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852 comments Add your comment
Tip O' the Cap
November 28th, 2012
6:02 pm
Go Braves!
95RelivingEveryDay
November 28th, 2012
6:03 pm
I’m good with it.
Tip O' the Cap
November 28th, 2012
6:03 pm
and…. First!
Will
November 28th, 2012
6:05 pm
I’m a little confused. Is there a chance that the Braves could sign Upton and Bourn? Why would they have contract talks with Bourn after they had the deal with Upton secured?
Bob from Accounttemps
November 28th, 2012
6:07 pm
So Bourn is really not coming back…..
Bob from Accounttemps
November 28th, 2012
6:07 pm
So Bourn is really not coming back…..
mike
November 28th, 2012
6:09 pm
what next???? 3b of lf? by trade or by free agent pick up???
Go braves
Tampa Bay Brave Fan
November 28th, 2012
6:09 pm
BAD MOVE !
He’ll hit a lot of solo HRS and strike out a bunch;
Who is giving Frank Wren advice ?
Weaseal
November 28th, 2012
6:09 pm
Yeah now we can all work on our B.J. jokes and win some games
HottyToddy
November 28th, 2012
6:10 pm
I’m not excited about this at all. We will see though, hope I’m wrong.
Walker, Texas Ranger
November 28th, 2012
6:10 pm
He is a great fit with Uggla. They can hit 7 & 8
thetruth
November 28th, 2012
6:10 pm
guy is always hurt may as well sign sizemore too
Defensive Indifference
November 28th, 2012
6:10 pm
I like this move! The Braves need a center fielder and a right-handed power bat, and get both in Upton. Having tandem 30-30 outfielders is very exciting. Now let’s get a left fielder and a genuine leadoff hitter.
mediocrity continues...
November 28th, 2012
6:10 pm
Frank Wren strikes again! Finally get some dough to work the market with and you wrap it all up in guy hoping he hits the long ball just like with Uggla. How’s that deal working out for ya Wren?
$70-75M over 5 for a career .250ish hitter?
Wren you are a effing genius…
This GM is flat out garbage…
Najeh Davenpoop
November 28th, 2012
6:10 pm
I may be forgetting someone, but can anyone remember the last time a hitter came to Atlanta from another team and was better than they were on their old team? Because I can’t. All I can remember is Dan Uggla, Alex Gonzalez, Garret Anderson, Troy Glaus… even Bourn didn’t put up the numbers here that he had in Houston.
Seriously, when is the last time that happened? Johnny Estrada maybe?
If Upton is going to fall into that trend, well, his numbers aren’t even great to begin with, and I am really not very optimistic.
I hope I’m wrong but this seems like Uggla all over again. I was hoping they would find a way to replace Uggla this offseason — instead now they have two of him.
mid wicket
November 28th, 2012
6:11 pm
Now the question how do you get a left fielder that can hit leadoff ? Is there such a thing available?
smitty
November 28th, 2012
6:13 pm
So does Atlanta lose their 1st round pick? Or does Tampa gain a sandwich? I’m confused with the new CBA system, hearing conflicting reports
Amber Girl
November 28th, 2012
6:13 pm
3rd place No playoffs
Deadpool
November 28th, 2012
6:14 pm
thetruth, I guess you missed this part of the article….
B.J. is smaller and durable, having played at least 144 games each of the past five seasons – the only major league center fielder who can make that claim
BC
November 28th, 2012
6:14 pm
“Bourn”, really seemed to fade in the second half. I wonder how his prolong career will go? It kinda makes you think a team may be real happy short term, but could also have buyers remorse, long term!
Dr. pepper
November 28th, 2012
6:14 pm
Good job Braves. Now lets get Cody Ross.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 28th, 2012
6:15 pm
I am excited about Prado, Heyward, Simmons, and Freeman. The rest of the lineup is one giant question mark and yet somehow contains the three highest paid offensive players on the team. When your budget is limited, you can’t pay eight figure annual salaries to three players hitting in the .230s. I have confidence that McCann will bounce back if he gets healthy, but there is very little in Uggla and Upton’s track records to justify similar optimism.
Caseyatthebat
November 28th, 2012
6:15 pm
I’d rather see hitters like Span, Keppinger, Hairston, Reed Johnson at lower salaries and a bigger hitter like Swisher, Willingham or even Kubel. Oh well, we’ll see.
Dr. pepper
November 28th, 2012
6:15 pm
Simmons will bat leadoff
BC
November 28th, 2012
6:16 pm
Guess I’m thinking about Danny Ugly.
No. 1 Braves Fan
November 28th, 2012
6:16 pm
15 mil for B. J. Upton is too much for too little. We already have too many strikeout
guys with Uggla, Heyward and Freeman. Also, Upton`s OBP has been declining and is less than mediocre along with a .250 BA. The Braves could have worked out a deal for Span with the Twins. They need pitching badly and will come down on their demands.
mid wicket
November 28th, 2012
6:16 pm
Love the positivity on the board! There is a reason Upton was coveted by a number of teams. He ahs flaws sure but with Walker and Fletch this may be the thing that gets him going just like they got JHey going
bob
November 28th, 2012
6:16 pm
move upton to left and bring in Angle Pagan to play center and lead off…those two right handed bats would give us the best line up in the national league except dodgers
Kevin Chop
November 28th, 2012
6:16 pm
It is a God awful move. I don’t feel sorry for the braves anymore.
Brandon
November 28th, 2012
6:16 pm
@Najeh – first person that comes to mind is Galarraga(not sure if he was FA though), although i think he basically just stayed consistent with his previous numbers
A-Ville Ranger
November 28th, 2012
6:16 pm
Yuck, yuck, yuck. Not exactly a moneyball move was it. This sucks…de-luxe. Here is a black hole in our lineup for the next 5 seasons.
Tom
November 28th, 2012
6:16 pm
Hey, where’s the Thrashers blog?
Chipper Jones
November 28th, 2012
6:17 pm
this .250 hitting lazy a** will make more money than I ever did !
I should have tested the free agent waters when I had a chance.
Frank Wren just tied up the payroll for years to come; Upton & Uggla will be the ruination of this team.
Realist
November 28th, 2012
6:17 pm
BJ Upton in CF is a good outcome for the Braves. Certainly better than average. BJ Upton at $15MM for 5 years is a risky move.
Steve
November 28th, 2012
6:17 pm
Look at all of the crybabies complaining, cracks me up.
rainman34
November 28th, 2012
6:18 pm
Funny how the baseball world reacts to the signing by the braves. Its all we will have to see and he does have holes which is all true but. If the Phills had signed him it would be greatest move of the year, Amoreo does it again, Phills team to beat. Drives me crazy. I love the move, great job by wren and co. Hope we have one more great move in us and then sky is the limit.
rhettt
November 28th, 2012
6:18 pm
Braves would not sign Bourn to $15 Million a year but then turn around and pay $15 Million to an outfielder who isn’t leadoff material. What in the h@ll was Wren thinking?
mid wicket
November 28th, 2012
6:20 pm
If you can wait out the market for either Pagan or Victorino would solidify this line up and would be menacing for opposing pitchers! I like your thinking Bob
mudcat47
November 28th, 2012
6:20 pm
5yr,, 75.25 millon, no option, per MLB Rumor.com.
Clark Howard
November 28th, 2012
6:20 pm
DOB,
How much money is left for Frank to “play with” ?
My God, I can’t believe this is happening to my Braves !
Frank Wren is worse than the Federal government & its wasteful spending.
NORRIS CHUCK
November 28th, 2012
6:20 pm
Good move by the Braves. The best they could make at this point of free agency. Glad everybody is NOT GM’s or the Braves would never make any progress.
mike
November 28th, 2012
6:20 pm
we lose our pick and gain a sandwich pick!
mediocrity continues...
November 28th, 2012
6:21 pm
Someone explain to Steve what a sports blog is for….
Frank Wren
November 28th, 2012
6:21 pm
Schafer in left, hitting leadoff.
I can’t wait !
Disgusted
November 28th, 2012
6:22 pm
For this market this is a bargain. I like this.
In Frank Wren I do trust most of the time. 2013 will prove that BJ and Uggla are good moves.
This is going to be a HAVOC wrecking lineup. We are gonna make life miserable for opposing MLB pitchers.
Now, what do we do about LF, trade for it???? That makes sense. Might want to go for more of an OBP guy in the next move.
tony
November 28th, 2012
6:23 pm
Bad move by the braves again in my opinion.
Snarky
November 28th, 2012
6:23 pm
Whats the chance we can package a few young pitchers for his brother?
Brandon
November 28th, 2012
6:23 pm
rhettt – he was probably thinking about how bourn wants more than 15 mil a year, is 2 years older, only batted .225 in the 2nd half, and struck out 155 times last season as a “leadoff hitter”
Cobby Box
November 28th, 2012
6:24 pm
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Zac in Tempe
November 28th, 2012
6:25 pm
rhettt, wouldn’t sign more to more than 15 a year. They are actually not to far apart in the strikeout department
AdirondackDave
November 28th, 2012
6:25 pm
Not my first choice but he can be an exciting player and more likely than not will be a significant asset. I wouldn’t mind them going with Gattis in left and working with Simmons on lead-off skills. If Gattis isn’t a major league hitter by June, then they can do some trading. Actually Gattis may turn out to be something special himself… time will tell.
Disgusted
November 28th, 2012
6:25 pm
I am disappointed in some fans the way they are reacting to this cause here we go spending some nice $$$$$$$$$$ on a move that improves this team and some folks are beeching about it.
BUMBS — BUMB fans who deserve to be Booed.
This move is a good “value” move. Go ahead, call me crazy but you will find out.
And my man Uggla is going to turn out to be a good value move. Just wait.
Zac in Tempe
November 28th, 2012
6:26 pm
If he improves with change of scenery, great deal. If he doesn’t, mediocre deal.
jed
November 28th, 2012
6:26 pm
it’s a deal that puts a lot of faith in upton becoming a better hitter as he ages. ie, cutting down on strikeouts, and improving his OBP, while hoping his power numbers continue to rise. upton’s K’s and OBP are serious concerns, but i dont think it’s unreasonable for wren to hope that , given upton’s talent, the braves’ hitting coaches will be able to make a positive impact. there’s certainly plenty of upside, given that upton should be coming into his best years as a hitter. so if it works, wren will be much-praised, and if it doesnt, he’ll be slammed for bringing in a guy with high K totals and putting him on a team with uggla and heyward.
ChipperisGod
November 28th, 2012
6:26 pm
I have a bad feeling this could be Uggla part II. I really hope not, and I applaud the aggressiveness by Wren and co going out to get a really good player. Upton has the chance to be a great player, and has proven it before, but he’s got to raise his OBP and AVG. I hope he can do that.
I still would have preferred a trade for Revere or Span, because they are cheaper and are better lead off hitters, but if Mac and Uggla can get back on track and Upton has a great season, and Heyward continues his ascension, and Freddie continues to improve, and with Prado and Andy as well? Everyone had better watch out.
Welcome to Atlanta, BJ! Hope you do well and prove the negative nancies and myself wrong!
done
November 28th, 2012
6:27 pm
Great. Now get his brother too
GaryinBham
November 28th, 2012
6:27 pm
Glad to get a big signing. I like Upton. Speed and power, still young, World Series and postseason experience. I think 28 HRs might have helped us last year. Our power was pitiful. Now one more.
Samurai Squirrel
November 28th, 2012
6:27 pm
Love that we signed B.J. I wish it were for 3 years at $15M per season, but you gotta do what you gotta do to get the deal done.
Now it is time to trade for his little bro…
MoBrave
November 28th, 2012
6:28 pm
The prospect of having two 30/30 guys in the lineup is intriguing. This would not have been my first choice of moves, but it has good potential. Time will tell.
DJ
November 28th, 2012
6:28 pm
What is Frank doing??
southern son
November 28th, 2012
6:28 pm
I’m not happy about this one bit , this is embarrassing .
Nate from SLC
November 28th, 2012
6:29 pm
The dude strikes out 4x more than he walks??????????????? Good hell. This move sucks. This is Dan Uggla Part 2!!!!!!!!!
A-Ville Ranger
November 28th, 2012
6:29 pm
I am seriously wondering if Wren grasp how bad Upton’s numbers are trending. I just don’t understand why a professional baseball man would tie up that much money for 5 seasons in a player who will likely be completely unproductive for most of his at bats. The guy is a walking rally killer.
jbill
November 28th, 2012
6:29 pm
Where you like the deal are not..lets stop the crap and support our Braves..Go Wren… now lets see the next moves. Welcome Boss!
A-Ville Ranger
November 28th, 2012
6:29 pm
I am seriously wondering if Wren grasp how bad Upton’s numbers are trending. I just don’t understand why a professional baseball man would tie up that much money for 5 seasons in a player who will likely be completely unproductive for most of his at bats. The guy is a walking rally killer.
Uggla Redux
November 28th, 2012
6:30 pm
It’s a bit ironic that some fans think the Braves are going to take Upton and get something else out of him that Madden and The Rays weren’t able to get out of him. I would love to know what makes some fans think that there is a mystical quality to the Braves management and staff that will make Upton worth 15 mil a year! Leo Mazzone was able to squeeze some extra out of some fading veteran pitchers years ago, but that has nothing to do with the Braves being able to get 15 mil per year potential out of a position player today (Upton).
Perhaps it’s good that the Braves normally don’t have money to spend in the FA market. They seem to over pay every time they do!
TPM
November 28th, 2012
6:30 pm
They over paid for him. I bet in 3 years this contract will be an unmovable albatross.
Mark
November 28th, 2012
6:30 pm
Thats just great!
175 Ks and on OBP of 300 or so for the bargain price of 70+ Million!
He’ll be a fast version of Uggla without the walks. 5 Years too!
Bummer
southern son
November 28th, 2012
6:30 pm
Dan Uggla will earn his $$ this upcoming year I still have faith in the guy , he will smack 35 homers and get his average up to 275.. you heard it here first
lefty Dave
November 28th, 2012
6:32 pm
I am not ure that BJ Upton is the way to go. 246 batting avg is really not what I would say will scare a lot of managers when they see his name on the lineup card. What is the chance of getting Cody Ross to play left ?
Dan Uggla
November 28th, 2012
6:32 pm
Now maybe the fans won’t be booing me as much; they’ll boo BJ !
Back to the benchpress …
BravesFanSince80s
November 28th, 2012
6:32 pm
starting to wonder if the smoke and mirrors I was hoping for on Wren’s part were provided in fact by all those other “interested” GM’s…
sooooooooo, let’s re-cap this off-season thus far:
committed 12 million to McCann (yuck)
replaced David Ross with Podunk, G-money, or whatever the hell his name is Laird
replaced Bourn with the black Dan Uggla
still no new home for Dan Uggla
SMDH….
hopefully, this time next year, see ya’ Frank Wren!
SPS
November 28th, 2012
6:33 pm
Can we trade Uggla back for Omar Infante?
Bob the Blogger
November 28th, 2012
6:34 pm
He wasn’t my choice for CF, but he’ll be in a Braves uniform come spring training, so I’ll support him.
Braves reach deal with outfielder B.J. Upton | AJC Sports News Now
November 28th, 2012
6:34 pm
[...] Read all about and share your thoughts with the AJC’s David O’Brien. [...]
Corporate America
November 28th, 2012
6:34 pm
Frank Wren would not make it in the real world.
So much money tied up in non-productive players like Upton, Uggla & McCann ; that’s $41 million for 3 guys that combined hit .235 last season !
Rick James
November 28th, 2012
6:36 pm
Just trust in Frank Wren..But will somebody please but this team!!
Tommy Dew
November 28th, 2012
6:36 pm
So the lineup is:
Simmons
Prado
Heyward
Upton
McCann
Freeman
Uggla
Cody Ross?
Pitcher
Powder Blue
November 28th, 2012
6:36 pm
Meh.
dogsbrekky
November 28th, 2012
6:36 pm
Bourn declined $13++
flipping idiots………. <<<<<<<<<<<<< 770 OPS AND $13M and they say no
30+ yrs
Chipper's ACL
November 28th, 2012
6:36 pm
Maybe the Braves can lead the league in strikeouts, and not the pitching staff. This move sux.
O'Ventbrel
November 28th, 2012
6:38 pm
Everybody seems convinced that Upton will bat .240 at best, strike out more than Uggla, and be the exact same player or worse in Atlanta. I think I will wait until the season is underway to make my judgments. Yes, Braves acquisitions are notorious for turning into terrible hitters, but Tropicana Field is as exciting as a cardboard box so a change of scenery really could help him.
Uggla Redux
November 28th, 2012
6:38 pm
Just think, In 2013 if Upton hits 28 bombs, drives in less than a buck, hits .240 and puts up “new numbers” that are below what a 15 mil a year player should put up……….these same people who are praising this move will be some of the people screaming the loudest!
miltfamey
November 28th, 2012
6:39 pm
How about Victorino in LF and leading off—-or Cody Ross in LF and Andrelton Simmons leading off
Disgusted
November 28th, 2012
6:40 pm
A strikeout is just another out. Too many fans are SOphobic.
Cooperstown is full of guys who struck out and made up for it by producting runs.
I am excited at the prospect of seeing BJ and Heyward , two 30/30 potential guys on the same team.
With Uggla and Freeman we can have 4 30 HR guys. I’ll sacrifice a little OBP for that mashing.
nj steve
November 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
not a bad signing i think bj will do well in the NL.. now we need Dan Uggla to produce like i bet he will… now just need solid LF and they be solid.
RLW
November 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
Speaking as Rays’ fan, Upton is least clutch hitter and worst two-strike hitter imaginable. He has great speed, terrific centerfielder, but has mental lapses (overthrows cutoff man, gets picked off, forgets to hustle, etc.). Hits many solo homers.
BOBBY COX
November 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
Everyone needs to shut your crying up. STOP being so negative and support your team…IF this is your team. NOW! will the real fans come forth.
milt famey
November 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
It’s going to be interesting to see how our roster fills up now. Brent Lillibridge would be a nice util man since he is now a FA
BOBBY COX
November 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
Everyone needs to shut your crying up. STOP being so negative and support your team…IF this is your team. NOW! will the real fans come forth.
milt famey
November 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
It’s going to be interesting to see how our roster fills up now. Brent Lillibridge would be a nice util man since he is now a FA
Don
November 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
Love it. Really glad to see the Braves being aggressive. BJ is young, moving the the NL probably anxious to make a good impression.
I would be okay standing put now and trying Francisco at 3rd base or Gattis in left (with Prado at 3rd), but I would prefer getting Shane Victorino for a few years and letting Prado move to third for those years
A-Ville Ranger
November 28th, 2012
6:43 pm
Comparing Upton to Uggla is insulting…to Uggla. Dan is a player who has been a .285, 100 RBI, .370 OBP player.
Uptard doesn’t even have the promise of anything close to those numbers. Honestly, I wouldn’t want him in the lineup if we could promote him from our minor league system.
Wren just paid a fortune for a player who will obviously be a dead spot in the lineup for years to come.
Amber Girl
November 28th, 2012
6:43 pm
Needed offense and got none. Bad move.
Tommy Boggs
November 28th, 2012
6:44 pm
Close to half the payroll tied up with McCann, Uggla and Upton. YIKES!!
jim
November 28th, 2012
6:46 pm
What 30-30 guys? In 6 years Upton has never hit more than 28 HRs. Heyward hit 27 this year and should add power, but has not hit 30 HRs yet. Heyward has not stolen 30 bases in a season, and as middle of the order hitters either or both could steal as many as 30 bases, but that has not been the way the Braves have played under Fredi.
Corporate America
November 28th, 2012
6:46 pm
this move will ultimately be Wren & Fredi’s demise; a new GM will have to come in & clean up Wren’s mess …
AdirondackDave
November 28th, 2012
6:46 pm
O’Ventbrel — You make good sense at 6:38.
PaBravesfan
November 28th, 2012
6:47 pm
thetruth
November 28th, 2012
6:10 pm
guy is always hurt may as well sign sizemore
Umm
B.J. is smaller and more durable, having played at least 144 games each of the past five seasons – the only major league center fielder who can make that claim
Maybe you should learn to read before you post so you dont sound like such an idiot
oldmarriedwoman
November 28th, 2012
6:47 pm
Its better than paying Bourn the 18 to 20 million/year Boras wants. He is younger and hits more homers and steals just as many bases as Bourn, plus he right handed.