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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,505 comments Add your comment
Jeff R
November 20th, 2012
11:36 am
I’m beginning to think that the players the Braves should acquire do not actually exist, if the tenor of the blog is to be believed, LOL.
Well, perfect is the enemy of the good, as they say. But some good ain’t so good (Upton, for example).
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 20th, 2012
11:38 am
Some posters make me want to give them the kick that makes them sing soprano
And what if they already can sing that?
ncscoots
November 20th, 2012
11:39 am
Royals still need another arm – and a top one at that.
And I think they know that. But it wouldn’t make sense to just gut their young position players to get one. They still have beaucoup young pitching coming, and they don’t even need all of it to prove out. That won’t make much difference, if they’ve traded too many bats by the time their pitching coalesces.
That’s why it doesn’t make sense for them to trade one of their guys for Hanson, for example. Not after picking up Santana and signing Guthrie. The middle of the rotation is covered. They need a stud.
Mitchie-sand
November 20th, 2012
11:41 am
Hahahaha…. Bicep magazine….
jim
November 20th, 2012
11:41 am
If the choice boils down to Upton or Schafer in CF next year, I would much prefer Schafer. He is a better defender, better baserunner and is MUCH cheaper and much more short term. Schafer brings an attitude to the playing field which the Braves could use — Upton apparently brings an attitude to the clubhouse that they don’t need. Upton strikes out as much as Schafer and has a barely higher OBP. At $15 million for 5 Upton inhibits the Braves ability to lock up their young talent. At Schafer’s cost and tenure, the Braves have a lot of flexibility for other moves. Upton is right handed and has some power, but isn’t that what Uggla was supposed to provide. I’d rater see Schafer in center and Gattis in left than Upton in center and ? in left. The Braaves have enough big K guys in the lineup now — Uggla, Heyward, Freeman, Francisco, McCann — we don;t need another one guys loike Scutaro and Pagan who put the ball in play carried the Giants to the WS. Is there a message there Frank?
varoadrunner
November 20th, 2012
11:42 am
@ Shawn
Clearly you are an Upton fan and for that reason only, you are attempting to “sell” him to Brave’s fans. Ok, everyone does that. I personally would never obligate $75m to a player with Upton’s stats. As far as your comparison of Upton be better defensively than Uggla, My grandson is better offensively and defensely than Uggla …just can’t hit it as far as Uggla when he connects. Since our pitchers are developing into what could become a Glavine, Maddux, Smoltz type staff (not there yet) I would not “invest” in Uptons…..He’s not a game changer. Someone said Hamilton…..He could be a game changer but would come with huge question marks.
One more thing, I think I’ve made myself clear of my feelings on Uggla as it relates to “playing” baseball, but I would put Uggla at the top of my list of Classy guys. He’s surely seems to be a team player. Just a poor signing.
BravePack(FreeFan)
November 20th, 2012
11:46 am
raleighbravefan
November 20th, 2012
10:53 am
Pagan will stay with the Giants.
Thank God. And the sooner the better, I don’t want this guy anywhere near Turner Field in a Braves uniform.
ncscoots
November 20th, 2012
11:46 am
But some good ain’t so good (Upton, for example).
What if all their trade conversations regarding a RH thumper have borne no more fruit than a dead grapevine? What if they have determined that the trade route for that need simply doesn’t exist, at a price they can stomach? Is there no scenario in which Upton appears to be the best choice?
Don
November 20th, 2012
11:47 am
ncscoots, What reason is there to think that they will be better in 2013 – except perhaps for Big Mac
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
November 20th, 2012
11:47 am
When it becomes apparent that the Braves are more concerned with saving dollars (Laird’s 3 million 1 year over Ross’s 2 year 6 million contract), then the transparency of why myself and many other fans can take the fortunes of this team with a grain of salt.
Arkansas Transplant
November 20th, 2012
11:48 am
Don’t understand the talk about Upton being a bad clubhouse guy, if that was the case, I couldn’t see why Tampa hung onto him as long as they have when there’s been chances to move and acquire very good pieces in return… specially since they had Jennings waiting in the wings. It just doesn’t add up.
TennesseePaul
November 20th, 2012
11:48 am
3 years for Guthrie … if it is a low AAV, might not be a bad pick up. He pitches well, they could trade him. That AAV is the kicker.
P-Town Brave ©
November 20th, 2012
11:49 am
Scoots-
To some ppl no….some would rather trot Constanza out there…
Or Dexter Fowler….or God forbid we keep Prado in the OF and bring in Jeff Keppinger….
Um excuse me…..WHAT?!
I’ve come to find that some like to b*tch or moan no matter what happens….
I take it from what I’ve seen this morning, you also are on the For Upton wagon
P-Town Brave ©
November 20th, 2012
11:50 am
TP-
5M in 13; 11M in 14; 9M in 15….
Not what I’d consider a great deal…but hey, theyre still the Royals….and Moore is still, well, the reason why he never sniffed the Braves job….
DAP
November 20th, 2012
11:51 am
scoots I’m beginning to think that the players the Braves should acquire do not actually exist, if the tenor of the blog is to be believed
there will always be at least one person to crap on whatever player is mentioned. most people offer alternatives if they say they dont like a certain player though. me, im just not seeing how upton fits the needs on our lineup. im sure they can make it work, but it seems like there are more logical choices out there.
Efrim
November 20th, 2012
11:51 am
He’ll earn $5MM in 2013, $11MM in 2014 and $9MM in 2015.
8.33 million AAV. Not terrible. Good for him to get that third year.
Good lord, players are going to get paid this winter.
P-Town Brave ©
November 20th, 2012
11:52 am
Oh, and for someone who was “supposedly” hated in Tampa….
He sure has gotten a whole lot of Twitter mail stating how many ppl loved him there and how theyre sad to see him go…
The guy got a standing O in his final game there….
Yeah, he’s about as hated as Jason Heyward
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
November 20th, 2012
11:54 am
Jeff Keppinger would be a great addition……….
To the Bravos bench.
p.s. he just had a career season at age 32, enough said.
Ray
November 20th, 2012
11:54 am
@P town, you are exactly right. Wren could bring in Hamilton and keep Bourn and make a trade for David Wright and some on here would complain out of their mind about that. And 90% of those that are over the top negative would still complain if the Braves win the World Series.
ncscoots
November 20th, 2012
11:56 am
you also are on the For Upton wagon
Actually, he’d be down around my fourth or fifth choice as an acquisition, and for all the reasons that plenty of folks have already mentioned. He’s a high-risk guy for the years and dollars, and there’s no getting around that.
But the surest way to go broke in a card game is to never play a hand. If the team rates low their chances at acquiring a player that might be more pleasing to the blog
, then Upton might be the hand they have get their chips in on.
Enquiring Minds Want To Know
November 20th, 2012
11:56 am
Is there no scenario in which Upton appears to be the best choice?
I’m sure this is a minority opinion, but I’d sooner go through next year with Gattis in left and Schafer in center than see Wren sign the wrong guys to stupid contracts. As we’ve seen, that can hamstring the club for years. No more Derek Lowes please. The Braves don’t have the resources to recover from that the way the Yankees and Phils do.
Jeff R
November 20th, 2012
11:58 am
What if all their trade conversations regarding a RH thumper have borne no more fruit than a dead grapevine? What if they have determined that the trade route for that need simply doesn’t exist, at a price they can stomach? Is there no scenario in which Upton appears to be the best choice?
Good question there, scoots.
I think there are times when simply saying “no” is the best option, to decline what’s available because the options are too narrow.
Five years of Upton because no other good options exist? I’d rather have the Braves jerry-rig the outfield for a while, save the money, and continue the search for better alternatives.
jim
November 20th, 2012
11:59 am
The only saving grace in this bad courtship is that if the offers are comparable, Upton would much more likely go with the Phillies. The ballpark is much more conducive to his power, and it is much more fun playing before an enthusiastic sellout nightly than the rows of empty seats and quiet crowds at the Ted. Of course if Upton puts up those Tampa Bay numbers in Philly that same crowd can become a whole lot less enthusiastic.
In making all these wish lists, fans should realize that 1) Atlanta is not that attractive a FA destination anymore — Cox is not the manager and Ted’s checkbook is a lot thinner and otherwise engaged; and 2) The available trading chips that the Braves have are not all that attractive– Teheran, Hanson have lost a lot of their previous value and Gilmartin and Spruil never had that much. The Braves have mined some great talent from their system recently — Heyward, Freeman, Kimbrel, Medlen, Venters, Simmons, Beachy, Minor, but there isn’t a lot left to bring back the names that are on many of these wish lists.
Turtsnap
November 20th, 2012
11:59 am
Sign Upton, get Denard Span, and we are all set!
Fols
November 20th, 2012
11:59 am
You roll out Gattis in left and Schafer in CF and you might as well roll out free season tickets because you would be playing for 2014. You think the blog is bad now….yikes.
I have a feeling we are more involved with the trade aspect and will allow others to pursue free agency.
Efrim
November 20th, 2012
12:00 pm
I’d bet Paul Maholm could get a three year deal in the $30 million range if he was a free agent this offseason.
PMC
November 20th, 2012
12:00 pm
Sigh…. what offense does BJ Upton bring to this soft hitting lack of run scoring team for all that money???
That said, This is due dilligence. Wren is just making sure he’s got options
ncscoots
November 20th, 2012
12:01 pm
I’m sure this is a minority opinion, but I’d sooner go through next year with Gattis in left and Schafer in center than see Wren sign the wrong guys to stupid contracts.
I’m pretty sure the majority would be the ones with pitchforks and torches.
Ray
November 20th, 2012
12:02 pm
I do not want to see Schafer anywhere near in the starting lineup. He barely hit over 200 for the Astros. Talking about head cases, he is the poster child. Let’s see if he matures mentally. Have him coming off the bench or in Gwinnett but far far away from starting lineup.
P-Town Brave ©
November 20th, 2012
12:04 pm
Scoots-
Good point there…..I mean frankly, I’m just happy theyre looking at spending some $$$ and not pocketing it….
I mean cmon guys….look at the grass is greener theory…..
After all, we could be the Marlins
Jeff R
November 20th, 2012
12:04 pm
Sign Upton, get Denard Span, and we are all set!
For what? A party?
Lew
November 20th, 2012
12:06 pm
I wouldn’t be so certain that the Phillies are going to oputbid anyone this winter.
They have several holes to fill also and still have a fortune tied up in pitching, with Halladay not looking to healthy much of last year – including at the end, they have a sparse farm system after making all those deals for the “Four Aces” that didn’t quite work out how they’d hoped, Utley not getting younger or healthier and a lot of games to make up.
They’ll likely be improved this year, but might not have as much as people believe they do to spend their way back to where they were.
P-Town Brave ©
November 20th, 2012
12:06 pm
PMC-
Hate to burst your bubble but bringing in a guy for a complete tour of ALL facilities and then taking him to Ruth Chris is not due diligence….
They actually really want BJ Upton
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
November 20th, 2012
12:08 pm
Upton struck out more than Dan Uggla in 2012.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 20th, 2012
12:09 pm
p.s. he just had a career season at age 32, enough said.
Willingham at 33. Same thing!
If Upton is all that the FO can get, then so be it. Wouldn’t be happy, but I’ll hope that the AAV isn’t insane (like under 13mil) and that we can trade him later if/when necessary. I’d rather wait for 2014 and get Pence!
ncgary
November 20th, 2012
12:11 pm
We learned of the deal last Thursday, but now we know the money: Gerald Laird will get $3 million for his two years with the Braves. There are incentives which could get him an extra $750K.
Those incentives are based on games started. Worth noting that if Laird earns all of his incentive money it will mean that Brian McCann didn’t make it back from his shoulder surgery which means paying Laird three quarters of a million is the least of their problems.
I know this isn’t the most newsworthy post ever, so I’ll add something to it: my son just said “Dad, was there an actor named Michael Jordan?” I’ve been a parent for nearly nine years, but I’m still not quite sure what to do with questions like that.
Efrim
November 20th, 2012
12:11 pm
Buster_ESPN Buster Olney
KC is two-thirds of its way to acquiring the veteran starting pitching it aimed for. Their plan is to trade minor-leaguers to get last SP.
Royals and Rays match up very well for James Shields.
bvillebaron
November 20th, 2012
12:12 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan:
Okay we agree to disagree. Given their interest in B.J. Upton, apparently the general managers for the Phillies and the Nationals are as clueless as Wren. I for one think Upton would be a good sign for the Braves because he is a right handed power bat who averages more than 30 steals per season, plays good defense, just turned 28 last August and would be signed as a free agent.
P.S. Hillbilly: You were right, Upton was projected to average 90 runs over a 162 game season and never scored 90 in any given season, only 89 in 154 games in 2010 and 86 in 129 games in 2007.
Jeff R
November 20th, 2012
12:12 pm
I think the Phillies are close to Yankees territory, in that they’re expected to compete every season. Forget rebuilding. The pressure’s on the Phils after last season to contend. I think team brass will spend generously to bring in the players they think they need in order to get Phils back in the running.
Whether its Bourn or Upton, I think the Phils will pay to get one or the other.
BravePack(FreeFan)
November 20th, 2012
12:13 pm
The only saving grace in this bad courtship is that if the offers are comparable, Upton would much more likely go with the Phillies. The ballpark is much more conducive to his power, and it is much more fun playing before an enthusiastic sellout nightly than the rows of empty seats and quiet crowds at the Ted. Of course if Upton puts up those Tampa Bay numbers in Philly that same crowd can become a whole lot less enthusiastic.
Those are valid points. And as each day passes without a decision many of you on here will probably be happy with the decision when it is finally made. I keep thinking if he was so talkative, loved the meeting he had with everyone on the Braves side, sees how interested the Braves are in him by bringing him in and saying he is their #1 all over the media outlets yet he still hasn’t decided is not a good thing. In fact, some reporter from CBS thinks he is leaning towards Phillthies right now. If I’m a team and I hear that I don’t wait for the guy, and say good riddance and throw all my chips in on Hamilton and start calling teams for trades.
Wren, I think, likes to work quickly and play the waiting game especially with the Winter meeting coming up. I think he wants to know what he needs to do for the team by then and it all hinges on a FA signing. If it’s Upton then you look for a LF’er to trade for, preferably a lead off guy like a Gordon or Span. If it’s Hamilton, then I think he would trade for a CF’er, which could be Span as well except that’s a lot of LH bats in the line up even though Span and Hamilton hit lefties well.
Efrim
November 20th, 2012
12:13 pm
I wouldn’t be so certain that the Phillies are going to outbid anyone this winter.
Don’t you say this every offseason, Lew? I’d expect the Phillies to sign one of Michael Bourn, BJ Upton or Nick Swisher.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 20th, 2012
12:14 pm
If BJ Upton is the only choice for OF, I’d rather see a signing of Greinke, trades of Hanson, Maholm, and Teheran for any CF (which would be an overpay for the likes of Span, Fowler, Leonys Martin etc.)
I can understand overpaying for the FA market, even moreso when we have a big need at the position. But to throw 15mil at BJ Upton is just utter foolishness. He hasn’t earned that yet.
Cantor Steve
November 20th, 2012
12:15 pm
OK – I read some of the comments here. Let me start with I am a fan of the Braves, have been since moving to Atlanta in 1995 and still am after moving to South Florida in 2009, though am also still a Yankees fan having grown up in Connecticut.
That being said I see a lot of negative comments here, and some that make no sense. I also see many comments from people who obviously know the game. Here is my take:
1.) I wish Liberty would just sell the team to someone who is willing to spend the money and care about the team.
2.) Since #1 is not going to happen any time soon then they should just open up their wallets and raise the payroll.
3.) Since #2 is not going to happen, I think that we should attempt to re-sign Bourn. Who knows, this might be a ruse on the part of Wren to (as someone so aptly stated below) convince the Phillies to overpay for Upton, then if other teams have the feelings about Bourn’s eventual decline in the end of his 5 year contract we might be able to get him for less. (Wishful Thinking)
4.) Uggla has been a disappointment, however, even though he struck out a lot, he did lead the league in BOBs. Either he is going to come out of it, strike out less, get his swing back or he won’t. As long as he gets on base at this point that is fine. Also, his defense is not bad, better than what it was on the Marlins.
5.) I like Pagan or Victorino – price is one thing, but they both are above average defenders and both can get on base and steal bags. I like Span also.
6.) I DO NOT LIKE Hamilton – too much baggage, and why overpay? There are better options.
I go back to the idea that Wren and FG need to work with the limited payroll that Liberty provides them. Until we get another Ted Turner owner – which might never happen – we, as fans, need to accept this reality.
We need a lead-off guy – someone who can steal bags and get on base. No one seems to be talking about Bourn’s strikeouts here, however he struck out a lot, and that alone, plus the fact that he “faded” at the end of the season might be enough to eventually drive down his pricetag and even the amount of years he will get. I would love to get him for 3 years at $39mm. Then we can work on either a 3rd baseman or a LF. Prado should play 3rd, however he was great (not just good) in LF.
I could get into more, however I do have to get back to work.
Have a great day everyone!
ncgary
November 20th, 2012
12:15 pm
arent we still paying bruce sutter?
jim
November 20th, 2012
12:16 pm
I agree Lew, the Phils are not going to outbid for the likes of Upton, but if the offers are comparable, and I’m Upton, I go with Philadelphia for the ballpark, the atmosphere, and the same chance to get in the playoffs. I don’t look for the Phils to outbid the Braves. I’m just worried that the Braves try too hard to outbid the Phils.
Efrim
November 20th, 2012
12:16 pm
Phillies really have no other choice than to play in free agency. They don’t have a good system with prospects to deal, and Amaro even said they are going to fill needs through free agency. I think they end up with Upton at the end of it all. Six years, $90-96 million.
More BJ Upton Rumors | Rays Index
November 20th, 2012
12:16 pm
[...] Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the Braves are targeting several center fielders but that BJ Upton continues to be their top choice, who are making a “strong push.” [AJC.com] [...]
JK
November 20th, 2012
12:17 pm
Hopefully this is just a publicity move and we do not really intend on signing BJ Upton. This would be a very, very bad use of payroll. Hamilton is better than Upton and whatever else we would get for 8 mil.
JK
November 20th, 2012
12:17 pm
Hopefully this is just a publicity move and we do not really intend on signing BJ Upton. This would be a very, very bad use of payroll. Hamilton is better than Upton and whatever else we would get for 8 mil.
CB
November 20th, 2012
12:18 pm
I want to see Schafer starting in CF just so I can see TP’s reaction. Schafer has the ability to make TP incoherent. I take pleasure out of life’s little things.
Ryan
November 20th, 2012
12:18 pm
I would much rather the Braves trade for the younger (and cheaper) Dexter Fowler than to sign B.J. Upton to an expensive contract. Upton doesn’t hit for average, which means that the Braves would be positioning themselves to leave even more men on base in key situations than they did last year. Plus, Dexter Fowler is a lead-off guy with lots of speed, which we need to replace in losing Bourn. I also wouldn’t be against the Braves putting together a package for Justin Upton…..
P-Town Brave ©
November 20th, 2012
12:18 pm
The Phils can have Swisher and I will take Upton and feel like we won the offseason…
And yes, I’d think a Gordon for Shields is a pretty solid match for the Royals if thats what they were after….
Then Wil Myers slides right into LF
P-Town Brave ©
November 20th, 2012
12:19 pm
….And Dexter Fowler doesn’t hit at all outside of Coors….
As I’ve stated before….I don’t know about some who haven’t played the game, but its impossible to steal 1b
Lew
November 20th, 2012
12:19 pm
Efrim – Maybe so, but the money has got to be a rewstriction sooner or later and I’d also say the Phillie’s shine lost qauite a bit of luster last year. Also, they have some serious needs to fill – two outfield spots and also some infield – if I’m not mistaken
They have a lot of financial commitments still in force and the pitching suffered quite a bit with Halladay’s injuries last year. And – like I said – Utley’s not getting younger or healthier and they have some serious competition.for the players they have targeted.
So we’ll see.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 20th, 2012
12:20 pm
I for one think Upton would be a good sign for the Braves because he is a right handed power bat who averages more than 30 steals per season, plays good defense, just turned 28 last August and would be signed as a free agen
RH bat: True
Power bat: eh, not so true. Homeruns aren’t everything, and he holds a career .422 SLG. Prado is at .435. Is he a power bat?
Steals: Sure the stolen base threat is good to have, but they don’t directly lead to runs scored. Not a big big bonus.
Plays good defense: Lie. He’s at best an average CF, I’d say below average.
Just turned 28 and is a FA: He’s entering his prime, but hasn’t gotten any better the last 4 years… he’s been a mediocre sukker of a player. He wants 15mil from FA. I’d rather overpay in prospects for a better CF
Rick C
November 20th, 2012
12:20 pm
Ryan, Fowler doesn’t hit for average, or anything else really, away from Coors. Career 248/331/367 line in away games.
Arkansas Transplant
November 20th, 2012
12:21 pm
I’d like to see any of these series of moves;
1. Trade with Texas for Olt and Gentry
2. Sign Hamilton
1. Sign Upton
2. Trade for J. Upton
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
November 20th, 2012
12:23 pm
Another concern is the Braves clubhouse…..
Losing the leadership of Chipper and David Ross is going to be impossible to replace.
Lew
November 20th, 2012
12:23 pm
Not to mention that all of the teams in contention for some of these players now have the Braves with money to contend with – somewhat different than in the past several years.
Efrim
November 20th, 2012
12:23 pm
Phillies actually have more money to play with this winter than the Braves do: https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tSSu2Qy8G9pTSsguHAbeu-A&output=html
$136 million in guarantees for 2013, but they are fine with being at $175 million in payroll. They need two outfielders, a 3rd baseman and a RH setup man, but I think they’ll be able to fill all of that with $35 million to play with, even if they give Bossman Junior half of it.
Ray
November 20th, 2012
12:24 pm
@cantorsteve, what do you want the payroll to be at? I am one that doesn’t look at 94m payroll as low ball. High payrolls do not guarantee you anything except bad contracts that will strap a team. The phillies don’t have much of a choice once they went down that road. They have an older team and not much of a farm system. Look at the Marlins last year. Look what the signings did for the Angels, the Redsox as prime examples. Its more about HOW you spend it instead of how much.
Shaun
November 20th, 2012
12:24 pm
Clearly you are an Upton fan and for that reason only, you are attempting to “sell” him to Brave’s fans. Ok, everyone does that. I personally would never obligate $75m to a player with Upton’s stats.
I’m not really an Upton fan nor am I an Upton hater. I’m purely look at his value as a baseball player and, based on that, it’s clear why the Braves are interested.
But people have their own assumptions (emphasis on that word) as to how good or bad players are at creating and preventing runs. Too often those assumptions don’t fit reality. Either that or they just don’t bother with run creation and run prevention. It’s more of a beauty contest of whether the stats and body of work looks attractive, not how valuable players are in terms of creating and preventing runs, i.e., producing wins.
jim
November 20th, 2012
12:26 pm
Ryan,
If you are putting together a trade for Justin Upton, who are you offering to the DBacks?
Who do you give to Denver for Fowler?
Lew
November 20th, 2012
12:28 pm
They may have more to spend than the Braves, but we actually have trade possibilities, too. They’ll have to spend that cash to fill those needs. Not much trade potential left to them, is there?
Ray
November 20th, 2012
12:28 pm
@shaun, asking for your opinion in regards to Upton. It’s safe to say his obp is pretty bad. Batting avg not great. Homeruns were up there. Offensively how does he improve the Braves offense. Being serious not being sarcastic.
Enquiring Minds Want To Know
November 20th, 2012
12:28 pm
Please bear in mind I am not advocating using Gattis and Schafer (OK, maybe Gattis a little bit), but I do contend that even that would be better than signing the wrong guys to crippling long-term contracts. Get it right. Take your time. Don’t Panic!
Fols
November 20th, 2012
12:33 pm
Maybe it’s not a steal, but slapping a pitch into play and using pure speed to beat out the throw that otherwise would have been an out…..is as much of a steal as out running the throw from the catcher. A man with pure speed, probably steals first base on many occassions. We just call it an infield hit.
P-Town Brave ©
November 20th, 2012
12:34 pm
Lew-
Did you by chance catch MLB Tonight from last night…..?
Al Leiter had the gall to suggest the Phils could trade TWO prospects to obtain Chase Headley….
And they wonder why fans question why some of these morons still have jobs….
P-Town Brave ©
November 20th, 2012
12:36 pm
Nothing is ever crippling anymore…
The Marlins and Red Sox have proven that….
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 20th, 2012
12:37 pm
Prado career SLG: .435, .780 OPS
Upton Career SLG: .422, .758 OPS
Last 4 years Prado: .436 SLG, .778 OPS
Last 4 years Upton: .420 SLG, .736 OPS
Fols
November 20th, 2012
12:37 pm
“Losing the leadership of Chipper and David Ross is going to be impossible to replace.”
It’s also impossible to measure…
Lew
November 20th, 2012
12:40 pm
PTown – Nah, I think I watched something much more important than Leiter’s commentary – Like Antiques Roadshow or American Pickers.
Slowhiteguy
November 20th, 2012
12:40 pm
The Braves, apparently like many other organizations, are enamored with BJ Upton’s ceiling. There is no single player in this years free agent market with better tools…and i am counting 7 tools not five. The additional 2 tools being makeup and ability to stay healthy. Question his makeup all you want, and that may indeed be an issue but he certainly has 5 of the remaining 6, the hit tool being the only one in question.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 20th, 2012
12:41 pm
Ryan, Fowler doesn’t hit for average, or anything else really, away from Coors. Career 248/331/367 line in away games.
He’s been closer to .270 avg. his last 2 season on the road. He still puts up a high OBP, and aside from 2010, he has slugged about .380 on the road. That’s higher than Bourn’s career SLG. Take out 2010, Fowler OPSs 720 on the road; 703 if we include that season. He’s about the same player on the road that Bourn has been for his career.
Lew
November 20th, 2012
12:42 pm
I still haven’t had anyone tell me why the Padres would even be interested in getting rid of Headley to begin with. Seems to me that hes the type of player you build a team around. And since they’re bringing the fences in this year, I;d imagine he’ll only put up better numbers next year.
Tron
November 20th, 2012
12:43 pm
You armchair gms need to give it a rest. Your suggestions are idiotic. Just shut up and wait.
Shaun
November 20th, 2012
12:44 pm
Ray, improves the Braves offense relative to what? I’m not claiming he’ll improve the offense, per se. I’m claiming he’s the best option among centerfielders this offseason, when you take in to account his skills, his age, his position, his likely cost, the Braves’ budget, etc., to provide the most value.
The Braves offense will be fine if everyone is healthy, McCann bounces back, and they acquire solid players for leftfield and centerfield (and Upton would be a good option). It’s not farfetched to think all of this will happen. In fact, most of it is likely to happen. Upton is not a great offensive player. Upton is a solid offensive centerfielder, which has significant value. At the very least, the Braves don’t have to worry about making up for a lack of offense from their centerfield position.
If you think Upton’s overall offensive skills are solid for a centerfielder. Offensive replacement level is fairly low in centerfield.
what you eat for breakfast?
November 20th, 2012
12:44 pm
To bad the yankees wouldnt eat some of A-Rod contract, and we can trade for him.
Lew
November 20th, 2012
12:44 pm
Chipper and Ross added a good bit to the clubhouse, but it’s not like they’ll all be just sitting around this year looking like statues orstarting their own Fight Club. I’m certain that there was more to the clubhouse than those two players.
P-Town Brave ©
November 20th, 2012
12:50 pm
More like….
What did you smoke for breakfast
Lew
November 20th, 2012
12:50 pm
I’m pretty certain that McCann, Hudson and Prado can keep th clubhouse lightened up and laughing just fine on their own. And I hear Laird is a good presence as well.
I think some of y’all are just inclined to freak out on anything that crosses your minds.
Hillbilly
November 20th, 2012
12:50 pm
….And Dexter Fowler doesn’t hit at all outside of Coors….
Ehhhh, I don’t know. .286 Avg/.782 OPS in 2011 away from Coors. .262/.772 in 2012. It’s an improvement over ‘09 and ‘10 by quite a bit. He’s moving in the right direction.
George_George
November 20th, 2012
12:51 pm
Good day all
Every day lately I am very aprehensive when I open AJC BRAVES PAGE. I fear a BJ signing. I truely believe he will be another NATE THE GREAT for us.
Lew
November 20th, 2012
12:52 pm
Of course, they WILL have to replace Chipper’s locker.
Lew
November 20th, 2012
12:53 pm
Not to mention that Fowler is also a native Atlantan (Apharetta, anyway) and his wife is from Atlanta. Bet he’d hit pretty well with all that home cookin’.
O.M.G.
November 20th, 2012
12:57 pm
It sounds like most people would agree that BJ is an OK player, not great, but OK. The question is $15M for an OK player? Ay?
Shaun
November 20th, 2012
12:57 pm
Losing the leadership of Chipper and David Ross is going to be impossible to replace.
Chipper and Ross added a good bit to the clubhouse, but it’s not like they’ll all be just sitting around this year looking like statues orstarting their own Fight Club. I’m certain that there was more to the clubhouse than those two players.
Without players like Chipper and Ross, major leaguers would just wander the fields aimlessly during games.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 20th, 2012
12:57 pm
no comments about Prado outslugging, outOPSing, and totally outperforming BJ Upton? Shocker…
Ryan
November 20th, 2012
12:58 pm
Hamilton- Don’t make me laugh. Will be well over-paid with HUGE question marks. A checkered history and will probably make in the range of 22 mil a year. Not worth it.
Bourn- Hit like .220 in the 2nd half of last year AND got caught stealing at the highest rate of his career, yet you guys want to give him 75 mil?(He will get more than that from Washington). Not worth that.
The good of signing Upton is we would still have all our trade chips to try to aquire a left fielder. He would have the most protection in our line up that he has ever had. To everyone balking at the 5-75 mil numbers….Guess what? 75 million is pretty much an average contract now days for a good player. The contracts have gotten out of hand and you have to pay to play. If Upton can hit .260 and hit 25 HRs for us, which is very plausible, I’d be happy with him.
what you eat for breakfast?
November 20th, 2012
12:58 pm
A-Rod will sell seats and bring national attention like ESPN to Atlanta.
George_George
November 20th, 2012
12:58 pm
S/O Lew
I have not seen, but am wondering, do you know what nolie’s positon is on BRAVES signing BJ?
Tumbledown
November 20th, 2012
12:59 pm
Tron – You armchair gms need to give it a rest. Your suggestions are idiotic. Just shut up and wait.
Let’s all turn off the computers. Tron says our suggestions are idiotic and that we must shut up and wait. We are not entitled to share our opinions. Goodbye all. See you on the other side of the offseason.
Fols
November 20th, 2012
1:02 pm
Reason nobody is comparing Prado to Upton is because we already have Prado….
Shaun
November 20th, 2012
1:03 pm
no comments about Prado outslugging, outOPSing, and totally outperforming BJ Upton? Shocker…
a) No one denies Prado is a better player.
b) The difference between the two is probably not as large as most of you think. Prado played mostly secondbase and leftfield the past four years while Upton played centerfield. Upton also played his home games in a pitcher-friendly park.
It sounds like most people would agree that BJ is an OK player, not great, but OK. The question is $15M for an OK player? Ay?
“OK Player” kind of oversimplifies things, but I see the point. Fifteen million dollars a year for a free agent that will likely provide the kind of value Upton will provide over the next few seasons is not unreasonable, based on the market.
Ryan
November 20th, 2012
1:04 pm
And Prado is an all-star…so If Upton’s numbers are close…what is your point?
Shaun
November 20th, 2012
1:05 pm
Tthe Yankees would have to give up too much, in terms of salary, and wouldn’t get enough back, in terms of players, to make it worth their while to trade A-Rod to a team like the Braves.
Fols
November 20th, 2012
1:07 pm
I am 83.8% certain that Span will be a Brave next season. If Wren pulled that off, would Upton still be brought in to play LF?
Tumbledown
November 20th, 2012
1:08 pm
Shaun – Fifteen million dollars a year for a free agent that will likely provide the kind of value Upton will provide over the next few seasons is not unreasonable, based on the market.
Assuming your analysis on market value is true, It just pains me to see the market valuing Upton so high.
P-Town Brave ©
November 20th, 2012
1:09 pm
Donnie, YOURE OUT OF YOUR ELEMENT….
Dude…..the point, the point is…..
Fols
November 20th, 2012
1:11 pm
When do we have to fork out the money to lock up Freeman? I would give up my left eyebrow to keep Freeman a Brave for a long time.
Not my right eyebrow though…I still use that one for most of my facial expressions.