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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,505 comments Add your comment
Heath
November 24th, 2012
11:47 pm
Night all.
Venice Jim
November 24th, 2012
11:51 pm
Heath – we always look good early – need it to carry through…I am certain the Cats will be there in four months…
Nova Scotia Steve
November 24th, 2012
11:55 pm
A friendly prediction: We end up with Upton and Victorio in LF. That’s what I see happening when the dust settles.
kenhotlanta
November 24th, 2012
11:56 pm
ncgary: that is indeed good news and prayers are continuing for you to keep getting better.
kenhotlanta
November 24th, 2012
11:59 pm
Nova Scotia Steve: Not the big moves we were promised, but I can live with that because I think the young guys we already have will get better next year and make up the difference.
Lee in S GA
November 25th, 2012
12:02 am
A friendly prediction: We end up with Upton and Victorio in LF. That’s what I see happening when the dust settles.
———————————–
ur probably right
Nova Scotia Steve
November 25th, 2012
12:06 am
Ken: I think Upton would be considered a big move for Atlanta. We have to realize we will probably never have a $20 million per season player.
Nor do we need to pay a single player that much.
uga-brave
November 25th, 2012
12:08 am
SEC just whitewashed the ACC.
uga-brave
November 25th, 2012
12:10 am
georgia or bama will beat notre dame by 20.
kenhotlanta
November 25th, 2012
12:14 am
uga, we certainly gata today and have been for the past few weeks…I think we have a real chance to go all the way this year.
Did you see my earlier comment about how it’s surreal to realize it’s been 32 years since Herschel led us to the National Championship…where in the heck did those years go?
Lee in S GA
November 25th, 2012
12:28 am
like the inbred SEC seems to engender in the faithful?
——————————
f u boy i don’t like that comment
uga-brave
November 25th, 2012
12:32 am
always a moron. that shows up.
uga-brave
November 25th, 2012
12:32 am
always a moron. that shows up.
300 Big Ones
November 25th, 2012
12:40 am
If Atlanta does not resign Hinske, which I would prefer they keep him. What would the possiblity of seeing Travis Hafner as his replacement ? Yes, he has been injury plagued. But has a ton of power. And relatively speaking, a low risk-high reward signing. Maybe it would do him good to get out of the AL and the Indians organization.
Venice Jim
November 25th, 2012
12:50 am
Lee – sorry, I do not understand the mentality that allows members of one school to drool and fawn all over other schools in their conference that they should hate, according to all that is good and decent in the world. Where I come from people went to a school, not a conference. Then again, people such as yourself apparently have a different worldview than normal humans…not that there’s anything wrong with mutually-gratitudinal affection within the conference…
Nova Scotia Steve
November 25th, 2012
12:53 am
I think Hafner would want more guarnteed playing time or DH’ing. But who know’s, he might sign relatively cheap somewhere to try and rebuild his value.
Nova Scotia Steve
November 25th, 2012
12:58 am
I will say this, Hinske is as good as gone. That is a given.
Nova Scotia Steve
November 25th, 2012
12:58 am
I will say this, Hinske is as good as gone. That is a given.
Nova Scotia Steve
November 25th, 2012
12:58 am
I will say this, Hinske is as good as gone. That is a given.
jbailz23
November 25th, 2012
1:57 am
It will be hilarious if/when BJ Upton signs in Philly and becomes a 30/30/.285 hitter and we kick ourselves in the a@# for not signing him. I think Upton would thrive in this lineup, he admitted that he was pressing last year and let’s be honest he hasn’t had much support outside of Longo. Throw him in the middle of a potent Braves lineup and I think we’ve got something good there!
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 25th, 2012
6:46 am
BJ: I command you to pick Philly.
chipl1960
November 25th, 2012
7:08 am
He will go where he gets the most money.
GaryinBham
November 25th, 2012
7:12 am
I think it would be interesting, in addition to a player like Upton, Spann or Victorino, if we took a shot at Wil Myers of KC, top hitter in minors last year. Kid hit 37 HR and KC is willing to deal for a frontline pitcher. Hansen and another good prospect from minors, or JJ?
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
7:35 am
Say Hanson, Gilmartin, possibility for Wil “The Thrill” Myers? Possibly Constanza thrown in.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 25th, 2012
7:36 am
Royals want a frontline pitcher…. so we offer Hanson and JJ… makes sense. Those guys aren’t front-line SP, they’re not even #3-4s! You’d have to offer Beachy or Medlen, maybe Minor.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 25th, 2012
7:44 am
Of course, they won’t be getting a current frontline SP for Myers alone, but the pitcher would have to have that type of potential, and not be a prospect anymore. I don’t think Teheran/Delgado get them moving. It would have to be between Medlen and Minor, I bet (since Beachy is hurt).
If only they’d take Maholm/Hanson/Teheran. We get Myers, Span for CF, sign Greinke, add Delgado to the rotation.
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
7:48 am
@TheOnlyBravesFan; Good point, those 3 would be hard to let go, the Royals usually like some of our prospects, what do you think the Braves could make this happen or should they?
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
7:52 am
@TheOnlyBravesFan; My bad, I’m slow to respond, please disregard my above question you’ve answered it, & I’d go w/that.
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
8:00 am
@GaryInBham; I’d love to see Victorino here just to be a 4th OF’r & he would bring Leadership off the bench, I know he’d bring it against his old fillie mates when give’n the opportunity. Is there anyway we can re-sign Reed Johnson? These guys would be blue collar off the bench. Good situational players,ph’rs, & Leadership which is a Big concern.
GaryinBham
November 25th, 2012
8:03 am
I mentioned it because it is apparently in some conversation out there. http://tracking.si.com/2012/11/24/kansas-city-royals-willing-to-trade-wil-myers/?sct=mlb_t2_a5 Of course, who knows what “”willing to trade” means? He sounds like a real player coming on Getting a star on the brink is more our speed than a ton of FA’s.
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
8:07 am
Yeah; He’d be a stud starting out, & could be a key cornerstone w/Heyward & Freeman for years to come.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 25th, 2012
8:09 am
that’s fine 74…. I had a longer post better explaining it, but the blog ate it it seems. I’d bet that the Royals want either Medlen or Minor… With Beachy on the shelf though, I doubt that Frank would be willing to include either pitcher, especially Minor (since they like lefties). I however, wouldn’t be so hesitant (I would rather trade Minor though) but would keep it to Minor+1 (like Teheran) or Medlen+1 (mid level prospect, like Spruill). I could then try to move Maholm for a CF like Span (the Twins like Paul a lot), sign the SP, add Delgado to the rotation, play ball. Myers is gonna be a RH Heyward at the plate, and I think he may end up being a better power hitter than JHey. He certainly could do so this year, I bet he could crank nearly 30 jacks. If there is any way at all to get him, I’d seriously look at it.
With this plan, we’d net -2 pitchers for the winter, which is what we’d likely do anyway if we just make a trade for Span and sign a FA. And I’ve upgraded the rotation as well. Doesn’t seem likely to happen, but it’s what I’d do.
Peter
November 25th, 2012
8:17 am
wouldn’t be surprised if Wren totally surprises us with something.
Jordan Shafer is your surprise….. all those moves the Braves have been making.. YAWN !
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
8:28 am
@TOBFan; Seems so sensible, which is something the Braves rarely if any strive to do.But, very much like you’re plan, What do you see Wren realistically doing?
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 25th, 2012
8:29 am
Imagine a 2-6 of Prado, Heyward, Myers/Olt, Freeman, Uggla… that’s a murderers row.
richbrave
November 25th, 2012
8:32 am
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
VENEZUELA
ZULIA EAGLES
LF EVAN GATTIS [.275 BA] 0-4, 2 SO.
ERNESTO MEJIA did not play.
richbrave
November 25th, 2012
8:37 am
So KRIS MEDLEN for WIL MYERS straight up.? That’s as close to a #1 as we have.
Prolly why there are no rumors involving the BRAVES. That means we’re right in the thick of it. You know ‘Silent’ WREN.
richbrave
November 25th, 2012
8:39 am
I’d love WIL MYERS, OSCAR TAVARAS, and MIKE OLT as BRAVES
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
8:40 am
I’d take this murderer’s role in a heartbeat. Man, I know I’ve been harpin’ on Gattis for a while, looks like he’ll be somewhere else or is he too old even to be taken? Whata ya’ll think? richbrave, chime in. You’re take on this also.
richbrave
November 25th, 2012
8:43 am
WIZARDS lose again in double-OT this time. Let an offensive rebound on a missed foul shot beat them. last OT loss against the HAWKS, it was two of them. Details, details, details.
richbrave
November 25th, 2012
8:49 am
74bj:
Still plenty of room on the 40-man b4 the rule 5 draft. If GATTIS is not protected I’ll be surprised.
I have a question…..is EL OSO BLANCO vulnerable to the Rule 5?
That’s one aspect of baseball I’m not familiar with.
Last year’s 5 pick [Robert Fish] was optioned to GWINNETT for 2013 after TJ surgery in 2012.
We’ve got four openings with several more coming later in the off-season or after ST [Jurrjens, Varvaro, Moylan]. I don’t think any of these guys make it as BRAVES in 2013.
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
8:50 am
I wonder if wren could wheel n’ deal for on the verge prospects as you mentioned richbrave which would put them automatically in the lineup, well 2 of the 3 if Tavaras still needs more seasoning, we know what we’d have to give up for Myers, what would it take for Olt & Tavaras?
richbrave
November 25th, 2012
8:53 am
Oops, the little ones are stirring. Feed-bag time. I’ll check back later to see if anyone knows.
Pippa's Meaty Backside
November 25th, 2012
8:53 am
“I just think that there had to be a better option than Mizzou, especially to slot into the SEC East. New market is fine, but they don’t do much for the SEC on the field.”
Amazing how short-sighted some of you can be. It was a smart strategic move for both the SEC and Mizzou…for obvious reasons. In the sports where Mizzou is below average in the SEC…. improved recruiting and more revenue will help to move them forward. A few years from now they will be middle of the pack and top tier in some sports. It’s a very good university and good for the SEC to be represented there with all its sports.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 25th, 2012
8:54 am
realistically, I see either BJ Upton or Span in CF. If he goes to Philly, I bet that the next day we’ll get word of a trade w/ the Twins for Span.
For LF, I’m not so sure. He’ll either go after Cody Ross or Victorino or be encouraged by Juan’s play in winter ball and decide that he’s gonna play 3B and Prado stays in left. Or, he could wait and see how Hamilton’s “market” plays out. If the Red Sox don’t get involved, I think the Braves will have a chance to get him for 4 years, possibly under 20mil a season. I just don’t know if he’ll wait that long though.
richbrave
November 25th, 2012
8:55 am
A lot! Heh! CARDS are particularly tough to deal with. I think TAVARAS has potential as a lead-off batter. Nott sure why though. He doesn’t bat there normally.
Pippa's Meaty Backside
November 25th, 2012
8:58 am
“Imagine a 2-6 of Prado, Heyward, Myers/Olt, Freeman, Uggla… that’s a murderers row.”
Huh?
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
8:58 am
rbrave;On Jurrjens case; I think patience has ran out on him, I know mine has, could we even give him away? kinda the jury out on Moylan, as often he’s been hurt, everybody thinks the world of Petah’, he’s got his own fan base here I think, Varvaro,not sure, up n’ down, might’ve ran out of options, somebody correct me on’em if need to.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 25th, 2012
9:01 am
So KRIS MEDLEN for WIL MYERS straight up.? That’s as close to a #1 as we have.
That’s probably what it would take. Would be tough to pull the trigger on that one though. Also is very dependent on how the Braves feel about Beachy. Will he be able to take the role of a #1-2 pitcher when he comes back?
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 25th, 2012
9:04 am
Players who were 18 or younger on June 5 preceding the signing of their first contract must be protected after four minor league seasons. Players 19 and older must be protected after three seasons.
Gattis has played in 3 minor-league seasons, he was drafted in 2010… though BBRef only shows him as having 1yr of minor league service time.
brian
November 25th, 2012
9:11 am
As much as I like Myers, trading Medlen or a top pitcher for Myers alone is too much. There would have to be another prospect or two or ML player such as Crow
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
9:11 am
To get the unproven WIll Myers it will probably take a Minor or Medlen to get him.
Why should KC ask for less?
I would not do it cause I do not want to give up pitching talent that has just won for us this past season for a raw rookie who has yet to do anything in the majors, I don;t care what his scouting report is.
Many of young hot shot prospects have come up and fallen through. For eveny Trout, Harper or Heyward, there are more Kommisks, Tim Wheelers and for those who are a little older school, Clint Hurdle types who just are not good nough to make it.
Another superstar who never was was Gregg Jefferies of the Mets — though he did have a couple of decent yrs later on but did not really have the impact he should have had.
Even Freddie Lynn after his great rookie yr was no more than a pretty good ballplayer most of his career — not the superstar he was thought out to be.
Prospects — Smoshpects. Would rather have proven talent. Seen too many hot shots not be all that.
Remember Pete Smith and Mike Kelly 20 yrs ago for us????? Two more examples of hot shots who were not so hot.
JasonInFL
November 25th, 2012
9:13 am
It would take more than Myers for the Braves to trade Medlen.
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
9:20 am
TOBF; I like Span, I think he’s really on the verge. Mabey both Cody Ross, & Victorino or only one of em’ & dang, I know what they say about Hamilton’s baggage, but geeze he’s a huge threat in the Lineup, just hope he doesn’t flounder out down the stretch like he did this past year. I hope we can have 3 or 4 clutch guys in the line-up, & cut out all the easy-out K’s we’ve seen way too much of. I really hope n’ wish Uggla would get his head on straight, have strong focus to be a disciplined hitter. The resources are there if he’s listening to em’, The Giants & Card’s proved the last 2 years clutch hitt’n instead of the 3 – run hr’s is where it’s at, & the 3- run hr’s will come in clutch momments from time to time. DISCIPLINE hitter’s is the key, stay tough w/ 2 strikes, battle in the at bats. We still will have strikeouts, but dang, too many guy’s made it too easy for the opposing pitcher too much.
Lew
November 25th, 2012
9:21 am
The Braves are not trading their starting MLB pitching (except for maybe Hanson). They just aren’t.
And anyone who expects much of anything from Beachy this year is going out on a limb. He will come back and make a couple of starts, but you can’t count on him for anything approaching what he gave us prior to the injury until 2014.
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
9:23 am
I would make Minor, Medlen and Judson untouchable. And Malholm is needed as the number 4 SP. I would be comfortable with Delgado as number 5.
The best tradable pieces we have are Teheran, Hanson, Gilmartin and Srurill. JJ will be non tendered so he is going to be picked up as a FA by somebody maybe on a two way contrace.
If the Braves do more two or three of the above pitchers I might want a AAAA SP for organizational depth. There are plenty of affordable depth options on the list.
I would trade three of the above mentioned pitchers for he right deal. Hanson and two our of the above listed three and keep one of the kids for depth in case he is needed.
I hope Hanson and Teheran are the ones moved.
Its not that I want to knock Myers but he is young and unproven — we need a proven MLB guy out there I think.
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
9:25 am
Oh — and Beachey is a guy I would not mofe either — too valuable even if we have to wait till 2014. HE is worth waiting for so he is on my untouchable list.
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
9:33 am
TOBF; Thanks for the info; Discusted; gotcha’ on that point, there have been so many decades of players branded to be The Can’t Miss Phenom, then turn out to be jelly, & the Braves have more than there share. I guess Hindsight is 20/20 or 50/50, I like looking at there SO’s to AB’s ratio, I would like to have more diamonds in the rough players who are disciplined hitters. Who are clutch hitter’s.
Lew
November 25th, 2012
9:35 am
Hanson/Teheran/Delgado/Gilmartin/Spruill
You will see no more than two of the above group included in a trade and that is ALL the pitching you will see traded unless they were to inclkude some lower level pitchers.
No matter what some of y’all think of our pitching, the rest of MLB is impressed with it and pitching is what teams are looking for.
You’ve seen Wren make deals for Uggla (who no matter what is thought of his current performance, was a top player), Bourn and several others. How often has he paid a premium pricce for anyone? Do you seriously think that Span or Fowler (and he WILL pick up one of the needs through Free Agency) qare going to cost more than say Hanson and Teheran/Delgado? Dream on if you do.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 25th, 2012
9:40 am
Span/Fowler won’t… Myers/Olt/Justin Upton will
Lew
November 25th, 2012
9:56 am
First of all – the Braves are not trading for unproven rookie players, no matter how much upside you seem to feel they have – they will get tried and proven players (unless a rookie is added to a package. Second of all – You keep pounding on players like Olt (we’ve already seen we won’t trade Simmons for him, who is what the Rangers wanted), Bourjos and Myers, yet their teams actually don’t want to trade them – or IF they did, would want either MLB ready players (which we just don’t have extras) or top prospects (which as you’ve seen, unless they are named Teheran or Delgado, the Braves are unwilling to part with).
So we don’t want to trade players who might make the deal for players that their teams don’;t really want to trade. Makes perfect sense, dossn’t it?
And one more thing – they aren’t trading Justin Upton.
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
9:58 am
Span and Willingham will cost more than Hanson and either Teheran or Delgado.
I’d rather keep Delgado and offer Hanson, Gilmartin and Teheran. Maybe one other lower level prospect to get both.
If it took Hanson, Gilmartin, Spurill and Teheran to get both WIlly and Span than so be it. Make the deal. Than Wren does not have to go to free agency.
Not being an insider, I don;t know what it would take — just want both of em without disturbing the important parts of the MLB roster And would prefer to keep the draft pick and build on prospective better prospects for the future..
old man
November 25th, 2012
10:03 am
Alex Gordon will cost an average of 10.5M a year for 3 years. So his trade price might be lower than you think.
I think he’s worth that as a compliment to BJ Upton. But if we have only 25M of extra money, that brings into question whether we can afford both.
I have all of the same qualms about BJ that many have. But the two would make a solid duo.
Worth 25M a year?
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
10:03 am
Okay Lew — in February we will find out of you are right.
And you might be on Justin Upton — unless its something that totally blows tham away.
I have heard that Texas will not trade Olt, but everybody has their price.
If they get a FA piece than the idea of trading more then 2 P’s is blown away of course. And you are right on Wren not giving up premium price on his trades. That is his history. We wlll see.
Till the FA names come off the board its hard to project trades right now.
Lew
November 25th, 2012
10:05 am
Yeah, they would, but we won’t get Span AND Willingham. We will get either Span or Dexter Fowler and neither will cost both of thse pitchers much less more than that.
Better get used to the fact that the Braves are going to get one of their needs through Free Agency and one through trade. That actually makes sense as we have lots of cash and we do not have an unlimited supply of minor league talent with which to trade from.
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
10:06 am
Old Man– It might be worth it — depends on what we would get out of Upton if he signs here.
Depends on the budget we have, only the insiders in the baseball operations really know if it can be done. I sort of doubt there is that much flexibility.
Wren likes to maintain some flexibility going into the yr so he can make a deadline move.
That is a good thing.
Lew
November 25th, 2012
10:07 am
Yes – Olt was offered for Simmons and they were turned down. So now you know their price. And the Braves would not pay it.
richbrave
November 25th, 2012
10:09 am
Lew
November 25th, 2012
9:21 am
“…..The Braves are not trading their starting MLB pitching (except for maybe Hanson). They just aren’t.
And anyone who expects much of anything from Beachy this year is going out on a limb. He will come back and make a couple of starts, but you can’t count on him for anything approaching what he gave us prior to the injury until 2014…..”
Yeah, what he said about the starters and HANSON. Double especially about BEACHY.
I wasn’t espousing a trade of MYERS for MEDLEN. I just wouldn’t do it. WIL is unproven as a ML player, and I would never give up proven ML talent to get him. It’s just from the way it was presented that it appears K.C. wouldn’t take unproven arms for him as they want a front-line tested starter for the 2013 season.
Maybe a resurrected FRANCISCO, MEJIA and HANSON for MYERS and MOUSTAKAS. Nah, just too thin for K.C. I really can’t see any viable trades between these two, but if anyone can it’s WREN. Come on bird-man, pull off a good one.
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
10:11 am
Ther was a phenom, which alot of fan’s probably didn’t like who I thought was a good threat, & to this day no one’s done what he’s done. On June 18th,1978, the Braves drafted Bob Horner out of Arizona ST. #1 & requested to try to play on the major league level just 1 game, & if he didn’t succeed, he would go to the minors, so o’l Ted bought into the notion, & third time up against the Pirates Bert Blyleven, he drilled a shot over the centerfield fence, though the Braves, a last place club, he was the big prize to hit the scene, right out of college. There’s been a number of 1st game hr’s, but to this day, has there ever been anyone to come to the majors fresh out of college & stayed up as a impactive player like Horner. Grant it, his personality might’ve rubbed some the wrong way, he spoke his mind, but he was clutch. He did have a stupid agent(Bucky Woy)- whom I believed ruined his career, & Horner probably was stupid to have em’. But Woy usually came at odds w/Turner, & I guess Horner was lucky to last as long as he did, but the extra poundage didn’t help him to stay off the DL, but he wasn’t an easy out whith his At-Bats either. He was a clutch hitter. No range hardly at all at 3B, but adequate, but I thought he had good power numbers taken on as young as he was. Garry Matthews “Sarge” to this day is my top Brave, & that was one of their most Blunder’n trades, oh, I was heartbroken as a kid when they let’em go to philly, for who? a pitcher who only one 11 games that year(Bob Walk- & he didn’t disapoint w/his last name either), then didn’t do much else, mabey w/ the pirates some years after. Garry Matthews was our Pete Rose, he was electric. That’s what the Braves need, is a player who’s electric, one who you feel is gonna come through everytime they come to the plate. Chipper did bring some of that, kinda hope Heyward & Freeman, & Prado will be a constant, along w/ whoever they bring in to be impact. I’m one of these old fans from back when who misses O’l Sarge, even now kinda wish’n & Hope’n someone would bring excitement like he did.
Lew
November 25th, 2012
10:12 am
richbrave is right – Meijia and Francisco are helping to make their case in winter ball. I’d imagine that Francisco remains a Brave (and maybe part of that -gasp- dreaded platoon which would allow Wren to overpay for that Free Agent ), but Ernesto might be a decent addition in a deal for some team.
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
10:14 am
Lew — if we can get either BJ or Swisher in Free Agency than those are the two best available options.
I expect Pagan to go back to SF and Hamilton — I am not even considering him. Don’t even consider it a conversation piece for us.
Or, could Bourn still be in play.
Pretty interesting and exciting off season — heh?????
Give up Hanson and a choice of either Teheran, Gilmartin or Spurill for Span or Fowler. .
2 pitchers for a CF. That seems fair.
The FA we get can play either LF and spell some for CF.
Lew
November 25th, 2012
10:15 am
And did anyone notice in richbraves overnight winter ball results – Francisco is hitting .333 and went 1-3 with 2 RBI last night, walked and did NOT strike out.
Lew
November 25th, 2012
10:16 am
Disgusted – Exactly.
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
10:25 am
Other possible servicable FA options would be Victorino, Cody Ross and Ludwick but after that that is about it.
You are going into backups, platoon guys and guys who were good at one time comming off serious injuries. I do not think that Wren would go for an injury rehab guy like a Grady Sizemore cause that is not in his history. And hope he will not do it.
Some GM’s think they are going to recapture old glory but I do not recall Wren touching any of those kind of guys.
The Red Sox and Yankees are teams that tend to go for old glory days type of guys. The Yanks have been more successful at injury rehab types than the RS who seem to get the wrong type of guys like Aaron Cook and John Smoltz (when he was signed there). Brad Penny.
They NYY have gotten guys like Eric Chavez and Freddie Garcia. They just do things better than their rival.
Just like we do things better than our rival Mets.
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
10:26 am
Hey Cool; rbrave, lew, any word on his weight, is his conditioning better?
Lew
November 25th, 2012
10:31 am
74Braves – I don’t know for a fact, but everything I’ve heqard indicates he’s taking life quite seriously and I had also heard the Braves let him know in no uncrtain terms that his conditioning was amajor issue. I had also heard he had a personal trainer and it appears obvious that he listened to Greg Walker’s suggestions on improving his offensive game.
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
10:33 am
I’m all for Fran-co(Francisco), hope he can shock the world,just long he don’t get advice from the Melk-man, but boy he can hit.
Lew
November 25th, 2012
10:36 am
Well, I could see tons of air conditioning emanating fom the bats of Uggla, BJ Upton and Francsico, but we’d also see the ball flying all over the place, too. Lord help the pitching staff facing our lineup wth all three of them hot at one time with Prado, Hewyward and Freeman in between. And add a healthy McCann?
Lew
November 25th, 2012
10:37 am
That could equate to both a lot of runs scoring and a lot of high strikeout totals for opposing pitchers.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 25th, 2012
10:40 am
A platoon at 3B/Lf and either an overpaid BJ Upton in CF or Span/Fowler. “Premium” players, just as Frank promised.
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
10:43 am
Good Diggs Lew, Thanks, I’m Hop’n He can surprise the world, be mature, find that Discipline, would be a Big Big Plus for the Braves, then if he can hit Lefties as well then Prado could possibly move back to Left, then more room for that CF’er & bench help. Hope they can re-sign Reed Johnson, & get Victorino as bench help. I guess Wren could go at it from diff’rnt angles, 7 like you, He still has leverage for deadline need.
Joey G
November 25th, 2012
10:46 am
I’d still like to sign Lohse (or dream of Grienke). Another proven started will allow for trading a younger guy, who is a prospect.
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
10:46 am
Typo, thumbo-dumbo here, failed to hit “shift” for ‘&’ instead of ‘7′, my bad.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 25th, 2012
10:48 am
Juan can hit it far… that’s about it. .235/.270/.420 with 20+ HR and over 150 Ks I bet. Notthe solid hitter we need. And he is a lefty bat, whichh means that F will get a RH CF. Upton. No thanks!!!
Imagine when Upton, Uggla, Juan, Hey, and Free all go cold. There will be a whiff train going on. Just hope that doesnt happen come playoff time!
Lew
November 25th, 2012
10:50 am
Only Braves – Yep, no doubt about it – picking out key words from a Frank Wren (a GM known for his silence more than anything) press conference and compiling a Santa Claus wish list based on an alphabet soup of metrics that tell you who the best prospects might be is definitley the way to figure what the Braves will do this winter.
Yeah – sure it is.
Jake W.
November 25th, 2012
10:52 am
UGA rubbing it in about the acc, it is what is.
And to VJ’s comment about the drooling and fawning from sec fans over the play of other sec schools. I don’t think that is the case, just think its people having pride in the fact that in general the best football comes from the region of the southeast. Its no different than me disliking the lakers because of kobe, can’t stand the guy, but me rooting for him when he plays for team usa because he helps show the world the best basketball is played in the states.
At the end of the day for sec fans its about their schools and if you get drubbed in the national championship game looks bad for your conference and in a system that has no playoffs you don’t want your conference to be seen as weak, like my acc now.
Are there some crazy and delusional sec fans, sure, but those fans exist for almost every sport and league. They exist for the mlb,nfl, ncaab, nba, and etc. Ignore the crazies, vandy and kentucky are horrible, not to mention Tennessee, they belong to the sec as do the forever underachieving arkansas. Even with that dead weight I still have to give the sec credit, they’ve been cleaning up.
Lew
November 25th, 2012
10:53 am
Imagine what they could all do when cold? I thought I pretty well addressed that. And just because you don’t think it would work (if in fact it were to ever happen or that anyone had actually predicted it would), doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be feasable.
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
10:53 am
Mabey Wren/Manno are moneyball’n as we speak, he better be, & thorough(which I’m sure)the phones are blazin’ hot right now, the clean’n lady standin’ by w/ a towel to wipe all the dross of ear wax com’n from birdman wrens ears. I love that movie. Any takes on Chad “the Durbster” Durbin, he finished strong, he, & Reed Johnson, gotta be keepers.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 25th, 2012
10:54 am
Lohse??? Nah. Only McCarthy or Greinke. McCarthy isnt really an ace though and has had arm issues. Lohse costs a draft pick, probably wants 4yrs/60mil, and is already in his mid 30s.
Juan wont be hitting anyy better against LH; he will get worse against RHP. Look at his babip, it shows that. He’s doing better than avg against righties and is average against LHP. Nly hope is that his plate discipline improves, and maybe he closes the hole in his swing so he Ks less.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 25th, 2012
10:59 am
Durbin? Let him walk. He’s a year on year off pitcher, and isnt a power arm. Thats what we need a power RP wee can use in the 7th and 8th. Id try to keep Reed, but Haiston would be a good get as well.
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
11:03 am
TOBF; I would love to see them rid of the whiff – train they got already, like you, Uggla needs to man up on his hitt’n knock down his whiffs big time. Like Lew said, Greg Walkers gone out advice’n to Juan about discipline offensively. Whats the take on Uggla? Is he listening to Walker as well or is he choosing to go at it on his own?
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
11:05 am
If it were all about worrking about SO’s you would have to remove a good portion of the Hall of Fame.
The new metrics of today are turning a generation of fans into SOphobics.
Sure a strikeout is never good, but guys who SO and hit the ball a long way will help you get runs in a hurry.
Hate to see what some fans would think of Mickey Mantle, Harmon Killebrew and Reggie Jackson if they were playing in today;s games.
I’d like to see what Jan Fran could do with more PT — who says he cannot get better vs lefties — he does not have that much a sample size.
Ryan Klesko got better vs lefties when he left here and produced some real good numbers in SD till injuries cut his career short in what was a very very good career. Had three real strong yrs out there. Think it was shoulder injuries that cut his career short.
Heath
November 25th, 2012
11:06 am
Medlen will never have a higher trade value than he does today. If the Braves really want a guy like Myers/Stanton/etc it would probably take Medlen to make the trade happen. Medlen is not likely to replicate his performance from last year, so, now might actually be the time to use that value. I’m not advocating trading Medlen for real top-flight talent, but what if he turns out similarly to JJ? Hindsight is 20-20, but what if we would have traded JJ after his great season?
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
11:09 am
TOBF; I see what cha’ mean on Durbin; had to check on his career stats myself, & you’re exactly right, his off year probably be coming up. Thats been his career. & yep, Hairston would be solid. Is he a FA?
Jeff R
November 25th, 2012
11:13 am
Just counting the days until the winter meetings. Baseball Christmas. Let’s hope Santa has some solid players under the Braves’ tree…
Jeff R
November 25th, 2012
11:21 am
The new metrics of today are turning a generation of fans into SOphobics.
I don’t know about that. Reading the blog, one can be persuaded that plenty of fans prefer power and aren’t fussed about strikeouts.
Sure a strikeout is never good, but guys who SO and hit the ball a long way will help you get runs in a hurry.
Gotta have power in a lineup, no doubt. But do you want to be overloaded with guys who, if they can’t go yard, are too inclined to whiff? The Braves need more hitters putting the ball in play, reaching base, and scoring runs.
Hate to see what some fans would think of Mickey Mantle, Harmon Killebrew and Reggie Jackson if they were playing in today;s games.
I think most fans would consider the above super talents and All-Stars. But I wouldn’t have wanted my batting order dominated by Harmon Killebrew clones. That’s a recipe for feast or famine.
74bravesjersey
November 25th, 2012
11:22 am
@Disgusted; I realize it, I know whiffs come w/the territory, but could hitters like Uggla, even Bourn possibly find the plate discipline to cut it down under 120 k’s in a year. It just seemed too many guys in the lineup made it too frequent, too many times. W/2 strikes on them, even in clutch situation, at least try to keep the bat alive, or mabey cut down the frequency of strikeouts, w/ more disciplined 2 strike hitting, being a tough out up there instead of having 3 to 4 whiffs every 3 or 4 games. I hope I’m wrong, but where the Braves league leaders or near the top in whiffs as a team? It seemed too frequent last year.
Jake W.
November 25th, 2012
11:23 am
The falcons need to show up better today. Tampa Bay is rolling and scarier to me than the saints and we have two games left with these guys. All I want is a first round bye. Tough schedule left and it starts today. Let’s finish the season strong.
JasonInFL
November 25th, 2012
11:25 am
When are the winter meetings? Next week?
Lew
November 25th, 2012
11:30 am
I’m much more concerned when a player like Burn strikes out as much as he did than I am when a player like Uggla strikes out that much.
Power hitters are – for the most part – going to strike out a lot. There are just not as many high batting average, high OBP, high power total players out there and those that are make huge amounts of money simply because there aren’t many of them.