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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,357 comments Add your comment
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
9:36 am
Honestly, I thought the trades the Marlins had made up to last night made sense.
Hanley Ramirez is not near the player he once was and was owed a lot of money – Nate Eovaldi – nice mid rotation starter prospect.
Anibal Sanchez was a free agent at years end and Omar Infante isn’t anyone they should miss greatly – Jacob Turner(a once great RHP prospect) and C Rob Brantly are nice pieces to acquire.
Heath Bell stinks. Made sense to unload him.
But it’s difficult to defend last nights deal. That’s just all sorts of stupid.
cricket
November 14th, 2012
9:37 am
Last season Jose Reyes said he was still glad he signed with Marlins.
when you get a new job and someone asks you, you are going to say you are glad. now he’ll say he’s glad he got traded. what else can he do, since he did not ask for no-trade clause..
TennesseePaul
November 14th, 2012
9:37 am
Hee…
Loria must have grown envious of the Braves flexibility.
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
9:42 am
Scroll through the rumor mills… Phillies eyeing Hamilton, Jays pull off a mega trade, Braves have interest in Cody Ross. Just a huge step down when it comes to the Braves this off-season.
Ya know, the report said they were pursuing him and that they were interested. I’m sure they are interested in a lot of players, but it’s just funny that Ross’ name came up. Premium player….. Braves Interested in Cody Ross.
$25 million to work with and a glut of starting pitching at the higher levels of the minors…..
….Cody Ross. For three years.
Sigh…..
TennesseePaul
November 14th, 2012
9:42 am
But it’s difficult to defend last nights deal. That’s just all sorts of stupid.
I’ve read in several places that this deal could be graded as fair to good if it were any other team doing it… but being the Marlins this move does more to kill the franchise than anything else. And this is where the other side of the game comes in. It’s hard to quantify integrity and loyalty, but you’ll know when you’ve lost it and while this deal, in a vacuum, might be “fair” the cost, the damage, is too high.
jeffrey d
November 14th, 2012
9:44 am
in a vacuum, might be “fair” the cost, the damage, is too high.
I think you mean in a Death Star the cost, the damage is too high.
Lew
November 14th, 2012
9:46 am
“The Dead Fish”
I love it. But the smell might be coming from Luria’s dead body rotting in the Miami sunshine after that roberry he performed getting the stadium.
TennesseePaul
November 14th, 2012
9:47 am
but it’s just funny that Ross’ name came up.
We’d all feel the same if it was Shane’s, Angel’s, BJ’s, names or $17M+ a year going to Michael bleepin’ Bourn.
I’m not all that impressed with Willingham and Span either. They might do well and be good pieces, but neither is a “premium player.” You will find no viral youtube music video of a Braves fan crooning about the overwhelming joy Denard Span in a Braves uniform brings him.
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
9:47 am
Yeah, I agree with that TenneseePaul.
LF Ruggiano, CF G. Hernandez, RF Stanton
3B DobbS/Lee, SS Escobar, 2B Hechavarria, 1B Morrison, C Brantly
SP Alveraz, Eovaldi, Turner, LeBlanc
RP Webb, Dunn, Cishek
Sadly, they are still better than the Astros.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 14th, 2012
9:49 am
Noles and scoots would be overjoyed about an acquisition of Willy… but he’s not a premium player to me. Good player though. Moving into his mid 30s as well…
BravesFanInMaine
November 14th, 2012
9:50 am
so what about willingham? Now that everyone is on the bandwagon to get stanton
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
9:50 am
You will find no viral youtube music video of a Braves fan crooning about the overwhelming joy Denard Span in a Braves uniform brings him.
Very good point. But I do think there are levels. Span is young enough, cheap enough that it looks like a solid move. Willingham would too. I can probably even get on board with Angel Pagan if the contract wasn’t crazy.
But just because the Braves have money and the free agent market sucks, doesn’t mean Wren needs to get all Brian Sabean on us.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 14th, 2012
9:52 am
The MLB Players Association believes some comments made by MLB team executives and other baseball employees violate the sport’s collective bargaining agreement, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. Anti-collusion language designed to prevent clubs from limiting a free agent’s value forbids clubs and their employees from publicly discussing the details of contract offers or disclosing whether an offer will be made.
The MLBPA objects to a number of recent comments, Rosenthal reports. For example, a Rangers official told USA Today the Rangers won’t go beyond three years for Josh Hamilton; MLB executive Tony La Russa said on ESPN that contracts longer than six years are “scary” for teams; Yankees president Randy Levine told CBSSports.com that Rafael Soriano seeks a four-year, $60MM contract. The players’ union doesn’t plan to file a grievance, but MLBPA executives continue monitoring the situation, according to Rosenthal.
Ray
November 14th, 2012
9:54 am
Selig does have authority to do something. Yes, however it would be up to the office to show malice and not a team restructuring. The argument for is they had to get younger and shed payroll and to bring in the right players. The “chemistry” was not there etc, blah blah blah. I am not taking up for Loria at all. I just know its not as cut and dry as we are making it for Selig to actually block it. One team drastically improved on paper, the Blue Jays and one team which was a train wreck, well they are simply still a train wreck. It might be different if he did this with the Yanks, Angels etc.
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
9:54 am
Best way to get “premium” players? Draft better. Sign marquee International free agents.
Of course, the last Brave to get a signing bonus of over $750K was Edward Salcedo in February of 2010……
BravesFanInMaine
November 14th, 2012
9:54 am
agreed efrim!!
cricket
November 14th, 2012
9:55 am
for all folks that hate liberty – here’s a scary thought – after expos and marlins, selig awards loria with next prize – the braves…
cricket
November 14th, 2012
9:57 am
ust because the Braves have money and the free agent market sucks, doesn’t mean Wren needs to get all Brian Sabean on us.
i agree, but i would really love couple of WS in short time period. just want to see some PS success.
off course, this FA crop is not going to provide that..
Ray
November 14th, 2012
9:58 am
Efrim, I agree. Obviously I would like for the Braves to spend money but I want it spent wisely not just to spend it to spend it. Adding high price players do not guarantee anything, just look at the Marlins last year. Big splash and sank like a rock. I bet Pujols is glad he stayed away from Miami.
Trader Jack
November 14th, 2012
10:01 am
With Loria’s track record with the Expos and Marlins, his nickname should be The Undertaker
cricket
November 14th, 2012
10:01 am
comment on that rosenthal article – proof that some people will support any BS and find justification for it -
1-they traded players who underachieved and came in last place..they got talented prospects and salary space in return..how does this betray the fans..2-what fans?..3-this model of spending big,,then dumping payroll,has won them 2 world series in the past 16 years,which is 2 more than a lot of other teams..4-the new stadium is FOR the people who come to games..they can come or not,its up to them…rosenthal is just another guy on a barstool who knows nothing about nothing.
Lew
November 14th, 2012
10:03 am
I wouldn’t mind having Ruggiano on the Braves’ bench.
David O'Brien
November 14th, 2012
10:04 am
At some point, I would like for Bowman or DOB to explain why the Braves have never been particularly interested in Willingham. — Gone VIral
Not sure what you mean, since Braves have tried to get him a couple of times in past years and have expressed interest again this winter. But early indications from Twins are that they probably won’t trade him, or would have to be blown away by offer due to Willingham’s extremely affordable contract and the hole that would be opened in their lineup by trading away such a big right-handed bat.
Edward
November 14th, 2012
10:04 am
Braves to do list will be nothing to help the team. Only to save money for the organization.
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
10:07 am
1-they traded players who underachieved and came in last place..they got talented prospects and salary space in return..how does this betray the fans..2-what fans?..3-this model of spending big,,then dumping payroll,has won them 2 world series in the past 16 years,which is 2 more than a lot of other teams..
What a load of crap. Everything was perfectly fine with the trades the Marlins made up until last night. I don’t care if it was a “fair” baseball trade when you factor in salary. They aren’t going to take this free’d up money and spend on other players. They will head into 2013 with a payroll of around $25 million – that’s a disgrace given the tax payers dollars weren’t because they wanted to see a bunch of prospects on the field.
By the way, do the Rays have a snowballs chance to stay in Florida now? They are gone – no doubt in my mind.
Northern New Jersey, San Antonio/Austin, Charlotte, Portland – pick one.
Couch Tater
November 14th, 2012
10:09 am
Of course, the last Brave to get a signing bonus of over $750K was Edward Salcedo in February of 2010
So, was Salcedo worth a 1.6 million dollar signing bonus?
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
10:09 am
Guessing Ricky Nolasco will be traded by Thanksgiving.
Ray
November 14th, 2012
10:10 am
I don’t get why the Braves fans on here are upset that a division rival is a huge chunk of (insert word)
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 14th, 2012
10:12 am
No
Lew
November 14th, 2012
10:12 am
Just kind of wondering here – If no one likes any of the players available on the Free Agent market and none of the potential trade scenarios, what (other than signing Greinke and trading for Bourjos) do people actually think Wren should do? Put Constanza and Schafer out there and (HA!) save the money for next year when the crop of FA’s is not expected to be any better?
Murph
November 14th, 2012
10:12 am
The Braves are going to sign Ross… and they are going to overpay to do it. Given what’s available and their desire to not trade certain players, I don’t see many other options.
This sucks. But it could be way worse. Poor Marlins fan.
David O'Brien
November 14th, 2012
10:13 am
I guarantee you, we have a segment of rings-are-all-that-matters commenters here who, without ever having sat in the mostly empty stands at a Marlins game, or experienced South Florida’s general ambivalence toward the team, or been on the franchise’s rollercoaster ride including this third fire sale in 14 years, will still insist today that they’d prefer to have the Marlins’ entire experience (because of the two World Series titles) over the Braves’ exponentially greater stability over the past couple of decades.
I guarantee you there are still some on this blog who feel that way.
Are you out there, folks? Step forward and prove me right, please.
Robert ( chi-town)
November 14th, 2012
10:15 am
Since there is a fire sale going on in Miami, how about trying to get Stanton?
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
10:15 am
So, was Salcedo worth a 1.6 million dollar signing bonus?
I was happy to see them make that sort of investment. Even if it backfires and Salcedo doesn’t become what most all thought he would(a really good hitter with questions about where he would play on the baseball field).
Braves need to continue to spend money on the international free agent market – which they have actually done a good job of. They usually stay away from the high priced free agents and go for depth, and try to sign guys in less attractive baseball markets like Columbia, Curacao and especially Panama.
But a marquee signing once and a while helps. Lots of the best Latin prospects currently in the minors were bonus babies – Jurickson Profar, Oscar Tavares, Rymer Liriano.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 14th, 2012
10:15 am
save the money for next year when the crop of FA’s is not expected to be any better?
We’re doing that with our pitching staff. Gonna be fun to pick an front-line starter out of Josh Johnson, Garza, Hughes, etc… or we could trade (doubt we have enough though), the price would be too much for some folks.
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
10:19 am
If no one likes any of the players available on the Free Agent market and none of the potential trade scenarios, what (other than signing Greinke and trading for Bourjos) do people actually think Wren should do?
Short term deals, Lew. Do not go three years on a mediocre player like Cody Ross. I would of been fine with two years for Hunter if the Braves didn’t like what they were seeing anywhere else and were being asked by other teams for Teheran AND Delgado.
Long multi year deals for players like Ross hurt the Braves ability to upgrade in future years – even if it’s only for $8 million AAV. He’s your LF for 2013-2015 with that salary on this team. Not a platoon bat, as Mark Bowman suggested.
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
10:21 am
Ya know, it’s funny. Teams that usually get fat from free agency – what the hell are they going to do in the coming years? This market is only getting shallower with teams locking up their players.
And now there is capped spending on the draft and in the international free agent market. I’m not sure how this is going to turn out, but it should be interesting.
Lew
November 14th, 2012
10:22 am
Efrim – I don’t see three years as that long term a deal. Actually, these days it’s pretty short term.
TennesseePaul
November 14th, 2012
10:22 am
Northern New Jersey, San Antonio/Austin, Charlotte, Portland – pick one
I pick Charlotte.
Gonna be fun to pick an front-line starter out of Josh Johnson, Garza, Hughes, etc…
If any of those “front line starters” have solid seasons, they’ll be approached about an extension and 50% of them will not hit the Free Agent market.
jeffrey d
November 14th, 2012
10:23 am
Guessing Ricky Nolasco will be traded by Thanksgiving.
I didn’t realize Thanksgiving had a team.
CrαZy
November 14th, 2012
10:23 am
I guarantee you there are still some on this blog who feel that way.
Are you out there, folks? Step forward and prove me right, please.
I’d rather go the next 30 years without a WS championship, but have a team with a realistic chance every year than be a fan of a team like the Marlins who continue to screw over what little die hard fans they have!! I enjoy my 6+ months a year of watching Baseball that matters!!!
CB
November 14th, 2012
10:26 am
Right on,Crazy!
Murph
November 14th, 2012
10:26 am
Have to keep reminding myself that it’s early…. Wren is taking his time…. he’ll make his big moves and improve the team…. patience…. patience…..
I just wish we had something more to go on than Cody Ross. All that money, all those trade chips, and all we have so far is a Cody Ross rumor.
Lew
November 14th, 2012
10:26 am
I mean (not that I’m partial to him anyway) is Ross at three- $25 a worse deal than than Hamilton at 5-$125
TennesseePaul
November 14th, 2012
10:27 am
But just because the Braves have money and the free agent market sucks, doesn’t mean Wren needs to get all Brian Sabean on us.
That is the only way he could fulfill his “premium player” quest. The “premium” is describing the contract, not the talent, production, or marketability.
jeffrey d
November 14th, 2012
10:28 am
I just wish we had something more to go on than Cody Ross. All that money, all those trade chips, and all we have so far is a Cody Ross rumor.
Do you think the Blue Jays fans heard anything about a “Reyes and Johnson to Toronto” rumor?
Lemke's Knuckler
November 14th, 2012
10:29 am
I want everyone to go find some articles and read up on what Loria did with the Expos and then come back and tell me what’s happening right now is shocking?
I feel real back for the fans and taxpayers down there, but what else did they expect from Loria?
TennesseePaul
November 14th, 2012
10:31 am
I mean (not that I’m partial to him anyway) is Ross at three- $25 a worse deal than than Hamilton at 5-$125
I don’t see this as an either/or. The front office has already stated that any player at $25M is not going to happen. It isn’t an option for this team. Not even in fantasy comparison land. It’s Cody Ross at $8M annually for three years. Cody .324 OBP Ross. Cody “can’t hit a righty” Ross. $8M a year for a platoon player. 3 years of watching this guy struggle 4 nights out of 5 as there are more right handed pitchers than left handed.
Trader Jack
November 14th, 2012
10:31 am
Efrim
Why would Prado agree to an extension? The Braves are coming into more TV money next year, and if he has his usual production or better, his agent can really force Wren’s hand.
If Wren doesn’t want to play, he moves on for a very handsome contract
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
10:31 am
I don’t see three years as that long term a deal. Actually, these days it’s pretty short term.
Sort of depends on the player. I think three years, $25 million is an unwise investment for a player like Cody Ross.
Constanzaanyone?
November 14th, 2012
10:33 am
I haven’t read all 13 pages of comments, but is there something that goes “unspoken” about Jose Constanza that prevents him from being the hottest story for the upcoming season as a lead-off hitter. The guy has hit .319, .312, and .314 (leading the entire international league last season) at the AAA level for the past three seasons, with a minimum of 333 at bats in each of those years. If that’s not the definition of earning a chance, then there has to be something that we’re just not getting through the traditional coverage of the Braves. What’s the scoop? Why are we not excited about having this guy as a leadoff hitter? Is he a problem in the clubhouse or something?
CrαZy
November 14th, 2012
10:33 am
Look if were shopping at Target instead of Wal-Mart then Cody Ross is about what I’d expect!! Seems like Frank is doing exactly what he said if he ends up signing Cody.
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
10:34 am
If any of those “front line starters” have solid seasons, they’ll be approached about an extension and 50% of them will not hit the Free Agent market.
Exactly. We can look at the free agent lists from now until 2015 – doesn’t make any bit of difference. The Braves won’t be in on the elite ones in each class. Only way for the Braves to bring in “premium players” is to draft them, or use prospects that they have drafted or signed to trade for them. This has been the case for a really long time with the team. Hence, drafting players with high upside once and a while is really important.
Murph
November 14th, 2012
10:34 am
I mean (not that I’m partial to him anyway) is Ross at three- $25 a worse deal than than Hamilton at 5-$125
My problem with Ross is that he’s safe… too safe. He’ll give you some production, but you know what the upper limits of his contributions will be. He’s not going to be a difference maker.
A player like Hamilton, or Upton… those are guys who are potential difference makers. Guys who can carry a team for a month or two at a time. Guys who can get their teams over a hump. Ross is a guy who can help push a car towards the top of the hump, maybe hold it there for a little while, but he’ll never be the guy to get you over the top.
The Braves already have the core group of players to get close. They need that one bat, that one guy, who can get them from close to the finish line.
Ross ain’t it.
unbelievable
November 14th, 2012
10:36 am
The Marlins actually got rid of a lot of negative value and they did receive some good prospects moving forward. If the Marlins were going to reinvest their savings into Greinke, Hamilton, and or Upton then this could work out in their favor. However, their owner is cheap and will pocket the savings. They wont sell tickets and will turn into the Houston Astros. No FA will want to sign in Miami after the way Reyes, Buerhle, and Bell were just dumped off after their first season. Lets go get Stanton from them now.
Lew
November 14th, 2012
10:37 am
Maybe it IS an unwise investment – i really don’t know at this point. Maybe signing Hamilton would be, too (again, impossible to tell for various reasons). But it’s extremely difficult to get a player for a year or two unless they’re getting on in years or you’re dealing with a player with issues like Melky coming off of his suspension.
I’ve said all along that no matter who we get – either through trade or Free Agency – will almost necessarily be an overpay in terms of players given up, $ value of the deal, or in length of contract.
And with the arrival of additional amounts of mad TV money, it’s only going to get worse as time goes by.
Billy Walsh
November 14th, 2012
10:38 am
DOB,
As crazy as it sounds…I would trade the braves consistency over the past 20+ years for two world titles. After making these trades the marlins will rebuild with the chips they got from this trade and the Hanley trade and they will compete and possibly be playoff bound before Stanton gets traded in 2 or 3 years.
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
10:39 am
Do you think the Blue Jays fans heard anything about a “Reyes and Johnson to Toronto” rumor?
Nope, they didn’t. The way it will work – “Sources: Braves acquire or sign [insert players name]. That’s how it always works – especially with the Braves. An out of nowhere trade.
CrαZy
November 14th, 2012
10:39 am
The Braves already have the core group of players to get close. They need that one bat, that one guy, who can get them from close to the finish line.
Preach it!! I agree, though I don’t think Hamilton is the right guy to get.
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
10:40 am
But it’s extremely difficult to get a player for a year or two unless they’re getting on in years or you’re dealing with a player with issues like Melky coming off of his suspension.
I agree. It’s tough. Which made the Cards signing opf Beltran for two years, $26 million a genious move by Mozeliak.
Murph
November 14th, 2012
10:41 am
Do you think the Blue Jays fans heard anything about a “Reyes and Johnson to Toronto” rumor?
Don’t get people’s hopes up. Wren isn’t working on any blockbuster trades. He won’t trade the players necessary to make a blockbuster trade happen.
He might make some moves, but they will be safe moves. Cody Ross, put a big spin on a small acquisition moves. Play up a player’s single strength, like hitting against lefties, and hope people don’t notice all the other weaknesses moves.
Safe is the name of the game when you’ve got limited resources and trade chips that you don’t want to trade. Safe equals job security. Safe keeps a competitive team in the mix, maybe even gets it to the postseason.
unbelievable
November 14th, 2012
10:41 am
Ross was terrible away from Fenway and he’s not a difference maker. In a platoon it could work out since he’s still crushing lefties. If he wanted 2yrs/$10mil then he could be a good addition. At 3/$25 it would be a disaster.
Lew
November 14th, 2012
10:41 am
If the Braves were excited about Constanza, there would be none of the current debate going on – the decision would already have been made and Constanza ould be our lead off man.
TennesseePaul
November 14th, 2012
10:41 am
will almost necessarily be an overpay
Yes. That’s the “premium” in premium player.
Just because you put syrup on something doesn’t make it pancakes.
Lew
November 14th, 2012
10:44 am
And just because you call it syrup doesn’t make it real Vermont Maple instead of Mrs. Butterworth’s
David O'Brien
November 14th, 2012
10:44 am
For those wondering or who might not have heard, Fredi Gonzalez was 4th in voting for NL Manager of the Year, with four 2nd-place and five 3rd-place votes. Other than the top three (Davey, Dusty, Bochy), he was the only other manager to get more than a single top-three vote.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 14th, 2012
10:45 am
If any of those “front line starters” have solid seasons, they’ll be approached about an extension and 50% of them will not hit the Free Agent market.
Yep. Meaning that instead of trying to sign #2-3s to be our 1 or 2… we’ll be going after #4 starters. Grrr
Constanzaanyone?
November 14th, 2012
10:45 am
Lew – I completely agree. That’s why I’m asking the question. If .312, .319 and .314 – all at AAA with 350 to 400 at bats each season doesn’t get you excited about having developed a legitimate talent – what does it take? There has to be something to this kid’s story that keeps him from getting a legitimate shot to earn and keep the leadoff spot, because his numbers are not just good – they’re great for a leadoff guy. So, is it a clubhouse problem? A defense problem? What?
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
10:45 am
The Braves already have the core group of players to get close. They need that one bat, that one guy, who can get them from close to the finish line.
I think I said this before too – the great feeling about being a Braves fan coming into 2009 was what was coming: Heyward, Freeman, Hanson, Teheran, Delgado, Schafer, Medlen, Beachy, Kimbrel, etc. Obviously some to greater extents than others, but the Braves had a Top 5 system for a few years in a row.
Those players are here now. Some of them have multi year experience despite still being young. Time to add a bat that brings it all together. At least that is what I was hoping for. Wishful thinking, I know – as adding that bat is unlikely due to cost in money and prospects. But it’s a different feel for Braves fans now. All those elite prospects are here now….time to friggin win.
RC
November 14th, 2012
10:46 am
Just catching up on the Jays-Marlins trade….just crazy. One of the things I haven’t read yet, but has a very real financial impact, is that the tax rate in Canada is MUCH higher than Florida. So those huge contracts that Reyes and Buehrle signed last year are suddenly not as lucrative as they would have been staying with the Marlins. IF the Marlins are able to sign any big name free agents after this, I’d say they would have to either A) start giving out no-trade clauses like they are credit card applications at a college or B) be willing to pay MUCH more than anyone else.
Also, instead of the ridiculous Bobby Cox-to-Toronto rumors (Jon Paul Morosi at it again), what about getting Ozzie Guillen to manage the Jays next year? This is the team he signed on for anyway.
BravePack(FreeFan)
November 14th, 2012
10:47 am
David O’Brien
November 14th, 2012
10:04 am
At some point, I would like for Bowman or DOB to explain why the Braves have never been particularly interested in Willingham. — Gone VIral
Not sure what you mean, since Braves have tried to get him a couple of times in past years and have expressed interest again this winter. But early indications from Twins are that they probably won’t trade him, or would have to be blown away by offer due to Willingham’s extremely affordable contract and the hole that would be opened in their lineup by trading away such a big right-handed bat.
Thank God.
Murph
Your comment at 10:34 am are dead balls on. That is exactly what needs to happen for this team and Cody f’n Ross is not the answer. I really hope Wren is working on a Justin Upton or someone else we have not talked about yet, which is his way of doing business…I just hope it’s soon.
Your comment at
David O'Brien
November 14th, 2012
10:47 am
And there you go, Billy Walsh. Thanks for confirming.
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
10:47 am
And as some have said – impact doesn’t have to be a bat. Could be an arm. But I don’t want to get yelled at….
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 14th, 2012
10:47 am
Constanza isn’t a very good player. Very weak hitter, can he get the ball out of the IF regularly? Bad defender in the OF as well. Already 29, he’s peaked. He’s a AAAA player. Keep him in Gwinnett, not on the 25man
Lew
November 14th, 2012
10:47 am
What does it take? Likely being able to actually hit the ball out of the infield would be good.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 14th, 2012
10:50 am
Billy Walsh…. sigh
Murph
November 14th, 2012
10:50 am
And just because you call it syrup doesn’t make it real Vermont Maple instead of Mrs. Butterworth’s
I prefer Mrs Butterworth’s… so buttery and sweet… delicious. Now I feel like making waffles.
However, if this was an analogy about players and not an attempt to move the topic to syrup, then I absolutely would prefer some real Vermont maple syrup. Just this once, for a change, it would be nice if we could put the best on the table for Sunday morning breakfast instead of some cheap slop.
Either way, I still want waffles.
Trader Jack
November 14th, 2012
10:50 am
TennesseePaul
November 14th, 2012
10:41 am
will almost necessarily be an overpay
Yes. That’s the “premium” in premium player.
Just because you put syrup on something doesn’t make it pancakes.
*******************************************************************************
Unless you know how to sell “conceived perception”
Lew
November 14th, 2012
10:50 am
Gahhhhhhhh!! Way too close to what OnlyBraves was thinking. I might start advocating for unproven weak hitting center fielders and Greinke next.
I may need to go into therapy.
Lew
November 14th, 2012
10:52 am
Murph – I think there are several bloggers here who will tell you that there is just nothing quite like real Vermont Maple syrup and that Mrs. Butterworth’s just isn’t even in the same league.
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
10:52 am
When did Loria own the Expos again?
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 14th, 2012
10:57 am
Or I might start thinking that a platoon of Juan and yanking Prado about is a good idea… and that Minor/Medlen are 1-2 pitchers right now. And that having a bunch of soft-tossers is a good idea. That our rotation is perfectly fine…
Ahhhh! Help me.
ATL Insider
November 14th, 2012
10:57 am
I say trade for Span and sign Swisher. Swisher will cost more than Ross but he is also a much better hitter and comparable defensively.
CF Span
3B Prado
RF Heyward
2B Uggla*
1B Freeman
LF Swisher*
C McCann (when he returns)
SS Simmons
*Uggla and Swisher could be switched if Uggla struggles.
That looks like a pretty formidable lineup.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 14th, 2012
10:57 am
unproven weak hitting center fielders
My guy’s slugging isn’t all that bad. .402 for a line drive hitting CF is pretty good. Higher than Bourn and Span, in the same area as Jon Jay, less than Pagan (.424). Not bad at all.
Career OPS in the same range as Bourn…. much cheaper though.
Constanzaanyone?
November 14th, 2012
10:58 am
Yes. Constanza isn’t going to hit 15 homers a year. Neither did Bourne. I don’t care if he hits 75 consecutive bouncers off the top of the plate and beats them out for an infield hit. I would love to have Prado in the batters box with a fast guy on first and nobody out. Bourne struck out 155 times last season, is older than Constanza, and he’s going to get millions. Constanza struck out 43 times. Bourne slugged .391. Constanza slugged .375. Not that much difference. I’m just saying – it seems like a legitimate, low-cost, potentially all-upside solution has been right down the road in Gwinnett for the past 2 1/2 years.
CB
November 14th, 2012
10:59 am
Well, I finally got my 1st internal server error message. What and idiot am I !
Lew
November 14th, 2012
11:00 am
The only thing is that I never said such a platoon was agood thing – just that it could work if all else fails to materialize.
Failure to materialize – Grienke in Atlanta and Bourjos actually hitting. But keep writingt to Santa, anyway.
Lew
November 14th, 2012
11:01 am
Constanza isn’t likely to get 15 hits out of the infield in a year, much less hit 15 HR.
Hillbilly
November 14th, 2012
11:03 am
Stanton and that thing in the outfield for Delgado; 2 year commitment to posting that HR art piece in Turner Field. Totally worth it.
Hey, give the cow a hammer, press the “On” button, and walk away. He pummels that attrocious fish sculpture and develops elbow tightness in the process. Tommy John Surgery for the cow and the sculpture sleeps with the fishes. Win-Win, baby.
flange1
November 14th, 2012
11:03 am
This is turning in to a more interesting off season that I expected.
Usually one can say I hope the Braves get XYZ, while at the same time putting on your “Braves front office hat” and then saying well the Braves are really looking at abc and def.
This year, it is hard to even guess what the front office is up to.
I still feel that the Braves will sign one FA to fill one of there vacant positions and trade for other.
Unless they can get Willingham or an better FA hitter by trade, I think they will trade for the CF part they need and that guy will be Denard Span.
If Tori Hunter signs elsewhere, they will be left with trying to get a LF or 3B on the FA market that is not deep at all.
At that point, they will sign Cody Ross and keep Francisco on the team as a bench guy and possible platoon guy with Ross.
There still should be some money to spend, so the bench should be a bit easier.
In this scenario, I think Francisco and Janish will be the IF backups. Schafer will be one of the OF guys, maybe with Reed Johnson?
If they could make a small trade, I would look to send Francisco + to the Marlins for Greg Dobbs.
Prime PH would be Dobbs and Johnson.
Figure out a BU catcher.
RC
November 14th, 2012
11:06 am
Usually one can say I hope the Braves get XYZ, while at the same time putting on your “Braves front office hat” and then saying well the Braves are really looking at abc and def.
This year, it is hard to even guess what the front office is up to.
I agree. It’s a really weird situation to have what seems like a lot of money to spend, and yet not see any obvious targets that the team can realistically afford. I honestly have no idea how things are going to go, but it should be interesting to watch it develop.
Murph
November 14th, 2012
11:06 am
I said this yesterday, but I’ll go ahead and repeat it…
If the team signs Ross for $8mil a year, then adds Span and his $5mil salary, that’s $13mil. Assuming they trade Hanson, who will probably make $4mil or so in arbitration, that leaves them with $16mil still to spend.
$16mil will get the team pretty much any of the top FA SP on the market not named Greinke.
I’m ok with signing Ross and trading for Span if the offseason also includes the addition of a quality SP. I have no idea who, but there must be someone out there worth spending some $$$ on.
Constanzaanyone?
November 14th, 2012
11:07 am
This is what I’m getting at – this negativity about Constanza. Why is it there? Yes – he doesn’t drive the ball to the gap. Neither did Otis Nixon. And to be honest, when Bourne started striking out so much was right after he hit a couple of homeruns and started thinking he was a homerun hitter too. Constanza is a prototypical (in the old days anyway) lead-off hitter. I don’t want him to hit it out of the infield if he’s just going to fly out to the outfield. I don’t care if he hits doubles, triples, or homers. I want him on base as a threat to steal, and I don’t care how he gets there. And the bonus is – the check I write him at the end of the day isn’t going to force me to up the price of hotdogs to $9 and I can go and get another big bopper for the middle of the lineup.
Ray
November 14th, 2012
11:08 am
Did anyone notice what Swisher has done in the playoffs, not only this year but in his career? Not good.
David O'Brien
November 14th, 2012
11:08 am
I just wish we had something more to go on than Cody Ross. All that money, all those trade chips, and all we have so far is a Cody Ross rumor.
Do you think the Blue Jays fans heard anything about a “Reyes and Johnson to Toronto” rumor? jeffrey d
First, the Cody Ross-rumor-is-all-we-have statement is just false. The Braves have talked to the Twins about Span and at least inquired about Willingham. Braves have talked to Torii Hunter (or his agent) and expressed interest. Braves have expresed desire to bring back Bourn and since the end of the have either made an offer or given Boras some idea of what they can offer.
They’ve inquired on plenty of others, too, but as you know the Braves are pretty airtight when it comes to letting out info. Usually we must get it from the other team, or from agents or the players themselves. But to say that the Ross rumor is all that’s been reported concerning the Braves just isn’t true.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 14th, 2012
11:14 am
I’m ok with signing Ross and trading for Span if the offseason also includes the addition of a quality SP.
I could be okay with that, I guess. If we did add a pitcher, Maholm and Hanson are gone, meaning we’d have 35mil to spend. 23 after Ross and Span. ZG, ZG, ZG…. Haren could be okay, but I’m really worried since the Cubs wouldn’t take him. Lohse costs a pick and isn’t worth it. Sanchez, EJax, Brandon McCarthy are out there though…
cricket
November 14th, 2012
11:16 am
Northern New Jersey, San Antonio/Austin, Charlotte, Portland – pick one
if tax payers from Timbuktu approve to pay for a stadium, Bud will move the team there
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
11:16 am
I’m sure the Braves are after other players. Until a signing or trade actually happens, it’s tough to know for certain what they are thinking. I know folks don’t like hearing about Ross – neither did I – but I’m still holding out hope that our GM is going to continue to make smart decisions. He’s done that to this point when constructing the ML roster.
cricket
November 14th, 2012
11:17 am
tigers will sign ASanchez ..bank on it
Efrim
November 14th, 2012
11:17 am
I should add “for the most part” to that last sentence….