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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,190 comments Add your comment
richbrave
November 25th, 2012
9:59 pm
Thanx for the new article blog-meister.
Jim
November 25th, 2012
10:04 pm
Justin probably didn’t get the Bossman Junior nickname because he’s the younger Upton. B.J. is three years older.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 25th, 2012
10:08 pm
Justin isnt the elder Upton…
Kyle
November 25th, 2012
10:09 pm
Isn’t BJ older than Justin?
Jim
November 25th, 2012
10:09 pm
Bj is the older brother I believe
Amber Girl
November 25th, 2012
10:09 pm
Jim, Do you think we will land Upton. If you do,any chance of getting brother?
Nowhere man
November 25th, 2012
10:11 pm
A new blog yeaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Jim
November 25th, 2012
10:12 pm
I give the Braves the slight edge over the Phillies for BJ. Justin would be highly unlikely for this year as the Braves still need a leadoff hitter
Griff
November 25th, 2012
10:12 pm
DOB, I hate to nitpick, but you keep referring to Justin as the Elder Brother. He is 3 years younger than BJ.
Steve
November 25th, 2012
10:14 pm
Thanks for the updates good sir.
Braves have plenty of options and if we miss on all of them we still have some good talent. I would rather give Gattis, Schafer, and Francisco chances than burden our payroll with overpaid and underperforming players.
Upton’s price is still based entirely on ‘could be’. So you are paying an amoutn equal to probably 95% of his potential and that is just too much of a risk given he is playing closer to someone that should earn less than half of what he is asking. It’s crazy that teams are in a bidding war for him.
Amber Girl
November 25th, 2012
10:14 pm
Thanks Jim. See you tomorrow. Good nite from New South Wales Go Braves!!!
Michael
November 25th, 2012
10:14 pm
Keep prado in LF, with Francisco’s success in winter ball all the more reason to let him have 3rd base, at least until he proves he cant do it (which I think he can do it)
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 25th, 2012
10:17 pm
I wouldnt mind it if the Braves signed Hey longterm this winter, with some big money at the end, but I’d feel better about waiting until next season, give him a chance to improve some more. Sure, the potential is there, but he hasn’t quite gotten back to being as good as he was in 2010.
tmoneylove
November 25th, 2012
10:19 pm
DOB –thank you. Alex Gordon intrigues me quite a bit. Would the Braves sign BJ Upton and trade for Alex Gordon,too? Do they have enough money to do that? BJ Upton sounds horrifying to me, but Alex Gordon seems like a fit with the KC connection.
tmoneylove
November 25th, 2012
10:19 pm
DOB –thank you. Alex Gordon intrigues me quite a bit. Would the Braves sign BJ Upton and trade for Alex Gordon,too? Do they have enough money to do that? BJ Upton sounds horrifying to me, but Alex Gordon seems like a fit with the KC connection.
Nowhere man
November 25th, 2012
10:19 pm
Ken thanks for your review of the stone concert. Wish I could have been there. It’s only rock and roll but I like like it yes I do.
Sometimes you just can’t get no satisfaction.
But other times it’s a gas gas gas
Just waiting on a friend.
Because She’s so cold.
I need someone to come to my emotional rescue.
Maybe a girl with faraway eyes.
I’ll never be your beast of burden.
Just start me up.
I’m not the only one with mixed emotions.
Has anybody seen my baby.
It will soon be Ruby Tuesday.
I see a red door and I want it painted black.
Now she’s under my thumb.
Hope this doesn’t turn out to be Doom and Gloom
And I can get one more shot.
austin
November 25th, 2012
10:20 pm
BJ is actually the older one…
J
November 25th, 2012
10:21 pm
Hey is more likely to improve than to regress and thus will command a bigger contract. The sooner they lock him up, the more team friendly will be the deal.
richbrave
November 25th, 2012
10:21 pm
On the blog that never sleeps, here’s a report from
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
DOMINICA
EASTERN BULLS
Lead-off CF JOSE CONSTANZA [.300 BA] 0-4, 1 SO.
LHRP JOSE LUGO [0.00 ERA] 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 0 SO.
LUGO remains unscathed by opposition bats this winter. He’s been out 14 times now, 9.2 IP.
LICEY TIGERS
3B JUAN FRANCISCO [.316 BA] 0-4, 1 BB.
Patience and SO’s are battling for supremacy in FRANCISCO’s world at the present. It’s a delicate balance between drawing walks, not striking out, and getting hits. Hopefully in finding bat discipline, JUAN doesn’t lose that nasty hitting edge he’s so keen on.
PUERTO RICO
PONCE LIONS
PH CHRIS GARCIA [.263 BA] 0-1, 1 SO.
VENEZUELA
CARACAS LIONS
RF JOSH KROEGER [.291 BA] 1-5, 1 RBI [9], 1 BB.
ZULIA EAGLES
Late game.
ORIENTE STARS
LHRP DUSTY HUGHES [H 1, 0.00 ERA] 1.0 IP, perfection.
DUSTY’s been out four times now, 2.1 IP.
richbrave
November 25th, 2012
10:33 pm
Bye-bye MATTY D and ‘SKEE. Thanx for the memories.
jaybob
November 25th, 2012
10:35 pm
Is that really a pic of Gattis or is it Ernesto?
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
10:43 pm
BJ can add another 30 points to that OPB and still maintain the power.
If he goes 30/30 and adds that he will be worth the $$$$$$$$$$ in today’s market. I don’t care if he hit a sub .250 as long as he has a bit better OBP.
I do not mind giving Gattis a chance but we really do not have any idea what he does at this level. His story might be storybook — who knows. DOB’s articles are positive and interesting, his AFL performance interesting but I will get hyped about him if I see some good at the MLB level.
Last yr Simmons was our prize. Could it be Gattis this yr —?????????? That is why you play the season. I wish him the best. Can only help us if he is the real thing.
braveslifer
November 25th, 2012
10:51 pm
Great news on Francisco. Hope that he keeps it up. The Royals seem to be putting their pieces together to make a run at the playoffs the next couple of years. I agree that in the past it would seem like Alex Gordon would be the one they move (due to salary) but if they keep making moves to win now i.e. signing ervin santana and jeremy guthrie why would they trade their biggest producer (6 War last year)?
Looking at sickels list from last year they have 3 B+ prospects and Myers who is an A-. I would think that if they are win now they keep Myers and Gordon. The trade they make for a frontline starter would include Butler, cain or jarrod dyson, and/or one or more of their B+ prospects. That would be a very decent proposal for a front line starter and maintain what it appears to be their win now mentality.
braveslifer
November 25th, 2012
10:51 pm
Great news on Francisco. Hope that he keeps it up. The Royals seem to be putting their pieces together to make a run at the playoffs the next couple of years. I agree that in the past it would seem like Alex Gordon would be the one they move (due to salary) but if they keep making moves to win now i.e. signing ervin santana and jeremy guthrie why would they trade their biggest producer (6 War last year)?
Looking at sickels list from last year they have 3 B+ prospects and Myers who is an A-. I would think that if they are win now they keep Myers and Gordon. The trade they make for a frontline starter would include Butler, cain or jarrod dyson, and/or one or more of their B+ prospects. That would be a very decent proposal for a front line starter and maintain what it appears to be their win now mentality.
richbrave
November 25th, 2012
10:57 pm
I thought for a moment that pix was FRANCISCO, but isn’t he LH’d?
Venice Jim
November 25th, 2012
11:06 pm
Stop with the annoying kool-aid garbage…
Venice Jim
November 25th, 2012
11:09 pm
Tom Boswell in the Washington Post on the Natinals:
But on the big issues — re-sign free agent Adam LaRoche, sign Michael Bourn or B.J. Upton, go after star starter Zach Greinke — don’t do any of it.
Okay, make one exception. If the Nats can somehow get LaRoche to sign a two-year deal, that’d be sweet. Otherwise, know when to hold ’em.
Venice Jim
November 25th, 2012
11:11 pm
Good grief – 4th and 2 and that happens? We need more byes…
Klaus
November 25th, 2012
11:19 pm
Gattis and Ahmed both will be traded between Dec and July. Gattis is a DH/4th OF for the AL. Too bulky.
Ahmed has no spot in ATL unless they can unload Uggla at the deadline and Ahmed moves rapidly up though the system.
I still think Wren will make a run at Justin for LF. It is just too tantalizing given his age and upside.
Delgado or Julio T, Ahmed, Cunningham and Gilmartin should get a return phone call.
Needles
November 25th, 2012
11:19 pm
Simmons? I don’t knooow. I heard Wren is talking to Texas about acquiring the services of one Elvis Andrus.
Seriously, is Wil Myers available? They want a starter that’s ready to go? Give them Hudson.
Klaus
November 25th, 2012
11:21 pm
Myers is another Trout or seems to be. Think Medlen or Minor, Gilmartin, Ahmed, Cunningham etc. Justin Upton would be cheaper and he wont be cheap.
Venice Jim
November 25th, 2012
11:21 pm
LENTZ – you are lucky DOB has not noticed you – perhaps you should exhibit less dip-stickiness…
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
11:22 pm
I agree with Mc Dermott about the KC Royals and the probability that they will go on the cheap on Reed Johnson.
I don’t know what kind of bench and 4th OF they will have this yr but its clear that they are not spending for quality veteran bench help.
Maybe they are going on a plan of hope that Gattis, Mejia and Schafer can be useful back ups.
I can see FW planning on Schafer being the 4th outfielder to start the yr.
At least we are not the Royals —— at least not yet. A reasonable 50/50 chance they might be five plus yrs down the road.
Remember if our payroll stays flat and everyone else goes up — we are not gonna be in the middle down the road. Simple math.
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
11:24 pm
Simmons is not going anywhere. That is one you can bank on it.
braveslifer
November 25th, 2012
11:25 pm
Mike: “Keep drinking the kool-aid. Just dont be surprised when Francisco and Gattis turn out to be what they will always be: fringe prospects.”
I’d rather be drinking kool-aid then be a perpetual pessimist like you seem to be judging from a week’s worth of your comments. When looking at players try to consider what the Braves gave up to get them. The Braves gave up Hoover to get Francisco. If Francisco floops and never plays again one could make an argument saying the trade is already in the Braves favor. As for Gattis john sickels gave him a C+/B- grade less then a month ago. Pretty good for a minor league signing. Or you could just complain about everything. Someone get this dude a Snickers bar.
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
11:27 pm
Ahmed has no spot in ATL unless they can unload Uggla at the deadline and Ahmed moves rapidly up though the system.
@Klaus — Ahmed is future insurance in case they do not sign Prado who will be FA bound after 2014.
And the way things are going Prado will command a 4 yr 50 mil deal assuming all things are the same the next 2 yrs — maybe more. who knows what the market is.
Klaus
November 25th, 2012
11:29 pm
Thx Mike.
Fingers crossed.
ncgary
November 25th, 2012
11:29 pm
well since im loaded up om the meds i will just say i trust the braves brain triust……………
lol
go braves
nite all
another day completely off of oxygen and good readings all day
either that riultek is darn good or miracles are happening
ChattTownBrian
November 25th, 2012
11:29 pm
This should be a fun week of news and probably a signing by our Braves. I think Upton is a Brave by Wednesday. They’ll soon after sign or trade for a LF.
Needles
November 25th, 2012
11:30 pm
Seriously, is Wil Myers available? They want a starter that’s ready to go? Give them Hudson.
on second thought, change that…give them any starter they want except Medlin – he’s just way to much fun to watch. The Braves have slim pickin in the minors cept pitching. Maybe some will turn into something but I don’t see much on the farm.
Let Gattis Play!
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
11:31 pm
Actually Schafer has room to imprve so as long as he accepts what he is which is a speed and OBP guy, he can improve to where he can be a 4th OF.
Is he mature enough to realize what he is — that is the good question.
As for Gattis — I want to see him in ST — I will give him a chance. He earned in the AFL this winter but I am not annointing him anything yet. He has to earn it. Same with Schafer.
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
11:32 pm
Keep up the good work NC Gary.
cabravesfan
November 25th, 2012
11:32 pm
Huddy is a 10/5 guy- he would not accept a trade to the Royals (not that the Braves would trade him)
ncgary
November 25th, 2012
11:33 pm
you know if the free agents are highway robbery maybe its best to start the season with the youngsters and trade as we get deeper in
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
11:34 pm
We need Hudson for three more yrs after ‘13.
He has that much left . And he will give a ometown discount as long as the Braves do not disrespect him.
Klaus
November 25th, 2012
11:35 pm
Ahmed is a good SS with potential 2B skills vs. 3B. If Prado goes the Braves will be looking in the FA market or a trade for a 3B IMHO.
He does have the speed factor but so did Bourn and Fredi didn’t really use it strategically.
Ahmed is getting press and promos from the FO bc the market for SS is not very good and everyone knows AZ wants a SS for Upton.
It is either a nice coincidence or well executed PR that the Braves have a hot SS prospect and Justin is on the block.
Bobby H
November 25th, 2012
11:35 pm
The Braves have slim pickin in the minors…
Loved him in “Blazing Saddles”.
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
11:36 pm
If Hudson chooses Philly — wonder how many will come on here disappointed and critical given that for the most part the blog has been pretty much aganst this prospective sign.
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
11:36 pm
Whao — Bad typo — I meant BJ Upton. Sorry, its late.
kenhotlanta
November 25th, 2012
11:39 pm
Nowhere man: Good stuff. I would love to see Mick Jagger and Mary J. Blige sing “Gimme Shelter”.
ncgary
November 25th, 2012
11:39 pm
thanks disgusted
still wear my bipap at nite though got it on now
Needles
November 25th, 2012
11:40 pm
The Braves gave up Hoover to get Francisco. If Francisco floops and never plays again one could make an argument saying the trade is already in the Braves favor.
Yes, one could make an argument. Like you can argue a Yugo is fancy foreign sports car.
I don’t think Francisco’ll fail though. All you have to do nowawadaze is hit 250 with a little sluggo. After a couple early bad games, he made some nice plays at third. If he’d of started against St Loooie we’d of been drowning in the bubbly all the way.
Disgusted
November 25th, 2012
11:42 pm
I disagree with you Mike Mc Dermott in that I do see Uggla bouncing back and as for Mc Cann, well that is a wait and see how he does after the surgery.
I saw some positive signs on Uggla late in the yr after a 250 AB career slump.
As for the moves in left and CF, have to wait and see for now.
I still like the Uggla trade. Time to move on from the bad ‘12. His track record in the past is there. Antoher yr like this and then I say enough is enough.
kenhotlanta
November 25th, 2012
11:42 pm
Where is the “we tried to trade Simmons to Texas for Elvis A” coming from? That’s a ridiculous thought.
Venice Jim
November 25th, 2012
11:42 pm
Paul – I have long been on the record here as hating the phrase which celebrates the death of many, many foolish people. Hoping for the best for your team is twisted into a sad, pathetic idiom by you and your ilk – but go ahead and celebrate the death of Congressman Paul Ryan, as you have often celebrated the Columbine massacre in your sick and twisted way…
Venice Jim
November 25th, 2012
11:43 pm
More Boz:
Rizzo calls himself “the crazy guy who usually wants to sign a free agent or make a trade.” Not this time. “In past winters, we’ve jumped out quickly” with signings, he said. “This time around, we don’t have any pressing needs. We’ll probably see where the landscape is after the winter meetings.
“Davey and I like our players a lot. If money were free, we’d get Greinke, Bourn and two more closers,” said Rizzo, naming two players that, when you hear them rumored with the Nats, are probably non-starters. “But when the rubber hits the road in ’14-’15-’16, you’re going to have to pay your own players. Sometimes, you’re better with known commodities.”
Venice Jim
November 25th, 2012
11:44 pm
Signing Greinke would cripple multiple future moves. And Bourn, a speed and defense center fielder, isn’t worth a $75 million-or-more risk.
Venice Jim
November 25th, 2012
11:46 pm
If hindsight shows that Johnson’s sunset trip actually needed the help of a $100 million free agent, then his ’13 ride may not be so pleasant. But, after having Lasik surgery on his left eye in a few days, he plans to see it all 20/20.
“For my last year at least I’ll be able to see it when these umpires screw up,” he said.
Klaus
November 25th, 2012
11:47 pm
Mike hopefully ATL is shooting for great versus good enough. With 25mm in extra TV money coming in 2014 (even if Liberty holds some back) gives Wren more room to stretch even a year before the money comes in.
Venice Jim
November 25th, 2012
11:48 pm
A pleasant good night to all – I can go to sleep with visions of the Giants and Blue Devils pulling off good wins this weekend…
Klaus
November 25th, 2012
11:53 pm
Uggla presses. He pressed in year 1 to earn his new deal and then he pressed in 2012 to make up for a terrible 2011.
With Chipper gone a lot of guys are going to try to do too much (esp out of the gate) and Uggla will be at the top of that list.
Mac and Uggla are coin tosses at this point and that is probably not a stretch to say.
If Wren understands these risks he will try to load for bear in the OF so Uggla won’t feel the need to press and Mac can ease back in and perform more effectively.
Mike McDermont
November 25th, 2012
11:55 pm
Disgusted, I dont hold your optimism on Dan Uggla. Dude has looked lost during significant stretches during the past two years. If you take away his 30 something game hitting streak during the summer of 2011, his stats are pretty awful in the 2 years he’s been an Atlanta Brave. We’re not paying him to draw 100 walks. We’re paying him to bash the ball and put fear into the opposing pitchers..which is something I have seen little of during the past 2 years.
McCann’s injuries the past two years, along with his struggles once he comes back from injuries…is a signal of a trend. His body simply cannot hold up to the demands of catching 130-135 games a year…something he has to be able to do if he is going to be worth the $15 mil a year he’ll probably be seeking when he’s a free agent after the 2013 season. We cannot afford to pay him that much if he cant catch 130-135 games a year over the next 5 years (because he cant play other positions like Buster Posey can….and he isnt as durable as Yadier Molina).
Look at Joey Mauer with the Twins. Injuries have wrecked havoc on him the past two years. The Twins are stuck paying him all that money.
richbrave
November 25th, 2012
11:58 pm
MIKE McDERMOTT:
Unfortunately, I haven’t kept strict tabs on how many games out of 34 GATTIS has played in the field, but including tonight, I’d say about 15. He went 1-4 [.274 BA].
Once again ERNESTO MEJIA did not play.
M1ke McDermon11
November 26th, 2012
12:03 am
,,Klaus, not much good having $25 mil in extra tv money coming in, if we dont spend it wisely.
M1ke McDermon11
November 26th, 2012
12:05 am
,.,.,…ncgary, I dont have the faith in Braves management that you have. Braves management has made a number of financial blunder moves over the past several years that have handcuffed our ability to improve the team.
So far this winter, I see nothing changing that analysis.
The Braves were lucky in 2012 with the emergence of Kris Medlen, who turned into Mr. Unbeatable the final two months of the season. In the final two months of the season, our record was 34-22. If you take away Medlen’s 11 starts (all of which the Braves won), our record was 23-22 in the non-Medlen started games the final 2 months of the season.
Relying on a superman like performance…isnt what I call a great game plan from Braves management. It’s called getting lucky.
David O'Brien
November 26th, 2012
12:19 am
Unfortunately, I haven’t kept strict tabs on how many games out of 34 GATTIS has played in the field, but including tonight, I’d say about 15. He went 1-4 [.274 BA].
Once again ERNESTO MEJIA did not play. — richbrave
Mejia has missed a couple of games because of a death in his family.
David O'Brien
November 26th, 2012
12:24 am
Mike hopefully ATL is shooting for great versus good enough. With 25mm in extra TV money coming in 2014 (even if Liberty holds some back) gives Wren more room to stretch even a year before the money comes in. — Klaus
1. Every team’s got the same extra money coming in next season, so that amount gives none an edge. 2. I asked Wren specifically about the extra $25M that teams will get next season and if that would permit the Braves to go over budget this year if needed. He said it had no effect because they don’t even know when they will see that money.
carney johnson
November 26th, 2012
12:36 am
how would yall rate juan francisco defensively? i’m not sure he got enough playing time to judge, but i wasnt that impressed. and i’m not sure (from what i’ve seen…as well as the stats) that he’ll ever really hit lefties. however, i think you could move him to LF and platoon him with a right-handed batter who mashes lefties. could be an affordable, solid option for LF.
ccrider
November 26th, 2012
1:16 am
DOB, I posted a alternate scenario yesterday, in case the Braves don’t get B.J. Upton. Arizona is rumored to be shopping Kubel to drop some salary for other needs. HE had a excellent season against RHed pitching, he shouldn’t cost a ton in trade because he is really a LEFTY Platoon guy. Signing Cody Ross(now that Boston has moved on) shouldn’t go but about 3 years at 6-7 million) and would make for a very effective platoon in LF(with the added benefit of Ross playing some CF, if necessary).
If, the braves could then trade for Span. then Ross and Reed Johnson could be used to give Kubel and Span breaks against tough LHed pitching.
Braves batting from the Left side: Span, Heyward, Kubel , McCann, Freeman, Francisco
Braves batting from the right side: Prado, Simmons, Ross, Johnson, Laird, Uggla, and perhaps Meija( Prado could be the backup SS, so the weak bat of Janish)
I just think, after the A’s showed the sucess of the platoon this year, I got a flashback of Otis and Deion in CF for the Braves and it worked quite well at other positions as well: Catcher and Whomever platooned with Klesko .
ccrider
November 26th, 2012
1:16 am
DOB, I posted a alternate scenario yesterday, in case the Braves don’t get B.J. Upton. Arizona is rumored to be shopping Kubel to drop some salary for other needs. HE had a excellent season against RHed pitching, he shouldn’t cost a ton in trade because he is really a LEFTY Platoon guy. Signing Cody Ross(now that Boston has moved on) shouldn’t go but about 3 years at 6-7 million) and would make for a very effective platoon in LF(with the added benefit of Ross playing some CF, if necessary).
If, the braves could then trade for Span. then Ross and Reed Johnson could be used to give Kubel and Span breaks against tough LHed pitching.
Braves batting from the Left side: Span, Heyward, Kubel , McCann, Freeman, Francisco
Braves batting from the right side: Prado, Simmons, Ross, Johnson, Laird, Uggla, and perhaps Meija( Prado could be the backup SS, so the weak bat of Janish)
I just think, after the A’s showed the sucess of the platoon this year, I got a flashback of Otis and Deion in CF for the Braves and it worked quite well at other positions as well: Catcher and Whomever platooned with Klesko .
jack
November 26th, 2012
1:22 am
Wish baseball time was here now. so ready
DS1
November 26th, 2012
1:28 am
Is this the “Dog Days of November?”
DS1
November 26th, 2012
1:34 am
If you can’t get a real banger for LF, sometimes a really good platoon is not a bad thing.
And there are cheaper options out there than Cody Ross and Jason Kubel. (not that they are a bad combo)
There are a lot of potentially good platoon LF’ers that could be available.
If Bossman Junior goes to another team, I’d jump in and swoop up The Angel Pagan and then go for some platoon guys in LF, knowing that we potentially also have Juan Gone and El Oso Blanco to also help platoon.
John Tucker
November 26th, 2012
1:38 am
Good piece on Gattis and BJ Upton.
Why don\yt the Braves focus on Pagan and giver him the money he seeks. Pagan is a contact hitter with a low SO rate, and his lean body type would maintain his speed longer than Bourn’s. Paying less for less SO’s and good defense is a plus after watching Uggla and Bourn whiff away in July, August and September.
Also, do brves of Freddy himself have any doubts about Freeman’s eyes. After battling dry eye for 10 years, I cannot see to drive. Freddie will swap back and forth between contacts, artificial tears and goggles for the rest of his career and never see better than he did the last 2 seasons. Result will be declining BA, RBI and HR totals.Gattis and Mejia platoon may be he Braves’ future at 1B.
DS1
November 26th, 2012
1:44 am
I’m thinking that if Bourn had a different agent that didn’t love to drag things out to the nth degree, the Braves might be more inclined to barter with him. For a little bit more, I’d think he would be a better fit for the Braves than BJUp.
Much better defensively, and probably a more level potential for the next 4-5 years than BJUp.
Also, is Mark Reynolds good enough of a glove at third to platoon with Juan Gone Francisco? (remember we have Ahmed a year or two away if we don’t deal him.)
DS1
November 26th, 2012
1:46 am
Or we could go the Giants route and use Schafer in CF and Georgie in LF. Sign Greinke AND Haren and be set for pitching until the cows come home (of course, this scenario never happens).
DS1
November 26th, 2012
1:50 am
Did anybody see the Lincoln movie. Very good imho.
kenhotlanta
November 26th, 2012
2:01 am
Hey, Wayne, just headin’ to bed. I hope you and your family had a good Thanksgiving. The Dawgs made it real good for us.
Good night.
DS1
November 26th, 2012
2:01 am
Talking to myself. Thought I’d leave you folks with a good old american folk song……..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB2L6CRqoDo
DS1
November 26th, 2012
2:08 am
ken
Besides that beatin that my Tigers took from the Gamecocks, all in all it was a good time with family and friends.
Thanks for asking ken. Hope you folks had a good time also!
Heading off to bed myself, listening to some Bee Gee’s on youtube. Those guys had some incredible stuff in their early career. Sad to think that 2/3 of them are gone.
No. 1 Braves Fan
November 26th, 2012
4:46 am
Don`t sign B.J. Upton. Heard he may not be a good clubhouse fit. Twins need pitching. They will come down in their demands for Span to get it.
Couch Tater
November 26th, 2012
6:14 am
Heard he may not be a good clubhouse fit.
Is Upton is worth the dollars? I don’t know. But, from The Tampa Tribune…
He [BJ Upton] was touched by the ovations.
“I didn’t expect to get that,” he said. “Being the last one out there and seeing all the people staying, I guess you can say they kind of gave me my farewell. It was definitely touching.”
“It’s deserving,” Longoria said. “He’s done a lot for this community, for this team, for this organization, and, obviously, I hope that he’s back. I don’t know how real that possibility is, I’m not the G.M. or the owner. I enjoyed playing with him for the five years that I did. He’s always been a great teammate to me. We’ve had our ups and downs, but he’s always been a good person, a good teammate, a good friend. It will be said to see him go if he does.”
http://www2.tbo.com/sports/rays/2012/oct/03/14/season-finale-a-touching-farewell-for-upton-ar-521467/
MikeY
November 26th, 2012
6:34 am
Meija was a left fielder in 2005/2006, maybe he needs to convert back to LF:
http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/g-braves-ernesto-mejia-fights-for-spot-in-majors/nQWkZ/
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=mejia-001ern
Bob the Blogger
November 26th, 2012
7:11 am
I’m just not getting the enthusiasm for Upton – four consecutive years hitting under .250, low on base percentage, high strike outs – that just doesn’t add up to a five year, $75 million deal to me. I would go for Span or Gordon.
If Gattis is being considered as a backup catcher for Laird until Mac gets back, why isn’t he catching some in winter ball? I don’t like the idea of calling up Bethancourt. It starts the clock on him, and he will be overwhelmed by major league pitching, perhaps hurting him in the long run. With his hitting struggles, he may not even be ready after this year.
John Poppadoppagopolis
November 26th, 2012
7:14 am
What about Giancarlo Stanton? Great numbers, young and although he would costs several good prospects he is a great baseball player. And Miami is selling out.
BraveDan
November 26th, 2012
7:17 am
Yeah, you would think Gattis would be catching as much as possible, but I’m not sure if the braves have a say so in that on the winter league teams.
Peter
November 26th, 2012
7:38 am
In a perfect world Upton is not a Brave….. we continue to build with a farm club, and maybe a few acquisitions.
Frank Wren won’t get anything done unless he over pays, which is his mantra…..
Please tell me a guy he has not over paid for ?
Jeff R
November 26th, 2012
7:41 am
Dob, thanks for the new article. Otis Redding – a great who passed long before he should have.
Jeff R
November 26th, 2012
7:45 am
Laird is going to do the bulk of the catching while McCann gets ready. I guess Gattis could back him up a while or Bethancourt. But I’d imagine that Gattis is assigned to Gwinnett and patrols the outfield. When McCann returns, Bethancourt goes to Gwinnett for regular catching duties. Hmm?
Ray
November 26th, 2012
8:00 am
It appears that the Twins are asking a ton for Span and the Royals are asking even more for Myers. You can’t fill one hole by creating another hole. So overpaying with pitchers for either Span or Myers would not be a good move.
Bossman Junior, El Oso Blanco & other matters LINK | Atlanta Braves Dugout Online | Atlanta Braves Blog
November 26th, 2012
8:05 am
[...] The rest of the article can be found here: Atlanta Braves [...]
Klaus
November 26th, 2012
8:05 am
DOB – I didn’t say the extra 25mm gave the Braves an edge, just flexibility to stretch (think back loaded deals as an example). Your comment assumes that every team puts the extra TV money into player salaries or even has the same total payroll/level of talent. That wont be the case and even for ATL they probably will see something less than 25mm hit their salary plan.
A team that has a 90mm payroll & the talent that goes with it (ideally) is going to get that extra piece they need by going from 90 to 110m. Versus a 45mm team going to 55 or 60mm. The latter team may need 1/2 a rotation and 2-3 position players to be competitive.
That said ATL perpetually (under corporate ownership) is a day late and dollar short when it comes to getting the player they need to take the next step. Getting some portion of that money (which is suppose to hit at the beginning of the 2014 season) will give the Braves some breathing room.
Wren nor any GM won’t go on the record saying “heck yeah we are going to spend every penny of that money when it comes or before” 1. He doesn’t know how much Liberty will give them and 2. He doesn’t want to jack up the price of FAs in the process. The latter is true of all teams.
That would be akin to walking into a Vegas casino saying loudly you just came into some money.
old man
November 26th, 2012
8:12 am
DS1: Lincoln was great. All dialogue, but still kept you on the edge of your seat. Excellent movie.
Pippa's Meaty Backside
November 26th, 2012
8:19 am
Steve: Braves have plenty of options and if we miss on all of them we still have some good talent.
Wow, we have a rational thinker here who doesn’t see the need to throw somebody else’s money out the window with guys who have ‘whatever’ WARs. Steve,if you’re going to be cautious and prudent with other people’s money you might want to look for another message board. On here, we have guys dropping 15-20mil/year for drug addicts who need babysitting and a .246 hitter who has bunches and bunches of potential.
DAM
November 26th, 2012
8:19 am
DOB, can you define what you mean when you said KC would only take a top pitcher back in return? Are we talking a proven #1/#2 starter already in a big-league rotation? Just curious. I’d love to get Myers if at all possible.
Pippa's Meaty Backside
November 26th, 2012
8:21 am
DAM, I think DOB meant that what the Braves are willing to give up as regards pitching would not be enough to pull off that deal.
DS1
November 26th, 2012
8:27 am
If somebody else ends up with Giancarlo or Myers from KC and we don’t, I’m going to be very disappointed. Just sayin.
Sam
November 26th, 2012
8:30 am
Sign BJ and trade for Justin. It’s not complicated…
BJ = $45M over 3 years
Justin = Teheran, Ahmed, and another minor leaguer
Ray
November 26th, 2012
8:33 am
@Dam, a few posts I have been reading in KC the Royals want a ransom for Gordon and Myers. Everything strongly eluded to guys like Medlin, Delgado, Teharan type packages, and that is the starting point. That’s for either not both.
Ray
November 26th, 2012
8:40 am
Signing free agents and trading for players is a very simple process and not complicated Except that it includes a person(s) on the other side to agree to sign or to a trade. Other than that it is quite easy.