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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,816 comments Add your comment
Brava
December 5th, 2012
1:48 pm
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
Still a big gap in ra dickey contract talks: mets offering about $20M for 2 year extension, he’s asking $30M for 2.
Ray
December 5th, 2012
1:48 pm
Keppenger off the board for the Yanks. I guess Cashman should be fired. On their blogs, Some Yankee fans are losing their minds because they have not made any moves.
Tumbledown
December 5th, 2012
1:49 pm
Mixxo – Welcome to 85 wins folks.
I can only imagine what people were saying last offseason. Probably something like “Welcome to 70 wins folks.” Anyway, as of right now, there appears to be many viable options available. Would you have rather splurged on Victorino for what Boston paid?
Maybe by the end of spring training, we will be left with Constanza/Schafer in LF. Until then, the story of this offseason has not not been written.
Russell Bell
December 5th, 2012
1:49 pm
I would offer Teheran straight up for Choo.
That looks like selling low on Teheran – I’d rather hold on to him and see if he can figure out how to increase his SOs per outing.
unbelievable
December 5th, 2012
1:49 pm
DOB, you are tweeting about Wren going to watch Teheran pitch, but hasnt Teheran already said goodbye to the team and headed back to Columbia? Thought there team had reported that.
Puma
December 5th, 2012
1:50 pm
“Jason Grilli’s agent, former MLB slugger Gary Sheffield, tells Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (Twitter link) that he’s nearing a deal for his client. However, Sheffield didn’t reveal which team was closing in on Grilli.”
Gary Sheffield is an agent now! Weird, never would have imagined.
bring back blauser
December 5th, 2012
1:51 pm
has anyone advised the Yankee fans that The Boss died and the sons are not willing to win t all costs
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 5th, 2012
1:54 pm
right there with ya Va regarding Choo. Id ship Teheran outta here faster than you could say Greinke. Keep Delgado.
Nats add Span, Haren, and hav full seasons from Harper, Stras, maybe Morse. Not to mention Ramos coming back. We add BJ flippin Upton, maybe Bonifacio, if not we’re using Georgie and Juan Franwhiffco, and have a full season of soft-tossing #3 starters ahead of us.
Catching up to the Nats, how? Lucky that the Mets and Phils are so bad.
tony austin
December 5th, 2012
1:54 pm
I think I’d be okay with Choo as long as he doesn’t cost that much. If he does come aboard however, there are going to be some team strikeout records set next season.
But when they are all “clicking”, they should score a ton of runs.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 5th, 2012
1:54 pm
right there with ya Va regarding Choo. Id ship Teheran outta here faster than you could say Greinke. Keep Delgado.
Nats add Span, Haren, and hav full seasons from Harper, Stras, maybe Morse. Not to mention Ramos coming back. We add BJ flippin Upton, maybe Bonifacio, if not we’re using Georgie and Juan Franwhiffco, and have a full season of soft-tossing #3 starters ahead of us.
Catching up to the Nats, how? Lucky that the Mets and Phils are so bad.
Tumbledown
December 5th, 2012
1:55 pm
Puma -Gary Sheffield is an agent now! Weird, never would have imagined.
I wonder if Sheffield will waggle the pen a couple of times before inking the deal.
Ray
December 5th, 2012
1:55 pm
@Tumbledown, that is exactly what they were saying. Everything from 78-82 wins. The intelligence just carries over from year to year and they turn out to be wrong year after year. But I am sure if they keep saying it for the next 10 years, sooner or later they may end up right.
Mixxo
December 5th, 2012
1:56 pm
….Would you have rather splurged on Victorino for what Boston paid?
Absolutely not.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
1:57 pm
Dan Connolly @danconnollysun
McLouth receives $2 million, one year deal plus $500,000 in bonuses
Brava
December 5th, 2012
1:58 pm
Joel Sherman @Joelsherman1
Keppinger was #Yankees 1st choice as RH part of 3b platoon, so loss to #WhiteSox forces Plan B
VaBravesFan
December 5th, 2012
1:59 pm
I just think Choo would be a huge upgrade atop our lineup. Even with the cost of Teheran I’d do it. Then we could do the qualifying offer and get a draft pick next offseason.
Russell Bell
December 5th, 2012
1:59 pm
Id ship Teheran outta here faster than you could say Greinke.
I’m glad you do not hold sway over the decision makers in the Braves’ FO.
Also, obsess much?
Brava
December 5th, 2012
2:01 pm
Dan Connolly @danconnollysun
The Orioles also made an offer to outfielder Nate Schierholtz but it was turned down this morning.
Rick C
December 5th, 2012
2:02 pm
“Nats add Span, Haren, and hav full seasons from Harper, Stras, maybe Morse. Not to mention Ramos coming back.”
Span was a good pickup for them as they did not have a true lead off hitter, but he’s essentially replacing either Morse or LaRoche. I’m not sure if that really makes them better. And I don’t think Haren is that much of an upgrade over Jackson.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 5th, 2012
2:02 pm
Maybe its selling low on TRex but Id do it. He lookedd terrible for an entire year, after pitching well the year before. Lost velocity, command, he throws his fastball straight now. Cant spin a curve.Id keep RD over him. No way should he be in the rotation next year, so it’s trade him or put him in AAA. Would not trade Delgado over him. And, if he can’t figure it out by July next year, Im sure much of the league will be a bit more afraid to acquire him.
BigHittas
December 5th, 2012
2:02 pm
How bout signing Youkilis to a two-three year deal? Plug him in at third and you have an instant clutch player and clubhouse leader???
Tumbledown
December 5th, 2012
2:02 pm
Teheran for one year of Choo seems like a bit much. If Choo has other suitors, any deal will come to a head pretty soon with the Braves involved. If no other suitors are out there, there is no need to rush the deal by giving up one of our top pitching prospects.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
2:05 pm
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
Many combinations discussed by 3/4 teams but word is 1 had upton going to tex, asdrubal to AZ and martin perez plus to cle
ncscoots
December 5th, 2012
2:05 pm
If he does come aboard however, there are going to be some team strikeout records set next season.
OBP – Choo .380, Prado .350, Heyward .350, Freeman .340, Uggla, .340, McCann .350, Upton .330;
Strikeouts or not, that’s a boatload of baserunners and lots of sock to get ‘em in.
DAP
December 5th, 2012
2:07 pm
bighittas How bout signing Youkilis to a two-three year deal?
if i were, this would be on my radar…but it would be a two year deal with games played incentives and it would be a backup plan if i cant get an outfielder i want.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
2:08 pm
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
Jason Bay’s deal with #Mariners is “close” to completion as of this hour, source says.
brian
December 5th, 2012
2:09 pm
Francisco plus B level prospect to Yankees for BRett Gardner
Brava
December 5th, 2012
2:09 pm
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
Jason Kubel remains a #Mariners trade target even with Jason Bay deal apparently imminent.
nolie
December 5th, 2012
2:10 pm
Why does the scouting scale only go to 80? Why not 90? Or 100?…murph
thats as high as most of us could count. 4 times around on fingers and toes
Tumbledown
December 5th, 2012
2:10 pm
Before posting on this board, I was someone who did not like players who struck out on a frequent basis. I guess I got tired of seeing Andruw Jones, Ryan Klesko, and the like seemingly strike out at key points in a game. But, I have been educated that strikeouts are not so bad when considering other stats and that “outs is outs.” Thus, I am on board with the Upton signing and with pursuing Choo.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 5th, 2012
2:11 pm
I disagree about Haren. Big improvement, if healthy. He had what, an ERA of about 3.20 for the Angels before he had some back issues this season. Easily a lowend 2, strong 3 when healthy. EJax was a 4.
Glad for my boy Nate. We could use him in ATL though if our other options are Georgie and Juan
Efrim
December 5th, 2012
2:12 pm
Heyward .350
You thinkin’ a .530 SLG then?
unbelievable
December 5th, 2012
2:13 pm
One issue with Youkilis is that he’s a pretty poor defensive 3B. He really needs to be playing 1B.
mrnatural
December 5th, 2012
2:18 pm
I would like for Wren to make signing Reed Johnson a priority even if you have to slightly overpay. It’s really hard to make a mistake on a player like that at the 2-3 million range. He gives the Braves a lot of flexibility. Allows Freddie G. to start Francisco at third vs. RH pitching with Prado in left. Move Prado to third vs. LH pitching and start Johnson in left. Why pay a premium now for free agents with outsized expectations. If the platoon isn’t producing Wren would have the money in reserve and the minor league pitching trade pieces to acquire a LF bat during the season when some team is in need of pitching and willing to trade. Reacting to the feeding frenzy mentality of the GM meetings and an impatient fan base crying for “something” to happen is a good recipe for screw soup.
richbrave
December 5th, 2012
2:19 pm
Gettin’ late in NASHVILLE Mr. WREN, do we have a major multi-team trade or not?
Tumbledown
December 5th, 2012
2:19 pm
unbelievable -One issue with Youkilis is that he’s a pretty poor defensive 3B. He really needs to be playing 1B.
Wren could go all in by trading Freeman, Teheran, and Gattis for Stanton. Sign Youk or Laroche for first base. Call it a day. Yes, I know Stanton is not available, but one can dream of such an explosive outfield.
DAP
December 5th, 2012
2:20 pm
unbelieveable One issue with Youkilis is that he’s a pretty poor defensive 3B. He really needs to be playing 1B
no, hes not a bad 3rd baseman.
Ray
December 5th, 2012
2:20 pm
Tumbledown, outs are not outs. There are productive outs. Example, runner at 2nd, attempting to move the runner over. Or same scenario, ground ball to 3rd, runner doesn’t move and there is just another out.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
2:22 pm
DKnobler @DKnobler
Giants haven’t ruled out adding an outfielder, but it would be smaller money (sorry, Swisher)
Ray
December 5th, 2012
2:22 pm
Its reported that Reed Johnson has several offers on the table including the one from the Braves. he is looking over all of them.
DAP
December 5th, 2012
2:22 pm
ray, any idea who lead the league in advancing the runner last year?
Brava
December 5th, 2012
2:23 pm
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Source: #Mets don’t want to go two years on S. Hairston, considering other options. Catcher could come back for Dickey or in another deal.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
2:24 pm
DKnobler @DKnobler
Brewers have considered trading Corey Hart to free up money for pitching search. Without some type of move, can’t play on bigger pitchers.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
2:25 pm
DKnobler @DKnobler
Royals likely can’t afford Anibal or Lohse unless they trade some salary. They have stayed in touch with both, though.
DAP
December 5th, 2012
2:25 pm
Brewers have considered trading Corey Hart
that’d be good.
Tumbledown
December 5th, 2012
2:27 pm
Others with more expertise than me can argue the “outs is outs” argument better than me. Obviously, there are productive outs caused by players putting the ball in play in the right spot. Conversely, especially when a pitcher is batting with runners are on first and second, it is preferable to see him strike out rather than ground into an inning-killing double play.
Murph
December 5th, 2012
2:27 pm
Yawn…
Myers?
Puma
December 5th, 2012
2:28 pm
Corey Hart – too much potential for I Wear My Sunglasses at Night references
unbelievable
December 5th, 2012
2:28 pm
Royals should trade us Gordon if they need to free up some salary.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
2:30 pm
Joel Sherman @Joelsherman1
#Yankees hoped for 3b platoon to replace A-Rod Keppinger/Chavez now gone as Chavez signs with #diamondbacks as @JonHeymanCBS reported
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 5th, 2012
2:32 pm
Teheran for Corey Hart….
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
December 5th, 2012
2:32 pm
Teheran for Billy Hamilton…….in a heartbeat!
Super Slueth
December 5th, 2012
2:33 pm
Frank Wren was seen leaving Dempsey’s Dollar Dump scratching his head and musing “where are all the cheapos at today”
MiaBchBravesFan
December 5th, 2012
2:33 pm
With the addition of Pagnozzi to spell Laird while McCann recovers, it is looking more and more like it is Gattis’ job to lose in LF. Other teams are asking way too much from the Braves, and FOR ONCE Wren is smart to stand pat.
What teams are asking for in trade this winter is ridiculous!!!
Mr Pitts
December 5th, 2012
2:34 pm
Could somebody post WARS, WHIPS,AND OBSS. A couple decades of basic stats and salary info might help us with a regression analysis with the data set.
Murph
December 5th, 2012
2:34 pm
Poor Yankees. They’re going to finish 3rd next season… and make hundreds of millions of dollars.
ray k
December 5th, 2012
2:34 pm
Doesn’t it seem like Wren does this every couple of years? He gets a name like BJ or Uggla, and then says although we are pursuing another important piece to fill out our Christmas list, we will be satisfied with the options we currently have, which turns into a ho-hum platoon type situation, and we come up short in September once again.
I know he only has so much to play with, and I have approved of most of his moves; I just wish we’d go for the jugular just once. I wish we had declined Mac’s option (or even Huddy’s) and begun a new era, wholesale. It often feels like we are keeping ballast on a ship that is good enough to stay afloat, but not good enough to win it all.
Super Slueth
December 5th, 2012
2:34 pm
Meanwhile The Mets are in a hairy situation over Diclkey
Ray
December 5th, 2012
2:36 pm
@unbelievable Okay, here you go.. you are Braves GM, If you want Gordon, you must send us Minor plus a prospect OR Delgado and Spruill
Luman Harris
December 5th, 2012
2:36 pm
Learn to spell, Super
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
December 5th, 2012
2:36 pm
Don’t worry Braves fans………we have Luis Durango in the minors
Super Slueth
December 5th, 2012
2:36 pm
Up in Philadelphia there are rumblings about Amaro not making moves so he kicked the coffee table over and punched Cholly in the nose!
Luman Harris
December 5th, 2012
2:38 pm
You know, other teams might consider what WE”RE asking for in trades ridiculous, too.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
2:39 pm
Wow!
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
Jason bay finalizing deal with mariners. Major league deal for seven figures
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 5th, 2012
2:39 pm
Royals need to clear some money…. We’ll take Gordon.
I like Gattis and his story, but isnt it too early to basically just hand him the LF job?
Big Donnie
December 5th, 2012
2:40 pm
WE NEED TROY GLAUS ON THIRD! Come on Wren, pleeeease make this deal
Puma
December 5th, 2012
2:40 pm
Ray – I would do Delgado and Spruill for Gordon
Murph
December 5th, 2012
2:41 pm
Show of hands, who thinks the team, as it’s built now, will finish better than last season’s team did?
Don’t be shy, raise your hand and be recognized. If you think this team will be better as it is now, put your hand up high.
Super Slueth
December 5th, 2012
2:43 pm
Uh-Oh! Newsflash coming soon…..
Efrim
December 5th, 2012
2:43 pm
D-Backs with an interesting amount of position player options for 2013:
LF Kubel, CF Eaton, RF Upton
3B Johnson, SS Pennington, 2B Hill, 1B Goldschmidt, C Montero
Bench options: OF Parra, OF Pollack, 3B Chavez, INF Bloomquist, INF McDonald, 1B Hinske, C Nieves
Setting up nicely for a trade, it seems.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
2:43 pm
Listening to Wren on 680. Doesn’t sound like he’s super motivated to make a trade. Still talking about internal options and those guys deserving a chance.
Ric Flair to Right
December 5th, 2012
2:43 pm
Houston led the NL in team strikeouts with 1365, between Upton,Uggla,Heyward,Freeman there is 618. Almost half way to the league lead with just 4 guys! Wrens idea of a balanced lineup is really crazy. Those 4 will sit in the middle of the lineup, its gonna be a long frustrating season with this lineup.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
2:44 pm
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX
#Dbacks, Indians, Rangers, Rays: Justin Upton, Asdrubal Cabrera, James Shields…A blockbuster could be in the works:
Mixxo
December 5th, 2012
2:45 pm
Murph
Sorry Murph…..can’t do it.
Not yet.
Super Slueth
December 5th, 2012
2:45 pm
Murph! as constructed right now??? Hell NO!
ChattTownBrian
December 5th, 2012
2:45 pm
Not surprised no deal of any kind had been struck yet. Reed Johnson platoon for LF with somebody they get closer to spring training sounds about Wren’s. BJ was his main piece and that’s that.
Efrim
December 5th, 2012
2:45 pm
Doesn’t sound like he’s super motivated to make a trade. Still talking about internal options and those guys deserving a chance.
Doesn’t want to trade certain prospects for players with one year of club control.
ray k
December 5th, 2012
2:47 pm
If Walden and Venters both bounce back to 2011 form, we arguably have the best bullpen in the majors.
Efrim
December 5th, 2012
2:47 pm
Shields to the Indians?
DS1
December 5th, 2012
2:47 pm
Murph
That’s kind of a dumb question. Who thinks Wren is finished? I don’t. He will be adding at least 1-2 more pieces. So why don’t we exercise a modicum of patience and see who he adds until we start making predictions on whether we will be better or not.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
2:48 pm
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Just asked official involved in four-team blockbuster to describe state of talks. His reply: “Nowhere.” We’ll see.
ChattTownBrian
December 5th, 2012
2:48 pm
Brava, exactly. Wren isn’t making any more major moves. I will be disappointed, but not in the least surprised.
Super Slueth
December 5th, 2012
2:48 pm
One starter with one hole left open isn’t going to cut it, Wren better get off his ass and do some business if you will! Upton alone will not boost this team, Uggla? really? 2 years of decline and suddenly he is gonna bounce back… horse nuts!
Mac, anyone here ever has shoulder surgery? not likely to be back til may.
Gattis, Scitferbrains, Cantstandya? you’re joking right! I bet Bee Jay is pretty pissed right now about signing so early!
Luman Harris
December 5th, 2012
2:49 pm
Murph, it’s possible. If McCann and Uggla bounce back, Upton finally live sup to potential, and pitchers stay healthy. …. But, yeah, I think we need another piece of the puzzle.
TheOnlyBravesFan
December 5th, 2012
2:50 pm
Georgie, Durango, Franwhiffco don’t need to be playing everyday for a contender… the Astros, sure, but not the Braves. Not deserved. Aybe he just wants to save Delgado and Teheran for a mid-season blockbuster, to get us an ace. Like Price. But why would the Rays (or any contender) deal their ace midseason?
Murph- Present, with my hands are lowered and crossed.
Murph
December 5th, 2012
2:50 pm
Still talking about internal options and those guys deserving a chance.
That’s what you say when you can’t get anything else put together. Funny how they didn’t deserve a chance back when Wren wanted to land Upton AND Span, but now that all his deals have fallen apart, hey, those guys deserve a chance.
Very disappointed in this offseason. I know, I know, still lots of time to go before ST, but this was the time to get something done, and here we are…
We’ll at least be front runners for the Wild Card again, so we’ve got that going for us.
My projected opening day lineup:
1. Simmons
2. Prado
3. Heyward
4. Upton
5. Freeman
6. Uggla
7. BMac
8. Francisco
ChattTownBrian
December 5th, 2012
2:50 pm
Wren is obviously a smart guy though. You can’t be knee jerky in these situations.
Super Slueth
December 5th, 2012
2:51 pm
Uggla is what he is, the same this coming season as the past 2, without as many homeruns!
I would rather see Wren deal Uggla to the Cubs for Sorryano! at least we would have 1 less year of painful strikeouts!
O.M.G.
December 5th, 2012
2:52 pm
Murph, I say yes.
VaBravesFan
December 5th, 2012
2:53 pm
Wonder if the Rangers are trying to get both Justin Upton and James Shields? Maybe they finally cracked and are willing to include Profar and Olt in a deal.
Super Slueth
December 5th, 2012
2:53 pm
Maybe this is the year the Braves tank and Fredi and Wren get their proverbial asses booted out of Atlanta!
Puma
December 5th, 2012
2:53 pm
Murph – right now, not better than last year. But a lot of that depends on how Uggs and McCann do this year. If they hit to career averages, then we will win more. I would say our pitching staff should be better than last year, if nothing else no Hanson starting every 5th day, full year of Meds and Maholm.
ray k
December 5th, 2012
2:55 pm
Murph, that lineup looks so mediocre, doesn’t it? A couple games per week where the offense shows up, sandwiched in between games with 10-15 k’s up and down our lineup.
The bullpen will be busy as usual, but I think our pitchers are going to be disappointed with their win totals this year.
C-Chat
December 5th, 2012
2:55 pm
The SF Giants made some of the moves that catapulted them to a WS title in July and August. Patience, Braves fans. Titles are not won in December.
Murph
December 5th, 2012
2:56 pm
That’s kind of a dumb question. Who thinks Wren is finished? I don’t. He will be adding at least 1-2 more pieces.
It’s not a dumb question. Maybe you’re dumb for not being able to understand it. I don’t know, I try not to judge.
Pretty simple. Are the Braves better with Upton and either Gattis or Francisco than they were with Bourn and Chipper? Better with Mejia, Schafer, and Laird than they were with Hinske, Johnson, and Ross?
You could argue that they are better on paper, depending on what you think Gattis or Francisco will do, depending on which BJ Upton shows up to the park. You could argue that they’re worse, lacking the OBP that Chipper and Bourn brought to the table.
Again, pretty simple question. Take it for what it is.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
2:56 pm
Okay, now I know what the holdup is. Fredi says every time something comes up, Frank asks him, “Is this the type of player that you like?”
Don’t how how many Uggla types are running around.
Ray
December 5th, 2012
2:56 pm
For everyone of you that are saying Wren is just sitting on his hands.. pretty sure the same ones from last winter, please what moves do you want Wren to make? I do remember so many of the same ones glorifying the great moves of the Marlins last year and how tremendous the Phils were going to be. I will take where the Braves are right now over the marlins and the phils.
Super Slueth
December 5th, 2012
2:59 pm
There is no such thing as a 9 man rotation, the Braves have too many starting pitchers! time to set some free.
Brava
December 5th, 2012
2:59 pm
Andy Martino @MartinoNYDN
Dickey leaves winter meetings without negotiating with mets. Came here only to congratulate Wright, which he did. Situation remains in limbo
DS1
December 5th, 2012
2:59 pm
OK Frank Wren, you’ve got one more evening to completely assemble your 2013 roster. Don’t blow it now. Cause if you don’t pull the trigger before the bewitching hour, all hell is going to break loose.
Would some of you folks give it a freakin rest! It’s December the 5th for goodness sakes!