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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,505 comments Add your comment
phil
November 21st, 2012
1:23 pm
A page full of hogwash…..
brian
November 21st, 2012
1:23 pm
the Braves are not going to sign the A list stud. The only way they obtain one is by trading and it would be a Teixeira type trade. Giancarlo Stanton……….
P'cola Brave
November 21st, 2012
1:24 pm
Jonny Gomes and Red Sox nearing two year deal
Lemke's Knuckler
November 21st, 2012
1:24 pm
Sorry P’cola,
Didn’t see the earlier post. I’d be fine with Swisher in left. I think he’d basically be an even replacement for what Chipper and Francisco combined to do this year.
Chipper & Francisco combined…
.269 avg, 75 runs, 34 doubles, 23 homers, 94 rbi
Zing
November 21st, 2012
1:26 pm
Trade for Span or Fowler, whichever opposing GM doesn’t require us to give up both Teheran and Delgado, and pay Hamilton. There isn’t another hitter anywhere near the caliber of Hamilton on this market, and if the Braves get Span or Fowler, they’ll have a good defensive center fielder. If I’m the Braves and pursuing this plan, I swing hard and early for Hamilton (maybe put a 10-day time limit on the offer or discussion window), and if I miss, then we can talk about what’s left out there either at 3B or LF (like Upton).
Jeff R
November 21st, 2012
1:26 pm
I’ll say it again: In my book, Upton is Uggla with speed. And a whiffer who only walks half as much as Uggla. A center-fielder whose defense is about as mediocre as is Uggla’s.
But let’s commit Upton to five years/$75 million or somesuch. Money’s not an object with the Braves.
Shaun
November 21st, 2012
1:29 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan, right but BJ probably offers slightly more defensive value than Swisher and he probably offers close to the offensive value over a replacement player at his position than Swisher at his, plus there is less of a chance of any sort of decline from BJ over the next few seasons.
Swisher is still the better player because his hitting is so good. But it’s not as if that means Upton is a slouch compared to him. And, again, if the Yankees want Swisher, it’s hard to imagine the Braves ending up with him.
Zing
November 21st, 2012
1:29 pm
(Yes, I know that’s a bit crazy, and it’s kind of a 1990s Braves move– but hey, the Braves need to inject some dynamism into their lineup, and this would do it.)
Fols
November 21st, 2012
1:34 pm
Chipper was the good guy……it only brought one championship in 20 years.
Hamilton is a villain…..it would bring one championship in 2013!
tony austin
November 21st, 2012
1:35 pm
I keep going to MLBTR even knowing with Thanksgiving being tomorrow that there probably won’t be a big FA signing, but I just keep hoping I’ll see Upton signs with _______ (Insert ANY other team save the Braves).
Lemke's Knuckler
November 21st, 2012
1:35 pm
If anything, the Marlins fire-sale and the Astros going to the AL should prove to be a big benefit to the Braves next year. Should be more wins for the Braves and less wins for any potential wild cards coming out of the NL Central.
Jeff R
November 21st, 2012
1:36 pm
Hammy ain’t in the Braves’ price range, folks. It’s silly talk to suggest that the Braves are in anyway seriously in the hunt for the guy.
Zing
November 21st, 2012
1:37 pm
Jeff R: Or maybe an Andruw Jones in his younger years (pre-likely PET-enhanced homer years) but without the defense. Right-handed slasher with power, strikes out a lot, swipes some bases…
Zing
November 21st, 2012
1:37 pm
*PED that is…
Lemke's Knuckler
November 21st, 2012
1:37 pm
Just looked at the schedule. Braves have a funny split series with the Blue Jays. They play 2 games in Toronto, then hop a plane and play 2 more times in Atlanta. Not sure I’ve ever seen that before.
Fols
November 21st, 2012
1:38 pm
Hammy will be signing autographs in the World of Coke on Friday, the Georgia Aquarium on Saturday and CNN Headquarters on Sunday.
Zing
November 21st, 2012
1:38 pm
If the Braves trade for Span/Fowler, then they’d have $25M at their disposal, Jeff R. I think that’d get it done.
Lemke's Knuckler
November 21st, 2012
1:39 pm
If the Braves signed Hamilton, part of the contract would include playing trailers for his new biography (directed by Casey Affleck) before each home game.
David O'Brien
November 21st, 2012
1:39 pm
Aguilas, the Venezuelan team that has Gattis and Mejia as its HR and RBI leaders (both also among league leaders in those categories), can be veiwed tonight at 7:30 p.m. here: http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index
Fols
November 21st, 2012
1:42 pm
I just called the Twins information line…left a message telling them that Tommy Hanson is the starting pitcher they need.
Lemke's Knuckler
November 21st, 2012
1:42 pm
The 1993 World Series replay was on the other day. Looking back, that Phillies team was a bunch of steroid-laden, hairy thugs. Kind of makes me angry the Braves missed a chance at the series because of that team of cheaters.
Venice Jim
November 21st, 2012
1:44 pm
For those who have the Antenna Network, and who will not spend the night before Thanksgiving agonizing over the Braves’ outfield, they are running the Thanksgiving episode of WKRP in Cincinnati four times in a row tonight…
phil
November 21st, 2012
1:44 pm
Joe Carter’s walkoff homer would’ve just happened to us….
Forget ‘93.
Shaun
November 21st, 2012
1:44 pm
Jeff R, Upton and Uggla will probably offer about equal offensive production. But Upton’s offense is more impressive relative to his position than Uggla relative to his. Upton offers more baserunning value. The defense is close, so they essentially offer the same defensive value. Uggla’s older so he’ll probably be the same player he’s been in the recent past, if not a little worse. Upton, given his age, has less of a chance of getting worse and there is a decent chance that he’ll be as good or better than he’s ever been over the next season or two.
I’m certainly not discounting the Uggla comparison. But given age, position and skills, you’d probably have to give a bit of an edge to Upton in comparing the two.
Venice Jim
November 21st, 2012
1:45 pm
That might not quite make up for learning that Boss has been cancelled…
Jeff R
November 21st, 2012
1:45 pm
If the Braves trade for Span/Fowler, then they’d have $25M at their disposal, Jeff R. I think that’d get it done.
Not sure about what Wren wants to do with the budget available, or if it really would be enough to secure Hammy’s services. But there are also the issues of Hammy’s emotional and mental… challenges. Given the Braves’ culture (locker-room culture), I think Wren would see Hammy as disruptive element. The Braves have a history of jettisoning disruptive personalities.
Shaun
November 21st, 2012
1:47 pm
If Andruw Jones isn’t a Hall of Fame caliber player, he falls just short. An underrated player as far as career goes. I would be okay if the Braves get a centerfielder that we could compare remotely to Andruw.
phil
November 21st, 2012
1:48 pm
Hall of Fame?
Too many RBIs.
Shaun
November 21st, 2012
1:51 pm
Phil, what do you mean “too many RBIs”? I’m not looking at them. I’m looking at ability to play baseball to judge whether he’s a Hall of Famer.
BravePack(FreeFan)
November 21st, 2012
1:56 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 21st, 2012
1:15 pm
brings no defensive value over replacement,
BJ doesn’t either… he may actually cost defensive value.
Swisher, Hamilton, Olt, Myers, Upton for LF…. Span or Fowler for CF
Now this list of players I like.
Jeff R.
I don’t think any of us know what is going on behind closed doors. We initially thought payroll around 90-95 mil and we come to find out it’s more like 95-100. What if LM went to Wren and said we have a little extra $ for you to go out and get Hamilton. We lost Chipper, attendance has been down and maybe even worse with Chipper retiring so go and get Hamilton because he’ll sell tickets. Wren hasn’t said yeah Hamilton is a for sure no but just that he isn’t sure if he is in their price range. We all know Wren doesn’t like to tell the media of his plans so maybe the Upton thing is a small type of smokescreen. Yeah BJ we’d like to meet with you and the best we can offer you is 5 years 60 mil. Take it or leave it. All the while he’s going big for Hamilton.
Zing
November 21st, 2012
2:01 pm
I agree with you, Shaun, that Andruw is a just-short HoF player, but I think that he occupies that status because of his unbelievably defensive skills over an 8-10 year period. Without those skills– i.e., looking mostly at his offense– other than the length of his career, he’s maybe a little above average for his career compared to other OFs. (Initial impression, not researched, by the way). So, in saying that Upton is like Andruw but without the defense… that takes away a lot in my opinion.
phil
November 21st, 2012
2:02 pm
I mean he has too many RBIs….
It’s a meaningless statistic, just like outfield assists, putouts and so forth.
Andruw was, and remains, a lazy slob who threw it all away. Sure, he could smack the ball now and then, make a diving catch, go back and rob someone at the wall, but he smiled too much.
And unless I miss my guess, he’s wasted most of the money he ever earned.
Those are good reasons to leave him out.
Ken Stallings
November 21st, 2012
2:06 pm
Some of you folks sure like talking back and forth to each other!
Just make your point and move on!
richbrave
November 21st, 2012
2:06 pm
David O’Brien
November 21st, 2012
1:39 pm
“…….Aguilas, the Venezuelan team that has Gattis and Mejia as its HR and RBI leaders (both also among league leaders in those categories), can be veiwed tonight at 7:30 p.m. here: http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index……”
That’s EAGLES for the uninitiated. ZULIA is the town the team is based in.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 21st, 2012
2:08 pm
that takes away a lot in my opinion.
Enough to say “No” to Upton.
raleighbravefan
November 21st, 2012
2:14 pm
Shaun – I think the “too many RBIs” was a joke. Something that you are unfamiliar with.
raleighbravefan
November 21st, 2012
2:15 pm
Ken – Feel free to scroll at any time.
raleighbravefan
November 21st, 2012
2:16 pm
I hope you ALL have a great Thanksgiving.
tony austin
November 21st, 2012
2:18 pm
<I hope you ALL have a great Thanksgiving. – raleighbravefan
I second that.
Zing
November 21st, 2012
2:20 pm
@ TheOnly: He’s not my first choice…
@ phil: I agree that he didn’t live up to his potential, and maybe that’s another characteristic that Upton shares with him (so far). I remember a quote from Chipper from many years ago along the lines of “if he’d just be a little more patient and work on going the other way, being more disciplined,” but instead he focused on pulling HRs as much as he could after his 2nd or so season.
However (unless you were trying to be funny there), I disagree with the rest. Andruw was an amazing defensive player and, despite his propensity to chase the outside slider, an above-average hitter for power for most of his career. He didn’t get that way sitting on the sofa eating cheeseburgers.
Farnsworthy
November 21st, 2012
2:24 pm
What the H____ is going on? Upton? Are you serious?
Mixxo
November 21st, 2012
2:30 pm
It’s official Farnsworthy…..they’ve lost their bleepin’ minds.
JoeBrave
November 21st, 2012
2:44 pm
Methinks Upton is a smoke screen, More likely to see Hamilton in LF, and Span in CF
Bigwheel
November 21st, 2012
2:45 pm
Does anyone know why LaHair signed with a Japanese team? It seems like from the reports he wanted to go there. He couldve been a nice pick up to replace Hinske’s spot on the bench
JoeBrave
November 21st, 2012
2:47 pm
Hinske’s replacement is already there his name…GULP! Jordan Schafer
JoeBrave
November 21st, 2012
2:49 pm
I can already here the sub names for BJ if he stinks it up!!! Sheesh!
Bigwheel
November 21st, 2012
2:55 pm
Say it aint so
DAP
November 21st, 2012
2:55 pm
go and get Hamilton because he’ll sell tickets.
hell probably play LF, not sit in the box office before games. selling tickets is more a job for a guy like me.
phil
November 21st, 2012
3:00 pm
We’re in a slow decline, folks…
Accept it.
With no real money to spend, it’s inevitable. Say goodbye to Heyward, Freeman, Kimbrel, Simmons, Prado, Mac and several of the starting pitchers. Only a matter of when, not if, though we’d probably be able to keep one of them. Maybe.
And Happy Thanksgiving all…
flange1
November 21st, 2012
3:11 pm
Any reason you are such an azz phil?
Just curious?
Oh, I forgot, you were being funny/sarcastic!
DS1
November 21st, 2012
3:11 pm
I’d offer Hamilton 100 million for 5 years. If he accepts, go get Span. Then eat some turkey, take a nap and skate thru the rest of the winter.
Mark
November 21st, 2012
3:27 pm
Shaun
Andruw was a great player. A HOF player but for too short of a period of time. Had he stayed in shape and kept his speed longer he’d been a no brainer for HOF. He was awfully fun to watch for 4 or 5 years. He was good more years but for 4 or 5 he was the best I’ve seen in CF because he could play so shallow and rob folks of singles but still turn and go get them. People forget to that he had a GREAT arm.
Shaun
November 21st, 2012
3:36 pm
Mark, I think Andruw was great defensively for long enough and good enough offensively to be a legit Hall of Fame candidate. He’s probably close to the borderline but I would say he’s a Hall of Famer. However, there are better candidates who are not in.
Heath
November 21st, 2012
3:38 pm
Span is not a fringe player… as long as the trade is reasonable… he’s the best “get” for CF and lead-off. Bourn and Upton definitely cost to much.
Puma
November 21st, 2012
3:46 pm
All this Andruw talk, I had to go back and look at his numbers. They were actually better than I remember, from ‘97 to ‘07 never played less than 150 games, amazing! (Compare that to Hamilton) He also struck out a lot less than I remember, highest total was 147. Amazing how the year after he leaves Braves, it all goes downhill…good call on not resigning him.
BravePack(FreeFan)
November 21st, 2012
4:00 pm
From MLBTR:
3:57 [Comment From NickB NickB: ]
Braves really in on Hamilton? or are they just waiting around to see if his price goes down?
Wednesday November 21, 2012 3:57 NickB
3:57 Ben Nicholson-Smith: Well… as I understand it both.
That is a good sign.
Arthur Carlson
November 21st, 2012
4:01 pm
Venice Jim, November 21st, 2012, 1:44 pm … “Antenna Network … [is] … running the Thanksgiving episode of WKRP in Cincinnati four times in a row tonight…”
Honestly, guys. I really thought turkeys could fly.
abeeeewright
November 21st, 2012
4:08 pm
Bourn versus BJ Upton …
Upton is clearly a drop off defensively from Bourn. He will also cost less.
How many years for Upton? How many years for Bourn?
The real cost in Bourn’s contract will be the later years. It’s possible that, by the end of the contract, he’s a very good 4th OF. By the time he’s not your best defensive option in CF, his bat won’t play as a LF and his arm won’t play as a RF.
Upton should still be able to play a decent CF by the end of his contract.
So, Bourn will likely get paid as a premiere CF in years one and two of his contract. In year three, he might be paid as a premiere CF while playing like an average one. In years four, five, and six, he might be the most highly paid 4th OF in the game.
If the Braves were to sign him, he’d have 10/5 rights after three years, about when his decline would set in. The Yankees, for instance, would just amortize those costs and trade him for whatever they could get when his performance started to decline.
Upton is liable to be what he is through the life of a reasonable contract. If you could sign him at a reduced price due to lots of options in CF and a down year, you might get very good value for him.
And, he’s definitely going to be better than Jordan Schafer or Jose Constanza, which is what we currently have.
VaBravesFan
November 21st, 2012
4:08 pm
I still find it crazy that BJ Upton is possibly in line for a 5 year 75 million deal, I really don’t buy that he’s our #1 target. Doesn’t make sense, were actually gonna pay 15 million a season to a 240/320 hitter? I doubt it. Same goes for Josh Hamilton, any GM would be nuts and stupid to offer more than 3 years and he will most likely get more than 3 years and around 20 million a season.
abeeeewright
November 21st, 2012
4:18 pm
Span [age 28] … career slash line .284/.357/.389
Bourn [age 29] … career slash line .272/.339/.365
BJ Upton [age 28] … career slash line .255/.336/.422
They’re all very similar players. Right now, Bourn is worth the most. Span might be second most. Upton third.
For comparison …
Jordan Schafer .221/.305/.301
Jose Constanza (in exceptionally limited PA) .281/.332/.341
Puma
November 21st, 2012
4:23 pm
Guess nothings happening today or tomorrow, sigh. I guess I can stop the mlbtraderumors refresh. Winter meetings are in two weeks right?
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 21st, 2012
4:30 pm
Efrim promised some good action on the FA market by Thanksgiving.. 7.5 hours to go
O.M.G.
November 21st, 2012
4:40 pm
Efrim lied!!!
BravePack(FreeFan)
November 21st, 2012
4:59 pm
Efrim promised? Well then I guess it’s gonna be an exciting last 7.5 hours then.
tony austin
November 21st, 2012
5:07 pm
I still find it crazy that BJ Upton is possibly in line for a 5 year 75 million – VaBravesFan
I don’t get it either. The only thing that Upton does positively offensively, it appears, is hit the HR ball.
For what it’s worth, the World Series Champion SF Giants were dead last in the ML in HRs hit.
TennBravesFan
November 21st, 2012
5:09 pm
Hey all, I haven’t posted in a while. I have no information on any Braves rumors. However, I can tell you that Erin Andrews just reported on radio that unidentified Univ of Tenn. officials have told her that Jon Gruden to the Vols is all but a done deal. Hey I don’t know if I am ready to believe it yet, but thats what she said.
O.M.G.
November 21st, 2012
5:24 pm
Gruden? That would be great!!!
TennBravesFan
November 21st, 2012
5:34 pm
Don’t know if it makes a difference, but she actually said Gruden to Tenn. is “close” to being a done deal, not all but a done deal. So I guess that means that anything can still happen.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 21st, 2012
5:39 pm
The only thing that Upton does positively offensively, it appears, is hit the HR ball.
Yep. His SLG is lower than Prado’s. But I guess being a HR or “nothing” hitter is good for cleanup… err, I mean 7th in the lineup. At 15mil (and a draft pick) to boot.
Mark
November 21st, 2012
5:42 pm
Deal was done when they fired Dooley. No way a big program would fire their coach now with recruiting being done without making a big splash. And Gruden will be a big splash for UT. Recruiting will get much tougher for UGA, Bama, …
keyLargo
November 21st, 2012
5:49 pm
Miami also finalized a deal with outfielder Juan Pierre, who agreed to a $1.6 million, one-year contract. That leaves the Marlins with an estimated opening-day payroll of $36 million for active players, which would be their lowest since 2008. In the latest figures, Oakland had the lowest payroll in the majors this year at $59.5 million.
Things could be worse.
MFin04
November 21st, 2012
5:55 pm
“Miami also finalized a deal with outfielder Juan Pierre, who agreed to a $1.6 million, one-year contract.”
Could be worse. Yeh we could be going after BJ Upton for $15 million when we could’ve had Juan Pierre for $2 million put up the same numbers.
I still have absolutely no clue why the Braves would be interested in Upton, unless it was just to drive up the price for the Nationals or Phillies.
brian
November 21st, 2012
5:57 pm
drive up the price on upton you are also driving up the price on Bourn.
The Braves did not do the whole entertain the free agent thing just to drive up Upton’s price. I am sure the Braves have a price they would like to have Upton for. He he wants more they will not match it. If he signs elsewhere and the Braves drove his price up, it is a nice bonus
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 21st, 2012
5:58 pm
BJ and JuanFran are similr players in my mind… .240/.300/.430 hitters who will hit 25 HR, 25 doubles. Bj just has the ability to steal 30 bases (which dont really lead to extra runs). Those numbers dont belong at cleanup, or anywhere 2-6. He’d be hitting 7 or 8 if I wrote the lineups. And to pay 15mil to hit him there is crazy.
I’d hit Prado cleanup before considering BJ. BJ is only a better option for cleanup than Simmons and Span/Fowler (or similar weaker hitting likely LF acquisition)
BravePack(FreeFan)
November 21st, 2012
5:58 pm
Let’s not get carried away and go as far as saying the Pierre would have the same numbers as Upton.
brian
November 21st, 2012
6:00 pm
Dooley was going to be fired from the Vols. I am surprised it was during the season. Just don’t see that much in college. Only thing I can guess is that they wanted a head start on the coaching search/prospects but it would have to be for somebody not currently coaching college football. Gruden and Tressel would fit the description.
MFin04
November 21st, 2012
6:01 pm
Give me Willingham all day long over every guy mentioned so far. It isn’t even close with the numbers. And if you look at the numbers and the price, wow. It blows you away. There just isn’t any place for a .290-.320 on base guy on this team, especially when there are some .340-.360 CFers out there.
brian
November 21st, 2012
6:01 pm
good point BravePack – they will not have the same numbers and Upton does not need a relay man to get the ball to the actual relay man on a ball to the wall.
Maybe the Marlins got Pierre so they can show Yelich how NOT to throw the ball (Yelich’s one weakness is his arm)
ncbravesfan90
November 21st, 2012
6:02 pm
“Let’s not get carried away and go as far as saying the Pierre would have the same numbers as Upton.”
No doubt. I thought I was seeing things when I looked on here and saw the claim that Pierre would put up the same numbers as Upton. Come on now. He wouldn’t even put up numbers close to Upton.
ChattTownBrian
November 21st, 2012
6:04 pm
Enter your comments here
Heath
November 21st, 2012
6:05 pm
TOBF:
Don’t want BJ Upton either… especially if it means he hits 4th. Ouch.
MFin04
November 21st, 2012
6:05 pm
Pierre 400 at bats .307/.351/.371/.721 1 HR 37 SB
Upton 575 at bats ,246/.298/.454/.752 28 HRS 31 SB
Heath
November 21st, 2012
6:09 pm
MFin04:
I’d take Willingham in LF too… but I don’t see the Braves signing Bourn or trading for two OFers… one would have to be signed. That’ why I think it’s be more realistic to trade for Span and Sign Swisher… who by the way, if you look at the home/road and left/right splits the last 3 years is pretty good too. Span to lead off and Swisher to hit clean-up between Heyward and Freeman.
ncbravesfan90
November 21st, 2012
6:11 pm
Upton much better OF than Pierre as well.
ncbravesfan90
November 21st, 2012
6:11 pm
Upton much better OF than Pierre as well. Range, arm, routes, etc.
richbrave
November 21st, 2012
6:17 pm
Well I tell ya’, I’d rather BOURN at 18 than B.J. at 15, I tell ya’ that. Now years. I understand they both want five. Personally, I’d look elsewhere.
BOURN’s too old for five, he wants his retirement check.
And UPTON, a sub .300 OBP? Fa’ gid da’ boud dit!
VaBravesFan
November 21st, 2012
6:21 pm
Pierre is still a pretty solid player for his age and skill set. If he can provide a 350 OBP while playing 130+ games, 1.6 million is a good deal. The guy can play solid D, but does have a horrible arm, steal plenty of bases as well. You could argue the guy is good enough to play everyday on a middle of the pack ballclub.
Mark
November 21st, 2012
6:26 pm
Upton and Pierre aren’t comparable. Thats whats wrong with a lot of this stuff on here.
They are two different type of players. It would be like trying to decide who is better between Otis Nixon and say Jermaine Dye. They were two different type players. Dye ended up putting up big numbers but for that team in the early 90s give me Otis all day long because he was a guy that led off, set the table, created runs and was great in CF…
MFin04
November 21st, 2012
6:31 pm
“Upton and Pierre aren’t comparable. Thats whats wrong with a lot of this stuff on here.”
Yep, but signing Pierre at $1.5 million could net us Hamilton at $20 million. Rather have that than BJ Upton at $15.
BJ Upton creates more problems that benefits. We need a leadoff guy that can play CF. There aren’t any leadoff guy LFers. So the CF really needs to be a guy similar to Bourn that can hit first. Upton is a 7th hitter with a lot of power and poor on base. We don’t need that. And if we do need a guy with power and poor on base, wouldn’t you rather have more power and more on base in a LF like Willingham?
Braves need one middle of the order bat and one top of the order bat. BJ Upton really is neither of those. And he isn’t even a great CFer defensively.
Mark
November 21st, 2012
6:36 pm
MFin04
I agree about Upton. He is nothing more than a speedier version of Uggla and we certainly don’t need that.
The comparisons of just talent and players(money aside) just kill me. Thats why that WAR crap some push annoys the crap out of me. Uggla will always do well in that category b/c he hits occassional HRs. What it doesn’t compare is that most 2B on great teams are defensive specailist that make contact, can take pitches and draw walks without striking out 1 in every 3 ABs…
Ken Stallings
November 21st, 2012
6:50 pm
The Braves won consistently those years because during those years they had a lot of the best players in baseball on their roster, both pitchers and hitters.
Andruw Jones was one of those players. His glove was simply the best in the game in the outfield during those years. His bat was among the most dangerous.
Chipper Jones represented the last of those stellar players from that era. Can Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman achieve the same level? Perhaps. Brian McCann was the best hitting catcher in the NL for several years, but beyond that, the Braves cannot claim a top level player at any position — I mean a player whom most consider the best of the position players in the game.
The change started when Rafael Furcal was allowed to leave for budget reasons and Yunel Escobar was a substantial step down from what Furcal provided. If the Braves could pull off signing Hamilton, it would give the Braves one of those stellar position players for the first time in a long time.
DS1
November 21st, 2012
6:57 pm
Before I would pay good money for a fringe player like BJ Upton, I’d get me two really good platoon players for LF and spend the rest of the money on a big rotation upgrade. Then trade for Span for CF.
Mark
November 21st, 2012
7:00 pm
Ken
I respectfully disagree regarding Hamilton. I like the guy and hope he does well where ever he lands. More importantly, I hope he continues to conquer those demons that have plagued him in the past. However, there is no way we could recover from a huge contract bust like the Yankees, Angels… can. We can’t even do anyhting about Ugglas 60 million 5 year deal at just 2 years into it.
Again, hope to see Hamilton do well but no way I gamble that much money on him in our market.
MFin04
November 21st, 2012
7:02 pm
“Again, hope to see Hamilton do well but no way I gamble that much money on him in our market.”
Same could be said about BJ Upton. Hamilton has crazy MVP upside though.
Mark
November 21st, 2012
7:06 pm
Difference is I’d like to have Hamilton but I wouldn’t want any part of Upton
cricket
November 21st, 2012
7:23 pm
Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports that the Red Sox are “closing in on” a two-year deal with free agent outfielder Jonny Gomes, which might signal the end of their attempt to re-sign Cody Ross.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 21st, 2012
7:35 pm
Before I would pay good money for a fringe player like BJ Upton, I’d get me two really good platoon players for LF and spend the rest of the money on a big rotation upgrade. Then trade for Span for CF.
Yes! A big rotation upgrade! There are only about 2 out there (maybe only 1 if the other guy is hurt…)
cricket: Let’s get Cody Ross then!
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 21st, 2012
7:39 pm
Stark hears that Josh Hamilton is no longer on the Phillies’ list, and Amaro said they “haven’t been given a real budget. I know it’s not unlimited, but that’s not usually how we work.”
Teams continue to check in with the Rays about their starting pitchers, and the asking price for James Shields is in the neighborhood of the five-player package Tampa received for Matt Garza two winters ago.
And Greinke is rumored to want a 6yr contract. I’d give it to him in a heartbeat, at up to 19-20mil a season. Better to throw 20mil at him than 15 (and a draft pick) at BJ.
cricket
November 21st, 2012
7:41 pm
cricket: Let’s get Cody Ross then!
only if we save money by not signing greinke
or go willingham
Ken Stallings
November 21st, 2012
7:48 pm
Hamilton hit a ton of homers last year and drove in a ton of runs, and he hits for a good average. His defense would play well in right field for Atlanta because we have Mr. Cannon Arm already in right. We just need a swift glove in centerfield and Hamilton can handle the rest just fine.
I’m well aware of Hamilton’s drug abuse past. But, the man has worked hard to overcome that and he’s a good person. Despite being hurt some of last season, the man was in the running for the homer title in the AL last year. The dude had a killer year last season, 43 homers, 128 RBI, .285 BA, and .354 OBA.
Look, if Hamilton wants the money, he can sign with the Red Sox for $25 million a year and still be a relative bargain. He would kill it in that place. But, Hamilton is a humble man and he’d rather be part of a team vice the center of attention. That’s why he did well in Texas. Atlanta just brings the country boy closer to home.
Further, the Ballpark in Arlington has dimensions close to Turner Field, so I don’t see an offensive drop off for him in Atlanta. The man can just flat out hit. His .285 BA last season was among his lowest for a season! The man has an AVERAGE OPS of .900 plus over about five full seasons. He played in 148 games last year, so he wasn’t a DL magnet.
I don’t get the negativity with Hamilton at all. He is a good team player and hugely talented. Frankly, the only reason I think the Braves have a chance here is because I think Hamilton would be willing to leave $7 million a year on the table just to have a happier environment to play in. I would have expected him to resign with Texas, but Nolan Ryan said some negative things about him last year, so I think that bridge is burned.
I’d regard $18 million a year for five years a far less risky investment for Hamilton than I would a $15 million a year for five years for BJ Upton! To be honest, speaking of what I would do, I’d be willing to offer Hamilton $25 million a year for five years, stick Jose Constanza in centerfield as a glove, and bat Constanza eighth and call it a done deal moving Prado to third base where he prefers to play.