Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,357 comments Add your comment
Jim
November 13th, 2012
10:16 am
rank Wren has done a LOUSY job SO FAR!. He should not have paid $12M to McCann. He could have made a priority to sign Ross ( who he took for granted), paid him $6M and still have had $6M to help with the two outfielders that are needed. Ross is better defensively, by a mile, than McCann, is a better bunter. McCann is a double play machine and my guess, will miss the first two months of the season.
DS1
November 13th, 2012
10:17 am
TOBF
Actually, Mac was hitting really well before the shoulder flamed out.
Efrim
November 13th, 2012
10:18 am
I’m sure plenty of teams could come up with just as creative of trades. It’s real easy when you’re trading other teams players and reaping all the benefits.
The writing about that trade was funny. The Rangers want Justin Upton so badly they are ACTUALLY CONSIDERING trading Mike Olt for so and so…..
Olt is a good prospect who is blocked by one of the best 3rd baseman in the league. He probably can be a 1st baseman, but that’s not taking advantage of his value. With their holes, I’d trade him in a New York minute.
Murph
November 13th, 2012
10:20 am
PT, are you telling me that the thought of a guy with 30-40 HR/year power hitting between Heyward and Freeman doesn’t raise an eyebrow?
The Braves said themselves that one of the top priorities this offseason was to get a RH with power. Olt is a right handed hitter with power, who happens to play a position that is currently vacant.
Again, as I said earlier, I’m glad Wren didn’t pull the trigger on the trade…. but the thought of a lineup that features 22 year old Heyward, 23 year old Olt, and 22 year old Freeman in the middle of the order for the next 4-5 seasons while costing very, very little is a hard one to not get excited about.
Janish showed he’s above-average with the glove, Ahmed is making strides, and there’s always The Rev (haha)… it’s not like the team would have been going into next season with Jack Wilson as the starter had they traded Simmons.
But, again again, I’m glad Wren didn’t go through with the trade.
BravesFanSince80s
November 13th, 2012
10:20 am
Lew look up shoulder surgery in proffessional baseball players, the numbers of successful return-to-form scenarios are depressingly low. Doctors like to miss on the high side where athletes are concerned because they don’t want to give a dire prediction and be proved wrong, much better if it’s the other way around so the prognosis from the surgeon was exactly what I thought it would be. I wonder what the surgeon said in the over 70% of pros who never re-bound?
phil
November 13th, 2012
10:21 am
Now Jim, you can’t be coming on here and saying mean things like that….
Actually expressing an opinion running contrary to that of the rank and file is expressly prohibited. As is even the mere hint of negativity.
Stop it!
Efrim
November 13th, 2012
10:23 am
Harder to find SS like Simmons, I think.
Although you’d think the Braves didn’t think LF existed the way they have gone about filling it the last so many years…
DS1
November 13th, 2012
10:23 am
It’s Indian Summer and the hot stove is full of dying embers.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 13th, 2012
10:24 am
Brian McCann at AA- 48 games, 198 PAs .265/.359/.476/.834
1184 PAs in 4 minor league PAs, came up due to injuries on the big club, I believe
Gattis at AA- 49 games, .258/.343/.522/.865, 207 PAs
933 total minor league PAs in 3 seasons; why can’t he come up to like Mac did? He supposedly looks really good, not just a fluke.
DS1
November 13th, 2012
10:26 am
80’s fan
Most of those failures were pitchers.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 13th, 2012
10:26 am
When did the shoulder flame out? Wasn’t that in late June? And he got the cortisone shot in July? .226/.295/.385/.679 on June 30
Where’s McFann, she’d know the exact dates….
TennesseePaul
November 13th, 2012
10:27 am
Although you’d think the Braves didn’t think LF existed the way they have gone about filling it the last so many years…
LF is the bullpen of position spots. Got too many starters? Don’t trade ‘em. Just stuff ‘em in the pen. Got a need on the field? Take a look at positions already manned by all-star caliber players, then acquire a player to take that job and move the guy standing there to left field. And if all else fails, toss a Biff out there and talk up his speed…. because everyone is looking for that all glove speedy left fielder.
Lew
November 13th, 2012
10:27 am
If Doumit is acquired and becomes our back up catcher, he will NOT be bat coming off the bench.
Efrim
November 13th, 2012
10:29 am
Wrote here last week about how Torii Hunter would be a great fit for the Tigers, and indeed, his decision seems to be coming down to a choice between Texas and Detroit. Hunter is much less concerned with making money in this deal than with picking the right fit, and besides the fact that the Tigers have a good clubhouse and a highly respected manager, Hunter’s son will be attending Notre Dame on a football scholarship — a mere 3 1/2 hour drive from Detroit.
Hunter has a home in Dallas, so he could essentially play at home if he picked the Rangers. -Buster Olney
Murph
November 13th, 2012
10:31 am
933 total minor league PAs in 3 seasons; why can’t he come up to like Mac did? He supposedly looks really good, not just a fluke.
Because, according to some here, despite the fact that he spent all that time catching in the minors, he has no idea how to catch and would not be able to handle the Braves’ pitching staff and the idiosyncratic needs that they’ve built up in their multiple seasons pitching to McCann. They are a group of delicate flowers who fall apart if things aren’t just… right.
BravePack(FreeFan)
November 13th, 2012
10:33 am
When P-Town mentioned Kinsler weeks ago I was all in. Could hit lead-off provide some power and hit some doubles. Kinsler would probably be better suited to play LF than 3B and throw Prado at 3B. Get it done Wren. I think Texas needs pitching right?
Efrim
November 13th, 2012
10:33 am
LF Murphy, CF Gentry/Martin, RF Cruz is the Rangers current outfield. Michael Young at the DH spot.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 13th, 2012
10:33 am
We would have a catcher behind him Lew…. one who can’t hit and is cheap, like Boscan or Shoppach.
Doumit, Juan, Reed, Boscan, Janish
I understand that most players who struggled to return were pitchers, but when I read something like this, I’m worried…
The Surgery That Could Kill Your Game
If you busted your shoulder playing ball and have penciled in surgery to fix it, you might want to erase it from your calendar. Shoulder surgery for a torn labrum—specifically the common “SLAP” tear—could permanently alter your range of motion, according to a study presented at the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine’s Annual Meeting.
You can wind up tearing your labrum playing hockey, water polo, volleyball, or any other sport that requires repetitive overhead use, says David Litner, M.D., lead researcher at the Methodist Center for Sports Medicine.
After tracking post-surgery progress of 119 MLB players trying to return to baseball, researchers noticed that players had lost some ability to cock their arms, leading to a decrease in how quickly they could throw the ball. This could be due to the scar tissue from the sling post-surgery, Dr. Litner says.
How do you know if you’ve torn your labrum? You’ll likely feel a deep ache or pinching inside your shoulder when you put your arm over your head, and sometimes your shoulder can feel like it slips out of place, says Dr. Litner. Sound familiar? Schedule an MRI, stat.
If the MRI only shows a fray or smaller tear, go with physical therapy, says Nicholas DiNubile, M.D., a Men’s Health sports medicine adviser and author of Framework for the Shoulder. But if it’s a bigger tear in your dominant arm and you’re an overhead athlete, rehab might not be enough to decrease symptoms and improve function in bigger tears, according to Dr. DiNubile.
Either way, if you’re a thrower, Dr. Litner recommends a rehab program that will strengthen the muscles that control your shoulder blade, and stretch the tissues in the back of the shoulder.
I know Mac isn’t a pitcher, but that has to be worrisome since as a catcher he has to throw back 150+ balls a game, and occasionally try to throw out baserunners. I also wonder what affect it could have on his swing
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 13th, 2012
10:36 am
I think Texas needs pitching right?
Nah, not really… they already have some good, hard-throwing #2-3s. Great rotation out there. And if they are to add a pitcher, it would be a good, frontline one like Greinke or Haren. Especially Greinke. Makes Anaheim weaker.
DS1
November 13th, 2012
10:36 am
TOBF
McCann had a 1058 OPS in July. With 9 homers. That’s what I was talking about.
P-Town Brave ©
November 13th, 2012
10:38 am
Efrim-
Given Olney is saying that, it probably means he’s not going to either place….Olney is a f-ing MORON! I can’t believe the audacity of comparing Trout/Harper to Magic/Bird….
Curt
November 13th, 2012
10:38 am
Gattis has a huge upside as a power hitter and catching is a position that takes years off a player’s career. This (and because he has only an average POP time) is why the Braves are trying to make Gattis into a left fielder.
Purely because of need, the Braves would use Gattis as a catcher until McCann comes back (and assuming he beats out Bethancourt).
As for McCann, assuming he is injury free, he still only has a short time left as a catcher as his body is falling apart. The downside with McCann is that there is only one other position he could play and that is occupied by Freeman. I would say that McCann’s days are numbered with the Braves and he will go one to be a DH in the American league. And again, that’s assuming he heals well from his injuries and his vision problems don’t reoccur.
Atlanta Braves Links of the Day For November 13, 2012 | Atlanta Braves Dugout Online | Atlanta Braves Blog
November 13th, 2012
10:39 am
[...] Ross exit adds to Braves’ expanding to-do list [...]
P-Town Brave ©
November 13th, 2012
10:39 am
BP-
Like I said, I’m not sure I could conceivably take another call from Daniels though given what he wanted to do….
Efrim -
The Rangers as I had said want to move Kinsler to LF for 2013
Lew
November 13th, 2012
10:39 am
If Doumit comes in, he’ll play until Mac comes back so he won’t be a bat coming off of the bench. When Mac comes back, as the back up catcher, he will not be a bat coming off the bench. And if Mac is back, Doumit’s his back up, why would they waste a roster spot on Boscan just so Doumit could pich hit?
DS1
November 13th, 2012
10:40 am
Most throws back to the pitcher are flips and not real overhanded throws. Though that does not minimize the effect it could have on real throws to second base.
ncscoots
November 13th, 2012
10:41 am
And again, that’s assuming he heals well from his injuries and his vision problems don’t reoccur.
…and he doesn’t get hit by a bus, his wife doesn’t divorce him, and the Mayans aren’t right.
I mean, as as long as we’re worrying about possibilities and not probabilities.
Lew
November 13th, 2012
10:42 am
Someone earlier claimed McCann was a double play machine, yet he only GIDP 15 times last year – Prado GIDP 19 times.
In addition – in his worst MLB season, McCann was still 4th of 16 NL team’s catchers in HR. 4th in times walked, 6th in runs scored. 5th in RBI and only one NL catcher with as many AB had less strikeouts than Mac.
If in his worst season, he’s still among the upper third of NL catchers offensively, I fail to see what the concern is.
Derek
November 13th, 2012
10:44 am
Don’t get it, DOB. You claim that Denard Span is a top target for the CF job, then you mention Josh Willingham for the LF job, who is on the same MIN team. You mention that by obtaining Willingham and his cheap contract that would leave them enough in the budget to spend big on a CF, but there’s no one either than Bourn to fill the CF and leadoff job. We couldn’t get Willingham AND Span from MIN because they would presumably be to great of a hole in the OF for MIN to fill, not including how much we’d have to give up.
Mike S.
November 13th, 2012
10:45 am
Its not the fact these guys are leaving that has fans worried. Its what this ownership will let the team do to replace them. If anyone seriously thinks replacing Chipper, Bourn, and Ross with some bargain players will do anything but cost this team a chance at the playoffs, your either eternally optimistic or haven’t been paying attention. I have no doubt they will try to replace their lost production with a collection of journeymen, minor league players, and small market players they hope will blossom here. We already know where that has gotten ever since the last division title.
This team might have won a playoff series last year instead of that one game joke of a playoff, but its clearly still not on the level of the division winners that had to be included in the World Series discussion every year. We cant afford to watch talent walk out the door like we used to.
tim
November 13th, 2012
10:45 am
trade pastornicky and teheran for justin upton
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 13th, 2012
10:46 am
Ah, okay… but IIRC, his shoulder was already hurting, and he had gotten a cortisone by then. He already had in injury… didn’t hit much before that. Even so, he’s had 1 really good month, and 1 decent ones (may, when he OPSd .796) since Aug 2011, going over 8 months of playing time. He’s been under .700 every other month.
Doumit doesn’t have to be the backup for C Lew. His flexibility allows us to move him around. I thought you would like that… we could consider him our 1B backup when Mac gets back, and keep another catcher as the primary backup.
DS1
November 13th, 2012
10:47 am
Again, it’s only November the 13th folks. Step away from the ledge.
ncscoots
November 13th, 2012
10:49 am
He’s been under .700 every other month.
Is it your opinion that McCann is now and forevermore a .700 player?
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 13th, 2012
10:50 am
They are a group of delicate flowers who fall apart if things aren’t just… right.
What, we have a bunch of Greinkes on our staff?
Mac’s numbers possibly look really good since the majority of catchers totally sukk. I’m sure he can do fine, and will rebound, and get a nice payday, but you have to wonder if his production will be worth re-signing and paying no less than 12mil to (doubt he takes a cut from this years salary) for future years. I’m sure we could probably find some OF to give that money to who would give similar production, while at a less demanding position.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 13th, 2012
10:53 am
Is it your opinion that McCann is now and forevermore a .700 player?
No, not at all… I just would like to see him perform close to what we’ve seen him do before. Even in April-June, when he was supposedly healthy, he struggled. That just has me confused, and a bit worried…
DS1
November 13th, 2012
10:53 am
TOBF
Not trying to quote the team talking points, but after Mac hurt his oblique in 2011, he came back too soon. Got into some bad habits. Took a while to get those straightened out. Started hitting like we are used to seeing just as the shoulder started barking. Those shoulders don’t just start off at the worst.
Generally it starts with a twinge and in the early going, that has little affect on the swing. Until it gets worse. Which seems to have happened in August.
So, he starts to put things together in July, not long before the shoulder starts acting up. Maybe he just got lucky in July, I really don’t know for sure. But he was hitting with authority in July, before the shoulder got really bad.
I’m going to assume that due to his numbers in mid August of 2011 and his July numbers last year, that if we get lucky on his surgery, we might have the old Mac back a couple of months into the season. Let’s not rush him back either.
ncscoots
November 13th, 2012
10:53 am
I’m sure we could probably find some OF to give that money to who would give similar production, while at a less demanding position.
Considering that they’ve been looking for an OF with corner production since dirt was young, I don’t exactly share your optimism.
Bring the Lumber
November 13th, 2012
10:55 am
Simmions ,Delgado and a mid level and low level prospect for Upton. Hanson and Graham for Span. Play Janish at Pastornicky at SS.
DS1
November 13th, 2012
10:56 am
Step away from the ledge folks (where’s Mel Gibson when you need him?)
Travis
November 13th, 2012
10:56 am
Having a catcher that provides the core of your power and RBI totals, although a luxury, also has it’s problems. For years one of the biggest problems for the Braves had been the fact that McCann was out of the lineup every fifth day and his replacement could’nt replace his offensive ability. How ba d did SF giants miss Posey when he went down? Maybe it is time to use a good defensive catcher with a good throw out arm that has some power but not so great obp. Saltamacchia anyone? Being a catcher limits your career especially if you are in the NL with no DH spot to go to. McCann is a lot like Mike Piazza with no where to go except first and Freeman isn’t going anywhere.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 13th, 2012
10:57 am
Let’s not rush him back either.
Agree. Need to get a really good offense together, as if we don’t have McCann. Then when he comes back, he becomes another potential threat. for us. He shouldn’t come back and have to be “the guy”.
ncscoots
November 13th, 2012
10:58 am
No, not at all… I just would like to see him perform close to what we’ve seen him do before.
Unless you believe he’s cooked, why would you be concerned about a period of underperformance that is highly likely to be an outlier? He’s 28, not 38.
(It amuses me that folks here are concerned about a breakdown of a 28-year-old but have no qualms about overuse of a 36-year-old backup who hasn’t had 200 plate appearances in a season since who knows when. And want to pay him $3MM, in the bargain.)
Murph
November 13th, 2012
11:00 am
Simmions ,Delgado and a mid level and low level prospect for Upton. Hanson and Graham for Span. Play Janish at Pastornicky at SS.
Now THAT is a horrible plan.
P-Town Brave ©
November 13th, 2012
11:01 am
TOBF-
Thank you for explaining that….
I am about to put my own head through my computer screen
DS1
November 13th, 2012
11:01 am
Travis
You are partially correct. Two ways to look at this situation. Either the glass half empty approach (your approach) or the glass half full approach. For the 80% of the games that Mac starts, we have a much more potent lineup with a killer hitting catcher. And when he doesn’t play, we have a great left handed bat for use in late innings.
Why?
November 13th, 2012
11:01 am
This gave me a good laugh….
Braves Turned Down Simmons-For-Olt Trade
By Steve Adams [November 12 at 10:40pm CST]
It was reported over the weekend that the Rangers attempted to acquire Andrelton Simmons from the Braves in order to flip him to the Diamondbacks as part of a package for Justin Upton. Danny Knobler of CBS Sports takes the story one step further, adding that the Rangers are so interested in Upton that they were willing to flip top prospect Mike Olt for Simmons to facilitate the trade. Knobler reports that the D-backs want Simmons, but the Braves will keep him rather than making a run at Upton to fill their own corner outfield needs (Twitter links).
The attachment to Simmons isn’t a surprise. He batted .289/.335/.416 with three homers in 49 games this season, but was far more impressive with his glove. Simmons posted an astounding 31.6 UZR/150, and John Dewan’s Fielding Bible pegged him at +19 runs despite totaling only 426 innings.
Arizona would like a young shortstop in a trade for Upton, but the Rangers are reluctant trade either Elvis Andrus or top prospect Jurickson Profar. The 24-year-old Olt ranked 43rd on Baseball America’s Top 100 prosspect list prior to 2012, but emerged as one of the game’s top prospects with a monstrous season at Double-A. He batted .288/.398/.579 with 28 home runs and made his Major League debut, appearing in 16 games for the Rangers down the stretch.
13
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#3wj0lKeDoezmmkcT.99
RemoW
November 13th, 2012
11:02 am
Picking up McCann was a no brainer. Even if he never throws great again. He has never been a great throwing catcher and there is nothing wrong with his ability to hit. Once that shoulder heals he will go back to raking.
The ability to consistently hit a baseball is a gift. 300 hitters are born, not made. Same with 270 or 250 hitters. They may have an odd ball great season or a really bad one statistically but hitters will tend towards there averages. That will remain true until they lose sight, bat speed, some irreparable damage or just get old.
McCann is a 280 hitter with pop. If he is healthy then I expect to seem him back hitting around 280.
Just imagine if the Braves declined McCann and Ross got away. Tell how good the Braves would be feeling then!
CrαZy
November 13th, 2012
11:03 am
Step away from the ledge folks — DS1
Some should just jump already!!
ncscoots
November 13th, 2012
11:04 am
Having a catcher that provides the core of your power and RBI totals, although a luxury, also has it’s problems.
That’s hardly the case, anymore. Heyward, Freeman, and Uggla are the middle of the order, along with whatever RH acquisition the team can make. McCann’s offensive ability allows the team to not only lengthen the lineup but also to have flexibility in lineup positioning, shuffling as needed when slumps hit or whatever.
You cannot overestimate the added boost that an offensive catcher gives to this particular lineup. With the usual disclaimers on who they acquire, etc.
DAP
November 13th, 2012
11:06 am
murph the thought of a lineup that features 22 year old Heyward, 23 year old Olt, and 22 year old Freeman in the middle of the order for the next 4-5 seasons
it would never happen. one of those guys is bound to have a birthday sometime over those 4-5 seasons.
Lew
November 13th, 2012
11:06 am
Yeah – Let’s get a poor hitting catcher because it hurts the lineup to have a good hitting catcher miss one of five games.
Travis
November 13th, 2012
11:08 am
DS1…couldn’t agree more but if you follow Mac at all, he does everthing flat out. Part of his offensive power was an all out swing and that could be his downfall. Hope he returns to form but I give him little chance of being th same player. Shoulder surgeries pretty much end the careers of “throwers”.
Enquiring Minds Want To Know
November 13th, 2012
11:08 am
If Minnesota were willing to trade either Willingham or Span, but not both, which one would you go after?
CrαZy
November 13th, 2012
11:09 am
Some should just jump already!!
Like this guy!!
Simmions ,Delgado and a mid level and low level prospect for Upton. Hanson and Graham for Span. Play Janish at Pastornicky at SS.
Trader Jack
November 13th, 2012
11:12 am
Some of the predictions on the blog regarding free agents and trades, leads me to believe some people have been working overtime with their defective Magic 8 Balls
Travis
November 13th, 2012
11:12 am
Again, having a great hitting catcher like BMac was a real treat and you have to love the guy for his all out devotion tho the Braves. Would you pay 12 mill a year for it?
Travis
November 13th, 2012
11:12 am
Again, having a great hitting catcher like BMac was a real treat and you have to love the guy for his all out devotion tho the Braves. Would you pay 12 mill a year for it?
Travis
November 13th, 2012
11:13 am
Sorry about the double post…and I could be wrong twice!!
Bring the Lumber
November 13th, 2012
11:15 am
What do you know Crazy?
ncscoots
November 13th, 2012
11:15 am
Again, having a great hitting catcher like BMac was a real treat and you have to love the guy for his all out devotion tho the Braves. Would you pay 12 mill a year for it?
I haven’t put a clock on his devotion
, so I don’t know if I can value that. But $12MM is under market for what he provides at C, assuming he returns to his offensive norms.
Hokie
November 13th, 2012
11:15 am
Would anyone consider McCann for Olt ? We are going to lose McCann after the 2013 season to FA….if Rangers(who need a C/DH) offered that trade today, would you take it ?? The Braves (wren/fredi) have said he is major league ready defensively already. If Simmons can make the jump with his terrific glove and what most considered a suspect bat prior to last spring…why not let give the reigns to CB
DS1
November 13th, 2012
11:16 am
Will McCann be worth 12 million in 2013? I can tell you with a surety that on November 13th, we have no way of knowing. Probably won’t know until July.
Patience, grasshopper!
Bigwheel
November 13th, 2012
11:16 am
Thanks for the Blog, DOB. I’d like to see us trade for D. Span. I do not think we would give up a lot, pitching wise, to acquire a player of his caliber. Not completely emptying the cupboard. I could also see us split time between T Hunter and Gattis in LF, with him backing up McCann. That would be cost effective, and perhaps give us some flexibility if a need comes up in July. I really want to see us pick up another good bullpen arm. Wren alluded to to it last week. I love Moylan, but we’ve got to move on from him. Other than that, maybe a utility IF and I think we dont miss a beat.
Lew
November 13th, 2012
11:19 am
No, you ASSUME we’ll lose McCann to Free Agency. Suppose he comes back offensively and agrees to a four year $50 million deal? Suppose Betancourt gets no closer to being a minor league hitter, much less a major league hitter? Suppose they keep Gattis in LF?
Lots of variables and since they already exercised Mac’s option, we have a whole year to figure it out.
Gone Viral
November 13th, 2012
11:19 am
I say we trade for David Ross. He’s exactly the sort of catcher we need to bridge the gap while McCann is out.
Rick C
November 13th, 2012
11:20 am
Hokie, there’s no way the Rangers would offer that trade right now so it’s a moot point. Speaking of Bethancourt though, he hasn’t exactly shown the same progress with the bat like Simmons did.
Dent
November 13th, 2012
11:21 am
Here is a thought…Trade Tehran and Ahmed for Olt. You may throw in another piece but Olt is blocked by Beltre. Olt to third, Prado to second and Uggla to the AL if possible. You still can address LF with a free agent like Ross and worst case you sign Victorino for 2 years. That gives you a very solid and controllable infield for years to come. With Heyward as the centerpiece you can work on the OF which is easier to do over the next few years.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 13th, 2012
11:21 am
I would give Mac 12mil for the next 2-3 years if he returns to his career norms… I’m a bit afraid of a long-term commitment. I’d love for him to stay relatively healthy for the entire year once he returns before I consider the deal though.
Scoots, I don’t think he’s cooked, but the injuries he’s received lately are worrisome. Who knows if they continue to negatively affect his performance? He hasn’t had a long enough stretch of healthiness since Aug 2011 for us to know… I love the man, and I’m sure he can return, but I want to see him do it. Calling him a powerful bat and talking of extending him seems a bit odd to me right now. It’d be like tendering JJ a contract because he was good last year before his injuries.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 13th, 2012
11:23 am
The Rangers aren’t trading Olt for minor-league pitching or SS… they already have enough.
phil
November 13th, 2012
11:23 am
We can only hope to “lose” Mac to free agency….
His best days are but a memory.
Or maybe not.
Dent
November 13th, 2012
11:23 am
Of course Headly would be worth giving up a good package for a rebuilding Padres team. Keep Uggla and Prado to LF.
Efrim
November 13th, 2012
11:25 am
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
Sources: Free agent outfielder Torii Hunter is meeting with #Tigers officials in Detroit today. @MLBONFOX
ccrider
November 13th, 2012
11:26 am
I agree that Simmons should not be traded for Mike Olt, but I would surely hope, now that the Rangers have shown a willingness to trade Olt that Frank Wren is busy looking for the pieces(Asdrubal Cabrera?) along with young starting pitching to make a 3 way deal with Texas and Arizona to acquire Mike Olt.
Acccording to the evaluations I have read on Olt, He is not only a potential 30 hr guy , but has potential Gold Glove defense.
I would like to see Ahmed moved to 2nd base this season( in the minor leagues and instead of Denard Span( Who will be 29 years old next season, I would try to get Ben Revere(Younger, more steals and OBP% pretty close to Span in 2012, Cheaper).
A starting lineup of Revere, Prado, Heyward, Olt, Freeman, McCann/Gattis, Simmons, Ahmed would be cheap, great Defensively, full of speed and Stolen Bases and IF they fulfill their offensive potential very successful.
The Bonus to something along these lines is it would create the payroll space to pay for player contract extensions.
( what happens to Uggla you ask? a Derek Lowe deal If he has another bad hitting season this year, but the team would be able to afford paying out part of his contract with the team payroll so low.
Hokie
November 13th, 2012
11:26 am
Simmons was considered “suspect” with the bat as that was the knock against him after Lynchburg. He was considered major league ready defensively, but would he be able to hit at the MLB level.
As for McCann, yes, I am assuming McCann will not be a Brave beyond 2013. He is 30 plus at that point and a catcher . My point, if the Braves can not invest an players that would result an any one player being 20% of the payroll(and they shouldn’t)….then a catcher is certainly not gonna be the Braves choice.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 13th, 2012
11:29 am
http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/11/13/3637644/despite-his-struggles-teheran-still-tops-the-atlanta-braves-top-10
Teheran’s 2012 struggles can be directly linked to the Braves attempting to smooth out some mechanical flaws in his delivery. His delivery involved a coiling of his body that caused his back plant leg to bend, bringing all of his limbs toward his torso in a coil position before he sprang and released toward the plate. The Braves have worked with him to keep that back leg straighter, which will put less strain on his knee, put more power over his center of balance, and lead to a lowered chance of injury and, once he becomes accustomed to the delivery, improved velocity. His original delivery was a byproduct of his smallish frame, as the coiling allowed him to produce power in an unnatural way, that would have led to elbow tendonitis, and probably the need for Tommy John Surgery. The team believes the subtle changes will allow him to be just as effective while putting less strain on his arm.
If that is totally true, there’s some good news.
ncscoots
November 13th, 2012
11:29 am
I get the love for Mike Olt, I think he’ll one day be an exceptional player, also. But no contender is going to fill their primary offensive need with an unproven AA player. That’s insane.
CrαZy
November 13th, 2012
11:30 am
Unlike some people I don’t mind reading peoples “lets pretend to be a GM trade ideas”, but when your idea involves a platoon of Janish and the Rev at SS position that should immediately trigger you to push the backspace key until your comment box is blank.
Rick C
November 13th, 2012
11:33 am
Hokie, there were questions about Simmons’ offense, but he hit 311/351/408 in Lynchburg in 2011, and 293/372/420 in AA before being called up. Bethancourt hit 243/275/291 in an injury shortened AA season this year. His career OBP in the minors is only 297. Pretty different circumstances between the two players.
DS1
November 13th, 2012
11:33 am
Crazy
How about Biff and Juan Fran?
Hokie
November 13th, 2012
11:33 am
If I traded for Mike Olt(for McCann), i would have Olt batting 6th in the lineup behind FF.
Josh Brown
November 13th, 2012
11:35 am
Simple question – If they have the cash… then why didn’t they step up to the plate (no pun intended) and offer David Ross more money?
P-Town Brave ©
November 13th, 2012
11:37 am
Ummmmm
Didn’t Simmons win the BATTING TITLE in Lynchburg?!
And yes, that IS insane….about as insane as creating another hole to fill a hole in arguably the most important defensive position on the field….
Oh, and to answer the question a guy posed….Span…..without any doubt
Bring the Lumber
November 13th, 2012
11:37 am
Janish is an above average SS and Revs bat is better. I think they make a good platoon and the Braves won a lot of games this year with those guys covering the position. I like Simmons and would hate to lose him from this team but I think Upton will be an elite player the next three years and if that could be in a Braves jersey it would push over the top!
Jack Clompus
November 13th, 2012
11:38 am
“On Span. He Turned Down A Trade To The Reds So Why Dose Everyone Think That He Would Come Here?”
You ever been to Cincy? Why would anyone want to live there?
tulsabravo
November 13th, 2012
11:38 am
Huge mistake letting Ross go, and one that the Braves will surely regret making. Eventually.
P-Town Brave ©
November 13th, 2012
11:38 am
Crazy-
Good point there….
Any more ideas involving trading Simmons and “giving another chance” to Pastor as a starting SS just makes my left eye start to twitch and makes me reach for the Bayer
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 13th, 2012
11:39 am
But no contender is going to fill their primary offensive need with an unproven AA player. That’s insane.
Heyward was basically given the RF job in 2010 after playing all of 47 games at AA, 3 at AAA the year before. If I am remembering correctly, we needed offense back then too.
CrαZy
November 13th, 2012
11:40 am
Janish is an above average SS and Revs bat is better. I think they make a good platoon
If only one could play the field while the other hit!!
O.J.
November 13th, 2012
11:41 am
Bring the Lumber, you cant platoon the SS position inning to inning. You make it sound like you would have Pastornicky bat and Janish field every game, which is just nonsense.
P-Town Brave ©
November 13th, 2012
11:41 am
Where did anyone get that Span turned down a trade to Cincy….
He couldn’t conceivably do that….so whoever started that rumor….its just false….
The guy has 3 years of MLB service time……he goes where they tell him to go
Bring the Lumber
November 13th, 2012
11:41 am
mean above average with his glove and Rev bat is better than Janish not Simmons
VaBravesFan
November 13th, 2012
11:42 am
Lew
The Braves could carry McCann, Doumit, and another catcher. Doumit can also play corner outfield and 1st base. He would be a sound fallback option for LF after McCann returns if we fail to bring in a everyday guy, also he would serve as Freeman’s backup at 1st base. Switch hitter with power all while giving us a 3rd option at catcher which can help during games. I’m only in favor of Doumit if Gattis isn’t ready cause there basically the same type of player.
We didn’t want to pay David Ross, but hey the guy is 36 years old and only plays catcher. Doumit is only making 300k more for each of the next 2 seasons and has alot more flexibility. While he isn’t as good behind the plate he’s still serviceable and a option. He’s also clearly a better hitter who is capable of handling more playing time. But there are alot of factors to gauge before making a move for him, could Gattis provide the same? Who’s our LFer? and has Wren brought in a cheap backup catcher yet,
Murph
November 13th, 2012
11:44 am
no contender is going to fill their primary offensive need with an unproven AA player. That’s insane.
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.
Bring the Lumber
November 13th, 2012
11:45 am
crazy and oj good points. i did mean Janish would be able to be subed in, late in games that Rev starts.
David O'Brien
November 13th, 2012
11:46 am
Thanks for the Blog, DOB. I’d like to see us trade for D. Span. I do not think we would give up a lot, pitching wise, to acquire a player of his caliber. — Bigwheel
Probably not as costly as you might think, because Twins have Revere ready to plug in CF and they know they’re not getting, say, Minor for Span. But since Span’s under contractual control for 3 more yrs, it’ll take a guy they know can step right into their rotation. Maybe they’d take Hanson, but might instead want a Delgado or Teheran. Haven’t heard anything specific leaked from either team yet.
ncscoots
November 13th, 2012
11:47 am
Heyward was basically given the RF job in 2010 after playing all of 47 games at AA, 3 at AAA the year before. If I am remembering correctly, we needed offense back then too.
He was hardly viewed as a given that ST, and it would not have been a crushing blow if he had needed more seasoning. It would be quite a different story to trade for Mike Olt and pencil him in before even seeing him play. I’m sorry, but that’s nuts.
Matt the Brave
November 13th, 2012
11:48 am
Can we please put this Willingham talk to rest, DOB? I know he’s your favorite player, like EVARRRR, but really, he’s pretty much a middle of the road, little power outfielder. We need a thumper bad.
ncscoots
November 13th, 2012
11:48 am
Murph, ole Teddy never had to deal with a blogging fanbase.
BravesFanInMaine
November 13th, 2012
11:52 am
Does frankie wren not have cell service he has been awfully quite with the phone…… I just want the braves to start making some moves here