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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
6,190 comments Add your comment
JoeFan
December 3rd, 2012
2:31 pm
If there is a budget concern, sign Greinke and go with Gattis in LF. Will not be surprised if Gattis has a great spring that he isn’t the opening day LF.
Patrick
December 3rd, 2012
2:31 pm
Braves expressed early interest in both Pagan and Victorino, but with price going up instead of down on Victorino, and apparently not coming down yet on Pagan either, it doesn’t look like Braves will be in on either of them. Things can change quickly, of course, But Victorino is going to get a three-year deal, and Pagan could get more years than that at more than $10 million annually. At those years/prices, Braves seem likely to be on sidelines
THIS IS FROM: DOB’s other story about the winter meetings. That news give fans a lot to look forward to. Now in order to fill left field, it’s going to cost us prospects that we really can’t afford to give up. Also, I’d say that now our leadoff options are gone and that spot in the order is going to be a black hole…again.
ncbravesfan90
December 3rd, 2012
2:31 pm
Wren says they had several meetings with agents this morning mainly about bench players.
Ward
December 3rd, 2012
2:34 pm
Murph – I like all the out fielders mentioned, and will welcome again who the Braves get. Talks were that Greinke could sign like B.J. Upton, because he’s from the Atlanta area, but it appears Dodgers are more in play.
P'cola Brave
December 3rd, 2012
2:34 pm
Wren said they spent the morning strategizing and have meetings set up this afternoon w/ some agents, primarily those representing bench guys.
Heath
December 3rd, 2012
2:35 pm
Maybe Willingham is still a possibility. Hard to see the Twins trading away 2/3s of their OF though. (Already traded Span as we all know.)
Trader Jack
December 3rd, 2012
2:35 pm
Heyman asked a Dodgers person about the team’s budget, to which the reply was, “What budget?””
***********************************************************************
Just another line drawn in the sand between the haves and have nots
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 3rd, 2012
2:36 pm
Closer to 15mil….. trading Maholm and EOF would gets us close to having 25mil free. Frank said payroll would be between 95 and 100mil, so we should really have aout 15mil left… it would be tougher now since we signed BJ, but not totally impossible I guess. They’d have to slightly backload his deal.
Ward
December 3rd, 2012
2:36 pm
Don’t worry Wren will get our man……He’s just looking at all options on the table, and will decide with the best one.
DAP
December 3rd, 2012
2:37 pm
Heyman asked a Dodgers person about the team’s budget, to which the reply was, “What budget?”
i wonder how thats gonna go over when they fail to win with a $250+mil roster. because guess what? i dont think they are as good as their payroll would suggest…as of now.
ncscoots
December 3rd, 2012
2:41 pm
Now in order to fill left field, it’s going to cost us prospects that we really can’t afford to give up.
I hate to say it, but what prospects could the Braves give up that they “can’t afford” to give up? Pitchers? It might cost them their 7th or 8th starter. Position players? Can’t think of one that has to be kept, unless you count Bethancourt.
They are a mostly young team with players mostly under team control for several years. Even if you gut the farm, three drafts is plenty enough to restock.
ncbravesfan90
December 3rd, 2012
2:42 pm
Wren says they developed a new list for their OF/leadoff bat this morning, hopes to be in talks today and in the morning.
Lemke's Knuckler
December 3rd, 2012
2:44 pm
I covet Victorino, but not for 4 years.
Murph
December 3rd, 2012
2:45 pm
Wren is not showing his hand at all… he just said they could go into ST with the team they have now, that they’d like to get some things done, but don’t have to.
Well played, Mr Wren… well played.
Efrim
December 3rd, 2012
2:45 pm
Even if you gut the farm, three drafts is plenty enough to restock.
They better extend some of those young players currently on the major league squad though. Because those future Atlanta Brave position player regulars are either 2012 draftees or not in the organization yet.
Efrim
December 3rd, 2012
2:46 pm
Wren says they developed a new list for their OF/leadoff bat this morning, hopes to be in talks today and in the morning.
That’s a short list, I’d bet.
tony austin
December 3rd, 2012
2:48 pm
No offense TOBF, but I would hardly call Greinke an elite pitcher. On some pitching staffs I wouldn’t even call him top of the rotation. I don’t think he’s hardly worth $20M/season, especially with the Braves payroll.
A career 3.77 era is decent, but not elite. Maddux, 23 years, 3.16; Glavine 22 years, 3.54; Smoltz, 21 years, 3.33, and so on.
Efrim
December 3rd, 2012
2:49 pm
How do they have any interest in Greinke, yet have $10 million to work with from here on out? I don’t understand this at all.
What….. Greinke is going to take $8 million in 2013 on a backloaded contract?
ncscoots
December 3rd, 2012
2:49 pm
They better extend some of those young players currently on the major league squad though. Because those future Atlanta Brave position player regulars are either 2012 draftees or not in the organization yet.
Even so, they still let you draft every year, regardless of how many prospects you traded the year before.
bravesfaninnc
December 3rd, 2012
2:51 pm
“Wren says they developed a new list for their OF/leadoff bat this morning, hopes to be in talks today and in the morning.”
The new list includes Marquis Grissom, Deion Sanders, Otis Nixon, Claudell Washington, Willie Mays Hayes, and “All the Way” Mae from A League of Their Own
bravesfaninnc
December 3rd, 2012
2:51 pm
“Wren says they developed a new list for their OF/leadoff bat this morning, hopes to be in talks today and in the morning.”
The new list includes Marquis Grissom, Deion Sanders, Otis Nixon, Claudell Washington, Willie Mays Hayes, and “All the Way” Mae from A League of Their Own
bravesfaninnc
December 3rd, 2012
2:51 pm
“Wren says they developed a new list for their OF/leadoff bat this morning, hopes to be in talks today and in the morning.”
The new list includes Marquis Grissom, Deoin Sanders, Otis Nixon, Claudell Washington, Willie Mays Hayes, and “All the Way” Mae from A League of Their Own
Ward
December 3rd, 2012
2:55 pm
Have enough post there buddy…….
Murph
December 3rd, 2012
2:55 pm
Greinke’s hits per nine are down slightly, but his HR per nine are up, walks per nine are up, K per nine are down…
The tigers just offered Anibal Sanchez $12mil per year for 4 years… Greinke’s numbers aren’t that much better than those of Sanchez.
Greinke at $14mil seems like a much better deal than Greinke at $20mil.
Ward
December 3rd, 2012
2:57 pm
If Greinke likes the Atanta area? There’s a possiblity he could chose a contract type deal like B.J. Uptons’ deal? Players have done that, where they feel comfortable?
Lemke's Knuckler
December 3rd, 2012
3:00 pm
Even so, they still let you draft every year, regardless of how many prospects you traded the year before.
But then we can’t brag about our prospect rankings for a few years.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 3rd, 2012
3:00 pm
Doc Holliday had an ERA around 3.60 thru age 28 I believe… it happens. Greinke has great stuff, sits 92-94 on his fastball… good periphs, strikes people out. We could use a SP like that… if you take out Greinke’s first season, for growing pains when he had an ERA of 5.80, his career Era should fall to about 3.6. And that was with him having the worst SS in the game play for him from the beginning of his career until this season… even think Yuniesky played SS this years after Gonzo went down… yet Greinke was outpitching our staff who had a great defense. Outside of his short stay with the Angels, he has had crap for defense behind him. He’d be our best pitcher if we had him, and is experienced. Certainly he is a top #2 pitcher
Venice Jim
December 3rd, 2012
3:03 pm
Every few days he gives, up, and then he gets a fresh burst of greinkergy…
Ward
December 3rd, 2012
3:03 pm
Which rumor will happen, we will find out soon, or by Thursday, know more?
unbelievable
December 3rd, 2012
3:05 pm
I do not want Shane Victorino near this team.
Arkansas Transplant
December 3rd, 2012
3:05 pm
I think Atlanta is finally learning you win in the post season with flame throwers.
Efrim
December 3rd, 2012
3:06 pm
But then we can’t brag about our prospect rankings for a few years.
We did get to brag about it from 2008-2011, so that was a nice three year span of prospect huggers sleeping well at night.
But moving forward after this offseason, the farm system will most likely be considered a weakness and they will just need to draft well to restock the farm. And I will admit that it makes it a lot more difficult when you are picking at the back of the round each and every year. Big drop off after picks 10-15 usually every year and the slot value for those picks supports that.
Puma
December 3rd, 2012
3:07 pm
Its much more likely that we would trade our young pitching to someone like the Rays for one of their stud pitchers than it is we’d sign Greinke for $20 mil+. Make no mistake, Greinke will get at least 7 years at $20-25 million per year.
BravePack(FreeFan)
December 3rd, 2012
3:08 pm
I would love Wille Mays Hayes as our lead off hitter. Dudes a gamer. And can develop into a power hitting lead off hitter we need.
Efrim
December 3rd, 2012
3:10 pm
Doc Holliday had an ERA around 3.60 thru age 28 I believe… it happens.
Career ERA aside, Zack Greinke has put up some really good seasons and one phenomonal season. His stuff is above average and I’d bet the baseball world views him at much higher than a mid-rotation starter due to his stuff. I think he’s at worst a #2 starter.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 3rd, 2012
3:10 pm
Of the teams that may consider Greinke… Dodgers, Rangers, Braves, Nats, Angels… who really makes sense for him if he wants to win? Ot the Dodgers or Angels, Dodgers are spending morons, it’s likely gonna backfire, they havent been a winning org. as of late… Angels have no pitching outside of Weaver and their pen is bad
Rangers don’t need him and may be bringing back Hamilton so… Nats rotation is already stacked, they probably arent spending on a pitcher. Braves really are the only fit if he wants to win, and we could use him. Now if he just wants a big paycheck, go to the Dodgers bud. But if he wants to win, Braves, Nats, Rangers. Only 1 of those team really needs him and can afford to make it work.
Murph
December 3rd, 2012
3:11 pm
Which rumor will happen, we will find out soon, or by Thursday, know more?
Ward is posting in haikus now.
TennesseePaul
December 3rd, 2012
3:11 pm
Greinke at $14mil seems like a much better deal than Greinke at $20mil.
Really? Why stop there? Greinke at $5.50 an hour is a much better deal.
Mitchie-sand
December 3rd, 2012
3:13 pm
Willie pops up too much.
TennesseePaul
December 3rd, 2012
3:14 pm
I will admit that it makes it a lot more difficult when you are picking at the back of the round each and every year. Big drop off after picks 10-15 usually every year
Sounds like you’re hoping for a couple of 90 loss seasons.
Murph
December 3rd, 2012
3:15 pm
TP, exaggerations aside, Greinke is not a $20mil pitcher. He’s good, no doubt about it, but $20mil per year? Nah.
Patrick
December 3rd, 2012
3:15 pm
Oh man, I really hope the O’s sign Laroche away from the nationals
Ward
December 3rd, 2012
3:15 pm
Murph – All, this is exciting stuff. Just keeping humbled, and not trying to get too excited. Gatta love The Winter Meetings…..
Efrim
December 3rd, 2012
3:16 pm
Sounds like you’re hoping for a couple of 90 loss seasons.
Based on the drafting over the last 4 years and strategy with international free agents, that’s the only shot of them acquiring elite level talent……
I’m half kidding.
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
3:17 pm
Joel Sherman on Twitter quoted a Padres official: “We’re not going to move Headley.”
Lemke's Knuckler
December 3rd, 2012
3:17 pm
But moving forward after this offseason, the farm system will most likely be considered a weakness and they will just need to draft well to restock the farm.
Yep. But I think as long as you have 4 to 5 solid guys at the top, the rest are just there to fill out the top 20 rankings. I think the rankings of overall organizational depth are useless. There’s only a few open spots on a major league roster at any one time anyway.
Lemke's Knuckler
December 3rd, 2012
3:19 pm
I’m half kidding.
About which half?
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 3rd, 2012
3:21 pm
AT: Exactly… we need a pitcher who throws hard and strikes people out. Soft tossers don’t help much.
I blame the Phils for Greinke getting overpaid. They needed to trade Hamels, their farm needs it. And with them not havin signed anyone yet, and things looking bleak for them to get anyone, why do they need him? We coulda traded for ZG much cheaper last summer and already re-signed him
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 3rd, 2012
3:21 pm
AT: Exactly… we need a pitcher who throws hard and strikes people out. Soft tossers don’t help much.
I blame the Phils for Greinke getting overpaid. They needed to trade Hamels, their farm needs it. And with them not havin signed anyone yet, and things looking bleak for them to get anyone, why do they need him? We coulda traded for ZG much cheaper last summer and already re-signed him
Venice Jim
December 3rd, 2012
3:21 pm
He won’t sign with the Dodgers because they’re spending too much money – intriguing logic…
DAP
December 3rd, 2012
3:21 pm
TOBF Dodgers are spending morons, it’s likely gonna backfire, they havent been a winning org. as of late…
i think it will, as currently constituted. i dont think hanley is going to perform like the need him too, and i just think they have stars that might not perform as well as they are being paid. not to mention, their pitching is really unspectacular outside of kershaw. billingsly will be on the shelf to start the year. i just think, if you look at their payroll you would think the team would be much more imposing than it is. they probably really need to sign greinke and work on the bullpen.
Puma
December 3rd, 2012
3:21 pm
Good, Yankees should be limited to pillaging from small market teams on the free agent market only
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
3:23 pm
With A-Rod out and a thin 3B market, gotta wonder if Yankees might show interest in Juan Francisco. Hits righties hard, batting .318 w/ .894 OPS in Dominican this winter.
RC
December 3rd, 2012
3:23 pm
I would love Wille Mays Hayes as our lead off hitter. Dudes a gamer. And can develop into a power hitting lead off hitter we need.
Only in Spring Training. Turns into warning track power once the games count.
Murph
December 3rd, 2012
3:23 pm
Hello everyone,
Real Ward is now here, rejoice!
Black bears ate Ward’s mom.
The Word
December 3rd, 2012
3:23 pm
Trade for R.A. Dickey,he will set records for K’s in an inning,total K’s in a game, and the first pitcher to have a thousand K’s in a season.Special thanks to Mac for being the first catcher to have two thousand past balls in a season.I would buy a ticket to see mac try and catch R.A.
Lemke's Knuckler
December 3rd, 2012
3:25 pm
we need a pitcher who throws hard and strikes people out. Soft tossers don’t help much.
Last time I checked, a 6-3 groundout counts the same as a strikeout. Still 1 of the 27 outs needed.
Juan
December 3rd, 2012
3:27 pm
DOB:What the Yankee has in the Minor to Bring a Deal for Juan?
Lemke's Knuckler
December 3rd, 2012
3:29 pm
With A-Rod out and a thin 3B market, gotta wonder if Yankees might show interest in Juan Francisco.
Even with Eric Chavez already on their roster?
brian
December 3rd, 2012
3:29 pm
don’t blame the Padres for not wanting to move Headley. DOB – have you heard anything about the Pads moving Jedd
Brava
December 3rd, 2012
3:29 pm
DKnobler @DKnobler
Phillies still consider price too high on Pagan, Bourn. At this point, Pagan more realistic than Bourn.
unbelievable
December 3rd, 2012
3:29 pm
Fransisco has no value.
Trader Jack
December 3rd, 2012
3:30 pm
VJ
Logic is a foreign word to some on this blog
Patrick
December 3rd, 2012
3:32 pm
No offense, but I think DOB would know a little bit better than you who has value and who doesn’t
P'cola Brave
December 3rd, 2012
3:32 pm
Personally I think Matt Cain is better than Greinke. I wouldn’t go over $19 mil for Grienke.
Lemke's Knuckler
December 3rd, 2012
3:36 pm
Personally I think Matt Cain is better than Greinke. I wouldn’t go over $19 mil for Grienke
Cain also didn’t hit the open market. Greinke has. That’s the difference and Greinke will get paid more than Cain because of it.
Murph
December 3rd, 2012
3:36 pm
Logic is a foreign word to some on this blog
Let’s put a logic problem out there and see who gets it right first. The winner will forever be known as logical, no matter what nonsense they post to the blog.
You are downstairs standing next to 3 light switches that control 3 lights upstairs. You need to figure out which light switch controls which light. You are only allowed to go upstairs once.
How can you figure out which light switch controls which light?
Efrim
December 3rd, 2012
3:36 pm
Personally I think Matt Cain is better than Greinke. I wouldn’t go over $19 mil for Grienke.
They are close, imo – with Cain better by a bit. But Cain signed a contract while still with the Giants and I believe he netted $21.5 million AAV. Greinke on this market should be able to secure at least $23 million a year and I think he’ll get higher.
Brava
December 3rd, 2012
3:36 pm
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Brian Cashman told me the A-Rod injury does not change NYY budget. That has been set in stone by the ownership, which is cutting cost.
ncscoots
December 3rd, 2012
3:36 pm
Last time I checked, a 6-3 groundout counts the same as a strikeout. Still 1 of the 27 outs needed.
So, strikeouts are bad for hitters, but meaningless for pitchers?
DAP
December 3rd, 2012
3:39 pm
lemke’s Even with Eric Chavez already on their roster?
chavez is a FA.
tony austin
December 3rd, 2012
3:39 pm
With A-Rod out and a thin 3B market, gotta wonder if Yankees might show interest in Juan Francisco. – DOB
Please don’t with me. More often than not Francisco looked like he had no clue at the plate. I would love to see him moved for some minor league talent. I know it wouldn’t be much, but another decent farm hand couldn’t hurt.
Murph
December 3rd, 2012
3:39 pm
Greinke on this market should be able to secure at least $23 million a year and I think he’ll get higher.
That is ridiculous. Not your assumption, but the idea that it could/probably will happen.
Ridiculous.
Efrim
December 3rd, 2012
3:39 pm
Weak contact is great too. But missing bats is the best possible scenario for a pitcher.
tony austin
December 3rd, 2012
3:41 pm
“Please don’t *toy* with me.” Man I need a proofreadre.
RC
December 3rd, 2012
3:41 pm
With A-Rod out and a thin 3B market, gotta wonder if Yankees might show interest in Juan Francisco. Hits righties hard, batting .318 w/ .894 OPS in Dominican this winter.
That would be a very interesting idea. Francisco could hit 40 HR in 300 AB at Yankees Stadium…with 100 Ks.
Mitchie-sand
December 3rd, 2012
3:41 pm
Hello everyone,
Real Ward is now here, rejoice!
Black bears ate Ward’s mom.
This made me laugh for some reason.
Lemke's Knuckler
December 3rd, 2012
3:41 pm
Murph,
Turn the switches on a few minutes apart and see which bulb is the hottest and coldest.
P'cola Brave
December 3rd, 2012
3:41 pm
Efrim
I agree that he’ll get his money. Some team, most likely the Dodgers, will overpay to acquire him. I don’t see him as a necessity for the Braves and no need to overpay for his services.
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
3:42 pm
For those wondering, Braves signed arb-eligible INF Paul Janish to a one-year contract early in offseason. Was not announced at time. I found out today when I checked to find out why he wasn’t on list of arb-eligibles when they non-tendered JJ and Moylan on Friday.
That explains about $900K-$1 million of the amount we were off by in our estimates of the available money Braves had to spend. (Don’t know exact salary yet, but he was a second-year arb guy, made $850,000 in ‘12.)
Efrim
December 3rd, 2012
3:43 pm
That is ridiculous. Not your assumption, but the idea that it could/probably will happen.
Ya know what, Murph?
Myers.
Ward
December 3rd, 2012
3:43 pm
Heck…. That made me laugh, as well……
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 3rd, 2012
3:43 pm
sot tossers have to depend entirely on their defense… strikeout pitchers dont. They can pitch their wway out of jams. When you strike a guy out, there’s little chance for an error to throw away that out. When the ball is hit, there are many chances. The ball may take a bad hop or something and find a hole. A strikeout only finds a hole in the batter’s swing. Issing bats is a great trait for pitchers. It’s why most good relievers are hard-throwing strikeout artists.
Arkansas Transplant
December 3rd, 2012
3:43 pm
I did learn over the weekend that Bob Costas is an idiot. He should probably stick to sports… and even that.. he’s not that good at.
Murph
December 3rd, 2012
3:44 pm
That was a haiku in honor of you, Ward. Glad you liked it.
Oh, and sorry about your mom.
Efrim
December 3rd, 2012
3:44 pm
For those wondering, Braves signed arb-eligible INF Paul Janish to a one-year contract early in offseason.
Major league contract? Financial terms available?
Murph
December 3rd, 2012
3:46 pm
Lemke, that would work… you are know known as Lemke the Logical… in my head, at least.
The way I would have done it is turn on switch 1 and 2 for a minute, then turn one switch 2 and run upstairs.
Switch 1 is the light that is on. Switch 2 is the light that is warm. Switch 3 is the light that is cold.
DAP
December 3rd, 2012
3:46 pm
murph How can you figure out which light switch controls which light?
i would turn on switch one and two. wait about 5 minutes. then turn off switch two, and go upstairs. light1 will still be on. light 2 will be off, but the bulb will be hot. light three will be off and the bulb will be cold.
ncscoots
December 3rd, 2012
3:46 pm
Weak contact is great too. But missing bats is the best possible scenario for a pitcher.
Yes, but the blog consensus is that guys such as Uggla, Choo, Bourn, et al., are very bad people because whiffing so much is bad, bad, bad. However, no one seems too concerned that Braves’ starting pitching is unlikely to induce much of this very bad, bad, bad stuff from the opposition.
RC
December 3rd, 2012
3:46 pm
I get that CF is a tough position to fill, but is Dexter Fowler really THAT good that the Rockies could ask for Minor and not be laughed out of the room? I understand that he has the tools that make you think he COULD be something special, but to me Fowler has been average at best the past few years, and that’s while playing in the offensive haven that is Coors Field. I just don’t understand the infatuation (especially in what appears to be a LOADED CF market, both FA and trade).
Mitchie-sand
December 3rd, 2012
3:47 pm
I understand increasing budgets and inflation, but serioulsy, its got to reach a tipping point. 23 mil a year for ANY one player is ridiculous. As crazy as the Marlins/Jays trade was, it makes sense. Contrats like Pujols’ and A-Rod’s are looking more and more like terrible ideas. This HAS to make owners and GMs nervous. I foresee a decline in these ridiculous contracts in the future.
Brava
December 3rd, 2012
3:47 pm
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Sources: Pagan close to re-signing with #SFGiants.
tony austin
December 3rd, 2012
3:48 pm
Bob Costas is an idiot – Arkansas Transplant
Yeah, I noticed that myself.
Brava
December 3rd, 2012
3:49 pm
Adam Rubin @AdamRubinESPN
Alderson wants back a “difference maker” for Dickey “because R.A. is a difference maker.”
Murph
December 3rd, 2012
3:50 pm
Pagan just resigned,
Bourn left with sad panda eyes,
Nobody loves him.
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
3:50 pm
Pagan close to re-signing with Giants, Kenny Rosenthal tweets.
DAP
December 3rd, 2012
3:51 pm
murph, youve got to give me credit, and a logical nickname. i swear i didnt see lemke’s answer, and your and mine were posted at the same time.
BravePack(FreeFan)
December 3rd, 2012
3:52 pm
David O’Brien
December 3rd, 2012
3:50 pm
Pagan close to re-signing with Giants, Kenny Rosenthal tweets.
Thank God.
Efrim
December 3rd, 2012
3:52 pm
That explains about $1 million of the amount we were off by in our estimates of the available money Braves had to spend.
Dan Uggla – $13.2M
B.J. Upton – $13.05M
Brian McCann – $12M
Tim Hudson – $9M
Martin Prado – $7.7M
Paul Maholm – $6.5M
Eric O’Flaherty – $3.8M
Jason Heyward – $3.5M
Kris Medlen – $2M
Jonny Venters – $1.4M
Paul Janish – $900K
Cristhian Martinez – $700K
That’s still only $75.25 million for 13 players with the arbitration estimates from MLBTR – which are usually really close. They should have more than $10 million, imo.
P'cola Brave
December 3rd, 2012
3:52 pm
Giants and Pagan close to an agreement