Ross exit adds to Braves’ expanding to-do list

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4,357 comments Add your comment

nolie

November 13th, 2012
4:17 pm

yup, way too many of them great athletes get drafted too high with little real idea that they will ever hit. Great ceiling if they can but the odds are pretty long

Efrim

November 13th, 2012
4:18 pm

Preferably high school bats with a solid “hit” tool, not ambiguous “athlete” types that don’t have much baseball experience (looking at you, Lipka).

Yes. They have gone away from that since DeMacio took over and it’s time get back to that a bit.

Lipka, like Salcedo and Bethancourt, needs to have a strong offensive season to save prospect status.

Efrim

November 13th, 2012
4:19 pm

if he stays healthy Kimbrel is gonna get filthy rich for a reliever

If he stays healthy and productive, we’ll be sitting here in two years discussing trade scenarios involving him. I really believe that.

ncscoots

November 13th, 2012
4:20 pm

Lipka, like Salcedo and Bethancourt, needs to have a strong offensive season to save prospect status.

Well, this year, I’m not calling for any kid to have a breakout season, not after Milligan did me dirty last year. :-)

Ron

November 13th, 2012
4:21 pm

Could the Braves organization have not not signed McCann to a cheaper deal and then given Ross the deal he was looking for? Sometimes I wonder what the Braves are thinking, that Ross was gonna automatically just re-sign? So now we have to find a back-up catcher thant is just as good and cheaper than Ross, huh? The Braves will not sign Headley or Wright, would be like the Nats signing Chipper couple of years back. Not gonna happen. Hamiliton is too expensive as is either Upton brother and looks like Pagan is staying in SF. So its Span or Fowler thru trade or Victorino thru FA. Hunter will sign with an AL team. I still see a line-up: Span CF, Prado 3rd, Heyward RF, Willingham LF, Freeman 1st, Uggla 2nd, McCann C, Simmons SS, Pitcher. Bench: (Gattis until McCann comes back then whatever back up catcher they sign), Pastornicky, Mejia, Francisco, R. Johnson or Constanza. Bullpen: Kimbrel, Venters, O’Flaherty, C. Martinez, Avilian, Gearrin, Durbin. Rotation: Medlen, Minor, Hudson, Maholm, J.R. Graham/Delgado/Gilmartin. Trade Hanson, Tehran, and Jurrijens to Minnesota for Span and Willingham. Looks like Braves giving up a lot but maybe get a few minor leaguers too. Don’t want Hanson or Jurrijens anyway! Throw in Pastornicky too if necessary. This works as a good line-up , can sign a decent back-up catcher and a payroll that gives the Braves lots of options in the future. 2013 Bravos!!

Murph

November 13th, 2012
4:21 pm

You just don’t realize how freakin’ dominant Kimbrel is until you see those stats and comparisons all together. The guy is breaking records and rewriting the history books. Amazing.

ncscoots

November 13th, 2012
4:22 pm

If he stays healthy and productive, we’ll be sitting here in two years discussing trade scenarios involving him. I really believe that.

Especially if Graham doesn’t develop a third pitch. Maybe even if he does.

Venice Jim

November 13th, 2012
4:23 pm

Jon Morosi ‏@jonmorosi
Source: #Braves pursuing free agent outfielder Cody Ross. @MLBONFOX

Venice Jim

November 13th, 2012
4:23 pm

Efrim

November 13th, 2012
4:23 pm

I’m okay taking those athletes much later in the draft like they did last year with Conner Lien and Fernelys Sanchez…… but I just would rather them focus on the hit tool in 2013. Just not enough guys that can rake in our farm and it’s troubling. And those that produce impressive numbers in our minor league system are players that are 24 in High A like La Stella or as old as Gattis is in Double-A. Tough to get a read on players that are old for their level. Hard to know if they will hit in the majors or if they are just beating up on younger competition.

Murph

November 13th, 2012
4:24 pm

Formula 1 comes to Austin this week… which means that I missed my window to make millions with my “Murph’s Sopapillaporium” food truck.

Disappointed…

nolie

November 13th, 2012
4:24 pm

Could the Braves organization have not not signed McCann to a cheaper deal and then given Ross the deal he was looking for

no they couldn’t have, in baseball a contract is a contract unlike some sports

Efrim

November 13th, 2012
4:25 pm

Jon Morosi ‏@jonmorosi
Source: #Braves pursuing free agent outfielder Cody Ross. @MLBONFOX

“Premium”. Sigh…..

nolie

November 13th, 2012
4:25 pm

Cody Ross? Why an I not surprised?

Efrim

November 13th, 2012
4:26 pm

I think I’d rather Ryan Ludwick than to sign Cody Ross to a three year deal. And that’s a sad statement.

Murph

November 13th, 2012
4:27 pm

What is Cody Ross’ expected asking price?

BFChris28

November 13th, 2012
4:27 pm

Ross for LF and possibly Victorino for CF, which is what I predicted.

David O'Brien

November 13th, 2012
4:27 pm

Braves open Grapefruit League schedule Feb. 22 vs. Detroit at Dark Star, the earliest opening ever for spring games. It’s earlier because of WBC being played again this year during spring training.

P-Town Brave ©

November 13th, 2012
4:28 pm

UGGGGHHHHHHH

Not again Frank….

You’ve been fooled way too many times by THAT guy!

nolie

November 13th, 2012
4:28 pm

okay we can start eating our young now, Ross is not the guy

Murph

November 13th, 2012
4:29 pm

Going after Ross just means that the team is going to trade for the best CF out there… right? I mean… premium… right? RIGHT?!?

Efrim

November 13th, 2012
4:29 pm

They better not go three years for Cody Ross, man. I mean, that is not a smart baseball decision for a team that needs some serious RH sock in LF. You’re honestly blocking LF for other players that could become available in trade.

If you’re going “bargain bin” – make sure it’s for two years or less.

Skeezix

November 13th, 2012
4:31 pm

Good article Dave! I lack confidence in the GM, so I’m not real hopeful he will improve this team. I love McCann, but I don’t think he’s worth $12m. But since the Braves are committed to him, we need a damn good back up–so should have kept Ross, even at the $3m price tag. As far as fixing the offense, Wren hasn’t been successful despite being at the helm for several years now. His last attempt was Uggla and we know what a bust that has been.

Murph

November 13th, 2012
4:31 pm

Ross for LF and possibly Victorino for CF, which is what I predicted.

All that money, all those trade chips, and the team takes 2 steps backwards.

I sure hope this isn’t the case.

I’d rather keep Prado in LF and go with Francisco at 3B than sign Ross.

P-Town Brave ©

November 13th, 2012
4:32 pm

BFC-

While I like Victorino, I’m not sure how that makes us any better….

Ross is no more a middle of the order hitter than Uggla AND Victorino is no longer a viable option to hit leadoff, so Prado would have to land there….

That said….I think if we end up w/ Cody Ross as an end game, its pretty well a shoe-in that we make the trade w/ Minnesota for Span…..just makes too much sense because we will probably pull another Lowe type overpay for Ross…..

For whatever reason, Frank Wren thinks Cody Ross is a Victoria Secret supermodel instead of a Sears budget one….

RC

November 13th, 2012
4:33 pm

My only solace in hearing that the Braves are after Cody Ross is that it’s coming from the same source that thought Hamilton was most likely to sign with the Braves.

In other words, he’s not exactly the most reliable source.

Efrim

November 13th, 2012
4:33 pm

Ross for LF and possibly Victorino for CF, which is what I predicted

They better not go the free agency route for both spots. Unless Wren has it on the priority list for his Gwinnett starters to win the International League ERA title.

ncscoots

November 13th, 2012
4:34 pm

okay we can start eating our young now, Ross is not the guy

No kidding. So he hits lefties, big deal, what are they gonna do about the other 450 PAs against righties? Hit him 8?

RC

November 13th, 2012
4:35 pm

I would MUCH rather the team go 2/20 on Torii Hunter than 3/25 on Cody Ross. I realize that Atlanta might not be able to get Hunter at that price, but Ross for 3 years is not a good idea.

BFChris28

November 13th, 2012
4:36 pm

I’d rather have Victorino & Span. Victorino for LF and Span for CF.

Rick C

November 13th, 2012
4:37 pm

Ron, they can’t just decline the option on McCann and then offer a lesser contract. Why would he ever accept that? It’s just disrespectful really. Headley and Wright are not free agents. Neither is Justin Upton and his salary is certainly within the Braves’ payroll. And BJ would probably come cheaper than Bourn.

Skeezix, if Uggla continued performing as he had in Miami no one would be complaining with that. Did you honestly see him suddenly dropping that far?

Bat Masterson

November 13th, 2012
4:38 pm

Source: #Braves pursuing free agent outfielder Cody Ross.

Somebody strap a ball and chain to Wren’s ankle, quick.

Rick C

November 13th, 2012
4:39 pm

Err I shouldn’t say no one. There’s always at least one person here complaining about every decision they make.

Efrim

November 13th, 2012
4:39 pm

They must have a lot of confidence in Uggla returning to form if they are going to consider Ross for the LF spot. He’s a complimentary piece.

CrαZy

November 13th, 2012
4:39 pm

First full-squad workout will be Feb. 15

Braves pursuing free agent outfielder Cody Ross.

Running out of time gotta get something quick!! :wink:

RC

November 13th, 2012
4:41 pm

They must have a lot of confidence in Uggla returning to form if they are going to consider Ross for the LF spot. He’s a complimentary piece.

I’d actually be happy if they were considering Ross as an alternative to resigning Reed Johnson. But there’s a 90% chance that both he and the team would be looking for a larger role than that.

Hokie

November 13th, 2012
4:41 pm

exactly, with uggla and mccann already penciled in at 6th and 7th hole spots in the lineup…I think Ross rumor is just that

P-Town Brave ©

November 13th, 2012
4:42 pm

BFC-

Agreed completely!

Efrim

November 13th, 2012
4:42 pm

I mean, I’m sure the Braves are interested in all RH bats that can play a corner outfield spot. Can’t be going to three years for Ross, though.

Nowhere man

November 13th, 2012
4:43 pm

Wren just assumed that Ross would sign.

Just like some assumed that Griffey and Furcal would be playing for the braves.

TennesseePaul

November 13th, 2012
4:44 pm

“Premium”. Sigh…..

Ef, you know the “premium” in “premium player” is merely short for “ridiculous sabeanesque contract”.

Lew

November 13th, 2012
4:46 pm

The only way that the Braves could have renegotiated McCann’s contract was to convert the option year to more years at more money.

TennesseePaul

November 13th, 2012
4:47 pm

Perhaps it’s some ploy for a platoon outfield…

Farnsworthy

November 13th, 2012
4:47 pm

What does PETA stand for?

ncscoots

November 13th, 2012
4:47 pm

you know the “premium” in “premium player” is merely short for “ridiculous sabeanesque contract”.

Geez, they wouldn’t do that to us, would they? With pitching to trade and money in the bank? Just dump us at the altar, for the ugly bridesmaid?

Bubba, that just ain’t right.

BFChris28

November 13th, 2012
4:48 pm

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Lew

November 13th, 2012
4:50 pm

Hit him 8? Nah – they’ll put Prado in LF against RHP and play Francisco at third. Let the freaking out begin.

TennesseePaul

November 13th, 2012
4:52 pm

they wouldn’t do that to us, would they?

Sure enough. Already brought Schafer back in the fold. There is so much potential this off-season it will amount to death by a thousand cuts by the time Spring Training closes.

Braveone

November 13th, 2012
4:52 pm

From the previous blog which had 5,182 comments, nolie led the way with 526 posts. There were 217 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:

Rank Poster Frequency

1 nolie 526
2 TheOnlyBravesFan 369
3 Efrim 273
4 Disgusted 269
5 DS1 235
6 Lew 201
7 VaBravesFan 188
8 ncscoots 156
9 Murph 147
10 Bat Masterson 127
11 Jeff R 122
12 old man 116
13 Venice Jim 109
14 Bobby H 103
15 richbrave 96
16 Half Empty 91
17 cricket 86
18 Ward 84
19 David O’Brien 83
20 BravePack(FreeFan) 82
21 P-Town Brave © 75
22 Nowhere man 71
23 jeffrey d 70
24 DS1 (getting a thrill up my leg!) 68
25 Bay Area Steve 65

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 13th, 2012
4:52 pm

Jon Morosi ‏@jonmorosi
Source: #Braves pursuing free agent outfielder Cody Ross. @MLBONFOX

I’m somewhat happy, but I’m also quite sad. He’s not a premium player, though I do like him for the Braves. Not over Pence or Upton though. Can’t Frank wait a little? If it comes true, just need Victorino

TheOnlyBravesFan
October 26th, 2012
11:12 am

Premium player 1, premium player 2.

3B: Prado
LF: C. Ross
CF: Victorino

RC

November 13th, 2012
4:53 pm

Guide to the Hot Stove:

http://www.fangraphs.com/not/index.php/otgraphs-guide-to-hot-stove-2/

I really like #3: “Remember that Jon Heyman is the reporter and Scott Boras is the agent. It may be confusing at times.”

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 13th, 2012
4:53 pm

3 years 20mil… up to 25. He can hit enough to start every day I think, he SLGs .415 against RHP, Prado is at .430. Just want better.

Shaun

November 13th, 2012
4:54 pm

DOB, regarding Justin Upton’s splits: I think I’ve seen something that suggest that maybe hitters who play home games in hitter-friendly parks actually have a harder time hitting in away, less-hitter-friendly parks; not just that their stats are different.

This makes some sense. If when you hit a ball, it jumped off the bat at the park where you played most of your games, you might notice a big difference going to another park. The ball might feel like hitting a rolled-up sock in that other park. So it may be best to look at park-adjusted numbers rather than home/road splits.

Of course none of this means Justin Upton is the right player for the Braves, just to make that clear. Also, it doesn’t mean Upton is a perennial MVP-type player. He’s probably more of a Nelson Cruz type player.

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 13th, 2012
4:55 pm

Hit him 8? Nah – they’ll put Prado in LF against RHP and play Francisco at third. Let the freaking out begin.

Oh geez. May as well start Ross every day. Yank Prado around like a yo-yo, but it’d be so wrong to get Doumit.

Efrim

November 13th, 2012
4:56 pm

With pitching to trade and money in the bank? Just dump us at the altar, for the ugly bridesmaid?

It’s not even that it will be a terrible AAV – probably max $8 million a year, I’d bet. But that is just not a move in attempting to catch a 98 win Nats team. Good lord, it just isn’t.

And even if we go and trade for Denard Span in CF – Span, Prado, Heyward, Uggla, Freeman, Ross, McCann, Simmons – could of been so much more with money and pitching prospects to deal.

That would suck.

ncscoots

November 13th, 2012
4:56 pm

Hit him 8? Nah – they’ll put Prado in LF against RHP and play Francisco at third.

Geez, that’s even worse, LOL. Why would they give a multi-year deal to a guy who is only going to hit against LHP, and pay him more than the $3MM he made last year? Because I doubt he plans to sign another 1/$3MM deal.

Dan Uggla

November 13th, 2012
4:56 pm

I know I have sucked as a Brave (I still can’t believe Wren pays me all this money). But you guys really shouldn’t worry about me. Why? Because Joe Simpson, himself a lifetime 220 hitter, believes in me.

Farnsworthy

November 13th, 2012
4:58 pm

Nope. PETA stands for People Eating Tasty Animals.

One-Eyed Mac

November 13th, 2012
4:59 pm

If the Braves sign Cody Ross they can give him #8 and save some money on restitching uniforms.

Lew

November 13th, 2012
5:00 pm

OnlyBraves – Are you determined to be an ass?

Murph

November 13th, 2012
5:00 pm

6. If you see a report of GMs shaking hands, do not assume a deal has been done. GMs have notoriously bad memories and are most likely thinking they are meeting each other for the first time.

7. After a deal has been done, you will see many bloggers “grading” the transactions. Pay little attention to these, as most bloggers failed to graduate high school.

8. During this period, Peter Gammons will most likely tweet his personal email password on accident. Performing nefarious acts with his email account, while possibly hilarious, is often considered uncouth.

LOL

Efrim

November 13th, 2012
5:00 pm

Because I doubt he plans to sign another 1/$3MM deal.

If he signs in November, he’s getting his three years, and around $25 million. That would be an all sorts of awful move by Wren – and there hasn’t been many of those.

This offseason was a big one for him in the sense that for the first time in a while, he had an opportunity with payroll flexibility to make some strong acquisitions. Cody Ross would not fall into this category.

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 13th, 2012
5:01 pm

Maybe he can get Uggla hitting again…. Just depressing. There better be some big trade going on for a CF or a SP added. Such nice “premium” players.

At least Gwinnett will have the best AAA rotation!

ncscoots

November 13th, 2012
5:01 pm

If the Braves sign Cody Ross they can give him #8 and save some money on restitching uniforms.

The one, single upside to signing that sumbee, LOL.

VaBravesFan

November 13th, 2012
5:02 pm

Were in trouble if Wren considers Cody Ross a premium player and RH bat we need.

Lew

November 13th, 2012
5:02 pm

Cause you suceeded quite a while back. YOu no longer need to put ion so much effort.

Thick&Thin

November 13th, 2012
5:05 pm

I like the idea of trading for Span and signing the big fish, Hamilton, for LF. If we trade for Span, that would leave us with plenty of money for Hamilton.

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 13th, 2012
5:06 pm

Murph

November 13th, 2012
5:07 pm

I like the idea of trading for Span and signing the big fish, Hamilton, for LF. If we trade for Span, that would leave us with plenty of money for Hamilton.

If only it were possible… sigh… doesn’t hurt to dream. At the very least I plan on making that my starting lineup in The Show and playing a season, just to see how far the team goes.

TennesseePaul

November 13th, 2012
5:07 pm

he had an opportunity with payroll flexibility to make some strong acquisitions

Then I suppose it is his misfortune to have all this flexibility with an exceedingly awful free agent class. I can see but one postion player who justifies a large contract this off-season and the team has already ruled him out by virtue of expense. That leaves nothing but undesirables remaining and a bucket of cash. It is inevitable that Wren will pour that cash upon an undeserving player, The new CBA was only a factor in when Wren would make the deal, not if.

TennesseePaul

November 13th, 2012
5:09 pm

The one, single upside to signing that sumbee

It is actually one of the negotiating tactics by his agent… attempting to squeeze more money into the deal he points to the savings on equipment and jerseys.

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 13th, 2012
5:11 pm

The only way that the Braves could have renegotiated McCann’s contract was to convert the option year to more years at more money.

Which right now would be a bad decision.

Patrick

November 13th, 2012
5:12 pm

He’s he cheapest option, 8 mil perseason (if he gets what he wants)
Come on everyone, he’s PERFECT for the Braves!

It doesn’t matter about production, just dollars…and the less spent the better is the Braves philosophy it seems

unbelievable

November 13th, 2012
5:14 pm

Cody Ross should honeslty be a platoon player. He’s a nice piece, but you cant count on any type of production from him against righties. He was also terrible away from that short wall at Fenway. Bench player, sure. A regular asking for 3 years at $8mil, heck no.

brian

November 13th, 2012
5:17 pm

somebody earlier mentioned Giancarlo Stanton probably more for his name than anything.

Although a pipe dream, I would gladly go to the Marlins and give them their choice of Delgado or Teheran, Ahmed or Bethancourt, and Minor (versus Gilmartin or Spruill).

Since it is a pipe dream I would then extend both Stanton and Heyward to hopefully the same contract for many years.

Stanton between Heyward and Freeman…………

rainman34

November 13th, 2012
5:17 pm

The reason of signing Ross is simple. To make Uggla not look as bad. I love Uggla by the way I think he will have a huge comeback year.

O.M.G.

November 13th, 2012
5:19 pm

Patrick, if that was the case then the Braves would go with who they already have. No trades, no FA signing, pocket the money and keep the talent and see you next year.

NORRIS

November 13th, 2012
5:19 pm

Ok. So after he told us to kiss his a.. last year we are going to go and try and sign him again. Are we that desperate? It looks like Gonzalez is just trying to rebuild the marlins all over again in Atlanta. Once again we make no efforts to get quality. Just a bunch of jerks that think they are better than what they are.

Finklestein

November 13th, 2012
5:21 pm

Ross ain’t the answer. He would be okay as a bench player.

NORRIS

November 13th, 2012
5:21 pm

All season long we were told that we would have 40 million dollars coming off of the books this off season. But now its time to go and get someone and what do we do? We are talking to cody Ross.
This is sad and a joke.

Juan

November 13th, 2012
5:22 pm

like Gonzalez is just trying to rebuild the marlins all over again

Yeah….let go and get Anibal Sanchez to…

brian

November 13th, 2012
5:24 pm

if Ross is going to play one OF spot there better be a big name/big time player at the other

brian

November 13th, 2012
5:25 pm

Anibal Sanchez would not be a bad addition to any team.

David O'Brien

November 13th, 2012
5:31 pm

Braves pitchers and catchers report Feb. 11 – first game Feb. 22 in earliest spring training ever

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/11/13/braves-2013-spring-training-will-start-earlier/

D$1

November 13th, 2012
5:33 pm

brian

Andrew McCutchen?

Murph

November 13th, 2012
5:33 pm

Just an FYI to everyone freaking out about Cody Ross… the story simply said that the Braves have “interest” in Ross. It didn’t say that they were talking to him, deep in negotiations with him, etc. And there’s no information regarding the claim that makes me think it’s anything but conjecture.

The Braves have “interest” in every OF FA available given that they need to fill 2 OF spots this winter. And they’ll maybe… maybe… look to sign one of them.

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 13th, 2012
5:39 pm

If Ross is signed, put him in CF, then get Upton/Pence/Willy for LF… We’re still gonna need a big bat, and we can’t reasonably go with a defender like Bourjos or Span.

And Greinke/Haren in the rotation

Peter

November 13th, 2012
5:41 pm

Bobby H …. Question………. you go to work then blog………. is that how it is done then ?

Lew

November 13th, 2012
5:41 pm

No one told us we’d have $40 million to spend.

Murph

November 13th, 2012
5:44 pm

Say the team trades for Span (great idea!) and signs Ross (horrible idea!)…. they’d still have around $12mil to play with. More if they unload Hanson.

Does not add up.

phil

November 13th, 2012
5:45 pm

exactly, murph…

Peter

November 13th, 2012
5:47 pm

Good article Dave! I lack confidence in the GM, so I’m not real hopeful he will improve this team.

Well that is a very good assessment……..

Disgusted

November 13th, 2012
5:47 pm

Screw ‘em. Post what you want. I’ve never let the blog hierarchy get in my way.

The worst thing you can do around here is post something and then let the smugs and arrogants beat you down. Ignore them. It’s pretty easy.

@Murph at 2:53.

Very well said. No one here on the blog is of that much importance.

And I would rather have Willingham over either Hunter or C. Ross if a trade can be made for Willy.

And Span or Fowler for CF. Settling for less is adding garbage to a cleaned out basement.

CB

November 13th, 2012
5:48 pm

Murph is correct,no need to panic over news Braves are interested in Ross. When they sign him……

Lew

November 13th, 2012
5:49 pm

It really doesn’t matter who the Braves get – most here will not be happy, most will think that we went the cheap route, yet overspent on whoever is acquired and will always think that they had a better idea that Wren should have read on the blog, run out and picked up on – probably for the players they like the least in return for a player the opther team never had an intention to trade in the first place.

Even so, how about we wait until a deal was actually made before freaking out?

Peter

November 13th, 2012
5:50 pm

Can someone name a top available baseball player……. WANTING to come to Atlanta ?

Disgusted

November 13th, 2012
5:50 pm

I hit number 4 on the last blog — not too bad.

I can;t beat Nolie or TOBF, but I can try to edge out Efrim this time. Came close to his third.

Couch Tater

November 13th, 2012
5:50 pm

Lew, CB – Y’all going to Spring Training?

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 13th, 2012
5:51 pm

Yeah, we should calm down…. shoulda done the same in July when he traded Delgado for Dempster. The idea of Cody Ross for our big bat and premium player (his words) is still a bad one.

Peter

November 13th, 2012
5:52 pm

Can anyone name a top baseball free agent……. WANTING to come to Atlanta ?

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