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824 comments Add your comment
Donley C
November 30th, 2012
1:57 pm
Great move by the Braves. Hanson never lived up to his potential or hype. Added a power arm to the bullpen. The Braves and Frank Wren definitely have a plan in mind for a leftfielder. No third baseman available that costs the amount of money we have available to spend.Could extensions for Prado and Heyward also be planned as well? Go Braves!!!!!
ATL Insider
November 30th, 2012
1:58 pm
Let’s keep one thing in mind, DOB had a quote from Wren that was something to the effect of wanting to get younger and more athletic. Signing Hamilton, Swisher or Victorino would not fit this. I think Wren has a deal worked out, or is very close, for a young 3B or LF that maybe we haven’t even thought about. Could be J. Upton, but could be someone else. Either way, when Wren gets rolling, he really rolls!!!!!!
Zane Smith's Teeth
November 30th, 2012
1:58 pm
Maybe we have enough cash to sign some more Brave’s girls now…
Puma
November 30th, 2012
1:58 pm
To all the Tommy bashers – in fairness to him, he was pretty darn good his first two years prior to injury. He also altered his delivery last off season, so it would not surprise me to see him turn things around a little bit and be a serviceable starter, albeit not a top of the rotation guy.
With that said, I could not stand watching him pitch last year. The slowest freakin’ delivery of all time, killed me.
Deep Breath and Reload
November 30th, 2012
1:58 pm
I like the move MUCH BETTER than signing Upton to an over-valued contract for 5 years.
Wren- Upton signing = bad
Wren- Hanson trade = good
Kujohn
November 30th, 2012
1:58 pm
No victorino. Delgado terhan Ahmed for Juston Upton. Upton bros. an J Hey. Will sell tickets
Sad, sad Braves fan
November 30th, 2012
1:58 pm
After the two bad days of news, $75 million for under-.300 OBP Upton followed by the Nationals stealing Denard Span at a fraction of the cost but with almost the exact same +4 win potential, I’m not so sad, sad today. This finally looks like a smart baseball move, since Hanson was more of an albatross than a help last year. (The thought of his meat balls floating through the air when the Angels play in Texas must make every Ranger giddy.) A happy day at last this week!
BravesFanInNashville
November 30th, 2012
1:58 pm
Maybe the Braves are thinking about a 3 team trade where the 3rd team trades the SS the D-Backs want and the Braves trade two pitchers one to the 3rd team and one to the D-Backs along with the SS and the Braves get Justin Upton.
adam
November 30th, 2012
1:59 pm
Bowman and DOB have both said it over and over again there is no chance we trade Simmons. Simmons is going to be a special player.
Bravothusiast
November 30th, 2012
1:59 pm
FW is not going to trade Simmons.
kerryb
November 30th, 2012
1:59 pm
Toy Roy, The Braves have said they will not consider trading Simmons. He is off limits.
matty b
November 30th, 2012
1:59 pm
yeah but tex was worth the package upton wouldn’t be and he s overpaid
Peter
November 30th, 2012
1:59 pm
I have been a Wren hater…….but this is a good move !
jimmy
November 30th, 2012
2:00 pm
If Braves traded Uggla, replaced him with Ahmed and made him the leadoff hitter there would be enough money for Hamilton and they get to keep the pitchers. Don’t forget another 12 million comes off at the end of the year from McCann. Long shot maybe but there were persistent rumors of The Braves being interested in Hamilton and they knew from day one it would cost 20-22 million a year to get him.
ATL Insider
November 30th, 2012
2:00 pm
Something else to consider along those same lines….McCann will not be back next year and may even get traded before the deadline if he comes back healthy and performs well. That is why they went two years with Laird, to help bridge the gap between McCann and Betancourt. McCann’s $12 mil this year will come off the books next year.
Coach D
November 30th, 2012
2:00 pm
Giancarlo, Giancarlo, GIANCARLO!!!! Get it done, Wren!?!?!?!!!! lol
matty b
November 30th, 2012
2:02 pm
and i agree simmons is really good and will be for the next 10 15 yrs and we need a lead off hitter and upton wouldn t fill that simmons could
matty b
November 30th, 2012
2:02 pm
and i agree simmons is really good and will be for the next 10 15 yrs and we need a lead off hitter and upton wouldn t fill that simmons could
BravesFan
November 30th, 2012
2:02 pm
Don’t care for the Upton move but this move is a good one and may be a great one depending on how Wren uses the money
Deep Breath and Reload
November 30th, 2012
2:02 pm
Just for the record, didn’t like Upton signing BUT didn’t want to sign Bourn, Hamilton or any other long term-hamstringing contract.
Joshua Stewart
November 30th, 2012
2:03 pm
Hey guys how about a 3 team trade between Colorado,Atl and Arizona. Braves add J Upton,Dbacks acquire Tulo and Colorado acquires pitching
ATLDUDE
November 30th, 2012
2:03 pm
Decent trade. Hanson arm problems and the fact that we have Delgado and Teheran in the minors makes me feel decent about it. It is a little hard to stomach giving up a guy who has the stuff to be a solid #2 starter on most any team for a middle reliever.
Harry Callahan
November 30th, 2012
2:03 pm
Hansen was…well…not so good. Great trade.
JoeBravesFan
November 30th, 2012
2:03 pm
This is a good move, because it frees up salary to pursue a good leadoff hitter/Left Fielder. It also bolsters our bullpen, which is already really good. Moylan is on his way out and Venters all but disappeared last season, so we got a bit of a salary dump and a replacement for Moylan. Can’t wait to see what Wren does with the extra money!
Kujohn
November 30th, 2012
2:04 pm
Other great options. Will Myers top prospect and said to be avail
Dexter fowler. 5 tool potential
Or trade no prospects an sign
Swisher
Cody Ross
Angel pagon.
jimmy
November 30th, 2012
2:06 pm
Again I say for Pagan and Victorino the Braves already had enough money left to sign them…
matty b
November 30th, 2012
2:06 pm
i agree with reload on this no josh no bourn i ll take willingham or pagan
Brown
November 30th, 2012
2:06 pm
Good chance Walden is not just for clearing cap space, but also a trade component for a team looking for a potential closer.
I feel like a trade or FA signing is eminent this weekend at the GM meetings. Not going to get my hopes up about the Other Upton, but that would be phenomenal. I think we have enough pieces to trade – maybe something like Walden-Teheran-Ahmed would entice an Upton trade?
Sad Sack
November 30th, 2012
2:06 pm
Too bad he went to the AL. Braves won’t get a chance to steal multiple bases per game against him
Tim
November 30th, 2012
2:08 pm
It’s either Upton trade with Diamondbacks or deal for Angel Pagan. That is what I think.
If it is Justin Upton that we get, slide either Simmons or Prado into the lead-off spot and both will do a great job for us.
Imagine this line-up:
1. Simmons – SS
2. Prado – 3B
3. Heyward – RF
4. B.J. Upton – CF
5. Freeman – 1B
6. J. Upton – LF (Pagan if not Justin Upton)
7. Uggla -2B
8. Laird – C (McCann when he is healed)
9. Pitcher
JoeBravesFan
November 30th, 2012
2:08 pm
Coach D, the Marlins are looking to build around Giancarlo Stanton…he ain’t going anywhere, unless they get absolutely blown away.
Tim
November 30th, 2012
2:08 pm
It’s either Upton trade with Diamondbacks or deal for Angel Pagan. That is what I think.
If it is Justin Upton that we get, slide either Simmons or Prado into the lead-off spot and both will do a great job for us.
Imagine this line-up:
1. Simmons – SS
2. Prado – 3B
3. Heyward – RF
4. B.J. Upton – CF
5. Freeman – 1B
6. J. Upton – LF (Pagan if not Justin Upton)
7. Uggla -2B
8. Laird – C (McCann when he is healed)
9. Pitcher
cornjolio
November 30th, 2012
2:08 pm
Trade UGGLA next !
English Bill
November 30th, 2012
2:08 pm
Ye ol Braves fans shalt not thinkest of thy GM in thast way. Lo, he hast thy knowledge of grandeur. Fall down and bow to ye master. Henceforth thy GM shall seek new ruins to pillage hastily ye ? Let thy souls not be troubled unjustly. Thy LF shall be found and made King of LF.
bwell
November 30th, 2012
2:10 pm
David,
So is TH the worst pitcher of the starting five? Who is the Walden guy report say he had a bad back. Is this a equal swap.
bwell
November 30th, 2012
2:10 pm
David,
So is TH the worst pitcher of the starting five? Who is the Walden guy report say he had a bad back. Is this a equal swap.
Zing
November 30th, 2012
2:10 pm
Good trade. Tommy was a very good player for a couple of years, but with his shoulder going out and the resulting velocity drop, he was expendable and is going to start getting very expensive (if he doesn’t completely crap out).
Robert
November 30th, 2012
2:10 pm
We got a good power arm. We gave up a third starter whose inside numbers were trending in the wrong direction. I say it was a good move
perry
November 30th, 2012
2:10 pm
honestly, this makes no sense whatsoever
perry
November 30th, 2012
2:10 pm
honestly, this makes no sense whatsoever
Heisenberg
November 30th, 2012
2:12 pm
Good trade. I would have been in favor of a non-tender as opposed to whatever he would have gotten in arbitration.
Speaking of trades…was surprised all it took was an A-ball pitcher to get Denard Span from Twins but that is what Nats gave up. Nats are still interested in signing LaRoche and if they do Morse is odd man out. He would look good playing LF for Braves.
KC
November 30th, 2012
2:12 pm
Any chance this $4 Million can go towards resigning Bourne?
Deep Breath and Reload
November 30th, 2012
2:12 pm
Rightly or wrongly, both Upton’s have the rep of potentially being “difficult.”
How much sense would it make to have both of them on one team? If one of them is being a problem, it’s going to effect the other one as well. If one is unhappy, both will be unhappy.
Wanting both on one team is pretty dumb.
vtjr93
November 30th, 2012
2:12 pm
“Why did they not make the deal w/ the Twins? They could have traded Hanson to the Twins for CF/leadoff hitter Span and slide Upton over to RF. Instead the Nationals now have Span.”
DRC – doubt Twins would have made that deal. They got a top prospect who’s younger and doesn’t have Hanson’s injury history.
Solid move by Wren. Hanson was expendable + frees up $, and Walden’s an upgrade over Durbin.
Puma
November 30th, 2012
2:12 pm
Hanson is no longer a top of rotation starter ATLDUDE. I can see him making a living as a bottom of the rotation guy for a while, but that’s probably it.
ChillyMutt
November 30th, 2012
2:13 pm
DOB – are we getting another Upton?
Horthy Lowe
November 30th, 2012
2:13 pm
Say no to Victorino. He’s a .240 hitter in decline. Can’t sign a Pagan since we have a PASTORnicky.
Ryan
November 30th, 2012
2:13 pm
Me thinks there is another big move coming…
Bravothusiast
November 30th, 2012
2:14 pm
“Again I say for Pagan and Victorino the Braves already had enough money left to sign them…”
True, but now they have enough money to resign Reid Johnson in addition to either of those.
KC
November 30th, 2012
2:14 pm
Love the move. Old women could steal on Hanson. He turned singles and walks into doubles all the time. Brilliant! My only question is what were the Angels thinking?
Heisenberg
November 30th, 2012
2:14 pm
are we getting another Upton?
Kate?
Jezzibell Jackson
November 30th, 2012
2:17 pm
I so glads Brave sined Boss Man Upton. He be cute an I will by ticket too sea him play with himself & Braves.
Sam The Swami
November 30th, 2012
2:17 pm
WOW, I’m surprised by the people who think this is a “great move”. We traded away a proven #3 starter for a #3 or #4 reliever. I know we need financial flexibility but I have to believe there was a bigger market for a guy like Hanson.
Why not package Hanson and Delgado for Span? I guess this signals we’re not trading any more and are just targeting free agents who won’t require anything in return (except draft pick compensation).
This one puzzles me a bit. GO BRAVES!
Heisenberg
November 30th, 2012
2:18 pm
what were the Angels thinking?
Considering they have unloaded 1 expensive starter to KC and will probably soon unload Haren as well in order to create salary space for Grienke, they need middle to back of the rotation pitching. And Tommy Boy fits that profile.
Bud
November 30th, 2012
2:18 pm
Doubt they will go for the other Upton now, would cost too much. Can afford to trade only one more starter at the most. They will probably for another free agent.
JoeBrave
November 30th, 2012
2:18 pm
Thank Heavens, Now I don’t have to listen to Joe Simpleton rave about Hanson(OOM BOP) anymore!
No get rid of the 3 remaining scrubs(Pastorskanky, Cantstandya, and Uggly)
Real Talk
November 30th, 2012
2:18 pm
Very Good Trade and we know something else is coming:}
KC
November 30th, 2012
2:19 pm
Maybe the Angels thought Wren said Hudson, not Hanson. Hopefully they get this deal done before the Angels realize what they’ve done. lol!
Paddy
November 30th, 2012
2:19 pm
DRC…….Span was never going to be a Brave. Very little interest in him.
The Hanson move is a good one. Once a guy was on first w/ Tommy, you might as well send him to second base. Ernie Lombardi could have stolen a base on him.
Yuuup
November 30th, 2012
2:21 pm
Awesome. I have never liked Hanson or that pitching delivery that anyone could steal bases off of. Now we have enough money to sign Victorino, or trade for a Fowler, Gordon, or different LF’er. Have always thought he was overrated, and very happy to see him gone.
jmart1951
November 30th, 2012
2:21 pm
I believe that this is a good trade also. Hanson has lost velosity and has arm and shoulder issues. Walden had bicep issues last year. Assuming he has recovered this gives the Braves a reliever with high velocity and lower cost.
It probably means that Durbin has gotten too expensive to sign. Walden will be taking Durbin’s spot.
Puma
November 30th, 2012
2:21 pm
Hanson was not a #3 anymore and more than likely would have been beaten out next year by Delgado or Teheran.
JoeBrave
November 30th, 2012
2:21 pm
Hanson >>> Proven #3 starter? the only damn thing he ever proved was that baserunners had his number and they had it on speed dial! Hanson was a JOKE!
Alex
November 30th, 2012
2:23 pm
WOW, I’m surprised by the people who think this is a “great move”. We traded away a proven #3 starter for a #3 or #4 reliever. I know we need financial flexibility but I have to believe there was a bigger market for a guy like Hanson.
—————————————
Hanson’s trade value is virtually nothing. To get rid of his $4 million AND get a solid reliever in return is pretty darn good. And his days of being a #3 starter are looooooong gone.
Soothsayer Extreme
November 30th, 2012
2:23 pm
A sloth with a broken leg could steal 2b on Tommy Hanson.
what you eat for breakfast?
November 30th, 2012
2:25 pm
COME ON HAMILTON…if we trade Hanson for nothing and get a “leftover” outfielder that will be sad
JoeBrave
November 30th, 2012
2:26 pm
People calling Hanson a #3 starter is like calling Josh freaking Willingham a damn Outfielder! NOT!
jojo blanks
November 30th, 2012
2:26 pm
We need a 5-tool @3rd or left.
Who’s it gonna be.
No Upton brothers please. Chemistry would go out the window when one bro is doing better than the other. And U know which bro I mean.(the one inAZ)
Bobby Cox
November 30th, 2012
2:26 pm
Barry Bonds is available.
KC
November 30th, 2012
2:27 pm
Heisenberg, you really don’t think there is a better #3 (back end rotation) starter than Hanson on the market?
Samurai Squirrel
November 30th, 2012
2:27 pm
Fantastic!
Harry Callahan
November 30th, 2012
2:28 pm
If I were Wren, I’d continue dumping as many Boras clients as possible, and would avoid signing any Boras clients.
JoeBrave
November 30th, 2012
2:28 pm
David Carpenter???? WTH?
jojo blanks
November 30th, 2012
2:28 pm
Why couldn’t we get Span ?)or Pagan?
BJ Upton is a baller
November 30th, 2012
2:28 pm
we need a LEFT FIELDER. so we do not have to watch anymore strike outs and errors in clutch moments.
Mike in LA
November 30th, 2012
2:28 pm
How about Alex Gordon? Solid outfielder and hitter with a great on base percentage that has a reasonable contract the next three years. He would seem like a great fit and KC is always a willing trade partner
Big Earl
November 30th, 2012
2:30 pm
Let there be no doubt, if the braintrust of the Braves thought Tommy still had “potential”, he would have never been traded….they just don’t do that. 1) His velocity is way down; 2) he is injury prone; 3) my grandmother could steal off him; 4) I don’t think he won a game after the all star break; 5) if by some miracle he turns it around this year, then the Braves have the pleasure of dealing with his agent Lucifer (sorry I mean Boros); etc….. GREAT MOVE WREN!!!! What’s next?
JoeBrave
November 30th, 2012
2:30 pm
jojo, Wren is going after better than those 2!
CaliBravesFan
November 30th, 2012
2:31 pm
I am from where Tommy went to HS. I think its a good trade for both teams. Oh btw, DOB, its the LA Angels of Anaheim. You would get slaughtered if you were a So Cal reporter for that one. Lets go get J. Upton now and call it a day! Go Braves!!
kerryb
November 30th, 2012
2:31 pm
Does anyone really think the Braves could trade Uggla to anyone with that salary?
Glenn
November 30th, 2012
2:31 pm
Hanson frustrated me with his consistent inconsistency . No big loss to the Braves . I would love me some Josh Hamilton . LOL , he will cost a touch more than 4 million .
BehindEnemyLines
November 30th, 2012
2:31 pm
Wren will inevitably screw this up in 3 … 2 …
slskdf
November 30th, 2012
2:33 pm
They could free up another 7 million by paying Upton what he’s worth instead of what he’s getting.
A town
November 30th, 2012
2:33 pm
This was a good deal. No no no to victorino. I like the Upton deal but we need someone who gets on base now and thats not victorino. Our SS Ahmed is not near ready. So thats a no for trading AS and arizona is not going to trade for Ahmed either they want major league ready. If we go after Upton we will have to trade for say the SS Escobar from KC. Which will probably cost us Tehran or Delgado plus. And then we would have to trade him plus whichever starter is left in the the above 2 plus. And KC would probably ask for Ahmed as well. Thats to much I would like to have him but not for that much.
BJ Upton is a baller
November 30th, 2012
2:33 pm
I want David Wright. Trade Franciso Teheran Delgado and Prado.
Amber Girl
November 30th, 2012
2:33 pm
Hey guys have you heard the name of CHASE HEADLEY?
slskdf
November 30th, 2012
2:33 pm
They could free up another 7 million by paying Upton what he’s worth instead of what he’s getting.
Klaus
November 30th, 2012
2:33 pm
Victorino was never a top priority and with BJ here I doubt Wren is even thinking about him any longer.
In LF think Justin, Myers, Swisher, Gordon types. Fowler is not likely to be traded.
Now Warden may get flipped to AZ or KC in a LF trade. Or EOF may get flipped in that trade. Heck event Venters could be moved if they are high on Warden.
Point is Wren is aimin much higher than an aging Vitorino and over rated and older Pagan.
Wren said yesterday the BJ move was about continuing to get younger and more athletic. Victorino, Pagan and Swisher all fail the younger test. Swisher fails both. He can hit when he is hot that is about it. Defense and base path speed is meh at best.
So I am thinking its Justin first and foremost.
BJ Upton is a baller
November 30th, 2012
2:33 pm
I want David Wright. Trade Franciso Teheran Delgado and Prado.
NORRIS CHUCK
November 30th, 2012
2:33 pm
The Braves claimed David Carpenter??? Thats the wrong Carpenter..LOL.
In other news…
Nationals Could Trade Michael Morse
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 30 at 1:00pm CST]
The Nationals’ trade for Denard Span will impact the entire Washington roster, not only in the outfield, but on the infield. The Nationals are “definitely shopping” first baseman/outfielder Michael Morse a little bit, an American League executive told Jayson Stark of ESPN.com (Twitter link). If the Nationals trade Morse, they could re-sign free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche and rely more on Tyler Moore.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#8PvkHWd5AFiUSPDZ.99
kerryb
November 30th, 2012
2:35 pm
I like the Upton signing. The guy just turned 28 and hasn’t even hit his prime yet. He’s only been in the league for 5 years. His average was a little low last year but he would have led the Braves in hr’s last season. He is a middle of the order hitter and not a lead off hitter so you can’t compare him to Bourn who shut down the last half of the season. He also along with Longoria were the only real power hitters on that team so I’m sure he was striking out a lot trying to hit as many homers as he could. He will not have to do that with the Braves. I’m sure the Braves saw all they wanted to of him to make that kind of commitment to him and they do this for a living.
RBI
November 30th, 2012
2:35 pm
I know you will call me crazy; but, I wish we could dump Uggla for a left fielder, put Prado at 2B, and give Francisco a chance at 3B.
slskdf
November 30th, 2012
2:35 pm
The Braves could free up another $7 million if they paid Upton what he’s worth instead of what he’s getting.
BJ Upton is a baller
November 30th, 2012
2:36 pm
Even if it is unrealistic.
what you eat for breakfast?
November 30th, 2012
2:36 pm
We need star power!
Rick C
November 30th, 2012
2:36 pm
“I want David Wright. Trade Franciso Teheran Delgado and Prado.”
I’m sure the Mets are totally up for trading him the day after a contract extension, right?
Ryan
November 30th, 2012
2:36 pm
I think the Braves are making a push for Justin Upton. We have Ahmed, Delgado/Tehran, and another prospect as trade bait. Justin came to ATL to hang out with B.J. for the announcement and his dad told someone to put a bird in FW’s ear. Not to say it’s going to happen, but it definitely seems more likely now.
Either way, this trade was more about getting rid of Hanson’s pay for the next move than it was about getting Walden.
Stinger
November 30th, 2012
2:36 pm
Wren waaaaayyy overpaid for Upton so he didn’t have enough $$$ to pick up a quality guy for LF…so his fix, trad away a good middle of the rotation pitcher..to free up enough $$$. Wren is a complete joke!
kerryb
November 30th, 2012
2:37 pm
BJ Upton is a baller
November 30th, 2012
2:33 pm
I want David Wright. Trade Franciso Teheran Delgado and Prado.
_______________________________________________
Wright signed a 8 year deal with the Mets today.
BJ Upton is a baller
November 30th, 2012
2:37 pm
shine bright like a diamond in the sky.