Braves target Upton, while weighing other CF options

It would be one stop shopping.

• Link
• Report this comment

rich: I understand your point of view… I’m just not so against trading our lefties. We’ve got more pitching! Minor and Maholm at the MLB level now, Gilmartin and Wood waiting behind them. And I’m sure we’ll get another lefty with one of our first 3 picks this year. I’d rather trade Hanson, but if the Rockies, Twins, and DBacks all said to want some solid, veteran pitching, I think Maholm fits that description better. Minor gets involved if they want a controllable starter. Trading him means that the FO thinks that Wood can be ready by mid2014 (which I think is possible) and will be able to play well. I wouldn’t be against trading him, in the right deal.

In order, trade pieces (mainly pitchers) I’d feel most willing to trade: Hanson, Spruill, Salcedo, Ahmed, Teheran, Maholm, Minor, Delgado, Graham

(Graham is untouchable to me, Minor is virtually untouchable, and I’d rather trade Teheran than Delgado). Maholm/Minor only if necessary, and if we’d be going for another stud SP from FA.

• Link
• Report this comment

Our farm system is already pretty weak so if we could land both Willingham and Span in a deal Wren should just pull the trigger. We’d just be giving up prospects, instead of commiting big money to a free agent who will be overpaid and losing a draft pick at the same time. The move would leave us with around 10 million to spend, so Wren could look at bullpen and bench help too, while still having leftovers for a mid season addition.

• Link
• Report this comment

im pretty excited about what Wren might do, I really dont think he wants to lose a draft choice. it would be awesome to keep our 1st rounder and add another with Bourn leaving.

• Link
• Report this comment

still wouldnt be surprised if we end up with some kind of platoon in LF, with a CFer who is pretty low on our list. So hopefully Wren can atleast get Prado and Heyward locked up to long term deals

• Link
• Report this comment

Well Bobby, with so many doggon reporters out these days you just never know who’s spilling truth or bullsh@@.

• Link
• Report this comment

Blockbuster, eh?

We’ll see about that when the ones we acquire turn into Ugglas. Sigh.

• Link
• Report this comment

“Our farm system is already pretty weak so if we could land both Willingham and Span in a deal Wren should just pull the trigger. We’d just be giving up prospects, instead of commiting big money to a free agent who will be overpaid and losing a draft pick at the same time. The move would leave us with around 10 million to spend, so Wren could look at bullpen and bench help too, while still having leftovers for a mid season addition.”

I agree VA Brave. If FW can do it do it but it takes two to make a trade.

As said before — how do other teams think of our prospects?????? That is a good question. I really do not know.

• Link
• Report this comment

I think they should look at the guy in the royals system Wil Myers 37 home runs between AA /AAA
ball last year the royals are looking for some pitching to make a playoff push.
It sounds like this guy is ready for major league ball right now.

• Link
• Report this comment

I meant a tall, skinny Uggla at the plate. No one can accuse Uggla of not hustling!

• Link
• Report this comment

Farewell to Larry Hagman, who, for some of us, will always be Tony Nelson, the luckiest astronaut of all time…

• Link
• Report this comment

Hugo: Yes, he played with Barbara Eden and Linda Gray up to this year and he had a long, very good career. RIP Larry Hagman.

• Link
• Report this comment

VJ: I have watched “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” and the flying turkey episode of “WKRP” that is supposedly based in truth on a similar contest on WQXI in the ATL in the 60’s or 70’s.

• Link
• Report this comment

great tv characters Roger Healy, Cliff Clavin, Norm Peterson, Michael Scott, and for that matter half of the Office cast.

beet juice.

• Link
• Report this comment

never was a huge Mash fan but that show had its moments. Cheers was awesome. then Seinfeld.

george was every males biggest fear, bald, short, broke, and living at some point at home.

• Link
• Report this comment

Oh great I see we are back to the old Willingham crap again. I can’t believe so many of you want this guy. I really hope it doesn’t happen but I it does I will be the 1st one to say I told you so when he sucks in Atlanta and we trade away good pitching for him. I hope many of you realize they will want a ton in return.

• Link
• Report this comment

great character actor Bruce Mcgill. Dday from animal house.

also has been a in a ton of movies.

he played Walter Hagen, in Bagger Vance. the dude has a nice golf swing.

• Link
• Report this comment

And he is Edwin Stanton in Lincoln…

• Link
• Report this comment

Probably goes back to Chester and then Festus on Gunsmoke, and Ernest T. Bass on Andy Griffith. uga, Seinfield was full of off the wall characters, kinda like this blog.

• Link
• Report this comment

i thought Boss was top notch, right behind Breaking Bad for me.

• Link
• Report this comment

Very sad to see Boss cancelled…

• Link
• Report this comment

DOB, food review. went to the Optimist tonight on the westside.

AJC’s John Kessler loves the place. we thought it felt like a food mill.

average at best.

Empire State South is our new favorite place.

• Link
• Report this comment

VJ, gotta give the guy his due as far as being type cast. total 180.

• Link
• Report this comment

VJ

I don’t know what to think. Packers seem to be finding a way to win lately while not playing the best football. Giants are coming off their bye week and haven’t been playing well either. I know the Packers want to avenge last years playoff loss. It sounds like Jennings might be back for this game so we add a little more firepower on offense but Matthews already ruled out for the game. I expect a close game with hopefully the Packers coming out on top to stay atop the NFC North. Bears seem to be heading in the wrong direction lately. One thing I hope for is no more injuries as we can’t afford to lose ny more players heading into the last stretch of games before the playoffs. Need to keep Rodgers upright against the Giants D-line which will be tough.

• Link
• Report this comment

Nobody asked, but…

My favorite animal character (in a non-starring role) was Eddie in Frasier.

• Link
• Report this comment

So many good college games tomorrow, and I have a 10 hour workday – which means I will not be seeing the quasi-biggo game between the Irish and the Trojans with the cabfamily at the Colisseum…

• Link
• Report this comment

uga, I have read that most of the actors on Andy Griffith were very close, except for the actress who played Aunt Bee…apparently she was the complete opposite of her character and a real “B” who was not pleasant to be around and didn’t socialize with any of the cast.

• Link
• Report this comment

asu and arizona have a good one going..

• Link
• Report this comment

Okay, I really should go to bed and stop watching Camelot…

• Link
• Report this comment

Remove one “s” at 9:58 (our time) – Coliseum…

• Link
• Report this comment

Long workday tomorrow – off to bed – good luck to the Dawgs, uga…

• Link
• Report this comment

Walkin’ like a million dollar trooper – tryin’ mighty hard to look like Gary Cooper (Gene Wilder)

(Screechily sung) Soooperr Dooooperrr… (Peter Boyle)…

• Link
• Report this comment

ooops – too late…

• Link
• Report this comment

VJ, that’s where I know the song from… “Young Frankenstein” – funny movie

• Link
• Report this comment

Tater,

You and I best ball v. uga. Who wins?

And, don’t know about you, but Flange’s givin’ me at least six a side…

• Link
• Report this comment

The Rockies’ asking price for Dexter Fowler is “absurd,” one rival executive tells Passan. It appears to be a buyers’ market for center fielders right now, though another executive warns that “it will shake out” as the offseason progresses.

The Royals have been shopping top prospect Wil Myers but only in exchange for starting pitching, reports Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan.

Medlen? Minor? Beachy? Probably not enough….

• Link
• Report this comment

“Probably not enough….”

We’ve got cash…. What if we took on Francoeur’s contract? Any takers? We darn sure need some help v. lefties?

• Link
• Report this comment

I don’t think the Royals would go for that…. They need a guy to slot as a 1/2 in their rotation, I don’t think Minor is there. Medlen, may entice them though. I’m sure they’d still want a prospect like Teheran or Delgado as well. Gilmartin doesn’t do much other than add a guy who can pitch at the back-end of the rotation for a while.

• Link
• Report this comment

Braveheart –

Big day. Bigger than a National Championship. You didn’t understand that until you moved down here, right? haha. Roll Tide!

• Link
• Report this comment

“If you’re Terry Ryan and FW asks for Span Willingham and Doumit, what are you going to ask for in return?”

I will ask for three pitchers — I want one healthy major league caliber low cost starter. That means I want either Minor or Medlen. Than I want Delgado (who is not far away from being good) and Teheran (now a 50/50 caliber prospect).

Might also squeeze out a prospect in the ower minots too. An everyday player.

Of course I’d also shop around and see what other GM;s have to offer.

I would not really like to move Minor or Medlen as a Braves fan but you have to give up something to get something. I would love for FW to move Hanson insttead.

• Link
• Report this comment

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Old buddy JUAN ABREU takes a minors offer from the DODGERS.

EASTERN BULLS

Lead-off CF JOSE CONSTANZA [.323 BA] 0-4, 1 SAC.

LHRP JOSE LUGO [H 3, 0.00 ERA] 0.2 IP, perfection.

JOSE continues unscored upon in 13 outings, 8.2 IP.

LICEY TIGERS

3B JUAN FRANCISCO [.333 BA] 1-4, 1 2B [5], 1 RBI [15], 2 SO.

RHSP RANDALL DELGADO [L 0-2, 5.74 ERA] 5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 2 SO.

Decent effort. Offense didn’t pick him up.

ORIENTE STARS

LHRP DUSTY HUGHES [0.00 ERA] 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 0 SO.

VENEZUELA

CARACAS LIONS

1B JOSH KROEGER [.296 BA] 0-3, 1 BB, 1 SO. 1 CS [3].

LARA CARDINALS

C JOSE YEPEZ [.219 BA] 1-4, 1 RBI [5], 1 E [1, pick-off throw].

ZULIA EAGLES

1B ERNESTO MEJIA [.345 BA] 2-4.

LF EVAN GATTIS [.283 BA] 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR [8], 2 RBI [26], 1 BB, 1 E [2, fielding].

GATTIS shows the EAGLES the way home as they solidify their hold on the lead in the VENEZUELAN Winter League.

• Link
• Report this comment

Efrim –

First Thanksgiving with all the wife’s extended family, since you got married? Fun stuff, huh? That funny smell on your shirt is Aunt Matilda’s perfume. It’ll wash out. Borax.

…3 times.

…or, if you prefer. Wear the shirt to a smokey bar, tonight. The combination of perfume and smoke will remind you of your college days..at the gentleman’s club.

..so I’ve been told.

• Link
• Report this comment

Lew:

See you’re tiring of all the trade scenerios floated about here.

I keep saying over and over read FRANK WREN’s lips – no new pitching with the exception of a RH wing in the pen.

As for trading our ’surplus’ of pitching for slots in the outfield, we’re an injury away from needing that ’surplus.’ DELGADO must be kept as ther back-up plan.

HANSON’s the only possible ML tested arm I can see being sent out at the moment. I don’t think he would bring back what we need in the OF.

So the alternative is DAVID HALE, ZEKE SPRUILL, AARON NORTHCRAFT, ERNESTO MEJIA……some or all of those guys for DENARD SPAN, and JOSH WILLINGHAM? I dunno’ sounds pretty thin to me.

I see a FA in CF, a resigned REED JOHNSON, and a platoon in our future in LF. Or El OSO BLANCO as a long-shot.

• Link
• Report this comment

And CONSTANZA and SCHAFER vying for fifth OF’er.

• Link
• Report this comment

The Braves and Twins match up so well for a trade, you can bet your bottom dollar that Span or Willingham will be a Brave, it just makes too much sense not to happen. In my opinion tho I think we have a better shot at landing Span. The Twins have Revere ready to take over CF if Span is dealt. Also they’ll be getting out of the remaining contract of Span which is a team friendly deal but still (11.25 million over the next 2 seasons and a option year) They’ll be able to add the pitching they need.

Josh Willingham has been very productive in the AL the past 2 seasons. But he is 33 years old. Easily the DH has helped him stay fresh and so on. He’s actually averaged 140 games the past 2 seasons, but his NL career (And younger years) only averaged 127 games. He’s also a below average defender.

His first 5 seasons in NL he average 20 homers and 66 rbi’s while the past 2 seasons in the AL he’s averaged 32 homers and 104 rbi’s. Plus add in that he’s averaged 30 games each year as the DH. I think it’s safe to say the NL teams won’t be able to agree with the value the Twins would put on the slugger. But when you factor in his awesome cheap contract of 2 years 14 million remaining that might be enough to forget about his age and durability. Cause his difference in numbers are staggering, were talking about 12 homers and 38 rbi’s of production from the middle of the order which is the benefit of having the DH

• Link
• Report this comment

Va Brave — Can FW put together a good enough package to entice Ryan to trade Span and or Willingham to us.

I am not all that hot about Doumit — we can live iwth out him. But Span and WIlly is what we need.

Couldn;t Ryan do better than some of the tradable stuff we have assuming that Medlen, Minor, Hudaon and Malholm will not be moved.

Why would Minnesota want Hanson or Teheran. Even Delgado, Spurill and Gilmartin, could they not do better elsewhere?

• Link
• Report this comment

I never realized that someone who hits 240 AVG with a 316 OBP on average for 4 consecutive seasons that he’s a “Premium Player”

Even a 34 year old Juan Pierre hit 307 with a 351 OBP and 37 steals. He also had 142 less strikeouts and still walked half as much as Upton did with less playing time. (this is jut for sh!ts and giggles)

• Link
• Report this comment

Va Brave — the idea of handing contracts out to our important current players is the best way to spend the money that is available.

Its not like $25 mil is going to buy alot of MLB talent this day in time.

Maybe the 5 tradable pieces we have might get a Span or Fowler, depends on how the Twins or Rox percieve that list of Hanson, Teheran, Delgado, Gilmartin and Spurill.

Save for Tommy, our tradable pieces are in the unproven caegory, & Tommy sure has his second half warts.

I sure do not want to give 10-12 mil to a Cody Ross or Angel Pagan type at all. BJ @ 5 and 75 is not the worst thing in the world in this market thoough I have surrenderring the draft choice — crucial for this busiiness model.

FW is up to the challenge — I am sure he can figure something out. He is underappreciated in my opinion.

• Link
• Report this comment

Disgusted – I wasn’t referring to you per se on that – I was actually targeting someone ele’s idiotic trade scenarios.

I know you were not referring to me perrsonally– I never take it personal. Sorry if it came across that way.

But hey, its silly amateur GM’s like me and others who blog that promote the popularity of the game, as wrong as we can be.

If you look at Wren;s record — he finds a way to come up with something that we do not expect. And he finds a way not to move assets that he really wants to keep.

Now, Minnesota can ask for 3 or 4 pitchers but does not mean they will get them. I have been playing devils advoacte in the trade discussion cause some fans want to give up a pound of bologna for a half pount of filet mignon, you know how fan trade proposals can be.

We have to give something the other team wants to agree on — you get it, others get it, but some don’t.

And Mr Wren is doing his best — think 90 pct of us will agree to that.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hell if we really are gonna sign a expensive Free agent who will cost a draft pick, go for Nick Swisher. He’ll likely be cheaper than BJ Upton for sure. But of course he isn’t a CFer. But the man is clearly a much better hitter than BJ. Switch Hitter with 20+ Homer power who produces 360+ OBP’s every year while playing 150 games a season. Dude can play LF, RF, 1st base, and even CF on occasion. I rather see them spend on him than on BJ Upton and his 316 OBP and 169 Strikeouts

• Link
• Report this comment