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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,190 comments Add your comment
Efrim
November 28th, 2012
6:32 pm
Upton hit .244/.294/.525 in the 2nd half in 2012 – 327 PA’s.
beachcomber
November 28th, 2012
6:34 pm
Remember, Matty, Felipe, and Jesus? Didn’t two of them play together for a short time?
old man (from another old man) all three actually started at least one game as an outfield unit for the Giants.
old man
November 28th, 2012
6:34 pm
If you say the everyone “across the board” says BJ “sucks” as a CFer, well you just lose your credibility with me. He is not nearly a Bourn. But that comment means you think we are all idiots and really will accept that sort of nonsense.
And please, really try to avoid using the words “BJ” and “sucks” in the same post, OK?
Gone Viral
November 28th, 2012
6:34 pm
“Yes, please give me Justin Upton in LF with his .725-.750 OPS. Can’t wait for that!
Unbelievable. What a masher that would be.”
Dude, that’s BJ. Justin’s OPS over the last four seasons is .899, .799, .898 and .795.
MFin04
November 28th, 2012
6:34 pm
I’ve read reports of the Braves pursuing Swisher. Said he was looking at $10-$12 million a year. Seems like that would be better value than BJ Upton, but whatever. Maybe it’s a positional value thing.
JoeBrave
November 28th, 2012
6:34 pm
Wow! Folks I gotta say Wren did okay here, otherwise it’s Schafer, Constanza etal…MEH NO THANKS!
Disgusted
November 28th, 2012
6:35 pm
Here we go out and make a move to make this team better, they spend a little dough and some folks find negativity in that.
Bumb fans that deserve to be Booed. I love this move — really excited and lok forward to BJ being a 30/30 man, even if he hits .250, just get the OBP to the .320’s and get me 60 to 70 XBH’s and that is fine.
He might be better defensively than some think — he throws better than Bourn. Hey, Uggla is better at second than some give him credit for.
Its not an unreasonable contract.
Gone Viral
November 28th, 2012
6:36 pm
“Justin, BJ, and Jason could become the best OF in MLB. (”Justin, Junior, and Jason”)”
Trey-J!
MFin04
November 28th, 2012
6:37 pm
Some of you need to work on your research skills.
“Justin’s OPS over the last four seasons is”
Look at his career OPS in away games. It.s around .725. Which is probably about what he’d put up at Turner Field away from AZ.
As for BJ, the metrics say he is a bad defensive CF. It is what it is. Across the board, he isn’t a good defensive CF.
Mixxo
November 28th, 2012
6:38 pm
Yeah, I hope he likes it here.
Big Nick
November 28th, 2012
6:38 pm
Span and Fowler make sense now. Still think Span fits pretty darn good!
MFin04
November 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
Apparently BJ Upton can play 3rd and 2nd. That’s food for thought I suppose.
BFChris28
November 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
#Braves, who still need leadoff hitter, had discussed idea of signing Upton AND trading for Span. But talks with #Twins failed to progress.
Gone Viral
November 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
“Look at his career OPS in away games. It.s around .725.”
Career is .731. Over his last four seasons, the numbers are .869, .790, .767 and .670 during the seasons when he was 22-25. You’re placing a lot of stock in his “not old enough to drink” stats.
old man
November 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
MFin04
Justin Upton with a 725-750 OPS????
Why do people come on here and say blatantly false things? Does Justin Upton owe you money? Was he caught in flagrante delicto with the little lady? The last time he had on OPS below 750 he was 19 years old in 2007, when he played in 43 games.
Sheesh Loueesh!!!
Murph
November 28th, 2012
6:43 pm
Poor MFin. First JJ turns to crap, now this.
I don’t see anything but a pout-pout future for you. Gonna be a long 5 years.
BFChris28
November 28th, 2012
6:43 pm
Would love to see Wren get Justin Upton, but I would be happy with Shane Victorino in LF or a trade for Fowler/Span.
MFin04
November 28th, 2012
6:43 pm
Apparently BJ Upton can play 3rd and 2nd. That’s food for thought I suppose.
Hopefully they don’t allow him to wear those stupid skinny jean pants on the field. Yuck.
Oh and in 2012 BJ Upton had negative defensive WAR value. That’s kinda scary.
Murph
November 28th, 2012
6:44 pm
Ken Rosenthal just tweeted that the Braves did indeed want to sign Upton and trade for Span, but talks with the Twins went nowhere.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 28th, 2012
6:45 pm
Well, y’all know I’m pissed. Hope I learn to enjoy his streaky HR and few doubles and SB (which are overrated) more than I hate his 5month long sukkage and poor defensive play
Gone Viral
November 28th, 2012
6:46 pm
It’s November 28th. That’s bait, not closure.
Chris B
November 28th, 2012
6:46 pm
“Some of you need to work on your research skills.
Look at his career OPS in away games. It.s around .725. Which is probably about what he’d put up at Turner Field away from AZ.”
Or maybe you need to work on your logic skills. You are assuming that his OPS at home only considers the ballpark in Tampa Bay itself and nothing else. It very well could be playing in a ballpark you are familiar with, that you call home, with less pressure because the fans have your back. Which could imply that his new highest OPS would be in his new home, Turner Field.
These are all hypotheticals, but the argument that we should ignore his career OPS and only consider his away OPS away from home is flawed.
Efrim
November 28th, 2012
6:46 pm
Yeah, they’ll focus on leadoff and I think that’s the wrong way to go. Bat Prado there.
And please, for the love of god, stay away from Cody Ross. Trade some friggin pitching for a LF.
MFin04
November 28th, 2012
6:47 pm
Justin Upton’s OPS was .670 last year (2012) in away games.
.767 in 2011 away games.
Not ideal for Turner Field.
Chris B
November 28th, 2012
6:47 pm
^ You may actually be talking about Justin Upton, not B.J., but the same logic applies.
Ray
November 28th, 2012
6:48 pm
the last 5 days its been.. why won’t Wren make a move. Sign someone already. Ownership is cheap and we can’t sign anyone blah blah blah.. Now Wren signs Upton. And now many are complaining. Of course they are. Watch how much more Bourn signs for with Nat’s. Boras is going to indirectly be their GM with all of his clients in Washington gear.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 28th, 2012
6:49 pm
Let’s get Gordon for LF now… we need some good defense out there and a leadoff hitter.
Gone Viral
November 28th, 2012
6:50 pm
Fowler is a switch hitter so that’s another plus for him over Span.
kenhotlanta
November 28th, 2012
6:50 pm
BFChris28: The Iron Sheik lived off of Old National back then, but I don’t follow wrestling too much anymore, so I don’t even know if or where he is still wrestling. I used to love Pro Wrestling This Week (I think that was the name), the all night shows on Channel 36 on Saturday night hosted by Joe Pedecino and Bonnie Blackstone…that was a fun show.
I saw Joe and Bonnie a couple of years ago at a grocery store opening in Fayetteville, GA…they own or run a radio station on the south side. He has lost some weight and she has gained some, but she is stll cute as a button and they make a nice looking couple after all these years. Good for them!
MFin04
November 28th, 2012
6:51 pm
“but the same logic applies.”
No it doesn’t. Arizona is a bandbox. It’s similar to Coors Field in how it inflates numbers. Heck look at Kelly Johnson’s numbers in AZ. They’re crazy sexy. Same with Dexter Fowler’s.
Gone Viral
November 28th, 2012
6:53 pm
“Well, y’all know I’m pissed. Hope I learn to enjoy his streaky HR and few doubles and SB”
If you were around for the Ron Gant and Andruw Jones eras, you’re already used to it.
MFin04
November 28th, 2012
6:53 pm
Let’s just hope Bourn gets $125 million so Upton looks REALLY cheap.
Efrim
November 28th, 2012
6:54 pm
Should be very interesting to see the Phillies next move and a lot of teams that are in the outfield market. This is going to start the hot stove fire for a lot of teams.
I’m more happy than I thought I’d be. Still hate giving up the first rounder, but Upton is young enough to make it worth it.
Bruce's Pearl
November 28th, 2012
6:54 pm
I wouldnt be surprised to see talks resume with Minnesota regarding Span.Minnesota could ask for the moon as long as the Braves had no other options in CF. Perhaps they will lower their sites a little as the two teams match up well.
Venice Jim
November 28th, 2012
6:54 pm
He wasn’t alive during the Ron Gant era…
Gone Viral
November 28th, 2012
6:55 pm
“Justin Upton’s OPS was .670 last year (2012) in away games. .767 in 2011 away games.”
So you are only going to focus on the stats that support the illogically based conclusion. Got it.
Me, I quite like the 25-year-old with a career OPS of .832 in 3k plate appearances.
Murph
November 28th, 2012
6:56 pm
TOBF, Ron Gant used to be a Braves outfielder, just in case you were wondering.
BFChris28
November 28th, 2012
6:56 pm
kenhotlanta
That’s pretty cool.
I still watch and follow wrestling. I been watching since 88. Right now, Iron Sheik doesn’t wrestle, full time anyways, he takes rare bookings where he’ll do a match here and there, but for the most part, he doesn’t anymore actively. Now he spends his times doing interviews and appearances trolling the likes of Hulk Hogan, Brian Blair and Warrior to name a few.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 28th, 2012
6:57 pm
Gonna be lots of U-turns at the plate this winter though… and depending on who we get for LF, a lot of balls rolling to the wall. Go break the bank, trade 3 pitchers and get us a star, Frank!
BFChris28
November 28th, 2012
6:59 pm
kenhotlanta
And his trolling makes his character very enjoyable
MFin04
November 28th, 2012
6:59 pm
“I quite like the 25-year-old with a career OPS of .832 in 3k plate appearances.”
Not if it all is over-inflated by the park he has played in. He isn’t going to put that up for the Braves. Not a chance.
I wonder if the Braves are looking for a LF or a CF now. Because Span would definitely be in CF right? Probably looking best available, but I’d like to see a .850 OPS or higher guy in LF for the Braves. Justin Upton would be great if he could put those numbers up in Atlanta, but I don’t think he’d get close to that at all.
BFChris28
November 28th, 2012
7:00 pm
kenhotlanta
And his trolling makes his character very enjoyable
Venice Jim
November 28th, 2012
7:00 pm
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Love the fit. Good team. Good clubhouse. Had hard time envisioning him in Phila RT @bigdog30103: @jaysonst what kind of fit is upton in atl?
Murph
November 28th, 2012
7:00 pm
For $40 mil, I’d expect AT LEAST 90 homers and 340 RBIs from the trio of McCann, Uggla and Upton…
Seriously? When was the last time the Braves had a 100 RBI man? And now you’re expecting 3 guys to reach that number… OVER that number?? Uggla is the only one to ever eclipse 100 RBI, and he did it once.
Gone Viral
November 28th, 2012
7:00 pm
“He wasn’t alive during the Ron Gant era…”
Now I feel ancient. Thanks, dude!
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 28th, 2012
7:03 pm
sell the farm for Justin Upton or Myers now…
Gone Viral
November 28th, 2012
7:03 pm
“He isn’t going to put that up for the Braves. Not a chance. ”
I sincerely hope the Braves make the trade that proves one of us wrong.
Efrim
November 28th, 2012
7:04 pm
Bourn is going to get more AAV, but I don;t think he gets more than five years. Never know with Boras, though. CF is important to the Phillies.
BravoMan
November 28th, 2012
7:05 pm
1. Fowler/Span-LF
2. Prado-3B
3. Heyward-RF
4. F.Freeman-1B
5. Upton-CF
6. McCann-C
7. Uggla-2B
8. Simmons-SS
I still want Willingham in LF however.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 28th, 2012
7:05 pm
well, I hope Melvin Upton does well here… he’s a Brave now.
Murph
November 28th, 2012
7:06 pm
MFin, interesting how Kubel and Hill both had similar home/away HR splits this season… they play for AZ. Goldschmidt, Young, Montero, same thing… a few of them had more on the road than at home.
But yeah, that AZ stadium really skews numbers.
BFChris28
November 28th, 2012
7:06 pm
Brayan Pena is now a FA after declining being outrighted, bring him back and then trade Simmons in a package for Justin Upton and then re-acquire Yunel Escobar from Marlins
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 28th, 2012
7:09 pm
Jerry Crasnick @jcrasnick
“Watch out for #phillies to surprise everyone and sign Hamilton,” said one prominent agent. A scout told me the same thing.
Bet that happens.
BravoMan
November 28th, 2012
7:09 pm
“Watch out for #phillies to surprise everyone and sign Hamilton,” said one prominent agent. A scout told me the same thing.- Jerry Crasnick
Take him Philly. He would go nice with an injury trio of Utley, Hamilton, Howard
Efrim
November 28th, 2012
7:12 pm
Yeah, I could see the Phils signing Hamilton. Very left handed. And old. They have the cash, for sure.
Disgusted
November 28th, 2012
7:13 pm
We have a good chance of having 4 guys in this lineup with 30 HRs and 30 doubles in Freeman, Upton, Heyward and Uggla next yr.
All 4 should bring in 90 to 100 RBI assuming health.
And with Heyward and BJ, both guys have a good shot at 30/30. That is 30 HRs and 30 SB’s for those of you who have abandoned everything for OBP and OPS with nothing else mattering.
Mc Cann is a lineup presence too — don’t know when he will be right and able to play. Than you add Simmons and Prado (not slouches) and we still have another OF to trade for and this is going to be an exciting starting 8.
As for K’s well, most of the time a strikeout is just another out.
The HOF is full of guys who K’d alot.
Curious to see which way Wren goes on his next move. Who is there to trade for???? Time will tell. I don’t see them bidding for Swisher now.
Couch Tater
November 28th, 2012
7:16 pm
Only time will tell how good this signing is, but I’m glad to see the Braves were willing to target a player and sign him through free-agency. Congrats to Upton and the Braves.
Murph
November 28th, 2012
7:16 pm
The Winter Meetings start next week… We’re going to know our lineup before the middle of December, minus a bench player or two.
Go Braves! Time to run off and buy my Powerball tickets. If I win, I’m going to give each of my 10 favorite blog posters $1mil.
Some of you will be very disappointed… but, that’s just par for the course around here.
BFChris28
November 28th, 2012
7:17 pm
Sign Victorino for LF and save/hold on to the prospects in case a need arises.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 28th, 2012
7:17 pm
Hopefully Mac and Uggla return to form, Simmons is ready, Freeman and Hey continue to progress.
Simmons
Prado
Heyward
Upton
Freeman
Uggla
Mac
CF
That’s a deep lineup when healthy. A really K filled one 3-6 when slumping. Go get a true Masher for LF, I’d be giddy
old man
November 28th, 2012
7:18 pm
MFin04
I overreacted and apologize for my vitriol. But you didn’t say away OPS, did you?
BJ Upton is playing CF, not someone else. Bank on it.
After looking at the away OPS for Justin, then maybe someone else in LF. Gordon seems like a perfect fit. He might even be the best glove in a Gordon, BJ, Jason OF.
I’m still not throwing in the towel on a Cody Ross/Francisco platoon. But that’s even more strikeouts. Either way, we need a little pop, XBH potential out of LF or 3B, whichever way we decide to go.
CB
November 28th, 2012
7:18 pm
Gee, I wonder who Mr. P1nk is.
BFChris28
November 28th, 2012
7:19 pm
Being a Rays fan as well, I am cautious about BJ Upton, but I feel the pros of the upside within him outweigh the potential cons. So, while I am not extremely enthusiastic about it, I am happy about it.
I say go sign Victorino for LF and then save prospects in case a need arises later on.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 28th, 2012
7:22 pm
Save prospects? Gwinnett doesn’t need the IL ERA title…
Trader Jack
November 28th, 2012
7:25 pm
Efrim
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Phillies sign both Hamilton and Swisher. It’s the world series or bust mentality, shared by the big spenders
BravoMan
November 28th, 2012
7:25 pm
Mr. P1nk,
Time will tell what these Free Agent signings produce on the field and in terms of attendance. I as a Braves fan in Indiana can’t help but envy a fan base like the Phillies. Their consecutive sellouts was quite an accomplishment.
However, one has to acknowledge what Wren and his staff have done with their payroll over the last three years or so. And I feel it’s only getting better it seems.
Efrim
November 28th, 2012
7:26 pm
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
#Braves, who still need leadoff hitter, had discussed idea of signing Upton AND trading for Span. But talks with #Twins failed to progress.
At some point the Twins have to get some pitching. I’d rather have Willingham than Span though. Just hope they go the trade route for LF.
Trader Jack
November 28th, 2012
7:26 pm
Not to mention the marquee players that puts butts in the seats
BFChris28
November 28th, 2012
7:27 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan
Sorry, but even though I like em, Fowler/Span isn’t worth gutting the farm.
David O'Brien
November 28th, 2012
7:34 pm
Previous largest Braves free-agent contract was Lowe’s 4-year, $60 million deal. This one’s five years, $72.25 million.
Russell Bell
November 28th, 2012
7:38 pm
Even with BJ Upton in CF, Josh Willingham still makes a lot of sense in LF.
Good power, good OBP guy.
Prado can shift to LF to give him some days off (giving Juan Francisco some playing time at 3B).
Efrim
November 28th, 2012
7:38 pm
This one’s five years, $72.25 million.
$75.25?
BravoMan
November 28th, 2012
7:39 pm
Mr. P1nk,
I feel sorry for no one. I only mentioned this because Frank Wren and the GM of the Rays have won the most regular season games while spending the least amount of money. Strong player development will do that. I am not here to argue.
CB
November 28th, 2012
7:39 pm
Keep hearing slightly different figures. I guess close enough
Brava
November 28th, 2012
7:39 pm
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
#Braves, who still need leadoff hitter, had discussed idea of signing Upton AND trading for Span. But talks with #Twins failed to progress.
They must have wanted Meds.
BFChris28
November 28th, 2012
7:42 pm
If Braves could get Span, would like Doumit too in same deal and then re-sign Reed Johnson.
Bench: Laird, Doumit, Johnson, Francisco & Janish
That would be cool.
Heath
November 28th, 2012
7:43 pm
He’s signed…time to cheer him on. If $12M is what Swisher wanted… I’d still have rather paid that for 3-4 years instead. He actually has a history of producing at home, on the road, from the left and from the right. Oh well. Still need to go get Span. Very good numbers, even as a lefty.
Big Nick
November 28th, 2012
7:43 pm
Juan Pierre was good value at $1.6 mil. for the Marlins. LF and leadoff type.
Russell Bell
November 28th, 2012
7:46 pm
To hell with trading/signing a leadoff hitter for a corner outfield spot.
Get another banger for LF and let Prado leadoff.
brian
November 28th, 2012
7:48 pm
Twins must have asked for the moin
brian
November 28th, 2012
7:51 pm
I hope the twins look around in Nashville and realize the braves are the way to go as far as trades
HooRah
November 28th, 2012
7:53 pm
I can remember when a big signing like this would have caused dozens of pages within hours. Not much at all anymore
brian
November 28th, 2012
7:53 pm
Ugh – that would be moon ( which is probably minor or Medlen ). We gave them Diamond already, maybe they think they can fleece us
Bobby H
November 28th, 2012
8:00 pm
CB….Mr. P1nk is a die hard Braves fan who wants to see the Braves seriously compete for a World Series championship. — Dentz
Interpretation: CB…..Mr. P1nk would rather die, hard, than admit he’s the biggest A-hole that ever found his way to a Braves blog, seriously.
George_George
November 28th, 2012
8:03 pm
WOW THIS IS AWFUL. The BRAVES just got another NATE THE GREAT only this one is getting a lot more money. The best thing that could happen would be for JASON to run over BJ in outfield just like he did NATE.
Mixxo
November 28th, 2012
8:06 pm
Hello!
A Juan Pierre mention.
My offseason is complete.
CB
November 28th, 2012
8:07 pm
Hey George George, I loved the signing and God heard what you said about Jason running over BJ. Go take Peanut for a walk.
Heath
November 28th, 2012
8:08 pm
Think Braves could trade Hanson and $ to Twins for Span? Or is that not enough for them?
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 28th, 2012
8:08 pm
Bob Nightengale @BNightengale
Larry Reynolds is having the finest free-agent winter so far, negotiating $101.25 million worth of contracts for BJ Upton and Torii Hunter
Bobby H
November 28th, 2012
8:11 pm
Think Braves could trade Hanson and $ to Twins for Span? Or is that not enough for them? — Heath
That would depend on how many 10’s of millions you’re talking about.
TheOnlyBravesFan
November 28th, 2012
8:11 pm
Have JHey run over him? Now now….
old man
November 28th, 2012
8:11 pm
Gordon just seems ideal. A+ glove, speed, significant pop (879 and 833 ops the past two years).
But he averages 10M a year over the next three years.
I want us to have another banger and bat Prado lead off, but I don’t think we can afford to have a slow baserunner, poor fielder out in left. Or the 3B option. Freeman and McCann/Laird are already slow afoot. Prado is not a burner. Nor is Uggla, although he hustles.
I want Gordon, or Myers out in left.
At 3B, neither Gyorko nor Olt seem to have any speed.
kenhotlanta
November 28th, 2012
8:12 pm
BFChris28: I was into wrestling back in the 80’s and 90’s, too. I subscribed to The Wrestling Observer and other sheets and it was neat to know what was really going on backstage when most everyone still believed it was all real.
My all-time favorite angle was the NWO and the war between WCW and WWF, but I lost interest when WCW was sold to the WWF. I loved the small circuits like Memphis, Texas, and Oregon (I think), they put on some funny stuff.
One of the saddest things you can do is Google “Dead Wrestlers” and read the sheer number of deaths in the past 30 years and the causes…it’s a real tragedy.
CB
November 28th, 2012
8:12 pm
Repost from the bottom of the page in case George George missed it
Hey George George, I loved the signing and God heard what you said about Jason running over BJ. Go take Peanut for a walk.
Heath
November 28th, 2012
8:12 pm
Aside from Swisher proving to be better offensively more consistently, my biggest aversion to BJ Upton is that we already have Uggla on the team. I fear Upton will come to Atlanta trying to “prove” that he deserves the contract he was just given and tries to hit 10-run homers ever time he’s at the plate. We’ll see. He’s on the team, time to cheer him on now.
Trey
November 28th, 2012
8:13 pm
Not a bad deal for Upton.
Bobby H
November 28th, 2012
8:15 pm
Larry Reynolds is having the finest free-agent winter so far, negotiating $101.25 million worth of contracts for BJ Upton and Torii Hunter — Bob Nightengale (posted by TOBF)
Remember kids, if you’re not good enough to be a top-flight athlete, become an agent.
ncgary
November 28th, 2012
8:15 pm
i feel good
doo doo dooot
doo doo doooot
the way that i should now
Bobby H
November 28th, 2012
8:16 pm
Repost from the bottom of the page in case George George missed it — CB
old man
November 28th, 2012
8:16 pm
Wren is in the catbird’s seat. Winter meetings are prime trading time, not so much for signing free agents. We have our CFer signed. No one else has made any big move, so they are in panic mode.
PLUS—Wren has the luxury, courtesy of Martin Prado, of having one spot to fill via trade, but he can fill it with either a LFer or 3B. So he basically has his supply doubled. Supply and demand–supply is high so the price goes down.
So both the psychology and the economics are running in his favor as these meetings approach. I know BJ can be debated pro and con, but the timing of all this is ideal for Wren.