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6,190 comments Add your comment
Arkansas Transplant
December 4th, 2012
7:55 am
I’d like to see this lineup and rotation:
Simmons
Prado
Heyward
Stanton
McCann
Upton
Freeman
Uggla
Greinke
Hudson
Medlen
Minor
Maholm
Not to mention, Beachy would be working his way back at some point next season. That rotation would be set for quite some time except with Maholm leaving at the end of the season next year.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
7:55 am
Who would you guys rather have… Justin Upton and a 1-2-3 of Medlen, Minor, Hudson (who are all #3s) or ride it out with a LF/3B platoon of Juan, Prado, Hairston (for example) and get Greinke, Medlen, Minor for our 1-2-3 (#2, #3, #3).
I mean, we already added BJ, hopefully he improves his play, Mac and Uggla can’t be so sukky again, Heyward and Freeman will get better, Prado will hit .300, and we get Simba for a full season. While Justin (or any other stud LF) would be nice, is it necessary? I’m kinda stunned that I’m even considering Lew’s platoon idea, but if it were me, I’d probably do that so I can improve the rotation. Now, if we can get Olt, Myers, or Gyorko to fill a position full time, that’s even better, but right now I’m feeling that the rotation is a bigger priority. Hopefully I’m not just letting the Greinke rumors overpower me and get me all crazed
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
7:58 am
And think… if we sign Greinke, we’d be plus 1pitcher for the offseason… we can afford to trade an extra guy… maybe Maholm, EOF, and Teheran together can get us some young (cheap!) stud to play LF/3B for us.
Arkansas Transplant
December 4th, 2012
8:03 am
TOBF, what’s wrong with my suggestion?
Jeff R
December 4th, 2012
8:03 am
I don’t think Wren is willing to give up Teheran and Delgado.
Arkansas Transplant
December 4th, 2012
8:05 am
Jeff, I’d do it if it meant getting Stanton. We would have fixed our entire outfield for the foreseeable future.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:09 am
Nothing wrong with your plan AT, but I do think Stanton is unlikely to happen… it’s unlikely that he’s traded this season, and when he is, I doubt it’s to Atlanta. I can’t see the Marlins sending him here, and there are many other teams that could outbid us.
As for your rotation, I think that if Greinke is signed, Maholm is the one to go… most expensive pitcher outside of Hudson, and he’s really just a grown-up Minor. Can’t see both Teheran and Delgado gone, just 1. All that we have for depth behind them is Gilmartin and Graham
ncscoots
December 4th, 2012
8:12 am
I don’t think Wren is willing to give up Teheran and Delgado.
I frickin’ hope not, not when Wren mentions Sean Gilmartin and a Mexican League sign as the next available options. That doesn’t exactly make the head rest lightly on the pillow.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:13 am
Rotation: Greinke, Medlen, Minor, Hudson, Delgado
Pen: Kimbrel, Venters, Walden, Avilan, Gearrin, Hale, CMart
Lineup: Prado, Gyorko, Heyward, Upton, Freeman, Uggla, Mac, Simmons
Bench: Laird, Mejia, Janish, Francisco, Hairston or Reed
That’s a pretty strong team, imo. One that my be able to overtake the Nats, who won 98 last season. And if they get Shields, we’re really gonna need this rotation.
With Janish being on the shelf to start the season, I’m guessing Rev will be the backup on OD right? Hope he gets some clutch hits and is able to keep his spot.
Jeff R
December 4th, 2012
8:19 am
Arkansas Transplant, Having Stanton would make for one strong outfield, but I can’t imagine Wren surrendering both his top young starting pitchers when there’s a hole in the rotation.
Jeff R
December 4th, 2012
8:23 am
Come on, scoots, you know Gilmartin is the next Minor. You can’t wait for Gilmartin to be toeing the rubber in Atlanta.
JasonInFL
December 4th, 2012
8:30 am
I don’t know who FW is after, but he is after someone. Replacing Bourn/Chipper with BJ/Constanza would be a travesty.
Arkansas Transplant
December 4th, 2012
8:30 am
Don’t forget Beachy also adds to our depth.. at some point he’ll be back next year. Maybe not all the way back but he should be able to contribute. And if we were able to sign Greinke, there’s no reason why we couldn’t trade both Teheran and Delgado in a trade as long as we were to receive someone like Stanton. I do think EOF would need to be moved and I think he’d be most likely moved over Maholm.
JasonInFL
December 4th, 2012
8:31 am
Unless you got Greinke…which would allow you to trade a top pitching prospect for a LF or 3B. Frank knows he doesn’t want to start Fransisco at 3B or Constanza in LF. He will get an everyday LF.
ncscoots
December 4th, 2012
8:31 am
but I can’t imagine Wren surrendering both his top young starting pitchers when there’s a hole in the rotation.
And the team with its two most experienced starters in a walk year. Any kind of trouble with Medlen/Minor/Beachy and the team would be digging down to guys with even less experience and ceiling than Teheran and Delgado, and then looking at some unappealing decisions in 2014.
It would be one thing if the team had decided to use Hanson and Maholm as trade currency and added a high-level starter, but they decided on another direction. That choice makes it hard to believe that they would trade even one of the guys going for the fifth spot, let alone both.
JasonInFL
December 4th, 2012
8:31 am
…at least that’s why I keep trying to convince myself.
ncscoots
December 4th, 2012
8:35 am
you know Gilmartin is the next Minor. You can’t wait for Gilmartin to be toeing the rubber in Atlanta.
If only they’d put back into payroll all the money they can save on radar guns, I’d be OK.
JasonInFL
December 4th, 2012
8:36 am
Should have traded Tommy sooner…his peripherals have been bad for a while now. Anyway, FW will do something. But, if the Indians are asking for 4 high level prospects for Asdrubal Cabrera, I can only imagine the asking price for some of these other players. It looks as though sending a good pitching prospect to the Twins for Span might have been the best option.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
8:36 am
He will get an everyday LF. …at least that’s why I keep trying to convince myself.
Premium player. Unless Justin is coming here, we won’t be getting one unless we sign Greinke. But Frank did promise premium players for the OF… they already tried to pawn BJ as one, who knows, maybe they do the same with Constanza, Reed, or Juan. Yuuuck.
ncscoots
December 4th, 2012
8:37 am
you know Gilmartin is the next Minor.
This is supposed to make me feel good how, exactly?
brian
December 4th, 2012
8:37 am
I think most of us would like to see Stanton and Greinke added to our club. Not happening though
JasonInFL
December 4th, 2012
8:40 am
I refuse to believe we will start the year with Juan Francisco of Georgie Constanza in the everyday lineup. Prices normally start coming down a bit, right? Hopefully, there’s compromise and FW can get something done today. I do think he would send Teheran or Delgado to the D-Backs for Justin. I don’t think other people see Teheran the same way the Braves do after his struggles for the past 1+ years.
PuddyCat
December 4th, 2012
8:52 am
Greinke is expected to get $25M per year and most expert industry opinions are 6 years. If anyone thinks Greinke signs in Atlanta for that needs to seriously reevaluate or research Braves salary history.
Greinke will get $150-$175M contract and some team will live to regret it the first day it is announced he will require Tommy John surgery. Chances are, greater than not, he will end up needing surgery sometime during the term of his new contract.
Greinke will not be signed by Braves
Dadgum.....
December 4th, 2012
8:57 am
Simply hate this “new” blog look. Why the mobile default where you can’t post? Same on the Bradley et al blogs. Maybe it has been addressed internally already and I’m late to the party. Just haven’t seen anything on it yet. WTF?
Rock on…..I’m not feeling a JUp trade at all.
chipl1960
December 4th, 2012
9:00 am
amen puddy cat. I believe Frank puts it out there we are looking at or considering or are open to possibilities on a multitude of players just as a smokescreen to divert attention away from what he is really doing. I think all GM’s do it to some degree. Just posturing, don’t want to show your hand.
brian
December 4th, 2012
9:04 am
as far as Greinke that money is also not for a true ace, possibly not even a #1. It is ridiculous for the Dodgers to spend that much on a #2 pitcher. What precident are they setting in regards to signing Kershaw longterm?
JasonInFL
December 4th, 2012
9:11 am
I agree…I don’t think Greinke is coming here either unless something crazy happens like a backloaded contract and Liberty Media allows the extra $20 mill a year each team gets next year via TV revenue to be applied to the team as Bill Shanks pointed out. But, I think the chances are .01%. The .01 is based on the fact that Greinke has long been rumored to want to play in the ATL. If he took a contract of 18/yr and Liberty allowed the extra revenue to go to the team…that’s about the only way.
Wow
December 4th, 2012
9:13 am
The Dodgers have the money to do whatever they want to
ncbravesfan90
December 4th, 2012
9:15 am
Im still trying to figure out why Greinke is not considered an ace here. Consider these facts from the past 2 seasons combined:
31-11 3.60 ERA 401 K’s 99 BB .247 BAA
If those numbers are not ace status then I don’t know what is
P'cola Brave
December 4th, 2012
9:16 am
Think we can honestly kiss the Grienke idea goodbye. Braves won’t outbid the Dodgers or Rangers. We’re talking similar money to what Hamilton will get and we’re not in on that front for similar reasons.
TennesseePaul
December 4th, 2012
9:21 am
I frickin’ hope not, not when Wren mentions Sean Gilmartin and a Mexican League sign as the next available options. That doesn’t exactly make the head rest lightly on the pillow.
Exactly. Exactly what I was saying yesterday. Also why I find it ludicrous that any and all suggested trades on this blog begin with one of or both Teheran and Delgado. It would have to be one helluva trade for that to happen, and Choo is not one helluva trade. Most options tossed out wouldn’t qualify. It’d do more harm than good.
Lemke's Knuckler
December 4th, 2012
9:21 am
I love all of this talk about Simmons being unreachable. I just go back to my first impression of the kid in spring training. Can’t remember the game, but a hard grounder was hit up the middle, and he made a diving stop and threw the guy out. I said to myself, “how the hell did he get to that ball?” That play reminded me of old highlights of Ozzie Smith.
I’m excited to see what he does this season.
BravePack(FreeFan)
December 4th, 2012
9:21 am
PuddyCat
December 4th, 2012
8:52 am
Greinke is expected to get $25M per year and most expert industry opinions are 6 years. If anyone thinks Greinke signs in Atlanta for that needs to seriously reevaluate or research Braves salary history.
Greinke will get $150-$175M contract and some team will live to regret it the first day it is announced he will require Tommy John surgery. Chances are, greater than not, he will end up needing surgery sometime during the term of his new contract.
Greinke will not be signed by Braves
THIS. Guys Grienke is not coming here, there is no way it will happen with the contract he is due to get.
Now on the other position player…I read what Wren said yesterday and it has me a little worried. Even though it may be posturing on his part, I have a feeling he was speaking the truth to some extent. It seems the last few years trades happen less and less because teams ask for too much for players teams are seeking and prospects aren’t valued as much because it’s so hit or miss with them unless you have a Harper or Trout. I’m not sure what will happen at the Meetings but I wouldn’t be surprised if nothing did unfortunately. Then Friday we will get the “we had some good talks with some potential to do some things in the future.” He’s already come out and said they have internal options they could use but I hope that he is just playing possum.
P'cola Brave
December 4th, 2012
9:26 am
Doubtful Wren goes into season with what he has. At the very least we probably end up w/ a platoon at either LF or 3B. More than likely LF. Don’t see Wren wanting to move Prado around a whole lot this year unless needed. If he retains Reed Johnson but doesn’t make a larger acquisition, then you will probably see someone paired up in LF w/ him.
ncscoots
December 4th, 2012
9:28 am
I’m excited to see what [Simmons] does this season.
As am I. My fear is that folks here are putting the same outsized expectations on the kid, based on six weeks of ABs, as they are on Medlen and Minor.
Dadgum.....
December 4th, 2012
9:43 am
Even nicer than getting a true LF bat would be for 3 of our position players, which we pay $41 mil, to actually rebound and play worthy of their fortune. I’m including BJ along with Uggla and McCann. Hoping they have good solid years. If they don’t, it won’t matter who is playing LF.
Rock on……I’m more concerned with Beachy getting healthy and having a productive 2nd half of the season than I am LF. I would not overpay for JUp with Gattis’ future looking bright.
ncscoots
December 4th, 2012
9:43 am
At the very least we probably end up w/ a platoon at either LF or 3B. More than likely LF.
Well, Gattis isn’t hurting his case for that. Twenty-some homers at three levels (winter league is about AAA level), good K/BB ratios which he has maintained in Venezuela, he’s hitting for some average, he’s doing all the things this winter that you could have hoped. If he has a giant spring, it just keeps getting tougher not to believe his numbers.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
9:46 am
Rays more and more likely to trade a starter. Oh, if there was a way to get our hands on David Price…
abeeeewright
December 4th, 2012
9:47 am
Simmons has shown that his defense is a cut above.
When I think about what we’ll get from Simba, I assume he’ll bat 8th, play spectacular defense, and get some timely hits.
Anyone who thinks about putting him lead-off is really off-base IMO and is putting emphasis on the wrong skill-set that makes Andrelton a special player.
abeeeewright
December 4th, 2012
9:50 am
If Gattis makes it, that would be just terrific. There’s just about no way, if he has a decent career or does something dramatic in a post-season, that they wouldn’t make a movie about him.
Imagine if Gattis makes the team out of ST, has some ups and downs in 2013, and then, after a long playoff slog, hits the gamer in game 7 of the WS. Just about have to start filming the next day.
Efrim
December 4th, 2012
9:52 am
Wren said ideally Teheran and Delgado will be around to compete for that spot, “But I think we have more than just those guys. I think we have [left-handed prospect Sean] Gilmartin and [lefty Daniel] Rodriguez who are quality guys we feel comfortable with.”
I really hope a Mexican League signee and Sean Gilmartin don’t sniff the rotation in 2013. However……
That doesn’t exactly make the head rest lightly on the pillow.
If we were considering using Medlen or Minor as trade bank for a big slugger in LF and then signing a free agent starter – couldn’t we use Teheran or Delgado and sign a free agent starter for the #5 spot in the rotation? I understand that Wren said we traded Hanson to free up a spot for the young kids, but couldn’t he change direction if the right deal presents itself? Not saying six years for Teheran for one year of Choo is reasonable, just saying that I hope the Braves would consider looking for a veteran 5th starter out on the market.
I do understand that we put ourselves in a tough position for 2014, though. But hey, isn’t that why we drafted Gilmartin? We viewed him as being a member of the rotation right? 2014 could be the start of that as a back of the rotation starter……….
Hah!
ncscoots
December 4th, 2012
9:53 am
Just about have to start filming the next day.
Well, first draft on the script, anyway.
Mixxo
December 4th, 2012
9:54 am
Cross Morse off the list.
#Orioles have interest in #Nats LF/1B Mike Morse, source says. Like the positional flexibility.
TennesseePaul
December 4th, 2012
9:58 am
it just keeps getting tougher not to believe his numbers.
Only for the weak minded. It is clear that he is nothing in the grand scheme. Maybe a pinch hitter or fifth outfielder. Were he more, the Braves would have moved him to left field when he was 18.
ncscoots
December 4th, 2012
9:58 am
just saying that I hope the Braves would consider looking for a veteran 5th starter out on the market.
I’m sure there’s at least one soft-tossing lefty available out there somewhere.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
10:03 am
Andy Martino @MartinoNYDN
Sources: Mets talking about getting OF in trades that would move pitching prospects like Logan Verrett, Darin Gorski, not Dickey/Niese.
Efrim
December 4th, 2012
10:03 am
you know Gilmartin is the next Minor. – Jeff R
This is supposed to make me feel good how, exactly? – scoots
Obviously, scoots. This should make you feel better because Mike Minor has already proven himself to be a reliable, above average starter in the majors leagues based on 3 months of great baseball……which followed 3 months of “worst starter in the league” baseball.
TennesseePaul
December 4th, 2012
10:03 am
I’m sure there’s at least one soft-tossing lefty available out there somewhere.
Just need a scout in the basements of middle America. Bound to dig up an All-Star in one of ‘em.
ncscoots
December 4th, 2012
10:04 am
Only for the weak minded.
I admit, I’d like to see the kid make an All-Star game, just to see Law’s head explode.
ncscoots
December 4th, 2012
10:07 am
Just need a scout in the basements of middle America.
Searching the Mark Redman League, LOL.
Tumbledown
December 4th, 2012
10:07 am
Maybe Jaime Moyer is available again. Might as well go “big” when we are talking soft-tossing lefties.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
10:10 am
Minor turned the corner and is ready to be a #2 in our rotation… keep pumping out those 89-90mph FB on his way to a full season with an ERA under 2.60
Zing
December 4th, 2012
10:12 am
Efrim, I’m quite certain the market is pretty buyer-friendly for a FA 5th starter… I’d much rather see the younger guys competing/filling that spot, because they’re the unknowns — they might turn out to be #1s/2s/3s, and we need to find that out.
ncscoots
December 4th, 2012
10:12 am
Efrim, I think Minor has turned the corner; on that, I’ll agree with many here. Where I might have some disagreement is the nature of the street onto which he’s turned.
Efrim
December 4th, 2012
10:15 am
Greinke is looking like he is going to get around 7 years, $175 million. Insane. But the prices of free agents are going up, for sure. That’s kind of why I like the Upton signing because of the potential upside.
Dadgum.....
December 4th, 2012
10:15 am
I’m predicting Gattis hits the next home run that breaks a car window at Disney.
Murph
December 4th, 2012
10:15 am
Hope we get some actual movement today… Braves or otherwise. FA signings are boring, I need to see some trades!
I slowly resolving myself to the fact that we’re not getting the younger Upton or Gordon… sucks, but what are you gonna do? I’d be interested to see what the Yankees wanted for Granderson or Gardner… seems we match up ok with them on a possible trade, although I’m sure it’ll take Francisco plus plus plus plus to get anything done. They aren’t that desperate… yet.
C’mon Frank, let’s get the ball rolling. Or stop the ball, tell everyone you’re going with Gattis, and let’s end the speculation.
1. Prado
2. Heyward
3. Upton
4. Freeman
5. Uggla
6. BMac
7. Gattis
8. Simmons
Zing
December 4th, 2012
10:15 am
Medlen, Hudson, and Minor are not 3s. No way. I’d rate Hudson and Medlen as 2s (with potential for Maddux/Glavine-style 1s) and Minor as a potential 2. That’s a strong rotation. And remember, we DO have no. 1 power pitcher in Brandon Beachy, who will be back towards the end of the season.
The smart move would still seem to be to deal from a position of strength — pitching — to acquire somebody, if Wren is going to do anything. Adding Greinke, while great if we had bigtime money, seems the most inefficient way to maximize the talent on the team.
Efrim
December 4th, 2012
10:18 am
I think Minor has turned the corner; on that, I’ll agree with many here.
He definitely showed a ton of progress from what we saw in the first half and it was mighty impressive for him to bring his ERA below 4.20 from where it was at in June. Street is in question as you said.
Russell Bell
December 4th, 2012
10:18 am
Greinke aint gonna be Braves next year.
Payroll constraints aside, if Greinke is really looking for 7 years – Wren would be a fool to sign him or any other pitcher to a contract of that length.
DS1
December 4th, 2012
10:20 am
Looking for a soft tossing lefty? John Lannan is available.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
10:21 am
Medlen a #2 based on what, 12 starts? Before he was made a starter this year, the talk on him was that he had a 4+ ERA as a starter… very little mention was made of his innings. I’d say that for now, he’s a 3, with #2 potential. Need to see it. Hudson has been in decline the last few years, he’s a low-end 2, strong 3. Minor pitched like a 2 down the stretch, but he isn’t a 2. #3-4 potential.
Mixxo
December 4th, 2012
10:21 am
Hope we get some actual movement today… Braves or otherwise…. – Murph
I had some actual ‘movement’ about a couple hours ago.
Efrim
December 4th, 2012
10:21 am
Happy to hear the Braves aren’t excited by the free agent options out there at their current prices. Much rather go the trade route.
ncbravesfan90
December 4th, 2012
10:21 am
“I’m predicting Gattis hits the next home run that breaks a car window at Disney.”
He’ll have to go opposite field to do that..
abeeeewright
December 4th, 2012
10:23 am
“Searching the Mark Redman League”
That flash back is worse than a flash back to a bad acid trip.
I still have nightmares about Mark Redman’s starts.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
10:23 am
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
Keep an eye on Mike Olt at the winter meetings. One rival club official believes #Rangers are willing to trade him.
Frank….
ncbravesfan90
December 4th, 2012
10:25 am
“Looking for a soft tossing lefty? John Lannan is available.”
If you can’t beat him, get him. And the Braves sure couldn’t beat him.
Mixxo
December 4th, 2012
10:26 am
Take a look at Gattis’s hands in that pic.
Notice the ‘want’ and ‘urgency’ in those raw dog hands?
I did.
Dadgum.....
December 4th, 2012
10:27 am
Zing….absolutely. If our rotation was somewhat weak then adding Greinke at his price might be considered. Right now throwing over-priced money at Greinke is akin to overpaying with players in a trade for JUp. We could use both but not on their terms. Besides, who’s to say that Gattis isn’t our version of Giancarlo Stanton-to-be. Hell, Greinke could pull a Beachy and be on the shelf after a year.
Rock on…..there are worse ways to go than a Gattis/Reed J platoon in LF.
Murph
December 4th, 2012
10:27 am
I like Olt, but would rather have Myers.
BravePack(FreeFan)
December 4th, 2012
10:30 am
Like Murph has been saying this has been a pretty boring Winter meetting so far even though it’s only been one day. Usually something has happened by now, or at least we hear about more rumors than we’ve had. Like I said earlier it seems we see less and less trades every year.
ncbravesfan90
December 4th, 2012
10:30 am
“there are worse ways to go than a Gattis/Reed J platoon in LF.”
Not really….
Juan
December 4th, 2012
10:30 am
With that Interview that FW has after one day winter meeting look like Braves are folding the camp and no trade will make for a LF
richbrave
December 4th, 2012
10:31 am
Hey MURPH:
Do you realize that six of the eight men you list in your preferred line-up are home grown, and that three are controlled for years? Even MAC [Club Option] and PRADO [Arb 3} are not FA’s until 2014 and HEYWARD will only be an Arb 2 guy in 2014.
ncgary
December 4th, 2012
10:32 am
winter meetings
its gonna be someone
i hope its a 3 way
that brings us either morse or stanton
wouldnt stanton be grand
O.J.
December 4th, 2012
10:33 am
Heres something I thought was interesting. Apparently the DBacks are trying really hard to trade J Upton, but no one is stepping up with a frontline SS, so maybe they lower their demands a bit and take Teheran in a deal with Ahmed. Its possible if no one caves in on their demand for a frontline SS.
Brava
December 4th, 2012
10:34 am
With that Interview that FW has after one day winter meeting look like Braves are folding the camp and no trade will make for a LF
That’s the sense I get, too, Juan. I think they are concentrating on the bench now and will reassess after their upcoming trip to the Dominican.
Lew
December 4th, 2012
10:34 am
The Braves are not going to be playing with either Justin Upton OR Greinke next year.
Murph
December 4th, 2012
10:35 am
Of course Wren said in the interview that he’s ok leaving the meetings without acquiring a new LF… if other GM’s think he’s desperate to get something done, their asking price is going to go up and up and up for their trade pieces. I listened to the interview and thought it was pretty clear that Wren is blowing smoke… he absolutely wants to add another piece, has the money and trade chips to do it, but he isn’t going to show his hand at all.
O.J.
December 4th, 2012
10:35 am
Also, here’s two names that havent been mentioned, but think they would fit well on this team.
David Murphy or Desmond Jennings.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
10:37 am
The Braves are not going to be playing with either Justin Upton OR Greinke next year.
They better not be placing Juan Francisco and Reed Johnson out there as starters/platooners. We’re still waiting for the premium player Frank promised
ncbravesfan90
December 4th, 2012
10:38 am
Yeah i agree that Wren was blowing smoke in that interview. No way that the Braves lose Chipper, Bourn, and McCann for a bit and have the most money to spend in years and will only sign one major player. It just won’t happen folks. Wren is far from done this offseason.
DAP
December 4th, 2012
10:38 am
TOBF Medlen a #2 based on what, 12 starts?
we seem to spend alot of time trying to attach numbers to our pitchers. cant we agree with medlen is a good pitcher and we can win a bunch of games behind him if we hit the ball a little bit? same with minor and hudson, and maholm is solid. these guys are not like kyle davies, or jojo reyes was, in the past. these are solid guys, plenty capable of getting us outs and wins.
i wouldnt mind getting another good pitcher, but i consider our staff to be very good…one of the best in the league 1-12.
Lew
December 4th, 2012
10:38 am
And after trading Hanson, they aren’t going to do a deal and lose EOF, Teheran and Maholm – even IF they got another pitcher.
ncscoots
December 4th, 2012
10:39 am
Apparently the DBacks are trying really hard to trade J Upton, but no one is stepping up with a frontline SS, so maybe they lower their demands a bit
There is no deadline in the offseason, and they don’t have to trade the guy. There’s not much reason for them to back off. When the worst case scenario is that you have Justin Upton for another year, how much urgency can you muster up? Not much, I’m afraid.
Tumbledown
December 4th, 2012
10:39 am
In order to get the best deal, you always have to be willing to walk away. Wren is wise to play things cool.
raleighbravefan
December 4th, 2012
10:40 am
We will NOT sign Greinke…or Hamilton.
Marlins will NOT trade Stanton…especially to us.
You guys can quit dreaming, and at least try to be a little realistic.
Wren cannot make a FA sign with us…and cannot force a team to trade their players to us. The viable options are shrinking. I hope he can still work some magic, but would rather go with “internal options”…or at least see what we have in ST…than to buy or trade for mediocrity.
We can use the $$$ and prospects before the trade deadline, and probably get better value. Who knows how good Delgado, Teheran, Francisco, Gattis, et al, will really turn out to be? Best trade may actually be no trade.
David O'Brien
December 4th, 2012
10:41 am
No way that the Braves lose Chipper, Bourn, and McCann for a bit and have the most money to spend in years and will only sign one major player. It just won’t happen folks. Wren is far from done this offseason. — ncbravesfan90
Agreed.
Hillbilly
December 4th, 2012
10:41 am
Hope we get some actual movement today… Braves or otherwise. FA signings are boring, I need to see some trades!
Day 1: Schmoozin’, Golf Stoy tellin’, Hand-Shakin’, Back Slappin’, Gettin’ a feel of asking prices, Recon mission. Meet with team officials before bed time to discuss. Sleep on it and go into Tuesday ready to attack.
ncgary
December 4th, 2012
10:43 am
we need to face facts on our pitching, if you want to classify them, none are higher than a 3 at this point in their careers, some have been higher and some have the potential to be higher, but with present staff, it would be nice to score at least 850 runs
Lew
December 4th, 2012
10:43 am
DAP – Of course we can’t stop from pigeoholing players. We also can’t get over Wren’s unfortunate use of individual words like “premium”. Andf we certainly can’t get over the notion that no one is going to entirely abolish the Braves’ wealth of pitching until we barely have a starting rotation left. And we also apprently can’t get past the notion that we aren’t going to get all of everyone’s personal wishlist while dropping everyone’s personal hate list of players and salaries we feel can’t be afforded.
Well, some can’t anyway.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
10:44 am
DAP: Yes, they’re all solid pitchers, but we could have better ones. Does a matchup of Minor vs Gio really look good for us? Not in my opinion, especially since our offense isn’t really elite. Imagine having that be the matchup in a playoff game. I’m just a bit nervous about the rotation, we’re placing all of our hope in Medlen and Minor being able to replicate their 2nd halves, and Delgado not being worse than Hanson. I think both Medlen and Minor take a step back from what they produced down the stretch, and outside of those 2, we did struggle a bit.
they aren’t going to do a deal and lose EOF, Teheran and Maholm – even IF they got another pitcher.
True, since we likely won’t be adding a pitcher. I say just lose EOF and get a nice flamethrowing prospect (with 6 years of control) back from the Cardinals. Now is our only chance to get some compensation for EOF. I’d definitely shop him, but only trade if I get a good deal.
ncscoots
December 4th, 2012
10:46 am
but with present staff, it would be nice to score at least 850 runs
Man, I wish, but that would lead the majors, by a wide margin. I don’t believe there was a NL team to score 800 last year.
ncbravesfan90
December 4th, 2012
10:47 am
Its wonderful and great and all to say that we can save the money and then spend it at the trade deadline, but who knows, we could be out of contention by then. With the Nationals getting better by acquiring Span, and probably signing Laroche back and then making a push for Greinke, not to mention they were better than us last year, its hard to sit back on our heels this offseason and say, eh we’ll just throw Constanza/Gattis/R Johnson/(insert another 4th OF’s name) out there and be ok with that. And lets not forget that the Philies will spend, spend, spend this offseason and be much better this year. Wren knows he can’t go into spring training with not acquiring a 3B/LF.
Efrim
December 4th, 2012
10:47 am
No way that the Braves lose Chipper, Bourn, and McCann for a bit and have the most money to spend in years and will only sign one major player. It just won’t happen folks. Wren is far from done this offseason.
I mean, it certainly shouldn’t as that would mean the payroll would be in the $85 million range. I don’t care how you move bonuses and incentives around, it’s really, really quite hard to figure how the team didn’t cut payroll if they don’t do anything else. Just doesn’t make any sense. Another player making some money(at least the $4 million that Hanson was going to get) will be acquired for left field.
Efrim
December 4th, 2012
10:48 am
scoots, what’s your take going to be on those 98 win Nationals if they trade Morse and re-sign Laroche?
Murph
December 4th, 2012
10:48 am
The Indians are looking for 4 good prospects for Asdrubal… the Braves have part of that in Teheran/Delgado/Gilmartin/Gattis/Ahmed/etc…
I wonder if there’s a possibility of a 3 team deal involving Cleveland and AZ. The Braves send a package of prospects to CLE plus maybe one of the decent bullpen arms to AZ, AZ sends a mid-level prospect to CLE, CLE sends Asdrubal to AZ, AZ sends Upton to ATL. Or something along those lines.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 4th, 2012
10:48 am
No way that the Braves lose Chipper, Bourn, and McCann for a bit and have the most money to spend in years and will only sign one major player.
I would agree, if only I could find the major player he signed… major and premium should be interchangeable, right? Laird, Upton, Janish…. yea, no premium players there.
ncgary: Sure would be nice… may need to score more than that! We need either a big run producer on offense, or a good pitcher. Since he’s looking to add offense, he needs to get a premium player! Olt, Myers, Gyorko, Justin Upton. No one else fits. Leadoff hitters surely don’t help much.
tony austin
December 4th, 2012
10:48 am
I wouldn’t mind if the Braves had every soft-tossing lefty on this team just so the offense doesn’t have to face them