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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
653 comments Add your comment
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
7:13 pm
I see Schafer playing CF in Mississippi. Give any OF in the Braves minor leagues over Schafer. I mean any OF.
Eric B
December 3rd, 2012
7:14 pm
Just get a LF…between EOF in the pen, one of Delgado or Teheran, guys like Rev, Gilmartin, and Ahmed you cant tell me we cant acquire a starting caliber LFer from somebody. That pitching surpluss and bullpen didnt help the offense last year and it wont help it this year. Even the best version of BJ doesnt replace Chipper and Bourns Offense. We cant just settle yet again and try to use a weak platoon at a key OF spot. Nor do I think we can depend on Fransico as a starting 3rd baseman, nice back up but so far thats about it.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
7:16 pm
Butler is listed as a 1st baseman but DH’d most of the season, 6′1″ 240lb, Silver Slugger as DH.
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
7:17 pm
@Eric B: Yup.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
7:17 pm
Only platoon OF on roster is Constanza and Schafer. Scary. How old are Chipper’s sons?
ryan
December 3rd, 2012
7:18 pm
It does appear Braves are interested in Ichrio might be a 2 or 3 year deal around 10 mill rumor that’s going around .
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
7:22 pm
ryan – That sounds reasonable, he is about ready for the dumpster.
Angel Eyes
December 3rd, 2012
7:26 pm
Braves Supposedly have enough pitching to do a trade. Apparently not. Wren trades Hanson for junk. Now he won’t trade Minor to get a hitter and lead off man. It is OK to be in love with pitching. Pitching doesn’t score runs. WE NEED OFFENSE. Make the deal. Wake up Wren NOW!!!!
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
7:26 pm
Looks like Salty is leaving BoSox for ChiSox. Trades are happening. Earth to Braves. Come In.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
7:30 pm
Does Ariz know Yunel is available. Miami has decided they don’t want him like ATL and Toronto.
Brandon
December 3rd, 2012
7:31 pm
@Angel Eyes pitching doesn’t score runs but it sure prevents runs from scoring
and jordan walden is far from junk
TDub
December 3rd, 2012
7:33 pm
Let me see if I get this straight: If we don’t make some ridiculous unicorn-and-rainbows trade for Justin Upton or find an extra 20+ million to sign Hamilton, then Wren’s time at the meetings is a complete failure. Does that about cover it?
I see the Misery Express has started early this offseason.
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
7:37 pm
Looks like Salty is leaving BoSox for ChiSox. Trades are happening. Earth to Braves. Come In.
So if the Braves wanted to get Salty and play him in LF, they could have. Good to know.
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
7:39 pm
I asked Wren about Medlen and Minor and reluctance to trade those types of young pitchers: “Those guys have taken the next step,” he said. “And once you take that next step into mid- to top-of-the-rotation starters that are young and you’re going to grow with them, I think that those guys are probably the most difficult guys to give up, of any class of pitcher. Because we know that they both have the ability to be with us for a long time.”
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
7:41 pm
I would take Salty in LF over Schafer any day of the week. BJ can move a little to his right. Heyward doesn’t need help with RF. I have seen slow players in LF and do a decent job.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
7:41 pm
So far this off-season I give Wren an F minus, it would have been just a plain F but the signing of Upton put him over the hump to get the minus.
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
7:42 pm
Well DOB I’d figure you’d sympathize with him since the braves haven’t traded for your man crush willingham yet.
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
7:43 pm
@TDub: I think most fans realize Hamilton is out of the question. Considering the trade pieces the Braves have, I most of us expect Wren to at least make some noise concerning Upton and/or Myers. It would be foolish to not inquire about those two guys.
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
7:43 pm
*I think most of us…
Eric B
December 3rd, 2012
7:43 pm
Cant say I disagree with Wren regarding Minor and Medlen but that doesnt mean we cant trade EOF, Gilmartin, or one of Teheran or Degado imo.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
7:44 pm
I wouldn’t trade Medlin period. I also would like to keep Minor. I see a lot of potential in him, reminds me of Steve Avery pitching.
ugaaccountant
December 3rd, 2012
7:45 pm
If Myers is on the table for Minor and change, do it. Or Medlen straight up for him, I’d take. He’s that good.
ugaaccountant
December 3rd, 2012
7:45 pm
If Myers is on the table for Minor and change, do it. Or Medlen straight up for him, I’d take. He’s that good.
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
7:46 pm
just a question for all the naysayers of Wren, when was the last time Wren made any announcement of what deal he was pursuing?
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
7:46 pm
I wouldn’t trade EOF either. He does a great job as setup man for Kimbrel. Have no problem sending Delgado or Teheran to another team. Neither one was impressive when pitching last year when Braves recalled them from Gwinnett.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
7:50 pm
Salty, just what we need another 222 hitter, nuf said.
Eric B
December 3rd, 2012
7:52 pm
Enter your comments here
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
7:52 pm
Is Wren riding in a model T and thinks he is feeling comfortable with what he have to man oufield!
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
7:52 pm
@David O’Brien: Wren’s viewpoint is entirely understandable. However, those kind of pitchers are highly regarded outside of the Braves organization as well, and by being willing to move one of them, it could land us a player like Myers or Castellanos. The Braves have always been able to produce quality arms, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. Quality hitters on the other hand are becoming tough to come by within the Braves farm system. Losing somebody like Minor or Medlen won’t be the end of the world, especially when you’re gaining someone that could be special.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
7:52 pm
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
7:46 pm
just a question for all the naysayers of Wren, when was the last time Wren made any announcement of what deal he was pursuing?
BJ Upton, remember him?
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
7:54 pm
PS you don’t need to make announcements for Dumpster signings.
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
7:55 pm
He never said he was pursuing him, knew nothing about it until the deal was made
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
7:55 pm
Other than Chipper, McCann, Freeman and Heward, what big hitters have we gotten from the farm system in the last 20 years.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
7:55 pm
WRONG
bring back blauser
December 3rd, 2012
7:58 pm
Ralph, I believe Wren could sign Bench, Helton, Sanberg, Chipper, the Oz, Ted Williams, Wllie Mays, and Hank Aaron all in their prime and you would still complain
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
7:59 pm
Everyone in baseball knew BJ was visiting the Braves, Phillies and other teams. Most people knew it would come down to between Braves and Phillies. Only ones who didn’t know BJ was visiting Atl were not watching ESPN, MLB network or Fox Sports.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
8:00 pm
BELIEVE WHAT YOU WANT
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
8:03 pm
skeeter – Also everone in baseball knew that BJ was Wren’s No. 1 target.
CO2LeakNewsALLDAYLONG
December 3rd, 2012
8:06 pm
Anyone else bothered with how players come to the Braves and suck, or leave the Braves and flourish?
Examples: Melky Cabrera, Nate McLouth (with the Orioles), Uggla
WTF is the problem? How much would we love to have the guy who led the majors in avg (Cabrera), especially considering this how terrible this team is at the plate, in terms of batting average. UGH
CO2LeakNewsALLDAYLONG
December 3rd, 2012
8:08 pm
Oh and then there’s our big signing of BJ Upton, who shoudl correct our batting average woes….oh wait. Guess we better hope Prado can eek out the only .300 avg on the team again this season.
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
8:11 pm
Well DOB I’d figure you’d sympathize with him since the braves haven’t traded for your man crush willingham yet. — Dylan
BWAHAHAHA. Funny dude, this Dylan.
dylan
December 3rd, 2012
8:13 pm
Haha thanks DOB no disrespect meant, best blog writer in Atlanta sports.
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
8:14 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. — Ralph
Funny, his name was never mentioned by Wren today when I asked him about Gattis and Cunningham being options. He mentioned Constanza and also Francisco (for 3B, with Prado stay in LF some in that scenario), but no Schafer.
I guess he just forgot.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
8:16 pm
I wanted Nate to succeed so bad. Think he was imitidated by organization and players. Could care the least with Melky. He just didn’t try that hard. PED’s helped him with his BA like Bonds did with his.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
8:18 pm
I am glad Wren has forgotten about Schafer whether it was for the moment or he really isn’t much of an option for LF.
Angel Eyes
December 3rd, 2012
8:19 pm
You can talk all you want about Minor, Medlen ,whoever. He went there to get a LF and leadoff hitter. He had one but wouldn,t trade a pitcher. Pitchers don’t hit. Good pitcher still averages giving up 3 runs a game. You don’t have hitters on your team. You lose. I guess he is going to put Minor in LF. Why did he go to the meetings? TO PLAY GOLF AND LISTEN TO THE MUSIC. He didn’t go there to get us a LF.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
8:23 pm
DOB, he wants to surprise you like he did with Yanish.
jbill
December 3rd, 2012
8:25 pm
Only place I’d like to see Schafer playing is in Jail….maybe he could make the Longest Yard team as RB he’s so fast.
Dylan…Willingham would be just great right now.
Also think Cunningham maybe ready..
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
8:26 pm
DOB, has there not even been a mention of Wil Myers from Wren and Co.? If not, do you not believe that would be a worthy question for Wren? Or maybe you already asked him about it, and it’s simply a matter of him not being willing to part with some of our pitching? C’mon, man, feel us in.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
8:27 pm
Janish was an excellent pickup. Great glove. Bat was great but he had timely hits when badly needed. He keep the Braves in the lead wildcard position. Glad Wren re-signed him. Now he needs to re-sign Reed Johnson. He can play LF and I would be okay with that.
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
8:27 pm
Wow, that’s embarrassing… “feel us in.” Heh, I meant “fill us in.”
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
8:28 pm
Meant to say Janish’s bat was not great.
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2012
8:28 pm
I just get a feeling the Braves and Royals could get together on a deal. Alex Gordon is such a good fit, and if Royals would take Teheran or Delgado as the key piece in a deal….
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
8:30 pm
Didn’t Gordon just sign a deal earlier this year? Are they actually going to move him?
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
8:31 pm
Wren hasn’t even signed Reed Johnson yet, he will probably be gone in a day or two.
jbill
December 3rd, 2012
8:33 pm
We really need a lead-off hitter in LF. I don’t want to see Simmons leading off. LF has been a problem for years. Get it done Mr Wren. You said we could trade from pitcher depth a month ago..we waiting.
Prado has been good in LF but moved around to much.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
8:34 pm
Alex Gordon would be a good pickup. Trading one of those pitchers and maybe a couple of others further down the chain would be good. Guess KC has already penciled in Myers in the outfield for next year. Smart move on their part.
CO2LeakNewsALLDAYLONG
December 3rd, 2012
8:35 pm
Gordon a good fit? Did you forget he’s left handed AND not someone who should bat leadoff? He’s better suited for lower in the order. Please explain.
Angel Eyes
December 3rd, 2012
8:35 pm
Maybe Wren is going to play LF. He won’t trade simmons to get Upton. He won’t trade Minor to get Fowler. It was a waste of money to send him. Send him Home.
jbill
December 3rd, 2012
8:35 pm
DOB..Maybe!
Angel Eyes
December 3rd, 2012
8:35 pm
J Upton is a perfect fit. You see what happened there
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
8:37 pm
DOB
What are your thoughts on signing Greinke? Last nite Schuerholz said not to count the Braves out on MLB network.
CO2LeakNewsALLDAYLONG
December 3rd, 2012
8:37 pm
@angel eyes
whine much? i wouldnt trade simmons+ for upton, nor would i minor for fowler. i bet the “experts” would agree.
Robin Hood
December 3rd, 2012
8:39 pm
In the middle of June when Uggla has 20 homers and is hitting 275, everyone will be glad we still have him!!
CO2LeakNewsALLDAYLONG
December 3rd, 2012
8:39 pm
Re: Minor for Fowler
Why would colorado want a notorious flyball pitcher?
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
8:39 pm
Have you forgotten Prado can and has batted leadoff before. He wasn’t bad. Guess you expect leadoff batters to have speed and be able to steal bases. That isn’t necessary. Just get on base and let the big bats bring you around the bases.
O-my
December 3rd, 2012
8:39 pm
Amber has changed her name to Angel Eyes. How is everything in New South Whales?
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
8:41 pm
skeeter—-Schuerholtz forgot Ted Turner isn’t the owner any more.
Comfortably Dumb
December 3rd, 2012
8:41 pm
Alex Gordon is not worth Teheran or Delgado.
urban redneck
December 3rd, 2012
8:42 pm
i am going to stop buying baseball stuff. i am giving my tommy hanson auto ball to my dog. i have a feeling my teheran stuff is about to go on clearance as well. i’m declaring shenanigans. go bravos.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
8:44 pm
I agree RH. Have a very good gut feeling Uggla is going to have a great year. He can carry the team at times and proved it 2 years ago and all those years in Miami.
CMonoxideNewsALLDAYLONG
December 3rd, 2012
8:44 pm
just realized that i erroneously went with “CO2″ when carbon monoxide is “CO”. anyway, are all you other atl denizens as sick about hearing about it as i am. atl media harps on a story like no other.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
8:44 pm
Why would colorado want a notorious flyball pitcher?
And why would Atlanta want a pop up hitter, we’re not playing in Denver.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
8:47 pm
Dodgers are looking at Dickey now. Do they suspect another team has gotten the attention of Greinke, like the Braves?
Angel Eyes
December 3rd, 2012
8:47 pm
@ALLDAYLONG If he wasn’t going to make a trade,Why did he go. Simmons or Minor is what it is going totake,
jbill
December 3rd, 2012
8:49 pm
Skeeter—I have not forgot anything and don’t guess what I expect..I know all about Prado batting lead-off but that is not where he is best…he is better in 2 spot. I love people to them other people what they already know.
Just let the big bats bring them around the bases..lol
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
8:52 pm
jbill———What big bats are you talking about, didn’t know we had any.
ugaaccountant
December 3rd, 2012
8:52 pm
If we just got visited by Santa claus and can suddenly afford Greinke, get him and then trade Medlin for Myers!
Comfortably Dumb
December 3rd, 2012
8:52 pm
Teheran/Gilmartin/EOF for Meyers.
1. Meyers
2. Prado
3. Heyward
4.That stubby bastard who can’t hit but somehow makes $12 million a year
5. Freeman
6. Fellachio Upton
7. Fat Mac
8. Simmons
O'Ventbrel
December 3rd, 2012
8:54 pm
Can we wait until the middle of the week before we start calling for our GMs head please? The first day isnt even over yet.
That said, I read a scouting report about Gattis and saw this: Absolute masher at the plate. Big time power. Willingness to choke up and cut down on his swing allows him to consistently hit for a high average. Doesn’t strikeout much for a slugger.
Yes, he turns 27 next year and is only an average defender, but any big slugger who is willing to adjust his swing and maintain a good batting average is worth an invitation to Spring Training for further evaluation IMO.
jbill
December 3rd, 2012
8:54 pm
Ralph see Skeeter @ 8:39..I know we don’t..thats whats funny
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
8:57 pm
@Ralph: Well, we have Upton, Heyward, Freeman, and Uggla… all of whom can drive in 80+ runs per year. A lead-off man is not a necessity, as the Nationals proved last year with Werth.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
8:57 pm
jbill——Got it!
CMonoxideNewsALLDAYLONG
December 3rd, 2012
8:57 pm
@ralph
not too bright are you? colorado is a launching pad due to the thin air. they are very picky about their pitchers b/c flyballers dont fare too well there.simple enough for you to understand now?
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
8:59 pm
SportyNuts———-Guess your right!
Comfortably Dumb
December 3rd, 2012
8:59 pm
Oventbrel….where have you been? Gattis is without a doubt getting an invite to ST…this isn’t any breaking news.
SportyNuts
December 3rd, 2012
9:01 pm
@O’Ventbrel: Oh, there’s no doubt about Gattis, he’s sure to get a spring training invitation. But to bank on him in LF is not the wisest of choices, in my opinion. I would rather see Gattis behind the plate, as I believe that’s a better position for him considering his size and good throwing arm. He would still need to work on his defense, but I think he would excel at a quicker rate behind the plate than he would in LF.
Comfortably Dumb
December 3rd, 2012
9:02 pm
Contagion is scary.
BravesFanInNashville
December 3rd, 2012
9:02 pm
No to Alex Gordon…… he hits left handed he made $6 Million in 2012 and will get paid more next year. he hit 14 home runs only stole 10 bases and was caught 5 times and he struck out 140 times. I think if we give up a pitcher like Delgado or Teheran that is under team control for 6 years we should get the same back unless it’s for Upton. Let’s target Myers, Upton and Stanton. His agent just said he is really unhappy in Florida and the Marlins might be willing to look at packages for him. He should be our #1 Target followed by Myers and then Upton.
Comfortably Dumb
December 3rd, 2012
9:02 pm
Contagion is scary.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
9:06 pm
CMonoxideNewsALLDAYLONG——You missed what I said, I was agreeing with you but on the other hand Fowler would not be a fit in Atlanta.
Luman Harris
December 3rd, 2012
9:06 pm
Wow, the crazies are out tonight. Relax, people.
BravesFanInNashville
December 3rd, 2012
9:08 pm
O-my…. I was wondering why we haven’t heard from Amber Girl the last couple of days since we talked about her having “sleepy time” at noon every day local time in New South Wales.
Is it possible she is now Angel Eyes.. Either way I liked her as a blogger because she added to the conversation.
AdirondackDave
December 3rd, 2012
9:09 pm
O’Ventbrel — Absolutely right on Gattis. I think we have to give him a shot behind the plate or in left.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
9:13 pm
Big bats should be 3,4,5, 6 and 7 in the lineup.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
9:15 pm
Gattis will probably start the season as a 5th outfielder and/or 3rd catcher off the bench pinch hitter until he shows his stuff and can hit big league pitchers, I believe he can.
skeeter
December 3rd, 2012
9:16 pm
Wren won’t trade for Miami’s Stanton. He doesn’t want to part with anyone.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2012
9:22 pm
skeeter——True, remember what he said last winter, “I love this team as it is”, he still feels the same way.
CMonoxideNewsALLDAYLONG
December 3rd, 2012
9:31 pm
Braves should invite Scott Kazmir, Grady Sizemore, and Rich Harden to ST as nonroster invitees! If even one pans out, hot damn!
O'Ventbrel
December 3rd, 2012
9:39 pm
You alright, Comfortably? It was just a simple observation, no need to get angry.