Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
653 comments Add your comment
Joe in SoCal
December 3rd, 2012
4:27 pm
Pagan…40mil for 4yr..glad we didn’t go there!
CO2LeakNewsALLDAYLONG
December 3rd, 2012
4:27 pm
Delgado + Francisco for Gardner? Does that get it done?
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
4:43 pm
On Twitter, Andrew Baggerly reports this breakdown on Pagan’s new four-year, $40M Giants contract:: $5 million signing bonus and annual salaries of 7, 9, 9 and 10 million.
Mike
December 3rd, 2012
4:48 pm
With Pagan gone, what other options that the Braves can do for LF?
Rick C
December 3rd, 2012
4:58 pm
Mike, you know you could read the article that you’re commenting on?
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
4:58 pm
DOB, why aren’t we in on Myers? KC seems like the perfect trade partner. The Braves have a surplus of pitching, and pitching is what KC is looking for. Yes, Teheran would in all likelihood be lost in the deal, and while that would certainly sting a bit, the saving grace would be that Simmons would remain a Brave.
O'Ventbrel
December 3rd, 2012
4:59 pm
I see Rajai Davis mentioned on here every now and again. Do the Braves and Jays match up well trade-wise? He isnt anything to write home about but he is only 31-32 I think, stole over 40 bases last year, and the Jays have an abundance of OFs.
Rick C
December 3rd, 2012
5:00 pm
SportyNuts, KC wants a top of the rotation starter, not a prospect.
BravesFanInNashville
December 3rd, 2012
5:05 pm
Michael Bourn just lost another landing spot in SF. He’s running out of options now that the Nats have Span and the Phillies don’t want to pay him what he wants. It’s going to be interesting if he gets a contract approaching what he and Boras thought he would get. The Phillies offered $55 Million/5 years to BJ. That could signal what they are willing to pay for CF. I’d be surprised to see the Phillies give Bourn much more that BJ got with the Braves.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
5:09 pm
Rajai should be easy for some team to get. Phillies and Nationals are checking in on him. Philly doesn’t have much to offer either on their team or in minors. Nats are not going to trade any pitchers which is what Toronto wants and needs.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
5:09 pm
Rajai should be easy for some team to get. Phillies and Nationals are checking in on him. Philly doesn’t have much to offer either on their team or in minors. Nats are not going to trade any pitchers which is what Toronto wants and needs.
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
5:10 pm
That really doesn’t address why the Braves are not interested in Myers. I’m pretty sure KC would at least entertain the thought of acquiring a good package of pitching prospects for their one prospect. Regardless of Teheran’s 2012 struggles, he’s still regarded as one of the best RHP prospects in all of baseball.
Air Zaza
December 3rd, 2012
5:13 pm
I would rather Upton anyday over Simmons. Simmons is a good player with very good potential but Upton can be a HOF and a potential GOAT.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
5:13 pm
Bourne is not going to get near what he expected. Manny didn’t get what he wanted after waiting out all winter a few years ago. Would serve Boros right if this happened.
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
5:16 pm
Air zaza please say you’re joking
smallmouth6
December 3rd, 2012
5:16 pm
DOB: What’s wrong with the Braves PR people. Why wouldn’t they let you know Janish was resigned. Must make him feel good. Poor job by somebody (not you, of course). Thanks for your work.
O'Ventbrel
December 3rd, 2012
5:16 pm
Also, could somebody please explain why Texas hasnt traded for Upton already? Elvis Andrus is only 24 and has already proven himself to be a worthy MLB shortstop with good years ahead of him. People have already been raving about Jurickson Profar as a future All-Star SS and he is only 19. Arizona already has great interest in both, so why not trade one and move on with Justin Upton? Is it a money thing or something else?
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
5:16 pm
If Atl trades Simmons it will come back to haunt us. SD can tell you about that. They traded Ozzie Smith to StLouis for Gary Templeton.
TDub
December 3rd, 2012
5:16 pm
What about doing this differently and leaving Prado in LF, then going after Jedd Gyorko for 3B from SD? They have no spot for him with Headley and he’ll certainly be cheaper than paying for one of the available FA OFs. Or barring that, going after Alex Gordon in KC?
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
5:19 pm
Ariz wants more than just a SS, they want pitchers too. Texas is too smart for that. Ariz had Stephen Drew and traded him to the A’s.
BravesFanInNashville
December 3rd, 2012
5:19 pm
skeeter …… agreed about serving Boras right. Sometimes it’s good to see people hold out for less. I mean how could Bourn think we was worth so much when he had two years in a row that he had dreadful finishes? He might even end up with less than BJ. The Braves valued BJ higher than Bourn now it will be interesting to see how the rest of the market plays out. No way Bourn is worth more than twice what Pagan just got and that’s what Boras is counting on… Hmmmmmm?
cornjolio
December 3rd, 2012
5:19 pm
How about Lorenzo Cain for LF?
He’s 26, bats righty, has speed, he’s a Georgia boy & he’d be CHEAP !
Surely we have something KC needs?
Air Zaza
December 3rd, 2012
5:21 pm
dylan, look at the numbers, talent, size, and ability. He is one of the best talents in Baseball and is still growing. I would take him potentially over everyone outside of Trout. Including Harper and Heyward.
Comfortably Dumb
December 3rd, 2012
5:23 pm
Skeeter…I don’t think Braves fans need to ask SD about anything. Remember a guy named Elvis Andrus?
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
5:23 pm
people what is the fascination with justin upton? yeah i get it, hes supremely athletic and has monster potential, but thats it. he doesn’t have crazy hr power, can’t field, has a so-so arm, doesn’t have elite speed, and a .285 avg would be the ABSOLUTE BEST that could be prayed for. he’s like a poor mans heyward! and you want to give up simmons for him?! do you not remember how badly wren and shuerholz were critisized after trading away andrus to texas? now we finally have an allstar gold glove caliber SS and everyone wants to trade him for an overrated middle of the pack outfielder who can’t top 25 homeruns in Arizona?
it really does suck being a braves fan sometimes…
Comfortably Dumb
December 3rd, 2012
5:23 pm
Skeeter…I don’t think Braves fans need to ask SD about anything. Remember a guy named Elvis Andrus?
BravesFanInNashville
December 3rd, 2012
5:25 pm
Wow Zaza… That’s really saying something if you feel he’s worth more than Harper and Heyward. I can’t say I would trade Heyward for Upton even up and I don’t think the Nats would trade Harper for him either. Don’t get me wrong I’d love to have him playing LF for the Braves but wouldn’t trade Simmons for him and certainly not Heyward.
Angel Eyes
December 3rd, 2012
5:26 pm
Well looks like Wren took a sleeping pill. Doing nothig again.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
5:26 pm
Profar might have arm problems Texas won’t trade Andrus.. I haven’t forgotten about the trade for Texiera. Costly. Everyone we sent is on their roster.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
5:28 pm
Give Wren time. Not many teams have made trades so far. Just a few re-signs and a couple of free agents.
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
5:31 pm
@dylan: Doesn’t have power? The dude ripped 31 bombs in 2011.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
5:33 pm
True but for how long despite Boston denying will have 3 catchers.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
5:33 pm
True but for how long despite Boston denying will have 3 catchers.
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
5:34 pm
this fascination with the long ball is very stupid. i’d much rather have a team of .280-.300 hitters that’ll hit 20-25, than a team of .250-.265 hitters who can mash 30+. leading the league in k’s isn’t exactly an accomplishment to brag about.
Seattle Braves
December 3rd, 2012
5:41 pm
Line up A
Simmons
Prado
Heyward
J. Upton
Freeman
BJ Upton
McCann
Uggla
Line up B
Simmons
Prado
Heyward
Willingham
Freeman
BJ Upton
McCann
Uggla
Line up C
Simmons
Prado
Heyward
Hamilton
BJ Upton
Freeman
Uggla
McCann
Which Senario do you like best?
A, B, or C
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
5:43 pm
Well, obviously C, but that ain’t gonna happen. I would prefer A over B, though.
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
5:50 pm
@ sportynuts
yeah he hit 31 hrs in 2011, he also k’d more than 120 times. not to mention his splits. you realize he hits a full 50 points lower away from chase field right? or that he’s never walked more than 65 times in a season? and uggla ripped 36 bombs in 2011, guess that means hes a top player in the league?
James 123
December 3rd, 2012
5:51 pm
Braves and Rockies talking about trade for Fowler.
James 123
December 3rd, 2012
5:51 pm
Braves and Rockies talking about trade for Fowler.
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
5:54 pm
Rockies want Minor……….price too high
Seattle Braves
December 3rd, 2012
5:54 pm
If Arizona is trying to get a SS. The Dodgers are wanting to move Dee Gordan because of H Rameriz. Why not package a three team deal with Braves, Arizona, and Dodgers? What do the Dodgers want out of a trade for Dee Gordan? I assume we have a better farm system of prospects they would rather have right?
Can anyone shine light onto this?
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
5:59 pm
my feeling is Justin not worth worth what we would have to give up, concentrate on a speedsted who makes contact
Angel Eyes
December 3rd, 2012
5:59 pm
Somebody wake up Wren.
BravesFanInNashville
December 3rd, 2012
6:03 pm
skeeter…… except Salty he’s a Red Sox..
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
6:13 pm
go to the Angels and try to get Peter Bourgos
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
6:13 pm
FRANK, wake up man it’s trading time, go ALL OUT and get Wil Myers, he won’t be on the block long, somebody is going to snatch him up, make them an offer they can’t refuse, don’t let this kid get away, it’s a once in a decade chance to land a big one. Get it done today, tomorrow will be too late.
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
6:13 pm
go to the Angels and try to get Peter Bourgos
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
6:16 pm
@dylan: I’m only refuting you’re misinformed posts. You said Upton can’t hit for power and hasn’t passed the 25 mark in homers. Well, you were wrong.
Nerdville
December 3rd, 2012
6:16 pm
hard to wake up wren. he is a one man ambien commercial.
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
6:17 pm
Wren said he doesn’t know if Braves will be able to trade for a LF (or sign one, though said free agents on their list now are below trade targets). But said if don’t make a move, have some players in-house who could be interesting to watch compete for a spot in spring, such as Constanza and Gattis in left or Francisco at 3B (and let Prado stay in LF at least part of the time).
panamajack
December 3rd, 2012
6:18 pm
Agree with Ralph, we have enough pitching to make a deal, he would be cheap and we would still have $10million to spend, do it.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
6:21 pm
What the hell did you go to Nashville for Mr Wren, the music?
CO2LeakNewsALLDAYLONG
December 3rd, 2012
6:22 pm
Angels arent trading Burjos after letting Hunter go. Their OF is set with Trout, Trumbo, and Bourjos.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
6:26 pm
I don’t know if any of you remember what I posted when DOB 1st reported that the braves re-acquired Schafer but not to replace Bourn, I said “don’t bet on it”, well it’s shaping up that way.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
6:26 pm
Another outfielder not mentioned, Alex Rios of White Sox. He is from AL. Realize he plays RF but he can move to LF.
jose wales
December 3rd, 2012
6:27 pm
I second Ralph’s motion on getting Wil Myers at all costs.
Patrick
December 3rd, 2012
6:28 pm
Wren said he doesn’t know if Braves will be able to trade for a LF (or sign one, though said free agents on their list now are below trade targets). But said if don’t make a move, have some players in-house who could be interesting to watch compete for a spot in spring, such as Constanza and Gattis in left or Francisco at 3B (and let Prado stay in LF at least part of the time).
That makes me want to PUKE!
and with Pagan’s deal being lowered that expected (at least lower than I thought) will Victorino’s price have to come down then?
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
6:29 pm
I don’t get it, why are we backing off at this point? We have plenty of trade pieces that would bring back a good outfielder. You yourself just stated in this article that the Braves need a LF. I mean, do we really want Constanza or Gattis patrolling LF? Or Francisco at the hot corner? All three of those seem destined to fail at some point down the line, and then we’ll be right back on the trade market by mid-season trying to fill the hole. Why not fill them all right now?
Nerdville
December 3rd, 2012
6:30 pm
someone said to be patient and wait for wren to execute his plan. the truth is he has no plan. his outcomes are random events.
soon it will be march, wren will still be sleeping and the rahs rahs will still be asking us to be patient. it has never changed in the wren era. every year it is the same. we seem forever stuck with bad deals, there is a lack of smart deals (exception-Bourn), and then we have the last minute signings of other teams’ rejects. it is like we are stuck in some computer programmer’s endless do loop.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
6:30 pm
Wren just should have stayed in Atl if he doesn’t see a trade potential or free agent signing. Same ole, same ole. Get one player and think you can other spots with what we have. Schafer is not what we need, he wasn’t before, that is why he was traded to Astros. No other MLB team wanted him.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
6:31 pm
Looks like another Wren’s do nothing offense next year, BJ is a nothing as far as i’m concerned, would have been better to have resigned Bourn.
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
6:32 pm
@sportynuts
my bad, but my point still stands. he doesn’t have crazy power. he’s hit, 15, 26, 17, 31, and 17 hrs thorughout his career as a starter,hit 26 more hrs at chase field as opposed to anywhere else, and batted .307 at chase as opposed to .250 away from az. all while never topping 65 walks, and striking out at about the same rate home and away, and strikes out a lot. ( 3 years in the 120’s, 1 at 137 i believe, and 1 like 167)
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
6:33 pm
Well guess we will have to wait till spring training in Feb and pickup some leftover who was waived. Great Plan, duh!
chris
December 3rd, 2012
6:35 pm
DOB- if the braves dont acquire a left fielder with $10 million left to spend. There will be many braves fans that will have their blood boil… similar to what happened a couple of months ago during the wild card game. Braves need more offense. Upton is a good piece, but again he has some flaws and braves MUST upgrade at least a little for left field. Wren and company says payroll will be around $95 million… and right now its around $84 million or so.
jose wales
December 3rd, 2012
6:35 pm
I hope Wren is just playing Poker with the other GM,s.
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
6:37 pm
myers would be awesome to get, but we’d have to give up teheran/delgado, some more top prospects, along with either minor, medlen, and MAYBE beachy if the royals are looking ahead. if we had to give up that many prospects, id rather it be someone more proven, just as young, and under team friendly contracts like stanton, WITHOUT giving up minor, medlen, simmons, jhey, freddie, kimbral, or prado
MikeY
December 3rd, 2012
6:37 pm
In 2011 Baseball America ranked Dee Gordon the 26th best prospect across all of baseball; Simmons was unranked. Yes, Gordon had a bad 2012 due to injury, and Simmons has come on like gangbusters. But I still feel that Simmons for J Upton, then, say, Terdo and a low-level prospect or 2 for Dee Gordon would make the Braves a better team. Gordon could be our leadoff hitter for years, a fast, speedy SS. Can you imagine a line-up of
Gordon
Prado
J-Hey
BJ Upton
Freeman
J Upton
Uggla
BMac or Laird
pitcher
??
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
6:38 pm
Guess we will have to take up donations to get us LF. If everyone in the metro Atl area gave $1.00 we could get a decent player, better than alternatives Braves have now. If we got donations from Braves fans all over, we could easily get Hamilton. Plus Wren and Liberty would have no say in this or have to pay LF’s salary.
chris
December 3rd, 2012
6:39 pm
And forgot to mention Wren stating that this offseason is to be more focused. Very frustrating with Wren’s comments tonight about in-house options for left field
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
6:39 pm
While all the other GM’s were in meetings making deals Wren was outside doing what he loves to do most “Dumpster Digging”, nothing there I guess.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
6:39 pm
I still don’t have B.J. batting cleanup in my lineup nor do I see it in Fredi’s. 5th or 6th more likely.
Nerdville
December 3rd, 2012
6:41 pm
i have always been suspicious of the schafer trade too. wouldn’t be surprised to see the fredi-frank duo talking him up during spring training, then starting him in the outfield and batting him leadoff come april.
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
6:41 pm
dee gordon has no tools better than simmons. can’t hit as well,can’t field as well, isn’t significantly faster, and doesnt have the arm
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
6:42 pm
Even dumpster diving would get us a LF. I see Swisher, Ichiro and Victorino trying to pull themselves out of that dumpster. Open your eyes Wren.
Bustersonly
December 3rd, 2012
6:42 pm
Offer KC Teheran, Gilmartin and Ahmed for Will Myers, a star for years to come.
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
6:45 pm
@dylan: For a 25-year-old slugger, his strikeout numbers really aren’t that bad. And his walk rate is solid. If you’re a fan of Martin Prado, you would be surprised to learn that Upton’s walk rate is better.
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
6:47 pm
one option noone has mentioned and he is still on team Pastornicky at third base and Prado in right use Preacher as leadoff hitter
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
6:47 pm
kc wants a top of the rotation mlb proven starter
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
6:48 pm
sorry I meant Prado in left
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
6:48 pm
Is there another Francisco out there for the Braves to pickup on waivers. Schuerholz at least went out there and got what we needed. Case in point, he signed Belliard, Bream and Pendleton. Each year he picked up what the team needed plus got what we needed before the trading deadline expired. Wren just didn’t pay attention.
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
6:48 pm
sportynuts, his walk rate is better, his k rate is almost twice as much and we do not need anymore strikeout heavy hitters
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
6:50 pm
If the Upton brothers want to play on the same team why don’t we trade BJ to the D/Backs, not impressed with BJ i’m sure you can guess.
MikeY
December 3rd, 2012
6:50 pm
Dee Gordon has significantly better speed than Simmons. I agree, he has less power and less D. But a better leadoff hitter. The future will tell who produces better, we can guess and estimate all we want.
And I put BJ Upton at 4 just to balance L-R-L etc.
I like Dee Gordon. Plus he is a FL player, might like to be closer to home.
GO BRAVES!!
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
6:51 pm
and for a middle of the lineup hitter as opposed to a #2 hitter, his walk rate should be SIGNIFICANTLY higher
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
6:51 pm
and for a middle of the lineup hitter as opposed to a #2 hitter, his walk rate should be SIGNIFICANTLY higher
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
6:51 pm
Would much rather have Pastornicky in LF than Schafer. Pastornicky is faster and he tries and gives 100%. Schafer’s 100% effort is getting to the drugs.
Frank Wren
December 3rd, 2012
6:55 pm
I just made an acquisition:
Dinner has been delivered to my table !
The food here @ Opryland is FANTASTIC !
As I’ve said before, I envision a platoon of Matty Diaz and Jordie Schafer in LF.
jose wales
December 3rd, 2012
6:56 pm
Pastronicky won’t be on the 25 man roster, he has a McClouth arm and he is not faster than Schafer, and Shafer would be in center field not left if it comes to that.
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
6:56 pm
His strikeout numbers aren’t that big of a deal when you consider the kind of player he his. He can hit for a high average, get on base often, slug homers, and steal bases. The amount of things he can do on a field makes up for his SO totals.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
6:56 pm
Maybe Wren will be heading over to Japan. Hear Kazakami has a cousin who plays outfield in Japanese league. D. Lowe is interested in rejoining the Braves.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
6:58 pm
If memory serves me right Pastornicky had more triples than Schafer in the same time span last year when Pastor was playing before being sent back to minors for Simmons.
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
7:00 pm
we don;t know if dee is a better leadoff hitter, simmons batted 8th last year. but he handles the bat (swing technique and using all sides of the field) better. and i wouldn’t say dee is significantly faster. simmons is no slouch running. i wouldnt be opposed to working a 3 team deal with LA to send dee gordon and another prospect to az, us sending them teheran and gilmartin, and us sending maholm and terdoslavich to az. for upton and either skaggs or chafin
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
7:00 pm
If Pastronicky had an arm he would still be playing SS instead of Simmons
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
7:01 pm
“and for a middle of the lineup hitter as opposed to a #2 hitter, his walk rate should be SIGNIFICANTLY higher.”
He’s not Fielder or Cabrera at this point in his career, so he’s typically not being pitched around. Again, his walk rate is solid.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
7:01 pm
DOB
Would you give Swisher and his agent Wren’s room number there in Nashville. Follow them and barricade the door until a deal is done and signed.
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
7:07 pm
@ sportynuts
he hasn’t proven he can succesfully be that player outside of chase. he doesn;t hit for a high avg, doesn’t walk, and doesn’t drive in near as many rbi away
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
7:07 pm
KC is shopping Billy Butler, an OF. They are talking with Seattle. Hello KC. Call Wren.
Chris
December 3rd, 2012
7:08 pm
Skeeter- Ironically, the Braves all of a sudden, do not have the money to spend on a free agent. After trading Hanson, that $14 million went down to around $10 million. And today, seems even less than that…. this is the 2nd offseason in the last 3 that the Braves have flat out lied about their player payroll. If Braves stand pat, the opening day payroll will be around $85 million.
eskippy
December 3rd, 2012
7:08 pm
I’d like to see Schafer in center, Upton in left, and Greinke in the rotation.
CO2LeakNewsALLDAYLONG
December 3rd, 2012
7:11 pm
Wish the Braves would have tried to get Trayvon Robinson before the O’s got him. Also wish they would have checked in on Kyle Blanks. Maybe he just needs to get out of SD to showcase that light tower power.