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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
653 comments Add your comment
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
1:35 pm
Meanwhile, Braves still aren’t done trying to make strong bullpen even stronger. Have added young power arms already, now looking to add one more veteran. Or bring back one.
Darkcow
December 3rd, 2012
1:35 pm
I wish Wren would get over his obsession with “right handed power hitters”. He obviously hasn’t watched any postseason baseball aside from the Braves’ brief appearances in the past decade. Teams don’t succeed in the playoffs against elite pitching with guys up and down the lineup who K 150 times per year. We need more Prados. Not Ugglas.
We WILL lead the league in Ks this season.
1. ?
2. Prado .303/.345 14HRs
3. Heyward .280/.365 34HRs 37SB 144Ks
4. Uggla .247/.322 22HRs 163Ks
5. Freeman .297/.359 41HRs 148Ks
6. Upton .253/.314 22HRs 33SB 168Ks
7. Mac .267/.353 24HRs
8. Simmons .263/.325 5HRs 130Ks
I’m bored.
jbill
December 3rd, 2012
1:35 pm
Rick C..DOB just made my point about Boras and Choo..
I never said I didn’t like Choo but why give up future good pitchers for one year for Choo..unless he would sign new contract. Thats why Wren is GM and not you and me.
jbill
December 3rd, 2012
1:36 pm
Same would apply to Ellsbury..
NORRIS CHUCK
December 3rd, 2012
1:36 pm
GO GET CHOO I SAY!
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
1:42 pm
get Ichiro, sit back and wait to see who we have and then make moves without showing desperation
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
1:42 pm
Same would apply to Ellsbury..
Yes, but asking price for Ellsbury is higher, and the salary also higher.
BoatDoc
December 3rd, 2012
1:45 pm
… apparently that figure is closer to $10 million than the $14 million that was widely believed to be available …
DOB: This statement seems to mean one of two things:
1. 4 million was “lost” somewhere. (Doesn’t seem likely…)
2. Braves management has decided to be 4 million cheaper… uh, I mean, more …. frugal? (For a team that was already pretty well known to be ch… I mean FRUGAL for the last several years.)
Is there another possible interpretation?
Rick C
December 3rd, 2012
1:45 pm
Either Gattis or Bethancourt will likely backup Laird until McCann returns.
Darkcow, Simmons is a good contact hitter. Not sure why you are expecting to see him SO that much.
jbill, I’m just saying you need to consider all options. Again, Shoo wouldn’t even be my first choice. I’d probably rather have someone who kills LHP rather than someone who kills RHP. But I wouldn’t disregard the possibility just because of his agent.
Real Talk
December 3rd, 2012
1:45 pm
@DOB reports from one of my former players who is in the Colorado orginization is hearing a Rockie is getting close to be moved and has been told this afternoon that he could go by midnight tonight, have you heard of this and if you have who is it and to whom?
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
1:45 pm
I really don’t want Justin, I want Ryan Ludwick but I can’t understand why Ariz wouldn’t want Ahmed plus Teheran for him, Ahmed may turn out to be better than Simmons, they aren’t going to win anything this year anyway, LA and the Giants are to strong and have money to spend to get stronger.
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
1:56 pm
@blauser
Idk if the fins would do it, but that sure is a better deal than the Toronto deal they just did. At least they get good returns in this deal, replace the power of Stanton with potentially the same raw power in frabsisco, get what would potentially be their best ss prospect in Ahmed, who they could move to 2nd if they wanted, along with 1 top pitching prospect with unreal potential, and another who will be a very solid 3 starter.
Patrick
December 3rd, 2012
1:57 pm
Has the main Blog crapped out?
It seems very sluggish and multiple errors pop up when you try and post anything new
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
2:00 pm
dylan……that deal is the type deals Schuerholz used to make, only deal he made that did not bite him was the Liebrandt dial he made with Braves while he was still in KC
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
2:00 pm
Braves expressed early interest in both Pagan and Victorino, but with price going up instead of down on Victorino, and apparently not coming down yet on Pagan either, it doesn’t look like Braves will be in on either of them. Things can change quickly, of course, But Victorino is going to get a three-year deal, and Pagan could get more years than that at more than $10 million annually. At those years/prices, Braves seem likely to be on sidelines.
Dent
December 3rd, 2012
2:01 pm
Trade for the Indians shortstop A Cabrerra and then trade Simmons. Cabrerra is no slouch in the field or with the bat. You get J Upton but you lose Simmons. Take your pick.
jbill
December 3rd, 2012
2:01 pm
Thanks DOB for info…..Shin-Soo-Choo would be ok…only fault is 150 k’s and another lefty.
RickC..agree on not my 1st pick and Left, right killer.
ATL Insider
December 3rd, 2012
2:03 pm
@DOB: Have you gotten a sense from the Braves’ brass who they are MOST interested in if they had their pick? Upton? Gordon? Someone else?
jed
December 3rd, 2012
2:04 pm
i wouldnt commit to that either. there are better ways to spend yr money
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
2:04 pm
As I said before, “I wouldn’t trade Simmons for both Uptons”.
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
2:06 pm
Blauser
Yes it looks like a sheurholz deal, but each player we’d be giving up is already blocked by great young talent. Ahmed won’t ever play ss here while we have Simmons. Spruill or Gil Martin are both blocked and will be replaceable by the time we need them ( alex wood should be ready by then) and fransisco is blocked by prado.
The best deals are where everybody wins. Not to mention Stanton isn’t a 1 year rental. Team friendly contract under team control for a while
Banned Poster
December 3rd, 2012
2:06 pm
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
2:04 pm
As I said before, “I wouldn’t trade Simmons for both Uptons”.
What about Kate Upton?
Morning Rumors: Otani, Braves, Wang, Indians - Unofficial Network
December 3rd, 2012
2:06 pm
[...] prices drop, but that’s not likely to happen this early in the offseason, tweets Bowman. David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has more details on the Braves’ search for a left [...]
Real Talk
December 3rd, 2012
2:07 pm
looks like Fowler is on the move and it looks to be Tampa?
Schafer is a druggie and always will be........
December 3rd, 2012
2:07 pm
Would much rather see Jordan completely released, given his walking papers and say we don’t want any druggies on our team…….he is a total waste of time.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
2:08 pm
DOB
Is it possible that Wilson will be signed to make the bullpen even stronger? Is he the veteran you are thinking about? Why is Ariz trying so hard to trade Upton? Is he that much of a problem for the team?
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
2:10 pm
Skeeter
Its because he’s overrated. Teams see the athleticism and ignore the numbers, or see decent numbers without considering the park. In azh should be putting up Much better numbers if he is the superstar everyone thinks. Not to mention he’s a pain in the clubhouse
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
2:12 pm
Wilson is a space cadet and coming off second TJ surgery, too big of a gamble for what he will demand. I think there are better and cheaper options than Upton
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
2:12 pm
Banned Poster
December 3rd, 2012
2:06 pm
I would bite on that one!
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
2:15 pm
Will Greinke be signed for less to play for Braves like Maddux did?
Schuerholz said last nite not to count the Braves out on the Greinke sweepstakes.
MikeY
December 3rd, 2012
2:15 pm
I say trade Simmons for Justin Upton, trade a couple of prospects for Dee Gordon, and let Gordon bat leadoff. Lineup solved.
NORRIS CHUCK
December 3rd, 2012
2:17 pm
The Rangers, Nationals, Angels, and Braves are some of the other teams showing interest in Greinke, but Heyman indicates the Dodgers are the heavy favorite.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#0q2XsBvQi6dCYjfw.99
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
2:17 pm
You don’t think Wilson will sign for less money on a one year contract to prove his arm is good and really show SF they messed up!
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
2:18 pm
Mikey that is an absolutely stupid trade. Players like Simmons are almost impossible to replace. He’s going to be a top 3 ss for years to come. The only player I would trade Simmons for would be a straight up deal for tulo, which will never happen. And Dee Gordon for anything other than mid tier prospects is just stupid.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
2:21 pm
No one suspected Maddux would sign with the Braves in the beginning nor when first contract wih Braves was up. Yankees offered more money but signed for less. Greinke is from south and he likes Braves organization.
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
2:21 pm
no, Wilson will look for a big contract, only team he will sign a bargain deal with is the Giants
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
2:21 pm
no, Wilson will look for a big contract, only team he will sign a bargain deal with is the Giants
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
2:22 pm
Braves untouchable players should be Simmons heyward freeman kimbral medlin minor and prado, and MAYBE of. Anyone else can be traded. Trade these guys and you will inevitably come out on the wrong end of a deal.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
2:23 pm
Wilson has already said he will not resign with the Giants for any money. Not many teams are going to give hm big money coming back from Tommy John surgery.
Real Talk
December 3rd, 2012
2:23 pm
@Skeeter nope we dont think that!! He is not in Pony league and really Pros dont really care about showing people that they messed up, they just want a check so less money is usually not an option. It is their livelihood!!
Rick C
December 3rd, 2012
2:23 pm
“only player I would trade Simmons for would be a straight up deal for tulo, which will never happen”
Tulo is certainly more proven, but I’m not sure why you would want to do that. Tulo has a lot of years and money left on his contract. Simmons is young and cheap.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
2:24 pm
Not sure that Prado is off limits. Last year the Braves tried to trade him during winter meetings.
Real Talk
December 3rd, 2012
2:25 pm
@Rick exactly that is not a good trade for the Braves. I am with you the Braves will not trade Simmons…PERIOD!
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
2:26 pm
Wonder if Yankees have signed someone. MLB network is saying a Brian Cashman announcement to be made shortly.
tony
December 3rd, 2012
2:26 pm
Make it happen Mr Wren.
Real Talk
December 3rd, 2012
2:27 pm
@Sketter its is about Arod having surgery
Rick C
December 3rd, 2012
2:27 pm
skeeter, I don’t think the Braves “tried to trade” Prado, just listened to offers. He was coming off a bad year in 2011. Doesn’t make any sense to trade him right now.
Real Talk
December 3rd, 2012
2:29 pm
@ Rick C yeah there was more Smoke than Substance there, he is not going be traded either!!
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
2:29 pm
Simmons is special and cheaper no doubt, but tulo is the hands down best SS in the game. 30 hr power, 100 + rbi, 280-300 avg, along with the best arm in the game and some very slick defense? I’d trade anyone straight up for tulo. He’s the definition of a franchise player. My point was more geared tosayong I would never trade Simmons because Colorado would never trade straight up for tulo.
And Skeeter, I said prado SHOULD be off limits, not that he is. He’s too versatile and too good of a hitter for the braves to give him up, IMO at least.
74bravesjersey
December 3rd, 2012
2:31 pm
Frank is on w/ Buck & Kincaid right now, 680 the fan
74bravesjersey
December 3rd, 2012
2:31 pm
Frank is on w/ Buck & Kincaid right now, 680 the fan
74bravesjersey
December 3rd, 2012
2:31 pm
Frank is on w/ Buck & Kincaid right now, 680 the fan
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
2:34 pm
Prado still does not have a firm position, he can be and will be used at multi positions this season.
cornjolio
December 3rd, 2012
2:36 pm
Anyone concerned with Justin Upton’s defense?
He’s made a ton of errors in the OF the past couple of seasons.
74bravesjersey
December 3rd, 2012
2:38 pm
Dang! this laptop enter button froze on me & didn’t mean to triplequit the my blog on frank. My bad.
cornjolio
December 3rd, 2012
2:38 pm
“Wonder if Yankees have signed someone. MLB network is saying a Brian Cashman announcement to be made shortly.” – skeeter
The New York Yankees have acquired from the Atlanta Braves, second baseman, Dan Uggla ..
I can dream can’t I !!!
MiaBchBravesFan
December 3rd, 2012
2:38 pm
Wow! I just has a thought. Without Chipper in the clubhouse, as well as the lack of a John Smoltz-like leadership presence in the clubhouse, who handles J.B. when he inevitably loses his mind? Imagine if the Braves were goofy enough to get Justin! Who will handle those two nimrods???
If no reasonable trade or FA signing can be made, the best the Braves can hope for is a 3B / LF rotation of Reed Johnson / Martin Prado / Juan Francisco, with Gattis getting plenty of AB’s as the starting catcher while McCann rehabs. If Gattis can handle the hitting, when McCann comes back, Gattis is your regular LF & Prado is your regular 3B, with Francisco & Johnson getting meaningful AB’s.
Patrick
December 3rd, 2012
2:41 pm
Wonder if Yankees have signed someone. MLB network is saying a Brian Cashman announcement to be made shortly.” – skeeter
The New York Yankees have acquired from the Atlanta Braves, second baseman, Dan Uggla ..
I can dream can’t I !!!
The press conference is to talk about AROD’s injury
rbt
December 3rd, 2012
2:57 pm
dylan, Alex Gordon is not blocking Wil Myers. He plays LF. Myers plays either RF or CF. If anybody is blocking Myers it’s Francoeur, and the Royals will get rid of him before they would get rid of Gordon.
Crystal Ball
December 3rd, 2012
3:00 pm
It will be hard to get me excited unless we can land a big name to play 3B or LF (no retread or mid to late 30-something). This is looking like an 89 win team at this point.
Bobbymahlon
December 3rd, 2012
3:08 pm
DeRosa for utility man would work well because he can play every position except for catcher,pitcher and center field. Don’t go by what he has done or hasn’t done the last two years because he has been injured. He is a lot better with the stick than Janish who I liked in the field but he can’t hit a lick and that is why nobody else wants him.
We would get hurt a lot less if we just up and sign Victorino who can lead off and he is also a gold glove outfielder who would probably hit around 260-280 which is a lot better than some of our other players. With him and Upton it adds spead to our team something that we have not had in the past.
No trading of Simmons I like everything about him.
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
3:13 pm
my sentiments exactly Bobbymaholn
Bobbymahlon
December 3rd, 2012
3:17 pm
Bring back blauser: Now if we could only get Wren to agree with us “We could go all the way”.
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
3:17 pm
Joel Sherman on Twitter quoted a Padres official: “We’re not going to move Headley.”
Mike in Marietta
December 3rd, 2012
3:19 pm
Is it crazy to think it would be a good idea to shop McCann right now?
BigBadWolf
December 3rd, 2012
3:21 pm
I’d love to see Uggla gone, but that albatross will be worn until his contract runs out. Besides, Prado is below average defensively at 2B. Schafer nor Costanza are the answer in LF. Francisco could platoon at 3B if we could find a RH LF and make Prado slide between 3B and LF depending on the platoon situation. Forget Greinke, that will cost too much…in cash and in the loss of an OF better than what is currently in Gwinnett. I’d like to see if Dirks could be had for little and if not, go for Rajai. As for an Upton Brothers Reunion Tour…not sure if it is worth the price, but I’d like to give it a try…just as long as we don’t trade away Simmons or anyone who is currently slotted for the rotation. Maybe Nick Ahmed + Edward Salcedo + Sean Gilmartin would get it done.
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
3:25 pm
With A-Rod out and a thin 3B market, gotta wonder if Yankees might show interest in Juan Francisco. Hits righties hard, batting .318 w/ .894 OPS in Dominican this winter.
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
3:26 pm
Francisco for Brett Gardener
ATL Insider
December 3rd, 2012
3:29 pm
Maybe Franciso, Schafer and a pitching prospect for Gardner?
ricocarty21
December 3rd, 2012
3:32 pm
I wish we could get Josh Willingham. He is from Florence,Al. and wants to play in Atlanta. Maybe we could work a trade with the twins.
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
3:32 pm
Is it crazy to think it would be a good idea to shop McCann right now? — Mike
Yes, with a $13 million, one-year contract and coming off major shoulder surgery that will sideline for at least part of April and possibly the first month of the season? He’s worth more to the Braves in his particular situation than to other teams.
Mike in Marietta
December 3rd, 2012
3:32 pm
I’d rather trade Tearan than Gilmartin at this point.
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
3:34 pm
Gardener coming off season on DL all season, can be had cheap, maybe Francisco and Schafer
cfain
December 3rd, 2012
3:39 pm
How about a LF platoon of Reed Johnson/ Nate Schierholtz (non-tendered by Phillies) ?
cfain
December 3rd, 2012
3:39 pm
How about a LF platoon of Reed Johnson/ Nate Schierholtz (non-tendered by Phillies) ?
ATL Insider
December 3rd, 2012
3:41 pm
@DOB: Do you think the Braves would trade Delgado or Teheran for Fowler?
ricocarty21
December 3rd, 2012
3:43 pm
I think the twins would bite on a young pitcher if the braves would take the salary which is a lot of bang for the buck. He is not real speedy but has right hand bat to balance line up and serious long ball threat.
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
3:44 pm
For those wondering, Braves signed arb-eligible INF Paul Janish to a one-year contract early in offseason. Was not announced at time. I found out today when I checked to find out why he wasn’t on list of arb-eligibles when they non-tendered JJ and Moylan on Friday.
That explains about $900K-$1 million of the amount we were off by in our estimates of the available money Braves had to spend. (Don’t know exact salary yet, but he was a second-year arb guy, made $850,000 in ‘12.)
jimmy
December 3rd, 2012
3:46 pm
I agree with some of the other posters about the money in the budget seems to have shrunk, and not just a little. I am curious if this is a smoke screen somewhat to try to get a better deal by Wren.
jimmy
December 3rd, 2012
3:48 pm
MLB says Rockies asked for Minor for Fowler. Some teams have lost their minds.
Felix
December 3rd, 2012
3:48 pm
Sign the aging Ichiro? Are you kidding me? Heck, might as well sign Julio Franco again and then while you’re at it, why not drag Phil Niekro out of the senior citizens home?
ATL Insider
December 3rd, 2012
3:49 pm
Ken R reporting Pagan close to resigning with the Giants.
jim
December 3rd, 2012
3:50 pm
Gardner would be a very good fit for the Braves, but I don’t think the Yankees are in a rush to trade him. They are trying to cut payroll and Gardener gives them a player that compliments the other players in their lineup. I doubt they have much interest in Gilmartin (who many on here seeme to overvalue). It would probably take both Francisco and Teheran if the Yankees were to trade him at all. They would recognize the Braves are just as desperate for a leadoff hitter as they are for a 3B replacement.
I saw where ARod needs hip surgery, but have not seen how long he is expected to be out. (At this point the Yankees would hope that it was career threatening.)
Felix
December 3rd, 2012
3:51 pm
Glad they’re hanging on to Janish.
Now wouldn’t it be sweet if the Braves could find a sucker team to dump Uggla on?
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
3:51 pm
Pagan close to re-signing with Giants, Kenny Rosenthal tweets.
Seattle Braves
December 3rd, 2012
3:52 pm
Good to hear we have Janish for Back up.
Thanks DOB
Seattle Braves
December 3rd, 2012
3:54 pm
DOB: Anyhting from the Winter Meeting regarding Braves moves or possibilities?
Dent
December 3rd, 2012
3:54 pm
Thats it!! Jason Bay for Left Field. Ha
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
3:54 pm
got to remember that Jeter broke his ankle, could be trouble there if it does not heal right
BravesFanInNashville
December 3rd, 2012
4:01 pm
D.O.B. Thanks for the post about Janish. Great to know he’ll be around because his defense is so hard to replace.
TiredofHearingAboutCO2LeakInATLSchool
December 3rd, 2012
4:05 pm
Would Delgado + Francisco for Gardner work?
BigBadWolf
December 3rd, 2012
4:05 pm
There is no way Ichiro or any other Japanese player steps foot in Atlanta for the next 50 years after the way Kawakami was treated. Alfonso Soriano might be an option at LF if the Cubs pick up a big enough portion of the contract (at least $20M of what is owed over the next two years).
Chuck @ the barber shop
December 3rd, 2012
4:06 pm
They gave a million to Janish for 1 season? On the Lf situation: Ichiro doesn’t fit the Braves philosophy. He is too proficient at getting wood on the ball, obviously a poor fit, lol
Comfortably Dumb
December 3rd, 2012
4:08 pm
DOB,
What is the likelihood Mac is dealt this offseason? I’m of the opinion that there is no way, but I guess it could make some sense…
ALJ
December 3rd, 2012
4:13 pm
Stay away from Soriano. Another low on base percentage hitter.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
4:13 pm
DOB, why is there no intrest in Ryan Ludwick?
Batman
December 3rd, 2012
4:17 pm
I just found out and I am issuing this urgent warning to Atlanta and the surrounding area:
Wren is really the Joker.
Rick C
December 3rd, 2012
4:19 pm
“DOB, why is there no intrest in Ryan Ludwick?”
He’s mentioned in the story man.
Comfortably Dumb
December 3rd, 2012
4:19 pm
ALJ,
That’s just what the Braves are looking for!
Seattle Braves
December 3rd, 2012
4:20 pm
Pagan re-signs with Giants