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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
852 comments Add your comment
Sad, sad Braves fan
November 29th, 2012
7:31 pm
@RickC, yes, the Werth signing was a sound baseball investment, because the Nationals knew what they were getting and how much they were overpaying. You have to remember, thanks to Jim Bowden DC had been fielding an OF featuring Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes. Livan Hernandez was the staff “ace.” The organization was a joke. It was not a destination. It was the Braves of the late ’80s. Unfortunately, the Nats also were rebuilding their farm system, which was still a few years away from relevance. Werth was a good player overpaid to send a message. Most Nats fans knew that, and accepted it. The Tigers had to do the same thing with Pudge Rodriguez.
The Nationals will regret the last few years of that contract, but they wouldn’t (and wouldn’t have to) make the same move today. That’s why they’ve not donated fat contracts to overpriced free agents since then. The offered Teixeira a gazillion years ago, and thank God he turned them down. Again, they were desperate then. They’re not now.
BartBuzz
November 29th, 2012
7:39 pm
His numbers are that impressive. But I’m just a fan. Wren has to answer for what happens on the field in 2013.
Hope this move works out better than Lowe, Kawakami and Uggla.
Sad, sad Braves fan
November 29th, 2012
7:41 pm
A few last thought, because @RickC does have a very good point about the size of that Werth contract, and it being a bad contract, which I agree with. I think it’s a terrible contract, but there’s a difference in bad contracts and bad decisions, I believe. They had to give a bad contract, but for the fabric of that team at the time, it was a very good decision. The DC front office knows, and has stated through local media, that the last couple years will be a write off.
But the bigger point is the reservoir of resources here. The Nats are a rich team. The owners are loaded and will spend when convinced it’s the right move. The TV contract is being reworked, and will give DC a huge boost, soon. Not as big as LAD, but big. Atlanta has NEITHER of these advantages. No deep pockets, and a bad TV contract for a long, long time. Simply put, the Braves cannot afford to make a mistake; the Nationals can.
I do like the commenters, though, who are saying it’s a win-win; either Upton excels and proves those of us who think otherwise wrong, or it’s the nail in the coffin for this front office. Sadly, as long as Liberty Media owns the team, I don’t think the problems will go whenever Frank Wren goes.
Jimiz
November 29th, 2012
7:44 pm
Jason Werth and Ryan Zimmerman are both high quality players. I think both deals were for to much but atleast you know what you will get from them two. B.J was signed for his potential and what he may do for us. He will face a tougher class of pitchers in the NL east.
My question is how will he do against pitchers like Strasburg, Roy h. Cliff lee, Santana, RA Dickey, Hamels, Gio G. ect all these guys are in our division. I project B.J Uptons strike outs will rise to about 200 next year.
Seattle Braves
November 29th, 2012
7:45 pm
Trade um bop (Hanson), with ahmed and delgardo for Big brother J upton.
Having both Uptons and Heyward. WOW, People.
Best Outfield in MLB…
Lineup
1. Prado
2. BJ Upton
3. Heyward
4. J Upton
5. Freeman
6. Uggla
7. McCann
8. Simmons
9. Pitcher
That would be sick.
Make it happen FW.
urban redneck
November 29th, 2012
8:00 pm
it’s done. let’s go back to griping about the need for instant replay or mandatory bifocals for all umpires. go bravos.
Pippa'sRoundMeatyBackside
November 29th, 2012
8:02 pm
Could someone please post the WHIPs,WARs OBPs, OBSs for the last 20 years and coorelate the data to determine if a 5-year snapshot is a valid sample to conclude that BJ strikes out too much. Thanks for you assistance.
Tommy Boggs
November 29th, 2012
8:08 pm
Span was the leadoff man we needed to replace Bourn and Play CF. Leave Prado in LF, sign either Youkolis or Keppinger to Platoon with Francisco at 3rd. Take the balance of cash and spend it like a mid-market team should; strong bench and reward the players that have produced for you.
This .250 hitter will take away the money that Prado deserves.
Wren better pull a big rabbit out of his Ars to salvage this winter.
Mark
November 29th, 2012
8:10 pm
Just wondering if most were still mad and complaining!
I’m gonna wait at this point, let him K a few times with runners on and then start pointing out the reasons this was a bad signing.
Once more, I’ll go on record and say I hope I’m wrong but I don’t think I’ll have to eat that crow.
Rick C
November 29th, 2012
8:13 pm
“Jason Werth and Ryan Zimmerman are both high quality players. I think both deals were for to much but atleast you know what you will get from them two.”
You might want to look at the numbers Werth put up in his first year with the Nats.
Mark
November 29th, 2012
8:16 pm
Need tech help
Someone is posting as Mark that isn’t me. Do I have to change names?
Tommy Boggs
November 29th, 2012
8:17 pm
This team cannot afford to miss on a 15 millon a year contract.
BJ is a .250 hitter. The Yanks, Sox, Phills or LA can screw up a deal like this and still recover, Braves don’t have the $ to do that.
Wren way overpaid for this guy.
Mark
November 29th, 2012
8:18 pm
I thought and still think Werth as a bad sign for Nats. Too much cash for a guy that makes a lot of unproductive outs. Glad the Nats have him. When he was out hurt this year the Nats did fine.
Amber Girl
November 29th, 2012
8:29 pm
Ok guys I am just wondering who you really want. We could get hamilton, W could trade for whoever that is a “star’ Get them very cheap and win the WS. You guys would still complain. Come on guys, give them a chance GO BRAVES!!!
sburk
November 29th, 2012
8:33 pm
WOW!!!! 72.25 million for a player that strikes out 150 times a year. FRANK buy a copy of Moneyball and go for OBP and not KS.
Tommy Boggs
November 29th, 2012
8:35 pm
WTF about the Nats and Jayson Werth? They finished in 1st place last year and will be the favorite to repeat this season. They just traded for Span and gave up next to nothing to get him. We spent 15 millon a year on a 250 hitter.
Tommy Boggs
November 29th, 2012
8:37 pm
I really want Amber Girl and a do over on Upton.
How Denard Span to the Washington Nationals Impacts the NL | :: Sparxxrx LLC ::
November 29th, 2012
8:37 pm
[...] to the Nationals is something of a blow to the Braves. Atlanta still needs a left fielder and was reportedly looking at Span to fill that position and give its lineup a leadoff hitter. The Braves may now turn toward [...]
Mark
November 29th, 2012
8:41 pm
There are a few on here that for some reason don’t mind strikeouts but the fact is we K’d way too much last year and now we are going to do it more next year. Sure Bourn K’d a lot, way to much costing him the chance to be a much better leadoff hitter. However, Upton will K more than Bourn next year.
Amber Girl
November 29th, 2012
8:48 pm
Tommy Boggs You wouldn’t know what to do if you had me. Even if you did you couldn’t handle me. So why don’t you worry how you can root for the Braves and nothing else GO BRAVES!!!
Amber Girl
November 29th, 2012
8:48 pm
Tommy Boggs You wouldn’t know what to do if you had me. Even if you did you couldn’t handle me. So why don’t you worry how you can root for the Braves and nothing else GO BRAVES!!!
Rick C
November 29th, 2012
8:57 pm
“WTF about the Nats and Jayson Werth? They finished in 1st place last year and will be the favorite to repeat this season.”
That doesn’t change the fact that it’s a bad contract. He had a terrible first year with the Nats, and although he played well this year, he was on the DL for half the season. I think the Zimmerman contract extension will also be hindering them within the next couple years. He’s had health issues as well and his extension included a full no trade clause.
Mark
November 29th, 2012
8:57 pm
Span to Nats but – Would you rather face a Nats lineup with Span or LaRoache in it? I’d pick Span. Now if they sign LaRoache too, they’ll lose Moarse but that still wont be so good for the Braves.
Golden Sombreros
November 29th, 2012
8:58 pm
Hahah Burn! Go Amber and Go Bravos!
Darkcow
November 29th, 2012
9:22 pm
I’m not a big fan of this signing, but if Wren can get Dexter to lead off and play LF that would obviously help the top of the order, and solidify our D even more. We need more guys like Dex that make contact rather than these big K/”power” guys. Power doesn’t play well in the postseason.
Darkcow
November 29th, 2012
9:27 pm
Oh, and SPPOOOOOOOONNNN!!!!!!
Darkcow
November 29th, 2012
9:27 pm
Oh, and SPPOOOOOOOONNNN!!!!!!
Fantasy Baseball Blog at beondeck.com | Fantasy Baseball Advice
November 29th, 2012
9:31 pm
[...] Upton and the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a five-year deal worth $75.25 million. This is the most expensive contract in Braves history. And, at 28 years old, Upton was the [...]
Darkcow
November 29th, 2012
9:42 pm
If the Phils highest offer was $55 mil, why the hell did we go $20 mil higher? I understand Wren didn’t want to drag on negotiations for too long and risk losing out on him (which I wish he did), but I think he tipped his hand a little early.
Kujohn
November 29th, 2012
10:03 pm
Great move too get Upton.
More great news span is with the Nats He is very average That would explain why they got him so cheap 1 prospect
Now lets go after. One of these guys. Will Myers. Justin Upton. Dexter fowler josh willingham Cody Ross maybe pagon if he does not want to much
No no no victorino
Kujohn
November 29th, 2012
10:10 pm
Justin was at BJs press conference Wonder if he an wren had a conversation Wren is no dummy
The Upton bros add J Hey = more ticket sales
Kujohn
November 29th, 2012
10:21 pm
Their is a reason span was traded for a signal A prospect
Pradoforpresident Don’t forget about Will Myers One of the top prospects and he is available
We have the pitching too trade
VABuzz
November 29th, 2012
11:29 pm
I like Upton for less money than Bourn. Great move, welcome to the Braves, home of some of the most negative fans in sports. Good move Wren, find another 28 year old who can play LF and back up at 3rd and the team will be set.
the truth...
November 29th, 2012
11:33 pm
The Span deal………..maybe the pitcher the Twins got in the deal ….Meyer….has a huge, huge upside?
*The Twins continue rebuilding. Meyer was a first-round pick out of the University of Kentucky in 2011 and posted an impressive line for his first season of pro ball this past season: a 2.86 ERA with 9.7 K/9 and 3.1 K/BB ratios over 129 innings split between Class A and High A ball. The 6-foot-9 righthander throws in the upper 90s with a great slider and projects as a top of the rotation starter. With Ben Revere ready to patrol centerfield, it made sense for Minnesota to part with Span as part of its rebuilding.
Prado4President
November 29th, 2012
11:51 pm
@Sad, Sad Braves Fan, Not sure why you think I’m an idiot for hoping BJ leads us to wins in the next few years. Obviously, an entire front office hoped the same thing when giving him 75 mil. I suppose it’s foolish of me to think the same thing that men who do this for a living thought instead of agreeing with you as you type this in your mother’s basement. Who do you hope we get with the $ we’ve got left?
Atlanta Braves Links of the Day For November 30, 2012 | Atlanta Braves Dugout Online | Atlanta Braves Blog
November 30th, 2012
10:48 am
[...] Braves sign Upton to 5-year, $75 million deal [...]
J Spencer
November 30th, 2012
10:56 am
Preseason score: Washington Span + $75 million vs Braves (Wren) a BJ for $75 million, this deal sucks the big one. How could we miss out on a Span for one minor league pitcher and instead Wren gets a BJ for $75 million apparently without bidding anything for Span? Wren wake up we could have at least gotten them both and played Span in Center and you could have had your BJ in left field with ten million left over to meet contingency needs. Why were you focused so hard on getting a BJ that you missed out on an easy Span?
Sigh
November 30th, 2012
12:33 pm
BJ Upton would be fine at a lower cost…$15 Million/year for someone with a sub .300 OBP…(sigh). We just got another Uggla…
Yella Britches
November 30th, 2012
1:23 pm
Who doesn’t enjoy a good B.J. ????????
bwell
November 30th, 2012
1:23 pm
David,
Did our Braves trade away Tommy Hanson!!!!!!!! say its not so!!!!!!! are they crazy
Braves Fan Since 1966
November 30th, 2012
3:12 pm
Just too many $$$ paid for what you’re going to get from Upton. I had hoped Philly would pay up and get him as a help to the Braves. Also, now seeing what Upton is getting paid our young right fielder would be justified in slacking up or getting lazy. A 3 year deal for Upton for less money may have been alright, but now if he flops you’re stuck with another Dan Uggla type slacker for 5 years. The money to keep some other younger players happy would seem to be gone now too. This deal could turn sour and look bad pdq. Only thing for sure is the price for a Braves ticket has to go up very soon, and another one-and-done playoff season isn’t out of the
question even with all these $$$ being thrown around.
jbill
November 30th, 2012
8:50 pm
Braves just get David Carpenter off Waivers from Red Sox.
ncgary
December 1st, 2012
12:44 am
well mark , in a nutshell does one o=iota matter what we think, why sure it does. we pay that 15 miliion contract or tv does, but alot of money to hope someone performsand entertains, i want competition and wins, and id rather seen different personnel
ncgary
December 1st, 2012
12:54 am
but in all fairness go braves take the faslcns with ya to lake norman
ncgary
December 1st, 2012
1:00 am
i keeeled the blog ooooks i did it again
ncgary
December 1st, 2012
1:08 am
havent had a chance to read much of the blog. hows nolie////????
probably as disappointed as most of the rest of us, but life goes on.
go braves
lets avoid the alltime ko record
ncgary
December 1st, 2012
1:12 am
somewhere here somewhere alone
life is a keyoard on a lonely train home
cant be good when ya dowm on the turf
with more women lined up than old st nick
time may have caught you
time may yet win
but it cant chance that
you rule the roost
nite all
ncgary
December 1st, 2012
1:14 am
question
how many hens cAn a good rooster keep
before a tandem breaks out for the coup
answer as many as he wants too
DMac
December 1st, 2012
9:59 am
Let me get this straight; the Braves are paying $15 million per year to a guy who only hits around .250? And fans wonder why this franchise is in decline. Fans should demand that Frank Wren resign immediately, and boycott the team until he does so. No, let’s get to the heart of the matter. What is really needed is a boycott of the team until it has a real owner, and not a corporation that cares nothing about baseball.
Posts about The Braves From Other Great Blogs issue #1 | Atlanta Braves Dugout Online | Atlanta Braves Blog
December 1st, 2012
12:26 pm
[...] the focus on landing an outfielder who can fill the leadoff spot of their lineup. more… Braves, Upton agree to 5-year, $75 million deal – blogs.ajc.com 11/28/2012 The Braves made baseball’s first big offseason move when they [...]
Posts about The Braves From Other Great Blogs issue #1 | Atlanta Braves Dugout Online | Atlanta Braves Blog
December 1st, 2012
12:26 pm
[...] the focus on landing an outfielder who can fill the leadoff spot of their lineup. more… Braves, Upton agree to 5-year, $75 million deal – blogs.ajc.com 11/28/2012 The Braves made baseball’s first big offseason move when they [...]
Cuban
December 3rd, 2012
9:04 am
The braves are very solid all around we have the deepest rotation in all of baseball even with hanson a jj gone. We just improved or bullpen got a underappreciated player. We will likely trade for another OF Justin Upton would be great. I also think will myers would be intruiging it would cost less maybe teahren for myers.