amber!!!!!!
Amber I don’t believe Wren is a jerk. I believe he will come up with something big before Spring Training. He has a plan A and Plan B after having GM talks. We will not know till its done. My biggest problem with Wren right now is bring Shafer back (not good PR). Ross was a $$ problem.
I hate we lost out on Ross and wish him well in Boston. Red Sox got a very good guy always first class team player. They will love him and Ferrell is a good mgr.
Amber Girl
November 10th, 2012
3:39 pm
@BravesFaninNashville How are we going to play with no catcher. All Wren wants to do is play with his pretty hair. Can I sit at home,play with my prtetty hair and not go to school. HE IS A JERK. Get off his big behind and do his JOB.
BravesFanInNashville
November 10th, 2012
3:39 pm
Barves I agree Ross was the starting catcher in the WC game and he showed up big time. The problem the Braves had was the dilemma to pick up McCann’s option or not. The didn’t want to let him just walk for nothing because at least next year we’ll get a draft pick when he leaves unless he really has a bad year and the Braves don’t make him a qualifying offer. The only play that makes sense to me is the Braves are going to try to trade him and get something for him rather than just having passed on his option and making him a free agent now. They can’t really believe he’ll be worth $13 Million next year can they?
mike southern
November 10th, 2012
3:45 pm
So now we await for a silly trade with Minnesota for Denard Span? .. uh no thanks… how about Josh Willingham instead please.
dilly
November 10th, 2012
3:47 pm
Ross is crazy to want to go to Boston, despite the money. They are not very supportive of their players if they have the least time they are not playing well. Just like going to New York. Sad we didn’t do everything we could to keep him. Hope Gattis and Betancourt are up to the task. Geeze – Frank – what is your problem?
jbill
November 10th, 2012
3:48 pm
Amber I don’t like his hair but some people don’t have hair.
If Ross is old???Then Chipper was ancient
Hate it
November 10th, 2012
3:51 pm
But I can’t blame him. Having to play pro baseball for a dweeb like fg is humilating. The trade is done, and all we can do is hope that for ONCE Wren can do a good thing for the Braves. So far, it ain’t happening.
Amber Girl
November 10th, 2012
3:56 pm
Hijbill Thanks for Birthday wiishes. My day is not going well. Our so called GM is blowing our team big time. Maybe you are right that he has a plan B I hope so. My point is, if he can do nothing but play with his “pretty” hair. My hair is prettier. CAN I STAY HOME FROM SCHOOL?
ChipperisGod
November 10th, 2012
3:57 pm
My heart skipped a beat (in the worst way possible). I saw this on ESPN, and figured it was Cody, but I clicked on it, just to make sure, and then saw it was David. This is horrible. This should have been one of the first things we did is resign Rossy. He loved it here, I don’t know what happened, yeah, his age is a factor, but a two year, 3 million per probably would have gotten it done. This guy is a huge influence in the club house and actually a great guy to have and is the best back up catcher in the game.
This is just… soul crushing. Hey Christian! Yeah, you! Major prospect. Time to get going in Venezuela or wherever you are, your services will be needed immediately. This also may open a window for Gattis. Even still, it’d be nice to have some sort of semblance of stability at catcher. We don’t know when Mac will be back, or if we continue to falter, Bethancourt isn’t ready and even though Gattis looks ready, we’re not 100% certain, plus he’s slowly being converted to an outfielder.
This is just awful.
alex
November 10th, 2012
3:59 pm
i am not blame most of writers here i blame Atlanta lazy sports fan. it’s not wren foul, neither owners foul, please fill up at least 75% turner field capacity and then complain. just compare attendance in Boston and in sorry Atlanta. capitalism still alive in USA.
BOISESTATEBRONCO
November 10th, 2012
4:02 pm
Total bummer day. Really needed to keep Rossy..:(
1eyedJack
November 10th, 2012
4:02 pm
Sux, don’t it. ;(
BravesFanInNashville
November 10th, 2012
4:03 pm
Barves…. I agree Ross played exceptional defense and was one of my favorite Braves to watch play. I was at the WC game and watched him neutralize the Cardinal’s speed because they respected his throwing arm. He of course had the big home run and the very intelligent bunt which proves he is a baseball player through and through. I for one will miss him but if you check the depth charts around the league there are lot’s of major league back up catchers with 2+years experience in the majors making around $500,000 a few in the $750,000 range and only 2 or 3 above $1 Million. There are none over $2 Million much less $3 Million. Yorvett Torrealba doesn’t count in Texas because he plays way more than a back-up when Naploli DH’s. Brian McCann will be the highest paid catcher in baseball besides Joe Mauer and we all know how that contract is working out in Minnesota. The Twins are strapped with a huge liability and Mauer hasn’t produced anywhere close to the numbers he did before he signed the deal.
There are only 26 catchers in baseball making over $1 Million dollars. That’s less than one per team yet every team has at least two catchers. With 30 major league teams that means there are at least 34 major league catchers making under $1 Million dollars with the vast majority of those close to league minimum. David Ross was one of the highest paid back-up catchers in baseball the last 4 years and he certainly deserved it. To double his pay at his age is questionable unless he’s going to play a much bigger role which he may in Boston.
One fact we can be sure of is there are 34+ Major league catchers making less than $1Million so there must be one in there somewhere that can give us 9 homers and 23 RBI and play solid defense.
BOISESTATEBRONCO
November 10th, 2012
4:05 pm
Alex,
Agreed. All around the country, people joke about how Atlantans NEVER support their teams like other cities. Traffic and crime are in every city, not just Atlanta. I can only wish that someday the Braves will leave ATL and go to a city that cares!
Ekim56
November 10th, 2012
4:07 pm
I can’t believe they let this happen. I am officially depressed.
jbill
November 10th, 2012
4:08 pm
First Chipper is not God..Period!
Amber School is something you need very much to achieve your dreams. One day you may be the GM of some baseball team and need that knowledge…I know it now don’t seem that way but you are a smart girl..get it done!
Wren don’t always do what we would like for him to do but he wants to win as much as we do..his job depends on it. Really, I believe he will put a good team together. Just have a little faith and enjoy your B-day..15 sounds good young lady. Enjoy your life, Braves will be ok.
Gulf Coast
November 10th, 2012
4:08 pm
Way to go, Wren. Losing Ross next season (and potentially for 2014) leaves the team worse off than if the team had cut McCann loose. Sad day for the organization. Can’t fault Ross for not wanting to leave any money on the table at this stage of his career.
How does David Ross impact Sox catchers?
November 10th, 2012
4:17 pm
[...] Ross agree to two-year dealFOXSports.comRed Sox sign David RossBoston.comBoston Herald (blog) -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -NESN.comall 90 news articles » Read more » Sponsored [...]
Amber Girl
November 10th, 2012
4:20 pm
@jbill I think I will go and get some ice cream and try to calm down. See you later. Wow1 Getting old 15
Jack Clompus
November 10th, 2012
4:25 pm
Wow, a backup lighting up the offseason message board. This fan base is weird.
DH
November 10th, 2012
4:27 pm
NO! We can’t lose Rossy, especially since BMac will be out for a few weeks.
ChipperisGod
November 10th, 2012
4:32 pm
@jbill: My name’s a joke!!!!!
Yeah, I don’t fault Rossy either, and now that I’ve calmed down, I do understand that it may be insane to spend 3 million on a back up catcher. But this is the BEST in the game, and we have no stability at catcher right now. I would have pulled the trigger on this deal solely because we have no idea who our catcher is going to be for the first month of the season. And more importantly, Ross is worth it to me. If we resign Hinske instead of Rossy, I swear….
Joe Dirte
November 10th, 2012
4:34 pm
McCann not being healthy until May that leaves Gattis and Bethancoute as the Catchers. The Braves just wasted 12.5 million on McCann because lets say Gattis and Bethancourte are playing great then McCann will take away from that and lets say that Gattis and Bethancourte struggle. Then we could be too little to late but its the Good ole boys that think McCann is still playing like its 2009 that has really handicapped this team. No win situation here. We need to just go for it and try to get Josh Hamilton and not think back. Our number 1 problem was not being able to drive runs in, and guys like Uggla and McCann killing innings.
MikeY
November 10th, 2012
4:35 pm
I think the thing Wren needs to focus on (and learn from this) is that tying up potential free agends EARLY rather than waiting is beneficial.
If they had offered a 2-year extension to Ross 3 months ago at $2.5M a year, I bet Rossy would have taken it.
So…need to sign Prado to a long term contract well in advance of his free agent year. That would be a good start.
jbill
November 10th, 2012
4:40 pm
FaninNashville..you can’t judge all catcher by one..you did alot of research for nothing..Ross was worth the money but not to Braves are they would have signed him. Compare they paid Diaz 2.5 million each of last 2 years.and Ross was more valuable than Diaz. Damn hope Diaz not coming back. Hell Overbay got 1 million for 11 weeks…get my point!
jbill
November 10th, 2012
4:41 pm
Alabama getting beat 20 to 0 in 2nd quarter by Texas A&M
nelson
November 10th, 2012
4:42 pm
lmao.. nice job wren
Joe Dirte
November 10th, 2012
4:42 pm
I hope Constanza get a chance this year especially over Schafer
least of the east
November 10th, 2012
4:44 pm
Wren is just warming up. he’s savings his biggest blunders for Dec.
he has a plan – to have the worst group of position players in the NL.
almost all those other catchers are really minor leaguers. only 2 who can hit are Napoli and Martin who’ll both cost double what Ross got paid.
so while Mc Cann recovers, we’ll have no offense from catcher, 3B and CF.
we have money to make multi year offer for Bourne at over $10 mill/yr but can’t pay app. $6 mill for 2 yrs ?
when you pay Jurgens $5.5 mill for nothing and overpay Hanson , you have to make it up somehow.
maybe Prado can play 3B, LF and also catch ?
AdirondackDave
November 10th, 2012
4:44 pm
This one just doesn’t make sense any way you look at it… unless Ross didn’t want to re-sign and I doubt that was the case. This one may bite the Braves all season long. Where’s Charley O’Brien? He probably needs to supplement that social security check.
jbill
November 10th, 2012
4:45 pm
Hinski & Diaz is not worth a crap..
N8
November 10th, 2012
4:46 pm
“Among the free agents available as potentially affordable backup catchers are Gerald Laird, Rod Barajas, Ronny Paulino, Miguel Olivo, Matt Treanor, Brian Schneider and Kelly Shoppach.”
Might as well just ask Eddie Perez to fill in. He’s already on the payroll.
rufus
November 10th, 2012
4:46 pm
I loved Ross…but you absolutely can’t give that kind of bucks to a player who will eventually play one day a week. Its a good decision to let him go finally earn at big paycheck.
tmc
November 10th, 2012
4:47 pm
The reason letting Ross go for 6 mil for 2 years is because they resigned Brian McCann for 12-13 million… and he won’t be ready until at least May.
And there is no guarantee McCann will return to pre-2011 form.
For Frank Wren’s sake, he better return and perform well.
If they do not resign McCann for 12-13 million, they could most likely have had Ross and McCann for under the money they will be paying McCann this year. (IMO)
Then the team is set, the fan base is happy…. but we’ll never know.
Amber Girl
November 10th, 2012
4:49 pm
I;M back. Wren still jerk. Get off your you know what and do someting. I will even give you some hair spray. JERK,JERK ,JERK. DO YOUR JOB.
jbill
November 10th, 2012
4:49 pm
N8
Perez could probably do it. lol
Joe Dirte
November 10th, 2012
4:49 pm
We should trade Hanson as well. DFA Jurrjens, and give Teheran and Delgado another shot.
o-my
November 10th, 2012
4:51 pm
Amber is action like a 10 year old.
Joe Dirte
November 10th, 2012
4:52 pm
Nope because we want that “Leadership” McCann will bring?
13 million for an out of shape, injured and declining Catcher was too much,but hey we always have Uggla to fall back on.
1. Phillies
2.Nationals
3.Marlins
4. Braves
5. Mets
At least thats how its feeling like so far.
jbill
November 10th, 2012
4:54 pm
got to go duty calls…
BravesFanSince80s
November 10th, 2012
4:57 pm
The decision to sign back McCann and let Ross go will be the end of Frank Wren’s tenure in Atl. Mark it down…
Amber Girl
November 10th, 2012
4:59 pm
@o-my. Not 10 just 15. . THank you everyone for chatting and celebrating. It is now 8:57 Sunday nite. Got to go to bed, where I can do my job. Go to scfhool. Thats better then Jerk Wren is doing. So so long from New South Wales. Luv you guys GO BRAVES!!!
David O'Brien
November 10th, 2012
5:08 pm
DOB – Enjoy the couple of days out in AZ. Can you check on Spruill and make sure there are no issues with him healthwise? Two starts ago he got hit in the ankle with a comebacker. That didn’t seem to be an issue tho because he made his last start on normal rest, but he came out after facing only 1 hitter in the 2nd inning. He only gave up 2 hits and 1 run, so it definitely wasn’t a matter of him getting pulled for that reason. Let us know if you can possibly find out anything, thanks in advance. — Heap 16
Next start, he came out early because he got hit once again, this time on the right forearm. But he was fine. Didn’t miss a start, made his regular turn today. Pitched OK, but couple of walks and an error hurt him, gave up a couple of well-struck groundball hits with runners on. But he’s pitched well for the most part in Arizona. Change-up has come a long way.
Ozzie
November 10th, 2012
5:09 pm
Liberty, Wren & Fredi G are to Braves baseball as Weaver, Gene Smith and Jack Del Rio were to the Jacksonville Jaguars football.
The only difference is Weaver was a private owner but he had no football sense and was biblically bad at selecting mgt. Khan is following in his footsteps thus far.
Apart from the owner difference similar leadership mess. Terrible and or short sighted decision making.
The Braves sniffed a few WC in the past 13 years but that is about it.
The Jaguars made the post season, well never under Del Rio & Smith.
Jags fire Del Rio but keep Smith. Smith hand picks new HC after a fairly short search (sound familiar) and the Jags continue to be terrible.
The Braves are in a similar situation but in a better neighborhood (as in not as terrible but stunted organizationally) metaphorically speaking.
Bother leadership teams need to be broomed for things to really get better versus more dead cat bounces and we’ll get um next year.
Braves_Country
November 10th, 2012
5:11 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
Braves_Country
November 10th, 2012
5:11 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
N8
November 10th, 2012
5:20 pm
“but you absolutely can’t give that kind of bucks to a player who will eventually play one day a week”
Derek Lowe. Jair Jurrjens.
6.2 million over 2 years for Ross was a no brainer compared to the money spent on those 2 LAST year.
Bob the Blogger
November 10th, 2012
5:21 pm
It would be interesting to know how much the Braves offered Ross, but I doubt we’ll get another catcher as good as him for $3 million a year.
I agree with Amber Girl........
November 10th, 2012
5:25 pm
Wren is not only a jerk but he is a real loser as a general manager…..all he cares about is looking pretty with stupid goofy smile of his…..wish he and FG would get run out of town.
Nova Scotia Steve
November 10th, 2012
5:26 pm
This is hilarous. Ross is a big clubhouse loss.
Actually, he is better on defence than McCann and carried a big stick in limited action. If pressed to play regular, Ross breaks down and is exposed.
Tough guy to lose. We’ll be fine.
On another note, making predictions when we still have $25 million to spend is nuts. We still have a lustful rotation and bullpen that rivals anyone in the league.
Other teams are jealous of our pitching talent and depth I promise you that and Wren’s phone is probablt blowing up with offers.
Just be patient.
Nova Scotia Steve
November 10th, 2012
5:27 pm
*probably
BravesFanInNashville
November 10th, 2012
5:27 pm
jbill….. research was not for nothing…. I wanted to educate myself to the true catchers market out there. I agree with you that Ross was more valuable than Diaz no question.
All I’m saying is I was quite surprised to find how many catchers with major league experience hitting as good or better than Ross were making under $1 Million. He was paid $1.6 Million the last two years making him the 20th highest paid catcher in the game. This means there were 10 starting catchers that made less than Ross including Buster Posey who made $600K(a Million less than Ross). The Braves weren’t being as cheap with him as I first thought and the research taught me that.
The production we got from David Ross was valuable for sure and he’s an awesome dude and will be missed but we can replace his production with at least 8 other options that were paid less than 1/3 of what he just signed for.
Plate Appearance
November 10th, 2012
5:28 pm
GO WITH GATTIS
I hope the Braves show wisdom and give Gattis a chance, rather than going with a veteran who doesn’t have nearly the potential to hit that Gattis has.
In fact Gattis seems to be a good bet for LF also, as a Mike Morse kind of a player.
Greg
November 10th, 2012
5:29 pm
This is yet another reason why this team has lost me as a fan. What a bunch of cheap losers.
BravesFanSince80s
November 10th, 2012
5:29 pm
Bob it’s entirely possible that if there is any truth to Ross not being much of a FG fan, Wren and Co might not have had “time” to offer Ross anything before he agreed to this deal with Boston…Not that I blame him, if I were a great defensive player, great fundamental player, great baseball strategist in my own right, FG would be a pain in the ass…
Joe Dirte
November 10th, 2012
5:31 pm
I think everyone is in aggreement that it was dumb to take that McCann option with him recovering from shoulder surgery and not being ready until May at the earliest and to allow Ross to just walk.
Terrible offseason so far. The Braves MUST go for it and sign Josh Hamilton.
Joe Dirte
November 10th, 2012
5:33 pm
agreement.
Nova Scotia Steve
November 10th, 2012
5:35 pm
I still don’t think the Braves will win a World Series under Fredi Gonzalez. They are so close talent wise and have a great coaching staff other wise.
Scouting/coaching team is second to not very many. Tosca, McDowell, Walker, Perez, Pendleton, Fregosi etc etc
Fredi G jsut doesn’t seem to have the confidence or leaderhsip needed.
alanfalcon
November 10th, 2012
5:47 pm
Ross is the most valuable bench player the Braves have had in quite some time and someone was dumb enough to let him get away, this is about as smart as the dummy that purchased the contract of one Kenshin Kawakami, its no wonder why we can’t get back to the top of our division.
Good luck to Ross, I wish him he best and hope he has an outstanding year and career !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get Real
November 10th, 2012
5:48 pm
LOVED Ross but get real people, he is 36 and I don’t think he is an everyday catcher so why pay him like one?
Go get Olivo and don’t worry about it.
All you whiners just need something to moan about.
BravesFanSince80s
November 10th, 2012
5:56 pm
@Get Real, whiners we may be, but David Ross is well worth the money Boston paid him, pretty confident on that one…
Lobosolo
November 10th, 2012
5:59 pm
Looks like a change of season hasn’t convinced the hysterical know-it-all-about-baseball poseurs they need to give it a rest… Braves”fan”inNashville, since when were you privy to the players’ feelings about Fredi? Hey, idiots, the Braves just completed one of the best seasons in the majors last year and y’all still don’t know your behinds from third base… I just wish you crying phonies would put your money were your mouths are and quit following the team… Sissyfied whinebabies… Hit the road already…
Rick James
November 10th, 2012
6:00 pm
This was not unexpected,after all he’s the best backup catcher in the game and Boston was willing to pay more.Will somebody please buy this team??
Lobosolo
November 10th, 2012
6:01 pm
still waiting to see why you genii aren’t managing/ gm-ing your own teams… What a bunch of dumbassed toads…
Mark
November 10th, 2012
6:06 pm
Hate to loose Ross but 2 years at 6 plus million is too much at his age. Of course, the Red Sox have made a lot of poor choices the last couple years and it has showed.
BravesFanInNashville
November 10th, 2012
6:06 pm
FanSince80s……. I would find it hard to believe that there are many players on the Braves who truly are confident in Fredi G’s in game decision making.. I love that he respects his players. That is a great quality but that doesn’t make him a good manager. He seems over matched by the speed of the game and opposing managers almost nightly.
So far the two best offseason moves are
#1 Boston’s signing of John Farrell. Absolutely a great move in fact I wish the Braves had him. He’d be my #1 choice even above Francona.
#2 Cleveland’s signing of Terry Francona. Both Cleveland and Boston will return to the post season with these managers. The Braves are leaving a lot on the table with FG running things. Not even close compared to Farrell and Francona.
just sayin
November 10th, 2012
6:12 pm
Not gonna miss this guy screaming f-bombs when he k’s, grounds out, or pops out. Boston is about to get a whole lot of bad words on TV during the ball games.
JHarber
November 10th, 2012
6:15 pm
BravesFanInNashville—Red Sox will probably be in playoffs in 2013 or very close.
Tommy Dew
November 10th, 2012
6:17 pm
Gosh Dangit! Ross was the best backup position player in baseball. Love that Guy. Best of luck Ross. I appreciate all you did as a Brave.
BravesFanInNashville
November 10th, 2012
6:20 pm
Lobosolo… Actually I have some very close friends here in the Music business in Nashville that hunt with Chipper and other Braves including LaRoche when he played in Atlanta a couple of years ago. Not trying to brag but I happen to be a Grammy Nominated songwriter that has written #1 hits and own a studio in Nashville that records the records of lots of successful artists. I happen to attend 5 charity golf events per as a celebrity songwriter that have many current and past MLB players in attendance. I have heard first hand right out of their mouths how they feel. They all to a man really like Fredi but most of them don’t think he runs the game very well.
I’ve been on this blog for several years and have never mentioned to anyone what I do for a living because other than DOB’s love of music it really isn’t relevant what we do to earn a paycheck. So when you CALL ME OUT asking me “since when are you privy to the players feelings about Fredi?” I humbly tell you I know for sure how they feel because I’ve heard them talk about it.
BravesFanSince80s
November 10th, 2012
6:24 pm
@just sayin, do ya miss ol Maddux screaming f bombs when he gave up a once in a blue moon HIT? hmmm? Anybody who understands baseball would agree that the Braves just loss a HUGE piece of their club, whether they’ll admit it or not…
BravesFanSince80s
November 10th, 2012
6:27 pm
faninNashville: AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BravesFanInNashville
November 10th, 2012
6:27 pm
JHarber… I agree Boston will be very good soon under Farrell. He’s really smart and players love him.
Dav
November 10th, 2012
6:27 pm
I told ya’ll last week signing Ross was a issue and to get it done. Now we know why the Braves really re signed McCann, its more not having Ross than it is McCann being ready. We might go with Gattis and backup if the Braves think McCann heals fast? The righthand bat we need just got more important with Ross going to Red Sox!! Guess we will wait and see if the Braves man up and signs a LF, CF or a RH Bat?
Peter
November 10th, 2012
6:28 pm
Wow how dumb is Wren ? Swap Uggla 13.7 million for Infante 3.5 million. then don’t have money for Ross..
Please do we have the worst GM in the majors ?
tim
November 10th, 2012
6:31 pm
At the end of the day you have to make a decision based on whats best for you and your family. Ross did that I do not blame management for not paying that amount for a 36 year old backup. Ross is very good and he will be missed, but I am also happy for him. The Braves are in a rebuilding mode we need to fill a lot of holes and ownership is simply not going to free up the cash. So settle back and get ready for a bumpy ride for the next few years. Starting pitching looks good the offense though well you be the judge.