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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
852 comments Add your comment
atlrf44
November 29th, 2012
2:57 pm
hey real talk who’s the moron???balls in play can score runs, Ks don’t…where did u learn the game??????try watching sometime without a can of Bud in your hand!
Greg Norton
November 29th, 2012
2:57 pm
IS BJ not a clone of Ron Gant?
Charlie Kerfeld
November 29th, 2012
2:59 pm
Upton is a good ballplayer, but he is an inconsistent hitter- which means he’ll fit right in! If we pick up a left fielder who can bat lead-off, we should still be a contender. However, until the Braves learn to not choke in big games- it won’t matter who we pick up,
Greg Norton
November 29th, 2012
3:03 pm
By the way, I like Ron Gant. I just think their games and appearances are very similiar.
Nunna Yobinnes
November 29th, 2012
3:15 pm
Greg Norton – I think Upton and Gant have a lot of similarities.
Amber Girl
November 29th, 2012
3:17 pm
Hey guys I am hearing Trading for Span. Who plays Center-Upton or Span. Anyway Span,Prado, Heyward,Upton.Freeman,Uggla,Mccann.Simmons. Reserves- Laird,Francisco.Pastornicky,Johnson, and Constanza. Rotation:Medlen,Hudson,Minor,Maholm,Teheran. Relievers: Kimbrell,Venters,OFlaherty,Martinez,Durbin,,Avilan,Guerrin. LETS PLAY BALL! What do you think guys?
coach13
November 29th, 2012
3:17 pm
We just gave 15 mil a year for the next 5 years to a career .250/20/75 hitter and who strikes out an avg of 170 times a season??????
Real Talk
November 29th, 2012
3:29 pm
weak grounders do not score runs and pop ups do not score runs so you learn the game…i have coached 20 years and won 3 state championships so just maybe I know a little more than you…yes its true about ball in play but a pop up to the cathcer is NOT SCORING ANYONE, so that is the true # we use so research that on every player then decide who is the guy you want at the plate…again I know I know more than you just trying to help you out
RunninWithTheDawgs
November 29th, 2012
3:30 pm
Upton has all the right credentials even though his numbers aren’t fantastic. Players with fantastic numbers get what they want and stay where they’re at. Let’s just hope that getting a change of scenery and a new staff of coaches and trainers will give him the boost he needs to become that great player we’re looking for.
Tree rollins
November 29th, 2012
3:31 pm
Braves coaches will have Upton hitting .190 in no time! Just like they brought Uggla down from .265 to .210 once he jjoined us for the big bucks! We’ll proudly lead the league in strikeouts – given up. Way to spend that money Braves. And another $13M on McCann and his .240 bat. Wren’s a pure genius!!
The Scout
November 29th, 2012
3:34 pm
Good teams put the ball in play. You don’t do that with a strikeout.
This team is poor at situational baseball, moving runners overs, going the other way, etc.
It exceeds at striking out and swinging for the fences. Not a formula for winning.
The Scout
November 29th, 2012
3:37 pm
Bourn was hitting .300 with the Astros. Comes to the Braves, swings for the fences and his average plummeted.
He’s not the only one that has done that.
In the NL I see Upton topping out at .240 with fewer HRS & RBIS
Bud
November 29th, 2012
3:37 pm
Now, TRADE FOR STANTON!
Tree rollins
November 29th, 2012
3:37 pm
I’m beginning to think Derek Lowe was a financial bargain for this team compared to these Uggla, Upton, and McCann signings – at least he was a starter for 2 seasons!!
Bud
November 29th, 2012
3:38 pm
Trade for Stanton, move Prado to third, and bat Simmons lead-off. For that matter, Prado hit lead-off a couple of years ago and did very well (made the All-Star Team).
larry30
November 29th, 2012
3:57 pm
This signing just adds more support to my contention that the problem with the Braves is not Liberty Media and tight purse strings. The problem is having a GM who never gets our money’s worth. This is one of the worst signings I could have imagined.
GaryinBham
November 29th, 2012
3:59 pm
Are you kidding, guys? Lowe was a bargain compared to Uggla Upton AND McCann? And for the record, I liked Ron Gant. He did win us some games. I’d be glad to play and start with Uggla Upton and McCann. We’ll do alright.
Caseyatthebat
November 29th, 2012
3:59 pm
Real Talk………..I have always been of the opinion that a team of contact hitters can be a very effective offense. The Cardinals come to mind. Certainly a ball in play can be a weak grounder or an infield pop-up but isn’t it also an infield grounder that scores a man on third or a deeper fly ball again scoring a man from third. Doesn’t a ball in play also introduce the possibility of an error?
Amber Girl
November 29th, 2012
4:01 pm
How about Teheran,Delgado, and Ahmed to Diamondbacks for Justin. Think it could get done.
RetiredSoldier
November 29th, 2012
4:06 pm
Amber-
Good idea, change Hanson for Delgato, but, do the Braves have room for the dollars he’ll cost?
Mr. P1nk
November 29th, 2012
4:08 pm
What’s up with Atlanta airport workers throwing eggs at the Saints bus as it’s leaving the airport?
Southern hospitality out in full force!
Real Talk
November 29th, 2012
4:14 pm
@CaseyatTheBat you are very correct but the point I was making is you cant just look at strikeouts because as you have just said what we are looking for is productive outs, example I have the bases loaded with 0 outs a guy strikes out I have lost one opportunity but if a guy hits a grounder back to the pitcher they turn a DP now I have lost two opportunities, so that is why we use a different number on how we make a lineup…I hope this clears what I was saying up. thanks for the question!
Rick C
November 29th, 2012
4:17 pm
Retired Soldier, that would definitely not be enough to get Justin. I don’t think Amber Girl’s suggestion probably is either. Anyway they have about $10 million or so left, which is just enough but then they may not have enough to fill out their bench and bullpen. If they can move Hanson though, that would free up about $4 million.
Real Talk
November 29th, 2012
4:18 pm
@Rick C I am almost assured they will try to move Hanson if a deal for Span is made, but if Victorino is the guy he may go for bench help.
Rick C
November 29th, 2012
4:22 pm
Real Talk, I was referring specifically to a scenario where they trade for Justin Upton. He is owed $9,750,000 next year so if they were to acquire him they probably wouldn’t have enough left for the bench and bullpen unless they also move Hanson.
Real Talk
November 29th, 2012
4:24 pm
@Rick C yeah I know I was just saying probably what we will see is a trade for Span that will include hanson then in two years when Span’s contract is up an attempt to aquire Justin and try to sign him for an extension, but getting Justin this year will be too diificult IMO. I would love to see us get him but it may be too much asked for in return
Mr. P1nk
November 29th, 2012
4:25 pm
All this talk of Denard Span is pointless. The Twins ARE NOT going to trade Span to the Braves UNLESS we are willing to part with either Medlen or Minor, which we ARE NOT going to trade.
Why do I say this? Span is a very reliable lead-off hitter who is under contract for $4.75 mil in 2013, $6.5 mil in 2014 and a club option for $9 mil in 2015. That’s three years of defined cost control over a soon to be 29 year old player entering his prime. Minnesota isnt just going to trade him (a proven commodity who is VERY AFFORDABLE) for unproven commodities (bums in my book) like Teheran and Delgado.
So unless the Braves do something stupid….it aint happening. Bank on it! Some of you can hope all you want (just like most of America did last night before the Powerball numbers were drawn). It aint happening!
Amber Girl
November 29th, 2012
4:26 pm
Rick C Why would we worry about Bench. Jonson, Constanza, Pastornicky.Francisco. Laird. What is wrong with that bench?
Darryl Blackberry
November 29th, 2012
4:27 pm
Let’s face it, the only FA signing that would have excited even the most jaded of fans this offseason would’ve been Josh Hamilton, and that ain’t happening. I like this move a lot, even though the price tag was higher than I think any of us would have liked. The real question is: what’s going to happen in LF? A platoon situation? ‘Cause asking Cody Ross to hit for power in our big ballpark would be a mistake. But could you imagine if we had Fowler out in left? Dexter Fowler in left, BJ Upton in center, Jason Heyward in right…I could definitely live with that outfield…
Hoosier Aaron
November 29th, 2012
4:28 pm
If we’re talking to the Twins, I’d rather have Ben Revere to leadoff and play left.
He’s a highlight waiting to happen running down flyballs.
I think his arm is better for LF than RF, where he plays when Span is healthy.
Plus by all accounts a good kid. And can steal 40+ bases.
Mr. P1nk
November 29th, 2012
4:29 pm
Unless Frank Wren makes a couple of moves (like signing Angel Pagan…and dumping Hanson and Uggla onto a team like the Dodgers during the Winter Meetings)…our season is going to be filled with the following:
Lots of strikeouts, lots of solo homers….lots of runners left on base. Bank on it!
Rick C
November 29th, 2012
4:32 pm
Mr. P1nk, the Twins have the younger Ben Revere to replace Span, so he is expendable to them.
Amber Girl, well for one Johnson is still a free agent. And they also are looking to re-sign Durbin for the bullpen. There is still some cost uncertainty there.
Rick C
November 29th, 2012
4:35 pm
Well there goes Span to the Nats. And it was for a minor league pitcher with no ML experience.
Carroll
November 29th, 2012
4:35 pm
gNats just got Span for almost nothing. They are a smarter team. Period.
Real Talk
November 29th, 2012
4:37 pm
wow didnt see that coming…Span to the Nats…must be Victorino then or maybe we are sure about Francisco
RetiredSoldier
November 29th, 2012
4:39 pm
Ouch
Mr. P1nk
November 29th, 2012
4:40 pm
,,,Where’s the link for Span being traded to the Nationals? Dont see anything yet.
Real Talk
November 29th, 2012
4:41 pm
http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Twins_reportedly_ship_Denard_Span_to_Nats_for_top_pitching_prospect112912
Mr. P1nk
November 29th, 2012
4:43 pm
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/11/nationals-acquire-denard-span.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Just shows what the Twins thought of Delgado and Teheran…if they were willing to accept Alex Meyer in exchange for Span. Delgado and Teheran are garbage….no other way to put it.
Caseyatthebat
November 29th, 2012
4:44 pm
Real Talk………I’m interested then in how you would regard a contact hitter in comparison to the bomber with a high strike out history. Certainly many home run hitters do not have particularly high averages but I realize their importance. Which kind of team would you favor? A team relying on the home run or one more consistent in contact.
Rick C
November 29th, 2012
4:45 pm
Mr. P1nk, we have no idea if the Braves offered them Delgado or Teheran.
JHarber
November 29th, 2012
4:46 pm
When you snooze you lose.
Chris from the Rock
November 29th, 2012
4:48 pm
Crap! Span to the Twins.
BaseballTopFan(c)
November 29th, 2012
4:48 pm
Signing B.J. Upton is a great move by the Atlanta Braves !!!
Chris from the Rock
November 29th, 2012
4:48 pm
Ooops. Make that “Crap! Span to the Nats.”
Real Talk
November 29th, 2012
4:49 pm
@CaseyatTheBat To me the team I would prefer is a gap hitting doubles team. If we rely on HR’s or if we have punch and judy hitters we will go in longer slumps as a team. I would take 8 Freeman’s or Prado’s and win almost all the time but its hard to find so you have to balance out your lineup as well as you can and also you have to take in defense as well, if I have a great hitting SS but he commits errors evry game mentally and physically then I may look to a different player, what we are looking for is to construct a team that will give us the best chance to win that is why I like Upton because defensively he is solid, can run, and as a 6th hitter in this lineup he can create runs for the Braves! Also we need toget away some from being lefthanded heavy, so being right handed helps.
Curt
November 29th, 2012
4:56 pm
Giancarlo Stanton would be great for the Braves. Lots of power, decent salary and he is pretty much alone in Miami so he would welcome coming to the Braves.
Caseyatthebat
November 29th, 2012
4:56 pm
Real Talk………Something that has always bothered me about the Braves is their recurring prolonged team-wide hitting slumps. Would you attribute this to being home run crazy?
GT Tampa
November 29th, 2012
4:58 pm
Hey JRasor007 or may I call you dimwitt. I batted second and played left field for both my state championship high school team and ACC college team. Who the h*ll are you? My father played college baseball and professional football and also coached a couple of state championship teams. We had 4 seats season tickets right behind the first base dugout from the very first day the Braves came to town (and also the Falcons from day 1). And we kept those seats all the way through the Dale Murphy and Bob Horner eras. My girlfriend is a baseball freak and watches every single Rays game. I promise you, we know BJ Upton better than you do. Have you ever watched a Rays game? Did you miss the time he got yelled at and benched by Coach Maddon for not running out a double play grounder in the 2008 WORLD SERIES?…or the time in June 2010 when Langoria confronted him in the dugout for his half ass effort on a line drive in the gap that almost resulted in a fist fight? That is just the tip of the iceburg. This is who he is. If he’s not going to run out a ground ball in the world series, when exactly do you think he is going to become motivated? ..after he gets a big cushy contract with no performance parameters? ..yeah sure! He’s loafed his way into this giant contract, why should he put out now? My analysis is coming from me, an experienced high level baseball player who has watched 97% of the games BJ has played in since arriving in the majors. The fact that his batting average has been steadily dropping since his first year in the majors doesn’t bother anybody. I stand corrected on my comments about his mediocre arm. Let me rephrase that; he has a strong yet mostly inaccurate arm, which equates to mediocre to me. Also, I’m worried that his slack-ass attitude will damper any opportunity for winning synergy to flourish in the clubhouse. I wouldn’t want him on any team I was playing on. I’m a Braves fan who is hoping I’m wrong, but the facts and my observations from years of watching Upton play say otherwise.
Bud
November 29th, 2012
4:59 pm
Denard Span traded to Nats for one minor league player. What’s the deal Wren, the Nats trade one player for Span, and the Braves don’t trade for him?
BJ Upyour's
November 29th, 2012
5:11 pm
WOW, I never thought anybody would be dumb enough to pay my sorry arse that kind of money. As they say…there’s one born every minute.
Now I can just dream about my money and not even pretend to give a rat’s butt about this stupid sport….SUCKERS !!
Nova Scotia Steve
November 29th, 2012
5:12 pm
We’re going to get Victorino.
Possibly, Wren is making headway with Fowler and moved on from Span. Anyway, this guy from the Twins is no Mother Theresa.
He’s an average ballplayer, that’s about it. There’s lots of them around.
Ken Stallings
November 29th, 2012
5:13 pm
That’s a shock! That minor league pitcher must be a HIGHLY talented young pitcher to go straight up for Span! That would tend to make one think the Nats just left the Bourn sweepstakes. That would leave the Phillies for Bourn?
Zing
November 29th, 2012
5:15 pm
Wow… that’s disappointing. That’s all it took to get Span, and the Braves couldn’t get him?
Nova Scotia Steve
November 29th, 2012
5:16 pm
Could Bourn remain in Atlanta?
Jerry Crasnick@jcrasnick
#Nationals acquire Denard Span and #reds say they’re not interested in Michael Bourn. The market for Bourn has shrunken.
Just an observation
November 29th, 2012
5:18 pm
Nationals are set to rule the NL East for years to come while Frank Wren overpays average players the BIG BUCKS !
The Insider
November 29th, 2012
5:22 pm
While Twins were talking to the Nats about Denard Span, Frank Wren was busy sewing buttons on BJ Upton’s new Braves uniform.
nelson
November 29th, 2012
5:27 pm
here complain about everything. Now signed to upton and nobody likes, they take default to all .. we see that there are many GM’S available haha.
for me, good sign, upton empowers this team.
now we need a gardener or 3rd base, either via exchange. also we will stay with the eternal prospect hanson?
would be better to change and grab a pitcher that helps hudson and Medlen
James Granberry
November 29th, 2012
5:28 pm
Span was traded to Washington. Now on to plan B.
Dum-Bass
November 29th, 2012
5:35 pm
I said yesterday on this blog that now the Braves could proclaim they had the “OOPSY TWINS”, that being “UGGLA AND STRUGGLA”. It has occurred to me today that they could also add Mr. Freeman to the group, and call them ‘UGGLA, STRUGGLA, AND HUGGLA”. Many will know what I mean.
Mr. P1nk
November 29th, 2012
5:38 pm
GT Tampa…damn dude! You hit the hell out of that 4:58pm post of yours! The kool-aid drinkers on here are in total shock! They dont know what hit them (it’s called facts)!
I’ve never seen you post before (I’m not here all the time)..but damn, I am highly impressed.
BJ Upton is a bad signing. Yet many on here are easily impressed…they think that “making a move” means “making a great move” (which it doesnt).
Dude, dont be surprised that after the shock wears off, that the kool-aid drinkers come out in full force against you. They live in a bubble (Bill Maher has a great segment on his HBO show called “Dispatches from the Bubble” that shows how Republicans live in the bubble). They will vilify you and call for you to be banned!
Since you are a true Braves fan….you have my support. Keep posting! If anything, it gets a rise out of the kool-aid drinkers.
Mr. P1nk
November 29th, 2012
5:39 pm
Michael Wilborn advocating for Atlanta Airport workers to all be fired..not because they egged the Saints bus…but because they dont know how to not lose one’s luggage when they travel through the airport.
No Flag Since Lemke
November 29th, 2012
5:43 pm
This is outrageous. While the Braves figure how to pour out 75 mil to a .240 hitter, the team we need to beat, the Nats, pick up the player who was by far the best replacement for Bourn for a frigging Single A pitcher. Nice work Frankie.
Yuuup
November 29th, 2012
5:45 pm
Fowler or Victorino for LF or bust. I prefer Victorino simply because he is a switch hitter. Hope something gets done with that. This would be a nice lineup.
Victorino
Prado
Heyward
Upton
Freeman
McCann
Uggla
Simmons
Now before you all get your panties in a bunch, I only put Upton in the cleanup spot because I figure putting him in the middle of Heyward and Freeman, it would let him see better pitches and give him the opportunity to drive in more runs. We all know Prado and Heyward will get on base, and teams aren’t going to just pitch to Upton knowing Freeman is lurking in the on deck circle. That will let everyone know exactly what Upton is made of. If it doesn’t work out, shuffle the lineup around. I do really like the possibility of getting Victorino, if that happens, I will be a happy camper.
vito
November 29th, 2012
5:50 pm
Nats got Span who now Fowler
dylan
November 29th, 2012
5:55 pm
such a stupid move. now we have to mega contracts given to hitters who can’t hit above 250 and who will give adam dunn a run for his strikeout crown. but its ok, they might get you 30 hrs! so stupid. shouldve traded beachy or a package of delgado, gilmartin, and maholm (if theyd take that) for wil myers, then thrown all the money we couldve at david wright. instead we still have no leadoff hitter, our cfer cant play defense, and we have at least 2 guys, (possibly 4) who will top 100 k’s.
awesome
dylan
November 29th, 2012
5:57 pm
*two mega contracts
Rick C
November 29th, 2012
6:06 pm
dylan, neither of those deals would have gotten Myers. They want a top starter for him. And if they can’t get it from another team, they aren’t going to settle for a guy coming off TJ surgery or a guy with a career 4.26 ERA and two prospects. And David Wright is not a free agent.
oldcrackerfan
November 29th, 2012
6:13 pm
My 1st thought was, “Way too much money, for too long a time, for the wrong kind of player.” After reading some of this, I do see hope, but I still feel as I originally did. We have enough players who can strike out with runners on base. We need people who can put the ball in play consistently. A couple of doubles with two runners in scoring position are just as good as two two-run homers–and much more likely to happen. The one undeniable bright spot is that Upton is right handed. And so much depends on whether or not McCann bounces back. And more than that depends on the starting pitching. With Medlen, Hudson, and Minor leading the way, this could be a very good team. Bat Upton between two left handers. Give Constanza a chance to play every day: we need somebody on base when the boppers come up.
ryan
November 29th, 2012
6:20 pm
Victorino would be good move Upton and Vict would not be to bad you guys getting way to bent out shape with these moves if Braves had done nothing there would have been a huge backlash.
wisher
November 29th, 2012
6:21 pm
phillies on offered 5 55 mil to upton, we could have gotten him for less
wisher
November 29th, 2012
6:22 pm
phillies offered him 5 years 55million correction
Jimiz
November 29th, 2012
6:23 pm
@MR Pink
Its probably a good idea not to talk about politics at a sports blog. Because no matter which side your on whatever you say is going to offend someone.
And right now theres alot of pissed -off people that are concerned about the Braves.
And nobody cares about the airport jeez.
ryan
November 29th, 2012
6:31 pm
Braves finally spending money fans not happy after you guys cried about Atlanta not spending any money geeeeez make up your minds .
Klaus
November 29th, 2012
6:32 pm
No cool aid here. I have watched the Braves and Rays regularly for years (as in since the Rays where created and the Braves in the late 80s).
BJ is not as bad as he is being painted. He has all the tools needed to be a star. It is time for him to put it all together ideally on a more complete club than what Tampa can afford to field.
He needed a change of scenery and new coaching eyeballs. Had the guy been a bust in 4-5 different orgs you would stayed away but that is not the case.
I don’t expect him to hit .300/40HR/120 RBIs (those players cost 20-25mm/yr) but I also don’t think he will hit like a one armed relief pitcher as many people are implying.
Bottom line it is a win win. If he is great the team excels and we have something to root for. If he sucks then Wren, Fredi and the lot will get the boot.
We need one or the other bc the Braves have been in purgatory since 2000.
It is time for Wren to put up or shut up. This is his second go round with payroll breathing room and he needs to do a lot better than the winter of 2008.
If he doesn’t (and we wont know until July 2013) then he is gone along with his manager.
Roli T Mann
November 29th, 2012
6:36 pm
Upton, Upton, Heyward outfield anyone……
Klaus
November 29th, 2012
6:37 pm
Victorino’s bat speed has declined way too much to take a chance on him plus he is not the slugger you need in LF.
The Braves are going you and athletic so think of guys in their 20s with more pop who hit RH.
I think Wren is going to make a major push to get Justin or Myers (with Gordon as plan B).
PS – Until the Braves actually win something of consequence they will have to over pay FA in years and or money/year.
dylan
November 29th, 2012
6:39 pm
Rick c yes, i forgot that wright isnt a FA until next year, my bad. id still try and trade for him though. the braves have an extreme overabundance of SP, of which the mets and royals have 0. id be willing to give up Mac, beachy, and ahmed for wright. theyd get an upgrade at catcher, the ss of the future theyve been craving, and even coming off TJ, beachy would be better than any but dickey on that staff.
heck if theyd throw in zach wheeler, id give them delgado or meijia as well.
as for the kc trade, maholm is in no way the clincher for that deal. i simply threw him in because as bad as he is for us, hed still be their 2 or 3 guy and hes already at the major league level, while theyd get 2 nearly ready top prospects.
but id deal for alex gordon if they didnt want to give up myers
Darkcow
November 29th, 2012
6:41 pm
What a terrible signing. Uggla 2.0 no matter what anyone says. He’s not going to miraculously become a great player just bc he switched leagues. Wren must get h@rd watching home runs or something bc that seems to be all he cares about acquiring. LOW OBP, HIGH Ks are NOT the formula for success. ESPECIALLY in the playoffs. Ugh.
Jimiz
November 29th, 2012
6:42 pm
Washington got Span? WTF.. Is going on. The Braves overpayed B.J by 15 million and then can’t make a trade for Span.
Liberty media please fire Frank Wren give Bobby Cox what ever he wants and let him by GM until we can find someone else.
Roli T Mann
November 29th, 2012
6:42 pm
Prado
BJ Upton
Justin Upton
Heyward
Freddie
Mcann
Uggla
Pastonicky…. thoughts…..
Roli T Mann
November 29th, 2012
6:42 pm
Prado
BJ Upton
Justin Upton
Heyward
Freddie
Mcann
Uggla
Pastonicky…. thoughts…..
Rick C
November 29th, 2012
6:44 pm
That doesn’t make any sense for the Mets either. You can’t just take a couple injured players and an untested prospect and get guys like David Wright in return. It doesn’t work that way dude.
Prado4President
November 29th, 2012
6:45 pm
If I’m Frank Wren, I’m cautiously optimistic about this move. It could be great! It could be a big bust…I’m hoping Bossman leads our team to many wins for years to come! With this being said, I like pretending I’m Wren. Here’s who I’d go after now that Span is out. Who would you pursue?
Braves Top Targets 2013
1. Left Field Options in my opinion.
a. Justin Upton
i. Superstar Talent. Have to put him first if possible to get him without draining farm system.
b. Dexter Fowler
c. Shin Choo-Choo
d. Brett Gardner
e. Alex Gordon
f. Angel Pagan
g. Shane Victorino
h. Gerardo Parra
i. Peter Bourjos (Probably not available because of trades now.)
j. Ben Revere (Same)
i. Possible Lead-Off Candidates above.
k. David Murphy
i. Great Platoon guy, and not terrible against lefties. (He may need to move down a bit on my list.)
l. Craig Gentry
m. Lorenzo Cain
n. Eric Young Jr.
i. Plan B leadoff candidates above.
o. Nelson Cruz- If we can’t get a leadoff guy, his power would look good in our lineup.
p. Cody Ross or Jonny Gomes in platoon roles against lefties?
q. Ryan Ludwick-I hope we don’t get this far down the list.
Darkcow
November 29th, 2012
6:46 pm
I wish I wasn’t such a die hard fan bc I would really like to take a few years off of watching baseball. Besides our young core and Prado I’m really not liking the direction this organization is going. I understand we won 94 games, but the more ridiculous trades and signings Wren makes are obviously not helping. This year will start a downward trend and the team will be blown up by 2015. And PLEASE don’t get me started on our bozo manager. This blows.
Darkcow
November 29th, 2012
6:50 pm
WOW WREN!! Way to drop the ball!!
Overpay for a guy who might lead the team in K’s (which is saying something) AND letting Span get away!! REALLY??!! Span for a guy who hasn’t pitched out of A-ball? We couldn’t match that??
J Spencer
November 29th, 2012
6:51 pm
This is a win win for the fans if B.J. works on the BA and OBA and improves using his vast potential Wren will look like a winner if B.J. truly blows it then the fans win again because Wren is AMF and the fans get are all the better, so its a game of a good B. J. or AMF Mr. Wren
Darkcow
November 29th, 2012
6:53 pm
And why not go after Morse? I realize it’s not easy dealing within the division, but it might be worth it for that kind of power in LF. And adds another RH bat.
1. Simmons
2. Prado
3. Heyward
4. Morse
5. Freeman
6. Upton
7. Mac
8. Ugh-la
Rick C
November 29th, 2012
6:56 pm
I’d love to have Morse but I’m sure the Nats would demand a lot. His contract is very affordable but there’s only a year left. I think they will probably keep him though and end up passing on LaRoche.
No Flag Since Lemke
November 29th, 2012
6:57 pm
The Upton/Span fiasco may be the one Frankie pays for.
Darkcow
November 29th, 2012
6:58 pm
What’s Brett Gardner’s status these days?
Sad, sad Braves fan
November 29th, 2012
7:00 pm
@Darkcow, it’s a depressing direction. I’ve said it a few times since the Upton news yesterday, and now, to see the Nationals, a far superior organization these days, just got Span for a good pitching prospect… So, we now know the Twins would rather dip into the Nats farm system than the Braves, because otherwise, surely to God the front office would not have ponied up this amount for 20 HR. Because 20 HR comes cheap. Speed doesn’t cost $75 million, as the Nationals just proved. A bad, bad baseball decision. As a DC resident, I’ve straddled the line between Nats and Braves for years. As Darkcow says, I’m ready to take some years off, at least from watching the Braves.
And come on @PradoforPresident. “I’m hoping Bossman leads our team for many many years.” Are you older than 12? Have you watched any baseball outside of Atlanta? Followed any other teams? BJ Upton is not going to lead any team. He was not worth the $7 million he got last year in the AL East where he couldn’t get on base 3 out of every 10 at bats in a division where Hiroki Kuroda was the second best pitcher (not counting his own team of course).
The Span signing made bad news even worse. The Nationals are what the Braves were 20 years ago. A smart organization making sound baseball investments.
wisher
November 29th, 2012
7:03 pm
constanza could hit 245 lets give him 10 mil a year a little less than upton because he has less power, but has speed
beachcomber
November 29th, 2012
7:06 pm
Deeply disappointed. Denard Span seemed by all measures (performance, cost, age etc.) the best fit for the Braves in CF. And now to have him go to a division rival while we have severely strapped ourselves financially – ouch.
Rick C
November 29th, 2012
7:06 pm
Was Jayson Werth at $126MM over 7 years a “sound baseball investment”? What about Ryan Zimmerman at $100MM over 6 years with a full no trade clause?
No. 1 Braves Fan
November 29th, 2012
7:18 pm
Darkcow: What qualifies Fredi as a bozo?
Peter
November 29th, 2012
7:24 pm
Well the Braves and Wren got out foxed yet again………Span was a much better choice, and the nationals got him, and we took a huge salary hit for a .240 life time hitter.
A career .284 hitter with 90 steals and a .357 on-base percentage during five seasons with the Twins, Span comes to the Nationals with a set of talents the team has been seeking since it moved to Washington in 2005.
FIRE WREN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peter
November 29th, 2012
7:27 pm
phillies offered him 5 years 55million correction
YUP the Braves over paid for him,. Uggla, and whom else …….during the WREN implosion ?
Peter
November 29th, 2012
7:29 pm
Wren put all his Eggs in one basket for Upton, and the Golden Egg got away to the nationals !
Peter
November 29th, 2012
7:30 pm
The Span signing made bad news even worse. The Nationals are what the Braves were 20 years ago. A smart organization making sound baseball investments.
WOW. who could have said this better ????????