Bossman Junior, El Oso Blanco & other matters

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TennesseePaul

November 29th, 2012
2:18 pm

Jair Jurrjens was an MLB starting pitcher last season… I’d trade him for Myers.

There are many ways to spin what Ive stated. Some more humorous than others. This was not humorous nor insightful. You’re better than that Murph.

ncbravesfan90

November 29th, 2012
2:19 pm

Judging from listening to the press conference, the meeting with Upton and the Braves organization, especially Bobby Cox, really played a big part in Upton’s decision.

ncgary

November 29th, 2012
2:19 pm

15 million a year, come on coach
put me in now, im ready to play today
put me in coach , look at me
i can play centerfield
and hey wren i could be had for 15 an hour and per diem, guarantee
i want strike out more than 500 times more than upton will, or you can have the 15 an hour back

ncscoots

November 29th, 2012
2:20 pm

Players are signed to create and prevent runs. That’s the only context that matters.

You cannot make a logical argument for an end result by disregarding the means by which the result is produced. Any thinking person knows this.

Murph

November 29th, 2012
2:21 pm

JJ and Hanson for Myers and Louis Coleman.

TennesseePaul

November 29th, 2012
2:21 pm

I hope the Braves aren’t too focused on looking for leftfielders who are prototypical leadoff hitters.

Left fielders have rarely if ever been considered prototypical leadoff hitters, so, if the Braves find one, I’m going to be fascinated. My guess is, they are looking for a lead-off hitter. When they find him, they will do what they always do, shove someone into left field to make space for the new addition. Could be they shove the new addition into left field. But one thing is certain, they aren’t looking for a left fielder. The Braves just don’t look for left fielders.

Juan

November 29th, 2012
2:21 pm

DOB….touch question to the guy….given a break….he’s a good kid

Efrim

November 29th, 2012
2:22 pm

I still haven’t seen a comparable trade which was at minimum, 1 major league starting player for a prospect with zero experience.

1 major league starting player – Shaun Marcum

for

a prospect with zero experience – Brett Lawrie.

ncgary

November 29th, 2012
2:22 pm

thats another big looping swing we got now

ncscoots

November 29th, 2012
2:22 pm

Offensive.

As I desired.

Murph

November 29th, 2012
2:23 pm

You’re better than that Murph.

Not every blog post can be HoF worthy, as you know.

I’m hittin’ above the Mendoza Line, and that’s good enough for me. Potential and grit will carry me far.

ncbravesfan90

November 29th, 2012
2:23 pm

Wren says he called team after team after team, talked to team mates of BJ Upton and players that have played against him and not one bad thing was said about him.

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 29th, 2012
2:25 pm

BJ says that his goal is to cut down on the Ks, raise the average. He expects better out of himself. He says that his last 3, 4 years were ok, decent, but not good enough.

Nice to hear.

Shaun

November 29th, 2012
2:26 pm

Sorry, but that is not “pretty good”. It is “unexceptional”. And positional scarcity disappears in the batter’s box.

Well, that’s kind of oversimplifying positional scarcity. If the Braves are relying on Upton to hit like a leftfielder or firstbaseman, then, yes, positional scarcity disappears in the batter’s box. If the Braves expect McCann, Freeman, Prado, Heyward and their new leftfielder/thirdbaseman to hit as well or better than the typical major leaguers at their positions and Uggla and Simmons not to completely kill them, Upton will certainly be fine if he just performs to at least something close to his career norms.

It’s going to be tight cramming all these guys into two spots at the bottom of the order.

TennesseePaul, yes, I find it laughable that now the focus amongst some is on hoping the Braves find a leftfielder that can leadoff and obsessing over which player will leadoff. There have been some good teams, even good offensive teams, in recent years that have had some pretty awful leadoff hitters. I’m more comfortable with pretty much any hitter on the Braves hitting leadoff than I would be with someone like Zack Cozart or Jimmy Rollins.

DAP

November 29th, 2012
2:26 pm

upton says he is going to try and cut down on the Ks and raise his batting average. someone tell him that doesnt matter because he does pretty much everything else well!

ncscoots

November 29th, 2012
2:26 pm

thats another big looping swing we got now

His swing has a lot of moving parts, that’s true. I don’t know about “looping”, though. Looks to me as if the bat gets through the zone pretty well, once he gets everything going.

Hillbilly

November 29th, 2012
2:26 pm

Speaking of context, I hope the Braves aren’t too focused on looking for leftfielders who are prototypical leadoff hitters. If the best available happens to be a leadoff type, that’s fine. But they should be focused on finding the best available leftfielder and not on batting order. Worry about the batting order later and let that take care of itself.

I’m with you here. If it’s a right-handed lefty-masher, that would be great. A leadoff type?…, that would be ok too, just as long as they don’t short-change themselves.

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 29th, 2012
2:26 pm

Yay! Thanks Efrim…. there ya go, Paul. We have a precedent. Medlen for Myers now.

TennesseePaul

November 29th, 2012
2:27 pm

Excellently done Ef. But still rare.

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 29th, 2012
2:27 pm

TennesseePaul

November 29th, 2012
2:29 pm

I’m more comfortable with pretty much any hitter on the Braves hitting leadoff than I would be with someone…

I think there’s a good chance the Braves will find a way to make us all uncomfortable with lead-off when the time comes.

TennesseePaul

November 29th, 2012
2:30 pm

He says that his last 3, 4 years were ok, decent, but not good enough.

Must have been reading the blog.

Ward

November 29th, 2012
2:30 pm

Also my gut feeling says Braves will go after Victorinio, or Cody Ross, but Wren, did say they will address the lead off situation too. Should be very interesting where they go. Fowler, or what I mentioned.

Juan

November 29th, 2012
2:31 pm

Another addition to ours team Mid twenty guys and we have a young real good team.
Heyward will be ours leader with freeman next to him…I love it..

TennesseePaul

November 29th, 2012
2:31 pm

Now Ef, could you find an example of a contending team making such a move?

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 29th, 2012
2:31 pm

excited to get off of the artificial turf as well

Juan

November 29th, 2012
2:34 pm

His whole family in the press conf. including his Brother Justin…..Mr. Wren make it happen bring the other Brother to the Braves Family,,

Shaun

November 29th, 2012
2:34 pm

upton says he is going to try and cut down on the Ks and raise his batting average. someone tell him that doesnt matter because he does pretty much everything else well!

Oh, I’m sure he probably won’t do enough to please some folks here. Seems there are quite a few fans that think Mike Trout type centerfielders grow on trees.

Ward

November 29th, 2012
2:35 pm

All, have a good one! Talk later tonight, and good talking. Should be very interesting with the lead off next. Who will play LF? Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”

Brava

November 29th, 2012
2:37 pm

I enjoyed the presser and came away with a more positive view of Upton. He appeared humble and well in tune with his shortcomings which he wowed to address. His saying he feels he can be a better player than he’s been the past few years gives me hope that a new, positive environment will bring out the best in him. I also caught the smile when Wren mentioned Heyward. Maybe those two can become good friends and enjoy some friendly competition between themselves.

DAP

November 29th, 2012
2:37 pm

10paul Left fielders have rarely if ever been considered prototypical leadoff hitters,

other than the greatest leadoff hitter ever, right?

Slidder

November 29th, 2012
2:39 pm

That dan uggla fella sure has big muscles.

Juan

November 29th, 2012
2:40 pm

To heard Mitch William say that the Braves with this signed improved theirself in the NL east better than the Phillis is HUGE…GO BRAVES

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 29th, 2012
2:43 pm

Agree with ya Brava (gasp!). I feel a bit better about this now… still prefer him in LF though. Likely the best we could get anyway, Justin, Olt, or Myers ain’t likely coming here.

Get Gyorko for 3B now though… or if somehow Hamilton wants to join this championship caliber team for about 15mil a season… hint hint.

The pressure is on the Phils and Nats now… may they overspend.

tony austin

November 29th, 2012
2:44 pm

Some Wil Myers turn out to be Trouts, some turn out to be Martes.

You just have to determine if the risk is worth the reward. At first I was favor of Medlen for Myers but as the days move forward the more I don’t like that deal. 10Paul has put up a good argument.

CrαZy

November 29th, 2012
2:44 pm

The Braves just don’t look for left fielders.

Most years they end up with multiple mediocre left fielders… Which makes me think they’ll end up with yet another platooning LF in 2013.

Brava

November 29th, 2012
2:46 pm

Agree with ya Brava (gasp!).

It’s a sign! The Braves will win the WS this season!

DAP

November 29th, 2012
2:47 pm

juan To heard Mitch William say that the Braves with this signed improved theirself in the NL east better than the Phillis is HUGE

i wonder if mitch knows the braves finished ahead of the phillies in 2012….

tony austin

November 29th, 2012
2:48 pm

As far as leadoff hitters go, I just want someone with at least a little speed that is able to drive in the runner from 2nd that the pitcher bunted over, not walk back to the dugout with the bat in his hand.

unbelievable

November 29th, 2012
2:49 pm

I really hope that the Braves will notice that Prado can certainly be a leadoff hitter. He’s done it successfully before. Get us a big bat in LF and dont focus so much on leadoff hitter qualities. Get us the other Upton and we can worry about assigning that leadoff spot later.

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 29th, 2012
2:52 pm

Haha Crazy… Reed and Schafer!

Not ready to praise the move, I’m still kinda disappointed by his previous numbers, not totally sold, but he did give me some hope. It was great to hear him speak. Guess I can get off the soapbox, no more bashing until the season if he sukks. Then I’ll be back to the I told you so! You win, Shaun.

He wants to be more consistent… cut down on the Ks and bring up the average. I’m rooting for ya. Maybe I’ll get a jersey…

ncgary

November 29th, 2012
2:52 pm

wouldnt that be great to bring in hamilton agent get him spaced out and have him sign the dotted line same type contract upton got

old man

November 29th, 2012
2:52 pm

Uh oh. Ward just agreed with something I said earlier.

Shaun

November 29th, 2012
2:53 pm

I would much rather have the Braves have above average hitters for their positions at most positions than for them to have some sort of a prototypical batting order. It’s kind of odd when fans focus on batting order and the leadoff spot, in particular.

ncgary

November 29th, 2012
2:53 pm

heyward can leadoff just dont allow him to do head first slides

Efrim

November 29th, 2012
2:53 pm

Now Ef, could you find an example of a contending team making such a move?

Not off of the top of my head, but the Javy trade to the Yanks had that sort of thought process and we should see more of that in baseball. Prospects, while unproven, are still incredibly valuable commodities.

My personal opinion, but you’re absolutely off of your rocker for not wanting to surrender Mike Minor for Wil Myers. I’d do that in a New York minute and look for a #3/4 starter out on the open market.

DAP

November 29th, 2012
2:55 pm

no one thinks cuddyer would be a good fit? i happen to think if the rockies could help with some of his salary, he would be a nice fit. kills lefties, versatile defensively, solid bat, good guy. similar player to martin prado.

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 29th, 2012
2:56 pm

Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman
B.J. Upton said he and his brother Justin Upton have had a few conversations about possibility of playing together in Atlanta.

Get it done, Frank. Clean out the farm.

ncgary

November 29th, 2012
2:57 pm

man been out in the yard doing yard work
havent used oxygen in a long time , i feel good
somebody must be doing some heavy duty praying for me
cause according to my docs
i was sposed to be dead by now

unbelievable

November 29th, 2012
2:57 pm

Prado has had 590AB’s batting leadoff, career line .298/.340/.469. He also stole 17 bases last year. Find another RH’d bat for LF and just let him leadoff. Thats more production than you will get from Span or Victorino.

ncgary

November 29th, 2012
2:57 pm

maybe i am and just dont know it yet
wouldnt that be spooky

unbelievable

November 29th, 2012
2:59 pm

Prado
Heyward
Upton
Freeman
Upton
Bmac
Uggla
Simmons
P

Would work for me.

Brava

November 29th, 2012
2:59 pm

ncgary, that’s wonderful to hear. Glad you’re doing better.

Rick C

November 29th, 2012
3:01 pm

For all the talk about BJ’s supposed attitude problems, he seemed like a really soft spoken guy in the presser.

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 29th, 2012
3:03 pm

Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman
Justin Upton did not show up to the press conference. B.J. said he was not sure why his brother did not make his expected arrival.

Gone Viral

November 29th, 2012
3:05 pm

“I just find it unreasonable to believe Myers is worth a major league starting pitcher straight up…. at least one who has had any level of success as Medlen or Minor.”

You’re absolutely correct. It’s silly season right now. A lot of stuff being said over the last few days will be conveniently ignored in 8 months. If any team wants Medlen or Minor at this moment, they would have to lead with their best prospect, someone who would have to be among the premier prospects in the game, and there would have to be 2-3 sweeteners as well.

After Marques Colston was drafted in the seventh round a few years ago, fans became obsessed with the idea of finding the next seventh round superstar wide receiver. The same thing is happening here in the wake of Trout and Harper’s stellar debuts. What nobody wants to say as we all fantasize about turning the Braves into a juggernaut is that it is just as likely that Myers follows the same path as Upton, who was sublime at the age of 22 but has degraded ever since.

Gone Viral

November 29th, 2012
3:05 pm

I was very impressed with Upton’s press conference. He seemed serene and self-confident.

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 29th, 2012
3:06 pm

Are Kincade (and I) the only ones who think that the Braves may effectively be saying bye to McCann at season’s end? Where’s the money gonna come from?

P-Town Brave ©

November 29th, 2012
3:07 pm

Phillies are supposedly in trade talks w/ Rockies for Dexter Fowler….

This is the Phils counter to Upton…..

The Nats may be Bourn….

Our next move, should be Justin Upton……

Just push all the chips to the center of the table and get up and flip everyone off Frank!

cricket

November 29th, 2012
3:08 pm

Where’s the money gonna come from?

new tv deal share?

Efrim

November 29th, 2012
3:09 pm

If any team wants Medlen or Minor at this moment, they would have to lead with their best prospect, someone who would have to be among the premier prospects in the game, and there would have to be 2-3 sweeteners as well.

I would need more than Myers for Medlen. But the real question: Why is anyone putting Mike Minor on the same level as Kris Medlen? They are not. Not from their statistical performance to date, or from scouting the two. Ridiculous.

ncscoots

November 29th, 2012
3:10 pm

could you find an example of a contending team making such a move?

Moving the goalposts.

Brava

November 29th, 2012
3:12 pm

Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman

The Phillies were the first to express interest in B.J. Upton. But their best offer was five years for $55 million. #Braves

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 29th, 2012
3:14 pm

Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman
The Phillies were the first to express interest in B.J. Upton. But their best offer was five years for $55 million. #Braves

Wow. Didn’t someone say they were upset that they didn’t get him and their offer was better? Sure doesn’t seem so… they didn’t deserve to get him if that’s all they offered. Wonder if the mystery team put the price up… there’s a 4mil difference between our offers.

Efrim

November 29th, 2012
3:14 pm

Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman
The Phillies were the first to express interest in B.J. Upton. But their best offer was five years for $55 million. #Braves

Than they did not want the guy. At all, it seems.

TennesseePaul

November 29th, 2012
3:14 pm

the Javy trade to the Yanks had that sort of thought process and we should see more of that in baseball

“sort of thought process”…

The team acquired starting out fielder, a middle reliever, and a minor leaguer for a starting pitcher and middle reliever. That is more along the process of thinking a contender takes. Proven immediate help for proven immediate help plus… the balance of “proven immediate help” was worked out in multiple players at various levels.

Efrim

November 29th, 2012
3:16 pm

Moving the goalposts.

Totally.

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 29th, 2012
3:17 pm

Just push all the chips to the center of the table and get up and flip everyone off Frank!

Except Graham… and no to Sims and Wood as PTBNLs. Keep Delgado if possible. But everyone else if fair game. Prospects, be very afraid.

TennesseePaul

November 29th, 2012
3:17 pm

But their best offer was five years for $55 million.

I’m wondering if that was the next best offer…

Gone Viral

November 29th, 2012
3:17 pm

“Why is anyone putting Mike Minor on the same level as Kris Medlen?”

You speak about Minor the same way that parents speak about the boogeyman.

The legitimate answer is that among MLB starters, Minor was third in the majors in post-All Star Break ERA. His 2.16 was an eyelash behind Clayton Kershaw’s 2.10. He was ahead of David Price at 2.27 and Cliff Lee at 2.45. Whether that proves to be a hot streak or not remains to be seen but despite what some folks on this board maintain, Mike Minor pitched like an ace down the stretch last year. The fact that Medlen was better says more about how unconscious he was than anything about Minor.

Efrim

November 29th, 2012
3:18 pm

And I love that AA made that trade. He would be the one to trade a proven, major league starter with years of experience for one, single prospect. I love Lawrie. Love his upside. And absolutely love that he was hyped. I’ll continue to follow the minors and fall in love with the elite, hyped prospects – because that is what star major leaguers once were…… ;)

CB

November 29th, 2012
3:19 pm

OK,where did Bowman get that information?

ncgary

November 29th, 2012
3:19 pm

thanks brava hope it holds out til i get the diaphragm operation in january, thats supposed to add 18 more months if it works

IABrave

November 29th, 2012
3:20 pm

I like the move, he will be cheaper then Bourn.

I hope the Braves go out and get a LF like Victorino or even Span.
But as was mentioned earlier and how LF has always been a position we end up platooning. I could see the Braves resigning Reed Johnson and then doing a three way platoon with Reed, Marteeen, and Francisco. It wouldn’t be the end of the world by any means, but I would love to be able to put players out there that can hit both LHP and RHPs.

Ward

November 29th, 2012
3:21 pm

back for a quick post! Just read from trade rumors, and Braves are still in the Out field market. Span, Fowler, Shane Victorino, are amoung the ones in interest……..Peace Out! and, “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”

Murph

November 29th, 2012
3:21 pm

Good thing the Braves beat the Phillies by $20mil… right?

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 29th, 2012
3:22 pm

I’m wondering if that was the next best offer…

Me too… 4mil difference is significant. Braves paid more than they needed to… and every penny counts. If this keeps the Braves from giving Mac a proper offer next winter (like 3-4/12.5AAV)… some people won’t be happy

Fols

November 29th, 2012
3:22 pm

Span
Prado
Heyward
Upton
Freeman
Mac
Simmons
Medlen
Uggla

Looks legit……..8 guys on base and Uggla swinging for the fence……nice!

Efrim

November 29th, 2012
3:22 pm

The fact that Medlen was better says more about how unconscious he was than anything about Minor.

Mike Minor had a career ERA of 5.05 in June of last season. You’ve always been Mike Minor’s Dad, basically. That’s fine. But again, their statistical performance to date isn’t similar and neither is the scouting.

ChattTownBrian

November 29th, 2012
3:23 pm

Get the other Upton. I don’t care if that sounds unrealistic, or crazy talk. Seriously, why not? It will cost you guys like Medlen I’m sure, but that would have to be the top lineup in baseball along with Texas. If you’re gonna go, go all out.

Murph

November 29th, 2012
3:24 pm

Minor was third in the majors in post-All Star Break ERA. His 2.16 was an eyelash behind Clayton Kershaw’s 2.10. He was ahead of David Price at 2.27 and Cliff Lee at 2.45.

A better argument for trading the kid has never been made. Minor’s value is at its highest point ever.

Do it Frank! Do it NOW!

Brava

November 29th, 2012
3:25 pm

Are Kincade (and I) the only ones who think that the Braves may effectively be saying bye to McCann at season’s end?

No, Mark Bowman said as much this morning and I also don’t think he’ll be playing for the Braves next season.

abeeeewright

November 29th, 2012
3:26 pm

“It’s going to be tight cramming all these guys into two spots at the bottom of the order.”

Howsabout Fredo does his line up based on alphabetical order. That would be a new one.

Freeman
Heyward
McCann
Prado
PTBNL
Simmons
Uggla
Upton
Pitcher

brian

November 29th, 2012
3:26 pm

most people had Upton pegged at getting about $15 million per year so I don’t know why the Phillies are shocked he did not go for $11 million per year

MiaBchBravesFan

November 29th, 2012
3:28 pm

If this signing ends up being another debacle, Frank Wren should be fired before the five years are up. I am not happy about this signing; the kid’s a punk and a cancer.

We just Derek Lowe’d ourselves into another contractual and squandered-money abyss.

CB

November 29th, 2012
3:28 pm

Again,what is Bowman’s source? Did Upton say it?

abeeeewright

November 29th, 2012
3:28 pm

“Justin Upton did not show up to the press conference. B.J. said he was not sure why his brother did not make his expected arrival.”

Two words …
“Rally Stripper.”

Gone Viral

November 29th, 2012
3:29 pm

” their statistical performance to date isn’t similar and neither is the scouting”

At this moment, Braves scouts are right…

Signed,

A Proud Papa

TennesseePaul

November 29th, 2012
3:29 pm

Moving the goalposts.

Ever so far out of reach they have been moved. It must hurt not being able to make the field goal.

Precedent so far is one trade sited consisting of a rebuilding team trading a pitcher to a contender for a single minor leaguer. I had forgotten that deal. (I’d also add in the caveat of not allowing in season trades, as we should all be aware, such deals have different costs).

However, forgive me for finding the sited trade as an reasonable example of why a team in the Braves situation would not do the same. The Braves are contenders. Or, at least they claim to be. They still have needs on the major league roster which they stated they’d prioritize. I don’t see them trading one of their projected rotation starters for a minor leaguer. I don’t see any serious team doing as much. Even as much as Marte lingers on the outskirts of the quest, the Red Sox turnaround and flipped him in a package for major league parts.

Still though, I don’t think I’m out on a limb claiming such a move, if not completely unprecedented, highly irregular. And as such, I completely understand why, and would tend to agree.

brian

November 29th, 2012
3:30 pm

Keith Law seems to think highly of Upton if you read his blog today

P-Town Brave ©

November 29th, 2012
3:30 pm

TOBF-

Yup….

I’d start w/ Teheran, Francisco, Ahmed and see where the talks lead from there….

I’d love to give them Hanson too but that’d really limit our rotation depth….

Efrim

November 29th, 2012
3:31 pm

Tim (AZ )

Tommy Hanson is only 25. Why is everyone so down on him?

Klaw (3:28 PM)

Because the inside of his shoulder looks like hamburger meat.

That’s sorta funny and really quite sad.

TennesseePaul

November 29th, 2012
3:31 pm

Murph

November 29th, 2012
3:31 pm

Howsabout Fredo does his line up based on alphabetical order. That would be a new one.

I can’t wait for that lineup card to hit the MLB Auction site… all covered in white-out and names scratched through as he worked out who got to hit first, Uggla or Upton.

“A, B, C, D… Hey Terry, you want to make the lineup today? I have to… do… something.”

Efrim

November 29th, 2012
3:32 pm

Q Man (Liverpool UK)

Thoughts on the Will Myers/Lester rumours?

Klaw (3:29 PM)

The Red Sox should take that offer and run. Same for the Rays with Shields.

P-Town Brave ©

November 29th, 2012
3:32 pm

and BTW, this is the Phillies guys….

They think they can still low ball offers and get players to go there if need be…..

Guess they assumed he would play to their bluff….

CB

November 29th, 2012
3:34 pm

Lord,I agree with something Keith Law said. Time to lay down.

Murph

November 29th, 2012
3:34 pm

Because the inside of his shoulder looks like hamburger meat.

Does Hanson have some medical condition or religious beliefs that prevent him from getting surgery? If not, the why the @$^#! has he not had his shoulder repaired????

Efrim

November 29th, 2012
3:34 pm

At this moment, Braves scouts are right…

Sure, if the ceiling was a mid-rotation starter with their only top 10 pick in two decades. Awesome.

TheOnlyBravesFan

November 29th, 2012
3:35 pm

I believe on Lester, if he’s traded, the last year on his deal is voided. Royals should avoid that.

That’s sorta funny and really quite sad.

Indeed… And P-Town, yea that would limit the rotation depth. Gotta keep him around at least til Beachy’s back. Hanson isn’t all that bad, I need to be less harsh on him.

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